^ , ^^Ifs: ** LIMEEIOK ; ^^ ITS HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES. ECCLESIASTICAL, CIVIL, AND MILITARY, FROM THE EARLIEST AGES, WITH COPIOUS HISTORICAL, ARCH^OLOGICAL, TOPOGRArHICAL, AND GENEA- LOGICAL NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS ; MAPS, PLATES AND APPENDICES, AND AN ALPHABETICAL INDEX, ETC. (Kompiltb from l^c g^iuicnt ginnals, t^c most |iiitljentjc PS. mh ^rbteb fietorbs, fluent lUstattlus, tit., tit. Tuuia Xe^/ovaa ia-ri. — Heredotus, Euterpe, ch. 99. " I have related what I have seen, what I have thought, and what I have learned by inquiry." — Caky's Translation. SECOA'D EDITION, WITH ADDITIONS, de. BY MAURICE LENIHAN, ESQ., MAYOR OF LIMERICK, LIFE MEf BER OF THE ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY ; FELLOW OF THE ROYAL HISTORICAL AMD ARCH^OLOGU'AL ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND, ETC., ETC. §\Mm : JAMES DUFFY & SONS, 15 WELLINGTON QUAY, DUBLIN, AND 1 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON. 1884. DEDICATION. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EDWIN EICHARD WINDHAM WYNDHAM QUIN, TRIED EARL OF DUNEAYEN AND MOUNT-EAEL, LORD LIEUTENANT AKD CUSTOS ROTULORUM OF THE COUNTY OF THE CITT, AND OF THE COUNTY OF LIMERICK, ETC , ETC , ETC. Mt Lord, The associations of a History of a locality in wliicli your Lord- sliip must necessarily take a deep interest, from tlie manifold ties, both ancient and modern, which so intimately connect you with many of the transactions recorded in the following pages, and your Lordship's well- known attainments as a scholar and antiquarian, would, independently of your large possessions and eminent position in the county, remind me of your Lordship as the most appropriate personage to whom such a book should be dedicated. I therefore take the liberty of requesting your acceptance of a work of no inconsiderable toil, in which I have endeavoured, faithfully and impartially, to record events, the perusal of wliich, it is to be hoped, may both interest and instruct. I have the honour to be, my Lord, Your Lordship's most obedient servant, MAURICE LENIHAN. Limerick, February 20, 1866. 2930 |^tf&"-- PEEFACE. I HAVE already stated, in tlie prospectus of tliis book, that historical truth, local and general interest, fulness of details, and the publication of new and authentic matter, derived from original sources, we"'e the main objects which I proposed to myself in undertaking the laborious and difficult task of writing a History of Ancient and Modern Limerick. Originally appearing at intervals in the ephemeral shape of a contribution to the newspaper of which I am the proprietor, the plan of the work, as at first contemplated, included only the history of the last sieges ; but the resources developed in the course of the studies which I found indispensable for a competent discharge of the duties that I had undertaken, accmnulated so much interesting matter, and attracted so much attention and encouragement from some or our most eminent scholars and patriots, that I was induced to think of giving these occasional contributions to local history a fuller and, I hope, a more permanent form. My own enthusiastic love of the subject, no doubt, as well as these friendly criticisms, made me underrate the labour and care, to say nothing of the other high qualifications and responsibilities involved in such an undertaking ; and, in fact, as my materials increased by the addit'on of family muniments, pedigrees, and official documents, I found that the publication of my notes and memoranda alone would extend to thr^e or four volumes. Of course, so weighty a work was beyond my private means, upon which exclusively I have had to rely for the publication of my book, and which have been the more heavily taxed because I resolved to pubfish it at so extremely low a price, compared with other works of the kind. I had, therefore, to choose a medium between a historical epitome, and a publication which would have been more fitly called Historical Collections for a History of Limerick, than by its present title. In such circumstances, fine writing, ambitious narrative, studied graces of style, and philosophical reflections, have often to be sacrificed to the stern requirements of facts and figures. In a work too which alternates be- tween sublimity and commonplace, sustained elevation, or even equality of style, is not to be always expected. All that could reasonably be looked for was truth, lucidity and interest of narrative, and accuracy of in- formation, and whether I have reahzed these objects or not, public opinion will find no difficulty in deciding. My chapter on the county history, topography, and antiquities, alone contains condensed information which might easily be expanded into a goodly volume, for which, in fact, I still have copious materials in MS. I hope, however, my endeavours to render the book a readable as well as an instructive one, will not be entirely fruitless. As another contribution, collected from the best sources, to our local histories, which are so very few when compared with those of other countries, the work possesses an additional interest. Vlll PREFACE. Should it attain the success I hope for, I shall be induced to try the history of Tippciary, and perhaps of Clare, for which also I have ample materials. As for the spirit in which any reflections I have made in the course of the work may have been conceived, I think it unnecessary to offer any apology. Whatever my opinions may he on political, social, or religious subjects, I have not allowed them to interfere with strict impartiality as a historian. Had I, or could I have, written without makir^^ any reflections at all, I might as well have published a dry list of chronological events, instead of a history, and I could, in such a case, neither have felt nor imparted that degree of interest to the work which would insure its popularity or even its perusal. Such as it is, its publication in book form has originated in a suggestion of my venerable friend the Most Rev. Dr. Leahy, the learned and gifted Archbishop of Cashel and Emly. That scarcely any diversity of opinion exists as to whether another History of Limerick was required at the present day, is, I beheve, a settled point. A century has well nigh passed away since John Ferrar compiled liis small history and directory ; and more than eighty years have elapsed since the second and larger edition appeared. Ferrar drew all his materials from the Rev. James White's MSS., omitting much that did not suit the times and his patrons, and from Dr. Smith's MSS. in the Royal Irish Academy. Of the grand and salient features of the history he gave but little ; he suppressed many annals ; whilst the sieges and battles of Limerick, the heioism of its defenders, their triumphs and their suflferinfirs, are passed over in a very short space: he left untouched many of tre principal incidents, even in the sources from which he professed to draw, and other more important fountains of knowledge were to him sealed altogether. The immense mass of matter which has been brought to light in reference to Ireland since he wrote, tlrrough the labours of our archae- ologists and historians, through the Royal Irish Academy, the Gaelic Society, the Archssological and Celtic Societies, etc., through the extra- ordinary labours of my late lamented friend Professor Eugene O'Curry, the late Dr. O'Donovan, the late Dr. Petrie, Dr. Todd, etc., attests his deficiency in resources which are now abundant. Of the larger history of Fitzgerald and MacGregor, although possessing a certain amount of merit, which I am far from undervaluing, it will not, I trust, be deemed rash or invidious to say, that it is quite as much a history of Ireland as of Limerick ; that its copious details, even if desirable in a local history, are often put forward upon the authority of some persons who were either imperfectly acquainted with the subject, or partially disqualified from offering their statemenis and opinions by personal and political prejudices and prepossessions ; and that a very considerable quantity of the matter which fills the two bulky volumes, can have little interest to readers who sit down with the wish to be in- formed of the facts of the particular history which the title page pro- fesses to give. Thanks to the labours of recent archEeologists, to the wide spread of education, and to the more intimate intercourse between men of all opinions which exists in these days of frequent and rapid locomotion, many of the prejudices against nationality, so common even in the days of the last historians of Limerick, have already passed or are rapidly passing away, and have been succeeded by a spirit of honest inquiry, can- did admission, and a love of historical truth, which have been greatly fostered by the eminent men and by the publications to which we have PREFACE. IX already referred. I do not write by way of depreciating those wlio have trod the anxious path of local historical research before the present work was projected and undertaken; but I desire to show that a History of Limerick was an absolute desideratum which ought to be supplied. I have been engaged for some years, not only in collecting and preparing materials for this work, from rare and valuable published authorities, but I have supplied myself with manuscript materials of unquestionable autho- rity — chiefly amongst them the MSS. of Dr. Thomas Arthur, a native of Limerick, the friend of Sir James Ware, the physician of nearly all the eminent Irishmen of his time, and a relative of the illustrious Archbishop Creagh; to which MSS. there appears to have been little or no access before those invaluable materials for the history of Limerick came into my possession, though constituting some of the most ancient written records of many of the most important of local events — some of the most curious and interesting of which have never hitherto seen the light, but all of which I have given. The White Manuscripts, from which Ferrar professed to draw, but much of which, I repeat, he left untouched, I have in my possession at p/esenl:; and I have also had access to the interesting chartulary and annals of Edmond Sexten, preserved in the British Museum. I should add that some years ago I purchased the valuable Limerick MSS. of John DAlton, Esq., M.R J.A., from which I have derived most im- portant matter. Most of the other authorities I give below. As an instance of the fuller and more accurate details, to which I flatter myself this history will owe soire of its advantages over former ones, I may refer to the period of the Si:ges, a portion of the history to which Limerick is indebted for its chief celebrity, and visited by the lovers of national independence and military heroism. In treating of this and other parts of the work, I can safely aver I have spared no laborious exertions to acquaint myself both by reading, inquiring, and personal investigation, with all the narratives and traditions which bear upon the subject. On the history of its religious houses, and on the ecclesiastical history gene- rally of Limerick, I have also taken particularly great care, and expended considerable time and labour, constantly referring to original documents, such as the Black Book of Limerick, for the more ancient details, and to original sources of information for the more modern, and setting down nothing for which I had not suflicient authority, although I am not of course so vain as to think I have escaped an occasional error. In the list of authorities the reader will find, I hope, a sufficient guarantee of my industry as a student, and fidelity as a historian; but it would be ungrateful to omit my acknowledgment for many obligations conferred by kind friends who have consulted the public libraries for me, and lent me their family papers and other useful materials, besides other literary assistance. In the history of the Catholic Bishops after the Reformation, I have to express my thanks for the valuable assistance of the learned antiquarian, Mr. Hanna of Ballykilner, county Down. The present Lord Gort has most obligingly furnished me with many interesting records, and valuable notes from the Carew MSS., now in the Lambeth Library ; and his brother, the Hon. John P. Vereker, late Lord Mayor of Dublin, has supphed me with much available matter from, his own interesting collections of papers. For the deeply interesting notes on the PREFACE. Jesuit Fathers, I am indebted to tlie'kindness of tlie Rev. Father Hogan, S.J., a laborious and patient searcher after historical truth in this respect. L. Waldron, Esq., D.L., the late MP. for the county Tipperary, has afforded me information as to the existence of materials in the British Museum, etc., whilst De Lacy Pierce, Esq., and his nephews, of the Adelphi Chambers, Lo.idon, have most obUgingly contributed various illustrative documents derived from the same source, and from their own historical collections and papers. I have got some notes, too, of much interest, from the Hon. Robert O'Brien, from General Sir Charles R. O'Donnell, and from the late lamented John Windele, Esq., Cork; while in translation, research, revision, and general literary assistance, I have enjoyed the constant, efficient, and friendly aid of Thomas Stanley Tracey, Esq., A.B., ex-Schol. T.C.D., who was conveniently near me. The reader will find in the Index the fullest references to almost every- thing in the book besides what is contained in the table of contents, the latter, in general, giving only the chief heads of the subjects in. the text. List of principal authorities used in this work: — Annals of Four Masters, Annals of Munster, Annals of Ulster, Aphonsmical Discovery, etc., MS., T.C.D, Archdall's Monasticon, Arthur MSS.. Anderson's Ireland, Atkinson's View, etc., Billing's Fragmentum Historicura, Black Book of Limerick, Book of Friars' Preachers of Limerick in British Museum, Boate's Natural History, Borlase's Rebellion, Bourchier's Historia Ecclesiastics Francis- corum. Book of Distribution of Irish Forfeited Estates, Burgundian Library MSS. (Brussels), Book of Rights, Bruodin's Chronicles, Buchanan's History of Scotland, Cambrensis (Giraldus) Irish History in MSS. Camden's Britannia, Camden's History of Elizabeth, Campbell's Philosophical Survey, Campbell's Political Survey, Clyun and Dowling's Annals, Campion's History of Ireland, Carte's Life of Ormonde, Castlehaven's Memoirs, Clarendon's History of Rebellion, Comerford's History of Ireland, Colgan's Acta Sanctorum, etc., Conway Correspondence MSS., Cox's Hibernia Anglicana, Cro8sle)'8 Peerage of Ireland, Curry's Civil Wars of Ireland, Carve's Itinerary, Dalton's MSS., De Burgo's Hibernia Dominioana, De Burgo's Extracts from the Protestant Historians, Dalrymple's Memoirs, Dewar oa Ireland, Dunraven's (Earl of) Memorials of Adare, Ferrar's History of Limerick, Fitzgerald and M'Gregor's Hist, of Limerick. Frazer's Handbook of Ireland, French's (Bishop of Ferns) Unkinde Deser- tor and Bleeding Iphegenia, Froissart's Chronicles, Gordon's Ireland and Rebellion, Hamilton's Calendar of State Papers, Hanmer's Chronicles, Hardiman's History of Gal way, Harleian MSS. in Brit. Mus. Harris's Hibernica, Harris's History of Down, Heyjin's Historj', Ilolingshed's Chronicles, Hoveden's History, Keating's History of Ireland, Kilkenny Arcliasological Society's Journal, Keogh's Botanologia and Zoologia, King's State of the Irish Protestants, King James's Irish Army List, Lewis's Topographical Dictionary, Lanigan's Ecclesiastical History, Liber Hymnorum, Local Traditions, Ledwich's Antiquities, Leland's History of Ireland, Leyden's Agonia et Victoria; Martyrum Franciscorum, London Gazette, 1650-1-2, etc.. Lodge's Peerage of Ireland, Ludlow's Memoirs, Lynch's Law of Elections in Ireland, Lynch's Feudal Dignities, Lynch's Cambrensis Eversus, Lloyd's Ancient Church Government in Eng- land and Ireland, Mason's Statistical Survey, Mason on Irish Parliaments, Marlborougli's Chronicles, Morria's Calendary of the Patent and Close Rolls of Chancery, MacCurtin's Vindication, etc., Memoirs of an Octogenarian (J. Boche,Esq). PREFACE. XI M'Dermot's History of Ireland, Mona«ticon Ilibernicum, Molyneux's Diary of the Siege, MS Annals (unpublislied) of County and City of Limerick, MSS. collections of the Smyt'a Papers, etc. Morrison's Itinerary, Massingliam's Florilegium, etc., Macaulay's (Lord) History of England, Nairne's Stuart State Papers, O'Heyne's History of the Dominicans, O'Reilly's History of Ireland, O'Reilly's Irish Writers, O'Connor's Keruni Hibernicarum Scriptores, O'Halloran's Histoiy of Ireland, O'Renehan s Collections, O'Curry's MS. Matt-rials, Orrery's State Letters, Ouseley's Al!5. Corrections and Emendations of Ferrar, Petty's Survey of Ireland, Tracts, etc., Pacata Hibernia, Petrie's Round Towers, Tara, etc., Parker's (Captain) Memoirs, Parliamentary Gazeteer of Ireland, Philopater Irenseus, Reports of Commissioners of Public Records, Ireland, Report of the Great Fishery Trials of Mal- comson veisiis O'Dea, etc. Rutty's Mineral Spas, etc. Rushworth's Historical Collections, Rymer's Foedera, Report of Corporation Commissioners, Rothe's Analecta Sacra, Reports on the Fisheries, Se.xten's Chnrtulary in British Museum , Smith's Histories of . Waterford, Cork, and Kerry, Southwell MSS., Spenser's View of Ireland, Strafford's Memoirs, Sir John Davies's Historical Tracts, Strafford's Letters, Stanihurst De Rebus Hibernicis, etc., Story's Civil Wars of Ireland, Stuart's History of Armagh, Seward's Ti.pographia Hiberuica, Smith's MSS. in the R.I. A., State Paper ( iffice Records, State Papers of Henry VIIL, 1 ours in Ireland (by several authors), Vallancey's Irish Collections, Voltaire's Siecle de Louis XIV., etc., Wakefield's Ireland, Walshe's Remonstrance and Letters, Ware's Antiquities, Bishops, History, etc., White's M8S., White's Apologia, Wynne's History of Ireland, Wood's Ancient Ireland, Wright's Ireland, etc.. Walker's Irish Bards, Walker's Dress and Armour of the Ancient Irish, Warner's History of Irish Rebellion, Watters's Irisii Birds. Young's Tour, These, and a great number of others, are the authorities, to which reference has been made, and from which matter has been collated by me. In the Appendices 1 have added a considerable quantity of matter which was not available until the latest moment; and I contemplate, in the next Edition, to supply such additional facts and historical matter as may be de /eloped by the State Papers, etc., in the course of publication. To unavoidable errors, which I have endeavoured, as far as possible to correct, the reader will, I hope, extend a generous forbearance. MAURICE LENIHAN. February 20th, 1866. LIST OF MAPS AND ENGEAVINGS. Map of City of Limerick in 18G6, to faco title page. Thomond Bridge, King Jolin's Castle, etc, , ... ... ... 60 Inscription and Figure, ... ... ... . ... ... 152 Clare and Limerick Tokens, ... ... ... ... ... 200 Story's Map of Siege, 1690, ... ... . . ... ... 237 French Map of Limerick and its Fortifications in 1691, ... ... ... 258 Heads of James II., and "William III., .. ,. ... ... 271 Inscription on Town Fish House in 1582, ... ... ... ... 2G2 Fac simile of inscription on tomb of Galfridus Arthur, ... ... ... 678 Fac-simile of inscription and Castle over Mungret Gate, ... ... 756 PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION, On the appearance of the first edition of this work, in 1866, it was awarded the kindest reception possible by all classes and parties in Ireland, in England, in America, &c. It was most favourably reviewed by the leading Literary Critics in the Magazines and Journals, fcc, and it was universally admitted to bean important, well-authenticated record of the highest interest in relation to the ecclesiastical, civil and military history and antiquities of Limerick, and other historical portions of Ireland. We have not space for extracts from the numerous notices with which the Author has been complimented in approbation of his Work; but one, which we value most, we cannot omit. On the 2nd of June, 1870, the late illustrious Sovereign Pontiff, Pope Pius IX., vouchsafed most gra- ciously to honor the Author with a Letter, which came to him through his venerable and respected friend, the Right Rev. Monsignore Kiuby, the distinguished Rector of the Irish College in Rome, and titular bishop of Lita. The following is a copy of the Letter of his Holiness : — LETTER FROM THE SOVEREIGN PONTIFF, POPE PIUS IX., TO THE AUTHOR OF THE HISTORY OF LIMERICK. DiLECTo FiLio Mauritio Lenihan, Limericum. PIUS p.p. IX., Dilecte FiLi, Salutem et Apostolicam Benedictionem. Quamquam lingufe difficultate impediti legere nequeamus Limeri- censem Historiam a te conciunatam ; cum tamen didicerimus te in hoc opere obeundo totum fuisse in restituenda veritate factorum, in viudicanda Catho- licorum fide et agendi ratione a criminationibus adver.sariorum, et in religionis nostrse sanctissimre causa tuenda, tibi gratulamur, et oblatum volumen grato excipientes auimo, ipsi faustuni ominamur exitum et votis tuis plane res- pondentem. Diviui vero favoris auspicem et paternre nostrte benevolentias pignus Apostolicam Benedictionem tibi peramanter impertimus. Datum Eomo3 apud S. Petrum die 2 Junii, anno 1870. Pontificatus nostri anno vicesimoquarto. PlUiS P.P. IX. [translation.] PIUS P. P. IX. Beloved Son, — Health and Apostohc Benediction. Although hindered by the diflSculty of the language, we are unable to read the " History of Limerick," so elegantly composed by you, yet, as we have learned that in the execution of this work you have devoted yourself wholly to the restoration of the truth of the facts, and the vindication of the faith and conduct of the Catholics from the false charges of adversaries, and to the defence of the cause of our Most Holy Pteligion, we congratulate you, and, receiving the offered volume with a thankful mind, we predict an auspicious result for yourself, and fully answering to your wishes. And, as a presage of Divine favour and a pledge of our paternal benevolence, we most affectionately impart to you the Apostolic Benediction. Given at Rome, at St. Peter's, on the 2nd day of June, in the year 1870, of our Pontificate the Twenty-fourth. To our beloved sou Maurice Lenihan, PIUS P.P. IX., Limerick. We have brought down the Annals to the present day, and added matter of interest and value CONTENTS. I. Foundation and occupation of the city by the Danes. — Origin of the name of Limerick. — Earliest notices. — Introduction of Christianity into — Wars of the Danes, etc. ... ... ... ••• 1 II. Keign and achieyements of Brian Boroimhe, etc., etc. ... ... 10 III. Brian and his immediate successors ; and the Kings of Thomond, etc. ... 17 IV. The Ivings of Thomond, continued, etc., etc. ... ... 22 Y. Annals of Thomond.— Monasteries founded by Donald O'Brien, King of Limerick, etc., etc. ... ... ... ... 25 VI. The Norman Invasion, etc. ... ... ... 35 VII. Limerick under the English.— Charters and Grants, etc. ... 47 VIII. Annals of Thomond. — Grants, etc. ... ... ... 63 IX. Annals of Thomond. — The Desmonds and the Butlers, etc ... 67 X. Limeiick under the Tudors, etc. ... ... ... 69 XI. End of the Kingdom of Thomond. — Rivalry between Limerick and Galway, etc. ... ... ... ... ... 73 XIL Limerick under the Tudors, continued.— Henry VIII.— Lord Leonard Gray, — Edmond Sexten, etc. ... ... ... ... 75 XIII. Successes of the Enghsh. — Fruits of the Reformation, etc. ... 88 XIV. Limerick under Queens Mary and Elizabeth.— The Wars of the Desmonds.— The Butlers and O'Briens. — Confiscations, etc. ... ... 94 XV. Progress of Sir H. Sidney. — Extraordinary customs of the Irish. — The Deputy's visit to Lord Power, at Ciuraghmore.- Battle of Manister, etc. 99 XVI. MartyrdomofBishopHeily and Father O'Rourke. — Continued atrocities, etc. 103 XVII. English Progress. — Persecutions continued. — Arrival of the Spaniards, etc. 107 XVIII. Fate of the Earl of Desmond.— Grants.— Richard Creagh, etc. ... 109 XIX. Arrival of Earl James. — Donnell's invasion of Tliomond. — Jail Deliveries. — Fate of the Insurgents and Spaniards, etc. ... •• 125 XX. Rejoicings in Limerick on the Death of Queen Elizabeth. — Hopes and Dis- appointments. — Flight of the Earls of Tyrone and Tyrconnell, etc. ... 130 XXI. Persecutions on account of religion. — Execution of John Burke, Baron of Brittas. — A new charter. — Indenture of Perambulation, etc. ... 133 XXII. Inquisitions. — Corporate spoliation. ... ... ... 138 XXIII. AHairs in the City. — Dr. Thomas Arthur. — Projected Catholic Universities. — Wentworth. — Archbishop Usher, etc. ... ... 143 XXIV. The Civil War. — The Confederation Refusal of the Corporation to receive the Papal Envoy. — Correspondence between the Mayor and the Envoy. — Occupation of the King's Castle by the Confederates. — Murrough of the Burnings, etc. ... ... ... ... 148 XXV. The Apostolic Nuncio Rinuccini.— Siege of Bunratty Castle. — Estimate of Ormonde. — Te Deum in St. Mary's Cathedral. — Ormonde's peace de- nounced, — Bourke deposed. — Fanning constituted Mayor. — Atrocities of Murrough of the Burnings at Cashel, etc ... ... 155 XXVI. Cromwell sent to Ireland, — Continued negociations. — Limerick threatened. — Ormonde and the Bishop. — Bishop O'Moloney Progress of Ireton, etc. 165 XXVII. Ireton's campaign. — The siege of Limerick.— Terrible sufferings of the citizens. — Treason of Fennell, etc. ... ... ... 171 XXVIII. Confiscation. — Oppressive taxation of the citizens. — Fearful burdens. — Fleetwood, etc. ... ... ... ... 184 XXIX. The High Court of Butchery. — Savage executions. — Court of Adventurers. ]87 XXX. Departure of the Irish for foreign lands. — CromweU's ParUament. — Whole- sale confiscations, etc. . . . . ... 190 XXXI. Death of Cromwell. — Accession of Charles II. — Disappointment of Catho- lics. — Rewards of the Regicides and Adventurers. — Grants. — Trades- men's Tokens, — Grant of Fisheries to Sir George Preston.— Lord Orrery. — Corporation doings, etc. ... ... ... 196 XXXII. Important Events. — Schomberg lands at Carrickfergus. — King James arrives in Kinsale, and proceeds to Dublin. — Landing of King William. — The Battle of the Boyne, — Flight of James to France. — Tlie march of William to Limerick, etc. ... ... ... 212 xiv CONTENTS. XXXni. The Siesre of 1090.— Magnificent achievement of Brigadier Sarsfield.— The Black Batttry.— Heroic Devotion and Bravery of the Women of Limerick.— Overthrow of Wilhaui, etc. ... ... 226 XXXIV. Effect of the Defeat at Limerick on William.— Efforts to repair his losses Renewed Exertions of the Defenders. — Anoiher Military Ex- pedition sent to Ireland.— Parliamentary Proceedings.— The Campaign of 1691. — Limerick again besieged The surrender. —The Treaty, etc. 251 XXXV. Assemblage of the Irish Army on the King's Island — Addresses by the Catholic Bishops and Clergy to the Soldiers— by SarsKeld, Earl of Lucan. Wauchop, etc. — Preparations for embarkaiion — The em- barkation.— Farewell to Patrick Sarsfield, etc. ... ... 275 XXXVI. Legal Status of the Irish Catholics under the Treaty.— How the Treaty was observed. — Enactment of the Penal Code.— Horrors on horrors, etc. 288 XXXVII. The Forfeited Estates.— The Sales.— Sir William Kings death.— Orangeism, etc., etc. ... ... ••. 298 XXXVIII. The Orange military riots in Limerick in 1710. — Statement of Dr. Smyth, the Protestant Bishop. — Depositions.— Statement of the Officers and their Petition. — Suspension of the officers and final dismissal of Major Chaytor, etc. .. ... ... — 310 XXXIX. Troubles in the corporation of Limerick — Accusations and recrimina- tions. — Lovalty and disloyalty. — Petitions and counter-petitions. — Persecutions, etc. — Position of the Cat! lolic Clergy, etc. _ ... 317 XL. Perseverance of the Catholics of Limerick in the face of persecution. — ^The first Catholic Bishop since the Sieges.— Corporate misdeeds. — Lieutenant General Sir Thomas Pearce. — Execution of the Kev. Timothy Kyan. — Extraordinary doings, etc. ... ... ... 322 XLI. Further illustrations of tiie spirit of the times.— A general election. — Guilds of trade.— The Battle of the Mayor's Stone.— The Theatre, etc. 328 XLIL Civic rivalry.— St. Michael's Parish— The Great Frost — Fearful Suffer- ings of the people,— Whitfield's visit to Limerick, and his opinion of the inhabitants.— The land and its changes.— Misdeeds of the corpora- tors again. ... ... ... ••• 332 XLIII. Efforts of the Catholics.— New chapels built.— Paintings and painters.— New Projects.— Grants. — Limerick ceases to be fortified.— Kemoval of the gates and walls.— Petitions to Parliament and investigation.— Cor- porate iniquity exposed jSoble conduct of the anti-corporate Protes- tants, etc., etc. XLIV. Elections under the Octennial Bill.— Progress of Limerick, etc., etc. 359 XLV. A Retrospect.- How the penal laws operated.— Lists of conformists, etc. 372 XL VI. The Irish Volunteers.— The Career of John Fitzgibbon, Earl of Clare.— An Election.-The Rebellion of '08.— Trial of Francis Arthur, Esq.— The Rtign of Terror.— The Act of Union.— Progress_of events, etc.— "Garryowm". — Improvements, etc. ... ... 382 XLVIL State of the Catholic Cause.— A Catholic College for Limerick Diocese.— Agitation of the Veto. — NoMe comluc!; of the Catholic bishop and clergy of Limerick, etc.— State of the county of Limerick.— Wellington. —Dr. Milner.—O'Conuell.— Gallant Limerick men abroad.— Roche.— De Lacy. — Gough. — Progress of events, etc. ... ... 422 XLVIII. Locomotion.— Mr. Bianconi— Educational reform.— Introduction of the Christian Brothers into Limerick.— Thomas Spring Rice, Esq. — " Chak- ing" of Mr. Tuthill.— Disturbances after visit of George IV.— Terms offered by the insurgents, etc., etc. . . ... 441 XLIX. Atrocious Murder of Ellen Scanlan, alias Hanly, in the county of Limerick. — Conviction and execution of John Scanlan, the murderer. — Progress of events. — The Insiirrectiuu Act. — Local acts, etc. ... 449 L. New and Old Bridges of Limerick.— Wellesley Bridge — Athlunkard Bridge. — Park Bridge. — Ball's Bridge.— Thomond Bridge. — ISew and Mathew Bridge.— Projecte 1 Railroads — Waterworks. — Barrington's Hospital. — Statistics of Travelling, etc., etc. ... ... 469 LI. The Struggle for Emancipation. — ihe Clare Election. — Emancipation. — Remarkable Events.— Gunpowder exjlosion.— Parliamentary reform. — Municipal reform. — Death of Willam IV. — Proclamation of Queen Victoria. — A General election, etc., etc. ... ... 481 LII. Foundation of two convents in Limt-rick. — The Temperance Movement. — Triumphant visit of Father Mathew. — Great Repeal demonstration, etc. 492 LIII. Limerick under the Reformed Corporation, etc., etc. ... ... 496 LIV. Early Ecclesiastical History of Limerick. — Description and Annals of Muugret. — St. Is'essau and his Contemporaries and Successors. — St. 339 CONTENTS. XV 536 Munchin or Manclienus.— St. Munchin's Church.— King Donald's Charter, etc., etc. LV. The Succession of Bisliops.— Donald O'Brien.— St, Mary's Cathedral- Donald's Estabhshnient of the Chapter.— The Black Book of Limerick.— Inquisition of Meyler Fitz-Henrj.— Declarations and resolutions of the chapter, etc. ... ___ ^ k^q LVI. Dealings with the Church po.ssessions.— Taxation of Pope" Nicholas.— The taxation attributed to Bishop O'Dea.— Parishes and patrons, etc., pre- T-iTTT ^^^'■''^'^ '"^^^>*^'sMSS., etc., etc.-The Succession of Bishops, etc. ... 555 liVII. Bishop Cornelius O'Dea.— His mitre, crozier, and seal— His improve- ments.— State of affairs in his time,— Grant of Henry VI. to the citizens.— The Cathedral of St. Mary's.— Monuments and monumental T irTTT rru'^®^^AP*\°°v~'^'^® bishops in succession.— The « Reformation", etc., etc. 569 i^Vlll. I he Catholic bishops in succession.— Nachten,— Magrath.— Richard Arthur.— Appointment and distribution of preachers by Rinuccini oa the restoration of the Cathedral.—Bishop O'Dwyer's.— Particulars of the atrocities during Ireton's occupation of Limerick.— The monuments in bt. Mary's cathedral during its occupation by the Protestants,— The Protestant bishops in succession. LIX. The Catholic bishops in succession.— Dowley.— O'Molon'ey.— O'Keeffe.— Lacy.— O'Kearney.— Nomination, etc., of the Hon. and Rev. John Butler. ^- ^f-J-— Conway.— Young.— Tuohy,— Ryan,— Butler. ... 611 -.^^- The Rehgious Orders.-Catholic Churches.— Institutions, etc., etc. 642 t-Fttt ™^s*a"'^' Anglican, and Dissenting Churches. 684 J.X111. A list of the Provosts, Mayors, Bailiffs, and Sheriffs of the city of -. _-^ ■^'.'"^"pk from the year 1105, to the year 186G, etc. LXIV. Historical and descriptive notices of remarkable places in the county of Limenck. -^ 587 690 710 APPENDICES, 739 741 Appendix A. Principal Charters of Limerick.-Limerick grants, and where to be found, not abstracted,— Charters and Grants of Fairs, etc-Cather- kenhsh, Limerick County, etc.— Charters to Kilmallock Boro',— Askea- ton rJoro , ... Appendix B. Representatives in Parliament for the City of Limerick since a.d, 1559 Representatives in Parliament for County of Limerick since a.d 1585 ' Representatives in Parliament for Kilmallock from a.d. 1583 to the Union. Representatives in ParUament for Askeaton from the year 1613 to the A^^^n^-'' n ?fh Sheriffs of the County Limerick ;ince the year l'371. '"' 743 Appendix D. Caherivahala.-redamore and Friarstown.-Hospital.-Raleighstown.- Shanagolden - Pallaskenry. - Greane. - Memorial Stones - Round J owers- The so-called Danish Forts and Tombs of the early Irish.— lossil Deer.-Crops and climate of Limerick.— The Natural Historv of * .,. T, I'l'n^ick— The White Knight. ... lurai msiory ot Appendix E. Grants under the Commission of Grace.-MSS. Brit.' Mus.-The Walls *°i^^!,^^°^^>S''''''^""P* ^^°''^"" of the ^''^»»on by the Williamites. -IJie Ruined House at Singland.-The English Lines.-A Pluralist— Island"" Siege.— Penal Laws.— Articles of Limerick._The King's Appendix F. Miscellaneous Notes;-" The Fifteen Corporations'-i-The Limerick ^^^ Cemeteries.-Castle Troy.-Occupants of Houses in Limerick.-The Recordership of Limerick.- Limerick Athenajum.-The Environs of n^k TniT Softer Houses-.-Newspapers.- Sarsfield Testimonial.- A V n rnu^f.T*^'^^^-— The First Mayor of Limerick. ... 7.-,0 Appendix G. ^he Limerick City Regiment of Militia.-County of Limerick Eegimeni A ..• TT 0^ 1* .^-"^"'""te^^ Corps of the County. . 7^^ Appendix H. The ancient Arms of Limerick, " 7ka Appendix I. r.minent Natives of Limerick,-Literature, etc,-Na;al and Milita;; Sutts M.lr ^^T^'- ^^ ^.^'^'' Cathedral (note on).-Civic Hospi- S-^ f ~; .^ ^""^ Lmierck coins and t<,ken8 (note on).-Deathof Lord Mon eagle.-Quarries of n,arble and ancient houses in Limerick - Whitamore'scastle.-Bishop John O'MolunylL (note on). 757 HISTORY OF LIMERICK, ANCIENT AND MODERN. CHAPTEE I. rOUNDATION AND OCCUPATION OP THE CITY BY THE DANES ORIGIN OP THE NAME OF LIMERICK EARLIEST NOTICES INTRODUCTION OF CHRISTIANITY INTO WARS OF THE DANES, ETC. The City of Limerick, the principal part of wHch is bmlt on an island on tlie South side of the Shannon, is situated in 52° 40' north latitude, and 8" 35' west longitude, at the interior extremity of the estuary of the river Shannon, between the counties of Limerick and Clare, and 129 miles W.S.W. from Dublin. It is a maritime coimty of a city, occupying an area of 6 Of square miles, or 38,863 acres, and contained a population of 53,448 in 1851, and of 44,476 in 1861. It is connected by Railway with DubHn, Cork, Waterford, Ennis, Nenagh, Roscrea, and all the intermediate towns, and a line of steamers, the property of the Limerick and London Steam Shipping Company, plies between it andLondon and Glasgow, &c. AtSpring tides vessels of 600 tons burden can moor at its quays ; whilst large docks, which were opened in 1853 by Lord St. Germans, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, add to the accommodation for vessels of heavy burden; and from the advantage and beauty of its situation, and the extent of navigation which it commands, it must have been regarded from the earliest times as a port of great importance, although situated so high up the river, and although its navigation is still partially obstructed. The site may have been selected as the first part of the Shannon fordable above its mouth ; considering its many advantages, it is not surprising that in distant ages it attracted the attention of those adventurous strangers, who, coming from the rugged coasts and islands of the Baltic, found here what they never met in their various wanderings, a good climate, a rich soil, and peculiar facihties for carrying on their commercial enterprises.^ Though known to the annalists, as we shall presently have occasion to remark, long before the Danish invasion of Ireland, the building of the city is generally referred to the same time and cause as the foundation of Dublin and Water- ford, the time being after the second coming of the Scandinavians, who on this latter occasion chose the best parts of the island, which they fortified in such a way as the exigencies of the times and the circumstances of the locali- > Stftnihurst. 2 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. ties required, and made- them the centres and bases of their commercial and miUtary enterprises. Whilst Dublin and Waterford could boast of superior advantages from their closer proximity to the sea, Limerick possessed an admitted su])eriority in other respects. It conunanded a noble river, crowded with fish, which bore the ships of the strangers in safety into the interior of a wealthy country, wliich with many other recommendations, made a strong impression in after times on King John of England, and caused the city of Limerick long to retain its pride of place as " the fairest of all the cities in Munster,''^' Limerick has been the capital of North Munster (Tuath ]\Ilmmha), which, according to Keating, extended from Leim Choncuhulainn (Loop Head) to Bealacli Mor (Ballaghmore, in Upper Ossory), and from Shebh Echtghe (Slieve Aughty, on the frontiers of the counties of Clare and Galway) to Shebh Ebhlinne (now Sleibhte Eheidhlinmidh, in the county of Tipperary) . The southern boundary of this great territory is still preserved in that of the diocese of Killaloe. The kings of Limerick, accordhig to the Book of Eights, gave tribute to the kings of Cashel.'^ The notices which occur in ancient writers of the history of Limerick, anterior to the coming of the Danes, are neither numerous nor reliable. It has been supposed to be the Regia of Ptolemy, a writer who derived his information from the discoveries made by the Romans between the age of Augustus and the Antanines,^ but the name of Rosse-de-Nailleagh, as it is designated in the Annals of Multifarnham, is of higher antiquity, and that of Luimneagh, occurring in the Psalter of Cashel, so far back as A.M. 2870, and A.M. 3973, when Ireland was divided, and Luinmeach fixed as the western extremity of the southern half. Hollmshed, who describes Limerick as being amongst the principal cities of Ireland of his own time, viz., in the middle of the sixteenth century, gives an explanation of the origiri of the name of Limerick which more authentic enquiries prove to be apocryphal. Admitting the building of the city by Yvoms, he says that at an epoch previous to its foundation, the ground which it subsequently occupied was an island stored with grass, upon which in old times one of the Irish potentates, while waging war against another native king, had encamped ; and of which his numerous cavalry eat up the grass in the space of twenty-four hours. From which circumstance he says the place was called " Loum-nc-augh,''' that is to say, made bare, or eaten up by horses. But in a very ancient legend, which is preserved in the Books of Lecan and Balhjmote, and which describes the origin of the name in words translated for us from the original by the late lamented Professor O^Curry, a dialogue takes place ia which, in reply to the question, " Luimneach, why so called V the ' Stanihurat « " The King of fair Caeaill," He is entitled from the Chief of Luimneach of the Sea To a splenrlid cheering banquet, Thirty vats it is known, With the necessary viands. Book of Rights. The Restrictions of the King of wide Luimneach [are] To liave his stewards on his noble steeds, To have but three in his kingly confidence, And [that he should] communicate his secret to the queen. Tlie prerogatives of this gifted King are, That none should be in his full confidence, ThnL he be of beautiful form, And there he aspire to Teamhair. Book of Rights, p. 203. 3 Ware. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 3 follo'wdng answer is given : — There was an appointed meeting held here of the men of Munster and the men of Connaught^ to which the respective kings of both parties brought their gladiators. These were the two sons of Smucaille, the son of Bacdbh, and their names were Rimi and Teabhar (that is. Spear and Sword) . Of these champions, one put himself under the protection of Bonhbh Dearg (Bone the Eed), the great Tuath Dedanaan Chief of Mag Fe- men in Tipperary ; and the other had taken the protection of Dehall, chief of the Hill of Crudchain (in Roscommon) . These champions having met in the assembly, exhibited specimens of their gladiatorial accomplishments, after which, they descended to the strand to compete in single combat for the championship of the two Provinces. The hosts, on both sides, were clad in gray- green " Luimins" (cloaks), and when the combat commenced, and the assembled crowds pressed down to see and enjoy it, the heat became so great, that they threw off their " Luimins,''-' in heaps on the strand ; and so intensely was their attention engaged by the combatants, that they did not perceive the flowing of the tide untd it had swept them away, upon which some of the spectators cried out — " Is Luimenochola in t-inbhear anossa/' i.e. " cloaky or cloakful is the river now,"*' hence the name Luimenach. " From this legend it would appear," says Mr. O'Curry in his letter to the author, "that Luimeneach-Liathanglas, (and not Lethanglass) or Luimenach of the Gray Green, was the proper old name of Limerick.''^ It is thus it is written in Eumann^s Extempore poem on the Sea, composed for the Danes of Dublin before A.D. 742, in which year Eumann died.^ An early record of the name of Limerick is contained in the Annals of the Four Masters,^ where in the 15th year of King Cormac (A.D. 221) a battle, we are told, was fought here. A battle, at the same time was fought at a place which is supposed to be the HiU of Grian, over PaUasgrene, m the barony of Coonagh, Co. Limerick.^ In a century afterwards, viz. in the year 334, the Great Crunthaun, one of the most remarkable of the ancient Kings of Ireland, a descendant from Oliall OUum of the line of Heber, died in Limerick. This king succeeded Eochaidh Moighmeodhin upon the throne, reigned seventeen years, carried his name into Britain in the reign of Valen- tinian, where he was aided by the Picts, who were then his tributaries, — thence sailing to Armorica, now Bretagne, in France, he plundered that country, and returned with great booty and hostages to Ireland."* He is also mentioned by others of our early annalists and historians, and the occasion of his death is related as having been caused by the wickedness of his sister, who adminis- tered to him a dose of poison.* Lovely and attractive for the charms with which even in far distant times it was surrounded. Limerick, soon after the arrival in Ireland of the Apostle St. Patrick, received the inestimable blessing of Christianity. We are told that in the year 434, the first district which St. Patrick visited, after his departure from Cashel, was the extensive flat portion of country between Cashel and Limerick called Muscrighe Breogain. The apostle founded several ' Petrie's Round Towers. * Annals of the Four Masters. O'Donovan's Edition, Vol, L, p. 113. 3 Ibid. Note. * Bede and Psalter of Cashel. * " Having won many battles and wonderful fame, notwithstanding his fine accomplish- ments, Criomthan could not secure himself from the large attempts of his sister, Mung Fionn, who poisoned him with a prospect to obtain the crown for her son Brian, whom she had by Eochaidh Moighmedhin. However, the better to oblige the king to take the fatal dose, sha drank it herself, which also dispatched her at Innis Dongulas. The king died near Limerick." 4 UlSTORY OF LJ.MEllKJK. churches in the district, and left some of his teachers at one of them, viz. Kil- feacte. Thence he went to the territory called Arva-cliach, in the adjacent counties of IMpperary and Limerick, in part of which, Hy-Cuanach (now the Barony of Coonagh) he was at first instantly opposed by the dynast Oldid. But a miracle having been performed by the Saint, Oldid and his family were converted and baptised ; while at Ara-chihach, Colgan states that Patrick foretold many occurrences, among others the foundation of a monastery at Kill-ratha, and of a chui'ch at Kill-teidhill, in the county of Limerick. We find the Saint next in the tract of country east of Limerick, w^here he was hos- pitably entertained by a chieftain named Locan, and met with young N essan, whom at the same time he placed over the monastery of Mungret, which he had founded. The inhabitants of Thomond, hearing of the advent of St. Patrick, crossed the Shannon, for the purpose of seeing him, and when they were instructed, were baptised by him in the field of Tir Glas (Terry Glass, in Ormond) . He was waited on by prince Carthen, son of Blod, who is said to have been converted and baptised at Sanigeal, now Singland, near Limerick. Colgan remarks that this family was the same as that of the O'Briens of Thomond, and that Carthen was the chieftain of North Munster. St. Patrick, on his way to Connaught, passed the Shannon at Limerick ; and it was in the vicmity of the city, in Singland (Sois Angel) the Saint is said to have seen the vision of the angel. The holy well and stony bed and altar of St. Patrick are to this day existing in Singland. IVadition speaks of his having preached here. He appomted first Bishop of Limerick Samt Manchin, " a rehgious man, having a complete knowledge of the Scriptures, and placed him over the subjects of Amailgaid, King of Connaught, then lately converted to the Christian faith. The mountain of Knock Patrick, in the western barony of Connoloe, county of Limerick, the base of which is washed by the Shannon, whose course for sixty miles may be traced from its summit, is the place from which tradition alleges our Apostle to have blessed Connaught.' We thus catch a glimpse, through the dimness and obscurity of distant time, of the halo which encircled the name and character of Limerick. We thus perceive the close acquaintance which its inhabitants made with Christianity, when Europe for the greater part was shrouded in the darkness of Pagan superstition. Were we in search of fm-ther evidences of the early Christian devotion of the people of the district, it is supplied by abundant facts. In the fifth century St. Sinan founded the monastery of Canons Eegulars of St. Augustine at the island of Inniscathy, on the Shannon. In the sixth century St. Ita, an ilhis- trious native of the county, "w hose festival is celebrated on the 14th of January, founded at Cluain Credhail (Kileedy), a nunnery of Canonesses Regular of St. Augustine. St. Eden founded CJlum Claidech in the same century, and St. Mochelloch, Kilmaliock, in the seventh century — these two last mentioned were for Canons Regular of St. Augustine.^ ' A beautiful sonnet from tbe pen of the late Sir Aubrey tie Vere, Bart, of Curragh Chase, embodies the tradition in lanfjuage of fire and beaiity. — Lamenlntion of Ireland nnd other Poems. '•' Alkmnnde gives the order of St. Augustine the first place before all others that were in Ireland — first, because it is the most ancient of all the regular orders in general — deriving its origin from the apostles themselves, and allowing St. Augustine, afterwards Bishop of Hippo, in Africa, only to Iiave formed a particular congregation, which was subsequently divided into many others — secondly, it is certain that the particular rules which prevailed in this country in the 6tli, Gth, and 7th centuries, consisted of religious men who were regular canons, or something 80 like them, that at the time in which those rules were obliged to be incorporated into tiie rule of St. Benedict, or into that of the Regular Canons of St. Augustine, they all made clioice of the lulter, as bdr.g much more agreeable to them than that of St. Benedict. In short, so numerous HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 5 Doubt has existed as to the date of the foundation by St. Manchan of the Cathedral of Limerick, and as to the time the Saint lived, but this arises from the similarity of the name with that of Mancheus, whom the Annals of Ulster call Abbot of Menedrochit, and say that he died in 651 or 652. The com- memoration of the death of Mancheus is pointed out under the name of Manicheus, the " Wise Irishman/' in the books de MirablUhus ScriptnrcB, by some erroneously ascribed to St. Augustine. The name too, not onl\^ is not unlike, but the times occur exactly, the festival of St. Manchin being celebrated in January. 1 St. Manchin hved two centuries at least before the period assigned to St. Mancheus by the martyrologies. The Annals of Innisfallen, A.D. 567, state there was a great battle fought here in that year. It was here that Saint Cumin Fodha, son of Fiachna, Bishop of Clamfearta Breainim now Clonfert, died on the 12th of November, A.D. 661, and on this occasion Colman-na-Claisagh, the tutor of Cumin, composed these suggestive and touching verses which show that the Shannon then was called by the name of Lumiueach : — " The Lumineach did not hear on its bosom of the race of Leathcluinn, Corpse in a boat so precious as he, as Cumine son of Fiachna ; If any one went across the sea to sojoarn at the seat of Gregory, (Rome,) If from Ireland, he rejoices in none more than the name of Cumin Fodha? I sorrow after Cummine from the day his shrine was covered, My eye-lids have been dropping tears ; I have not laughed, but mourned Since the lamentation of his barque."^ These verses estabhsh the fact of the constant mtercourse of Ireland with Piome, the uninterrupted devotion of the Irish Bishops to " the mother and mistress of all Churches.'" Records of the barbarous and unrelenting cruelties of the Danes, of sacri- legious attacks made by them on those sacred edifices and holy men which were now becoming numerous, are found in the Annals long before Yorus surrounded the city with a wall, and erected the fortress which enabled his countrymen to hold their position for some ages after against the combined strength and opposition of the native Irish. In 843 Foranan, Primate of Armagh, was taken prisoner at Cluan-Combarda,' (a place unidentified by the commentators) with his rehcs and people, and brought by the pirates to their ships at Limerick. The statement is corroborated by the Annals of Clonmacnoise, which designate Forannan Abbot of Armagh, and allege thaf the crime was perpetrated by the Danes at Cloneowardy, adding that his family, attendants, &c., relics and books, were led from thence to the ships in Limerick. Our annals, during those dark and dismal ages, present but Uttle, on which to dwell with satisfaction. The Danes, to retain their hold of maritime places, were busy and aggressive. The Irish in turn revenged the injuries and injustices of their cruel oppressors ; but in the midst of every difficulty and danger, religion was speeding its bright way. The succession of bishops, in several of the Irish sees, had continued with regularity since the preaclmig of St Patrick.* Up to this period " Luimeuach" was the original name of the were the monasteries of the Regular Canons of St. Augustine, not only in the early ages of the Irish Church, but at the suppression of the monastic institutions by Henry VIH. and Elizabeth, that the number of houses then are said to have had, far and away, exceeded the houses of the other orders. — De Burgo's Historical Collection,'!, (fc. ' Ware. * Annals of the Four Masters. ' Annals of the Four Masters. * Ware. 6 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Lower Shannon, as appears from the life of St Carbrach of Lismore,' but in the year 861, it ceased to be the name of the river and was usually applied to the Danish fortress already referred to, and the city now became known by the designation which before had been exclusively given to that portion of the river between it and the sea, and by which it is called to this day .2 The Danish occupation was ever a source of intense dissatisfaction and conuno- tion. Perjietual war was its result ; the invaders, who were everywhere re- garded with horror, were no where more detested than in the neighbourhood of the Shannon, of which they endeavoured to monopohse to their exclusive possession. In 884 the Coimaught men attacked and destroyed numbers of Danes. But the day was approaching in which the sacrilegious tyrants were destined to meet a decisive check — in which the Irish by their strong arms were to win for a season protection and tranquilHty. Cashel had long before embraced the Christian faith, had two of its bishops — viz. Olchobar who died in 851, and Cenfelad, who died in 872, who were kings as well as bishops; and their jurisdiction extended to Emly,^ and they were the predecessors of the learned and warlike Cormac, son of CuUenan, who derived from Engusa Nafrach the first son of the king of Cashel who was baptised by St. Patrick.* The aggressions of the Danes of Limerick had everywhere become so intolerable that Cormac resolved to curb their insolence. To reduce the people to order, to queU their intestine dissensions, to show the results of those insane divisions which even in the time of wliich we treat, had rendered them feeble when opposed by a united enemy, was the grand aim of Cormac Mac Cullenan, who during the heat of conflicts and troubles ascended the throne of Cashel, in 901, and wore the mitre of the united sees of Cashel and Emly. His example and influence were all-powerful in the achievement of the grand object on which he had set his princely heart. " Such," says Keating, " was the state of the kingdom when Cormac wore the crown of Munster, that the contests and animosities between the petty princes were happily concluded, insomuch, that the Danes, fearing the effects of this reconcihation, desisted from their usual hostilities. Though the desire of plunder remained and nothing of their savage disposition abated, yet they apprehended their lives were in certain danger from the natives, who, by their common union and friendship, were able to drive them out of the kingdom; and therefore a great number of these foreigners retired to their ships of their own accord and bade adieu to the island." We here perceive what one able and wise ruler was enabled to effect for his country. ' Book of Lismore. a "Ware. ' Ware. * Annals of the Four Masters. — In the Psalter of Cashel, written by his own hand. Cormac thus proclaims the glories of his Dalcasian troops, who always fought for the Kings of Cashel : — " May heaven protect the most illustrious tribe Of Dalgais, and convey its choicest blessings On their posterity. This renowned clan, Though meek and merciful as are the saints, Yet are of courage not to be subdued. Long may they live in glory and renown. And raise a block of heroes to the world." Keating s History of Ireland, Vol. It- Afn'l O'Piij^nn, in his poem, says of them : — "' The Dailgaisian troops, with glorj* fired. Fought for the honour of the Kings of Cashc), And carried into other provinces The terror of their arms," HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 7 But Cormac was not destined to remain long in the peaceable possession of his rights. Flan, son of MelsechHn, king of Ireland, with a great army invaded Munster, A.D. 906, and destroyed it as far as Limerick ; Malachy or MelsechHn, who had been king of Temora, ascended the throne of Ireland, on the death of Hugh, A.D. 879. Cairbhall, son of Muiregan, aided Flan in this expedition : Cormac fled, but the year following, resenting the injuries he had sustained, he entered Meath with his u'resistible Dalcassians, over- threw Flan in battle, took pledges from him for the performance of certain articles of agreement, and returned in triumph to Cashel, where he was wel- comed by the joyous acclamations of his people, who regarded him as their dehverer from the bondage of domestic as well as foreign enemies.^ The spirit of Flan was unsubdued by the triumph of Cormac^s arms ; another and a more successful attempt was made by him soon afterwards in 908 to recover the losses he had endured. Confederating with the Kings of Leinster and Connaught, he again invaded Munster with a powerful force. The opposing armies met on the 16th of August on the plains of Moy-Albe; the battle was fierce, sanguinary, and protracted, and resulted in the death of the in- domitable King-Bishop Cormac, whose army, losing heart at his fall, were overpowered ; and on that fatal day most of the Chiefs or Leaders or Princes were also killed ; amongst them are noticed Fogertach of Kerry, and KeUach of Ossory.^ The death of Cormac was speedily followed by farther attempts of the Danes to destroy whatever they could lay hands on — to spohate whatever they could plunder — to wreak vengeance on the holy places in which the monks and rehgious dwelled, and to show that nothmg less than wholesale murder and rapine could satisfy their thnst for blood and booty. Freed from the authority of Cormac, they roamed wherever they pleased, curbed but partially by the native princes, who had again then' own intestine feuds to engage them in arms. They now made a successful raid on Clonmacnois, to which they had easy access by the Shannon ; they devastated the islands on Lough Eibh, destroyed the shipping of Limerick, and carried away immense quantities of gold, silver, and all manner of riches from the monasteries and shrines in the islands.' They were so daring, in their ruthless prowess, that in 922 they were able to make prisoner of O^'Flaherty, son of Inmameen, and convey him from the island of Loch Eibh to Lunerick.* These plunder- ing expeditions of the Danes were favorite occupations in which they ever and anon indulged during these troubled years of then- occupation of Limerick. Proceeding from Limerick, their next attempt was on Lough Orisben, and its ' Ware, and Annals of Four Masters. 2 Carodacus Shancarvensis (who is quoted by Ware) also says that Cormac was at this time killed by the Danes. Ware adds that he remembers having read in an ancient MS. in the Cottonian Library, that Cormac was killed by a herdsman at Beanree, near Leighlin, while on his knees at prayer, returning thanks to God for the success of his army, which had then been engaged. His body was conveyed to Cashel, and there buried. He was learned particularly in the antiquities of his country. He wrote, in the Irish language, the Psalter of Cashel, which is yet extant, and held in the highest estimation. Ware states that he had some collections from it in an ancient parchment book, called "Psalter Namaan," written 300 years at the time he mentions the fact ; and that, in the same book, there were many miscellanies, partly Irish and partly Latin, collected by ^Engus Celede (Aengus the Culdee), among which there was a bare Catalogue, viz. the names only, of the Kings of Ireland, from Heremon to Brian Boroihme. Our author remarks that Cashel was heretofore the chief seat of the Kings of Munster, and one ©f the first Synods of Ireland was held there by St. Patrick, St. Albeus, and St. Declau, iu the time of King Engusa. — Ware, Keating, Annals of Four Masters, O'Flahertf/. (^x. •■' Annals of the Four Masters, Vol. II., p. fiOl). * Annals of Four Masters, Vol. II., p. Gil. 8 * UlSTOKY OF LIMERICK. islands ;' we should remark, that when Connac quelled the Danes in Mun- ster, Edward, King of England, conquered them in that country. But in Ireland, their power was growing stronger every year, until the coming of other events which we are quickly approaching, and in wliich another King of Cashv^l arose to bring them to subjection. Not content with ravaging the districts bordering on the Shannon, they in 928 encamped in Maiagh Roigne, a celebrated plain of Ossory ; but those who remained on Loch Orisben felt the vengeance of the Connaught men, who, in 930, committed a great slaughter on the Danes. ^ We find, however, that the latter retaUated sorely. In the fifteenth year of Donmachadhi, the Danes of Limerick plundered Connaught in 932, as far as the plains of Boyle, in the County of Eoscom- mon ; in a few years afterwards, Aralt, or Harold, grandson of Imhar, i.e. son of Sitric, lord of the Danes of Limerick, was killed in Connaught by the Caenraigi of Aidhne in 939.^ From the time of their invasion of Ireland in the year 807, to the years we have reached, the Danes always ravaged the country with fire and sword. They bore a mortal hatred to Christianity and its professors, and their chief glory was in the massacre of the Saints who occupied the monasteries and cells of the country.^ Through these times the page of history is red with details of these atro- cities. Victories followed each other on the part of the invaders, until they had the surrounding country under a terrorism and subjection, which the natives could not remove. It was not, however, without earnest and constant efforts and exertions on the part of the Irish princes, to suppress their atro- cities, that they were able to persevere. At length in 943, Callachan, King of Cashel, taking a lesson out of the book of his illustrious predecessor, Cormac, called his chiefs together, exhorted them against the Danes, and as no part of Ireland suffered more from their plunders, murders, &c. than Limerick, and the borders of the Shannon, Callachan selected the city of. Limerick as the field of battle.^ In the second page of the Wars of Calla- ' Lough Corrib, county Galway, is now the name of the place thus indicated. It appears from O'Flaherty's Ogygia (pp. 178-9) that A.M. 2834, this Lake was called after Orbserius, the son of Allodius, who had transacted great commercial affairs between Ireland and Britain. These are the words of the Ogj'gia : — "Orbserius (Filius Alladii, A.M. 2884) tnercator erat negotiationibus inter Hiberniam et Brittaniam tractandis insignis; Mananan Mac Lir vulgo dictus : Mananan ob comraercium cum Mannia insula, et Mac Lir i. e. mari satus ob nnndi, atque urinandi peritiam ; quod portuum quoque discrimina apprime calleret ; ac aeria3 prasscius vicisitudinis a tempestatibus p^caveret. Succubuit vero in praelio apud Moycnllen in margine spaciosi lacus Orbsen, qui per Galviura fl avium in sinum Galvorensum exoneratur ab Ulliuno Nuadi regis ilibernise per Thadaeum filium nepote confossus. Pugnae laco L'lUnus laco Orbsenius nomen indidit ; de his ita Flannus a Monasterio — 0' Flaherty's Ogygia pp. 179 — 8. * Annals of Clonmarnois, quoted in O'Donovan's Annals of the Four Masters. ' A Sept seated in the Barony of Kiltartain, county of Galway. This fact is mentioned in another way, but to the same effect : — '• Harold O'Hynn, King of the Danes of Lymbrick, was killed in Connaught at Katherney." — Annals of the Fovr Masters. * Saxo Grammaticus says that Trideltli Froths, and Haco Danos, invested Ireland many j-ears before this time ; and Turgesius, it is certain, not only subdued the greater part of Ulster, but expelled Farnnan, Archbishop of Armagh, together with all the religious and students. Those moats and ratlis which are yet seen in mr.ny parts of the country, and no where, that we are aware of, in such great numbers as in the Parish of Kilmealy, county of Clare, and one of which of great extent and l)eauty is on the estate of Charles Biaiiconi, Iv'q. D.L., Longfield, Co. Tipperary, at Ardmayle, near his residence, are said to have bocti raised by Turgesius and bis followers,' as fortifications, and in some instances, as sepulchres for their great men and captains. Wormius states that tliis was the customary way of burying the chiefs among the Danes. — Wormius i)' Daim Monwiicnlis. Ware, p. .57. * " Callachan, King of Soutli Mnnster. as.xembling his chiefs, exhorted them to arm everj'- where against the Danep, Mhereupon Limerick was selected for their first attack. A thousand of HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 9 chan, ill tlie old book of Lismore, where the election of that Prince to succeed to the sovereignty of Munster about A.D. 920, is described, (writes the late Professor O^'Curry to the author), there occurs this passage : — " It was then arose the seventeen tribes (of the Eugenians) gracefully and readily to inaugurate Ceallachan ^ -h- * ^ -x- " The best of those nobles were the tall graceful Sullivan, at the head of the festive race of Pingham ; and the accompHshed (in arms) Reardon, at the head of the brave Clann Donnohaile ; and the vahant Caelelghe ; and the heroic champion Laindecan ; and the brilliant Daineachaidh ; and the brave Cuilen ; and the lucky Eeertach ; and the sound active L'lganP It was immediately after this inauguration that the King took his resolution to meet the Danes ; Heralds were sent out requiring them to surrender Limerick, and give hostages for their future good behaviour : the reply of those ma- rauders, however, was, " that so far from waiting to be attacked, they would march out of the city to give open battle/^ They were as good as their word. In four divisions they accordingly marched out of the city. Each of the divisions had four hundred men armed with coats of mad, besides hght armed troops, and Singland was the ground on which the memorable battle was fought — Siugland, which we shall see as we proceed, was the place on which other memorable engagements were decided in long ages afterwards. O^Sul- livan, who acted as General, under Callaghan, harangued his men in an animated speech, which was answered with a clash of shields and swords by his soldiers. The fight commenced by a discharge of stones from the slings of the troops, by flights of arrows, spears and lances. The heavy armed troops then engaged breast to breast in a dreadful contest, while the Danes left nothing undone to prevent this furious onslaught of the army of the King of South Munster, from making an impression on their troops. Callaghan, at length, singled out Amlav (Auliff) the Danish commander, and by one stroke of his sword split helmet and skull, and laid him dead at his feet. O^'SuUivan followed the bright example and engaged Moran, who was called son to the King of Deiunark, and by a well aimed stroke between the helmet and breast-plate, cut off his head; O'Keefi'e ran Magnus, the standard- bearer, through the body ; and after a gallant defence Louchlin was kUled by O^Riordan. The Danes now gave way on every side, and the Irish pursued them into the city, putting numbers of them to the sword in their castles and houses. But instead of keeping possession of the city CaUachan was content with exacting large contributions from the Danes, part of wliich was paid down in gold and merchandise, and hostages taken as security for the remainder. " This success,'^ says Keating, " gave new life to the prospects of the Irish." • After this battle CaUachan marched towards Cashel, and plundered the country, meeting five hundred Danes he put them to the sword. But this victory on the part of Callachan did not queU them sufficiently. Mahon, the son of Cennediegh, upon the assassination of Peargna, seized the throne of Mmister, and reigned twelve years. Resolving to give the Danes no peace, he with his brother Bryan, gave them battle at Sulchoid, now Sollo- head, in the county of Tipperary, in which bloody engagement two thousand his chosen followers marched upon this service, headed by Callachan, under whom were O'Dono- van, O'SuUivan, Keeffe, O'Reardan, O'Landecan, Hugh Mac Cullenan, and other chiefs." ' This event, or something like it, is thus mentioned by the Four Masters, under a.d. 94o. " A battle between the birds of the sea and the birds of the land at Luimneach." (vol, ii. d. 657). The birds of the sea are obviously- the pirate Danes. 10 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Danes were killed on the spot, with their principal commanders, who were Teitel, a person of great strength, and Governor of Waterford; Runan, Governor of Cork ; Muris, Governor of Limerick ; Bernard and Toroll. The remains of the Danish army retreated to Limerick, where the Irish soldiers pursued them, and entering the city with them, made a terrible slaughter. *' The victors pursued the flying enemy into the city of Limerick, and chased them through the streets, and into the houses, where they were slain without mercy or quarter. The plunder of the city was bestowed upon the soldiers by Mahon, where they found an immense booty of gold, jewels, furniture, and silver to an immense value. After they had rifled the houses they set them on fire, they burned the fortifications, demohshed the waUs, and per- fectly dismantled the city and made it incapable of defence.^'' ^ This was one of the greatest battles in the ancient annals of L'eland. CHAPTER II. THE KEIGN AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF BRIAN BOROIMHE. We now come to a most important and eventful period of our history, in which one of the greatest of Ireland^s Kings and warriors makes his appear- ance. In A.D. 969, says the Annahst, "The Foreigners of Limerick were driven from Inis-Sibtond,*5 (now the King^s Island), by the son of Ceinneidigh /^* he adds in a separate paragraph that in this year " two suns of equal size were seen at high noon.''' Undoubtedly this was one of those optical illusions or mirages, which science now clearly explains. Some years subsequently, according to the Four Masters, (Keating makes the event ten years earher), O'Brien, the son of Kennedy, King of Munster, besieged Limerick, which continued to be inhabited by the Danes ; his troops were victorious ; he set fire to the city. He also engaged the Danes of Inis-Cailthe, whom he de- feated with the loss of eight hundred killed, and Imohair (Humpiry), and Dubhgeann, their principal commanders, were taken prisoners. 3 In this latter year " an army, which was led by DomnhaU, son of Dubhdabhoireann, to Lunerick, the two sons of Brian, namely, Donchda and Fadgli, met them, and a battle was fought, wherein the people of the south of Ireland were defeated, and Domhnall fell and numbers along with him.''* The Danes, during a portion of this time, were reduced to the greatest extremities ; but at intervals they recruited their strength and retaliated severely on the Irish. There was no Prince in the Island who opposed their insults more than Brian Boroimhe. "The Glories of Brian the Brave," must be ever heard throughout the island ^vith thrilling sensations of delight and satisfaction. This glorious monarch, whose wisdom and energy are famed in history, and whose career ' Keating. ' Annals of Four Masters, Vol. 11. p. 695. ■'' Heating's History of Ireland. ♦ Annals of Four Masters, Vol. II p. 5^J. HISTORY OF LIMEHICK. 11 is so closely identified not only with Limerick, but with the kingdom gene- rally, was of the Dalcassian race ; the succession of the kingship of Munster was alternate between the Eugenians and the Dalcassians, " but the former/' (says Eugene O'Curry in his manuscript notices of Irish History, p. 213) " being the most powerful in numbers and in extent of territory, monopohsed the provincial rule as far as they were able. The line of the Dalcassians were, however, always kings or chiefs of Thomond in succession, and kings of the province as often as they had strength to assert their alternate right, and it is a fact beyond dispute that the kindred of the late Marquis of Tho- mond (viz. the present Lord Inchiquin, his brothers and family) hold lands at the present day which have descended to them through an unbroken ancestry for 1600 years." Cormac Cass, the founder of the Dalcassian line, was King of Munster about A.D. 260 ; Aengus Tireach, about A.D. 290 ; ConnaU of the s^^dft steeds in 366 ; Carther in Fin in 439 ; Aedh Caemh, from 571 to his death in 601; Lorcain, in 910; Cenneidigh, or Kennedy, the father of Brian Boroimhe, in 954 ; and Brian himself from 975 to the year 1002, when he became monarch of aU Erinn, and as such reigned tiU his death, at the battle of Clontarf in 1014. He fought 49 battles against the Danes and their allies, and in every one of them was victorious. The deeds of this magnanimous hero can never be effaced from the memory of the Irish people. During the greater part of three centuries, namely, from the reign of Eonchada, or Donough, w^ho had hved for twenty-seven years in perfect tran- quillity, until their final expulsion by Brian Boroimhe, the Danes, who in Donough's reign had invaded Ireland, held their ground. Glancing back for a moment, we are shown the state of the island generally, of rehgion, of education, of arts, of arms, amid the troubles with which the invaders afflicted the island. It was three hundred and seventy years from the time of the introduction of Christianity by St. Patrick, to then* ill-omened arrival on our shores ; and three hundred years had elapsed before they were finally expelled by the victorious monarch of Ireland at Clontarf. Darkened though those ages were \\ith the disastrous influence of the invaders, some of the brightest names that adorn the pages of our history, flourished and shone out with a splendor which has lost none of its radiance in the lapse of centuries. Following St. Patrick was the learned Bishop of Sletty, the illustrious St. Eiach, who handed down in a poem of fire and beauty, the actions and praises of the great Apostle of our nation. Next we have the celebrated Cathill, or Cathald. Sedulius, too, the poet, the orator, the divine, who, educated from his infancy by Hildibert, the Archbishop, was accompHshed in all branches of hterature and science, and travelled through Italy and Prance for his further improvement. He visited the East, and returning through Rome, was distinguished for his wonderful erudition in the Eternal City. He was the author of many Latin books, in prose, a Paschal song in metre, consisting of four books, fourteen books on St. PauFs Epistle in prose, a Hymn on Christy's miracles, two books of the same in prose, and several others, of which the titles have been lost. His name is enshrined among the writers of Ireland ; and Ware does not forget to award him the honorable place which his merits won. Following in succession, came Saint CoUum-Kille, one of the leading spirits of the age in which he hved — the Apostle of the Picts, the founder of the world-renowed Abbey of lona, denominated also Huy-a-v- Columknie, of which monastery he was the first Abbot ; eminent in his life for every virtue, his eruflition is acknowledged all over the world. His 12 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. monasteries for many years supplied the Churches of England^ and some of those in Ireland^ with Bishops. And while the lives of the saints and sages were brightening up, and dispelling the gloom which had so long hung over the destinies of our country, distant lands were enhghtened by the reflection of their hohness and learning, and Armagh, all the Avhile, gave its uninter- rupted successors to Saint Patrick in the Episcopacy, first in the person of Senanus, afterwards of St. Benignus, Jerlath, Cormac, &c. During these times it has been stated, an English Prince had been at Lismore, where he imbibed those principles of order and government which made his reign illus- trious, and, not\\athstanding the barbarous aggressions of the invaders, the Irish proved their progress in arts, arms and religion. Nearly at the same time that Malachy the Great was engaged in con- quering the Danes of Dublin and the Islands, Brian Boru was successfully engaged in reducing the Danes of Lunerick. He had avenged the murder by Ivor, King of the Limerick Danes, of hisbrother Mahon, eldest son of Ken- nedy, and on the defeat of Molloy, slain at the battle of Ballagh Leachta,' he succeeded to the throne of Munster. Though the Danes at this time were nominal Christians, they refused to preach to the Saxons in England, which discreditable circumstance occasioned the dispatch of missions from lona, the monastic settlement of St Columkille. The Danes were so hatefid to the Irish, and reciprocated the feeling so thoroughly, that they avoided all religious intercourse with the Irish Church, and connected themselves with the See of Canterbury in England.^ What Alfred, Edmond, and Athelstane had done less effectually for Eng- land, was now being performed for Ireland by Malachy and Brian; but it was not until the latter became monarch of all Ireland that those fierce north- erns, Avhose ravages made even Charlemagne weep, who took Eouen, besieged Paris, wrested Normandy from Charles the Bald, and founded a dynasty in England, were compelled, after terrible havoc, to vacate the country, or to settle down as tributaries, and to engage in the peaceful pursuits of com- merce.^ To detail the barbarous ravages, imposts, and even mutilations which these northern savages inflicted upon the people of Ireland up to the time of Turgesius and King Malachy is uimecessary. The general History of Ireland is full of them. The transfer of the sceptre of Ireland from Malachy the Great, the representative of Heremon, the elder son of Milesius, to the heroic Brian Boru, the descendant of the younger brother Herber, took place according to the Annals of the Four Masters in the 76th year of Brian^s age, his reign as Ard-righ or supreme monarch of Ireland, lasting twelve years, to his death at Clontarf, A.D. 1014. We are incHned, however to believe, that the Ulster Annals wliich give the birth of Brian sixteen years later, that is, in 941, is the more correct account of the two. ' Annals of the Four Masters. * The character for merciless cruelty which the Danes, as these Scandinavians were called, established for themselves wherever they made their appearance, has de»cended in the oral a« well as in the written traditions of Ireland. It had no slight effect upon a few amongst the irregular troops at the battle of the Boyne, and notwithstanding the elements of civiliz.ition, amongst which Grose wrongly, we think, reckons the Gothic Church architecture, introduced bj' this highly spirited and enterprising race, as well as the practice of commerce and other arts, any attempt to popularize their name would be a signal failure. Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, himself of Danish descent, has said much in their favour in his beautiful, though slightly prejudiced Romance of " Harold ;" but this is not history. 3 Mr. Walker a member of the Royal Irish Academy, ha.- an Icel.Tndic manuscript dated in 1010, which mentions Ilafer, a merchant, an Icelander, who had resided many yearn in Liuierick. — A'o/e fty Ralj'k Ousclet/, Enq., M.R.I.A., Limerick; 1703. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 13 This transfer took place at Athlone in 1003, where Brian, joined by the men of Leiuster and the Danes, defeated Southern Hy-Niall and the Cona- cians; and whether the original motive of Brian's opposition was selfish, as asserted by Tighemach,' who was almost a cotemporary writer, or the exi- gencies of the time, the consequences were the terminating of the frequent and fatal quarrels between the inferior princes and chiefs, and final subjugation^ of the Danes. On the abdication of Malachy, who still retained the title of King of Meath, and afterwards served under the supreme King, Brian became sovereign in chief, and having received the homage of Cahall O'Con- nor, King of Comiaught, and other Kings of that province, he set out for Ulster at the head of an army of twenty thousand men, Brian's progress to enforce the submission of the Northern Princes appears to have been unopposed until he reached the locahty known as Ballysadare, when the determined attitude of the enemy compelled him to retreat. But in his next expedition he was more successful. Accompanied on this occasion, as before, by the dynasts of Leath Mogah, he traversed Meath, and was honorably received at Armagh by Maelmurry, the Arch- bishop, and left a gold coUar weigliing twenty ounces, as an ofl'ering on the high altar of the Cathedral. Alter this munificent oblation, the value of which may be estimated as about £800, he proceeded to the royal seat of the Dalriadans in Antrim, called Rathmore-Muige-Line, where he received host- ages from the Princes of that territory as well as from the other chiefs of Leth-Cuinn. Brian made various expeditions of this character, and frequently brought away such chieftains as resisted him to his fortress at Kincora — amongst others, the Lord of Kinel Connel upon his refusing to give hun hostages, which Brian at last extorted by force from the Kinel Eoghaia, thus completing the subjugation of the illustrious house of the northern Hy-NiaUs. This event took place about six years after Brian's offering at Armagh which, occurred in 1004, on which occasion he signed a confirmation of the usual grant to the Clergy of Armagh, under the style of " Imperator Scotormn," an entry which is still extant in the Book of Armagh. After this victorious progress through Ulster, Brian proceeded to Tara, where he was solemnly croMTied. — He had now subjugated all his enemies, and had time to turn his thoughts to the improvement of his kingdom, to which he contributed in an extraordinary degree by the enactment of salutary laws, by the re-estabhshment of churches and educational estabhshments, and by the construction and repair of bridges, causeways and various pubhc works, restoiing to their old possessors the property taken from them by the Danes, raising fortresses and palaces, and putting an end to the existing confusion in genealogies by ordaining that aU the branches of the Irish races should in friture have surnames. Brian's authority as supreme King was now fuUy established, and after the peaceful interval, which he had employed to such good purpose, the advantage of even an enforced alhance between the several inferior Kings Avas shown by new projects on the part of his antagonists, the Danes. The deposed monarch Malachy having been defeated by Maolmordna, King of Leinster and his Danish alhes, had presented lumself at Kincora to solicit the assistance of Brian, but had been unsuccessful ; in the summer of the same year Brian found the movements of the Danes so menacing that he 1 Annals of Tigernach. 14 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. was compelled once more to take the field; and having devastated the territory of Ossory in his march, pitched his camp in the locahty at present known as Kilmainham. Having returned, however, to Kincora with his spoils, the Danes, encouraged by his absence, and recovering from the severe defeats which they had sustained from his son Morrogh, had summoned their allies from Scotland, from the Orkneys, from the Hebrides, from the Shetland Islands, from the Islands of the Baltic, and even from Denmark, Norway and other parts of Scandinavia, inviting the northern pirates to make a common effort for the complete subjugation of Ireland. The summons was obeyed with alacrity. On Palm Sunday, the 18th April, 1014, a powerful fleet, containing the contingents furnished from all parts of the world where the Danes resided, including some Norman, French, Belgians, and Britons from Wales and Cornwall, arrived in the bay of Dublin, under the command of Brodar, the Danish admiral. — The entire of these combined forces amounted to 12,000 men, and their Irish allies, the Lagenians, numbered 9,000, in aU 21,000 men — the Lagenians being funiished by the counties of Wexford, Carlow, Wicklow, and Kildare, with part of the Queen^s and King's County, the Princes of which were in aUiauce "with the Danes, and related by blood to Sitric, King of Dublin, whose mother, Gormlaith or Kormloda, the repudiated wife of Brian Boru, is said to have invited the noted pirates, Brodar and Upsoeus, or Upsacus, to join the confederacy against her royal consort. About 20,000 men composed the amount of Brian's army, of whom the Dalcassians or troops of Thomond collected from Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary, were commanded by himself in person, by his eldest son Murrogh, aided by his five other sons, Teige, Donagh, Donal, Conor, and Plan, and by Turlough, the son of Murrogh, and fifteen other nephcAvs and relatives of Brian. These constituted the first of the three lines into which Brian's army, as well as that of the Danes, was formed in this famous Battle. The second body composed of the Conacians (Connaught men) under King Teige O'Connor and other chiefs. The third was formed by Desmonians and Desians, under Kian and other chiefs of Desmond. Malachy, King of Meath, who did signal services in this battle, and who subsequently succeeded Brian, was appointed to assist the Dalcassians in the first division, while the Ultonians co-operated with the Desmonians in the third division, as did also Donald and the Scotch Stewards of Lennox, and Marr. The annals of InnisfaUen speak of one of the Maguires of Fermanagh being amongst the Ultonians ; but it does not appear from the Annals of the Poui* Masters or the Annals of Ulster that the north sent any forces. The left of Brian's army, which, lilce that of the Danes, was divided into three bodies, was commanded by Malachy, King of Meath, who, according to Keating,^ retired v/ith his troops in the beginning of the action, and refused to take part in it, to be avenged of Brian for his lost crown. This statement is accepted by M'Geoghegan and others ; but if it were time, it is not at aU likely that Malachy would have been universally recognised as the worthy successor of Brian, or rather the recoverer of his lost right. * 1 Hist. 2, 250. 2 O'Halloran, however, has likewise ascribed this act of treachery to Malachy, and he adds that it occurred at the very moment that the Dalgais with the whole right wing marched to attack, sword in hand, the Danes commanded by Brodar and Aisgiodal, whereupon Morrogh, with great presence of mind, cried out to his brave Dalgais " that this was the time to distinguish themselves, as they alone would have the unrivalled glory of cutting off that formidable body of the eaemy."— Hist. 244. Hist. 3, 2G3. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 15 In the meantime, the left, under the King of Connaught, attacked the Leinster Danes and their insular allies, while the troops of South Munster fell upon the Lagenians and their traitor King, Maolmordha. In the Annals of the Four Masters^ we find it distinctly stated, that Malachy drove the foreigners and the Leinster men " by dint of battling, by bravery and striking,^' fi-om the river Tolka (Zulcainn) to Dublin (Athclaih), and in all probabihty the Dalcassian writers have invented this slander against Malachy in order to elevate the character of his competitor, Brian, whose command of the army devolved upon Malachy after the death of the Monarch. Ware, Vallency and Lanigan have also fallen into what Moore calls " the general error^^ concerning Malachy's treason. Havuig made his arrangements for battle, Brian harangued his troops, reminding them that the foes with whom they had to contend were the perpetual oppressors and murderers of their kings, dynasts and clergy — had never shown any mercy to age or sex — had spoiled and burned their churches, and had trampled under foot the most sacred relics of their saints, calling upon his troops to take full revenge for their treacherous acts, and for their profanation of so many churches on that Friday in Holy Week (on which the battle was fought) upon which Christ had died for their redemption, who would undoubtedly be present with them, as a just avenger of his holy rehgion and laws. Here the annahst repeats the charge against Malachy, and describes the prodigies of valour as well as military skill exhibited by the heroic Brian, who, as appears from other accounts, had been induced to retire to his tent, where he was attacked while in the act of prayer by Broder, the Danish chief, and slain -with a blow of his battleaxe, but not until he had received a fatal sword thrust from the hand of the monarch. Then follows an account of the marvellous achievements of Morrough, Brien^'s eldest son, who though aged 63 years,^ slew several Danish officers of distiaction, cutting do\^Ti amongst the rest two standard bearers of the Danish army, as the Danish historians also record, and dispatched two others who had assailed him sunultaneously. The heroic Morrough, who had occasionally retired with some of the chiefs to drink and cool their hands at the river, which was at last stopped by the Danes, at last encountered Prince Anrud, of Norway, just at the time when Morrough was unable to employ his sword from the swollen state of his hands. He therefore grasped the Norwegian with his left hand, shook him out of his armour, cast him to the earth, and pierced him through with his sword. But the Norwegian even in d}ing was not unrevenged, for while Morrough stooped over him he snatched his knife or dagger and plunged it into his breast. The wound in a short time proved fatal, and Malachy assumed the command. The death of Brian took place about this period of the conflict, and the Irish were so exasperated by the death of theii* king, that a total route of their enemies resulted after the command was taken by Malachy, who again reigned eight years, four months and ten days, until the year 1022, when he died, aged 73 vears.' ' An. 1013. 2 O'Flaherty, Ogygia, p. 435. * Ibid, p. 436. — The passage in the Dublin edition of the Annals of Ulster, which describes the Danisli loss at 13,000, and that of the Leinstermen at 3,000, is evidently erroneous, if not unauthentic. The Ulster Annalists, -who say nothing of O'Carroll, of O'Neil, or Maguire of Fer- managh assisting Brien in this battle, state that the loss of the Danes did not exceed 7,000. The Annals of Boyle agree with the Four Masters that besides the 1000 Danes in armour, 3000 others were killed, who, if added to the 3000 Leinster troops, would bear out the estimate of the Annals of Ulster. 16 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. The body of young Tiirlogh O'Brien was found in the wators of Tolka with his hands entangled in the hair of a Dane. Of the other distinguished fami- Hes of Ireland ahnost every one lost a member. On the day after the battle the wounded were conveyed to the camp at Kihnainham, and on the next day the monks of St. Columba at Swords came to bear away the body of Brian in order to buiy it in the Cathedi-al of Armagh, where it was deposited at the north side of the Cathedral, and those of Murrough and his relatives at the South. For twelve successive nights, according to the Annals/ the clergy of St. Patrick kept watch over the dead, chaunted hymns and oflered up prayers for the souls of the heroes.^ It appears from an account' taken from the archives of Denmark by Torfgeus, historiographer to Christian V, that equally with the Irish, Danes were engaged at opposite sides in the battle of Clontarf. This historian describes Brian as " a Prince justly celebrated for clemency, lenity and many other virtues. ■'•' -, Among the inferior notabilia of the battle of Clontarf, which lasted one, not three days, as the Latin writers quoted by Lanigan has it, we may mention that tradition says that Brian sailed under the shadow of the towers and steeples of the monasteries and churches of the Holy Island (Innis Cailthra) on Lough Dergh, as he proceeded up the Lake from Kincora, and that in the Norse, Broder, the slayer of Brian, is stated to have called all present to witness that it was he who killed him.* 1 Some, however, say that they were buried at Kilmainham, in the old church Icnown as " Bully's Acre," with the bodies of Thadeus O'Kelly, and other lords— while some assert they brought it to Cashel. Dr. O'Donovan remarks (Annals of the Four Masters, 1013, note b.) that Moore has adopted in his interesting account of this battle the falsifications made in the Dublin copy of the Annals of Innisfallen by Dr. O'Brien, who was assisted by John Conroy — such as the presence of Tadphy Tadhg O'Connor, son of the king of Connaught and of Maguire, in the battle at which it seems they were not present. The Annals of Clonraacnoise state that all the Leinster chiefs, except O'Moore and O'Nolan, took part with the Danes, and that the O'Neals for- sook King Brian in this battle, as did all Connaught (?) except Hugh, the sou of Ferral O'Rorke, and Teigue O'Kelly. * Annals of Ulster and Innisfallen, An. 1014. 3 History of the Orkneys, 10 c. p. 33. * The appearance of the fort of Kiucora at this day indicates clearly that it was fortified, as its Danish name (Worsaee, quoting the Danish Sagas) Kincoraborg would also show. Keating, indeed, gives a pretty lengthened list of places of strength erected or improved by Brian, besides Kincora, within a few miles of which he repaired the round tower of Tomgranej', built a church at Inniskeltra, and erected another at Killaloe. Amongst other places we find Cahir, Cashel, Koscrea in Tipperary, and in the county of Limerick, Lough Gur, Bruree, Duntryleague and Knockany. HISTORY OF I.IMKRTCK, 17 » CHAPTER III. BRIAN AND HIS IMMEDIATE SUCCESSORS; AND THE KINGS OF THOMQNP, Although the battle of Clontarf may be said to have decisively crashed the power of the Danes, they still continued for some time to possess considerable wealth and influence in the principal cities and towns of Ireland, especially the seaports, where for the encouragement of commerce, to which they appear to have been as much addicted as to fighting and plundering, even Brian Boru had been willing they should remain. From their first invasion m A.D. 794 to the taking of DubHn by the Anglo-Norman invaders, and the death of Asculph Mac ThorkiU in A.D. 1171, about a century and a half after the battle of Clontarf, we find this vaUant and politic, but barbarously cruel and sacrilegious people engaged in contests with the natives for 377 years ; and not tiU after the invasion of the Noi-mans, a kindred people, as were indeed the Anglo-Saxons i also, shaU we lose sight of the Danes as a distinct community. At the present day we have many respectable families who are said to be of Danish blood, such as Harold, Godfrey, Stack, and Ti-ant, in Limerick and Kerry; and Plunket, Gould, Gilbert, Galway, Palmer, Sweetman, Dowdall, Everard, Drumgoole, Blacker, Betach, Cruise, Skiddy, Terry, Bevel, and some say Pagan, (of Peltrim), in other parts of Ireland. In Limerick in particular we find the Danes giving the following Bishops,^ the see bemg confined to the city as elsewhere, and these Bishops going for consecration to Canterbury, to whose Archbishops they promised canonical obedience, while the Irish Bishops were under Armagh, and were consecrated either in Ireland or in Ptome. The Danish Bishops of Limerick were GiUe or Gilbert, Apostohc Delegate of Ireland, Bishop from 1110 to 1140, a most remarkable and learned Prelate. Patrick Harold, who died in 1151 ; Torgesius, and Brictius, who attended the Council of Lateran in 1179. Of the hves of these Bishops, and of the part taken by them in the ecclesiastical affairs of the diocese and kingdom generally, as far as appears in the authorities accessible to us, we shall treat, when giving the lives of the Bishops of Limerick. In reference to the early Bishops of the See, v/q shall follow, for the most part, the learned Sir James "Ware. If Brian's eminent qualities and powerful resources had compelled an acquiescence in his claims to the chief monarchy while he lived, the legitimist claim met a prompt recognition after his decease. In conformity with the view taken of his usm-pation by some of the amiahsts, who call it " rebellion with treachery,'"' the Annals of InnisfaUen as well as those of Ulster count the years of Brian's reign amongst those of the deposed Prince who preceded and succeeded him. The example thus set by Brian, who, with the exception of Bcetan, was the only chief Monarch not chosen from the Hy-NiaU race for upwards of 500 years, was one cause of the troubles which we have now to record, and which owing partly to the laws of succession, are unfortunately ' Sir F. Palgrave. » Ware's Bishop*, 18 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. but too often met with in the events of Irish history. Even in the year 1016_, when the unusual entry in the Annals of Ulster^ of " Sith in Erinid"' " Peace in Ireland/'' which like the shutting of the Temple of Janus in Eome w'as looked on as qnite a remarkable occurrence, even in this very year King Malachy, now once more supreme King, was obhged to enforce his supremacy by invading Ulster. Having obtained hostages he again defeated the Danes, subsequently the northern O^NeHls, assisted by the Eugenians or people of South Munster, and soon after accompanied by Donogh, son of Biian Boru, invaded Counaught, and forced its princes to give hostages.^ After defeating the Northerns at the Yellow Eord, now called Atliboy, he retired A.D. 1022, to a small island in Lake Annim, in Meath, where this excellent prince de- voted his last hours to works of penitence and devotion, providing amongst other deeds of mercy for the support of 300 orphan children.^ "VVe now return to the Princes of Thomond. The umiatural feud between Teigue and Donogh, the sons of Brian, is the principal event in the history of Limerick from the battle of Clontarf to the murder of the elder of these princes. This latter treacherous act which took place in 1023, is ascribed by the Pour Masters^ to the Edi, and is expressly said to have been perpetrated at the instigation of Donogh, who had recently sustained a defeat at the hands of liis brother in the pjart of Thomond on the eastern side of the Shannon. The pre\dous year 1022 had witnessed the death of the illustrious ]\Ialachy, successor of Brian in the monarchy, which may have probably suggested the idea of the fratricide as a means of remov- ing the principal obstacle between Donogh and the throne of Tara. The country of Thomond, wdiich extended from the Shannon to the Slieve Bloom mountains, had been subjected"* to two invasions before the assassina- tion of Teige ; on the first occasion by the Desmonians under Donald, the father of the Prince of Desmond, who had also been slain by Donogh, and who were defeated by the brave Dalcassians the year after the battle of Clontarf; on the second occasion by the army of Connaught, which plundered and destroyed both Kincora and KHlaloe. This was also doubtless occasioned by the ambition of the King of Connaught, encouraged by the unnatural quarrel which had so fatal a termination. Donogh prospered so much that he obtained hostages three years after his brother's death from various chiefs of Leinster; he exacteds the homage of the Danes of Dublin, was now recognized as monarch of Death Moglia or the southern half of Ireland, when he was defeated by the Ossorians and had a formidable antagonist to his claims in his nephew Turlough, the son of the assassinated Prince, Teigh, who was supported by Diarmid Maelnambo afterwards King of Leinster, at the instigation of Diarmid whose territory of Hy-Kinsella,* l^onogh had invaded, burning Perns and committing other devastations in Wexford. Several sacrilegious robberies were perpetrated at this time at Clonmacnoise, &c. It is to the credit of Donogh that he made satisfaction to the clergy of Clonmacnoise for a most revolting sacrilegious robbery, on which occasion the robbers stole a model of Solomon^s temple, probably a taberiiacli^, and a gold plated silver chahce, the former a gift of a Prince of wealth, the latter tastefully engraved by a sister of King Turlough O^Connor. In 1129, some of the Danes of Limerick were executed for ' Ann;.ls of the Four Masters, and Innisfail. * Annals of Four Masters. * Pu. in. 1023. See also Tigeniut-h. < Annals of Four Masters, an. 1041. * 'ligeinuch and InLsfuil, an. 101;(j. * Annals uf Inuiifail and Four Masters. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 19 despoiling the monastery of Clonmacnoise. In the year 1050^ a Synod was held at Killaloe, to provide some remedies against a prevalent distress, occasioned by bad seasons, and to restrain crimes, under Donogh and Cele, " the head of the piety of Ireland/' as the annalists caU him, upon which occasion, as our authorities inform us they " enacted a law and restraint upon every injustice, great and small ; and God gave peace and favourable weather in consequence of this law." The power of Donogh now began to decline, for he had sustained two serious reverses. During his absence in Desmond, his enemy Diarmid had invaded Munster with an army of Lagenians and Danes, of whom he was now acknowledged king, and severely avenged Donogh' s, and Connor Melaghlin's raid into Fingal, on which occasion they had made many prisoners in the great stone church of Lusk. The second blow was inflicted on Donogh, in Thomond, where Torlough, the son of Teighe, maintained his ground against Donogh's son, Murrough, assisted by his Connaught allies, as he had been by Hugh O'Connor and by the king of Leinster in Middle Munster. In the latter the Lagenians and Danes burned one of the forts strengthened by Brian Boru — namely, Duntryleague ; and during another expedition, under Diarmid, which took place in 1056, they destroyed another of these forts — that at Lough Gurr, finishing their ravages by the destruction of Nenagh. Donogh's deposition was now a proximate event. — Diarmid invaded Munster, once more burned Limerick and Emly, and defeated Donogh in a severe battle in the glen of Aherlow. Hugh O'Connor destroyed Kiucora, with the town and Church of KiUaloe ; and Turlogh and the Lagenians once more burned Limerick in the year 1063, and exacted hostages throughout Munster. At last being utterly defeated by Turlogh and the King of Leinster, at the foot of the Ardagh mountains, he abdicated the crown of Munster, thus transferring his royal honors to his nephew. In the hope of atoning for his sins he afterwards set out on a pilgrimage to Eome, where he died with every appearance of sincere penitence, in the Monastery of St. Stephen, in the year 1064. Some writers assert that Donogh not only left the croAvn and regaha of Ireland with the Pope but made him over his kingdom, an empty compliment, if it took place at aU, which is not probable, as it is not mentioned by any of the old annahsts. It is added by those who tell this story, that the crown was afterwards given to Henry the II. by Pope Adiian the Fourth after the Norman conquest.'^ ' Annals of Four Masters. * Donogh was connected with the Royal family of England, having married Driella, sister of Harold, afterwards King of England. Harold took refuge in Ireland (Saxon Chronicle, an. 1051) during the rebellion of his father against Edward the Confessor, and was furnished by Donogh with a squadron of nine ships, with which he harassed the coast of England. In the time of Donogh the celebration of Athletic games was encouraged, and more taxes were raised and more ordinances made than during the period which had elapsed since the coming of St. Patrick. — Annals of hmhfail, an. 1023 {recte 1040). Two interesting relics supposed to belong to Brian Boru are still in existence — namely, his harp and his sceptre. The latter was presented to the museum of the Royal Dublin Society, where it is preserved, by the Dowager Marchioness of Thomond, after the death of her husband in 1857. The harp, according to the statement given in the fourth volume of the " Collectanea de Rebus Hibernicis," remained, with the crown and other regalia of Brian Boru, in the Vatican, until the reign of Henry VIII., when that " Defender of the Faith" received the harp with his new title. The Pope, it is said, kept the crown, which was of massive gold, Henry gave the harp to the first Earl of Clanrickarde, and it was presented bj' a lady of the De Burgh family to that of M'Mahon, of Clenagh, in the county Clare. In 1782 it was presented to the Right Hon. Mr. Connyngham, who presented it to Trinity College, where it still remains. Moore thinks the harp is modern, because it bears the O'Brien arms (in silver) ; but on this principle we might doubt the antiquity of the round tower on Derenish Island because it bears a modern iuscriptjoa. 20 HISTORY 01' LIMERICK. Since tlie death of Malachy, who was hunself formally recognised by the states of Meath only, though tacitly accepted by the nation, the ascription of the title of supreme king by our native historians appears to have resulted rather from deference to might than to right — at least the most powerful for the time being of the Royal races of Ireland were recognised as the nominal monarchs, or as the Irish express it, Righ go Freasabhra, "kings with oppo- sition/' As the plan which we have laid do-wm for ourselves will not allow of our introducing more of the general history of Ireland than may serve to illustrate that of Limerick, we can refer but briefly to the exploits of Dermot, King of Leinster, who is by some historians reckoned as nominal monarch after tlie death of Donogh, whom he obhged to abdicate the crown, in favor of Turlogh, the sou of Teige, and grandson of Brian Born. There is a great simUarity indeed in the military history of all the enterprising kings of this pei-iod, and Dermot's included the crushing of a rebellion raised by Murchad, the son of Donogh ; the compellmg of the king of Connaught to give hostages ; the exacting tribute from the people of Meath and Dubhn; and if we" can believe the continuation -of the Annals of Tigernach, the subjection of the Welsh and Hebrides, or at least to the extent imphed by the fact that they were obliged to pay him tribute. At last this vigorous monarch attain entered Meath hi 107^,' and was defeated with great slaughter at the battle of Odhba, being himself killed, and leavmg Turlogh, by his death, the most powerful king in Ireland. T\irlogh now entered upon the usual course of one determined to be recog- nised as'the Sovereign-in-Chief, no competitors of his own family existmg since A.D. 1068, the year of the death of Morrogh " of the short shield," who was slain durmg a foray into Teffia, a territory now fonning a part of Westmeath and Longford ; while the King of Connaught, Aedh of the Broken Spear, who had defeated Dermot, Turlough, and their " great army of Leath- moi^ha," as the annaKsts call it, some five years before, had himself fallen in turn, in battle with Art O'Rourke, Prince of Breffiuy, who had invaded his territories. Connor, too, the son of Malachy, had fallen in the year 1073, by the hand of an assassin, and Turlogh, now admitted to be the most potent of the native Kings, prepared himseK for an expedition into Ulster, where the indomitable 0''NeiIls maintained their independence. The Annals of the Four Masters for this year^ record a curious anecdote of Turloue-h in reference of his having carried off the head of the murdered King of Meath from the Abbey of Clonmacnoise on a Good Frida,y, unmedi- ately before his Northern expedition. — " It was brought back again from the South with two rings of gold along with it through the miracles of God and Kiaran. A great disease seized the King Turlough O'Brien, which caused his hair and beard to fall off through the miracles of God and Kiaran, for when the head of Connor was brought into his presence, a mouse issued out of it and went under his garment, which was the cause of his disease."' The Annals of Clonmacnoise^ mention the same curious story, and state that Brien "was like to die until he restored the said head with certain gold." It was during an expedition undertaken into Meath, immediately after this, to punish Morrough Melaghhn, the brother and murderer of Connor, that he carri('d off the head of one' of the bitterest of his enemies, as related above. ' Anrii'.ls of Four Masters, of Inn'sfail. and TigernacL. » A. D. 107H. 3 A. D. 1070 (reete 1073). HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 21 In 1075 Tiu'logh marched into Connaught, and received homage and hostages from O^'Rourke^ O'Eeilly, O'Kellv, MacDermod, and other Princes. In the follo'wing year, accompanied by the army of Munster, Turlogh marched into Meath, and received the submission of King Melachlin, the latter being accompanied by the Bishop of Armagh, styled by the Annalists the Successor of Saint Patrick, who brought with him the Bachal Isa, or " Staff of Jesus/^ In this year, according to the Four Masters, Dunlevy O^Heoghy and the chiefs of Ulidia went into Munster to serve for pay. In 1084, the chief of the Ulidians, having engaged the services of Donogh, the son of O^Ruarc, nicknamed " the Cock,^'' who commanded the forces of East Connaught>, marched mto Leinster and encamped at Monecronogh^ AA^here he was encountered by Murtagh O^Brien, son of Turlogh, at the head of the troops of Leinster, Ossory, Mmister, and the Danes of Dublin. Four thousand persons were left dead on the field in this action, which appears to have been a drawn battle. O^Rnarc was amongst the slain, and his head having been brought to Limerick, it was exposed on Singland, near the city, probably in the locaHty now occupied by the Water Works, near Gallows Green. ■ Wliile Turlogh^s army was engaged in Leinster, the Ulstermen entered Thomond, and burned Killaloe, Tomgraney, Scariff, and Moynoe, of which O^Halloran says in his usual patriotic style, " then flourishing cities on the banks of the Shamion, now scarce retaining the traces of villages .■'■' But Turlogh had his revenge, for in the next year (1085) he once more invaded the north, ravaged the territory, and took IMuireadhach, Prince of Muinter- colies (the tribe name of the Magranalls or Re}Tiolds) in the southern half of the coimty Leitrim, This was the last expedition of this vigorous monarch, who died in 1086, at Kincora, in the 77th year of his age, from the eff'ects of a disease resulting from the incident which we have quoted from the Annals of the Four Masters, and Clonmacnoise. His forgiveness of his nephew, Murched, who raised a formidable rebellion m Thomond, in the second year of his reign, and to whom, though he renewed his revolt after being forgiven, he assigned ample possessions in Cuonogh and Aharla, in the county Limerick, prove him to have been a man of a generous and forgiving disposition. As a proof of the high character he enjoyed amongst his contemporaries, we may refer to this letter^ addressed to him by the illustrious Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canter- bury, as " The magnificent Turlough, King of Ireland,^'' in which, he says, that " God was mercifully disposed towards the people of Ireland, in giving him royal power over that land, and stating that though he has never seen him, he loves him from the description he had received of his pious humility, his severe justice, and his discreet equity.-'^ As additional proofs not only of the high estimation in which Turlough was held, but of his being recognised as monarch of Ireland by his contemporaries, v,t may mention that another letter was addressed to him some years after by Gregory VII., in which he is called '' the illustrious King of Ireland ;" and, at the recjuest of the chiefs of Man, Turlough sent a prince of the blood royal to be regent during the minority of their youthful king. In Lanfranc^s letter to Turlogh he complains that in his kingdom marriages were often irregularly contracted ; that bishops were consecrated by one bishop ; that infants ■\^'ere baptised without consecrated chrism ; and that holy ' Usher Vet. Epiat. Tlibern. Syll. * Chronicle of Man, A.D. 1075. 22 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. orders were given by bishops for money. As Lanfranc makes the same complaint about irregular marriages in his letter to Gothric, Kin g of Dublin^ Dr. Lanigan^ supposes these abuses were confined chiefly to the Danes ; while as to the second and third objections, Lanfranc was mistaken as to what is required by evangehcal and apostolical authority and the canon law. Besides, the Irish still retained the order of chorepiscopoi. The charge of simony, Lanigan thinks, may have been partly true ; but that crime was not confined to the Irish, nor to the church of any particular time or locality. CHAPTER IV. HISTORY OF THE KINGS OF THOMOND, CONTINtJED. King Tiirlough was succeeded by his second son, Murtagh O^Brien, not undeservedly surnamed More, or the Great, as king of Thomond, and nominal king of Ireland, A.D. 1106. Of his two brothers, the eldest had died at Kincora, and the other, Dermott, having been banished into Connaught, Murtagh became the sole, but by no means the undisputed sovereign. The provincial kings joined Dermot, who was subsequently slain in Meath in his brother^s army, A.D. 1103, in a coalition against the king of Thomond, as pretender to the chief sovereignty of Ireland ; and another formidable oppo- nent appeared in the person of Domnal M'Loughlin, chief of the Hy-Niells, who, having enforced homage from the king of Connaught, united that prince's forces to his own, and with the combined army invaded Munster. E-ory O'Connor's West Connaught men had defeated Murtagh's fleet, when attempting to dislodge them from their position on Innishayrcuch (Homed Island) in the Shannon, previously to the junction of the Northern forces with those of Connaught, and Murtagh now found himself unable to retahate with effect until the most terrible devastations had taken place in his dominions. The invaders burned Limerick, devastated the country as -far as Emly, Lough Gur, and Bruree, beseiged and demohshed Kincora, and carried off the head of O'Ruarc from the place of its exposure at Siugland.^ Mur- tagh, determined to strilce the first blow at the king of Connaught, dispatched a fleet in the following year, 1089, as far as Loughree, on the Shannon, and greatly to his discredit plundered the churches^ on the various islands, and along the shores of the lake, including those of Innisclothran, Innisboffin, and Innis-aingin. The Dalcassian troops were, however, intercepted in their retreat by the king of Connaught, who had occupied Inishapcuch and Kughra ; and being obliged to turn back to Athlone were encountered by Donald O'Melaghhn,* king of Meath, who gave them a safe conduct to Thomond, on condition of lea\dng behind their vessels. With these vessels the kings of Meath and Connaught immediately afterwards descended the Shannon, and once more invaded Thomond. ' Ecclesiastical Hist, of Ireland, chap. xsiv. ^ Four Masters, ad. an. 1088. " Ibid. ad. an. 1089. * This nnme appears in a variety of spellings. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 23 In the year 1090 a congress was held on the banks of Lough Neagh^ where the two princes, Murtagh and MacLoughlin (or O^'Loughlin), agreed to divide the kingdom of Ireland between them, the former ruling Leath Mogha, or the southern half, and the latter Leith Cuin, or the northern moiety. On this occasion they pledged themselves by the most solemn oaths, " upon the relics of the saints of Erin, and the crozier of St. Patrick." At this meeting the kings of Connaught and of Meath were also present, and gave, as did also Murtagh, hostages to the head of the Hy-Niels ; but if this was an admission of his claims to the chief sovereignty, it was cancelled by a similar tender of hostages to Murtagh by the new chief monarch, M'Loughlin, who, not-withstanding this solemn convention, was engaged in hostilities Vvith the king of Thomond in this very year,^ and obliged to do him homage. In 1094 Murtagh again invaded Leinster and Meath, defeated OT'onnor Faly; attacked the Meathians, and having slain Donald O'Melaghliu, king of Tara, divided his territories between his two brothers. According to Sir James Ware, a present of Irish pearls was made in the year 1094, by the bishop of Limerick, to Ansehn, archbishop of Canterbury, by whom the present was graciously received. In the years 1095 and 1096 peace prevailed in consequence of a pestilence which the annalists say spread over all Europe, and carried off a fourth of the population of Ireland, including many persons of distinction, and amongst the rest Godfrey Erenach. In the meantime Murtagh had employed himself in rebuilding Kincora, and, having completed the work of re- edification, once more undertook an expedition as far as Louth, where, however, by the inter- position of the bishop of Armagh, the effusion of blood was prevented. In the year 1101 Murtagh convoked a great assembly at Cashel, and made a donation to the church, such as " no king had ever made before,''^ granting Cashel to the " rehgious of Ireland in general without any claim of layman or clergyman upon it,'' as the annalists express it, thus dedicating the seat of the Munster kings to God and to St. Patrick,^ who had there preached the Gospel to ^ngus, king of ]\Iunster and his court. It was about the time of this splendid donation to the church that IMurtagh made his famous expedition into Ulster, and, having led a large body of troops into Innis-owen, devastated the peninsula, destroyed the churches, and, in revenge for the destruction of Kincora, utterly demolished the ven- erable palace of the Hy-niells, called Adeach or the Eagle's Nest, ordering his soldiers to carry away the very stones to Limerick in their provision bags.* In the year 1103 Murtagh sustained a decisive defeat from Macloghlin, on ' Annals Innisfail, an. 1074 (recte 1090). » Four Masters, 1090. ' Annals of Innisfallen, 1101. * ]\Ir. O'Curry adds that " with these stones [which the soldiers brought in their sacks] Mur- tagh O'Brien afterwards built a parapet upon the top of his royal palace, (which is situute on the site of the present Cathedral of Limerick) as a perpetual memorial of his victory over the ancient enemies of his house." Mr. O'Curry adds, " I may mention that this was not a wanton deed of destruction on the part of O'Brien, but a retaliation for a similar insult which the Northern bands, two hundred years before that, offered to the Dalcassians, when tbey made a sudden and unexpected rush into that country, and cut down, and carried away by force, from the celebrated woods of Creatalach (Cratloe, I believe) as much prime oak as roofed and adorned the same palace of Aileach."' The Grainan of Aileach is situate in the county of Donegal, about a milo from tha county of Derry, and on the top of a mountain 802 feet high, to which it has given its name of Grainan. The Ordnance Survey of Londonderry (page 217) gives a graphic description and account of this very curious and celebrated ancient construction ; and we refer the reader to that extremely interesting volume for the fullest particulars on the subject. 24 HlStORY OF LlMERlC^. tlic plains of CoBha iu Tyrone,' on wliicli occasion the royal tent and marly Valuable jewels were captured.''^ The following years are chiefly occupied with resultless campaigns between Murtagh and Macloughlin, and the interposition of the clergy in bringing about temporary pacifications. In 1114, say the amials/ " a great fit of sickness attacked Murtagh O'Brien, so that he became a living skeleton, and resigned his kingdom; and Diarmuid (his brother) assumed the kingdom of Munster after him without pennission/^ During Murtagh^s absence in Leinster, Thomond was invaded by Torlogh O'Connor, king of Connaught, who plundered the country as far as Limerick, and carried off spoil and prisoners. On this occasion Donald O'Brien, son of Teige, was slain while defending his country against the invaders. In the second year after also, 1116, Torlogh O'Connor again invaded Thomond, and advancing Avithout resistance, demolished Kincora as well as the fort of Boromha, which had been erected by Brian Boru — an insult which the Dalcassians vainly attempted to avenge under Dermod, brother of Murtagh O'Brien, who led an army into Connaught, but was repulsed and obliged to make a precipitate retreat. In 1117, Thomond was again invaded by the forces of Connaught, commanded by Brian, son of Morrogh O'Elaherty, and the son of Cathal O'Connor, who defeated the Munster troops first at Leacan in West Thomond, and afterwards at Latteragh in Ormond, with still greater loss. The death of Dermod O'Brien was followed in a year by that of his brother Murtagh. Tliis event took place in 1119, and this eminent prince, whose character ranked so high in his lifetime that he was often consulted by the king of England, Henry I., was buried in the cathedral of Killaloe, which, from the time of the donation of Cashel to the Church, to the period of the Anglo-Norman invasion, became the residence of the descendants of the illustrious Brian Boru. Murtagh had three sons, Domhnal, appointed Governor of DubHn, who embraced a monastic life in 1118 ; Mahon, the ancestor of the Mac Mahons of Corkabaskin, and Kennedy, of whom there is no further notice. Murtagh O'Brien, as Malmsbury, a contemporary author, informs us,"* made aUiances with other foreign princes besides Henry I. of England. He gave one of his daughters to Arnulph de Montgomery, eldest son of the Earl of Arimdel in England, whom he is said to have assisted in his rebellion against Henry I. ; and another to Sicard, son of Magnus king of Norway. Keating states his belief that Murtagh died at Armagh. He was the last supreme monarch of liis race. ' Annals of Fonr Masters. ' About this time took place the celebrated Synod of Uisneacli, in AVestmeatli, presided over — toccoi-ding to the Abbe M'Geoghegan, by Gilbert, Bishop of Limerick, under circumstances here- after to be referred to. 3 Annals of Four Masters. * Malmsbury Pe Reg. Angle, lib. v. flISTORY OF LIMERICK. 25 CHAPTEE V ANNALS OP THOMOND. Sir James Ware and OTlaherty^ are of opinion that parties were so evenly balanced after the death of Murtagh O^Brien^ that for seventeen years after that event no dynast was sufficiently powerful to assume the title of monarch of Ireland. But after the death of Donald Mac Loughlin^ who reigned without competition during the two years that he survived Murtagh^ Tuilogh O^Connor, son of Eoderick^ king of Connaught^ is considered to have the fairest claim; and is accordingly set down by most historians as the next monarch of Ireland. Some_, however, only assign to Turlogh the rank of king of Leath-Cuin, while Connor O^Brien is regarded as possessing an equitable claim to be considered monarch of Leath-Mogha. Turlogh, although a brave prince, did not disdain to avail himself of the arts of poHcy to strengthen his own interest to the prejudice of O^Brien. He sowed dissensions between the Eugenians and Dalcassians, touching their claims to alternate succession^ to the throne^ and succeeded in creating tem- porary divisions amongst the Dalcassians themselves. In the year 1124, O^'Connor constructed a fleet on Lough Derg, conveyed them across the falls of the Shannon, at Doonas, plundered the country of the Hy-Conaill, at Foynes' Island, and captured the fleet of Desmond. — Cormac Macarthy, the king of Desmond, was shortly after defeated by O^Connor, near Kilkenny, and obliged to seek an asylum in the monastery of Lismore. But O^Brien, having effected a reconciliation between the members of his own family, by giving Torlogh, Thomond, west of the Shannon; and the other brother, Ormond, proceeded in the same year, 1127, to Lismore, and, with the con- sent of the Eugenian chiefs, restored Cormac, dethroned his brother Donough, set up by CConnor, and forced him to fly with his adherents into Con- naught. In the year 1135, Cormac invaded Thomond, and was opposed by an ancestor of the Macnamaras,^ Cumara, i.e. the " Dog of the Sea,^^ who was slain in the battle, — Cormac was defeated at Clonkeen-Modinog, near Cashel, on which occasion several of the princes of the Eugenians, together with O^Loghlm, king of Burren, were left dead on the field. The next year, 1136, is given as the date of TurlogVs recognition as supreme sovereign, although O^Brien had just given decided proofs of undiminished vigor, by routing the united armies of the king of Leinster and the Danes of DubHn, after which he had led his victorious troops into Connaught, when an arrange- ment was entered into between CBrien and O'Connor, by the interposition, or under the sanction of the archbishop of Tuam."* In the war between Connor O'Brien and Macarthy, O'Brien was supported by Dermot Macmorrough, king of Leinster, v/ho obtained an unfortunate notoriety by bringing the English into Ireland. This happened in 1137; and the new alhes, assisted by a fleet of the Danes of DubUn and Wexford, having besieged Waterford, Donogh Macarthy was compelled to submit, and to give hostages of the Desies and the Danes of DubKn, as a return for their services. Connor, now styled Lord of Thomond and Ormond, gave hostages to the king of Leinster, for defending Desmond for him from the Macarthies ; and thus it appears that Turlough's claim to the monarchy was now admitted, ' Ogrgia. i Annals of Innisfail, Munster Annals Apud Valiancy. • Annals of Four Masters, * Ibid. Ad. An. 1133. 26 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. even by O^Brien himself, though so fiercely appropriated by the O^Briens for more than a hundred years. In the next year, 1138, the Annals of the Four Masters' mention the treacherous assassination at Cashel, of Cormac, the king and bishop, the founder^ of the beautiful church still called Cormac's Chapel, the murderer being Turlogh, son of Dermod O^Brien, who afterwards suc- ceeded to the crown of Thomond. Thus the Mac Carthies were expelled, and Connor O^Brien was now left in sole possession of the crown of Munster, io wliich he added that of the Danes of Dublin, against whom he marched an army in 1142, and forced their submission. In the next year Connor O^Brien died at KiUaloe, where he was interred in the Cathedi-al, and was succeeded by his next brother Turlogh. Connor died possessed of all the rights and powers annexed to the sovereignty of Leath Mogha. He was a prince of great courage, perseverance, and abihty ; and though he had com- mitted in his various expeditions several acts of spoliation on the Church, he is stated in the records of the Abbey of St. Peter at Eatisbon, to have founded and supported it while he Hved, and to have sent munificent presents in aid of the Crusaders to Lothaire, the Eoman Emperor.^ — Connor was surnamed na Catheragh, or " of the cities,''^ on account of the many he founded and improved, says O^Halloran, which also accounts for his other nickname of " spattered robe'''' — according to others from his having built or strengthened a fort on Lough Eee. Torlough, the brother and successor of Connor O^Brien, whose son Mur- tagh was obliged to content himself 'vvith Thomond, began his reigTi by a war with Turlough O^Connor and an invasion of Leinster. He was set upon the throne of Lunerick by Murtagh M'Niell of the line of Heremon, who succeeded to the monarchy of Ireland. In punishment of O'Connor's raid into Munster, in sustainment of the claims of Connor, grandson of Murtagh- ]\Iore O'Brien, Turlough O'Brien marched into Connaught, and cut down the Ruaidh Rheithigh* (the red birch tree of Hy-Fiachra Aadhne, under which the kings were inaugurated), and demolished its stone fort, but returned without effecting any important results^ and in 1144 was reconciled to O'Connor at Terryglass, in Ormond — though, as we learn from the Four Masters,^ the truce only lasted a year, the next year having been signalised by so many predatory excursions that Ireland was made " a trembling sod,'' to use the expressive language of these annalists. Turlough founded a mon- astery for the Cistercian monks in 1148, the great monastery of Nenay, or Commogue, in the county of Limerick, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. In the year 1149, the King of Munster once more led an army into Con- naught, destroying the Dun or Castle of Galway. In the next year he marched to Dublin, plundering Slane, in Meath, on his way, and exacted hostages from the Danes of Dublin. In the following year (1151), while absent in West Munster, opposmg the Macarthies, he was deposed by his brother, Teige Gle, whom he had released from prison, assisted by the king • Ibid. Ad. An. 1138. « Ibid. Ad. An. 1134. ' " In the Chronicles of Eeinsburgh or Ratisbon, in Germany, it is related that Dyonisius, Christianus and Gregory, three successive Irish Abbots, of the Benedictine Monastery of St. James's at the west gate of Ratisbon, sent their own Irish niessongers at three several times into Ireland with the Emperor Conradus's letters recommending them. To these messengers was delivered so great a sum by the aforesaid Conor O'Briau, otherwise Calla Slapper Sallach, King of North Munster, or Limerick, that thereby their cloister was from the very foundation, in a short time, rebuilt so magnificently that it surpassed all in those daj-s; and besides, with said money, the monks purchased for their maintenance, both witliin the town of Ratisbon, and in the country, a perpetual revenue and estate, and notwithstanding all, a great fiuantity of said money was still remaining. — Peter Walsh. * Annals of Four Masters, 1 143. ^ Jbid, 1145. HISTORY or LIMERICK. 27 of Connaught, who, invited by Teige Gle, and joined by Dermot Macmorrogh, advanced into Munster, and ravaged the country, until they reached Moin- more, or the Great Bog, which, according to Dr. O^Donovan,i ig Moniinore, in the parish of Emly, Barony of ClamviUiam, and county Tipperary. In this fiercely contested battle, the armies of Leinster and Connaught, led by Roderick, whose troops had once more destroyed Kuicora, during their late invasion of Munster, were opposed by O^Brien, accompanied by the Dalcas- sians alone; and, notwithstanding the desperate valour of these noble warriors, were completely successful. The army of Munster was totally defeated, and the king of Thomond, with liis army, left dead on the field.^ Altogether there fell of the Mononians five thousand men. The loss on the other side was severe, but not at all to be compared with that of the army of Munster, which the monarch now divided into two principalities, appointing the two treacherous Munster princes its rulers. Roderick, the last monarch of Ireland of Milesian descent, now entered Thomond, and having proceeded as far as Croom, which he burned, returned after the capture of great spoils. The unfortunate Turlogh O^Brien having ineS'ectually attempted to pro- cure shelter among the Danes of Limerick, fled to Ulster, where he was shel- tered by the native chieftains, to whom he was able to make ample recompense for their hospitahty, having carried with him many jewels and valuables to the number of sixty, besides the drinlving horn of Brian Boru, and one hun- dred and twenty ounces of gold.^ In the arrangement which followed the defeat of Turlogh, Desmond fell to Dermod M'^Carthy, and Thomond to Teige O^Brien. The fortunes of Turlogh CConnor had scarcely obtained the ascendant over those of O^Brien when a new rival appeared in the person of Murtagh 0''Loughlin (MacLoughlin or O^Nedl), representative of the royal Hy-Niells of T}Tone, and the host and champion of the king of Mun- ster, in Avhose favour he formed a league of the Ulster princes, and having conquered Turlogh O^Connor, replaced Tui-logh CBrien on his throne, or as the Four ]\Iasters say, to one-half of his kingdom. On the return of Teige O^Brien into Thomond he was barbarously deprived of his sight by his bro- ther Dermod Finn, and died the next year, 1154. Turlogh O'Brien having made submission three years after his restoration, Roderick, his father, in- curred the resentment of O'Neill, who, accompanied by Dermod MacMur- rough and his troops, entered Desmond, and exacted the submission of the Macarthies. He next laid siege to Limerick, then chiefly inhabited by Danes, drove out Turlogh O'Brien, expelled the Dalcassians from Thomond, and di- vided Munster between Dermod Macarthy, whose father had been murdered, as before mentioned, at Cashel, and Connor, the son of Donald O'Brien, in whose person, as the senior representatives of Murtagh-More O'Brien, the ' Note to Four Masters, 1151. * Amongst the families still extant, who lost some of their members in this second Clontarf, the Annals of the Four Masters give the following from the book of Lecan: — "The following were the chieftains that were here slain : Muicertagh, son of Conchovar O'Brien, the second best man of Dalgais ; Lughaidh, son of Donald O'Brien, two of the Hy-Kennedigh (O'Kennedys); eight of the H\'-Deaghaidh (O'Deas), with Flahertach O'Dea ; nine of the Hy-Seanchain (O'Shannons or Sextons) ; five of the Hy-Cuinn (O'Quins) ; five of the Hy-Grada (O'Gradys), with Aneslis O'Grada ; twenty-four of the Ui-Aichir (O'Hehirs) ; the grandson of Eochaidh Ua-Loingsy (O'Lynchy or O'Lynch) ; four of the Ui-Neill Buidhe (Yellow O'Neills) ; and five of the Ui-Eachthiern (Ahearnes or O'Hearns) ; with numbers of good men besides them. ' This was a changeable, wind}', stormj' winter, with great rain. Foirdhealbhach Ua Briaia went to Luimneach, but he did not get shelter in Munster ; and he took many jewels with him, i.e. ten score ounces of gold, and sixty beautiful jewels, besides the drinking horn of Brian Boroimhe, and he divided them among the chiefs of Silmuiredagh, &c. &c. (the O'Connors of Con- naught and other chiefs, the O'Rourkes .ind the O'Farrells.) — Annals of the Four Masleis, 1151. 28 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. right line of succession was restored. But Turlough O^Brien being once more restored by Roderick O^Connor;^ wbo entered IMunster after O^'Neill^s departure for the North, cruelly put out the eyes of the la-w^ul king Connor O^Brien, as well as those of his son — acts of barbarous policy to disqualify them for the throne^ the fruits of which he did not long enjoy, being deposed by his son Murtagh and banished into Leinster. This occurred in 1165, but Murtagh was not recognised as king until 1167, in which year his father, Turlough O'Brien, died. He was slain, however, in the next year by Connor O'Brien, grandson of Connor Na Cateragh, but after a short interval, the assassin and his accomphces were themselves put to death by Dermod Fioun, the brother of his grandfather, aided by OTaolain, prince of the Desies. In the reign of Torlogh O'Brien several interesting events occurred in the history of the Church, amongst others the great Synod or National Council of Kells, at which Cardinal Paparo, Legate of Pope Eugenius III, presided, and distributed the palhums brought by him fi-om Rome to the four Arch- bishops of Armagh, Cashel, Dublin and Tuam — a concession promised by Innocent II. to St. Malachy, Bishop of Down, who, with a view to obtain this favor, had himself journeyed to Rome in the year 1139. St. Malachy again visited the Continent in the Pontificate of Eugenius III, and ched in the Abbey of Clairvaux, then presided over by Saint Bernard, who wrote his biography, and made those strictures on the state of the Irish Church, the severity of which is partly to be ascribed to the austerity of St. Bernard's character, partly to the want of exact information. Another event referred to this reign which is supposed to have led to the introduction of the Eng- lish, an important epoch in the history of Ireland, at which we have arrived, was the alleged abduction of Dervoghal, the wife of O'Euarc, prince of Brefihy, by the cruel and sacrilegious tyrant MacMurrough, who was obliged to make ample satisfaction for the outrage. But the truth of this story, which has been so long held as an authentic piece of history, has of late years been seriously questioned ; and we have heard from the late Professor O'Curry, that he had in his possession some Irish manuscripts which invalidate the claims of this episode of the Irish Helen to be regarded as a portion of our authentic history. The date of the Synod of Kells is 1152. By it tithes were first introduced into Ireland, but they were not enforced until after the English invasion, A.D. 1172, when they were estabhshed by the Svnod of Cashel.2 ' It Avas in the year 1161 Roderick O'Connor built a famous castle of " lime and stone at Tuam." 1 During ttie reign of Murtagh Mac Neil), Monarch of Ireland, there was convened a national Synod at Kennanus or Kells in the county of Meath ; the design of this Council was the refor- mation of discipline and manners, and to institute two new Archbishopricks in Ireland, viz. those cf Dublin and Tuam. The persons appointed by the Pope to preside in this Council were Giolla Criost O'Conaire, Bishop of Lismore, and Pope's Legate, and the Koman Cardinal Johannes Papiro (Paparo) ; the four palls or copes were then conferred on the four Archbishops. This Council, says Keating, is thus recorded in an old Book of Cluainadnach, viz. in the year from the Incarnation, being bissextile, 1157 (52 for 57 is a mist.ake) was celebrated in the spring, a noble Council at Caennanus, in which Synod presided Cardinal John, a Presbyter of the blessed St. Lawrence, and the Assembly consisted of twenty-two Bishops, five Bishops elect and so many Abbots and Priors belonging to the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and our apostolic father Eugenius. This Cardinal condemned, and by all proper methods extirpated simony and usury, and commanded tithes to be paid by apostolical authority. He delivered four copen (palls) to the four Archbishops of Ireland : — to the Archbishops of Dublin, of Tuam, of Cashel, and Armagh Primate over the rest ; and as soon as the Council was ended the said Cardinal passed the seas. Thus that old Book. Amongst the Bishops that assisted at this Council was Turgesius, Bishop of Limerick. The suffragans then appointed under the Archbishoprick of Cashel, were Limerick, Killaloe, Inniscatha (which, about the beginning of the twelfth century, was united to Limerick), Waterford, Lismore, Cloin, Cork, lioss and Ardfearth Sir James Ware says that this Synod ■was held in 1152. — Andq. Uiber., cap. 16. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 29 In 1164, Donald, or Daniel O'Brien, sumamed the Great, succeeded his brother Murtagh in the crown of Limerick. Eoderick O'Connor, about this time, assumed being monarch of Ireland and held many wars with Donald, who would not acknowledge his sovereignty; at length, in the year 1167, they made peace and concluded an offensive and defensive alliance with each other. This Donald, king of Limerick, was a most virtuous, religious, and warhke man ; according to Hugh MacCurtin, he built and endowed eighteen monasteries. But as we find most ancient authors confound his actions with those of his son, Donogh, who succeeded him, before we give an account of the landing of the English in Ireland, we shall give a particular account of all the monasteries founded as weU by Donald as by his son Donogh, and shall distinguish between each. MONASTERIES FOUNDED BY DONALD, KING OF LIMERICK. llolycross. 1169. This abbey of Holycross, in the county Tipperary, was founded by Donald O'Brien, king of Limerick ; it was so called for having a great relic of the holy cross in it : the words of the charter began thus : " Donald, by the grace of God, king of Limerick, to all kings, dukes, earls, barons, knights, and other Christians of whatsoever degree throughout Ireland, perpetual greeting m Christ, fcc." The Bishop of Lismore, as Pope's Legate, the Arch- bishop of Cashel and the Bishop of Limerick signed this charter as witnesses. King John, when Earl of Morton, comlrmed this foundation. The abbot of this house had title of Earl of Holycross, had a seat in the house of peers in Ireland, and was commonly Yicar-Greneral of the Cistertian Order in Ireland. The house was a daughter of the Cistertian abbey of Nenay, in the county of Limerick. Suiry or Inislaunog. 1172. Most authors say that this year Donald O'Brien, king of Limerick, founded this abbey for the Cistertian monks in the county of Tipperary, on the banks of the river Suir. Colgan says that this abbey was long before Donald's time, and that it was he who rebuilt and endowed it in 1187. The Cathedral of Cashel. 1172. About this time, Donald O'Brien, king of Limerick, built a new cathedral in Cashel, from the ground and endowed it ; he converted the old cathedral of Cormac into a chapel or chapter-house ; he like-wise bestowed large revenues on the see of Cashel, to which his son Donogh, sumamed Carbrac, gave others in Thomond, and amongst the rest two islands called SuUeith and Kismacayl. This donation was confirmed by King John on 6th September, 1215. Xunneri/ of Limerick. 1172. The said Donald, king of Limerick, founded a nunnery for Augus- tinian nuns of the Order of Canons Regular, in Limerick, in the English town. This house was dedicated to St. Peter and was called St. Peter's cell. 30 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Nunnery of Kil-oen. 1172. The said Donald founded at Kil-oen, in the county of Clare, a nun- nery for Augustinian nuns of the Order of Canons Regular of St. Augustin. Clare or Kilmoney. 1194. Donald, king of Limerick, or as others say his son, Donogh, in 1200, founded an abbey for Canons Eegular at Kilmoney, near Clare, on the River Fergio (Fergus) . Iiishetiegananagh. The said Donald either founded or rebuilt for the Canons Regular an abbey in the island called Inmsnegannenagh, or the island of Canons, in the Shan- non, between Limerick and the sea, nearly opposite Foynes island. Feal. 1188. This was first an abbey and then a cell of Cistertians united to the abbey of Nenay. Curciimroe. 1194. In this year, Donald, king of Limerick, founded for Cistertian monks this abbey of Curcumroe, or Corcamrot, in the county Clare ; it was called the abbey of Our Lady of the Fruitful Rock ; it was situated in a very pleasant place and was daughter to the abbey of Furness in England. The cell of Kilsane was annexed to this abbey. Some say this abbey was founded by Donogh Carbrac, son of Donald, in 1200. Kilcotd. 1194. The same Donald founded in the county Tipperary, for the Cister- tian monks, the abbey of Kilcoul, as appears by the charter of confirmation, granted to it by King Henry III., and which mentions it to be founded by King Donald O^Brien. The records of the Cistertian order mention it to be founded in the year 1200, and that consequently it must be by his son Donogh Carbrac. This house was a daughter of the abbey of Jerpont. The Cathedral of Limerick. 1194. About the time of the English first coming into Ireland, this pious king, Donald O^Brien, of Limerick, gave his own palace to the Church and of it made a Cathedral, which before was the small Church of St. IMunchin, now a parochial Church ; he built and endowed this new Cathedral which is dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The charter which he granted to Brictius,' bishop of Limerick, about this time, 1194, is as fol- lows : — " Domnald, king of Limerick, to all the faithfid of God, both present and to come, greeting : Know all, that I have given to Brictius, bishop of Lumneach, and his successors, and to the clergy of St. ]\Iary, Lumneach, in free and perpetual alms, the land of Imurgan and the land of Ivamnacham, from the arch of Imuregram to the land of Imalin, and from the ford of Ceinu to the river Sinan, with all its appurtenances, and in confirmation hereof I set my seal. Witness, Mathew, Archbishop of Cashel, and Ruadri va Gradei." See fidly on this subject the chapter devoted to the Cathedral. ' Black Book of the Bishops of Limerick. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 31 MONASTERIES FOUNDED BY DONOUGH CARBEACj KING OP LIMEEICK. Kilsane. 1198. Kilsane, for Cistertian monks, in the county of Limerick. It in sometime became a cell belonging to the abbey of Curcumro, county Clare. St. Saviour's of Limerick of Bominicans, 1227. Donogh Corbrac O'Brien, king of Limerick, this year built and endowed, m the city of Limerick, a convent for the Friars of the Order of St. Dommick, under the invocation and title of St. Sa\iour. This convent had large possessions m lands in and about the city ; the fishmg of the sahnon- weu- belonged to it, and St. Thomas's island where was a chapel of ease. The land gomg to Parteen, called Mona-na-Brahir, Hkewise belonged to it. In this year, 1241, this King Donagh was buj-ied in this convent and a mag- mficent statue was erected over his tomb. In 1644 this convent was in Eome erected into a university. [See the chapter relating to this convent and the Order of Dominicans in Limenck.J Bnnis of Franciscans. 1240. This year, Donogh Carbrac O'Brien, king of Limerick, built for the Franciscans a most sumptuous convent in the town of Ennis, or Ennis Cluanruada, county Clare. The Church is yet standing, and a portion of it has been used for many years by the Protestants for their service. Galhally of Franciscans. 1240, or thereabouts, this same Donogh Carbrac O'Brien, king of Lim- erick, founded for the Franciscans a convent in GalbaUy, being on the borders of the county Lunerick and the county Tipperary.' ' Of Monasteries and Convents, (including some few afterwards founded, and which shall be more fully noticed in the proper place), the following, alone, were in the City and County of Limerick, viz. • — •' Canons Regular of St. Augustin. Kilraallock Inniscatha Eathkeale Kj'nnythin Limerick Mungaret Cluanclaidech Dominicans. Limerick Kilmallock Ballingall — Carmelites, accord- ing to Ware, built by the Roches in the 14th century. Pat. 39th Elizab. called a Carmelite monastery, and granted to the Provost, &C.T.C.D. Franciscans. Limerick Askeaton Adare Adare — Observantine Franciscans, founded by Thos. Fitzmaurice and Joan his wife, A.D. 1264(T7are, vol. n. p. 28.) I Adare — Augustinians I Near Ballingarry — Franciscans Total Monasteries an I Canon Regular Nuns of St. Augustin. Limerick Cluain-Credhil, now Clarina Hydh Ita Monastirne Calliagh, near Loughgur Cistertians or Bemardines. Nenay Feal Kilsane Wooney Newcastle — Knights' Templars Anug — Knights' Templars. Adare — Knights' Hospitallers Adare — Trinitarians Limerick— Knights' Templars. Limerick — Augustinians Any — Augustinians Ballintubber — Carmelites, some say Tem- plars, granted to Robert Browne of Bal- tinglass Convents— 30. 32 HISTORY OF pMEIlICK. To gratify the curious, we here insert certain catalogues with regard to the kin«^doni of Ireland in general, in order to show in what a flourishing state it was^'from the first preaching of Christianity until the coining of the English, both in learning, rehgion, sanctity, hospitality, and force of arms. Extracted out of Colgan's Lives of Irish Saints, and Gratianus Lucius, or John Lynch, Archdeacon of Tuam's Cambrensis Eversus. Kings of Ireland who were deemed Saints: — St. Cormacus, Kex Momoniae St. Cormacus, Rex Lagenise St. Aldus, Rex Lagenioe St. Felimeus, Rex Momonije St. Kellachus, Rex Cormacge St. Moelchobius, Rex totius Hib£e St. Briea Boru, Rex totius Hibse St. Theodoricus,RexMomonia3 St. Flathatus St. Sabina, Rcgina St. Temaria, Regina St. Brecanus, Hibernus Rex Wallias Twelve in all. IrishPrinces wlio were Saints: — St. Dermitius St. Guinerus, Myr. St. Hispadius, Myr, St. Fintanus St. Colmanus St. Cormachu3 St. Ficbiaus St. Fierga St. Sugadius St. Maidocus St. Furseus St. Carthacus St. Foilanus St. Foilomanius St. Sernocus St. Papanus St. Fingar St. Abbanus Sa. Piala, Myr. Sa. Dynipna, Myr. Sa. Cumania Sa. Ernata Sa. Etbna, pa. Sa. Fidelmia Sa. Ethna, 2a. Sa. Sobellia Sa. Kentibernia Sa. Conchenna Sa. Brigida Sa. Maura Sa. Lafara S». 12 Filia; August! Kegi Sue. 31 Sorores S. Eudaei S. Eudseus Sa. Fancha;a Sa. Derfraicha Sa. Carechia S. Thadaeus, Dr Sa. Lochuina S. Marcellus, Dr Sa. Dominica, Myr. S. Macbethus, Dr Sae. 12 Filii Si. Brecani Regis S. Dongallus, Dr S. Nenidius S. Colea, Dr St. 12 Filii Sti. Brecani Regis S. Dubslanius, Dr S. Natalis S. Comeanus S. Florentinus S. Forchernus S. Ultanus S. Fuinanus S. Romualdus S. Kieranus, 1" 197 in all. S. Columba, 1" S. Kieranis, 2« S. Columba, 2" S. Finbarrua Irish Saints writers ofndes: — S. Ibarus S. Fiednus S. Patricius S. Nemidus S. Columkil S. Mocteua S Albeus S. Brendanus S. Declanus S. Comgellus S. Congallus S. Odus S. Carthagus S. Patricius, Apost. S. Moloa S. Fachnanus, the founder of S. Mocteua the Academy of Ross S. Finianus St. Ainchellus S. Columbanus Manslanius S. Kiaranus Johannes Soctus Eregina, S. Brendanus founder, with King Alfred, S. Brigida of the University of Oxoa Thirteen in all. Petrus ab Hibernia, Master to St. Thomas Richard Armachanus Marianus Scotus The number of Monies in some B. Marianus Gorman Monasteries in Ireland: — S. Gallus S. Lomanus 300 under St. Fechinus S. Patrick, jun. 150 under St. Natalis S. Benignus 150 under St. Maidocus S. Evinua 150 under St. Muncbin S. Comineus 300 under St. Tehinus S. Adamnanus 430 under St. Mochteus S. Murus 879 under St. Carthagus S. Carnecus 1000 under St. Gobbanus S. Ultanus 1500 under St. Lasserianus S. Eminus 1500 in Mungret Abbey S. Dalanus 3000 under St. Brendanus S. Herlatius 3000 under St. Finnianus S. Cathaldus 3000 under St. Congellus S. Mocteus, 20 3000 under St. Geraldus S. Fintanus 150 under St. Monnenabirg, S. Cuthbertus in France S. Moelesa 300 under St. Columbanus SS. 5 GildsB 3000 under St. Caidocua S. Herlatius, 2o S. Colga Sapiens S. Cumeanus Ancient Irish Doctors and S. Sylvauus Writers : — S. Tiidolinus St. Sedulius, Ur S. Daganus St. Cselius Sedulius, Ur S. Cuthbertus, 2^ HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 33 B. Claudius Clemens, founder of the Academy of Paris S. Eupertus S. Aileranus S. Moelranus S. 0engusiu3 S. Gildas Coemanus S. Gildas Madusius S. Delanus, 2s. S. Duinanus S. Dageus For more Irish Writers con- sult Sir James Ware on this subject. The number of Monasteries founded by the Irish Sai7its : — 7 by St. IManchinus 8 by St. Fodolinus 24 by St. Albanus 28 by St. Fidianus 100 by St. Columba 100 by St. Luanus 100 by St. Moluanus 700 by St. Patrick Monasteries founded by and for the Irish in foreign coun- tries : — 2 at Katisbon 1 at Fossium in Flanders 1 at Vienna 1 at Nuremberg 1 at Eystadia 1 at Wirstburg 130 in Ireland & 90 Martyrs Irish Saints who preached the Gospel in other countries : — i IN ITALY 13. St. Cathaldus at Tarentum St. Emilianus at Faenza St. Silanus & St. Frigidianus at Lucca St. Andrew & St. Donatus at Lupentum, Fieboli John Albinus, founder of the Academy at Papia or Tici- num St. Comiaius at Bobiura St. Gunifortius, Myr. at Milan St. Livinus, sen. S. Peregrinus of Alps IX FRANCE — 45. St. Mansuetus, Ap. of Toul St. Elipius, Myr. at Tone St. Finlagenus at Metz St. Praecordius at Corbels St. Forcentius at Amboise St. Fridolinus at Poictiers St. Helia at Angouleme St. Anatolius at Perigord St. Fiacruis about Lyons St. Furseus at Peronne S. Sidonius S. Macallinus S. Adeodatus S. Mombulus St. Laurentius at Anghe St. Momon, Myr. at Leone St. Florentius St.Arpogastus aboutNarbonne St. Caidocus in Picardy St. Autbodus, Laudunum IN BRITTANY. St. Leiginus St. Joava St. Tenanus St. Geldasius of S. Briene St. Briochus, and others St. Maclorius of St. Malo AT KHEIMS. St. Gilriandus \ ^^ Constance St. Fmtanus) St. Eusebius Curensum Theodosius, patron of Con- stance Frudbart, Kuniald, Vendeliii S. Maccirius Archus St. Hildulphus Treverensis S. Arbogastus > a -g-entinasia St. Florence I Argentmasis St. Eliphius at Cologne S. Armichadus of Fuld S. Kortilla S. Gidilarius of Saltzburg, Marianus S. Albinus, Ap. of Thuringia S. Vatalis Patto St. Kilian, Ap. of Franconift S. Harrucus IN THE ISLE OF MAN. St. Germanus, first Bishop St. Connidruis St. Romulus St. Machaldus IN ICELAND. St, Buo Apost. of whom 3 Martyrs St. Emulphus, and 24 others IN GREAT BRITAIN 44. St. Columba St. Adianus, Northumberland St. Fuinanus St. Colmanus St. Sellachus St. Brendanua St. Madomnochus St. Baneus & Tuda St. ]\Iaidocus St. Sennanus St. Molugga St. Scotinus St. Ultanus Sa. Burienna Sa. Tia & Iva St. Piranus Sa. Bega & Modwenna Sa. Ceadda Faelbiiua St. Abbanus St. Eochdius St. Cuthbertua of Lindisfarm 777 Martyrs St. Asaph, B. of St. AsapU St. Keranus S. Abban of Abingdon S. Adamannus S. Botulphus of Botulfstowe or Boston S. Cerlac, B. of the Mercians S. Dicullus of Boseharn SS.Gebanus, Indractus, Drusa St. Maldulphus of Malmcsbury & St. John 1 We supplement many of the names from the Apologia of Stephen White, S.J. of Clonmel. 4 31 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. HoBpitalsfor receiving Plhjrhas and Strangers : — 900 in Ulster 900 in Coiinaught 930 in Leinster 1030 in Munster IrishSaints of the same name: 10 Gobbani 12 Dichuelli 12 Maidoci 12 Odrani 13 Camani 13 Dimini 14 Brendani 14 Finniani 14 Ronani 15 Connalli 15 Cormaci 15 Dermitii 15 Lugadii 16 LassarEe 17 Sarrani 18 Ernini 18 Foelbei 19 Syllani 20 Kyranii 20 Ultani 22 Killiani 23 Aidi 24 Columbce 24 Brigidiie 25 Seaani 28 Aidani 30 Cronani ' 34 Mocheraii 43 Laveriani 58 Mochuani 55 Fintani 200 Colmani The nmnher of Irish Saints who preached in other coun- tries : — 10 preached in Italy 78 preached in France 5 preached in Lorrain 13 preached in Burgundy 50 preached in Netherland 11 preached in Friesland 92 preached in Germany 26 preached in Iceland 100 preached in Scotland 59 preached in England Councils in Ireland : — At Lone At Kevenu At Meath, 1106 At Cloonia, 1162 At Cashell, 1162 At Cashell, 1172 At Cashell, 1166 At Attabuylochia, 1167 At Fiadmac, 1111 At Rathbraisil, 1115 At Ardmach, 1170 At Mellifont, 1157 AtKells, 1157 At Eoscommon, 1158 At Leogane At Innis Padrighy, St. Pa- trick We know of 2229 Insli Saints, even not counting their companions, of wliom 300 preached the gospel in foreign countries, not counting their companions. Of these 529 were holy abbots ; 330 were bishops and martyrs, and numberless holy bishops ; 31 archbishops of Armagh were saints ; 21 of whom immechately succeeded each other; 990 Irish monks were martyred by the Danes in the monastery of Benchear; 1200 Irish monks were martyred by the Danes together with then* abbot Abel; 777 Irislunen martyrs in England ; and only one, St. Odronus, Proto mart3rr, was martyred in Ireland by the Irish. 23 Enghsh saints received their studies and educa- tion in Ireland ; 3000 others have studied in Ireland; 100 Cambri or from Brittany have studied in Ireland. Innumerable were the ItaHaus, French, in short from aU nations who had recourse to Ireland in order to perfect themselves in their studies, and the knowledge of the scriptures ; so that it may weU be doubted whether Ireland acquired more glory from the great number of saints whom it sent abroad in order to teach and preach the gospel to foreign nations, or from the great number of foreigners who resorted to Ireland in order to be perfected in aU manner of hterature and knowledge.' ' There were four principal Universities in Ireland, viz. Ardmagh, Cashel, Lismore, and Dun- da-leathglass. In Armagh, under St. Dubthach, Bishop, anno 513, were 7000 scholars. In Cashel, under Cormac Mac Cullenan, King and Archbishop in the year 901, were 5000 students, and six hundred Conventual monks ; the like number were in Lismore and Dun-da-leathglass. Many were the other great schools dispersed throughout the kingdom ; whereas even after the coming of the English at Cluanraid near Ennis, there were 600 Scholars, and 350 Monks, supported by O'Brien, King of Limerick. The Irish in these days made a beginning of the Universitj' of Oxford in England, founded the University of Paris and that of Pavia. Fifty-two Catholic kings reigned in Ireland until the coming of the English, consequently, 197 kings in all reigned in Ireland until that event. Whoever reads the antiquities must be con\'inced that it abounded in gold and silver, as every person of distinction wore a golden ring and a golden chain ; in the reign of Candaridtheach, their helmets were made of silver, all their chalices and Church utensils were made of gold and silver ; and the ounce of gold paid to the Danes yearly, as a tribute for every nose in the kingdom, is a proof of their riches. — Hugh M^Curtin. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 3^ CHAPTER VI. THE NORMAN INVASION. It was thus that Ireland was situated with regard to religion and education, at the penod of the mvasion, which must have been regarded by the Norman conquerors of England as an inevitable and necessary supplement to the conquest of the Anglo-Saxons, though it was not attempted for a fuU century after the battle of Hastings. But from the tune that Henry II. had obtamed from the EngHshman, Nicholas Breakspere, who then fiUed the chair of St. Peter imder the name of Acbian IV., the BuU of donation which had been procm-ed under the hypocritical representation that theL-ish Church was in a state of deplorable corruption, the attempt at invasion was only a question of tune. Unfortunately our countrymen were divided at the time, wbich made the work of the invaders comparatively easy. The Irish were admittedly more chvided then, than they were at any previous period of their history; and if they suspected the lengths to which the ambition of the hrst mvaders would extend, which it does not appear they did, for the ,i-^; -^°"^ Masters say the Irish thought nothing of these '^fleets ot the i^lemmgs,^^ as they caUed the hivaders, they were stiU quite unpre- pared lor the work of treachery which has conferred lasthig inlamy on the ^f ^^,^^. termed MacMorrogh. We regret to have to record that the house ot U Bnen forgot m this crisis of the national fortunes the noble principle ot Its lounder, Biian, who never on any occasion could be induced to avaU mmselt ot the assistance of foreigners against the general interest of the nation. Untori;unately, the king of Thomond had not yet forgiven Roderick tor the assumption of the chief Sovereignty, nor forgotten the long contkued supremacy of the dymasty to which he himseK belonged. The imjjortant events ot the mvasion commenchig in the descent of three or fom- hundi-ed men and terminatmg m the recognition by O^Connor of Henry as Suzerain, together mth the formation of the armed colony caUed the EngKsh Pale, belonging to the general history of Ireland, cannot with propriety be given m detail m a local history. Stanihm-st and a contemporary, Newbrigensis, give a very ui^avorable notion of the characters, circumstances, and motives of the leaders ot this expedition, which is generaUy supposed to have occurred in tHe month of May 1169, at a place near Fethard m Wexford, called Bagan. bon where traces of the shght fortification mentioned by Maurice Regan m his Fragment of Irish History still exist.' On the aiTJval of Strongbow, which had been preceded by that of Raymond , le laros, the invaders made rapid progress. They took Loughgarnan (Wex- ford), and entered Portlahge (Waterford) by storm. GiUemaire (or Reginald), a Dane who commanded the tower, and Ua Eaelain (OThelan), lord of the uecies, were put to the sword, -with seven hundred men. The invaders next enforced the submission of the Danish occupants of Dublin. O^Ruarc and U CarroU were obhged to retire after besieging Dublin for three days ; and Asgali, or Asculphus, the Danish ruler, was deposed to make room for King ''s\ronnd swore fealty — an example which was followed by Donchad of Ossory, OTaolan (Phelan) of the Desies, and other chiefs of Munster. We have already mentioned that King Eoderick O'Connor had dispatched an army into Thomond to punish the defection of O'Brien, who had formed an alliance with Macmon-ogh, and had fought several battles with the Irish monarch, being assisted by Fitzstephen, who was now a prisoner in Reginald's Tower at Waterford,^ whither he had been brought by the men of Wexford. On returning to Waterford, however, Hemy set Fitzstephen free, inflicted severe punishment upon his treacherous enemies, and annexed Wexford and the adjoining territory to his royal domain. There is no authority whatever in the native annals for the statement that Henry was now recognised by a meeting of the states of Ireland ; nor that all the Archbishops and Bishops of Ireland now waited upon Henry, and not only tendered their own submission, but gave him letters signed and sealed, and making over to him and his heirs for ever the sovereignty of Ireland. In the year 1172 was held the celebrated Synod of Cashel, in which various rules were made for the enforcement of discipline and morahty, for there was no doctrinal matter discussed at this much misrepresented meeting, whatever assertions to the contrary may have been made by interested parties. The payment of tythes, which had been previously enjoined at the Synod of Kells, was again enforced, at this Synod, as also the catechising of infants, the rejection of marriages with relations, and the exemption of ecclesiastical property from the exactions of laymen, as well as from the erics or contribu- tions for homicide. In other respects the Irish laws were not interfered with, the people being governed by their own Brehon Laws and their native usages and institutions from the time of Henry the II. to that of Ehzabeth. Matthew Paris, Littleton, Ware, and even O'Connor, have strangely mistaken the nature of another meeting held by Henry at Lismore, which they misre- present as a parliament that " communicated to Ireland the laws and customs of England." Whereas it appears clearly from the proceedings of the Synod that there was no interference with the old laws and customs. Amongst the territories granted in the county of Limerick to Fitzgerald and his relatives, besides those in Cork and Kerry, were 100,000 acres of land in the barony of Connello, ceded to them by the native family of O'Coimell (from whom Castleconnell and Carrig O'Connell, now Carrigogunnell, received their name) " in consideration," says Lynch, " of lands assigned them in the counties of Kerry and Clare, where branches of that family^ continue to the ' Fitzstephen -was also confined in Beg Erin, in Wexford Harbour, about two miles from Wexford. * Desmonds. — The territory which gave its enormous power to the great house of Desmond, was acquired under curious circumstances. King John gave Desmond and Decies to FitzAntho- ny. This feudal lord, had five daughters, all of whom were married, the youngest being the wife of John FitzThomas FitzGerald. In the Irish civil wars, he was the only one of the sons-in-law of FitzAnthony who took the king's side ; so Edward I,, as Lord of Ireland, gave him Decies and Desmond in 1258. John FitzThomas came to Dublin with the royal lettters patent, and called upon the Lord Justice to grant him seisin of this fine estate. But Stephen de Longespee, who then held the oiRce, had secret ties which bound him to the other sons-in-law of the late Lord of Desmond, and he would not complj' with this reasonable demand. FitzThomas showed the letters patent. The king, said Longespee, has been grossly deceived. Furious at such a charge, the haughty Geraldine departed from Dublin, and set the first example of resistance to the con- stituted authorities for which his house were afterwards so famous. He called the tenants of 38 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. present day." At an earlier period the O^Tracies are mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters as chief of these territories.^ Decies and Desmond together, showed them the letters patent, and then took forcible possession of that extensive country. The King's Treasurer refused to receive the rent due to the crown, the King's Justice refused to acknowledge him as owner of these lands ; but FitzThomas even- tually succeeded against^them both, was created Earl of Desmond, and left these estates to his posterity. And by it a part of them is still held; for the Knights of Glin and Kerry are Geraldines of the IDesmond Branch ; the great Mitchelstown estate has descended to the Earls of Kingston, as direct heirs to the White Knights, also Geraldines ; and FitzAnthony's lordship of Decies, passing to the younger son of one of the Earls of Desmond, is still possessed by his direct heir, the fair lady in whom the great family of Fitzgerald of the Decies ended, having given her hand and property to a Villiers, from which marriage Lord Stuart de Decies descends. • Maurice Began thus continues the history of the king's movements, as we find him translated in the quaint version by Sir George Carew, Lord President of Munster, contained in Harris's Hibernica: — " The Kynge, making but little stale at Waterford, marched into Dublin, whych Citie the Earle deliverid unto him ; who committed the keepeinge thereof to Hugh de Lacy. " After some small abode at Dublyn, the Kynge tooke his Jornay into Mounster, where the Archbushop of Cashell came unto hym ; at Lismore he gave Direction for the building of a Castle ; from whence he returned into Leinster. " The Kjmge made his aboade at Dublin, and the Earle Eichard at Kildare ; and in thys Tyme of the Kyng's beinge in Ireland all sorts of Victualles were at excessive Kates. " While the Kynge remained at Dublin, by Messingers and Intelligence out of England he was certified that his son, the yonge King Henry, had rebelled against him, and that Normandy was in Danger to revolt unto hym. " This ill news troubled the Kj^nge beyond all Measure ; and inforced him to hasten his return out of Ireland. The Cittie of Waterford he left in the Custodie of Kobert Fitz Bernard, and Dublyn unto Hugh de Lacy. Kobert Fitz Stephen, Meyler Fitz Henry, and Myles Fitz David, ■were in a sort restrained, and to remain at Dublyn with Lacy. Befor his departur from Dublyn he gave unto Hugh de Lacy the Inheritance of all Meath, to hold of hym at fifty Knights Fees, and unto John de Courcey he gave all Ulster, if he could but conquer it. " When the Kynge had taken provisionall Order for the Affaires of Ireland, he went to Weixford, where he imbarqued, and arrived at Portfinan in Wales, halfe a League from St. David's, and in his Companie Miles de Cogan, whom he carryed with him out of Ireland ; and from thence with all possible Expedition he passed through England, and so into Normandie. " The King being departid, the Earl Richard returned into Femes, and ther he gave his Daughter in Marriage to Kobert de Quincy, and with her the inheritance of the Duffren and the Constableship of Leinster, with the Banner and Ensigne of the same ; the Wordes of the Author are the -c — Sa fille i' ad Marie A Kobert de Quincj-, lad done Hoc esteit le Mariage Vecent fut le baruage, A Robert la Donat de Quincv Et tut le Daffer altreffi Le Constable de LejTiestre Et I'Ensigne et le Bannere. His Daughter he married To Robert de Quincy ; And when the Marriage was solemnised, He gave to Robert de Quincy Not only the Duffereyn, But the Constableship of Leinster, And the Ensign and Banner thereof. From thence he M^ent to Kildare, makeing manie incursions unto Ophalie upon O'Dempsie, Lord of that Countrey, who refused to come upon hym, and to deliver Hostages. He gave Maurice de Prendergast* (in performance of his promise made unto him Avhen he brought him into Ireland) Fernegenal, for the service of ten Knights, which was afterwards conferred on Kobert Fitz-Godobert, but by what means he obtained it I know not." — Maurice Regan's Fragment of the History of Ireland. This Fragment is now published bj' Pickering, the text carefully made out by the eminent scholar, Francisque Michel. And it appears that the poet sets out by stating, not that he is Maurice Regan, but that he obtained his information direct from Maurice Regan. * Prendkrgast. — Maurice de Prendergast, one of the most eminent of the companions of Strongbow iu the conquest of Ireland, was Lord of Prendergast, a castle and small parish near Haverford AVest, in Pembrokeshire. He is traditionally reported to have been related to Strong- bow by his mother. Dowling's Annals style him " nobilis." Holinshed says he was " a gentle- man, born and bred in South Wales ;" a righte valiante captain," and a " lustic and bardie man, born about Milford, in West Wales." Whilst Giraldus gives him likewise the character of being " vir probus et streuuus." He was tiie first to bring reinforcements to Kobert Fitz-Stephen, reaching Ireland the day nfter that celebrated soldier, having under bis command two ships, ten knights, and sixty nrchers. This was in May, 11GI> ; Dowling saj-s on the 2nd of that mouth. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 39 The rebeUion of the king of Desmond''s son against his father, who had put him to death, is explained by the fact of these facile surrenders of the We find him taking a prominent part in many of the ensuing fights, which are graphically described in the contemporary poem, the " Conquest of Ireland," partly derived from information furnished by Maurice Regan, the secretary of king Derniod. In the great fight -with the Prince of Ossorj', when that dynast had almost defeated the joint army of king Dermod and the English, it was the personal influence and words of Maurice de Prendergast that persuaded the allies to make their third and successful assault on the fortifica- tions erected by Donald of Ossory. His address is given in the " Conquest of Ireland," Juie 666, which may be modified into French as follows : — " Seigneurs barons communals [comrades and fellow soldiers] Hastivement passons nous icel val. Que nous f ussions en la montagne ! En dur champ, et en la plaine ! Car arraes vous aimez, les plusieurs Vassals hardies et combateurs : Et les traiteres sont tons nus Hauberts ni brunes (?) n'ont vetus ; Pourquoi, si tournous en sur champ lis n'auront de mort garant." [No security against death]. We thus find that the superiority of the English arms and armour was an important ingredient in the rapid conquest of Ireland. Dermod M'Morrough eventually became so overbearing to the English, after Strongbow's departure from Ireland, as to disgust many of them, and among others the haughty Maurice de Prendergast. He determined to return to Wales with his retinue, consi Liiig of 200 soldiers. But King Dermod opposing his designs by force and treachery, Maurice joined with Donald, the prince of Ossor}', in attacking Dermod with success. But Donald and his Irish could not act long in cordial alliance with the English, who were under the orders of Prendergast ; and after many adventures, the latter eventually fought his way back to Wales. The next year, 1170, however, saw Strongbow and Prendergast on their return to Ireland, with fifteen hundred men ; where they ^landed on the eve of St. Bartholomew : or, as the Anglo Norman has it ; " Solum le dit as ansciens Bien tost apres, Richard li quens A Waterford ariva : Bien quinz cent od sei mena. La vUe Seint Bartholomee Esteit li quens arrive." — Sec. V. 1501. We next read of Prendergast as ambassador, jointly with the Archbishop of Dublin, from the Normans besieged in that city to their Irish besiegers. But as the latter would not agree to permit the Norman lords to hold Leinster, even as a fief of Roderick O'Connor, the king of Con- naught, the negociation had no result, and eventually the Irish were defeated. " E plus de mil e cine cent L ont ossis de cele gent E des Engleis i ont naufre Ne mes un serjant a p&. Le champ esteit remis le jor A Ricard, le bon contur ; Et les Yrreis sunt returnez Desconfis e debaretez. Cum Den volait, a cele feis Remist le champ a nos Engleis ; Tant troverent garnesun, Ble, ferin e bacun, Desque un an en la cite VittaiUe uvent a plente." — V. 1950. The above extract shows us at how early a date the " bacun," for which Limerick has been so long celebrated, was an Irish commodity, as it was from the pillage of Roderick's camp, that the English obtained the " vittaille a plente." O'Brien, the monarch of Munster, had joined Strongbow, who was his brother-in-law, both having married daughters of MacMorrogh. The gallant Prince of Ossorj', deeming it hopeless to contend further with the English, obtained a safe conduct, and visited Strongbow at Idough, where he and the king of ^Munster were encamped with 2,000 men. Maurice de Prendergast agreed to be his conductor.^But when he appeared before Strongbow, the latter violently upbraided him for opposing Dermod, bis legitimate monarch ; and O'Brien, who coveted the rich lands of Ossory, pressed Strongbow to treat Donald as a traitor. 40 ttlSTORT OF LIMERICK. Insh princes ; and it is curious to reflect how easily the same immense pro- perty^ which now passed from the MacCarthies to the Geraklines^ passed again to other English strangers after the rebellion of the usurping Earl of Desmond, from the descendants of these very invaders. In the latter case the Enghsh had no right whatever to transfer the property any more than in the former, for the rebellious Earl of Desmond was not the lawful owner of the property which the Enghsh confiscated !• In the year 1175, according to Ware, who follows the account given by English authors, Henry 11. sent Nicholas Prior of Willingford, and William Eitz-Aldehn, ancestor of the De Burgos, to Ireland, with the bull of Pope Alexander III., which confirmed that of Adrian, and was read and approved of in an assembly of bishops at Waterford, conferring on this Prince the title of Lord of Ireland and other privileges. But there is no mention of this in the Irish Annals. — After discharging this commission, Fitz-Aldelm and Nicholas, it is stated, repaired to the King in Normandy, when they succeeded so far in prejudicing Henry against Eaymond, that he ordered his recall. — Just, however, as he was on the point of departing, O^'Brien of Thomond surrounded Limerick with a large force, and the troops refusing to march under any but Eaymond, Strongbow was obhged to restore him to " Le reis O'Brien vet conseiller At gentil cuntguerrer Qu'il feit prendre li trecheur Si li feit livrer a deshonur." — V. 2094. Nor was O'Brien the only chief inclined to this act of treachery. " E li Baruns, san mentir, Le voleint tuz consentir." But Prendergast burned with indignation at such a breach of martial honor. He ordered his own retainers to arms, and took instant steps to secure the sanctity of the oath which accom- panied the safe conduct to the Prince of Ossory. " Quent morice le barun Garniz esteit del traisun, Sa gent feseit par tut mander Que euz se fesent tost armer. Dunt se est Morice escrie : Baruns, que avez enpense ? Vos feiz avez trespassez, Vers moi estez parjurez." He swore by his sword no one should injure the Ossorian ; and he carried out his resolution ; for Strongbow gave him wp that prince, and ho brought him back in safety to his own camp, slaying, of the O'Briens, " u nef u diz," nine or ten whom he found pillaging the Prince's territory. Wearied with this life, but still a warrior even when a monk, Prendergast gave his lands of that name in Pembrokeshire to the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, and joined that order. Their chief establishment in Ireland was the famous Hospital of Kilmainham ; and of this monastery he was Prior, and died in possession of that dignity in 1205. William, his younger son, was ancestor of the Prendergasts of Mayo, called Mac Maurice after their great ancestor, and who gave their name to the barony of Clanmorris, Claremorris, and other localities in Mayo. Philip, the eldest son, was married to Maude, the daughter of the ill-fated Robert de Quincy, Constable of Leinster, who married Strongbow's daughter by hia first marriage, and was slain in battle a few days later. From him descended the Prendergasts of Enniscorthy, Newcastle, Beauver, and Blitchelstown. The latter was formerly described as in the County of Limerick. William do Prendergast of Kilbyde was maj^or of Limerick in 1318 — See the Plea, No. 83, in the 11th of Edward II. And the name frequently occurs about this time, the family estates extending from Doneraile, by Mitchelstown, to Newcastle, near Clonmel, a mountain district of which the northern slopes still partly belong to the county of Limerick. ' It appears from the Irish State Papers tliat even so late as the year 1503, the Kavenagha, the representatives of tlie royal house of Leinster, were paid eighty marks yearlj- by the English Government as rios dhti, or black rent, besides being allowed £40 by the county Wexford ort Account of their descent, or i-ather of their still remaining powers to make themselves dreaded ^vithin the limits of their ancient soveieigntj-. I J HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 41 liis command, and ordered him to proceed to Cashel, near whicli city O^Brien, raising the siege of Limerick, had strongly entrenched himself. On this occasion Raymond was, we regret to say, aided by the chiefs of Ossoiy and Kinsale, to whose exhortations, as well as to the impetuous valour of Meyler Fitzhenry, Raymond was greatly indebted for the Adctory which he obtained. The period of Irish subjugation was now not long deferred — though the jurisdiction of the English can hardly be said to have extended beyond the limits of the pale until the reign of James I. The brave king of Thomond was now obKged to ask for peace, and the Irish monarch Roderick, finding it impossible to make head against his enemies, had at last determined to send an embassy to England to make as good terms for hunseK as he could. ^ 1 The ambassadors appointed to negotiate for the unfortunate Eoderick, -were Catholicus or Cayley O'Duffy, archbishop of Tuam, the abbot of Clonfert, and " Master Laurence," Chancellor to Roderick, who, according to some writers, was no other than the illustrious patriot St. Laurence O'Toole, who after doing all he could to save the independence of his native country, retired to France where he died. The contracting parties met at Windsor, and the result is thus briefly described in the Leinster Annals : — " Anno 1175, Catholicus O'Duffy came out of England from the Emperor's son, with the peace of Ireland and the royal sovereignty of all Ireland to Rory O'Connor, and his own Corgeadh (province) to each provincial king in Ireland, and their rents to Rory." By this treaty Roderick became a tributary king, but only two kings of the Irish pen- tarchy, and three of the principal cities, were exempted from his jurisdiction, and we shall find his descendants, as well as those of the king of Thomond, exercising their sovereignty to a late period in the history of Ireland. In the some council Henry appointed an Irishman named Augustin to the bishopric of Waterford, and sent him to Ireland to be consecrated by Donatus, bishop of Cashel. At this period the following were the chief divisions of Ireland. Desmond, under the Mac Carthys ; Thomond under the O'Briens ; Hy Kinselagh, or Leinster, under the Hy Kinsallagh line of Mahons ; the South Hy Niall under the Clan Colmans, otherwise the O'Malachlins ; the North Hy Niall under the O'Neills and O'Donnells, who had not yet submitted to the English ; and Hy Brune, together with Hy Fiacra, otherwise Connaught, under the O'Connors. A more detailed list of the Irish territories and chiefs is given b}- O'Halloran, which may be acceptable to our readers, as containing an account of the principal chieftainries of Thomond, at the time when the fatal chain of foreign domination was riveted by the insensate divisions between the natives, which the new Lord Paramount, Henry II. knew so well how to foment : — Alphabetical list of ancient Irish territories in Limerick, Clare, and Tipperary, and by what Milesian families possessed, both before and after the invasion of Henry II. Aherloe, in the county of Limerick, the estate of a branch of the O'Briens. Aine Cliach, in the county of Limerick, the lordship of O'Kirwick. Aos-Cliach. extending from Cnoc Greins, to near Limerick, was the patrimony of O'Connell, and Castle Connel his chief residence. Aradh-Cliach, in the county of Tipperary, near Killaloe, the estate of Mac O'Brien Arad. Its first proprietor was O'Donegan, of the Ernian race. Ardah, east of Cashel, in the county of Tipperary, the lordship of O'Dea. Bally-Hallinan, in the county of Limerieft, the ancient estate of O'Hallinan ; but in later times Mac Sheetries [Qu. Mac Sheehies ?J Brurigh, a royal mansion in the county of Limerick, the seat of O'Donovan, chief of Kerry. Burren, or eastern Corcamroadh, a barony in the county of Clare, the principality of O'Loughlin. Cahir, in the county of Tipperary, the estate of O'Lonargan. Cairbre-Aodhbha, now called Kenry, in the county of Limerick, the ancient estates of O'Donovan, O'Clerine, and O'Flanery. Callain, in the county of Clare, the territory of O'Hehir. Carran Fearaidhe, or Cnoc-Aine, in the county of Limerick, the estate of O'Grady. Ceil Tanan, in the county of Clare, the estate "of O'Mollony, Cineal-Fermaic, in Thomond, the estate of O'Dea. Clan-Derla, in the county of Clare, the ancient territory of MacMahon. Cleanagh, in the county of Clare, the property of Mac Mahon. Cluan Mac Diarmada, in the county of Clare, the estate of the Mac Clanchys, hereditary lord justices of Thomond. Conal-Gabbra, or Ibh-Conal-Gabhra, the present baronies of Connello, in the county of Lim- erick, the ancient territorj- of O'Connell ; but afterwards we find it possessed bj' the O'Kinealies, and O'Cuileans, or Collins [and long before the invasion by the O'Tracies and Scanlans]. Conuil-Jachtarach, or lower Conella, in the county of Limerick, besides the Cinealies, and O'CoHins, we find the O'Sheehans had lordships there.' 42 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. The treaty of Windsor took place in the year before the defeat of the king of Thomond. Not long after the latter event Macarthy conferred an extensive territory in the county of Kerry upon Maurice, son of Raymond, who became powerful by his marriage with the daughter of Milo de Cogan, and gave his name to the territory of Clan Morris, and to his descendants of Fitzmaurice as represented by the Marquis of Lansdowne.i Corafin a territory in the county of Clare, the estate of O'Quinn and O'Heffernan. Corca-Bhaisgin, now the Barouy of Moiarta, in the county of Clare, the ancient territory of O'Baisen and O'Donal, but for some centuries past the estate of the Mac Mahons of Thomond. Corcamruadh, a principality in the county of Clare, the territory of O'Connor-Carcamruadh, of the Irian race. . ,, x .i. rutj • Cosmach, in the county of Limerick, belonging to a branch of the Briens. Cuallachda, in the county of Clare, the patrimony of O'Dubhgin, or Dugin. _ Datach, in Thomond, the patrimony of Mac Donnel descendant from Brian Boirumhe. Diseart-ui-Deagha, in the county of Clare, the estate of O'Dea. Eile-ui-Fhogerta, in the county of Tipperary. the ancient territory of Fogerty. Eoganacht-Aine-Cliach, in the county of Limerick, the lordship of Kerwick. Eoganacht-Cashel, extended from Cashel to Clonmel ; its prmcipal chief was MacCarthy, head of the Eugenian line. j ,, • • • i Eoganacht-Graffan, in the county of Tipperary, the lordship of O'Sulhvan ; and their prmcipal seat was at Cnoc Graffan on the banks of the Shure. w * n-w ii^,o„ Faith-ui-Halluran, extending from TuUa to near Clare m Thomond, the estate of Halloran Fearan-Saingil, called Single-Land, but more properly the Land of the Holy Angel, near Limerick, the ancient estate of the O'Conuins or Cuneens. .^ n ^ ^. * /^,,c Ibh-Fiarach, now called Tuam-ui-Mheara, in the county of Tipperary, the lordship of O Mara. Muiccadha, in the county of Limerick, the lordship of Mac Eniry. The remains of_ a large monastery, and other public buildings, at Castle Town Mac Eniry, yet bespeak the piety and splendor of this family, of which there are scarcely any remams at this day. Muin-Tir-Conlachta (I suppose the present Tuam-Greine) in the county Clare, the ancient lordship of O'Gra or O'Grady. ,-. , , t rvn +i, Muifcridh-Jarrar-Feimhin, near Emly, in the county of Tipperary, the estate of O Carthy. Muifcridh-Luachra, near Kilmallock, in the county of Limerick, the estate of \> "ea. Ouen-ui-Glearna, now Six Mile Bridge, in the county of Clare, the estate of Kearney. Pobul-ui-Brien, now a barony in the county of Limerick, the country of a branch of the ^ Eath-Ck.nan,'ia the country of Limerick, the estate of O'Casey. The present Viscount Pery, enjoys a part of his estate, in right of his great-grandmother, the heu-ess of O Oasey._ _ Sliabh-Scott, in the county of Clare, the estate of the Mac Bruodins, hereditary historians of North Minister. , „, , , ^i, • j.- 4.x, Traidaire, or Tradraighe, now a barony in the county of Clare, before the incarnation, the residence of the Clana-Deagha, or Munster Knights, from Daire, the son of Deagha so called, and which words import the warriors of Daire. Lord Inchiquin is the present chief of Traidaire. Triocha- cead-o-Claisin, the barony of TuUa, in the county of Clare, the estate of MacNamara, hereditary lord Marshal of Thomond. Tuam-ui-Mhara, in the county of Tipperary, the lordship of Mara. , c,- u, Tuaath-Muimhain, North Munster, or Thomond, extended from the isles of Aran to Sliabh Eibhline, near Cashell, to Carran Fearaidh, or Knoc Aine, in the county of Limerick ; and from Luin na Conor, or Loop Head, to Sliabh Dala, in Ossory ; but in later ages it was circumscribed to the present county of Clare, of which the O'Briens are hereditary prmces. Tullichrien, in the county of Clare, the estate of O'Gorman. n'TTnl?^n« Tuliallaith^e, in the county of Tipperary, the estate of O'Kyan, or O'Mul Uy^n-Offalbran 1 In the beginning of June 1176, according to Keating (according to others inMay 117/), the celebrated Strongbow died at Dublin after a lingering illness, which the native historians as usual, describe as a providential visitation for his rapacious tyranny over <=l^p,.^"Y.nl^;„vi t. monument, which is of stone and which has attached a smal broken figure traditionally said to be his son, whom he is said to have put to death for cowardice stands at the South wall of the nave of Christ Church Cathedral. It is the figure of a stalwart knight, armed cap-a-pee, having the legs crossed as usual with crusaders. Money payments, I have heard, used to be made upon it heretofore, as on " the nail" in Limerick, and over it appears the following inscrip- tion, inserted in a tablet in the wall : — and set up agaync at the chargys of the Right Honorable Sir Ilenrie Sydney, Knight of the Noble Order, L ; President of Wailcs, L ; Deputy of Irland." HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 43 In the year 1174 the command of the forces was once more given to Harvey of Mount Maurice, who recommended Strongbow to join him in an expedition against Donnell O^Brien, who, following the example of Macarthy in Cork, had wrested the city of Limerick from the English intruders. Strongbow called to his assistance the Danes of Dubhn, and Eoderick O'Connor advanced into Ormond to repel him, Donnell O'Brien led his brave Dalcassians towards Durlas OTogarty (Ehogarty), now Thurles, where they gained a complete and signal victory. According to the Norman accounts, the Dublin Danes were attacked while overcome by sleep, and slaughtered, almost unresistingly, to the number of 400. Ware ascribes the glory of this result to Donnell O'Brien, king of Limerick, but he calculates that the loss of the English was not so considerable as that here given. This diasastrous defeat had such an effect upon Strongbow that he shut himself up at Waterford,^ whilst the Irish throughout the country rose up in arms. In this emergency Strongbow was obliged to have recourse to his old friend Eaymond le Gros, whose anger he propitiated by offering him the hand of his sister Basilica, together with the offices which had been pre- viously refused to him.^ The rapidity and efficiency of Raymond's arrange- ments were worthy of his promised reward ; and having hastily collected a force of 30 knights, 100 men at arms, and 300 archers, he set out accom- panied by Ms fi'iend Meyler, and safely arrived at Waterford, just as the Danes were meditating a general massacre of the Enghsh garrison ; which, when Strongbow left for Wexford with his new allies, actually took place, except such of the garrison as had been left in Eegiaald's Tower, which eventually took possession of the town.^ During the celebration of the nuptials of Raymond and Basilia de Clare, who brought her lord the dowry lands of Fethard, Glascarrig, and Idrone, besides the high offices before mentioned, and the territory called after him " Grace's County" in the present county of Kilkenny, news arrived of Rode- rick's advance to DubHn ; and Raymond hastily marched to Meath, where he is said by some to have cut off a few of the retiring forces of Roderick ; but the more credible account is, that the undisciplined forces of the Irish, who seem to have consisted of raw levies, appear to have been disbanded before Raymond arrived. Raymond now turned his attention to Limerick, where he had determined to revenge the disastrous defeat inflicted upon his father-in-law at Thurles by the brave king of Thomond, but where he was warmly received by the brave defenders of the walls which hung over the margin of the river, although they were obliged eventually to yield to the invaders, who, after committing the usual ravages, re-established the English garrison, and with- drew with the rest of their forces to Leinster. In the twenty-fourth year of Hemy II. (1177), Raymond le Gros alone discharged the regal functions in Ireland, and committed the city of Limerick to the guardianship of Donald O'Brien, prince of Thomond, who shortly after having broken down the southern point of the bridge set fire to the city. This was actually witnessed by Raymond le Gros as he departed for Dublin. In 1178,'* the interminable feuds of the Eoganachts and Dalgais, desolated ' According to some authorities in the little Island near Waterford. ' Giraldus Cambrensis. ' Hibernia Expiig. 24. * Annals of Innisfall. 44 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. tlie Avhole province of Munster. Dr. O'Brien, one of the descendants of the house of Thomond, supplies us with an account of the part borne in them by the O'Briens.' The annals of the Four Masters have a curious entry at the year 1180 : — " Lorcan O'Toole, i.e., Laurence, archbishop of Leuister and legate of Ireland, suffered martyrdom in England/' His death really took place at the monas- tery of Eu, in Normandy. He was connected maternally with the house of Thomond. His mother, according to the authorities quoted by Ware,^ who gives the above anecdote, being Ingen O'Brien, that is, daughter of the prince. His father was the youngest son of Murchertach O'Toole, the head of the second most powerful house hi Leinster, and at that time lord of Hy- Muiraadhaigh, comprising the southern half of KUdare, not of Imaile in Wick- low, as Ijanigan and Moore state, though their family did at this time take possession of Imaile, which had been previously possessed by O'Teige. Led- Wich has curiously and characteristically mistaken Hy-Muiraidhaigh (which is called O'Murethi by Giraldus) for O'Moore. We have been thus particular about this illustrious man, not merely on account of his connection with the kings of Limerick, but of the important part that he played in the history of these evil times. In the year 1182, the annals of the Four Masters record the treacherous murder of Brian, the son of Turlough O'Brien, by Eandal Macnamara Beg. In the year 1185, " the son of the king of England, that is, John, the son of Henry, came to Ireland with a Heet of sixty ships to assume the govern- ment of the kingdom. He took possession of Dublin and Leinster, and erected castles at Tipraid-Fachtna and Ardfinan, out of which he plundered Munster, but his people were defeated with great slaughter by Donnell O'Brien. The son of the king of England then returned to England to complain to his father of Hugo de Lacy, who was the king of England's deputy in Ireland on his (John's) arrival, and who had prevented the Irish kings from sending him (John) either tribute or hostages."^ ' " A.D. 1178. Donald O'Brien, at the head of the entire Dalcassian tribes, greatly distressed and reduced all the Eugenians, laid waste their country with fire and sword, and obliged the dis- persed Eugenians to seok for shelter in the woods and fastnesses of Eve-Eachach, on the south of the river Lee. In this expedition they routed the O'Donovans of Ive-Figeinte, or Cairbre Aedh- bha, in the county of Limerick, and the O'Collins of Ive-Conail Gabhra, or Lower Connello, in said county, beyond the mountain of Mangerton, to the western parts of the county of Cork : here these two exiled Eugenian families, being powerfully assisted by the O'Mahonys, made new settlements for themselves in the antient properties of the O'Donoghues, O'Learys, and O'Dris- colls, to which three families the O'Mahonys were always declared enemies to the borders of Loughlene, where Auliff Mor O'Donoghue, surnamed Cumsinach, had made some settlements before this epoch. * Ware's Bishops. 3 The ruins of the castle, built at Ardfinan, are still to be seen on a rock overhanging the river Suir, in the barony of Iffa and Offa, and county of Tipperary, where Cox, Leland and Moore have also placed the castle of Tipraid Tachtus. The followers of prince John are described by Giral- dus, Hanmer and Campion, in the most uncomplimentary language. Giraldus describes them as talkative, boastful, enormous swearers, insolent ; and Campion as " great quaffers, lourdens, proud-bellied swaines, fed with extortion and bribery." — IlUtor!/ of Ireland. In the year 1188 we find the following entries in the Annals of the Four Masters: — " Ed- wina, the daughter of O'Quin and Queen of Munster, died on her pilgrimage at Derry, victorious over the world and the devU.'' This lady was daughter of O'Quin, chief of Munster-Iffernan, in Thomond,* now represented by the Earl of Dunraven. " John de Courcy and the English of Ire- land made an incursion into Connaught, accompanied by Connor O'Dermot ; upon which Connor Moinmoy, King of Connaught, assembled all the chieftains of Connaught, who were joined by Donnell O'Brien, at the head of some of the men of Munster." — innals of the Four Masttis. * The O'Quins and O'Deas were the chief families in the district called from the latter, Dysert O'Dea. — See Bishop O'Dea's Life in the Ecclesiastical pari. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 45 In 1192, the English settlers in Leinster, taking advantage of the quarrels between the sons of Roderick O'Connor, wasted the territory of Thomond, but they suffered severely for their temerity. In the year 1193, say the an- nals of the Four Masters, " the English of Leinster committed great depre- dations against Donnell O'Brien. They pursued over the. plains of KiUaloe, and du'ected their course westwards, until they had reached a plain near the Shannon, in the parish of Killaloe, in the east of the county Clare, where they were opposed by the Dalcassians, who slew a great number of them. In this expedition the English erected the castles of Kilfeacle (about four and a-haLf miles to the east of the town of Tipperary), and Knockgraffon (about two miles to the north of the town of Cahir). DonneU O'Brien defeated the English of Ossory and made a great slaughter of them."' The neighbom'hood of Thurles Avas the scene of two defeats of the English by the brave king of Thomond.^ At this period, no doubt by Enghsh influence, the see of Killaloe was united to Eoscrea, or Eile, and to the celebrated see of Inniscattery, or Scat- tery Island.^ The death of Aedh or Hugh O'Beaghan, last bishop of Innis- cattery, is set down in the annals of the Four Masters at 1188, and that of the last bishop of Eile and Eoscrea, namely, of Isaac O'Cuainan, at 1161. The see of Inniscattery extended to both sides of the estuary.'* * A memorial of these defeats of the English still remains in " The Graves of the Leinster Men," which are situated in the barony of Owney and Arra, not far distant from the Corbally Slate Quarries, about two miles N.E. of Derry Castle House, and in the valley that lies between Thoum-Thinna (the Wave of Fire) mountain and the high lands behind Derry, Ryninch, Castle- town, &c., &c. These graves are marked on the Ordnance Survey Map of L-eland, so remarkable and historic are they. The view from the graves is grand and beautiful, embracing the Shannon for several miles, the Holy Islands (Inniscailthra), Scariff Bay, and a great part of Tipperary and Connaught. The people look upon these ancient depositaries of the remains of the invaders with unaccountable veneration or rather superstition. It is only lately that the bones of the occupant of one of the graves were disturbed during some drainage operations, when the peasantry declared they discovered a number of supernatural footprints near the resting places of these venerable warriors, and on the margin of a certain reservoir which was formed on the side of the moun- tain to drive a wheel. The wanton destruction of one of the graves, some time before, had occasioned great indignation among the people. In the j'ear 1194, the annals record the death of the illustrious Donaldmore, king of Thomond, in the following language : — " Donnell, son of Turlough O'Brien, king of Munster, a beaming lamp in peace and war, and the brilliant star of the hospitality and valour of the Momonians and of all Leth-Mogha, died, and Murtagh, his son, assumed his place.'' — Annals of the Four Masters. * The Four Masters mention that in A.D. 1213, O'Donnell having, in pursuit of Muireqgh O'Daly, plundered and laid waste Thomond. followed him to the gates of Limerick, and pitching Lis camp at Moin-ui Donnell (O'Donnell's marsh, so-called from that circumstance), laid siege to the city, upon which the inhabitants, at the command of O'Donnell, expelled Muireagh. — Annals of the Four Masters. We find the following entry in the Annals of Clonmacnoise for the year 1216: — " Geoffry ^larche (De Marisco) founded a castle at Killaloe and forced the inhabitants to receive an Eng- lish bishop." The name of this bishop was Robert Travers. He was afterwards deprived (in 1221), and until the time of the Reformation the see continued to be tilled almost exclusively by Irishmen, there having been but one Englishman, Robert de Mulfield, who succeeded in 1409. — f Harris's ]Va7-e, vol. 1, pp. 521-593. 3 Usher's Primordia, 873. * Sir J. Ware, in his history of Irish bishops, gives the following account of the bishops and abbots of Inniscattery : — " Nor ought it to be forgotten, that the bishopricks of Limerick and Inis- Catay, or the Island of Gata (the Cat or Monster, which St. Senan is said to have banished), were united about the end of the twelfth or beginning of the thirteenth century. [But, accord- ing to Ussher, the possessions of it are divided between the sees of Limerick, Killaloe and Ardfert.] " We shall here take occasion to mention what occurs in ancient monuments, concerning the see of Inis-Catay. It is said to have been founded by St. Patrick about the middle of the fifth cen- t;iry, and to be governed by him for some time, whom St. Senan succeeded ; to which alludes the passage before cited, p. 34, where St. Patrick is introduced prophesying that Senan, not then born, should be his successor. The prelates of this Church are sometimes called bishops and sometimes abbots ; and there are very few traces to be met with, concerning them, in antient writers ; the following are all 1 can collect : — 46 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. The last days of Donogh Cairbreagh O^Brien, were chiefly occupied with conflicts with the chiefs of Comiaught and their alHes^ the supporters of the sons of Roderick O^Connor^ against their cousins, the sons of Cathal Crovderg or the Red-handed O^Connor, and nephews of CBrien. The death of Cair- breagh took place in 1242. He was succeeded by his son, Connor na Sui- dane, the founder of the monastery of Corcomroe, in which his tomb and effigy are still preserved. Cairbreagh O^Brien was only the chief of the Dal- cassians, not king of Munster. He was the first that took the title of The O'Brien. The next events of the history of the princes of Thomond, are well con- densed by Professor O'Curry, from the valuable Irish tract called " The His- tory of the Wars of Thomond.'''' The natural feelings of the worthy professor are characteristically expressed in the following quotation : — "The Anglo-Norman power which came into the country in the year 1172, had constantly gained ground ; generation after generation, as you are of course aware, in consequence chiefly of the mutual jealousies and isolated opposition of the individual chiefs and clans among the Gaedluls. At last the two great sections of the country, the races of the north and the south, resolved to take counsel and select some brave man of either of the ancient royal houses to be elevated to the chief command of the whole nation, in order that its power and efficiency might be the more effectually concentrated and brought into action against the common enemy. To this end then, a convention was arranged to take place between Brian O'Neill, the greatest leader of the north at this time, and Tadhg, the son of Conor O'Brien, at Caeluisge [Narrow Water], on Loch Erne (near the present Castle Calwell). O'Neill came attended by aU the chiefs of the north and a numerous force of armed men. O'Brien, though in his father's Hfetime, went thither at the head of the Munster and Connaught chiefs and a large body of men in arms. The great chiefs came face to face at either bank of the Narrow Water, but their old destiny accompanied them, and each came to the convention fully " St. Serian, bishop and abbot of Inis-Cathaj', was born in Carko-Baskind, a maritime territory in the county of Clare, and was descended by his father Ergindus, from Conair, the lirst king of Ireland. His mother's name was Comgella, of a Munster family also. He received his first ru- diments and the monastic habit from the abbot Cassidanus, and was afterwards a disciple to Na- talia, abbot of Kilmanach, in Ossory, and then to St. David, bishop of Menevia, in AYales. Re- turning to Ireland, he fomided many monasteries in several parts of Munster, and at last fixed his seat at InissCathay. He died on the first of March, 544, the same daj' and year with St. David beforementioned, and was buried in his own monastery at Inis-Cathay. Colgann hath published his life in Latin verse out of the antient book of Kilkenny ; to which he hath added a supplement in prose from an Irish manuscript. To these I refer such readers who are desirous of knowing more of St. Senan." So far AVare who gives the following list : — Odran, bishop of Inis-Cathay, was the disciple and immediate successor of St. Senan. He flourished about the year 580. Aidin, bishop of Inis-Cathay, as mentioned in the martyrology of Marian Gorman, and his fes- tival observed on the 31st of August. Another Aidin, abbot of Inis-Cathey, died in 861. Flathbert, abbot of Inis-Cathay, and afterwards king of Munster after Cormac Mac Culenan, died in 940. He was the great fomentor and firebrand of that war in which Cormac lost his life. Colla, abbot and doctor or master of Inis-Cathaj', died in 994. 0-Biu-gus, Comorban of Inis-Cathay, died in 1081. Aid 0-Beachain, bishop of Inis-Cathay, died in 1138, and soon after his death the see of Inis- Cathay was united to that of Limerick. It was in the reign and by command of Cairbreach (so called because he had been fostered in Carbery), that the building of the beautiful Franciscan Abbey of Ennis was commenced. It was finished by his son and successor, Conor na Siudaine, and it is frequently referred to in the an- nals. A short time previously to the commencement of the work, Donogh Cairbreagh had removed his residence to Clonbroad. HISTORY OF LliMERICK. 47 fletermined that himself alone should be the chosen leader and king of Erinn. The convention was^ as might be expected a failure ; and the respective par- ties returned home more di^dded^ more jealous, and less powerful than ever to advance the general interests of their country, and to crush, as united they might easily have done, that crafty, unscrupulous, and treacherous foe, which contrived then and for centuries after to rule over the clans of Erinn, by taking advantage of those dissensions among them, which the stranger always found means but too readily to foment and to perpetuate. '"'' This convention or meeting of O^Brien and O^Neill took place in the year 1258, according to the annals of the Eoui* Masters; and in the year 1259, Tadhg O^Brien died. In the year after that again, that is, 1260, Brian O^Neill himself was killed in the battle of Down Patrick, by John de Courcy and his followers. " The premature death of Tadhg O'Brien so preyed up on his father, that for a considerable time he forgot altogether the duties of his position and the general interests of his people. This state of supineness encoui'aged some of his subordinate chiefs to withhold from him his lawful tributes. " Among these insubordinates was the O'Lochlainn of Burren, whose con- tumacy at length roused the old chief to action; and in the year 1267 he marched into 0'Lochlainn''s country, as far as the wood of Siubhdaineach, in the north-west of Burren. Here the chief was met by the O'Lochlainns and their adherents, and a battle ensued in which O'Brien was killed and his army routed ; and hence he has been ever since known in history as Conchubhar na Suibhdaine, or Conor of Suibhdaineach." CHAPTER VII. LIMERICK UNDER THE ENGLISH. CHARTERS AND GRANTS. The introduction of the EngHsh government into Lnnerick did not take place until the death of Donald O'Brien. John, Earl of Morton and Lord of Ireland showed great zeal and determination in estabhshing the English interest in the city. He granted a charter on the 19th of December, 1197, the 9th of Eichard I.,^ by which he extended to the city, the privileges ' We translate from the Arthur MSS. the following. [Fitzgerald gives only the recitation of an abstract of John's second charter] : — True Copy of the first Royal Charter granted to Limerick hi/ John, Lord of Ireland, cfr. John, Lord of Ireland, Earl of Morton, to the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Earls, Barons, Justiciaries, Bailiffs, and to all his servants and faithful subjects of all Ireland, greeting; Know ye that we have given, and by this charter confirmed, for us and our heirs, unto the citizens of Limerick, that they and their heirs do have and hold the City of Limerick, with all the appurts. and burgages, internal and external, to the City appertaining, in fee firm, by the return which was appointed by Hamond de Valois, with pleas and aiguists, and that they have all the liberties and free customs through all Ireland which the citizens of Dublin have ; Wherefore we will and firmly prescribe, that our citizens of Limerick and their heirs after them do have and hold all the liberties and free customs aforesaid and as presented. For the rest, know ye that [we hold as] ratified and well pleasing, and established for ever, the deliverances [liberatioTies'] of burgages, with all the liberties and prescriptions which Hamond de Valois made in the city of Limerick as he let the aforesaid burgages to my citizens of the same city. [Whereof] These are Witnesses, Hugo de Valois, KiCHAKD DE Force, FULKE DE CaROLUPO, HUBEKT DE BURGO, Killaloe, I8th day of December, in the Wi year of tlte reign of King Richard [A.L. 1197-'8]. 48 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. already granted to Dublin, enabling tbe citizens to choose a Mayor and Duum- viri, or two Bailiffs, a designation by wMcb they were named until the reign of James I., when by charter of that monarch, the citizens were allowed to choose Sheriffs in place of Baihffs, etc. — these, with the mayor, performed the municipal government of the city. In 1198, however, the EngHsh were driven out of Limerick by M''Carthy of Desmond ; but soon after they may be said to have held firm possession, though their tenure was frequently disputed. We have on record as to the exact time the walls of the city were first built ; but from the Patent roUs, in the early portion of king John's reign, we find that the city was at that period surrounded by walls, and that the king made several grants to his followers witliin and without the walls.' In the same year he gave to Hamo de Valois, two cantreds of " Hoche- vele" in the Land of Limerick for the service of ten knights, (Char. Eol, 82). On the 12th of January, 1200, he granted to William of Braosa the honor of Limeiick, with its appurtenances, &c. This charter was given at Lincoln, and bears the signatures, as witnesses, H, Archbishop of Canter- bury ; R, Bishop of St. Andrew's ; R, Earl of Chester ; R, Earl of Leicester ; G. Eitzalen, Earl of Essex; William Briwerr, Hubart Bard, Walter de Lascy ; Simon Pateshill. It states that it (the charter) was given by the hand of Symou, Archdeacon of Wells, at Lincoln, granting and confirming to Braosa the honour of Lymerick, Avith all its appui'tenances "retaining in our demesne the city of Lymerick and the Bishopricks and Abbeys, and retainuig in our • In the second year of his reign the king gave to Galfridus Fitzrobert one burgage* below (within?) the walls of Limerick, to be held by free service 12d. ; and granted and confirmed to the same for homage and service, five knight's fees,t at Radagar, in the Cantred of Huhene, to be held of one and one-third knight's fees — Charter Role A°. 1°, Rotulo 14 and 15. In the same year he gave to Robert Sergeant four burgages, of which two are without the city of Limerick, between the city and the bridge, whatever part of the bridge is next the wall, and two in the island towards the city, near the bridge, wherever the bridge may be, for the service of 4s. per an., and he granted unto the same for his homage and service a knight's fee at Clonhulugrdachan and Cloinonochain, in the " theudum"J of Huertherain, to be held by the third part of one knight's fee, Hamo de Valentia being the justiciary of Ireland. — Charter Roles 78. In the same year he gave to Humphrey de Pykeuile, one burgage below the walls of Limerick, for the service of 12d. per annum ; and he gave and confirmed to the same for his homage and service Killeru- manith, three kniglit's fees circumjacent for all service, for the service of one knight. — Charter Role 75. In the same year he gave Lauvelekin Fitzwilliam one burgage below the walls of Limerick, for (per) the service of 12d. per ann. and five knight's fees, at Insculin and Balieder, Baioni, Corbally, Cullen, Odergraper, Ballydermot, in tbe Cantred of Huhene, to be held by the service of one knight and two parts. — Charter Role 79. In the same year he gave to Wm. de Naish one burgage in Limerick through the service of 12d. per ann. and the castles of Kava Kittel, with a fee of five knights in the nearer place of that castle, in the " theudum" of Lirickmadh, in the Cantred of Huhene, held by the service of one knight's fee and two parts. — Role 81. In the same year he gave to Thomas, the son of Maurice, one burgage next the bridge, on the left hand side towards the north, through the service of 12d. per ann. and five knight's fees, in the " theu- dum" of Blenrii (or Olweii, or as I rather think Kenry), in the Cantred of Fontimell, and five knight's fees, in the theudum of Huanarach, which is in Thomond, beyond the water of the Shannon, to be held by the service of three knight's fee and one third. — Charter Role 82. * Tenure in burgage is where the king or other person is lord of an ancient borough in which the tenants are held by a rent certain. It is a kind of lorage. — Lyt. II., § 162, 163. t A Knight's Fee, Feudmn militare, is so much inheritance as is suificient yearly to maintain a knight, with convenient revenue; and in Henry Ill.'s days was £15 (Camden's Brit. p. Ill), in the time of Edward II. £20 ; a knight's fee contained 12 plough lands, or 5 hides, or 480 acres. Selden, however, says the knight's fee had no reference to land, but to the services or number of the knights reserved. — Tomlins Law Diet. Stowe, in his Annals (p. 285) saj-s there were found in England at the time of the Conqueror 60,211 knight's fees, according to others 60,215, whereof the religious houses before their suppression were possessed of 28,015. '\, The word " Theudum,''^ means a fief, most probably one of five knight's fees, which was ex- pressed by the word Toth, In the Celtic mythology the word Toth meant the genius Loci, HISTORT OF LIMERICK. 49 iiand the cantred of the Ostmen and the Holy Island, as king Henry, onr father, that honour gave to Philip de Braosa, uncle of the aforesaid William" — " to have and to hold to him and his heirs of us and our heirs by the service of sixty knights, except the service of William de Burgo/ of all his lands and tenements aforesaid honours to be held, &c., &c.; and we have retained in our demesne and hand all its appurts in wood and plain, in meadoAV and pastures, in water and mills and fish ponds and ponds and fisheries and ponds, in ways and pathways, &c" King John, (says Giraldus Cambrensis,) gave to Philip de Braosa the northern division of Munster, namely, the whole kingdom of Limerick, except the city itself, and the cantred belonging to it. At the same time he gave the kingdom of Cork to Cogan and Fitz Stephen. So these three chiefs made a strict mutual alHance, and having obtained possession of Lismore, and of the greater part of Cork, namely, seven cantreds near the city, each containing 100 townlands, they proceeded to Limerick. Their army con- sisted of seventy men-at-arms, one hundred and fifty horse soldiers, and the proper complement of bowmen. But when they reached Limerick, the citizens set the town on fire. Cogan and Fitz Stephen proposed to ford the Shannon and storm the place. But Braosa proved wanting in courage and returned home. He after^'ards endeavoured to rehabilitate his character for bravery by joining in the crusades, and appears to have died in the Holy Land, when his rights, such as they were, to the kingdom of Limerick passed to his nephew, William de Braosa. But we learn from Dugdale (Baronage I. 415) that kuig John sold Braosa^s lands in Ireland to Plulip de Wygornia, (or Worcester,) Lord Deputy in 1184, for five hundred marks. In 1300, how- ever, the unprincipled monarch, resold Wygovnia^s lands, and those of Theobald Fitz Walter, ancestor of the Ormonde family, to W'illiam de Braosa, for 5,000 marks, and 5,000 marks more for the kingdom of Lunerick, (see the charters of king John, aimo 2, and Dugdale, L, 416.) ^ Fitz Walter repurchased his own estate for 500 marks, through the mediation of his brother Hubert, Archbishop of Canterbury, (see Eoger de Hoveden, II., 513,) whilst Wygornia, says that author, "with difficulty escaping from the hands of the king, retui-ned to Ireland, passing through the territories of the king of Scots, and recovered parts of his lands by waging war against the king." The kingdom of Limerick he had never had possession of, so did not probably now obtain it. But he seized on his former estates, chiefly in Tipperary, and held them by force : and his heirs still held lands there by knights* service in 1314, (Carew MSS.) The unfortunate Braosa was unable to pay the instalments due to the rapacious king John ; he was fiercely • 1201, King John granted to William de Burgo 5 Knigbts' fees, called a Toth, wherein is seated Castle Connell, within 4 miles of Limerick, east, provided he fortified the castle, and was to restore it to the king if demanded, by getting a reasonable exchange for it. — Ware. * In Pat. Roll. Mem. 23, No. 203, the grant to William de Braosa is set forth — " quae retinuimus in Dominico nostro, habenda donee Kegi placuerit." In the 4th year of his reign a mandate was issued by the king to Philip de Wigorne, or Wor- cester, "that he should render to William de Braosa the land and castles of Orngraffan, and other castles of the Honour of Limerick, which are retained by the king according to con%'ention, —Pat. Roll, Mem. 10. In the 6th year of John's reign Limerick was taken from William de Braosa by advice of the Barons of England, " for the peace of the kingdom." — Pat. Roll, Mem. 7. Wigornia, according to Dugdale's Monasticon, was Constable of Ireland. Wm. and Roger de Wigornia gave Sidan, Skhevin, Kilstevenan, &c., in Ireland, to the Monastery of Osney, near Oxford. Confirmed 28th Feb. An. 13 Edward l.—Dvrjdalc's Monas An Vi''are's Annals of Ireland, ad. an. 1502, 1510. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 71 attended by the cliiefs of the English and Irish of Leinster. He erected a castle at Carrig-Citalj now Carrick-Kettle^ in the Barony of Small County^ county of Limerick, in desjaite of the Irish. O^Donnell followed with a small number of troops to assist him, through Meath, and went westward into Munster until he joined him at that place. Then they passed into Ealla, (Duhallow, county Cork), and they took the castle of Caen-tuirc (the head or perhaps hill of the boar — now Kanturk — see Smithes history of Cork, vol. II. c. 6) and plundered the country. Then proceeding into great Desmond, they took the castle of Paihs (a castle on an eminence near Laune Bridge, Killarney — ^Windel^'s Historical and Descriptive Notes of Cork, 2nd Ed. pp. 386, 387), and another castle on the banks of the Noer Mang (Maine, near the Bay of Castlemaiue, county of Kerry), after which they returned into Limerick. They then mustered additional forces ; and the Geral dines of Munster, under the conduct of James, son of the Earl of Desmond, and all the English of Munster, and also McCarthy Reagh (Donald, son of Dermott, who was son of Fineen), Cormac Oge, who was the son of Cormac, son of Teige, and the Enghsh and Irish of Leinster, proceeded into Limerick. Turlough, the son of Teige O^Brien, Lord of Thomond, with all his forces, and M'Namara, the son of Silaedha, and the Clanrickarde, mustered another numerous army to oppose them. The Earl, i.e. the Lord Justice, marched with his army through Bealach-na-Fadbaighe, and Bealach-na-nghaimr, the old names of the roads to Portcroise, until he arrived at a wooden bridge, i.e. the bridge of Portcroise already referred to, which O'Brien had constructed over the Shannon ; and he broke down the bridge, and encamped for the night in the country. — O'Brien had encamped so near them, that they used to hear each other's voices during the night. On the morrow, the Lord Justice mustered his army, placing the English and Irish of IMunster in the van, and the Enghsh of Meath and Dublm in the rere, O'Donuell, and his smaU body of troops, joined the Enghsh of Meath and Dublin in the rere ; and they all took the short cut through ]\Ior-na-in-brather [Monabraher near Limerick] to Limerick. O'Brien attacked the English, and slew the Baron Kent and Barnwall at Ku'wickstown [now Cookstown, in Meath], and many other men of distinction not enumerated. The English army escaped by flight, and the army of O'Brien returned in triumph with great spoils. There was not, in either army, that day, a man who won more fame than O'Donnell.' The Four Masters, says O'Donovan, always praise an O'Donnell, at which we cannot be surprised, as founders of then- monastery.^ It is not our business to follow the fighting Earl through his successive campaigns against the Irish in Connaught and Leinster — thi'ough his crossings and re-crossmgs of the Shannon — the annals for many years teeming with relations of his warlike excursions ; suffice it to say that he worked Tvith a vengeance in the interest of his Royal master. In the year 1516, a war broke out among the Fitzgeralds, and James, the son of Maurice, laid siege to Loch Gur, in the barony of Small County, near Bruff, where the rums of a great castle, and other military works, erected by the Earls of Desmond, may yet be seen. The O'Briens of Thomond, joined by Pierce ' Annals of the Four Masters, vol. v. pp. 304-5-6. _ 2 Ware gives another account of this battle ; but all tlie annalists agree in stating that the victory over the Earl was decisive— that night having decided the battle, he withdrew, the army (says Ware) still retaining their ranks, and the energy displayed by the Dalgais on the occasion inspired the Lord Justice with so much respect for the military genius of their prince, that he turned his arms to another quarter, and laid siege to the castle of Leira-ui-bhanain (the Leap) m Ely O'Carroll, belonging to the prince of that territory. 72 ■ HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Butler, and otliers of his CoufederateSj advanced to meet the Geraldine army, — and " when the son of the Earl perceived the nobles of the army of the great race of Brian approaching^ the resolution he arrived at was, not to come to an engagement with them, but to leave the town unharmed, and thus they parted -with each other/''' It was immediately after this that the Earl took the Leap Castle,^ which still exists under its old name, and is situated between Eoscrea and TuUamore. CHAPTER XI, END OF THE KINGDOM OF THOMOND. EIVALEY BETWEEN LIMERICK AND GALWAY. One reason of the constant hostilities of the princes of Thomond from this period down to the extinction of that Kingdom, is to be sought in the alHances formed by Conor na-Srona for his daughters, three of whom inter- married with members of the O^Donnell, De Bui'gh, and O^Ruarc families ;' and to these alliances are also attributable many of the disastrous conse- quences of the fatal battle of Knocktow. The limits prescribed by the space which we propose to occupy with the sequel of the History of Tho- mond for the term of the next thirty-five or thirty six years, will admit of only short notices of the principal events which occur in that interval ; while, for several contemporary occurrences in the local history we must refer to our Annals of Limerick. In the year 1522 a feud having arisen between O'Neill and O'DonneU, the sons of the King of Thomond, namely, Donogh and Teige, together with their kinsman Torlogh O'Brien, Bishop of Killaloe, proceeded to the North to the aid of O'Neill ; but the latter prince having been defeated before they could join him, the prince of Thomond and his troops were compelled to make a precipitate retreat, not halting until they reached the Curlew mountains, where the allies separated.* In the year 1523 this Teige O'Brien was killed at the battle of the ford of Camus.^ while attacking Piers Eoe, Earl of Ormond, who was then at war Avith the neighbouring dynast O'CarroU ; and his dead body was carried by his soldiers to the monastery of Ennis, where several of his race have found a resting place. In 1528 Torlogh Donn, the father of this prince died after a reign of 29 years. He is highly lauded by the Pour Masters for " maintaining war against the EngHsh." He must have been regarded as a person of con- siderable consequence, for his name is included in a treaty entered into Avith the Earl of Desmond by Francis I. of Prance, to divert the attention of Henry VIII. of England, who was then leagued with the Emperor Charles ' Annals of the Four Masters. ' The great war between O'Douncll and O'Neill, in which the former was victorious, occupies several pages of the Annals, in 1522, and is interesting, chiefly as indicating the existence of the fiercest and most implacable feuds among the Irish. The O'Briens, Burkes, O'Connor Roe, O'Connor Don, M'Dermots, &c., joined O'Neill, whilst O'Donnell was supported by the forces in Kinnell Connell, viz., OT.oyle, O'Dogherty, the jMacSweenys, O'Gallaghers, &c. &c. But between the English in Ireland there were also fierce and implacable disputes. 3 Historical Memoir of the O'Briens. * Annals of the Four Masters, who, as usual, favor the O'Donnells, the founder of their monaster}^ * On the Suir a little uorth of Cashel. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 73 against the French monarch. Torlogh Donn was succeeded by his eldest son Connor, his brother Donogh being nominated tanist, who died in 1531, and was succeeded by Murrough, who surrendered the Royalty to Henry YIII. The hatreds, jealousies and wars between the Butlers and the Fitzgeralds — the Enghsh in Ireland — the latter, however, "more Irish than Irish themselves,''^ are written on a dark and dreary page of our national annals. To dwell on the state of affairs between the English in Ireland at this period would be merely, mutatis mutandis, giving a picture of the wars that pre- vailed among the Irish themselves. We proceed, therefore, to develope the progress of domestic affairs at this time. In the year 1534 a remark- able occurrence took place, which shows that Galway at this time was in a position superior to ours, commercially and financially. We are told by the Historian of Galway that the city of Limerick was from an early period of our history jealous of the growing trade and prosperity of Galway, although the latter long had retained its superiority. Ttus jealousy was shown on many occasions; but latterly broke out violently in consequence of a mercantile dispute which happened some time previously to 1524, between David Comyn, a citizen of Limerick and some merchants of Galway. Comyn complained that he could have no justice administered to him in Galway ; and waiting for an opportunity he seized the person of Ambrose Lynch Fitzjames, one of the inhabitants of the town, and kept him close prisoner, until he was ransomed for a large sum of money. In consequence of this outrage hostilities commenced between the city and town, and great depreda- tions were committed both by sea and land ; until the people of Limerick, weary of the contest, dispatched two of their citizens, Christopher Arthur and Nicholas Arthur, to Galway, to conclude a peace ; or as the record of this transaction expresses it, "to pacyficat and put awaye all manner of adversitye, rancour and inconveniences that have rysen or insurged between the city and town and habitantes of the same.''"' Upon their arrival in Galway the Mayor, bailiffs and commonalty assembled in the town-house, and with one assent elected Walter and Anthony Lynch FitzThomas, to conclude a " perpetual peace and concorde" with the deputies of Limerick. The terms being agreed upon, a pubhc meeting was convened on the 7th of May, 1524, and articles were ratified on both sides ; and apparently to the mutual satisfaction of all parties ; but as treaties are more frequently entered into than inviolably observed, so the people of Galway complained that those of Limerick stiU indulged their resentment, although every matter in dispute was supposed to have been peaceably settled ; and charged them with having again involved the town in fresh troubles, by insidiously instigating Pierce, Earl of Ormond, to make a demand for prisage wines, an impost which had never been theretofore paid or demanded in Galway. Limerick, in the end, owning to poKtical causes, gained the ascendancy, which it holds to this day. These rivalries between Galway and Limerick prevailed for many years. The "tribes-'-' of the one were jealous of the sturdy Anglo-Irish of the other; but though at this time Galway was one of the finest towns in Ireland — spacious, well built, and well walled, with a great trade with the south of Europe, and particularly with Spain, and sustained by the spirit and energy of its early settlers, who were always a terror to the Irish of West Connaught, it feU away, whilst Limerick increased in importance, and rapidly progressed, became superior, and retained its superiority. 1521-1522 (13 74 HISTORY or LIMERICK. Henry 8) David Comyn was for the second time Mayor of Limerick; Nicholas, son of Thomas Fitzwilliam Arthur, was Mayor for the second time in this year also : William Panning and Andrew Harold were Baihffs. David Comyn died during his Mayoralty of a terrible pestilence, which pre- vailed all over the city ; and on the 4th of September he was succeeded by Nicholas Arthur. Dr. Arthur does not fail to remark that it was now the supreme Pontiff conferred on Henry 8th the title of " Defender of the Paith,^'' in consequence of " the book he pubhshed against Luther -" and that " the Turks invaded the island of Ehodes.-'^' It was in this reign (28th Henry 8th, cap. 15) it was enacted that none of the king's subjects shall be shaven above the ears, or wear the hau* on their heads like long locks called Glibhes, or have any hair on their upper hps called a Crommeal, or wear any shirt, smock or kercJier, Beudel Neckerchotir , Mocket or Linnen cap coulr'd with saffron, nor wear above seven yards of cloth in their slivrt or smock, and no woman to wear any coat or kirtle tuckM up, or embroidered with silk or laid with Usker, after the Irish fashion ; and none to wear any mantles, coat or hood, made after the Irish fashion ; a for- feiture of the thing so worn (to be seized by any of the king's true subjects) and also the penalties following : — Every Lord Spiritual and Temporal, Every Knight and Esquire, Every Gentleman or Merchant, Every Preeholder and Yeoman, Every husbandman. And every other person. To be recovered in any of the king's courts and to be divided between the King and Prosecutor, Proviso, not to extend to any woman, herds or horse- boys wearing a mantle, nor any persons on their journey, or upon Hue and Cry? In the rapid progress of events we see how Henry changed not only his pohcy but his faith, how those religious institutions, which flourished so vigorously when he was fulminating against Luther, soon afterwards were doomed by him to suffer spoliation and ruin, and how the properties which went to the alleviation of human misery and woe, under the care of the monies and friars, and in support of the old faith, were handed over to those who submitted to his will and changed their principles at his pleasure, Henry proceeded in his active courses strengthening his power in Ireland. On the 19th of November, 1534, Thomas Butler was made Baron of Cahir, and in the beginning of the next year Maurice O'Brien and Ulick Bourke, induced by the example and success of the Earl of Tyrone, went to England to wait upon the king, having made their submissions, and sui'rendered their estates. O'Brien obtained a grant of all his lands in Thomond, and all the Abbeys and patronage in the king's gift witliin his precincts to him and his heirs male ; and he was made Baron of Inchiquin, to him and his heirs, and created Earl of Thomond for life, with a remainder to Donough O'Brien and his heirs for ever, who for the present was made Baron of Ibricane but whether this Donough were nephew or natural son of the Earl's is not very plain. This Lord of Ibricane had also an annuity of twenty pounds per > Arthur MSS. 2 Irisb Acts of Parliament. £6 13 4 2 1 10 6 8 3 4 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 75 annum granted to him in tail, and tlie Abbey of Insula Canonicorum, and half the Abbey of Clare ; and the king bore the Earl of Thomond^s charges and gave him an order to be of the Privy Council. As for Ulick Bourke, he had his charges borne, and was created Earl of Clanricarde, and his estates were regranted to him, and the Abbeys and patronage of aU benefices Avithin his precincts. Thus ended the kingdom of Thomond under Murrough O'Brien, the fifteenth and last of its princes who had been elected chief, by Tanistry to the prejudice of his nephew Donough, to whom in compensation he resigned the Lordship of Ibricane. Murrough is at present represented by his hneal descendant Lord Inchiquin. CHAPTER XII. LIMEKICK UNDER THE TUDOES CONTINUED. HENEY VIII. LORD LEONARD GRAY. EDMOND SEXTON, ETC. The English convocation and the Enghsh Parliaments having acknowleged the supremacy of Henry YIIL, with a ready servihty, the new head of the Church expected to find in Ireland an equal subserviency, but in this he was grievously disappointed. A most unexpected and decided resistance arose in the opposition of the Catholic Bishops, of whom, a few only were induced to submit to the new orders of things. We give the events in the original words of oui' authorities.^ Ap. Pariy, who had been in the service of Lord Leonard Gray, writes in 1535, respecting his jom-ney from Cork to Limerick, to secretary Cromwell, after he had visited Callan, Clonmel, &c., stating that they had removed from Cork to Mallow, and there encamped by a river side, and on the follow- ing day went to KilmaUock, and lay there that night — he describes it as a very "poore towne;" and the next day came to Limerick, "and of treuthe O'Breyn was cum downe, and lay within three myl of Lemeryk, and as the saying was with a great ost ; and hurlyd down the wodes in this way, as we schold have gone into hys counterey, and had forsakyu two of hys castels, herd by Lemeryk ; and herd that we were so ny, he went into the moun- tayns from us, for fere of ordynance : and when that he herd tell that we had no ordynance, then he restored his men into hys castels agajoi, with such ordynance as he had of his own. And without ordynance to bett the one pyll we cowld never enter weU into hys cunterey. Therefore my Lorde Jamys thought best to recoyll bake agayn, and to bring the Desemontes, and Cormack Oge with his cumpany, to a say, ore that hee wold pase eny further.'''' He adds, that in Limerick they had " very good cher, but nat nothing lyke the cher we had in Corke.''^ They parted eight miles off to a place (Monasternenagh) , "the wyche is after the order of Grenwyche," and my Lorde of Kyldare was the founder of it, for he hath a castel and ' State Papers of Henry VIII, 76 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. landes evyn tlier fast by, and ther met with my Lorde Jamys, hys brother- ilaw, whyche is O^Bren^s sone," (Donough, nephew of Murrougli O'Brien.) The account of the interview between Donough and his brother-in-law, Lord James, describes the latter as telling the former that he had married his sister, forsaken his father, his uncle, and all his friends and country, to come to him to help to do the king a service. He had been sore unrewarded, had no gains — had nothing to live upon. If it pleased the king to take him into his service, he would come into the country and bring with him a piece of ordnance, to take the Castle of Carrigogimnel,' and that the king would give to him that which never had belonged to an Englishman for two hundred years, he said he desired no aid but the Enghsh captain and a hundred Enghshmen, to pursue his father and his uncle, who were His Majesty's enemies, and the Irish who were ever the enemies of the English. He pledged himself he would hurt no Englishman, but do aU he could against the Irish and the king's opponents. And in all such land as he should conquer, it was his wish that the king should plant Englishmen, the land to be holden of the king, according to his pleasure ; and he further promised to discard all " Yrsyche Easchyons," and to order himself after the "Yng- lysche laws,'' and all he could make or subdue. He besought a reply. ' Carrigogunnel Casti-e. — This Castle is four miles distant from Limerick, to the S.W., bordering on the demesne of Tervoe, the residence of the Eight Hon. Wm. Monsell, M.P. Mr. Crofton Croker, in his Antiquarian Eesearches in the South of Ireland, says it is one of the largest castles he remembers to have seen in Ireland. It stands on an abrupt limestone rock,* and commands an extensive view, across the Shannon, of the County Clare, and the low grounds termed " Corcass Land," which form the banks of the river. Its building is ascribed to the O'Brien family. Through stipulation and treachery it was lost more than once by the followers of the Earl of Desmond, and those sent to reduce him and the countrj'. At the Siege of Limerick, in 1690, it was garrisoned by 150 men, adherents of James II., but surrendered without resis- tance to Major General Scravenmore, " the leaving these detachments in such places," observes Dean Story, in his History of the Civil Wars, " being very unaccountable, since they had a mind to defend them no better." The castle was deemed so tenable a position that it was considered expedient to destroy it, and it was accordingly blown up, together with Castle Connell. Dean Story received the very large sum of £160 for the purchase of gunpowder to ruin those fortresses. The dilapidated ruins tell the effects of the explosion. Immense fragments of the walls and towers lie scattered around in picturesque confusion. " It is a matter of difficulty," adds Mr. Croker, " to trace the original plan." Xear this Castle Charles Johnson, the author of Chrj'sal, or the Adventures of a Guinea, and other works, was born in 1719, and received his education from the excellent teacher, the Rev. R. Cashin, who was superior of the Limerick Protestant Diocesan School in the early part of the last century. The Vol. 1425 of the Harleian MSS. contains the following pedigree of " O'Brien of Carry- Connell, in the Countie of Limericke." MAHON O'BRIEN. I CONNOGHER. BrIAN O'BrIAN, I of whom the Brian Duff. E. of Thomond I and others descended. Donough. I Mahon. I Donnagh. Brian Duff, of Carigconnell, in the Countie of Limerick, lived in anno 1G15. • A large portion of the rock is of a basalitic nature. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 77 Parry adds, that old Sir John of Desmond, " who cane spek very good Ynglysche" arrived on the same day; and the parley was postponed for that day fortnight at " Yowgholl." In a letter dated from Limerick on the 9th of August, 1536 :' The Council of Ireland write to Cromwell, that Donough O'Brien, O'Brien^s eldest son, who had married the daughter of the Earl of Ossory, told what had been stated in the letter of Stephen Ap. Parry, of his desire to serve the Enghsh and possess Carrigogunnel, and set to the reformation in those quarters — the Deputy put an English ward of soldiers in the castle, and being there they consulted together as to the winning and breaking of O'Brien's Bridge — " wherein we thought the said O'Brene's sonnes ayede and conducte so necessary, as we supposed, that, havynge the same, we shud with the les difficultie achyve our purposes." In order to attain this dignity the council states, that the Castle of Carrigogunnel, "which had been inhabited by the O'Briens for 300 years before," was given by inden- ture to Donough O'Brien, " to be kept under us during the king's highness pleasure." — " After which conclusion takyn the said castell by tradyment, was takyn again by the persons which had possession thereof before — but we trust shall lytel prevayl them, but that the Deputies conclusion and army, and the promises thereon shall take effect." The letter proceeds to state, that on Friday they marched Avitli aU the army, with demiculverins, and such other ordnance as they had towards the bridge, and by the conduct of the said Donough and his friends, they were brought to it in a secret and un- known way, on this side of the water, A\^here never English used nor carts went before, whereby they achieved the progress with less danger than they could have done on the other side. On Saturday they reached the bridge, and after the army was encamped, the Deputy and gunners made a recon- noissance. On this side was a strong castle, "builded all of hewen marbell," and at the other side a castle, but not of such force, both built within the Avater, but not much distant from the land. At this end the O'Briens had broken four arches of the Bridge at the end next the land. The gunners fired all day at the castle, but with no effect, "for the wal was at lest 12 or 13 fote thick," and both the castles were well warded with the gunners, gallowglas and horsemen, "having made such fortifications of timber and hoggsheades of earthe, as the lyke have not been seen in tliis lande." They had a great piece of iron, "which shot buylees as great in maner as a mannes hede.'^ They had also a ship piece, a " Portingall. piece,'"' "certayne hagbushesses," and hand-guns. The Deputy seeing the ship-piece no avail, ordered that each man should make a faggot a fathom in length, to fill that part of the water between the land and the castle, and desired ladders to be made ; which done, he appointed certain of his own retinue and a company of " Mauster Saynclows'^ to give the assault ; by which they carried the castle, the defenders escaping at the other side ; and having done so they broke down the bridge. [A letter^ of William Body to Cromwell gives the credit of the capture to Ossory.] Two of the army were slain, several were wounded ; while the timber of the bridge was loosing, the Mayor of Limerick, Edmond Sexten, with about 30 others who were standing on it at the time fell, but were not injured. Gray also gives a long account of the above achievements to Cromwell. Henry VIII. in a letter to the town of Galway, in which letter the Irish ' State Papers. 2 State Papers. 78 mSTORY OF LIMERICK. customs of clothing, &c., are forbidden, and in which he takes from malefac- tors the sanctuary of the Friars Minors, &c., in and near that town, and calls upon the justice to bring them to punishment — proceeds to say, " More- over, yf O'Brene, or any other Irysheman, be at Avar -ndth our deputie, or our subgietes of our Cittie of Lymerycke, that in no wyse, by any coloure, practyse, or covyne, ye suffer no vytals, iron, sault, or other commoditie, to passe from you to theym, dureing the tyme of their contencion till they shall be perfectly reconcyled, upon payne of your allegeannces ; and alwayes that ye obsarve the artycles before written, specially concernyng the keepeiug of markettes, and that none of you resorte with anny merchandyce amongjoist Iryshemen at anny tyme. And where we be informed that at such seasons as strangers re- frayne within the havyn of Lymerycke, certayne of you foresttale the market of our said cittie, alurying and procuryng the stranger merchauntes to repayre oute of the havjii of Lymerycke to you, offering theym avauntage above the profere of the sayd citie, to ther gret disadvanytage and commoditie, andyn- haunsing the pryce of foren and alyen merchaundyses, to the profit of alyens : we therefor woll and commaunde you, that you do not provoke anny mer- chaundise aryving in theyr havyn from you to theym." He commanded that he should hear no further complaint on this behalf, or in any of the premises if they intended his favors. In the same year Cowley, writing to Cromwell on the estabHshment of the king^s dominion in Ireland, says : — " Then a thousand to arive at Lymyrilc, and the Erl of Ossery, and his son, and power to joyne with them, and first to wyn the pyles and Casteles from O'Dwyer (chief of Kilnemanna, west of Owney), and next that to w}ti the Cas- tele and toA\Tie of the Enagh (Nenagh, in Tipperary), and to builde and en- habite the towne, and so to pursue all the Irishry at this side of the water of the Sheynan, and to wyn O'Bryn^s Bridge that standeth upon the same water. Then to peruse all Clancullen (the ancient barony of Clancullen was situated between Limerick and Killaloe, now formuig part of the barony of Tidlagh) in OTbryne^s comitree, and to win the pyles and holdes, and specelly the strong castele called Bon Raytte (Bum*atty), eight myles fi-om Lymerick, on the river of Lymerick — consequently to make a strougholde of Clare, and to enhabit accordingly ; and to make two other baronies in the midst of O^Brien's couutreey. There are piles enough in that count eray alread}^ so that there needeth no more than to enhabite.''^ Thomas Allen, in the same year, writes a long letter to Cromwell on the subject of the Lord Deputy's expedition for the fortifying and re-edifymg of Woodstock and the bridge of Athy. After giving an account of the expedition, he says, " And his Lordship went to Kilkenny, where he met the Erl of Ossorye and MacGdphatrick, where he and Omore were contendid to remayne, and goo to Dublin with my Lord, and ther to abide his and his counsaLle''s order, and to put in pledgis for performance thereof, and to attend upon my Lord in this joumaie. And from thens departed the Chief Justice, and the Maiour of Limerick (Edmond Sexten) to sj)eke Avith O^Brene and the Erie of Dcsmonde, who have confethered togeder.""^ In a long letter from the Lord Deputy and Council to Cromwell, written from Dublin the 23rd day of November, the journey of Munster is said to have taken fruit and success, &c. &c. " For undoubtedly the pretended Earl of Dcsmonde, after diverse communications had betwxt him, the ]\Iaior of Lymerick, the Chief Justice, and the Master of the Rolles, at severall tymes, condescended as well to delyver his too sonnes in hostage, and to fynde the HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 79 Vicomit Bariy^ the Lord Rooche, Thomas Butler FitzEdmond, John Butler, broder to the Baron of Dunboyne, Gerald M'Shane of Drommanaugh, and djverse others^ to be bound for him in a 1200 marcks, that he shook! not oonl)' obey the Kinge^s lawes, and cause thaym to be obeyd everywher under his rule, but also as well to suffer the Kinge's revenues to be levied there, as upon the title and claim of James FitzMorice to the Earldome, to abide thorder and judgement of the Deputie and Counsaill ; and percase the same James FitzMorice were adjudged Erie, he to suffer him to enjoy the Earl- dome accordinglie ; with diverse other articles, comprised in a prayor of indentors concluded thereupon, &:c. &c." In 1537 a letter from the Lord Deputy and Council to Henry YIII, they state " for asmuch of your revenues as appertaiued to the Earl of Ealdare in the countie of Lj^merick, your Grace hath notliing of it, nor shall nat have untiD. the pretended Earl of Desmond be at some poynte ; of whose offers, I your Graces Deputy, have at severale tymes advertized your Highness, and your Counsaile, to the intente I mought know yoiu* pleasure therein, whereof hitherto I have not been advertized/'' And after speaking of the burjdng act, the expulsion and the destruction of the tenants, the writer goes on to state, " trustin there wol be few wastes after this year, if your Grace ensure our devises in too poynts. One is, no man in this countrie woll manure and enhabite your, ne other mans landes, especiallie to any fruit- ful purpose, onles he may have a securitie of continuance therein, so as, when he hath edified the same he shall not be expelled from it/' This letter is dated from Dubhn the 20th of April, 1537, and to those landlords who do not acknowledge tenant-right, we earnestly recommend its perusal, as an important fact in favor of fixity of tenui-e. On the 28th of June, 1537, Lord Leonard Grey arrived in Limerick, where he remained a week, and of his doings here he gives a detailed account to his royal master. He had already received the submission of O'Carroll of Ely, of O'Kennedy of Ormond, of Maclbrien of Arra, of O'jMulryan of Owney, as well as of MacWilliam of Clanrickarde. He summoned the Mayor and his " brothern" before him, and acting in the spirit of the instructions which he had received from the Councd of" Dublin, he had the Mayor and members of the Corporation sworn, according to the tenor of the act of suj)remacy, and further to abjm-e the power of the Poj)e. He moreover commanded the Mayor to have all the commonalty of the city likewise sworn and to certify the fact to the Court of Chancery. He states that " without stopp or gruge the confirmed them sylves.'''' After this he adds, he called before him the Bishop of Limerick, not Bishop William Casey, who was, after apostatising, appointed Bishop of Limerick, but John Coyn^ or Quin, and had him sworn in like manner, a fact which appears the more singular, and of which very grave doubt exists, because Quin had been promoted to the see against the wishes of King Hemy, who laboured earnestly in favor of Walter WaUesley who was afterwards appointed to Kildare.2 Coyn or Quin had assisted at a synod which was held in Limerick by Edmund Butler, Archbishop of Cashel, in 1524, and his zeal for the interests of his religion had been manifested on various important occasions. Gray further states that he commanded him to have all his clergy sworn. On this occasion Connor O'Brien, Prince of Thomond, was present, and promised to serve against Morrough, the Tanist^ who owned the country around O'Brien's > State papers. 2 Ware's Bishops. 80 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Bridge. This Connor O'Brien died in 1539, and was the last of the race of Brian Boroimhe who up to the hour of his death exercised regal functions in the ancient kingdom of Thomond.' During his stay in Limerick, Gray impeached certain of the merchants of the city of treason for \dctualling and maintaining Morogh O'Brien and other " Iryshe Eebels/' Stephen Harold, Treasurer of the city ; Pierce, Walter Edmund and James Harold, merchants, Thomas and Bartholomew Strytch, merchants, and Eobert Lewis, merchant, were among the number. The property of the treasurer (Stephen Harold) was confiscated, the others named were imprisoned, for the Lord Deputy resolved to carry things with a high hand in his deahngs vnth the citizens. 2 On the next day, James of Desmond, and O'Brien with their retinue came to him, and on the ' 8th of July, he removed with them into Morrogh O'Brien's country, and there took his castle of Ballyconuel,^ and Clare [Clare More], invaded, burnt and destroyed Morrogh's country that day. On the morrow, because he Avould not conform to good order or reformation towards the king. Gray encamped that night at Clare castle,'* and upon the next day James of Desmonde and O'Brien departed ; and then he proceeded to Clanrickarde, where he encamped that night, and the 10th of July, repaired to a castle called Bally Clare, which he rifled and not chalice or cross left in it belonging to Eichard Oge Burgh, which " did much hurt to your towne of Galway," " and the same dyd take and deliver to Ullyck Oborgh, now lately made Capitayn of that comitre" [and knighted by Gray] . He remained eight days in Galway, where he was entertained by the Mayor, and Ulick Burke gave all the "Iryshe retinue," that was with him in his countrey, " frelye mete, drynk, and lodging. Lyck order, as I toke with the Mayor of Lymyryck, hys brothern, and the Busshop as touching theyr othes to your Majestic, and the refusall of the usurped jaower of the Buss- hopp of Eome, lyck order toke with the Mayor of Galway, and his brothern and the Busshop." About this time, it would appear a serious dispute arose between the Deputy and Edmond Sexten, who had hitherto been very good friends. We take from the Arthur MSS. an important item of intelli- gence, which goes to show hov/ matters stood in this instance, and Avhich gives an account of the achievements of Sexten on a very memorable occasion : — In the 27th and 28th Henry 8th : Edmond Sexten beuig Mayor, O'Brien's ' Bridge was destroyed, by which the robbers of Thomoud rushed into the rest of the Province of Munster and safely returned Anth their preys. This Edmond Sexten was born in Limerick, but descended from the family of the Sesnans in Thomond. He passed over into England where he became sewer of the king's chamber from whom he obtained in the late catastrophes of rehgion two monasteries in Limerick, one of the Holy Cross, and the other of St. Prancis with all its funds and profits. At length the citizens being offended, having obtained the royal letters, he was admitted into the Mayoralty ' O'Donoughue's Historj' of the O'Briens. ' State Papers. ' The Castle is called by Gormanstowne Ballycongle, and by Ap. Parry, Ballyconnell. According to his narrative, the garrisons both of it and of C'lare Castle fled at the sight of ordnance. * The " Confession" states that they remained at Clare two nights, and that at their removing from thence there began a great schism, and a dangerous fraj', between Desmond and the Lord Deputy, for O'Mulryan's hostage ; in so much that the former put himself in array to have given battle, were it not that Sir Thomas Butler, being familiar and bold with Desmond, with great address and difficulty, took up the matter with them. And Desmond, being pacified with Butler, returned home. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 81 which he valiantly executed, for when Lord Leonard Grey, Viceroy, conducted the Royal army into Limerick with a determined resolution to slaughter all the inhabitants in one night, I know not for what reason, except that he bore a mortal hatred against them for their constancy in the orthodox rehgion, and he deceitfully removed out the Mayor and the better part of the city bands to assault Carrigogunnel they being displeased at the peace, the Mayor having somewhat discovered the Viceroy's treacherous contrivance flies into the city at midnight, hastens almost out of breath -with his guards to the Viceroy's house, knocks loudly at the gate, the porter having delayed and refused him entrance, he threatened instantly to tear the gates asunder. He was then admitted, and having found theViceroyandaU the commanders and men at arms of the army waiting for the destined hour of slaughter, he asked theViceroy what was the meaning of that unusual appearance of armed men, pipers and drummers thus assembled, who did not give him genuine but feigned reasons. Lest by the loss of time the intended wickedness might not be brought to maturity, the Viceroy advised him immediately to return into the city, but he fully detected the hidden contrivance of the treacherous general slaughter, and produced from tlie inside of the bosom of his soldier^s coat the king's patent which he had a good while by him ; and due respect being given he ordered it to be read quite over, by virtue of which he positively commanded the Viceroy in the king's name that he should not attempt anything secretly, unknown to and without consulting him in his government of the Province of Munster ; and that he should not presume to devise anything to the pre- judice of that royal city committed to his care (for that was the tenour of the Royal letters) and he declared if the Viceroy had ordered any to stir up tumults in the city, that he would in the first place restrain and set them in order. Thus did he deliver the city from the threatened destruction. ^ The Council of Ireland writing to Cromwell in 1538 state that under- standing Edmond Sexton^ intended at this season, to repair thither, they had thought good for their discharge, to acquaint his Lordship Cromwell partly of his demeanour ; upon contention moved between him and the citizens of the city of Limerick. Sexten was accused before the Council of high treason, for which being committed into ward in the King's Castle of DubUn, he alleged before them that he proposed to go to England to instruct the king and Cromwell, " of weighty matters touching the kinges honour, and an highe advancement of his revenues ;" for which causes he requii'ed to be out on bail. The council having heard the particulars of his complaint accounted them of small effect to trouble either the king or his council. In this letter the council throw very great doubts on the sincerity of Sexten, who, they allege, was not successful in his proceedings against Desmond and O'Brien, and they state that " the truth is his coming thider (as we be informed) is specially to accuse and disturb the citizens of Lynierick, for malice and dis- pleasure he beare to them ; among whom, ondoubtedhe he hath moved great dissension and displeasure. And considering the situation of the sayd cittie to be in the mydes, as it were, of the Kingis rebelles and ennemyes, with whom we knowe they must by and sell^ or elles lacke all viteUes, and tracte of merchandises ; we thiiike the inhabitantes of it to be worthy praise and com- mendation, both for ther obedience to the laws, and that they kepe the citie ■ Arthur MSS. "^ This name is f5pelled indifferently Sexten and Sexton. In the paper referring to him, as well as to the events of the period, I prefer using the old and somewhat rngged Btvl.- of the chronicles of the timoc ^° 82 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. alwaies in that wise, that it is the onlie key, releve, and socour to the Kinge, his Deputie, and army, against all men, whensoever they com thider. And whatsoer the inhabitants be, as, in good faith, having respect, where they dwell, we take them to be good, it were a shrewde policie to subvert the hoole citie for a few eivel. And they, on thother side, beare him dis- pleasure, and, as they sale, they moche abhorre him, because he is an Irishman of blode, and (as they saie) he useth himself accordmg to his nature. How- beit he is made denizen and free by the King, so as he hath been chargour there, contrary to the Inglishe statutes and their hberties. They saie also that he, his brederen, kynsmen, and adherantes, been mere Geraldines, and that parte of his brederen were slajme in defence of the Castele of Maynothe ; so as in respecte of his Irish blode and corrupt affection to traytours, they saye they doe not trust him.^ In an extract fi"om the minutes of Council,^ with the King's commands, it is stated that as the law is continually kept at Dublin, and that between Dabhn and Limerick the distance is 120 miles, and so many dangers between, " and as few or none dare passe without some strength which poore suitors have not,''' it is suggested that a Council of a President and four Councillors \mder a Secretary be established ; the President to have diet for himself, and the rest £200 yearly. Every Councillor for his entertainment, and finding his own horse and servant, £50 yearly, and the Secretary of the Council, £26:13:4 yearly, with such reasonable fees as the country may bear. The Archbishop of Cashel is suggested as a meet President. In a later letter from the Council of Ireland to Secretary Cromwell,' Limerick is represented as a city situated among Irish and English rebels, pretending to have privileges of the King as other maritime cities, to buy and sell, and as a place that deserves to be protected only because it is a succour and a refuge always for the King's Deputy, when he wars against the dis- obedient Desmonds, Brians, Boui-kes, and many other like in those parts. In this letter it is stated that, owing to the "misinformation" given by Edmond Sexten to the Lord Deputy during his last journey in Munster, more damage and inquietude had happened among the citizens than any anticipated honor or profit to the King. There is no doubt, notwithstanding all these complaints, that Sexten suc- ceeded in retaining the good graces of his royal master, for, in 1538-9, 29th and 30th of Henry,he granted by PrivySeal "to theKing's well beloved servant Edmond Sexten, sewer of his chamber," of the Monastery, Priory or cell of St. Mary-house, the site, ambit, or ground thereof, and all lordships, manors, lands, advowsons of churches, tithes, chapels, chantries, spiritual and tem- poral, thereunto belonging, within the precinct of Limerick, city or county, in as large and ample manner as Sir Patrick Harold, late Prior, held the same, together "vvith all the goods and utensils of the house ; to hold to said Sexten and the heirs male of his body, by the service of one knight's fee ; with directions for the issue of a commission for the dissolution of said monastery. And, 34th Henry VIIL, we find grant from the King to Edmond Sexten and his assigns, for hfe, of £8 sterling, annually, which the ' The Corporation of Limerick subsequently made a Complaint to Cromwell against Sexten, upon which the Irish Council, on the 20th of May, 1539, reported, that though he was the king's servant, they could not vindicate his conduct. The Complaint is in the Chapter House, and the report in the State Paper Office ; and in the Lambeth Library is a memorial of his services, before, during, and after his mayoralty in Limerick State Papers. ^ StJtte Papers. 3 State Papers. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 83 Kmg and his ancestors heretofore received in the name of fee farm, out of the city of Limerick. The execution of the decrees of Henry could have no firmer partisan than Edmond Sexton, judging from the high estimation in which he was held by his unscrupulous master. He soon had his revenge of Lord Leonard Grey, who had been unsparing in his destruction of the shrines and sacred places of the land. Among other fell atrocities he caused the most precious shrine of St. Bridget, St. Patrick and St. Columba, which was in Down, to be burned and the ashes thereof to be cast to the "vvinds^ : — " I?t Burgo Bimo tumulo tunudantur in %no, Brigida, Patricius atque Columba juw.^' Anglice " Brigid, Patrick and Columb of renown. Were all three entombed in the town of Down.^' This outrage took place in the year 1538, but the divine vengeance quickly fell upon him for this and for other crimes j his head was cut off in London in the year 1541. Sexten now grew in favor every day. The letters which passed • between him and the king show that a strong mutual feeling of consideration and fidelity prevailed ; and that the services performed by him were of such a nature as to win the substantial recognition of his Majesty. Desmond, through Sexten^'s influence, -wTote the following letter :— - To His Soveraigne Liege Lord the King's Majestie. " Be it known to all men by these presents that I, James Pitzjohn of Desmond, bynde me, mine heyres, my goodes moveable and unmoveable, my fideltie and trueth to my frend Edmond Sexten, to fulfill and performe all such things as the said Edmond shall speake to the King's Majestie and his counceU in England as hereafter follows : First — That I shall bringe to the K}Tige's Majestie^'s cofiers aU the cheeffe rents that O'Bryen and Mac I Bryen Arra hath upon the country of Lymmerike ; and also all the Abbey lands and goodes that are in Mounster to the Kyng^'s hands, and I and my friends and servants shall take them to fearme. Also that all the Lordes and Gentlemen of Mounster, Englishe and Lishe, shall pay a certain chiefe rent to the Kyng's Majestie, so as it shall be a great revenue. — And for the more performance of the premises, I, the said James, subscribed this with my hand and sett to it my scale the 20th day of June.''' Henry addresses " to our m.ji\e and well beloved Sir John Desmond within our land of Ireland," a letter of " righte heartie and cordial thankes ;" and states that he has " conceived and graven the same in our hert and shall retorn and sucede to you no little profitt and advancement." The king writes a much longer and more particular letter to Desmond, in which he acquaints him fully of all that has been told him by his " trustie and well beloved servant, Edmond Sexten, of the humble submission with a promise to observe towards us from henceforth such faythe and loyaltie as to your duty of alleygeance appertaineth, and shall be consonant to the office of a true and faithful subject, which we accept greatlie to our consolaticion, and give unto you therefor our righte harty thankes and condigne." " The king says Dr. Thomas Arthur^ wrote another letter to James Fitzjohn of Desmond, ' " But the walls as well of the cathedral as of the little chapel, where the most sacred relicks were deposited, exist to this day, as I saw them in the year 1 751." — Dc Burgo^ Hib. Dom. p. 242, * Arthur MSy, 84 HISTORY or LIMERICK. verbatim with his patent letter, only he accused him of assisting " the rebell Thomas Fitzgerald which much offended the Kynge and his commonwell in Ireland." Ilis Majesty wrote a letter in Latin, of Avhich language he was an accomplished master, in which he speaks in the highest terms of Edmond Sexten, and states " that Edmond Sexton, his dearly beloved, Avill tell him (Sir John of Desmond) more fully his minde on the affairs respecting which he writes/^ This letter is dated from his Royal Palace near London, the 17th of January, 1534. Before Sexten^s impeachment a report was sent to the King, as to how " Edmund Sexten, your grate servant," being then Maier of your Cyttie of Lymerike in the journey to O^Bryen''s Bridge did not only right dihgently endeavour hym to serve your Majestye, bat also in aU other your grate aftayrs as in practising with O'Bryne and James of Desmonde and all other your disobeydyent subjects to allure them to his power to your grate obedyency, and lykewise in his present 'oith the cytenzens of Lymerick did forwardly, diligently and hardly effectual service in every imploye of that journey to his grate charge, labours and paynes, kc." This " petytion" is signed by Leonard Gray, John Barnwall, your grate Chancellor ; George Dubhn, James Rawson, Pryor of Kilmaynam ; William Brabazon, Gerald Aylmer, Justice; Thomas LuttereU, Justice; Patryke Einglass, Baron; Thomas Justice ; Patryke Whyte, Baron. O'Brien wTites the following to the king, in which he admits all that Sexton had done in his Majesty's favor : — O'Brien (o King Henry VIII. Moste noble, excellent, high, and mighty Prince, and my most redoubted Soveraigne High Lord, in the humblest manner that I can or maj^, I recomend me unto your Majestic ; I Cononghure O'Bryen, called Prince of Thomond in your land of Ireland. Advertysing, that I received your most dread letters by your servant, Edmond Sexten, now Ma3'or of your Citty of Lymericke, the 20th day of September, in 3-our most noble Reigne the 26th, dated at your Mannor of Langlee, where I perceived partly your minde, in especiall, that I should give lirme evidence to your said servant. This is to advertise your Majesty of trouth that I was credible enformed, that the said letters were counterfeit, by my Lord of Ossery, and by my Lord his Sonne, and by your said servant ; which was the principall cause, that I did not receive such rewards as your said servant profered me and my brother, and that I did not write to your highness according to my duty ; and that was the cause that I did not follow the councell of 3'our said servant in your behalfe, till thys tyme : humbly beseeching your Majesty to pardon me of my negligence in that behalfe. And as for the receiving of Thomas FitzGerald into my countrey ; I insure you that I never sent for him, privy nor apperte, into my countrey ; but I could not, for very shame, refuse him of meat and drinke, and such little goods as we have. And as well I insure your grace that I never went, nor one of mine, to aid the said Thomas against your grace is subjects, and if I would have helpen him with my power, I assure your highnesse he would not have come in this toilment, at the least. And as for to certifie you of the goeing of James Delahide towards the Emperour, I insure your grace that it was never by my will ; and to prove the trouth of the same, I insure j'our grace, that ever he come, with power or without power, I shall take or banish him to the utter- most of mj' power : also beseeching your grace to pardon me of my negligence in that behalfe. Furthermore advertising your grace, that I have received your most dread letters, dated at your Mannor of Westmester, the 10th day of September, in j'our Reigne the 27th year, by the hands of your servant, Edmond Sexten, wherein I perciev^e your grace is jealous and displeasor with me, and as well your grace will be me to give ferme credence to your said servant, I insure your grace, that if I had the consaill of your servant, and of our JLister Doughtoure Neyellane, Thomas Young, and .John Arthur FitzNicholas, alderman of your said cittj', at the first time, as T am informed hv them now of your grace, and of your power and bountie, I had never done nothing prejudicial! to your grace is pleasure ; but I was counselled hy light people, whereof now I am right sorrie. But now, seeing that all thinges is done and passed for lacke of experience, I luimbly beseech your grace to take me to your mercy. And your grace has good cause soe to take me, for I insure that all mine ancestors, and I myself, hnth done right good service to your gr.ice's deputies in this land of Ireland. Therefore \ humbly beseech your grace, as lowly as «Vy subject can or maj-, to pardon me of all tlie premisses, and . and all that I have in the world, is and shall be at vour commandment, HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 85 In 15 iO tlie Lord Deputy and Council write to Henry VIII. and speak of the determined attitude of the Desmonde (the pretended Earl) O'Neill, O^Donnell, O'Brien, O'Molloy, O'Connor, young Gerald,, fee, and their resolution to raise the Geraldine sect and uphold the " usurped^' supremacy " of the Bishop of Eome/'' The letter states that the land of Ireland is " by estimacions and descriptions as large as Englande" — and proceeds : — " But to enterprise the hole extirpation and totall destruction of all the Irishmen of the lande, it wold be a marvailous sumptions charge, and great difficultie ; considering both the lacke of inhabitors, and the great hardness and mysery these Irishmen can endure, both of hongre, colde, thurst, and evill lodging, more then thinhabitantes of any other lande. And by pre- sident of the conquest of this lande, we have not hard or redde in any cronycle, that at such conquests the hole inhabitantes of the lande have bene utterly extirped and bannisshed. Wherefore we think the easiest Avay and least charge were, to take such as have not heynously offended to a reasonable submission, and to prosecute the principalles with all rygor and extremytie." It is recommended in another of these state papers that garrisons should be formed in several cities. That at Limerick 1000 soldiers whereof horseman 300, gunners 200, archers 400, andbdlmen 100, should be raised. This letter is dated from Dublin, 18th January, 31st year of the king's " most victorious reigne." In 1542, the Council repaired to the city of Limerick, on the 15th of February, and held a Parhament which they continued to the 10th of March. This Parliament stood prorogued to the 7th of November, and was farther prorogued to the 22nd of December, when it met at Dubhn, and adjourned again to Limerick. According to the Statute Book it sat only to the 7th of March, three days less than the term mentioned in the despatch from the Deputy and Council to the king. In the same despatch O'Brien is lauded as a very sober man, and likely to continue " a treue sub- ject." A subsidy of 20 marks yearly is ordered out of the county of Limerick, and 60 marks out of the county Tipperary. Upon the Irishmen of certain quarters mentioned — first upon Mac I Brien 60 golglas for a month — and 6d. sterling out of every plowland in his country — upon Tu- lagh Mac Brien, Captain of Ycownagh, £5 rent sterling yearly, upon O'Ken- nedy and M'Egg (Egan), £10 yearly, Irish — O'Mulryan £40 15s. yearly rent, and 60 galoglas a month — O'Dwyre 8d. sterling out of every plowland in liis countrey, and 40 gallowglas for a month, yearly. '"^They complain of the great lacke that will be here of learned men and other ministers to reside about Lymerick, daily to see justice ministered there, laying farre from Dublin, where your highness lawes be executed, and no man there learned to stay or order anything among them." And as if it would please your grace to be soe good and gracious to this poore land, and to use your poor subjectes, as to send some nobleman to govern us ; and in especiall, if it would please your highness to send your sonne, the Duke of Richmond, to this poor contrey, I insure your grace that I and my brother, and all my kinsmen, with all my friends, shall doe him as lowly service, and as trew, as any man liveing ; and I, my kinsmen, and all my friends, shall right gladly receive him to our foster sonne, after the custom of Ireland, and shall live and dye in his right and service for ever, and binde us to the same, after your pleasure known, by writeing to us by your servant Edmond Sexten, to whom we remit airthe rest of our mindes to your grace. As the Holy Trinitie knoweth, who have our Majesty in his must tender tuycion, to your harte's-tlesire. Written at my Mannor of Clone Rawde [Clonroad, Ennis], the 13th day of October. Conohnyr O'Brr/en, Prince of Twomone. 86 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. The despatch is dated from the castle of Catherlaghe (Carlow), the last day of March, in the 33rd of the reign of Henry VIII. In the expedition to O'Brien^s Bridge, so often referred to, Sexten was desired in the following letter which appears in the Arthur MSS.* to give his assistance : — To our trustie and well beloved, the Maior, Bayhves, Aldermen, and Cityzens of the cittye of Lymerick. Trustie and right well beloved we grete you, well, and desire and praye you also neverthelesse in the kyng^s name charge according, our former writing of haster night, you with your companie in all haste, repayre unto us with your pikeaxes, speades, shovels, matokes, axes, and other such engines for the breaking of O'Bryen's Bridge. Yee knoo well wee have but 3 dayes victualls, and cannot sett forth conveniently, till your comying, wherefor make speede with all haste possible, and lett victualls be brought by water. Yee knowe the king^s honor one and all your wealths lyeth uppon this our proceedings at this instant tyme, fayle yee not hereof, as ye intend ever our good will, and for the coiltrary will answer at your pril to the king. From the Carape this morning, Leonard Gray, To the Mair of LjTuirke, in hast post haste. • A summary dT the achievements of Edmond Sexten from the Arthur MSS. is of some interest: " Edmond Sexten was employed by the king in the commission with the Earl of Desmond, tha Bishop of Emlaye, and Mr. Agard, for the suppression of all the religious houses in Mounster, in which journey be spent £9 sterling. He was a mayne help with the cittizens of Limmerick to take in the castle of Deryknockane from the rebells, and Lord Leonard Grey left the keeping thereof to Sexten's own care for the six years, which cost him in all £39 18s. sterling. He was employed by the Kyng to the traitor Thomas Fitzgerald, in hope to reduce him to subjection, whereof he fayled, but certified his Majestie of the refractoriness of the said Fitzgerald. After that he was three severall tymes employed by the King to the Earl of Desmond and other Lords in Munster, to keepe them in their loyaltie, and from adhering to the said Thomas and his complices. The then Lord Deputie and Councell oftentymes employed him to that effect to the said lords and to O'Bryen, to John of Desmond, and to his son James, and to Donough O'Brj'en and others. ♦ He served at his own cost at the taking of Knockgraffon, Dungarvan, Carrigogunnel, the first and second time ; Ballinconnell Castle in Thomond and Clare, and Clononkenie, in the countic of Lymrick. He toke Donnell O'Bryen's galley, which did much prejudice the King's subjects in the river of Shenan. He sent his men, who slew the rebell called Slico (O'Connor Sligo), which did offend the cittizens much, and threatened to burn Lymerick. He caused Edmond Bourke and his sonne to pay £16 to such of the cittizens as they have robbed thereof. He caused William Fitzjames Geraldine to bestow the prey which he toke from some of the cittizens. His men brought home the cattle which were taken away the night before by some of the rebells. He apprehended one Macloghlen Baukaks sonn, and another rebell, whome he caused to pay £24 for their ransome, which he gave to such of the cittizens as the said Ma- cloghlen's sonn formerly caused to pay him ransome of £10. He with a small companie burned the toune and castle in the Island called Ellanrogane, and faught with many of the rebells there, of whom they killed many, and burnt others, and brought his men with their goods home salfe. He toke a galley and a half galley from Mourough O'Bryan, which he carried by land a myle and a half, and then lanced them to the water, and brought them to Lymricke. He issued at midnight out of Lj'mricke towards the Bishop of Killalowe and his two sonnes, but they narrowly escaped him, quitting their horses and baggage, whereon thej' seized. He burned Kilcordane and Clonemoniayne, in O'Bryen's countric. lie allured James of Desmond to come into the Lord Deputie's camp and laye in his tent and wayte on him to Limerick, and in his progress through Thomond within two miles of Galway, where they tooke leave and came to Lyrarick, and the Lord Deputie .went to Galway. He payed £40 in part payment of 1000 Duckatts, which he proipised to Donough O'Bryan for betraying and delivering up into his hands the rebell Thomas Fitzgerald, leing tlicn with O'Brien in Thomond, as he undertook to doe, but fayled in perfor- mancethert'of." A very large mass of correspondence contains among the rest, several letters written by the king to his Deputy Lord Leonard Grey, in which he strongly reminded our trusty and well beloved Edmond Sexten, one of the gentlemen of our chamber and may be of that our city of Lymerick to doo unto us faithful and acceptable service — and tells Gray " in all your proceedings in our affairs concerning the reduction of the HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 87 In a letter from the Council of Ireland to Cromwell^ dated from Cashel, August 24th, an account is given of the recapture of the castle of Carri- gogunnel, by Donogh O'Brien, Ossory, and the Lord De Gray; in the assault ordnance and arrows were used, and thii-teen of those who were T^itllin the castle were slain with ordnance, and four with arrows. There were 40 of Ossor/s party also killed. The keeping of the castle was then given to Ossory. inhabitants thereaboutts to our obeysance and due reformation or as the state shall require in prosecuting of the same, the obeyance and indurate mynde so requiring, ye doo tali unto you our said Sexton, and but begin consult whereby the said inhabitants may per- ceyve our estimaycion and favour born unto hym, by whych means he shall now the better allure them to our obeysance, and consequently by his experience and polyte the rather obtain the desired purposes in our affairs in those quarters." We have also the letters of Henry to Sexton, and of Sexton to Henry. Henry writes a special and lengthy letter commencing " Henry by the Kinge — Trustie and well beloved we grete you well" — returning thanks for the series of services performed, adding " taking you to noit (note) that being advertised how like goode, true, and faithful subjects ye have resisted the malicious enterprises of Thomas Fitzgerald that faulse Traj'tor and Eebell and other his accomplices there, we have thought goode not onle}'e to give unto you our hearty thanks for the same, but also to signifye tmto you that we shall not faile for to remember your integritie declared therein, as shall be to your benefits, wealthe and commoditie hereafter. Ye shall also understande that whereas the fee farm of that our cittie remaineth for sundrie yeares behind and unpaid, sythens (since) our subject Richard Ffox was first maier thereof, we have authorised and appointed our trustie and well beloved servant Edmond Sexton, sewer of our Chamber, to receyve of you to our use the said arrearages soe behind, so unpayed, whose acquitance in that behalf shal be your sufficient discharge as from yere to yere from henceforth to tak and receyeve into his hands our said fee farm being ten pundes bj' the yere till ye shall further know of our pleasure." The letter goes on at further length, as " given under our signet, at our Manor of Langley, the 21st day of September, the * * * yeare of our reigne" — and is addressed " to the Eighte Trustie and well beloved, the Maier, Baylilffes, Aldermenne and Cittizzens of the Citie of Lymerick." Not content with these expressions of favor to the Mayor, Corporation and citizens, Henry wrote to the Council and Corporation of the city as follows : — Henry Rex. By the King. Trustie and right well beloved, we grete you well, and perceyving by your letters and credence sent unto us in the person of our trustie and well beloved servant, Eamond Sexten, Mayor of that our cittie, your desire concerning the confirmation of your charter and libertyes, with certain additions in the specialities whereof, ye further instructed the same our servant concern- ing your faithfull loyal herts towards us, with your dilligent service to our good contentation and pleasure, like as for the same we give unto you our right harty and condign thankes. We be right favorable willing and inclyneable not only to yor said pursuits, but also shall be the semblable in all other your reasonable petitions. And for this tyme, in token of our favor towards you, we have written unto our deputie there that at his next repayre unto our prce, he shall leave one of our great pieces of ordinaunces, with shott and pouder necessary, in your custodye within that our cyttie, there to remayne, and be alwayes in a readj'ness for the adv-ance- ment of all enterprosses in those ptes, to be attempted and sett forwardes by your said servant and his coadjutor, our trustie and well beloved John Arthur FitzNicholas, one of your brethern of that your cittye. Byde unto them at all seasons, consellying, favouring, aveding and assist- ing to the best of yeur power, as our speciall trust in you. Given under our signet at our Manor of Westmr, the last day of May. To the Counsell and Corporation of our cittie of Lymericke. In addition to his other qualifications, Edmond Sexton was an author. He wrote e book by the King's commandment '' for the reformation of those parts," and among his papers were found the names of the castles, lands, rivers, creeks, important places, territories, lordsliips, with their lords, on each side of the Shannon to Loop Head. He stales that iu the Island of Innis- cattery, the merchants of Limerick dwelt, and had castles and store houses of their own inheritance — that there was an image of St. Senan in the island, which was regarded with the utmost devotion by the people, and a great old church, wherein woman never went since the time of St, Senan, with a provost as warden, who singly disbursed a hundred marks yearly. He recom- mends that a future church be built on the island. Moore wrote, or rather translated from the Latin, the beautiful and well-known verses " St. Senanus and the Lady." 88 HISTORY OF LLUERICK. CHAPTER XIII. SUCCESSES OF THE ENGLISH FRUITS OF THE REFORMATION. The events summarised in tlie last chapter occupy a period of between seven and eight years. ^ We need not refer to the extraordinary changesj which took place in consequence of these successes of the English in a coun- try where they had heretofore had little if any footing except within the waUs of the city where they had been endeavouring to establish themselves for some centuries before. In 1537, the Earl of Kildare, whose rebellion had caused sore annoyance to the government, and who is styled by the annalists " the best man of the English in Ireland of his time/^ and his father^s five brothers, namely, James, Oliver, John, Walter, and Eichard, were put to death in London ; all the Geraldines of Leinster were either exiled or put to the sword ; the Earldom of Kildare was vested in the King, and every one of the family who was apprehended, whether lay or ecclesiastic, was put to death. It appears from a letter written by Lord Thomas, to Rothe,2 that during his confinement he was treated with the greatest indignity —he was not permitted to enjoy the merest necessaries of life ; for his clothes, which were tattered, he was indebted to the charity of others, his feUow prisoners, who took pity on him. He wrote a letter to Eothe, in which the ■ following passage appears : — " I never had any mony sins I came into pryson, but a nobull, nor have I had neither hosyn, doublet, nor shoys, nor shyrt, but on [one] nor any other garment, but a synggle fryse gowne ; for a velve fyrryd wythe bowge, and so I have gone wolword and barefore, and bare- leggd, diverse times (when ytt hath not ben very warme) ; and so I shall have done styll, and now, but that pore prysoners, of their gentylnes, hath sumtyme geven me old hosyn, and shoys and old shyrtes." The grief and misery which prevailed throughout Ireland for the fall and extermination of the illustrious Geraldines of Leinster, were expressed in the loudest and most unmistakeable manner ; and to add to the sorrow with which the heart of the nation was stricken, it was just at this time that the '' Reformation^^ in England and in Ireland began to manifest the existence of its bitter fruits. The possessions of monks, canons, nuns, brethren of the cross — i.e., the crossed or crouched friars — and the four poor orders — i.e, the orders of Mi- nors, Preachers, Carmelites, and Augustinians — were suppressed, and their properties vested in the King.^ The monasteries were broken down ; the ' In the 3'ear 1585 M'Auliif of Duhallow, the ruins of whose castle may still be seen near Newmarket in the county Cork, gained a great battle, in which were slain the Lord of Claingais, or Clulish, a wild district in the Barony of Upper Connelloe in the South West of the county Limerick, with a large battalion of the Clan Sheehy, i.e. Mac Sheehy, who were of Scottish origin (see O'Donovan's Annals of the Four Masters, ad. an. 1535) and hereditary gallowglassea of Ireland. In this battle was slain Mael Murry, son of Brien M-Sweeny. * Lord Thomas Fitzgerald to Rothe — State Papers. ' The number of abbies which Henry VIII. possessed himself of in England was 645, which were levelled to the ground, and their lands and riches seized — there were 2,347 chapels and chantries in like manner destroyed, and their temporalities confiscated ; 1 10 hospitals, and about 100 colleges, together with their revenues, were also appropriated to the kings u.se. Such abbots as did not resign their abbies were cruelly put to death — viz. the abbots of Glastonbury, of Reading, of Gloucester, of Whately, of Gerveaux, of Sawley, and the Priors of Woburn and Burlington. With the spoils of St. Thomas of Canterbury's church alone there were twenty-six waggons, laden with the richest ornaments, plate, jewels, «S:c. There is no computing the enor- mous wealth which was thus taken possession of by the king to satiate his own brutal lust for plunder. In Ireland the abbies, convents, and priories, were in like manner handed over to the icing, and in 1541 these resignations were ratified and confirmed bj' the Irish Parliament. To appease the gentry of the nation, " lumping bargains" were given to them by the Crown of Church lands, and tiius interest quelled their complaints ; so that they beheld the ruins of the noble monasteries and convents founded by their forefathers for the service of God without remorse. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 89 roofs and bells were made away witli^ so that from Arran of the Samts to the Iceian Sea/ there was not one monastery that w^as not broken and shattered, with the exception of a few in Ireland^ of which the English took no heed — some of which appear not to have been known to them for a long time after this disastrous period, and in the neighbourhood of which the friars continued to live, as at Multifarnham, Ballyhaunis, &c., until a comparatively recent period.^ The Chief Justiciary, Gerald Aylmer, meantime arrived in Limerick, in the 33rd year of Henry's reign, and made an inquisition, with his fellow com- missioners, " touching some things taken up to the King's use at Limerick upon the suppression, and other crown matters." He ordered the mayor and bailiffs to come before him and his commissioners, and to summon "18 free and lawful men" of the baihwick on the Friday before St. Patrick's Day, to enquire into sundry matters. The inquisition was accordingly taken on the 13th of February, and the particulars of it, as we find them in the Arthur MSS., which go into many subjects in detail Avhich deserve to be put on record. These, which will be found in the note, will give some notion of the great riches with which the abbies and monasteries of these days were filled, before they fell a prey to the rapacious spoliation of the brutal and merciless Henry.' They have never, we believe, been hitherto published. With the exception of the Butlers, and very few others, there were none in favour of these proceedings. Many of the old statutes of Kilkenny for the extinction of friendships between " the Irishrie and Eughshrie," and the ' The name by which the ancient Irish writers called the sea that divides England from France. 2 Note in Annals of the Four Masters. ' An office declaring the possessions of the king's castle Lymerick, and touching some things taken up to the king's use uppon the suppression at Lymerick, and other crown matters. " Gerald Aylmer, knight, that is captain, and justiciary of our lord the king in the pleadings before the same lord and king in his land of Ireland, and to his fellow commissioners of our lord the king within the county of Limerick, as well within the liberties as without, to inquire about all singular treasons, murders, felonies, transgressions, and other offences whatever, within the aforesaid county, committed only whenever perpetrated, and the hearing and deciding same, and further proceeding as in the letters patent of the said lord our king, whence to me and my fellow commissioners aforesaid being (so) appointed is more fullj' contained. We command the mayor and bailiffs that they cause to come before the commissioners aforesaid, 18 free and lawful men of your bailiwick of the city aforesaid on the Friday before the feast of St. Patrick, Bishop, which is next to be, to enquire about articles touching our lord the king, and further to do what shall be given them in command; and that you have there the names of the said 18 men and this precept. Witness the aforesaid justiciary at Limerick, 8 day of March, in the 33rd year of the reign of King Henry VIII. The inquisition taken before the king's commrs. at Lymerick the Thursday next after Shrofft Tuesday which was the 1 3th day of Februarii in the 33 yeare of our Sovereign Lord, King Henry the Eighth, by the jurors following, David White, alderman, Thomas Young, alderman, Patrick Fanning, alderman, Stephen Creagh, alderman, William Fanning, alderman, Dominik White, alderman, David Ryce, George Stretch, Andrew Harrold, Stephen Comyn, James Creagh, William Verdon, Rowland Arthur, Thomas Long, Humphray Arthur, John Comyn. Wee find that the king's castle hath by the yeare ten pounds of the fee-farm of the citty of Lymerick which £10 Mr. William Wyse doth receive yearly as constable of the said castle under the king. Item wee do finde that there are twoe gardines adjoyninge to the south side of the Ilande pertayne- ing to the said king's castle which the said constable hath. Item more wee finde that the pasture and grazeing of the said iland appertayne to the said king's castle. The inhabitants of the said cittie having their ingress and regress for their pastyme therein without any interruption or lett. Item more wee doo finde that there belongeth to the said castle tenn shillings a yearely rent to the He weare which lyeth on the cast side of Corballj'. Item, we fynde that there belongeth to the said castle of every ship resorting to the said cittie, with wheate or salt, being noe freeman's goods of the same citty, one measure of salte, and one of wheate and of every boath or galey laden with heareings or oysters, as is aforesaid, one hundred of heareing, and one hundred of oysters goe laden. 90 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. annihilation of the Irish habit^ were ordered to be put in execution.' Harpers, Rhymers, Chroniclers, Bards, &c., were ordered to be set upon with unsparing vengeance. Silk and satin were forbidden to be Avom. The cele- brated image of the Blessed Virgin, which Archbishop Browne (the first of the English church archbishops of Dublin) called, in the language of the Item, wee finde that John Comyns house in the Key lane, do beare yearly to the house of Keilmanani, twoe shillings of yeaily rent and noe most. Item, wee finde that Patrick Fanning's house lynge in Creagh lane, doe bearre to the house of Keilmanam twelf pence of yearly rent. And of Patrick Lange's house, next unto the same of yearly rent twelf pence, and a gardine lyeing by the spitle twelf pence of yearly rent. Item, wee doe find that in the 30th yeare of King Henry the Eighth, Edmond, Archbishop of Cassell, and Walter Cowley, the king's solicitor taking uppon them to be the king's commissioners, did take of the image of the holly roods, shoes of silver, wheing twentie seaven unces troy weight wherein weare divers stones the value whereof wee cannot tell. And alsoe did take the image of our Ladj-e of the said church showes of silver weighing six unces with divers stones, and lifteene buthons of silver, valued at three shilling, 9d. str. And neyne crosses of silver, valued at neyne shillings. And a peare of beades of silver, weighing six unces. Item, the said commissioners did take of the black fryers of Lymerick the day and yeare above said Sanict Sunday, his showes of silver weighing tenn unces, with divers stones, the value whereof wee cannot tell. And 4 stones of cristall bound with silver to our estimation weighing 2 unces. And foure score pound of wax as wee doe think rather more than less, being in the said chappele then. And iron being in the said chappell to the sum of twentie stones, And above. Item, the 22nd day of Januarii, in the 32 yeare of our sovereigns Lord King Henry the Eighth, Mr. Eobert Saintlager did take both the greate bell and the small bell out of the same place. Item, we find that David Michell of Lymerick, marchant, have a challice of silver, of the grey fryars in his keeping, delivered unto him, by one John O'Linge, at that tyme fryer of the said house, which challice was delivered to Humphrey Sexten. Item, wee find that John Skeolan of Lymerick, merchant, have two candlesticks of brass, of the said abbey in gage they doe say. Item, wee find that John M'Skyddiy of Lymerick, taylor, have a booke of the said fryars in gage for eight pence. Item, wee find that Stephen Crevagh, hath certain glasses of the said fryars which he hath delivered to Humphray Sexten. Item, George Sexten hath a vestment of chamlet red with a cross of velvet thereon. Item, John P.j'ce hath a vestment of Ameistock of the said fryers. Item, Humphrey Sexten have received of Leonard Crevagh, one challice of silver of the grey fryers. Item, wee finde that Stephen Harrold have a gardine of the said fryers by lease for years, paying therefor yearly sixteene pounds which is within the churchyard of the said fryers. Item, Steephen Crevagh hath a particle of the same churchyard, and in lease for yeares paying therefor, yearlj', sixpence. And Christopher Crevagh hath the rest of the said churchyard by lease for years, paying yearly therefor, 2s. 8d. Item, Steephen Crevagh hath a garden of the said fryers, within the moore of the said fryers by lease, paying yearly therefor, 2s. Item, James Harrold hath a garden of the said fryers, by lease, paying therefor, yearly, 3s. 4d. Item, John Nagle hath a gardine within the precincts of the said freeres, by lease paying therefor, yearly, 3s. 4d. Item, John Nagle hath a little medowe of the said freeres, paying therefor, yearly, 3s. Item, more wee find that John Skoylane hath another gardine in the said moore, by lease, paying therefor, yearly, 23. Item, Nicholas Stretch hath a gardine by the little Hand by lease, paying yearly therefor, 8s. sterling. Item, Andrew Harrold hath a gardine in the said moore by lease, paying yearly therefor, 2. 4d. James Fox hath a garden hy lease and within the precincts of the freeres church, paying yearly therefor 8s. Item, Leonard Creagh hath another gardine payeing yearly therefor Is. Item, Dominick Comyn hath one stone house of the said freeres, named the fish house, by lease, paying therefor yearly sixteen pence. Item, John Nagle hath one other gardine within the said precinct by lease, payeing therefor j'earlie IGd. Item, John Stretch Fitzgeorge hath one other gardine by lease without the moore, paying yearly therefor 2s, More, the said John hath one house which did appertayne to the said freeres, by lease, payinge therefor 2s. Item, Christopher Crevagh hath one tenement or voj-de place by lease, payeing therefor yearley 4s. and another voyde place, payeing therefore yearly 8s. 4d. Item, wee fjTid that there are tenn acres of land in Lui- thagh, more the two parts of the teythe of the same in Theobot Boorke's country, and three acres in Brarnblock and twoe parts of the teythe of the same, and twoe acres in the great croft and the twoe parts of the teythe of the same, and tenn acres in Claishcuigilly with the 2 partes of the same, whych lands and teythes appertayne to the same freeres. Item, wee fynd that the church of ScaintePeter and the churchyarde of the same is a chappell in Keilrone,inO'Bryens countrye,and all lands and tenements within the cittie of Lymerick, appertayning to the saide Sainct Peters here- after followe. Item, wee find that Christopher Harrold hath one gardine and orchard by lease for certaine yeares paying therefor yearly 2s. And one house by lease which lease doth mansion that all rent thereof is payed before hand. Item, Elian Whyte widdowe hath one orcharde by lease payeing therefor yearly, 2s. And Elinor Arthur widdowe hath one gardine and one house » State Papers, Henry VIII. HISTOllT OF LIMERICK. 91 icoffer^ the " Idoll of Trjm/' and believed to perform wonders and mira- cles,^ this and " The Staff of Jesus/' or crozier of St. Patrick,^ were publicly burned. The persecution suffered during these terrible days by the Irish Cathohcs was not surpassed by that endured by the Church of Christ in its very ear- liest times at the hands of the Pagan Emperors of Eome, "so that it is im- possible to narrate or tell its description unless it should be narrated by one who saw it."^ In more remote and hidden places the monasteries, it is true, were not molested, simply because they were beyond the reach of the des- troyers, but for no other reason. The Lords of the Pale at this period felt that they must introduce Irish tenants ; they were not content with the English tillers of the soil, who could not live in penury or wretchedness as the Irish, but must sustain by lease payeing yearly 16d. Item, Oliver Arthur Fitzrobert, hath one gardine by lease, paying yearlie therefor 8d. Item, that Ellen Stacpol widdowe hath one gardine by lease paye- ing yearly 8d. Item, that Donogh O'Donnell hath one house bj' lease paj'eing yearly therefor, 16d. Item, there is half one plowland named Ballj'nagalleagh in the south side of the Curry there is underwood and pasture belonging to the same. Item, there is by Loughgair a towne called Ballynagalagh in the countye of Lymerick that pertayneth to the said nunnery and house of Keiloine aforesaid. Item, M'ee finde that one Michael Arthur, merchant, deceased the 10th day of May, 32nd yeare of King Henry the Eighth, and that one Morris Herbert, archdeacon of our laidies church of Lymerick, did refuse and would not take of one David Arthur, and Genett Whyte executor of the said Michael Arthur, but according as it hath been paid of ould time con- trary to the forme of the statute there in provided. Item, wee find that Tibbott Bourke of Caherkinlish in the county of Lymerick Gentl., the 10th day of Januarii, to 33 yeare of King Henry the VIII. and divers before and after did take of one William Young of Lymerick, mer- chant, for seaven loads of oaths, 7d. and so of divers others of the sayd cittie daylie. And of James Fox of the same for ten barrells of wyne departinge out of the same cittye into the countrie 2d. in extortion. Mahone O'Bryen of Carrigogunnel in the countie of Lymerick, gentl. did take of Domynick Whyte of Lymerick, niercht. the 10th daye of December, Sord Henrci 8, for 3 barrells of wyne 3d. and for ten barrell of Avyne 20d. and soe from day to day, from divers others of the said cittj^ in extortion. And so did Murrough MacMahon of Balliolman of Chris- topher Creagh Fitzpatrick of Lymerick, merchant, for custom of 2 hogsetts of hearings 3s. 8d. and for 5 dykers of hydes 7s. id. and of every boath that cometh to that cittye by his castle 7s. 4d. and soe of divers others. And O'Conoughour of Carigfoyle did take of John Streech Fitzgeorga for his ship coming to that citty 3s. 4d. and 20 gallouns of wyne, and soe of every ship that Cometh to that towne with wyne. Shiekus O'Cahaine of Keilruish in the countriey of Corkavaskin, the 10th day of December and 33rd H. 8, did take of every ship that cometh to that cittye and in especiall of John Fanning, 6s. 6d. by extortion. Donogh Gowe of Corrugraige, constable of the same under the Earl of Desmond, the 4th day of March and 33rd H. VIII. did take of Kobert Heay, of Lymerick, merchant, for his boath of oysters that came to the citty a hundred oysters, and soe of every boath that cometh likewise. Darmitius M'Morrough of Finies, the 10th day of Februarii, and 33rd of Henry VIII. did take of William Yong of Lymerick, merchant, for one boath passing by the castle of Ffinies, 12 gallons of wyne and eight gallons of hony, and of every boath that passeth by the same, to the said citty. Item, Fineen M'Namara, and Taig M'Namara did daiely take of every barrell of wyne that passes out of the said cittie into the countrey b}' them 2d. and of every cow and horse passing by them to the said citty, 2d. and the tenth parte of all Linnen cloath passing by them to the said citty, and of every man passing by them to the said citty havinge a capp on his head, 6s. 8d. in extreame manner. Alsoe O'Bryen, doth levye and take all such things as aforesaid, except the 6s. 8d. for the capp. Item, in tyme past the Earls of Ormond and of Desmond have used such like customes which nowe they be content to remitt. Item, Donogh O'Bryen doth take of every pack that passeth from Lymerick to Waterfourd, 20d. and of every horse.load of wares coming from Waterfourd to Lymerick 5d. And that the said Donnogh the loth day of Januarii last past tooke from John Harold, Nicholas Harold, Patricke Kochfort, and Kichard Verdon for packs aleaven duccats and soe of divers others." ' " This image," say the annalists, " used to heal the blind, and the deaf, and the crippled, and persons afflicted with all sorts of diseases." 2 This staff was said to have been received by St. Patrick from a hermit in an island of the Etruscan sea, to whom it was delivered, as was believed, by the Redeemer himself, whence the name " Bachall Isa," and was in Dublin performing miracles from the time of St. Patrick down to that day, and had been in the hands of Christ whilst he was amongst men. — Note in Annals of Four Masters. • Annals of the Four Masters. 92 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. themselves and '' keep honest residence ;" and it became a matter of grievous complaint that they were obliged to chose those who could neither speak the Enghsh language^ nor " wore cap or bonnet/^ In the year 1540 Murrogh O'Brien and the chiefs of Thomond, by the consent and permission of the superiors of the order of St. Francis^ bestowed the monastery of Clonroad on the friars of the Observance/ but wherever the English extended their power, they persecuted and banished the religious orders, and in tliis year the monastery of Monaghan was destroyed, and the guardian and some of the friars were beheaded. Whilst the common enemy was thus at work, the old intestine divisions and wars continued to prevail among the leaders of the people. So general were these wars, that the death '^in his bed" of Torlough O'Brien, in 1542, at Inchiquin,2 is specially mentioned, he being "the most expert man at arms, the most famous and illustrious of his years, in his time.''^ The progress of the Reformation was slow, but the plunder of church property and the destruction of churches, went on unchecked, and many rehcs of older times were brought to light.' The Geraldines again gave trouble to the Government in revenge of their expulsion from theii' patrimony. The Lord Justice (St. Ledger) going into Offally, wrought vengeance upon them — he burned churches and monasteries, destroyed crops and corn, proclaimed O'Connor and O'jMorc traitors, and confiscated their territories to the King.'* In 1547, just m the crisis of troubles and misfortmics, Maurice Russell of Dublin, gentleman, was appointed curator, bailiff, commissioner, or trustee of the city of Limerick during pleasure, with the like fees as John White or any other received in said office, and the yearly sum of 40s. sterhng out of the fee farm of the city, and was again so appointed the 10th August, 1549. In 1547 Hemy VIII. died, and Edward VI. ascended the throne on the day of his father's death, viz. 28th of January, 1547. Henry was styled " Defender of the Eaith," for his book against Luther, yet in the two and twen- tieth year of his reign he issued a proclamation, that no person should purchase anything from the Court of Rome ; in the three and twentieth the clergy submitted themselves to the King for being found guilty of a pre- munire, and were the first that called him supreme head of the Chui'ch, yet with this restriction, so far as it was in accordance with God's word and not otherwise; and he proceeded from bad to worse, until in his thirty-fifth year all colleges, chantries and hospitals were given up to him.^ Notwithstanding ' Annals of the Four Masters. * The castle at this lake, which was built by the head of the O'Briens sometime after the expulsion of the family of O'Quin. 3 In breaking down a part of Christ Church, Dublin, in the year 1545, a stone coflSn was dis- covered in which the body of a bishop, in his episcopal dress, with ten gold rings on his ten lingers and a gold meys chalice standing beside his neck. The body lay in a hollow, so cut by a chisel, in the stone as to fit its shape ; it was taken up, all parts adhering together, and placed in a standing position, supported against the altar, and left there for some time ; no part of the dress had faded or rotted, and this was regarded as a great sign of sanctity. — Annah of Hit Four Masters. * Cox remarks of the state of education at this time, that "most of the letters of the great Irish lords (even some of English extraction) are subscribed with a mark, very few of them being able to write their names. Most of the Irish chieftains neither understood nor sought to under- stand the English language, and carried on their correspondence in Latin, supplied by the Catholic clergy." Cox errs in some respects, as O'Neill and other Irish lords unquestionably wrote their names. » Sir R. Baker's Chronicle, p. 425. HlSTORif OF LIMERICK. 93 these enoiiiious confiscations, Cox^ adds that the necessities of the State obhged the King to coia brass or mixed moneys, and to make it current in Ireland by proclamation, to the great dissatisfaction of all the people, especially the soldiers.^ This base money was circulated in Limerick as well as elsewhere.' At this time the power of the English was very extensive in Ireland ; " so that the bondage in which the people of Leath-]\Ihoga were, had scarcely been ever equalled before that time/''* Just at this time Sir Wnham Brabazon, Lord Justice, who was elected by the Council, com- mitted the government of Tipperary to Edmond Butler, Archbishop of Cashel, and made a journey to Limerick, where Teig O^Carroll submitted, and entered into covenants of paying a yearly tribute into the Exchequer, and of serving the King with a certain number of horse and foot at his own charge, and of renouncing his pretensions to the barony of Ormond ; and afterwards the same Teig O'Carroll surrendered to the King his country of Ely O^Carroll, containing ninety-three plowlands and a half ; and the King regranted the same to him, and created him Baron of Ely. By O^Carroll's means, Mac Murrough, O'Kelly, and 0^]\lelaghhn, were now taken into protection and pardoned ; and by the Lord Deputy^s mediation, the Earls of Desmond andTliomond who were wrangling about bounds, and the protection of each other's Tories or outlaws, were reconciled on the 11th of March.^ On the 4th of November, Charles Mac Art Kavenagh made his submission to the Lord Deputy at Dublin, in presence of the Earls of Desmond, Thomond, Clanrickard and Tyrone, and the Lords Mountgarrett, Dunboyne, Cahir, and Ibracan, renounced the name of Mac Murrough, and parted with some of his usurped jurisdiction and estate.^ O^Carroll, however, did not long remain quiet. In this same year he burned Nenagh upon the "Red Captam,'"^ and the monastery of Tyoue also. He destroyed the town from the fortress out. He set fire to the monastery of Abington in the county of Limerick, banished the Saxons out of it,^ created great confusion among them, by which he weakened their power and " diminished their bravery," so that he ordered them all out of his country, except a few warders who were at Nenagh ui the tower of Mac Manus.^ The Lord Justice (Brabazon) being m Limerick, held a great court, at which the Mayor Avas present, and took part in it as one of the Judges or Commissioners. In 1551, Edmond Butler, Archbishop of Cashel, and son of Pierce, Earl of Ormond, to whom the government of Tipperary had been committed a few years before, died; and Murrough O'Brien, Earl of Thomond, as he was styled by the English, and king,^° but styled O'Brien according to the custom of the Irish, died — he was the first man of the race of O'Brien ' Cox's Hibernia Anglicana. - In the time of Henry VIII. the discovery of the American gold mines made a great change in the value of money ; his Chief Baron of the Exchequer had a salary of £100 a year; the Barons, £46 13s. 4d. each ; and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, then a less important per- sonage than he now is, had Jt26 13s. 4d. a year. 3 It breaks and moulders away after very little handling ; it is called copper bj- the Four Wasters, who add that "the men of Ireland were obliged to use it as silver." — Annah of the Four Afaslers. * Annals of the Four Masters. * Cox's Hibernia Anglicana, p. 287. * Ibid. 7 Annals of the Four Masters, en an 1548. * Ibid. ' This was the name of tlie massive tower now called the " Round" of Nenagh ; who this Mac Manus was it is impossible to say, — Dr. O'Donovan's note in Annals of the Four Masters. Conld it be " Magnus?" '0 Annals of the Four Masters. 94 HISTORT OF LIMERICK. who was styled Earl, — " a man valiant in making and puissant in sustain- ing an attack, influential, rich and wealthy/-*' Donough O'Brien succeeded him ; he had a contest with his uncle Daniel, who claimed the Estate by Tanistry ; by the mediation of the Lord Deputy they came to an agreement, when an Indenture Tripartite was made between the Deputy, the Earl, and Daniel O'Brien : the Indenture bears date. May 7th, 1552^. It had but a temporary effect ; the Earl of Thomond and his uncles Donald and Turlogh were again in arms ; they took Clonroad ; the earl defended the castle for a time ; but not long after he was murdered by Donald, his uncle, and the annalists add, that Dermot O'Brien died on the eve of St. Bridget and was buried in the monastery of Ennis. If Edward VI. did no good to Limerick, he endeavoured to show his partiaUty for it by granting a charter to the city. CHAPTER XIV. LIMERICK UNDER QUEEN MARY AND ELIZABETH. THE WARS OF THE DESMONDS. THE BUTLERS AND THE o'bRIENS. CONFISCATIONS, ETC. The news of the accession of Queen Mary to the throne of England was received with joy by the citizens of Limerick, who hoped that they might participate in the full fruition of their civil and religious rights and immu- nities.^ Casey,* who had been the first Protestant Bishop of the see, now fled beyond the seas, imitating, in this respect, the conduct of Bale, Bishop of Ossory. Hugh Lacy, or Lees, was constituted by the Pope, Bishop of Limerick, and an immediate change in the aspect of affairs was apparent. A Parliament was held in Dublin, commenc- ing on the 19th of June, 1557, and on the 2nd of July was adjourned to • Cox's Hibernia Anglicana, p. 292. 2 Sullivan mentions a curious fact whicli is quoted by Cox, in continuation of the wars between Daniel O'Brien and the Earl of Thomond in reference to the estates. He states that the Lord President Fitton got Daniel O'Brien into Limerick upon his oath that he would give him free and easy egress out of the gates ; but the sophistical Englishman turned him out of the wrong gate (" so that there was the river Shenin between him and his army which was encamped in Thomond" and immediately sent the young earl to take possession of the country, which he did; and Daniel, who was so brave a man that many of the old and new Irish courted him to be king of Ireland) was forced to lie that tempestuous night in a cabbin ; but when, according to the Irish fashion, he thought to lead his horse to stable in the same house with himself, the proud beast scorned to stoop, until the footboy whispered the horse in the ear and told him that his master O'Bryan would lodge that night in that cabbin, and desired that he would lower his crest and his crupper, and creep into the house to keep his master company; and the horse being well bred did comply in matter of ceremony ; but when he came to supper he was at a loss, for he was used to wheat, and could not conform to country entertainment, until the footboy whispered him once more that his master O'Bryan, who fed on oaten cake, did command Eosinante to be content with the same fare, and then he fell to it. s Arthur MSS. * The Right Hon. Wm. Monsell, M.P., is a descendant of Bishop Casey, as is also Sir Vere de Vere, Bart.— rCotton's Fasti. Cotton adds that the Duke of Buckingham is also one of Bishop Casev's descendants. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 95 10th of November to Limerick, and from Limerick, to the 1st of March in the following year, to Drogheda. The statutes of this Parliament enacted that all heresies should be punished, that all acts against the Pope made since 20th Henry 8th, should be repealed, &c. Sullivan (Catholic History, p. 81) gives every credit to Mary for propagating and supporting the old faith ; but he adds that although the Queen was zealous, her ministers did not forbear to injure and abuse the Irish.* Towards the close of her Majesty's reign, the Lord Deputy, Sussex, arrived to suppress a revolt of some inferior branches of the O'Brien family against their chief. Sussex mustered an army to march into Munster, and 0''Erien another to oppose him ; they, however, made peace ; and on this occasion, Connor O^Brien, the earl and the freeholders of Thomond, after service in the cathedral church of St. Mary, swore fealty to the crown of England : "the Irish, from the Barrow to the Shannon, on the part of O'Brien, and the Eng- lish of Munster on the part of the -Lord Justice.'^^ Sussex brought over with him five hundred soldiers and an order to coin brass money, and to make it current by proclamation, which was done.^ On the 14th of «rune, he came to Limerick, and advanced afterwards to Thomond. Scattering his foes, he took the castles of Bunratty and Clare, and restored the country to the Earl of Thomond, who, together with the freeholders, swore, on Sunday the 10th of July, on the sacrament, and by all the rehcs in the church — ^book, bell, and candle light, to continue loyal to the Queen and to perform their agreements with the Lord Deputy.* The progress of Sussex was not con- jfined to this triumph — the Earl of Desmond made his submission on the 21st of June, and to strengthen the bonds of fealty and friendship, the Deputy, on the 26th, became godfather to the Earl's son, whom he named James Sussex, and gave the child a chain of gold, and gave another chain and pair of gilt spurs to Dermot McCarthy of Muskerry.^ In this year, Turlough O'Brien, son of Turlough, son of Teigh-an-Chomaid,*^ died. Queen Mary died in the following year, and was succeeded by Queen Eliza- beth, during whose eventful reign some of the most startling events in our local annals occurred, and first among them the lamented death of James, Earl of Desmond, of whom it is said " the loss of this good man was woeful to his country, for there was no need to watch cattle or close doors, from Dun- quin, west of Ventry, in Kerry, to the green-bordered meeting of the three waters,^ on the confines of the province of Eochaidh, the son of Lucta and ' Quce tamcBtsi Caiholicam religionem tueri et amplificare conata est, ejus tamen prcefecti et Concillarii injurias Eyhernis inferi non desisterunt. Sullivan speaks -with great truth when he refers to the conduct of Mary's ministers and councillors in Ireland ; they were as fierce and implacable against the old Irish race as any of their predecessors ; and the annals are full of the misdeeds of Sussex against many of the ancient possessors of the land, whom he treated with unexampled oppression and cruelty. 2 O'Donovan's Annals of the Four Masters, cir an 1555. ' Sussex's advent in Ireland is stated by the native annalists to have been followed by the most fearful disasters. He polluted the temples of God throughout Ireland ; he uprooted and overturned the altars wherever he met them ; he expelled the orthodox bishops and the clergy, and all members of religious houses ; he drove out the nuns from their sanctified retreats, and introduced the Lutheran religion, the Lutheran liturgy, and the heterodox faith, wherever he could. — Arthur MSS. * These are the words of the herald's certificate. ' Cox's Hibernia Anglicana, p. 307. * Coad, a townland containing the ruins of a small church near Corofin, Co. Clare. 7 Anuals of the Four Masters. 96 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Leinster."' He died at Askeaton on the 14th of October in this year,* and was succeeded by his son Garret. In this year also^ Donnall O^Brien of Thomond was banished from his patrimony by the Lord Justice. The chief towns of Thomond and not only these^ but the entire country as well waste lands as inhabited lands, were placed by the English in the hands of the son of Donough O'Brien who was ajDpointed Earl — and he was the first of the race of Gas who was popularly called Earl.3 Terrible was the commotion in consequence ; for nothing went more to the hearts of the people than an indignity of this kind.* In 1559, Gonor, Earl of Thomond, sat before luchiquin, to oppose the sons of Murrogh O'Brien. Donough, one of the sons of Murrogh was in the town, but Teigh, the other son of Murrough had been constantly in the company of the Earl of Desmond, since the expulsion of Donald O'Brien up to that period. Teigh made a sad complaint of his condition to the Earl of Desmond who assembled his troops and crossed the Shannon. The Earl of Thomond, leaving the camp at Inchiquin empty, proceeded to ask assistance from his trusty friend the Earl of Clanrickarde, which bemg granted, he did not halt until he arrived at the green of Inchiquin, and he returned back the same night to Ballyally. The camps of the Earls were not far asunder on that night. On the morrow, Desmond rose early, and marshalled his youthful warriors. They skirmished and fired on each other until they reached the top of KnockEurchailP where fatebroughtthemtogether,and victory afterafearfulfight declared in favor of Desmond. Gontemporaneously with this event O'Carroll, in accordance with the custom that every Irish chieftain thought it a duty to perform a predatory excursion as soon after his inauguration as possible, made his Captain's first expedition against Turlough Mac I Brien of Arra, on which occasion, he totally devastated and ravaged the country from Ballina, near KiUaloe, to O'Hogan^s mill, near Ardcroney.^ On the same day he slew Morrough Maclbrien, a distinguished Gaptain. In revenge the Maclbrien proceeded soon afterwards to ravage Ikerrin, in Tipperary ; but in this expechtion he was overthrown ; O'GarroU approached in battle order, dispersed the guards of the Maclbriens, not one of whom escaped by flight, took Maclbrien prisoner, who was not set at Hberty until he had paid ransom.' The rebellion of Gerald, the 16th Earl of Desmond, which brought him and Ms family to ruin, not content with his peaceable settlement in the Earldom, began about this time. His first disturbances were (in 1564) against the Earl of Ormond.^ These Earls were ordered to England, and bound by ' The Suire, Barrow, and Nore, below the city of Waterford. 2 Smith's History of Kerry, p. 253. 3 Though Murrogh O'Brien was created earl for life, in 1543, he was never called earl by th» people. * Annals of the Four Masters. * Spancil-hill, Co. Clare. « Annals of the Four Masters. ' One of the castles of the Mac I Brien, or the ruins of it, may yet be seen at Ballina. ® Sir .John Davis says, the first occasion of his rebellion grew from his attempt to charge the Decies in the county of Waterford with coiyii and livery, black rents and cosheries, after the Irish manner, when he was resisted by the said earl, who fought him a pitched battle at Affane* in th.it county, on the 15th of February, 15(J1, when he was taken prisoner and lost a considerable number of his followers. — Smith's History of Kerr ij^ p. 254. * * Affane. — Tliis place was granted, together with other places, to Sir Walter Raleigh. It was here that he grew the first cherries, as it was in Youghal that he grew the first potatoes. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 97 recognizances in chancery of twenty thousand pounds to stand by the queen's award.' By the dissensions between the Earls of Ormond and Desmond, Munster was almost ruined, especially Tipperary and Kerry. The barony of Ormond was overrun by Pierce Grace ; and Thomond was as bad as the rest by the wars between Sir Daniel O'Brien and the Earl of Thomond.^ Hooker states that there was now no religion ; he means of course amongst those who, in the name of religion, perpetrated unheard-of iniquities. A great battle was to be fought between the Earls of Desmond and Ormond, concerning certain lands in dispute about the Suir and Cashel. The place selected was Boher- more, near Tipperary town ; immense numbers of their respective English and Irish neighbours crowded together from Cork to the Barrow, and from Logh Garman,^ "to the wide, foamy harbour" of Limerick.'* But "When the hosts came front to front and face to face, the Great God sent the angel of peace to them, so that concord was estabhshed between the hosts ; for, having reflected on the dreadful consequences of the battle, they parted without commg to any engagement on that occasion.''® Soon after this event, Teige, the son of Murrough O'Brien, was taken prisoner at Limerick, by order of the Lord Justice, and sent to Dublin to be imprisoned, and it was universally said at the time that the Earl of Thomond had a hand in his capture.^ Teige escaped from his bondage two years afterwards, when meeting Donald O'Brien, who had exerted himself to set aside the Earldom of Thomond before Connor's accession, united in opposition to the Earl, who raised many encampments against them; but the result of the fighting was that the Earl's people were defeated, many of them slain, and Brien, who was taken, was not given up until Shallee, in the barony of Lichiquin, was given to Teige by way of ransom. Ballycarr, the residence of the sons of Murrough, was afterwards taken and demolished by the Earl, who had brought ordnance and forces from Limerick for that purpose.^ It was in this year that the magnificent abbey and abbey lands of Cor- comroe, with their rents and customary services, and acquirements of land in the territories of Thomond, and its church livings, were given to DonneU O'Brien, as a compensation for the lordship of Thomond, to which he would have succeeded by Tanistry.® The citizens of Limerick, now aided the Lord Deputy, Sir Henry Sidney ; to the number of three hundred of them joined his forces in apprehend- ing the Earl of Desmond at KilmaUoch, where for a short time the Earl was imprisoned, and thence conveyed into Limerick, where he was indicted for levying war against the Queen. His brother John was knighted, and made Seneschal of Desmond.^ This was the first occasion on which Sidney visited Limerick — he had been some time previous occupied elsewhere in his en- deavours to suppress the Desmond Eebellion. Queen Ehzabeth wrote an obscure letter to him, all m her own hand, in reference to the disputes of the Desmonds and Ormonds, and this letter is printed in Smith's History of Kerry, pp. 256-7. On the 24th of September in the next year (1565) Arnold, Justiciary of Ireland, by consent of the Secretary of the Council, commanded the Mayor, Bailiffs, and citizens of Limerick, that they should observe the solemn injunc- ' Cox's Hibernia Anglicana, p. 320. 2 n,;,}. 3 xhe Irish name of Wexford. * Annak of the Four Masters. * Ibid. « Ibid. ' Ibid, ad an. 1564. * The English, to pacify him, bestowed these gifts upon him, as also such lands as descended ta himself by gavelkind, and such as he had poseeBsion of in any other way. — Annals of Four Masters. " Cox's Hibernia Anglicana, p. 325. 98 UISTORY OF LIMERICK. tions of Sussex, lately Yiceroy of Ireland, recently given to tliein by his letters, by which he cautions them that they should not dare, even in the slightest particular, to sell any one of the ancient commonage lands, but that they should preserve them entire to be expended in the public service and requirements . ' At this period a very remarkable man lived in Limerick, and taught school. This was John Goode, a Catholic Priest, of the order of Jesus, some time educated at Oxford. He was a man of extraordinary erudition, and gave great aid to Camden in that portion of his Britannia which treats of Ireland, " 'Tis strange^^ (says Nicholson) that a writer so much honoured by this great British antiquary, who gives a high character of this gentleman's modesty and learning, should be overlooked by Sir James Ware and the Oxford antiquarians. "2 Gerald, the Earl of Desmond, was removed from Limerick to London by the intrigues of Ormonde, and imprisoned in the tower, where were also confined at the time, the Baron of Dungannon, O'Connor Sligo, O'Carrol, and other Irish chiefs, most of whom made submission to the Queen in 1568, when they were enlarged. Sidney visited Limerick a second time in 1569, where he established Sir John Perrot in the office of President of Munster. In CoUins' State Papers it is said that the city was in a wasted condition at this time, and that the Deputy recommended the building of a bridge here — most likely it was in consequence of his recommendation that Thomond Bridge underwent some repairs.^ Sidney's anxiety respecting bridge-building did not rest with recommendations — he built the bridge of Athlone in 1568.^ ' Arthur MSS. * Nicholson's Irish Historical Library. 3 A highly curious inquisition was taken at this time in Limerick touching the marriage of the Earl of Clanrickarde with Grany O'Karwell, or O'CarroU. It is thus stated in Morrin's Calendary of the Patent and Close Kolls of Chancery : — 1566 — 9th Elizabeth. Depositions of witnesses taken before the King's Deputy and the Coun- cil at Limerick, 5th October, 36th Henry VIII., touching the marriage of the Earl of Clanrick- ard with Grany O'Karwell : — Hugh MacDonnell MacEgan, Brehon of Cloughketinge, in Ormond, saith "he heard Molrone O'Karwell say, when the late Earl of Clanrickard, then called Ulick Bourke, came to marry Grany, the O'Karwell's daughter, for that he thought he would give up the said Granj^, before he should marry her in the face of the church, he would himself see the marriage solemnised between ; and at the same time, deponent being at Modergime (Modereeny ?) saw them go to church to be married, and saw them likewise come from the church ; and further, heard those that were in the church say that the marriage was performed and done accordingly, howbeit he saw it not done himself." Teige Oge M'Gilyfoj'le deposed " that he was present at the mass, and saw solemnly married, in the face of the Church, and kneeling before the high altar, saw the Earl kiss the Priest and then the said Grany ; and being in the churcli when the mass time, saw them go out together, and the next day they departed thence.'' Shanet McDono- noghe MacDermot Mycke Gilyfoile agrees in all things with the second deponent, mutatis mutandis. Sir Adam Oge O'Hyran, priest, saith, " that at the solemnization of the marriage he was chaplain to the O'Karwell, and that it was he that said the mass, and coupled them together by the laws of Holy Church, being there divers other priests, gentlemen and horsemen, during the solemnization." — Oct. 5 36° Henry VIII. (Morrin's Calendary of the Patent and Close Kolls, Chancery, Ireland, p. 504.) * The old bridge, which was surmounted by the ancient " Queen's Arms," had a compartmented stone facade, containing, amongst other inscriptions, one coramemmorating the building of this bridge by Sidney, and the beheading of the " arch tray tor Shane O'Neill," as the sculptor desig- nated the haughty and unbending Shane na Dinis. This stone is now in the R.I. A., to which it was presented by Mr. John Long, C.E., when building the new bridge at Athlone. William Englebert, a famous Engineer, v/ho was born at Sherborne, got from Queen Elizabeth for his services, 1588, a pension of 100 marks per annum. King James would not permit him to serve any foreign prince. He died in 1G34 at Westminster.* It is not improbable that this engineer built, or gave the designs for the bridges on the Shannon at Limerick and Athlone, for Sir Henry Sydney, then Lord Justice of Ireland. The annals give the building of Athlone Bridge under date 1568, as follows: — " The Bridge of Athlone was built by the Lord Justice of Ireland, i.e.. Sir Henry Sydney." Bridges over so large a river were at that time regarded as works of great magnitude, and doubtless the best engineering skill then available was secured to advise on the erection of these bridges across the Shannon. * Fuller s Wurtliies, Vol. 2, p. 3GG. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 99 CHAPTER XV. PROGRESS OF SIR H. SIDNEY. EXTRAORDINARY CUSTOMS OF THE IRISH. THE deputy's VISIT TO LORD POWER AT CURRAGHMORE. BATTLE OF MANISTER, &C. In 1568 Sir Henry Sidney, Lord Deputy, held a parliament, in which a subsidy of 13s. 4d. was granted out of every occupied plough-land in Ireland, except those belonging to the Corporations of Dublin, Limerick, Cork and Waterford, and the chief government was to present to all church dignities, the cathedrals of Cashel, Limerick, Cork and Waterford excepted.^ In 1569 Limerick was one of the first places where the acts and ordinances of the remarkable parliament held this year were ordered to be proclaimed. In the coui'se of a great hosting which Sidney made in the same year, he proceeded from Cork to Limerick, demolished some of the towns of Munster between those cities, and next proceeded to Connaught, and reduced to " obedience" aU the country to Limerick, naming Sir Edward Phitun (Fitton) President — the first President that ever was named in that country. Limerick at this time was in a wasted condition. In the next year foUowuig the Deputy received the submission of MacIBrien Arra, who, m consequence, was confirmed in the possession of aU his " manors, castells, lordshipps, signiories, rules, hereditaments, commodities, and profits, with all and singular appurtenances^'' in DuhaUow. These expeditions were successful.^ It was about this period that Clare was made a portion of the province of Con- naught. The deputy visited Limerick a second time in 1575, and was enter- taiaed with more pomp than anywhere else.' Here he kept sessions, and observed the same methods he did at Cork ; he then marched into Thomond, in which, though it had formerly belonged to the English lords of Clare, and was inhabited by many English, now not a man of Enghsh extraction was to be found, and even the O'Briens, though very near relatives, were inveterate enemies one to the other ; the country was entirely wasted, and innumerable complaints of murder, rape, burning, robbery, and sacrilege were made to the deputy,* who imprisoned the Earl of Thomond and Teig Mac Murrough until they gave bonds and hostages of their good behaviour ; he kept the earl's brother in irons, made Sir Donald O'Brien sheriff, left a provost marshal and a garrison among them at their request and charge ; and upon shewing them that the uncertainty of their tenures was the cause of aU their disturbances, they promised to surrender their estates and take patents ac- cording to law. Having effected these objects he proceeded to Galway.^ Sir John Perrott, who in 1572, had been appointed Lord President of Munster, had so effectually proceeded in the interest of Elizabeth, that James Eitzmaurice, of Desmond, was compelled to submit to him at KH- malloch, which town on 4th of March before he had burned and plundered, having executed the sovereign and several of the townsmen, Fitzmaurice ' Cox's Hibernia Anglicana, Vol i., p. 330. * The letters patent passed to Mac I Brlen are duly enrolled among the patents of 120 izabeth. ' Cox's Hibernia Anglicana, p. 345. * Ibid. ' Cox's Hibernia Anglicana, p. 345. 100 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. made his submission in the Church, lying prostrate at the President's feet, who held the point of the sword at his heart, in token that he had received his hfe at the queen's hands.* Extraordinary customs prevailed in this reign, if we are to credit contem- porary witnesses. At the execution of Murrogh O'Brien, " a notable traytor" at Limerick, the foster mother of the unfortunate Murrogh took up the head, sucked the blood as it flowed from it, and stated, that the earth was not worthy to drink it. She then steeped her face and breast in the reeking gore, and tore her hair, crying and shrieking most terribly. ^ We will not follow the Deputy to Gal way, which he describes not flatter- ingly, neither shall we go through those still continued and apparently endless wars of the Desmonds and O'Briens, which fill so vast a space in the annals of these eventful times. During the Mayoralty of Roger Everard the Deputy arrived, as we have seen, in Limerick, and Ferrar, who is fol- lowed by Fitzgerald, erroneously states, on the authority of the Davis MSS. that it was in this year that the sword of state was carried before the Mayor, and that the Cap of maintenance was for the first time worn. The sword had been sought for in the reign of Henry VIII. but refused ; Elizabeth, however, in her charter, which she granted to Limerick in 1582, and not in 1575, not only bestowed the sword, but gave the "hatte of mayntenance" also. For this most important charter see Appendix. During Sir Henry Sidney's visit to Limerick he addressed a letter to the Lords of the Council in England, which supplies some interesting details, illustrating the state of the south of Ireland at this period. The letter is dated Limerick 27th of February, 1575-6, and after giving an account of his arrival in Waterford, after his tour in Ulster and Leinster in all which places he met with a very favourable reception, proceeds to describe his visit to Lord Power at Curraghmore, where he was entertained " with plenty and good order," and where he found the tenants in a condition which would be considered enviable at the present day, for though the soil is stated to be much worse than in the county Kilkenny, " yet his tenants made more of one acre of land than there was made of three acres in that country or was made in the Decies, the lordship near adjoining him on the other side ; and the reason was that he suffered no idlers in his county, nor the better sort to oppress each other." From Curraghmore the Lord Deputy proceeded to Dungarvan Castle, where the Earl of Desmond waited on him, humbly offering him any service that he was able to do the queen. From Dungarvan the Deputy passed into Sir John of Desmond's country, in the county of Cork, from which he proceeded to Lord Barry's, and on the 28th of December, arrived at Cork, where he was received " with aU the joyfulness, tokens and shews they could express, and diet and lodge six weeks for half their pay." Here he was waited on by the chief men of the province, all of whom, the letter states, offered all fealty, homage and service to her Majesty, and to hold their lands of her and yield her both rent and service. After having.settled matters at Cork, he proceeded towards Limerick and was two nights entertained at Lord Roche's. At Limerick he was attended by 1 Smith'8 History of Kerry, pp. 262-3. 2 Spencer's Yi^ v of Irelnini. p. 104 ; he .idfl"! that the old Gauls used to drink their enemy's blood, and paint themselves with it, and that the iri^h drank the blood of their friends. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 101 several lords and gentlemen^ and was received with much greater magnificence than he had hitherto seen in Ireland. Here as elsewhere, the local notables who visited him, complained bitterly of the misery and waste of the country by their great men, and begged for an English force to protect them, and Eng- lish Sheriffs to execute the laws, offermg to surrender their lands and hold them of the queen. The letter mentions amongst his visitors the Bourkes, Sup- ples, Purcells, the " Red Roches,^^ and divers original Irish, as O'Moylau, MacBrien, Ogoonah, MacIBrien Arra, O^Brien of Aherlow, on the South side of the Shannon, and many other personages of distinction. The Earls of Ormond and Upper Ossory also waited on him, the latter of whom he had left governor of the English Pale during his absence, and found kept in good order, Ulick and John Bourke, sons of the Earl of Clanrickarde, also waited on the Deputy, having received their pardon and being ordered to meet him at Galway. The Earl of Thomond, the letter continues, and all the principal gentlemen of his name, though enemies to each other, with. two Lords in Thomond called Macnamara, also came and made the same complaints as the others ; but the counties of Kerry and Tipperary being Palatinates the Lord Deputy did not visit, " but thinks that no perfect refor- mation could be in Munster until these grants were resumed" — so far Sir Henry Sidney^s letter. The palatine authority here referred to was about tliis period pleaded by the Earl of Desmond, who had been nominated one of the Council of Sir William Drury, who in the year 1576, was appointed Lord President of Munster on the return of Sir John Perrott to England, as a prehminary step towards the reform of the Province. The new President proceeded to extend his jurisdiction into Kerry, notwithstanding Desmond's plea and subsequent appeal to the Chief Governor ; and there, after a short struggle with the Earl's followers, he proceeded at once to execute the law without any further obstruction. In the year 1576, Thomond according to the annals of the Pour Masters was separated from Connaught and jomed to Munster. The annals for the year 1577, which is memorable for the massacre of the men of Leix and some of the Keatings at Mullaghmast by the English, aided, some say, by the ©""Dempseys, mention a visit paid to Thomond at this period by the Lord President, accompanied by a great multitude of the Enghsh and the chiefs of the two provinces of Munster, on which occasion he held a court for eight days at Ennis, and " the Dalgais having refused to become tributary to their sovereign, he left,"*' says the annalist, " a marshal with a vigorous and merciless body of troops to reduce them. The President then returned to Limerick, and proceeded to behead the chieftains and rebels of the districts adjacent to Limerick : amongst these was Murrough the son of Murtough, son of Mahon, son of Donough, son of Brian Duv O'Brien, the most re- nowned and noble of the heirs of Carraigh O'Coinnell and Eatherlah," now Carrick O'Gunnell and the Glen of Aherlow, in the county of Tipperary.' In this year Thomas Leary, Catholic Bishop of Kildare died in banish- ment. ^ The Earl of Thomond, Conor O'Brien, m the same year, according to the annals of the Four Masters, went to England to complain to the queen of his distresses and oppression, and obtained a charter of his territory and towns, and also a general pardon for his people. He received great honor ' Annals of the Four Masters. 2 Kothe's Analecta. 102 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. and respect from Elizabeth^ but he was disappointed in his expectations that thenceforward his territory would be free from the unjust jurisdiction of the Marshal, who before the EarPs return had unposed a severe burden on the people, so that they were obliged to become tributary to the sovereign, paying ten pounds for every barony. " This^-" adds the annalist " was the first tri- bute paid by the Dalcassians." For they had been free from tribute before the EngUsh invasion, and they had resisted the payment of tribute up this year. In 1579 Thady Daly, a Franciscan of the convent of Askeaton, was executed in Limerick for the faith. Edmond Donnelly, of the Society of Jesus, a native of Limerick, after suffering different torments, was hanged and quar- tered in Cork.^ In the same year Nicholas Stritch, Mayor of Limerick, presented Sir William Pelham the Lord Justice with a thousand citizens well armed ; with these forces Sir WilUam marched to Fanningstown, where he was presented with letters by the Countess of Desmond, to excuse her husband for not obeying the Lord Justice ; these were Med with evasions and trifling excuses. Desmond was proclaimed a traitor, and the army was ordered to enter his country with fire and sword, if he did not within tAventy days, surrender. In their progress they hanged the Mayor of Youghal at his own door.^ In this year was fought the celebrated battle of Manister or Monaster- nenagh, five miles to the north-west of Bruff — a battle of which such sin- gularly discrepant accounts have been given by O^Daly in his History of the Geraldines, and by Camden. The latter, who has been followed by Ware, Cox, and Leland, asserts that Sir John of Desmond was defeated with the loss of two hundred and sixty of his army, together with the famous Dr. Allen the Jesuit who was left dead on the field. Allen and Sanders, the Jesuit and Papal Legate, had arrived from Spain at Smerewick, on the coast of Kerry, in the previous year, with three ships, men and money, &c. O'Daly, who mentions the loss of Thomas Geraldine, Johnston, and Thomas Brown, Knight, says nothing about Allen. The Irish force assembled here by Sir John Fitzgerald, brother of the Earl of Desmond, consisting of 2000 Irish and Spaniards, headed by Father Allen, and aided by the abbot of the monastery, Avere attacked by Sir William Malby at the head of 150 cavalry, of 600 infantry, and defeated with great slaughter, including a great number of the Clann-Sheehy. The Irish were well commanded by Spanish officers, and fought with such fury that the battle was a long time doubtful. The Earl of Desmond, who, with Lord Kerry, had viewed the action from the neighbouring eminence called Tory Hill, on perceiving the result, retired into his strong castle at Askeaton, where Malby remained nearly a week, the Geraldines every day threatening to give him battle, though they did not do so.^ Malby destroyed the monastery of that town, and then proceeded to Adare, where he remauied, subjugating the people of that neighbourhood until he was joined by Sir William Pelham the newly patented Lord Justice, the Earl of Kildare, and the Earl of Ormonde.'* During the engagement the Irish and Spanish soldiers took shelter in the abbey of Monasterncnagh, which suffered greatly from the ' Rothe's Analecta. - Ware's Annals. •■' Annals of th« Four Masters. ♦ Ibid. 1 HISTORT OF LIMERICK. 103 fire of the English cannon, the refectory and cloisters being destroyed, and the suiTounding walls razed to the ground, so that the monastery, though it survived until the dissolution, never recovered its original impor- tance. It was here that a horrible slaughter was made of the Cistertian monks by the murderous soldiers of Malby, who cut the throats of those defenceless recluses, and perpetrated the most revolting atrocities. ^ The Desmond castles, garrisoned by the English after this battle, were Loughgur, Kathmore, Castlemorrison, Adare, and KibnaUoch. CHAPTER XVI. MARTYRDOM OF BISHOP HELY AND FATHER O ROURKE. CONTINUED ATROCITIES. The Earl of Ormond, in the same week, made a chieftaia's first expedition into the territory of the Geraldines, and proceeded as far as Newcastle West in the county Limerick, whence he carried off all the flocks and herds in the country that he could seize upon, but he returned back without receiving battle or conflict, because that at that time the Earl of Desmond was with his relatives in Kerry.^ The martyrdom of the holy Bishop of Mayo, Patrick Hely, and his com- panion. Father O'Rourke, occurred in this year at Limerick by the order of the Deputy, soon after his visit.^ Pope Gregory had earnestly recom- mended Father Patrick Hely to his flock in Ireland, on account of his " incredible zeal," and had him consecrated Bishop of Mayo. After a certain number of days the Holy Father, having provided him with whatever he required, sent him forward, recommending to him the care and spiritual health of the faithful in this country. The pious bishop proceeded on his journey, and having arrived at Paris he remained there for seven or eight months, where he spent his time, partly in the convent of his own order, and partly in the city itself; and, says my authority, he did not do so without meriting the hearty commendations of all who approached him, as he was not only an example but a perfect mirror for every one to see himself, not as he was, but as he ought to be ; and who was not only admirable for his talents and virtues, but in whom, charity, in particular, burned so strongly, that he may have been said to have been a warming "sun" {helios), who was not deterred by the most imminent dangers from studying the salvation of the Irish. He held a public ' In the reign of Queen Elizabeth a part of the army entered the monastery of Nenay, or Maigue, sometimes called Commogue (see White's MSS.), in the county of Limerick, of the order of St. Bernard, and because the abbot and his monks would not renounce the Catholic faith, he and forty of his monks were put to death and afterwards beheaded, and that in the church in presence of the Blessed Sacrament. This happened on the 14th of August, the eve of the Assumption, says Broduinus. Angleus Manriquez and Chrisostome Henriquez tell a curious story about an old monk, the only one left alive by the victors, who, they state, entered the choir weeping copiouslj-, and found all his murdered brethren with a bloody mark round their throats, and with crowns on their heads and palms in their hands, singing the usual vespers, Deus in adjutornm, &c. 2 Annals of the Four Masters. •■' Thomas Bourchier de Martyrio Fratrnm Ordinis Minorum Ingolstad, 1583, 104 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. thesis in Paris, in which he manifested, in the most indisputable manner, the wonderful resources of his great intellect, in which, not only in the abstract sciences, but in the varied range of controversy and logic, he shewed a superior genius, astute, vigorous, complete, deficient in nothing that constituted the perfect theologian ; bending even to the studies of the juniors, and making easy to them the pathway of learning. In an age when learning was so gene- ral in France, and when Paris was filled with many of the ablest men of the age, the praise bestowed by Father Thomas Bourchier on Doctor Patrick Hely, would seem extravagant were it not vouched for by an earnestness and emphasis not to be misunderstood or mistaken, in the elaborate panegyric of the illustrious man who was soon destined to bedew the scafi'old with his blood in Limerick : his only crime was that he loved the faith and evangelised the poor. He had a full conception of the peril he incurred in coming to Ireland, where the ravening wolves which at this period, were thirsting for the blood of a priest, were sure to scent him out ; but he did not hesitate wherever zeal and obedience urged him forward. He resolved to bow to the mandate of the Holy Father rather than be dictated to by his own appre- hensions of what was to happen to him. He prepared, at once, like a good shepherd, who is ready to lay down his life for his flock if the occasion should arise. He made himself up for the voyage, therefore, and the ship which bore him having touched on England, he sailed for Ireland, which when he reached he at once proceeded to seek the Earl of Desmond. When he reached his residence, he found that the Earl was from home, but he was hospitably and politely received by his wife, the Countess of Desmond ; but not indeed to the honor of her name, must it, alas ! be told, that Like other women, she too acted a fearfully treacherous and dreadful part. " Like the dancing girl who brought the head of Saint John to Herod — like Delilah who shore Samson of his strength, .and delivered him into the hands of the Phihs- tines — like the woman who caused the fall of David'''' — this lady of the house of Desmond, forgetful of everything that became her position and name, betrayed the holy Doctor Patrick Hely and his companion. Father O^Rourke, a native of Connaught, into the hands of their enemies, after a period of about three days. On the day after this visit he departed for Limerick, which Bourchier de- scribes as at this time the first city in Munster, in which, as there were many Catholics, Hely expected to gather good fruit in the vineyard of souls ; and there, his intended work and mission having been made knowTi to the Mayor, through the exertions of the Countess of Desmond, he was cast into prison. The enterprize was unquestionably a most perilous one, and the holy Bishop must have been perpetually aware of the snares which awaited him in a locality where destruction was prepared for the devoted sons of the Church. But he was so fiUed with love of his heavenly Father, as Father Bourchier observes, that he despised aU terrors. He Avas immediately transmitted from Lunerick to the town of Kilmalloch, where at that time the Deputy resided, and by his orders sentenced with his companion to death, without any other form, except the process of martial law. The Deputy, however, offered him fuU right and possession of his benefice, provided he would deny the faith and betray his whole business to him ; to which the bishop replied, that as regarded his faith, he would not part with it for the enjoyment of life and honors ; but as for the business on Avhich he had come, he said he came to discharge the episcopal function (which he had openly professed to do) and thereby to promote the cause of religion and effect the salvation of soids, HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 105 nor did he refuse a death which was attended by any advantage to religion^ or even avoidance of disadvantage. The Deputy fui-ther called upon liim to reveal the plan formed by the Pontiff and king Phihp of Spain for the invasion of Ireland, which he absolutely refused to do, although his silence was the cause of grievous tortures to him.' For, placing small iron bars across his fingers, they struck them so violently with a hammer, that his fingers were cut to pieces, and as he still refused to reveal anything, they immediately led him to the gallows. WhUe he was being conducted to the place of execution he asked permission to read the litanies and to receive absolution from his companion, and to give it in turn ; both of which he was permitted to do. He then exhorted his companion, who was affected by a natural horror of death, to be of good cheer, for that though the feast was a bitter one, the triumph would be noble. Having restored his companion's courage by this exhortation, and made a most impressive address to the people, in which he spoke at length of the necessity of preserving an unswer\ang faith, and of his professional duties, for asserting which he, together with his companion, cheerfully met a happy death for the love of Christ, both were immediately hanged. But Bourchier observes, that the Deputy who passed sentence on the bishop, was immediately after seized with an incurable disease of which he died at Waterford, '' though struck by no wound, as one who undoubtedly fell under the vengeance of God.'' Be the cause of his death what it may, certain it is that Sir WilKam Drury, the Deputy or Lord Justice, who had been simimoned from Cork to Kilmalloch, to suppress the insurrection which had suddenly burst forth on the arrival of James, the son of Maurice, formerly temporary leader of the Geraldines, who had recently landed from France with a supply of men and arms, to raise the standard of the Pope amongst the disaffected Irish and EngHsh, did die at Waterford, whither he had returned, and was succeeded in his office by Sir William Pelham. Dr. Patrick O'Hely, who thus suffered with Father Cornelius OTuourke, and another whose name is not mentioned, was, as I have stated, bishop of Mayo ; both martyrs were of the Franciscan order. They were hanged upon a tree, and their bodies remained suspended for fourteen days, to be used as targets by the soldiery.^ As a proof that this persecution was not confined to Limerick, we may men- tion that in 1579 Thomas Hierhhy, Bishop of Eoss, who was born in the country of Ross, in the district of Carberry, was raised to the Bishoprick of that see, and assisted at the council of Trent in 1563, together with Donald Magongail, Bishop of Eaphoe, and Eugene O'Hair, Bishop of Achonry. Upon his retm-n to Ireland, he endeavoured to enforce the decrees and discipline of that council: he was driven from his see in 1570, and fled from the violent persecution against him into a small island, where he was taken, together with his chaplain, by the eldest son of O'SuUivan, and delivered up prisoner to Sir John Perrott, President of Munster. He was sent prisoner to England, and for three years and seven months was confined in a dark nauseous dungeon of the tower of London, together with Richard Creagh, Primate of Armagh. He was there offered great honours and dignities if he would renounce the faith, which offers he constantly rejected and chose death in preference to them. At length, Cormac McCarthy becoming bail for him, he was released out of the tower and returned to Ireland : upon his landing in Dublin, he 1 Bourchier, p 167, &c. * Bourchier, Wadding ; and Bruodin, Passio Mart. p. 437. 106 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. was again apprehended and confined, until by letters from London, the government was assured of his being enlarged there. Upon his return to his own country he retired from the noise of the world, and built, for himself, near the side of a lonesome wood, a Httle cabin made up of wattles, wherein he spent the remainder of his days in divine meditations, in consoling his distressed flock, in administering the sacraments, and in aU other works of piety and charity ; at length, consumed with labour and overcome by many hardships, he died, in the odour of sanctity, in the year 1579, and was buried in a convent of Franciscans in Muskerry, called the Cellecrea.* Nor were these dreadful crimes perpetrated on such men only as Doctor Hely, and his companion. Father 0''Rourke, and the Bishop of Ross ; the terrors of the time are indescribable. On the 11th of February, a commission of martial law was sent to Sir Warham Saint Ledger, then the Lord Justice, who re- mained three weeks at Waterford, whence he went to Clonmel, where Ormond met him, and thence to Limerick. His baggage was carried a great part of the way on men^s shoulders for want of carriage horses, or because of the badness of the way, or both; and at Limerick, the chancellor of the diocese was found guilty of high treason, for corresponding with Desmond, but he made a shift to get a pardon, while the Bishop of Limerick, who was also shrewdly suspected, was merely confined to his house.^ On the 10th of March, Ormond and the Lord Justice met at Rathkeale ; next day they passed over the bridge of Adare, and returned at night and invaded ConneUoe, and having done what mischief he could there, proceeded to Carrigfoyle, which he took, and hanged Captain Julio, an Itahan engineer, who commanded the garrison ; and on the 3rd of April, 1580, laid siege to the castle of Askeaton, one of the most magnificent castles in the country, which the garrison deserted, and which the Lord Justice partially destroyed by gunpowder, leaving the towers un- touched, as they remain to this day. Askeaton and Ballyheige castles, in Kerry, which were taken at the same time, were the last castles of the great Desmond. Having left four companies at Askeaton, the Lord Justice re- turned to Limerick on the 5th of April ; Ormond proceeded to Kilkenny, Malby to Connaught, and the others to Dublin.^ But the Lord Justice did not rest in Limerick. He proceeded (" by sea" ?) to Adare, and sent Captain Case by land, where, we are told, they both returned " after the slaughter of many traytors, with a prey of twelve hundred cows and as many sheep."* On the 15th of May he received a commission from Elizabeth to be Lord Justice, and another to make Sir Wilham Burke Baron of CastleconneD, with a yearly pension of a hundred marks during life.^ On the 13th of this month Pope Gregory the Thirteenth granted to all Irishmen who would fight against the Queen, the same plenary pardon and remission of all their sins, as to those that were engaged in the Holy War against the Turks. ^ ' Rothe's Analecta. ' Cox, Hibernia Anglicana, p. 363. ' Cox, Hibernia Anglicana. * Ibid. * The Four Masters give a more particular and accurate account of this expedition, in which they mention the townlands through which the Lord Justice passed, and show that " the tray- tours" they killed, were not only men fit for action, but " they killed blind and feeble men, Avomen, boys and girls, sick persons, idiots, and old people." They add, that a great number were killed by the plundered parties, who followed them to the camp. — Annals of the Four ^faste1•!l. fi Sullivan's Catholic History, p. 101, and Peter Walshe's Remonstrance. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 107 CHAPTER XVII. ENGLISH PEOGRESS. PERSECUTIONS CONTINUED. ARRIVAL OF THE SPANIARDS. On the 8th of July, the Lord Deputy continuing in Limerick, the Catholic Lords of Munster were summoned before him; they were charged with correspondence with the rebels ; they submitted, with the exception of Lord Barry ; but repenting of the terms, they -withdrew their submission, and were confined to their chambers in consequence, until they had bound themselves to maititaia two thousand men during the war. It was at this time that the queen's fleet reached the coast of Ireland, and made no delay until they cast anchor in the Shannon, opposite Carraigh-an-Phuill.i About Whitsuntide following, the Lord Justice proceeded back to Askea- ton, where he spent a considerable part of the summer, and never ceased, day and night from persecuting and extirpating the Geraldines.'' Having perpetrated several revolting atrocities, he passed by a transverse course to Cork, and back to Askeaton and Limerick. He had in his custody, the Chiefs of Munster (the Geraldines only excepted) as hostages on this occasion, namely, Barrymore, the wife andson of MacCarthy More, the two sons of MacMaurice of Kerry, O'Sulhvan Bear, MacDonough McCarthy, Chief of Duhallow, and the son of MacCarthy Eeigh.' While the Lord Justice, Sir Wmiam Pelham, was at Limerick, Arthur, Lord Gray, Baron of Wilton and Knight of the Garter, arrived m Dublin; and the Lord Justice surrendered the sword to him, having left Limerick for Dublin for that purpose, and sailed for England. The reign of terror proceeded unchecked and rampant ; in the church of the parish of Mahunagh, county of Limerick, dedicated to St. Nicholas, 24 poor old people were put to death on the 6th of August, 1581. Gelasius CQuillenan, a Bemardine abbot of Boyle, and Eugene Crane were martyred. Daniel O'Nieilan, a Franciscan, was martyred at Youghal by John N orris, mayor. Laurence O'Moore, a priest, Oliver Plunkett, a gentleman, and Wilham Walsh, a soldier, were shot to death by a party in hatred of their rehgion, 11th November.'' An Italian or Spanish fleet of the " Pope's people" landed in Kerry in the September of this year ; their arrival caused the greatest excitement in Limerick, so much so, that had they appeared at the gates of the city, they would have been thrown open to them, such was the idea of their strength and importance among the citizens, who viewed the expedition with contend- ing feelings of hope and dread.^ They landed at Port-del-or, which is situated on an island connected with the South shore of Smerewick Harbour, and which James of Desmond fortified the year before. O'Sullivan, in his Cathohc History, gives a description of the island, near which is a green round hill called Cnoc-na-geaan, i.e. hill of the heads, whereon, tradition has ' The Four Masters and Ware state that it was the occupants of the Castle of Askeaton who pndeavoured to blow it up ; and the Four Masters add that, not being able to destroy it, they opened wide its gates, and the next day it became the property of the Queen, This was the first time that ordnance was used in the district, and the terrible roar of " those unknown gnns, the like of which had never been heard before," had a dreadful effect on the occupants of the Castle. * Annals of the Four Masters. " Ibid. * White's MSS., and Analecta. s Arthur MSS. 108 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. it, the English were encamped when they stormed the fort. This fleet was induced to come to Ireland to assist the Geraldines, who, it was known abroad, had been reduced to great extremities for their devotion to Ireland, and their defence of the Catholic faith and of Catholic interests. The Earl of Ormond mustered an army to oppose the expedition, and did not halt until they arrived in Kerry ; after a good deal of parleying and diversation, the Italian Captains, Stephen San Josepho, Hercules Pisano, and the Duke of Biscay, " came to the Lord Justice as if they would be at peace with him;^^ but the people of the Lord Justice went over to the island, and proceeded to kill and destroy the invaders, so that even of the seven hundred Italians not one escaped, but all were slaughtered as they cried out, miseri- cordia, misericordia} The Lord Justice also seized upon much gold, wealth, and other things which the Italians had with them ; he destroyed the for- tifications on the island, in order that it should not be a supporting rock or a strong retreat for insurgents any longer ; and having effected all this in the month of November, he returned to Limerick, and thence to Fingal. With respect to the Italian captains, there is but one opinion on the part of Camden,^ Muratori, and O^Daly, and that is, that the principal man among them, San Josepho, was either a downright imbecile, or an accomplished traitor.' Donough and Mahon O'Brien continued to worry and lay waste the country from Burren to Limerick ; and John, the son of the Earl of Desmond, was, at this time, a roving plunderer ; but though in so miserable a plight, he commanded a body of one hundred followers, with whom he did execution in Upper Ormond and Eliogarty, retreating to the woods about Mountrath, where he was jouied by the sons of MacGillapatrick, the son of O'CarroU, and a great many others, who harassed the country in the neigh- bourhood of the Slieve-Bloom mountains, being joined by all the men of Offally and Leix who were able to bear arms.'* The blow struck at the power of the Desmonds, and the cause in which the Catholics of Ireland had their hearts, was felt so much, that disappoint- ment and sorrow were universal. Sir George Bourchier was selected Governor of Munster before the departure of Sir WilUam Pelham, and was in the city of Limerick acting in his official capacity, during the events we have been describing. In 1581 the Earl of Desmond, notwithstanding his reverse, made many successful incursions. Upon one occasion, however, a bold and merciless body of " the soldiers of Adare,'' having been divided into two parties, went forth, the one by water, the other by land, to traverse Kerry, and the lands lying along by the banks of the Maigue, to seek for fighting or booty. The two parties having been met together in the neighbourhood of Ballycal- hane, by young David, ancestor of all the families of the PurceUs, according to Mac Firbis's pedigree, and his forces, charged them, so that he left them but a heap of bloody trucks and headless carcases. When ' Ware's Annals. ^ Life of Queen Elizabeth. ' O'Daly, who is a competent authority, expresses his belief that he was a traitor. * The manner in which John lived on this mountain was worthy of a true guerrilla ; he slept but upon couches of stone or earth ; he drank but from the pure cold streams, and that with his hands or shoes ; his cooking apparatus were the long twigs of the forest, with wliich he used to dress the meat he carried away from his enemies, llad John been able to join the Italians and Spaniards, as he intended, and in which intention he was seconded by James Eustace, Viscount Baltinglass, who had ronoimced the Protestant creed, and became a Catholic, by the Kavanaghs, Kinsellagles, Byrnes, and Tooles, (Annals of the Four Masleis) he would have prevented the slaughter which cast a stigma on the Lord Justice and Ormond, and enabled the Italians and Spaniards to keep their ground firm in Smercwick, and march into the interior. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 109 the news reached Adare, Achin, the captain of the town/ assembled the soldiers of Kilmalloch^ and set out at the head of a sanguinary body of troops, and slew every man, Avoman and child he met outside Ballycalhane Castle, (near Kildimo) which belonged to PurceU, who had assisted the crown from the commencement of the war between the English and the Geraldines to that time. On the following day David^'s people were hanged on the nearest trees ; and the heroic soldier himself was sent to Limerick, where he was immediately put to death. Nicholas, the agent or treasurer of the Geraldines, was slain by the soldiers at Adare in this year, and Turlough O^Brien, uncle of the Earl of Thomond, who, after being a year in prison, was hanged in Galway, his execution being followed two days after by that of WiUiam, son of the Earl of Clanrickarde, whose sons had rebelled against the authority of the crown. CHAPTER XVIII. FATE OF THE EARL OP DESMOND. In this year^ the two sons of MacMaurice of Kerry made their escape from the King's court in Limerick, the Council having resolved to put them to death. They soon found themselves supported by hundreds of kerne, and they spent the remainder of the year in acts of piUage and insurrection. In the winter of this year Dr. Saunders, the Pope's legate, died in a miserable hovel in the woods of Claenglass, worn out by cold, hunger, and fatigue. The government had offered to pardon Desmond if he would give up this eminent ecclesiastic to them, but tliis he steadily refused. His companion in misfortune, the Bishop of Killaloe, who attended him in his last moment, escaped to Spain and died in Lisbon, A.D, 1617. It was to the fastnesses of Caenglass, which is situate in the south of the county of Limerick, and to the adjacent woods of Kilmore, that John Desmond, who still protracted this wretched stmggle, was in the habit of carrying his spoil. In this year Hugh Lacy, Bishop of Limerick, died in gaol. He had been deprived by Queen Elizabeth. In 1582^ died Teige O'Brien (founder of the Ballycorick family) " a hero in prowess.'" He had been for some time Tanist of Thomond, but was expelled together with his brother by Donnell. He afterwards went to Spain and France, and thence to England, where he obtained his pardon and his entire share of the territory, except the tanistry alone. He was interred m the monastery of Ennis. Donogh O'Brien (son of Morrogh), who had joined the rebellious De Burgh the year before, having repented, returned back under protection ;* but the Queen's officers detected a flaw in the pro- tection, and hanged him in the gateway of Limerick ; he was buried in the monastery of Ennis. His castles and lands of Lemenagh, Dromoland, Bally- connelly, and other places, descended to his son Connor and his heirs, amongst whom is the present Lord Inchiquin, who established his right to that title in virtue of his descent from this Donagh, the founder of the family of Dromoland. There was no forfeiture, because Donagh fell a victim to martial l^w, which recognises no forfeitures. 5 ' Ware's Annals, and Annals of Four Masters. * Annals of the Four Masters. » Annals of the Four Masters. * Annals of the Four Masters. U'Donoghue's History of the O'Briens. Appendix. 110 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. The attacliment of the Irish peasantry to the Geraldines was not less remarkable than that of the Scotch to the Stewarts. Notwithstanding the great rewards offered for the capture of their leaders, no one was found so base as to betray them, and yet the gallant John of Desmond appears to have fallen a victim to the treachery of one of his followers, if we are to believe O^Daly, Hooker and Cox. The story is thus told in the Annals of the Four Masters : — John set out accompanied by four horsemen to the woods of Eatherlack/ to hold a conference with Barry More, with whom he had en- tered into a plundering confederacy. He proceeded southwards across the river Avonmore in the middle of a dark and misty night, and happened to be met face to face by Captain Sicutzy [the Irish for Zouch], with his forces, though neither of them was in search of the other.^ John was mortally wounded on the spot, and had not advanced the space of a mile beyond that place when he died. He was carried crosswise on his own steed from thence to Cork, and when brought to that town he was cut in quarters, and his head was sent to Dublin as a token of victory. According to O^Daly, a wretch of the name of Thomas Eleming, who had been his servant, was the person who killed him. He adds that his head was spiked in front of the Castle of Dublin, and his body was hung in chains at one of the gates of the city of Cork, where it remained for three years, untU on a tempestuous night it was blown into the sea.' His kinsman James was hanged soon after, together with his two sons, but Lord Barry made his peace with the government. The savage rigor of Lord Grey had already offended even his own govern- ment. We have seen how after the surrender of Smerewick, with a savage barbarity only equalled by CromweU in after years, he had put every man of them to the sword, with the exception of the governor and a few of&cers. In consequence of this extreme severity, this Lord Grey, of whom it was said that " he left her majesty little to reign over but carcases and ashes,"* had been recalled, and Loftus, Archbishop of Dublm, and Sir Henry Wallop were appointed Lord Justices. By these Lord Justices first efforts were made to bring back Desmond to his allegiance, but without effect. To what a frightful state Munster was now reduced, may be seen in the pages of the annals of Hollinshed, of Fynes Morison, Cox, and particularly of Spencer, from whose remarkable description we make the following extract : — " notwith- standing that the same (Munster) was a most rich and plentyful country, full of corne and cattle, yet ere one year and a halfe they (the Irish) were brought to such wretchednesse as that any stony heart would have rued the same ; out of every corner of the woods and glynnes they came creeping forth upon their hands, for their Icgges could not bear them, they looked like the anatomies of death ; they spake like ghosts crying out of their graves ; they did eat the dead carrions, happy where they could finde them, yea and one another soone after, inasmuch as the very carcases they spared not to scrape out of the graves ; and if they found a plot of water-cresses or shamrocks, there they flocked as to a feast for the time, yet not able long to continue there withal, that in short space there were none almost left, and a most populous and plenty fuU country suddainely left voyde of man and beast.'"' ' The Glen of Aherlow, four miles south of Tipperary. * A statement which is denied by the above-named writers. 3 Ware states that the body was hanged by the heels on a gibbet by the north gate of Cork, and his head sent to Dublin to be placed on a pole upon the castle. * Cox, Hib. Ang. 5 Spencer's State of Ireland, p. 1C6. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. HI The annals of the Four Masters are almost equally graphic in their description of the ravages caused by these wars, when " it was commonly said that the lowing of a cow or the voice of the ploughman could scarcely be heard from Duncaoin, (now Dunqueen, the most western part of Kerry) to Cashel in Munster/^ Further persecutions and murders of Priests and religious were now per- petrated. Andrew Strich, a Priest, a native of Limerick, who studied in Paris, laboured greatly in the mission of Ireland, at length was taken and confined in Dublin, where he died with the hardships.^ In 1582 Donough Hinrechan, Philip O'Fen, and Maurice O^Scallan, all Franciscans, were stabbed at the altar in the Convent of Lislactin, county Kerry. 2 The Earl of Desmond who was excluded from the amnesty which was now granted to the insurgents, occasionally gave proofs of considerable energy. He plundered the territory of Ormond, defeated the EngHsh in a hard fought battle at Gort-na-Piei, [Peafield in Tipperary] and cut to pieces a large force which had been sent against him by the brother and sons of the Earl of Ormond at Knockgraffin. He also despoiled the MacCarthys. But for sometime previously his people had begun to separate from him, and on one occasion^ when he had spent his Christmas in the wood of Kilquaig, near Kilmalloch, the garrison of that town were induced by the importunities of one John Walsh to endeavour to surprise him, and marching in the night, very nearly captured himself and his countess, who alarmed by the noise, got out of their cabin into the river, where they stood up to their chin in water on the bank side, and by this means escaped, but his servants were all killed, and his goods were carried away. In the summer and autumn of 1583,* even his countess, his children, and friends had begun to desert, so that at this period he had only four persons to accompany him from one cavern of a rock or hollow of a tree, to another throughout the two provinces of Munster.^ Deserted by his adherents he became a fugitive through the country, and was hunted from place to place, and was so well watched, that on one occasion when the Earl, accompanied by sixty gallowglasses, happened to be in the glen of Aherlow, the were surprised whilst some of them were asleep and some cooking horse flesh, by one Captain Dowdal who made prisoners of the first and cut the latter to pieces. The Earl however escaped and fled to Kerry, where he took shelter in a wood near Tralee. We give the rest of this melancholy story from the Annals of the Four Masters, with such cor- rections as their strong prejudices against the Geraldines require : — " When the beginning of winter and the long nights began to set in, the insurgents and robbers of Munster began to collect about him, and prepared to re-kindle the torch of war, but God thought it time to suppress, close, and finish this war of the Geraldines, which was done in the following way : — A party of the Moriartys of the Mang side [a family], of the race of Aed- Beannan [king of Munster, who died in 619^] took an advantage of the Earl of Desmond, whom they found in an unprotected position ; he was concealed in a hut in the cover of a rock in Gleann-an-Ghiniitegh \Glan-geenty , five miles east of Tralee] . This party remained on the watch around the habi- • White's MSS. » Analecta. ' Cox, Hib. Ang. ■• Annals of the Four Masters. * Munater was divided into Thomond, Desmond, Ormond, and larmond, i.e. north, south, east, and west Munster. The two former are to be meant here. « Annals of Innisfallen. 112 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. tation of the Earl from the beginning of the night until the dawning of d.ay ; and then in the morning twilight they rushed into the cold hut. This was on Tuesday, which was St. Martin's festival. They wounded the Earl, and took him prisoner, for he had not with him any people to make fight or battle except one woman and two men servants. They had not proceeded far from the wood when they suddenly beheaded the Earl. Were it not that he was given to plunder and insurrection, as he [really] was, this fate of the Earl of Desmond would have been one of the principal stories of Ireland.'-' P. O'SulHvan Beare does not mention the name of O'Moriarty in con- nexion with this murder ; but he appears to believe that the persons who led the soldiers to this place did not know that it was the Earl of Desmond that was there. He seems to think, however, that Daniel who slew the Earl was brother of Owen.^ Daniel O'Kielly, Kelly or Kolly, one of the soldiers who took the lead of the band, entered first and almost severed the EarFs arm mth a blow of his sword. The old man then exclaimed, " I am the Earl of Desmond, spare my life." Donnell O'Moriarty took him on his back and carried him some short distance, but finding he could not live, or fearing the return of the Earl's party, O'Kielly cut oft' his head at Owen Moriarty's desire.2 The Earl's head was fixed upon London Bridge, and his only son James, was kept prisoner in the Tower of London for many years after his death. O'KieUy, who was rewarded by government with a pension of £20 a year, was hanged in London for highway robbery. Owen O'Moriarty was also hanged some years after, in the insurrection of Hugh O'Neill, by FitzMaurice of Lixnaw, the family having become excessively unpopular on account of the part they had taken in this tragic occnrrence ; O'Sullivan says that the place where his body was killed still continues red. The spot is still called Bothar-na larla, [the Earl's Eoad.] Thus ended the rebellion of the great Earl of Desmond, whose character has not been very favourably drawn, even by Thomas Moore, who describes him as weak of understanding, and violent in temper, rather than naturally depraved.^ MacGeogheghan* says of the Eitzgeralds of Desmond, " the Maccabees of our day, who sacrifice then- hves and property in defence of the Catholic cause." His extensive estates, the revenue of which, according to the same authority exceeded at that tirae 400,000 crowns, were surveyed by Sir Yalentme Brown, ancestor to Lord 1 O'Donovan's Notes to Annals, 1583. 2 A preposterous attempt has been recently made to shield the respectable family of the Moriartys from the stain imagined to have been fixed upon the posterity of Owen or Daniel (Ormond, says " Donal") McMoriarty and their followers for the part which they took in the capture and killing of the last of the" Desmonds. It is stated by these that it was not Moriarty but O'Kielly, (erroneously called Kelly by Cox,) who murdered the eail. But the Annals of the Four Masters distinctly state the fact that the Moriartys not only wounded but put him to death ; and a letter written by Thomas Butler, Earl of Ormonde and Ossory, Governor of Munster in 1583, addressed to the privy council and dated Kilkenny, 15th Nov. 1583, fully vindicates the veracity of the Four Masters, the truth of whose statements on this subject has been lately impugned by Mr. M. A. O'Brennan in a note in p. 163 of his " Antiquities of Ireland." Mr. O'Brennan has been satisfactorily refuted in a recent publication, a " History of Clanna- Rory," by Richard F. Cronnelly, (Dublin, Goodwin, Son and Nethercott, 79, Marlborough-street, 18640 P-5G, 57, in which the authorities above alluded to are given. I am assured that the sept of O'Moriarty is called the Kiml na Mala in Kerry, that is " the breed of the bag," in reference to the bag in which the earl's head was carried ; and a learned member of the house of Fitzgerald has stated to my informant, that it was long customary in that family to ask " whether there was any Moriarty in the room ?" whenever they met en familk on festival or other occasions. The general tradition is that O'Kielly wounded the earl severely in the arm, and that the sept of O'Moriartj- cut off his head. » Jloore's Hist. IV. 95. * History of Ireland, translated by O'Kelly. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 113 Kenmare, and divided amongst the English, who supported the war against him, and particularly the Earl of Ormond, who had a large share of the spoils. The reader who remembers how the ancestors of this illustrious family obtaiaed their estates, will probably look upon their fate as a retribu- tion for the unscrupulous chivalry of the followers of Fitzstephen and Strongbow. 1583. After the death of the Earl of Desmond all his followers submitted to mercy except John Bourke who stood out, and he with his company went to Adare to take a prey, but as he passed the castle a boy discharged a piece and shot him in the head. He was afterwards hanged at Limerick by the Commissioners. 1 The Earl of Desmond^s estates in Cork, Limerick, Kerry and Waterford_, extended one hundred and fifty miles, and contained 574,628 acres. John Oge, the son of John, son of Thomas, the Earl, died at an advanced age in Limerick, his sons having joined the Earl of Desmond.^ The Arthur MSS. mention a curious occurrence which took place at Lim- erick about this time. One Stephen Eochefort, having married a lady named Catherine Wolfe, had excited the jealousy of a certain James Cromwall to such a pitch of madness, that he conceived the idea of mm^dering his fortimate rival. Availing himself of the occasion of a review, or muster of the city militia train-bands, Cromwall, in prosecution of his wicked scheme, discharged a double ball at him while he was reviewing the men, and shot two other citizens dead, the object of his murderous revenge escaping the intended blow. For this offence the assassin was hanged upon a gibbet, cut down while still ahve and decapitated ; after which his body was cut into four quarters. The nulitia of the city at this time amounted to 800 men, while "VYaterford had only 600, and Cork 400, from which the comparative popu- lation of Limerick at the period has been reasonably inferred to have been proportionately superior to either of those cities.^ ' Dr. Smith's MS. in the Royal Irish Academy, p. 150; Cox, and Annals of the Four Masters. * Annals, ad an. 1583. ' The following is the list of the Militia of Munster in this year, as given by Cox : — Shot. Billmen. The City of Waterford 300 300 Cork - - . 100 300 Limerick 200 600 Clonmel 040 200 Kilmallock 020 100 Fethard 020 100 Cashel 020 140 Kinsale 020 100 Carrick 020 040 740 1880 The Barony of Muskerry - 020- 300 Carbry 030 1000 The County Tipperary 050 400 The Barony of Decies 020 200 Imokilly 012 080 Condons 008 060 Lord Barry's Country 030 200 MacCarthy More 008 400 178 2640 114 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. In the same year, Brien Duv O^Brien made a surrender of his Lordship of Carrigogunnel, which was immediately returned to him under a new grant. ' The death of the Earl of Desmond was followed by a period of tranquillity. The hopes of the disaffected were extinguished, and desolation and famine followed the ravages of five years of civil war. Sir John Perrott was sworn into the office of Lord Deputy on the 26th of June, 1581, and after making a progress to Athlone and Galway, attended by Sir John jNTorris and Sir Eichard Bingham, who were respectively Presidents of Munster and Con- naught, arrived at Quin in the county Clare, where Cruise, the sheriff of the county, dehvered up to him Donogh Beg O^Brien, styled by the Annal- ists, in their excessive loyalty, the arch traitor and leader of the plunderers of Connaught : — " whose body, mangled and half dead after hanging, was affixed, fastened with hard and hempen ropes to the top of the steeple of Quin as a warning to evil doers." Turlough, son of Owney O'Loghlen of Burren, had been executed previously by Sir Edward Brabazon, the temporary governor of thje province. The Lord Justice went next day to Limerick, and was resolved, according to the Annals of the Four Masters, to destroy and reduce a great number of gentlemen on each side of Limerick, until news reached him that a Scotch lieet had arrived in the north of Ireland, whither Perrott proceeded at once, and promptly repressed the movement. In 1585 a parliament was summoned to meet at Dubhn, with the two-fold object of settling the country, and disposing of the vast forfeitures of the Desmond estates. A great number of lords and chiefs attended.^ In the second Session, which was held in the April of the next year, the late Earl of Desmond and a hundred and forty of his adherents were attainted, their property confiscated, and subsequently divided amongst English undertakers, who were invited from England to assist in repeopling the desolated regions of Munster; seven years were allowed to each undertaker to complete his plantation ; garrisons and commissioners were to be provided to prevent and settle differences. Each undertaker had Hcence to export all commodities duty free for five years ; the planters to be Enghsh, and no English planter to convey to any mere Irish — the natives bemg forbidden to have an}i;hing ' The following -was the grant : — " A Grant to Brien Duffe O'Brien Mac Donagh of Carrigogjmnell, chief of his nation in Pobel- brien, and Lord of Pobelbrien (upon his surrender dated t)th July, 1584,) of all and singular Manors, Lordships, Castles, lands, woods, fisheries, advowsons and hereditaments spiritual and temporal of and in Carrigogynnell, Cloghey, Keatyne or Cloghakeatin, Derrecknokan, Loymeney, Bowbiglasse, Cnocknegall, Ballyvorroghowe, Cnocknegranshye, Garranemonagh, Ballyeahan, Cnockgromassill, Kyllenchon, Kyllynoghtie, Dromeloghan, Ballymeilly or Ballynvej'lie, Lackyn- vintane, Birrenegyhie, Ballynostie, Cahirephollyen-Graige, Ballyneennonoge, Atiflewin or Arti- flonj"-, Dawnin, Anaghenrostj'e, Cloghecokye, Barneehoile, Ballyanrichan, Balliv3dishe, Terrevowe, Clonounye, &c., to hold to tlie heirs male of his body, lemaincfer to his brothers Teige, Mathew, alias Mahowne, Derraone, Donalde, and Conogher O'Brien in Tail Mail successively in Capite, by the service of one Knight's fee, and the rent of £5 sterling for and in consideration of the like rent of £5 out of the premises, paid or due to Gerald, late Earl of Desmond, and his heirs, to find three suflicicnt horsemen, well furnished with horse and armour, with 3 hackneys for the said horsemen with their apparel and 6 footmen, alias shott or kerne, either Galloglas, such as the L. D. should chuse or think fit, where or when required, upon 20 days' warning or less, at their proper costs and charges, as necessity should require, and paying yearly out of certain of the premises for an increase or new rent 2s. sterling, and saving to the Queen the benefit of every composition of the premises to be made by the L. D. and Council, together with the benefit of every escheat and forfeiture of the premises, by reason of the attainder of Gerald, late Earl of Desmond, or other traitors attainted or to be attainted. — Dated, 17 Feb. loSi— Enrolled in Rolls Office, Duhl'm. 2 See C Donovan's Notes for a most interesting account of the modern representatives of these families, whose names are published in the text of the Four Masters. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 115 Trhatever to do with the forfeitures. The undertakers were all EngKsh gen- tlemen; they were sent over to plant and occupy no less than 574,658 English acres of land in the counties of Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Kerry, which were divided into seignories, containing 12,000, 8000, 6000, and 4000 acres, according to a plot laid down for the commissioners for that purpose. Smith* gives a Kst of the undertakers and their grants in Kerry, from which we take the subjoined particulars : — . - To Sh William Herbert, Knight, 13,276 acres, at £221 5s. 4d. crown rent per annum. To Charles Herbert, Esq., 3,768 acres, at £62 15s. 4d. per annum, crown rent. To Sir Valentine Brown, Knight, 6,560 acres, at £113 6s. 8d., crown rent. To Sir Edward Denny, Knight, 6,000 acres, at £100 per annum, crown rent. To Captain Jenkin Conway, 5,260 acres, at £8 18s. 8d. crown rent. To John Champion, alias Chapman, so called by Moryson and John Stone (neither of whose posterity in the male line remain in this country), 1,434 acres, at £23 18s. per annum, crown rent. The first Earl of Cork purchased these lands from Chapman and Stone. To John Holly, 4,422 acres, at £73 14s. crown rent, of whose posterity, also, says Smyth, I find no remains. The Conways, Blennerhassets, Springs, Eices of Kerry, were settlers and undertakers in the same reign. The Eices settled or had possessions in Limerick county. James Eice, of Bally muddeU, son and heir of Stephen Rice, Esq., of Dingle, married Elinor, daughter of Eohert White, Esq., of Limerick, and, second, Phihis, daughter to Edward Eanning, Esq., of the city of Lunerick, and dying the 24th of February, 1636, had issue by the latter eight sons and three daughters, of whom Sir Stephen Eice, the fifth son, being bred to the law, was appointed the 1st of June, 1686, one of the Barons of the Exchequer, and April 11th, 1687, Chief Baron of that Court.2 After the undertakers had been appointed. Sir John Perrot gave the charge of the county of Desmond to the Earl of Clancare, Sir Owen O'SuUivan, and O^SuUivan More ; and the palatinate of Kerry to the government of the Queens's Sherifl^ and Lord of Kerry.^ The work had been so effectually accompHshed that the undertakers were able to settle down and possess the enormous estates, which constituted the chief forfeitures in the kingdom in those troubled and disastrous times. Queen Elizabeth, understanding that the act, the 12th of her reign (where- by the Irish Prelates were strictly obliged to maintain free schools, according to the quantity and quahty of their dioceses, the Bishop paying one-third of the expense, and the clergy the other two-thhds) was so slenderly, or not at all, executed in Limerick, empowered the mayor of the city to sequester yearly, and from time to time, so much of the livings, tithes, &c,, as belonged to the Bishop and Clergy of the diocese. Soon after the prorogation of the parliament, Sir John Perrott resumed the work suspended by the recall of Sir Henry Sidney, whose letter referring to this subject we have alluded to heretofore, and after he had proved to the • History of Kerry, pp. 32, 33, 34, et Seq. * Sir Stephen Rice was the ancestor of the present Lord Monteagle of Brandon. » Smith's History of Kerry, p. 277. 116 HISTORT OF LIMEllICK. conviction, if not to the satisfaction of tlie lords and chiefs of Thomond, lately annexed to the Presidency of Connaught by the name of the county Clare, that the main canse of their troubles was the uncertain grant and possession of their lands. He had brought them, therefore, he says in his letter, to agree to surrender all their lands, and take it of her Highness the Queen, again, and yield both rent and service. The evils attendant on the system of cuttings and cessings, exactions made by the chieftains under pretence of defending the people, were enlarged upon in a commission now issued, and the commissioners began their work witii the county of " Clare and Thomond.'" Then followed the districts within the newly-created county of Galway, and " Indentures of Composition" were entered into for these territories. The nature of this Indenture appears from the following extract from the Pour Masters.^ " The governor of the province of Connaught with a number of other men of distinction, and of the council of Dublin, went to the province of Connaught, to hold in the first place a session in the monastery of Ennis, in the comity of Clare. Here they enacted universal ordinances, namely : — that ten shillings should be paid to the queen for every quarter of land in the country, as well ecclesiastical as lay lands, except the liberties which they themselves consented to grant to the gentlemen of the country ; and that over and above the queen^s rent, five shillings should be paid to the Lord of Thomond for every quarter of land free and unfree,^ in the whole country except the liberties and chm'ch lands. They took from the Earl of Thomond the dis- trict of Kcuel-Fearmaie [_" barony of Inchiquin,''^] which had been hereto- fore under tribute to his ancestors, and gave the Lordship of it to the Baron of Inchiquin, Morrough the son of Murrough, son of Dermot O'Brien. It was also ordained and decreed that Tmiough the son of Donnell, son of Connor O'Brien, should have the rents and court of Corcomroe, the Castle of Dumhach, in succession to his father, to whom it had first been given out of the Lordship of Thomond, by the Earl of Thomond, namely Connor the son of Donough O'Brien. They deprived of title and tribute, every ^head ' Cox, Hib. Angl. See these indentures in Hardiman's edition of O'Flaherty's Description of Jar Connaught, pp. 309-362. The recital of the parties to the indenture about to be made contains the following list of the leading families of the County Clare at this period : — " Indenture made betwixt the Rt. Hon. Sir John Perrott, Knight, &c., of the one part, and the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, chieftains, gentlemen, &c., of that part of the Province of Con- naught called Thomond, that is to say, Donogh, Earl of Thomond, Morrogh, Lord Baron of Inchiquin ; the Reverend Father in God, Mauricius, Bishop of Killaloe ; Daniel, elect Bishop of Kyliinoraghe ; Donogh O'Hiran, Dean of Killaloe ; Daniel Shennagh, Dean of Killfinoragh ; Denis, Archdeacon of the same ; Sir Edward Waterhouse, of Downasse, Knight ; Sir Torlogh O'Brien, of Ennistevey (Innistymon), Knight ; John JLacnamara, of Knappock, otherwise called Macnamara of West Glancuilen ; Donald Reagh Macnamara, of East Glancuilen ; Teige Mac Mahon, of Clonderalaw, otherwise called MacMahon of Castle Corrovaskin ; Torlogh MacMahon, of Moyasta, chief of his name in West Corcovaskin ; Moriertagh O'Brien, of Dromleyne Glu ; Mahowne O'Brien, of Clondewan (Clonoon) gen. ; Owny O'Louglin, of the Greggans, otherwise called O'Loughlin ; Rosse O'Loughlin, of Glan Columkille, tanist to the same O'Loughlin ; Mohme and Dermod O'Dea, of Tullyadea, chiefs of their names ; Conor MacGilreogho (Gallery) of Cragboren, chief of his name ; Torlogh MacTeige O'Brien, of Beallacorriga, gen. ; Luke Bradey, son and heir of the late Bishop of Meath ; Edward White, of the Cralletagh, gen. ; George Cusacke, of Dromoglen, gen. ; Bocthius Clancy, of Knockfinny, gen. ; John MacNamara, of the Moetullon, gen. ; Henry O'Grady, of the Island of Inchicronan, gen. ; Donogh IMacClanchy, of the Lrlion, chief of his name ; Donogh Yarrav O'Brien, of Ballycessy, gen. ; Conor O'Brien, of Curharcercae (Cahercorcran), gen. ; and George Fanning, of Limerick, merchant, of the other part." » O'Donovan's Translation, ad. an. 1585. ' See O'Douovaii for the meaning of this cxpressiuu. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 117 or chief of a sept^ and every other Lord of a triocha-ched (barony) tlirough- out the whole county, with the exception of John MacNamara, Lord of the western jDart of the district of Clann-Coilein, who did not subscribe his signature to this ordinance of theirs. They made similar compositions in the counties of Galway, Eoscommon, Mayo and Sligo."" Such was the manner in which the settlement of Thomond was effected. ^ About this time lived Eichard Creagh/ an illustrious native of the city of ' Thi3 composition was signed by Murrogh and Murtagh, the last king of Thomond, by the former in person, by the latter through his nephew and representative. Sir Turlogh of Ennisty- mond. The majority of the chiefs, it may be presumed, yielded a reluctant acquiescence to thia settlement. 2 We extract an account of his life and actions from the White MSS. : — THE LIFE OF RICHARD CREAGH, PRIMATE OF ARMAGH. 1585. This great and illustrious Prelate and Primate of Ireland, was born in the City of Limerick, of honest and industrious parents. His father was Nicholas Creagh, a merchant, and his mother's name was Joan White ; in his youth he was bound apprentice to a grocer, which calling, as he did not like, it being exposed to commit frauds, he soon obtained his indentures, and applied himself closely to his studies, in which he made a great proficiency. He then went to Louvain, where he studied philosophy and divinity, and argued being made a Bachelor. Being promoted, he returned to his native country and city, where he laboured indefatigably by his private teachings, his public sermons, and by his instructing the children and the ignorant in the rudiments of the faith. After thus exerting himself for some time in the mission, he again went abroad, as well to perfect himself more in his learning, as to embrace a more austere and religious life, for which purpose he went to Rome, but was forbid by Pope Pius V. to become a Regular until His Holiness's will was further signified to him, for the Pope designed him for filling the see of Armagh, then vacant by the death of George Dowdall, Archbishop, which he accordingly did ; and as soon as Richard was consecrated he repaired to Ireland [Dowdall died in June, 1558 — Ware], where in a short time after his landing, he was taken and confined in Dublin. After being some time in fetters, he, together with his keeper, made their escape, and he again retired to foreign countries, where, after breathing a little liberty, and understanding that it was the will of his Holiness that he should again return to the mission of Ireland, he accord- ing!}' did so, and there, for a while, he most strenuously laboured for the edification of his flock, until he was again taken and brought to Dublin, where he was arraigned for being a transgressor of the law and a breaker of the jail. He justified himself with great presence of mind, acknow- ledged himself to be a Catholic Prelate, but denied his breaking the jail, whereas his keeper made off along with him. The judge made a malevolent charge to the jury against him — the jury, according to custom, were locked up, but disagreeing to their verdict, they continued some days shut up, living on bread and water, and at length brought him not guilty ; the jury there- upon were imprisoned and fined. The Prelate was transmitted to England, and fettered in a nauseous dark dungeon of the Tower of London ; he was allowed no more light than what served him to eat his victuals by, but which he served to say his oifice with, and he likewise contrived to save the fat of his victuals, and with a rag to make a kind of a candle whereby to have light to say his office. He was at length brought out of this dark dungeon, and lodged in a more lightsome apartment of the Tower. It was during his abode here that the new Bishops appointed by Queen Elizabeth to fill the sees of England, not being able to find any Catholic Bishop to give them consecration, had resource to Archbishop Creagh in the Tower ; for that purpose they therefore invited him to a neighbouring tavern ; they flattered and caressed him ; they offered him his liberty, the choicest church livings, the Queen's favor, and the highest bribes, if he would but consent to consecrate them ; but all their offers were in vain ; he would not betray the trust reposed in him, nor give the bread of the children to . Ward, in his cantos, thus satirically relates this passage : — * " The good Armagh, in pious rage. Curst gold and them, and to his cage He fled, where late he lay before Begging the turnkey of the doors To lay him fast in chains and gieves Secure from such unhallowed thieves, And never more to let him loose Until the happy fatal noose ' Should free him from imprisonment, And send his soul hence innocent." Some time after this affair with Parker and his fellow Bishops, a trifling passage put it in our * This answer given by Ward ma}- be contested by many circumstances, one of which is, that Pius V. was not Pope in 1559, the year of Parker's appointment. — Note by Dr. Young, Catholic Bishop of Limeriik, 118 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Limerick. Arclibishop Creagli was the relative of Dr. Thomas Arthur, who gives in his MSS. a copy of the Archbishop's Bull of consecration.* Prelate's mind to contrive his escape : a small bird came into his room, and as it were to show him, there began to prepare itself for flight, by composing its wings, stretching them, then flying from place to place, imtil at last it flew out. The Prelate thereat being inwardly moved, now found that he perhaps might also escape ; he threw himself on his knees, he begged God to drive that distraction out of his mind ; the same notion of escaping still returned to him — he packed up what little clothes he had ; he returned to prayers ; in short, he continued in a kind of anxiety and uneasiness of mind for some days — his nights were disturbed with visions in his sleep ; he could not expel the thoughts of procuring his escape, and as if he was inwardly moved thereto, in Easter week, he goes to the prison door, which he finds open ; he looks about him, and saw ' Copia Vera Bullae qua Richardus Crevagh, Limericensis Sacerdos Assumptus est ad Archiep- iscopatura Ardmachanum totiusque Hiberniie Primatura. Pius Episcopus Servus Servorum Dei delicto Alio Eichardo Creuoch lecto Ardmichano Salutem et Apostolicam benedictionem. Divina disponente dementia cuius inscrutabile providentiaordinationem suscipuit universa ad apostolicre dignitatis apicem sublimitati ad universas orbis ecclesias aciem nostra considerationis extendimus et pro earum etatu salubriter dirigendo apostolice f avoris auxiliam adhibemus sed de illis propensius cogitare nos convenit, quas propriis carcre pastoribus intuemur ut eis juxta cor nostrum pastores prjeticiantur idonei qui comisos sibi populos per suam circum- spectionem providam et providentiam circumspectam salubriter dirigant et informent acEcclesiaruin ipsarum bona non solum gubernant utiliter sed etiam multis modis afferant incrementis. Dudum si- quidera provisiones Ecclesiarum omnium tunc vacantium et in antea vaciturarum ordinationi et dis- positioni nostraj reservavimus. Decernentes ex tunc irritum et inane si secus super his per quosqunque gravis authoritate scienter vel ignoranter contigeret attemptari. Et deinde Ecclesia Ardmachana cui bonEe memoriae Donatus Mac Teige Archiepiscopus Ardmachanus dura viverat praasidebat per obitura ejusdem Donati Archiepiscopi qui extra Komanam Curiam debitum naturae persolvit pastoris Bolatio destituta. ISTos vacationem hujusmodi fide diginis relatibus intellecta ad provisionem eiusdem ecclesiae celerem et f celicem de qua nullus prajter nos hac vice se intromittere potuit sive potest re- servatione et decreto desistentibus supradictis ne ecclesia ipsa longae vacationis exponatur incommo- dis paternis et solicitis studiis intendentes post deliberationem quam de prreficiendo eideni ecclesias personam utilem et etiam fructuosam suis fratribus nostris habuimus diligentem Demum ad te Pres- byterii Limericensis diocesis Baccalareum in Theologia de legitimo matrimonio procreatum et in setate legitima constitutum vitse ac morura honestate decorum in spiritualitus providum et tempo- ralibus circumspectura alijsque multiplicum virtutum donis prout etiam fide dignorum testimoniis accepimus insignatum direximus oculos nostrae mentis. Quibus omnibus debita meditatione pensatis te a quibusvis ex communicationis suspensionis et interdicti alliisqueecclesiasticis sententiis,censuri3 et pjenis a jure vel ab homine quamvis occasionem vel carisre latissi quibus quomodo libet innodatus existis ad effectum prjesentium duntaxat consequentum harum serie absolventes et absolutum fore consentes,De persona tua nobis et eisdem fratribus nostris ob tuorum exigentiam meritorum accepta, eidem ecclesiEe cuius Preesul pro tempore existens Primas totius Hiberniae esse dignoscitur. De ipsorum fratrum consilio apostolica authoritate providemus teque illi in Archiaepiscopo preficimus et pastorem, curam et administratrionem ipsius ecclesiae tibi in spiritualibus et temporalibus plenarie committendo in illo qui dat gratias et largitur praemia confidentes quod dirigente Domino actus tuas prefata ecclesia sub tuo f slice regimine regetur utiliter et prospere dirigetur et grata in eisdem spiritualibus et temporalibus suscipiet incrementa. Jugum igitur Domini tuis impositum humeris prompta devotione suscipiens curam et administrationem praedictas sic exercere studeas solicite fi- deliter et prudenter quod ecclesia ipsa gubernatori provide et fructuoso administratore gaudeat se commissam tuque prseter aDteruEe retributionis premium, nostram et apostolice sedis benedictionem et gratiatTi exinde uberius consequi merearis. Quocirca venerabilibus fratribus nostris suffraganeis et Dillectis filiis capitulo et vassalis dictcB ecclesiaj ac clero et populo civitatis et Diaecesis Ard- machanae per appostolicae scripta mandamus et suffraganei tibi tanquam membra capiti obsequentea et capitulum tibi tanquam patri et pastori aniraarum suarura humiliter intendentes exhibeant tibi obedientiam et reverentiam delitas ac devotas. Ita quod mutua inteste et ipsos suffraganeos gratia gratos sortiatur effectus et nos seorum devotionem possimus propterea in domino coramendare, ac clerus te pro nostra et sedis praedictaj reverenter benigne recipientes et honorLfice pertractantes tua salubria monita et mandata suscipiant humiliter et ellicaciter adimplere procuret ; Populus vero te tanquam patrem et pastorem animarum suarum devote suscipientes ac debita honoroficientia prosequentcs tuis monitis et mandatis salubribus humiliter intendant. Ita quod tu in eos devotionis filios et ipsi in te per consequentes patrem benevolum invenisse gaudeatis. Vassali autem praefati to debito honore prosequentcs tibi fidelitatem solitam rec non consueta sevitia et jura tibi ab eis debita integre exhibere procurent Alioquin sentcntiam sive paena quam respective in rebelles rite tuleris sive statucris ratara habebimuset faciemus auctore Domino usque ad satisf actionem condig- nam inviolabiliter obscrvari. Datum Komae apud Sanctum Petrum anno incarnationis Dominicae 1564. Unedocimo Kalend. Aprilis Ponlificatus nostri anno quinto, Cae. Glorierius. fr. De fforida. Se Cse. tan, Sccretarius Apticus Glorierius. HISTORY OF limerick:. 119 Maurice Kenrichj of Kilmallock, a gi-eat supporter of tlie unfortunate Earl of Desmond, was another celebrated priest in these days of trouble and disaster, of which the general character is well indicated in such notices of every passage open before him ; he returns again, and had resource to prayers ; at length he took his clothes, -which he had packed up under his arm ; he goes out through a passage before un- known to iiim, and passes through six gates, all of which he found open, until he came to the outward gate, where there was a guard of soldiers ; he was asked by them if he had the marks, for that it seems was the watch now ; he, not understanding what they meant, was silent, upon which one of the soldiers prudentially said drilj', " you see he has his clothes under his arm ;" they thereupon asked him who he was. He confidently answered, he belonged to a great Lord (for there were some lords confined in the Tower); the soldiers said, they would bring him before a proper person to know the truth ; he answered, he could prove what he said before any one ; they thereupon dismissed him. He afterwards for three days strolled through London without know- ing any one ; as he passed along he often heard the Irish people talk of the Irish Bishop with the grey beard who escaped out of the Tower ; he even frequently met those who were in search for him, and with his very keeper, who was so blinded as not to know him. He agreed with the master of a ship for his passage to Flanders, but the master, as well as all his crew, were Presby- terians, and when they were just ready to sail, the Queen's officers came aboard, and put them all to their oath to tell if the old Irish Archbishop was aboard ; they all swore he was not, for that they had no passenger but a young Frenchman, for such they mistook him to be. When they were to sail from the English coast one of the sailors discovered his breviary, and the men were intent upon turning back in order to get the 300 ducats which were offered for taking him, but the winds immediately began to blow so hard against them, and so fair for Flanders, they were obliged to steer thither, where our Prelate safely landed. He continued in these Catholic countries for some time ; but it being intimated to him that it was the Pope's will he again should return to Ireland, he readily obeyed, and when he arrived in that country he went there — warmly exerted himself, not only in the cure of his flock at Armagh, but also in his assiduity in visiting all other parts of the kingdom, then in the greatest confusion on account of the wars which then raged, and that by the violent persecution most of the dioceses were de- prived of their Catholic Pastors. He was engaged in an unfortunate dispute with the O'Neil, Earl of Tyrone, who then at the head of the Ulster Irish waged war against the Queen. It seems that O'Neil unjustly seized and possessed many Church lands, which he turned to his own account, and likewise gave an unbridled liberty to his soldiers to plunder and ill-use ecclesiastics who came in his way. The Primate often laid these grievances before O'Neil, but instead of redress he met with insults and ill-usage from him. He used all possible means to reclaim O'Neil, but all was to no purpose ; wherefore he was under a necessity of excommunicating him. But O'Neil laid but little stress on his censures, which proved unlucky to O'Neil, for from that time forth none of his proceedings were attended with success. This Prelate was at length taken the third time, sent to Dublin a prisoner, where he lay confined, and from Dublin was again transmitted to London, and was shut up in the Tower, where he remained for many years, consoling his fellow sufferers wherever he got liberty to see them, employing all vacant hours at prayers, dispersing through the cit}"- salutary letters to confirm the Catholics in their faith, and exhorting them to abstain from resorting to the Protestant churches Avhich the laws urged them to. He and other Catholic prisoners were once compelled by the Lord Lieutenant of the Tower to hear a minister preach in the chapel of the Tower, who in his sermon greatly inveighed against the Catholics ; but Bishop Creagh on the spot stopped the preacher short, and began to confute his doctrine, but his mouth was firmly shut with bands, and he was brought back to his dungeon. A malicious accusation, which was framed against him, gave the Prelate a great deal of uneasi- ness. This was framed against him by one of the keepers, who alleged the Bishop ravished his daughter. He was obliged to stand his trial for it at Westminster, yet notwithstanding the virulence of the accusers, the jury brought in a verdict of his innocence — even the very girl publicly acknowledged the bribe she received for accusing him. He at length, after a tedious confinement, or rather a long martyrdom, finished his days in the Tower in the year 1585. There are some who say that the keepers of the Tower, being tired of his long confinement, and the expenses of his support, poisoned him with a piece of cheese which one of them reached him, and which he ate suspecting no fraud ; when he was, for some time, tormented with violent inward cuttings, he sent his urine by a boy to one Archow, a Catholic physician, who, as soon as he saw it, cried out, " The Irish Bishop is poisoned beyond all remedy." Perceiving his weakness to increase, and his end to approach, he sent to a neighbouring dungeon for one father P. Criton, of the Society of Jesus, detained likewise a prisoner there for the faith, who, having received his confession, and performed every other necessary which the place and circumstances would admit of, he never parted from him till the holy Prelate expired, tlie 14th October, 1585. It is said that the place in Connaught in which he was taken never since produced either grass or corn, and that when in the Tower he was closely manacled, yet when he was desirous of either erecting or opening his window for air, that his fetters would so far loosen as was necessary for what he wanted to do. Amongst other works of his, he wrote these books — viz., on the Origin of the Irish Language — on Controversy of Faith against Heretics — a Chronicle of Ireland and an Irish Catechism. His catechism was published in 15G0 (Dr. Young's note). He 120 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. extemporary events as the following four entries in the chronicles of the times : — 1584. Thady Clanchy of Ballyrobert, in the county of Limerick, was for the faith put to deaths 15th September — remarkable for his piety. — Analecta, 1588. Dermot Mulroony, or Moroney, a native of the county of Clare, and son of the Franciscan Convent of Limerick, was taken at GalbaUy, and obtained from Gregory XIII. a yearly subsidy for supporting Irish students for the mission, and •was very intent on encouraging the Jesuits to come to Ireland. He was buried in the Tower of London. So far we quote from the Wliite MSS. While our illustrious Archbishop lay a prisoner in the Tower of London, he underwent a series of interrogations at the hands of Sir William Cecil, as to his going to Rome, and as to the English and Irish subjects who were acquainted with his movements. In Shirley's Original Letters there is a copy of the examination taken from the holograph of Sir William Cecil. The Archbishop gave an account of those with whom he was acquainted, and whom he met in Rome, including Murtough and Donough O'Brien, scholars, Dermod O'Thady, Conor og, Owen Myers, &c. Whilst he was in Korae he was succored by the Pope, both in meat, drink, and house rent, because he was sent thither by the Pope's command, which he was bound to obey by an oath taken when a student in Louvain. On being questioned as to how many English, Irish, and others, he made privy to the cause of his return into Ireland, he replied, that with the exception of an English Jesuit, who was at Dellingen, near Augsburgh, and two friars of St. Francis, an English and an Irishman, whom he met at Antwerp, and one Doctor Clement, who lived in that city, no one knew of the circumstance. Some j'oung Irish scholars had heard in Louvain, per- haps from persons who had come from Rome, of his appointment to the Archbishopric of Armagh. He said that he had spent a portion of his time in merchandise, which was true, — that he carried a letter from the Pope to Shane O'Neil, — that he did not endeavour to procure the Bishopric of Down and Connor for Shane's brother, a young man of twenty-three years of age, and unlearned, — that he was aware the Queen only could found a university, — that he was anxious to convert those who were given to all kinds of iniquities, to murders, &c. He stated that he lost part of a ship, esteemed to be worth nine thousand ducats, by the French gallies in the war in King Henry's time, and that a sum of £32 was taken from his brother by the searcher of Dover -when he was going with the monej' to Louvain, to pay for his (the Arch- bishop's) school expenses, &c. &c. This examination was taken on the 22nd of February, 1564-'5, and on the 17th of March in the same year, another examination was taken by Richard Ousley, Recorder of London, and Thomas Wilson, Master of St. Katharine's Hospital, which is also given in Shirley's Original Letters. In this examination he stated that David Wolfe, a fellow citizen of Limerick, was the Pope's nuncio — that Wolfe was a professed Jesuit — that he had lived in Rome about eight years — that he was sent from Rome, by obedience, to Ireland, to see what Bishops did duties in this country, what sees were void, and that he himself had been most commonly in the Bishopric of Limerick, and had taught children there. His intro- duction to the nuncio arose from the fact that the nuncio had heard he was learned — that he so required him to go to Rome, and take upon him the Archbishopric of Cashel, and afterwards the Archbishopric of Armagh being void before his departure, the nuncio charged him to go to Rome for the Archbishopric of Cashel or Armagh, which he could not refuse, because when a bachelor of divinity in Louvain he swore obedience to the Pope, and therefore durst not disobey the nuncio. He stated that the nuncio gave him a letter to Cardinal Morone — that on his coming to Korae he delivered his letters to the superior of the Jesuits, he desiring to enter religion, but he was commanded shortly after by Cardinal Gonzage, who was acting in the place of Cardinal Morone, then at the Council of Trent, that he should not enter into religion till he had known the Pope's pleasure. In answer to further questions, he stated that when he was leaving Ireland the nuncio gave him forty crowns — that the Bishop of Limerick (Hugh Lacy) gave him twelve marks, " the which 12 markes he had as an exibion for his fyndy'g there," and twenty crowns he had of his own, and more he had not by credit or otherwise. On being questioned where the nuncio most commonly kept in Ireland, he stated that he had secretly come to Limerick, and had been the last summer with Shane O'Ncil in TjTone, as he heard, and that the letters he received were delivered to him in Limerick, in the presence of a Priest called Sir Thomas Molam. He stated further that he went out of Ireland two years before — that he came to Rome in January — that in February he was commanded not to enter into religion, and that afterwards be was charged upon the Pope's curse, not to refuse the Archbishopric of Armagh, and about Easter, twelve months after, he was consecrated by Lomelinus (Beneditto Lomellino of Genoa, born 1517, Clerk of the Apostolic Chamber, Bishop successivel}- of Anagui, Vintimiglia, Luni, and Sarzana, and afterwards Cardinal, died in 1579), and another Bishop, in the I'ope's chapel, and so came from Rome in July last past. He repeated that while in Rome the Pope bore all his expenses after he had warning not to enter religion, and had daily meat, drink, and wine, for himself and his servant at the Pope's cost — paying for his house room six crowns by the month, having had at various times from the Pope 700 crowns, of which he had 300 crowns from the Pope when leaving Rome, and 100 crowns from the nuncio — he had apparel of three F^T' HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 121 was by the President of Munster executed^ the 2nd of March, upon his beheading a drop of blood did not flow. — Brocluinus. In the year 1591, which was also memorable as the year the CoUege of Dublin was founded by Queen Elizabeth, the murder of John, Lord Castle- connell by Arnold Crosby, for which the latter was hanged, excited a con- siderable sensation in Limerick. The melancholy event is thus curiously versified in Davis^s Manuscript Annals. 1591. Oliver Bourke, Mayor. John Bourke, Lord Castleconnell, was basely slain By Captain Arnold Crosby, for they twain Resolved to fight ; — but Crosby stops, demurs, Prays Castleconnell to take off his spurs ; And as he stoop'd, yielding to his request, Crosby most basely stabb'd him in the breast. Gave twenty- one, all dreadful wounds, base act ! And Crosby's only hang'd for the horrid fact. 1592. Eleven Priests and Jesuits were taken in Munster and Connaught, and sent prisoners to Dublm, where they were prosecuted by one Rally, who swore they encouraged people to take up arms ; among the prisoners was one Michael Pitzsimons, priest, a son to Alderman Pitzsimons of Dublin — he was executed in Corn market, Dublin. ^ 1598. Edmund Gam-an, Primate of Armagh, was killed, whilst during the time of battle he was receiving the confession of a wounded man,^ In this year a rateable assessment was recommended for the Irish Corpora- tions, and Limerick was rated as 50 comparatively, and Waterford being assessed at 100, and Cork at 50.^ sorts, of blue and unwaterecl camlet, and wore them in Eome, where he had three servants waiting upon him ; at leaving Eome he had the Pope's blessing, and Cardinal Moronius told hira that the Queen (Elizabeth) would shortly' turn to the Catholic faith. He then mentioned the particulars of his journey from Eome, which are not of interest — that on his reaching London he went to see St. Paul's Church, Westminster Church, the monuments there, Westminster Hall, where he heard that Bishop Bonner was arraigned, but he did not see him. Being asked what he would have done if he had been received Archbishop of Armagh, he said he would have lived there quietly. Being asked what he would have done if he were refused, he said he would go back again to Louvain, as being discharged of his obedience, whereunto he esteemed himself bound in conscience. On the 23rd of March he made an explanation as to some points in the preceding examination. (Shirley's Original Letters). In this explanation he states that he had sent letters to several persons, including Eichard Arthur, that what he had learned of the Em- peror Charles and other good men's charges, and costs, he had bestowed to his poor power for the profit and wealth of the Queen's Majesty's subjects, young and old, " and thanks be now unto Almightie God and to her gracious highness for my rewarde, begeing hier in such pouertie (besides diners my pour bodys seknes) that I can nother day nother nyght change apparel hany'g of myself, nother of anny body one peny to cans the broken sherth that is on my back to be ones washed, whos incommoditie honestie will not have it declared, beside the myserie of cold, and such others without goune or covenient hose." He besought leave of the Queen to permit him to teach school, which he would do for nought, as he had never received a penny of the Church or ecclesiastical benefice during his life. This ended the explanation. Sir James Ware (Waris Writers of Ireland) states Archbishop Creagh wrote de lincjtia Hiber- nica, lib. 1 (which is yet extant in manuscript, and some collections from it are in Trinity College Library), an Ecclesiastical History, part of which was in Sir James Ware's time, in the possession of Thomas Arthur, Doctor of Physic* He is said also to have written de Controversiis Fidei (which possibly may be the same treatise that Stanihurst calls Responsiones ad Casus Conscientios, as his Chronicon Hiberni(e may be what the same writer calls Topographia HibernicB), Vitas Sanctorum Hibernise, and Catechismum Ilibernice. ' Analecta. ^ ibid. 3 1594. Eudox. But let me I praye you by the way aske you the reason, why in those cities either of Mounster, namely Waterford and Cork, you rather placed garrisons, then in all others * Dr. Thomas Arthur, above mentioned, Was the writer of the Arthur MSS. in my possession, and so often quoted in the course of this work. 122 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. As it does not enter into our plan to give the details of the war of O'Neill and O'Donnell, we must pass over some of the most interesting portions of the history of Ireland to the events in the local history. The brilliant campaigns of O^Neill and the other chiefs of Confederate Ulster^ especially crowned by the victory of the Yellow Pord^ in which Marshal Bagnall_, with twenty-three officers and seventeen hundred men were left dead on the field, leaving their artillery^ arms, colors and baggage in the hands of the Irish, produced a pow^erful effect on the Catholics of Munster ; Sir Peter de Lacy of BruflF, invited the celebrated Eory O^Moore, who had recovered his chief- tainry of Leix, to Munster, and O'Moore having consulted O^NeiU, accepted the invitation, and despite of a show of opposition for Ormond, arrived without interruption in the county of Limerick ; Sir Thomas Norris marched to KilmaUock to oppose him, but he was obliged to retire to Cork, leaving a garrison behind him, and in his retreat, his rere guard was roughly handled by the forces of O'Moore. The success of O'Moore, produced an almost universal rising of the noblemen of Munster against the queen, but the Earls of Thomond and Ormond, and the Baron of Inchiquin did not join in the league, and their extensive influence prevented the MacMahons, the MacNamaras, the O'Connors, the O^Loughhns of Thomond, the O'Dwyers, the O'Eogarties, the O'Meaghers, the O'Moel Ryans, the O'Kennedies, and other chiefs of Tipperary from uniting against the queen. ^ The chief per- sons that joined the confederacy, were the Lords Lixnaw (Fitzmaurice), Fermoy, (Eoche), Mountgarret (Butler), Cahir (Butler), the Knight of Kerry, the Knight of Glyn, the White Knight, the three last bemg Geraldines, at the head of which sept O^Neill placed James, sou of Thomas Fitzgerald, surnamed the Red, and nephew of the last Earl of Desmond, being known in history as the sugan or straw rope Earl. This was the leader of the con- federates, who in Cork and Kerry were supported by most of the MacCarthies, O^SuUivans, O^Driscolls, O^Donoghues, O^Donevans and O^Mahons, and some months after the expedition of Norris, Thomas Burke, brother of the Baron of Castleconnell, left the queen^s party and went over to the confeder- ates, but went back again, and was subsequently killed with his brother. Lord Castleconnell, by one Dermod O^Connor, to whom they had refused in Ireland. For they may thinke themselves to have great wrong to bee so charged above all the rest. Iren. I will tell you those two cities alone of all the rest do offer an nigate to the Spaniard most fitly. But yet because they shall not take exceptions to this that they are charged above all the rest, I will also lay a charge upon the others likewise : for indeed it is his reason that the Corporate towns enjoj'ing great franchises and privileges from Her Majesty and living thereby not only safe, but drawing to them the wealth of all the land, should live so free as not to be partakers of the burden of this garrison for their own safety especially in time of trouble, and seeing all the rest burthened ; (and therefore) I will charge tbera thus all ratably according to their abilites, towards their maintenance, the which Her Majesty may (if she pleases) spare out of the charge of the rest, and reserve towards her other costes, or else adde to the charge of the residency in the North. Waterford C Clonmel X Dundalke X Corke L Cashell X Mollingare X Limerick L Fedard X Newrie X Galway L Kilkenny XXV Trim X Dinglecuish X Wexford XXV Ardee X Kinsale X Tredah XXV Kells X Youghall X Ross XXV Dublin C Kilmallak X in all 580 Endox. It is easie, Irenaeus, to lay a charge upon any towne, but to see how the same may be answered and defrayed, is the chief part of good advisement Spencer's view of the recent state of Ireland._pp. 217-18. » Mac Geoghegan, p. 508. ^^ HISTORY OF LIMERIClt. 123 quarter. Most of the Englisli settlers, who occupied the lands of the Earl of Desmond, now abandoned their dwellings and were exposed to dreadful sufferings. The plantations was left without defence, and to add to the terrors of the insurrection, the country was menaced with a foreign invasion ; all the castles of Desmond were recovered, except those of Askeaton, Castle- main and Mallow, and the insurrection having thus attained most formidable proportions in Munster, the Leinster and Ulster confederates returned home, leaving Tyrrell to organise the forces of the new Earl of Desmond. In this year (1598-99), 41st Elizabeth, when James Cromwell was Mayor, and Philip Eoche and Thomas Burke were Bailiffs, James, the son of Thomas Geraldine began to wage war — against whom, Robert, Earl of Essex, Vice- gerent of the queen, came to Limerick at the head of a great many of the most honorable of the nobihty and with an immense army, and having pro- ceeded with his army to Moneroura, and Adare, he fought fiercely there. ^ In the Spring of 1599, O'DonneU, who had proceeded with Clanrickarde, and carried off great plunder, made an incursion into Thomond, where the insurrectionary' spiiit had already spread far and wide, not only by the success of O'DonneU, but by the bestowal of disproportionate honors on the Earl of Thomond and Lord Inchiquin, to the prejudice of the junior branches, who were greatly dissatisfied with the results of the insurrection. Such was the strength of the rebellion against the government at this time, that a particular return was given to the Lord Lieutenant of the number and dis- position of the Irish in arms.^ Many of these had sworn at a public cross to be steadfast and true to their religion ; and it was complained that even the Irish who were not out in action, were so backward in aiding the queen, that they who could bring 100 horse and 300 foot to dispute their private quarrels, would not bring six men to assist the state. ^ Essex marching to Limerick, and thence to Askeaton, Desmond and Daniel MacCarthy More, lay in ambush for him ; The iU management of the affair caused a feud between Thomas Plunkett and Pierce Lacy, in which the former Avas slain, while Henry Norris was slain in a bloody fight near Croom, and Desmond pursued Essex's rere for six days.* On the 29th of April, 1600, the garrison of KilmaUock ^^took the prey of Loughgur,''^ and soon after Barrett, Condon and the White Knight submitted to the President.^ In the May of this year the President caused it to be understood that it was his intention to march to Limerick on the 6th of the month. The rebels consequently met in great numbers at Ballyhowra, and continued together for ten days ; then partly for want of food, and partly because they beheved the President would not or dare not pass that way, they separated.^ On the 21st of May, the President marched from Cork to near Mallow, and the next night near Kilmallock, the 24th to Bruff, where he left a garrison ; on the 25th he came to Limerick. On the 23rd, James Galdy, > Arthur MSS. foot horse 2 In Leinster 3048 0182 In Ulster 7220 1702 In Munster 5030 0242 In Connaught 3070 0220 ] 8368 foot 2346 horse.— Car. ' Cox's Hibernia Anglicana. p. 416 * Ibid p. 417. •■' O'SuUivan's Catholic History. « Hib. Pacata, p. 60, &c. 124 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. brother to the Lord Caliir and with his privity, by the treachery of an Irish sentinel, surprised the Castle of Cahir, but by way of set off, Owen Grace, the Governor of Loughgur Castle, delivered it up for a bribe, " not exceeding i,60." On the 30th of the same month, the President took Ballytarsney Castle, which the ward had deserted, and in which there was a great quantity of corn ; part of his army destroyed Owney ; the whole army then returned to Limerick, and garrisons were placed in Askeaton, Liccadownc, Kilmallock and Limerick.' Before the President departed from Limerick, the Earl of Thomond invited him to the Castle of Bunratty. Captain Gawen Harvie, who had sailed from Cork the day the President marched from that City, anchored in the Shannon, and brought with him, to the comfort of the army, money, munition, provisions and clothing for the soldiers ; a timely relief which pre- vented the loss of the summer service.^ The next morning, Captain Harvie was directed to go to the quay of Limerick, where after landing his charge, the President ordered him to go down the river with his ship and anchor opposite Glyn Castle, until he and the army had presented themselves before it. Dermot O'Connor, while the Sugan Earl lay in prison, took Ballyalinan, another Castle, belonging to Eory MacSheehy,^ and the president being in Limerick, O'Connor sent John Power, one of the ransoms, to tell him to draw all the forces he could gather to Kilmallock, which he did, and there the Lady Margaret after some days met him, in order that he should receive the sum of £1000 which was promised on the delivery of the prisoner. She told the President that Castleishin was besieged by the rebels, that her delay was occasioned by the dangers that lay in the road. The President proposed to raise the siege ; but before the army had moved a mile, a messenger came and stated that the Earl had been rescued that morning, and that he saw him out of the Castle.* • Hibernia Pacata. 2 A.D. 1600 " The Victuals by reason of contrary winds, not being as yet come into the River of Shenan, the thirteenthe of this moneth he (Sir John Carew) was constrained for want thereof, to return to Limericlc again by which returne, we having marched though exceeding strong fastnesse, incamped the first night before the Castle of Corgroge, seated upon the Shenan belonging to Master Treiichard the Vndertaker, and of strength sufficient to hold out against any force except the cannon. But the example of the Glynne was so fearful to the Rebels, that upon the first summons they yeilded the same, with safetie of their lives, and the President gave the custody of it to Oliver Stevenson. The next day, the armie marched twelve miles unto Adare, a Manor house, belonging to the Earles of KUdare, wholy ruined by Pierce Lacy, from thence the President sent seven hundred foot, and seventie five horse to Askeiton, there to re- main in garrison : and in the same year we find the following letter from James FitzThomas. Ibid, page 191. " James FitzThomas his letter unto him. My good lord and cosen, j'our letters of the eighteenth of May, I received the five and twentieth of the same, wherein you relate the manner of your proceedings with the President at Corke, and also of his determination towards the west of my counterey. I thank God I prevented that which he expected here, for all the good pledges of the counterie are committed to Castlemague, for their constant behaviour in this our action ; the President with his force is come to Limerick, and intended presently to order towards Askeiton, where I propose with my armie to resist him, I pray you the better to further the service, and the more to coole the bloody desire of our enemy, let me intreate you to put in effect the meaning of my last letters, by drawing j'our forces to joyn mce, which being done, I doubt not, under God, to performe service that shall re- dounde to the general quiet of the countrie, and so, referring the due consideration thereof (to your Lordshipp's carefull vsage) I commit you to the most mightie : From the camp at Adare, this first of June, ICOO. " Your loving Cosen, "JAMES DESMOND." The sufferings of the garrison were so great that water could only be obtained by digging a subterranean passage to the river. — Uibernia Pacata. 3 Father to two brothers MacSheehy, who had been reserved as ransoms for O'Connor. * Castleishin is described in the Uibernia Pacata as near the great fastness of Connelloe. Its ruins are still visible in the townland of Knocktemple, county Cork, not far from the bounds of the county Limerick. • HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 125 The President and the Earl of Thomond set out in the commencement of July from Limerick^ with a large muster of soldiers, marched westwards along the northern side of the Shannon, through Clare, until they arrived at Colemanstown, in East Corkabaskin ; they then were ferried across the Shan- non to the Castle of Glyn, before which they sat two days, and which they reduced with the heavy metal which had gone by water from Limerick, killing between twenty and forty gentlemen and plebeians of the Knight's people, who were guarding the castle, together with some women and children. The warders killed some of the President's soldiers. ^ This victory inspired the President with such coniidence, that he proceeded to demolish several castles in Kerry ; and returning victorious with the Earl of Thomond to Limerick, the greater part of the inhabitants of Conneloe and of Kerry, deserting the Earl of Desmond, submitted, in appearance at least, to the Queen.2 The Earl now repaired with his few remaining forces to Castle- maine ; the Knight of Glyn and Pierce Oge De Lacy'' alone siding with him. CHAPTER XIX ARRIVAL OF EARL JAMES. — DONNELL S INVASION OF THOMOND. GAOL DELIVERIES. FATE OF THE INSURGENTS AND THE SPANIARDS, &C. It was after the defeat of the Sugane Earl, that James, the young son of the Earl of Desmond, after being detained in captivity by Elizabeth for twenty-one years in London, as a hostage, in revenge of his father and father's brothers having rebelled against her, was released from bondage, after he had thrown himseK on her mercy ; and the English ministers and the Lord President concurred in the expediency of setting him up as a rival to the power and popularity of the former in Munster. An order was given to proclaim him as " an honorable Earl," by the authority of his sovereign (to whose presence he was admitted, and by whom he was saluted Earl of Des- mond), throughout the assembhes and great towns of Munster. He arrived in Ireland, accompanied by a great force, in the month of October following, was welcomed at Cork by the President and the Earl of Thomond. They afterwards appeared in MaUow, Cork, and Limerick. ^ On his arrival in ' It would not have been easy to take the castle were it not that the Earl of Desmond's people had grievously dispersed from him. — Annals of the Four Masters. * Annals of the Four Masters. ' The Earl was subsequently taken prisoner in a cave in the mountains of Slieve Gort, county Tipperary, sent to London, where he died in the tower in 1608. Previous to this, the earl was nearly surprised at Lisbarry, county Cork, where he was in company with Edmond Magrath, Catholic Bishop of that see, who so successfully disguised himself as a beggar, that he was thought not worth hanging by the loyalists of the queen. His brother John settled in Barcelona. After James's death he took the title, as did also John's son Gerald, who served in the armies of Germany and Spain, and died in 1632 ; in him ended the heirs male of the four eldest brothers of Thomas the eighth Earl of Desmond. Previously to the seventeenth century Shannid Castle was held by the Earls of Desmond ; the ancient war ctj, " Shannid- Aboo" is the motto of the Knights of Glen, a still-existing branch of the Geraldines. " Crom-Aboo" the ancient war cry, too, from Groom Castle, in the county of Limerick, also, has been adopted as the motto of the Leinster Geraldines — the Duke of Leinster. ♦ Listowel was the only town that remained in possession of the Sugan Earl, and even that town was taken in November by Sir Charles V'olmant, the Governor of Kerry. He wrote the name Wilmot himself. — Hibenua Pacutu. 12G HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Kilmallock^ he was received by the people with acclamations of unbounded joy and congratulation — the streets, doors, windows, even the roofs of the houses, were filled with exultmg crowds, all pressing to hail the noble heir of an illustrious race. A strong guard of soldiers could not obtain a passage for him, or extricate him from their tumultuous salutations ; but when they saw him go to the Protestant Church, they all forsook him, " yea, cursed him, and spit upon him.''^^ Such was their immediate detestation of the man who had not only fallen into the interests of the Queen, but who had so far forgotten the spirit of his ancestors as to abandon the faith for which they had suffered and bled. The young lord, who did not understand the Irish language, passed on to his devotions, but on his return he received in the fullest measure the strongest expression of their rage and disappointment. He was left abandoned — left unnoticed and unattended. By none more than by the English undertakers was his presence regarded with jealousy and alarm. They conceived that he would be restored, not only to the honours, but to the estates of the Desmonds — they trembled for their own safety. Eory Mac Sheehy, the chief Constable of these Geraldines, died this year.'^ The President now held a Sessions of Gaol DeKvery, rather than a Court- martial, which had prevailed so long. In Limerick the first Sessions was held ; in Cashel and Clonmel the next, where the Earl of Ormond proceeded to meet him ; but, owing to a domestic affliction, intended negociations with the President on the subject of suppressing certain distui'bances which annoyed him on the borders of Ormond, were def erred. » That the people were driven into the most fearful excesses against the Government, and that there were aggravating causes, is a fact admitted by historians who incline altogether to the EngHsh side. Leland* attributes them, in a great measure, to the grievous compositions laid upon the lands, from which they were not relieved at the stipulated tune ; the extortions and bribery of the sheriffs ; the easiness of English jurors in condemning ob- noxious persons on the slightest evidence, and the terrifying executions of innocent Irishmen ; the extraordinary devices used to impeach their titles to estates ; the rigorous execution of the penal laws against recusants, and the intrusion, as they deemed it, of the Enghsh settlers.^ About this time Sir Geoffry Galway, Bart, a lawyer of eminence. Mayor of Limerick, was tm-ned out of his office and made to pay a fine of £500, which was expended in the repair of the castle of Limerick, by the Presi- 1 Cox. * O'Donovan, in a note in the Annals of the Four Masters, says that the first of the MacSheebys came to this country in 1420, as leader of the gallowglasses of the Earl of Desmond. He built the castle of Lisnacullen, a townland within five miles of Newcastle West, the ruins of which still remain in good preservation. 3 Hib. Pac. * Leland's History of Ireland, vol. ii., p. 385, * Ibid, p. 410. Leland goes on to say that the horrid accounts of famine and distress in these parts of Ireland most exposed to the calamities of war, can scarcely be suspected to contain false- hood or exaggeration when the effects are considered of those civil commotions in the city of Dublin, which are authenticated by the signature of John Tierch, maj-or, by which it appears that Wheat had risen from thirty shillings to nine pounds per quarter ; Barley malt from ten shillings to forty-three shillings per barrel ; Oat malt from five shillings to forty shillings per peck ; Oats from three shillings and four-pence to twenty shillings per barrel ; Beef from twenty-six shillings and eight-pence to eight pounds per carcass ; A lamb from twelve pence to six shillings ; A pork from eight shillings to thirty shillings. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 127 dent, whose repeated orders he had slighted to try or enlarge a soldier whom he had formerly imprisoned for petty larceny.' '\\Tiile the Earl of Thomond was occupied against the followers of the Sugane Earl, O^Donnell paid a second visit to the county Clare, Avhere, according to the Four Masters, his soldiers burned the whole of the country, on one Sunday, from the borders of Galway on the north-east, to the Atlantic ocean. After burning Ennis, and ravaging the territories of his enemy, O'Donnell dispatched the abundant spoils which he had taken to Tirconnell, and proceeded next to ravage the territory of another of his enemies, the ' This affair is thus related in the " Pacata Hibernica." " There -was, at this time, one Geof- fry Gallway, raaior of Limrick, a man that had spent many years in England in studying of the common law, and returning to Ireland about three years since, did so pervert that citie by his malicious counsell and perjurious example, that he -withdrew the maior, aldermen, and generally the whole citie from coming to the church, which before, they sometimes frequented. More- over, about a year since, there happened an affray in Limrick between the soldiers and some of the town, at what time this GaUway came to the then maior, advising him to disarm all the soldiers, and then told them that all their lives were in the maior's hands and at his mercy, whereby a gapp was most apparently opened by him to have induced a wicked and barbarous massacre upon her Majestie's forces. With this man, therefore, did the President take occasion to enter into the lists, upon a manifest contempt offered to his office and government as follow- eth : it came t(f passe that a soldier of the Earl of Thomond's company was imprisoned by the said maior for a supposed petty larceny of a hatchet. The President being upon his journey against the rebells that were now reported to have invaded the province, required to have the said soldier delivered unto him, that he might receive a present tryall and punishment for his default, or else repayre to his colours and goe the journey." Here the mayor is charged with having dallied with the president by demanding a warrant for the release of the prisoner, which was afterwards rejected, as well as a second and third framed after his own directions, till the army began its march, when the maj-or declared that the authority given him by the charter, exempted him from the jurisdiction and command of the President and Council. " The Presi- dent much scorning to be thus deluded and dallyed withall, told the maior that hee would shortly find a time to call him to an account for his contempt, not against his person, but against her Majestie and her government established in this province. Who being now returned from the service, and abiding at Moyallo, directed his warrant to the said Gallway, commanding him, upon his alleageance, that he should immediately appear before him and the Councill at Moyallo, where, making his appearance, he was censured to live as a prisoner in a castle in the country and not to enter into the citie of Limrick, until hee had paid a fine to her Majestie of four hun- dred pound sterling, which was designed for the reparation of her Majestie's castle there, and lastly, that a new maior should be placed in his room. The townsmen presently sent an agent (as their manner is) to make sute to the Counsell of England, seeking to abuse their lordships with counterfeit humility and false suggestions, to get abatement either in whole or in part of this fine aforesaid ; but herein they failed of their expectation, aud having received a check for their proud contumacy against the President ; they were commanded from the Court." An old very high Dutch gabled house. No. 3, Kicholas-street, is pointed out to this day as " the Castle House," in which Sir Geoffry Galway is said to have resided. It is also said to have been the house in which Ireton, Cromwell's son-in-law, died. An ancient arched door-way forms an entrance into it from Gridiron Lane, which divides it from the Exchange; in front is a baker's shop. It is stated to have been the first brick-fronted house in Limerick. Sir Geoffry Galway 's ancestor, John De Burgo, younger brother of Ullick, ancestor of the Marquis of Clanrickarde, called John of Gallway, from having accredited the bills of the citizens of Galway, was knighted by Lionel Duke of Clarence, then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, for his signal services in defending Ball's Bridge, Limerick, against the great force of the O'Briens in 1361, with permission to him and his heirs to carry the bridge emblazoned on his arms, with the date 1361, with the grant from Henry IV. of the Castles of Dundannion and Lota, county Cork, where he is still represented by William Galway, Esq. The Limerick family is buried in the South aisle of St. Mary's Ca- thedral, in which there are the mutilated remains of a fine black marble monument, bearing the Galway arras, with the expression, " Quadrant Insignia Galway" — no doubt referring to the above. Dr. Thomas Arthur makes this note : — " Sir Geoffry Galway the layer and baronett 20 Mali 1633, did mortgage unto me all his howses, tenements, and gardines in Mongrett-street and in the south langable thereof, for one hundred pounds ster. And I demised the same unto him dureing the mortgage at ten pounds ster. per annum, he Geoffrey dureing his own life tyme payed me the said reserved rent yearly. He dyed 29 Martii, 1636, and since then one of his execu- tores, William Fitzwilliam Creagh, payed me what rents fell due vntell 23 Mali, 1638, inclusively. But since May, 1038, neither his heyre or executors payed me anie rents, whereby three veares and a half's rent before the warres. were falen due to me being £35 ster. — Arthur MSS. 128 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Earl of Clanrickarde. Some Ulstermen, tiie followers of O'DonneU, now settle d in Clare and founded families of various ranks.' The country, however, on each side of the Fergus, as far as Clonroad and Ballyalley, was shortly afterwards plundered by Teige O^Brien, son of Sir Turlogh of Ennystimon, and Redmond and William Bm'ke ; but these outrages committed on the loyahsts were severely punished, John, brother of the Burkes, being executed in revenge, and Teige O'Brien, being mortally wounded while carrying off his prey. 1601. In this year died MacIBrien of Ara, whose son Murtagh was bishop of Killaloe, and, according to Ware, died in 1613, having resigned his charge a year before his death. In order to frustrate the plans of the national party in Munster, who only awaited the arrival of the Spaniards to break out into open hostility, the President appointed an assize to be held at Cork, and, under pretence of trying civil and criminal causes, sent circulars to all the nobility and land- holders requesting their attendance, by which means he was enabled to arrest and cast into prison some of the MacCarthys and O'Mahonies whose allegiance he doubted. The Deputy crossed the Blackwater in the beginning of August, and proceeded towards Dungannon, but he was compelled by the badness of the roads, and the frequent skirmishes which he had with O'Neill, to direct his march towards Armagh. Danvers was driven back with loss to the English camp which the Irish attacked a few days after : but they fell into an ambush laid for them by the Deputy, on which occasion several Irish were slain, and amongst the rest Peter or Pierce Lacy, Lord of Bruff,^ " equally illustrious,^' as MacGeoghegan remarks of him, by his virtue as by his birth, and one of the most zealous defenders of catholicity.^ During a session held at Ennis on the feast of St. Bridget in this year, Eeb. 20th, 1601, sixteen persons suffered the penalty of death, after which the Earl of Thomond departed for England, taking with him his younger brother Donald, whom he presented to the Queen. They returned, however, to Ireland shortly after, having been dispatched by the Queen and Council with reinforcements to Mountjoy, who was at that time engaged in the siege of Kinsale. In the meantime the Spaniards had sent dispatches to the north to O'Neill and DonneU, intreating them to march to their assistance, the number of Spanish troops who had landed at Castlehaven not exceeding 700. O'Donnell soon made his appearance in Ormond with an army chiefly collected in Connaught and Leinster. A reinforcement of two thousand Spanish troops with cannon and supplies afterwards arrived, and O'NeiU occupied a position which enabled him to cut off all supphes from Cork, ' M'Curtin and John Loyd's History of Clare. 2 Lasey, or De Lacy, of Bruff : — Members of this celebrated family -were among the first generals of the Russian Empire in the wars against the Turlis in the years 1736, 1737, and 1738. At this period Russia possessed as great generals as any other of the European powers, and first among those generals were the Limerick De Laseys (Memoirs Historique sur la Russie, 2 vols. A Lyon., 1772). Among the generals who commanded under the Mareschal de Lasey, were, Comte Lacy, his son, and Browne of Camus, another illustrious Limerick man. The conduct of the Mareschal de Lasey throughout the great campaigns in the Crimea in the years above mentioned, is spoken of in the most glowing terms bj' the historian of the wars. He entered Poland, commenced the Siege of Dantzig, marched on the Rhine, made the Siege of Azoph, and conducted many other great operations by land and sea. His son also was an illus- trious general in these memorable campaigns. The military fame of the family was well sustained during the late Crimean War, &c., by Sir De Lacy Evans. 3 The ruins of Pierce Lacy's Castle may yet be seen near the Bridge over the Morning Star Kiver at Bruff. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 129 while O'Donnell established a communication with the Spaniards at Castle- haven. Altogether^ however, the whole Irish army, according even to English authorities, amounted to only 600 foot and 500 horse with 300 Spaniards, under Captain Alphonso Ocampo, whilst the English force is generally supposed to have amounted to at least 10,000 men. 0''Neill and O'Donnell differed in opinion as to the propriety of attacking the Enghsh cam.p on a certain night, proposed by the commander of the Spaniards, Don Juan Del Aguila, who wrote pressingly to the Irish leaders entreating them to come to his assistance at once; O'Donnell thought they were bound to accede to this request. An immediate attack was resolved on, and by the treacliery of Brian MacHugh. Oge MacMahon, Carew was apprized of the intended onslaught. On the night of the 23rd, the Irish set out in three divisions, Captains Tyrrell, O'Neill and O'Domiell respectively, commanding the van, the centre, and the rere. The guides missed their way, and after wandering through the night, O'Neill found himself separated from O'Donnell, at the very entrenchments of the English, who were fully prepared for the attack. O'Donnell was now at a considerable distance, and just as O'Neill was preparmg either to retreat or put his men in order of battle, the English cavalry charged their broken lines, and notwithstanding the stout resistance of the Irish and the gallantry of the Spaniards, O'Neill's command Avere either cut down or compelled to retreat. O'Donnell came at last and repulsed the English wing. O'Neill made extraordinary exertions to rally his flying troops, but all to no purpose, nearly a thousand of the Irish fell. The prisoners were immediately hung ; and three days after the battle of Kinsale, the heroic Eed Hugh O'Donnell had sailed in a Spanish ship from Castlehaven for Spain, where he was received with the greatest honors. O'Neill returned to Ulster. The Spaniards capitulated, marching out of Kinsale with colors flying, and with arms, ammunition, and all their pro- perty. On the return of Don Juan, who was suspected by the Irish of treachery, probably owing to the friendship which suddenly sprung up between Mm and Sir George Carew, he was placed under arrest and died of grief. The famous defence of Dunboy castle by Richard MacGeoghegan and Father CoUins, to Avhom O'SulKvan had committed that fortahce, is an event too well known to require particular description. The President having levelled its fortifications returned to Cork ; and after a series of marvellous adventures and romantic escapes, O'SulKvan, O'Connor Kerry, and William Burke reached the Shannon at T^'erryglass, and having caused their followers to make corraghs or basket boats they crossed the river, and eventually arrived safely in the county of Leitrim, though perpetually harassed by enemies.' Garret Stack still held the Castle of Ballygarry from the Con- federates, but Sir Charles Wilmot having advanced from Limerick by water to attack it, the garrison surrendered at discretion. In the year 1602, forty-two of the rehgious having begged of the Queen to be transported, were ordered to Scattery island, where, having embarked on board a man-of-war, when at sea, by the queen's orders, they were all thrown over board, and the perpetrators were rewarded by abbey lands. 2 ' The Queen's forces who attacked O'Sullivan's Castle of Danboy were commanded by the Earl of Thomond, and during the attack the last chief of the MacMahona of Corcovaskin (Teigh Calch) was accidentally shot by his own son, who proceeded after the fall of Dunboy with the other exiles to Spain, thus apparently terminating a line, which was supposed to be extinct until the publication of the pedigreps of MacMahon, the illustrious Duke of Magenta, proved that it is still well repref=ented. '^ Ililjerma Dominicnna. 10 130 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 1603. Tlie "pacification*' of Munster thus appeared complete, and that of Ulster took place nearly at the same time. The Annals of the Four Masters* mention that before his departure for Spain, Hugh Roc O'Donnell advised O'Neill and the Irish who remained in Ireland after the defeat at Kinsale, to exert their bravery in defending their patrimony against the Enghsh, until he should return with forces to their relief, and to remain in the camp in which they then were, because their loss was small. He also pointed out the difficulties of a return to their own country, and the ill-treatment that awaited them in such an eventuahty — but the chiefs of the Irish, the annahsts add, did not like his advice, but resolved on returning to their territories. " They afterwards," the historians con- tinue, " set out in separate hosts, without ceding the leadership to any, and after suffering much from declared enemies and treacherous friends during their march, reached their homes without any remarkable loss.-'-' The Annals of the ]\Iasters for this year end with this entry, " an intoler- able famine prevailed all over Ireland.-** Moryson gives a frightful account of this famine, wliich the English caused in Ireland " by destrojdng the rebels* corn, and using all means to punish them j**^ and, no doubt, the Irish had been utterly destroyed by famine, had not a general peace shortly followed Tyrone*s submission. There was a survey made of the lands in the county of Limerick which were forfeited in the reign of Queen Elizabeth.^ CHAPTEE XX. EEJOICINGS IN LIMERICK ON THE DEATH OF QUEEN ELIZABETH. HOPES AND DISAPPOINTMENTS. ^FLIGHT OF THE EARLS OP TYRONE AND TYR- CONNELL The death of EHzabeth was very acceptable news in Ireland. In Limerick the intelligence gave great hopes to the Cathohcs, who beheved that they could henceforward freely enjoy the exercise of their religion."* Her successor, James, was the first English monarch who had Irish blood in his veins, and the impression was all but universal that King James would restore the ancient religion which, for reasons of state, that worthless monarch had afiected to favor. In some places indeed the Catholics had taken possession once more of their ancient churches ; and the mayors of Cork and Waterford even refused or postponed the proclamation of the new king, supposing that the deputy's power had died out with the Queen. The citizens of Waterford went so far as to close their gates against the soldiers of Mount] oy, who had rapidly marched to Munster with a strong force, but he quickly undeceived them as to the privileges conferred by their charter, which exempted them from quartering soldiers ; for the deputy threatened that " with King James* sword he would cut the charter of King John to pieces** — and Limerick, • Ad. an. 1602. « VoL II. pp. 283, 284. 3 First Report of the Commissioners of Public Records, p. 122. Report 1810 to 1815. * Arthur MSS. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 131 Kilkeuny, Wexford, and Cashel, were obliged to submit iu theii* turn. The publication of a general amnesty had, however, for a time, a tranquil: sing effect. This was the last official act of Lord Mountjoy, who shortly after returned to England. He was accompanied by Tyrone and O^Donnell, who were well received by the King. On this occasion Hugh O^'Neill was con- ftrmed. in his honors and possessions, and Rory O'Donnell, brother to Red ITugh, who died in Spain, was created Earl of Tyrconnell. English law was now first introduced into the territories of these noblemen. Still the horrible persecution went on ; in 1604, Eecknond Galcorg, Bishop of Derry, and Vice- Primate, was killed by the English solctiefs — Aiialecta. At this time a terrible pestilence, ivhich was brought over from England, raged throughout Munster, and carried off three hundred of the citizens of Limerick. James Galway was mayor, for the second time ; and David, son of Nicholas Comyn, and Thomas, son of Patrick Creagh, were baiHffs.^ Sir Arthur Chichester, the succeeding Viceroy, re-established the long disused custom of ch-cuits in Mimster and Connaught ; and as an extension of Royal favor, Corporations were gTanted to several towns. The rising hoj)^ of the Qathohcs in the tolerant principles of their new King were soon rudely blighted by the issuing of a proclamation, promulgating the act of Uniformity, and commanding the " Papist^^ clergy to depart from the"" kingdom. He had abeady sent orders to Dublin that the Act of Supremacy should'be administered to all Catholic lawyers and justices of the peace, and that the laws against recusants should be strictly enforced ;■ ■, a commission Avas issued caUing on respectable Catholics to Wsatch and inform agnlnst such.. .. of their co-a'eligionists as did not frequent Protestant churehesy:ifand some "^ Catholics who had remonstrated and petitioned „M' religious lifety were committed to prison ; Sir Henry Blunkard wa^ PloBident of 3\Juilster, and Edmond Fox being mayor of Limerick, was deprived of Ms ofiice three Aveeks bi^re Michaelmas day, for refusing to take the oath of supremacy and not going to church. Andrew Creagh Eitzjasper was chosen mayor m the place of Eox, for the remainder of the year, and.this Creagh was the first Protestant mayor of the city. Eox was eleven months piiyor^ — Creagh pne month. Domanick EitzPeter Creagh and James Woulfe were the'- bailiffs. ^ Creagh was succeeded by Edmond Sexten, who had Christopher FitzEdward Arthur' and Peter EitzThomas Creagh, bailiffe^^ ms^'"'"- In the year 1605, the ci^tomg--C(f%i^try'?tl3|cKv'p^el]^ were abohshed c by judgment in the Kii^^ench and the Irish es1;ii,te thereby made descendi- ble according to the course of the common law of England.* In the year 1606, in order to atone for the severity of the proclamation against the Catholic Clergy, and to '^ quiet and dbhge the Irish,^' as Cox ex|)resses it, the king issued out a commission of grace under the' "^'"eat seal of England, to confirm the possessors of estates in Ireland, against new claims of the crown, by granting new patents to them.^ This if faM'y carried out, was a very desirable and necessary measure, for a may" be easily imagined, a great confusion of titles to estates had been occasioned by the troubles, and various changes wliich had happened in the kingdom, and whoever could not make out a clear and indisputable title to his estate, which considering the circum- stances of the nation, for some time past was scaroely -}^)Ossible to do, lay com- pletely at the mercy of the crown, and had no remedy' except to compound ' Arthur MSS. 2 Arthur MSS., White's MSS. » Arthur MSS. * Cox, Hib. Ang. Davis's Reports. '•• Ibid. 132 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. witli the king on whatever terms he could^ and to get a new grant of his estate. Hence the enquiries into defective titles, which took place in the early part of the reign of King James.' These inquisitions were first pro- posed in the causes of MacBrian Gonagh, O^Mulryan and other septs in Limerick and Tipperary, who had expelled the old English colonies planted there, whose heirs not being known, the lands had escheated to the crown ; most counties in Ireland afforded abundance of similar cases. Even of those who had imagined they had settled their possessions by composition, having covenanted to take out letters patent, the greater number had neglected to do so, and holding their lands only by the indenture of the composition made with Sir Jolm Perrott, and not having performed the stipulations they stood in need of new grants to give them a lawful title to their estates. There was also a failure or alleged failure in an infinite number of other cases. This was an age of adventurers and projectors.^ Every body was at work in trying to find out flaws in people's estates ; the Pi])e rolls and the Patent rolls were searched for reserved rents and ancient grants, and no means left untried to force gentlemen to a new composition, or to the accepting of new grants at higher rents than before. It was not to be expected that the fair domains of O'Neill and O'Donnell, would escape the greed of these covetous projectors. The claims of O^Neill to the princely possessions of his ancestors were dis- puted under Enghsh laws, he was harassed by legal enquiries into title, until at last he was compelled to leave the country, partly by means of law fictions, and processes calling on him to appear and answer in the cause of the Protestant Bishop of Derry, against Hugh Earl of Tpone, partly by a con- spiracy, supposed to have been concerted against him by Cecil, but which was put into execution by Christopher St. Laurence, Baron of Howth, who entrapped the Earls of Tyrone and Tyrconnell, the Baron of Delvin and O'Cahane into a plot into which they may readily be beheved to have fallen by the representations made by Howth, of the probability of new penal enactments against CathoHcs. This is the opinion of Mr. Moore' and others, but it is extremely probable that the plot was contrived by Cecil, the artful author of the Gunpowder plot, and that the flight of the Earls was exactly what the government wanted, who immediately declared them rebels, and proceeded to confiscate their vast possessions in six counties of Ulster.'' O^Neill and O^Donnel with their families, sailed from Rathmullen on Lough Swdly, for Normandy, from which they proceeded to Eome, enjoying a pension from the Pope and the King. O^Donnell died the following year, O'Neill in 1608 ; Maguu'e at Geneva in 1608. The flight of the Earls, which may be said to have terminated the independence of Ireland, took place in 1607. ' Carte's Ormonde, II. 264. * Carte's Life of Ormonde, ubi supra. ' History of Ireland, vol. iv., p. 453, &c., &c. * Hardiranns Iriuh Minstrelsy, vol. ii., p. 430; Anderson's Royal Genealogies, London, 1736. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 133 CHAPTER XXI. PERSECUTIONS ON ACCOUNT OF RELIGION. EXECUTION OF JOHN BURKE, BARON OF BRITTAS. A NEW CHARTER. INDENTURE OF PERAMBULATION. THE BATTLE OF THE MAYORS. In the year 1609, according to some authorities, according to others' in 1610, occurred the cruel execution of John Burke, Baron of Brittas, who was adjudged to a terrible death, and all his property confiscated for the use of the king, merely because a priest had been found celebrating mass in his house. His life and death were holy. Being offered, says Carve, the resti- tution of all his goods and a remission of the sentence passed on him, if he would only embrace the Protestant faith, he is said to have replied, " I pre- fer far to save my soul, to become possessor of the entire world.''^ His grand- daughter, Honora was married to the illustrious defender of Limerick, Patrick Sarsfield, Earl of Lucan, and after his death at Landeu in Flanders, to the Duke of Berwick. ^ We extract from Ilothe''s Analecta, translated in the White MSS. a detailed account of this event, which is the best possible commentary on the pretended toleration of the hypocritical pedant, who now occupied the throne of Eng- land.^ • Carve, a Tipperary man and notary apostolic, refers this event to IGIO in his " Annals of Ireland," page 315. * See O'Daly's History of the Geraldines, and Hibernia Dominicana, p. 565, where his daughter, a sanctified Dominican nun, is said to have died in IGi'i. 3 This illustrious champion of his faith was descended from such a noble family, and was pos- sessed of so plentiful a fortune, as that Sir George Thornton, one of the chief governors of Muns- ter, thought him to be a great match for his daughter, Grace Thornton, to whom the Lord Brittas was married, and had nine children by her. He formed a purpose of going to Spain, in order the more freely to enjoy the benefits of the Catholic religion, which at this time was greatly persecuted in Ireland ; but his design being discovered to his father-in-law. Sir George, he so effectually managed with his feilow-governor. Sir Charles Wilmot, as entirely to prevent the Lord Brittas's departure. Being thus destuted in his journey he more fully and publicly per- formed all acts of the Catholic religion, bj- going openly to mass, assisting at sermons, having mass said in his own house, whither all the neighbours resorted to hear it ; his domestic affairs he left entirely to his wife, and devoted himself entirely to religion, by harbouring and support- ing ecclesiastics and religious persons, especially those of the order of St. Dominick. This, his conduct, being represented in a new light to Charles Mountjoy, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, in his passage to Limerick, he thereupon forfeited the Lord Brittas's estate, and it was with the greatest interest and difficulty it was afterwards restored to him. He no sooner got possession, but he prepared a large hall in his house of Brittas for performing divine service therein the following Sunday, which was the first Sunday of October, and whither all those of the sodality of the rosary came to perform their devotions. When the President was informed of this, he sent one Captain Miller with a detachment of horse to apprehend Lord Brittas, just as divine service was going to begin. The congregation was alarmed, and through fear dispersed up and down ; the Lord Brittas, with his chaplain and three or four servants, retired into a strong tower adjoining his house, into which they denied Miller or his troop admittance. The President made handle of this to have him proclaimed as rebel, which laid the Lord Brittas under the necessity of seeking shelter in foreign countries ; to effect this he went to a distant seaport, in hopes of meeting with a ship to transport him, but he was disappointed, which made him seek for shelter in the inland country ; but the edicts against him being published everywhere, he was discovered in Carrick, and apprehended by the magistrate of that town and confined in jail. When his wife, who was with child, visited him in his confinement, his entire entertainment •with her was inculcating on her the principles of the faith, the devotion to the Blessed Virgin, and that she may avoid all commerce with heretics ; he, by her, wrote letters to father Edmond Hallaghan, the director of the Sodality, entreating him to have care of her instruction, and though she was big with child, by her liusband's orders, she travelled from Carrick to Waterford, and from thence to Kilkenny, in quest of said director. The Lord Brittas, by the President's orders, was removed from Carrick to Limerick, where the President was to hold a court in a short time. On his trial the President assured him that he neither thirsted after his life, nor his estate, both which he should have, provided he conformed to the Protestant faith and religion ; but the Lord Brittas absolutely refused to comply, or fcrsnke the true religion he was educated 134 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. On the 3rtl of March, 1609, King James I. granted a charter to Limer- ick.' The city was erected into a countj^, and the bailiffs were created sheriffs. This charter, and the proceedings subsequently taken, constitute matter of the highest importance in the History of Limerick. An inden- in. The two Lord Justices, whose office it was to try him, having remorse of conscience, evaded it, whereupon the President, with despotic authority, ordered Dominick Sarswell, the King's attorney, to try him, which he did, contrary to the dictates of his conscience. He asked the Lord Brittas if he would conform, as it was tlie King's pleasure, but was answered by him that he knew no king or queen who renounced the law and faith of the King of kings ; thereupon Sarswill declared him guilty of high treason, and pronounced sentence of death against him, that he should be hanged, beheaded, and quartered, which sentence the said Brittas received with a joyful and cheerful countenance. When he was brought to the place of execution outside of the city, he behaved with the greatest devotion and composure, as if going to feast. When he was hanged, Sir Thomas Brown, and many other gentlemen, interceded with the President, that he should not be quartered, and their request was granted ; his friends conveyed his body into town, and he was buried in St. John's church, Limerick, the 20th of December, in the year 1607. So far Eothe, who gives the date two years earlier than Carve. His daughter, Eleanor Bourke, became a Dominican Nun, and died in 1646 in the Irish Dominican Nunnery of Lisbon, in the odour of sanctity. On the 28th of July, 1618, Theobald De Burg, a relative of the above John Bourke, who married a daughter of the Earl of Inchiquin, was created Baron of Brittas by James I. ; but he and Lord Castle Connell being in the Rebellion of 1641, were attainted and fled to France. On the accession of James II. they were restored to their estates, which they had forfeited. In the rebellion of 1688, they were again attainted, and lost their properties. Brittas Castle was on the river Mulchair, in the Parish of Caherconlish. ' This Charter recites the great sufferings of the city of Limerick in the rebellion of the Geraldines, their assistance to the King, in the war in Ulster, and in anticipation of the future services of the inhabitants toward the crown, proceeds to declare the city of Limerick a free city of itself. It grants to the mayor, bailiffs, and citizens, and inhabitants of the city, to be a body politic and corporate, by the name of the mayor, sheriffs and citizens of the citj' of Limerick, with the usual power to hold lands, to demise or assign them, to plead and be im- pleaded by their new corporate name. It confirms all their former possessions in the most large and ample manner, by whatever corporate name enjoyed, or by whatever legal title, grant, or proscription acquired. The Charter then proceeds to make the city of Limerick a county of itself, as already referred to under the head of " Limits," excepting thereout the King's Castle and the precincts thereof, one lower room under the Tholsel used as a common gaol for the county, and also the site of the Abbey of St. Francis and its precincts, being a fit place for holding the Assizes and Sessions for said County of Limerick, and confers full power for perambulating these boundaries. This Charter enables the mayor, sheriffs, and citizens to choose " one of the more honest or discreet citizens," to the office of mayor, to be chosen as theretofore ; directs that instead of two bailiffs two sheriffs shall be chosen, and points out the mode of their election, and how vacancies in the office, by death or amotion, are to be filled up. It directs that all persons thereto free citizens shall continue so to be, and that in all things they shall be ordered and governed as formerly. It enables them to choose as many aldermen, Serjeants at mace, and other officers as usual. It confers an exclusive Admiralty jurisdiction, both criminal and civil, over so much of the river Shannon as extends three miles north east of the city to the mouth of the main sea, with all creeks, banivs, and rivulets within their limits ; gives power to hold a Court of Admiralty or liecord every Monday, before the Mayor, Kecorder, and Aldermen, any three or more of them (of whom the Mayor and Recorder are to be two), who were to keep the peace at the Shanbon within these limits ; to receive recognizances, to take fines and amercements, waifs, royal fish and other royal prerogatives, with a non-intromittent clause as to the Admirals of England and Ireland. A Society of merchants of the staple was incorporated by this Charter, by the name of " the Mayor, Constables, and Society of Merchants of the Staple of the City of Limerick ;" with the privileges and franchises of the IMerchants of the Staple of Dublin and Waterford. This Charter further constituted the INIaj-or, Kecorder, and four of the Aldermen (a class first noticed in this Charter), Justices of the Peace for the countj- of the city ; the four Aldermen to be annually elected as therein mentioned and thereafter noticed ; and empowered any three or more of them, of whom the Mayor and Recorder were to be two, to hear and determine ■within the city, at all times to be appointed by them, all felonies and other crimes, except treason, misprision of treason and murder, and do all things in relation thereto as belonged to the office of Justice of the Peace. This Charter also granted to the Corporation all fines, escheats, and amercements, in as ample a manner as the Corporations of Dublin, Waterford, and Cork enjoyed the same, except such royal fines as should be imjiosed on llie sheriff or coroners of the said county of the city of Limerick ; the fines as granted, (except as aforesaid) to be collected by their own officer, to be applied to the repair of the walls, bridges, and other necessary uses of the city ; and lastly, it enabled them to hold lauds, &c. to the value of ilO per annum, notwith- standing the statute of mortmain. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 135 ture of perambulation' was made on the 31st August, 1609, between Donat, Earl of Thomond, Bernard, Lord Bishop of Limerick, Sir Francis Barkley, Ejiight, and Sir Thomas Browne, Kaiight, on the one part ; and the mayor, J The indenture recites letters patent dated 3rd of March, 6th James I. and states that the Commissioners have perambulated, measured, limited, meared, and bounded unto the said mayor, sheriffs, and citizens, three miles of land, and they declare the said county of the city of Limerick to extend and reach to the bounds of all parts, according to the admeasurements, as they are hereinafter declared, and that the under written towns, castles, lands, and hamlets, and other places named for mears, limits, and bounds, are the extreme bounds, limits and true mears of the said city — three miles from the exterior of the said city, east, west, and south.* The first bound, mear, or limit, from St. John's Gate, is and doth extend to the new small hillock, round, or moat, made by the causea on the west of Killcowline, betwixt Koshard on the east, and Gortdromagh, west, Gortnehowyle, north-west, all which is the mear of Kilcowline and Walshestown. The second mear, or bound, is another round which draweth from the first, eastward, standing upon the hill south-east of Carrigparson ; the town and lands of Carrigparson lieth within the same, toward the city. The third mear, or bound, is at the Shannon, directly from the castle of Downashe upward, drawing along the small current or water of Aghanenegorte, and so as the said brook or water runneth east to the moore called Maen Cnockenrewe, so directly to Ballibarrie, leaving the town and castle out, but not the land of Ballybarrie, within the said compass, and the bound to go through the next ford by West Skarte Iree, the towns of Coole Ilenan, Carromartine, Cloneclive, the Gransagh, Garren Ikie, Garrinoe, Cnockenrewe, Clonetwnyh, Aghbegge, Carotanevoye and Careonebellye, and so from Ballybarrie, making directly to the former round or moate, standing on the hill by East Carrigparson aforesaid, within which bound these towns are contained, viz., the two Killonans, Conyheigh, Newcastle, Callagh Itroye, Curraghkip, Ballyreine, Lyshlian, Kilbane, Bealaghennolyne, Bealasymon, Cowell, Sheynan, Kilpatricke, Garriglasse, the Renaghe, Dromrave, Atdmore, Cnockananto, Touryne, Carrigparson, Carnarrie ; Walshe his ToAvne, Bali- browne, Balliogarhie, the Parke Drowmbanyhs ; the mear, limit, and bounds, taken from Mon- gerett-gate, in Limerick, goeth directly to Ballinecurugh, and so directly to the two Mongeratts, Clough Kettine, and so to Brienduffe O'Brien his mill, called the Mill of Claren Icokye, from the said mill to the ford of Cloghtokie, from the ford of Cloghtokie to the ford of Anagh Irestie, as the brook or water between both fords runneth, including the Town and Lands of Cloghtokie aforesaid, wholly to be of and in the county of the cit}' of Limerick, from the ford of Anagh Irestie to the ford of Leyme Ineigh, as the water or brook between both fords runneth from the ford of Leyme Ineigh to the church and trees of CnocknegaweU, from the church of Cnocknega- well along to the stone in the middle of the moore, holding direct course by the hedge of Cnock- balline\'rahir, and to the height of the same, and by the dyke or hedge directing up the hill along to the moate on the top of the said Hill of Ballinebraher, from the said moate on the top of Cnockballynebraher to the town of Ballinebraher, and through the land that goeth through the middle of the said town, and so along through the lane, southward, by Caher Ivaghellie, in- cluding all the lands thereof, to be of and in the county of the said city of Limerick, and so along the highway called Boherbane, close by the land of Lykydowne, leaving the ploughland of Boherhod and Ballj'neffrancke without the said mears and bounds, from the lands of Luckdowa to the eastward of Carrigmartin, from Carrigmartin downward the lowe waie, westward to the Hedge of Walshestowne, belonging to the Lord Bourcke, where there is a moat erected, and from thence to the first moat above declared, erected at the causea of Kilcowline, which is the first mear or bound assigned in length from the said city of Limerick, the mear taken from the mills of Brienduffe's, called the mill of Claun Icekie, drawing to the north-west as the water- course thereof runneth through the Bog of Campire, and then leading to the bog directly, to the * This admeasurement of 1609, which created the county of the city, " three miles every way, in and through the County of Limerick, from the exterior part of the city walls," does not include the North Liberties ; and the boundary east, west, and south, exceeds the limit of three miles as prescribed by the Charter. The North Liberties are on the County of Clare side of the river. Their limits are at equal distances from the city, varying from one to three statute miles. They are referred to, and in part defined in the Inquisition taken A.D. 1615, and Epitonus, pp. 138-9, 40. The South Liberties extend on the County of Limerick side of the Shannon in every direction, from four to five statute miles. Whether that part of the river Shannon, between the confines of the Liberties and the sea, is part of the county of the city, has been questiona'ole, but it is generally considered to be so. Offences committed on the river be- tween the confines of the Liberties and the sea, are triable, and have been tried in the city in one memorable capital instance, in particular, hereafter referred to. In 1854, the late Alderman Henry Watson, Mayor, accompanied by the Corporation, sailed to Scatter^' Island, where he exercised Admiralty rights. On this occasion, a Eevenue Cruiser, then in the Shannon, saluted the Corporation Steam-boat, which was also saluted as it passed Cratloe, the residence of the late Augustus Stafford, Esq. M.P. 136 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. sheriifs and citizens of Limerick on the other part. Tliis important instru- ment sets out the ancient liberties and franchises of the city, and orders the the limits to be bounded by great stones or other notable signs. The charter was followed by a grant of mills and water courses, and lands in the county, to Sir James Fullerton.' Patrick FitzDaniel Arthur, was the first mayor under the new charter ; and William FitzMartin Creagh, and George White were the last of the bailiffs, and the first of the city of Limerick sheriffs. The indenture excepted and reserved his majesty's castle of Limer- ick, commonly called the King's castle, with the precinct thereof, one lower middle room under the common gaol of the said city, and all that the site of the late abbey or monastery of St. Francis, and all the pendances of the same, as a place convenient for holding sessions and assizes for the county of Limerick. The rigors of the law M-ere now enforced with terrible vengeance — the alternative of apostacy or civil degradation was again offered to the citizens of Limerick, their magistrates, &c. as it was in other parts of the kingdom. The merciless rigors of a bloody code were inflexibly executed ; in the year 1611, Cornehus Douan, Bishop of Down and Connor, together with Patrick Locheran, priest, were for the faith hanged and quartered, the 1st of February. — Sir Arthur Chichester being Lord Deputy. — Analecta. In this year David Comyn Avas chosen mayor, but Edmund Sexten was in the same year, chosen also ; David FitzAYalter Eyce held the office of sheriff for six months. Christopher Creagh and Patrick Lyseiaght,^ the one for the entire time — the other for the five remaining months of the civil year. The cause of this was that Donat O'Brien, Lord of Thomond was made President of all Munster. Com}Ti who M^as true to his faith, was deposed from his office of Mayor, because he refused peremptorily to go to church, and take the oath of supremacy, he was seconded by Daniel Rice, one of the sheriffs, who also refused. Edmund Sexten was chosen mayor, and Patrick Lyseiaght and Christopher Creagh, who conformed, were made sheriffs.' Catholics, nevertheless, in defiance of the government were chosen mayors by the corporation ; but they were presented with the oath, which the moment they refused to take, they were deprived of office. The same thing occurred in the next year, 1612, when W^illiam Meagh or Mead was chosen mayor, and Patrick FitzHenry White and John Skeolan were sheriifs. They held office for four months. Christopher Creagh was then appointed mayor, he held office for eight months — and took the oath, but did not go great stone standing in the Hedge called Legancampyne, and from the said stone to Craggen- ecorbally, mearing with the Lord Bishop's and Brienduife's land, and so along the highway till it conies to the heap of stones called Lishdermode Ikallie, and so to Shananc, in the highway, betwixt Tirevowoughtragh on the west, and Tirevowoughtragh on the east. The great castle of Crattlaghmoell on the north of the Shannon standeth right over against this way, mearing Tire- vowoughtragh west, and Tirevowoughtragh on the east. We, the said Earl of Thomond, and others of the Commissioners before named, having measured from the exterior part of the wall of the said city of Limerick to the boimds, mears, and limits before expressed, do leave and include as well all the towns, castles, and hamlets before-named, with all and singular their members and appurtenances, as all other towns, lands, fields, roads, meadows, pastures, commons, and appur- tenances to the same belonging, between the bounds aforesaid and the Avails of the said city, to be of and in the county of the city of Limerick, and within the comp.ass of the three miles jrranted by his Majesty by his llighness's charter to the ninyor, sheriffs, and citizens of Limerick. In witness whereof we, the said E;irl and others of the said commi.ssioners, to this part of tiiis Indenture to be rctornoil and remain in his MajestyV High Court of Chancery in Ireland, among the records of the same, l»ave set our hands and se.ils the day and year above written — Thomond, Bernard Limic, Ffra Barkeley, Thomas Browne. ' Report of Commi.ssioners of Public Records. * Thus the name is spelled in contemporary MSS. ' Arthur MSS. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 137 to church. George FitzJames Creagh and John Lyseiaght were sheriffs for eight months, Meagh, White and Skeolan were deprived,, because they were of the Cathohc religion ; the others were allowed to fill their places becaused they conformed.^ Still a struggle was made^ and again the Catho- lics were defeated by the law, which sought to enforce the taking of the oath on the Catholic believers. Dominick FitzPeter Creagh, John Fitz William Arthur, and George Woulf were appoiuted, the first named, mayor, the others sheriffs ; they held office for three months ; but all were deposed on the 19th of December, for refusing the oath of supremacy ; and in their places were chosen William Haly, mayor, David Bourke and Thomas Power, sheriffs. Thus defeated so often in their attempts to have a Catholic mayor occupy his proper place at the head of civic affairs, persecution con- tinued also to rage, and the part taken by the Protestant party forced the Catholic mayors out of office iii the next year, when Michael Walters was mayor of Limerick, Nicholas FitzNicholas Stritch, and William Roche of Cahirivahalla, were sheriffs. They held office for five months, when James FitzJames White was chosen mayor, William Eoche, the above mentioned, Peter FitzPeter Creagh. were sheriffs for thirty-three days. James Galway was the third mayor, David Bourke and Thomas Power were sheriffs for two months, Arthur Fanning and Christopher FitzDominick Arthur, were sheriffs for four months. All these, ^^dthout exception, were of the Catholic faith; and all were likewise distm'bed and removed from office, because they refused to go to church, and fulfil the duties which an odious and obnoxious law sought to force on them.^ We may well imagine the state of the city, under these circumstances ; we may well imagine also, the state of the law, which in a Cathohc city sought to deprive the Catholics of the power of choosing mayors of tlieu' own form of behef. For the fourth time the same thing occurred in the year succeeding, and with a sunilar result. William Stritch was for the second time chosen mayor of Limerick; James Fitz Henry Whyte and Walter FitzRichard Arthur were sheriffs ; they held office for 14 days. Symon Fanning was chosen mayor in place of William Stritch, and George Sexten and George Rochfort, sheriffs. David Comyn was chosen mayor the second time, Nicholas FitzHeury Whyte, sheriff; James Galway was for the fourth time chosen mayor, James FitzJohn Stritch sheriff, Christopher Creagh, mayor, Patrick Lyseaight, Sheriff. The two last mentioned conformed. The battle of the Mayors appears to have ceased in this year, when Dominick Roche was the second time Mayor, and John Fitzjohn Stritch, for for the second time sheriff, and Richard Lawless, sheriff also. These all conformed. But the CathoKcs were not to be beaten down. It was owang in fact to this resolute spirit on the part of the Catholics, that Sir George Carew on an occasion already mentioned, had proceeded so severely against the Mayor, Sir Geoffry Galway, Bart. The instructions given to Sir Ohver St. John, afterwards created Viscount Grandisou, who in this year succeeded Sir Arthur Chester, subsequently created baron of BeKast, was to enforce with rigor the fine inflicted on Catholics for absenting themselves from the Protestant service. » Arthur MSS. and While MSS. 2 Arthur MSS. 138 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. CHAPTER XXII. INQUISITIONS — COEPOEATE SPOLIATION. Whilst the wars of the Mayors were raging within the walls of the city, several grants were made, viz.^ of the cocquet of Limerick, &c. to WUham Bruncor.2 An appointment of officer of Customs, and a grant of the king's mills ^ were made; a view of the revenues of the '^ wears,^^ &c. was also taken,^ and on the 18th of March, 1615, a most important inquisition was taken before Sir Francis Aungier, Knight, and the celebrated Sir John Davys, the kiug^s Attorney General, with the following " good and lawful men of the said comity of Limerick,^-" viz, Henry Barkley of Ballycahan, gentleman ; James Rawley of Balhngowley, gentleman ; Connor O'Heyne of Caherelly, gentleman ; Donell M'Mahawne of Cragan, gentleman ; John Oge Gerrald of Ballinard, gentleman; Richard Wall of Cloughtreade, gentleman; Richard Purcell of Ballincarrigy, gentleman ; John FitzEdmonde of GiUet- erstown, gentleman; Dermode M'Tighe of Twogh, gentleman; Walter Brown of Camus, gentleman; Thomas FitzJohn of Ballynemoug, gentle- man ; Teigh O'Brien of Gortboy, gentleman.^ ' Kepertory of Patent and Close Rolls of Chancery. 2 Ibid, 1612. Ibid, 1613-14-15. 3 Crown Rent Roll, 1613. * It appears hom this inquisition that " the Mayor and Bailiffs of the city aforesaid, tenants of the Weares of the city of Limericke aforesaid, called the Fisher's tent, lying from the Lex Weare, on the east, as far as the river called Castle Donnell, on the west part, by the yeare, 8s. lOfd. s This inquisition shows the grants of King John to the bishops of Limerick ; the grants of Queen Elizabeth of St. Mary's Priory and its lands at 4d. per acre, to Edmond Sexten, and also the lands of Monksland, Clasknagilly, Branlouge and Inshymore, to the said Edward Sexten ; the grants by letters patent of King Henry III. to the Leper House, near the city of Limerick, of forty ploughlands, one ploughland of which the said master of the said Leper Hospital* held when the inquisition was taken — that Gerald, Earl of Desmond held one ploughland in fee of the land called Corbally, parcel of the said forty ploughlands, that he was attainted of high treason, whereby the ploughland became seized by the Queen Elizabeth who granted the same by letters patent to Robert Annislie, one of the undertakers in the Co. of Limerick, for the yearly rent of forty shillings — that Corbally now (1615) is in the possession of Thomas Gould by conveyance and assignment of Annislie, and that no rent is paid out of it to the Ma3-or and commonality of Limerick. The inquisition found that Bealus, alias Courtbrack, was another of the fortj' plough- lands — that the Earl of Desmond held it in fee, that on his attainder it ivas granted by Queen Elizabeth to Robert Annislie at a rent of three pounds per annum ; and that it is now (1615) in possession of the Earl of Thomond, and paid no rent to the mayor &c. The inquisition further found that half a ploughland called Farranygallogh, parcel of the said forty ploughlands, was in the tenure and occupation of the nunnery of Killone, in the County of Clare, which together with the nunnery and its possessions came unto the cro^^Ti, and was by letters patent granted to the said Baron of Insequine, and is now (1615) in the possession of the Earl of Thomond for which no rent is paid to the mayor &c. The inquisition also found that two parts of two plough- lands in three parts divided in Ratwyrd, being parcel of the said forty ploughlands, came into Queen Elizabeth's hands by the attainder of John Browne, and were by the Queen granted to the said Robert Annislie, out of which £G rent is paid to the King, and that three other parcela of land — viz. Gorteardboher, containing ten acres, Gortrebowley, live acres, Rathgreylan, lifteea acres, with three parcels of land, are accounted for one ploughland, parcel of the said forty ploughlands, and are now in tenure and possession of Phillis White, Simon ffanning, and Edmond Burke of Ballasimon, for which they pay no rent to the mayor &c. The inquisition further finds that certain other such parcels of Gowens lying south near St. John's Gate, and the land of Martui Croft, and Clownegonderiske, containing a ploughland, being part of the forty ploughlands, are now in the tenure of the mayor and commonality of the city, and that the mayor and common- ality are seized of the following parcels of land being part of the said forty ploughlands : viz. Park, containing ^ths of a ploughland in possession of Thomas Comyn, held by him from the * The Master of the Leper House of Limerick resided in Mongrct street, in 1414. Arthur MSS. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 139 From tlie startling facts set fortli in tins higlily important and interesting document, wliicli constituted tlie only means by wMcli the property of the mayor &c. for 15s. Irish ; Eebouge. fths of a ploughland, in possession of Nicholas Arthure, held from ditto, at ditto rent ; Ballysoddo, |ths of a part and held of John Fox from same at same rent ; Dubgish, Ballymoldown, and Eathmichael, one ploughland, held by Nicholas Arthure from same at twenty shillings rent ; Rathbane Jths of a ploughland in possession of White and ifanning, heirs of Pierce Creagh, for which they pay only twelve shillings and four pence, Irish ; Rathuj'n, held by Nicholas Stritch of Limerick, merchant, containing the 3rd part of two ploughlands, for which he pays rent, Irish ; Crewilally, alias Ballincloughe, ^th of a plough- land held by Christopher Artliure for the rent of 5s. ; Cheapman's land, alias Ardnevedoge, half a ploughland, held by Simon ffanning ; the mayor, &c. were said to be seized of the following ploughlands, also being part of the 40 : viz. Castlebank, 1 ploughland, held by Nicholas Arthure for 20s. Kilrush ^ a ploughland held by Nicholas Comyn or David Comyn, alderman, at lOs. yearly rent — Farrengowen, otherwise Smith's land, 1 ploughland, held by David White,* alderman, at * The Whites, the Creaghs, and the Stritches have played a remarkable part in the History of Limerick, Clonmel, and Waterford. Sir David White of Eussellstown was married to Sarah Bourk, daughter of John Bourk, who was called Lord of Coshure ; by his wife Catherine Fitz- gerald, daughter to John Fitzgerald Earl of Desmond : they had issue — 1st, Solomon White, son and heir to the said David and Sarah — was married to Margaret Walsh, daughter to David Walsh of Ballintober — had issue as follows ; — 1st, David White, son and heir to the said Solomon, was married to Margaret Brien, daughter to Anion Brien of Comraeragh, and had seven children — 2nd, Pierce White, counted a very strong man, but never married, — 3rd, Thomas White, 4th, Robert White, — 5th, John White, died in France, — 6th, Patrick White, — Tth, James White, and lastly Stephen White, v/ho was Colonel to King Charles I. and II. and never married. James White, above mentioned, was married to Elizabeth Butler, daughter to John Butler of Clare grandson to the Lord Dunboyne, by his wife Julian Quirk, daughter to O'Quirk of Muskerry ; the said James White had several children, but all died and dispersed by reason of Cromwell's war, except Stephen White who was taken up by his uncle Pierce White, and having no child, was made by the said Stephen sole heir of his estate and all he was possessed of. The said Stephen was married to Catherine Stritch,* daughter to Thomas Stritch who was put to death by Crom- well in Limerick along with several prime gentlemen ; by his wife Christian Creagh. daughter to James Creagh of Carrighfaddagh, he had several children, whereof none live but Mary, who is married to James Stritch, son to William Stritch, and Julian Bourk, daughter to Thomas Bourk of Ballinloughane and Westown ; said James and Mary have eight children, whereof Thomas is the eldest. The family of Catherine Stritch are these: first, Patrick Stritch of Limerick, son to William, was married to Catherine Bourk, daughter to Walter Bourk, by whom he had two sons named Thomas and Patrick, which Thomas was married to Christian Creagh aforesaid, and had several children, whereof only four lived — Patrick Stritch, married, had no issue, died 2nd, James was a clergyman (Catholic) and Vicar-General of the diocese of Limerick 3rd, Francis Stritch, who died unmarried, and was crazy — 4th. Catherine Stritch, who was married to Stephen White before mentioned. The said Doctor James Stritch made Mary his niece sole heiress of his substance and estate. The family of Christian Creagh are, viz Andrew Creagh of Limerick, commonly called Andrew Maighgagh, was married to Ellen Fitzgerald, daughter of Fitzgerald of Gurtnatuber, — had issue by her as follows : — first, James Creagh of Carrighfadda was married to Catherine, daughter to liobert White, Mayor of Limerick, by his wife Eleanor Arthur, sister to Sir Nicholas Arthur of Limerick ; he had fifteen brothers, one whereof was Pierce Creagh the youngest, who was married to Mary Brien, daughter to O'Brien Arra, and first married Bridget Rice ; he had issue Pierce Creagh, Bishop of Cork, and Alderman John Creagh of Limerick, who was the eldest. Andrew Creagh the youngest was married to Catherine Fitzgerald, daughter to Edward Fitzgerald of Pallice. James Creagh's niece, was married to Pierce * John Stritch, a gentleman of fair character and inheritance, was forced to depart the town of Genes in Italy by reason of the great spoyle and pillage done to the said town by the Saracens and Infidels, A.D. 933 ; and Henry I. being the Emperor of Rome, the said John, with his wife and four sons, came from Paris in France and there died. In process of time his children and offspring came to Rouen in Normandy, from thence into England, and part of them came to Ireland ; and by reason of the removing of them into sundry places and shires, some of them are called Stretch, Stritchee, Stretch}-, Stridch, Strich, Strit, Strett, Strethem, and such now inhabiting in England, Ireland, and in other countries in Europe as the aforesaid names, and such now inhabiting in Florence and Italy, and other places of the same country. Collected by Richard Stritch, gentleman, of Limerick in Ireland. This account of the Stritches was taken from an old piece of vellum which was three hundred years stamped and in the possession of Michael Stritch. The Italian name is Strochio. In the Arthur MSS. the name is usually written Strech, and sometimes Stretdi, There are very few of this old name now in Limerick. The Creaghs continue numerous and respectable in Clare and Limerick. 140 HiSTorvT or limerick. Corporation could be identified, it would appear that jobbing among corpo- rators, was not in these times unusual, and that the lands, which should 20s. yearly. Closinmackine, J a ploughland, held by D. White, at 10s. j'earh'. Ardnegallagh, otherwise Knockardegallagh, Caherdavy, Shanevolley, and Farrenconmary, 1 ploughland, held by James White, Thomas Comyn and Rory Omighan, at 20s. Irish yearly ; Ballygadynan, 1 plough- land, anciently held from the Mayor and by John Blunt, now held by John Arlhure at 20s. yearly rent ; Clonecannan, otherwiseCahernefinnellie,! plowland held by David Comyn and Edmond Comyn, at 20s. yearly rent ; Cownagh and Clonedrinagh 1 plowland, held by David Comyn, Eichard White and Tiege M'Shane at 203. j'early rent ; Ballymaughtenmore, Moylish, and Ballyinaughtenbeg, 1 plowland, held bj' Wm. Stritch, alderman, John Arthure and William White, merchants, at 20s. a year rent ; Trior's land lying north of Thomond Bridge, containing 15 acres, and Farrengkelly seven acres, both ^ a ploughland and parcel of the 40 ploughlands, which Prior's land is parcel of the former six ploughlands, of St. Mary's House, granted by the king's majesty to E. Sexten, and was held by the said E. Sexten, yielding no rent to the mayor ; Farrengkelly, the glebe land of the vicarage of or rectory of Kilaly, now in possession of Vicar of Kilaly, paying no rent to the mayor, &c. The yearly rent of the burgage within the said city is and always was only 20 marks — the king's mills, under one roof, in the west part of the city walls, betwixt the said Weir and the rock called Corrogower on the Shannon near the King'a castle were sometime held by the mayor, and the said mill is the mill for which £20 Irish parcel of the sura of Ixxviii six shillings and eight pence Irish, was accounted for in the Exchequer — that the said mills came into the hands of Queen Elizabeth who leased same to Richard Stretch, which mill is now held by William Stretch, alderman, by virtue of said lease ;* they find also that the following 8 ploughlands, parcel of the said 40 ploughlands, which eight ploughlands Richard de Clare did hold of the Kings of England as feoffee of the said mayor and commonality or otherwise, viz. Knocknishin containing 1 ploughland, held by the Earl of Thomond ; 1 plough- land in Ballycannan ; 1 ploughland in Cappagtiemore, which 2 ploughlands are also held by the Earl of Thomond ; Glanegrosse, 1 ploughland, held by Donogh Teighe O'Brien of Glanegrosse aforesaid ; 1 ploughland in Frybagh, held by Thomas MacNamara, Owen M'Mahone and others ; ^ a ploughland in Craltelaghmoell held by Donell M'Namara ffoyne ; ^ a plowland inCrallelaghneill held by Cowra MacLydda and James Rochfort, ^ a plowland in Castledonnell, alias Gallelagh- more ; J a ploughland in Quireenboy, which 2 last mentioned are held by the heir of Edward White, and that the aforesaid 8 ploughlands, parcel of the said 40 ploughlands, and held by the said Richard de Clare, do lie so near unto the said city, and answer no rent to the said mayor and commonality, are by tradition and hearsay, from ancient men affirmed to be within the old and ancient liberties and bounds first limited to the said city in the N.W. side of the said city. The inquisition bears the signatures of Fr. Aungier, and Jo. Davys. Moronj' of Limerick, her name was Margaret Creagh ; she ^vas Creagh by father and mother- The said James Creagh had another daughter by Catherine who went to France, and was married to Richard Creagh of Rochelle ; he had issue as follows : — 1st, James Creagh, who was captain in Sheldon's Regiment and was killed at Aughrim, — 2nd, Sir Richard Creagh of Rochelle, and a daughter who died without issue. — Per Eleanor Stritch. The above particulars of the ancient families of Whites, Bourkes, Stritches, and Creaghs, are copied from an old MS. in the possession of Miles Vernon Bourke, Esq. M.D. of Limerick, a descendant maternally of the Stritches. In Sir Bernard Burke's Landed Gentry of Ireland, the Creaghs of Dangan, County Clare, are represented as descended from Pierce Creagh, Esq. of Adare, Mayor of Limerick in IGol, son and heir of Pierce Creagh, Esq. of Adare, M.P. for the city of Limerick in 1G39, and deprived of his estate of Adare for having corresponded with the Duke of Ormond. On the restoration, he returned from France, and obtained by patent, the castle, town, and lands of Dangan, County Clare. Helenas White, Esq. J. P. of Limerick, possesses a pedigree on illuminated vellum, which shows that Richard White, the first of his family, came from England to Limerick, in A D. 1418, and acquired great honor and reputation. He settled at Ballyneety, so called from his name (Whitestown) in the County of Limerick, says the pedigree, and afterwards acquired the estate of BaUynanty in said count}'. From this Richard White of Ballyneaty descended several fa- milies of the name. Richard built the Castle and Church of Ballyneaty, and began the building of the Church of BaUynanty, which after his death was finished by his son and heir, who acquired the estate of Tullybrackey, where he also built a Church. The descendants of Eichard erected stately burying places in the said Churches of Ballyneety or Whitestown, BaUynanty, and Tullybrackey, and in the Cathedral Church of Limerick. Ulster King at Arms, A.D. 171G, * Curragower mill was held by several persons from time to time, but early in 1858 it was burned to the ground and not rebuilt. It was then held by Alderman Quinlivan, who worked it for some years, as tenant to the Limerick Harbour Commissioners, who purchased it, A.D. 1839, from the Old Corporation, tn whom thoy gave a sum of £300, and to ivliose Knant, Mr. Cornelius Jvash, they gave £2300, for the interest of his lease. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 141 have been let at a fair and equitable value, were parcelled out among the cor- porators and their friends, at a figure so very low, that when we examine the rental of this noble property, we ask ourselves where were the consciences of men, who could thus deal with public property ? Whilst we adniire the prin- ciple and fidehty which prevented the Stritches, the Whites, the Comyns, the Arthurs, &c. from renouncing faith and taking the oath of supremacy, from retaining the wand of office, rather than violate duty, we must deplore the laxity in Corporate affairs Avhich prevailed in an otherwise heroic age, but which we shall have to denounce a century later, when the property of the citizens was nearly alienated altogether, and the city bereft of the patri- mony which the charters of successive monarchs conferred upon it, and which was found and recognised by the inquisition of James I. to which we have been just referring. Jameses reign as we have seen, was rendered remarkable in Ireland, not only by the wholesale plunder of Cathohcs, but by their savage persecution. The question of the kiug^s supremacy created great disturbances among the corporators, and it was not until the accession of Charles the 1st in 1635, that the execution of these unjust and cruel laws were so far relaxed, that the mayor and sheriffs, viz. James Bourke, James Stackpole, and George Burke of Limerick, went publicly to mass : so far back as 1605, Fox the mayor was deposed for refusing to take the oath, and Andrew Creagh was appointed the first Protestant mayor. In 1617, a proclamation was issued for the expulsion of the Catholic clergy, and the city of Waterford, whose corporation had, like that of Limerick, resolutely refused to take the oath of supremacy, was in consi^quence deprived of its charter. In the year 1616, the mayor ordered the gate call Mongret, which had been long closed, to be reopened, i Hitherto the Cathohcs "had strenuously resisted the appointment of any but Cathohcs to the magistracy, but at last the Viceroy and council promulgated a decree prohibiting any one from dis- charging any pubhc office, unless he had first taken the oath of supremacy, and solemnly attended the Anghcan service, and this under the penalty called pnemimire. Hence it happened that they elected those whom they expected to be obedient to the king's wishes, whom they now call " conformists,''-' as they call the Catholics "recusants.-" In 1616, Dominick Roche, mayor, John Stritch and Richard Lawless, sheriffs, both conformists. 1617. John Stritch mayor, George James Creagh and Pierce or Peter Harold,^ sheriffs. The two later had conformed. certifies the pedigree above referred to, and an endorsement contains the names of Daniel O'Kearney, Bishop of Limerick, 1st of September, A.D. 1776, attesting that this family of the Whites had always remained in the Catholic faith ; of Laurence Nichell, Secretary to the Bishop, and by his command ; and of Michael Peter MacMahon, Bishop of Killaloe, testifying to the same effect. These Whites suffered severely by confiscation. The name of White appears in the city annals at a much earlier period than the fifteenth century. The family had enjoyed very high positions in the city as Magistrates, Mayors, &c. and in the Catholic Church, of which several of them were distinguished dignitaries, including Doctor Jasper White, P.P. who lived in the year 1C68, and compiled important ecclesiastical records, which are extant, and to which I refer in the proper place ; and the Rev. James White, P.P. St. Mary's, compiler of the MSS. Annals of Limerick. ' Arthur MSS. * Harold.— This is one of the most ancient families in the city of Limerick, and is now repre- sented by Daniel and Edward Harold, Esqrs. (who inherit the paternal property which in penal times was held in trust by Lord Milton). They are sons of the late Richard Harold, Esq. of Pemywell House and Park, and grand-nephew of General Baron Harold, of the -regiment of Keaingsfeld in the Bavarian service, who distinguished himself highly abroad, and received the different orders of the Holy Roman Empire. Several others of the family rose to the highest rank in the service of Saxony and Bavaria. The Danish forces having had a bloody conflict 142 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 1618. Dominick Roclie was Mayor and resigned in Dublin, when Pierce White was chosen. The sheriffs were Edward Sexton and David Roche, both conformists. Sir Ohver St. John, whom we have seen appointed with special instructions to enforce the law against recusants, also banished by proclamation, all monks and friars educated in foreign seminaries ; but his intolerable severity had created so many enemies, that he was unable to make head against them, and was superseded in 1622, by Henry Lord Falkland, to the great joy of the Catholics, who as at the accession of king James, began to erect and repair abbeys, and to re- appropriate the churches. Usher, Bishop of Meath, after- wards so well known as Archbishop of Armagh, distinguished himseK at this period by his gross intolerance, though his own ecclesiastical court, according to Bishop Bedel, might from its disgracefully corrupt state, have more fitly employed the energies of his great mind, than the most efficient mode of riveting the penal chains upon Catholics. In 1626, Falkland advised the Irish Catholics to send agents to King Charles I., who actually accepted from them the offer of £120,000 in return for some relaxations of the penal laws, then known by the name of " graces,-" and the advantages resulting from what were extended to other religionists besides Catholics. The money was to be paid in three yearly mstalmeuts, and the first instalment was actually paid, Avhen the agents on returning home, found that not only were the royal promises evaded, but that a pro- clamation had been issued against the " popish regular clergy'^ — and Lord Falkland being recalled, the penalties enacted in the reign of Elizabeth were mercilessly enforcech with the Irish at Singland, in which twelve hundred men were slain, an angel appeared in the camp of Auliff, the Danish Prince. Since then the Harolds of Limerick bear the angel habited issuing from a Ducal coronet. The Harolds of Dublin have a Lion Rampant gules as their crest — the arms of both families are the same — the motto is formitas in calo. In St. Mary's Cathedral the seat of one of the ancient oak stalls is carved with the Harold Arms and the above motto. Of this family was Harold, Bishop of Limerick, A.D. 1151. The name appears fre- quently on the principal roll of the city from A.D. 1418 to 1689. Twelve of the name were mayors of Limerick. Eighteen of the name were bailiffs and sheriffs. Sir Balthazaar Nihill, one of the Knights of Malta, was married to Miss Harold of Limerick. General de la Hitte, the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the French Eepublic, was married to the daughter of the celebrated beauty. Miss Jane Harold ; she was wife of Rogerson Cotter, Esq., of Mallow (uncle of Sir J. Cotter, Bart., of Rakferant), and aunt of Daniel and Edward Harold, Esqrs. above mentioned. This family is related to the Eyans, of Inch House, Co. Tipperarj^ ; the Macarthys, of Spring House, Co. Tipperary ; the Shiels, of Limerick, &c. ; the Grehans of the Count}' Dub- lin ; the Galways of Limerick and Cork; the Roches of Limerick ; the Woulfs of Clare, &c. &c. The portrait of Miss Jenny Galway, the wife of Richard Harold of Pemywell, and daughter of Sir Geoffry Galway, who was executed on the surrender of Limerick, in 1051, to Ireton, is in the possession of Messrs. Daniel and Edward Harokl. The late eminent Chief Baron Woulfe's grandmother was Miss Harold, of Pemywell. A curious circumstance connected with this ancient family occurred during the mayoralty of tlie late Alderman Joseph Gabbett. The ninth son of the General Baron Harold, above mentioned, feeling the absolute necessity of possessing himself of the family genealogy, which was essential to his recognition abroad, wrote to the mayor expressing his anxiety to this effect. The letter was written in French — lie was not aware that any of the name survived in Limerick. The moment Alderman Gabbett received the letter, he communicated with Richard Harold Esq., who immediately forwarded the required doculnents, duly attested and signed by the authorities, including the Catholic and Protestant Bishops of Limerick. The document went to its destination at Dusseldorf, where the young soldier was forthwith enrolled among the nobility, and his progress in the army, in which he had already distinguished himself, was rapid in the extreme. HISTORY OF LIMEllICK. CHAPTER XXIII. AFPAIKS IN THE CITY. — DE,. THOMAS AETHUE. PROJECTED CATHOLIC UNIVERSITIES. WENT\TOETH. ARCHBISHOP USHER, ETC. To return to the affairs of tlie city — 1634. In this year the Lord Deputy Falkland arrived in Limerick, and was entertained by Mr. Sexten, the mayor. On September the 4th of this year, died Donough O'Brien, Earl of Thomond, at Clonmel ; he was buried in St. Mary^s, Limerick, where there is a remarkable monument erected to his memory, which I notice among the monuments in that Cathedral. He was Lord President of Munster.^ During the reign of James I., the following persons had filled this high office : — Donough, Earl of Thomond, Sir Henry Beecher, Su* Henry Danvers, Sir OHver St. John, Henry Earl of Thomond, Sir Edward YiUiers, and Sir WiUiam St. Leger. It was in this year that Dr. Thomas Arthui', by his great skill in the pro- fession, saved the life of the man whose name we have already referred to, who figured more conspicuously than any other in his time, as a historian, an antiquary, an opponent of Cathohcs, and a prelate of the Church Establish- ment — we mean Dr. James Usher, who is called " pseudo-primas Ardmac- lianus,'' by Dr. Arthur, and who had lately returned from England, where he had been a long time, af&icted with a most dangerous disease which had baffled the skill of the physicians of that country. Not having been done justice to by the doctors in England, Dr. Ai'thur accordingly proceeded to ' The authority of the President, in his district, was equal to that of the Viceroj' in Ireland. He had the power of life and death, could create knights, was royally attended with guards, and had power by patent to command all the forces raised in the province. He had authority to hear and determine all complaints and to hold Commission of Oj'er and Terminer, and gaol delivery throughout the province, and to hold his courts when and where he thought proper, with power to execute martial law upon all persons, who had not five pounds of freehold, or goods of ten pounds' value, and to prosecute any rebel with fire and sword ; for this purpose he might array any of the Queen's loyal subjects. He could hear and determine complaints against all magistrates and ofiicers, civil and military, throughout the Province of Munster, and the Crosses and Liberties of Tipperary and Kerry, and might punish the offenders at discretion. He had authority to put persons accused of high treason to the torture, and reprieve condemned persons : and to issue out proclamations, tending to the better ordering and regulation of the Queen's subjects. He had a retinue of thirty horse and twenty foot ; the under captain's al- lowance was 2s. per diem, and the guidon and trumpeter's 2s. each. He had also a serjeant-at- arms to carry a mace before him ; and it was his duty to apprehend all disobedient persons. Fynes Morison has given the following statement of the expense of the presidency of Munster for the year 1598. The Lord President's Salary, His diet, with the Council allowed) at his Table, j His retinue of 20 foot and 30 horse. The Chief Justice, The Second Justice, The Queen's Attorney, The Clerk of the Council, The Clerk of the Crown, The Serjeant at Arms, The Provost Marshal, £ s. d. per annum, ... ... 133 6 8 do. ... 520 do. ... 803 do. ... 100 do. ... 66 13 4 do. ... 13 6 8 do. ... 20 do. ... 20 do. ... 20 do. ... 255 10 £1,951 16 8 144 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Di'oghedaj to visit him professionally^ dwelling in the Archiepiscopal palace, and remaining there for some time from the 22nd of March, 1625.' The proclamation which was in this year issued against the regular clergy, was every where evaded and turned into ridicule. It was read in Drogheda by a drunlcen soldier in such a ridiculous manner, that it created great amuse- ment amongst the inhabitants, and was so despised by the Cathohc clerg}', that they nevertheless exercised full jurisdiction, and not only proceeded to build abbeys and monasteries, but " had the confidence"^ as Cox expresses it, "to erect a university in Dublin, in the face of the government, which it seems thought itself hmited in this matter by instructions from England.'" Concessions and ordinances, which were made in the Eoman Chapter of the Dominicans were issued, appointing, among other important matters, that Five Universities should be erected in Ireland, viz. at Dublin, at Limerick, at Cash el, A.thenry, and Colerain.^ It is by no means indicative of the progress of toleration, to find the same government refusing even a charter to a similar institution at this very day in Dublin, nor, says the same writer, was the beauty of the Protestant church at this time sullied by its avowed enemies only. Things sacred were exposed to sale in a most scandalous manner ; parsonages and episcopal sees were alienated, and the churches were generally out of repair. 1626. There was a proposal from the Court this year for the toleration of the Catholic religion in Ireland ; but the Protestant Bishops protested against it.* 1629. Complaints were now made against the Lord Deputy for partial administration. He was soon after removed, and Adam Loftus, Viscount Ely, Lord Chancellor, and Eichard, Earl of Cork, Lord High Treasurer, were sworn Lords Justices. These Lords Justices caused St. Patrick's Purgatory to be dug up,^ and by directions from the Council in England seized on fifteen of the new religious houses of the Irish Catholics.^ • " On the 30th of August I proceeded to Limerick, where I remained until the tenth day of the following March with my wife, and obtained in the meantime from some patients £21 8s. Gd. At that time it was, that Mr. James Usher, Doctor and ' pseudo-primate' of Armagh, who had lately returned from England, where he had long laboured under a severe disease, to remove which, he had tried in vain the assistance of the royal physicians at a vast expense, sent for me. I waited upon him, while staying at his own palace in Drogheda, March li2nd, 1625. Then having heard his statement and weighed the opinions of the most eminent ph}-sicians, and serriousl)' studied the symptoms which arose throughout the whole history of the disease ; from these I thought I had explained the cause of this doubtful disease, which every day grew worse and worse, and which had hitherto escaped the observation of several very eminent men, which when I was sensible I had perfect!}' ascertained after making a slight experiment to try my conjecture,' I confidently undertook his cure ; nor did my hopes once deceive me. The curing of so eminent and on account of his erudition, so celebrated a man, of this grievous and stub- bom disease, which baffled the skill of the royal physicians and most eminent doctors of Eng- land, made me celebrated and a favourite amongst the English, whom I had greatly disliked [exosus] for the sake of the Catholic religion." While this cure was progressing, the Doctor accompanied the Primate to Lambay Island, v.-here remote from intrusion they devoted their attention to the cure. The Primate gave him £51 for his professional services. 2 Hib. Angl. ' Hib. Doni. pp. 115-G, which gives the year 1629; and shows, p. 117, that these ordinances were confirmed in 1644 to the Dominic:;n province of Ireland. « White's MSS. 5 it,id. 8 Tlie state of affairs regarding land at this time, is shown by the following curious entry, which I find in Dr Thomas Arthur's MSS. : — " The Lord llenrye O'Brj'cn, Earl of Thowmond, lO^ Martii, 1635, did lease unto me for four score and nini.'teen yeares, three plow -lands and a half in Creatlaghmore and Portregue, at the rent of a red rose in mid-summer, or a grain of pepper if it he demanded. Uppon con- dition that if his honor, his heyres, executors or astignes die within six rooneths after warning HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 145 Land changed hands to a great extent in these troubled and disastrous years ; and bargains were struck, which are hardly paralleled in the cheap dealings of the more modern Incumbered Estates^ Coui't. Dr. Thomas Arthur states,, that Daniel FitzTerlagh O^Brien of Aunagh, in Ormond, Esq., on the 1st of September, 1631, sold him the absolute fee simple of two plow-lands and a quarter, less one-eight and fortieth part of a plow-land, in the Barony or Cantred of Arra, Co. Tipperary, in the Parish of Temple- an-Calha, near BalKna, with the fishing wehs thereunto belongmg, in the river Shannon, for £200 ! He states moreover, that Daniel's foster brother, Kennedy M^Donough O^'Bryen, sold him on the same day, the half quarter of a plow-land, called Mehannach, and the half quarter of a plowland, called Droumnakearten, for £31 ! ! In order to warrant and defend aU these lands against all persons unto him (Dr. Arthur), his heirs and assigns, Moriartagh O'Bryen, son and heir of Daniel Kennedy M'Donough, procured John O'Kennedy of Douneally, William O'Kennedy of Lissenaragid, and Conor O'Cleary of Bruodyr, " all gentlemen of Ormond," to become bound with them in one thousand pounds bond of the statute staple, acknowledge to him at Limerick, 6th January, 1636. It is a startling fact that in a few years afterAvards, these gentlemen of Ormond, the O^Kennedys of Lissen- aragid, and of Dounally, figure in the Book of Distributions as forfeiters. WentwortVs progress in Connaught was made in 1635, to try by inquisi- tion the King's title to the counties of Roscommon, Shgo, Mayo, and Gal- way, and the county of the town of Galway ; in tliis he was successful. Gal- way alone opposing — but the sheriff and jurors, composed of the principal inhabitants of the county, confessed the King^s right, after they had been sent to the Star Chamber, and gave in their oaths to that effect in the Court of Exchequer.^ The case of tenures upon the Defective Titles was decided in a solemn judgment by all the Irish judges. Five of the judges concurred in the opmion that the holders of the Letters Patent from the King or any of be given them b}- me, my heyres, executors or assignes, pay us in whole sum and entyre pay- ment the sum of one thousand and fiftie pounds, sterling, with all the arrears of the interest thereof, then the said lease to be expired. William Brickdale, Esq., and George Conessis. Esq., are bound with his honor in bonds of the statute staple for the warrantie and performance of covenants. His honor by a special note under his hand is bound to save me from all subsidies and other country charges to be imposed upon that land during that mortgage, Edmond, Lord Baron of Castle Connell, who, in right of his wife, the Lady Margaret Thornton, the relict of Dunnough O'Bryen of Carrigogunnil, was tenant to the said Earl in the premises, did atturne tennant unto me, and payd me during his life a hundred pounds rent thereout, per annum. And since his death, the said Lady Dowager Margaret, of Castle Connell, payed me duly every year one hundred pounds sterling rent thereout until Easter, 1642, inclusively. But ever since thea payed me no rent thereout, and yet detained the land until she deserted it in ano. 165- (perhap.? 1650) In a marginal note the land is said to contain : in Kilelypsh, 250 profitable, 183 un- profitable acres, 22 acres one-tenth profitable, Portreigue in Kilfentenan Parish, 243 acres profit- able, 58 acres one-tenth unprofitable, in ano. 1687, in Stratford's tyme. These plow-lands in. the survey made in the Earl of Stratford's tyme contained 720 acres. The Civil Survey Jurors, March, 2nd, 16o5, were these : Robert Starkey, Torlough MacMahonne, Paul MacNemara, Neptune Blood, Thomas Hickman, Captain Thomas Cullen, Thomas Clanchy, George Clanchy, Thomas Fanning, George M'Nemara." ' Writing from the abbey of Bojde, 13th of June, 1635, Weutworth says to Lord Cottington, "It's true I am in a thing they call progress, but yet in no great pleasure for all that, all the comfort I have is a little Boney Clabber ; upon my faith I am of opinion it would like you at one measure, would you had j'our belly full of it, I warrant you, you should not repent it ; it is the bravest freshest drink you ever tasted — your Spanish Don would in the heats of Madrid hang his nose and shake his beard an hour over every sup he took of it, and take it to be the drink of the gods all the while. The best is, we have found his majesty's title to Roscommon, and shall do the like I am confident for all the other three counties, for the title is so good there, there can be nothing said against it." — Strafford's Letters and Despatches, vol i. p. 441. [lioney Clabber ia the Irish hnine cluba for " thick (sour) milk.]" 11 146 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. his Majesty's predecessors, were altogether void in the above counties. Two of them gave judgment that the Letters Patent were void only as to tenure. On the 13th of July, 1635, judgment was given by the court in favor of the annulling of the Letters Patent.^ The fashions and customs of the citizens in these times were rather sin- gular. ^ Li the course of his journeys in 1636 to and from Connaught, Wentworth, on the 19 th of August, paid a visit to Limerick — he remained nine days, and was entertained by Dominick White, the mayor. A guard of fifty young men of the city attended him. John Meagh was captain of this guard — John Sexton and Pierce Creagh were subalterns. Wentworth left the city by St. John's Gate, and in doing so knighted the mayor. He bestowed on the corporation a silver cup, gilt, valued at £60.^ The impression made by his visit, notwitlistandiug the flattering evidences of municipal favor which he received, was anything but agreeable. %o this our own day his name is used by nurses in Lemster to frighten wayward children. His black and ferocious appearance was commented on by Dr. Arthur.^ His friend and councillor, George Radcliff, too, made the same hostile impression, as the nervous satire of Dr. Arthur was also used to indicate the estimate which was formed of his character by the people.^ Oue of the articles of impeachment, however, • Writing from Portumna shortly afterwards he says, " No Protestant Freeholder to be found to serve His Majesty on any occasion in this county (Galway), being in a manner mostly com- pounded of Papists, with whom the Priests and Jesuits (who abound in far greater numbers than in other parts) have so much power, as they do nothing of this nature without consulting them." — Ibid. 2 163G. A wedding present in this year will no doubt be a curiosity in the eyes of my lady readers. It was given by Bartholomew Stackpole Fitzjames, Esq. to Miss Mary Arthur, daughter of Dr. Thomas Arthur before their marriage : — " A small goulde cross ; a goulde ring weighing 22 carats ; 2 small gould rings 5 carats each ; j£G in silver ; a small case of instruments ; a payer of imbroadered glowes ; 4 yeardes of satten rybbine ; 2 yeards of broad satten rj'bbine ; i yeard and h of boane lace, worth Ss. per yeard ; i blak hoode of duble currle ; one payer of whyte glowes ; i payer of Spannish leader shooes ; X yeardes of blak pynked satten ; 9 yeards of sliey colored tabbey ; i whyte fann with a silver handle ; i crowne lowe hood ; 6 payers of whyte glowes ; 4 yeards of 8d. broad satten rybbine ; 4 yeardes of French sarge with 3 vnces of silver lace ; i large taffeta hood ; i crowne lowe hood ; 6 payers of whyte glowes; 2 ivorye combes ; i payer of pfumed cordouan glowes ; a small silver seale." — Arthur MjS/:^., p. 133. 3 White's MSS. * A physiognomic anagram on the name of Thomas Wentworth, a truculent and nefarious character ; a few letters of the name being changed : — Thomas Vaentvoorth, Homo torve lu Sathan. (Grim-visaged fellow Satan thou.) — Arthur MSS. ' I publish the following twenty anagrams, with the change of a few letters, on the name of George Radclyffe, in which are clearly explained his origin, habit of body, mental character, the offices and duties he fulfilled, and his probable future exit : — Georgius Radclyffes Sic Fera gregi dolus. So a wild beast is treacherous to the flock. George Raclef, Fera gregi coins. A wild beast is a torture or whip to the flock. Georgio Radclife, O fera gregi dulci. wild beast to the sweet flock. Georgius Radclyfes. Fera disclusio gregi. A cruel abridgment to the flock. Georgius Radclyfes, Sufigessi Clodifero. Alluding to his evil counsels to the Lord Deputy not to receive appeals or complaints from th« people to the King. — Arthur MSS. I give the above as specimens of the twenty. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 147 against Wentworth afterwards was his having enlisted a large number of Catho- lics in the Royal army. There is no doubt he did enHst Catholics, and that many of the Catholic as well as Protestant gentry got commissions from hun.* Dominick Oge Eoche Mayor of Limerick, in 1639 was created Baron Tarbert and Viscount Cahirivhalla by King James II. titles which were never acknowledged by the House of Hanover. He was grandfather of the celebrated Sir Boyle Roche who died M'ithout issue in 1801. The same troubled state of men's minds, the same apprehensions, imagi- nations, &c,, which occupied the attention of the people in earlier times, continued to disturb them now in 1640. We have a singular evidence of this in a letter preserved in the R. I. A., among the Smith MSS., which relates a curious story of the " enchanted" Earl of Desmond, and his appear- ance under the form of a Black Horse in the Castle of Castle Connel.^ • Sir John Brovme, Knight of the Hospital in the County of Lymrick, was- indebted in a comparatively small sum to Dr. Thomas Arthur by bond dated 13th July, 1639. Sir John became a member of Parliament, and immediately after became a captain in the army of Lord Strafford. Soon after the wars began, he went into England, where being of the King's party, upon some quarrel between him and Mr. Christopher Barnwall, he was killed in a duel.— Arthur iMSS., p. 119—120. 2 Limerick, the 13th of August, IGiO. This was sent to the Archbishop of Armach now in Oxford: — ffor newes wee have the strangest that ever was heard of, there inchantments in the Lord off Castleconnell's Castle 4 miles from Lymerick, several sorts of noyse, sometymes of drums and trumpets, sometimes of other curious musique with heavenly voyces, then fearful screeches, and such outcries that the neighbours neere cannot sleepe. Priests have adventured to be there, but have been cruelly beaten for their paynes, and carryed awa3'e they knew not howe, some 2 miles, and some -t miles. Moreover were seen in the like manner, after they appeare to the viewe of the neighbours, infinite number of armed men on foote as well as on horseback. What to make of this neither my Lord, nor the best divines wee have can tell, they have had many consultations about it. This hath bin since St. James's tyde ; much more could I write of it, and more than this had I tyme to wryte ; bat one thing more bj' Mrs. Mary Burke with 12 servants lyes in the house, and never one hurt, onley they must dance with them every night ; they saj' Mrs. Mary come away, telling her she must be wyfe to the inchanted Earl of Desmond ; moreover a countrey ffellow going off Knockiney ffaire,* to sell his horse, a gentleman standing in the waye, demand- ing whether he would sell his horse, he answered yea, for £5 : the gentleman would give him but £i : 10 : 0, sayinge he would not get so much at the ffaire, the fellow went to the ffaire, could not get so much money, and found the gentleman on his return in the same place who proffered the fellow the same money ; the fellow accepted of it, the other bid him come in and receive his money. He carried him into a fine spacious castle, payed him his money every penny and shewed him the fairiest black horse the fellow had ever scene, and told that that horse was the Earl of Desmond, and that he had three shoes alreadye, when he had the fourthe shoe, which should be very shortlie, then should the Earl be as he was before, thus guarded with many armed men conveying him out of the gates. The fellow came home, but never was any castle in that place either before or since. Uppon a Mannour of my Lord Bishoppe of Lymerick, Loughill hath been seen upon the hill by most of the inhabitants aboundance of armed men marching, and these seene many tymes — and when thej' come up to them they do not appeare. These things are very strange, if the cleargie and gentrie say true. God willing to-morrow or next day I purpose to go to the Castle, better to satisfye myself, this was but amongst other business to the Towne to averr the truth of the same. JOHN HOLME. And I procured the loan, whereoff this is a true coppie. I understand this Holme is a gentle- man to the Lord Bishopp of Lymerick. — Smith 3fSS. in the Royal Irish Academy. * The Fair of Knockany appears to be one of the oldest fairs of which there is record. It is first mentioned under date 777 years before Christ, in the Annals of the Four Masters, and is noticed several times at more recent dates. It is not so anciently recorded as the Fair of Pilltown in Meath, but this latter has been disused since the English Conquest, so that Knockany appears to have the high distinction of being the oldest Fair on record in these countries, or indeed in any country. Fairs were about the earliest institutions mentioned, and they played a most important part in the history and civilization of the human race. It is not a little singnlar, then, that wa should in Ireland have such early records of them, established, as they were, in all countries and 148 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. CHAPTER XXIV. THE CIVIL WAR. — THE CONFEDERATION. REFUSAL OF THE CORPORATION TO RECEIVE THE PAPAL ENVOY. CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE MAYOR AND THE ENVOY. — OCCUPATION OP THE KING's CASTLE BY THE CON- FEDERATES. MURROUGH OF THE BURNINGS. The causes "wliicli led to tlie desolating civil war of this century have been already explained. The intentional non-enrolment in chancery of the new letters patent^ the evasion of the ministers of Charles to carry the graces into effect^ and the repeated plantations^ discoveries and other means of dej)riving the native proprietors, at last produced their natural effects, and we shall have shortly to describe another dreadful civd war, wliich was to be followed by another, both being attended by a repetition of the favorite scheme of confiscation. The acts of Lord Strafford in Ireland, where he is stiU known amongst the people by the name of " Black Tom,^^ have been pronounced by the Historian Hume to be " innocent and laudable,^^ but inde- pendently of the fact that he Avas the chief means of destropng the woollen manufactures of Ireland, he is known to have ad\dsed his royal master to violate his promises to the Cathohcs, though he pubhcly rebuked those who doubted his majesty^s " gracious regards.''"' The means by which he enforced his schemes of plunder, by fining, piUoring and branding those jurors who refused to find for the king, are in themselves enough to refute these shamefully untruthful statements of the English Historian Hume. These means were indeed much more vexatious in their character than those persecu- tions which drove the Scotch Covenanters into a rebellion, T^'hich brought about those results that began with Strafford^s execution, and which ended in the estabhshment of the Cromwellian usurpation. Wandesford^ the successor of Strafford was himself succeeded by the Puritanical Sir William Parsons, and Sir John Borlase, both bitter haters of everything belonging to Catholics except theii' property, and it was the opinion of no less a person than king Charles himself, that but for these men's disobedience to his commands, the terrible Irish rebellion of 1641 would not at all have happened, or would have been quickly suppressed.^ These commands of the king were to pass throughout the remotest ages ; and still more remarkable is the fact, that in the Irish Fairs ceremunies and customs were performed almost identical with those described by Herodotus, as practised in the ancient Fairs of Persia and other Asiatic countries. Indeed there are many most interesting facts connected with this subject, which have met with attention from antiquarian ■writers. I need not add that Knockany Fair exists to this day in fully its ancient importance. ' In reference to Christopher Wandesfoord (sic), I find a curious entry in Dr. Thomas Arthur's diary, which I translate : — " Christopher Wandesfoord (whom I had previously attended) now Justiciary of Ireland, has been seized with a malignant fever this 14th day of November, which I predicted would end in his death, and he died on the 6th day : — Idem, IDth November, Idem, Kith November, ... Idem, 17th November, ... ... Idem, 18th November, Idem, 10th November, Idem, 20thNovember, on which day he succumbed to the sickness Sir James Ware mi.-takes when he states that' he died suddenly. » Curry (and his authorities). Civil Wars, 147. £1 10 10 10 10 10 6 1 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 149 the bills for the securing of the estates of the natives, and for confirming the other " graces^^ before referred to, which Strafford's own biographer Macdiarmid admits were certainly moderate, relating as tliey did to abuses arising from a defective police, to exactions in the court of justice, depreda- tions committed by the soldiery, monopolies which tended to the ruin of trade, retrospective enquiries into defective titles, penal statutes on account of religion, and other evils, for which, to borrow Moore's expression, these wretched people were obliged to bribe their monarch. To this misconduct on the part of the government, and to other acts of oppression may be referred the atrocities of the great rebellion which now broke forth — a rebellion which ended in another sweeping confiscation, and which, according to Sir William Petty, cost the lives of no less than 36,000 persons. The insurrection at first was confined to Ulster, but the barbarities of the soldiers of the President of Munster, Sir Wihiam St, Leger, soon compelled the gentry of Kilkenny and Tipperary to form associations for the protection of their lives and property. Several noblemen had remonstrated against the cruel and indiscriminate vengeance exacted by these soldiers for certain rob- beries and outrages committed by some of the lawless natives ; but these remonstrances were heard with contempt, m consequence of which Lord Mountgarret and others of his friends became convinced that a conspiracy was being formed against the interests of the Catholics, and a general de- fection took place, which resulted in an appeal to arms, the immediate con- sequence being the reduction of all the towers and forts in the towns of Kilkenny, Waterford, and Tipperary. ^ The turbulent factions of some branches of the O'Briens were not as may be imagined idle on this occasion, though the Earl of Thomond exerted his influence as far as it extended. But, on the other hand, the anti-national Government was served Avith an energy on the part of another member of this family which had most im- portant results, and which has branded the name of Murrogh O'Brien, Lord Inchiquin, with indelible infamy, under the popular soubriquet of Morogh cm Totliaine, or, " Morrogh of the burnings." In the December of 1641, a coahtion took place between the Anglo-Irish Catholics of the Pale and the ancient Irish. Out of this coalition sprung the Catholic confeder- ation, whose object was to establish their rehgious independence, and to recover the estates which they had lost by the sword, or the not less fatal instruments of legaHsed plunder. The confederation of Kilkenny consisted of two hundred and fifty-one members, including eleven spiritual peers, fourteen temporal peers, and twenty-six commoners. The members returned for the county and city of Limerick were O'Dwyer, afterwards Bishop of Lim- erick, William Bom'ke, Baron of Castleconnell, John Baggot of Baggots- town, Mark PitzHarris of Cloghinal -foy, Thomas O'Eyan of Doon, George Comyn, Patrick Panning, John Haly, Daniel Higgins, and Bartholomew Stackpole, all of Limerick. Lord Mountgarret was President of the Supreme Council. The death of the celebrated leader took place at this time at Kil- kenny ; his place was supplied by the Earl of Castlehaveu, Garret Barry was nominated General of the Munster forces, Owen O'Neill of those of Ulster, Thomas Preston for Leinster, and Colonel John Bourke for Con- naught. They commanded all persons to bear faith and allegiance to the King. They assumed to themselves the admuiistration of justice, assigned ' Carte's Orniond. 150 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. seven hundred men as a guard of honour for the assembly, sent for aid to foreign governments, petitioned the King and Queen for a redress of their grievances, and assumed the regulation of the currency. While Parsons and Ormonde Avere exerting themselves to restrain the mutinous dispositions which were at this time evinced by the soldiers under their command, the Irish national cause, which had sustained some reverses in Leinster and before Cork, were counterbalanced by the capture of Lim- erick. In the beginning of June a numerous but ill-disciplined body of troops sat down before it, including Lord Muskerry, General Barry, Pierce Butler, and Viscount Ikerin. The citizens evinced the strongest desire to receive the confederates, to whom they at once opened their gates. An attack on the King's castle was immediately decided on, and Captain George Courtenay, who commanded the place, prepared to defend it. This officer, who was the younger son of Sir Wilham Courtenay, had sixty men of his own company, twenty-eight warders and others, in all amounting to two hundred men, to maintain the defence, but they were much distressed for provisions, which they could only procure by stealth from the city. They had only sixty muskets ; the rest of their arms were petronels, pistols, cara- bines, and fowlmg pieces, and only five or six casks of powder. The con- federates commenced their attack by making a boom across the river opposite a place called Mockbeggar-Mear, within musket shot of the castle.^ It was made with long aspen trees fastened with iron links on the Thomond side to two mill stones, and at the opposite or city side to the tower of the Quay. The object of the boom, the completion of which after several interruptions was at last effected, was to prevent Sir Henry Stradling, who commanded some parliamentary ships on the Shannon, from throwing supplies into the water gate of the castle, and notwithstanding Courtenay's guns, the object was attained. The Irish took possession of St, Mary's Church, on which Muskerry ordered a gun to be mounted, from which they kept up a steady fire upon the castle ; but though the surrender of the place was expected to take place immediately, owing to want of provisions and ammunition, the Castle still held out : they accordingly resolved to undermine it. On the 31st of June three mines were completed and ready to be sprung; the first mine was begun near the churchyard of St. Nicholas, and when it was finished and a sufficient quantity of earth carried out, they set fire to the timber, which propped the cavern they had made, when a great part of the bulwark sunk down.^ They made two other mines with less success, but they continued working until the 21st of June, when a breach was made in the main wall of the castle ; Captain Courtenay capitulated, and the city of Limerick was in the hands of the confedei-ates. Muskerry, Garret Barry, and other officers, took possession on the next day. This was the most im- portant advantage as yet obtained by the confederates ; indeed the news of the capture of Limerick is said to have broken the heart of Sir William St. Leger, who died shortly afterwards. On his death the military command of Mun- ster was conferred on his son-in-law Lord Inchiquin, "Murrogh of the Burnings," Vice-President of the provmce, David Barry, Earl of Barrymore, being joined in commission with him to take care of the civil government, ' In Ferrar's time a large piece of this boom fastened to a rock, supposed to weigh three or four hundred pounds, might be seen at the time of low water near the then House of Industry, row the County of Limerick Eoj-al Regiment of Blilitia Barracks, on the Nortli Strand. 2 Carte's Ormonde, vol. I. p. 311, from which Ferrar's account is taken. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 151 "which by the death of the latter, which took place soon after, became also solely vested in Lord Inchiquin. The cannon and ammunition thus obtained by the confederates did them good service. One of these was a thirty-two pounder, by the terror of which they reduced all the neighbouring castles except Loughgur and Askeaton. In these our o"mi days of Whitworths, Armstrongs, Parrotts, and Blakelys, it is amusing to read Cartels description of this huge piece of ordnance, which was of so large a bore, he says, that it was drawn by twenty-four yoke of oxen. The county Limerick, how- ever, which was the great granary of the province,' was ui the hands of the confederates, and Inchiquin was unable for want of men to carry out his desires of destroying the harvest. Towards the end of July the two Generals prepared to march into Cork where the sea ports were held for the parliamen- tarians by Lord Broghill, Sir Charles Vavasour, Sir John Paulet, and Sir William Ogle. The Catholic party, who were now in possession of Limerick, made every exertion to repair and strengthen the fortifi cations. ^ Among those who were seized and imprisoned on this occasion by the triumphant party was George Webb, Protestant Bishop of Limerick. Ware states that he was a native of Wiltshire, an Oxford Student, greatly distin- guished for the smoothness and eloquence of his style as a preacher in the Court of Charles I. He died a prisoner in the Castle of Limerick, his body was interred in St. Munchin^s Church yard ; was taken up soon afterwards in order to see if there were rings or other valuables buried with liim, and again deposited in his last resting place. It is said that he had been in possession of the mitre and crosier of Cornehus O^Dea, who had been Bishop of Limerick from A.D. 1400 to 1426, and of the Black Book of Limerick, from which I have quoted so largely in the early chapters of this work, and from which I shall have occasion to quote more largely hereafter ; and that they then came into the custody of the Catholic Bishop, with whose succes- sors the mitre and crozier have ever since remained, objects of the highest ecclesiastical and archseological interest. Pierce Creagh was mayor in 1643, when the ramparts westward of John's Gate and Mungret Tower were built, in the battlement of one of which was the following Ime : — Pierse Ceeagh, Mayor, 1643.^ ' Ibid, I., 842. 2 16i2. This year, Pierce'Creagh^being maj'-or, the rampart from St. John's Gate of Limerick, •within the walls, towards the west, was made, and the new tower built there (Mungret Gate Tower) ; this appears by the stone fixed in that tower on the walls, where it says, that when Pierce Creagh was mayor that tower was built, but makes the year 1643. — White's jVSS. Dr. Arthur's statement in reference to this circumstance is in Latin, which we translate literally aa follows : — " When the citizens were strengthening the Southern Gate of Limerick, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, with an exterior triangular bulwark, at the public expense, I thought the work, when it had been finished, worthy of being celebrated with the following few verses, to be inscribed on marble : — [The verses are in Latin and may be literally translated as follows :] Altars and native hearths, and laws defending. Now doth the Royal city from this fort, The King's foes far remove, the miscreant knaves Stained with the dreadful murder of a king ; Removes afar those evil working troops, Foes to our country, lusting for our gold, Our homes and all. ' At Plassy Mills, the property of Richard Russell, Esq., J. P., on a stone about four feet long, but broken thus •!• , built into the mill, and seen from the small bridge over the mill stream, 152 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. During and before the mayoralty of Pierce Creagh FitzAndrew, many improvements were made by bim.^ By an act of parliament passed in tbis year^ tbe escheated portions of the city and suburbs^ with the island of Inniscattery, the fisheries of the Shannon, together with twenty-four thousand acres adjoining the city, and the same immunities as Dublin and Bristol, were set out to English adventurers at £60,000, and £1050 a year quit reut.2 In this year, while the confederates, now masters of Limerict, Galway, Shgo, and Duncannon, and of all the chief towns of the kingdom, except Dublin and a few sea-ports, were strengthening their resources, and gaining important advantages, a commissioner arrived in Ireland from the Holy See, being sent by Urban YIII. at the instance of the celebrated Father Luke Wadding,^ a native of the city of Waterford, an able statesman, who at this time resided at St. Isidore^s College in Eome. — This was Father Peter Francis Scarampi, a priest of the Oratory, who was the bearer of a pontifical Bull, in which he praised the zeal with which the Irish fought for the inde- pendence of their religion. He was also the bearer of 30,000 crowns, collected by Father Luke Wadding from the Barberini, Spada, and other noble families. His Holiness also sent a large quantity of arms and ammu- nition, and a jubilee, with a plenary indulgence to all who should take up arms in the defence of religion. Scarampi, on his arrival, proceeded directly to Kilkenny, where he found the confederates warmly discussing the question of an armistice ; the Irish of the Pale being anxious to make terms with Ormond, while the old Irish, encouraged by the clergy, were hostile to any that runs into the Shannon there, is the following inscription, formerly over Mungret Gate :— CAROLO REGE REGNANTE PETRO CREAGH PRETORE. ANNO DOMINI 1643. Acpi — q. ' Pierce Creagh FitzAndrew was active and enterprising. He built a fine " Stone howse" in Mary-street, which house is yet standing, and in which mantel-pieces, with the initials of his name, and the initials of his wife's name, may yet be seen.* The house is No. 9. It was mort- gaged in 1631 to Dr. Thomas Arthur for a sum of £300 ; and it is a curious fact that in the year 1860, this identical house was sold by auction, and purchased bj' a Mr. Cooney, of Broadf ord, in the County of Clare, for the same sum of £300. It was in his maj-oralty that the causeway was finished through the Friar's bog (Monabraher), and the bridge over the causeway built, as appears by the inscription raised on a stone in the bridge in black letters : — " Hunc pontem ac Viam Stratam fieri fecit Petrus Creagh filius Andreas major ciutatis Liraericensis sumptibus ejusdem ciutatis, A.D. 163o." In Davis' MSS., it is said in rhyme that a Scotchman came to ply a ferry-boat between Limerick and Parteen, but as he demanded money in advance, the city refused to deal with him — hence the causeway was made. * Irish Statutes, 17th Charles I. 3 Ilib. Doin. 650, and the authorities there quoted — the author here quoted assigns this mission to the year 1G44, but the Arthur MSS. to 1643. The latter date is adopted by Father Meehan also, iu his interesting historv of the Confederation of Kilkennv. .A. E R 16 I.H.S. 33. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 153 proposals which should not ensure their religious rights. The Papal envoy gave every encouragement to the old Irish party. The conduct of the Mayor and Corporation, and of certain prominent citizens of Limerick in this crisis, was selfish and timid in the extreme ; they desired, as it were, to remain, quiescent spectators of what was passing, rather than take an active part in events of the deepest national interest. The truth is that many of them were secret sympathisers with Lord Inchiquin, and the Earl of Thomond with whom they carried on a constant correspon- dence. To counteract the mischief which was growing out of this state of things, the Council of the confederation, which was now in Clonmel, des- patched Sir Daniel 0''Brien of Dough, and Mr. George Comyn of Limerick, with directions to confirm the party faithful to the confederates in their reso- lutions, to sift to the bottom of what was agitated, and to prepare the way, if possible, for the coming of the confederate Council to Limerick. But the Major, and those who acted with him, notwdthstanding the opinions to the contrary of the Eight Eev. Dr. Arthur, who was Cathohc Bishop, the Clergy, and the citizens generally, were violently opposed to the introduction of the Council and Envoy, and represented the country to be scarce of corn between Clonmel and Limerick ; that great inconvenience would arise from the crowds which would be certain to arrive if the Council repaired to the city.^ Dr. Thomas Arthur conducted the correspondence on the part of the Mayor, &c. and his letters, two of which from his MSS. I give in a note, testify to the extreme sensitiveness which was felt lest the Papal Envoy and Council should arrive in Limerick. ^ ' Billing's Fragmentum Historicum in Desiderata Curiosa Hibernica. 2 " Doctor Doniinick White, for the second time Mayor of Limerick, and the rest of the Coun- cillors and principal men of the city have earnestly requested me to write in their name this letter to the distinguished personage Lord Peter Francis Scarampi, at present acting in the capacity of Apostolic Nuncio for Ireland, to explain, in the form of apology, the true causes of ingress into that city being refused to him on the 28th of October, anno Dom. 164:3. ' Most Illustrious Lord. — Our Lord Bishop Richard Arthur, venerable for the dignity of his love and merits, indignant on account of your Lordship's non-admission, has interdicted me the Mayor of Limerick, my predecessor and other leading men of our Council, nor can we find any room for pardon with him, unless your Lordship, of your eminent humanity and clemency, will vouchsafe to intercede for us. But you will say that we are persons of an impudent character, to presume to ask that favour of you who lately excluded you in a shameless manner. Yet we hope, indeed, that your Lordship will be more favourablj'' disposed towards us, when you shall have weighed the influential causes which forced us against our will to commit that act of inhos- pitality, which causes we shall here without deceit explain. Our city from the beginning of this war has been divided principally into two sects or factions, of which the one did in a great degree hanker after murder, theft, rapine, and robbery, whilst the other while it had devoted to the pious services of labouring for religion, king, and state, disdained to be defiled by the commission of such base crime and the stain of filthy lucre. The former, conscious of guilt, and apprehensive of a rebuke for their crimes, and a forthcoming demand of restitution one day or other, fear all things ; trust not even those that were bound to them by ancient ties, find no asylum suificiently secure, persecute the innocent with internecine hostility. Whilst the latter, from the conscientiousness of their integrity, is buoyed up with better hope, and is compelled to devote a considerable part of their industry, in repelling and overpowering the tricks, stratagems, frauds, and snares of the other party that menace them, and they were particularly engaged in that care recently, when the elections were appointed for the creation of mayor, sheriffs, and other new magistrates ; for then the feelings of the citizens and of all ranks were divided between antagonistic leanings, and so, great feuds, quarrels, and passionate disputes arose, as well in the county as in the city, that none such have hitherto occurred within the memory of our forefathers. For the first faction laboured with all its might for the creation of magistrates, who would comply with and agree to their suggestions and counsels ; who, if they should attain their object, threatened to lead 500 soldiers to winter and spring quarters to Limerick, when there was alreadj' a cessation to arras and sieges ; then at length, when they should be secured by so great a force or garrison, they threatened that exile, the gibbet, and the loss of all their properties impended over such of the other party as were troublesome, and other such things as surpassed all endurance. By these clamours of malice and envy, discreet men of the innocent faction (if I may use the expression) were excited and 154 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. The Council saw througli the hollow manceuvre ; but as they could not garrison the city, they adopted prompt measures to prevent the citizens from roused, and they acknowleclged that now the time -was at hand when, if they possessed any resources in talent, industry, friends, dependants, or wealth, they were bound to employ all these energetically in the defending and upraising of the commonwealth soon doomed to fall, and in the preservation and defence of their lives, their wives, their children, and all their properties. And lest they should give occasion by their own neglect or violence to the city, being betrayed and reduced to the last degree of distress by a too numerous party who aimed at it, they spent days and nights in anticipating and averting the attempts of their antagonists, and in restoring their fellow-citizens to a better way of thinking and becoming integrity. Meantime, while we were circumstanced in such peril, after we had passed several months suspected, and apprehensive in avoiding and laying stratagems alternately, behold we learned by sudden report that your Lordship would come hither in a few days, which kept us in a state of anxiety and solicitude : for we feared lest some clandestine embassy sent by our adversaries would draw you over to give credit to their attempts by your presence, being sufficiently assured ; and having clearly foreseen that if j-our most illustrious Lordship should influence the minds of the citizens, while hesitating, vacillating, and in suspense, that we should lose our cause, which is so legitimate and of so great moment, and on which our own safety and that of the whole community depends, and that the populace, being won over, would raise some disturbance in the city ; wherefore we judged that it was of the utmost consequence to the public interest, as soon as possible, to entreat you through our envoys, that you would be pleased to make a longer delay at Cashel while we should provide for ourselves and the interests of our community ; which care kept us so anxious and busy employed, and distracted our attention, that we had not time to pay your Lordship the respects due from your humble servants, by suitable honors and adequate preparations ; and that presently when we had transacted the business which was then to be done in the city, that your Lordship's arrival would be most grateful to us. But our envoy having by no means obtained his point, brought us word that your most illustrious Lordship had decided to ride up to our gates for the purpose of seeing our Bishop [Presul] ; from which unexpected reply that former suspicion of ours received a great aggravation, respecting the clandestine and crafty pronouncement of your arrival by our antagonists, which we could not be led to expect would take place, until astonished by the sudden intelligence of your being mounted on horseback before our gates. We at length adopted the resolution, that our envoy should explain to you in what anxiety about present circumstances our Council and people were involved and engaged, and to request in our name, that for that night at least you would go to either of the splendid houses distant not more than one mile, of Mr. Jordan Roch, Town Councillor, or Nicholas Haly, Esq. also a fellow-citizen of ours, where j'ou would be honourably received, and there on the next morning kindly await the further wishes of the Council. Waiting in the meantime to see if we should happen to learn from some of your attendants or household secretaries, something that would remove that scruple about the designs of the adverse faction, and had that happened according to our desires, we would receive you freely, and, as the saying is, with open arms ; but your hasty and more distant withdrawal disappointed both of us in our wishes and expectation. Illustrious Sir, ;-ou have the true sentiments of our minds disguised by no fabrications, which we suppliantly praj' you may receive with the same sincerity of mind ; and that you pardon your servants, whom the fear of domestic feuds, plotting against our lives and fortunes, has drawn aside from the path of our usual and ancient civility and due deference ; and humbly imploring the apostolic benediction that you would kindly grant it to us, and that you would graciously remove the indignation of our bishop against us, for which marks of civilitj' and decency, our city Councillors and all classes would be eternally obliged to you, as well as myself. Your Lordship's most humble Servant, ' Llmerich, \ith October, 1643. This other letter also by the advice of the same Mayor and Council, I wrote to the same Peter Francis Scarampi on the 5th January, 1643, old style. Most Illustrious Lord — As when I was lately at Waterford, and had offered to you the apology of our mayor, and of all classes of our city, and explained to you the reasons of our constant duty and obedience to the apostolic seat, so in turn when I came to Limerick, I extolled the praises of your kindness, benignity, and indulgence towards them, and brought word that your most illustrious Lordship had decided upon thoroughly effacing and removing the mark of the offence you had taken, honoured our city and aged bishop with your presence, and fixed for that purpose upon the next spring as being most suitable, being the time when you should have some respite from the anxiety of business, as well as when the serenity of the air, the tranquillity' of the weather, and the pleasantness of the country might conduce more to your health, and miti- gate the tediousncss of so long a journey. The reason for which candour on your part, and foresight in selecting the time of the proposed journey', all approved, and did not expect your most welcome arrival before that time. But our mayor very latelj- heard that our bishop had intended (I know not what secret advice moving him to it), himself and the rest of the common council, and some one of the clergy, should invite and bring hither your most illustrious Lord- ship at so unseasonable a time of the year, when, without the pressure of some urgent necessity, HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 155 joining the Earl of Thomond to the injury of the Confederate Government. The influence which the Earl of Thomond exercised over the merchants of Limerick was well known^ because he occupied Bunratty Castle, and the islands on the Shannon, which commanded the navigation of the river. He could destroy their commerce, injure their- credit, and prevent their approach to or from the sea, if he chose. The Council despatched Su- Daniel O^Brien and Daniel O^Brien of Dough, to seize the Castle of Bunratty, and the person of the Earl. The one was the uncle, the other the near kinsman of the Earl — and both were persuaded that it was the best thing could happen him, for the Council had resolved, if he could thus be compelled to join the Confederation, that without interfering with his religion, a great part of his estates would be preserved for him, and no declaration required by which he should be subject to the penalty of neutrals. But the Earl was fully ahve to what he conceived to be his own interests. He had already given up Bunratty to the Parliamentarians, and it was not recovered without a formal siege,' as we shall see as we proceed. CHAPTER XXV. THE APOSTOLIC NUNCIO E.INUCCINI. — SIEGE OE BUNRATTY CASTLE. ESTIMATE OE ORMOND. — TE DEUM IN ST. MARY^S CATHEDRAL. ORMOND's PEACE DENOUNCED. BOURKE DEPOSED. FANNING CONSTITUTED MAYOR. — ATRO- CITIES OF MURROUGH OF THE BURNINGS AT CASHEL, &C. The war, in its very beginning, produced great changes in the circum- stances of some of the highest personages in the land. The Marquis of Antrim, whose Dowager is stated to have been reduced to such a state of poverty by the war,^ returned to Kilkenny this year, having effected his no prudent person ought to persuade, or even propose that your Lordship should expose yourself to the uncertainty of the weather, the inclemency of the winter, and the inconveniences of so long, muddy, and deep a journey. Wherefore our mayor, and the other leading men of the council intreated me to write in their names to your most illustrious Lordship, and in the first place recall the memory of their due respect towards you, their most humble request that, since your Lordship is pleased to adhere firmly to j'our first point, and commendable purpose, and to be induced by no intreaties to anticipate that time, which is so suitable, and which you will appear to have more prudently taken forethought for your health, exposed to very many inconveniences, on account of the unusual variety of climate, soil, and food, and to do a most acceptable thing to our mayor and the rest of our council, preoccupied in collecting very large sums of money, as well for promoting the expeditions of those led into England, and the army (intended) for Ulster, as well as towards the third collection of £30,000 sterling, to be paid to the King, as well as (preoccupied) by other cares arising out of present circumstances. Wishing your most illustrious Lordship every success, Your very humble servant, T. A." ' Billing, Fragmentum Historicum. 2 We give the fact in the words of Dr. Arthur : — 1643. Dame Elis Ny Neyl, Countess Dowager of Antrim, by reason of the warrs, was reduced to extremitie, and driven to pavne her 2 rings, a cross, and a ievvell of gould, inlayed with rub- bles and dyamonds, to John Barnevill, for £20 sterling, with a bill of sale past of' them, unless shee had redeemed the same by the 20th day of September, 1G43, which not being able to doe of her own raoneyes, was driven to mortgadge the premisses to Thomas Eoch Fitzl^yers, of Byrr, merchant, for the said sume of £20, which shee delivered to the said Barnevill in redemption of the said jevvells, and promised him, the said Roch, £20 10s. for lending her the said £20 from the 2nd of August to Michaelmas enseuing, 1643. And the said Countess being at Lymrick the 9th of September, 1643, desired me to pay the said Thomas Roch the said sume of £21, and to 156 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. escape from Carrickfergus, and recently come from England. He proposed to raise troojis to assist Montrose in Scotland; and tbc Confederates, wliora he liad joined, agreed to furnish him with arms, and 200 barrels of oatmeal, which were to be shipped to Scotland by Mr. Archer, a merchant of Kilkenny' On the 21st of July, 1644, Ormonde was duly sworn in Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. About this time Edmond O'Dwyer, afterwaids Bishop of Limerick, where he distinguished himself when Ireton beseiged the city, was sent to Rome by the Confederation, with a memorial to Pope Urban, praying his Holiness to promote Father Luke Wadding to the College of Cardinals. On 17th of July, Lord Inchiquin had addressed a memorial to the Parlia- ment in England, which was signed also by Lord Broghill, Sir Percy Smith, and other distinguished officers, against the cessation of hostilities for a year, which had been signed by Ormond on the part of the King, with Lord Mus- kerry on the part of the Irish Confederation. Inchiquin was in consequence appomted President of Munster, which had been refused him by the King, and which was the cause of his changing to the side of the Irish Parliament. He was, however, reduced to inactivity at present by the winter and the want of supplies, and in the spring of the next year the Confederate General, Castlehaven was in the field at the head of 6000 men, with whom he over- ran the country, taking possession of Cappoquin, Mitchelstown, Mallow, Doneraile, the Castle of Liscarrol, and other strong places. In the end of October considerable succors were received in money and supplies from Pope Innocent X. These timely succors consisted of 2000 swords, 500 cases of petronels, 20,000 pounds of powder, and five or six trunks full of Spanish gold. They were entrusted to the cfire and manage- ment of the celebrated John Baptist Einuccini, prince and archbishop of Eermo, in Italy, who was consigned to the supreme council of the Confeder- ation, with the rank of Nuncio Apostolic, and was received at Kilkenny vriih the greatest possible joy and honour by the council ; presently he was sur- rounded by archbishops, bishops, a great number of the nobihty and citizens following the Lord Mountgarrett, President of the Council, welcoming him with open arms.^ In his report to the Pope, Einuccini shows he had formed but a poor estimate of these outward manifestations of respect and attach- ment. He gives no credit to Ormond for sincerity in any one point of view : he states, on the contrary, that the Marquis boasted of having the Pope's money, and he alleges that, mstead of making preparations to meet projected attacks on the confederation, he did all he could to afford the enemy a safe and victorious progress to Kilkenny. As a counterpoise to this success, we may mention the loss at this time of the Castle of Bunratty, belonging to the Earl of Thomond, and which keepe her said jewell in my owne custodie untill shee were able to pave mee, to prevent future consumption and inconveniences which may ensue unto the said Ladye through the accrueing interest sought by tlie said Kocli : I to pleasure the said Countess payed the said Koch the £20 aforesaid, and kept the said Jewells salfe for the said Ladye, demanding noe interest of moneyes of her. 30th Aprilis, 1649, by vertue of the said Ladj-e Dowager, her letter dated at Grange- begg 29° Martii, 1649, I delivered the said Jewells to Sr. Connor O'Cuillenane, a Franciscan fryar, from whome I receaved twentie pounds, and five shillings, sterling, and who uppon his oate promised to see me payed of 15s. more, bj' May day then next ensueing, instead of the 3 picatouns which were counterfaiet, and that I would not then receave for my payement. John Arthure Fitzllobert, James Ryce FitzJohn, Nichd. Wale, and Thomas Power FitzJaraes wera present. — Ih: Thomas Arthur's M8S., p. 137. • The Archers were an ancient Anglo-Irish family in Kilkenny. 2 VindicisD Catholicorum Hibcrnife. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 157 Avas now tukeu by the Earl of Inchiquin. But this important castle was subsequently re-taken by the Confederate troops under Lord Muskerry/ an advantage not deemed inferior to tlie capture of the castle of Roscommon^ which about the same time was taken by the Confederate Preston. On the 13th of June^ 1646, Father Hartigan, S.J. who had been sent into Ulster as chaplain general to the troops, returned to Limerick with the news of the great victory obtained by the Confederates, under Owen Roe O'Neill, over Monroe at Benburb ; along with the news Father Hartigan brought thirty-two standards, captured from the enemy. More than 3000 of the British forces were slain. ' The capture of Bunrattj^ Castle was an object of the most critical importance to the Confe- derates. The Earl of Thomond,* who before lived peaceably in this castle, admitted into it at this time, a garrison of 800 foot and 60 cavalry, most of them reformed officers, under the com- mand of Lieut-Colonel MacAdam, "a stout officer," who began at once to raise works to strengthen the castle, which, owing to the marshes about it, might be impregnably fortified. Bunratty, wliich was strong, was deemed before the invention of artillerj' capable of defying all attempts to take it. It was now placed in a state of complete defence^ and a mount was raised whereon were four pieces of cannon. A small castle, and behind this the church, Avhich is now a ruin, stood at a little distance from this platform, all within a deep trench, well flanked, in which the Parliamentarians meant to draw water from the river, which ran to the east of the castle. Lord Muskerry advanced to encamp in the parish of Bunrattj', having taken a castle upon quarter which stood at the entrance into the park, wherein the enemj' had left some mus- queteers. The finest deer in Ireland roamed through the park ; and the Irish soldiers took good care to supply themselves with plenty of venison ; the wood, too, was preserved from destruction because the dry brush afforded better firing, and was easier gathered. Lieut.-General Purcell, Major-General Stephenson, and Colonel Purcell, all veteran otKcers who had served in the Ger- man wars, were principally instructed with the conduct of this action. {Billing?) After some skirmishing, they became masters of all the ground without the broad, deep trench on the west side of the castle, and sat down at such a distance that the brow of the bank kept Muskerry's camp from being annoyed from the castle or the mount. Faggots and baskets were supplied hj the under wood. The garrison in the castle was brought by a portion of the Parliamentarian fleet on the Irish coast, under the command of Sir "William Penn, which had arrived in the Shannon on the 11th of March, 16-16, and which in its course up the river had committed several atrocities on the unprotected inhabitants ; it anchored between six and seven o'clock on the same evening off Bunratty, and sent a trumpetter to the Earl of Thomond, with a letter from Sir William Penn and Lieut.-Colonel MacAdam, — the Earl received it kindly, embracing the motion, and jjromising to join them. {Memorials of Sir William Penn). After negociations, which were carried on the next day by Sir Teague M'Mahon — the Earl not appearing in person — they landed 700 men on an island close to Bunratty ; Captain Huntly, one of the Earl's retinue, waiting on them, invited them to confer with the Karl, with whom they dined, and found him well disposed towards the Parliament ; the soldiers then marched over, and quartered in Bunratty that night. The Earl was evidently anxious to play off the Admiral and his party if he could ; but he committed himself irretrievably to them. {Memorials of Sir William Penn). The ship, which the pilot told them might go up within two or three cable's length of Bunratty, at five fathoms at low water, grounded on a ledge of rocks six feet high at the north side of the river, and was not got off without difficulty, and sustaining severe injury. The seige was carried on with skill and bravery on both sides ; the beseiged, who were supplied with men from the ships, sallied out often, but owing to the proximity of the hill, and other causes, their sallies did no harm. In one of them, however, on the 1st of April, Captain Magrath, commander-in-chief of the Irish horse, was wounded ; a route followed, in which a large number of the Confederate army were taken prisoners by the Parliamentarians. In the afternoon a general attack was made on the Con- federate camp at Six Mile Bridge, where a hot engagement ensued, which terminated in the overthrow of the Confederate camp, the soldiers of which were pursued two miles, and 250 bags of oatmeal, and other provisions which were found in the camp, were taken by the Parliament- arians, whose stores were well nigh exhausted. Captain Magrath and a lieutenant, both of whom had died of their wounds, were honorably buried with three vollies of small shot. Previously to this Lord Muskerry had made every exertion to distract the attention of the * Sir Barnabas O'Brien, sixth Earl of Thomond. On his arrival in England, where he married Mary, youngest daughter of Sir James Fermor, Knight, lineal descendant of tlie Barons Lempster, Earls of Pomfert, he waited on the King at Oxford, who created him Marquis of Billing, in Northamptonshire, a title never enjoyed by his posterity, as the patent did not pass the Great Seal owing to the troubles. — Lodge. [He was descended from Conor, who d. in 1539 ; Incliiquin frum Moukogh the Tanist who died in 1551. The last P.arl of Thomond died in 1741. The above ancestora were brothers.] 158 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. The nuncio writing from Limerick in the 16th of this month, thus describes the thanksgivings offered up upon this occasion, ^ The next day (Sunday 14th June, 1646,) at four o^clock in the afternoon, a triumphal procession was formed from the church of St. Francis, where the standards had been deposited. ' The whole of the military in Limerick under arms led the way, after them came the standards, borne aloft by the gentlemen of the city. The nuncio accompanied by the Archbishop of Cashel and the Bishops of Limerick, Clonfert and Ardfert followed ; after whom came the members of the supreme council, the mayor and magistrates in their robes of office. The people filled the streets and windows, and on the arrival of the procession at the cathedral, the Te Deum was sung by the nuncios choir. He himself offered up the accustomed prayers, and concluded with a solemn benediction. Next morning he assisted at the mass in St. Mary^s Cathedral, for the giving of thanks, which was chanted by the Dean of Fermo in St. Mary^s Cathedral, in the presence of the prelates and magistrates above mentioned. ^ The negociations and intrigues which followed these events,^ and which ended in the signing of Ormond's peace in 1646, fill a large space in the history of the times. The Nuncio protested with all the vehemence he could employ, and summoned the prelates and other chiefs among the clergy, with the heads of religious houses to meet him at Waterford, where with all the formality of an apostolic visitation, or a regular national synod, the peace was unanimously denounced, the scruples or fears of those who inclined towards it, were set at rest by promises of Pdnnuccini that large assistance would come from Eome, and that the Archbishop of Cashel had given his assent by saying " in verbo tuo laxaho rete." besieged, and to lodge a number of bis soldiers in a place by wbich a part of the array miglit be enabled to invest the castle ; this was successfully executed, but the soldiers, hearing a noise which they imagined was the approach of cavalry, fled in consternation, the ser- geant appointed to command the part}' being the first to take to his heels, relying on too great indulgence hitherto observed in such cases. Lord Muskerry, however, made a stern example — the sergeant and ten soldiers were executed on the spot. To make up for the partial reverse, Lieut. -Colonel MacAdam, who is admitted by Billing to have been a most skilful and couragious officer, whose loss to the Parliamentarians was irreperable, was killed bj' an accidental shot from a field piece that was planted among gabions.* His loss was the main cause of the capture of Bunratty by the Confederate army. Several pages of that very interesting work, " The Me- morials of Sir William Penn," (2 vols., Duncan, London, 1833) are occupied with a diary of this seige, and with the proceedings of the Parliamentarians before Bunratty. During the time they attacked the castles of Eossmanaher, Cappagh, Kenane, Captain Hunt's castle, &c., and killed many inoffensive country people, who, in the diary of the operations, are called " IJogues," &c. &c. The progress of the seige was satisfactorily hastened by the presence of Rinunccini, the Papal Nuncio, who remained at Bunratty twelve days, forwarding the batteries, completing the undertaking, and ultimately, when victory crowned the effort with success, causing the English standards to be carried through the streets of Limerick as trophies of the Catholic religion. (^Nunziatura). • From the Nunziatura in Irlanda : Florence, 1844. 2 Among those killed at Benburb was Lord Blany ; Lord Montgomery who commanded the horse, was made prisoner ; in his pocket was found a note of the lists of the army on their way to Kilkenny, where they expected to be in twelve days march. Besides the general joy which so signal a victorj' was to all the confederates, and the solemn thanks which were rendered to God for it by the Council and Nuncio at Limerick, the Pope, as soon as he had heard of it, went in person to Santa Maria Major at Eome, to be present at the Te Deum he caused to be sung for the good success of the Catholics in Ireland. — BilUruj's Fragmenium Ilistoricwn. 3 In a letter to the Father General of the Jesuits, at Eome, the Nuncio complains that the Fathers of the Society in Ireland were the causes of all the commotions against him, and that they raised disobedience to his interdicts. He states, however, that the Eector of the Order in Limerick refused to obey Father Molone, the Superior in Ireland who conducted the intrigues against him. He adds that in Kilkenny, bj' his (the Nuncio's) influence, the Jesuit Fathers ob- tained the Abbatial Church of St. John, and in Waterford the Church of St. Peter. • Lieutenant-Colonel John MacAdam was an ancestor, I am informed, of the MacAdaras of Blackwater House, in the Countv of Clare. HISTORY OF LLMERICK. 159 In his report to the Pope^ Einnuccini gives not only a full account of the causes which produced the confederation of 1641, but enters into all the particulars connected with the event ; the errors with which it was mixed up ; the want of union among the leaders ; the conflicting interests and passions that were engaged ; Ormond-'s fatal and lamentable peace which he denounced as the most unfortunate thing that could happen for the affairs of religion. In Limerick where the confederate council sat, the peace, which had been solemnly established by decree of that body, was carried by the public vote of the city assembly, but the officers appointed for the execution of the charge were affronted, the confederate government was treated with utter disobedience. On the evening of the 20th of August, the heralds of Ormondes peace came to Limerick, the gates were shut against them, the next day they were allowed in and the herald at arms, vested in the coat of his office, attended on by John Bourke, the mayor, the aldermen and some of the principal citizens, who were at all times willing to accept any advantage ■which they supposed would subserve their own interests, began to proclaim the peace. A vote in its favor had been carried by the mayor and aldermen the day before. The people resolved to resist it, and Avere then exhorted by the clergy, Avho had published the censures, which had been decreed by the Nuncio and congregation, at Waterford, a few days before. Under the conduct and by the instigation of Mr. Dominick Fanning, and the Rev. Father Wolf, a Dommican Friar, who at the High Cross, in the midst of 500 armed citizens fulminated excommunication against its adherents, the people fell sud- denly on the herald, flung stones at him, at Bourke the mayor, and all the alder- men who were about him, and all those of the " better sorV-* who countenanced the action ; and having scattered their ranks with so unexpected a volley, the wounded herald, tore his coat of arms from off his shoulders, beating' the mayor and some of the aldermen, and without the slightest respect for their scarlet robes or the badges of magistracy, drove them for shelter into the next door that stood open. Soon after, amid the acclamations of the crowd, without form suggested by charter, or any ancient custom for the usage of election, they chose Dominick Fanning, mayor, and to him, the Nuncio, a few days "after, by his letter returned thanks for the obedience he had given to his decrees, and for his zeal in favor of the Catholic cause. ^ It would no doubt be sm-prising that " Ormonde's peace" should be re- ceived in Limerick or elsewhere with such marked disapproval, not only by the Bishop and clergy, but by the citizens at large, who resolved to show their hostility in the most emphatic manner in reference to it, were it not that there was no confidence in the noble family of the Butlers, or in their designs or doings. That Lord Ormond had been playing a double part in order to save his own enormous possessions, was suspected ; it has since been made quite plain. When on the 12th of May, 1535, the Lord Butler was created Viscount Thurles and Admii'al of Ireland, and on the 21st of May, with his father, the Earl of Ossory, was made Governor of the Counties of Kilkenny, Waterford, and Tipperary, and the Territories of Ossory and Ormond, they promised to do their utmost to recover the Castle of Dungar- van, and " resist the usurpation of the Church of Rome," the first engage- ment on record to that effect.' Their reward was great — many abbey lands ' Cox states that the Herald's name was Henry King. The anniversary of the day of this occur- rence was for many years called Stony Thursday, from the quantity of stones that were thrown. 2 Billing's Fragmentum Historiciun. 3 Clanrickarde's Memoirs. 160 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. and rich abbeys fell into their possession, having been wrested from being a proAQsion and dependence of the Church, The Holy Cross of Tipperary was not the least among the number ; and others of the same kind, as well in Tipperary, as in Waterford, Carlow, and Kilkenny, — and in numbers so great that a natural son of the House of Butler had an entire abbey for his share, by grant from his father. Orraond, therefore, had powerful motives of his OAvn, to oppose, not only the Catholic clergy, who hoped to be restored to their properties, or at least to a part of them, but the Irish party, who seconded the exertions, and sympathised with the cause of the clergy. No one did more to sow dissensions in the councils of the Confederates — and this was known so well by the usurping Parliament that they never exerted the rigor towards him which most of the loyal cavaliers felt at their hands.* Dominick Fanning and Father Wolfe only gave expression to the universal feeling with which people and priests viewed the conduct of Ormond, and this is the key to the excesses which Carte exclaims against it, as it is to the justice of the course taken by those in Limerick who resisted Ormondes peace. These events were speedily followed by other manifestations, which showed the undercurrent that existed against the Nuncio, who was never in favor with that influential portion of the Catholics who in secret sided with Ormond, and who cared for nothing but their o^vn security and aggrandise- ment. A long hst of charges was preferred against Einuccini, to which he afterwards rephed.^ But though the peace was solemnly proclaimed in Dublin on the 30th of July, 1646, he adhered to his determination, and, after further negociations, Owen Eoe O'Neil was appointed commander- in-chief of that portion of the Irish army which remained true to the cause of the Nuncio. Whilst Einuccini was in Limerick, Ptichard Arthur, Bishop of the diocese, who so deeply sympathised with the Confederates, died. He was a native of Limerick ; and the Nuncio, to whose interest he was de- votedly attached, and who bestowed high praise on hun attended his funeral. Events now plainly indicated what was to follow soon afterwards. The battle of Daugau Hill took place, and the Confederate army was defeated with great slaughter — a disaster at which Billing appears to rejoice, calling it "a judgement on the Irish for their perfidious breach of the peace." ^ Castlehaven also professes to look upon the reverse in the same light, and alleges that the Confederates began to be as tired of the Nuncio as Inchiquin was of the Parliament.* Inchicpiin, who had ingratiated himself into the favor of the army, now marched out in the begimmig of August, took Cahir castle by storm,^ proceeded to Cashel, where the terrified citizens, throwing ' Clanrickarde's JSIemoirs. * His replj' is given in the Supplement of the Hibernia Domnicana. 3 According to Cox, volumes of scandal, reproaches, &c., were written against Ormond by the Nuncio's partj- and the confederates. He alludes most probably to Dr. French's Bleeding Iphegenia and his Unkinde Desertor of Loyale men. * Castlehavea's Memoirs. * Letters were this day read in the house from the Lord Inchiquin, giving accompt of the taking of 12 Castles in the County of Typerare, and the Town and Castle of Cahir, which was thus taken ; his Lordship passing over the Shewor at Cahir, one of his Troopers plundering neer the Town, was discovered wounded and taken, and Col. Ilopsley in a disguise was admitted to go into the Castle to dresse hiui, who before had discovered some defects in the outward Bawn, and timorousnesse of the AVarders. The Colonell after led on a party to storme, and took that Bawn, and some out Turrets, and within few hours had the Castle surrendred, on quarter only for life, above 20,0001. of come burnt in that country, the Castle (qy. Cattle) drove away, so that our souldiers made hard shift for victualls. From Cahir his Lordship marched Septemb. 12, to the City of Cashiell, formerly the Metropolitan of the Province ; where the Inhabitants, (amazed at the reducing of Cahir) left open the gates and fled to the Cathedrall a large and HISTORY OF LIMERICK, 161 wide their gates, repaired to the cathedral for protection — where, under the shadow of the temple, venerable with the hoar of ages, and consecrated bj the hoHest memories to the highest services of patriotism and religion, Murrough O'Brien, debasing a name hitherto so highly honored, perpetrated the savage atrocity which will be for ever associated with his memory. In a portion of the building, which is to be seen at this day, a monument of his refined cruelty, Murrough " of the burnings,'''' after having shaken the waUs^ with the thunder of his guns, in despair of obtaining an entrance, had recourse to the horrible expedient of piling up a quantity of turf against the outward wall, and to this he applied fire, by the action of which the rehgious and other people who were crowded inside, were absolutely baked to death.^ Upwards of thirty priests and friars fell victims to the atrocious Inchiquin on this ever-memorable occasion- Flushed with these victories, as no doubt he called them, he defeated the Irish army under Lord Taaflfe at Knockinglass, near Kanturk, where there was also a terrible slaughter. Inchiquin then led his army into the county of Limerick. In a short time he brought the whole province of Munster, the cities of Limerick and Waterford, the towns of Clonmel and Kilmallock, under contribution. He proceeded to the county of Killcenny, where he took Callan, and having some of the baronies in that county made tributary, a part of his cavalry marched within musket shot of the city of Kilkenny, where he succeeded so far that he paralysed the council of the Confederates. It is not surprisuig that the Nuncio should feel intensely this state of affairs, which was principally brought about by the jealousies, the disimions, the envy, it may be added the treasons, of certain of the Catholic party, and that he should express himself in terms of extreme bitterness and reproach, to the Holy Eather.^ These losses, fearful in extent and sig- nificance, would be sufficient to make aU parties in the Confederation, includ- ing the most Irish and inflexible, to seek for peace, if it could be had with honour; but the Parhamentarians had now so far succeeded in England that the King had become a prisoner in the Isle of Wight, and there was no access to him. The Confederate council, which had already removed from Limerick to Kilkenny, sent Lord Antrim, Lord Muskerry, and Geofirey Browne, Esq., to France, to see the Queen of England and the Prince, in order to make them acquainted with the gloomy state of affairs. Dr. Ersnch, Bishop of Perns, and Nicholas Plunkett, Esq., were sent to Eome to nego- ciate for assistance. An ambassador was sent to Spain for the same object. Meantime, whilst these active negociations were proceeding, the citizens of Limerick were improving and strengthening the city, fortifying the out works, spacious pile, seated upon a Eock, fully manned, his Lordship intends to endeavour the reducing of it, then to fall upon Fethard, and from thence to Clonmell. The Gentry in the Countrey desire to be admitted to a contribution, and his Lordship desires supplies from his souldiers from hence. — From a Perfect Drurnall of soine Passages in Parliament, from Munday, 27 Septemb. till Munday the 3 of October, 1 647. ' The portion of the Cathedral which Inchiquin struck with his cannon did not fall, though a breach was made, till 1848, when it came down with a terrible crash. * The black marks of the fire are to be seen to this day. ' Nunr.iatura. 12 162 HISTORY or LIMERICK. and preparing for the emergency. The north gate of St. Francis's Abbey was finished^ and bore this inscription : — SANCTE JACOBI DEFENDE NOS AB HOSTE, HIC BELLONA TONAT, SEDET HIC ASTR^A RENASCENS, HOC PIETAS AD AQUAS AC SACRA PANDITUR A.D. 1647, RR. CAROLI : DOMINP FANNING PRET : DAVID CREAGH JACOBI SEXTON VICE COM. The Catholics continued to hold possession of the city. Einuccini had given directions for the resumption of the Divine service and ceremonies in their olden pomp and splendor, in St. Mary's Cathedral, to which he appointed the seculars and regulars, preachers on days specially set forth.^ Cathohc rectors were in the receipt of their rents and dues.^ It was essential, under the circumstances, that they should not only show their sympathy, but that every prompt and decisive means should be adopted to place the city in a becoming state of defence. Affairs, however, outside, were hurrying with rapid strides to a disastrous issue. The Nuncio, who had been making won- derful exertions to sustain the old party of the country, to encourage the timid, to fortify the wavering, to infuse life into the councils of the Confe- derates, discovered that all his exertions were of no avail. Those who had appeared willing to accept his proposals were among the first to betray him. He found himself in a city — Kilkenny — where he had seen three hundred armed horsemen enter at the command of Lord Mountgarret, where the dominion of ill-intentioned persons would, in a few days, have joined hands with an army which was his declared enemy. It was stated^ that the commissioners of the council at Kilkenny had agreed to send letters to Prince Charles, to the effect that if he came to them, he should be proclaimed King of Ireland, and ratify the agreement between the council and Ormond, they would join with him against England, the Prince still making good all engagements to them by the latter and his agents. The council, it was further stated, Ormond being present, ordered that a squadron of ships, part of Prince Rupert's Pleet, and part of the Irish, should be sent to block up the Bay of Dublin, to hinder provisions from coming thither by water, and that all the forces they could spare out of gar- risons should march into the field into Leinster, to a general rendevous within sixteen miles of Dublin. Everything conspired to compel the Nuncio to make a hasty retreat — he had lost, among others, the wise advice of his friend Richard Arthur, the Bishop of Limerick, whose obsequies he had attended. He left Kilkenny, to ' See Ecclesiastical portion of this History. 2 " The lease made unto me by Andrew Creagh Maior of Lymerick and Francis Gongh, Bp. of Lymerick, and Thomas Dunnohow Rector of St. Laurence, of the Tenement or waste Messuage in Mongrett-street, belonging to that Rectorie, was dated 20° die Junii anno Domini 1632, the rent reserved thereout to the Rector is tife shillings 3-earely by even portions, which was duely payed by James IMahowne in mj absence yearely until Jlicliaelmas 1644, since then myself payed the same to the Catholique Rectors, as appeareth by their several Acquittances, the last whereof beareth date the 17th of November, 1049." — Arthur MSS. It further appears from p. 100 of Arthur MSS. that this rectory of St. Laurence was in the patronage of the Corporation. Dr. Arthur states that at this time, 1648, he attended the Right Rev. Dr. James Moloney, Bishop of Killaloe, for an old fracture, which was not cared for pre- viously, the bad effects of which had been going on for nine months, and which turned into gangrene. He saj's he was paid his fee of £1, probably the ordinary fee of that daj-. 3 From a perfect Diuniall of some passag-.'S in Parliament, from Mundav 12th March till Munday 19th March, U;4S. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. ] 63 the terror and consternation of those who had heard of his sudden departure, many of whom expressed a belief that it was his intention to move O^Neil against them ; but O'Neil at this time had not six hundred soldiers, and before he could collect the remainder of his army together, the conspirators were aware that the forces of Preston would have arrived in Kilkenny before him. He thus escaped arrest, and the confiscation of the money which he yet had with him, and resolved to proceed to Galway, which had shown a strong affection for the cause, and be near the sea to take shipping for Prance on the very first moment. He reached Maryborough in his route, where he met Don Eugene, and several of the Bishops, who took council as to the imminent danger in which he was at the moment, surrounded by Prestou^s army, which was deemed ten thousand strong. i The Bishops begged of him, on their bended knees, not to abandon the country in the emergency — that if he had no regard for his own honour, he should for that of the Holy See, of which it would be said with eternal shame in Ireland, that after having sent suc- cours in religion, the Irish gave nothing but empty shadows. He saw that things had come to the worst — that delay was only a danger. However, after several inter^aews, he came to the resolution on the 27th of May, to- gether with the sub-delegated Bishops, of publishing an excommunication against the accompKces and adherents of the truce, and of interdicting the cities where it would be received. In an instant 2000 soldiers passed from the side of Preston to O'Neil. This bold step saved the cause, for the time, from utter annihilation. Seventeen of the Bishops were for the censures, eight were against them. The religious orders were divided in the same proportion ; the Dominicans, with only one exception, and the Franciscans, without an exception, concurred with the Nuncio. Preston, taking advan- tage of the disagreement among the Bishops, stated that the excommunication did not affect liim. Disunion, desertion, treachery, and above all, the over- whelming influence of Ormond even on the Bishops, who otherwise felt for the cause,2 forced the Nuncio to adhere to his determination of abandoning the country. With good guides he was conducted in safety to the confines of Connaught, and remained in the house of Mr. Terence Coughlan, of whom he speaks in the warmest terms of praise, as a man, who having joined neither side, in these disastrous times, was confided in generally, and had a singular affection for the CathoHc religion, which he showed by Ins enthusiastic reception of the Nuncio. Coughlan heard one evening that Preston was to pass the following day, in order to unite with the troops of Viscount Dillon, and he immediately acquainted the Nuncio with the fact ; nor was he less prompt in at once departing, than Coughlan in advising him to the step. He was conducted that night to a strong place on the river side ; and in his journey he did not refrain from admiring the tAvihght of these northern nights, which irradiated the whole horizon, and gave light to their footsteps.^ Prom that place he went by water to Athlone, and from thence at last to Galway, from whence he could not at the time depart, and where directions were sent by the Ormondists to deprive him of the very necessaries of life. His vouchers and papers, which had remained with the Dean of Permo, in Kilkenuy, had been already seized, so that he could not show what money he had expended. The Bishops who adhered to him were threatened with the loss of their churches and benefices. Several were most severely dealt with. Don Eugene, for not uniting with Inchiquin, was declared to have ' The Nuncio in his report to the Holv Father states that this was an exaggeration. » Nunziatura. " 3 Jbia. 164 HISTORY or LIMERICK. brokeii the coiiiedemtion, was pronounced a rebel, and guilty of high treason. The effects and property of the Nuncio were taken possession of, and sold by auction in Kilkenny. The Nuncio was in want of a ship. The San Pietro lay at Duncaimon Fort, which had ever been true to the cause of the Nuncio since it fell into the hands of the Catholics two years before, when Preston took it, not, however, without the special assistance and valuable help of Pather Scarampi. Ultimately, however, the San Pietro was got around the coast to Galway, from which he took his departure soon afterwards. On the 29th of September, Ormond, who had been some time in France, from which he took his departure by Havre-de-Grace, landed at Cork, accompanied by Lord Castlehaven and others.^ Lord Inchiquin went to Cork to meet and welcome him. Slowly advancing towards his noble palace at Carrick-on-Suir, — a palace which to this day, even in its decay, shows what it had been in its olden splendour, — he gave it to be understood by every one that he was sent by the Queen in order to fuid a means of settling the affairs of Ireland. In Carrick-on-Suir he received a solemn embassy from the Assembly of Kilkenny, at the head of which was the Archbishop of Tuam," standard-bearer to all those who, forgetful of their duty to the Holy See, employ their hands in every act of sacrilegious violence,^ and that person, above all, who had promised the Nuncio that he never would consent to the re-establishment of the Marquis.'* On the 6th of October he published a declaration upon his arrival in Ireland, in which there is the passage : — " We profess and declare, first, to improve our utmost endeavours for the settle- ment of the Protestant Eeligion, according to the example of the best reformed churches — secondly, to defend the King in his prerogatives. ■'■'^ The city of Limerick, which was applied to for money, to meet the exigencies of the Irish army, pleaded inabihty, and offered only £100.^ The four distinct interests in the kingdom, continuing to remain irreconcilable, viz. the King's, the Presbyterians', the Supreme Council's, and Owen Eoe O'Neil's, the Par- liament, on the 28th of March, solemnly resolved that Oliver Cromwell should be constituted General of all their forces then in Ireland, and that he should be sent thither. Cromwell, accordingly, prepared for the expedition with the greatest diligence.' * The Lord of Ormond is at last landed, beyond all expectation ; and for his better welcome hath brought over with him 4000 Armes, and 500 Curassiers' Arms, part of that supply designed for the Scots' armey in England by the Lord Jermin, and those in France ; hee hath not brought above 50 Cavaliers, and yet enough to put this poor kingdom into more troubles, and make it the seat of their malice, where it can have no vent in England. Wee are in exceeding want of men and monej-, without which wee can do nothing, unless it be to sculk out a little, and perhaps snatch away a garrison, and so return. The Bogg of Allen was taken rather by courtship than foul, at the armies last march. — Moderate Intelligencer, from October 12 to Oct. 19, 1649. * The Archbishop of Tuam in his escape from Kilkenny, on his way to Tnam, was killed by the Scotch at Sligo. He had a document on his person which gave an account of the monies brought to Ireland by the Nuncio, and how they were expended. He received from Cardinal Barberini 10,000 scudi, from Cardinal Mazzarini 25,000 lire, Tornese ; he also received arms and ammunition. The Nuncio also had 15,800 scudi of his own, which he gave in sustainment of the cause. — Nunziatura. 3 Nunziatura. * Ibid. * Carte's Life of Ormond. * Nunziatura. 7 Cox Hib. Angl. BISTORT OF LIMEUICK. 165 CHAPTER XXVI. CROMWELL SENT TO IHELAND CONTINUED NEGOCIATIONS LIMERICK THREATENED — ORMOND AND THE BISHOPS — BISHOP o'MOLONEY PROGRESS OP IRETON, &C. CromwelLj having taken the field in 1649;, perpetrated the most revolting excesses. The Province of Connaught, however, continued in the hands of the Cathohcs, whilst Waterford, Limerick, and Galway, were so strong as to be capable of resisting the advances of Ireton, the son-in-law and Heutenant- general of Cromwell. These cities, too, hoped for succours from sea, and feared no force that could be brought against them. The forts of Duncaunon and Sligo, the castles of Athlone, Charlemont, Carlow, and Nenagh, were in the hands of the Catholics also. Strength and numbers were of no avail, however, without union, and we have seen already how deficient in that essential element were the councils of the Cathohc party — parties, we should say — for the CathoHcs were split up into contending factions. Ormond allowed the Catholics to select a leader in place of CNeil ; the choice fell upon M'Mahon, the Catholic Bishop of Clogher, who not only stood high in the estimation of Ormond, but possessed great favour with the Ulster Irish. ^ M^Mahon saw the necessity of the whole nation uniting together as one man for their defence j he laboured so hard with the clergy that he got them to enter into a superficial union at least, to bury in forgetfulness all that had passed ; to enter into solemn resolutions that for life, fortune, religion, they could expect no security from Cromwell ; to express their detestation of all animosity between the old Irish and the English and the Scotch Eoyalists, and their resolution to punish all the clergy who should encourage them. Brave and courageous in his new capacity, but deficient in experience and generalship, M'^Mahon was defeated with great loss in a battle at Letterkenny, by Sir Charles Coote. Ormond at once cast his eyes on Limerick, " a place of the utmost consequence, and which soon would be attempted by the Par- liament forces.''^ Having come to Limerick, he endeavoured to persuade the citizens to receive fifteen hundred infantry soldiers and three hundred cavalry, as the only means of saving the kingdom ; this proposal Avas rejected ; and Ormond attributed its rejection to the influence of the clergy. He summoned twenty-four of the CathoHc Bishops to attend him at Limerick, that he might confer with them and some of the nobility, and resolve, on their advice and assistance, on effectual measures for the advancement of the King^s service and that of the people. A conference was held, in which the Bishops agreed to certain propositions which they presented to Ormond for the removal of the discontents ; they required that the Receiver General should account for the monies levied since the peace, and that a privy council should be com- posed of the native nobility, spiritual and temporal, to assist the Government. Ormond consented. The Bishops then published a declaration that they would root out of menu's hearts all jealousies and sinister opinions of Ormond and the Government, desiring his further directions, and promising, on their part, the utmost care and industry. These proceedings partially changed the determination of the citizens of Limerick — but events proved that the change » Carte. '' 166 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. was not permanent, and that Ormond, as time went on, was not treated with even the outward show of civility, on account of his disingenuousness, and the efforts he continued to make to induce them to receive a garrison. The officers of the city guards neither went to him for orders, nor would they take orders from him. Without special leave of the mayor no officer of the army was admitted to his presence to receive directions to suppress the Par- liamentarians, who at the moment were roaming over the country and in the neighbourhood. Lord Kilmallock, a Catholic peer, and officer of the army, was committed to gaol for no other reason than that he quartered a few horsemen, with Ormond's own orders, within the city. These and other reasons worked on him to quit Limerick, and proceed to Loughrea, where he was followed by the Bishops, and where he complained that their Lord- ships did not treat him in a fair manner. He stated that as soon as he left Limerick, the Bishops of Limerick and Eoss waited on Lord Inchiquin, who was then in the city ; that they desired Inchiquin not to quit the kingdom, stating that he was of an ancient race, and offering him, if he would join them, and put off the Commissioners of Trusts, to place all things in his hands. Ormond and Incliiquin had held up a constant correspondence ; they made these facts known to each other, and concluded, perhaps, with great truth, that the Bishops were anxious to obtain a riddance of both.* Nego- ciations continued to be pressed. The city seemed to desire Colonel Pierce Walsh to be sent to command the militia ; this was done ; they demurred about a garrison ; they thought 3000 foot and 300 horse, the numbers proposed, too great ; they insisted the garrison should be Ulster men j^ that the county of Clare should be set apart entirely for their subsistence and pay ; that the city should be charged with no loans or levies on that account ; that the troops should be quartered in huts without the walls, and under the command of the Bishop of Limerick, Hugh O'jS^eil, or Mortagh O'Brien. The jealousy and suspicion of Ormond continued. Dominick Fanning, gathering a body of resolute young men, entered a Dutch ship in which the Marquis was sending abroad two trunks of papers which he desired to secure, and which Fanning supposed was money. When it was found that the trunks contained papers only, they desisted ; but they took a solemn oath to stand by one another in that action. Sir Nicholas Comyn, mayor, who had received knighthood from Ormond, convened the town council, and called before him the rioters ; they said they were ignorant that the trunks belonged to Ormond, and asked pardon. The mayor compelled them to disclaim theu' oath of combination, and to take a new one of obeying the Lord Lieutenant, and of doing nothing -udthout license of the magistrates. Ormond, to encourage these good inclinations, removed to Clare, quartering the troops he had with him (1700 foot and 350 horse) in the neighbourhood, with orders to be ready to draw to a rendevouz. He did this the rather be- cause Cromwell had at this time sent propositions to Limerick, offering the citizens the free exercise of their religion, the enjoyment of their estates, churches and church livings, a free trade and commerce, without garrison, provided they Avould give a free passage through the city for his forces into the county of Clare. ^ While visiting, on the 11th of June, some troops in Clare, within four miles of the city, two aldermen, Creagli and Bourke, waited on the Marquis, with a request that he would settle a garrison in Limerick. ' Carte. ' These, Carte savs, would destroy the troops on foot (it the charge of the Province. ' Carte's Ormond. IIISTOKY OF LIMERICK. 167 According to appointment these aldermen met him at the mayor's stone — stating the city had accepted his proposals^ with the exception of the guards. He sent them back with assurances that the guards he meant to take with him, should consist of but 100 foot and 50 horse, all Eoman Catholics, such as had constantly been of the Confederacy, and ^yeve interested in all the benefits of the articles of the peace.' But when near the city gates, the same aldermen came to him, with an account that Father Wolfe, the Dominican Friar, who had distinguished himseK before, when peace was proclaimed, had raised a tumult in the city to oppose his entrance, and having forced or wheedled the keys from Eochfort, the sheriff, had seized the gates ; so that it was impossible for him to come until the tumult had ended. The same night, Dominick Panning called in Colonel Murtagh O'Brien, a man entirely devoted to the old Irish party, whose cause Fanning and Wolfe had so zealously espoused, with his regiment increased by 200 recruits ; but though the mayor opposed his entrance at the gates, they forced their way in, seized the corn laid up for the supply of the army, which Ormond thought would be at his disposal, and a quantity of corn which belonged to Ormond exclusively. Ormond forthwith retired to Shan- bally, four miles from the city. The bishop followed liim with a proposal to forgive Colonel Murtagh O'Brien, to which he consented, if they submitted to his proposals, which not being done, the Commissioners of Trust and the Marquis of Clanrickard insisted that the bishop should excommmiicate Fanning and O'Brien, which he peremptorily refused. Soon after Ireton advanced with his troops towards the city, and threatened to besiege it. The magistrates asked Ormond that Hugh O'Neill might be made their governor ; he agreed, offering also to put hunself in the city and share the fate of the citizens, but they refused, insisting particularly on O'Brien's regi- ment, and troops of their oatu choosmg. Being near at hand in Clare, Ormond sent orders to the mayor and Hugh O'Neill to seize on Colonel O'Brien, and dehver him a prisoner to the guard appointed to receive him. The mayor who took a week to consider, answered that the government of the city was intrusted to Hugh O'Neill, who wrote in turn to say, that he was merely a cypher, not suffered to stir, except as the mayor and toAvn council thought fit. Ormond was ready to forgive O'Brien, though hejnsisted that he should not hold command; but the citizens would on no account admit Ormond inside the walls ; and under these circumstances it was im- possible to keep the body of his army together, as to attempt it, except at the other side of the Shannon, and near Limerick, with the absolute com- mand of the city to secure it, would have been utterly ruinous, and to have done it in the county of Clare or north side of the river was impossible, since the ground work of the army, must be raised and supported from thence; which, whilst forming, would have exhausted all the substance of Clare, and not have effected the work*'^ Galway also refused to receive him; he was thus shut out from every expected advantage. The dominant men in the city, and the clergy, knew him too well, to repose the slightest faith in any one of his principles. It was urged by him, that they had received proposals and listened to overtures from the Parhamentarians, without his consent, or so much as giving him notice. They denied sympathy with the Parliamentarians, but he came to the conclusion that his protracted stay in ' Carte. This correspondence is given at full length in Cox Hib. Angli., but is not of sufficient interest to demand more of space than this reference to it. » Carte. 168 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Ireland would tend to no good ; however he resolved to remain until he had received the king's directions as to his conduct. Meantime, application was being made by the Catholic party to Leopold, goveraor of the Low countries, to Spain and to Austria, offering to each, that they would place themselves under which ever power granted them protection. Carte states, that they knew Ormonde's attachment to the king, for when the Nuncio and the Con- federates in the fulness of their strength, offered him the crown of Ireland, he rejected it. This, however, by no means agrees with the recorded opinion of the Nuncio, to which we have already referred, nor to the estimate formed of the character and conduct of Ormond throughout by the Catholics. Carte asserts that the Bishops with the full concurrence of the Nuncio, and when the Confederates were in the zenith of their power, offered Ormond the crown of Ireland, if he would change his rehgion and embrace their cause; but that his fidelity to the king prevented him accepting any such proposal.' This, however, cannot be proved. Indeed the truth appears to be altogether the other way. In accordance with this resolution they assembled at Jamestown, in the county of Leitrim, on the 6th of August ; and on the 10th, they commis- sioned the Bishop of Dromore, and Dr. Charles Kelly, the Dean of Tuam, to acquaint him with their desires "that he would speedily quit the kingdom, and leave the king's authority in the hands of some persons faithful to his Majesty and trusty to the nation, and such as the affections and confidence of the people would follow.'' He professed to be astonished at these over- tures, but the Bishops intimated to him that instead of his returning a direct reply to their letter, they would meet him at Loughrea on the 26th of the month. Ormond went to Loughrea, where the Bishops of Cork and Clonfert proceeded to receive his answer to their propositions, which, according to Dr. French, Bishop of Ferns, were loyal, dutiful, and moderate. He replied in a long letter that he was not wilUng to withdraw out of Ireland, as they for the peace of the kingdom and the reconcilement of differences among the Cathohcs, expressed a desire that he should do. They told him plainly that the people seeing no visible army for their defence, despaired of recovering what they had lost or of preserving what remained to them. Finding that they could not persuade him to change his resolution or bend to a just view of afiairs, on the 15th of December, they published a declaration against the continuance of the king's authority in Ormond, and a solemn excommunica- tion, by which they dehvered to Satan, all that should oppose or disobey it, or feed, or help, or adhere to Ormond by giving him subsidy, contribution or intelligence, or by obeying his commands. Dr. John O'Moloney, Bishop of Killaloe, was among the Bishops who attached his sign manual to this edict ; and well did he pay for his boldness, as we shall soon see. The synod of JamestoMn, before their breaking up, appointed a committee to act by their authority during the recess; and com- missions were given out by this committee for levying soldiers, for which a rendevous was fixed at Ballintober. The Bishop of Killaloe had raised a troop and appointed a rendevous at Quin. Ormond sent Edward Wogan against them; the party was dispersed, the Bishop taken prisoner, and he would have been put to death had not Ormond saved him,'^ though he had signed and promulgated the excommunication. On this memorable occasion ' Cart«. ^ Cflrte, HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 169 Ormond laid hands on a sum of money amounting to £1400, whicli the Bishop had hidden away in sacks of wool — a circumstance which elicited from Dr. Thomas Arthur a pasquinade which reflects no high credit on his good taste or judgment.^ That Dr. Arthur was well disposed towards Lord Ormond is evident from many proofs which have been given from time to time of his sentiments, from his practice, as a physician, among those who belonged to the government, &c. I find the following memorandum which I translate in evidence of the fact, in his MSS. *^ On account of the service rendered to him about the 4th of the November, of last year, (1650), when at length on the 21st day of May, of this year. His Excellency Lord James Marquis of Ormond, Viceroy of king Charles the second in Ireland, was at Loughrea, and I made him aware that I received no recompence for my exertions, he decided that I should immediately be paid £10 sterling out of the public treasury, which the treasurer paid me on the next day.'''' Well indeed may Dr. Prench designate Ormond, " an unkinde deserter of loyal friends.'" Even the king from his retreat in Scotland, sent him a letter in which he expressed regret that a better understanding did not prevail between him and the Nuncio ; but this letter, which had been brought to Waterford by Captain Eoche, Avas not delivered until it was too late, as Colonel Eoche alleged, o"wing to the state of the country between Limerick and that city. The Bishops and Clergy were not supported by the forces they expected from a distance, which Carte attributes to the refractoriness of the Prelates, rather than to the successes of the Cromwellians. A second letter to the same end and purpose was sent by John King, the Dean of Tuam, who arrived from Scotland on the 13th of August, 1650; it conveyed to Ormond irresistible confirmation of the truth, but the fact is, notwithstand- • " The clergy of Ireland (says Dr. Arthur) being weary of the unlucky administration of Lord James Marquis of Ormond, Viceroy of Charles II. in Ireland ; and suspecting him of being too favourable to the party of their enemies, whom by his supine neglect he permitted to invade three provinces of the kingdom, and to take all the strongest cities, towns, and fortresses, and to overrun the country at pleasure with impunity ; at last, having assembled a genuine provincial synod, one held at Clonmacnoise, the other at James' town, they determined to withdraw forth- with, all the orthodox subjects from their fealty and obedience to him having signed a public edict [to this effect] enforced by the threat of excommunication. Whereupon the Marquis, being thereby filled with indignation, having caught the Lord Bishop of Killaloe, John O'Molouna, an economical and thrifty man, who had signed that edict, and who, he had heard, had a largo treasure at home ; while staying in a certain castle in the neighbourhood, he dispatched some English spies, followers of his own, who seized upon him and upon £1400 sterling, which he had wrapped up in large woolsacks, and placed him before his judgment seat ; after committing him to custody, and thus making him pay the penalty of his own rashness and that of others, at last, after one or two months upon his asking pardon he let him go ; having in the meantime allocated all the money to the King's army. In reference to which I wrote the following verses." — Which verses we may add, with every respect for the worthy Doctor's memory, by no means reflect credit upon his muse, as will appear from the following translation, in which it will be seen we rigidly observe the critical canon of rising and falling with the original : — " A cool fourteen hundred the bishop had hoarded, And in fleeces or woolsacks ingeniously stored it But alas for the beauty and charm of my story, The wool had a smell, being sweaty and gory — And the wolf smelled the blood of the sheep on the scrapingJ!, And bolted at once with the trifle of ha'pence. *' 'Twas the cursed greed of gold made the bishop to save so, 'Twas the cursed greed of food made the wolf misbehave sio — ■ Had the bishop discharged his episcopal duty, My lord had no bl-sme and the robber no booty." 170 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. iiig the assertion of Father Peter Walshe, who compared Ormond to Joseph in Egypt, Ormondes determination to desert and to betray the Catholics, is indisputable, as he proved under his own hand in a letter to Lord Orrery. — Ormond now resolved to remain no longer in Ireland. On the 11th of December he set sail, and landed in Bas Bretagne three weeks afterwards, the weather being stormy. He took with him, in his little frigate, which was provided by the Duke of York, Lord Inchiquin, Colonel Wogan and forty other officers, besides several passengers, Sir George Hamilton, Receiver General, Mr. Belling, Lady Clanrickarde and other persons of quality who went to France afterwards. He ai3pointed Lord Clanrickarde his Deputy.' Notwithstanding the occurrences at Jamestown and Clonmacnoise, where Dr. French thuiks a zeal, more unseasonable than prudent was manifested, but which was corrected afterwards by a general assembly of the Clergy at Loughrea, where the nobility and gentry of the kingdom had met,^ when advantageous proposals from Cromwell's agents being unanimously rejected by the confederates, the country remained loyal to the monarch, and resolved to stand or to fall with his destinies. The result proved that their confidence was misplaced. The events which followed in rapid succession, left the kingdom an easy prey to Cromwell. Notwithstanding the efforts of Edmond Dwyer, Bishop of Limerick, who manifested great address and talent for public affairs, and who wrote a powerful document in defence of the position he sustained,^ and those of the Bishops who continued to struggle against the tide which threatened every moment to overwhelm them, there was alas ! a faction in the country which still adhering to Ormond, gave such aid by their di^dsions to Ireton as enabled him in a very short time to prove the danger of divided councils. Limerick contained a party of Catholics who not only did not provide for the emergency, but which painted honester men than themselves in odious colours, and informed his excellency secretly that they were to be suspected and feared ! It was those who spoke in this way of others that would in reahty become traitors, and those they woidd cover with suspicion, proved honest men, true to God, to country, to king.'* Cromwell at this period had perpetrated the bloody massacres of Drogheda and Wexford, and had made his name a terror to the entire people of Ireland. ' Ormond having appointed Clanrickard to command in his absence, as the King's Deputy, to whom the nation showed all due obedience and submission, is a manifest argument that he was not banished out of the kingdom by the confederate Catholics, for whom he named a commander in his absence. — Bleeding Iphegenia, p. 111. 2 Bleeding Iphegenia, p. 111. 8 Hibernia Dominicana. * Dr. French, Bishop of Ferns. i HISTORY OF LIMtRICK. 171 CHAPTER XXVII. IRETON's campaign THE SIEGE OF LIMERICK TERRIBLE SUFFERINGS OF THE CITIZENS — TREASON OF FENNEL^ &C. Ireton, having now made all provisions for an early campaign^ and received some reinforcements from England^ resolved to begin by besieging Limerick. Sir Cbarles Coote was directed to advance towards Sligo^ in order to pierce into Connanght, that Limerick migbt be invested on all sides. ^ The Irish were preparing to relieve the city, when Coote_, drawing off his men, passed suddenly over the Curlew mountains, and invested Athlone. Clanri- karde was unable to make head against Coote, who took Athlone, and marched against Galway. The Earl of Castlehaven was called to the assistance of Galway, and he had marched but a few miles, at the head of four thousand men, when a party he had left to defend the pass over the Shannon, suffered themselves to be overpowered by the enemy, and fled precipitately — but we anticipate events. O^Neil was now appointed Governor of Limerick, and he did his duty with a courage and true nobility of soul which brooked no compromise. Sh Geofirey Galway, the son of him who had been persecuted in the days of Queen Ehzabeth ; Geoffry Barron, whom French calls an ornament to his country ; Alderman Domhiick Panning, Alderman Thomas Stritch, Dr. Higg-ins, and many others of the citizens, held counsel within, and would listen to no over- ture that came from Ireton or his partizans. There was no one more prominent than Terence Albert O'Brien, Bishop of Emly, in preparing the citizens and soldiers for the storm, and in urging them to leave nothing undone to conquer Ireton and his merciless mjTmidons. They were nobly seconded by the indomitable Dominick Fanning, the zealous Father Wolfe, who had prevented the city accepting Ormondes peace, by General Purcell, and others. For some months past Ireton had been putting all tilings in readiness for his army ; tents, arms, beds for the soldiers, cannon, ammunition of every sort, were sent up the Shannon by him towards Limerick, by vessels provided for the service. Garrisons had already, since the previous March, been placed in the castles of Castle Connell and at KHmallock, convenient outposts for strategetic purposes ; other places were likewise invested or blockaded. The Parliamentary army was ordered to rendevouz at Cashel, from whence Ireton marched by way of Nenagh, down by the Silver Mines, and across the roads to that part of the Shannon which flows opposite Killaloe. The Earl of Castlehaven, who had been before this time appointed, by Ormond, commander-in-chief of the province of Muuster and the coimty of Clare, now held that office for the whole kingdom, marched with what forces he could draw together, and encamped at Killaloe, to observe Ireton's movements. Ireton was thoroughly aware of the weakness of the confederate forces, feeling assured that they only kept up appearances till Cromwell and King Charles had decided their quarrel. He kept a guard on his side of the river, as Castlehaven did against him.' ' Carte. 2 The Unkind Deieiter. * Ludlow's Memoirs and Castlehaven's Memoirs. 172 HISTORY OF LIMEIUCK. The antagonist troops lay in tliat position together for some time ; Castle- haven had 2000 horse and foot disposed along the river^ and defended by breastworks^ which had been placed there to obstruct Ireton's passage into Connaught. Ormond^ who had not yet sailed from Galway, wrote " post haste" to Castlehaven to proceed to him, because Stephen De Henin the abbot of St. Catherine was in the harbour, and in his company many officers, with a quantity of arms, ammunition, and other materials of war, which were sent by the Duke of Lorraine, to whom the city of Limerick was mortgaged, and assigned as a security for £20,000 supplied by him for the King's service. The Duke was to be constituted protector royal of the kingdom of Ireland, with power over all the Confederate forces and places, with that title and dominion, till the war was over and his damages satisfied — a regular agreement having been entered into for that purpose. ^ On Castlehaven's almost immediate return, he found all quiet at KUlaloe ; treachery had done its work, the pass had been sold. He was not aware of how the dark deed had been done ; but he received from Ireton, by a trumpeter, a letter which occupied four sides of paper, closely written in a small hand, the drift of which was to set forth " the justness'"" of the Parliament's proceedings ; their great power ; how short a time he (Castlehaven) would subsist ; what bad company he was in; abusing the King most heartily, and after several other sayings, offering Castlehaven, if he would retire and live in England, not only his personal safety and the enjoyment of his estate, but the esteem and favor of the Parliament. Castlehaven showed the letter to Father Peter Walsh, who appears to have been with him at the time ; and by his advice, and by the same trumpeter, he answered every point, rejected the proposition, and desired that no more trumpeters should be sent with such errands. Ireton, soon after this correspondence, by the treachery of Captain Kelly, made himseK master of O'Brien's Bridge ; and whilst Castlehaven was hasten- ing to oppose him. Colonel Fennel, to whom the pass at Killaloe had been entrusted, treacherously deserted it, and fled into the city of Limerick with his soldiery — he had sold the pass. Just before this event, as if he had intended to divert the course of the river, Ireton had set the soldiers and pioneers at work to take the ground lower on his (Ireton's) side, that the water venting itseK into the passage, the river might become fordable. This so alarmed the Confederate forces that the most of them were drawn out to oppose them. The ways were almost impassable from bogs and morasses, hither neither man nor horse could pass without peril, so that they were obHged to lay hurdles and great pieces of timber across, in order to bear the carriages, waggons, &c., of the Parliamentary forces, which they effected under pretence of making a passable road between their camp and Castle Connel, where, as we have seen, provisions had been already laid up for the ' Charles II. in a letter addressed to the Duke from Paris, and dated Feb. 6th, 1652, thanks him for the supplies sent to the Irish, and promises to send persons to enter into a treaty with him for the promotion of the Catholic interests. In another letter addressed to Clanrickarde, and dated March 23rd, 1652, his Majesty says that he had sent the Earl of Norwich to Brussels, to treat with the Duke, the terms of whose articles with the Irish, he says, Clanrickarde had pro- perly rejected. But he recommends the Irish Commissioners (Lord Taaffe, Sir Nicholas Plunket, and Jeoffry Baron) to the Marquis, and bids him use their advice and service as theretofore. Galway was joined with Limerick in this treaty. The submission to the Pope, suggested by the Bishop of Ferns and the Royal Protectorship, appears to have been the most objectionable con- dition in the articles in the ej'es of Clanrickarde and the King. Clanrickarde had allowed the Duke to advance the £20,000 on the security of Limerick and Galway, leaving the article respecting the Protectorship to be settled at Brussels ; but the deputation sent to Brussels, con- cluding a treaty, against which Clanrickarde protested, the ni'gociation came to an end. HISTOKY OF LIMEKICK. 173 army. Ten days had elapsed before all things necessary had been accom- plished j and at the end of that time. Colonel Reeves was commanded to bring three boats which he had, to a place appointed for that purpose by one o''clock in the morning. At the beginning of the night three regiments of foot, with one of horse, and four pieces of cannon, marched silently towards the place where the boats were ordered to lie, and arrived there an hour before day. They found but two boats waiting for them, which, however, served to carry over three files of musqueteers and six troopers, who, having unsaddled their horses, caused them to swim by the boat, and were safely landed on the other side. Two sentinels of the Confederate forces were in the castle, of whom one was killed, and the other made his escape. Ireton^'s boats had transported about sixty foot and twenty horse before any opposition was given; but then some Confederate horse coming up skirmished with Ireton's ; and in this action a young ojfficer named Howe, who had accompanied General Ludlow, one of Ireton^s chief officers, into Ireland, highly distinguished himseK. About 1000 of the Confederate foot now advanced ; Ireton^s horse were ordered to retire; they obeyed with some hesitation ; the rapid advance of the Confederates was arrested by the guns of the ParKamentariaus, which had been placed on a hiE on their side of the river, from which they fired so constantly and so vehemently, that the Confederates were forced to retreat under shelter of a rising ground ; and not being able to regain what they had lost, to provide against further detri- ment by retreating more through the woods into their own quarters. Mean- time the Parhamentarian sliips, with all things necessary for a siege, had anchored in the river, and only awaited orders to proceed to the desperate enterprise in which they had engaged. Sir Charles Coote, during these proceedings, was engaged in bloody deeds in Connaught, where he besieged Portumna house, the residence of the Earl of Clanrickarde, and whom as we have seen, the Earl of Ormond had con- stituted his deputy in that province. Ludlow, from whose memoirs we have drawn some of these details, in his progress from Connaught to Limerick, where his presence in aid of Ireton was essentially demanded, summoned Gurtenshegore, a castle near Gort, belonging to Sir Dermot O^Shaughnessy, who being at the time in Galway, had left his tenants, some soldiers, and Polliot, an Enghshman, to command them, in the castle. Here Ludlow was treated, for a time, with utter contempt, the occupants of the castle sound- iug their bag-pipes in derision, although fire and faggot, iron bars, pickaxes and sledges threatened them. The defenders resisted bravely. A desperate engagement ensued, FolUot acting with determined pertinacity — and it was not until after severe fighting, the castle was surrendered. Ireton^s army marched immediately to Limerick. Pive hundred head of cattle that had been taken in Burren, Co. Clare, were driven on, and killed to refresh the army, to which Ludlow and his friends now returned, and which had already possessed themselves of a fort that stood in the middle of the river Shannon, on the great Lax weir, where the ruins of the castle are yet to be seen. A small battery of two guns had been erected against the castle ; one of them was fii'ed into a room, and breaking the leg of a soldier, so terrified the others that betaking themselves to their boats, they abandoned the place — which the Parliamentarians perceiving, fired so furiously on them, that aU in the boats surrendered, notwithstanding which, some of them were put to the sword, by the merciless soldiery, whose hearts were steeled against humanity. They perpetrated a cold-blooded slaughter, which Ireton condemned, and 174 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. demanded that tlie matter should be referred to a court martial. This A\a3 done, and Colonel Tuthill, who commanded, and his captain were cashiered. At length the besieging army reached the gates of Limerick, and sat down before the walls ; but aware of the strength of the city, and satisfied that it was well nigh impregnable, Ireton did not trust to the chances of arms, but tried what could be done by further exercise of that treachery, which had compelled Fennel to abandon the pass of Ivillaloe, and Kelly that of O^Brien''s bridge, acts of treachery which gave an easy march to the Parliamentarians within the very shadow of the old walls of Limerick. From an entry in Dr. Thomas Arthur^s diary, 23rd June, 1651,' it is apparent that the Parliamentarians in their attack on this occasion, made good their footing on the King^s Island ; he states that he professionally attended Dominick FitzDavid Eice, who nobly and strenuously defended the city on the occasion of this invasion of the island by the Parliamentarian army, Mr. Rice having received a severe wound, which demanded amputa- tion of the lower part of the leg. He also saved the life of Doctor Credanus, who was struck by a shell, which lacerated his hands and tendons, and threatened gangrene. He gives the names of several who died of the pestUence which raged through the city, including in the list the names of many distinguished citizens. An immediate summons sent in by Ireton for the surrender of the city, was promptly rejected, though at the time, famine and pestilence were doing their deadly work with a greater facihty, than shot and shell did subsequently. At this eventful period Edmund O'Dwyer, Terence Albert O^Brien and all the good men and true of the time, were congregated within the plague-stricken walls, and with the aid of the Brothers of St. Vincent de Paul who were then in Limerick, caused the citizens to be firm. Again the summons was rejected. Then came the question of a treaty — this was discussed; and six commis- sioners were appointed on each side, viz. : for cause of country and faith, Major-General Purcell, Mr. Stackpoole, the Recorder, Colonel Butler, Jeffrey Barron, who had been one of the supreme council, Mr. Baggot, and Alder- man Fanning. The commissioners nominated by Ireton were, Major-General Waller, Colonel Cranwell, Major Smith, Adjutant-General Allen, and another.^ They all met in a tent between the city and Ireton^'s camp, where for several days, they dined together and treated of conditions. But having in the meantime got great expectations of relief, either by the successes of the king in Scotland, or by the cessation of feuds and discords among the con- federates at home, who, if they joined in love, when their enemies joined in hate, would be far more able, more numerous and powerful than Ireton's army, insisted upon terms which Ireton^s commissioners would not accede to. The result was the conference broke up without result, and preparations for the siege went on more vigorously than before. A fort, which Ireton had been preparing on one side of the city, and called to this day Ireton^s fort, being almost finished, and materials being ready for building a bridge to be laid over the Shannon, to preserve the communication between the besieging forces on each side, a resolution was made by them, to reduce a castle which was occupied by the defenders beyond Thomond bridge. To effect this object, a battery was erected, and a breach having been made, Ireton 1 Arthur MSS. p. 78. 2 Ludlow does not srive tlic name. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 175 remembering tlie vigor of his troops in the action at Sir Dermot O'Shaughnessay's castle, desired that one man should be drawn out of each troop to be an example to the foot who Avere selected to storm. This was done. Armed with back, breast and head pieces, and furnished wdth hand grenades — a Mr. Hackett of the guards having been chosen to lead them on — they did not number more than twenty in all — the design succeeded beyond expectation — the men having thrown in their grenades, rushed up to the breach, entered with Hackett at their head, and were followed by those who were ordered to support them. Hackett was successful — the place was evacuated ; and the confederate soldiers retired by the bridge into the city. The castle was then searched by Ireton ; and four or five barrels of powder were found in a vault ready to be fired by a lighted match which had been left there to blow up the ParHameutarian soldiers. Ireton having so far succeeded, having rewarded Hackett and his men, came to the determina- tion of possessing himself of the king^s island, which then as now encom- passed by the Abbey river, was a position likely to suit his present purposes, and quicken the result of the siege. Boats were prepared, floats sufficient to transport three hundred men at once were placed in readiness, and orders were given to drop down the river about midnight. Three regiments of foot and one of horse were detailed for the service ; the first three hundred, which were foot, and commanded by Colonel Walker, being landed on the island, rushed up to the breastwork of the defenders of Limerick, where they met an unexpectedly warm reception. Such was the valour with which they were repelled, that but two or three returned alive to Ireton^s camp to tell the tale of ruin ; the river was strewn with the carcases of the slain, who failed even to make good their footing. Then, the bridge havmg been finished, Ireton, Avith most part of the army, marched over to the other side of the river, Avhere he marked out ground for three bodies of men to encamp separately, each to consist of about two thousand, giving orders for the fortification of the camp, assigning to each regiment its pro- portion and position, quartering the troops by brigades in the most convenient places he could, either to defend themselves, to reheve each other, or to annoy the forces opposed to them. The moment the great fort, on which were all the available men he had at his disposal, was finished, he drew ofi" all his forces from that side of the river they had been, except a thousand foot and about three hundred horse, which he left on the island under the command of Sir Hardress Waller, i Nor were the Confederates outside the ' Sir Hardress Waller — " Waller of Castletown" — belonged to an ancient Kent family which bore the shield of the Duke of Orleans pendent from their family crest, in memory of their having made that French Prince of the blood prisoner at the battle of Agincourt. To this family Sir Williaih Waller, the distinguished Parliamentary General, and Edmund Waller, the well known poet, belonged. George Waller, father of Sir Hardress, was its chief (as is now Mr. Waller of Castletown), and marrying a daughter of the ancient family of Hardress, who took the opposite side to him in the civil wars, and obtained a Baronetcy from Charles I. in 1642 ; lie was father of Sir Hardress. This gallant soldier was employed at the taking of Bristol ; and Cromwell says, in his dispatch to Speaker Lenthall, describing the successful assault on the nobly defended house of Basing, " Sir Hardress Waller, performing his duty ivith honor and diligence, was shot in the arm." He afterwards proceeded to Ireland, where he had long before acquired the Castle- town estate by marriage with Elizabeth, one of the daughters and co-heirs of Sir John Dowdall, knight of Kilfenny. Here he was made Major-General of the Horse, and was M.P. for the County of Limerick ; he also acquired large estates in the county by grant, which included Lickadoon Castle near Koxborough ; but being one of the judges at the trial of Charles I. he was tried for it at the Restoration. He pleaded guilty, and had not only the gift of his life, but permission to reside with his family. But all his propertj' was forfeited, and granted with that of the other regicides, to the Duke of York, from whom, when King James II., it was again taken at the Revolution, and sold in lots to the Hollow Sword Blade Company and other persons. Lady 176 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. walls idle ; they were aware of the vast advantage of retaining Limerick iu their possession, and to achieve that object they spared no exertion. Lord Muskerry had brought together about 5000 horse and foot in the counties of (Jork and Kerry, and David Eoche between two and three thousand men in Clare. Lord Broghill and Major Wallis were despatched to oppose Lord Muskerry, whilst General Ludlow, with a detachment, was sent to look after the other. Broghill encountered Muskerry, and defeated him. Ludlow crossed the river at Inchecroghnan, and had some difficulty in preventing the pass of that place falling into the hands of Roche's soldiery, who, however, retreated, and enabled Ludlow to return to Limerick, after having encoun- tered and overcome some severe obstructions before he relieved the garrison of Carrigaholt. He at length arrived at Limerick, where considerable progress had been made in the works, and where a reinforcement from England had landed nearly four thousand foot, to recruit an army which had been thinned by the climate, the change in food, the diseases to which they were subject, and the casualties of war. Ireton, nowithstanding this timely succour to his forces, began to tremble for the fate of the campaign. The plague was raging in the city. In every street the wild wail of sorrow was heard over the stark corpses of the victims of famine and the black sickness, which the want of air, the stench, and the awful circumstances of the place had caused. An hospital was erected by Ireton outside the walls, while the works was progressing for the siege. In the interim he visited KHlaloe, where a garrison lay, and directed that a bridge should be built, or rather, we imagine repaired, for the better communication of the counties of Tipperary and Clare. Ludlow accom- panied him in this duty, and many horses were knocked up by the journey — so hard were they driven. The progress of Cromwell's army in England, while matters were going on thus in Ireland, was so successful, that he carried every thing in the field before him. The intelligence of these victories was heard within the city ; but it did not blanch the cheeks, or unnerve the hearts of the brave men who had sworn to defend their altars and their hearths with the last drop of their blood. It was a weary time for Ireton — a fatal one for his army, which ia the gloom and mist of our chmate, were daily dying in hundreds of fever and ague, and plague — who were suffering too from scarcity of provisions, and also were anxious that the siege should be raised, or that some event should occur to draw them out of their alarming difficulties. There was no sign of surrender made from within. Ireton could make no impression by cannon or by persuasion — ^lie would have left if he could. He went with Ludlow into the neighbouring parts of Clare to look after the confederate soldiers who were there in numbers, to seek sustenance for his wasting army — but he could do nothing. Horses and cattle vanished, as if the earth had swallowed them ; men and arms disappeared as if by magic, the moment Ireton and Ludlow came near them. While Ireton and Ludlow were thus engaged, a sally was made by two thousand foot out of Limerick — so suddenly that they almost surprised the body-guard of Ireton ; they were Waller, however, whose familj' were of old Irish descent, and had secretlj' favoured the Stuarts in the civil war, was not interfered with in the possession of the Castletown estate which she had inherited from her ancestors, and which still belongs to her descendants. Her daughters had made marriages that gave the family some court influence at this time, and helped to keep his Lead on the shoulders of Sir Hardress. Elizabeth, Baroness Shelburne in her own right, married the able and powerful Sir William Petty. Bridget married Mr. Cadogan, and was mother of that gallant general, the first Earl of Cadogan ; whilst Anne married Sir Henry Ingoldsby, Bart. whose conduct in lOGO materinlly assisted iu restoring Charles II. to his father's throno. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 177 driven back, but a destructive fire was opened upon the Cromwellians from the wall, under cover of which the forces that made the sally returned in safety within. Sir Hardress Waller endeavoured to persuade the garrison of Clare castle to sun-ender, but he was not able. Ludlow who was with him making the experiment, returned to the siege, and great numbers of the citizens en- deavoured to make their escape from the city, stricken with the plague, and spreading it among Ireton'smen. Ireton commanded them to return, threatened to shoot any who should attempt to come out for the fature, and caused two or three of them to be hanged and others to be whipped back into the city ! The daughter of a poor man was among the number he sentenced to execution, — with piteous tears and lamentations the poor man desired they should spare the daughter and put him to death — but his request was refused. The butchers hanged the daughter, and whipped the wretched father back into the city ! To add to the horror, a gibbet was raised witliin view of the walls ; two persons were executed on it ; they were condemned for some- thing else — but they were put to death, to scare others from attempting to leave the city. The terrors of this frightful siege cannot be depicted in adequate language. Councils became divided withui the walls. Deith stalked through the streets, grim and ghastly, whilst the plague-victims lay on the foot-paths, spectacles for men to weep over. Ireton received hints that the strong were becoming weak — but, in this he was misled. The old Irish party remained firm against his advances, and the counsels of Terence O^Brien always dissipated doubt in the most alarming phases of the situation. The conduct indeed of the Bishop of Emly throughout the siege was of the most patriotic, noble and self-sacrificing character. He was offered an enormous sum of money — no less than forty thousand golden crowns,^ and permission to retire wherever he would out of the kingdom, provided he ceased to exhort the people against surrender ; but his heroic soul spumed the temptation — he had resolved to fight the good fight and win the crown that is promised to the just. When Ireton heard of the stern in- flexibility of the bishop, he resolved at once to except him from anmesty, and every other condition he proposed to the besieged. He swore too, that he would visit with the most woful consequences the citizens if they hesitated to bring to him the head of the bishop, together with those of the twenty men who had voted against giving the city into his hands. A council assembled — a debate ensued. Two hundred ecclesiastics now met, and with one voice they proclaimed their determination to interpose between Ireton and the twenty he had named for death — but in vain, for all ecclesi- astics were excepted. O^Daly throws out a dark hint, which is supposed to reflect on some of those who were engaged inside the walls at the time, and adds that the witnesses to the circumstances to which he alludes were in Lisbon at the moment he wrote. O^Brien offered to give himseK up, so that the others should be saved — but his proposal was rejected by the ecclesiastics. There were some men, however, not to be trusted ; and they were as well known to Ireton as to those who were about to become his victims. Fennel was one who held an important post, and who had already manifested his treasonable designs. Stackpole, the Eecorder faltered; others of the corporation wished there was an end to the siege and its horrors. Ireton fomented the divisions that had prevailed so long — he inveighed, by name, against the men who were firm, against one whom he called a soldier of fortune, ' O'Herne quoted in'the Hibernia Dominicana, 13 " " 178 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. meaniug O'Neill who lie said made a trade of war and did not value the lives of the people. Again the waverers demanded terms and compromises. The town council met — the meeting was stormy. O'Brien^ Wolfe, Higgins and Purcell, Avith those who sympathised with them, cautioned the trembling cravens as to what they were about. The Irish had a prophecy that the last battle would be at Knocknaclashy, and as it was there that Broghill met and defeated Muskerry, a few weeks before, they held to the behef that victory would certainly favor the English. Cox remarks how strange a thing it was that the " Bridge-Barrels'"' of both armies were accidentally burnt at the commencement of the fight — but he adds that the soldiers on both sides never fought so bravely and so determinedly, "hacking and hewing with their swords, when they had spent their shot." Ireton was filled with joy at Broghill's victory, for he, too, felt the effect of the prophecy, though, no doubt, he was unwilHng to appear credulous, and he ordered a grand salute of three vollies to be fired in his camp in token of so signal a triumph — ■ the news of which was brought inside the walls in a very short time. However, he had no means of taking the city by assault or storm, or the regular process of a siege. The stores were full of provisions, calcu- lated to last three months — the energy of the devoted portion of the citizens, headed by the bishops and clergy, would hear of no compromise. But there were mutinous and clamorous men for a cessation of arms, and false traitors, who wanted only the opportunity of handing over, bound hand and foot, bishops, clergy, and faithful citizens, to the remorseless rage of the tyrant ; but interdicts and excommunications were posted upon the cathedral doors and the other churches of the city against those who would dare to betray the gates to Ireton. So strong an impression was made, by the earnest party inside, that the treaty proposed by Ireton in which so many of the princijjal persons were excepted as to life, was rejected; and force was again put in requisition. The great guns were landed from the ships — other guns were brought from adjoining garrisons — a battery was erected against that part of the wall which had no earth lining within, no counterscarp, no protection, and that weak defence had been also shown to Ireton by some hidden traitor. The battery being in order, and the storming regiments told off to their several posts, a fire was opened — a breach was soon made — and a parley was beaten. The traitor Fennel had already seized on John's gate, and having been supplied with powder,* he threatened to give up the post to the enemy unless the garrison would consent to capitulate ! When the breach was made, and the parley beat, the resolution to surrender the city was taken in the treason for which prepa- rations had been made — tlie East gate was delivered up.^ Ludlow states that this was the gate of the out-town or Irish-town, which was separated by a river, ' It is said by Cox that the powder was supplied by Creagh, the Mayor, and that he (Creagh) was aware of Fennell's intentions ; but this is not generally credited. 2 O'Daly states that the events which now impended were foreshadowed by three portentous signs which he enumerates: — The first, a most extraordinary phenomenon, witnessed on the 17th July, IGol, a little before midnight of the sacred day of St. Alexius ; six weeks had the soldiers been fortifying the walls, and repairing the circumvallations ; all was just completed, when, lo ! from the eastern side of the mountain which is north of Limerick, tliere arose a lucid globe, brighter than the moon and little inferior to the sun, which for two leagues and a half shed a vertical light upon the city, and then died into darkness over the camp of the enemy. The second was the apparition of the Blessed Mother of God at about three o'clock in the afternoon, on the summit of the Church dedicated to her. She was seen by some simple people at work in the fields, accompanied by St. Francis and St. Dominick and five other heavenly beings, who seemed to follow her to the Convent of the Dominicans and thence to the Church of St. Francis HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 179 with a draw-bridge over it^ from the EngHsh town. Iretou ordered all the arms and ammunition to be preserved, and the soldiers who were not of the city to be drawn up between it and the Parliamentary army, that such as desired might have convoys to conduct them to their respective parties; and that those who wished to return to their habitations should have passes to that effect. The governor of the city, Hugh O'Neil, met Ireton at the gate, where he presented him with the keys of the city and gave orders for the marching out of the soldiers who were not townsmen, according to the articles. These numbered about 2,500 men, not a few of whom, as they were going out, fell down dead of the plague. Several of them also lay stark dead and were buried in the church-yard. Ireton was shown the stores of arms, ammunition and gunpowder, the quantities of provisions, altogether a three months^ supply. The fortifications were also shown — he was pointed out everything, and told, at the same time, that nine or ten of those who were excepted in the articles, threw themselves on his mercy, and were waiting his orders in a house which the governor (O'Neil) named. The illustrious Terence Albert O'Brien, bishop of Emly, was taken in the pest-house, where Father Wolfe and major-general Purcell were also at the moment. Geoffrey Barron and Sir Geoffrey Galway surrendered. Dominick Fanning, the lion- hearted, who had at all times bravely withstood whatever was contrary to principle and to faith, was taken in the church-yard of St. Francis, where he had secreted himself in the tomb of his ancestors^ It is computed that 5000 people died in the city during the siege of the plague and of sickness, but notwithstanding this, the above number of soldiers marched out, and there still remained 4000 Irishmen within, capable of bearing arms. Two days after the surrender the mayor came to the place of worship (St. Mary's cathedral it is supposed) where the court-martial sat, and whether by words or actions he gave cause to those present to suspect who he was — he was arrested and committed to prison. O'Dwyer, the bishop, made his escape — it is alleged, in the dress of a soldier^. At the court-martial, O'Brien, the glorious bishop of Emly, and major-general Purcell appeared, and were questioned as to what they had to say why they should not suffer death. De Burgo gives from O'Heyne, who had been an eye-witness, a fuU account of the extraordinary manner in which this saintly prelate met his death'. within the walls. O'Daly states that he narrates the circumstances as they were heard by Father James Dooly from those who witnessed them. The third was the birth of a monster a few days before the surrender of Limerick. This strange object, the mother of which was far from being correct, may be thus described : — Out of one trunk grew two bodies having all the members complete ; but what astonished every one was that whensoever the two faces indicated friendship or hostility, the shoulders of the twain might be observed to retreat, so that they never could join in cordial embrace. Father Meehan, the translator of O'Daly, remarks that it is not to be ■wondered at In such disastrous moments, a people who suffered every thing for religion, should conjure up visions, and take omens from a flash of lightning or some iinusual meteoric appear- ance. Such has been the case with every people under heaven, particularly in time of war. The Puritanism of Parsons and Borlase were not proof against the cawing of crows on the top of Dublin Castle in the year 1662. — Meehan's Translation of O'Daly, p. 208. ' I give this fact on the authority of the writer of " Aphorismical Discovery of Faction" — a MS. in Trinity College Library — who throws the whole blame of the surrender of Limerick on the treachery and cowardice of Fennell. 2 Ludlow says that it was understood afterwards that he was of a more peaceable spirit than the rest ; and suspicion has been cast on the part he acted throughout. 3 Father Terence Albert O'Brien, or O'Brian, Master of Sacred Theology, an alumnus of the Limerick Convent (of St. Saviour), Prior of the Province of Ireland, elected at Kilkenny in 1643, as I have said elsewhere, and created in 1644 Bishop of Emly in Munster, under the Archbishop of Caehel, after the death of James O'llurley, presently referred to, departejl this 180 HlSTORr OF LIMERICK. Piircell fell on his knees, and begged earnestly for his life, but this request was denied to him : at his execution, in order to support him, he was held up by two of Ireton's musqueteers. Father Wolfe met his death as his life declared he would — with spirit and vigour.^ O'Neil and Geoffrey Barron were life for a better world an. 1651, being hung at Limerick for his defence of the Catholic faith on the vigil of All Saints. Of this truly Apostolic Prelate, -worthy of the golden ages of the Church, consulting the brevity prescribed to me, I shall say nothing except what has been stated by his contemporaries — to wit, the Eev. the Master General de Marinis, and other Fathers of eminent •wisdom members of the general Roman Chapter of 1656, lately referred to, who -write-in its transactions to the following effect : — " Here (in the province of Ireland) has arisen in prolific maturity a great harvest of those •who have suffered grievous torments, especially in our time, for the Catholic faith, — a harvest garnered in heaven by handfuls, since out of forty-three convents, which the order possessed in this island, not one remains at this day, which the fury of the heretical persecutor has not burned or levelled to the ground, or secularised to his own profane uses. To the year 1646 were num- bered amongst them 600 fathers, more or less, of wliom perhaps not one-fourth is now left, and, that exiled from their native country, the rest being either cut off by the martyrdom of -their house, or having met a tedious death after a cruel banishment to the Islands of Barbadoes in the new world. " Amongst the priors most deserving of first mention, is the most illustrious and reverend Father Terence Albert O'Brien, a scion of the renowned stock of the ancient kings of Ireland, who having happily completed his studies in the province of Spain, returning to his country, did by his example and word wonderfully improve the vineyard of the Lord, having filled with good fruit the priorship of his native convent of Limerick twice and that of Lorrah once. As provin- cial he attended the General Chapter (Capitulem Genernlissimem) held at Rome in 1644, where being honored -with the degree of Master by the new General Master of the order. Brother Thomas Turkins, for the merits and zeal which he had intrepidly displayed in defending the unity of the order and just reverence for the supreme head, and being a short time afterwards appointed by Urban VIII. to the Bishoprick of Emly, he devoted his whole energies to it, so that he everywhere constantly united the inviolable maintenance of his order and institute with the dignity of a prelate, and everywhere indefatigably aided the church, which at that time was ever so much in need of such a head in Ireland, by his authority, counsel, and vigilance. And while thus employed, in the year 1651, in the city of Limerick, then pressed with a severe siege by Henry Ireton, son-in-law of Cromwell, and a genuine Cromwellian, proconsul (ProcromuUius of Ireland) set a noble example of integrity and firmness, for, being tempted privately by the above-named leader of the heretics by the offer of 40,000 golden crowns, and free leave to emi- grate wherever he might choose, provided only he left the city, magnanimously refused, preferring to assist even unto death his Catholic fellow citizens, than to make a figure elsewhere, by means of a safe conduct granted by heretics, or to pursue pleasure unmolested. Accordingly, when the city was at last taken, being arrested, bound, and dragged to the market place, he there gloriously finished his course, on the very day of the vigil of All Saints, being publicly executed on the gallows. " While he proceeded joyfully to the place of punishment, bowing with a serene countenance to the Catholics who inconsolably weeping had flocked around him, he spoke these last words, which penetrated the hearts of even the heretics themselves: — 'Preserve the faith,' said he, ' keep the commandments ; do not complain of God's will, which, if you do, you will possess your souls ; and do not weep for me, but pray that, being firm and unbroken amidst this torment of death, I may happily finish my course.' The persecutor, Ireton (to whom Albert had expressly denounced the approaching vengeance of God), being a short time after dreadfully tortured with plague and phrenzy, openly confessed to the officers who stood by him, participators in his malice and aggression, that the murder of the innocent bishop was now at last fatal to himself. Then, turning his face to the wall, he kept privately muttering to himself, saying, ' I never gave the aid of my counsel towards the murder of that bishop ; never, never ; it was the council of war did it, it was the work of the council, let themselves look to it,' &c. ; and ' I wish I had never seen this popish bishop, or never seen him except at a distance.' Amidst such words, and the scourges of conscience, with deep groans, he delivered up his soul to the lower regions. The head of the martyr, fixed on a lofty stake, and placed on the top of the King's Fort (Arx Ee^ius) ■vvas in times long after seen to drop, as it were, still fresh blood, with the face entire, the flesh, skin, and hair, in no respect changed, a certificate of incorruption, for the tradition is constant, that he lived to the last with virgin purity; so that we may, even from this, conjecture that as Virgin, Doctor, Bishop, and Martyr, he is now distinguished in heaven by more than one crown. A more lengthened account of his life and conflict shall one day see the light." — Extract translated from the Uibernia DomiTiicami, pp. 448-0. ' In the same year (1651) and in the same city, the R. A. P. Fr. Woulfe, Preacher General, a venerable oM man, suffered desth for our Saviour Christ — he had with great sanctity performed the duties of Prior in several priorates. Being long since become a confessor of Christ, during HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 181 condemned also, but having been born abroad, O'Neil claimed exemption ; he and Barron were heard in their own defence. • O'Neil, who had earned the wrath of Ireton for his magnificent defence of Clonmel, stated that the war had been long on foot when he came over; that he came on the invitation of his countrymen — that he had been always a fair enemy — that he had not encouraged resistance when there was no hope of their being able to hold out — and that therefore the articles did not apply to him when they condemned those wlio stated there should be no surrender. He declared that he faithfully delivered up the keys of the city, with all the arms, ammunition and provisions, without complaint, and his own person also to Ireton. All this did not appease the tyrant, but it moved the other members of the court so much, that they voted for his acquittal. Again O'Neil was tried, and again sentence of death was passed upon him; but Ireton seeing the dissatisfaction of the officers more unequivocally expressed, he no longer adhered to his own opinion, and the matter being referred again to the consideration of the Court, they, by their third vote con- sented to save his life. Geoffrey Barron, having the same questions put to him, he stated that it was not just to exclude him from mercy, because he had been engaged in the same cause that Ireton pretended to fight for, which was for the liberty and religion of his country. Ireton rephed that Ireland being a conquered country, England might with justice assert her rights of con- quest — that they had been treated by the late government far beyond their merit or the rules of reason, notwithstanding which they had barbarously murdered all the English who fell into their hands, robbed them of their goods, which they had gained by their industry, and taken away the lands which they had purchased with their money — that touching the point of religion there was a wide difference also between them, they contending for their right without imposing their opinions on others — whereas Geoffry Barron^'s party were not, as Ireton fiercely alleged, content without compelKng aU others to submit to their impositions upon pain of death ! The council of war, hearing these statements, adjudged death against Barron, and he was sentenced and died ; Fennel also, and four and twenty better men were led to the scaffold. 1 Ireton^s death was an acknowledged divine vengeance.^ Sir Hardress Waller was now made governor of the city of Limerick. a tedious confinement, even to these last times of the persecutions he fulfilled the duties of his ministry, with indefatigable zeal, and stoutly opposed himself as a bulwark in defence of the authority of the Apostolic See. At length, being arrested at Limerick, about the very time of the oblation of the unbloody sacrifice, after some hours, having received sentence of death, he was brought into court, and having made a profession of the Catholic faith in the hearing of all, he exhorted the faithful to constancy in preserving the faith of their fathers. Placed on the upper step of a ladder, and presently about to be thrown off, he cheerfully exclaimed, " We have been made a show unto God, angels, and men — to God, may he himself grant, for glory — to angels, for joy — to men, for contempt" — after saying which, being immediately hung from the gibbet, he breathed his last. — From O'Eeyneh Chronological Eplloc/ue, ' Castlehaven says that no more than ordinary justice was done in this instance to Fennel! ; he adds, " Some say he was carried to Cork, and there pleaded for his defence, not only the service he did Ireton in betraying Limerick, but how he had betrayed Castlehaven before Youghal ! However, (adds Castlehaven) his judges would not hear him on his merits, but bid him clear himself of the murders laid to his charge." No one can regret the fate of Fennell, terrible though it was. ' Ireton was called the " Scribe" from his skill in drawing up declarations, petitions and ordinances. His antagonists allow him to be an able, but not a virtuous statesman, indeed he appears to have been the most artful, designing and deliberate man of his party. He was buried in Henry VII's chapel Westminster, but his bodj', after the restoration, was exhumed, gibbeted and burnt at Tyburn. — Noble's Memoirs of the Cromwell Family. 182 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. While the storm raged in all its fury, there were twenty thousand com- municants Avithin the walls of Limerick, The Avhole city put on the garb of penitential sorrow in order to draw down the blessings of heaven on the suffering patriots who braved the bribe, the sword, famine and pestilence. Laws were estabhshed by the citizens against cursing and swearing; and crime of every kind was banished. • The plague daily felled its victims ; among them was O^Dwyer, brother to the bishop, who exposed his life, going among the dying poor, with the Yincentian Fathers consoling and reheving them. Many, after the surrender, were cruelly massacred, merely for their faith.^ Mr. Thomas Stritch, on terminating a spiritual retreat, had been elected mayor, and ever after proving himself a devoted friend to Ireland and her faith, on receiving the keys of the city he laid them at the feet of the Blessed Yirgin's statue, praying her to receive the city under her protection, whilst at the same time, as an act of homage, all pubKc guilds marched with banners flying to the church. Stritch addressed the assembly, calling on them to be faithful to God, to the church, and to the king, and stated his readiness to accept the martyr's crown, wliich he received soon afterwards, together with three others who had been his companions on the spiritual retreat.^ Sir Patrick Purcell, Avho is called by Father Anthony Bruodin, in his Bescriptio Regini Hibernm, " the most illustrious Yice-general of all Munster, a noble-hearted and most accomph'shed warrior, for in Germany, under Ferdinand, acquired an immortal renown, combating against Sweden and France.'^ After his execution by the rope his head was cut off, and exposed on a stake over St. John's Gate. Geoffi-ey Barron, who was envoy to the king of France for the Confederate CathoHcs, was beheaded and quartered, after he was hanged. We have already spoken of Dominick Fanning. Daniel O'Higgin, M.D., " a wise and pious man,-" who also was led to the scaffold, and Father Laurence Walsh is spoken of as having likewise suffered.'* The disgraceful treaty on which the city was surrendered, is couched in these terms : — Articles agreed on the 37th day of October, 1651, between Henry Ireton, the Deputy General ; and Barth. Stackpoole, Eecorder of Limerick ; Alder- man Dominick White ; Nich. Haly, Esq. ; Lieutenant-Colonel Pierce Lacy, Lieutenant-Colonel Donough O'Brien, and John Baggot, Esq., Commis- sioners on behaK of the Mayor and Inhabitants. I. That the city and castle, and all places of strength, be delivered to the Deputy General on the 39th instant, by sunset, for the use of the Parlia- ment and Commonwealth of England, for performance whereof, the said Dominick White, Pierce Lacy, Donough O'Brien, and Nicholas Haly shall remain as hostages. 1 Abelly, p. 212. 2 AbeUy, p. 218. 3 We perceive by the diary of Dr. Thomas Arthur, that he attended several respectable citizens, including some of his own name, who had been labouring under the plague. We find that he attended Colonel Henry Ingoldsby, who fared so well in consequence of these wars, for s scorbutic affection, and that he received a fee of £1 on the first occasion and £4 afterwards. ■* "An ej'e witness to the unheard of cruelties to which the prisoners were subjected," by Morison in his Phrenodia lliberna Catholica (Oenoponti 1659) corroborates Bruodin as to these facts, many more of which could bo adduced ; so many as to cause St. Vincent de Paul to cry out, "that the blood of these martyrs will not be forgotten before God, and sooner or later will produce an abundant harvest of Catholicity."* ♦ Abelly, p. 220. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 183 II. In consideration of which^ aU persons now in tlie city shall have their lives and properties, except the following, who opposed and restrained the deluded people from accepting the conditions so often offered to them : — Major-General Hugh O'Neil, Governor, Major- General PurceU, Sir Geoffrey Galway, Lieut.-Colonel Lacy, Captain George Woulfe, Captain-Lieutenant Sexton, Edmund O^Dwyer, Bishop of Limerick, Terence 0''Brien, Bishop of Emly, John Quin, a Dominican Friar, Captain Laurence Walsh, a Priest, Francis Woulfe, a Friar, PMlip Dwyer, a Priest, Alderman Dominick Fanning, Alderman Thomas Stritch, Alderman Jordan Eoche, Edmund Eoche, Burgess, Sir Richard Everard, Dr. Higgin, Maurice Baggot, Baggotstown, and Geoffry Barron. In addition were Evans, a Welsh soldier and another deserter. III. All officers, soldiers and other persons in the city, shall have liberty to remove themselves, their families and property to any part of Ireland. IV. All citizens and inhabitants shall have Uberty to stay in the city, untn they get warning to depart. V. All persons now in the city, except those mentioned in the third article, who desire to live peaceably and submit to the Parliament of Eng- land, shall be protected in any part of the kingdom. These indeed, were disgraceful articles to submit to, but where the blame lies, there let it be for ever branded in characters not to be erased ! ' Dr. Arthur mentions among those whom he professionally attended soon after the sur- render : — Edward Pyersy, Quarter-Master General of the horse Ditto, 30th November Ditto, 7th December Ditto, 1st January William Skinner - I Wallebey The above Skinner on several separate occasions afterwards, for which he received the same fee each time of ... Ensign Burnell Colonel Henry Ingoldsby The same again ; as the cure being for scorbutic disease Ensign Bendame ... ... ... ... ... Ensign Browne Lieutenant-Colonel John Woodman, wife very ill ... Lieutenant Eobert Cooke Lady Honora O'Brien, daughter of Henry Earl of Thomond Ensign Henry Moorethon Ensign Owington Major May ... Ensign Bently £ s. d. 00 10 00 10 00 10 00 10 00 10 00 10 00 00 10 00 00 10 00 01 00 04 00 10 00 10 1 16 02 00 00 10 00 10 01 2 00 10 184: HISTORY OF LIMERICK. The town of Galway fell soon after the surrender of Limerick. Before these latter events Ludlow proceeded on an expedition to Clare, with 2000 foot and 1500 horse/ arriving at Inchegronan, within fifteen miles of Limerick. Clare castle and Carrigaholt fell. He returned to Limerick by Burren, " of which it is said^' (says Ludlow^), "that it is a country where there is not water enough to drown a man, wood enough to hang one, or earth enough to bury him, which last is so scarce that the inhabitants steal it from one another, and yet their cattle is very fat, for the grass growing on the " turfts" of earth two or three feet square, that he between the rocks, which are on limestone, is very sweet and nourishing.''^ On this occasion Ludlow visited Lemenagh castle,^ and had an interview with Lady Honora O'Brien, daughter to the late Earl of Thomond — who, being accused of protecting the cattle of the neighbouring people, was upbraided by Ireton, who said, " as much a cynic as I am, the tears of this woman moved me.'^^ CHAPTER XXYIII. CONFISCATION. OPPRESSIVE TAXATION ON THE CITIZENS. PEARFUL BURDENS. FLEETWOOD. We pass for a while from the city and its concerns, to a view of events elsewhere. The Parhament of England now began to concert measures for 'Hhe final settlement and administration of Ireland.'^ Lambert was ap- pointed successor to Ireton. Ultimately, however, Lambert resigned, and Fleetwood, who had married Ireton's widow, was appointed in his place. Two acts relative to Ireland were debated in Parliament — one for the confis- cation of all the lands of 'the rebels/ another for adjusting the claims of adventurers, i.e. those Englishmen and others who had ventured money advances in the war. Among those specially excepted from life and estate, the Marquis of Ormond, who was unable to play the double game with the Parliamentarians, Lord Inchiquin, Bramhal, the Protestant Bishop of Deny, a man peculiarly obnoxious to the republicans, were distinctly named. Early in the Spring of 1652, an edict Avas issued that the CathoHc clergy should quit the kingdom under capital penalties. By this nefarious enact- ment it was decreed, ''that every Romish Priest was deemed guilty of rebeUion, and sentenced to be hanged until he was half dead ; then to have Lieutenant Mason ... ... ... ... ... 00 10 Major Whyttle ... ... ... ... ... 00 10 Lieutenant Baretlirowne (quere Harrington) ... ... 00 8 6 Lieutenant Dingle ... ... ... ... ... 00 10 Several similar entries are made in the Diary of Dr. Arthur, respecting his attendance on the Parliamentary officers, &c., all of whom appear to have paid him very liberally and punctually, and many of whom suffered not only from scurvy, but from cholera morbus, wounds, pestilence, &c. 1 Ludlow's Memoirs. » To this day Lemenagh castle shows that it had been in the days when it was occupied by the O'Briens— a truly noble baronial residence. ' Ludlow's Memoirs. HISTORY or LIMERICK. 185 his head cut off and his body divided in quarters ; his bowels to be drawn out and burnt, and his head fixed upon a pole in some public place. The punishment of those who entertained a Priest was by the same enactment, confiscation of their goods and chattels, and the ignominious death of the gallows.''^ The same fine was set upon the head of a j)riest as upon the head of a wolf, (five pounds.) Morrison here quoted, declares that "neither the Israelites were more cruelly persecuted by Pharaoh, nor the innocent infants by Herod, nor the Christians by Nero, or any of the other Pagan tyrants, than were the Eoman Catholics at this fatal juncture." In Limer- ick this edict was promulgated by the local governors, who acted on behalf of the Commonwealth. So fierce an ukase had a direful effect as might be expected, on those CathoKcs who had remained in the city, and who hoped they could follow the profession of their faith without hindrance, as long as they did not interfere with the progress of the Puritans, who now filled every ofiice. Bearing badly the tyrannical mandate, they requested Dr. Arthur, whose influence was extensive with those in power, that he would place their deplorable case before the authorities in Dublin. They felt sore at heart to think that they should be without the ministrations of their Pastors. Dr. Arthur states,' that he undertook the duty with zeal and earnestness — he does not acquaint us with the result, no doubt he was unsuccessful ; he adds however, that he arrived in Dublin on the 6th of Pebruary, that he re- mained tni the 15th of August, and that he received a sum of £83 15s. for professional services rendered while there. The money levies on the citizens, for the exigencies of the Puritan army and the requirements of the new government after the surrender, were literally enormous. They would be incredible if they were not vouched for by in- disputable data.^ Under the new regime the citizens of Limerick had no reason indeed to congratulate themselves. > Arthur MSS. ' Dr. Arthur's account of what he was called upon to pay, and for what purpose, is in his own hand-writing (Arthur MSS.), from which I extract the following particulars : Decembris, 1651, of the first cess le^^ed after the surrender I payed Januarii, 1652, of the second levy I payed Thos. Fitzwm. Fanning Martii, 1652, for fyer to the gardes delivered to Ptk. Fitzjames Whyte ... For 1652, for fyer and candle light to the said gardes delivered to Thos. Fanning 22nd Martii, 1652, for lodging moneys to the guarrizon delivered to Thos. Fanning p Aprilis, 1652, for the Poore and losses of the bill to Thos. Fanning Aprilis, 1652, for a leviye then made May, 1652, ... Junii, 1652, for a leviye then made 7 Junii, 1652, for some arrears due of the said former leivye 90 Julii, 1652, for a levy then made delivered to Thomas Woulfe 30 Julii, 1652, for a levy then made and for fyer and candlelight 3" Augustii, 1652, for fyer and candlelight Augustii, 1652, for a levy then made and delivered to Thomas Woulfe ..* Septembris, 1652, for a levy then made, delivered to Thomas Woulfe Septembris, 1652, for fyer and candlelight Septembris, 1652, for skynnes recovered against the Corporation Octobris, 1652, for a levy then made, delivered to Thomas Woulfe Novembris, 1652, for stocks and skavengers Decembris, 1652, for the new gate of St. John's for fyer and candlelight to Clement Stackpol Januarii, 1653, for a levy then made and delivered to Wm. Meroney Januarii, 1653, for fyer and candlelight to the citadells for 3 months „ 1653, for that moneth's contribution to Wm. C. Meroney „ 1653, for that moneth's contribution, payed to Wm. Meroney „ 1653, for that moneth's C. payed to Wm. Meroney £7 10 5 10 9 02 9 06 1 06 1 10 8 5 17 6 13 4 4 02 10 4 00 2 13 4 00 4 2 13 4 4 00 4 00 3 00 3 06 8 03 1 3 4 1 3 8 2 10 1 17 6 2 02 6 1 14 H 186 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. To increase tlie extreme rigor and misery of these terrible times of suffer- ing, com and provisions of every description were scarce and higli priced. The great market for com in particular, was ' Nenagh in Ormond/ to which such of the citizens of Limerick as possessed the means, were accustomed to go or to send their messengers, to purchase supphes for their house- hold and their workmen. At this time corn was about £3 a bushel in Ormond. It may be observed that in these times and before them, it was usual not only to pay the artisan and the labourer in cash, not quite so much, indeed as they are now paid, but to bake bread, to brew malt, to lay in store barrels of herrings and quantities of butter for their consumption, a long account of which we find set forth in the MSS. of Dr. Arthur during the comparatively lengthened period he was building a great " stone howse in Mongret- street, in the south suburb of the city of Limerick," which stone house he began in 1620, but which he had scarcely finished when Ireton was thundering at the gates.' Previous to the surrender, the impositions, though not so heavy, were severe. The levies were monthly. In addition, horse and foot were quartered on such of the citizens as could or could not bear the burden.^ There were levies and applotments also for the ditches, outworks and fortifications, previous to the siege and sur- Warding the gate whyles the new gate was a making at se- veral nights to Owelane 1653, payed for the savengers, town maior, & for fyre & candlelight 1653, payed for that moneth's contribution to Wm. Meroney payed for fyre and candlelight to the citadels for the 3 months past payed for that moneth's contribution, p. L. K. Tickett payed for the next moneth's contribution to come payed to T. Arthur To Thomas Gerrott Arthur, for Cess paid him for the citadell moneys paid him for the moneth's cess paid him for the moneth's cess lighting to the guards On the opposite page Dr. Arthur enters : — Cess Moneyes. Octobris, 1653, I payed to Thomas Arthur a head bill for cess ... ... £35 6 180 Novembris, I payed to Michael Stritch head bill for cess moneys ... 30 2 5 10" Decembris, I payed him for cess moneys ... ... ... ... 30 ' To shew the quantity and capacity of mere brewing materials in private houses in Limerick in these times I take the following from the Arthur MSS — " A note of what goods and household stuf Doctor Thomas Arthur Fitzwilliam left in the custodie of his wife in his mansion-house at Lymerick : — 1. Bras kitle, weighing four hundred weight, able to contein a whole hogsed of liquor, with his parents' names thereuppon, and cost him twenty pounds sterling, being bought from them. 2. Another bras kitle a little smaller than the former, both for brewing. 3. 4. Brass destelling pots, whereof one is bigger than the other, with their hurdles, pipes, and necessarie accommodations, 5. A deep large brass pan to boil meate in as a quarter of beeffe." [The list enumerates several other vessels of somewhat smaller dimensions.] " 8 big brass candlesticks, weighing 27^ lbs. of Holland fashion, and cost me 45s. and 6d. ster. A coper cauderon capable of a barrel 1 Various ' Brass Mortars with iron pestills.* 1 ould baltrey (quere paltry?) kitle in paune of Phillls Creagh's rent.*' The latter item, perhaps, might be omitted, but in hard times it is no wonder that rent was due. * Dr. Arthur enters as follows : — " From the 2nd day of June to the 2nd of November, 1651, I payed to such horse and foot as the head bill, Wm. Morony, quartered uppon me, and for several others. More I payed to the said Wm. Moroney towards the English guarizon." 12 6 16 2 03 9 2 15 1 17 6 12 1* 12 12 12 12 03 2 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 187 render ; and for the money " lent to James Marquis of Ormond, Lieutenant General and General Governor of Ireland/^^ The pressure was intolerable. The surrender of Limerick and Galway, the latter under terms better by far than Limerick,,^ put an end to what has been conventionally termed the great rebellion. The only Castle in Munster that held out was Ross, in the lake of KiHarney, which was thought impregnable, but Ludlow caused a small ship to be made, and carried over the mountains — this he floated in the Lough ; and the Irish were so astonished that they yielded up the fort on the 27th of June, 1652. About the same time Lord Westmeath, Lord Muskerry, O^Connor Roe, Sir William Dungan, Sir Francis Talbot and others submitted upon conditions " that they should abide a trial for the murders committed in the beginning of the rebellion, and that those who assisted only in the war were to forfeit two-thirds of their estates and be banished.^ Following out the fortunes of Inchiquin, who embarked for France from Galway with Lord Ormond, we find that being exempted from pardon by Cromwell, in 1652, he became a Lieutenant- General of the French army, and was appointed Yiceroy of Cata- lonia by the king ; serviQg afterwards in the Netherlands, and commanding the forces sent to assist the Portuguese, when they revolted from Spain, he was captured by a Sallee Rover or Algerine Corsair, with his fanuly, and was obhged to pay a heavy ransom. He was created Earl of Inchiquin, and had a grant of £8000 from Charles II. as compensation for his losses. He lived a Catholic for fourteen years before his death, and died in Limerick ; his body was interred in 1674 in the Cathedral of St. Mary's, the cannon firing daring his interment."' Execrations cliag to his memory. CHAPTER XXIX. THE HIGH COURT OF BUTCHERY SAVAGE EXECUTIONS. COURT OP ADVENTURERS. The first High Court of Justice to try those who were accused by the Cromwellians of ^' the barbarous murders committed in this rebellion," was held before Justice Donelan, President, Commissary General Reynolds and Justice Cooke, assistants, in Kilkenny on the 4th of October, and it sat in the house occupied by the Supreme Council of the confederates in 1642. Some, as we have already mentioned, were excluded from pardon altogether. The same Court at which Sir Phelim O'Neil was tried, condemned, and ordered to be hung, was held in Dubhn, before Chief Justice Lowther. Sir Phelim confessed he had no commission from the late king Charles for the rebellion of 1641, that he took the seal from a patent he had found at Charlemont, > For this purpose to H. Casy, Dr. Arthur paid ... ... ... ... £37 6 " Besides this share of moneies lent to Prince Rupert" ... ... ... 3 11 " And the double applotment of the weekly moneies for 6 weeks" ... ... 36 8 All these sums and several others were paid by Dr. Arthur, and he was but one among the many severely taxed. 2 Cox Hib. Anglicana, Vol. II, p. 69. 3 Ibid, p. 70, « Whites MSS. 188 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. and fixed it to a commission he caused to be written in the king's name, that Michael Harrisson, then present in court, and confessing the fact, was the person who stitched the cord or label of the seal with silk of the same colour. Lord Mayo was tried, and executed by being shot to death, for falling on the English, and kilhng among others the Protestant Bishop of Killala, and about eighty others, after the surrender of the Castle of Castle- bar. Lord Maguire, notwithstanding his vehement protest, was tried and sentenced in England, and was not permitted the ministration of a cathoHc priest in his dymg moments ! Courts were held in Cork, Waterford, and other places, and about two hundred persons were sentenced to death at the hands of the common hangman. I will not dwell on the wholesale robberies which were perpetrated at this crisis under the name of law. The forfeited lands in Ulster, Leinster and Munster, were parcelled out in separate proportions, a part of which was divided among the soldiers and the Enghsh adventurers. The Church lands too were not spared. What remained of the forfeitures was left to the dis- posal of the ParHament. A large tract of barren land in Connaught, which by plague and war, had been well nigh depopulated and rendered a desert, was set apart for the Irish, for whom the alternative was 'Connaught or hell.' To such a state had the country been reduced that a proclamation was issued by Cromwell ofifering a reward to those who killed wolves by which the country was now overrun ; and by a lease which was made to Captain Edward Piers, on the 11th of March, 1652-3, of all the forfeited lands and tithes, in the Barony of Dunboyne in the County of Meath, only five miles north of Dublin, he was obliged to keep three woKdogs, two English mastiffs, a pack of hounds of sixteen couple, three of them to hunt the woK only, a knowing huntsman, two men and a boy, and an orderly hunt to take place thrice a month at least. ^ If Leinster, within a short distance of Dublin, was so fearfully reduced, what must we think of Connaught, to which the Catholics were driven wholesale ; and where many of them who had enjoyed large possessions in the most favored parts of Ireland before the war, had now no place whatever to receive them, though they were transferred to that province with an assurance that they would have sufficient. To show the general desolation of the country, even two years after these times. General Eleetwood writes to his friend Secretary Thurloe, on the 27th of June in that year from Dubhn, " there hath scarce been a house left undemolished, fit for an Enghshman to dwell in, out of walled towns in Ireland, nor any timber left, except in very few places, undestroyed." — (Thurloe' s State Papers, ii. 404.) The Mayoralty of Limerick continued vacant for four years from the date of the surrender, the government of the city being vested in a governor appointed by Ireton. Some important occurences took place in this year : — writing under date May 7th, 1653, from Chester, he states that they shipped away in the Cardiff frigate £40,000 to Dublin, that Sir Hardress Waller is gone in the same ship ; that they proceeded to sea, with a fair wind, the day before, and that it was hoped it would bring them to their desired port speedily.^ A letter from Tralee on the 19th of April, states that there came from Limerick two vessels with near six weeks' provisions of bread ' for the forces within ' See Proceedings of Kilkennv Arch. Society, Vol. III. New Series, p. 77. » State Papers, No. 2999. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 189 this precinct, which is as reasonable a relief as we ever enjoyed. The Lord set it home upon our hearts, we find it not in vain to trust in him/' The Council of State from Whitehall, issued their orders respecting the satisfying of the claims of adventurers who had advanced considerable sums of money by way of adventure for lands forfeited in Ireland, authorising a commission to sit and enquire into all men's claims, by comparing their receipts and assignments with the original books, ' and directing that they shall cause an entry to be made in a book, fairly written and kept for that purpose, of aU such sum and sums of money (in words not figures) as shall be by them allowed, as also the names of the first adventurers, as of the person or persons now claiming the same/ Further directions are given on this subject, and apportionments on the several Provinces and Counties, viz. : — Co. Waterford ... 20,000 King's County ... 40,000 Co. Limerick ... 30,000 Queen's County .. . 40,000 Co. Tipperary ... 60,000 Antrim 15,000 EastMeath ... 55,000 Down 15,000 WestMeath ... 65,000 Amagh 15,000^ The acres to be English measurement, and the Committee to receive Id. in the £1 of and for every adventurer, for so much land as he shall be entitled or lay claim to, towards defraying of all incidental charges, &c. The condition of the citizens of Limerick was exceedingly miserable tliroughout this period. Dr. Arthur writes as follows : — " On the ides of December, 1653, the citizens of Limerick, about to be enrolled''^ [probably for enlistment purposes] •" in the city, and having no settled dwelling place, requested me to plead their cause before the general of the army and the committee of the English Parliament [comitia] who were then at Dublin, that they would please to assign to them some certain place of habitation, on the northern side of the port of Limerick [in Clare] where they might dwell in security, lest, if they were straggling about, they might perish by exposure to insults and various perils of life and fortune; but having failed in the negociation, had them informed thereof by a messenger."^ So unpopular was the ParHamentary service, that the natives who attempted to enlist were compelled to apply for protection which they failed to obtain ! Among the minor notabilia we may mention that Charles Fleetwood, com- mander-in-chief of the Parliamentary army of England in Ireland, being subject to a painful disease by which he was periodically attacked, was attended by Dr. Arthur, who, at his request, wrote a treatise on the history, cause, progress and remedy of the distemper (He'miarani)^ » State Papers. ' » Arthur's MSS. ' Arthur's MSS. 190 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. CHAPTER XXX. DEPARTURE OF THE IRISH FOR FOREIGN LANDS. CROMWELL^S PARLIAMENT WHOLESALE CONFISCATIONS^ &C. So desperately opjjressed were tlie Irisli now that they petitioned to transport themselves into foreign service^ which several of them were allowed to do. On the 5th of May, 1653, articles of agreement were drawn up between Colonel Theophilus Jones and Colonel Philip Reilly, on behalf of himseK and gentry, by which they got liberty of transportation to Spain, leave to sell their goods, and enjojonent of personal estates, and satisfaction for their houses at reasonable rates ; priests were compelled to quit the country within one month; prisoners of war were set at Hberty within ten days, &c.^ • Colonel Fitzpatrick was allowed to go with his regiment into the ser- vice of the King of Spain. Colonel John O'Dwyer, commander-in-chief of the Irish in the counties of Waterford and Tipperary, followed the example. On his departure the celebrated song " John O^Dwyer of the Glen " was written,^ and having entered into a treaty with Colonel Sankey, he obtained leave to possess his estates, and those who submitted with him, received the same privilege, all under the required qualification.^ The sickness prevailed greatly in several parts of Ireland, and particularly about Dublin.* Dal- rymple states^ that Cromwell, in order to get free of his enemies, did not scruple to transport forty thousand Irish from their own country, to fill all the armies of Europe with complaints of his cruelty and admiration of their own valour ! Colonel Prittie, who did good service for the Parliamentary cause in several places at this crisis, as well as Captain Jacob at Dundrum, Colonel Abbott and other officers " by whom the Irish were reduced to great extremities, were also rewarded." An act was passed by Crom^n-ell's Parlia- ment permitting the English adventurers, officers and soldiers to purchase the forfeited houses in Limerick, at six years' purchase, and that the city should have the same privileges, franchises and immunities with the city of Bristol in England, &c. The Parliament was summoned by the usur^^er out of England, Scotland and Ireland. Thirty members only were returned from Ireland, who under the pretext of avoiding the evils of election were ^ selected* by commissioners appointed by the government. Sir Hardress Waller sat in this Parliament for the comities of Limerick, Kerry and Clare ; and WiUiam Purefoy, Esq., for the city of Limerick and town of Kilmallock. The latter was succeeded in 1659 by Walter Waller, Esq.; these men, as may well be supposed, were the mere creatures of the government ; and for the more effectual strengthening of his own power, Cromwell dismissed the Irish com- missioners from their office, and constituted Fleetwood Deputy for three years. A short time afterwards he sent over his second son Henry, whom he 1 State Papers, No. 3103. 2 Hardiman's Minstrelsy. 3 State Papers, No. 3091. •« On the 29th of June, 1653, it was stated that 1,800 Irish had transported themselves for Spain, over 5,000 more were ready to be transported, that nianj' died, still more do die, both of the plague and famine. '•> Memoirs of Great Britain, vol. 1. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 191 vested with the authority of Lord Lieutenant, having removed Fleetwood. Martial law with savage ferocity some time prevailed in all the fortified towns and cities. In the city of Limerick the government was military until 1656/ when by mandate from Cromwell the Puritan party elected twelve aldermen, who in the month of June in that year, elected Colonel Henry Ingoldsby Mayor.2 Large grants were made in the city and Kberties of Limerick, and in par- ticular in the North Liberties, to Sir William Petty, ^ surveyor-general, for the services performed in the celebrated Down Survey under which the 1 The following is a list of the regiments established for the service in Ireland : — Eight regiments of horse — His Excellency General Cromwell's, General Fleetwood's, Lieutenant-General Ludlow's, Com. -General Keynolds', Sir Charles Coote, Colonel Henry Cromwell, Colonel Sankey ; Two regiments of Dragoons — viz. Colonel Abbott's, Colonel Ingoldsby ; Foot — twelve regiments, 1,200 each — General Cromwell's, General Fleetwood's, Major-General Waller's, Sir Charles Coote's, Colonel Heweston's, Colonel Venalle's, Colonel Stubber's, Colonel Axtel's, Colonel Laurence's, Colonel Phair's, Colonel Sadler's, and Colonel Clark's. — State Papers, No. 3111, * Sir Henry Ingoldsby, M.P. for Limerick, was son of Sir Eichard Ingoldsby, knt. (by Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Oliver Cromwell, K.B ) and brother of Sir Richard Ingoldsby, K.B. an eminent general officer in the Parliamentary army. Sir Henry took a prominent, and, on many occasions, a verj' savage part in the Irish war, and was very instrumental in subjugating the South of Ireland to Cromwell's power ; but, on the death of the Protector, Ingoldsby, who was a Presbj'terian in politics and religious views, like Sir Hardress Waller, whose daughter Anne he had married, plotted to overthrow the independent party. He came over from Ireland, seized Windsor Castle, and held it for the party then led by Monk, who eventually restored Charles II. He had been created a Baronet by Cromwell in 1658 ; but Charles II. conferred the same title on him ia 1660. It became extinct with his grandson in 1726, when part of the estates fell to the noble family of Massy. The Ingoldsbys fared well in the war. Major George Ingoldsby 's share of the spoil was large : — In the Parish of Ludden, or Luddenbeg he was granted Ballybricken, 404a. 2r. 16p. for £6 2s. 10|d. per an.— In North Ballyharden and Grange ... 20 2 12 In other places in the same parish, and in other baronies, viz. — Clan- william. Small County, &c ... ... ... ... 1241 or = 2611 For a total rent of ... ... £18 And in Tipperary he obtained ... ... ... ... 71 1a. or = 1152 for a total rent of ... ... £10 1 The lands in Tipperary he sold to William Jesse, gent. — Enrolled 12th August, 1666. ' Sir William Petty by his employment in surveying the forfeited lands in Ireland after the rebellion of 1641, acquired an estate of £6000 a year, and could from Mangerton Mountain, in the Barony of Dunkerron, Co. Kerrj', behold 50,000 acres of his own lands, which large acqui- sition brought such an odium on him that he published a book to show the unreasonableness thereof, entituled " reflections upon some persons and things in Ireland," wherein he demonstrates that he might have acquired as large a fortune, without ever meddling with surveys. " In the year 1649, (says he), I proceeded M.D., after the charge whereof, and my admission into the College of London, I had left about £60. From that time till about August, 1652, by my prac- tice, fellowship at Gresham and at Brazen Nose College, and by my anatomy lectures at Oxford, I had made that £60 to be near £600 ; from August, 1652, when I went into Ireland, to December, 1654, when I began to survey, and other public engagements, with £100 advance money, and £365 a year of well paid salary, as physician-general to the army, as also by my practice among the chiefs, in a chief city of a nation, I made my said £500 above £1600 ; for a year in Ire- land could not be less than £200, which with £550 for another year's salary and practice — viz. until the lands were set out in October, 1655, would have increased my stock to £2,5"50, with £2,000 whereof I could have bought £8,000 debentures, which could liave then purchased me 15,000 acres of land, viz. as much as I am now accused to have ; these 15,000 could not yield me less than 2s. per acre, £1,500 per ammm, especially receiving the rents of May day preced- ing. This year's rent, with £550 for my salary and practice, &c., till December, 1656, would have bought me, even then (debentures growing dearer) £6,000 in debentures, whereof the 5-7ths then paid would have been about £4,000 neat, for which must have had about 8,000 acres more, being as much almost as I conceive is due to me. The rent for 15,000 acres and 8,000 acres, for three years, could not have been less than £7,000, which, with the same three years' salary, viz. £1,650, would have been near £9,000 estate in money, above the before mentioned £2,500 per annum in lands. The which, whether it be more or less than what I now have, I leave to all the world to examine and judge. This estate I must have got without 2 2 (plant.) (stat.) 7s. 4i Ik. 14p . (plant.) 1 (stat. 3s. 01^ 1" 192 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. forfeited estates were parcelled out, which caused a blush to mantle his own cheek, and for which he endeavoured to apologise. The enormous ever meddling -with surveys, much less with the more fatal distribution of lands after they were surveyed, and without meddling with the Clerkship of the Council, or being Secretary to the L. L, [Henry Cromwell, Lord Lieutenant], all which, I had been so happy as to have declined, then I had preserved an universal favor and interest with all men, instead of the odium and per- secution I now endure." — Smith's History of Kerry, pp. 90-91. Sib. William Petty, Knt. also got Farranshone, alias Castleblacke, 170a. (275a. Ir. 20p. stat.) £2 lis. 7M Ballynantybegg, 48a. (77a. 3r. Ip. stat.) 14s. 7.d_Farrinagowane, 130a. (210a. 2r. 13p. stat.) £1 193. 6d._Killrush, 80a. (129a. 2r. 13p. stat.) £1 Os. ll^d — Moolish. 46a. 3r. (75a. 2r. 13p. stat.) 14s. 2d^. — Shanabooly and Farranaconarra, 91a. 2r. (148a. 35p. stat! £1 Is. 5d.— Clonmackanbegg, 61a. 2r. (99a. 2r. 20p. stat.) 18s. 8d — Ballygranane, 158a. (255a. 3r. 30p. stat.) £2 8s Cloncanane, 189a. 2r. (306a. 3r. 34p. stat.) £2 lOs. 3|d.— Conagh(part) or Clonagh, 58a. 3r. (95a. & 27p. stat.) 17 10^ — North Liberties of the city of Limerick Enrolled IQth of August, 1666. Besides many other grants elsewhere. The following are other grants at this period in the City and County of Limerick : — Sir Kichard Ingoldsby, Knt. of the Bath, and Sir Henry Ingoldsby, Bart., got St. Mary's Abbey in Limerick, &c. &c. &c — Enrolled do. Sir Eandal Clayton — Large grants in Williamstowne and Kochestown (except Dr. Arthur's part in both) 216a. 2r. 29p. (350a. 3r, 39p. stat.) £3 5s. 9^.— Clanwilliam, Co. Limerick.— Enrolled 29th August, 1666. Sir Ralph Wilson, Knt., In Rathhane, 159a. and several other grants in the South Liberties of Limerick. Total quantity, 513a. plant. (830a. 3r. 39p — Enrolled 28th December, 1666. Captain John Winckworthe — North Rathurd alias Rathure, 114a. &c. &c. &c. South Liberties of the County of the City of Limerick — Enrolled 7th August, 1666. Samuel Wade obtained grants, ditto. Robert Pasly, ditto. William Yarwell, Esq. obtained 505a. Ir. 26p. stat. — Enrolled 2\st May, 1667. Captain Thomas Wallcott, obtained grants in the County of the City of Limerick, total quantity, 1148a. & 7p. plant. (1801a. Ir, 12p. stat.) Total rent, £16 178. ^'^A.— Enrolled 21 th April, 1666. Henry Abbott, John Fletcher, and John Garrett, ditto. Mary, daughter and heir of Richard Francis — Part of Knockanantye and Bally\'olHn, and the Commons thereto belonging, 110a. 3r. lOp. plant. (17ya. 2r. stat.) £1 13s. 8d. — Liberties of the City of Limerick Enrolled iih February, 1666. Daniel Bowman, and Martha his wife, and Nathl. Westen, son and heir of Captain Richard Westen, obtained grants in St. John's Parish, St. Nicholas' Parish, in St. Lawrence's Parish, in St. Michael's Parish, and townlands in the South Liberties of Limerick. Total quantity, 317a. 2r. 4p. stat. Total rent, £2 19s. 6|d. Wentworth, Earl of Roscommon, and Roger Earl of Orrery, obtained grants in St. Nicholas' Parish, and an immense quantity' of other property ; all in the City of Limerick. Note, by letters from Whitehall, date 2nd December, 1661, and 17th December, 1663, the King directed their arrears for .service before the 5th of June, 1649, to be satisiied by a grant of several houses in Limerick, as they should chuse. — 15e. 3d. p. d. r. 11. Liedt.-Colonel Francis Rowlston — Grants in Liberties of the City of Limerick. — En- rolled September 28tk, 1668. David and Henry Bindon and Patrick Vantry — Cloughkeaton, 185a., £2 16s. 25d. to David. — Cloghcoky, 182a. part of, 67a. In part of, £2 15s. 'S^d. to Henry South Liberties of the City of Limerick. In Islandoan and Corbally, 72a. 2r. 16p. £1 23. Oj. To Vantry — Liberties of same. — Enrolled 18th July, 1668. Francis, Lord Bishop of Limerick — Several houses in the City of Limerick. John Smith, A.M. Minister of St. Munchin's Parish— ditto. John Sowden, A.M. Minister of St. John's Parish — ditto. Nicholas Bourke, Esq. — Total quantity of grants, 2494a. plant. (4039a. 2r. 7p. stat.) total rent, £37 17s. 2ld.— Enrolled 18lh February, 1668. Richard Waller, Esq. — Several grants in the Liberties of the City of Limerick — Enrolled January llth, 1669. Sir Oliver St. George, in the Barony of Costlea — Total quantity, 3,112a. 3r. plant. (5042a. and 24p. stat.) Total rent, £47 5s. 5|d. Chidley Coote, the Elder, Esq., Ardovelane, 238a. £3 12s. 8^d. Bahernevottery, 42a. 12s. 9d. Milltowne, 121a. £1 16s. 9d. Flemingstowne, 106a. £1 12s. 2:|-d. Ballingaddybegg, 54a. 16s. 4|d. Ballingaddymore, 104a. £1 lis. 7d. Owlort, 104a. prof. 17a. 3r. 3p. unprof. £1 14s. 7|d. Auianstowne, 190a. prof. 5a. unprof. £2 17s. 8|d. Garrykettinea, 33a. lOs. ^d. Carreagarruffe, 35a. 10s. 7fd. Comes, 61a. prof. 3a. unprof. 18s. e^^d. Ballinehord, 472a, prof. 8a. unprof. £6 9s. 75^d. Ballingawsey, with the unprof. lands, 782a. 3r. prof. 148a. unprof. £11 17 8fd. Killgnosey, or Killguosey, with the unprof. lands, 17a. Ir. 5s. 3d. Ballywodane, 173a. £2 12». G^d. Graige, 10a, 3». Did. Garrifooke and Glandannon, 2l9a. £3 6». G^d. HISTORY OF LIMERrCK. 193 grants given to Sir William Petty, &c. are now held by his descendant, the Marquis of Lansdowne. Jamestowne, with the unprof. lands, 181a. £2 14s. 11 |d. Clyshagh, 67a. 17s 3|d. Ballin- carruna, 112a. £1 14s. id. Rathnecritagh, 153a. £2 6s. 5|d. Hyarrycuonas, 183a. £2 15s. 7d. Ballyreshauboy, with the unprof. lands, 317a. £4 Ifa's. S^d. Ardpatrick, with the unprof. lands thereof, 71a. £1 Is. 6|d. Bar. Costlea, Co. Limerick. Sir Stephen White, Knt— Total quantity, 1,333a. Ir. 13p. plant. (2,159a. 3r, 4p. stat ) Bar. Connelloe, Co, Limerick Date, 14th Nov. 19th year. Inrolled 5th December, 1(j67. John Odell, Thomas Boone, and John Gardiner, gents. — Total quantity (including grants in Cork, 1679a. 3r. ]2p. stat.) Date, 28th Nov. 19th year Inrolled 24th December, 1667. Dame Anne, relict of Sir Nicholas Crispe, John and Thomas Crispe, their sons, several grants of land in the barony of Conneloe, Co. Limerick Inrolled 23th December, 1668. Colonel Randall Clayton and Lady Jane Sterling got grants of various houses, tenements, &c. in the town of Kilmallock, Co. Limerick. Thomas, Earl of Ossory, Richard, Earl of Arran, and Sir Arthur Gore, Knt. got grants in Kilmallock, and immense grants of houses, lands, &c., in Tipperary County, particularly in Fethard, and Clonmell, and in Clare. Total quantity, 3,169a. Ir. 20p. plant. (5,133a. 3r. ISp. stat.) Total rent, £48 2s. 7|^d. Date, 17th December, 19th year. Inrolled 19th Dec. 1667. Margaret, Anne, Mary, Susan, and Mabell, daughters of Richard Grice, deceased, of Fans- towne, obtained large grants Co. Limerick, in Kilmallock, &c. Richard Lord Coloony, and Henry Temple, Esq., obtained large grants of houses, plotts of ground, &c., in Kilmallock, in the Barony of Clanwilliam. Captain John Frend obtained a grant of 756a. Ir. stat. in the Barony of Clanwilliam. Dr. Richard Boyle, Bishop of Femes and Leighlin, his heirs and assignees, 356a. 5p. stat. c. £3 6s. 9id. in same barony. Captain Humphrey Hartwell, 877a. 3r. 32p. stat. £8 4d. 7id. in ditto. John Mathews and John Snow, 320a. and lip. stat. £3. Captain Ingram obtained a total of 990a Ir. Ip. stat. in same barony. Sir Thomas Southwell, Bart, obtained grants of Killcullen, alias Kilconleene, 310a., in this barony, and in Cahreene, Bar. Coshma, 100. Total, 664a. and 21p. stat. rent £6 4s. 6jd. Sir William King, Knt. was granted the castle, town, and lands of Killpeakan and Kilmor- rismore, 481a. 2r. 19p, stat. £9 4s. |d. (Bar. Small Co). The castle, town, and lands of East Caherelly, Boherduffe, Ballysallagh, and Knockcarragh, 696a. an island adjoining, 34a. The castle, town and lands of West Caherelly, 402, Ballyblacker, part of Ballybricken, 40a. (Bar. Clanwilliam). Total quantity 1898a. Ir. 39p. stat. Total rent, £17 15s. ll|d. In Kilfrush, 301a. Ir. 6p. stat. £2 16s. 6d. (Bar. Small County). South, North, and East Ballyhindon and Graige, 157a. 3r. 26p. Ballygymoe, and several other denominations, making a total of 1466a. and 34p. stat. Total rent, £13 4s. lid. Park and Kebouge, 258a. lip. In Carnarry 130a. South Liberties of Limerick. Total quantity, 808a. Ir. 8p. statute. Total rent, £7 Us. 6fd. Samuel Mollyneux, Esq., obtained several grants in Clanwilliam. Total 1085a. 12r. 25p. stat. Inrolled 5th of October, 1666. John Maunsell, Esq., of Ballyvorneene, obtained grants in this barony. Total, 1205a. and 19p. Inrolled 7th of May, 1667. Murrough, Earl of Inchiquin obtained grants in this barony, in Ballynegalhagh, 110a. and a malt-house, seven tenements and gardens called Peter's Cell, in the city of Limericlc Ullysses Burgh obtained grants in Drombane, part of Castleurkine and Garryglasse. Total 174a. 3r. 13p. Edmond Allen, son and heir of Edmond Allen, deceased, obtained a grant of 77a. in this baronj'. Colonel Daniel Abbott, grants of Synode, 143a. plat. (231a. 2r. 32p. stat.) £2 3s. 5^d. Colonel Carey Dillon and Captain James Stopford, a moiety of Drumkeene, the ancient patri- mony of the Burkes, 323a. 2r. 24p. stat. Inrolled 27th Sept. 1669. Oliver Ormsby, Esq., great grants in the barony of Small County. Inrolled 10th July, 1666. Captain Robert Morgan, ditto. £3 5s. 3fd. Inrolled 14th December, 1666. Captain Francis Follett, ditto. Inrolled 15th February, 1666. John Bullingbrooke — In Kilfrush and Ballylaroney, 570a. Ir. 39p. prof. 90a. unprof. plant. (924a. and 17p. stat.) £8 13s. 3d. Inrolled, 2nd March, 1666. Anthony Raymond, gent. Caherguillamore, 195a. 2r. lOp. £2 19s. 4fd. InroUed 24th June, 1667. Captain Thomas Newburgh, Kilfrush (part), 100a. and 11a. (plant.) 162a. lip. stat £1 lOs. 4^d. Inrolled 7th February, 1666. Michael Boyle, Lord Archbishop of Dublin, and Lord Chancellor, obtained grants of the four ploughlands of Carrigogunell and Newtown, &c. &c. bar. Pobbel Brien. Inrolled 2nd July, 1666. Sir Arthur Ingram, Knt. in same baronv (of Pobbel Brien) a total quantity of 1790a. and 39p. stat. 14 194 ' HISTOIIY OF LIMERICK. Among the grants in Limerick, was a house purchased by act of Parlia- mentj set out as annexed to this see for ever, for the Protestant bishop.* After the general survey of the kingdom, the highest value given was only 4s. an acre, and for some acres only one penny. It was Lord Broughill who proposed that the whole kingdom might be surveyed, and the number of Richard Sweete, gent, a total grant in same barony of 795a. Ir. 3p. stat. Inrolled 19th of April, 1667. James, Duke of York, obtained grants of Castle Troy, 350a., Anghacotta, Newcastle, Kilbane, Kilmurry, Kerryship, Ballinglasseene, Ballynagh, Ballydoe, Knockingaule, Lislane, and Medine- dally ; Ballysamon, Tolton, Sheadfeackle, Scrylane, Lyslane, Ballj'-Kinucke, Killowtiane, and Garryglasse, 2150a. One parcele of Killkenan, called Seaven Stang, -with five-eighth parts of the net fishing on the south side of the Shannon, from the Blackwater to the island point of Rebogue, with one whole and two half fishing weares upon the Shannon, and one upon the Mus- kerne (Mulkaire), Co. of the City of Limerick. Liscadowne, Boherloyde, Ballymacree, Labana- muck, Ardemonacamore, Ardmonicabegg, Lysmelanbegg, Caher-JooUy, and Lismakelly, Whitta- towne Ballyagag, Carrigmasteene, Colereagh, 2117 acres, Bar. Clanwilliam ; Bally-Coughlane and Ardlagh, with the fishing weares, &c. 653a. 2r. 32p. prof. 200a. unprof. The Castle and six ploughlands of Ballyglaghane, Clourkellj', Tyne-Kelly, Gartane, Dowgart, Ballygogh, Kil- leene, Shanballymore, Gortgloghan, the houses and lands of Curragh, Ballynemoney, Ballardicke, 1990a. prof. Sin. and 14p. unprof. Pallice, Castle Pallice, Shane Pallice, Knocklershane, 283a. Ir. 18p. Forrenstowne (part) 20a. The 600th part of the weares in the libertie and island of Oniseclene ; Killenane, Clonkelly, and Ballyerahane, 409a. Ballynehane, part of Lis- coclany, with Newcastle and Ballykunicke, the horse island in Limerick, part of Castletowne, called Island, 190a. part of Castletowne, Ballymartin, in Ballyclarone, 200a. same co. The Duke of York's estate (the unfortunate James II.) was granted to Henry Guy, Robert Rochfort, and Mathew Hutton, Esqs., by letters patent dated 1st of June, 1693, and enrolled 24:th following July (anno 5° Guil. III. Captain Arthur "Ormsby — Total quantity (including in Cork County easterly part of Mahowna, alias Bohowna, 1040a., in Lysbyalat, 13a. 2r. 4s. Id. ; bar. of East Carbury, Co. Cork) 3,746a. 2r. plant. (6068a. 2r. 39p. stat.) George Evans — Total quantity (including grants in Owneybeg and Cosmasane, and ia Owny and Arra, Co. Tip.), 1467a. and 13p. plant. (2,37ea. Ir. 32p. stat.) William White, of Lyme-Regis, merchant — Total quantity 197a. 3r. 23p. plant, (320a. 2r. 27p. stat.) Inrolled 22nd February, 1666. Ahasuerius Regimort, Mary and Martha Fowler, same grants. Inrolled 17th March, 1666. William Barker, Esq. In Meolicke and Ballyeightra, 215a. 2r. 16p. £3 5s. 6d. Craggana alias Cragane Farrenowney, Coolengore and Knockbracke, 146a. 2r. £2 4s. 7jd. Corkaghanarron, alias Corkanarrow, part of Knockbracke, 40a. Ir. 8p. 12s. 25d. Inch-Dromard, alias Inish- Dromard, Barnard, Ballyfadny, alias Ballyfadine, Cahirnor and Ballybeg, 184a. 15s. lOJd.— more of the same, 14a. 4s. 2|d. Upper Meelicke, 64a. and 16p. 19s. i^d. BalljTievine, 83a. 3r. 24p. £1 53. 5^d. Leacorrowraore, 11a. and 16p. 3s. 4jd. Leacorrowbeg, 14a. 2r. 16p. 4s. 4|d. Cragg-beg, 132a. and 16p. 2s. S^d. Killtemplaine, f plow. 123a. and lip. £1 17 4^d. Liscoulta, 46a. 2r. 32p. Ms. l^d. Killcoulman, | plow. 50a. Ir. 8p. ISs. 3|-d. Commons of Killcoullman, Killcoulta, and Broska-Briankeigh or bragh, 22a. 2r. 6s. 9fd. Clounabegg, j plow. 246a. Ir. £3 14s. 9d. Lissdoffee, 179a. 3r. 8p. £2 Us. 7Jd. Lisnemore, alias Lisceleenmore, 73a. 3r. 8p. £1 2s. 4^d. Clounanana, or Clounana, (part) 54a. Ir. 8p. I63. 55d. Commons of the same, 36a. 2r. 8p. lis. Id. Ballycatrane, part of ye J, plow, of Clounanetemple, 98a. and 32p. £1 9s. 9^d. Ballinroge, ailas Ballinemernoge (part), 34a. 3r, 14p. 10s. 7id. Cloughtackabegg, 21a. 3r. 24p. 63. 7^d. Commons to ye Cloghterkas, 17a. 2r, 5s. Skd. South Cloughterka, 50a. Ir. 24p. 15s. 3|d. Glascloyne, alias Glasfoyne, part of Cloughterka, 30a. 9s. l^^d. Cloughtecka, alias North Cloughtecka, 72a. and 32p. £1 Is. 10|d. bar. Poplebrien, Co. Limerick. Total quantity, 2,064a. 2r. 22p. plant. (3,344a. Ir. 14p. stat.) Total rent, £31 7s. :Jd. Date, 11th May, 19th year. Inrolled, 17th May, 1667. This gentleman was ancestor to William Ponsonby Barker, Esq. D.L., of Kilcooly Abbey, Co. Tipperary, who holds these estates now. > The house chosen by " John Lord Bishop of Limerick," in the City of Limerick, and set out to him for seven years, according to the Act of Settlement, together with that small waste plott of ground, and 4 ruinous tenements therein, which he rents at £20 per annum, lying on the back side of the said dwelling-house, equal with the part thereof, &c. &c. &c. — enacted to be annexed unto the See of Limerick for ever, and to be the mansion-house of the Bishop and hi» successors — Meriion's Abridgment of the Act 0/ Settlement, c. xH. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 195 acres taken, and the quality of them,' and then all the soldiers to bring in their arrears, and thus, to give every man, by lot, as many acres, as might answer the value of the arrears. The names of all that were in arrear were taken accordingly, and lots were drawn, as to what part of the kingdom their portion should be. In this manner, the whole kingdom was divided among the conquerors and the money adventurers. It was also agreed, that the Irish should be transplanted from the south to the north, and so to the con- trary, '' which did break and shatter that nation in such a manner, that they never could make head afterwards .•'^^ Orrery states that Broughill knew more about what he did than himseK; but as his Lordship^s papers were burned at the conflagration of Lord Orrery^s house at Charleville, by the Irish, they never came to hght. At this crisis the well known body of Quakers, who had already settled in Limerick, did not escape the persecution of Cromwell, as the following letter manifests : — To Colonel Ingoldsby. Sir, — The Council being credibly informed that there are at present in the city of Limerick divers persons, commonly called Quakers, who have repaired thither out of England and other places, making it their practice to wander up and down, seducing divers honest people, neglecting and impoverishing their families, troubhng the pubhc peace of the nation, disturbing the con- gregations of sober Christians in the worship of God, and with railing accusations aspersing and discouraging divers of the godly ministers of the gospel in their faithful labours, and thereby bringing into contempt the ordi- nances of God, and encouraging evil-minded persons to looseness and pro- ' Quantity according to the Down Survey made under Sir William Petty of the several Counties of Ireland: — LEINSTER. Acres. 1 Wicklow 252,410 2 Wexford 315,396 3 Carlow 116,900 4 Kilkenny 287,650 6 Queen's County 238,415 6 King's County 257,510 7 Kildare . 228,590 8 Dublin . 123,784 9 Westmeath 249,943 10 Meath . 320,480 LI Longford 134,700 Total_in Leinster . 2,526,778 MUNSTER. 1 Cork 991,010 2 Kerry 636,905 3 Limerick. 375,320 4 Clare 428,187 5 Waterford 259,010 6 Tipperary 599,500 Total in'Munster 3,289,932 ULSTER, Louth Down Antrim Armagh . Monaghan Cavan Fermanagh 8 Tyrone . 9 Donegal . 10 Londonderry Acres. 111,180' 344,558 170,620 170,640 170,090 274,800 224,807 387,157 630,157 251,511 Total in Ulster . 2,735,517 CONNAUGHT. 1 Sligo 241,550 2 Mayo 624,640 3 Galway . 775,527 4 Roscommon 324,370 5 Leitrim . 206,830 Total in Connaught . 2,072,915 Total in Ireland exclusive of Bogs and Loughs 10,625,142 Lough Neagh as surveyed by P. Leahy, Esq. C.E. 1812* .... 60,051 ' Orrery's State Letters, Vol. I. p. 39. • This eminent Civil Engineer, who afterwards held the oflSce of County Surveyor of Cork, East, while one of his sons held that of Cork, West, was father of the Most Rev. Patrick Leahy, D.D., Lord Archbishop of Cashel and Emly. 196 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. faneness : — Out of a clue sense whereof, their Lordships have commanded me to signify unto you their dishke of such pernicious practices^ and that they do (from good grounds) apprehend, that persons committing such mis- demeanours do (under colour of such their wild carriage and proceedings) advance some designs which may be of dangerous consequence to the public good and safety, if not seasonably looked into and prevented ; and do, there- fore, desire you to inquire into the truth thereof, and to take speedy and effectual course that such persons as are come thither upon that account be excluded the garrison, and not permitted to return or reside there. And if any of the inhabitants profess themselves such, and shall at any time disturb the congregations when assembled for the service and worship of God, or otherwise break the public peace, you are then to secure such persons, and take care they be proceeded with according to due course of law m such cases provided, having due regard to preserve (by all good ways and means) the good government of that place, and timely to discountenance and sup- press all disorders. [Thomas Heebert, Clk. Council.] Council Chamber, Dublin, 25th November, 1656.' The Quakers suffered in consequence a very severe persecution in Limerick,* where several of them suffered imprisonment, and were scourged. Barbara Blagdon, a Quakeress, was banished by Colonel Henry Ingoldsby, Governor of Limerick. He was aided by Lieut.-Colonel Hurd and Major Ealph Wilson in his violence to the Quakers, who first settled in the city two years before the above letter was written, and who in 1671 built a meeting-house in Creagh Lane. CHAPTER XXXI. DEATH OF CROMWELL ACCESSION OF CHARLES II. DISAPPOINTMENT OP CATHOLICS. REWARDS OF THE REGICIDES AND ADVENTURERS. — GRANTS. tradesmen's TOKENS. GRANT OF FISHERIES TO SIR GEORGE PRESTON. LORD ORRERY. — CORPORATION DOINGS, &C. &C. " A HEAVY blow and a great discouragement" now awaited the Crom- wellians in the death of their darling, who " was hurried to his woe" in 1657, bequeathing a title which did not long survive him, to his son Kichard Cromwell, Avho wanted the sagacity, the talent, the unscrupulousness, and the daring of his father to support a position which demanded at this time more even of those qualities than the Protector could lay claim to, to retain his hold of power. With the exception of Ludlow and Sir Hardress Waller, there were few others who were either able or willing to sustain a tottering' dominion. Broughill, Coote, Monk, Lambert, and others, who had raised themselves to fortune, if not to fame, on the Protectorate, now began to desert a cause which, in more prosperous seasons, had been dear to them. • Entries of Letters, &c., A. 30, p. 212. * See Jb'iiUer'd Account of the persecutions of the Quakers, &c. HISTOllT OF LIMERICK. 197 Limerick, Galway, Clonmel, Carlow, Athlone, and many other cities and towns, now in the possession of the Royalists, through the operations of Coote and Broughill, only awaited the sign, to pronounce openly in favor of Charles II., who was speedily proclaimed king, and presented, not only a loyal address, but a present of twenty thousand pounds, with four thousand to the Duke of York, and two thousand to the Duke of Gloucester. The Crom- weUian confiscations, however, laid the foundation of many famihes in the city and county of Limerick, to whom immense grants of land and houses were given, which were afterwards confirmed to them by the monarch whose father some of them helped to bring to the scaffold, and who now, with a weakness and treachery unparalleled in history, betrayed and ruined those who fought and bled, and lost aU because of their attachment to his cause.* It was thus that those were caressed who had enlisted under the banners of the usurper ; whilst the Cathohcs, who expected to see justice done them, were compelled to mourn over disappointed hopes, and to bewail the folly of placing faith in princes. Whilst the rebelHous regicides were confirmed in their broad lands, the ancient possessors were hunted to the fastnesses of Connaught, and forced to remain within the Mile End, that is, at the distance of a mile from the Shannon, to which they were confined by the Act of Settlement ! Broughill was created Earl of Orrery, Coote, Earl of Mount- rath; Sir Maurice Eustace, the old friend of the Marquis of Ormond, was made Lord High Chancellor ; and Ormond himself who'had surmounted all his difficulties and dangers, and now basked in the full effulgence of royal ^ I have given in the preceding chapter a list of some of those who obtained grants at this period, which grants were subsequently confirmed by Act of Charles II. I annex a few others : — WUliam Pope obtained large grants in the Liberties of the City of Limerick, amounting in all to 900 acres. "^ ^ Grant to Eoger Boyle, Earl of Orrery, (enrolled under the Act of Settlement, Nov. 6th, 1666) comprised the lands of the manor of Tough, viz. Killaragh, Dromalty, Glauragh, and Tounteriffe (part), 788a. Dromsally, 180a. Moybegan, Portenard, Glassragh, and Ryceagh, 304a. Cregan and part Cregan, 120a. CuUinagh, and part of do., 72oa. Annagh, 788a. Tobergariffe (part), 22oa. Lohenbagh (part), 27a. Corastprecoone, or Carantirocoan, 301a. Caporenat Shenagh, or Capienahene, 310a. Tearaff and Cullenaghshiffe, or Terehiss and Cullenacliffe, 328a. Clough- loghm, 27a. Barony Outhneybeg, Co. Limerick, &c. " Grants under the Commission of Grace." Printed folio. 1684. To Digby Foulkes of various lands in Limerick and Cork. Ps. 5 and 6. Grant to John Crips, of estates in the Co. of Limerick, and within the liberties. Id. p. 6. Do. to Thomas Maunsell in this County. Id. p. 6. Do. to George and Simon Purdon of lands here and in Clare Co. Id. p. 7. Do. to Joseph Stepney of lands in Co. Limerick. Id. p. 7. Do. to Thady Quin of lands in Clare and Limerick, including weirs and fisheries. Id. p. 8. Do. to Joseph Ormsby. Id. p. 8. Do. to Thomas Power. Id. p 9. Do. to Fiobert Nayley. Id. p. 9. Do. to Edward Puce of lands in the Barony of Conello, Id. p. 12. Do. to Henry Widdenham. Id. p. 17. Do. to Brooke Briges. Id. 18. Do. to Patrick Sarsfield. Id. 18. 1685. To Laurence Clayton, in Cork Co., and in Limerick Co. and City. Id. 34 Do. in the City of Limerick to Doctor Jeremy Hall. Id. 36. Do. to Samuel Burton. Id. 36. Do. in Cork and Limerick, to Nicholas Lysaght. Id. 36. Do. in the liberties of Limerick and Kilm'allock. Id. 37. Do. within the City of Limerick, very extensively, to Archbishop Michael Boyle. Id p 37-8 — — Do. to Dame Mabell Tynte and to Henry Tynte. Id. p 41 -v-^' o g;fg^^°^jJ''Jj"^P°'''^<'"°fl^»^'Sinthi8Co,,withexten«^^ iu Mayo and Do. to Daniel Webb. Id. 47. 198 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. sunshine, was raised to a Dukedom, and the Viceroyalty of Ireland, and given territories in eight counties.^ Thus the cup of hope which had been presented to the lips of the Irish Catholics, was rudely dashed from it by hands from which better treatment was > Lands granted to the Duke of Ormonde by the Act of Settlement and Court of Claim*. — Carte's Ormond, Vol. 11. p. 132. Counties. Galway Kildare Meath Dublin Waterford Catherlogh Kilkenny Tipperary Brechindowne, &c Miler's-tovra Ballihomucke Tyllacaslane Ballinadlea Balliovren, &c. BuUiknocke Cloran Miltown Tullaghmaine, &c. Coolenagon Toburbryen Lislin Francs Moinarde Archer'a-town Cloghmartin Tullomain James. Moyneteniple Boresoleigh Ballinneny Old Fbofbietobs. Mr. Kelly Mr Nicholas Wogan Morris Fitzgerald Lord Dunboyne George Blackney Patrick Walsh James Butler Ulick Wall Edm. Birne Gerald Nolan Lands. Moate, &c. 5 Rathcoffy, &c. I Kilrush, &c. Dunboyne, &c. (Balcony, &c. \ Kilnure, &c. Carrigbeg, &c. aiilhill, &c. - Orrery's Letters. 2 Ibid. » In a letter addressed to the same from Charleville, and dated June 6th, 1666, Lord Orrery- announces the receipt of important intelligence from the Bishop of Meath, confirming information ■which he had previously received from some of the natives. The intelligence refers to a great meeting of the Irish Clergy on the arrival of the Jesuit Father Harris, stated to have been sent by the Catholic Primate Reilly from France, and to considerable meetings, which it was alleged were to be held in that month, to hear the Jesuit's message and advice, and to be assured by him of the speedy arrival of forces, arms, and ammunition, with money in the west, as well as several other things of a similar character. The meeting place appointed for Munster he says was Macroimpe (Macroom), where he intended to have one of his people present ; and to show the strenuous efforts made by the clergy to raise money for insurrectionary purposes, he says that under the cloak of pious uses, many great sums had been raised by them, especially in the west of Munster, " insomuch that poor servants had been compelled to pay their shillings and six- pences." The object of these contributions, namely, the raising of a rebellion, he surmises were deemed " pious uses." * Orrery's State Letters, Vol. IL pp. 7 & 8. « Orrerv's State Letters, Vol. I. p. lSl-2. « Carte's Ormond, Vol. II. p. 343. 206 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. A similar occurrence, we may add, happened in the Shannon at Athlone some years ago, when the waters were driven back from their channel, and the bottom exposed, on which occasion many curious antiquarian remains were found; and more recently still, in the summer of 1864, the bed of the Shannon at Killaloe became quite dry for the length of the day during a high gale of wind, when trout and salmon were taken in abundance as they lay without water. Throughout this unfortunate reign, the discontent and dissatisfaction of the people throughout Ireland, and particularly in Limerick, were extreme : as we proceed, it will be seen that terrible persecution was suffered by those who expected freedom of conscience at least from the government, but who were trampled upon in the most outrageous manner, by those who deceived, betrayed and persecuted them with unrelenting vengeance. The proceedings of the Corporation at this period (1670), show how ill at ease that body was. An apphcation was made to King Charles II. for a renewal of the Charter of James, and for a further extension of the privi- leges which were thereby conferred on the citizens. A reference was made to the Irish Master of the Eolls to report to the king on the matter; the report was made to the Lord Lieutenant; and in it the contents of the Charter of James were set forth, and the attention of the Viceroy was directed to the " New Eules and Orders for the Eegulation of Corporations in Ireland,^^ then recently introduced. The report further prayed the Lord Lieutenanf's directions as to which of said " New Eules and Directions," were to be inserted in the proposed new Charter to Limerick — " such as might best consist with His Majesty's service and the good of the said Cor- poration.'" This report, which is dated the 13th February, 1671, was imme- diately followed by a proclamation of the New Eules for the government of the Corporation. By the first of these rules, the approbation of the Lord Lieutenant and Council was made necessary to the appointment of the cor- porate officers of Mayor, Sheriffs, Eecorder and Town Clerk, within ten days after their election. By the second, the oath of supremacy was required from all such corporate officers. By the third, the election of all corporate officers was taken away from the body of freemen and vested in the common council, and nothing was permitted to be discussed in the general assembly of freemen, or court of D^Oyer Hundred, which had not previously passed the common council; and this under pain of disfranchisement. By the fourth, the admission of Protestant settlers in the city of Limerick to the freedom of the Corporation was provided for, as in the other corporate towns in Ireland. Another attempt was made in 1674, to obtain a new Charter, for which a sum of money was subscribed by those interested. Agents too were employed, but the attempt failed. In 1671, it should be stated, a proclamation for restoring aU banished merchants to their ancient freedoms in aU corporations in Ireland, was made in Limerick ; and in the following year, a custom which is rarely observed now a days is noticed, viz, that of John Bouria, the Mayor of Limerick, having gathered all the boys of the city, and brought them two days with him to show them the city bounds, and point out the extent of the county of the city. In this year also, John Halpin having been chosen Sheriff, he continued iu office 27 days ; but because he would not take the oath of supremacy he was deposed. He disputed the point in Dublin, before the Lord Lieutenant, but to no purpose, for he was obliged to yield and lay down his office.' James Arthur, bom at Limerick, who had ' White'* MSS. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 207 become a Dominican at Salamanca, where lie studied, and was subsequently professor of Divinity in Coimbra, died this year in Lisbon ; he wrote " Com- mentaria in Totam fere Sti Thomse Summam," published in two vols ., folio, in 1665. He was preparing ten vols, more for the press when he died. Another James Arthur, also a Dominican, died hi 1689.1 As showing how the Corporation got on at this period, the following items are of interest :^ — 2 October, 1672, Maurice Wall, shoe-maker, admitted free on payment of 2s. 6d. fine. The beadles were allowed £3 each for previous year, and £4 each for present year in which also it was " Eesolved and ordered, upon the petition of Edmund Pery, Esq., to be admitted a member of this Council of this city, in like manner as his pre- decessors, in right of St. Mary's House, enjoyed such privilege as a mayor's peere ; that it be referred to the Eecorder to consider of his demand, right, and report. The mayor was authorised to nominate the comptroller for the year. 14 October, 1672 — ^The petty customs of In Gate and Out Gate at St. Johns's Gate let for one year, for £100 10s.. These customs are set forth: — A Pack of Wool 3d. Bag of Hops ... ... ... ... 3d. Pack of Cloth 3d. Firkin of Butter Id. &c., &c. Hogg ^d. Sheepe ... ... ... ... ... ^d. Aquavitse-Pot ... ... ... ... 3d. &c., &c. Same customs at Key Gate, let for £20. At Thomond Gate, £70 10s. The net fishing let for one year, from March 1, 1673, for £60 10s., over and above all duties payable to mayor. A (foreign?) Protestant stranger made free on payment of 20s. Aliens, Denizens, and Freemen paid different rates of customs — thus, for a hogshead of salmon they paid respectively 8d., 6d., 4d. The mayor having in 1671 made persons free, the Corporation declared 4 December, 1672, that "such act is destructive of the power of this Corpo- ration,"*' and voted such freemen to be no freemen. Edmund Pery was elected common councillor 30 June, 1673, but with no reference to his previous claim. 1673 — The gallows ordered to be removed to the accustomed place on Farrandcroghy. Salaries — Sword-bearer ... ... ... £15 Serjeant-at-arms ... ... 3 Beadles ... ... ... ... 3 o J. r n-u 1, r for Clock 1 „ (was this to Httle Sexton of Church | -g^ | . . . 3 -^^^ Barrington?) Keep of 2 Clock 8 Water BaHiff 2 In 1673 this year, William York, a Dutchman, and ancestor of the Stamers of Carnelly, County Clare, being mayor, began to build the Exchange ; and York being again chosen mayor, it is said that he finished it > Wbita'i MSS. ' From Corporation Book in British Mu£«am. 208 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. at his own cost and bestowedyit on the city; and that he greatly contri- buted towards remaking the ring of bells in St. Mary's Cathedral, which were this year recast, and that he likewise set up the chimes.' On the ]4th March, 1673, peace being proclaimed in Limerick between the Enghsh and Dutch, the new bells of the cathedral first rang on the occasion, while the Mayor and Corporation in their robes rode through the city, the nnlitia marched under anns, and great rejoicings ensued. The Earl of Essex had previousiy sent down the "New Eules" for the regulation of the Cor^Dora- tion, and it was under these that William York was elected Mayor for the second time as above referred to. Thomond Bridge and BalFs Bridge had been so much decayed, that the Corporation, by the advice of the Mayor, determined that freemen should be deprived for one year of their exemption from toll, so as to aid in the cost of the repairs;^ and hence the commemoration of the event hi the couplet quoted below. The Market, which ever since the surrender of the city to Ireton had been held outside John's Gate, was this year removed into the city. This market was at the Eastern extremity of Mungret-street, and was taken down in October, ISOl.^ So many proclamations were issued out in 1678 against the Catholics, and so many priests and friars were transported to France and Spain, that any thing hke it was never known before. It was this year that the Eev. Jaspar White, Parish Priest of St. John's, was taken at the altar by a lieutenant of foot, in his vestments, whilst saying mass, and was in that posture brought through the streets to the guard-house, where he was kept two hours, until he was released by the Governor, Sir WiUiam^ King. To increase the feehng against the Cathohcs, they reported that King Charles was '' poisoned by the papists." The continued persecutions of the Catholics in England and Ireland made many of them fly the kingdom, and seek shelter in France and Spain, and many fled to Maryland.* Edward Pery, Esq., at the Common Council, held 35th June, 1677, claimed in right of St. Mary's house to vote next to the mayor, and to have two voices. It was decided that the Protestant Bishop (who was present) should, as a peer, vote before him. But his other claims were agreed to. So he voted before Sh H. Ingoldsby, Bart., Sir Wm. King, Knt., and Sir George Ingoldsby, Knt.^ 13th October, 1677. The customs of St. John's, and the other southern gates, let for a year at £172. ' The weight of these six bells, says White (MSS.) are as follows : — cwt. qrs. lbs. cwt. qrs. lbs. First bell weighs ... 7 1 14 Fourth bell weighs 14 1 Second bell 9 10 Fifth bell „ 21 3 9 Third bell ., 10 2 4 Sixth bell „ 7 3 7 2 He (York), had the following inscription cut on a stone and placed over Thomond Gate, which was a castellated solid stone building at the Thomond side of the Bridge, and the draw- bridge was placed between it and the stone or ancient bridge, as appears by a map of the city taken in 1641 :— The Freeman's Libertys, without tax or rate, Repaured this Place — the Thomond Bridge and Gate. Aldeksian York, Mayor. » White's MSS. and Dr. Young's note. * ^^^^- , . , , * 17th May, 1675, Robert Johnston appointed Mayor's Cook, on the accustomed stipend of £10 per annum, and a linen cloak yearly. The judge's lodgings this assizes cost £18. The usual assizes only £6. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 209 After long disputes with Sir G. Preston, the Lax-weir being finally made over to the Corporation, they let the fishings, 29th Jan., 1679, for £284 5s. a-year, " all members of this council to have a salmon or more to eat in the weir-house castle at any time for iiothing.^^ All freemen were to have as many salmon as they could eat in the castle, at 9d. each.^ William Yorke, dying in oflice, a new election was made, 2nd April, 1679, when Mr. Pery gave a double vote, which the Judges of Assize decided to be illegal, and Sir Samuel Foxon voted for himself. The votes were equal ; but by striking off Su* SamueFs, and one of Mr. Pery^s, (given to him) Sir Wilham King was declared elected. Trade was kept very much in the hands of the freemen. A Waterford merchant bought a cargo of wheat in Sligo — it was driven to Limerick by stress of weather, and sold to one who was not a freeman — so the mayor seized it as " foreign bought and foreign sold ;'' and it was only restored on the pui'chaser agreeing to sell one Limerick barrel to every one who would buy it, at the price at which he had bought it wholesale.^ There being a great vacancy of resident aldermen and burgesses in this year, Wdliam Gribble and Anthony Bartlett were elected aldermen by the Council on the 6th of October. Standish Hartstonge, Eecorder, being made Baron of the Exchequer in 1680, Henry Turner, Esq., nephew to the Lord Chancellor, was elected, on his recommendation, in his place on the 13th March, 1680. Hartstonge had held the oflice since the Restoration.* Bigotry and fanatical hatred of Catholicity were now raging throughout the city. On the 29th of June, 1679, being Ascension day, the Pope's picture was dragged up and down the river Shannon in a boat, and afterwards, with great shoutings was publicly burned in Limerick. This was duruig the mayoralty of Sir William King, who was the first mayor who quartered aU the soldiers on the Catholics without putting any on the Protestants, and that out of prejudice, because the Catholics cUsputed in law for their freedom.^ On the 3rd of November, 1683, the greatest frost that had ever been previously known in Ireland began, and it continued until the 9th of February ; the frost was seven or eight feet thick on the river Shannon ; all the lakes and rivers of Ireland were in like manner frozen ; men, women, cattle and carriages went over the rivers on the ice; people frequently walked on it from the King's Island to Parteen. In the following year William Gribble being mayor, he went to Scattery Island, to exercise his jurisdiction among the herring boats for the city duties, which were 1000 herrings and 1000 oysters out of each boat (a most exorbitant tax). This he reduced to 500 a piece.® The death of King Charles II. occurred in London on the 6th of February, 1684; he was a prince who in his exile acknowledged great obligations to the Irish ; on his accession to the throne the Irish reasonably expected to be restored to their estates, which they forfeited for fighting for him and his father, but he followed the pernicious advices of Clarendon, viz. to make friends of his enemies by gratifying them, and that he could always make sure of his old friends. Adopting this advice he left the Cromwellians in ' Corporation Minute Book in the British Museum. 2 \\,\^_ 3 Ibid. Mem. — That freemen of Bristol pay no inward or outward tolls in Limerick. 3rd ApriJ, 1680. ♦ Standish Hartstonge Esq., of Bruff, one of the Barons of the Court of Exchequer, was created a Baronet in 1081. The Baronetcy eventually descended to Sir Henry, who, dying without issue, the Bruff estate devolved on (the daughter of his sister) Mary Ormsby, -wife of the first Earl of Limerick. » White's MSS. « Ibid. 15 210 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. possession of the estates, and the betrayed Irish who were fools to part with an inch of ground for him or one of his family. Though he was a Cathohc in his heart and died one, yet he countenanced the most violent persecutions agamst those of that profession, and his Avhole reign was a scene of plots, persecutions, and executions of the poorer CathoHcs, as well of holy prelates, priests, and friars, and of Catholic gentlemen, &c. &c. He had great wit and penetration, but his debauched life did not permit him to utilise either. It was justly said of him that he never said a foolish thing, nor ever did a wise thing. 1 In his reign the glorious martyr Archbishop Plunkett of Armagh suffered a most cruel and ignominious death. On the day King Charles II. died, his brother James Duke of York and Albany was proclaimed king in London. On the ilth he was proclaimed in Dublin ; on the 13th being Sunday he was proclaimed king in Limerick. The Mayor, Eichard Smith, the Sheriffs, the Governor, Sir William King, the Protestant Bishop and Clergy in their surj)lices and robes, and aU the Cor- poration in their robes were all on horseback. The trades and militia walked with their colours, and great rejoicings were shown on the occasion. This king publicly professed the Catholic faith. ^ Ilobert Smith being Mayor in 1685, he flagged the City Court-house, made the jury-room at the east end of it, and framed in the place of judi- cature ; he newly built the King's Island gate and tower, and with his own hands he cut on the stone fixed over the gate at the island side these words, "Eeedificata 1° Jacobi 3'^* Eoberto Smith Pretore, sumptibus civium.''^ He also, at his own cost, set up in the Exchange, a brass table standing on a short pillar, and himself engraved this inscription on it : " Ex dono Eoberti Smith majoris Limericencibus civibus.''^ It was afterwards placed in the new Exchange, and was called " The Nail,'"' being intended for a public place for paying down money on, though not applied to that use.^ On the 1st of August, same year, Lieut.-Coloucl Anthony Hamilton* came to Limerick as Governor, in place of Sir Wdliam King, who was deposed. HamUton was the first Governor who for 35 years before publicly went to Mass. On the 21st of September Lord Clarendon, who was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, an-ived in Limerick ; for an entire month before ten troops of horse were quartered on the inhabitants ; they were the first army who, for forty years before Avent publicly to Mass. Mass was puMicly said in the yard of the King's Castle, and in the citadel near St. John's gate for the army who every Sunday went to hear it, marching thither in order with their drums and hautboys. The Lord Lieutenant remained in Limerick but two nights and one day.^ ' White's MSS. 2 Ibid. 3 White's MSS. This nnil or brass table is now in the Town Hall of Limerick. * Anthony Hamilton, Esq., was appointed Governor of Limerick after Sir William King — he is set down among the general officers of King James's army — his brother, John, was killed at Aiighrim. Richard behaved with great spirit at the battle of the Boyne. One of his sisters was married to Sir Donoiigh O'Urien, ancestor of Lord Inchiquin. The Duchess of Berwick, one of whose sisters, Charlotte, was married to Lord Clare, ancestor of the Marquis of Thomond, which Lord Clare was killed at the battle of Kamelies, waS his particular friend. His mother was daughter of Lord Thurl^s, sister of James Duke of Ormond. Anthony Hamilton was born ■at lioscrea, Co. Tipperarj-, about 1G46, or three or four years earlier. In that year Owen O'Neile took Koscrea, and put every soul to death, as Carte says, except Sir Geo. Hamilton's lady, sister to the Marquis of Ormond, and some few gentlemen whom he kept prisoners. Lady Hamilton died in August, 1G80. as appears from an interesting and affecting letter of her brother, the Duke of Ormond, dated Carrick, August 25lh. He had lost his noble son, Lord Ossory, three weeks before. Sir George Hamilton was a Catholic. & White's MSS. The citadel was afterwards converted into an hospital and is now the Fever Hospital of St. John's. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 211 The 12tli of February, 1686, John Talbot, Earl of Tjrconnell, was sworn Lord Deputy of Ireland. He was the first Lord Deputy who went publicly to Mass since Queen Mary^s time, and all over Ireland there were the greatest rejoicings among the Irish on that account ; but he was hated by the Pro- testants. ^ On the 18th of March twelve of the Roman Catholic merchants of Limerick were made free of the Common Council ; and on the 2nd of the same month Wilham Turner, Recorder of Limerick, became a Roman Ca- tholic, and as he was exasperated with the Corporation, he procured from the Lord Lieutenant, Tyrconnell, that the Protestant Mayor, Geo. Roche and his Sheriffs should be deposed ; and in their places he got named for the rest of the year Mr. Robert Hannon, a Cathohc, as Mayor, and Thomas Harold, a Catholic, as Sheriff, with Peter Monsell, a Protestant. The Corporation would not accept of Hannon as Mayor, or the others as Sheriffs until the Assizes, when the Lord Chief Baron Stephen Rice refused holding the As- sizes until Hannon was admitted. The Common Council thereupon elected Hannon Mayor, and Harold and Monsell Sheriffs, and on the 8th of April, 1687, the rod, sword and mace were delivered up to Mr. Hannon. Sir John Fitzgerald was at this time Governor of Limerick, so that the Governor, Mayor, Recorder, and one of the Sheriffs went pubhcly to Mass, the first occurrence of the kind for forty years.^ On the 4th of October, 1687, being St. Francis's day, the Franciscan friars possessed themselves of their own Church in the Abbey ; it was consecrated by the Right Rev. John Moloney, Catholic Bishop of Limerick, who had the administration of Killaloe, there being no Catholic Bishop of Killaloe. The Bishop said first Mass in it, and the Rev. Jasper White said the second Mass. The friars now rented this Church from the Englishman who held it, viz. John Pery, Lieutenant of a Foot Company. He was ancestor to the Lords Pery and Glentworth.'' In the next year was finished the Church which the Capuchins built in the Irish-town, afterwards called the Infirmary inPalmerstown. The fu'st who said Mass therein was one Father Maurice White, a Capuchin friar from Clonmel. It is said that Father Jasper White was security for the money, which he was afterwards obliged to pay."* On 10th of June the same year, Charles Ignatius James, Prince of Wales, was born ; his godfathers were the Pope's Nuncio and the Queen's brother ; the godmothers were the Queen-Dowager of King Charles II. and the Duchess of Pembroke. He was the first Prince in England who had been baptized by a priest for two hundred years. Upon this account Robert Hannon, Mayor of Limerick, made great rejoicings, and " let three hogsheads of wine run" among the populace.^ In the following year Sir Thomas Southwell and three hundred other Pro- testants, who fought under King James, were taken prisoners in the County of Galway; and on the 3rd of October Richard White, Robert Woulfe, Pierce Moroney, Doctor Wale, and James England, were made free of the Council of Limerick, Thomas Harold being Mayor. The country was now rapidly hastening towards those great conflicts and changes which develop their proportions as we proceed. ' White's MSS. 2 Ibid. 3 ibid. * White's MSS. This Church was taken clown in the month of March, 1707, so that in a short time the site of it was forgotten. It lay about the middle of the street on the western side of it — Dr. Yminys note. » White's MSS. 212 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. CHAPTER XXXII. IMPORTANT EVENTS — SCHONBEEG LANDS AT CAIIRICKFEIIGUS — KING JAMES AURIVES IN KINSALE^ AND PROCEEDS TO DUBLIN — LANDING OF KING WILLIAM THE BATTLE OF THE BOYNE — FLIGHT OF JAMES TO FRANCE THE MARCH OF WILLIAM TO LIMERICK. I HAVE briefly sketched in tlie foregoing chapter the rapid progress of events which preceded the grand crisis at which we have arrived, and which was to decide for ages the fate of a country that had trembled so long in the balance. Prom whatever cause arising. King James did not afford to his supporters that confidence which he might have inspired among men who had bled for their principles, and who had hoped, when he came to the throne, that their rights and liberties would receive a becoming recognition. On the other hand, the Protestant party, which for so long a period had enjoyed immunity and protection for their most revolting excesses, which had ob- tained the possessions of the Irish proprietors, who had been driven forth with unheard-of cruelty, from their lauds, were now resolved to hold what they had obtained, and to resist opposition from whatever quarter it might arrive. William had already an immense following in England; and strengthened by a powerful party, he resolved to measure weapons with his father-in-law, King James, and to make Ireland the battle-ground on which the mighty issue was to be decided. On the 12th of March, 1689, James landed at Kinsale from Prance, having about 1800 men with him. He pro- ceeded immediately from Cork to DubHn, where Lord Tyrconnell, whom he had constituted Lord Lieutenant, and the entire Cathohc people, received him with open arms as the friend and dehverer, in whom they hoped to find a king equal to the tremendous emergency that had arisen.^ He entered Dublin on Palm Sunday the 24th, amid the most extraordinary display of joy — the streets were lined with soldiers, and the windows were hung with tapestry — the King on horseback. Whilst active, energetic, and powerful preparations were making on this side of the Channel, to sus- tain the legitimate king, and vindicate the rights of a nation which had so long and so grievously suffered, eighteen regiments of foot and four or five of horse were raised in England for the service of the Prince of Oran_ge in Ireland. The levies were made with very great speed ; for in five or six vveeks the regiments were completed. In the Tower of London, however, theie were not sufficient arms, which had to be sent for to Holland to supply the soldiery that were destined for this country. ^ The army thus raised, after marching to Chester, and encamping at Neston, embarked on the 8th of August, under the command of the Duke Schonberg, General of all the forces of WHliara and Mary ; Count Solmes, General of the Eoot, and several great oificers more, with ten thousand foot and horse : they set sail at High Lake, and landed on Tuesday, the 13th, in the afternoon about three o'clock, within a mile and a-haK of Carrickfergus. It is a strange circumstance that 1 Tlie Duke of Berwick states that the people showed an extraordinary enthusiasm for him. 2 Storey's Impartial Iliotory. GENEKAL SCHOMBERG. UISTORY OF LIMERICK. 216 in giving a detail of the voyage, tlie first object wliicli Storey states struck his vision was the Mourne moimtainsj in Down, on which he remarks a famous monastery was placed on the top of one of the very highest of them in times of old ; and that, throughout his History, he appears to dwell with a pleasure- able interest on the antiquities of a country to which he and his friends came to exterminate the ancient race which had fostered and protected monasteries and churches, until the oppressor and devastator arrived with sword and fire. Schonberg garrisoned Carrickfergus, burned the suburbs, marched to Belfast, again to Carrickfergus, where the garrison surrendered, back to Belfast, Avhere he returned unopened a letter sent to him by the Duke of Berwick, because it was not directed to the "Duke"' Schonberg. Newry was next burned, — the people ran in terror from their homes, which they left a prey in the hands of the spoiler. ^ They then marched to Dundalk, where they encamped, and where, wandering abroad, some of them met their death at the hands of certain Eapparees, who were numerous in the neighbourhood.^ King Jameses army, 20,000 strong, lay in Drogheda at this time, where they were within a short distance of their enemy, and where they supplied themselves with a sufficiency of forage and corn. The army (Jameses) subsequently encamped at the bridge of Slane, whilst William^s began their entrenchments, and Major-General KirFs fierce battalion greatly misnomered, "Lambs/' was ordered to march on Monday, the 16th, into the trenches. WiUiam's army now amounted to thirty thousand men ; and iu addition to these, early in March, 1690, four hundred Danes arrived at Belfast, anxious to take part in any warfare agamst those to "nhoui they had ever shown themselves rapacious enemies — the Irish. On the fourteenth of that month, five thousand French Infantry landed at Kinsale, with General Count Lauzun and the Marquis de Lery ; King James having sent back Major- General Macarthy and as many Irish. Indeed it was observed with pain that James was hastening his own ruin, and disgusting his Irish officers by an unjust preference of Frenchmen in the promotions he daily made. On the 4th of June a French Eegiment marched into Limerick to garrison it for King James, against the forces of "William, which at this juncture were hourly expecting the arrival from England of their darling, an event which took place at Carrickfergus on the 14th of the same mouth, when he came with an enormous force, in addition to that which had been previously at his service in Ireland. "William was congratulated by the Protestant clergy of the country, who were then in Ulster. At Belfast he stated that he had come to Ireland not to let the grass grow under his feet, and he made good his words, for the whole army got immediate orders to march into the field. He and Prince George, the Duke of Ormonde, and all the principal officers, went to the camp at Loughbrickland, and instead of allowing the soldiers to pass him in review, he at once went amongst them, examined each regiment critically, and gave such directions as he thought needful under the circum- stances — he at once, by this means, won the confidence of the men. He carried with him for his own use and the use of Prince George, moving ' " I -went abroad, where I found all the houses deserted for several miles ; most of them that I observed had crosses on the inside, above the doors, upon the thatch, some made of •wood and others of straw or rushes, finely wrought ; some houses had more and some less.'' — Storeyg Impartial History. * Rapparee signifies a half stick or broken beam, like a half pike ; and for the last three or four years the priests would not allow an Irishman to come to Mass, unless he brought his rapparee along with him. — Ibid. 214 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. houses made of wood^ so convenient that they could be set up in an hour's time, and he never while in Ireland lay out in camp.' The battle of the Boyne, in which King Jameses army was defeated,, and the Duke of Schonberg, WiUiam's general was killed, was fought on the 1st of July. James had prenously gone to Derry, in order to protect his Protestant subjects from the vengeance of the Catholics of the North ; but he was fired at for his pains from the walls of Derry — in fact the conduct of King James was already arraigned as that of a Catholic in rehgion, and a Protestant in pohtics.' There was no blame that did not abeady attach to James ; among others he was accused of having spent the campaign of 1689 without advantage — he was aspersed because energetic measures were not taken by the Duke of Tyrconnell and his other ministers to prevent the Castle of Charlemont, the only fortress in Ulster, falling into the hands of Schonberg.^ James, however, has been vindicated by Mac Phersou and other writers, fi-om the serious charges which have been preferred against him on these heads ; but never- theless, his proceedings throughout manifested a desire to conciliate a foe which had thoroughly contemned his advances. On his arrival in Dubhn, after the defeat of the Boyne, he made a speech which speaks badly for his sentiments towards his Irish subjects;* and had he reserved what he had to say tiU after he had witnessed all that Irish chivalry and honour had done for him in Limerick and elsewhere, it is certain he would have done more justice to those who poured out their blood Hke water for him on many an eventful field : — " Gentlemen, I had a very good army in England, and when I had the greatest occasion for them, they deserted me, and went to the enemy ; and finding a total defection against me there, I retired and went to France, where I was kindly received by that King, and had aU the assurances imaginable from him to re-establish me on my Throne. In some time after I came to this kmgdom, and found my Eoman Catholic subjects here as well equiped and prepared to defend my cause as their abilities could bear; and though I have often been told, that when it came to the touch they would never bear the brunt of a battle, I never could credit the same ; till now ; when having a good army and all preparations fit to engage any foreign invader, I found the total truth, of which I have been so often cautioned. And though the army did not desert me here as they did in England, yet when it came to a tryal, they basely fled the field, and left the spoil to my enemies ; nor could they be prevailed upon to rally, though the loss in the whole defeat was but inconsiderable : So that henceforward I never more determine to head an Irish army, and do now resolve to shift for myself, and so, gentlemen, must you. It has been often debated, in case such a revolu- tion should happen, whether upon deserting the city of Dubhn, the same ought to be fired? I therefore charge you, on your allegiance, that you neither rifle the city by plunder, nor destroy it by fire, which in all king- doms win be judged very barbarous, and must be believed to be done by my orders ; and if done there will be but little mercy expected from an enemy thus enraged. He told them, though he quitted Dublin, he did not quit his interest in it. He told his menial servants that he should noAv have no farther occasion to keep such a court, as he had done ; and that therefore ' Storej*. ' Leslie's Answer to King. ' See notes to O'Callaghan's Macarije Excidium, p. 331. * Dr. Molleneux's Three Months' Koyal Campaign in Ireland, WALKER, GOVERNOR OF DERRY. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 21.5 they were at liberty to dispose of tliemselves ; and so wath two or three in company, he went to Bray, and along by the sea to Waterford ; having appointed his carriages to meet him another way. 'Tis said he did not sleep tni he got on ship-board; the vessel was the Lausun, a Malouin of 28 gmis, which lay at Duncannon, from which he sailed to Kinsale where he remained a short time and then sailed for Prance/^ ^ When Athlone was summoned to surrender by Douglas, the fiery Governor, Colonel Grace, the younger son of Eobert Grace, Baron of Courtstown, county Kilkenny, the descendant of the great Eaymond le Gros, fired ' The following is a list of King James' Army taken April 9tli, 1690 : — Duke of Tyrconnell Lord Galmoy Colonel Sarsfield Col. Sutherland Lord Abercorn Col. Henry Luttrell Col. John Parker Col. Nicholas Purcell Regiments of Horse. ^ 9 troops in a regi- > ment, 53 men in 3 a troop. /Six troops in a >■ regiment, 53 men Veach. Horse Guards. Lord Dover's Troop > n/^/\ t^ ^ Duke of Berwick's Troop) "' Troop of Grenadiers. Col. Butler's— 60 Dragoons. Lord Dungan ^ Eight troops in a Sir Neal O'Neal >• regiment, 60 men Col. Simon Lutterel ) each. Regiments. Col. Robert Clifford la- . e- T /-I i. /Six troops m a Sir James Cotton f . ^ nr\ Col. Thos. Maxwell haf^ '^''' Lord Clare j Regim,enis of Foot. Royal Regiment, 22 Companies — 90 men each. Earl of Clancarty Col. Henry Fitzjames Colonel John Hambleton Earl of Clanrickard Earl of Antrim Earl of Tyrone Lord Gormanstown Lord Slane Lord Galloway Lord Duleek Lord Kilmallock Lord Kenmare Sir John Fitzgerald Sir Maurice Eustace Colonel Nugent Colonel Henry Dillon Colonel John Grace Colonel Edward Butler Colonel Thomas Butler Lord Pophin Storey states that these last-mentioned " were meer Irish, and good for little, so no wonder they were broke." James had other forces in garrison throughout the country. Twenty-seven thousand men fought for him at the Boyne. * Limerick men. Colonel Charles Moore Colonel Cormac O'Neil Colonel Arthur MacMahon Earl of Westmeath Colonel Cavanagh Colonel Usborough Colonel MacCarthy More Colonel Gordon ONeil Colonel John Barrett Colonel Charles O'Bryan Colonel Donovan Colonel Nicholas Browne Colonel O'Gara Sir Michael Creagh* Colonel Dom. Browne* Col. Bagnal Colonel MacEligott Lord Inniskillen Colonel Hugh MacMahon Colonel Walter Bourke Colonel Felix O'Neil Lord Iveagh Colonel O'Keyly. Regiments from France. The Red Regiment The Blue Regiment Two White Regiments, each divided into several battalions, being in all 5000 men. Regiments that were sent to France in Exchange, Lord Mountcashel's Colonel Richard Butler's Colonel Daniel O'Bryan's Colonel Richard Fielding's Colonel Arthur Dillon's. Regiments that were raised and never tahen into pay, but were disbanded. Lord Castleconnel Colonel Roger O'Connor Colonel Charles Geoghegan Colonel John Brown Colonel James Butler Colonel Manus O'Donnell Colonel O'Cahan Colonel Edward Nugent Colonel Charles Kelly Colonel Brien Mac Dermot Colonel James Talbot. 216 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. a pistol at the drummer who was sent to him to surrender the fortress^ *' These are m?/ terms/^ exclaimed Grace ; " these only will I give or receive ; and when my provisions are consumed I will defend it till I eat my boots/' hoisting a bloody flag at the moment, and beating back a detachment of 3,000 horse and foot that attempted to cross the Shannon, killing Douglas's best gunner, and compelling the enemy to retreat more rapidly than they had advanced. After this defeat before Athlone, Douglas, with the remnant of his forces made an effort to join King William at Limerick. In doing so he was hourly afraid of falling into the hands of Sarsfield, who, he was aware would make short work of his troops if but the opportunity was thrown in his way. Instead, therefore, of taking the direct route to Limerick, he pursued the road by Ballymore and Ballyboy, avoiding Banagher, where he had heard that Sarsfield awaited him; and, passing through Roscrea, he proceeded by Thurles which he sacked and burned, and Holycross, till he reached the camp at CuUen, where he did not arrive before the 8th of August. When he passed Eoscrea, he encamped on the north side of the hiU of Ptathnavaigue, near Dunkerrin, where the army spent a few days at rest. At the De\'il's Bit mountain a message was received by Douglas from William, to hasten his march, the rapparees every where giving him more than enough to think of. The countrypeople brought quantities of poultry and other provisions to the camp,aU of which were paid for; and here an incident occurred which I have heard from the great grandson of the individual who then hved at Kyleanna, near Clona- kenny, in the neighbourhood. This gentleman rode to the camp with several others, having been attracted thither by curiosity. He saw that the grenadiers wore four bells on their waist belts for the purpose of frightening away cavaby ; and it was here the following melancholy occurrence took place : — A soldier who had strayed across the hill to look at the country, sat down to rest, and soon afterwards fell asleep, probably from fatigue; some labourers were working near the spot digging a ditch, and their children who were with them, gathered around the sleejiing soldier, and commenced playing with the bells ; the noise awoke him suddenly, when he ran ofi^ to where his firelock lay, a short distance ; the labourers thinking that he took the musket to fire at the children, one of them (the workmen) threw a stone at the soldier, which hit him on the head and knocked him senseless — the others dispatched him with their spades, and buried him on the spot where the occurrence took place. This was not known to the army, which passed on "ndthout making inquiries after the missing man. A foraging party of the same army was sent down from the camp towards Emmil, where they fell in Avith a large body of the followers of O'CarroU — long Anthony O'Carroll Avho had held the Castle of Nenagh — a conflict ensued — not one of the foraging party, about twelve in number escaped — and to this day the place where this occurred is called the " Bloody Togher" — it lies between Moneygall and Emmil — aU in the King's County. The advice which it is alleged that Kuig James gave his Colonels when he Avas taking leave of them — namely, that they should make the best terms for themselves and desert their duty, appears to be a calumny on his memory, because, according to the Memoirs of the Duke of Berwick, when he was proceeding from Kinsale for France, he wrote to Lord Tyrconnel that having left for that country on the recommendation of Lausun and others of his friends, he hoped to send them considerable succours, and gave them in the meantime fifty-thousand pistoles Avhich was all the money he had. "\Miile HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 217 Duke of York, by land and by sea, the unfortunate James showed wonderful courage; but there can be no doubt when at the Boyne, he cried ^^Oh! spare my English subjects;" and when after his rapid flight from Dublin, he made the speech already quoted, and forthwith ran for France, he did not bequeath to his supporters a reputation on which they can ever take occasion to congratulate themselves, whilst his enemies even at the moment he was sparing them, were using every exertion to prove the contempt and hatred they entertained for him and the Irish. Lord Wharton boasted that he sung King James out of Ireland by a song, which became so popular with the Williamites that it was heard every where throughout the land that they had a footing.^ Of this doggrel and the use made of it at the Boyne and afterwards at Lunerick, it is quite unnecessary to write ; but in Limerick it had no other effect than that of nerving the arm of the defenders to fight for native hearths and native altars and to conquer. Boisseleau was now the Governor of Limerick. Lausun and other French ' It is said that the Philippics of Demosthenes and Cicero had not a greater effect in Greece and Rome as those verses had in producing among the Protestants the revolt against James II. Aa many of my readers have never seen those verses, I shall here give them for their edification, as a demonstration of the utter recklessness of the anti-national and anti-Catholic party, and of their vindictive spirit towards the Irish and their faith. I have to apologise for giving the ballad in its integrity, as it contains a certain quantity of blasphemy and profanity, in which the army of William and the Orangemen generally indulged to their hearts' content The reader of Tristram Shandy will remember how uncle Toby (the type of Sterne's father, who served before Limerick), is described as whistling this air : — LILIBURLERO BULLEN-A-LA.* Sung to the modern aik — "■ Protestant Boys. ^\ Ho 1 broder Teague, dost hear de decree ? Lilli burlero, buUen a-la. Dat we shall have a new deputie, Lilli burlero, bullen a-la. Lero lero, lilli burlero, lero lero, bullen a-la, Lero lero, lilli burlero, lero lero, bullen a-la. Ho ! by shaint Tyburn, it is de Talbote ; Lilli, &c. And he will cut de Englishmen's troate ; Lilli, &e. Dough by my shoul de English do praat, Lilli, &c. De law's on dare side, and knows what, Lilli, &c. But if dispence do come from de Pope ; Lilli, &c. We'll hang Magna Charta, and dem in a rope ; Lilli, &c. For de good Talbot is made a lord ; Lilli, &c. And with brave lads is coming aboard ; LUli, &c. Who all in France have taken a sware ; Lilli, &c. Dat dey will have no Protestant heir ; Lilli, &c. Ara ! but why does he stay behind ? Lilli, &c. Ho ! by my shoul 'tis a Protestant wind, Lilli, &c. But see de Tyrconnel is now come ashore, LUli, &c. And we shall have commissions gillore ; Lilli, &c. And he dat will not go to de mass, Lilli, &c. Shall be turned out, and look like an ass, Lilli, &c. Now, now de hereticks all go down, Lilli, &c. By C — t and Shaint Patrick, de nation's our own ; Lilli, &^ * Bullm-u-la, is a corruption of the Irish phrase " Builin a laimh," i.e. " a loaf in the hand." 218 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Generals were in the city, but some of them speedily evacuated itj' they had no desire to fight for Ireland ; when Lausun saw Limerick first he pro- nounced that it could not be defended ;2 he who had been at Valenciennes Dare was an old prophecy found in a bog ; Lilli, &c. " Ireland shall be rul'd by an ass and a dog ;" Lilli, &c. And now dis prophecy is come to pass, Lilli, &c. For Talbot's de dog, and James is de ass, Lilli, &c. Percy's Eeliques of Ancient Poetry. LillibuUero was written, or at least republished, on the eve of Tyrconnell's going a second time to Ireland in October, 1688. Perhaps it is unnecessary to mention, that General Richard Talbot, newly created earl of Tj'rconnell, had been nominated by King James II. to the lieu- tenancy of Ireland in 1686, on account of his being a decided Catholic, who had recommended himself to his master by his treatment of the Protestants in the preceding year, when only lieutenant-general, and whose subsequent conduct fully justified the King's expectations, and, we shall not add, their fears, because, after all, Tyrconnell was not strictly true to the old cause. ' I am indebted to Mr. Patrick Lynch, a very intelligent Head Constable of Police, for the following unpublished Irish Poem, written soon after the departure of King James from France, and the disastrous events which in the subsequent year followed, which Mr. Lynch has also translated: — 1 "Do t!ix^n]c■ Ri5 S§ATi)ur cusajjij) 50 b-ejtie. Re TjA btt05 5aU&a 't t^e VA b|io5 5aoUc ; Coin AX) a6aii) bui6e b'A le]5eA6 n^An pay 6uii)»j, bjoc A cb]t pitair A5 SAiiAjb ijA b-eirtii)ti, 'S oc ! ocor) ! 2 Va rpAtttJt) CUACTHUIIJ bA CTIUA5 AX) fS^Al fe, 'S JVtt tJA 1)&A0]Tje UAirle a 5-CUAt) a &-Ct;AOC.CA, 'MUAJTt tA]r)]C At)UAr OfttlA rSUAlT) AT) bfeAtXlA, t5o cui|i A1) T^UA15 Aiti cuaUacc SbfeATijuir, 'S OC ! ocoi) ! 3 1|; )on)6A &AO]i)e UAirle i^AO] cloc\x]Se beAttSA, pAO] clocujSe UA]tr)e 'r clocu]&e 5ot%rnA, y,5ur TAlsblum r]t)5ll rA 5UI)a A]V. a suaIaioij, t)o CUA1& 50 coise UIa6 'r nivtt f^jU tja a cuAimrs, 'S oc ! OCOI) I 4 t5']n)ci5 Atj xn)'A\ Ajtt b-Allui5e luinjijeAc, 'S AiTt At) Ti).bui8it) Ti)At)lA bioc t)ATi 5-cuibeAccA, Slt) fe Uu6|iAi5e or cioi)t) 5AC lo]t)5e aco, '5 t5oi)i)CA& AX) ciijl bui&e cAji fejr a i)occAi5ce, '5 6c ! ocoi) 1 5 t5'in)ci& At) rn)^l Aitt h'Ab Ai) caIaic, '5 cjk CeAt)t) c-5Aile lAt) &o bAncAib, 3AbA]3 leAr-CAU CU15 6u]rce At) l)hA1tTtA15. Z'Ap t)A po]txc iiAobcA ir Ci^e A5 3AllAlb, 'S be ! OCOI) ! 6 5Ab Ti)& r|An Ai) riiAb to aid AonAtx, 'S 5eAbA6 n)e i)iAtt A t^ir ")At V^Pl^i t5'A]Ti)6e0]t) A I)-AbTlA]!3 bo&Ai5 At) b&ATtlA, bei6 i)A c|t] fifseAcc fo 'ttjr A5 SfeAnnir, 'S be I ocot) I 7 Hac aic At) ajc 't)Att fasbAfe A TtAoiTi riOi), 2llti b^tUAc T)A r|tA5A 5AI) rOAice boi) 6AbAc, Ca t)A loit)5ir A5 rt)A.ii) 'r ;ivn ")!):* as sfeAtt-sol, S' n)o CUI5 c^Aft flin) 50 bitivc leAcrA Cifie, '5 6c ! OCOI) ! 8 Ir lon)6A trAtinujtte ]:AbA notjt) 5I61510I, 60 CUA1& CATt r^lle A I)-Attll) RJ5 S&Ait)ur, t5o CAbi\A6 A rcAc AiT^ cixjttcji) sfeAt^bJse, Wo A]|\ beoc t^ittri'75 "'ttirs© »JA ?)-eiriioi)t), '5 6c ! OCOI) ! ' M'Goghpgan's History of Ireland, p, 594. HISTORY OF LIMEKICK. 219 and Phillipsburgli laughed when he saw those grey old walls, which he fancied would crumble to dust beneath the first shot, and exclaimed with an oath : " It is unnecessary for the English to bring cannon against such a place as this. What you caU ramparts might be battered down with roasted apples/^ He declared that '' at all events he was determined not to throw away in a hopeless resistance the Hves of the brave men who had been en- trusted to his care by his master/^' This may not have been his real opinion LITERAL TRANSLATION. 1 King James came orer to Ireland, Wearing an English shoe and an Irish brogue, And to coin into money for our pay, The bottoms of the brass cauldrons used by the English. 2 The day of the conflict at Thomond [Bridge] was a woeful one, When our brave men were doomed to destruction. Being overpowered by the English-speaking hordes, Who routed the forces of James. 3 Many nobles who wore scarlet cloaks. Blue cloaks and green ones ; And private soldiers with their guns on their shoulders, Marched into Ulster, and have not returned. 4 The halls of Limerick are rendered desolate. And the fair ladies who kept us company ; Kody is now in command of the fleet, And Donocha* of the yellow hair is stripped of his territories. 5 The Passage ferry-boat is distressed, And Kinsale harbour is full of shipping ; You had better march round by Barry's country, The fortresses are taken, and Ireland is in the hands of the enemy. 6 I travelled alone this mountain westwards, And I shall if possible again return ; And despite of what those English-speaking churls boast of, King James shall yet reign over these three kingdoms. 7 What wretched quarters were last night allowed us, On the sea-shore, without any clothing to cover us ; The ships are going to sail, and our wives most bitterly weeping. And my five hundred farewells for ever be with you, Erin. 8 Many tall fair-haired comely men, Who crossed the seas in King James' army, Who would give their estates for a pot of sour beer. Or for a drink of Erin's water. No. 1. refers to King James' pro-English sympathy as expressed on Donore hill and elsewhere ; also to his Brass Money. No. 2. refers to the disaster on Thomond Bridge immediately upon the Capitulation. No. 3. refers to the defeat of Lord Mountcashel at Newtown Butler in 1689. No. 4. I know nothing of Kody, but Donocha was the last Earl of the MacCarthys of Blarney Castle. No. 6. probably refers to the intention of the soldiers of the Irish Brigade to return and regain what they had lost at the Boyne and Aughrim. No. 7. refers to the ill-treatment experienced by King James' Army previous to their sailing for France. I have heard that some of the soldiers' wives waded into the water as far as the boats, and that the English soldiers in charge of the transport vessels cut off their fingers with their swords when they clung to the sides of the boats to enter. No. 8. most feelingly refers to the longing for home of the members of the Irish Brigade. ' Colonel O'Kelly's Macariae Excidium ; M-Geoghegan's History of Ireland. Life of James II., 420, &c. • O'Sullivan Beare, in his Histoi'ios CatJwlicoe, speaks of a learned and hospitable man named Donogh M'Grath, or Donogh an t-Sneachta ; so called from his white locks of hair, who was treacherously hanged in Cork l)y the English to which he had been favorable. 220 HISTOUY OF LIMERICK. of the strength of Limerick. Lord Macaulay says^ " The tnith is that the judgment of the biilliant and adventurous Frenchman was biassed by his inclinations. He and his companions were sick of Ireland. They were ready to face death with courage, nay with gaiety on a field of battle." Macaulay proceeds to regard the case from the Anglo-Saxon point of view ; and says : *' But the dull, squalid, barbarous life which they (the French) had been now leading during several months was more than they could bear. They were as much out of the civUized world as if they had been banished to Dahomey or Spitzbergen. The climate affected their health and spirits. In that un- happy country, wasted by years of jaredatory warfare, hospitality could offer little more than a couch of straw, a trencher of meat haK raw, half burned, and a draught of sour milk.^ A crust of bread, a pint of wine could hardly be purchased for money. A year of such hardship seemed a century to men, who had been always accustomed to carry with them to the camp the luxuries of Paris, soft bedding, rich tapestry, sideboards of plate, hampers of Cham- pagne, opera dancers, cooks and musicians. Better to be a prisoner in the Bastille, better to be a recluse at La Trappe, than to be generahssimo of the half-naked savages who burrowed in the dreary swamps of Munster. Any plea was welcome which would serve as an excuse for returning from that miserable exile to the land of corn fields and vmeyards, of gilded coaches and laced cravats. ■'^^ A vile plea for men who called themselves soldiers ! Tyrconnell had already sent away his wife (Frances Jennings, elder sister of the famous Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough) to France, and his own wealth as well as the King's treasure. Among those who shared the fortune of James, was the Puight Rev. Dr. John ]\Ioloney (of the Kiltanon family, in the County of Clare) Bishop of Limerick and administrator of Killaloe. He was in Paris at this period (1690), an envoy to the Court of Louis, to negociate assistance for Ireland. His remains were interred in the College of the Lombards, where his tomb bears the following inscription : — Illustris et Reverendissimus Ecclesise presul, JoHvVnxes O'Maloxy, Ex antiquissima familia inter Hibernos ortus, Parisi ab adolescentia educatus, et SacriE facultatis Parisi Doctor, ex Canonico Rothotnagensi, factus primum Episeopus Laonensis, sui nominis et f amiliaj tertius ; deinde Episcopus Lim- ericensis et Administrator Laonensis, Catholicaj religionis et patrise ardens ZeLator, propterea ab Ilereticis sepe ad necem QiuBsitus, Tandem Parisi redux exul et collegio in usum Sacerdotum Hibernorum trecentas libellas, Tuorensis anui reditus donavit, preter mille ducentas libellas in construct- ionera hujus Sacelli semel donatas obiit die tertia Septembris anno sute aetatis 78, et in anno Domini 1702.< ' Lord Macaulay's History of England, vol. 3, p. 6C4. * This was not the case at a more distant period, because we find by the inquisition in the reign of Henry VIIL, and held in Limerick in the thirty-third year of that reign, that wine was imported in immense quantities, and that merchants complained of the fraudulent impositions to which their property was subjected by the old chieftains between Carrigaholt and Carrigo- gunnell, who boarded the ships and took boot}' by way of tax from them. The inquisition has been given in a preceding chapter. 3 The impatience of Lauzun and his countrymen to get away from Ireland is mentioned in a letter of Oct. 21, 1690, quoted in the Memoirs of James IL 420. * The Eight Rev. John O'MoIoney descended from one of the most ancient families in Ireland, studied in Paris from his j-outh, where he acquired the degree of Doctor of Divinity, and after accomplishing his studies he returned to his native countrj-, and was made Bishop of Killaloe, the third of his name and family, as Bishop in that diocese. In the course of some time afterwards he was appointed Bishop of the diocese of Limerick and Administrator of Killaloe. lie remained in Paris after the fall of .James, where he contributed to the erection of the Irish College, and built the chapel attached to it at his own expense. — Besides, he established three HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 221 Tyrconnell had but little hope. No doubt our country had been "brayed in a mortar" during the wars of EHzabeth, and subsequently during the great rebellion^ etc. Sir WilHam Petty, in his Political Anatomy of Ireland (Tracts, p. mS.), says that between October 23, 16il, and the same day, 1652, "If Ireland had continued in peace for the said eleven years, then the 1,466,000 (population in 1641) had increased by generation in that time to 73,000 more, making in all 1,539,000, which were by the said wars brought, anno 1652, to 850,000, so that there were lost 689,000 souls, for whose blood somebody should answer both to God and the King." And forty years after Sir William Petty wrote this the Irish were in a more terrible position than when he wrote ; yet they made a stand within Limerick for all they cherished as most dear ! As to the civilization of the Irish, even before this period, I will quote again from Su- WilUam Petty : " The diet, and housing, and clothes is much the same as in England ; nor is the French elegance unknown to many of them, nor the Prench and Latin tongues. The latter amongst the poorest Irish, and chiefly in Kerry, most remote from Dublin, where it is very freely spoken." — Political Anatomy of Ireland (Tracts, p. 351). ^Vhat an answer to Lord Macaulay. Gloomy indeed is the picture of Limerick at this period ; not certainly congenial to the luxurious refinement of the French. It is by no means en- couraging as regards our notions of their self-abnegation, and that respect which they ought to cherish for a nation which had placed unbounded con- Burses for the use and benefit of the O'lilolony family to the exclusion of strangers, on which many members of his family studied, namely, the Very Rev. Matthew Molony, V.G. and P.P. of Tomevara, his brother, Kev. Miles Molony, P.P. of Borrisokane, and also the Very Rev. Daniel Molony Murphy, formerly PP. of Nenagh, who was the last of the familj- who enjoyed these Burses, with the exception of the Rev. Patrick Molony Ryan, P.P. of Cappamore in the Archdiocese of Cashel, who has been proved, he states, before three magistrates to be the legal claimant to this ecclesiastical hereditary property, and his claim has been confirmed by the Minister of Interior, in Paris, and the Public Tribunals. A tombstone in Kilquane bears the following inscription : — Broken off Here lieth ye Body of Doctor Mathew Moi.ONY who was Vicar General of E ye DiECESs of Limerick and Killalowe for 32 years Parish Broken off Close to the tomb of Doctor Mathew Molony there is another tombstone of nearly the same dimensions, with the following inscription, which I give here ; — This tomb was erected by ye Parishnrs. of Kilquane and Munchins in memory of ye Rev. Father Francis Nolan in the Parish for departed this life ye 4th day of January, 1768 aged 04 years. In Kilquane there had been several ancient tombstones with inscriptions in the Irish character ; there are few if any traces of them now. Some of them were shattered several years ago by soldiery from the garrison of Limerick. 222 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. fidence in the good faith they professed to right the wrongs that had reduced Ireland to the unhappy condition in which she was at this period — ^torn on all gi(Jes — a victim above all to her blind devotion to a King, who quitted her shores in the moment of danger. It is certain that William, who had set out on his march to Limerick on the 9th of July, made several delays, and spoke of returning to England, in the hope that he might be able to induce Tyrconnell to enter into a satisfac- tory negociation. In his progress he was accompanied by the Duke of Ormonde, with whom he dined at his castle of Kilkenny, where, no doubt, he admired the magnificent gallery of paintings, which included portraits of the unfortunate Earl of Strafford in his younger days and towards the close of his puzzling career.* Erom Kilkenny, on Sunday the 20th, they marched six miles farther, to Mr. Read^s, of Rossenara, where they encamped ; on the following day, they reached Carrick-on-Suir, where also they encamped, and viewed the residence of the Duke of Ormonde, whose ancestor, Edward Boteler, or Butler, in the reign of Edward II. obtained the honor of Earl of Carrick, which the Duke now enjoyed. While in camp near Carrick-on-Suir, I believe at a place caUed Deer Park, a few miles on the Clonmel road, WiUiam, who had heard that Thomas Otway, Protestant Bishop of Ossory, refused to pray for him, directed his secretary. Sir William Southwell, to write to the Bishop, sus- pending him till further orders. William now summoned Waterford, which surrendered ; and here again he spoke of going to England, but did not do so, and joined the army on the 2nd of August at Golden Bridge. While Wilham was at Golden Bridge, he was waited on by the Mayor and Corporation of Cashel, who presented him with a petition on the subject of their displacement by James, and he gave them a letter restoring them to their ancient rights and privileges, and naming Mayor, Aldermen, and Officers of the Corporation.^ On the 6th he reached Sallywood, having sent a party of horse the day before towards Limerick. In the army of William were several refugee Protestant clergymen, who accompanied him on his march, and among them was Ulysses Burgh, Dean of Emly. On the 8th of August William entered the county of Limerick, marching to Caherconlish, within a short distance of Dromkeen, the ancient patrimony and residence of the Burghs of Dromkeen.3 Burgh visited his house, which he found standing, • The epitaph on Strafford's tomb shows what was thought of him : — " Here his wise and valiant dust Huddled up 'twixt fit and just : Strafford who was hurried hence, 'Twixt treason and convenience. He spent his time here in a mist, A Papist, yet a Calvinist ; His Prince's nearest joy and grief He had, yet wanted, all relief : The proposed ruin of the State, The People's violent love and hate, Are in extremes loved and abhorred. Riddles lie here, and in a word. Here lies , and let it be Speechless still and never crie — BushweU's Knights of the Garter. ' Keport of the Commissioners on Municipal Corporations in Ireland. James II. granted a Charter to Cashel, dated 20th October, 5th of bis reign, by which he made a seizure of the Franchises of the city into the King's hands bj' a judgment of his Exchequer. 3 Burgh of Dromkeen. Lodge tells us that Jolin, eldest son of Walter Bourke (who wae Mc William Ougliter .ind chief of his Sept, and died in 1440), assisted James, Earl of Ormonde against the O'Briens, but eventually marrying their sister, obUiued with her the greater part of HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 223 but " rifled to extremity.'^ The Dean's local knowledge, and his influence in procuring provisions from the country people, proved of great service to William, who promised him preferment on the success of his arms. But so many others had received similar promises, that William found it difficult the Barony of Coshma, which he exchanged with the Bourkes of Castle Connell, for the third part of that of Clanwilliam ; and that he was governor of Dromkeen the j'ear he died. His eldest son, William Duffe, was father of Meyler Bourke of Dromkeen, whose descendants were styled " Sloght Meyler," to distinguish them from the Castle Connell family. His grandson, Richard Oge Burke, was found by Inquisition taken at Kilmallock, 18 October, 1522, to have died in 1596, seized of Dromkeen, Drumrask, Rathkipp, Pallasbeg and other lands. This Richard Oge was father of Meyler, grand-father of Ulick, and great grand-father of Richard, who becoming the male heir of the family, inherited Dromkeen and the other entailed estates in 1640. He was in Holy Orders of the Protestant Church, and anglicised his name into Burgh, a common practice in those daj's with those who adhered to the English interest. For the same fashionable reason at that time, he called his eldest son Ulysses instead of Ulick — Ulick was an Irish corruption of William, or William Oge, and was first given to Sir William Bourke, ancestor of the Marquesses of Clanrickarde ; but had no more real connection with Ulysses than the classic Cornelius had with the Celtic Connor, for which it has been substituted. This Ulysses Burgh of Dromkeen, was, like his father, a Protestant clergj-man. He improved his interest by marrying a lady of illustrious descent, Marj' Kingsmill, daughter of William Kings- mill, M.P. for Mallow, and grand-daughter of Sir Warham St. Leger, by Ursula, daughter of George Lord Abergavenny, and grand-daughter of the ill-fated Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham. She was consequently very nearly related to the house of Plantagenet. Ulysses Burgh obtained his first preferment in the district where the estates of his family gave him con- siderable influence, and in 1672 we find him Rector of Kilteely and of Grean. In 1685 he obtained the Deanery of Emly, with a house and some preferment in the City of Cashel. But in three j'ears more Ireland became the scene of civil war. The Dean of Emly was obliged to fly — and we next find him in London. He accompanied William III. to Ireland. However, in 1692, Dean Burgh was named Bishop of Ardagh ; and as this see was a very poor see, and before and since has only been held with another Bishopric, the King promised Dr. IJurgh speedy promotion, and gave the Deanery of Emlj', which he was vacating, to his son-in-law. Dr. Thomas Smyth,* afterwards Bishop of Limerick. The new Bishop of Ardagh, however, never received the promised advancement, for he died in less than six months after obtaining the mitre. He was ancestor of that gallant soldier — Sir Ulysses Burgh, Lord Downes, G.C.B., general in the army, and aid-de- camp to the Duke of Wellington in the Peninsular War ; and also of that eminent lawyer and statesman — Chief Baron Hussey Burgh ; whose grand-son now holds part of the Dromkeen estate. • The family of Smyth is the largest in the British isles, and exists in the highest as well as the humblest ranks. The name is written in many forms, of which Smith is the earliest. About the time of Henry VIII. it was frequently written Smyth, by adding the mute e then commonly used, or Sjiuth, by making two dots over the y in the simpler form. Smithson appears to be only a modification of this name, though the Dukes of Northumberland, who belong to this family, derive the name from the lands of Smethton. Of these different modes of spelling, the first was adopted by the extinct Lords Carrington, and by the family, in no way related to them, of the present Lord Carrington ; though he himself, like Lord Lyveden and some other noble members of the Smith family, has exchanged that for a less common name. Lord Strangford's family, an ancient and eminent one, spells the name Smythe, whilst an Essex Boronet adheres to the strange orthography of Smijth. The Smyths who, for some generations, took so leading a part in Limerick, were originally seated at Rossdale, in Yorkshire, but they settled in the reign of Queen Elizabeth at Dundrum, in Downshire, and afterwards in Lisburn, in Antrim. At an early date, they became connected with the Protestant episcopate, by the marriage of one of their family, Mary Smyth of Dundrum, with Henry Ussher, Archbishop of Armagh. This prelate, who died 1613, had, when Archdeacon of Dublin, taken the chief part in persuading Elizabeth to grant its charter to the University of Dublin, of which he was the first Fellow ; and several members of his wife's family, adopting a University life, discovered in the College which he had helped to found, a road to the episcopal bench. Thomas Smyth, Bishop of Limerick, born at Dundrum in 1654, was connected with many of the old Irish families through his mother, one of the Dowdalls of Glasspistel, in Louth, a family then of great eminence in the Pale, but subsequently ruined by Cromwell's forfeitures. He was brought up at the University of Dublin, where his nephew, Edward Smyth, and his cousin, William Smyth, also received their education. All three obtained Fellowships there; and all three held Irish Bishopricks in the same year, 1699. William, Bishop of Killala, and afterwards of Kilmore, was ancestor of the families of Gaybrook and Drumcree, and of the Smythes, of Barbavilla, Co. Westmeath. Edward was Dean of St. Patrick's, and afterwards Bishop of Down and Connor. He died in 1720, leaving two 224 HISTORY OF LOIERTCK. to keep tliem. Burgh, however, was fortunate enough to obtain the Bishop- ric of Ardagh; and his son-in-law Thomas Smith, afterwards Bishop of Limerick, the Deanery of Emly. Among other places visited on his march to the city, was Cahernorry, where Wilham is said to have slept, and which was then, as it had been up to a recent period, in possession of the Cripps family. 1 The Eev. Mr. Cripps obtained the grant of Cahernorry, not sons, of whom the elder was ancestor of the Smyths of Mount Henry, in the Queen's County, and the younger was father of the Kight Honourable Sir Skeffington Smyth, M.P., created a Baronet in 177G, Avhose heir married the iirst Lord Dunsandale. Thomas Smyth, with whom we are chiefly concerned, was elected a Fellow of Trinity College in 1677 ; and for twelve years he enjoyed the studious calmness of a University life. But civil war breaking out, he tied to England in 1689, thus forfeiting his fellowship; and then became curate of St. Martin's in the Fields, an important parish in London, under the celebrated Doctor Tennison, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury. Here he married Dorothea, daughter of Ulysses Burgh of Dromkeen, Dean of Emly, and like him a refugee from Ireland, both being partizans of the Prince of Orange. When the Dean of Emly was made Bishop of Ardagh in 16!)2, he obtained the King's permission for his son-in-law. Dr. Smyth, to succeed him in his Deanery : and on the see of Limerick becoming vacant three years later, Queen Mary, on the special recommendation of his old friend, Archbishop Tennison, obtained it for him ; and Dr. Smyth was accordingly- consecrated in Trinity College, 8 December, 16'.)5. He was a man of great learning, and indefatigable in the performance of his duties ; but his cold and haughty manners were ill-suited to preserve his favor at Court, after Queen Mary's death ; so that in an age when translations were the rule, he was never removed to a wealthier preferment, the Vice Chancellorship of the Universitj' of Dublin being only an honorary appoint- ment. He died on the 4th May, 1725, and was buried at St. Munchin's, leaving i.600 to the poor of Limerick, and settling the landed property on his two sons in succession. He had besides three daughters, of whom one died young. Tlie eldest married twice. Her first husband was Sir Nicholas Osborne, of Knockmoane, the fifth Baronet of that ancient family, by whom she had a daughter and eventual heir, who married Mr. Vereker, of Eoxborough.* Lady Osborne married secondly Colonel Kamsay, and had another daughter Mary, who married Mr. Kochfort, brother of Lord Belvidere. Dorotliea, the youngest daughter of the Bishop, marrying Mr. Tucker, of Cavan, was grand-mother of the late gallant sailor, Admiral Sir Edward Tucker, G.C.B., who died in 1864. Of the Bishop's numerous sons, William was Dean of Ardfert ; John, Chancellor of Connor ; Henry, Archdeacon of Glendalough; and George, M.P. and a Baron of the Exchequer. Arthur, the eighth son, after being made Dean of Derry in 1744, became successively Bishop of Clonfert, Down, Meath, and Archbishop of Dublin, the latter in 1766. Dying in 1772, he was buried in St. Patrick's Cathedral, where the beautiful monument erected to his memory, has been lately restored, with the rest of that venerable pile, by the liberal taste of Mr. Guinness, who is connected with the family of the Archbishop through the Lees. Edward, ninth son of the Bishop of Limerick, was an eminent physician, and a considerable benefactor to the poor of Limerick and Dublin ; whilst James, the youngest of this numerous family, was Collector of Limerick, Sheriff of the City in 1741, and Mayor in 17ol. He was grand-father of the late Chief Baron O'Grady ; and also of Carew Smyth, the last Eecorder of Limerick. Charles Smyth, for so many j-ears M.P. for the city, was the Bishop's second son. — But he out- lived all his brothers, and saw five Bishops succeed his father. His public career sufficiently appears in the course of this history. Called to the Irish Bar in 1725, he married, three years later, Elizabeth Prendergast, Lady Hamon, a young widow of considerable fortune, which was eventually largly increased. For her brother, the Kight Honourable Sir Thomas Prendergast, the last Baronet of that family, for many years M.P. for Clonmell, in the Irish Parliament, and for Chichester in that of England, died whilst a patent was preparing to create him Viscount Clonmell, and left no issue ; and her eldest sister, the Countess of Meath also dying childless, all the • This family is now represented by John Gleeson, Esq., Solicitor, Limerick, who married Miss Cripps, daughter of the late Alderman John Cripps, the last male representative of the name. * The family of Vereker first settled near Limerick in the reign of Queen Anne, when Connel Vereker of Douglas and Grange, in the County of Cork, (a gentleman paternally of Dutch descent, but whose mother was heir to a branch of the Celtic O'Connells), purchased the estate of Kox- borough from the Ilollow-Sword-Blade Company, and erected a mansion, which still exists, in a park laid out with cnnals, terraces, and hedges, in tlie stiff Dutch fashion, all long since removed. He served as High Sheriff for the County of Limerick in 172'J, and died in 1733. Henry, hi* HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 225 from WilKam, but from King Charles II., to whose interest he was attached ; but he showed hospitality to William, and as a token of his Majesty's good Prendergast estates devolved on John, the j'oungest son of Charles Smyth and lady Hamon, who thereupon took the name of Prendergast only. Charles Smyth died in 1784, leaving a daughter, who married her cousin Thomas Vereker, of Roxborough, and two surviving sons, Thomas and John. For his second son, Charles Lennon, Colonel of the celebrated Irish Regiment, the Green Horse, (which was raised in 1685, and after a glorious career as the 2nd Horse, has been styled the 5th Dragoon Guards since 1788), had died unmarried, two years previously, when on his passage to Bordeaux, and within sight of that city, which was then popular as a sanatorium, but which was soon to prove equally fatal to his elder brother Thomas. This estimable gentleman served as High Sheriff of the County in 1770; as Mayor of Limerick in 1765 and 1776 ; and as M.P. from the latter year to his death. He was an ardent lover of his native city — introduced many improvements in the management of the corporate income — was a warm friend of the Volunteer movement, and Colonel of the Limerick Regiment — and in fine, took the greatest interest in the prosperity of Limerick. Being compelled by ill health to sail for Lisbon, he was driven into Bordeaux by stress of weather, and died there, having specially desired his body to be brought back to Limerick, where he was interred at St. Munchin's with solemnity, on the 7th April, 1785. By his death, the familj^ influence in the Corporation and City devolved on his brother, John Prendergast, Esq., of Gort, then M.P. for Carlow. He had served in the Royal Irish Dragoons, and was fhen Lieutenant-Colonel of the Limerick Independents, and afterwards Colonel of the Limerick City Militia. On inheriting the Smj'th estates he took that name after Prendergast, and was eventually created Viscount Gort, with remainder to his nephew, the Right Honourable Charles Vereker, who succeeded him ; and was father of John Prendergast, present and third Viscount; who, like his predecessors in the title, has served as M.P. for Limerick, and as Colonel of the City Regiment of Militia, the Smyth and Vereker families having occupied the former post for 87 consecutive years; and the latter since the first enrolment of the Regiment, 14 April, 1793 — now (1864) 71 years. eldest son, married Anne, daughter and heir of Sir Nicholas Osborne, the fifth Baronet, of Knock- moane, in Waterford, was father of Thomas, Sheriff of Limerick in 1762, and Mayor in 1767; who, marrying his cousin, Juliana Smyth, died 16 November, 1801. He was succeeded in the Roxborough estate by his eldest surviving son, Charles, afterwards Viscount Gort. He was born in 1 768, the year of his father's mayoralty, when that civic office had been distinguished by unusual hospitality and splendour. Charles Vereker entered the navy in 1781, and served in her H.M.S. Alexander at the spirited relief of Gibraltar in the following year. But the preliminaries of peace being signed within two months after the return of the Fleet to England, he then left the navy, and obtained in 1785, a commission in the 1st Royals. He served with them until his marriage in 1780, with Mrs. Stamer, daughter of Mr. Westropp, of Attj-flin ; a lady whose premature death in 179'^ was much regretted, and deservedly so, if we can trust the contemporary journals; for the IJmerich Chronicle in April, 1782, when recording her first marriage, describes her as " the very amiable Jliss Westropp, daughter of Ralph. Westropp, Esq., of Attyflin, with an immense fortune ; " and again on reporting her second marriage, calls her "a young lady possessed of every amiable qualification to render the married state happy," The year after his marriage Mr. Vereker was elected M.P. for Limerick ; and became Lieutenant- Colonel of the City Militia in 1793, commanding that Regiment on its first march to Birr, on the 19th July in that month. At its head he fought the battle of Coloony, which shall be referred to hereafter, which, occuring immediately after the notorious " Races of Castlebar," was important in its effects. These are well described in the patent by which George III. granted him supporters to his arms, for " the great ability and courage manifested by him, the said Charles Vereker, when, with a detachment of 300 of our said militia he engaged the whole of the French and Rebel forces at Coloony, in Ireland, on the 5th day of September, 1708, by which bold and gallant exertion the enemy were prevented from taking possession of the town of Sligo, and were 80 effectually embarrassed and delayed, that our forces were enabled to come up with, and to entirely defeat them." Colonel Vereker continued to serve with his Regiment until it was disembodied after the Battle of Waterloo. For many years M.P. for Limerick, a Privj^ Councillor, Lord of the Irish Treasury, Governor of the City of Limerick, and the last to hold the ancient feudal oflice of Constable of its Castle, he eventually succeeded his uncle as Viscount Gort, and became an Irish representative Peer; but his political life is too recent and well known to render further details necessary. John Vereker, Sheriff of Limerick in 1763, and Mayor in 1769, was the third sou of Connel Vereker, of Roxborough Amos Vereker, who was Sheriff of Limerick in 1 778, was the second son of the above Joha, and father of Dr. Vereker of Limerick. 16 226 HISTORY OF LLMEUICK. will, he bestowed upon the Rev. gentleman a gold ring, with a beautifully executed miniature portrait of the King — a perfect masterpiece of art — set in crystal.' At one in the morning of the eighth, King William sent out nine hundred horse and two hundred foot, detached out of the Eegiments of Oxon, Tre- lawney, Cuts, Lanier, Loyd, and Danes, under the command of Herr Ben- tiuck, Earl of Portland, and Brigadier Stewart, &c., who advanced within cannon-shot of the city, notwithstanding the opposition made by three regiments of the Irish foot, one of horse, and another of dragoons, who stood but one volley, though they had the cover of the hedges through which they fired. About four hours after, the detachment returned to the camp, and gave William an account of the position of the Irish. About seven o'clock, P.M., William himself proceeded with a fresh party of 200 select horse, being accompanied by Prince George, Major-General Ginkle, the Herr Overkirke, and other great officers, and approached within two miles of the city.^ CHAPTER XXXIII THE SIEGE OF 1G90 — MAGNIFICENT ACHIE^rEMENT OP BRIGADIEE SAESFIELD, &C. THE BLACK BATTEIIY — HEUOIC DEVOTION AND BEAVERY OF THE WOMEN OF LIMERICK — OVERTHROW OF WILLIAM. Forty days after the battle of the Boyne, William appeared before Limerick, not indeed without a trembling apprehension of the consequences — because, though he had been made aware of the existence of divided coun- cils within, and though a large portion of the French army had already gone to Galway to take shipping for Prance, the advice of Sarsfield and the majority of the Irish officers had prevailed to defend the city to the last. Boisseleau had been left in command of twenty thousand Irish soldiers, not one half of whom had been armed.^ Three thousand five hundred horsemen were en- camped, in addition, within five miles of Limerick, beyond the river Shannon, and kept up a free communication with the city. Limerick, at this period, was not the Limerick of to-day. Within the time, no city in Ireland or England has undergone so extensive a change, and such wonderful improvement. The city was then confined within the walls of the Englishtown and the Irishtown, but both were distinct ; whilst forty or fifty years before, as we learn from Dr. Thomas Arthur's MSS., portions of the Irishtown were a suburb — the south suburb of the city. The chief houses of business, the dwelhngs of the gentry and nobihty, the Cathedral, the churches, the gaol, and the Courthouse, were in the Englishtown. It was here that the Lord of Brittas, the Earl of Thomond, Sec. &c., had their resi- dences. The bright river washed the walls which ran in a hue with King John's Castle, where the Castle Barracks now are, and with the ground on which the City Gaol and the City and County Court House now stand, down by ' This heir-loom has been preserved with a tender care for orer 170 years in the Cripps famil^v. Tlie ring is for the little linger, but massive and of the tinest gold — and the setting is as fresh and as faultless as if it had come from the hands of the goldsmith. We know nothing more interesting as a token of regard from a Royal hand to one who had done him a service. 2 The enemy were come so near, with some of their outguards, that Jlolleneux says they could hear them " talk with their damn'd Jrish brogue on their tonyues, but they were separated from us," he adds, " by a bog, which was very deep, and so situated that we could not possibly attack them." 2 Memoirs of King James, quoted in O'Callaghan's Macaria Excidium. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 227 Merchant's Quay, George's Quay, &c., till they met at Ball's Bridge. The wall then went round by the Island and the Abbey, meeting at St. Munchin's Church, and joining Thomond Bridge, where also there was a gate. The old maps and plans of the city show that, though it was confined within com- paratively narrow limits at this time, it was handsome and regidar, particu- larly when viewed from the river, to which it showed a noble frontage v/est- ward, old St. ]\lary's Cathedral, with its towers, then, as now, a prominent object in the foreground. The New Town, now the finest portion of the city, and the great centre of its trade, was not built for seventy years afterwards. Meadows and corcasses then occupied the grounds down to the water's edge. Captain Creagh, an old and highly respectable gentleman, who died some years ago in Cashel, informed me in 1851, that he remembered shooting snipe in Patrick-street, on the ground on which the houses of which the office of the Reporter and Vindicator, is one, are built ! — that the ground in question was a marsh which the tide covered, and that it Avas deemed unfit for building on when he was a boy. The walls in the Irishtown were of recent construction as compared with the Englishtown — that is, they were built at intervals of time, commencing in the fourteenth century ; they were occasionally repahed, and they were not extended throughout until the early part of the seventeenth century. The streets in the Enghshtown, at this time, were " the Great Street," now Mary-street and Nicholas-stieet, which bisected the town, and from which ran Fish-lane, Prison-lane, Change-lane, Stag-lane, Bishop's-laue, Merritt's-lane, Whitehouse-lane, Eed Lion-lane, Plag-lane, Broad-lane which joined St. Munchin's Church ; and lower down on the same side was Meetinghouse-lane; at the other side, where the Cathedral stands, were Creagh,' first called Crevaagh-lane, Quay-lane, Bow-lane, (perhaps originally Bough-lane or Creagh-lane;) Newgate-lane, near the Castle, with Castle-street leading to Thomond Bridge. The small lane which divides the large house said to have been Sir Geoffrey Gallway's Castle, from the Exchange, was called afterwards. Churchyard-lane, and then Gridiron-lane. The English Town was surrounded by a wall, which had Fish Gate, Prison Gate, Abbey Gate, Little Island Gate, Barrack Gate, Island Gate, and a bastion near St. Munchin's. At the other, or river side, there were Creagh Gate and the Castle Gate. The streets in the Irishtown were, Mungret-street, Palmers- town-street, and the various intersecting lanes, with Broad-street and John-street, to John's Church. A wall ran around the entire of the Irish- town ; and the gates were East and West Water Gate, Mungret Gate, and John's Gate. An imaginative writer describes the city at this period as very like a spider, whose narrow waist might be said to be Ball's Bridge, which, in our memory, had houses on each side of it, and was so narrow that even two cars could not pass at the same time. Subsequently, the houses on the east side were thrown down.2 ' Creagh, (or Crevaagh) the Irish for bongh. The name of an ancient and respectable family in Limerick descended from the O'Neils, who wore green boughs in their caps during a victory over the Danes. 2 A plan of Limerick in the British Museum gives a description of the city soon after this time ; it shows that the English Town stands upon the highest ground in the Island on which the city is built ; the Great Street runs along the summit, and it falls gradually upon each side, but rather more considerably on the West. From the Castle to Ball's Bridge descends every way, so as not at first to be perceived. From Ball's Bridge to John's Gate the ascent i-; next to a flat, but it grows greater out of the Gate, and continues so for S-iO yards from the Wall. The ascent from tlie Bridge to Mungret Gate is rather more, and without sides as far as the outworks extends, ia more considerable than anywhere else ; but farms on it seem to be on a flat. Tha 228 mSTORY OF limeuick. It was now resolved at a Council of war, at which William presided in person, to march towards the citj in order of battle, for they were aware that the country being very close, the Irish soldiers lined the hedges, and had determined to fight it out with undiminished valor. As they moved from the height of Park through the boggy ground towards the citadel, two great guns, which were mounted on the Abbey of the Canons Eegular of St. Augustin near Ball's Bridge,^ did much mischief to them. Between six and seven in the evening William ordered a trumpeter to be sent with a summons to the city, as a deserter had previously informed them, a great part of the garrison, with some of the officers, were for capitulating ; but Monsieur Boisseleau, the Governor, the Duke of Berwick, and Colonel Sarsfield, &c. resolutely opposed it, telling the garrison of the great divisions that were in England; upon which 50,000 French had made a descent they said; and the Prince of Orange would be obliged to draw off his army in a few days, to defend the kingdom of England, and thereupon prevailed upon them to stand to their arms. The trumpeter was sent back with this answer from Monsieur Boisseleau, the Governor, that as King James had entrusted him with the garrison, he would recommend himself to the Prince of Orange by a vigorous defence. About eight at night William went to his camp a short mile from the city, having been on horseback from four in the morning, giving the necessary orders, and exposing himself amidst dangers, in which the Prince of Denmark everywhere accompanied him. The cannon ceased not all the time to play from the city, several of the shot coming over WiUiam^'s tent and falling near it.^ The same evening a party of the Eoyal ground between the Shannon and the Road to the Lime Kiln is no higher than that which Irish Town stands upon : and between Dublin Road and the River to the East, chiefly a Slorass. The countrj' being between those roads round the town, is somewhat higher than that which the works are built upon. The countr}- that lies west of thecity, on the Thomond side, commands the town more than anywhere else, except that which lies east of the English Town, but the breadth of the Sliannon in the first, and the branch of the River at the !Morass in the second, pretty well secure both from any attempt. There are near forty yards of the Wall in a very bad state below Ball's Bridge. The Wall round the English Town is chiefly in a very bad condition, but that round the Irish Town is much better. Where the houses join the Wall, or are built upon it, they are coloured with a faint red in the map. The Ramparts were continued formerly farther towards west Water Gate. There are mills and breweries, a fort in ruins, outworks in ruins. 1 White's MSS. * This tent was situated in Singland, where the " pillar standard," on which William raised his flag, may yet be seen. In this parish of Singland, or St. Patrick's, there are some remarkable relics of the siege ; one is "this Standard Pillar" of King William (so called), and is pointed out by the inhabitants as the pillar on which the Royal Ensign of William was raised during the siege of 1600. It is on the high road which leads to Singland House, and is sometimes called " the Pillar " simph- by the people ; but every one in the parish, or at least in that portion of it, in which the pillar may be seen, tells it was there the King had his standard, as it was in the same spot, most likely, be had liis tent, and was encompassed by his staff. It is built of "ashlar" masonry, thirteen feet high and about three feet in diameter; the stones are rather large, and in most instances they are roughly chissled ; it is situated on a rise in tlie road, about 100 yards from Singland House. A short wall or butress is built up against it to the N.W,, and appears to be contemporaneous ia structure with the pillar itself ;a few cabins to the S.E. are just close up by the pillar on that side, and even the children there say that the pillar had something to do with " the war." About a thousand yards distance to the N., in a direct line, is New Castle House, in which it is asserted King William spent some of his time during the siege. The other object here of interest connected with the siege is " King William's Well,'* which is about 100 yards from the pillar, and in a Held about 50 yards from the high road, and nearly opposite Singland House, on the other side of the road. A stream of pure water runs to the road from tlie well, and joins another stream from the well of Shesharee, which is some distance off, on another road. King William's ■well is deep, but covered with a thick coating of leaves and greenish, weedy, deposit, which conceal its waters from the view — at least so it was on the beautiful evening I visited the locality. Tradition says that a large flag or standard lies buried in a field near the well. There are other evidences hereabouts, that it was the site of a camp ; and the well is said to have supplied HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 229 Regimeiit_, and other dragoons, were sent to view the ford of Annaghbeg,' of which William was informed, and which he proceeded to visit him- self, a place about two miles above the city, where six of King James's regiments, three of horse, and two of dragoons commanded by Berwick and Lutterell, were posted at the other side of the river, with a breast-work to cover them ; these all fired upon the soldiers of William, but a}Dparently ■with little efi'ect, as few were killed or wounded. It was expected by the Wniiamites that they would meet with great difficulties and dangers in the passage of the river — first, because the troops of the besieged were so advantageously placed — and secondly, because the river at this season of the year was particularly swollen and rapid ; but they did not. Tradition states that the ford or pass, through which the hostde army passed over to the Clare side of the river, was betrayed by one MacAdam, who is said to have lived by fishing on the Shannon, and that his knowledge of the fords of the river was consequently very good. He is said to have conveyer! private information as to the place where the army of William might pass with safety ; and in order, if possible, to escape the odium of having been supposed voluntarily to sell the pass, he feigned sickness on the approach of the besieging army, whilst all the other fishermen ran off to the woods of Cratloe and the Clare mountains, as well to avoid being present as in fear of their Hves from the cruelty of William''s soldiers. As the army approached, a block and hatchet and a keg of gold were placed outside the door of the betrayer, who was accompanied bya boyof the neighbourhood, who had rowed a boat. The rich lands adjoining were pointed out to him. He was asked which he selected — the gold and the lauds, or the hatchet and death. The tradition goes on to say that as he had already determined, he at once proceeded to point out to the encpiirers the only place in that portion of the river which they could pass in the manner they desired. A rock was near the river bank, some few perches above the old churchyard of Kilquane, and to this rock, ever since called Carrig-a-Clouragh, or Chain- rock, were attached chains, which are said to have crossed the river from Corbally, nearly opposite Corbally House on the Limerick side. Abridge of boats, or a pontoon bridge, was thus con- structed by the engineers. The rock appears to have been cut umbrella-like, or of mushroom shape, in order the more securely to hold the chains. For many years it was an object of singular curiosity : men of science, archeeo- logists, historians, enquirers, and patriots from all parts of Em'ope were in the habit of visiting it in the course of their tours to Limerick. — There were shallow holes in the top of Carrig-a-Clouragh, and when rain fell, the holes, thus filled with water, appeared as if saturated with blood, the stone being of a reddish colour. About twenty years ago Captain Hamilton Jackson, the then proprietor of this land, the portion of which in question has since, and within the last few years, been purchased by a prosperous laud holder of the neighbourhood,^ ordered a servant, named Council, to blast the rock; but William's troops with water during both sieges. I have never in any place met people more ready than they are in this particular locality, at the traditions connected with the siege, and in showing where the well, the standard pillar, &c., are placed. They say too that it is here the great war for the deliverance of Ireland, which is looked forward to with so longing a desire by the people, is to begin and end — a circumstance referred to by O'Donovan in one of his notes to the Annals of the Four Masters. 1 Samuel Foxon, a Dutch merchant, who had been mayor of Limerick in 1666, and at one time a tenant of the fisheries, owned the lands of Annaghbeg at this time, on which he built a large brick house, the ruins of which were visible in 1785. He was knighted by William for certain services. 2 Mr. Robert Holmas of Athlunkard. 230 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. tlie act was but partly accomplished^ and Carrig-a-Clouragh yet remains to fix the spot where William made his successful passage. Townsfolk for a long period^ and up to the last few years, were in the habit of going out to KHquane on Sundays, and heaphig every indignity on the grave of the alleged traitor. A couplet was also cut on the tombstone, and, as a specimen of the spirit of the poet and of the times, it deserves to be recorded : — " Here lies the body of Philip the traitor. Lived a fisherman and died a deceiver." Several portions of the tombstone, which lies within the old churchyard of Kilquane, and of the present appearance, of which the following is an exact sketch, have been broken in fragments : — Arms a Cock. [Broken] [Broken] H B [Broken] BY AM DECEASCED ] 29 Aged 83 YEA WHOS DEKECTION THIS TOMB WAS ERECTED IN Memory Of HIS FATHER PHILIP McADAM DECEASED NOVbr 26 1700 AND HIS MOTHER ELENOR M'ADAM DECEASED June X 1708 [Broken] [Broken] The stone lies flat on the ground, the head close up to the wall of the old church. The letters are rudely cut on a plain slab, and in the orthography there are some errors, whilst the quaint method of joining letters, or making one letter a portion of another, is observable in more than one instance.^ Simon Digby, Protestant Bishop of Limerick, in an autograph letter to Sir Eobert Southwell, at the Camp, dated DubUn, July 2£nd, 1690, now stated that- " he has already had one house plundered by the Irish. The Lord Tyrconnell had taken up his quarters in the Bishop's house at Limerick, in which were all the books and papers belonging to the diocese, fearmg the house, on the entering of the English forces, would be plundered on Tyr- conuelFs account, and therefore entreats some officer may be entrusted with the order to save it.''''^ And now the great achievement of the siege was being developed. A terrific hand to hand struggle was to be made to test the prowess of the Irish and the WiUiamites. The roar and thunder of the guns were now heard in every direction, when a French deserter from "William's camp having made his way into the city, gave information of the state of the Williamite artillery, which ' It is but justice to state that the highly respectable family of MacAdam, of Blackwater House, near the scene of the pass, utterly deny the truth of this tradition, which, as an impartial historian, I am bound to give. JIajor Thomas Stannard MacAdam, J.P., of Blackwater House, has shown the Author documents, which go to establish the fact that his ancestors Avcre in possession of the lands which they now have, some years before the events here detailed ; that they rented them from the TCarl of Thomond, and that they did not obtain them by any act of treachery. 2 Thorpe's Caiahr/ne of the Southweli MSS. Digby had a taste for painting— there are some of his miniatures at Sherbourne Castle. See Walpoles Anecdotes of Painting, Vol. III., p. 356. HISTORY OF UMEUICK. 231 had not as yet come up infull force, but wliicli was on its way from Waterford; while at the same time Manus O^Brien, a country gentleman, proceeded to William's camp and told that Sarsfield had passed the river with a body of horse, and that he designed something extraordinary. Simaltaneously a cornet of the Irish army had gone over to William, and reported that a great number in the city were resolved to surrender, but were prevented by Sarsfield and Boisseleau. It is quite true that this French deserter visited Wilham^s camp, and reported that WilHam in despair of taking the city, which Count Lauzuu, when first he beheld it, declared might be taken with roasted apples, had sent for a more powerful battering train, a vast quantity of ammunition, tin boats, and abundant war materials for a vigorous siege. The deserter said, that the artillery, &c., were on their way under an escort of a few troops of Ydliers's horse. And no doubt they were on the road from Cashel. And now having called together his faithful staff, Sarsfield made every preparation to prevent the advance of the approaching train. In the first instance he selected five or six hundred horse and dragoons, whose swords were sharp to execute vengeance, and whose souls were nerved for the occasion. He was thoroughly aware of the advantages to be obtained by the presence, in the expedition, of "Galloping" Hogan, a well educated, popular man, and a brave raparee. Hogan knew every pass and defile — was familiar with every track and roadway — with every ford and bog — and in a critical juncture like the present, was the best man that could be obtained to give effectual assistance to the grand exploit of the dashing, dauntless Irish general. Sarsfield, thus equipped and accompanied, left Limerick on the night of Sunday, the 10th of August, for Killaloe. His route lay through Harold's Cross, near Blackwater ; a sweet and romantic spot, which to this day is invested with picturesque charms which are universally admired. A fine harvest moon lent Hght to the landscape. He could not venture over O'Brien^s Bridge ; for that old pass between Clare and Tipperary, of which so much has been said in the time of the Eighth Henry, was jealously guarded by the soldiers of William, prepared to meet any attack that might be made upon them. The cavalcade passed through Bridgetown and Ballycorney, the Shannon being all the time on their right. At Ballycorney Bridge a family whose name was Cecil resided — a Protestant family. • The party called on a young man, a son of Cecily's, requiring that he should go with them. Refusal was vain ; and he at once prepared to accompany the squadron, which Avent on till they had reached Killaloe ; and here, passing down by Law^s Fields, at the back of the town, they dashed on with gallant, yet cautious resolution ; and before suspicion could be aroused, the entire party had passed and were at the Tipperary side of the river; having gone uj) beyond the bridge, they crossed the ford between the Pier Head and Ballyvalley. This was one of the only two fords which were on the Shannon, about Killaloe at this period — the other ford was at Clarisford.^ An old road ran to the Keeper mountains through the village of Ballina. The bridge was occupied by Williamite troops who guarded the pass, but never witnessed the masterly movement of Sarsfield, who, it is certain, was well able to force the passage; but this was not his aim. It was his object not to create alarm or awaken suspicion. The party then proceeded across the country between Ballina and Boher, ' Those statements are given from popular tradition. ' Within the hist thirty years some changes have heen made in the fall river bv t! e Com- missioners of the Shannon Navigation, and the ford at Ballyvalley is somewhat altered. 232 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. coming out on the Boher road, near Labadhy Bridge. When at this bridge, the party, who were conducted by Galloping Hogan, were startled by a curious incident. Sarsfield discovered, near Labadhy Bridge, a number of men on his left, whose presence excited alarm. He ordered the horse to halt, apprehensive that he had been betrayed by Hogan. But the delusion was dispelled in a instant ; the men whose presence caused so much alarm were a body of Eaparees who had a den or hiding place here, in which they were accustomed to conceal whatever provisions they had taken in their predatory excursions throughout the district. The party passed on through Morrisey's Bogs.i, j^nd continued on their route through Kdloskully, until they reached Keeper Hill, where in the fastnesses of the mountain, they encamped for the night, and where, among many others, Sarsfield it is said was visited by one of the old O^Eyans of that country, who offered him hospitality. On the following morning videttes were sent to watch the advance of the expected artillery train of William, and to report progress. In a short time it was intimated to Sarsfield that the guns and ammunition were on their way to Limerick, and that the English forces were to encamp for the night near the hill of Ballyneety, a remarkable conical eminence which maybe seen from a great distance, somewhat near Derk.^ Sarsfield went next night and arriving near the hill, he halted. And here lay a principal difficulty, namely, how to discover the watchword of the Williamites. An accident obtained the desired information. One of SarsfiekVs troopers, whose horse got lame, fell into the rere of his party: he met the wife of one of William's soldiers who had remained behind the WiUiamites on their march, and taking compassion on her, he enabled her to proceed on her journey. By this means the trooper obtained the watchword of the English. The word was " Sarsfield." Pro- ceeding on, he joined Sarsfield who was in the greatest anxiety for the watch- word, but the difficulty was speedily dissipated. Now everything was in readiness to make the grand stroke on which Sarsfield had set his heart, and which was to decide the fate of the campaign, as he had anticipated it would, and as the result, in the judgment of all military men, proved it really did. The convoy lay asleep under their guns, their horses were at rest; the encamp- ment was still as death; no danger appeared; all were in imaginary security, free from the slightest suspicion of the blows that were about coming thick and heavy upon them. It was moonlight, with occasionally flitting clouds. No time was lost in making everything ready. When the clouds gathered heavily for a few moments, Sarsfield, at the head of his men, accompanied by Galloping Hogan, with Cecil near him, cautiously proceeded down the hUI. As the first sentinel was approached, the challenge was given, and was replied to by the watchword " Sarsfield." Inspired with vengeance and deter mmation, Sars- fiekrs men who had resolved to revenge the wrongs inflicted on their country, on those whom they had withm their grasp, entered within the encampment, when a second sentinel gave the challenge — and " Sarsfield" again was the reply, adding, " Sarsfield is the watchword — Sarsfield is the man" — at the same moment shooting down the sentinel, which was the signal to the cavalcade to execute the work which they had so bravely volunteered to perform. In a ' This was about three hundred yards of Ballina Cottage, the late residence of the Rev. Thomas P. Maher, some time ago the respected P.P. of that parish, now of Lougbmoe, Co. Tipperary. " Labadhy'' signifies " the bed of tlie Rogues." » Ballyneety or White's town is about 14 miles from Limerick. Cola is the next railway station. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 233 moment tlie Irish soldiers fell on the astonished and half sleeping WiUiamites, who knew not where they were^ or what was the cause of the terrible calamity they so suddenly and unexpectedly witnessed.^ Scarcely any resistance was offered. The men were sabred and shot to death where they lay. Then Sarsfield had their cannon loaded to the muzzle^ sunk in the earth and discharged, with an explosion which was heard even in the city itseh. The principal occupation of these foreign troops was hanging all un- fortunate Irishmen who came in their way, under pretence that they were raparees, really because they were true to the cause of country and creed. It is no wonder that the Irish should have revenged such horrors. One of the principal guns which Sarsfield had in Limerick was called Sheela Buoy, or Yellow Sheela; which is erroneously said to have been taken on this occasion, when all the guns were destroyed. After this magnificent achievement he returned to the camp at Limerick by another route — not, as Dr. Mulleneux says, by Athlone^ — and lost not a moment in gathering together the tired men who had accompanied him in the expedition, and knowing that William would adopt every stratagem to prevent his return to the besieged city, he went back to Limerick by Banagher, where he crossed the bridge, one of the arches of which he blew up, in order to stop the pursuit of the English horse, which were close upon him. Nothing could equal the intense joy and satisfac- tion with which the garrison within the walls heard of this signal advantage. According to King Jameses memoirs " the garrison was hugely encouraged^'' — and when Sarsfield safely returned with his brave band of faithful raparees and Dragoons, the rejoicings that ensued chased away every apprehension, and every one felt confident of success in the issue of the siege. William, however, was not to be overthrown by this discomfiture — he always threw heart and soul into the cause he espoused. His constant saying not only at Limerick, but throughout the campaign was, "this is a country worth fighting for," a saying which Cromwell before him is said to have often used. Had James been actuated by a proper spirit at the Boyne, the battle would not have been lost, nor need the unfortunate monarch have made a precipitate flight from Ireland, where the desertion and irregularities of the French under Lauzun, at 1 Captain Eobert Parker says (Memoirs, p. 23) : " The enemy" (the Irish) " having had a particular account of their route, detached Sarstield with a good bodj- of Horse and Dragoons to intercept it ; and he passed the Shannon at Killaloe, came up with the train in the night between the 1 1th and 12th of August, as they lay encamped at Cullen (near Ballyneety) about eleven miles from our camp ; and falling suddenly on them when all were asleep, they burned and destroyed everything that could be of any use to us. They burst the cannon by overloading them, and putting their muzzles in ground, then setting fire to them, they went off without the loss of a man. " This was a well conducted affair," (adds Captain Parker) " and much to Sarsfield's honour" — but he remarks, " had there not been so much cruelty in the execution of it ; for they put man, woman and child to the sword, though there was not much opposition made. However," ex- claims Captain Parker, " we cannot suppose that so gallant a man as Sarsfield certainly was, could be guilty of giving such orders ; it is rather to be presumed that in such a juncture he could not restrain the natural barbarity of his men." ^ The Duke of Berwick, in his memoirs, says that it was this coup that defeated the projectors of the siege. " Limerick was weak of itself and ill fortified — and besieged by the army of the Prince of Oranrje. Limerick being open on several quarters, bore many assaults ; but Count Sarsfield, with a body of six hundred horse and dragoons, having taken and blown up the enemy's artillery, as it was on the road from Kilkenny to their camp before Limerick, the Prince of Orange was forced to raise the siege of that place, after having suffered a considerable loss." — Life of the Duhe ofBenoick, pp. 39, 40. ' Molleneux and Storey fully sustain this account of the magnificent achievement of Sarsfield, and indeed all the writers of the time and since agree in declaring that there never was a nobler or a bolder instance of successful strategy at any period, or under any combination of circum- stances. 234 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. a moment wlien their aid was most essential^ liad been producing their fatal results on the army, and on the councils of all the generals with two excep- tions — viz. Sarsfield and Boisseleau. This achievement at Balljneety was infinitely servicable^ only Major James Fitzgerald and fifteen others were killed by Sir Albert Cuuningham^s Dragoons, in their pursuit of the returning Irish. And here we find a character introduced on the stage who had not made his appearance previously — no less a personage than the celebrated Baldearg O^Donnell, who had made his escape from Spain, contrary to the will of Austria, then in league with England. He having come by a circuitous route by which he was enabled to visit Turkey, and arriving at Kinsale just as James had quitted Ireland for France, thousands of the Irish soldiery thronged around him ; Bishops and Priests hailed his advent with ten thousand welcomes ; he made a pompous entrance into Limerick, where his appearance created a tremendous sensation in favor of the cause among the defenders of the city. There were many prophecies afloat that an " O^DomieU. with a red mark was to be the Liberator of his country — that he was to gain a battle under the walls of Limerick.''^ Here then was Baldearg O^Donnell face to face with the enemy. • On the remarkable day when the disastrous news reached William's camp, an expedition was sent against Castleconnell, that famous old fortress of the powerful De Burgos, which had sustained the national cause through many vicissitudes. The besieged submitted, and to the number of 128 were brought prisoners to William's camp. Castleconnell was retained in the hands of William till the siege was raised, and then it was blown up.^ From the moment when the earth shook beneath the volcano at Bal- Irneety, WilKam well knew that the game was up — that the day was lost. Five days had elapsed before Wihiam or his Generals could make a manoeuvre to repair the injuries which this stunnuig blow had inflicted. The extent of the battery train destroyed by Sarsfield consisted of six 24 and two 18 pounders, with five mortars, 155 waggons of artillery ammuni- tion, 12 carts of biscuit, 18 tin pontoons, 400 draught horses, 100 fully accoutred horses. In the midst of his disasters, WilKam thoughtfally issued a proclamation ordering tithes to be paid to the Protestant clergy, in the north of Ireland. ^ ' Lord Mellfort, King James's Ambassador at Rome, writing to his correspondent, Mr. Nelson, Sept. 9th, 1690, says, " There is new life come amongst the Irishmen upon the arrivall of the old heir of the familj' of Tyrconnell, O'Donald, of whom they pretend or prophecj'- that he is to obtain a victory of the English near Limerick. So far the people are led by this fanc^-, that the very frj'ars, and some of the Bishops, have taken arms to follow him, but I am affrayed that they will forget all when the danger draws near." — Macanm Excidium (O'Callaghan's, p. 430.) Storey saj's, " It's incredible how fast the vulgar Irish flocked to him at his first coming, so that he had got in a small time seven or eight thousand Rapparees, and such like people, together, and begun to make a figure ; but after a while the business cooled, and they Avere wearj' of one another : and he is now only a Colonel in Limerick. They have another prophecy also, that he should come to the field above Cromwell's Fort, where stands an old church, where, on a stone hard by, we should pitch our utmost colours, and afterwards be undone, with a thousand such like fopperies not worth naming." He was called Bealdarrig Rhoe O'Donnell, and was born and educated in Spain. * Dean Storey got a grant of £200 for powder to blow up Castleconnell — a large sum in those times for such a purpose ; and no small portion of which was expended in the Avork of devasta- tion, as the ruins of that proud and magnificent castle show even at this daj' — lying as they do in enormous confused masses strewed about, and covered as they arc with tlie litchen, through which the national shamrock struggles into growtli in perennial beauty, as if vindicating the soil from the pollution with which it was covered by the ruthless savagery of the followers of the Prince of Orange in 1690. 3 Storey. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 235 It was on the 17tli — six days after the glorious acliievement at Balljoieety — that the Williamites began to recover from the crushing blow given by the strong arm of Sarsfield. William was determined to proceed with the siege. He sent to Waterford for another train of artillery, and on the 17th opened the trenches before the city. The high towers were soon levelled to the ground by his great guns — the besiegers who fired into the trenches, took two redoubts and a strong fort, but not without loss, because the garrison disputed every inch of ground with all the valour and resolution imaginable. On the 20th the besieged army made a vigorous sally, which retarded the enemy's works, and were not repulsed until after they had made a regular slaughter of the besiegers, who never ceased all the time throwing red-hot bullets and bombs into the city, a species of missile with which the citizens had been unacquainted, but which did not dishearten them. They had generously resolved to co-operate with the troops, to suffer and die rather than fall into the hands of the cruel and remorseless enemy which approached them. It was now that the troops of William manifested their insatiable hatred. They put nearly every Irishman that came in their way to the sword — others they subjected to torture. William was everywhere. As he was proceeding towards Cromwell's fort, he suddenly stopped his horse to speak to an officer, when a twenty-four pound ball grazed the side of the gap where he was goiug to enter, which certainly must have dashed him to pieces, " had not," says the historian of the campaign, " the commanding God of Heaven prevented it, who still reserves him for greater matters."^ If WilKam had been killed at this spot, as fate was so near having it, the political conse- quences would have been momentous, both in England and Ireland, and the dynasty of the Stuarts might have had a more protracted tenure. Vigorous was the work, energetic and determined the efforts on both sides at this crisis. The Devil's Tower, which ran at right angles from St. John's Gate, and which was mounted with three guns, was put into a state of complete defence by Sarsfield; from this a galling fire was constantly directed against the enemy ; and every attempt on it was met with such tremendous resistance, that there were no means of approaching it. This toAver was very near where the lane to G arryowen now runs by the magnificent Catholic Cathedral of St. John — not far from the Black Battery. Every other portion of the defences was put in order with equal energy and skill. The Citadel, which was close by the same spot within the waUs, on which St. John's Eever Hospital has been since built, and nearly facing Penuywell, was placed in the best condition to resist the besiegers. Horn.' by hour the sappers and miners of WiUiam were pushing their trenches nearer the wall ; but not a moment was lost within the walls in preparations to g-ive such a reception to those without, as the indignation and hatred of citizens suggested and sup- pHed. Let the reader imagine the city as it was at that moment — and as we have already described it — limited in circumference — the principal streets, the Great street of St. Mary's parish — now Nicholas street and Mary street — the streets in John's Parish — Thorn Corr Castle which was yet standing, which had been built over two hundred years before, not by Thomas Kildare as Ferrar ignorantly says, but by Corr, or Currey, surnamed De Balbeyn, a celebrated merchant of Limerick, who bequeathed to the citizens his castle.* 1 " This I saw, being then upon the Fort, as I did that other accident at the Boyne before." — Storey. * 3rd Hen. IV., 28th Mar. 1401. — Thomas Balbeyn, suniamed Cor, senator of Limeric'i, left by will to the commonality of Limerick, the Castle called Thorn Cor which he built in the middle of 236 HISTORY OF LIMERICK- John's Churcli was small — and was tlie only building near the walls in that direction, except the numerous cabins outside in which just before a large thriving population devoted to industry had dwelt, but many of which were now levelled by the Danes, who here as at the Boyne formed a part of William's army, and who delighted in their devilish work, rejoicing when they saw the old forts of their ancestors in the hands of William. The streets ia this quarter were Mungret- street, Palmerstown, and what the French in their maps and plans of the city called " La Haute Rue,''' or the High-street. It is said that the '' Brazen Head" still in John-street, was then built. In St. Mary's parish the principal citizens dwelt — the nobility had their houses in the Great street, in the Island there were several fine resi- dences — a wall surrounded the entire, and from this wall belched forth the the southern suburbs, on this condition, if they should praj' for his soul, and if his brother Henry Balbeyn, of the City of Bristol, should not live at Limerick. Peter Loftus, Mayor, John Budston, John Robert Creagh, Bailiffs. — Arthur J\ISS. Balbeyn, who appears to have incurred the displeasure for a time of Henry IV. was pardoned, and settled down in Limerick. The Arthur MSS. contain a copy of his pardon, an inventory of his goods, his will, &c. His pardon was witnessed by " James Botiller, Count of Ormond, our Justiciary of Ireland, at Waterford, on the second day of July, in the fifth year of our reign. By petition endorsed by the Justiciary, and signed with his seal, and by twenty marks paid in Hanaper." " Everdon." " Sworn and delivered before John Lombard, Secondary Justiciary of our Lord, at the Court of Common Pleas of our Lord the King, assigned to be held at Kilkenny on the sixth da}- of August, in the fifth year of King Henry the Fourth [of that name?] after the conquest of England." By his will among other bequests he gives, as it appears, to his brother Henry Balbeyn, if he shall come here from England, his Castle, which he built in the suburbs of Limerick ; otherwise he wills that the Castle aforesaid revert to the commonality of Limerick, and let them pray for his soul ; he says " I also bequeath to Thomas Ilroose one tenement in the city aforesaid, near the Custom House of the same city, the aforesaid messuage to be had and holden, with its appur- tenances, by the said Thomas, his heirs and assigns for ever ; I also bequeath to Robert Arthur one tenement in the suburbs of the city aforesaid, said tenement with its appurtenances, to be had and holden by the aforesaid Robert, his heirs and assigns for ever ; I also give and bequeath to Nicholas Stretch, my chapel which I built in the southern part of the Church of St Mary by per- mission of the reverend father in (Ihrist, Richard Wale, Bishop of Limerick, the Dean and Chapter of the same, dedicated to St. James, the aforesaid chapel to be had and held with its appurtenances by the said Nicholas, his heirs and assigns for ever. I also give and bequeath to the Vicar of tlie Church of St. Mary my house of residence to be had and held by himself and his successors for ever so that they pray for mj' soul." The following is added : — " This will was proven and enrolled before us, Cornelius, by the Grace of God, Bishop of Limerick, on the first Monday after the Feast of All Saints, 1403, and the administration of all the goods of the said Thomas, deceased, was granted unto the executors sworn in legal form, viz., to make fafthful administration and render account, and to save us from all indemnities as to all things in the said will contained." " David Roche, Mayor ; Thomas Roche, and John Stackpol, Sheriffs of the city of Limerick to all the faithful of Christ, who shall see or hear of the present writing, greeting, eternal salvation in Christ. You well know that we have inspected the will of Thomas Belbeyn, of liappy memory, the tenor of which is as above mentioned ; and at the request of Robert Arthur and Richard Long, citizens of the said city, in order to give faithful testimony to this copy of the aforesaid will we have caused to be attached the seal of our Mayoralty. Given at Limerick on the 26th day of the month of August, a.d. 1499, in the fifteenth year of the reign of King Henry the Seventh." To show how very little Ferrar, on the authority he quotes (Davis MSS.) knew of the builder of Thomcore Castle, or of the facts detailed about him, I quote the following paragraph from Ferrar's History of Limerick, p. 105 : — 1401. Thomas Kildare, Mayor. " This mayor did Thomcore castle free bestow On the corporation, a precedent to shew To his successors ;— none like him we see, 'Tis strange, 'till sixteen hundred, seventy-three. (Thomcore Castle stood where the old market was, in John-street.) There is not a word in Ferrar as to Thomas Cor or Balbeyn or as to the prayers for the soul of the donor, or to one or otlier of the particulars mentioned in his will. It is a question whether it was not after this citizen that Corrj''s or Curry's lane was called — it is near where the Castle stood. It was not Thomas Kildare but Balbeyn that bestowed the Castle on the Corporation. \ HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 237 brazen-throated engines of war on the WilliamiteSj as they were pushing the siege to the most memorable crisis that occurred all through the cam- paign. The shelling was constant and terrible.^ Inside^ nothing daunted, encou- raged rather than dismayed, the defenders redoubled their energies, making good what had been injured, and guided by the ablest engineers, stirred by the example of Sarsfield, and resting faithfully on those ancient prophecies by which even the English were as much as, if not more, influenced than the Irish, who assured themselves of a glorious victory despite of every disad- vantage. Though the Duke of Berwick asserts in his memoirs that the weather was not rainy, we are incHned, however much we respect his tes- timony, to agree with those who state that it was wet during this period of the siege. ^ On the 23rd in the morning one of Galmoy^s troopers went over to Wilham, and brought with him a boy, and four very good horses. About noon two captains, a lieutenant, a priest, and seventy common soldiers of the Irish, were brought in prisoners from Nenagh, whither General Ginkle marched with two thousand horse, six hundred dragoons, a regiment of foot, and two guns, the castle enduring a siege of twenty-four hours, and then surrendered at discretion.^ That afternoon two Frenchmen went over, and brought with them two as good horses as any in their army ; they gave an account that '■'■ the rogues in the city are in a miserable condition for the want of bread and drink, but that meat is plenty among them.''^ That night about seven in the evening, the besiegers played furiously into the town in several places. One shell fell into the great magazine of hay, which was consumed, and several houses were burned, the fire lasting there about six hours ; another set fire to a place near the Church, which was not consumed till five the next morning, and as that was extinguished they fired another place, which was blown up by the besieged. I have shown what has been said by English writers of our countrymen at this extraordinary crisis of their fortunes ; ancientand modern Limerick have suffered equally in their description, yet neither Harris, the biographer of "William, nor Lord Macaulay who dilates upon the "glaring red brick of the houses,^^ and the " showy shops with their shawls and china,'''' could tell the position of the grave of Tyrconnell, whose coffin was concealed beneath the pavement of St. Mary^s until certain repairs of the Cathedral which were executed a few years ago revealed it.^ ' I Lave one of those enormous shells in my possession — it is IS inches in diameter weighs 200 lbs., and is as formidable an engine of destruction as can well be imagined ! 2 We have the fact on the authority of three eye-witnesses — namely, Storey, Molleneux, and Dumont, whose MSS. are quoted by Lord Macaulay, p. 675, vol. 3, in support of it. Mr. Lawless, in his History of Ireland, believes with the Duke of Berwick that it was not rainy during the siege, and that it is a mere pretence and excuse on the part of the Williamite writers when they say that it was. 3 Dean Storey, in reference to this event (Dean Storey's Impartial History of the Affairs of Ireland, p. 127) has the following: — "This afternoon was eightj'-four prisoners brought to the Camp, from a Castle some twelve or fourteen miies off, called Nighacjh Round: these kept out the Castle for twenty-four hours against Major General Ginkell, and his party of about 1500 Horse and Dragoons ; thej' killed us fourteen men ; but seeing two cannon come, and the soldiers very busie in bringing Faggets for a Battery, they submitted to Mercy. Their Commander was one Captain O'Bnjan.'" In the same paragraph he goes on to state that the same " afternoon, also, one of Colonel Leveson's Dragoons was hanged for deserting," and that " in the evening our Bombs and Red-hot balls began to fly, which set part of the Town on Fire, which burnt all that night, destroying a great quantity of Hay, with several Houses. I remember we were all as well pleased to see the Town flaming as could be, which made me reflect on our Profession of Soldiery, not to be over-charg'd with good nature." * Lord Macaulay's Historj- of England, Vol. 3, p. 5 Tradition states that the house in which Tyrconnell lived during his residence in Limerick, 238 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. It is unquestionable, however, that in the face of fortune, regardless of overpowering difficulties, with a King who showed no active sympathies, with soldiers unpaid except in the brass money, £30 worth of which was made to represent at least £1000, officers and men and citizens arose in the emergency with a purpose never surpassed, and stood up so nobly, that until the last moment heroic Limerick and purest patriotism will be ever associated together and honored by all who value greatness struggling against over- powering difficulties. As the shot and shell of the enemy poured in and uprooted the pavement of the streets, multitudes of women and children were provided with a refuge in the Kiug^s Island, which remained in the hands of the defenders, though many fruitless attacks had been made upon it. Tents made up of whatever was available, were pitched where Ireton had been forty years before ; many too found refuge beyond Thomond Bridge. It was here that many of the state records were kept, that the principal judges of the land, including Sir Stephen Eice, Chief Baron of the Exchequer, and one of the Lords Com- missioners of the Treasury, dwelt during the occasion;^ as well as the Arch- bishop of Cashel, and several of the highest personages, civil and ecclesiastical. " Swine herds,'^ " cow boys,'''' " Irish cut throats,''^^ was the common name by which the native Irish were designated; but the epithets were far more applicable to those who so freely used them than to the natives. While the chivalrous Patrick Sarsfield had a command in the cavalry, the already suspected traitor, Henry LuttreU, of whom more hereafter, held the same position, whilst Simon Luttrell, who stood true throughout, held a similar commission, that of Colonel in the Dragoons. There were fifty-three Eegiments of Foot — constituting in all, on their first embodiment, a native force of 40,000 men, capable of holding their ground in any field, against aU odds, as such portions of the army, about 15,000 in number, as were in Lim- erick, proved when it was put upon them to vindicate their race from the calumnies, the reproaches, the insults, and the injuries of which they had been so long the victims. Shot and shell poured into the city from the 17th to the 25th — and the walls which had borne the assault throughout with unexpected strength, were at length beginning to crumble, in some parts, beneath the con- centrated fire of the Wilhamite artillery, which was replied to shot by shot from the citadel and its approaches, and from every other available point. Hunger was now beginning to do its work on the beleaguered garrison. Supplies from Clare, which were frequent in the commencement, were faihng as the siege progressed. The long promised and long expected aid that the and in which tradition also states that he was afterwards " poisoned," (though written and printed authorities state the contrary), was situated near the Church of St. Munchin's, within very few yards of that Church at the Castle-street side of it. "Within the last sixty years the house has been removed, and on a site nearer to the roadway, are houses in which a humble class of persons now dwell. ' He had been a member of the Limerick Corporation ; and it was he who first declared, when a lawyer, that he would drive a coach and six through any act of settlement ! Another of the family was collector at Limerick. Indeed, even at this period, the Eice family was provided for largely by high public employment. Mr. John Rice was at the time collector of Kinsale. County Limerick M.P.''s in James JI.'s Parlicaneni, 7th May, 1G89; — County — Sir John Fitzgerald, Bart. Gerald Fitzgerald, Esq., commonly called Knight of the Glynn. Kilmnlloch — Sir William Hurlj', Bart. John Lacy, Esq. Askenton — John Bourke, Esq., of Cahirmoyle. Edward IJice, Esq. City of Limerick — Nicholas Arthur, Alderman. Thomas Harold, Alderman. Manor and Borough of Rathcormuck, Co. Cork — James Barry, Esq. Edward Powell, Esq. * Memoirs of Ireland, p. 2'2'6. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 239 French fleet, which commanded the seas, shonld have brought, was not appear- ing. A dry crust, a Httle oatmeal, a few beans, were luxuries which at this crisis were all that could be looked for by soldiers who had pledged their lives on the issue. Londonderry has had the annalists of its bitter days of trial; but Limerick, on its own side, has never before had one to tell the story of the daily sufferings of its inhabitants, while they withstood the might of William^s power. The soul of the defenders was Patrick Sarsfield ; he cheered the faint-hearted, infused spirit into, and gave hope to all. His object at this juncture was to give orders to his engineers to have masked batteries placed and mines pre- pared near wherever a breach might be made in the walls, in order if an entry were attempted, that the most destructive agencies should be ready to repel the attack. WhUe the thunders of the Williamite guns Avere thus directed from Singland against the citadel, knocking splinters off the toivers, tearing away the stones, or burying themselves in the circumjacent ground, the sappers within were at their silent and certain work. William it is said lived for some part of the time at New Castle, the ruins of which may be seen within tvro miles of the city, where he kept up a constant succession of drinking parties — a notorious lover of spirits, even the Irish usquebaugh was not an unwelcome beverage to him ! Sarsfield was every where giving further evidence of his mditary genius.' Sacred to every lover of national honor and religion is the spot from which the picked soldiers of William were hurled by the intrepidity of the soldiers and citizens of Limerick. The outside wall of the citadel bears at this moment unmistakeable evidence of a fierce cannonade ; splinters are off, indentations are visible, stones displaced ; everything indicates even at this ' The to^vn gate of the citadel is at present the entrance gate to the yard of St. John's Hospital ; the wall is seven feet thick at this place, and -wall-flowers in season bloom above the gate, and all along the wall until it meets the newly built enclosure of the Hospital on the western side. The country or outer gate of the citadel is the western portion of the Hospital, of which it forms what we may call a wing — and the lower part of the gateway is now used as a store- house for the convenience of the Hospital : the wall is extremely strong, thick, and is fitted with a groove through which the heavy door was raised or let down by chains. The ground in front is considerably raised, and reaches so high as to cover the greater part of the trunk of an old pear tree, which is spoken of as having furnished fruit for King William in. and often for Sarsfield. The remnant of the Black Battery is at the eastern corner of the hospital, and faces Keeper Hill and the old Slieve Phelim mountains in Tipperary. The view from it is really enchanting. A masked batterj', concealed by wool-bags, sand, timber, and whatever was available, was placed at what is now the extreme corner of Curry's Lane, near the same locality, exactly opposite the breach. The ancient wall of the citadel ran several feet out from the present enclosure of the hospital, and is now level with the roadway ; but on the foundations of it skulls and bones were found in abundance on a recent occasion, as laborers were laying down gas-pipes. On the wall of the hospital is an ancient tablet which was picked up from the ruins about, and which was placed in its present position b}-, I believe, W. J. Geary, Esq. M.D,, J.P. when the Fever Hospital was undergoing enlargement. The tablet contains the following legend : — JOHN CEEAGH ILvyob 1st of MAY 1650 DAVID ROCHFORT and JAMES BONFIELD Sheriffs citie freely bestowed [Broken] two hun.lred pounds [Broken] OUTWORKS the ../ 240 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. hour the wonderful efforts that were made to deraoHsh the walls and citadel. We need not say what were the capacity and conduct — what the watchfulness and care of Sarsfield, when the decisive moment was drawing nigh. Whilst the besiegers were pushing on their works with activity^ the besieged were equally wakeful — they not only kept their ground, but they placed their mines within a short distance of the covert- way, where it was almost certain the Williamite grenadiers and Brandenburgers would lodge themselves. There was no sufficient precaution taken by them ; nor was the terrible cannonade of the Williamites able to silence the guns that continued to roar from the old grey walls. As happened before, and will again happen, the engineers of William made a mistake which it was not in their power to remedy : they made their attack at a point which they imagined the weakest, but which in fact was the best covered and the most artfully contrived for defence of any other throughout the walls ; here a mine was made by the du-ection of Sarsfield, who showed in this instance also his able generalship. No less than three hundred shot had been discharged against the walls; but although the trenches were pushed within thirty yards of the ditch, the Wil- Hamites dared not attempt to storm the counterscarp. ^ These three hundred shot^ accompanied by shells and '''carcasses,-'-' at length made a partial breach in the wall near the citadel : which breach may be seen at this moment ; it measures twelve yards— and was loosely buHt up between the first and second sieges under the orders of Sarsfield. AU the stones of the wall, except at the breach, are " grouted" — but the breach is repaired by mortar hastily made of clay. It was at this crisis that the endurance and courage of the soldiers and citizens, the genius and authority of the com- manders were tested to the utmost, and above all, that the admitted and world-renowned courage of the women of Limerick was conspicuous above all that was done by others. The street leading to the citadel is in the same position to-day as it then was, though the houses were fewer in number and did not approach the walls so closely as afterwards and now. On the 26th the Williamites widened the breach which they had made the day before in the wall of the town, and beat down part of the Irish palli- sados on the counterscarp. That night they set fire to the town again, which burnt very vehemently. Captain Peter Drake, of Drakerath, in the county of Meath, who was in Limerick during the siege, has mentioned in connection with the battery and bombardment of the city, by the formidable artillery of William — a curious instance of the interposition of Divine Providence in his behalf, by which he adds, " I have been so often times rescued from calamity and the jaws of death. "There was," he says "between our house and the town wall a large building. The besiegers ordered two pieces of ordnance to be levelled at this building, and several shots passed through and hit at the gable end, within which was the apartment wherein I slept, with one Captain Plunkett, of my lord Gormansto-mi's regiment ; this gentleman was to mount guard that day, and going out early left me a-bed. About two hours after I went out to one of the servants to get me a clean shirt, and before I had time to return, a ball had beat down the waU, a great ' " But notwithstanding all the opposition which the besieged were able to make, the enem j had finished their battery of thirtj" pieces of cannon on the 24th, and in two days more had advanced their trenches within thirty paces of the ditch ; there was at this time a great breach in the wall, near St. John's Gate, and part of the palisadoes beaten down by the Counterscarp, &c." — Kirtff Jamet's Memoirs, ^x. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 24<1 part of whicti had fallen on, and demolished the bed. It then passed through my father's bed-chamber, broke the posts of the bed where he and my mother were asleep, but thank heaven, had no more effect than putting the family in a consternation.'^^ A deserter gave them an account, " that Colonel Dddrington, Colonel Garret Moore, Sir Maurice Eustace, and Colonel Lutterel were killed in the sally.'' Eustace was not killed ; and it is equally certain that Colonel Henry Lutterel was not killed then or during the war; but that he did meet a violent death, in the streets of Dublin, some years afterwards, will appear hereafter. King William was everywhere at this particular juncture : balls and shot flying about him, he braved danger defiantly, and seemed to value life far less than success in those efforts, the issue of which he looked forward to as the means of affording him a more secure footing than he had hitherto possessed. Harris says^ that the engineers assured King William that the breach was sufficiently large, but '^could not be enlarged for want of bullets.'" The walls, therefore, which at first could be taken, according to Lauzun, with roasted apples, gave way but a few yards in breadth before the fire that had been so long poured upon them. William complained bitterly of his men.^ The breach not being sufficiently wide to admit a formidable body of assail- ants — and it was by mines, according to Harris,* that William had resolved to take the city — counter-mining as a consequence became absolutely neces- sary with Sarsfield, who, always wakeful and wary, was thoroughly acquainted with the stratagetic movements and proceedings of the enemy. Everywhere didhemeet them with a ready wit and genius, which even his foes freely acknow- ledged wherever they spoke or wrote of his military abihty. All the night of the 26th, within the wails, was occupied hour by hour, in making preparations for the eventful morrow. The masked battery which had been so well planned at the corner of Curry's Lane, was contrived to deceive the vigilant and cautious engineers of William, who did not dream that death-dealing missiles or gaping guns were concealed within. A formidable mine also was run underneath the Black Battery, which was reserved for a duty which it soon afterwards performed against theBrandenburgh Eegiment. It had beenresolved long before this to remove all the women and children from the city ; but even the adverse historians avow that very large numbers of women could not be induced to abandon the post of danger. Attached to the sacred cause, and maddened with rage against the invaders, they mingled with hus- bands, sons, and brothers, in the streets. They appeared on the walls during the hottest cannonade; they supplied the gunners with ammunition; they attended the sick; removed the disabled; bound up the hmbs of the wounded. The duty in which they were engaged was the most delightfid that could devolve upon them, and they went through it with extraordinary spirit and devotion. ' Macarise Escidium. 2 Harris's Life of William III., p. 288. 3 For instance, when " Manus O'Brien, a substantial country gentleman, came to the Camp, and gave notice that Sarsfield had passed the Shannon in the night at Killaloe, with a body of five or six hundred Horse and Dragoons, and designed something extraordinary, though several concurring circumstances, and Sarsfield's activity and resolution, which fitted him for any gallant enterprise, rendered O'Brien's story at least probable, yet little regard was paid to it at first ; and a great officer, instead of enquiring particularly into the matter, interrogated O'Brien concerning a prey of Cattle in the neighbourhood, of which he complained, saying, " He was sorry to sea General Officers mind Cattle more than the King's Honour ; (Harris's Life of William III. p. 286) and it was not until he was brought before the King, that His Majesty ordered Sir John Lanier, with 500 horse, after much delay and confusion, to meet the train.'' These, and similar circumstances, weighed so heavily on William, that he had not confidence in his officers. * Harris's Life of WilHajn III. p. 287. 17 242 HISTOKY OF LIMEIIICK. Like tlie matrons of Sparta, they infused life into the drooping spirits of those ■who fought for their country — and in tones not to be misunderstood, conjured them to make ramparts of their bodies rather than return from the walls, except amid shouts of victory ! The morning of the 27th of August dawned cloudily ; a mist was dense on Keeper Hill and on Cratloe Woods ; ram had fallen in abundance during the previous night — the ground near the camp was almost untenable from the water. i Lord Macaulay^ admits that all about the city at this period was a swamp — the view from the towers of St. Mary's, he says, did not stretch over smiling meadows and waving fields of corn — all was bog and water. Between Newcastle and Smgland there was a marsh, whilst between Groody and the river, it was impossible to make an approach by infantry or cavalry, owing to the swampy nature of the ground. Monabraher, or the Friar's Bog, was "beyond the water, and it was well nigh impassable. Within the walls all night, there was deep silence alhed to the most resolute and sleepless determination and activity on the part of soldiers and citizens. And now came the eventful moment of the attack, as day broke through the thick rain which continued to fall. The attack was com- menced, according to Storey^ by a detachment of nme companies of Grenadiers, supported by a hundred French (Huguenot) officers and volunteers. The Grenadiers were armed with hand-grenades, which they cast away from them mth tremendous velocity, hideously shouting m the jargon of their country. The bells with which their waist belts were furnished made a tmkhng, clanking noise, such as may be imagined from the jarring and jingling of so many of them together as the men leaped and ran in hot haste to the covered way and the two forts near John's Gate, which they were ordered to occupy. A hand to hand, desperate encounter now took j)lace between the assailants and defenders at this point; but such were the numbers, the violence, the strength, and impetuosity of the Grenadiers and theii- supporters that the soldiers of the Irish army gave way ! Here too, the tact and foresight of Sarsfield were manifest. Had not the Irish given way and retreated when they found it unpossible wholly to repel the assault, they would have permitted the Williamites to make a lodgement at this important pomt— and nothing coidd have prevented its permanent occupation by the enemy in that event, and most likely the reduction of the city within a much shorter time than even William anticipated, flushed as he already was with the assured hope of complete success. Such at least was the thought that possessed the souls of the grim Grenadiers, and the fierce Huguenots at tliis moment. "The Grenadiers," says Dr. Molleneux,* " were seconded by other detachments, who went on with that heat and courage, that having gained the coimterscarp, and a fort which the Irish had under the walls, they, instead of lodgmg them- selves there, as they were ordered to do, and not to advance any further, mounted the counterscarp, following the Irish that fled that way, but these being entrenched behind the breach and having planted cannon against it," (this was the masked battery at Curry's Lane) " they were cut off" ! It must be added, that the moment the retreat of the Irish soldiery was dis- cerned by their comrades in the streets, and above all by the women, it is impossible to describe the sudden, overwhelming reaction which at once took place. Every feeling that could arm citizens and soldiers, with vengeance, « So at least, eay the Williamite historians. 8 History of England, Vol. III. p. 287. 3 Storey's Continuation. 4 Dt. MoUoueux's Diary of the Siege of Limerick, p. 2(j. niSTOllY OF LIMERICK. 243 and brave^ defiant^ death-scorning women^ was aroused within their souls. Grenades flew thick and heavy about them_, shot and shell swept the walls, but they faltered not; the Grenadiers followed now by several detachments, were fighting within the very streets. John Street, Broad Street, Mungret Street, every street of the Irishtown down to Ball''s Bridge, were crowded with those detested freebooters and vagabonds — the ruffian rabble soldiers of the bloody-minded contriver of the massacre of Glencoe ! Burning with insatiable revenge, the women, forgetting their nature, called aloud on hus- bands, sons, and brothers to rally — and showed the example themselves. The ranks that had been broken were re-formed in order to beat back with irresistible force the tide of sanguinary foreign cut-throats which poured across the walls, and which even the battery above referred to was not able sufficiently to resist, though it continued to make lanes in the legions of the Dutchmen and to strew the pavement with their bodies. The brave Wau- chop, a Scotch officer of considerable ability, commanded seventeen hundred Irish soldiers chosen for the duty. The contest was the fiercest ever yet remembered. The fight raged, the women, in front and centre urged on the soldiers by word and example. Half the Earl of Drogheda^s Gren- adiers were actually on the rampart, says Harris,' while others, still more eager, pushed into the very town. Captain Cadogan, of William's army, raised his |sword in triumph as his men were on the breach. Sarsfield, hon-like, went through the streets, ascended the walls— was everywhere. By an exhi- bition of personal courage and daring never yet surpassed, he proclaimed aloud the imperative duty which every Irishman owed to his country in the crisis. 2 Elated with this success the Irish ventured again upon the breach, and the resolution of the women was so great, they pelted the besiegers with stones, and so inspired the men by their example, that after three hours unequal fighting, the Williamites were forced to retire to their trenches. In the assault the besieged used whatever weapons came first to hand — stones not the least useful. Dr. Davies, Dean of Cork, then present in WiUiam's army, states in his journal, 27th August, 1690 — after describing the assault he says : — " It was a very hot service, both great and small shot firing continually on both sides — we lost many men, and had more wounded, and of them the Lord Charlemont was bruised with stones. The Earl of Meath was bruised with a stone on the shoulder, &c. &c."^ Here the fact is proclaimed, trumpet-tongued to the entire world, that it was the heroines of Limerick who nobly repelled the savage invaders, that endeavoured to obtain a firm footing within the walls ! Let us picture to ourselves the heterogeneous battalions of William bristhng with all the latest apphances and weapons of aggressive war-^^ — stung by the miseries of a protracted siege ; resolved on " death or glory'' — making their way blindly over the counter- scarp, through the breach, enfiladed by the fire from the ambuscade, from which the Irish soldiers had not been driven at any time — like famished wolves, hungry for their prey — and at length, within the precincts 1 Harris's Life of William III. p. 288. 2 Harris tells us, " This action would have been decisive had the Engineers made a lodgement in time, or the Counts Zolmes and Nassau suffered the detachment, appointed to second the Grenadiers, to advance beyond the counterscarp. For the Irish weie vunning over the walls over the Bridge into the English Town ; but observing that few of the English had entered the town, thej' rallied and killed many of them," ' See Camden Society's Publications. 244 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. of tlie coveted city, the capture of whicli was to place the crown per- manently on the head of William, who in person commanded the besieg- ing host ! Picture the garrison — worn out by constant watching — j^inched by irremediable hunger — the victim to every species of privation; subject to treachery within — swayed, however, by the never flinching courage of Sars- field, and holding out against all odds ! Imagine the wan and wasted figures of those maids and matrons who, forgetful of the gentler influences which reign predominant in the female breast, lost for the moment the amenities of their natiu-e, wild with the excitement of battle — and nerving their arms to hurl death on the heads of the most odious foemen that ever challenged an oppressed and outraged people to combat. On, on the crowds rushed from every contiguous lane and alley — from Palmerstown, from Mungret Lane, from Curry's Lane, across Baud's Bridge from all the streets and lanes ; from Emly Lane, Barrack Street, Tumbling Lane, &c. of the English town, which had never, even in Ireton''s cruel time, been witness to a scene so bloody and so awful as that which was enacted on the ever memorable evening of the 27th of August, 1690. Creagh Lane, Fish Lane, and Churchyard Lane ; the " Great Street,^'' and every other street, gave out their crowds of enraged heroines, who, armed with whatever weapon fury supphed, swelled the ranks of the Irish soldiers, who now fully restored to nerve and vigour, and with the cry, which in a few years, after- wards, made the English pale in the fields of Fontenoy and Cremona, of Steenkirke and Dettingen they drove terror into the coward hearts of the retreating Dutchmen, Huguenots, and Danes, as they endeavoured to run from the streets over the walls, through the breach back to their trenches ! Broken bottles was a favorite weapon with the women. But few, compara- tively few of William's army lived to make their escape from the city. — Wniiam, all the time, was viewing from Cromwell^s fort, the events of that to him, most disastrous evening ! The afternoon had cleared up ; the sun, in the west, invested with a crimson glory, gave a deUghtful tinge to the foliage of the old woods of Cratloe. The scene beyond the city was one calculated to challenge the admiration of the painter, whilst the ruin and havoc of war blended with those elements of tranquil rural attract- iveness which nature profusely shed over the more distant outlines of the landscape, constituting a picture to which Claude Lorraine only could do justice. A shout of victory arose from the besieged, as they hurled from the walls the last remnant of the beaten Dutch battalions. But there was more yet to be done. Those mines which Sarsfield had planned had not as yet been set to work — but the opportunity was speedily to arrive ! Dr. MoUeneux says that^Hhey sprung a mine in the Ditch with but little efiect." Dean Storey does not say a syllable about the Ditch or anywhere else. — * Harris more truthful — tells us, that " during the heat of the engagement a detachment of the Brandenburgh regiment got on the enemy's Black Battery, the powder by accident took fire, and blew up numbers.'"'^ No. There was no accident: It was all intended in the well-weighed and artistically planned calculations of Sarsfield. Molleneux admits that there was a " mine in the ditch :" no doubt of it ; and there were mines, in numbers, wherever it was imagined that one could be of use.^ > Storjs Ibid. » Harris's Life of Willi;im III., p. 288. 3 Kapin, who was with King William at the siege a&d was wounded, gives a most favorable HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 245 Attached to the fortunes of "William, whose countrymen the soldiers of the Brandenburgh regiment were, they attempted what no other regiment dreamt of effecting. Lite a cloud of vultures they swarmed about the Black Battery, little dreaming of the volcano that slumbered beneath their feet: They were allowed to crowd in all their strength on the walls, and well- nigh to dream that they might win back what had gone so far against them, when, in an instant, the ground beneath their feet began to rock and to tremble — ^to sway to this side and to that — to form chasms into whose widen- ing jaws many a Brandenburgian fell helplessly — never to see daylight more — and at length, with a terrific outburst of all the explosive elements that were concealed within the chamber of the mine, to blow high into the air, amid the sunset of that glorious evening, the ruthless barbarians whose very name smelt horribly in the nostrils of the people ! " When our men drew off (says Dean Storey), ^ some were brought up dead, and some without a leg ; others wanted arms, and some were blind with powder ; especially many of the poor Brandenburghers looked like furies with the misfortune of gunpowder ; one Mv. Upton got into the town among the Irish, and surren- dered himself to the governor. Bedloe, a deserter fi'om the Irish army, in which he was a captain, went over to William, and obtained equal rank in that army .■'^2 This event has been so often and so variously told — it has been the theme of so many a pen, and so long the boast of Limerick, that to dwell longer on it would seem supererogatory. But too mnch can- not be said of an event which had so decisive an effect on the determination of William that he saw in an instant the game was up. That night he slept uneasily on his piUow at Singland. Dreams disturbed his soul — he had not retired before he drenched himseK thoroughly with those strong drinks which he loved so dearly. He cursed the fate wliich brought him to Limer- ick to witness a defeat unparalleled in the annals of warfare. None of his generals dare approach him — tortured and maddened he cast blame on all about him — and as he weighed the advantages of the Boyne with the losses and disgrace at Limerick, he groaned in spirit. It was a splendid victory.' picture of the siege, but also says the action would have been decisive if Counts Somes and Nassau would have suffered the detachment, that was to second the Grenadiers, to go farther than the counterscarp. Storey, too, admits the truth. " The Irish then ventured upon the Breach again, and from the walls and every place so pestered us upon the counterscarp, that after nigh three hours' resisting, bullets, stones, (broken bottles from the very women, who boldl}- stood in the breach, and were nearer our men than their own) and whatever ways could be thought on to destroy us, our ammunition being spent, it was judged safest to return to our trenches." — Bean Storey's Impartial History of the A fairs of Ireland, p. 129. He adds, " that the Danes were not idle all this while, but fired upon the enemy with all imaginable fury, and had several killed ; but the mischief was, we had but one breach, and all towards the left it was impossible to get into the town when the gates were shut, if there had been no enemy to oppose us, without a great many scaling ladders, which we had not. From half-an-hour after three till near seven, there was one continued fire of both great and small shot, without any intermission; insomuch that the smoke that went from the town reached in one, continued cloud to the top of a mountain at least six miles off." This was Keeper Hill. ' Dean Storey's Impartial History of the Affairs of Ireland, p. 130. 2 i\,[± • Dalrymple (Memoirs, Vol. I. p. 503) says " that the inhabitants of Limerick, eager to give that defeat to King William which those of Londonderry had given to King James, animated the garrison. Even the women, from the same emulation, filled the places which the soldiers had quitted. The garrison rallied, more troops poured into the town from the country behind ; and after a dispute of three hours, William was obliged to desist, with the loss of 500 of his English troops killed, and 1000 wounded, besides the loss of the foreigners, which was probably 80 great, because in the attack they were equal in numbers to the English. He raised the siege soon after, and the same day set off for England, leaving Count Solmes to command the army. But Solmes leaving it likewise soon after, General Ginkle, a Dutchman, was put in his place." 246 niSTORY OF LIMERICK. Meetings were held within the walls, and in the camp of the enemy on the following morning, which broke over a scene as terrible and as bloody, as ever battle-field exhibited after fierce contention in the deadly struggle. The streets were flowmg with blood — the blood of friends and foes — ^the latter greatly predommating. The uniforms of the Brandenburghers and of Dro- gheda''s horse were easily discernible among the heaps of slain that made a mount in John-street, and np from Ball's Bridge to the very mouth of the breach. About the Devi?s Tower, too, there was an awful appearance of carnage — here many a Dutchman was made to bite the dust in unavailing agony, as he strove to master a position which defied the united strength of William's trained and weU-equipped veterans. In several other places about the walls, the helmets of horsemen and the curiously formed hats of infantry, all headless, showed that their owners were sleeping the long sleep from which there is no waking ; and, as the event proved, the killed, miss- ing, and wounded of the enemy numbered some thousands, though Storey, and his copyist in this respect, Harris, are unwilling to admit that they amounted to more than eighteen hundred !^ Not a few of the fair forms of those heroines to whom all William's historians attribute the success of the repulse, lay stretched in death, their pure features smiluig in the rigid still- ness of the grave, on the victory which they had aided in winning. Wives looked among the slain for husbands and sons ; and as they found them, the salvoes of triumph which thundered from the Avails, were mingled with the heart-piercing wail of sorrow, which ascended from the voices of those who were deprived by the ruthless invader of the prop and stay of many a cheerful homestead, before the hour that William appeared before those walls, which not only roasted apples did not take, but which stood firm against the 1 A more absurd untruth never was uttered, when the fact is admitted by Storey and Harris, that no less than nearly two thousand men were killed, or placed beyond harm's reach, during the attempt to storm the citj*. The official return between killed and wounded, as given in Appendix LI., p. Ixix., Harris's Life of Wm. IH., is as follows : — A List of the Slain and Wounded in the Attach made on Limerick on the 2Gth of August, 1690, trans- mitted hy the Secretary at War to the Earl of Nottingham : — Regiments. Field Officers Field Officers 9 —■ "a a .g'S 3's s ^ -S5 M Si .2 o tn -3 l-t G> T3 C killed. wounded. 6-^ a o ^^ ^1 .?^^ 5-^ ^1 Second Battalion of Guards 5 4 8 42 148 Third Battalion of Guards 2 1 10 31 Belcastles's Lt. Col. ... 4 2 7 3 8 27 60 Cambon's ... Col. and 3 10 2 10 10 63 Stuart's ... Major. Colonel 2 7 1 5 ... 2 44 96 Cutt's ... Lt. Col. 1 3 4 1 ... 4G 74 Douglass's Major Major. 6 1 5 2 2 30 146 Lisburne's ... ... ... ... 2 2 ... o 1 1 28 62 Mealh's ... ... 2 1 4 1 2 29 101 Danes. Guards, and Hanmer's) Grenadiers ... J Colonel 3 Majors 8 1 5 ... G 135 280 Gustavus Hamilton's Grenadiers ... 1 5 15 Drogheda's Grenadiers 1 ... 8 18 Mitchelburne's Grenadiers ... 1 G 40 9 47 10 34 1 414 23 1117 3 9 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 247 cannon shot and scientific engineering of the most accomplished artdlensts in Europe at the tune ! Molleneux, with a judicious eye to the consequences, tells the world that but 700 were killed on his side^ "since the beginning of the siege !" King William took a view of the havoc that was made,, and sighed as he beheld the effects of that power which is stronger than fire — the power^ of freemen fighting against slavery — ^for a cause immeasurably dearer than life. Kii-k's regiment acted throughout "nith their usual savagery.^ A Council of War being called, where, as is said, the following reasons among others being urged," WiUiam thought fit to give the order for raising the siege :' — First, "That the rain that had fallen, and in all jorobabllit^ vms llhely to fall, would in a httle time so moisten the ground about Lymerick, that it would be impossible to di-aw off the cannon and heavy baggage. _ . Secondlj/, " That the river Shannon began so to sioell, that if they did not suddenly pass the same, the communication with the other part of the army would be cut off. Thirdly, " The loatery season woidd tmdouhtedly bring the country distem/per an our army, and so more dye of it than by the hand of the enemy ; in the same manner they did the last campaign of Dundalk. Fourthly, " That the garrison of Lymerick being very mmerous,^ if they abide any assault (which on account of the weather must be made with great disadvantage), we should lose a great many men." The soldiers were in hopes that William woidd give orders^ for a second attack, and seemed resolved to have the city, or lose all their lives ; but tliis was too great a risk to run at one place ; and they did not know how his ammunition was gone, especially by the former day's work. They continued however their batteries ; and then a storm of rain and other bad weather began to threaten, which fell on Friday the 29th in good earnest ; upon which Wniiam calhng another Council of War, concluded the safest way was to quit the siege, without which they could not have secui-ed their heavy cannon, which they drew off from the batteries by degrees, and found much difficulty in marching them five miles next day. Sunday the last of August, all the army drew off; most of the Protestants that lived in that part of the country taking the opportunity of removing further from Limerick with the army ; and " would rather leave theii- estates and aU their substance in the enemies' hands, than trust their persons any more in theh power."" Harris, too, speaks of the wet season and a scarcity of ammunition, as the occasion of the raising of the siege. The heavy baggage and cannon were sent off, and the next day the army decamped, and marched towards Clonmel._ The apo- logists of WiUiam have endeavoui-ed to throw the cause of the failure on the weather, not on the bravery of the soldiers, citizens and women of Limerick. The Duke of Berwick m his memoirs states that the enemy lost_ two thousand men in the assault. There were ten thousand of William's picked soldiers, includmg the Brandenburghers, the Danes, &c. engaged in it ; because • Molleneux'3 Diary of the Siege of Limerick, p. 26. 2 Kirk's cruelty was proverbiaL His soldiers were called Kirk's Lambs— he had been engaged in long and sanguinary wars in Africa ; and his soldiers were ever ready to execute his bloody orders. Graham in his History of Ireland states that Kirk's regiment— the 2nd regiment of foot— had the device of a lamb, which it bears to this day, and that the soldiers were called lambs long before the period in question. « Storey, * This is a calumny of the Williamite writers. 248 HISTOliY OF LIMERICIC. according to Dalrymple^ William, in coming to Ireland, did not repose faith in Ms English soldiers to fight against King James, and hence he supplied his army with an enormous number of Danes, who Storey says, " looked lusty fellows,^'' — Braudenburghers, and mercenaries who were ready to enlist for the highest pay, and fight against the liberties of a nation with which they had no sympathy.' Brigadier Talbot displayed great courage and address in the assistance he gave Sarsfield in repelling the assault. Though it is stated by Storey that houses were set on fire, and tremendous damage done to the city during the siege, nevertheless, from the examination of John Eider, referred to in O^Callaghan's Macarise Excidium, " there were but few houses and a little hay demolished in Lymerick during the siege, they,''' adds he, " having covered their hay with raw hides.''' Eider bore arms in the city during the siege. Harris, the historian of Wilham, is candid enough to add to the numbers given by the Duke of BerAvick, and to say, that on that eventful 20th of August, 1690, there were twelve field officers, 46 captains, 100 subalterns, and 1531 soldiers of WiUiam's army killed and wounded !^ There never yet was a more signal or a more glorious victory on the part of the Irish. A ray of hope appeared to dissipate the deadly gloom that ' Dalrymple (Memoirs, p. 474) says, " The forces which sailed -^vith William, or joined him in Ireland, amounted to 66,000 men. I3ut distrusting English soldiers to fight against one who had been lately King of England, he took care that more than one-half of his army should con- sist of foreigners. For he had 10,000 Danes, 7,000 Dutch and Brandenburghers, and 2,000 French Protestant Eefugees, and superiority in general officers, three-fourths of whom had been foreigners or Dutch officers, was still greater. He carried with him the Prince of Denmark, mor from a fear of leaving him behind, and to lessen the odium of going to fight against his wife's father, by dividing that odium, than to do honour to the prince, (^Duchess of Marlborough') whom he would not permit to go in a coach with him. For a similar precaution he carried with him a number of English nobility and men of fashion as volunteers, or rather as hostages. But Claren- don's son. Lord Canterbury, who was in the Prince of Denmark's service, refused to attend his master, (C?a»'e«(?o«'s Z'ia?'!/) under pretence that he could not with honour serve in a country , where he must have run to see that Regiment which the King had taken from him, commanded by another ; but in reality to expose the King for not showing that delicacy to James, which he, who was more distantly allied to him, seemed to feel. But though the Duke of Ormond had the same excuse of honour, to plead from the station of his former Regiment, he attended the King, perhaps to conceal the defection which he already meditated.'' 2 Dean Storey (Impartial History of the Affairs of Ireland, pp. 129-130) estimates the killed at 500, and the wounded at 1000, and gives the following list of the officers killed and wounded at he attack, in the five English Regiments that were on duty, as it was taken exactly the next day : In Lieut.-General Douglas's Regiment. Wounded. Sir Charles Fielding. Captain Rose, mortally wounded. Captain Guy. Captain Trevor. Captain Rose, junior. Captain Wainsborough. Lieut. Wild, mortally wounded. Lieiitenant Wybrants. Lieutenant Lacock. Lieutenant Rapine. Lieutenant Loyd. Ensign Goodwin. Ensign Burk. KilVd. Blajor Ilumhleton. Lieutenant Ennis. Lieutenant Morrison. Ensign Tapp. Ensign Fuisent. In Colonel Cutts' Regiment. Wounded. Colonel Cutts. Captain Newton. Captain Foxon. Captain 31asham Lieutenant Lewis. Lieutenant Barrock. Lieutenant Cary. Lieutenant Trenchard. The Adjutant. Mr. Haws, a Volunteer. Kill'd. Captain Hudson. Ensign Mead. In the Earl of Meath's Regiment. Wounded. The Earl of Meoth. Lieut. -Colonel Xewcomb, mortally wounded. Lieutenant Blakency. Lieutenant Hubbleihorn. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 249 hung upon the fortunes of Ireland; and the name of Sarsfield became synonymous with everything that was agreeable to the heart of the nation.* De Burgho relates that WiUiam, in his haste to decamp^ left a vast number of men sick and disabled in hospital. He was asked by such of the generals as dared to approach him, what was to be done with the sick and wounded. De Burgho gives the reply — with fury in his eyes, and rage consuming him, roaring out, he said, " Let them be burned,^" — " let them be set fire to f^ and forthwith the hospital was enveloped in flames. Lieutenant Latham. Ensign Smith. Killed. In Brigadier Stuart's Eegimeni. Wounded. Brigadier Stuart. Major Cornwall. Captain Pallfery. Captain Galbreth. Captain Stuart. Captain Casseen. Lieutenant Stuart. Lieutenant Cornwall. Lieutenant Carey. Ensign Stuart. • The follo-sving verses by Thomas Stanley Tracey, Esq., A.B., Sch. T.C.D., contain an allusion to the locality, as well as to the principal events of the Siege : — SAESFIELD'S DEFENCE OF LIMERICK. Kill'd. Captain Lindon. Captain Farlow. Lieutenant Russell. In my Lord Lisburn'a Regiment. Wounded. Major Allen. Captain Adair. Captain Holdrich. Captain Huhhart. Lieutenant Hillion. Lieutenant Goodwin. Ensign Hook. Kiltd. Captain Wallace. Captain West. Ensign Ogle. There's a deathless tree on the ancient lines Where the old Black Battery stood ; With leaves still bright as the fame of the fight That dyed them once in blood. The heroes are dead, but the tree still lives ; And still, as the night-wind grieves, Immortal memories wake again, That slept beneath its leaves. And warriors' ghosts from the battered walls Cry forth in Fancy's ear — For ever curs'd be these foreign dogs. What demon brought them here ? But we drove them out in the olden time, And we'll drive them out again ; Listen to how your father's fought When Sarsfield led our men. The blood rushed back to many a heart On that eventful day ; When Sarsfield from the hills returned, — The lion from his prey ; Little the slumbering foe had dreamed The Shannon's fords were passed, — But bloodhounds staunch were Sarsfield'a dogs. And dragged them down at last. Quick as the lightning flash reveals The ravage of the storm. His eye had scanned the patriot band. And seen their ranks reform ; — " Now pay them back, my boys," he cried, " In honest Irish coin. The long-due debt that Ireland owes These braggarts of the Boyne ! I " Sword, shot, and shell are best to tell The wrongs of injured men — No craven King, no traitor friends. Shall spoil our sport again ; — Up with your strong and bloody hands, O'Brien and O'Neill, And dig the graves of these foreign slaves With a shower of Irish hail." A thousand iron mouths of death Their fierce replies combined, — And the stormers reeled from the fiery breach Like chaff before the wind ; To the trenches driven, with ranks all riven, In'the sweep of that deadly shower, — Sarsfield hath wished on a foreign field, He had died in that glorious hour. The green flag streamed, the death-shower teemed, — The fatal bridge was passed ; There was hardly one in that fierce sortie But had crossed it for the last : Red ran the flood with women's blood. Who fought with Limerick's sons. Their glorious names shall never die, While ever that river runs. Three times the furious foe came on,— But met and beaten still, Their souls went down to their last parade, With their friends of Keeper Hill. The sun set on two bleeding hosts. And red with a soldier's shame, KtSG William with two thousand ghosts. Left Limerick to its fame ! 2 De Burgho's Hibernia Dominicana. 250 HISTORY OF LIMERICK- The citizens and garrison treated such Protestants as remained within the wallsj after the discomfiture of William, with consideration and clemency ; they permitted them to betake themselves, in such numbers as they chose, to such places outside as they might select for their residences. The want of provisions within the city, the enormous rates which were charged for the ordinary necessaries of life, and the absence of supplies commensurate with the wants of the garrison and of the citizens, rendered it essential that the number inside should be reduced as much as possible, and for this reason, if for no other, the Protestants were allowed to depart. The money in circu- lation was the inferior brass or gun money of James ; and £10 in that coin was the cost of a barrel of wheat ; £9 a barrel of malt ; £3 a quart of brandy ; 2s. 6d. a quart of ale ; salt £1 per quart ; 30s. a pau' for men's shoes ; and everything else in proportion. ^ Storey admits that things were not so bad as they were reported ; but that they were bad enough is mdis- putable. During the time he spent in camp before Limerick, William fared right well.* About the fourteenth of September, Sarsfield, with a part of the Irish army, marched over the Shannon at Banagher bridge, and besieged the castle of Bhr — the marks of the balls may yet be seen in the castle of that town — which was ably defended by a company of Colonel Tiffin^s foot. But Major General Kirk marching towards it with a party of William's army, Sarsiield raised the siege and marched off.^ Count Solmes, who commanded in chief, was in Cashel at this time, where he received a letter by a trumpeter from the Duke of Berwick, then at Lim- erick, complaining that they had heard of a design of William, to transport the prisoners who had been taken at several places, to become slaves in the foreign plantations ; and withal, threatening them with the French galleys. This was said to be a feint or stratagem of the Irish oflicers, to prevent their soldiers deserting, making them believe there was a contract to sell them all to Mons. Perara a Jew for so much bread. Count Solmes sent a reply to the Duke's letter, in which he denied the allegation, but threatened repri- sals if wrong were done to the prisoners in the hands of the Irish. Soon after this Solmes went to England, and Ginkle was made Lieutenant-General, and Commander-in-Chief of the army, who went to his head quarters at Kilkenny. During these events the castle of Nenagh was taken, and the town set on fire, notwithstanding a determined resistance on the part of the defenders and the people. Diu'ing the siege Colonel Evans commanded the County of Limerick regiment of militia, and his Ufe was saved by the merest accident. ' Storey's Impartial History, 2 Thorpe's Catalogue of the Souihcell MSS. (page 513) gives a curious letter said to have been written by one Captain Robert Taylor, and dated August 20, 1690, which tells what sort was the bill of fare which William was presented withal by the gallant Captain, and which was " all that this poor country can afford, and all that is left worth his Majestj-'s eating." Taylor doubtless had a keen eye to his own interests ; but we are strongly of opinion that no French cuisinier could provide a daintier feast for Royaltj' than did Captain Taylor, under the circum- stances, provide for William 111. while he lay before Limerick. Here is the letter : — Letter of Captain Robert Taylor, August 20th, who sends to the Camp near Limerick, " all that this poor country can afford, and all that is left worth his Majesty's eating." The Captain and his wife appear to have been a most loyal pair ; the viands they sent for the King's table were " one veale, 10 fatte weathers, 12 chickinges, 2 dussen of fresh butter, a thick cheese and a thinn one ; 10 loaves of bread, a dussen and a half of pidgeons ; 12 bottles of ale, halfe a barrelle of small ale, some Kidnie beanes." 3 Cooke's History of Farsonstown gives a very good account of this siege. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 251 A rapid retreat was now tlie order of. the day with WiUiam. On Sunday the 81st of August, his soldiers decamped,, blowing up a quantity of bombs and hand-grenades, which they could not carry with them ; the next day he remained at Cahirconlish, and thence onwards to Waterford where he took shipping for England. IMeantime Boisseleau gave vent to his feelings of jealousy by prophesying that when next WiUiam attacked Limerick he would be successful ! CHAPTER XXXIV. EFFECT OF THE DEFEAT AT LIMEEICK ON WILLIAM. — EFFORTS TO EEPAIIl HIS LOSSES. RENEWED EXERTIONS OF THE DEFENDERS. ANOTHER MILITARY EXPEDITION SENT TO IRELAND. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS. THE CAJIPAIGN OF 1691. LIMERICK AGAIN BESIEGED. THE SURRENDER. THE TREATY. Ha\t:ng lost his hold on the country worth fighting for, William did not despair. He knew the agencies which were at work in every direction. Vacillation and treachery, he was conscious, would effect more for his purpose than great guns and the sword. On these, however, he placed no small share of reliance. He at once dispatched a powerful armed force to Ireland, including his own regiment of Eusileers, Brigadier Trelawney's, Princess Anne's, Colonel Hastings', Colonel Hale's, Sir David Collier's, Colonel Pitz- patrick's, one hundred of the Duke of Bolton's, and two hundred of the Earl of Monmouth's, -^ith the marine regiments of Lord Torriugton and Lord Pembroke. This force eifected a landing at Cork on the 22nd of September. Cork fell, not being effective for defence since the invention of gunpowder.i Kinsale also submitted, the garrison, 1200 strong, being allowed to march out with arms and baggage, ha^dng a party of horse to conduct them to Limerick. ^ It was made a matter of imputation on Prance that Kinsale was not strengthened rather than Limerick, as by so doing one of the finest harbours in the world could be secured against England, and her trade with the western world damaged if not ruined.^ But in whatever Hght this may be "\dewed, it is indisputable that the Irish commanders had an intuitive knowledge that Prance was not faithful in the emergency, and that the course that had been pursued by her was not consistent with true friendship. The Irish now did what was possible for themselves. Limerick was put in a complete state of defence. Sarsfield employed the ablest en- gineering skill to repair what had been injured, and to strengthen every weak place. To this day evidences of his erlergy and skill, may be seen about those parts of the old walls against which William's cannon had vainly been directed, and which were again about to receive a fire not less concentrated, but equally ineflective. Where the breach had been made was set to rights by masonry, which is even now easily discernible. The walls were Hned with enormous earth-coatings which made them completely bomb-broof.^ Mean- while a Privy Council was appointed by William's Government, early in 1 Windele's Guide to the South of Ireland. The year before Macgillicuddv-, the Governor of Cork, made an ineffective resistance to William's troops. 2 Storej-. 3 Ibid. * Storey admits that the defences were made by the verv ablest engineers. 252 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. December ; new Commissions were given out to the judges, who did not spare the mere Irish. Nefarious laws were enacted. On the 16th of De- cember_, Brigadier Dorrington of the Irish army issued a proclamation from Limerick, in which he stated that all needful accommodation was in readiness for those who chose to transport themselves to Prance.^ In this proclama- tion, the Brigadier inveighed vehemently against Wilham and his government, and the conduct altogether of WiUiam^s partizans everjnvhere during this crisis. One of William^s very first acts on his arrival in London was to open the Session of Parliament with a speech from the throne, in which he not only spoke of the successes (?) which his arms had in Ireland, notwithstanding the want of pay which his soldiers had endured, but of his relations towards France, the raising of a million of money on the credits of the forfeited estates in Ireland, the maintenance of a force of 67,636 men, a strong navy, new ships, &c. It was also suggested that a return should be given of the names of all those who had been in " rebellion^' in England and in Ireland, in order to the confiscation of their estates, and the applying the proceeds to bear the charges of the war ! Here we have a key to the purpose and the policy of William. He proceeded against his father-in-law, James II. in open " rebellion" — and declared those to be rebels who drew the sword against his usurpation. The question of the forfeited estates was not so easily adjusted, though ultimately it prevailed. The matter was held over for another session, on the recommendation of the House of Lords. Wilham did not feel at ease with his friends ; they were exacting, and he was wilHng, but he could not do all with the desired haste. In disgust he went to Holland, where he arrived after an unpropitious voyage. New " Popish plots" were discovered. Catholics of high position and influence were assassinated under the cover of law. Lord Preston and Mr. Ashton were tried and condemned in England, because they were favorable to James. Never was hatred more insatiate in the darkest days that had gone by. In Limerick, Waterford, Cork, and Tipperary, several brisk actions took place between the Williamite troops and the rapparees. Towards Nenagh a sharp fight occurred between the rapparees and Lieutenant-Colonel Lillington, who first secured a bridge about haK a mile from the town, sent a detachment to occupy a pass towards Limerick, while the rest of his freebooters entering Nenagh — the Irish flying to the Castle for securit}^ — he set fire to the houses, together with stores of malt, and meal, and plundered 300 head of black cattle. Forty or fifty Irish fell in this foray of Lilhngton. Hacking, hunting, and butchering was the course of the WiUiamites.^ People began to tire and sicken of this wearisome warfare. A defeat at the moat of Grange, and a scarcity of pro- visions which now began to be sensibly felt in Limerick, contributed in no small degree to unnerve and cause dismay to the people. Succours were hourly looked for from Prance ; but days and weeks were passing amid hope deferred, and the good time after aU did not come. However, Tyrconnell, in January, 1691, returned from France to Limerick with three frigates laden with provisions, clothing, arms, and ammunition, and about £8000 in money. Tyrconnell was accompanied by Sir Eichard Nagle and Sir Stephen Eice, in whose hands James had lodged the administration of civil affairs up to the present. A considerable number of French officers arrived in Limerick towards the end of April ; they brought an account that General St. Ruth, a brave and J Storey. 2 Ibid. HISTOKY OF LIMEiaCK. 253 gallant soldier, who had won reputation on foreign fields, would soon follow from France, with clothing and other necessaries for 25,000 men, and that he would place himself at the head of the army. Confidence now gained ground ; and Limerick was put in a complete state of defence. The walls were so widened, particularly towards the south, John^s gate, &c., that they afforded an excellent walk in after years for the citizens, and White pleasantly observes when he wrote : — " those are the walls we now walk on !^'' About the 2Gth of May, a large arrival of war material took place in the bay of Dublin for William^s army, with 500 gun carriage horses, together with Lieutenant-General Scravemoor, Major-General ]\Iackay, and Major-General Ruvigni, and a train of artillery, consisting of 30 pieces of cannon, 6 mortars, and 12 field pieces, which marched from Dublin towards Mullingar on the 26th; Lieutenant-General Ginkle, and the other general officers intending to follow in a few days after. The arms also, which were lately sent from England, were distributed among the Protestants of Ireland — a practice, which has not even in our own day been abandoned whenever the Orange interest requires support. The Irish su|)plied themselves with arms also ; and if even according to Captain Robert Parker, they behaved with wonderful resolution the year before at the Boyne, and with unpar- alleled bravery at Limerick, they were now determined to fight for native homes and free altars, with more than quondam valour. The campaign quicked into vigorous activity in every quarter. Militia- were posted by WiUiam^s officers wherever their presence might avail. Tijaperary and Cork were almost altogether confided to the militia. A strong Wilhamite garri- son was placed in Clonmel. Sir William Cox, who had the command of the militia, advised that a flying camp should be formed at Michelstown, which would so cover the country from all incursions from Limerick, that they could spare troops for the army. It was apprehended that an attack would be made on Waterford by the Irish, because that city was weak in the absence of the guns, which had been withdrawn to other places. Bogers, an expert engineer, reported what was necessary to strengthen Waterford for William; and what he recommended was done. Many of the Irish leaders were summarily seized and disposed of by an order from the Council Board of Williams's government. Everywhere throughout the country the utmost activity prevailed on every side ; but all eyes were turned towards Limerick. Towards the end of May, Major-General Talmash, who was sent over by William, arrived in Dubhn ; he was accompanied by Sir Martin Beckman, chief of the corps of Engineers. In a day or two they proceeded towards the camp, where the soldiers had been occupied in hanging such of the poor Irish as came in their way. Storey states that on one occasion thirty-five were killed, and six were "fairly '■* hanged.^ Orders were issued to aU sellers of ale and other liquors to dispose of none, but good brewed ale and genuine liquors to the soldiers in camp, in order to prevent diseases ; sellers were directed to procure licenses from Dublin. The latter portion of the order was withdrawn sometime after, not being found convenient to any of the parties interested. On the 30th of May, Ginkle, in chief command, travelled from Dublin, and slept that night at Tycroghan. Next day he reached the camp at Mullingar, where he found KirFs, Lord Meath's, Lord Lisburn's, Lord Cutts', Colonel Foulkes', Colonel Brewer^s, Lord George > White's MSS. » Storey's Continuation, &c. 254 UISXORY OF LIMERICK. Hamilton^s^ and Colonel Earless regiment of foot^ — Sir John Lanier^s^ Brigadier Villiers's, Colonel Longstonc'sj ReydepeU's^ Eoucour^s, and Mono- povillon^s horse, with Colonel Leveson^s Dragoons, who before his coming over to Ireland was made a Brigadier by WilHam. The army and militia got new clothes for the campaign ; the colour was generally of grey, for, as yet, the red had not been introduced in the British army. The Irish wore green, French grey, white, &c. The army of the Williamites was now concentrated in a great measure — but in some places stray parties of mihtia and regulars appeared at a distance from the camp ; and it was among one of these that Ensign Storey, the brother of the Dean, was met by the chivalrous galloping Hogan at Corolanty, near Congort in Lower Ormond. This occurrence, fatal to young Storey, who was a gallant soldier, took place on the 1st of June. Drogheda's regiment kept garrison at Corolanty where the news of the capture of Congort had arrived. Storey, "udth youthful ardor, not beheving the intelligence that Congort had fallen into the hands of the Irish, resolved to prevent its capture, and to take care that it should not be burned. He went out with his party, but was surprised and killed. The Irish, however, not only bmied him with the honors of war, but the humanity they manifested, is freely admitted by the brother of the Ensign, who was the Historian of William-'s campaigns. At MuUingar Ginkle gave certain directions as to the contraction of the works that had been made the winter before for the sucurity of that place. The design of passing the Shannon at Meelck or Banagher, appeared to be the most plausible to Ginkle while he lay at MulUngar ; and he sent the Rev. Mr. Trench, who at an earlier period had done service to the cause,* to the Duke of Wirtemberg, then at Ballyboy, to encamp thereabouts until the rest of the army had joined him, or if he could, to sm*prise a passage over the Shannon while the Irish army which were watching the other portion of the English. Mr. Trench, with a party of thirty horse, got to his destination, though surrounded by the Irish ; knomng the passes, and the by-ways, he reached Roscrea where the Duke Avas encamped. For certain causes, however, an express was sent to Athlone directing that the Duke should march forward in order to join the army at Athlone. This was done — and matters proceeded in a regular course of operation on both sides. One of the principal wants of the Irish army was an efficient cavalry. Storey teUs a very curious tale in reference to the manner in which this want was supplied by the Irish Generals. On a certain day they sent directions that all the gentlemen volunteers and yeomen in the neighbourhood of Limerick should appear on the Kiug^s Island with their best horses and arms. They appeared accordingly, wheu the majority of them were ordered to dismount and dehver up their horses for the use of the army. In a few days after this occurrence the whole body of Irish moved on towards Athlone, whither they had been informed, by spies and outscouts, the army of the WiUiamites designed to march. Ginkle, meantime, left nine twenty-four pounders, one eighteen pounder, and three mortars at Mullingar, and marched on Saturday the 6th of June, to Eathcondra about sis miles between Meers Court and Cairus Castle. He was joined by several general officers and their regiments and troops, at the head of whom was Lieutenant General Douglas, General Milo Burke was Governor of Athlone. He spurned the 1 Storey states that he bad been very forward in their Majesties' Service. This reverend gentleman was ancestor of Lord Ashtown, and of the present Protestant Archbishop of Dublin. HISTOllY OF LIMERICK. 255 attempt of Ginkle, who sent him this eummons to deliver up that important position : — " Since the Governour desires to see m Writing the Message ivhich I just flow sent him hy word of mouth, he may know, That if he Surrenders the Fort of Ballymore to me within two hours, I^vill give him and his Garrison their lives, and make them Prisoners of War ; if not, neither he nor they shall have any (Quarter, nor another ojtportunity for saving themselves. Hoivever, if in that time their Women and Children will go out, they %oill have my leave. "■Given at the Camp this 8th day of June, 1691, at 8 a Clock in the Morning. ''Bar Be GINCKEL. From Athlone he wrote several letters to the neighbouring nobhty and gentry, calling upon them to use their best endeavours to aid him. Among those to whom he wrote was the first Earl of Granard.' Athlone, however surrendered ; and the battle of Aughrim, where St. Euth met with so sudden an end to a glorious career, and where success must have crowned the Irish army with glory, were it not for jealousies and divided councils, followed. The word now was Limerick, which was destined to endure a second siege within twelve months. Never perhaps in the chequered history of our country was there a time in which more intense excitement appeared on the part of both of the armies which were now destined to fight for the mastery before and within the walls of Limerick. The die was cast. The resolution was taken. The issue was tremendous. Taking a short retrospect of the stirring events of the past eighteen months, we have seen compressed within that space of time, matters of momentous importance to the destinies of Ireland. Now was the moment in which the result, for good or for evil, was to be developed. Ginkle was conversant with the strength of the city, which he had resolved to beleaguer. Skill and industry, courage and patriotism, urged the Irish generals and the citizens to make a rally unprecedented in energy and power. An army which had been driven, as it were, to bay, now occupied the garrison, and defended a position which was impregnable if strong arms and equally strong hearts could render it so. Ginkle^s soldiers were fatigued and harassed. Superstitious beyond belief, they reposed faith in every idle prophecy which was noised abroad by the busy tongues of those whose wishes • Copy of a Letter addressed by General de Ginckel, first Earl of Athlone, to the first Earl of Granard. Camp at AiJilone, July 6th, 1691. My Lord, — I have your Lordship's of yesterday, and am very glad your Lordship has ordered the militia to pursue the rebels of Lansborough. I hope by this that Ballisharman has fur- nish'd men to secure Sligo, for orders have been already sent for that purpose. As for provisions from hence for the new garrisons, it is impossible to send them ; but if your Lordship, for the present necessity, will send to Molengar, I have ordered the commissaries of provisions to deliver what your Lordship judges necessary for them. But being to march farther off, I desire your Lordship to let the Lords Justices have an account of it, and they will give directions for their supply. I send your Lordship some of the Lords Justices Proclamations, which you will please to have dispers'd as far as may be : your Lordship sees what clemency their Majesties shew, and the people that come in may be assur'd it wUl be made good lo them, and besides will have such liberty of their religion as their Majesties promise in their declaration of 1G88. I am, my Lord, Your Lordship's most humble servant, (Signed) Bar. De Ginckel. 256 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. were father to their thoughts. They had but little bread. The people fled from them in all directions, except at Shallee and the Silvermines, where it is said the inhabitants aided the progress of Ginkle's artillery, and where certain returns were given to parties for services they rendered. They encamped on the 12th at TuUa/ and here some deserters from Limerick informed them of what was passing. It was here it was mentioned to Ginkle that Lord Tyrconnell had taken dangerously ill, and that no hopes were entertained of his recovery. Ginlcle sent several proclamations among the deserters, and contrived that some copies of them should obtam circulation in the city. On the 24th they marched to Caherconlish ; and from that place, on the day after, Ginkle, with the principal officers, went with a party within two miles of Limerick, near which three Irish scouts were posted on the top of a high hiU on the left, two of whom deserted to the WilHamites. On the morning of the 15th, at an earlyhour, Major General Euvigny, at the head of 1500 horse and dragoons, and 1000 detached foot, as a reserve in case of danger, under the Prince of Hesse, with six field pieces, were ordered to march to Limerick. They were accompanied by General Ginkle and all the chief officers, in order to view the city. The Irish army were vigilant and active. As the Williamite soldiery approached they got a hot reception from firing parties, by which the hedges were lined. Several brisk skirmishes ensued, in which men bit the dust on both sides. A recon- naisance, however, was made, by which Ginkle judged of the formidable preparations that had been made to defend the city. He saw that Ireton's fort had been repaired, and that a new fort had been built. He saw that a third fort had been begun, with a Hue of communication from one to the other, but that it had not been as yet finished. He also saw that there were two field pieces at Ireton's fort, which, however, were not fired, and which were drawn ofP to the city next day. He was now told that Lord TyrcormeU had died the day previous, and the intelligence was imparted by a Captain Hagan who deserted, a drummer having gone before him. There is no doubt that Lord Tyrconnell was in a very anomalous position throughout, and that but little confidence was reposed in him by thelrish. It is said he was slighted to such a degree, that while the Irish camp was at Athlone, Lieut.-Colonel Connor went to his lordship's tent, and told him to quit the camp or he would cut his tent cords.^ Were we to judge of the feelings entertained of Tyrconnell by the Williamites, by the manner in which their historians write of him, it is indisputable that they held liim in no bad odour. On the contrary, they manifested a favorable disposition to him, and rather dwelt on the circumstances of his position with sympathy. _ Ginkle next day seized a quantity of bread carts, which were coming from Tipperary, under a convoy of militia, horse and dragoons, whom he sent home again. Securing the approaches on every side, on the morning of the 27th, an expedition, with five pieces of cannon, and 700 horse and dragoons, was sent to Castle Connell to complete the work of destruction which had been but partially eff'ected the year before. The castle was now utterly de- molished, and 250 men of the Irish army who garrisoned it were driven out, and many of them killed. On the same day General Scravemore proceeded with another party and four guns to Carrigogunnel, a strong I The residence of the late Lieut.-Gcneral Sir William Parker Carrol), and of his son Captain Carroll. ■ Storey. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 257 castle, of which, in the wars during the reign of Henry VIII., we have already written : this was also blown up, and 150 men who composed the garrison were made prisoners of war. There were a few other castles also destroyed on this occasion ; Ginkle was afraid of allowing any one of them to stand, " for, to give the Irish their due, they can defend stone walls very handsomely/-' 1 In the afternoon eighteen ships came up the river with war material and provisions ; as they passed Cratloe they fired into the Horse Camp of the Irish army, which was stationed there ; and the fact itself of the ships approaching the city, gave cause for further alarm, as it was sup- posed that the river had been well guarded by the Prench fleet, which was looked for before this. Further provision ships were ordered by Ginkle to sail from Kinsale to the Shannon. The prisoners also, who had been taken in Castle Connell and Carrigogunnel, were forwarded to Clonmel accompanied by escorts of horse and dragoons. In the evening the line of circumvallation was fmished by the engineers, and other works were brought to a state of perfection, the Irish cannon all the while playing furiously on the enemy from the King^s Castle and three other batteries which Sarsfield had con- structed, and which Ginkle had seen when he took his view of the city. On the 31st of August, Captain Morice, of Sir Donald O'Neill's regiment, deserted from the Irish, and informed Ginkle of the apprehensions and fears which prevailed as to the probability of his army crossing the river. The ford had been seen by William very soon after his approach to Limerick. Ginkle, therefore, was well acquainted with it, and he had already a battery of ten guns and seven mortars to play on Thomond Bridge and the houses on that side of Limerick ; and this battery had done considerable damage. Sarsfield was everywhere at his post, and replied effectively to the thunders of the enemy. _ Ginkle now, on the representation of Morice, directed a new battery to be raised ; this was done nearer to the city, and to the right of the former battery, by four out of each troop of horse and dragoons, who were told off for the duty, which they executed before next morning. The duty was irksome to the cavaby, but the exigencies of the position, and the harassing work in which the infantry regiments were constantly engaged, made it imperative. The colours of Wilham were not displayed on the battery, in order to deceive the Irish as to the rapidity with which the work was gone through. Parties were now sent out to Kerry to reduce and terrify the people ; and the quickness and intelhgence displayed by the peasantry, caused surprise to the soldiers who were despatched against them.^* These preparations having been advanced, a few days more M^ere occupied in per- fecting them. General Sarsfield was employed in earnest and energetic efforts in every direction, and had his plans steadily advanced. The weatherwas wet and stormy, the ground heavy; but nothing could daunt the spirits of the citizens and the army. The whole body of Ginkle's army had marched through Borrisokane, where there had been a pretty Enghsh plantation, which was burned down the previous winter by the garrison of Birr, because they had no wish to have rapparees in such close proximity.^ They had passed through Birr, where they left 400 sick, &c. in hospital.'' On the 6th they proceeded to Nenagh, where they remained four days, for want of bread and other necessaries. The country was desolate, extreme difficulties were experienced in obtaining ' Storey. « Storey states that the Cow-boys in Kerry spoke Latin. ^"'<^' * Cooke's History of Parsonstov-'n. 18 258 HISTORY OF LIMERICK, supplies for a marching army, which was compelled to carry everything on the axle-tree.^ On the 8th an expedition of horse and dragoons with pioneers, were despatched towards the Silver Mines to mend the roads for Ginkle's heavy carriages ; and a second party went on to the pass at Killaloe to keep a close watch in that quarter. On this occasion seven or eight prisoners were taken ; and Ginkle was informed by deserters, consisting of a brigadier of guards and two horsemen, that the Irish army were encamped at or near Caherconlish ; that the Irish foot regiments were armed anew out of the stores of Limerick, and that they spoke of giving the Williamite army battle before they should approach the city. On the same day a Mr. Eichards appeared in the generaVs camp where he remained a few days j he was the bearer of a message from Baldearg O'Donnell, whose conduct as represented by Storey and the Williamite writers was of the most treacherous nature, and whom Richards, according to these authorities, represented as anxious to sell his country for a mess of pottage to its enemies.^ Eichards proceeded immediately after this interview with Ginkle, to Flanders, where William was at this time, in order to inform him of the progress of events. While at Nenagh Ginkle issued a proclamation offering pardon and employ- ment to such of the people as would come in, and surrender themselves to him ; he gave the most hberal promises to such Irish officers and soldiers as would desert their colours, and give him leave to enrol them under the banner of Orange. The entire army then contimied their march towards Limerick, meeting with no great opposition, with the exception of some shght skirmishing between the advance guards and the Irish, who were posted outside the walls. The approaches were made in the same manner as they had been by WHKam, only, says Storey, " we drew more to the left, and nearer the Shannon, but fixed our camp further from the town.-'-' Two regiments of foot and one of horse had been left until the arrival of the cannon on the next day. When the larger part of Ginkle's men had got up, a detached body of foot, commanded by Lieut.-General Mackey, was ordered to attack Ireton's fort, and the old Church fort, where it was thought by Ginkle that the Irish had lodged a party — a line was made by Giukle's men across the fields, and these were sustained by several full regiments of foot, and a body of horse. An immediate advance was made towards both forts at the same moment — the Church fort had been deserted, and Ireton's fort was now evacunted, and its occupants retired to a small stone fort near the out- works of the city, when the attacking party came within gun-shot. In the afternoon Count Nassau with a party attacked CromwelPs fort, in which there were of the Irish 600 soldiers, from which they were dislodged, and in a > Storey. 2 His business was to assure the General of Baldearg's affections to their Majesties service, and that if he might have the men he brought over with him admitted into pay in order to serve his INIajesty in Flanders or elsewhere, he himself made Earl of Tyrconnel, to which he pre- tended a title from his ancestors, and have two thousand pounds given him for his expenses, he would then come over, and bring a considerable body of the Irish along with him. — Storey. [It is only right to state that all this matter respecting the treason to Ireland of Baldearg O'Donnell has been since denied and refuted in a series of admirable articles in Duffy's Hiberninn Magazine by the late Professor John O'Donovan.] See the account of the O'Donnells in Sir William Betham's Irish Antiquarian Researches. It is strange that he makes no mention of Baldearg, whose appearance in Ireland is the most extraordinary event in the whole history of the race. See also Storey's Impartial History; Macarije Excidium, and Mr. O'Callaghan's note ; Life of James II. 434 ; the Letter of O'Donnell to Avaux, and the Memorial entitled " Meiuoire donn^e par ua homme du Corate O'Donnel a M. D'Avaux." HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 259 short time the fort was in the possession of the Williamites.^ There were about ten of the Irish and three of Ginkle's men killed in this encounter. Approaching nearer to the walls Ginkle perceived that a man had been hanged, who, he was told, was an officer in the Irish army, Avho, having meditated desertion, was treated with summary justice. He ordered that every man should sleep at his horse's head, for he apprehended a vigorous sally ; and on this occasion Colonel Donep, a Dane, who had commanded an advance party of horse, was killed by a random shot from the Irish. On the following day the battering train came up, as also a great many carriages with bombs, balls, shovels, pickaxes, and about 800 barrels of powder. On the same night Ginkle completed his arrangements. In the evening of the 15th of September, four hundred grenadiers, as soon as it was dark, were ordered to parade at the head of Major General Kirk^s regiment, from whence they marched at 9 o^Clock, p.m. being joined by six hundred workmen, with the tin boats, and sustained by five regiments of foot commanded by Major-General Talmash, and a body of horse and dra- goods under Major-General Scravemore, with six field pieces.^ They marched to a part of the Shaimon two miles beyond the Williamite camp, and by twelve o'clock at night began to lay the boats over. In the meantime the grenadiers commanded by Sir David Colher, with Captain Ketchmay of Sir John Hannier's, Captain Almat of Lord Drogheda's, Captain Parker^ of Sir Gustavus Hamilton's regiment, another captain and eight more officers, were wafted by the tin boats into an island eastward* where a bridge was laying also, and from whence it was fordable to the other side. They were occasionally interrupted, but they succeeded in the enterprise ; and on the 16th, the bridge being completed. Colonel Mathew's dragoons began to pass into the island. Brigadier Clifford, who was posted just at the spot by Sarsfield,to guard against a surprise, betrayed his duty in the most flagrant manner, scarcely made a show of resistance, and permitted the passage to be made, though he could have prevented it by a little exertion. His dragoons, who came down on foot, were ridiculed by Ginkle' s soldiers. Major- General Talmash immediately commanded the grenadiers to wade through : this done they possessed themselves of an old house and a hedge or two, about a hundred yards from the Irish ; and were commanded not to be lavish of their shot, but receive the fire of the Irish until the dragoons and some horse had got over. Then the Irish endeavoured to flank the dragoons on the right. The Major-General commanded a detachment of Colonel Mathew's to beat them from that post. This was effected, and a good party soon got over. Talmash then ordered the grenadiers to advance, being sustained by Tiffin and Bristow, a party of dragoons, and a party of Coy's horse. This too was done, and after some faint resistance, the Irish ran towards Moua- braher, and a wood which was in their rear, throwing away their grenadoes, ' Oliver Cromwell, in the former wars of Ireland, never went farther than Clonmel ; for there receiving orders from the Parliament to proceed to England, he entrusted the management of the army to Ireton ; who, at the besieging of Limerick, built several forts ; two of the most remark- able, bearing the names of Ireton's and Cromwell's, were by Ginkle ordered to be called Mackey's and Nassau's Forts, because gained under these commanders ; and by these names we shall call them for the future, when there is occasion to mention them. It is true that they have long since ceased to be called by the names of William's generals ; and that to this day they are known by the names given to them in Cromwell's time. 2 Storey. 3 This individual was a native of the county Cork, and wrote an account of the siege in hi» Military Memoirs of Ireland and Flanders. * This island is above Athlunkard Bridge, and is called in Irish Illainarone. 260 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. their muskets, and everything that proved cumbersome. Ginkle's men pursued them, and killed several upon the bog, taking a French Lieutenant- Colonel, a Captain, and some more prisoners. His advance party received orders not to move till all had got over, and then march to the left up towards the Irish camp. But by this time the news of the passing of the river had got to the Irish horse and also to the city. The disorganisation and panic con- sequent on these disastrous events, which were totally unexpected, are indiscribable. Clifford, it is certain, was aided by Henry Lutterel in the work of treachery, both having agreed as to what was to be done. It is impossible to depict the dismay and consternation into which these successful movements of the enemy threw the Irish army and the citizens. Sarsfield could have easily prevented the passage of the river; but he had heard nothing until all was over. He had been at the horse camp, and it was too late, when he became acquainted with the disastrous result. The Irish now broke down the bridge, which had been erected by PitzAndrew Creagh some forty or fifty years before ; this movement however was not attended with any advantage. An attempt was made to seize the records, the chief personages of the Irish government, the treasure, and the ladies who occupied a house about a mile from Thomond bridge ; but this did not succeed. ^ At the Castle on the Salmon Weir, au ensign and twenty men were posted ; these were made prisoners. A small garrison on St. Thomases Island submitted, and two brass field pieces were taken. It had been made a matter of boast that the English lost but one sergeant, and that there were but twenty of theirs men wounded throughout the day. Captain Taaff, another deserter, reported to Ginkle that the city was almost without bread, and that the shell and shot had done mischief to an extraordinary extent. Ginkle at this juncture issued a proclamation in the names of WiUiam and Mary, offering ''Pardon of then* offences, Kestitution of their Estates, Reward of their Services, and all the Benefits promised by the Lords Justices in their Pro- clamation of the 7th of July,^^ if they submitted within eight days, " from which they are not debarred by any Act of Parhament, as they are falsely made to believe by some persons who live by sacrificing their country to the Tyranny and Ambition of Prance, and ought for that reason be excluded from Mercy by both sides.'^ The Irish leaders spurned the proposal. St. Mary's cathedral, durmg the siege, as it had been during Ireton's siege, was an object at which most of the power of Ginkle's artillery was brought to bear for a time, though it is said he did not wish to destroy it, being an ornament to the city.^ It served as a store in which most of the provisions for the Irish army were placed, and furthermore from its mitred towers guns were directed against the besiegers.^ ' " There is a small White House about half a mile from the town on the Tkmmond side, nigh •which two squadrons of the Enemies horse were drawn up, and about a Regiment of Foot posted in the hedges, to secure their Lords Justices, the Records, all their chief Ladies and Treasure, which all were there, and had been, as then, no difficult, though a very good Prize. But after some of our Parties had seen them go off in the greatest confusion that could be, we set two or three houses on fire ; and staying on that side till about Two o'clock in the afternoon, we had orders to return, leaving a guard in the Fort newly cast up on the other side to secure the Bridge ; whereas it's not improbable, had we pursued our good Fortune, the Irish Horse had been routed, and the Town delivered upon our own Terms." — Storey's Continuation, Sfc. Storey. » It is said in popular tradition, that it was a gun fired by Burke, a clever artillerist, from the towrs of the Cathedral, which was so near being the death of William in 1690. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 261 iStill fears filled the minds of the besiegers^ and parties were constantly sent out to harass the country. Ballingarry and Bruree were burned, and Captain John O'Dell^ was posted at Athlacca with mUitia and dragoons. It was quite well known in WiUiam's camp that unless this stratagetic move- ment was successfully effected, it would be impossible to make a decisive attack upon the city, though shot and shell were vehemently and constantly poured into it from the guns and mortars of the besiegers. So hard pushed had been the besiegers, that it was disputed in WiUiam's camp whether the siege should be raised and a blockade instituted. For a time it was carried m favor of raising the siege, and of abandoning the strong and obstinate old city ; but as an engineer was proceeding to Kilmallock, for the purpose of fortifying it as a place of retreat or for winter quarters, in the event of the abandon- ment of Limerick, he was countermanded; and on the 18th of September, orders were sent to the men of war and other English vessels in the river, to set some men on shore in the county of Clare, to destroy all the forage, as it was harvest time. Giakle's war materials was literally enormous.^ A second great passage of the river by Ginkle himself, the Duke of Wurtemburg, Scravemore, " with aU our horse and dragoons, commanded by Major-General Euvigny, (except Colonel Coy^s horse, and fifty out of each regiment of dragoons), with ten regiments of foot and fourteen guns, viz., ten three-pounders and four twelve-pounders, taking also seven days^ pro- vision along, was made over our bridge of boats into the county of Clare, leaving Major-General Mackay and Major-General Talmash to command on this side.'"' Great difficulty was experienced in this movement ; the forts and batteries played upon the movuig colunms with tremendous precision. At twelve o'clock, however, on the 23nd of September, they all passed the river,^ and they must have been compelled to retreat, had it not been that they were so weU sustained. Some small firings continued about four o'clock, > Smith's MSS. in K.I. A. contains " some account of the O'Dells of Ballingarry, a family of which this Officer was the ancestor. They were related by intermarriage to the Knights of Kerry, the Hunts of Glangoole, Co. Tipperary, &c. &c. - " Three hundred cars, with Bullets, Bombs, and other necessaries, come from Dublin, and our guns play still from the great battery." That there migV.*: be no want of stores of war to reduce the rebellious town, the Commissioners of the Ordnance had some time before loaded on board a vessel, and consigned to Waterford, 1000 barrels of corn-powder, 2000 twenty-four- pounders, 4000 culverin round shot, 4000 twelve-pounders, 20 tons of musquet shot, 5 tons of carbine shot, and 5 tons of pistol ball, together with other necessaries. — Storey. ' Storey. 4 In Storey's Map of this the Second Siege, he fixes the exact place where the English troops passed the river, and to which tradition has constantly pointed. We have so fully described it in Chapter XXXIII. that it is needless here more particularly to refer to it. The spot where CA|tAi5 t)A SlAbttAise, or Rock of Chains, stood before it was blown up by Captain H. Jackson's servant, Connell, may be seen in the large field on the Clare side of the river, opposite Corbally. Storey's Map describes " fishing weirs" near the spot. These weirs now form the mill-race of Corbally Mills, the property of Messrs. J. N. Russell and Sons. St. Thomas's Island is a short distance to the west. Illainarone is to the east. In 1864, while building a wall around, and making other improvements in the old historic church-yard of Kilquane, another tomb- stone which deserves notice, and which had been concealed for many years under the earth, was turned up : — L I.H.S. THIS STONE "WAS ERECTED BY MARY KIRBY IN MEMORY OF HER SON THE REV. CORNELIUS KIRBY, PARISH PRIEST OF PARTEEN, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE 27th DAY OF FEBRUARY, 1769, AGED 33 YEARS. MAY HE KEST IN PEACE. 262 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. and the Irish retiring until they had got under their cannon. Then all Ginkle's grenadiers commanded by Tiffin^ Hudson^ and Major Noble, sustained by Kirk's, Tiffins's, St. John's, and Lord George Hamilton's regiments, were commanded to advance, and attack the works that covered Thomond bridge, being one fort to the right above musket shot from the bridge, another on the left somewhat nearer, besides several natural fortifications of stone quarries and gravel pits, in all which the Irish had posted a detachment out of eighteen regiments, of about eight hundred men each. The dispute was hot at first, the cannon playing from the King's Castle, and two or three more batteries, as also small shot from the walls ; the attack seemed hazard- ous, when the EngHsh were ordered not to approach so near the city as they did afterwards. However, the Irish being now pressed upon by the grenadiers, quitted their first posts, and were then reinforced by other de- tachments ; but the grenadiers pushed onwards. Thomond Gate was held by about 850 Irish; these were driven out and across the bridge, when a French major in command at the drawbridge, ordered it to be raised, and left his friends exposed to the fury of their enemies. Colonels Skelton, Hurley, and Dempsey, Major NeviUe (Aid Major of Limerick) Major French, 22 officers and 97 men were made prisoners ; but all the rest slain, 154 being drowned, and the others killed on the bridge, where the dead were in heaps higher than the parapets. i Harris^ gives a letter of Lord Westmeath, vindicating Colonel Lutterel from the charge of having betrayed his duty at Limerick, with notes of his own sho'uing that Lutterel must have done some great favor to Wilham III. from the demands he afterwards made, and which were complied with.^ ' Before killing was over they were laid in heaps upon the bridge higher than the ledges of it ; so that they were all either killed or taken, except about a hundred and twenty that got into Town before the Bridge was drawn up, and many of tliose cut and slashed to the purpose. The number of dead is said to be six hundred, amongst whom we may reckon one hundred and sixty-four that were drowned in being forced over the fall of the Draw-Bridge, and reckoned afterwards cast upon the shore" — Storey. 2 Harris's William III. p. 348. 3 " No doubt Lutterel was blamed for his conduct at Limerick and Aughrim, and notwithstand- ing the denial of Lord Westmeath, not without good grounds. He ought to have been honest, but he was a thorough traitor. Capt. Parker was never forgiven for making a candid statement of this patent fact ; and his " Memoirs" were suppressed wherever they could be found : hence the scarcity of his book. This Lutterel was Henry, the second son of Thomas, of Luttrelstown, co. Dublin, who was restored to his estates in fee by the Act of Settlement, and died so seized in August, 1G74. He was one of the Gentlemen of the Privj' Chamber to King Charles 11, and married a daughter of Wm. Segrave, Esq., of the county Dublin. Simon was the eldest son of Thomas ; Henry, of whom we are speaking, the second ; Thomas, the third, who was attainted of high treason in 1 688, and died without issue ; and Robert. Simon, the eldest, was also attainted of high treason in 1688, but being in France when the articles of Limerick were agitated, it was thereby provided that in case he returned to Ireland in eight months, and Bubmitted to the government of King William and Queen Mary, he should have the benefit of the said articles, and " General Ginkle did at the same time, under his hand, agree with his brother, Henry Lutterel, that he, the said Henry, should have the estate of his family ; and the said Simon not returning and being outlawed. King William, in performance of the said General Ginkle's promise, granted to Henry, first, custodiam, and afterwards letters patent, of all the said Simon's title, by virtue of the said outlawry, either by descent, purchase or otherwise, to Walter Delawar, Esq, and his heirs in trust for the said Henrj', held from October, 1698" (Decree in Chancery quoted in Archdall's Lodge's Peerage, vol III, pp 410 414). Henry Lutterel was Governor of Sligo, Knight of the Shire for the county of Carlow, Colonel of a regiment of horse, and a Brigadier General before the revolution. Immediately before the battle of Aughrim every possible imputation was cast upon him by the Irish, and subsequently for his imputed treachery at Limerick. We find that almost after the siege he rose in high favour in the estimation of the English — "in 1702 he was appointed a Major General in the Dutch army with a Regiment ; and nominated to command on a military enterprbe of importance." But on the death of King William he " retired to his seat at Lutterelstown, where he chiefly resided until he was assassinated in his sedan chair by a band of rufiians in the city of Dublin, 22nd of October, 1717, and died the next day, October 23."* A letter of William Wogan, HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 263 Tliis was the most disastrous and fearful incident of tlie siege. Lacey was the Commander of the party from the city, who made the sortie at the King's Castle over Thomond Bridge. The incident tended to increase the feelmg of distrust which prevailed among the Irish soldiery towards the French. There would have been another story to tell had it not been for those causes which have so clearly manifested themselves throughout. The anger and indignation by which the citizens and the Irish soldiers were now seized, may be better imagined than described. No longer was there confidence in the professions or the good faith of French officers, who appeared, no matter the consequence, bent on the resolve to put an end to the war. The crossing of the Shannon by Ginkle, of which Bartholemew Van Homrigh,^ who appears to have been Commissary-General of William's army in Ireland, was a witness, has been described by that fortmiate adventiurer in glowing terms. He admits that the action of Thomond Bridge was the crowning event on the ]Dart of the Williamites ; it secured a position for the English which they could not have anticipated. According to Van Homrigh it " led to the capture of Lim- erick ;'' and he indeed, makes a boast which is not warranted iu truth, when he writes that, " not one was lost in the action, that they had taken two pieces of cannon, the Standard of Maxwell, a great part of the accoutrements of their horse, a Heutenant-colonel, and other officers prisoners, and drove their troops to the mountains and bogs.^'^ This is not the fact. Harris admits that there were ninety of the EngUsh killed on the occasion. In the pocket of Colonel Skelton who died soon after this event, of his wounds, was found a curious paper, which contained the representation of a spear's head, or a wound, and which was looked upon with the utmost interest, even by those of the English who professed to scoff at it.* tutor to Edward Southwell, Esq., M.P. for Bristol, dated October 24, 1717, says " Colonel Lutterel was shot in his chair the other night, and died this morning ; the murderer made his escape ;" and on the 26th he writes, " A person is taken on suspicion for the murder of Colonel Lutterel, who was the Col.'s Fowler."t Henry Laws Lutterel became Earl of Carhampton by creation of George III. on the 23rd June, 1785 ; and after the treason and abnegation of Henry, the family became thoroughly imbued with the principles of " the Kevolution," and several of them served abroad in the navy and army, supporters of the English. Mr. O' Callaghan, in his notes to Colonel O'Kelly's Macarise Excidium, quotes official MSS. for the pension £5U0 granted to Henry Lutterel. Baldearg 0' Donnell is also said to have received a pension. This has been questioned and contradicted, however, by Mr O'Donovan in his History of the O'Donnells, already referred to, in the Tlibernian Magazine. The direct line of the Lutterels became extinct by the death of Henry's grandson, John Lutterel Olmius, thkd Baron Turnham and Carhampton ; and Lutterelstown passed into the hands, by purchase of Luke White, Esq. Lord Annally Luke White's son recently raised to the Peerage, enjoys the property ; it is now called Woodlands. 2 This Van Homrigh feathered his nest very comfortably : in 1G97, he was Lord Mayor of Dublin ; and it was at his request the year afterwards that King William granted the collar of S.S. " to be worn by the Lord Mayors of that city in everlasting memory of the delivery from Popery and slavery of Ireland."! [The unfortunate Miss Vanhomrigh, Swift's " Vanessa," belonged to this branch of the Vanhomrighs.] 8 Thorpe's Catalogue of the Southwell MSS. * The following is a copy of a paper which was found in Skelton's pocket ; it contained the representation of a spear's head or a wound, and the following words were written about it: — " This is the measure of the Wounds of the side of our Saviotir Jesus Christ, which was brought from Constantinople to the Emperor Charleniaine in a coffin ofgoulde, and is a most precious Eeliqiie, to the end that he or she who carried the same about him, no f.re, nor water, no wind, tempest, hiaife, Lance or sword, nor the Deid cannot hurt him ; and the woman icilh child the day she seeih the same measure, shall not ditj a sudden Death, but shall be delivered by , and if any man carrie the same about him with good devotion, shall have the honour and victory of his Enimy. The day that any doth read the sam or heard it read, shall not dey an evil Death. — Anien." Animce Scriptoris in manu Saluatoris. * Archdall's Lodge's, vol. III., p. 411. t Thorpe's Catalogue of the Southwell MS, p. 621. 264 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. With fraudj corruption^ and overpowering numbers, with Henry Lutterel and Chffbrd, who had bid for their reward, and who awaited the moment to obtain it ; with infamous traitors of this stamp in his own camp, Lutterel and Chiford, who were now in prison, awaiting a Court-Martial for their treachery and abandonment of every sacred duty which they owed their country in this tremendous crisis of its fortune, Sarsfield and those true men, who had thought and acted with him, came to the conclusion that they were fighting against odds j and though the cannon yet poured its raking fire from the King's Castle and the batteries about the bridge on the Wilhamite soldiery, and though many more of them, than has been admitted, feR beneath the shot and shell of the Irish, yet the position of afi'airs was sufii- ciently discouraging in the estimation of the Irish commanders. Other deserters went over to Ginkle, among whom was Colonel Corbet, who promised that Tyrconnell's and Gabnoy's regiments were prepared to join him. This must have been a calumny on the brave soldiers of these distinguished regiments, which as active contingents of the celebrated Irish Brigade abroad afterwards, made the name of Ireland respected on foreign fields, and won for themselves enduring fame and glory. Por six long weeks, the siege had been now proceeding, but without the most distant chance of success to Ginkle and his myrmidons, had treason, on the one side and want of confidence and union on the other, done the work of Ireland's enemies. Eain had been falling in torrents for some time; a high wind had accompanied it. However, on the night of the 23rd of Sep- tember, two nights after the fatal event at Thomond Bridge, a parley was beaten by the Irish drummers as well in the English-town as in the Irish- town. The rain and wind now ceased, — and as if the lull of the elements was the forerunner of a truce, at least in the strife which had raged so furiously for so long a time, Wauchop and Sarsfield, who were beyond the river at this time, proceeded to Ginkle, who was at the same place also ; Colonel Ruth had previously gone towards Mackey's fort, where Lord Drogheda's horse were posted ; but Talmash referred him to Scravemore and the Marquis De Euvigny. A cessation was that night concluded ; but though it was, the WiUiamites entertained no idea that they could possess themselves of the city ; but divided councils, treason, English gold and all artful con- trivances, which have left Ireland a prey to disastrous fate at aU times, had now nearly done their work; and it only remained for Sarsfield and his adherents to make the best terms they could with a faithless foe which had never yet observed honor in its dealings with the Irish. If in 1C90, William in person had been beaten back from the waUs of Limerick, and had been forced to fly from a city which in its then wretched phght was able to withstand his picked guards and legions, surely Ginkle should have had the same tale to tell, if not a worse one, had not Lutterel and Clifford, and the French Major, and all the other traitors perjured themselves in the face of every high principle. On the following day, the 24th, it was mutually agreed, that the cessation should continue for three days more, in order ostensibly that Sarsfield should send to Clare for the horse to be included in the capitulation, which was now aU but an accomplished fact. These horse had been commanded by Sheldon, who, Avhen he discovered the treason of Chfford, made a masterly retreat, and kept in the direction of Cratloe and Six-Mile-Bridge.' ' Numbers of King .Tnmes's half-crown pieces have been recently discovered on the spot near ■which the Horse Camp was in IfiW and ICDl. They appear to have been scarcely ever used. A poor man sold several of them in 18G3 which he dng out of a field. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 265 Storey states that at this time there were no less than 240 odd prisoners of the English army and militia in the hands of the Irish, and these were dehvered up on the same evening to the English between Mackey's fort and the city. Whilst these proceedings were taking place galloping Hogan was busy in his department with his untiring rapparees, cutting off suppHes from the English wherever he had the opportunity, particularly in the neigh- bourhood of Cullen and Ballyneety.^ But his "labour of love^^ was destined soon to be brought to a close ! and the stirring and great events which have so long occupied us. Negociations were now proceeding with wonderful rapidity. Amongst the exalted personages who were with the Irish com- manders throughout the siege, were Dr. Maguire, the Catholic Lord Primate of all Ireland and Archbishop of Armagh, the CathoHc Lord Bishop of Cashel, and other high dignitaries of the Ancient Church of Ireland. Dr. Molony, Bishop of Limerick, was in France with King James. Lieut.-Gen. Sheldon, Lord Galmoy, Lord Westmeath, Lord Dillon, Lord Trimblestown, Sir Theobald Butler, and several more Irish officers, came on the next day, the 25th, from the horse camp, where they had been, and dined with General Sarsfield.2 On the following day Wauchop and Sarsfield dined with Ginkle. Such is war — the most conflicting enemies think no more of what has passed — they sup and are cheery over the red graves of the fallen ! It was agreed that hostages should be exchanged, in order to a further treaty ; and accordingly, Lord Cutts, Sir David Collier, Colonel Tiffln, and Colonel Piper were sent into the city ; Lords Westmeath, Iveagh, Trimblestown and Louth were sent out.' On the 27th the Irish forwarded their Proposals, which were :* — " 1st. That their Majesties wiU by an Act of Indemnity pardon aU past Crimes and Offences whatsoever. " 2dly. To restore aU Irish Catholics to the Estates, of which they were seized or possessed before the late Eevolution. '^3rdly. To allow a free Liberty of Worship, and one Priest to each Parish,*^ as well in Towns and Cities, as in the Country. " 4tlily. Irish CathoHcs to be capable of bearing Employments, Military and Civil, and to exercise Professions, Trades, Callings, of what Nature soever. " 5thly. The Irish Army to be kept on Foot, paid, &c. as the rest of their Majesties Forces, in case they be willing to serve their Majesties against France, or any other Enemy. " Gthly. The Irish Catholics to be allowed to live in Towns Corporate and Cities, to be Members of Corporations, to exercise all sorts and manners of Trades, and to be equal with their Fellow-Protestant Subjects in all Pri- vileges, Advantages and Immunities accruing in or by the said Corporations. " 7thly. An Act of ParUament to be passed for ratifying and confirming the said Conditions." ' At his favourite rendevous, near Cullen, he took off with him seventy-one horses and care whi«h -were coming in that direction to the English Camp ; but Storey, very naively, says " he durst not stay to do any further mischief ," as if the taking of seventy-one horses in the sight of the enemy was not mischief enough for one experiment. * Storey says that " they went afterwards into the town in a boat rowed by French seamen (" there being then three vessels drawn within the key, and one of them sunk across it, to prevent our coming up the river at night by way of surprise.") " As they rid by the end of the Bridge towards the Boat, a party of their own men were burying the dead killed in the last action ; they stopped and enquired for several people, whom they there found dead ; and the cessation was continued next day at ten o'clock." » Storey. * Ibid. 266 niSTORY OF limerick. These proposals were all rejected, though strongly pressed on Ginkle's attention by the Archbishop of Cashel and others. So difficult was it to come to an arrangement, that at one time it was considered probable that the battle should be fought over again ; even the batteries were making ready for that purpose, but the treaty was at length determined on; and on the 28th, Sarsfield, Wauchop, Baron Purcell of Loughmore, the Archbishop of Cashel, Su' Garret Dillon, Sir Theobald Butler, and Colonel Brown, (the three last mentioned counsellors-at-law), with several officers and Commissioners, pro- ceeded to Ginkle^s quarters ; where after aprotracted debate, articles were agreed to, not only for the city of Limerick, but for all the forts and castles of the kingdom, then in possession of the Irish, such as Eoss, Clare, &c. &c. On the same evening an order was signed, directing a portion of the transport ships to sail from Cork to the Shannon, in order to take some of the Irish forces on board ; and Ginkle despatched a letter to Sir Ealph Delavall, who, he understood, was upon the coast, with a squadron of English ships of war, cautioning him not to prevent the transport ships of France from arriving in the Shannon, nor the remainder of the French fleet from entering the bay of Dingle. On the following day (the 29th) the horse and dragoons, com- manded by the Marquis de Ruvigny, proceeded to encamp beyond Six-Mile- Bridge, for the convenience of forage. On this occasion the soldiers of both armies became on friendly terms, and mutually visited each other's camps. On the 30th, the Duke of Wirtemberg entertained nearly all the Irish general officers at dinner, no other movement having been contemplated until the expected arrival of the Lords Justices, who were sent for to confirm the civil and mihtary articles. Sarsfield next day complained that certain of the English began to plunder and strip his soldiers according as they had the opportunity. Ginkle thereupon gave orders that none of his men should go beyond their own works. The Irish made huts in the King's Island, to which several regiments were drawn. The gates were kept fast locked, as it was apprehended that many would endeavour to escape on the intelHgence of their having to go to France — a service for which, according to Storey, they entertained no particular affection, but which they preferred after all, as the result soon proved, to the English service. At nine o'clock on the evening of the 1st of October, the Lords Justices arrived at Ginkle's camp ; on the 2nd, about two o'clock, p.m. Sarsfield, Wauchop, and the principal generals and pubHc functionaries of Ireland, civil, military, and ecclesiastical, proceeded also to Ginkle's camp ; the French generals kept out of the way, pretending indisposition.* Lord Merrion and Lord Brittas had now come from Kerry ; their party was included in the Articles ; but new debates arose respecting the Eapparees, which occupied the meeting till an advanced hour in the night. On the 3rd, however, the Irish officers again dined with the Dulce of Wirtemberg, when the Articles were interchangeably signed.^ The first about the Surrender of the city was signed by the Generals : and the other about the Privileges granted to • Storey — Their names however are signed to the first article. 2 Articles agreed upon between the Baron De Ginckle, Lieutenant-General and Commander-in-Chief of the English army, on the one side ; and tlie Lieutenant Generals De Ussoon and De Tessee, Commanders-in-Chief of the Irish army, on the other ; and the General Officers hereunto subscribing. I — That all persons, without any exceptions of what quality or condition soever, that are willing to leave the kingdom of Ireland, shall have free liberty to go to any country beyond the seas, (England and Scotland excepted), where they think fit, with their families, household stuff, plate and jeAvels. I HISTORY OF LIMEEICK. 267 the Irish, by General Ginkle and Lords Justices jointly, being afterwards ratified by their Majesties' Letters Patents under the Great Seal of England in the forms given in full in the note. Storey designates both the articles "civil/' II — That all General Officers, colonels, and generally all other Officers of horse, dragoons and foot guards, troopers, dragooners, soldiers of all kinds that are in garrison, place, or post, now in the hands of the Irish, or encamped in the countries of Cork, Clare, and Kerry, as also those called Eapparees, or volunteers, that are willing to go beyond seas aforesaid, shall have free leave to embark themselves wherever the ships are that are appointed to transport them, and to come in whole bodies as they are now composed, or in parties, companies, or otherwise, without ha^ving any impediment, directly or indirectly. Ill — That all persons above mentioned, that are willing to leave Ireland and go into France, shall have leave to declare it at the times and places hereafter mentioned, viz : the troops in Limerick, on Tuesday next in Limerick ; the horse at their camp, on Wednesday, and the other forces that are dispersed in the counties of Clare, Kerry, and Cork' on the 8th inst, and on none other, before Monsieur Tameron, the French intendant, and Colonel Withers ; and after such decla- ration is made, the troops that will go into France must remain under the command and discipline of their Officers that are to conduct them thither ; and deserters of each side shall be given up, and punished accordingly. IV — That all English and Scotch Officers that serve now in Ireland, shall be included in this capitulation, as well for the security of their estates and goods in England, Scotland, and Ireland (if they are willing to remain here), as for passing freely into France or any other country to serve. V — That all the general French Officers, the intendant engineer, the engineers, the commissaries of war, and the artillery, the treasurer, and other French Officers, strangers, and aU others what- soever, that are in Sligo, Eoss, Clare, or in the army, or that do trade or commerce, or are other- ways employed in any kind of station or condition, shall have free leave to pass into France, or any other country, and shall have leave to ship themselves with all their horses, equipage, plate, papers, and all their effects whatever ; and that General Ginckle will order passports for them, convoys, and carriages by land and water, to carry them safe from Limerick to the ships where they shall be embarked, without paying anything for the said carriages, or to those that are employed therein, with their horses, cars, boats, and shallops. VI — That if any of the aforesaid equipages, merchandize, horses, money, plate, or other moveables or household stuff belonging to the said Irish troops, or to the French Officers, or other particular persons whatsoever, be robbed, destroyed, or taken away by the troops of the said general, the said general will order them to be restored, or payment to be made according to the value that is given in upon oath by the person so robbed or plundered ; and the said Irish troops to be transported as aforesaid ; and all other persons, belonging to them, are to observe good order in their march and quarters, and shall restore whatever they shall take from the country, or make restitution for the same. VII — That to facilitate the transporting the said troops, the general will furnish fifty ships, each ship's burthen two hundred tons ; for which, the persons to be transported shall not be obliged to pay, and twenty more, if there shall be occasion, without their paying for them ; and if any of the said ships shall be of lesser burthen, he will furnish more in number to countervail ; and also give two men of war to embark the principal officers, and serve for a convoy to the vessels of burthen. VIII — That a commissary shall be immediately sent to Cork to visit the transport ships, and what condition they are in for sailing ; and that as soon as they are ready, the troops to be transported shall march with all convenient speed, the nearest way, in order to embark there; and ii there shall be any more men to be transported than can be carried off in the said fifty ships, the rest shall quit the English town of Limerick, and march to such quarters as shall be appointed for them, convenient for their transportation, where they shall remain till the other twenty ships be ready, which may come in a month ; and may embark on any French ship that may come in the meantime. IX — That the said ships shall be furnished with forage for horses, and all necessary provisions to subsist the officers, troops, dragoons and soldiers, and all other persons that are shipped to be transported into France ; which provisions shall be paid for as soon as all are disembarked at Brest or Nantz, upon the coast of Britany, or any other part of France they can make. X — And to secure the return of the said ships (the danger of the seas excepted) and payment for the said provisions, sufficient hostage shall be given. XI — That the garrisons of Clare-castle, Eoss, and all other foot that are in garrisons in the counties of Clare, Cork, and Kerry, shall have the advantage of the present capitulation ; and such part of these garrisons as design to go beyond the seas, shall march out with their arms, baggage, drums beating, ball in mouth, match lighted at both ends, and colours flying, with all the provisions, and half ammunition that is in the said garrisons, and join the horse that march to be transported ; or if then there is not shipping enough for the body of foot that is next to be transported after the horse. General Ginckle will order that they be furnished with carriages for the purpose, and what provisions they shall want in their march, they paying for the said provisions, or else that they may take it out of their own magazines. 268 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Ginkle's army had orders to marcli into tlie Irishtown on that night ; but as it was after sunset when the Articles were signed^ Talmash, who was ap- XII — That all the troops of horse and dragoons that are in the counties of Cork, Kerry, and Clare, shall also have the benefit of this capitulation ; and that such as will pass into France, Bhall have quarters given them in the counties of Clare and Kerry, apart from the troops that are commanded by General Ginckle, until they can be shipped ; and within their quarters they shall pay for everything, except forage and pasture for their horses, which shall be furnished gratis. XIII — Those of the garrison of Sligo that are joined to the Irish army, shall have the benefit of this capitulation ; and orders shall be sent to them that are to convey them up, to bring them hither to Limerick the shortest way. XIV-— The Irish may have liberty to transport nine hundred horse, including horses for the officers which shall be transported gratis ; and as for the troopers that stay behind, they shall dispose of themselves as thej' shall think fit, giving up their horses and arms to such persons as the general shall appoint. XV — It shall be permitted to those that are appointed to take care for the subsistence of the horses that are willing to go into France, to buy hay and corn at the king's rates, wherever they can find it, in the quarters that are assigned for them, without any let or molestation, and to carry all necessary provisions out of the citj"- of Limerick ; and for this purpose the general will furnish convenient carriages for them to the places where they shall be embarked. XVI — That it shall be lawful to make use of the hay preserved in the stores of the county Kerry, for the horses that shall be embarked ; and if there be not enough, it shall be lawful to buy hay and oats wherever it shall be found at the king's rates. XVII — That all prisoners of war, that were in Ireland the 28th of September, 'shall be set at liberty on both sides ; and the general promises to use his endeavours, that those that are in England and Flanders shall be set at liberty also. XVIII — The general will cause provisions and medicines to be furnished to the sick and wounded officers, troopers, dragoons, and soldiers of the Irish army that cannot pass into France at the first embarkmeut : and after they are cured, will order them ships to pass into France, if they are willing to go. XIX — That at the signing hereof the general will send a ship express to France ; and that besides he will furnish two small ships of those that are now in the river of Limerick to transport two persons into France that are to be sent to give notice of this treaty ; and that the commanders of the said ships shall have orders to put ashore at the next port of France where they shall make. XX — That all those of the said troops. Officers, and others, of what character soever, that would pass into France, shall not be stopped upon the account of debt, or any other pretext XXI — If after signing this present treaty, and before the arrival of the fleet, a French packet boat, or other transport ship, shall arrive from France in any other part of Ireland, the general will order a passport, not only for such as must go on board the said ships, but to the ships to come to the nearest port to the place where the troops to be transported shall be quartered. XXII — That after the arrival of the said fleet, there shall be free communication and passage between it and the quarters of the above said troops ; and especially for all those that have passes from the chief commanders of the said fleet, or from Monsieur Tameron, the intendant. XXIII — In consideration of the present capitulation, the two towns of Limerick shall be delivered and put into the hands of the general, or any other person he shall appoint, at the time and days hereafter specified, viz ; the Irish town, except the magazines and liospital, on the day of the signing of these present articles ; and as for the English town, it shall remain, together with the Island, and the free passage of Thomond bridge, in the hands of those of the Irish army that are now in garrison, or that shall come hereafter from the counties of Cork Clare, Kerry, Sligo, and other places above mentioned, until there shall be convenience found for their transportation. XXIV — And to prevent all disorders that may happen between the garrisons, that the general shall place in the Irish town, which shall be delivered to him, the Irish troopers that shall remain in the English town and the Island, which they may do, until the troops to be embarked on the first fifty ships shall be gone for France, and no longer ; they shall entrench themselves on both sides to hinder the communication of the said garrisons ; and it shall be prohibited on both sides to offer any thing that is offensive ; and the parties offending shall be punished on either side. XXV — That it shall be lawful for the said garrison to march all out at once, or at different times, as they can be embarked, with arms, baggage, drums beating, match lighted at both ends, bullet in mouth, colours flying, six brass guns, such as the besieged will choose, two mortar pieces, and half the ammunition that is now in the magazines of the said place ; and for this purpose an inventory of all the ammunition in the garrison shall be made in the presence of any person that the general shall appoint, the next day after these present articles shall be signed. XXVI — All the magazines of provisions shall remain in the hands of those that are now employed to take care of the same, for the subsistence of those of the Irish army that will pass into France ; and if there shall not be sufficient in the stores, for the support of the said troops, whilst they stay in this kingdom, and are crossing the seas, that upon giving up an account of their numbers, the general will furnish them with sufficient provisions at the king's rates ; and HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 269 pointed to take possession of the town, thought proper not to march in that night, but gave directions to Nassau's and Hamilton's regiments to possess that there shall be a free market at Limerick, and other quarters, where the said troops shall be ; and in case any provision shall remain in the magazines of Limerick vrhen the town shall be given up, it shall be valued, and the price deducted out of what is to be paid for the provisions to be furnished to troops on ship board. ^ x xt. i,- XXVII— That there shall be a cessation of arms at land, as also at sea, with respect to the ships, whether English, Dutch, or French, designed for the transportation of the said troops, until they rhall be returned to their respective harbours; and that, on both sides, they shall be furnished with sufficient passports both for ships and men ; and if any commander, or captain of a ship or Tny Office troopef, dragoon, soldier, or any other person, shall act contrary to this cessation, the nersons so acting shall be punished on either side, and satisfaction shall be made for the wrong that i done ; and Officers shaU be sent to the mouth of the river of Limerick, to give notice to the commanders of the English and French fleets of the present conjuncture, that they may observe the cessation of arms accordingly. ... , , -u i- i XXVIII— That for the security of the execution of this present capitulation, and of each article therein contained, the besieged shall give the following hostages * * • * And the general *^ Xxix— If before this capitulation is fully executed, there happens any chance in the goverment or command of the army, which is now commanded by General Ginckle, all those that shall be appointed to command the same, shall be obliged to observe and execute what is specified m these articles, or cause it to be executed punctually, and shaU not act contrary on any account. D'Usson ^^ Chevalier de Tesse, LatumrMonfort, MarkTabbot, Lucan, -{<>• ^^^^^f^p, Galvioy, ^^- '^«''<^^"' Articles agreed upon the Third Day of October 1691, by the Right EonourMe Sir Chiles Jo^^^^^^ Kninht an/ Thomas Convngesby Esq; Lord Justices 0/ Ireland, and his Excellency Baron Be Sm, LLJGZ:.lc:rd'cLnInder'in chief of the English A.jon the one ^«7. -f^'^^J^^j Eonourable Patrick Earl of Lucan, Percy, Viscount Gallmoy, Co Nic Purcell, Col Di"on. ««f Col J ohn^TO^ne, on the other side: on the behalf of the Irish Inhahtants ^n the City and County of Lymerick, the Counties 0/ Clare, Cork, Kerry, Sligo, and Mayo, m consideration of the surrender of the City of Ljmenck, a7id other agreements made betroeen the said Lieut General Gmckel the Governor of the City 0/ Lymerick, and the Generals of the Irish Army, bearing Date with these Presents, for the surrender of the said City, and Submission of the said Army. 1 That the Roman Catholicks of this Kingdom shall enjoy such PrivUeges in the Exercise of their Religion as are consistent with the Laws of Ireland; or as they did enjoy in the Reign of King CWfc5 the Second; and Their Majesties (as soon as their Affairs will permit them to summon a Parliament in this Kingdom) wUl endeavour to secure the said Roman Catholicks such further Secmity in that particular, as may preserve them from any disturbance upon the account ""^2^ Aiulfe InhSnts or Residents of Lymerick, or any other Garrison now in the possession of the Irish, and all Officers and Souldiers now in Arms under any Commission of K. James, or those Authorized by him, to grant the same in the several Counties oi Lymerick, Cork Kerry, S tnd Mayo, or any of them, and all the Commissioned Officers in their Majesties' Quarters thft belong to the Irish Regiments now in being, that are treated with and who are Prisoners of War, Sfve taken Protection, who shall return, and submit to Their Majesties' Obedience, their and every of their Heirs, shall hold, possess, and enjoy all and every their Estates of Free-hold and Inheritance, and all the Right, Title and Interest, Privileges and Immunities which they and every or any of them held, enjoyed, or were rightfully entitled to m the Reign of K. Charks th^ Second : or at anv time since, by the Laws and Statutes that were in force m the said Re gn of King Charles the Second, and shall be put in possession by order of the Goverment of such of them as are in the King's Hands, or in the Hands of his Tenants, without being put to any Suit or Trouble therein ; tnd all such Estates shall be freed and discharged from aU ^"ears of Crown Rents, Quit Rents, and other public charges incurred, and become due since Michaelmas IbSH, to the Day of the Date hereof ; and all Persons comprehended in this Article, shall have, hold, and eniov all their Goods and Chattels real and personal, to them, or any of them_ belonging, and reLining either in their own Hands, or in the Hands of any Persons whatever m Trust for or for the Use of them, or any of them : And all and every the said Persons, of what Profession Trade or Calling soever they be, shall and may use, exercise, and practise their several and respective Profession, Trades and Callings as freely as they did use exercise and enjoy the same in the Reign of K. James the Second ; provided that nothing in this Article contained, be con- struedto extend to, or lestore any forfeiting Person now out of the kmgdom. except what are hereafter comprized; provided also, that no Person whatsoever shall have or enjoy the benefit of this Article, that shall neglect or refuse to take the Oath of Allegiance made by Act of Parliament in England, in the first year of the Reign of their present Majesties, when thereunto requued- 270 HISTORY OF LIMERICK- themselves of the Stone Fort and all the outworks of the IrishtoAvn. Next day five of the English regiments marched in and took possession of the Irish- town^ in which were fourteen pieces of cannon^ and St. John's Church, which was heaped full of oats, of which the Irish had the benefit, in accordance with the Articles. Storey observes that the works were all exceedingly strong. 3. All Merchants, or reputed Merchants of the City of Lymerich, or of any other Garrison now- possessed by the Insh, or of any Town or Place in the Counties of Clare or Kerry, who are absent beyond the Seas, that have not bore Arms since Their Majesties' Declaration in February 1688-9, shall have the Benefit of the second Article, in the same manner as if thej' were present, provided such Merchants and reputed Merchants do repair into this Kingdom within the space of eight Months from the Date hereof. 4. The following officers, viz. Col Simon Lutterill, Col Roioland White, Maurice Eustace of Tearmanstown, Cheviers of Maystown, commonly called Mount Linster, now belonging to the Eegiments of the aforesaid Garrisons and Quarters of the Irish Army who are beyond the seas, and sent thither upon Affairs of their respective Eegiments, or the Army in General, shall have the Benefit and Advantage of the Second Article provided they return hither within the space of eight Months from the Date of these Presents and Submit to Their Majesties' Government, and take the above mentioned Oath. 5. That all and singular the said Persons comprised in the Second and Third Articles, shall have a General Pardon of all Attainders, Outlawries, Treasons, Misprisions of Treasons, Premunires, Felonies, Trespasses, and other Crimes and Misdemeanors whatsoever by them or any of them, committed since the beginning of the Eeign of King James the Second ; and if any of them are attainted by Parliament, the Lord Justices and the General will use their best Endeavours to get the same repealed by parliament, and the Outlawries to be Eeversed gratis, all but Writing Clerks Fees. 6. Whereas these present Wars have drawn great Violence upon both Parties, and if Leave were given to the bringing of all sorts of private Actions, the Animosities would probably continue that have been so long on foot, and the publick Disturbances last ; for the quieting and settling therefore of the Kingdom, and the avoiding those Inconveniences which would be the necessary consequence of the contrary, no Person, or Persons whatsoever comprized in the foregoing Articles, shall be sued, molested, or impleaded at the Suit of any Party or Parties whatsoever, for any Trespasses bj* them committed, or for any Arms, Horses, Monies, Goods, Chattels, Merchandizes, or Provisions whatsoever, by them seized or taken during the Time of the War ; and no Person or Persons whatsoever in the Second or Third Articles comprized, shall be sued, or made accountable for the Eents or Eates of any Land, Tenements, or Houses by him or them reserved or enjoyed in this Kingdom since the beginning of the present War, to the Day of the Date hereof ; nor for any Waste or Trespass by him or them committed in any such Lands, Tenements, or Houses : and it is also agreed, that this Article shall be mutual and reciprocal on both sides. 7. Every Nobleman and Gentleman comprized in the Second and Third Articles, shall have Liberty to ride with a Sword and a Case of Pistols if they think fit, and keep a Gun in the House, for the Defence of the same, or Fowling. 8. The Inhabitants and Eesidents of the City of Lymerich, and other Garrisons, shall be permitted to remove their Goods, Chattels, and Provisions out of the same, without being viewed or searched, or paying any manner of Duties, and shall not be compelled to leave their Houses and Lodgings they now have therein for the space of six Weeks nest ensuing the Date hereof. 9. The Oath to be administered to such Roman Catholicks as submit to their Majesties' Government, shall be the Oath aforesaid and no other. 10. No Person or Persons who shall at any time hereafter break these Articles, or any of them, shall thereby make or cause any other Person or Persons to forfeit or lose the Benefit of same. 11. The Lords Justices and General do promise to use their utmost endeavours that all Persons comprehended in the above mentioned Articles, shall be protecthd and defended from all Arrests and Executions for Debt or Damage, for the space of eight Months next ensuing the Date hereof. 12. Lastly, the Lords Justices and the General do undertake, That their Majesties will ratiiie these Articles within the space of three Months, or sooner, and use their utmost Endeavours that the same shall be ratified and confirmed in the Parliament. 13. And whereas Col. John Browne stood indebted unto several Protestants by Judgements of Eecord, which appeared to the late Government, the Lords Tyrconnell and Lucan took away the effects the said John Browne had to answer the said Debts ; which Effects were taken for the publick Use of the Irish, and their Army, for freeing the said Lord Lucan of his engagement past upon their publick Account for payment of the said Protestants, for preventing the Ruine of the said John Browne, and for satisfaction of his said Creditors, at the instance of the said Lord Lucan, and the rest of the persons aforesaid, it is agreed, that the said Lords Justices, and Lieutenant General Ginhel shall interpose with the King and Parliament, to have the Estates secured to Roman Catholicks by Articles and Capitulations in this kingdom, charged HISTORY OF LIMEIilCK. 271 The English placed a guard at one end of Ball's Bridge, and the Irish at another. On the 5th, 100 men out of each regiment of the English were ordered to level the works they had raised against the city. A difficulty arose respect- ing a Lieut.-Colonel in the Irish army, who sent a letter to Ginkle complaining that he had been imprisoned by General Sarsfield, (who was now called Lord Lucan by the English, in consequence of the Articles), for refusing to go to France. Ginkle ordered four pieces of cannon to be placed on Baud's Bridge ; hot work was about to ensue — until the Lieut.-Colonel was enlarged. Ginkle issued a declaration, offering protection and pay to such Irish officers and soldiers as chose to join the English in preference to the French colours ; and permission to such of them as desired to proceed to their respective homes. Limerick afforded King James a title for Dimgan (Earl of Limerick) who suffered for attachment to his master. with, and equally liable to the payment of so much of the said Debts as the Lord Lucan, upon stating Accounts with the said John Browne, amount imto ; Account is to be stated, and the Balance certified by the said Lord Lucan in 21 days after the Date hereof ; For the true perfor- mance whereof, we have hereunto set our Hands ;* Present, Scravemore, Charles Porter, E. Machay, Tho. Conyngesby, T, Talmash, Baron £>e Ginckel. And whereas the said City of Lymerich hath been since, in pursuance of the said Articles, surrendered unto Us. Now know ye. That we having considered of the said Articles, are graciously pleased hereby to declare that We do for Us, our Heirs and Successors, as far as in Us lies, ratifie and confirm the same, and every Clause, Matter, and Thing therein contained — And as to such parts thereof, for which an Act of Parliament shall be found to be necessary. We shall recommend the same to be made good by Parliament ; and shall give our Royal Assent to any Bill or Bills, that shall be Passed by Our Two Houses of Parliament to that Purpose. And whereas it appears unto Us that it was agreed between the Parties to the said Articles, that after the Words, Lymerich, Clare, Kerry, Cork, Mayo, or any of them, in the Second of the said Articles, the words following : viz. And all such as are under their Protection in the said Counties, should be inserted, and be part of the said Articles ; which Words having been casually omitted by the Writer, the omission was not discovered till after the said Articles were signed, but was not taken notice of before the second Town was surrendered. And that our said Justices and General, or one of them, did promise that the said Clause should be made good, it being within Intention of the Capitulation, and inse/ted in the foul Draught thereof. Our further Will and Pleasure is, and We do hereby ratifie and confirm the said words ; viz. (And all such as are under the Protection of the said Counties) hereby for Us, our Heirs and Successors, ordaining, and declaring, that all and every Person and Persons therein concerned, shall, and may have, receive and enjoy the Benefit thereof in such and the same manner, as if the Words had been inserted in their proper place, in the said Second Article, any omission, defect, or mistake in the said Second Article, in any ways not- withstanding. Provided always, and Our Will and Pleasure is, that these our Letters Patent shall be enrolled in our Court of Chancery, in our said Kingdom of Ireland, within|the space of one year next ensuing. In witness, &c. Witness Our self at Westminster, the Twenty-fourth Day of February, Anno Regni Eegis & Reginse Guielmi & Marise, quarto, per breve de privato sigillo. Nos autem tenorem prsemissor. prcedict. ad requisitionem Attornat. General. Domini Regis & Dominas Reginae pro Regno HiberniaE!, duximus exemplificandum per prsesentes. In Cujus rei Testimonium has Literas nostras fieri fecimus Patentes. Testibus nobis ipsis apud Westmon. quinto die Aprilis Annoque Regni eorum quarto, Bridges. Examinat. ( 8 Keck, "^ p vr., -^ }• in Cancel. Magistros. * The treaty is said to have been signed at or near the Red Gate, within a mile of the city at the Clare side. Tradition does not admit that it was signed on what has been called the " Treaty Stone," which has occupied a place on the North side of Thomond Bridge for many years, and which was originally a stone, used by country people for getting on horses when leaving town. The Cork " Freeholder" of Monday, 11th July, 1814, says, " that the late Miss Dobbin of Brown-street, had in her possession the Table on which the treaty of Limerick was signed ; and :vhich was about being auctioned off on decease of above lady." 272 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. King James also manifested his attention to Limerick by the grant of a charter, which is on record (Eot. Pat. 4 Jac. II. p .2, m. 1.) This charter recites a judgment against the Corporation in the Exchequer, and professes to constitute a new Corporate body. Its provisions are very extensive ; but may be briefly described as creating a self-elected municipality, removable by the Lord Lieutenant and Privy Council. Its operation was limited to the comparatively short reign of the unfortunate Kiug.^ In King Jameses ParHament sixty-eight of the gentry of the county and city of Limerick were attainted of high treason ; and it may be added that > The Common Council of Limerick, January 30, 1687, in which year and the following one, King James altered all the Corporations of Ireland — Harris's Life of King William. Robert Hannan. Mayor. Aldermen — 24. Thomas Power, Esq. J. Rice Fitzwilliam, Esq. John Foord, Merchant. Thomas Harold, Merchant William Craven, Merchant. J. MacNamara, Merchant,! ni -^ Sep. Creagh, Gent. ^Sker,ffs. John Rice FitzEdward, Merchant and Chamberlain. Thomas Roche, Merchant. James Craven, Merchant. James Taverner, Merchant. -42. Sir James Galway, Barti Sir Oliver Bourke, Bart. Sir William King, Knt. John Leonard, Merchant. Nicholas Arthur, Esq. Dominick Roche, Esq. Pierce Lacy, Esq. Edward Warr, Merchant. Robert Smith, Goldsmith. Michael Creagh, Merchant. John Baptist Roufel, Merchant. James Creagh FitzPierce, Esq. Burgesses. Sir Stephen Rice, Chief Baron. James Nihell, Esq. John Ronane, Esq. Theo. Butler, Esq. John Sarsfield, Esq. John Wall, Esq. Jeremiah Hall, Esq.* J. Roe Creagh, Merchant. James Woulfe FitzBartholomew, Merchant. James Robinson, Goldsmith. Dominick Roche, Jun. Gent. Thomas MacNamara, Gent. Philip Stackpole, Merchant. John Skeolan, Merchant. Moses Woodroff, Gent. Thomas Creagh, Merchant. Nicholas White FitzDominick, Merchant. Edward Wight, Merchant. George Gromwell, Merchant, Thomas Long, Merchant. Arthur Allen, Vintner. * This gentleman, who was a Doctor of Physic, founded '• Hall's Charity" for Poor Protestants in the English-town, and appropriated certain ground rents in the city to support a certain number of aged men and women. For the support of the men, in quarterly payments, the sum of £65 ; for the support of a certain number of women, £60 ; for the Schoolmaster, for in- structing twenty boys in reading, writing, and Arithmetic, £12 ; for a Schoolmistress for teaching twenty girls to read, £12; for supplying the schools with books and stationery, £10; for a Clergyman to attend the chapel of said house, £"15 ; for a steward to keep the accounts, make quarterly payments, &c. &c. £20; for repairs, £10; for releasing debtors from jail, £10. Dr. Hall also bequeathed £200 to be given in apjirentice fees to deserving young men. He constituted the Protestant Bishop, Dean, and Mayor, Recorder and Sheriffs for the time being, trustees of his will. For a long time the charity had been grossly mismanaged ; the income has latterly fallen away. In the year 1864 there were but eight, viz. two male, and six female inmates. Men and women get coal for six weeks and £5 10s. yearly each. The school is well conducted, by Mr. and Mrs. George Russell, and contains no less than 38 boys, and 22 girls. There is no Chaplain at present. James MacMahon, Esq. of the Probate Court is agent. Mr. Russell haa £36 ISs. 5d, a year, and Mrs. Russell, £21. Thomas Breviter, Merchant. Simon White, Jun. Merchant. Patrick Nihell, Gent. Robert Riordan, Merchant. Peter Monsell, Merchant. Francis White, Merchant, Stephen White FitzFrancis, Merchant Richard Harold, Merchant. Walter Harold, Merchant. Zech. Holland, Merchant. Stephen Comyn, Gent. Patrick Stritch, Merchant. James Arthur, Merchant. Thomas Arthur, Merchant. Nicholas Morrough; Vintner. John Daniel, Merchant. Henry Turner, Esq., Recorder. Prothonotary, Clerk of the Peace. Pierce Lacy, Town Clerk. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 273 many of their names have ceased to exist in the county and city.^ And between the clash of adverse arms, and the din of civil war, a Court suit, which was instituted by the Augustinians of Limerick — who appear to have been in the city during the sieges — against a citizen of the name of Lysaght, was decided in favour of the former by Sir Charles Porter, the Lord Chancellor. 2 Colonel John Rice behaved badly in these times. At the surrender of Limerick, he brought in to William a regiment of horse upon the public faith of being received into the Enghsh pay. There was a good deal of litigation and acrimony in consequence, as Captain Morgan O^Bryen, Captain Fitzgerald, and others replied to the case' which Rice had made upon obtaining an Act of Parliament for Debentures to be given him for his claims arising out of the Irish wars, the siege of Limerick, &c.' One of the heads of the causes ' Henry Berry of Limerick, yeoman, Jonathan Boles of Newcastle, gent., George Brien of Shanagolden, gent, John Chinnerj-- of Cregane, gent., Nicholas Chinnery, gent., Richard Chin- nery, gent., William Clarke of Cloughnarral, Richard Cooper of Knocklong, Chidley Coote Fitz Charles of Ballyshane, Richard Coote, Esq., Francis Courtenaj*, Richard Courtenay, (sons to Sir William Courtenay), James Cox of Ballyline gent., Thomas Creed, of Ganynaderkey, gent, George Crofts, jun. of Croghill, John Crowe of Rathkeale, gent., Michael Daly of Chashbane, John Dowdall of Cappagh, Ralph Emmerson of Castlematress, John Flyn of Castlematress, Samuel Foxon, jun. of Limerick, Esq., Bartholemew Gibbins of Covinger, gent., John Owene of Cloughnarral, Henry Holmes of Kilmallock, gent., James Howard of Limerick, gent., James Higgins, Miles Jackson of Ballyvologue, gent., William Jephson, prebendary of Donoghmore, Joseph Jephson, clerk, Richard Ingoldsby of Ballybricken, Esq., Hugh Maguire of Duntrileague, gent., Robert Moore of Limerick, Thomas Moore of Castlematress, gent, Nicholas Monckton of Ballynafrankey, gent., Charles O'Dell of Castletownmaciniry, gent., Charles Oliver of Clogher, Esq., Arthur Ormsby and John Ormsby, sons of Captain Ormsbj^ of Corgrig, Stephen Palmer, gent., William Palmer, gent., Robert Pheaby of Rathkeale, Captain Christopher Phillips, John Ponsonby of Fanningstown, gent., Thomas Ponsonby of Ballincullenbeg, gent., Robert Pope of Rathkeale, gent., Robert Robinson of Rathkeale, John Swayne of Clohomwsey, John Southwel and William Southwel of Castlematress, Henry Trenchard, Thomas Trenchard of Corgraige, John Treth of Rathkeale, William Walker of Cloughnarral, Oliver Walsh of Bally- raullane, gent., John Whittaker of Lisnasheely. The following absentees attainted if they do not return before the first of September, 1689 : — Hugh Brady, gent., Randall Clayton, gent, John Harrison of Ballyvonneen, Esq., William Harrison of Toureen, Esq., Hugh Massy, Esq., Archdeacon Henry Harstongue, Hugh Massy, Esq., John Pigot of Kilfenny, Esq., Richard Steevens, gent., Erasmus Smith of Carrigogunnell, Esq., William Trenchard, Esq., and Trenchard, gent, of Mountrenchard, Henry Westenra of Athlacca, Esq. The following persons of said county and city being residents in England, are to signify their loyalty provided the King goes there, by the 1st of October, 1689 : — Joseph Stepnej% Abbeyowey, Thomas Butler of Kilnemouey, Richard Bury of Ballj'nerigy, Thomas Maunsell of Ballynemoney, Thomas Rose of Morgans, William Gribble, jun. of Limerick, John Douney of Caperearneesy, Thomas Warren of Newtown, Daniel Webb of Rathgonan, Timothy Webb of IJallygubby, Thomas Oldfield of Gornskeigh, Richard Peacock of Graigue, Abraham Jackson of Duntryleague, Childly Coote Fitzchidley of Coote, Thomas Spire of Kathanny, Giles Spencer of Limerick, Henry Ciddenham, jun. of Corra, Standish Hartstongue, jun. of Bruff, Richard Newport of Long- ford, James Webb of Ballyhennessy. » In the registry office of the High Court of Chancery, Dublin, is extant an order of said Court, and an injunction also dated June 22, 1691, in a motion between Friar Brien Kennedy and the Convent of St. Augustine in Limerick, plaintiff, and Wm. Lysaght, defendant. The order of the Lord Chancellor, Sir Charles Porter, was, that the defendant, within six days after sight, or due notice thereof, do answer the said petition upon his corporeal oath to bo taken upon the Holy Evangelists ; and that in the mean time the injunction of this Court do issue to give the plaintiffs the peaceable possession of the said house, until evicted by law or the further order of this Court. Said father Brien Kennedy was prior of this Convent of Limerick, and afterwards provincial of his order in iTchmd. — White's MSS. taken from De Burghe's Appendix to his Historical Collections^ page 318. * There were certificates of Colonel Fitzgerald Villiers for the horses supplied to the troops by Colonel Rice, letters, &c. All these documents were published in four separate papers in 1G97 There were petitions at the same time from Captain Morgan O'Bryen, Captain K. O'Bryen, Captain G. Fitzgerald, and other officers of King James's army, who surrendered under the siege of Limerick. — Thorp's Catalogue of the SoulhweU MSS. iO 274 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. which moved the Catholics of Ireland to take arms in 1641, was that all the natives were deprived of the benefit of the ancient fundamental laws, liberties, and privileges, due by all laws and justice to a free people and nation, and more particularly due by the merciful laws of Ireland' — but if ever the Irish had reason to take arms — if ever they were driven to the last alternative, it was when they saw all that they had fought and bled for, wrenched from their grasp, by as truculent a piece of treachery as ever was dreamt of by the most corrupt and the falsest of their tyrants. In this war they fought for their legitimate king ! There was no rebelHon ! Such was the termination of King James's hold on Ireland. Such was the end of the eventful struggle which Limerick made to secure freedom for Irish Cathohcs. The 'treaty was signed ! The capitulation was made. The articles were agreed to ! Alas ! that it should be told how soon the treaty was broken ! — How speedily faith was violated ! — How rapidly English perfidy exhibited the cloven foot when Ireland was again in her power ! On the 3rd of October the Treaty was signed I On the 22nd of the same month, the English Parliament excluded Cathohcs from the Irish Houses of Lords and Commons, by compelling them to take the oaths of supremacy before admission. ' Desiderata Curiosa Hibemica. ^^HA^^B^ia (g^«iiiLiMV2,-iM« HISTORY OF LBrERICK. 275 CHAPTEE XXXV. ASSEMBLAGE OF THE IRISH ARMY ON THE KING's ISLAND. ADDRESSES BY THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS AND CLERGY TO THE SOLDIERS, BY SARSFIELD, EARL OP LUCAN, WAUCHOP, &C. PREPARATIONS FOR THE EMBARKATION-— THE EMBARKATION. "FAREWELL TO PATRICK SARSFIELD." The Irish army who had so nobly defended the cause of their country and their rehgion, and who in the discharge of duty had won the praises even of enemies, which had fully justified the observation, that some years afterwards was made by Francis the 1st of Austria, after having witnessed what had been achieved by the Irish Brigades abroad — when he stated that the true interests of Austria consisted among other things in fostering Irish officers, — for " the more Irish officers there are iu the Austrian service,"'' said he, " the better •/' " an Irish coward," he added, " is an uncommon character, and what the natives of Ireland even dislike from principle they generally perform from a desire of glory" — this grand army, or what remained of it after two memorable campaigns, assembled in the afternoon of Saturday, the 5th of October, on the King's Island. Some of the Irish soldiery had not as yet left the city. They were all brought together on this memorable occasion in order that Lord Lucan, as he was now called by the English, in accordance with the terms of the Treaty, which acknowledged the title that had been conferred on Patrick Sarsfield by King James, and Wauchop might address them, and acquaint them with the present posture of afiiiirs. This they did in the most impressive manner : they were told, at the same time, that on the next day they should again muster at the same place, when they would meet the bishops and clergy, to whom they had manifested great attachment, and who were to exhort them as to the course they should adopt in the existing emergency. On the following morning, accordingly, each Irish regiment was drawn up at the appointed place of rendezvous — it was a sight calculated to soften the heart and draw tears from the eyes. The noble river ran bright and clear around the Island — the grey old walls of the city which they had defended so well, and the towers of St. Mary's Cathedral were in front of them. Never, probably, in the history of ill-fated nationalities has an incident occurred more touching than the review of this wreck of the loyahst army. There is a natural pathos connected with the circumstances of the assemblage on this occasion of the native warriors, which it would be idle to endeavour to enhance by any attempt at elaborate description or reflection. To each regiment a persuasive discourse was now preached by the Cathohc clergy, who with crucifix in hand stood in front of the soldiers, and openly declared the advantages which enlistment in the French service would be to them, and to the country for which they had fought, but for which, they could no longer employ their arms in defence of at home. They stated that France would open up new fields for their bravery, and add fresh laurels to their brows — that they might retm-n again in the course of a short period, to vindicate the rights of the old land, and restore it to its former position.^ The bishops too went among them, and gave them their blessing; they addressed them encouragingly, and expressed a hope that they would do what was expected at their hands, now that the contest in which they had 1 See Storey. 276 UlSTOliY OF LIMERICK. fought so gallantly was over^ and in which thev must have been victors had they not become the victims of deceit and treachery. To counteract these addresses and exertions of the bishops and clergy. General Ginkle commissioned one of the most expert of his officers to go among the soldiers, and point out to them the great good they were certain t» confer upon themselves by enhsting under the banners of England rather thau under those of a foreign nation, from Avhich they had not obtained the assistance sought for. Large promises were made of favour, protection, and promotion. Everything was done to induce them to remain at home, rather than swell the ra.ui:s of England^s enemies abroad. Some time was occupied in this way; at length the flag-staff was raised, and the word was given : those who were for Erance were to pass to the right, those for England to the left — the respective generals occupying their proper places dm-ing this muster. The scene was one which no pencil could pourtray — no pen descnbe. There Avas no more chivalrous and magnificent regiment in Europe at the time than the guards of King James, officered by men of rank and ability; the soldiers being picked men, who had won renown wherever they appeared. Their muster roll was 1400 strong. They were all the chosen favourites of the unfortunate monarch in whose cause they had bled, and whose crown they would have secured, had not the fortune of war decreed other- wise. As they advanced to the place for separating, for declaring for France or for England — the entire regiment, with the exception of seven men, and as tradition has it one officer,^ marched for France ! This was a heavy blow and a great discouragement to Ginkle ; who could not conceal his mortifica- tion when he beheld the flower of the Irish army betake themselves to France. He was compensated somewhat when he saw nearly the entire of Lord Iveagh's regiment of Ulster Irish go off in a body for England, followed by Wilson''s, half of Lord Louth^s, a considerable number of Clifford's, Purcell's, Lutterel's, and Hussey's — in all, according to Storey, 104:6 men, besides double the number, according to the same author, who had passes to go home to their respective residences in Ireland. The number, however, that declared for France was the vast majority. They were not to be diverted by flattery or persuasion. Those who had mustered for England were now plenti- fully regaled with bread, cheese, brandy, tobacco, &c., and received a fortnight's subsistence. But Ginkle was not satisfied that he did not obtain more men, ' Storey says seven men. There is no mention by him of an officer, but Lieutenant Camber- lain of Captain Russell's company of the guards, is said to have been the oihcer. He got a pass from Ginkle to proceed to Dublin, of which the subjoined is a copy. His commission, with the original of which we have been favoured by his descendant maternally, Thomas O'Gorman, Esq. of Kathgorman, Co. Dublin, is signed in the beautiful bold hand of Tyrconnell. This is the pass : — BY LIEUT GENERAL GINCKELE, Commandr of their mats fforees in Ireland. Locum Sigilli, Whereas George Chamberlaine of the county of Dublin, Eldest lieutenant to the regiment of guards hath submitcd to their magties government, and as Resident in the garrison of Lymerik is compre- hended within the articles and Capitulations whereupon that garrison was surrendered and desires our passport and safe conduct. — These are, therefore, to permitte and suffer the said George Chamber- lane, with his servants, liorses and rideng armss and Luggage, freely and quietly to pass from hence towards je Citt}' of Dublin or elsewhere in this Kingdoroe without lett or molestation. Given att ye campe by Limcrik this 8th of 8 ber, 169L Bak de Gixckei.e. 7b all officers and soldkr.t of their raageis army and all others v)hom it may concerite, (■» true copy). W. PALMER. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 277 not for his army, but against France. Accordingly he issued another proclama- tion, in which he offered Hberty and permission, to such of the soldiers as would join him, to return to their homes with goods, stock, and families. He gave a promise too, that the rapparees, creights, and volunteers should be also protected if they came in and submitted. He gave directions to his own officers and soldiers that they should not interfere in any way with the freedom of the people. The moment, however, that he had the Irish soldiers within his grasp, he gave them no peace — he regarded them as nothing better than deserters ; he disbanded the entire number that had gone over to him, with the exception of two regiments which he placed under the command of Colonel Wilson and Baldearg O^'Donnell, both of whom soon afterwards. j)aid dearly for their desertion of their country. And now came the trying moment of departure ! Passes had been already signed by Lord Lucan for such of his friends as were desirous of visiting their homes and remaining there.* On the 10th a large portion of Ginkle^s army returned from beyond the river, and 1000 Irish horse and dragoons that had gone over to him, were mustered by Allen, a Commissioner. On the 13th the Irish horse regiments that had declared for France, marched through the Enghsh-town, out at the west Water-gate, and on for Cork. Storey states that they were numbered, as they passed the English camp, and were not 1000 strong; but this is evidently a mistake. It was a sight which drew bitter tears from every beholder. Even Ginkle^s hardened warriors afforded them a parting sigh as they looked for the last time on the walls of Limerick. The 13th and 14th of the month were occupied in further movements of the troops on both sides ; the Irish-town was occupied by an English regiment. Gmkle removed to quarters, leaving Sir David Collier Governor of Limerick. Lord Drogheda^s and Lord Lis- bum's regiments were encamped outside the walls, until such time as the Irish soldiers had totally evacuated the English-town. Talmash remained, to see that order was observed. The Irish foot-guards now bade adieu to old Limerick with heavy hearts ; and went on the road to Cork to take shipping for the land of their destination — Catholic France. We may well judge of the overwhelming grief which their departure occasioned those they left after them. Storey says that they numbered only 482, though they were 1400 when they declared for France ; but in this instance too he commits a serious error. On the 14th, provisions and money were distributed among the Irish soldiers who had not gone as yet, and the guns and other war material, which had remained in Limerick, were put in readiness to be sent for embarkation to France. Treaties were now entered into between the French and Irish officers of the one part, and the English officers of tha other part, to secure the safe return of the English shipping which was to be employed in conveying a considerable number of the Irish soldiers to France. Sarsfield and Wauchop, D'Ussone and de Tesse, represented the Irish and the French officers ; articles of agreement were duly drawn, signed • The following is a copy of one of these passes ; it appears in Sir William Betham's Anti- quarian Researches : " Pass signed by Patrick Sarsfield Earl of Lucan, General of King James II.'s Army, and Governor of Limerick at the time of the capitnlation : — You are hereby required to permit Major Patrick Allen, with his wife and family, together with their goods, buniart,* horses and arms, to pass out of the gates of this garrison without any lett, hindrance, or molcs- tatioun, in order to his going to his home in Leinster, to enjoy his estate, pursuant to the cappit- tulation and articles made hereine. Lymbrick, dat. this seventh day of October, 1691. Lucan " * The Irish for footmen. 278 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. and delivered on the 14tli of October. In these articles it was distinctly promised, in the event of the violation of any of the terms of the treaty, that in addition to Colonel Hugh Mac Mahon, Colonel Arthur, Colonel O'Gara, &c. who were to be left in Ireland as hostages, they (Lucan, Wauchop, &c.) would, on their word and honour, surrender themselves prisoners of war three months after their landing, to the English Secretaries of State. The memorable 16th of October came; and on that day Patrick Sarsfield the illustrious Irishman,^ left Limerick for Cork in order to see everything placed in readiness for the embarkation of the troops.^ The regiments of ' During his residence in Limerick, tradition states that he resided in the narrow street now known by the name of Pump Lane, in the house next door to the ancient building known as Queen Anne's prison, but evidently built a few centuries before the reign of that Queen. 2 I will here give an account of the Sarsfields, Viscounts of Kilmallock, and of the Sarsfields, Earl of Lucan, by Aaron Crossley of Dublin.* It will be seen that Patrick Sarsfield was no adventurer, no novtts homo, no parvenu, but that the most ancient blood of Ireland ran through his veins : — " The Most Noble Potent and Honourable Sir Dominick Sarsfield, Viscount Kilmallock, Lord Baron of Barret's Country, and Primear Baronet of Ireland. CREATION. " Primear Baronet of Ireland, by Patent September 30, 1G19. IG Jac. \. " Lord Baron of Barret's Country, Lord Viscount Kilmallock, by Patent dated May 8, 1625. " Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. " Attorney-General of Munster, Sept. 4, 42 Eliz. And one of the Lords of his Majesty's Most Hon. Privy Council of Ireland. The Family of Kilmallock. " Sir Dominick Sarsfield was second son of Edmond, and brother to John ; he was created Lord Baron of Ireland, and Viscount Kinsale, bj' Letters Patent granted at New Market the 13th of February, by King James I. of England, in the 22nd year of his Reign, 1624 ; but King Charles I. he changed the Title of Kinsale to Kilmallock, the third year of his Reign, by reason, that the Lord Baron Courcey challenged the said title of Kinsale, but the title of Lord Viscount Kilmallock was continued still, by Patent to Sir Dominick, from the time he was created Lord Viscount Kinsale. " The Original Patent was in my custody in King James XL's time. " This Henry had a Son named John, the father of David, who was father of Henry, whose Bon John, was Admiral of the Fleet of King Henry VI. of England ; he married a daughter of — Purcill's, she bore him two sons, Edmond and Roger. " This Edmond had two sons, viz. John and Sir Dominick. " John had two sons, Patrick and James, Patrick married Hellin daughter to — White, and by her had John, Francis, Jeoffry, Ignatius, and Hellin ; she was married to Jeoffrey Galway. " John the eldest married Catherine, daughter to — Purdon, by her had Francis now living ; James 2nd, son of John and brother aforesaid, married Hellin Rice, and by her had Paul, who went to Nantz in France, in Oliver Cromwell's time, and married there a French gentlewoman, and by her had Sir James Sarsfield, now living in France. The Family of Lucan. '• Roger, second son of John, who was thirteen years Admiral to King Henry VI. as abovesaid, was married to a daughter of Christopher Cusack of Kilmallock in the County of Meath, and had by her John of Sarsfieldstown, in the said County, and by her had two sons, Patrick and "William ; Patrick was Mayor of Dublin anno 1554 ; he died sans issue. " Sir William chosen Mayor of Dublin anno 1566, and in the same year Sir Henry Sidney being Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and Knight of tlie Most Noble Order of the Garter, in the Ninth Year of Queen Elizabeth ; he being in England and his Lady in Drogheda. " John O'Neil came to surprise Drogheda with a strong party, whereupon the Lady Sidney sent to Dublin, and the said Sir William with all speed marched with a select party of horse and foot towards Drogheda, fought and routed John O'Neil and all his adherents, and by that means rescued the Lady Sidney from the danger she was likely to undergo ; for which service the Lord Sidney, on his return to Ireland, knighted him in Christ Church, Dublin. " This Sir Will-am married Margaret, daughter to Andrew Terrill of Athboy, and by her had John, Patrick, r.nd two daughters. " John married Margaret daughter to Sir Lucas Dillon, and by her had William, Lucas, Robert, and Johanna; this William married Anne, daughter to Sir Patrick Baniewell, Kut. Patrick, second sou of Sir William, married Mable Fitzgerald, and by her had Peter and many other children. * Aaron Crossiey's Peerage of Ireland. Dublin, 1725. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 279 Eustace, Talbot, Bedloe, tlie Prince of Wales, Clanricarde and Colonel Birmingham, no"W joined, and made m aU 618 men. It is said by Storey that as they marched through the Irish-town, all their officers could do could not prevent some of them running away. On the 17th, 18th, and 19th, the InniskiUing regiment which had been in Clare, and other regiments mustered beyond the city and prepared to move for Cork, where the shipping lay to receive them. Sarsfield had vigorously and successfully done his part in reference to the preparations for the embarkation. The "wild geese^^ at length made their flight from old Ireland ; and the songs of their country were sung, as they caught the last glimpse of Erin, the land they loved so well, and on whose green fields the bones of so many thousands of then* brothers in arms and companions in sympathy, were now bleaching ! From Limerick a division of 4736 men, under the command of Generals d^Usson and Tesse, sailed in French ships. Wauchop followed in eight ships from Limerick, with 3000 men. Sarsfield, who had previously gone to Cork, remauied there one month, and reached Brest on the 3rd of December. 1691. A dream occupied the minds of these noble men that they would again see the homes of their deepest afl'ections, and rejoice in the restored liberties of their country. Alas ! it was but a dream. Gloomier days were in store for Ireland, and the waU of grief, which was heard from mountain and valley when they went, was expressed by bard and poet in heart-touching verses, some of which have come down to us from those distant days fresh with unfading- beauty, and warm with the life of genius. Farewell to Patrick Sarsfield was one of them.i " This Peter married Elinor, daughter to Terlogh O'Dempsey, Lord Viscount Glanmalier, and had by her Patrick ; he married Anne daughter to Roger Moor, and by her had Patrick, created Lord Lucan by King James II. anno 1688. This Patrick was General to King James's Army, and married Honora daughter to the Earl of Claorickard, who bore him one son named Jacobvs, Franciscus, Edvardus. I^° " William Hawkins, Ulster, witnesseth that on the 4th day of July, 1714, the following account of this family (in these words) : — " That Thomas Sarsfield was Standard bearer to King Henry II. of England, in the year of our Lord 1180. He was father to Kichard Sarsfield, who was Captain-General under King Henry III. of England, anno 1230. " This Richard had two sons, viz. Sarsfield and Henry, and Sarsfield had a son named Sarsfield, and Henry had a son named Henry, who came to Ireland and lived in Cork for some time, and married the daughter of Fitzgerald, by whom he had the Lands from Bealogh Favrye to Kil- mallock, six miles in length in the County of Limerick, which fruitful and pleasant estate he and his posterity enjoyed, together with the said Kilmallock for many generations." The Genealogy aforesaid, from Thomas the first of this family of the Sarsfields to John, who lived in the reign of Henry VI. , I had it out of old Irish books, now in the custody of Hugh Mac Curtaiu, alias Curtis, one of the chief Antiquaries of the kingdom of Ireland, and from several other relations of the families, to the j^ear 1640 ; and the rest 1 had out of the books of my own office (there being little or nothing in it) and out of several warrantable authors ; and also from ancient gentlemen of worth and credit In witness whereof, Nostri salitti ftri 1714. Arms — Parted per Pale Ruby and Pearl, a. Fleur-de-luce of the 2nd, and Diamond. Ckest — On a Wreath of his Colours, a Leopard's Face Topaz. Supporters — Supported by two Wolves Sapphire, collared and chained Topaz. Motto — Virtus non vertitur. I sum Cl)U3t) p2lt>R2l1C S2nRSe2ll. From the " Poet$ and Poetry of 3funster."* 21 pijabtiAlc 5ivittT§Al flj^t) 50 b-c]' cti ! O cuA^Air bo'ij f\)X\A]r)c 'r t>o cATijpAi&e t5A0]lce, 2I5 bfeATjAti) &o 5eAtta]n leir tjA K]^te, 'S &'f^5 cu Cijie '5UT 5Ao]6eil-bo]cc cUoifece ! Ocl) ! ocl^oi) ! 21 Vh'At>}XA]C S'A]V,r^A\ ir ftuine le '0]A cu, 1r beAt)T)Ai5ce At) caIati) a\\. f iiibAil cii ttlAiij Am ; 5o n)-beAt)nA]5e ai) 5beAlAc ^eAl 'tat) 51)|tiAi7 6U)C, O CU5 cii Aij I'A l«^n)A KJ5 UiIIiati) leAC. Ocb ! ^c. * O'Daly, Dublin. 280 UISTORY OF LIMERICK. One of tlie Prencli vessels, which bore off 400 men from Limerick, and many valuable treasures, ran upon a rock near Kilrush, and about 100 men were drowned. a Pba&nAic Si^mr^-^l BWI^e sac n-f ujije leAc, 9X)o 5Ui6e.ri T^iry 'r 5Ui6e n)]C 2t)uitie leAC ; O C015 rii At) c.21c.CaoI A5 5AbA]l cne l)T)ioTtttA46u|c, 'S 5un A5 CuiUit)t) O' 5-Cuat)a6 bUA6A5 leAc luitijijeAc. Ocb ! -\c. SeAbAb-TA rjAfl AI) rllAb-fA AH) AOTJAtt, '5 5eAbA& A piA^i jk Tiir Ti);ivr r^i^'m ; , 1r At)I) bo COt}AttC n)6 Al) CATlJpA 5A06'lAC, 21 tj fefieAttj bocc nice ijiiT^ cum ^^ ''-* c6]le ! Ocl) ! -[c. b^tire ijA CTiU]tT)itjr)e 'r bnife OA t)o]ijtje, 'S At) ct\iTi)U5A6 bnire A5 ?r)ocA 5t)n^T)ne 015© 5 21 1) ceActtATbAb bttire Ap eAc.t5T)ttuinj biA-tionjtjAis, 'S buA]leA5 buiUe briunj oTiwiOO A5 cob^ti R15 Ai) t)oit;t)Ai5, Ocb ! IC ?l)o CUI5 c&Ab rVi^V') cu5Aib a ))aUao] l\x]nm]6, 'S ciiXl) T)A buibit) ;AlU]t)T) bo b] 'ijATi 5-cui&eACCA6 ; l)b16eAc ceit>ce cijArijA 'suirji), ir cAn^Aise ]n)eA\\tA, '5 bjtiActiA tie bii l&A5ATi) 50 nj]t)ic &u]i)i7. Ocl) ! -\c. 21 lunbAio Ooitve, bolsAC ciisAc-fA, 2ll^ i)6r tjA r5^ll© ■A1T^ lAfA le pusbAtt : 'S A liAcc vATtMUte i:AbA %]Of)r)-labAC, 3ai) pors' o'l) tj-5A0ic, 'i)i\ cti]A6 0;ev 5-cuiijbAC ! Ocb !_,-ic. Oo b] Tt)6 Aiti rM^b Ij^ btteas snfeitje Oo cotjAttc t)A SA5f AijijAic A b-^ocAiti A cfeile ; 2li) cbji CApAll bA beire bf v-G]\\e, O ! co]TijfeA& 6Ait» »}A boGAi5 50 TTj-bAiopeAb 56 AfbA Ocl) I ^c. 1r T0T1)l|iA fAlSblUJtt t1)eA5TlAC, TI)eAT)Att)t)AC, t3o 5Aib AI) c-tMse-ri le reAcc teAccri)Uii)e ; fAO] 5Ut)Ab, VAO] piceAb, 'r ^aoi cloibeATi) c]r)i) Aittsib, 2lcc civib T]Ab rii)ce fiof ai) GAC-biiuiii) ! Ocl) I nc. CiA rub caU AiTi ci)oc bT)eii)t)-e]b]|i ? Sai5biuiTt bocc ii)& le R]5 S&An)ur ; t50 bj T1)& A 1)UTITIA15 A 1)-Attll) 'fA t)-&AbAC, 2lcc 'c;ix]n) A Tij-bliASAO^JAfe A5 ]AnT^Ai& b6irtce ! Ocb 1 ic. Ir fe TT)0 CTteAC TOATi bo CAllleATt)Am t5]ATtT1)Ulb, l)b1 ceAi)i) AT) r5ACFAi|te Am t)AlbATic iAnr»wi')0 ; bJ)j A cu]b peolA bA. ri^ACA 'rA btiACAc bix rciAlUb, '5 5AI) V^SAjl cArbA 'se bik b-FA5Ac r^ t)iA Am ! Ocl) ! -[c. Ir fe TI)0 CtteAC-rA AV C-rttAlC biX COjbAl), 211) ba ^OAtt 6feA5 bo b] or cioj)i) ^eotiAc ; ?I)o &]Ar beATtbttacAti Ar lAb ir Sleo l]on), 2lcc Ti)o CUJ5 c&Ab bjoc-cujit TD|Ann)Uib ai) c-ofsf eAjt]! Ocl) ! ic Oo cume*'' AH c&Ab bftire ottnuint) A5 bftojceAb t)A l)o|i)i)e, 2lp bATiA brvire A3 bttojceAb t)A Sliviose 2lij CTijiijusAb bnire At) eAc-6|xu)Ti) Ui CJ)eAUAi5 '5 Cm© cubATtcA tT)0 CUJ5 c6Ab rli^t) leAC I Ocl) 1 nc. 2ll) UAItl lAr AI) CCAC bj AI) bCACAC bA^ t1)UCA&, 'S clAt)!) l))nl bftAbAis bAn t)-5neAbA le pusbAft ; ril'l Aoi) Volley-shot bA rSAOjljbjr pU5A)t)r|©, 1 11.^ riArr«AifteAc Coloncl MUchel An leA5A6 loj-rf iKCon •' Ocl)! ic HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 281 By November, the last of the Irish army had left Limerick. We throw a veil over the agony endured by their wives and families as they were C4^ leArU5A8 A5 0'CeAlUi5 ijAc SAiPiii) t)Sx rui5leAc, 2lic tAis&iuitti&e cApA &&aiii:a& oAjrse le pjceAb ; 21 f'A-^\:Ab lAb A i)-eAc-&ttuin) t)a rT^ACAi)t)A& rii)ce, ?I)Att be]6eAC ^reoil cApAill A5 njAbttAi&e bi^ ffiAO|le ! Oclj ! ic. 2ini) rub Ac^i riAi) bievtin «<^irie emioijtj, t5|U]ci6e, t)uncAi5, 'r njAc Kjs SSattjut ; CApcAoii)fCAlb6i& ctto]6e oa ^rfelle, 'S V'At)i[\A]c s^^mr&Ai ! 5txA6 bAt) Ciniot)!) Ocl) 1 oc^oi) ! TRANSLATION. A FAREWELL TO PATRICK SARSFIELD. Farewell, O, Patrick Sarsfield ! May luck be on your path ! Your camp is broken up — your work is marred for years ; But you go to kindle into flame the king of France's wrath, Though you leave sick Eire in tears. Och ! ochone '. May the white sun and moon rain glory on your head, AH hero, as you are, and holy Man of God ! To you the Saxons owe a many an hour of dread, In the land you have often trod. Och ! ochone ! The Son of Mary guard you and bless you to the end ! 'Tis altered is the time since your legions were astir, When, at Cullen, you were hailed as the Conqueror and Friend, And you crossed Narrow-water, near Birr. Och ! ochone ! I'll journey to the North, over mount, moor, and wave, 'Twas there I first beheld, drawn up in file and line. The brilliant Irish hosts — they were bravest of the brave ! But, alas ! they scorned to combine ! Och ! ochone ! I saw the royal Boyne, when its billows flashed with blood ; I fought at Graine Og, where a thousand horsemen fell ; On the dark, empurpled field of Aughrim, too, I stood. On the plain by Tubberdonny's Well. Och ! ochone ! To the heroes of Limerick, the City of the Fights, Be my best blessing, borne on the wings of the air ! We had card-playing there, o'er our camp-fires at night, And the Word of Life, too, and prayer, Och ! ochone 1 But, . for you, Londonderry, ma}' Plague smite and slay Your people ! — May Ruin desolate you, stone by stone ! Through you a many a gallant youth lies coffinless to-day, With the winds for mourners alone ! Och ! ochone ! I clomb the high hill on a fair summer noon, And saw the Saxon Muster, clad in armour, blinding bright. Oh, rage withheld my hand, or gunsman and dragoon Should have supped with Satan that night ! Och ! ochone ! How many a noble soldier, how many a cavalier. Careered along this road, seven fleeting weeks ago. With silver-hilted sword, with matchlock, and with spear, Who now, mo bhron, lieth low ! Och ! ochone ! 282 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. thus deprived of husbands, and brothers, and friends I Many wives and daughters of these self-expatriated warriors were drowned in attempting to go on board the transports ; whilst the hands and arms of others of them were cut to pieces, in order to compel them to rehnquish their hold of the ships that carried away those whom they cherished with the deepest affection. The loss to Ireland was incalculable. The numbers of the Irish who went off to France, were nineteen thousand and fifty-nine, officers included, besides the brigade of Lord Mount Cashell then in France, consisting of three regiments, each composed of two bat- talions, forming one thousand six hundred men, in sixteen companies, under the names of MountcasheU. O'Brien and Dillon. ^ All hail to thee, Beinn Eadair ! But, ah, on thy brow I see a limping soldier, who battled, and who bled Last year in the cause of the Stuart, though now The worthy is begging his bread ! Och ! ochone ! And Diarmuid ! oh, Diarmuid ! he perished in the strife ; His head it was spiked on a halbert high ; His colours they were trampled ; he had no chance of life, If the Lord God himself stood by ! Och ! ochone ! But most, oh, my woe ! I lament, and lament For the ten valiant heroes who dwelt nigh the Nore ; And my three blessed brothers ! They left me, and they went To the wars, and returned no more ! Och ! ochone ! On the Bridge of the Boyne was our first overthrow ; By Slaney, the nest, for we battled without rest ; The third was at Aughrim. Oh, Eire ! thy woe Is a sword in my bleeding breast ! Och ! ochone ! O ! the roof above our heads it was barbarously fired, While the black Orange guns blazed and bellowed around ! And as volley followed volley, Colonel Mitchel inquired "Whether Lucan still stood his ground, Och ! ochone ! But O'Kelly still remains, to defy and to toil ; He has memories that Hell won't permit him to forget. And a sword that will make the blue blood flow like oil Upon many an Aughrim yet ! Och ! ochone ! And I never shall believe that my Fatherland can fall, With the Burkes, and the Dukes, and the son of Eoyal James ; And Talbot the Captain, and Sarsfield, above all, The beloved of damsels and dames. Och ! ochone ! • THE BRIGADES OF THE FIRST FORMATION. 1. Mountcashel; infantry, 1,600. Lieutenant-General Lord Mountcashel. M'Carthy was wounded in Savoy in 1G90, and died at Barege same year. Who succeeded him we cannot say ; but in 1703 Buckley got the regiment, and in 1775 it was drafted into the Dublin regiment N.B. — The Irish regiments were usually called bj' the name of the commander for the time being. Thus this regiment was called Mountcashel in 1090 ; then Buckley. The King's cavalry was successivel}' called Sheldon, Nugent, and Fitzjames ; and so of the rest. 2. O'Brien; infantry, 1,C00. Changed its name to Clare in 1(391, when its colonel, Daniel O'Brien, became Lord Clare. On his death at Pignerol, Lee succeeded to the command. It was drafted into Berwick in 1775, on the last reconstruction of the Brigade. John Macnamara was first, and James Philips second lieutenant-colonel, and Browne was major of this regiment. Lord Clare's Dragoons were considered the flower of King James's army. On the 11th of Jlay, 1700, Charles the Fifth Viscount Clare, was killed at the battle of Kamillies; and on the 20th of May, 17i2, the eldest son of the fifth and last Lord Viscount Clare, a ctbnel in one of the HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 283 In reference to Storey (Dean of St. Marjr's Cathedral) who has accom- panied us so long in our history of these campaigns, it may be stated that he married Catherine Warter, who, with Margaret Warter, was co-heiress of Edward Warter, Esq. of Bilboe, count Limerick, 1701, who (Catherine) presented this petition to King William, June 28, 1701 :^ " Represents the yearly rental of Warter's estate to be £500, but was unfortunately the seat of war. CuUen, a market town, was burned by Patrick Sarsfiekl, afcrwards Lord Lucan ; and William the Third, some days after, gave General Ellcnberg orders to blow up the Castle. The Irish burned the Manor House ; and the Dutch and English armies burned the market town of Bilboe, so that, by being laid waste, the whole damage estimated at £13068." Purcell, Baron of Loughmoe, though one of the commissioners for arranging the Treaty of surrender, and who was specially privileged to avail himself of the articles of Limerick, preferred to proceed to France with King James, and thus he incurred the forfeiture of his title and property.^ It is supposed that the attainder of Lord Galmoy occurred for the same cause. These titles have not been revived. Irish regiments in the French service, died at Prague, in Bohemia — He was commonly called Lord Clare. 3. Dillon ; infantry, 1,G00. Retained its name and hereditary commanders till the French Eevolution. Two of its colonels died at its head in the battles of Lantield and Fontenoy. We believe General Dillon, who was massacred in 1793, was one of the same family. SECOND FOPvMATION. King's body guard. This was disbanded in 1698. CAVALRY. 1. The King's regiment of cavalry, 300:— Dominick Sheldon, colonel ; Edmond Prendergast, lieutenant-colonel ; Edmond Butler, major ; 4 captains, 6 lieutenants, 6 cornets. 2. The Queen's regiment of cavalry, 300 : — Lord Galmoy, colonel ; Rene-de-Carne, a French- man, lieutenant-colonel ; James Tobin, major ; 4 captains, G lieutenants, 6 cornets. DISMOUNTED DRAGOONS. 3. The King's regiment of dragoons, 600 : — Lord Viscount Kilmallock (Sarsfield), colonel ; Turenne O'Carroll, lieutenant-colonel ; De Salles, a Frenchman, major ; 5 captains, 14 lieute- nants, 14 cornets. 4. The Queen's regiment of dragoons, 600 : — Charles Viscount Clare, colonel ; Alexander Barnewal, lieutenant-colonel; Charles Maxwell, major ; 5 captains, 14 lieutenants, 14 cornets. INFANTRY. 5. The King's infantry regiment of guards, 1,600: — William Dorrington, colonel; Oliver O'Gara, lieutenant-colonel; John Rothe, major; 12 captains, 28 lieutenants, 28 sub-lieutenants, 14 ensigns. 6. The Queen's regiment of infantry, 1,600: — Simon Luttrel, colonel; Francis "Wachop, lieutenant-colonel; James O'Brien, major; 12 captains, 28 lieutenants, 28 sub-lieuteuants, 14 ensigns. 7. An infantry regiment of marines, 1,600: — The Lord Grand-prior Fitzjames, colonel; Nicholas Fitzgerald, lieutenant-colonel ; Richard Nugent another lieutenant-colonel ; Edmond O'Madden, major; 11 captains, 28 lieutenants, 28 sub-lieutenants, 14 ensigns. 8. The Limerick regiment of infantry, 1,600 :— Sir John Fitzgerald, colonel ; Jeremiah O'Mahony, lieutenant-colonel ; William Therry, major ; 12 captains, 28 lieutenants, 28 sub- lieutenants, 14 ensigns. 9. The Charlemont regiment of infantry, 1,600: — Gordon O'Neill, colonel ; Hugh M'Mahon, lieutenant-colonel ; Edmond Murphy, major ; 12 captains, 28 lieutenants, 28 sub-lieutenants, 14 ensigns. 10. The Dublin regiment of infantry, 1,600: — John Power, colonel; John Power, lieutenant- colonel ; Theobold Burke, major; 12 captains, 28 lieutenants, 28 sub-lieutenants, 14 ensigns. 11. The Athlone regiment of infantry, 1,600: — Walter Burke, colonel; Owen Mac-Carthy, lieutenant-colonel ; Edmond Cantwell, major ; 12 captains, 28 lieutenants, 28 sub-lieutenants, 14 ensigns. 12. The Clancarty regiment of infantry, 800: — Roger Mac-Elligot, colonel; Edward Scott, lieutenant-colonel ; Cornelius Murphy, major ; 6 captains, 16 lieutenants, 16 sub-lieutenants, 8 ensigns. J Thorpe's Catalogue of the Southwell BISS. 2 The ruins of the great baronial castle of the Purcells adjoin the humble hamlet of Lough, moe, Co. Tippf.rary, within a few miles of Templemore, on the Great S. and W^. liailway. 284 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Of the troops above referred to some were regimented in Ireland,, others in France, so that colonels became captains, &c. The regiments of O'Neal, O'Donnell, MacDonnell, Maguire, MacMahon, Magenuis, were incorporated, so was that of O'Eeilly ; and in 1695 all the Irish troops were reduced to twelve regiments which we recapitulate in the following summary : — " I. HORSE, The King's Regiment of Cavalry 300, Dominick Sheldon, Colonel, Edmond Prendergast, Lieutenant-Colonel, Edmund Butler, Major, « Four Captains, six Lieutenants, and six Comets. fl II. Do. The Queen's Regiment of Cavalry 300, " Lord Galmoy, Colonel, Rene de Carne, Lieut.-Col. James Tobin, Major, four Captains, six Lieutenants, and six Cornets. III. DRAGOONS, The King's Regiment of Dragoons 600, Sarsfield, Lord Kilraallock, Colonel, Turenne O'CarroU (godson to the Mai'shal) Lieutenant-Colonel, De Salis, a Frenchman, Major, Five Captains, fourteen Lieutenants, and fourteen Cornets. IV. Do. The Queen's Regiment of Dragoons 600, Charles Viscount Clare, Colonel, Alexander Barnwell, Lieut.-Col., Charles Maxwell, Major, Five Captains, fourteen Lieutenants, and fourteen Comets. V. INFANTRY, The King's Infantry Regiment of Guards 1600, Wm. Dorriugton, Colonel, Oliver O'Gara, Lieut.-Col., John Rothe, Major, 12 Captains, 28 Lieutenants, 28 second Lieutenants, and fourteen Ensigns. VI. Do. The Queen's Infantry Regiment of Guards 1600, Simon Lutterel, Colonel, Fi-ancis Wauchop, Lieut.-Col., James O'Brien, Major, Twelve Captains, twenty-eight Lieutenants, twenty-eight second Lieutenants and Four- teen Ensigns. VII. Do. The Infantry Regiment of Marine 1 600, Lord Grand Prior Fitzjames, Colonel, Nicholas Fitz Gerald, Lieutenant-Colonel, Richard Nugent, ditto, Edmond O'Madden, Major, Eleven Captains, twenty-eight Lieutenants, twenty-eight second Lieutenants, and four- teen Ensigns. VIII. Do. Regiment of Limerick, of Infantry 1600, Sir John Fitz Gerald, Colonel, Jeremiah O'Mahony, Lieutenant-Colonel, William Therry, Major, Twelve Captains, twenty-eight Lieuts., twenty-eight second Lieuts., and fourteen Ensigns. HISTOKY OF LIMERICK. 285 IX. INFANTRY. Regiment of Charlemont, of Infantry 1600, Gordon O'Neal, Colonel, Hugh M'Mahon, Lieutenant Colonel, Edraond O'Murphy, Major, Twelve Captains, twenty-eight Lieutenants, twenty-eight second Lieutenants, and four- teen Ensigns. X. Do. Regiment of Dublin, Infantry 1600, John Power, Colonel, John Power, Lieutenant-Colonel, Theobald Burke, Major, Twelve Captains, twenty-eight Lieutenants, twenty-eight second Lieutenants, and four- teen Ensigns. XI. Do. RegimentofAthlone, Infantry 1600, Walter Bourke, Colonel, Owen M'Carthy, Lieutenant-Colonel, Edmond Cantwell, INIajor, Twelve Captains, twenty-eight Lieutenants, twenty-eight second Lieutenants, and four- teen Ensigns. XII. Do. Regiment of Clancarty, Infantry 800, Roger Mac Elligot, Colonel, Edmond Stot, Lieutenant-Colonel, Cornelius O'Murphy, Major, Six Captains, sixteen Lieutenants, sixteen second Lieutenants, and eight Ensigns." An amnesty was proclaimed in a short time,, of wliicli Galloping Hogan is stated by Storey/ to have taken advantage, adding, that he was murdered near Eoscrea soon afterwards by certain rapparees who had not submitted. JSTever in the chequered pages of our eventful history did the Irish prove truer or more powerful than in the sieges, and never did they merit more the praises that have been heaped upon them by all impartial witnesses of their valour, heroism, perseverance, and devotion to the cause they espoused with so much disinterested self-abnegation. Not only did they not obtain the advantages which heroism, constancy and valor, such as theirs should have commanded, but they were betrayed and sold, and treated with a treachery unparalleled in the annals of history. We do not know thafrthe "Groans of Ireland'"^ was ever pubhshed; but that extraordinary production of " O^Neale, the Chief of an ancient family of Ireland," makes a complaint regarding the extreme sufferings of his country- men who went into exile in France — complaints which it is to be appre- hended were justified by the state of facts, in which they were the sufferers. AVe do not believe with the writer of that manuscript that the Earl of Lucan and Major General John Wauchop '' projected only to btdld their own fortunes on the ruins of the Irish.''^ I am certain there never was a purer patriot, a nobler spirit, a more thoroughly devoted soul than Patrick Sarsfield. But the Irish who went to Prance did not fare well. We quote the following horrible details of their intense miseries from the MS. in question : — " But alas ! it is a miserable sight to see the condition the poor gentlemen ' George Storey, the Historian of the Williamite campaigns, obtain d the Deanery of St. Sl.iry's Cathedral, Limerick, from William ITT. ^ Thorpe 'i Catalogue of the Southwell MSS. 286 HISTORY OF limerick. are in, and the women and children invited to go along with their husbands are now begging their bread from door to door, and cannot get it. I saw Lieutenants, Ensines, and Sub-Lieutenants, who were Lieutenant-Colonels, Majors and Captains in Ireland, that were forced to turn off their wives, to shun a misery equal to that of the last campaign ; and I know others who saw not their children since they came to France, and they knew not whether they live in misery or were starved to death, for when they were reduced in France to fourpence a day, they were obliged to leave their children to the wide Avorld, only to lament with the Prophet Jeremiah, 'that their children lay naked in a starving condition at the top of every street/ I was one of the number. History is most pitiable.''^ No doubt our countrymen were deceived; promises were broken; no effort was made to save them — the ink was not dry on the Treaty — the last transport had not left Carrigaholt, when the men who purchased Lutterel, broke the Treaty in unmistakable terms. The people became helpless, wretched, the sport and pastime of insolent, bigoted, outrageous foreigners — '' aliens in blood, aliens in language, aliens in rehgion," to the Lish. They sighed to leave Ireland for France or Spain, or any other land in which they might freely perform the duties of their religion. By a curious coincidence Lauzun and other French officers who fought in Limerick, met the English afterwards on the plains of Steynkirk, &c., where Talmash, and others fell, and on the fatal field of Landen the immortal Patrick Sarsfield gave out his life blood, exclaiming " that this were shed for Ireland \'' One of the great complaints, no doubt, against King James was his want of money, and his coinage of the brass and gun money. It is true that on his arrival in Ireland in March, 1689, he had found that besides the great deficiency of his supporters in all the requisites of an army but men, his Irish government were sadly deficient m funds, having "no money in cash." The prospects of the civil war had effectually drained the country of gold and silver, by the flight to England of the wealthier classess, who, of course, left as little as they could of their property behind them. In this financial difficulty the King raised the value of gold 20 per cent.^ and the Enghsh silver eight one-third per cent, only, and other foreign gold and silver specie in proportion ; that what little money was left in the kingdom, and the few thousand livres he had borrowed from the French King, might go a greater way,' and having also in view the superior facility of carriage of guineas as compared with crowns and other silver coins. The first monetary measure adopted by the king was to issue, after his arrival in Dublin, a proclamation for raising the value of EngUsh and foreign gold and sUver coin, the Exchange having before the revolution been strictly at par. Another proclamation was issued in May, but the money not coming in fast enough, the king hanng laid aside the patent granted by him four years before to Sir John Knox, and then m the hands of Colonel Eoger ]\Ioore, set up mints of his own ; one in the deanery house. Limerick, the other in Capel-street, Dubhn. Several commissioners were appointed to direct these mints, the one named for Limerick being Walter Pluuket, which being settled they went to work, and King James on the 18th of June, issued a proclamation for making two sorts of money, of brass and copper, mixed metal, current in this kingdom. The one for twelve, and the other for sixpence.^ The king on this occasion I Symon's Essay oa Irish Coins, pp. 5G, 57. * Seo Symon's l£ssay on Irish Coins, and Snelliug's Supplcmeut. HISTORY OF LiaiERICK. 287 caused among other metals that of " old guns'^ to be employed as a temporary- equivalent for gold and silver, and whicli liis proclamation promised to redeem on the expiration of the " present necessity/' This " gun money/' of which there were shillings and sixpences, the latter marked with the date 1689 ; the former dated 1689 and 1690, and both giving the day of the month, seems to have been coined at Limerick, at least the shillings, for, from the battle of the Boyne to the end of the war in the autumn of 1691, Limerick was the Jacobite metropohs of Ireland.' We have several of these coins in our posession. At the first appearance of this money the Protestants in Dublin objected to take it, but were soon compelled to do so. They were not, however, the principal losers when James's credit broke. The Catholics were by far the most numerous holders of his promissory tokens. This coia decHned on its being more abundantly circulated. But against the truth of the statement, that it was calculated to ruin Ireland by destroying trade, we may set off the words of O'Halloran, who was born in Limerick, in 1728, or only about 27 years after the war of the revolution, that it was by means of a barter trade with France, in which the Irish gave their wool, hides, tallow, and butter, for powder, ball, and arms, that the war was so long maintained agaiast William. O'Halloran is supported m this statement by the official information of King Wilham's Lord Justice for Ireland, Coningsby, in the State Paper Office, London. The Duke of Tyrconnell called in this brass money, from which on the 23nd of Pebruary following, the Williamite govern- ment took away all currency.^ " Hibemias'' were coined in Limerick some time before the last siege, viz. early in 1691 ; they are of very inferior metal, and bear the designation of Hibernias from the fact, that the figure of Hib- emia, seated with cross in hand, is on the obverse, with the legend Hibemia. This coin is sometimes met with in Limerick up to the present day. This weak and persecuted King died on Priday the 15th of September, 1701, N.S. He seemed to be but Httle concerned in aU his misfortunes; and was the most easy, when least troubled by those airy schemes, upon which his Queen was constantly employing her thoughts. Hunting was his chief diversion ; and for the most part he led a harmless innocent Hfe, being zealous for the old faith. In September he fell into such fits, that it was con- cluded he could not Hve many days. The Prench King visited him, seemed much affected with the sight, and repeated, what he had before promised to his Queen, that he would, in case of his death, own the "pretended" Prince of Wales, as King of England. He died on Friday the 15th of September, N.S. (not full 68 years old) with great marks of devotion, and was interred, according to his desire, in the Church of the Enghsh Benedictines, in the Suburbs of St. James at Paris, in a private manner, without any solemnity. Indeed the account given by Catholic writers of his latter hfe is singularly edifying, but, alas ! he bequeathed intense miseries in Ireland. His remains were re-interred by George FV. of England. ' Notes and Illustrations on the Macaria Ea>ci This name is stated to be Wright in the depositions and petitions, &c. * Sic in orig. 312 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. For these reasons I cannot bnt believe that these later outrages were the result of some resentments occasioned by the first abuse ; and that tho first abuse was occasioned by au opinion they conceived that my principles did not in all things agree with their own. V Tho. Limerick. October the 27th, 1710, at Limerick. We learn moreover from tte depositions, that on the 20tli of October tlie riots were renewed,, when, some of the officers above named, went through the streets in the night, " beating warming-pans, stew-pans, &c.; and with this uproar and bawdy songs, pretending to serenade the city;" and again they made a set on the Bishop, against whom they appear to have had a \dolent animosity. The Mayor interposed his authority, in order to check these disgraceful proceedings ; but, in return, he received gross insult from ]\Iajor Chaytor, who was the principal actor, and, apparently, the prime mover in all these doings; and about three or four o'clock a.m. on the morning of the 23rd of the same month, he (Chaytor) with others of the above named officers, hunted a fox through the city, with a pack of about thirty dogs and three hunting horns, disturbing, in a particular man- ner the Bishop, at whose house they began the noise, and continued it until six a.m. The Bishop drew up the above complaint; and Major-General Fairfax, who seems not to have been able to make an energetic movement to suppress these shameful excesses, wrote to Dr. Smyth in the following terms :-— "Nov. 2, 1710. My Lord, I was extremely troubled to heare of the greate disorder committed against yr. Ldsp. and tlie whole garrison of Limerick. The Recorder has given the Lieu- tenant General an account of it, so I need say no more of it. I have ordered another sentinell to be att yr. Lp's. doore ; and if I were able I woud wait on yon myslf and see if I coud keep better order ; but it is a hard matter to do where men are mad and give themselves a liberty to act so contrary, not only to soldiers but to that of Christianity. Yr. Lp. may see by my writing how ill I handle a pen, and may be assured that I am in great truth, my Lord, Your most obedient humble servt., J. Fairfax. Pray my humble service to your good lady and fireside. For The Right Revd. Father in God, Tho Lord Bishop of Limerick, att Limerick*." Br. Smyth endorses the letter to the effect that it " concerns some abuses put upon mee by some officers," and that Major-General Fairfax had ordered him " two centinels." Licutenant-Gcneral Ingoldsby, to -n'hom the Eecordcr had written, and who is referred to by Major-General J. Fairfax, was one of the Lords Justices of Ireland from 1706 to 1711 — the anti-Papal and implacable Lord Wharton Avas Lord Lieutenant during a portion of the time — the Duke of Ormonde * This letter is senlcd with red wax, and an impression of Fairfax's anus --a lion rampant. I HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 313 after. Ingoldsby, in his private memoranda states, that " he early appeared in Ireland in King William's interest, was made a prisoner in Limerick, and sustained losses here to the amount of twelve thousand pounds, at least, not- withstanding which, he never troubled His Majesty for anything more than to be engaged in his service.'''' The following is a copy of the petition which was forwarded to the Lords Justices :^— " To their Excellencys the Lords Justices of Ireland. The Humble Petition of the Mayor, Bishop, Aldermen, and Comon Council of the Citty of Limerick. Humbly sheweth That your Petitioners were several times of late, in a violent manner insulted by several officers of this garrison, viz.. Major Cheater, Capt. Jephson, Capt. Wright, Capt. Plasto, Lieut. Mason, Ensigne Kelly, and Lieut. Barkley ; that the said officers att one time in the dead of the night, went about this Citty, and under the Bishop's and other Houses, Drank Confusion, Damnation, Plague, Petilence, and ffamine, battle, murder, and sudden death to all Arch Bishops, Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, Doctor Sechivorel and all his adherents, at another time in like manner, drunk such like and Bawdy healths, and at the third time in like manner, with a large pack of Doggs and a ffox hunted through the Citty, first abusing the mayor and Corporation when they were celebrateing the anniversary of the twenty-third of October, all wch. pticalarly appear at large by sevll. Informations taken upon oath before the mayor and magistrates of this Citty hereunto annexed [and by memorial of ye Ld. Bp. also annexed]. And since we Complaine against some officers, we can't but acknowledge and make kuowne by this Petition, that Collonll Kendol commanding officer of this gamson, behaved himselfe oblidging to this Citty, and took great care and pains to rectifie these abusses. May it therefore please your Excellencys to order such Releife for your Petitioners in the premisses as your Excellencys in your great Wisdom shall think fitt ; and your Petitionrs wUl ever pray. Dated under the Comon Seal of the said Citty, at our Comon Councel Chamber this 27th of October, ano dni 1710." Annexed are several Depositions taken before Pearce Piercy, mayor, and 3 magistrates, occupying several pages. The above given List of 1 1 officers complained against, and mayor's reasons for omitting 2 names. "Dublin Castle, 2nd Nov. 1710. Sir, — The enclosed Petition and Informations, with a Complaint of the Bishop of Lymerick all in his own hand writing, having ben laid before the Lords Justices, their Excys. imediatly sent for all the officers complained of to come up hither, and suspended them from their commands and pay untill her maties. further Pleasure be known therein, and in the mean time, their Excys. hav comanded me to transmit them to you, to be laid before my Lord Duke, that his Grace may doe therein as he shall judge proper. You will also herewith receive a Memorial of some of the officers concerned in the Piiot, to Lieut. Genii. Ingoldsby, that his Grace may see what they say in their own behalfe. I have nothing else to trouble yon with at this time, being very truly, Sr. your most faithful! humble servt., J. Dawson: Mr. SouthMcll." ' Ex Sloanc MSS. Brit. Mus. 20720, 314 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. The officers retunied the following untrue reply : — " To his Excellency Lieutt. Genii. Ingoldsby, one of her magties. Lord Chief Justices of Ireland. May itt Please your Excellcy, Wee the undernamed officers In the Ilonble. Sr. John Wittenrong's Eegimt., Being Injuriously and falsly Impeached for several misde- meanours (as they are pleas'd to term them), By the aldermen of Limrick for meeting on Septembr last and Drinking the glorious memory of King William with other like Healths, which wee humbly presume do nott In the least argue any disaffection to the present goverment, and some other Innocent proceedings, which, we believe will be specifi'd with additions to your Excellency, nott out of any Conviction of a Crime Committed, But an ambition we shall allways have to bear your Excellency preposess'd with nothing to our disadvantage, as we can on our honours assure your Excellency our Intentions were fair and not levell'd att any particular persons. So we flatter our selves your Excellency will construe our actions as such, your Excellcys favourable determination will be an Extrordinary Obligation to your Excellcys most humble and obedient servtts, H. Chaytor, Geo. Wright, Tho. ]\Iason, j Tho. Plaistow, Edmd. Bartlett." Ingoldsby writing to James Butler, second Duke of Ormonde, relative to these military outrages, states that a court-martial would be most likely favourable to their own cloth — orders the officers' pay to be suspended, and hints that His Grace should give directions that the pay, during the suspension, " should be distributed by the Bishop to the poor of the town of Limerick.''* Chaytor, and his brothers in arms and in disgrace, who were at length con- victed of these doings, lost no time in throwing themselves on the mercy of the authorities; they addressed "an Humble Petition" to Ingoldsby, and as a specimen of utter abasement and trepidation, we do not know that we have ever read a more " humble" document in every particular.^ 1 Thorpe'3 Catalogue of the Southwell MSS. - " To His Excellency Lieutenant-Geueral Ingolsby, one of Hia Majesty's Lord Justices of Ireland. The humble petition of Major Henry Chayter and the several subscribing officers, Sheweth, That your Petrs. having through Inadvertency & in Excesse of Liquour, acted some Irregularityes in Lymerick for which the Bishop and Corporation have lately exhibited their memorialls against us with several affidavitts relating thereto (to several of which your Petitioners object). That some of those Irregularitys so complained off were longe since actually forgiven by the Bishop and Corporation, pardon being publickly asked the Bishop for the same on the Exchange in Lymerick, by some of yr. Petis. who since that time have not offered the least affront or abuse to the Bishop or Corporation. That your Petis. assure your Excellency, and they do Hereby declare upon their Honours, that such indiscretions and errors (as they were really guilty off) were totally owing to Liquours, and that neither of them was committed with any intent whatever to affront, abuse, iniult, or disturbe either the Bishop or any member of the Corporation. That your Petis. have a, just resentment of their Irregularityes and are willing to make such acknowlcgements to the Bishop and Corporation as your Excellency shall please to order and direct them. That your Petis. have not only laboured under your Excys. displeasure a long time, but also HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 315 The petition document having been presented, in due form, the Lieutenant- General forwarded it to the Lord Lieutenant for His Grace's consideration and directions ; but notwithstanding the very submissive tone of the petition, and the alleged forgiveness of the outrages by the Bishop, Mayor, &c., the Duke of Ormonde wi'ote to the Lords Justices " ordering the dismissal of Major Chaytor from the army, as being commanding officer he should have prevented such riotous proceedings/''^ The Bishop, however, was destined for further troubles. He received a threatening letter " in an unknown hand," (a very good hand too) " if the siat 171 St. Mary's Clmrch, Limerick, tohich Alderman Coljpoys enjoys, he not given to Mr. Bindon.'^ The letter was sent by a messenger, and was wrapped up in an envelope, inside which was the following note : — " Sir, — The Bearer being not well acquainted with yr. towne, I presume to desire the favour, that you will send one of your servants with this Letter to my Lord Bishop's, that when he returns tomorrow he may have an answer thereto, for Sii', Your faithful! humble servt., Bridge, the 1st June, (1710). Jom;! Cole." We are not told that Hia Lordship complied with the mandate. But not- withstanding his sufferings and annoyances, as well from the military rioters as from members of his own congregation, the Eight Kev. Dr. Thomas Smyth survived them and lived to a ripe old age. Matters became somewhat more tranquil afterwards. On the 21st of May, 1712, peace was proclaimed in Limerick between England and Prance by the Mayor, William Butler, Esq., the Sheriff, the Corporation, accompanied by the Earl of Inchiquin and his son, the Lord O'Brien, and many other gentlemen, all on horseback; the trades also appeared "ndth their usual colours. ^ The same year William Butler being Mayor, His Grace James Butler, Duke of Ormonde, and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, came to Limerick. The inhabitants went to meet him as far as Bruff. The streets were lined by the army. The Governor, Mayor, Bisliop, Clergy, Corporation, met him at St. John's Gate, where the Governor stopped his coach, " demanding if he was the Lord Lieutenant, James, Duke of Ormonde ? Upon his avowing that he was, and at the same time showing his star, the Governor delivered him the keys of the City, the Mayor dehvercd him the sword and mace, and the Bishop gave him the keys of the Church, &c. ; the great guns then fired and the bells rung. He was conducted to the Bishop's house, where he then lodged, and the army fired three rounds."^ under the misfortune of being suspended and being at great Expenses in Towne, and totally strangers, and being -wholly unable to support themselves and Familyes any longer, Yor. Petis. therefore humbly begg (the Premises being considered) yor. Excllcy. to take off their suspensions or to grant such other relief as to your Excellency shall seem fit, and yor. Petis. further pray for and entirely depend on your ExcUency's clemency and goodnesse in remitting and forgiving them. and your Pets, shall for ever pray, &c. •n. T> H. Chaytor, EdMD. BaRTLETT, XT T- T ri NicHLs. Kelly, JOJLX CraNlXGHAM, t^ p,..,..^,„ ' T. Playstow, W. Jephson, Tho. Mason." 1 Thorpe's Catalogue of the Southwell MSS. 2 White's MSa. " Ibid. 316 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 1713. — Dr. James Stricli, age 71 years. Catholic Pastor of Rathkeale, was vicar-general of the Diocese of Limerick^ the See being long vacant of a Bishop.^ This year there was a general election : among those anxious to represent in Parliament the city of Limerick was Mr. Ingolclsby Phipps, son of Sir Constantine Phipps, the then notorious Lord Chancellor of Ireland. As the Protestant Bishop had very great interest in the city, and as he was potent not only vrith the anglican clergy, but with the Mayor and Corporation, the Lord Chancellor^ zealously sought his influence on behalf of his son. Local interests and local men were more potent, and Mr. Henry Ligoldsby and Mr. George Roche were returned. Diverging for a moment from these matters, it may be remarked that Lord Orrery, having had considerable landed property in the County of Limerick, had also much to do with tithes, &c., and a fair share of corres- pondence with the Bishop. Several of the Protestant Churches at this period were falling, or had fallen into ruins, and attention having been called to the extremely dilapidated state of the Chancel of Kilfinane, Lord Orrery wrote to the Bishop in these terms : — " London, Feby. 2nd, 1714. My Sir, I have received your Lrds Letter of the 19 th of Novb. wh. I have thus long delayed giving an answer to only that yourself, first speak with Mr. Badham about the business of it who is now here. I have now talk'd with him upon it, and given him the necessary orders, for supplying my proportion towards repairing the Chancel of Kilfinane. He tells me there are some perquisites due to me which he has not yet been able to receive, but by your Lordships assistance he hopes he shall. I will not trouble your Lordship with a further explanation of the matter, but leave it to him to admit &c., and am, my Lord, Your Lordship's most Obedient Sevt. Orrekt." During the mayoralty of Mr. Hezechiah Holland in 1714, peace was proclaimed in Limerick between Anne Queen of England and Philip V. King of Spain. As on all other similar occasions the Coi-poration and public functionaries made a great display .^ • White's MSS. ^ Lord Chancellor Phipp3 was one of the Lords Justices -with Lieut. Gen. Ingoldsby in 171L General Ingoldsby died in the Government, January 29th, 1711. Lord Chancellor Middleton succeeded Sir Constantine Phipps on the Irish woolsack on the 20th of March, 171G. Sur Constantine wrote a peculiarly small and exceedingly neat hand, and " dried" his letter to the Bishop, not with blotting paper, but with sand of a shining substance. » White's MSS. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 817 CHAPTER XXXIX. TROUBLES IN THE CORPOKATION OF LIMERICK ACCUSATIONS AND RECRIMI- NATIONS LOYALTY AND DISLOYALTY — PETITIONS AND COUNTER PETITIONS PERSECUTIONS^ ETC POSITION OF THE CATHOLIC CLERGY. The year 1715, was rendered famous in Limerick by violent disputes between the Whig and Tory — ratber between tbe Orange and the old Loyalists parties, into wbicb tbe Corporation was already split. As yet, tbe notion of tbe success of tbe Prince of Wales, King James's son, bad not ceased to be entertained by a considerable number, even of Protestants in Ireland; and wlulst tbeir " bonours''' were dividing tbe loaves and fisbes among themselves, and leaving a legacy of debt and poverty to their succes- sors to the seventh generation, jealousies arose among them, which developed tbeir ugly features in the shape of mutual recriminations on many occasions. Though they joined ui hate against their CathoHc fellow citizens — if indeed CathoHcs could now be designated by tbe name of citizens at aU, they did not join m love among themselves. This state of things was exemplified in a remarkable manner early in this year, when " underhand'-' representa- tions were made to the government, reflecting on the loyalty to tbe Hanoverian rule, which bad just commenced on tbe death of Queen Anne, of certain corporators, mcluding Mr. WiUiam Pranklin, the Mayor, and involving in the charge, tbe Protestant Bishop, Dr. Smyth, who, it was alleged by bis enemies " disturbed the government," and " was present at a meetmg of the Corporate Body, when a sum of £150 was improperly voted to His Worship the Mayor.-" So gross and injurious a charge was promptly met and refuted, for on the lltb of October, a meeting of the Corporation was held, at which it was resolved, " that it does not appear to us, that the Eight Eev. Pather in God, Thomas Lord Bishop of Limerick, has busied himself in our corporate affairs, and to obstruct the service of the government. In testimony whereof, we have put our bands, this lltb of October, 1715." This document, or resolution, wbicb is rather obscure in its phraseology, bears tbe subjoined signatures : — William Franklin, Mayor, John Seymour, James Yeomans, David Davis, Paul Farel, William Carr, Robert Palmer, Christopher Carr, Joseph Ffepps, ^ijchael Apjohn. Edward Wright, James Robinson, Robert Twigg, Richard Pope, John Vincent, Richard Lilies, John Higgins, Randal Holland, Rawley Colpoys, Hezeldab Holland, Edward Voakes, Benjamin Barrington, Henry Exham, Francis Sergeant, Edward Sexton, James Jacques, George Robinson. Shrfs. 318 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Previous to this, viz. on the 18th of April, 1715, the Mayor, tti vindica- tion of his own loyalty and that of his brother Corporators, which had been seriously impeached, wrote to the Bishop, who was at the time in Dublin, at the house of his brother-in-law, Thomas Burgh, Esq., Accountant General, " bitterly complaining that at the previous assizes a few aldermen and bur- gesses of the City of Limerick drew up and signed an address to His Ma- jesty George •[., who had just ascended the throne of England, in an unpre- cedented manner, having neither consulted the Mayor, Kecorder, Justices of Peace for the city, concerning any congress, nor desired their concurrence to what they had drawn ; whereas affairs of that nature, as your Lordship knows, are to take their rise in an assembly of the Common Council, and to be proposed by the Mayor. The reason of that clandestine proceeding was that they might have an opportunity of reflecting on the magistrates and others, their fellow-citizens, as disaffected to his Majesty's accession and government. The multiplicity of important business at the assizes, and the extraordinary application of my Lord Chief Baron, on whom we were obliged to attend, prevent our having an address ready to send with him. There- fore, by the advice of our Recorder, it was agreed to defer drawing one up until the sessions. But lest the misrepresentation of some of our own members should make any impression on the Government, I have with this sent the Citty's address to His Majestic, which 1 desire your Lordship to present to the Lords Justices, and to do the Citty right by letting them know the truth of the matter. " I am your Lordship^s most humble and most dutiful servant, "^Wm. Franklin.*' The seal to this letter has a crowned rose, a thistle and a rose. The address bears the following 254 names; very few of which are represented in the present times in the city of Limerick : — Wm. Franldia Tym. Purdon Ed. Yokes ] Ben. Barrington j Hez. Holland Ed. Wight Ja. Robinson Bob. Twigg Ric. Pope Ric. Lyllys. Jn. Higgins Rand Ilolland Wm. Butlr Rawl. Colpys Geo. Robinson James Yearmans Dav. Davis Paul Favryers Thos. Cook Char. Wade Tho. Harris James Boyle Rob. Green Jn. Hare Wm. Turner James Carr James Davenport Shers. Jn. Cloud Wm. James Dalton Sym White Francis Tomhins Ralph Wilson Wm. Carr Chr. Carr Rob. Palmr Jos. ifepps Michael Apjohn Geo. Bridgmn Rob. Wilkington Ed. Brown Mic. M'Nemera Geo. Davis Ephr. Mounsell Mor. Ryan Jn. M'Hevoy Jn. Ricorzi Dan. Shee Jn. Thornhill Wm. Graj' H. Counicy Jr. Loe Jn. O'Neal Wm. Hutchins Dan. Glisseen Geo. Evans Rob. Smart James Benes Tho. Brown Nic. Gains Ed. Fenton Tho. Franklen Rob. Bradley, Sen. Rob. Bradley, Jun. Charles Bradley Rob. Starkey Wm. Hawes Tho. Smyth Thymo Keane Anton Sparks Ben. Henn Corn. Bowens Nic. White Ed. Sykers James M'Doncll Robbart Allin Tym Devery E. Ormsby Wm. Twig Ro. Cashin A. Ormsby Jn. Brown HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 319 Hen. Barclay Jn. Moore Hugh Gough Char. Story Ric. Wight Ric. Burgh Pat. Moline Win. Smith ffran Williams John Blood, Jun. Wm. Burrill David Carr Samuel Broylor Izaac Campell Jn. Parker John Boj'd, Jun. Jn. Stenson Ed. Stokes Tho. Moulton Jn. Clark Char. Epwell Jonath Epwell Wm. Bury Sam. Machell Ed. Halorane Geo. Wright Char. Hughes. Gilbert Buxton Wm. Buxton Day. Mahony Walter Cashin Tym. Holland Ric. Henderson Sara. Haly Ric. Butt Tho. Barrot Jas. Murphy Emanuel Mounsell Ed. Crawley Job Boles Jas. Cunningham Tho. Gardiner Wm. Gardiner Tho. frankland Ed. Davis Ric. frankland Blark Goodbody Jn. Newton And. Barkley Wm. Benn Jn. Bull Jn. Kindells Tho. Meyls Geo. Carlile Sam. Kerky Jn. Ryan Fr. Davis Rob. Stent Bart. Donovan Tj'm. Ryan Jn. Marshall John Myles Jos. Beaker Geo. Hudson Lau. Doulin Tym. Sanders Geo. How John Dick Step. Lambard John Cox Wm. Purcell Jn. Boyle Jn. Gregory Owen M'Can Dav. Condon Jn. Davis Ric. Derden Ric. Williams Jn. Gilman Tho. Cox Jn. Bull Rog. Doherty Jn. Gartny Tho. French 01. fowls Jno. Dargan Rob. Hutchens Jn. Alen. Corn. Hearn Tho. Hoskins James Smith Richd. Butler Tho. Bury James Ryan Jn. Thomson Tho. Bryan Darby Mc Nic. Grady Geo. Bishop Jn. Piercy Tho. Keys Jos. Laud Tho. Hyes Pier Butler Ed. Gray James Smith Tho Woods Jn. Carr Jn. Archer Jn. Rork Denis Gaflney James Power Wm. Nowman Richd, Moore Xando Woodcut Geo. Henderson Josep Yokes James Blackwill Wm. Long Hen. Long Ric. Thomson Mat* Abrah. Houth Den* Tym. Lacy James England James Bernard Wm. Jessop fran. Wainwright Arch. Millar Chr. Marshall James Ryan Jn. Blood, Jun. Willm. Barrett Tym. Shinners Rob. Blood Ed. Kean Jn. Edwards Tho. Kirby Jn. Kelly Dunstill Atkinson Teir M'Mahan Mat Hays Richd. Conry Jn. Menahan Char. Copley Pat, Draw Jn. Roberts Jn. Abell Jn. Amory Ric. Green Ed Bourke Pat. White Pat. Mac Danniel Char. Henry Jn. Smyth Rob. Walker Den. M'Danniel Phil. Burr Ric. Cepgland Hen. Gybson Wm. Wild Jasper Cheevers Phil. Hind Walr. Wall These demonstrations produced the desired effect of allaying for a season the excitement between the hostile factions in the common council — and their honours thought it better policy to put on at least a mask of moderation, in order, the more effectually to carry out their joint schemes of personal aggrandizement, and lend their aid towards the iniquitous operation of the " no Popery laws/-* which though the Priest-catcher had become obnoxious for a while to all classes — even to Protestants — so much so, that though the odious informer was often assailed with clubs These names cannot be decyphered. 320 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. and stones and hunted by an enraged popnlaoe, yet a destre to keep down Catholics was continually manifested. De Burgo,» indeed, avows that during the Hanoverian rule the laws against Catholics were not carried out with severity, and that all general persecution ceased till the year 1744, when it was renewed with great fierceness, owing, he adds, to the spread of Jansenism. 2 The Oath of Abjuration, however, against "the Pretended Prince of Wales,^' and in sustainment and acknowledgment of the Hanoverian succession, and its limitation to the heirs of the Princess Sophia, was enacted and vigorously enforced ; but this Oath contained no reference whatever to the subject matter of religion.» It was with difficulty, notwithstanding this vannted mildness of the Hanover- ian rule, that a priest could exist independently. In the country he was a mark for the villiage tyrant. In the city, he did not move beyond the pre- cincts of his small oratory or chapel. As an instance, in illustration of the state of things in and about Limerick, at this period, we may observe that during the sieges of 1690 and 1691, the Church of Kibnore or Kibnurry Magdalene in the Eastern Liberties had become a complete ruin. It was close by the site of the Williamite camp. Colonel Kilner Brazier, the resident landlord, made an effort to rebuild the fallen church — a laudable enterprise no doubt, if properly conceived and honestly carried into effect. Mr. Loyd, the rector, and Dr. Smyth, the Bishop, were interested in the project ; but they do not appear to have been as zealous or as earnest, or rather as un- scrupulous as Colonel Kilner Brazier desired that they should be. Mr. Loyd was either too poor or had too many other demands on him to contribute £30 yearly, towards the maintenance of a curate, and the Bishop had no dis- posable funds to give towards the building. After vestry meetings had failed to achieve the desired object, a resolution was adopted at one of those meetings by which a sum of £60 was ordered to be levied off the Catholic inhabitants of Kilmurry. Brazier had recourse to the Eev. Bryan O'Donnell, the then parish priest of Kilmurry, to raise the required sum. Father O^Domiell did not feel bound to call upon his parishioners to contribute. The result was that he was threatened by Colonel Brazier in letters which bespeak the temper of the times and the unenviable position of a Catholic Clergyman.* Mr. O'Donnell, Yon may remember I sent for you to discourse you about the sixty poiind we the Pars, and Churchwardens presented at the Vestry, the 21st of April, to be levied off ye Parish for building of Kilmurry Church, if any of your congregation do refuse I opin you will acquaint them wh. wt. I told you, and sent me their answer for no time I will lose iu forwarding the woork and preseeding (proceeding ?) agst. them as I told you if they did not comply is what offers from your friend and Sarvant, K. Brazier. To Ffathar Bryan O'Donnell. ' Hibernia Dominicana, pp. ICO-lGl. 2 Hibernia Dominicana, IGO-lCl. ^ See Ilibornia Dominicana, wliere the Oath is fully set out. * From Original Papers of the Right IJev. Dr. Smyth, in the Corporation of Limerick. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 321 This blandly persuasive and significant missive had not the desired effect ; and another^ couched in more menacing words was forwarded : — Mr. O'Donnell, a little would make me resolve, you never should say mass here again. I am not to be sarved as you think ; this is in relation to what I writt to you about : and more, you have not put all you brought with me of your Parish to there Oaths as I'd desire about the boards and the things stoUea from me and my woork men, I expect your immediate answer to K. Brazier, Saterday. To Mr. Bryan O'Donnell, Priest. Priests and people continued to suffer ; and where the Jack in office dressed up in a little brief authority issued his mandate, however oppressive or intolerable, he was imperative and inflexible, and disobedience was certain to receive its quick retribution. The arm of the exterminator, it is true, was not raised ; but there were other and galling trials endured in abundance by the people. Owing to the war between England and France, the value of land fell considerably, and districts became tenantless. Holdings, which were valuable in other circumstances were surrendered, and leases would not be taken out even on low terms. The wages of the artizan and labourer, were not low, considering the depression which prevailed,^ but land became a drug — ^aud was offered at any price that could be obtained from the farmer. The case of Pritrich, in the first instance, and of Bruce, the representative of Pritrich, afterwards, against Chidly Coote, Esq., of the County of Limer- ick, arose out of this fluctuating value of land, and occupied the Court of Chancery for many years.^ Pritrich, who was tenant of the lands of Gar- rincoony, and Rathnahilty, in the County of Limerick, had allowed his interest to lapse on a representation made by Mr. Coote, that he could not obtain a certain sum of money which he required to raise on a marriage settlement, if Pritrich's lease was on record against him. Mr. Coote, on the other hand had contended that Pritrich voluntarily surrendered his interest, and allowed large arrears of rent to accrue, which he was unable to discharge, owing, as_ he (Pritrich) alleged, to the decline in the value of land. Mr. Coote, during Pritrich's unoccupaucy, let the lands to one Godsill, at 6s. 6d. an acre. Pritrich's rent was 6s. The Chancellor decided in favor of Pritrich and Bruce, and dnected a new lease to be given. Mr. Coote appealed to the House of Lords ; but was unsuccessful.' Whilst the state of things was thus disheartening and disagreeable, the corporators of Limerick having had time to cool down, commenced to make some improvements. On the large strand, which was then westward of the west water gate null, they built the new quay, now known by the name of the Mardyke.* ' Wages of Carpenters, Masons, Plasterers, &c., Is. 6d. a day— Labourers, 6d. a day. ' From Contemporaneous records. 3 At this time Licadoon, Boherload, Ballinafrankey, and Lismullanebeg, were let to Mr. Hunt for £300 per annum — real value then £512, " and after the present war with France, a fat beefe at Xmas, or £2 in lieu thereof." The tenant was obliged to build a house, and make other improvements. Licadoon contains 850 acres and about 40 acres of bog. Caheravala contains 297 acres, was set to Mr. Hunt at the yearly rent of £80, with a lease of lives. Other denominations were held under these lettings — the total rent out of all was £531 9s. O^d. — the real estimated value in 1728, was £923 3s. 2|d. In 1865, the lettings amount to a far higher sum in proportion — while taxes are immeasurably higher at present than they were in the times of which we are writing. « White's MSS. state that the Proprietors of it were the Vincent Family, and the heirs of Alderman Foord. 23 322 HISTORY OF LIMEUICK. ^ The interests of education were also pretty well cared for: at tliis period tlie Rev. Robert Cashin was the head master of a first class Diocesan School, in Limerick, and the teacher of many men of emi- nence, including Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran, the Historian ; the Rev. Joseph Ignatius O'HaUoran, S.J. ; Charles Johnston, Author of Chrysal or the Adventures of a Guinea;^ Charles Smyth, Esq., M.P., and several others. He was afterwards appointed to the Rectory of Dromin and Athlacc, in the gift of Lady Robarts, on the recommendation of Dr. Smyth. The school fees in those times, appear not very large, and the school-master's salary was but £10 per aimum.^ On the 9th of April, this year (1719), a highly distinguished Irishman, Edmond Sexton Pery, was born at Limerick.' CHAPTER XL. I PERSEVERANCE OF THE CATHOLICS OF LIMEUICK IN THE FACE OF PERSECUTION. THE FIRST CATHOLIC BISHOP SINCE THE SIEGES — CORPORATE MISDEEDS — LIEUTENANT-GENERAL THOMAS PEARCE — EXECUTION OP THE REV. TIMOTHY RYAN EXTRAORDINARY DOINGS. Notwithstanding the presisting enmity of the Orange faction irrespec- tively of every consideration of decency, truth, and honor, and the contumely and scorn with which Cathohcs and the Catholic Clergy continued to be treated, the old faith lived in the hearts of the people, and the year 1720 became remarkable in the Annals of Limerick in a pre-eminent degree. Until that year there had not been a Catholic Bishop appointed to the diocese of Limerick since the death in Paris, of the Right Rev. Dr. Moloney ; when the Court of Rome at length adjudged it proper to ap- point a Bishop to govern the diocese. The selection of the Holy See was made in the person of the Right Rev. Cornelius O'KeefFe, a native of the diocese of Cork, and of the family of the O'KeefFes of Clouna Phircane, in that county.* The day that witnessed the advent of a Catholic Prelate to a clergy and a people, who had been so long severely suffering, and so many years without a spiritual ruler, was a joyous one indeed. While to all the Cathohc citizens of every degree, nothing could have been more acceptable. Almost contemporaneously with the arrival of Dr. O'Keeffe a partial relaxation was experienced in the rigors of the penal code. An order was • It is said Johnston wrote tills celebrated standard novel, because he was disappointed in ob- taining a situation under government. Mr. William Johnson, J.P. of Limerick, is a descendant of the novelist. ^ Limeric, 4th March, 1718, Keceived of the Right Eev. Thomas, Lord Bishop of Limeric, the sura of Twenty pounds sterling in full of one whole year's school-master's salary, and for a year's schooling of his Lordship's son and Thomas Coulston, ending the Second of February last. Witness my hand. Ro. Cashin. ' He had been speaker of the Irish House of Commons — an indefatigable member of Par- liament for the City of Limerick, Avhich he represented for many years, and which he greatly added to and improved, having been the projector of the new town. He had been raised to the Peerage as Viscount Pery, and died at his hou.se in Park-street, London, on the 24th of February, 1800, and v. as buried in Hunsdon in Herefordshire, in the Calvert's familv vault.* * White's MSS. * His Lordship's second daughter had been married to Mr. Calvert. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 323 given by Parliament for liberty to Catbolics to dwell in Limerick, without undergoing the process of registration, contrary to the Act of 1703 ; but the Catholics were compelled to enter into security for their good behaviour.^ Toxeth Roche/ a bigot and a firebrand^ was particular in enforcing this order ; but it may be added, that like many other men equally earnest in enforcing the letter of the law, his owti conduct in the Corporation, did not prove to be above suspicion. During his mayoralty in 1731, a Charter of Incorporation was granted to the Curriers and Tanners of Limerick;^ but the star of these Orange Eoches was not destined to remam much longer in the ascendant. _ Systematic plunder and. oppression had been arousing the resentment, not indeed of the Cathohcs alone, but of the Protestants themselves, who were not within the magic cii'cle of the Corporation. The gentlemen of the county commenced a law- smt against the municipal body, on account of the many illegal exactions which were practised in the collection and in the levying of the Customs and the Gateage. The Catholic merchants, taking advantage of this auspicious occasion, contended with the Corporation about the Small Duties, called Cockett duties, which had been paid to the Corporation on the importation of goods, and which were proportioned according to the duties which they paid the Crown.5 The case went before Parliament; several members of the Corporation were summoned to Dublin; the decision on the point being left to a committee of tAventy-four members of the House. The Cor- poration had a ready excuse for their misconduct, alleging that many Catholics were living in Lune^-ick, and were not registered in accordance with the act of 1703, and that all such should be turned out of the city. Some of the most prosperous merchants were among this number. This was a dan- gerous plea, as leave had been just given to Cathohcs to live and trade in Limerick, without registration. The committee, however, decided the ques- tion in this way : they decreed that it should be optional with the Catholic merchants to pay the small duties to the Corporation as before, or compound by paying £5 each year in lieu of these small duties. By this decree about"£100 per annum were gained for the Corporation ; and the hberty of dwelling in Limerick, contrary to the Act of 1703, was secured to the Catholics without registry. ' White's MSS. "We speak of his Lordship's high character and great labours for the advance- ment of religion, in the proper place of our history. Some of this family distinguished them- selves as Oilicers in King James's army, and served afterwards in the Irish Brigade in France, « It may be proper to observe that " the Corporation " Roches of Limerick, were not related to the ancient Catholic family of that name, Avho are a branch of the Fermoy house, and were plundered of their patrimony in Cork county by Cromwell, and driven to Clare, where some of them continued in business, and about the period at which we have arrived in our history, settled in Limerick, where they became eminent merchants and bankers — and one of whom, the late William Koche, Esq., was returned member for the city of Limerick, with David Roche, Esq., created a baronet in 1842 (a descendant of the Corporation Roches)— both liberals, in the first reformed Parliament, in 1833, and represented the city for some years. » It is said of Toxeth Roche, that he knocked o"ff a Catholic merchant's hat, because the owner had not obsequiously done homage to the civic autocrat, bj- humbly taking it off whilst passing him. * The persons named in the Charter as of the Corporation of Curriers and Tanners, are Alder- man William Ffranklin, William Brett, Thomas Brett, Charles Taweys, Edward Gray, William Benn, James Fortness, and Joshua Tabb. The draft of the Charter, which is .signed by George Koche, Mayor, and Toxeth Roche, Town Clerk, is among the Corporation documents. * The Catholic merchants of Cork had previously succeeded in abolishing the Small Duties. — White's MSS. « White's MSSi, which state, in addition, that there was a schedule made, mentioning what goods were to pay customs at the gate, and how much the custom was for each kind. 324 HISTORY OF LIMEiilCK. These proceedings checked the dominant party ; and though the Corpora- tion in 1722, in their anxiety to propitiate the Protestant interest, endowed a Protestant school, this endowment was soon afterwards withdrawn, and the Eoches were destined to meet further municipal reverses.' About this time Lieut.-General Thomas Pearce was governor of Limerick, A brave soldier, he had served abroad in the campaigns in Spain and Hol- land, and was a most unlikely person to quail before the terrors of a civic faction. Between him and these Eoches a violent dispute arose, which was carried on with unsparing acrimony, and the interest of which extended to the country. Pearce championed public rights ; the Eoches and their partizans continued to be the defenders of a degraded monopoly. After a long succession of fights, Pearce succeeded, not only in becoming a mem- ber^of the Corporation, but in 1726 he forced himseK into the mayoralty. He had received slights and affronts from the Eoches, and he was resolved on revenge. His first course was to create among the members of the council intestine divisions, and havhag, by this means, shaken the power of his assailants, he became a candidate for the mayoralty, which, and many violent contests and animosities, he obtained this year, though the contrary party protested against the legality of his election, and therefore would not give up to him the sword of state or the mace. Nor did he get them till the following year when they were necessary for proclaiming King George the Second, who ascended the throne the 11th of June, 1727, in which year Pearce was signally successful in obtaining the representation of the city of Limerick, together with Henry Ingoldsby, Esq. He contmued Governor all the time, and the same hostility existed between him and the Eoches.' In Limerick at this period there were twenty-two companies of soldiers, whilst in Cork there were but eleven companies. The troops selected for these garrisons were all English Protestants or foreigners .^ The " mild Hanoverian rule" did not recognise the military existence of Papists, nor did the ruling body feel secure without alien mercenaries in addirion to English soldiers. The superiority of Limerick over Cork as a garrison town, was acknowledged; and this admitted superiority Limerick continued to hold untn, in recent years, the authorities have thought proper to reduce it fi-om its ancient ranlv and station, and make it second to Cork in this respect.* During the mayoralty of Lieutenant General Pearce, a shocking tragedy was enacted in Limerick. The Eev. Timothy Eyan, who is said by White' to have been an irregular and excommunicated priest, but who did not deserve the terrible doom to which he was consigned, was committed to gaol by the Mayor (Pearce) " for marrying a Protestant man and a Catliohc woman,'' contrary to an act of Pariiament which was passed this year, and which made it death in the priest.^ He was tried at the following assizes, and condemned, and was the " first'' person executed^ in Ireland for this " crime" since the > The next year (1723) was a very dry year, there was little or no water in the river Shannon ; it commonly liowecl salt water up to the Quay ; a linge was catch't (ling caught) between the two towers of the Quay, and there was a second growth of fruits — Whiia's MSS. « White's MSS. 3 Mr. Edgar, secretary to the Pretender, in reference to the military arrangements of Ireland in 172G — quoted in Croker's Antiquarian Kesearches. * Limerick continued the head quarters of three regiments until the Crimean War in 1853, and had been the residence of the General Officer until 1 858. Lieut.-General Sir James Chatterton, Bart, was tbo last General who commanded in Limerick. i Wain's MSS. * Ibid. ? lie was cxccutc'.l at. Gallows Green. — ]VhUt's .USS. , . HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 325 passing of tlie act of Parliament.* In the local annals the nefarious execution of this clergyman was suppressed, as if even bigotry and prejudice had been ashamed to refer to so cruel a legalized murder.^* Many a dark and fearful deed of blood and vengeance was perpetrated in these sad days^ of religious intolerance and ascendancy, which have never seen the hght.^ As to cor- porate iniquity, however, there are some brief records of the spohations of the orange faction. Prior to the change in the government caused by the Eevolution, there were sixty-five leases executed by the Corporation to mem- bers of that body :^ — No. Term of Years. Date of first lease of each term. Number of Leases. cDate of last lease of each term. o Ci o rH ci a t^ O .i CI' 1 2 3 4 6 6 7 21 years 31 years 41 years 51 years 61 years 81 years 99 years or shorter terras 10th Dec. 1670 2nd March, 1694 5th March, 1657 6th Sept. 1672 12th Jan. 1665 28th Oct. 1675 4 6 2 42 2 3 6 10th Feb. 1698 21st Deci 1694 16th Aug. 1699 13th Oct. 1685 9th Sept. 16G5 19th Sept. 1676 Total number of leases. 65 Executed in the 17th Century. The following leases were executed prior to 1746 (some twenty years after this time) at which period the greater portion of the Corporation Estates were granted in fee or for 999 years, to members of the then Council : — No. Term of Years. Date of first lease of each term. Number of Leases. Date of last lease of each term. 1 2 3 4 5 f31 yrs.) (feunder) 41 years 51 years 71 years 99 years 14th July, 1703 8th Feb. 1700 16th Sept. 1700 6th April, 1707 2nd Sept. 1706 8 5 17 1 31 16th July, 1705 10th March, 1712 26th Oct. 1724 6th April, 1717 23d Feb. 1746 Number of Leases. 57 Executed prior to 1746. added to which, during the above period, four leases only seem to be executed 1 De Burgo (Hib. Dom., p. 716) states that several priests suffered for violating this law. ' In the first edition of Ferrar's History of Limerick, there are two lines referring to the fact. In the second edition there is no mention of it. » White's MSS. * This was a stain on the reputation of Lieutenant-General Pearce, who was the brother of the distinguished Sir Edward Lovet Pearce, the architect of the magnificent Irish Parliament House. Sir E. L. Pearce was at this time Engineer and Surveyor General of the King's works. He obtained a sum of £1,000 from the Commons, and an address from the House of Lords in Ireland, " for his true ability, skill, and good workmanship in building of the Parliament House in College Green," an edifice which was then, and which continues to be, the admiration of Europe. He had been a Captain in Nevill's regiment of Dragoons, and he sat in the Parliament of Ireland for the borough of Ratoath. » Report of the late Robert Potter, Esq. sometime M.P. for Limerick city, and Solicitor to the Reformed Corporation. 326 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. for larger terms than those just out. Two of them were leases of pieces of the Strand — a third a lease of a Common, reserving to the Corporation and the citizens the right of using the same as they should think fit, and the fourth to Hugh Heney, Esq. of Clynoe, West Singland.* Such was the system carried on by the followers of the great and good King William; and at each of their festive gatherings the charter toast was now " the glorious, pious, and immortal memory.''^ But they had not, as we have seen, every thing their own way. They did not sleep on a bed of roses. On the 26th of May, 1727, and on the 1st of June, 6th of June, 23rd of June, and 9th of October, in the same year, several resolutions were entered into, by which it was declared that the assent of the citizens was necessary to the making of a Common Councilman, or the payment or disposal of corporate money, and that without such assent in a Court of D^Oyer Hundred, such election of Common Councilman was void, and no money could be paid or disjsosed of.^ In this year Father Thomas O^Gorman, a native of Munster, and who had entered the order of the Jesuit Fathers in Castile, in Spain, taught School in Limerick ; he had previously taught in Clonmel and Cork also.s I CHAPTER XLI. FURTHER ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE SPIRIT OF THE TIMES. — A GENERAL ELECTION. GUILDS OF TRADE. THE BATTLE OF THE MAYOr's STONE. THE THEATRE. In recording the events of these dismal days, though an occasional gleam of sunshine may appear, its only effect is to bring out into more painful rehef the gloomy and revolting features of the picture. Ever aggressive and busy, the dominant party in the state, as well as in the local governing bodies, lost no opportunity to show the Catholics their legal inferiority, and to impress upon them that they had nothing more than a permissive exist- ence, which might be withdrawn at any moment it pleased the powers to do so. Pursuant to orders, ni 1730 and 1731, returns were made to Pur- liament by the Protestant Archbishop of Armagh, the Protestant bishops of Meatli, Clogher, Raphoe, Derry, Dromore, Down, Connor, Ardagh, &c., consisting of documents or papers taken from convents, friaries and houses where CathoHc clergymen had resided. In 1731 a "report was made by the Protestant Primate, from the Lords' Committee appointed to inquire into the present state of Popery in Ireland, and to propose such heads of a Bill as they shall think most proper for explaining and amending the Acts to prevent ' 'Report of tbe late Eobert Potter, Esq. 2 This appeared iu the Council Book produced to Parliament in 17G1, but the Court of D'Oyer Hundred became an absolute mockery and delusion. It was lilled with the prowling partizans of the dominant faction when it met, and things went on as usual. 3 Jesuit Catalogue of 3752 — Father O'Gorman was the teacher of the Rev. James White, compiler of White's MSS. and had him sent to Spain to study for the Church. — White's 3ISS. niSTORY OF LIMERICK. 327 the growth of Popery, and to secure the kingdom from any danger from the great number of papists in the nation/'^ In the preface of this extraordinary production it is said : " As leading perseverance in promoting and mcreasmg Protestant seminaries (Protestant charter schools just invented) and due execution of the laws against the Popish clergy, wiU, it is hoped, m the next age root out that pestilent, restless, and idolatrous religion ! '/' In this book it is stated that they (the Protestant mformers) had dis- covered parcels of papers at the friaries of Boulay, near Portumna ; of Kil- connell, near Aughrim; and of Kannalfish, near Loughrea; m convents near Athenry, MeeHck, Clare, Galway, and Dunmore ; and lastly m_ the house of Thady Glynn, a Popish priest in Dunmore, who kept a semmary there. Amongst these papers were copies of the Acts of the Chapters of Friar Mmors held in Dubhn, from 1717 to 1729, From those Acts it appeared, that the Franciscan order alone had, in 1717, 61 convents; that m 1724 they hadincreased to 62; and in 1727 and 1729, to 67 m Ireland/ The ab- stract of the returns which this book contained is as follows : " 26 dioceses ; 664 mass houses, of which 229 had been built since the commencement of the reign of George I. ; 1445 priests officiating; 51 friaries; 254 friars; Z nunneries ; 8 {qr. 4) nuns ; 24 Popish chapels ; 549 Popish schools. It is impossible for language to describe the mtense sufferings of the great body of the people m these times. Severities to the Catholics m this season of general distress must have horror-struck every man of feeling.' The whole population of Ireland at the time could not much exceed 1,70U,UUU souls of whom 700,000 were Protestants.'' In 1652, accordmg to the survey of Sir William Petty, the Catholics amounted to 800,000 and the Protestants to 700,000 only, so that in the course of less than a century, by the fosterage of Government, the Protestants had more than doubled while the Cathohcs con- tmued stationary. In the face of persecution, many of the exiled clergy, riskui':' their hves, returned, and exposed to the merciless pursuit of priest- catchers, who were again sent on the chase, to the cold and damp and star- vation of bogs and caverns." When the rage of persecution had abated, they issued from their hiding places, bare-headed and bare-footed, halt- naked haK-famished, proceeded from cabm to cabin, instructing the ignorant, consoling the unfortunate, infusing the balm of rehgion mto the hearts of the wretched. . -, -n ■, ■ n l While these unheard of persecutions existed, French mfluence strange to say, predominated so strongly in the Councils of Great Britain that leave was allowed to recruit pubhcly in Limerick and m other cities m Ireland for the Irish Brigade then in France. Lieutenant-Colonel Hennessy of the Irish Brigade, and other officers of the French recruiting service, were recom- mended by the Duke of Newcastle and Sir Eichard Walpole to the Irish Government; but Primate Boulter, the originator of the Charter Schools, was unfavourable to Colonel Hennessy .« An outcry was raised against this system but it went on nevertheless untd the defeat of the British army at Fontenov, in 1745— and until the stir made by the Prentender m England and Scotland, when the impolicy of aUowmg the bone and smew of Ireland to fi<^ht agamst England in foreign fields appeared but too plain io those who liad hitherto encouraged the enlistment. But whilst this was going on 1 To this was added an Appendix, containing original papers. Dublin, printed in 1741, and reprinted in London, by J. Oliver, in 1747. , tu-j i iwa 2 O'Connor's DisserUtion on Irish Catholics. » Ibid. Ibia. * O'Connor's Dissertations on the Irish Catholics. 328 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. in 1733, in order the more effectually to banish Priests and deprive Catholics of any shred of landed property left them, a bill was brought in to annul all marriages celebrated by Popish priests and friars, and to Ulegitimize the issue — a measure which caused unusual consternation, and against which Lord Mountgarrett and Lord Cahir petitioned to be heard by counsel on their ovra behalf, and on that of the rest of the Cathohcs of Ireland ; but whether owing to the remonstrances of the French court, or the shameless cruelty of the measure, the bill was withdrawn. Nearly all through this century up to a later period, the position of the Catholics was deplorable in the extreme. To illustrate this state of things, a general electionhad occurred a little before this time (1731), and as usual on such occasions, excitement prevailed. The rival candidates for the city of Limerick were Mr. Charles Smyth, son of the Bishop, and a Mr. Rawson. Among the freemen who recorded their votes for Eawson was one David Parker, who was objected to because his wife was a papist. 1 Parker had offered to swear that he never knew his wife to be of any other than the Protestant persuasion ; but the objection was insisted on, and it need hardly be added that it prevailed. George Howe, freeman, was ob- jected to also, and his vote reserved for scrutiny, " he having a Popish wife." Eobert Napper, freeman, was objected to for the same cause ; and Jasper Chievers, freeman, was " reserved for the scrutiny for turning from ye Pro- testant to ye Popish religion •/' whilst William IveUy, freeman, was equally objected to and ordered to attend the scrutiny, because " he went to mass, wliich he denied, but confessed that he read liis recantation.''''^ These were the happy times and enlightened days, when religion was madethe stalking- horse of mere faction.^ It was a specific duty on the part of the candidate that he should enrol himself in the guilds of trade ; and accordingly we find Mr. Charles Smyth admitted by " the Master, Wardens, and Elders of the Society of Victuallers of Limerick, to all the privileges, franchises, &c. of the Society."^ He was also admitted a member of the Cordwayner's Society, of which Robert Wilson was the Master. It is scarcely necessary to add that these guilds were true blue, real Orange, and that they exercised powerful influence on the fate of 1 Arthur Roche's Poll Book. « Ibid. * It was the custom at this period with the mayors to appoint a deputy in writing, " or give a deputation," and written authority, during his (the mayor's) absence from the city. The follow- ing is a copy of an authority given by the Right Worshipful Charles Smyth, Mayor, to Alderman Robinson, to act for him : — City of County ) I do hereby constitute, nominate, and appoint James Robinson, Esq. of of Limerick, ) said city. Alderman, to be Deputy Mayor during my absence from ye said city, to hold Courts, and do other judicial acts for the speedy execution of justice in the city and the county of the city of Limerick aforesaid. 'Witness my hand and seal ye 25th day of October, 1732. Cilvkles Smyth. * The following is a copy of the certificate which is written in a very admirable hand on vellum : — " We, the Master, Wardens, and Elders of the Society of Vittulers in the cittie of Limerick, unanimously concurr'd and agreed together to admitt Charless Smith, of the said citty, Esq. into our Societj' as a free Brother and Member of the same, and by virtue of our Charter to enjoy all the Privileges, Franchisses, and Liberties, that we or any of the said Society, can or doth enjoy by the said Charter. In witness whereof, we, the Master and Wardens, have subscribed our hands, and affix the Company's seal the Eleventh day of October, 1731. " George Allison, Master. *' Philip Tomlixson, > ^r^^dens " " Wm. Tomlinson, Clark. " Robekt Ssutiisox, ) The red wax seal of the Society is attached, bearing the arms of tho 'Victuallers, on a shield, supported by wlugeil bulls, a lamb on the crest over a helmet : two axes quartered on the shield. Legend — " The Company of Victuallers of the citty of Limerick." The policy of securing the co-operation of the guilds iu I'arliamcntary elections was universal at this time. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 329 elections. Mr. Charles Smyth was therefore returned. But the guilds did not at all times agree among themselves. On the contrary, they had several severe contests and bloody battles, one of which has been handed down to us in verse, which commemorates THE BATTLE OF THE MAYOR'S STONE,* And which from its graphic and illustrative character we admit to a'place in the history, although by no means remarkable for poetical merit. It should be borne in mind that orange and blue were the colors of the Clothiers what- ever their religion might be. Like the " Weavers' March,'' and the " Butcher's Quick-step,'' it was formerly very popular, but is now extremely scarce. The only ^^ various readings" we notice in this ballad, which from its mytho- logical allusions would seem to have been written by a schoolmaster, and which as an orange ballad is miiqiie as a Limerick production, are iu the end of the fourth stanza, of which the last two lines in the colloquial verse, are sheer nonsense, and in the second line of the sixth, in which for " law's delay," which reads suspiciously Shakespearian, we find " dint of law," in which there is no rhyme, though there is very good reason. "We are bold Limerick Clothiers, we'll have yon for to know us That we must bear the sway wherever we shall go ; Though they were vast in number, we came on like claps of thunder, And we made them to lie under with our warlike blows. Though seven to one opposed us, we gave them hearty doses, Cut heads and bloody noses, bruised bones and broken pates ; They found in time of battle that we were men of metal, Om' blows to them proved fatal and made them curse their fates. Though Vulcan^ with his weapons had sworn he'd kill the Weavers, Assisted by the Carpenters, and by the Masons too — There were Tinkers, Bricklayers, Glaziers with Stone Cutters and Braziers, All joined against the Weavers, but all it would not do. For as we sat merry boozing, the plot it was concluding, Which spread a vast confusion outside of Thomond Gate, But these dogs they were so footy, in us they had no booty, We taught them then their duty and made them soon retreat. When we received true tidings of their wicked base contrivings. Thinking to beguile us while they in ambush lay, Full closely then we tramped to where they were encamped, And our stout and noble captain valiant Bennis led the way ; — 1 Thi3 stone was placed near the cross of Killeely, outside Thomond Gate, on the old road to Ennis, and it had the following inscription. It has been removed for several years : — THIS PAVING WAS WH OLY ENDED AT THE CHARGES OF THE COKPO RATION, lAMES WHIT E FITZIAMES ESQVIR BEING MAIOR ANNI DI MDCXXXVIII. 2 The Blacksmiths tore the arms of Vulcan. 330 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Saying " Gentlemen be faithful, to us prove not ungrateful. Though seven to one engage us, give not one inch away ;- Let it never be reported that they beat Limerick Clothiers, In spite of their reproaches we'll bear the bell away." For when first they did attack us with adzes keen and axes, They stood as if already fixed our Clothiers to destroy ; But soon we did attack them, and nobly we did whack them To our great satisfaction we worked them sore annoy : *' Come on, my boys," cries Bennis, we'll drive these dogs to Ennis, How dare they fight against us ? we'll make them be more meek, We'll show them Limerick Clothiers are gentlemen and soldiers, And if they want a licking they shall have it once a week. Like unto sworn brothers they joined against our Clothiers, Who behaved themselves like soldiers in the battle's fiery heat- Like gentlemen of honor moving under Jason's banner, ^ We marched to their dishonor though the rapture it was great ; For their daughters, wives and elders like poisoned Salamanders, Laid on young Alexander with great sticks and stones, But our undaunted heroes drove back the tribe of Neroes, And soon applied an obstacle to our insulting foes. Although they bred this faction they still sought satisfaction, But not by noble action, but by the law's delay ; For these cowards base and arrant, they got a power of warrants, Against the Blue and Orange that ever bore the sway. But like grinning asses along the street they pass us. Disdained even by their lasses who cry out at them shame, But since its your own seeking and for law you lie a creeping. Wait for our next meiTy meeting and then redeem your fame. And to tell you their superior he was a butter taster. An old insipid negur, that was whipped out of Cork, For turning tallow chandler he ran a race with Eandle, And showed them all a gauntlope from South Gate to the North. Then after this disaster he came to Limerick faster, And now he's become master all over Vulcan's train, — Which causes me to wonder, all, that such a base old scoundrel Should be their chief commander, or ever bear that name. For it's well known to all people that he was prone to evil. To Belzebub the devil we may him well compare — For a damzel brisk and airy he very fain would many, But soon he did miscarry all in the County Clare. For his virtuous wife being living, this hot blooded old devil Would fain have been a minion of his fair elected bride— But of his hopes deprived this old rogue soon contrived To cut his throat in private, all by the Shannon side. > The Golden Fleece -was the arms of the Clytbiers. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 331 Now Clothiers sit ye merry, drink brandy, wine, and sherry, Malaga and canary, fill bumpers, do not spare,^ For equity and justice shall ever be amongst us, Since his noble worship brave Franklin is the Mayor. The Lord may bless his honor, and all to him belonging, For he is worthy to be made a baronet or knight, For quality and commons and Protestants and Romans, And widows and poor orphans still bless him day and night. The Lord may bless and prosper our good and noble master, Who saved us from disaster, I mean brave Sheriff Yokes,— For in the time of danger to us he proved no stranger. Our rights he did maintain them and from us did ne'er revolt ; But like a wise conductor he did us aid and succour, His men above all others, their foes they did subdue, For like a wise Apollo his enterprise did follow. Till we made them all acknowledge that we were the True Blues. In the midst of these proceedings, wMcli throw greater light on the manners of the day than some of the facts recorded in much more dignified documents, projects were afloat for building Theatres in Dublin and Cork, and subsequently in Lunerick. The Theatres of the three cities had been held by the same patentee for many years subsequent to these times. Sir Edward Lovet Pearce wrote to Charles Smyth, Esq., M.P., on the subject, a letter as follows : — " Dublin, February 2nd,l7 32. Sr, _, - I hear from others, and from your Brother, Sr. Thos., that you are at Cork, on a design of building a play house. As our schemes of that sort^ for this citty are just ripe, and many gentlemen of fortune are concerned with me in a project, which will in all probality take effect, I have been at a good deal of paines to enform ray- self of the necessary conveniencys, and to make such a designe as may best answer our intentions. At least we are a great number who are satisfied with it, or I would not venture to recommend it to you, who probably (as we do) propose some advantage to yr. self. The meaning of all this is to tell you, that if you realy are upon such a design, and send me a plan of ye ground, with the streets that lead to it, and mention the money you expect to lay out, I will as soon possible return you a' plan fitted for yr. purpose, with our scheme at large by which we raise the money and secure ourselves. I am not a judge whether ye affairs will permitt you to stay so long from yr. town of Limerick, but / hope they will, because I think it would be for yr. advantage. I know Lt.-Genel. Pearce has writt to you lately, concerning the affair of the Gates and Walls, presented by yr. Grand Jury of the Citty, but that is a business will be more adviseable in you to post pone till the time of the assizes, because the Judges may probably have some directions there in, and you may like best to hear what they will say before you send yr. answer, which I know is not expected before the assizes. I hope you will believe I offer this in friend- ship to you, and with reguard to Sr. Thos., yr. Brother, and that I am, Yr. most humble To Charles Smyth, Esq., and obedient servant, at Limerick. Ed. Lo. Pearce." . ' Claret and wbite wine were in general use. Mr. Stritch imported claret, which he sold at £55 a tun. Mr. Pierce Moroney was also a wine merchant. " A hogshead of white wine" sold for ten pounds. Imperial tea 4s. per lb. green tea Gs. per lb. in 1723 j good coffea was sold in Mary-street by Mr. Holland Goddison, at 4s. per lb. 332 UISTORY OF LIMERICK. CHAPTEE XLII. CIVIC RIVALEY — ST. MICHAEL^S PARISH — THE CHEAT FHOST — PEARFUL BUT"- FEEINGS OE THE PEOPLE WHITEFIELD^S VISIT TO LIMERICK AND HI3 OPINION OF THE INHABITANTS — THE LAND AND ITS CHANGES — MISDEEDS OF THE CORPORATORS AGAIN. The principal event in 1733, was a grand civic procession, wliicli was made by Philip Eawson, Esq., the Mayor, who had been the defeated candi- date a short time before, but was now desirous of showing his strength as father of the city. Accompanied by the entire corporation in costume, and the several guilds of trade, with banners, badges, &c., he went around the city — or as White quaintly expresses it, " rid the fringes,"* levelling such encroachments as had been made on the high roads and commons of the corporation. There had not been so brilliant a procession for many years, and its effect was long remembered. The city was confined at the time principally to the English town and Irish town ; the size and population of the parish of St. Michael may be judged of from a very simple fact. The parish had been joined to that of St. John in 1709 ; but in 1735, the Eev. Dr. Pierce Creagh, who had officiated as Catholic pastor of St. Mary^s, afterwards for many years, arrived from Eome, where he had completed his studies, bringing with him a papal bull for the Catholic archdeaconship of the city, and the parish of St. Mich- ael belonging to it.^ On the 21st of February in that year, he took posses- sion of the archdeaconship, but the parish of St. Michael being so extremely poor at the time, it was not able to support a clergyman, and Dr. Creagh heeded it not.^ Not only was the parish poor, but throughout the city and country much misery prevailed, and bigotry and fanaticism had fuU fling. Depression, dearth, and famine were generally felt to act with galling sever- ity on the masses ; whilst a few years later, a dreadful frost — the great frost of 1739, which continued for forty days, and from which many memorable incidents have* been dated, was accompanied and followed by unparalleled ' White's MSS. « Ibid. a Ibid. * For instance, in the Pedigree of General Maurice de Lacy of Grodno, in Russia, and of the County of Limerick, it is stated he was born the year of the great frost. He died at Grodno in 1820, and was the last male descendant direct of the great Hugh de Lacy, Governor o£ Ireland. To the eminently warlike County of Limerick family of De Lacy, of which Maurice De Lacy was one of the most illustrious members, and to their kinsmen the Browns of Camas, we have briefly referred in a preceding chapter. But a more comprehensive notice of them and of their noble relations, the Herberts of Rathkeale, is demanded in this History. The family of the De Lacys in the annals of history of the last eight centuries ranks high for military prowess, and sagacity in council, and deeds of daring and importance at the Nor- man Conquest, and it will be found that from that time, and throughout the eight centuries of great events which happened to England and Ireland, to the present age, and throughout the great military and political achievements on the continent of Europe — in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, by the Crusaders, the Knights Templars, the Confederated Barons, down to the Irish Confederacies, and the famous Irish Brigades ; and in the Civil Wars of the Norman Kings, the Conquest of Ireland, of Scotland, of Wales, the struggle for Magna Charta, the AVars of the Koses, in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, down to the religious dissensions in England and Ireland, the CromwcUite Wars, the battles for religion which closed with the Treaty of Limerick, in IGOl ; or the military events in Spain and France, in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, down to tlie In^^u^rcction of 1817, when one of the Generals Lacy was sacrificed to the liberties of that couulry; and iu the great wars of Germany, in the seventeenth and eighteenth cen- HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 333 miseries. Persons died of sheer starvation in the public streets, and their bodies lay imburied. The condition indeed of the people was so terrible, that turies ; the •wars against Turkey, in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, those of the f amou» Irish Brigade, the wars by the French against Marlborough, with Catholic Germany against Sweden and Prussia, and the Russians against Turkey — in short, in every leading European event to the Treaty of Adrianople, in 1829, the family of De Lacy of Limerick has supplied a member, and achieved undying renown. From Walter De Lacy, whose daughters were married into the noble house of Fitzgerald, Earls of Desmond and Kildare, descended Hugh Lacy, Bishop of Limerick, in Queen Mary's time ; the family rose and fell with the Fitzgeralds' intestine wars, in the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth centuries. In the seventeenth century there were three brothers of the family settled in the County Limerick —one in Ballingarry, one in Bruree, and one in Bruff ; and from those descended the famous " Pierce Lacy" who was executed by the Justices in 1617; being one of the five exempted from the pardon of 1601. His descendant, Colonel Lacy, continued the wars in Munster in 1641, and treated with Ireton at the siege of Limerick in 1651, but was excluded from the amnesty. John Bourke, Lord of Brittas, half-brother of Pierce Lacy, was executed in 1607; and in 1618, his relative married to the daughter of the Earl of Inchiquin, was created Baron Brittas; in 16il attainted, restored, 1688 attainted and lost their properties. Cromwell expelled the Lacys root and branch, and only one of the Bruff branch escaped the slaughter by dismounting a horseman. Pierce Lacy was conspicuously engaged in the siege of Limerick, 1691. From these branches sprung the Irish Brigaders, and the French, Spanish, Austrian, Polish and Russian warriors. Marshals and Generals De Lacy and Brown, whose exploits for a century, up to the close of the last century, filled Europe with their fame. In the list of English by descent at the end of the sixteenth century, in the county of Limerick, the Lacys of Ballingarry, of the Brouve (Bruff) and of Bruree, are ranked with "the gentlemen and freeholders" of the county, as contradistinguished from the " meere Irishe," and the factions in Munster, viz. the " McSwines and M'Shees, then in faction" — the latter gallowglasses,* though at the siege at Askeaton in 1641 — "JohnLacie of the Brouff" is denounced, with M'William Bourke, second son of Lord Brittas, and others, by St. Ledger, Lord President of Munster, as among " the Mounster Rebelles."t History teems with the achievements of the De Lacys in Russia and Austria. It was for his remarkable successes in the Council not less than in the Field, that the " famous Marshal De Lascy, the son of an Irish Exile from the county of Limerick, was loaded with so much honor by the rulers of Austria, and received from the Emperor Joseph a letter (written the day before the Emperor's death)" which is translated in his kinsman's "Cornet Pierse's Historical Researches," as follows: — "Vienna, 19th February, 1790. My dear marshal Lacy, I behold the moment which is to separate us approaching with hasty strides ! 1 should be very ungrateful indeed if I left this world without assuring you, my dear friend, of that lively gratitude on which you have so many claims, and which I have had the pleasure of acknowledging in the face of the whole world ! Yes ! you created my army : to you it is indebted for its credit and its consideration. If I be any thing 1 owe it to you. The trust I could repose in your advice under every circumstance, your unbroken attachment to my person, which never varied, your success in the Field as well as in the Council, are so many grounds, my dear marshal, which render it impossible for me sufficiently to express my thanks. I have seen your tears flow for me ! The tears of a great man and a sage are a high panegyric. Receive my adieus ! I tenderly embrace you. I regret nothing in this world but the small number of mv/'-iencis, among whom you certamly are the first! Remember me! remember your sincere and affectionate friend, JOSEPH." A magnificent monument, with his efiigy in bronze, is raised to him in Vienna. In April, 1799, the renowned Suvaroff, with the above mentioned General Maurice Lacy of Grodno, and the County of Limerick, opened the Campaign, and in the words of Thiers, " in three months the French lost aU their possessions in Italy — the battle of Novi shut us definitively out of Italy after three years occupation." But Suvaroff left the Austrians and marched North to help Korsakoff at Zurich, but was too late and hastened home. In the next year Napoleon " crossed the Alps," and after winning Marengo and Lombardy, he was within 50 miles of Venice when the peace of Amiens was concluded. In the war of 1805, General Maurice Lacy landed a Russian army to attack the French on their flank at Naples. But the French having won Austerlitz from the Austrians, the treaty of Presburg of December, 1805, ceded Venetia to the French, and after an Austrian occupation of 10 years it was given back to the " Kingdom of Italy." In the succeeding wars, the Austrian army was successful against Padua and Vicenza, and threatened Venice, when the battle of Wagram followed in 1809. In 1810, another of the Lacy familv landed a Spanish army at Cadiz to divert the French from Italy, by a demonstration on that flank. By the treaties of 1814-'15, France " returned to her limits of 1792," renounced Italy, and Venetia and Lombardy were reannexed to Austria. In the Napoleon correspondence now publishing, is a remarkable letter from Napoleon to Count Lacy, taken from the memoirs of Cornet Pierce of the Russian service, in which Napoleon * Carew MSS. in Lambeth Library. t Ibid. 334 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. when provisions were exhausted, they had recourse to every means to sustain life even to cats, dogs, mice, carrion, putrid meat, nettles, docking, suggests the re-formation of an expedition to Ireland, to liberate the Catholics of that country, which he desires equally for the Catholics of Poland. It is dated from the place where the famous interview between him and Alexander took place, two days after that interview. The proposal fell through. He says, " General — Your illustrious master permits me to address you— your country and your faith have all my sympathies. The noble devotion of Ireland's sons, which have produced such sacrifices through so many ages (generations), inspires the hope that you will seek to benefit your country and your faith, and to restore her proscribed sons. Your name will inspire confi- dence, thousands would flock to your banner, and the antient enemy of our common faith might be humbled to the wishes of both your royal master and myself. Think of this, and if favor- ably let me hear from you. Accept my high consideration of your renown and your ancestry, &c. SiC. Napoleon. General Maurice Lacy." A Pedigree of this warlike race, written in Spanish, shows that members of the family of De Lacy served in the armies of Spain after the siege of Limerick, and that in 17'J6, the chil- dren of Anna Maria de Lacy, who married Timotheus O'Scanlan, resided in Madrid. The Right Kev. Robert Lacj', Catholic I3ishop of Limerick, who died in 1761, was a member of and an ornament to the Bruree Branch of the De Lacy family. General Maurice de Lacy of Grodno in Russia, and of the County of Limerick, died in 1820.* Not less illustrious were their rela- tives the Browns — George Brown, Baron of Camas, and his descendants, of whom Ulysses or Ulick Brown of Camas, in the Co. of Limerick, Esq., was Colonel of a Regiment of Horse in the service of the Emperors Leopold and Joseph, created in 1716, by the Emperor Charles VI. a Count of the Holy Roman Empire, (his younger brother George receiving a like dignity at the same time, being General of Foot, Councillor of War, and Colonel of a Regiment of In- fantry, under the said Emperors), was father of the deservedly famous Ulysses Maximilian Brown, Count of the Holy Roman Empire, one of their Imperial Majestys' Privy Counsellors, and Coun- cillor of War, Field Marshal, Colonel of a Regiment of Foot, Commander of Prague, Com- manding-General of the Kingdom of Bohemia, and Knight of the White Eagle of Poland. He was born in Germany in 1705, and began to serve in 1718, marched with his uncle after the peace of Passarvoviz in Hungary, to Italy, the war having begun that year in Sicily. In the years 1731-2 he served in Corsica, and was grievously wounded at Callasana, which he took sword in hand. In the years 1733-'34 and '35, as Major-General in the wars of Italy, he be- haved with great distinction in the battles of Parma and Guastalla. In 1735-'38-39, in quality of Lieutenant-General, he commanded in Hungary, and in 1740 after the death of Charles VI., with a handful of men in Silicia, he opposed the King of Prussia, and though he had not 3,000 men, disputed that country with his Majesty and his numerous armj', foot by foot, for the space of two months. In 1741, he was._at the battle of Moliz, in Silicia, and the next year in that of Zalray in Bohemia, where he kept head of Marshal Broglio's army of 30,000 men, though he had not above 10,000, being the same year at the siege of Prague. In 1740, he attacked Prince Conti's army, at Deckendorff on the Danube, and after forcing seventeen forts from the French, and taking the town sword in hand, he passed that river and occasioned the route of the French out of all Ba- varia ; in perpetual memory of which glorious passage of the Danube, a marble pillar is there erected, with the following inscription : — Theresas Austraciaj Augustas Duce Exercitus Carolo Alexandro Lotharinguio, septemdecim superatis hostibilus Villis, captoque Deckendorfio, resistentibus undis, resistentibus Gallis, Duce Exercitus, Ludovico Bokbonio Contio, trans-\-it hie Danubium Ulysses Maximilianus, S. R. I. Comes de Broune. Locum^tenen3__Campi Mar- shallis die 5° Junii 1743. There are several other achievements recounted of this illustrious Limerick man, who in 1726, married Maria Philipina, Countess of Martinez in Bohemia, daughter of George Adam, Count Martinez, one of his Imperial Majesty's Privy Counsellors, sometime Ambassador at Rome, Vice-King of Naples and Knight of the Golden Fleece — and had issue two sons, Philip George Count Browne, one of their Imperial Majesty's Chamberlains, and Colonel of foot, and Ulysses, active Chamberlain, Colonel of Foot and Knight of Malta. Field Marshal U. M. Brown called to Hungary by his uncle, was wounded at the battle of Prague, and died 1757. Count John Brown was killed at the siege of Prague ; Count George Brown, who married the daughter of the Russian Duke Whitteuhoof, was at Rath- cahill, in the County Limerick, in 175)2. Connected also with the De Lacys and Browns, as also with the Courtneys, Earls of Devon, were the Herberts of Rathkeale, in the Countj' of Limerick, who descended from Sir William Herbert, Lord of Cardiff and Earl of Pembroke, the fifth of * The Biographio Universelle — Michaud — A Paris — gives an interesting memoir of Count Peter Lacy and his son. \ HISTORY OF LlilEmCK. 355 &C.1 The streets, the highways, the fields were covered with the dead bodies where they remained unburied, a prey to birds and beasts, infect- ing the whole air with the putrid exhalations ; 400,000 persons are com- puted to have perished of famine and sickness. Land fell 75 per cent. in value; Wool, which in the reign of Queen Anne, was 12s. to 15s. fell to 6s., whilst a boat load of best turf sold for 14s., and oats per stone was 5d.2 A man might walk "from John's gate to Thomond bridge''^ without meet- ing six persons then. The dead lay in the streets without interment ; and when the victims of cold and its concomitant starvation became so numerous, that coffins could not be provided m sufficient quantities or with sufficient quick- ness, a bottomless coffin was provided, from which the corpse was thrown into the grave, and hundreds of the dead were interred in this way. Tliis calamity having reached the dominant classes, persecution, for a while, lost its intense rancour, and amid the horrors of general impending ruin, o-avea respite to the Catholics. The state of things had an adverse effect even on the turnpike roads, which had become for some time such bad speculations for those who had engaged in them, that they gave no return.^ Edward YI. Edmond Herbert of Cahirmocliill, County of Limerick, Esq., fourth son of Sir Edward Herbert of Poolcastle, County Mongomery, second son of the Earl of Pembroke, settled in Ireland in the reign of James I, and married Ellen, daughter of Richard Bourke of Lismolane, County Limerick, Esq., of the house of Castleconnell— his son was Maurice Herbert of Rathkeale, in the County Limerick, Esq., who married Margaret, daughter of Edmond Bourke of Ballinguard, County Limerick, Esq., who dying 10th of February, 1638, was buried in the Church of Rathkeale. Sir Thomas Herbert, created a Baronet on the 4th of August, 1662, fifteenth Charles II, was buried in Rathkeale— and was succeeded by his Grandson, (his daughter having married Edmond Southwell of Castlematress, County Limerick, Esq.,; created Baron Southwell of Castlematress, 4th September, 1717— fourth George L- Among the gallant officers up to a very recent date in the Austrian service, descendants of the famous Irish Brigaders, is General Brown Herbert, of Rathkeale, Chamberlain to his Imperial Majesty. He, according to Mrs. De Lacy Nash's Historical Researches, is the son of General Peter Herbert, Count of the Holy Roman Empire, who distinguished himself as Ambassador of the Court of Austria to Constantinople at the close of the last ceutury, and was descended from Maurice Herbert of Rathkeale in the County of Limerick, a county which gave so many warriors to European power.s in the last century. Baron Peter, through the operation of the penal laws left Ireland to try his fortune with his grand-uncle by affinity, Marshal De Lacy, whose immense wealth fell to the Emperor of Austria. General De Lacy Evans, M.P. is a worthy scion of this truly illustrious race. > O'Connor's History of the Irish Catholics. « Ousley's notes to Ferrar. 3 The returns of the Bruff or Limekiln Turnpike for the nine years ending in 1741, showed an averao^e of about £G2 per year ; Ardskeagh Turnpike, £85, and Blackboy, £195. Out of this income, wages of collectors and other monies were deducted, leaving a very small compara- tive nett income. To afford an idea of the character and quantity of the traffic by the principal Trunkpike (the Blackboy) in this year, we give the subjoined return from the official document, for one week, in June, 1742 :— ^ ^ t> tv i i? ^ £ s. d. Per Week £ s. d. Coach and six horses, ... .•• 10 ... 2 ... ^ ^ ^ n,, anri fmir do. ... ... 6 ... 2 ... 1 Chair and one or two horses, ... ... ^ ^ ? ••' ^^ '" 7 6 Waggon of four wh. 1 Carriage of two wh. and more than one horse .3 „ , „ „ Cart of truckle, one horse 1 ... 120 ... 10 One horse, riden by one or more, ... 1 ... 240 ... | " " Every backload ^ ... 480 ... 10 Cattle, per score, ... ... ... ^ ^ 10 ... lUU ... U Calves, hogs, sheep, and lambs, per score ... U & ... /uu ... u For 52 weeks, or a year, ... ... •.- ^^J^ ^f^ * 15 U 4 2 £3 8 10 To pay 10 £203 19 4 336 niSTOUY of umerick. From these domestic matters we are dra^Ti for a moment by a startling and dreadful events which occurred in the Limerick Regiment of the Irish Brigade, which was in Spain at the time, and which is told as we subjoin the particulars, in a contemporary publication : — ^ Extract of a Letter from Naples, dated May 31. " This Afternooa Captain Lynch and Adjutant-Major Macklain were beheaded on a Scaffold for the Murder of their Colonel Odeo^ (Irish) iu the Limerick Regi- ment which came from Spain, the Officers of which Regiment are all Irish or Scotch. These two unfortunate Gentlemen had been perpetually abused by their Colonel, who declared them disqualified for their Places ; and likewise by his en- deavouring to bring in his Brother to be Major of the Regiment, under whom they could not serve, he having been declar'd infamous in Spain ; and the Colonel having refused to give them satisfaction, they were blinded with Passion, and as he was coming home at Night they drew on him, and he calling to the Guard and refusing to fight, Captain Lynch shot him through the Head. Their Action was not to be countenanced, but the Injuries they suffered are too long to be mentioned. They died with Courage and Resolution. Most of the Officers are under Confinement, and 'tis not known what may be their Fate." In this year Mr. Whitefield arrived in Limerick from America, where he first preached the new doctrines of Methodism.' He reached Limerick from Fort Fergus, at two o'clock, p. m., and describes the city in his Journal as a large garrison town, with a Cathedral in it — the roads better than he had seen them on his journey, " but the people much more subtle and designing."* He saw many beggars, which he imputes to the want of Parish Provision. (!) He waited on Dr. Buscough, the Protestant Bishop, " preached in the Cathedral to a very numerous audience, who seemed uni- versally affected," refused an invitation from the Mayor, having been pre- engaged by the Bishop, and left Limerick next day rather satisfied with his visit.^ Whitefield, of course, saw but the outside of things, for a epedemic sickness prevailed in the city, and continued to strike down its victims during 1740 and 1741, when the Mayor, Joseph Ptoche, Esq., and several influential citizens, were attacked by the disease, and lost their lives. In this year, too, (1741) the Custom House of Limerick was burned ; and as if to destroy whatever trafiic remained in the city, and to injure the comitry as much as possible, the harpies of the Corporation again commenced opera- tions, and caused greater indignation among the highest as well as among the poorest classes, than had been at any previous period experienced or ex- pressed. While they plundered, the city was in a fearfully neglected con- dition, and the outcry against them was limited to no party or persuasion.^ 1 The General Evening Post (London), from Tuesday, June 18th, to Thursday, June 20th, 1740. Page 1, col. 2. 2 Odeo is a corruption for O'Dea, a very numerous family in Clare. 3 White's MSS., in which it is added that Whitefield was the founder of the Swaddlers, or Methodists, " who take great head." * Whitefield's Journal — an unwarrantable remark. ^ Hjij. 9 The exactions by the Corporation in the way of tolls, and the fearfully neglected and wretched state of the streets may be judged of from the facts we subjoin : — * Custom taken for Cloak baggat John's Gate in July, 1745 ... ... 4d. The like for Boots and Shooes in August, 1745 ... ... ... 3d. Custom paid for Household goods, for every load ... ... ... 4d. The like for Roots, Cabbage, Dead Fowl, &c., each ... ... ... Id. The like for washed linen, and everything coming to my house ... ... Id. The like for Potatoes each load, though seldom more than two bushels on a horse. Id. The like for my saddle horses last August coming from ye field in the suburbs Id. * From the papers of John O'Donnell, Esq., of Trough House, Grandfather of Lieut.-General Sir Charles Routledge O'Donnell, Colonel of the 18th Hussars. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 337 But, superadded to the sufferings of the gentry, as well as of the people, persecution was soon again let loose by the Government, and became fierce and general. The liord Lieutenant and Privy Council issued a procla- mation, in which the rigors of the Penal Enactments were revived against CathoKc Archbishops, Bishops, Vicars General, and all others exercising ecclesiastical jurisdiction, and against all who harboured or sheltered them. Almost contemporaneously with this edict came an order to the Revenue Collectors of the Province of Munster, to drive several lands for an arrear of Quit Pi,ent, which arrear amounted in one collection — that of Cork — to over £0,000 — lands for which patents had been passed in the 20th and 3 Iml of Charles IL to Sir George Hamilton and the Protestant Bishop of Ossory.' To arrest the miseries consequent on the neglect of agriculture, a biU for the encouragement of tillage was mtroduced into the Irish Parlia- ment in the sessions of 1741 ; but it was subjected to public criticism and animadversion, inasmuch as it did not grapple with evils which were then, as well as they now are, felt by those so deeply interested in the question. In a letter from a Mr. Wm. Jessopp, to Mr. Charles Smyth, then attending his Parliamentary duties in Dubhn, Mr. Jessopp, under date Limerick, Dec. 4th, 1741, says : — " It is Certain there are great Numbers of Acres ia this Kingdom tliat in their Native State are not Avorth 2s., phaps not Is. p. Acre, That by plowing, Burning, Liming, Sanding, or other manureing, with good draining & good Tihage for some years, may be made of 4 times, and possibly of 10 times that Valine ; And those Acres are for the Most part Moory, Boggy, and Heathy grounds, And to encourage the Improvemt. of such kind of Land the Act passd in 1731 gave the Tiller the Tyths for 7 years of Hemp, flax and Rape growing thereon, but of no other graine. Now it is certaine in my poore judgment that Such lands, After A Vast Expeuce to the Tiller, are not capable of Rape more than one year, or of flax or Hemp more than one year more, & after must be for Barley or Oats, so that the 7 years en- couragemt, intended by the Act is by the Limitation reduced to 2 or 3 at the most. The streets from Newgate lane to Thomond Gate in a shocking and scandalous condition, and at one time so filled with filth near the pen formerh' held by TJiomson, that there were stones in the middle of the street to step on for those passing through, the filth being so soft that it ran over the street. The Bridge so badly paved with large stones as to be dangerous for horses to pass. 2d. each taken for three cows passing through the town the 3rd of Nov. inst., and Id. each for them ye next day, though not drove out of the suburbs. These exactions continued to the destruction of trade, the persecution of the farmers, and the injury of the city. On the 22nd of June, 1 749, Joseph Gabbett, Esq., of Doonstowne, in a letter addressed to Ambrose Wilson, Esq., at Cahirconlish, gives an account of the dispute he had in Limerick about these exactions, by which they took market toll, " just three times aa much as they had a right to " He gave information of it, and had the extorters indicted, but "was obliged to postpone the trial that assizes, because he had not the original docket, for Avhich he applied against the assizes following, but could not obtain it without the expense of bringing down the clerk of the House of Commons, in whose hands it was ! He also had the people who took illegal toll at John's Gate convicted before the Mayor, of extorting one penny for each horseload of potatoes, but had no other satisfaction given than making them return a halfpenny to each person who had so resisted them. It appears that Mr. Wilson had a law-suit at the same time, as Mr. Gabbett wishes him every success in his undertaking. To show the enormous extent of the oppression caused by these corporate exactions at this period, William Monsell, Esq., on the 5th of November, 1749, in a letter addressed to " the Kev. Charles Mas.sy, A.M., Dean of St. Mary's, Limerick," complains in bitter terms of the " robbery." The " oppression, practised by the freemen on the public in this citty, is but too well known to town and country, the latter being mostly sufferers in having exorbitant tolls taken off their corn b}' the iniquitous toll-men of this citty, and no remedy by applving to the magistrates." He goes on to show how he suffered, and he adds that " those violent proceedings made me and several others drop tillage, though our country wants cultivating." He expressed a hope that the Common Council of the city would take the matter into consideration iu order to a redress of the infliction. ' The Smyth papers iu the Corporation of Limerick. 666 HISTORY OF LlMEiUCK. and those lands that did not pay the Church Id. p. acre before at the Expence of the Tiller, in 2 or 3 years time must pay 2 or 3 or 4d. p. acre, wd. most certainly discourage the brinj^ing in of thousands that Woud be brought in if the encouragerat. had a reasonable Continuance. In such Case, if it be thought hard on the present Incumbent, let him have 2 pence or 3 pence or 4 pence p. acre for A reasonable time after the first year and no moi-e, further I am satisfied there are great quantitys of Mountain lands that when plowd & burnd or Limed, where Lime can be had, or IMarled where Marl is to be gott, they would be Tilld if the Encouragemt, extended to Corne as well as to Hemp, Hop or flax, wh. for want of Such encouragemt. will I fear lye in their native barren way, not producing one single ffarthing to the Church, nor anything to the Nation but the Rearing of a few stuntd Younge Cattle, a few Goats, and here and there a small Cabbin & Garden. There is also another Exception in that Act in favour of the Church, that I cannot think tends to its advantage. That any lands that did ever before pay Tyth for Hay shall be understood by that Act to have any abatment of Tyth for any terme. Now it is certain thruth that there are a great number of acres and such Moory sower Mea- dows that never was Tylld nor ever was worth in the best situation above lOs. p; acre, and yett for want of other meadowing have been mowd time out of mind and paid Tyths, and yet if those lands were once plowd and burnd and well TyUed for 3 or 4 years at most woud for ever after, if kept drained, be of 3 times Vallue, if the Tiller was encouraged by a Remittance of the Tyth for a time, or if that would not do, by limitting the Tyth to 1 2d. per acre- for a term of years, and so the present Incumbent suffers nothing. And as to the premium allowd on Exporta- tions, I do humbly apprehend and hope the House will think proper to Enlarge & allso to Extend it to Wheat, Gates, Oatmeal, & qury whether it woud not be proper to gaurd such Exportation, when grain is at a low price, from the Inso- lence of the populace by a Riott act or some other way, & I know no place needs it more than this you represent. Another thing I woud just mention in relation to the Linen Manufactures, so long the care of Our Nationall Councills, And I coud heartily wish you talkt to yr. Unkle Burgh about that affair. As he is quallifyed I believe to do a great deall both in the House and at the Board. it s Certain we have in the County of Limerick good Lands for Hemp and for flax, but by having no kind of demand for our Hemp seed. Nor any ToUerable good hands to be had for Watering and dressing our Hemp & our flax, I know too well the Tillage of it tui-ns to a poor acct., So that if we had such a thing as by a County ffactory, or otherways A demand & Markett for our Hemp and flax Green, or I mean Ripe in the ffeild, Or had a proper person to direct or take, care for us that out Hemp & flax were well handled, tho we paid him ourselves, it would be of good account, for the truth is our Hemp and our flax are most certainly more than half lost for the want of Skillful, honest hand to water and gi-ass and dress it for us." It is curious to fmd the citizens of Limerick in this very year, 1865, discoveruig a means of supplying those wants complained of upwards of a ycentur ago, viz. the want of markets, instructors, and factories. Limerick having been provided with public lights under the Act Cth Geo. II. which also regulated the fighting of Dublin and Cork, some improvements, which had been loudly called for, were made in the Act in 1741. HISTOET OF LIMERICK. CHAPTER XLIII. EFFORTS OF THE CATHOLICS. NEW CHAPELS BUILT. PAINTINGS AND PAINTERS. NEW PROJECTS. GRANTS. LIMERICK CEASES TO BE FOR- TIFIED. REMOVAL OF THE GATES AND WALLS. PETITIONS TO PARLIAMENT, AND INVESTIGATION. — CORPORATE INIQUITY EXPOSED. NOBLE CONDUCT OF THE ANTI-CORPORATE PROTESTANTS. The efforts of the Catholics iu these gloomy times to possess themselves of becoming houses of worship were untiring. Hitherto the Cathohc parish- ioners of St. Munchin had no parish chapel, but had been accustomed to resort to St. Mary^s chapel, which was placed outside Thomond Gate.^ The parishioners of St. Munchin, therefore, were under the necessity of building a chapel for themselves in 1744, when they raised a small but convenient one near the same place — Thomond Gate — close by the strand. The Eev. Patrick Scaulan was the Parish Priest. ^ In the year following the Right Rev. Dr. Lacy, who had succeeded Dr. O^Kceffe as Catholic Bishop of Limerick, and who was a member of the illustrious family of De Lacy of Bruree, was appointed administrator of the diocese of Kilfenora by the Right Rev. Dr. Daly, Bishop of that see, who was residing at the time at Tour- nay in France ;^ and on the 19th of September in the succeeding year, the Rev. James White, Parish Priest of the Abbey of St. Prancis, " fixed" a small chapel for the use of his parishioners in the Abbey.* It is a strange fact that while the Catholic religion was at this period extending itself in Limerick, great alarm prevailed in nearly every other corporate city and town through- out Ireland, in consequence of the powerful eflbrts which the young Preten- der, the Chevalier Charles Stuart, had been making in Scotland and England to upset the Hanoverian dynasty in the person of the second George.^ But that the Corporators of Limerick took alarm there can be no doubt ; and that they were making preparations for a wholesale onslaught on the pro- perty of the people, is mdisputable. In the years 1747 and 1748, more than two-thirds of the estates of the Corporation, consisting of town-parks and premises, near and adjoining to the city, together with several plots of building ground and houses within the city, fell out of lease, and the Corporators demised amongst themselves the entire of these lands for nine hundred and ' White's MSS. 2 This chapel went to ruin fifty years after this, and was entirely taken down in the j'ear 1799, and a much better, larger and more convenient one built in the same place, which was blessed and the iirst Mass said in it in October Dr. Young's Note in Whites AISS. 3 White's MSS. ■* Ibid. 5 At a meeting of the Corporation of Clonmel, held on the 1st of January, 1745, it was resolved, " in consequence of the rebellion of the Popish Pretender, that there be immediately an inspection made into all the walla, castles, gates, and fortifications of this town, in order immediately to fortify and repair the same, and put the same in a position of defence, at the expense of tlie Corporation, and that thej' do forthwith report the same to this Council, that the Corporation may immediately lay in a sufficient fund for carrj'ing on the said work with all speed, and that the Mayor, as soon as such estimate be given in, do immediately call a council for this purpose." — Minutes of Clonmel Corporation Boole, 340 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. ninety-nine years, at a total annual rent of thirty-six pounds two shillings and nine-pence ; the particulars of which appear by the following table : — 6 1 2 3 4 6 6 7 8 Denominations. To whom demised. Yearly Rent. Acreable Contents. Monegollah Parcel of Lond adjoining to Monegallah Part of Hospital land with several plots of building ground ... Field in Little Island Latulla Fields ... Little Island, &c. SrNamara's holding Monabraher Cloon and Monemuckey Cloon Arthur Roche Robert Davis Arthur Koche John Ingram Henry Long John Wight Peter Sargent Peter Sargent £ s. d. 1 6 1 "2 9 2 1 3 10 10 10 12 5 A. K. p. 40 1 15 5 10 1 1 11 2 15 87 *1 24 8 3 7 11 3 6 1 12 9 19 9 37 2 1747 1747 1747 1747 1747 1747 1747 1748 36 2 9 In the year 1748 the Common Council granted to Arthur Eoche the entire of the lands demised to him in the year 1747, for a term of 999 years, with other lands, in fee simple ; and in the same year executed two leases to John Wight, separating the lands of Monabraher from houses and premises in the city of Limerick, and dividing the rent to £5 15s. per annum for each denomination.^ Within the same period the following lots in the city were demised for the term of 999 years, or in fee, some of which are included in the leases already referred to, and others are held under separate leases : — d Denomination. To whom demised. Yearly <1> S 'A Rent. Q £ s. d. 1 Plots included in lease of ground outside John's Gate with cabins thereon : — Tenements eight in number, with ground behind same, inside John's-gate — Ground within Water-gate. — Plot in Newgate-lane. — Ground near Little Island. — Ground without Island-gate. — Seve- ral pieces of ground within and without John's- gate and house in Thomond-gate Arthur Roche, Esq. 1747 999 ?. House in Quay lane David Bindon 9 12 1747 909 3 Wm. Creagh's garden in West Watergate Marv Sexton 10 1747 999 4 Ground Korth end of the Quay Geo. Stamer, Esq. 5 1748 999 5 Part of Cronght adjoining John's-gate Parcel of land and stables ivithout Thomond-gate, house adjoining Town Wall John Wight, Esq. 5 5 9 1748 999 6 Ground leading from West Watergate to the Diocesan School-house John Ingram 5 1748 999 These acts of spoliation chcited a \igorous remonstrance from the Pro- testant party, who, with the exception of those mixed up with the plunderers, were indignant at the misconduct of men who were impervious to reason and the dictates of justice, and who scorned whatever of public opinion existed • The lands of IMonabraher near Limeriok, and which were le.Tscd at £5 15s. a year, contain 87 acres, besides what is called Spur, about three acres. Sixteen acres alone were set for a short period bv tlie representatives of i^Ir. Wight at iilUO jjer annum ; seven acres more produced £100. In 182U Jlr. Wight Seymour, Solicitor, offered the property to Daniel Gabbett, Esq. for £7000. BISTORT OF UMEIUOK. 341 at a time when there were little or no means among the oppositionists to give expression to their indignation. The liberal Protestants, however, persevered ; and we shall shortly see the extent and character of their opposition, and the success with which it was attended. Amid tlie strife and din of this civic war, in which the Catholics, who had hoped for little social or political advantage, were increasing in numbers and wealth, serious riots had occurred in 1748, arising out of the sadly miserable condition of the humbler classes,' but their effect was transitory, and the succeeding year, a second Catholic chapel was built in the parish of St. Mary, where Dean Creagh had been parish priest for several years, but where he had had no house of worship. This chapel of St. Mary was accordingly built outside the walls, on the Little Island, and was ninety feet in length, by twenty-four feet six inches in breadth. '-^ In the next year a dreadful storm caused the river to rise to an unexampled height, and the water was two feet over the flooring of the chapel. Four vessels on this occasion were driven up on the quay, and cattle, corn, hay, &c., were swept ofl^ through the country by the torrent. In this year was born Jolm Fitzgibbou, one of the most remarkable men of his time, and one of the bitterest enemies of his country. In 1750, chiefly through the piety and munificence of Eichard Harold, Esq. of Pennywell, a chapel was built in St. Patrick's Parish, on Park Hill, above Pennywell. On this hill the Wilhamites had a battery duriug the last sieges. The chapel having become ruinous, a site on his property was offered free, by Mr. HarokVs son (Eichard Harold also), on which to raise another, but a more convenient place on the lands of Monamuckey,^ nearer to the city, and on a line with the then new road to Dubhn, was chosen in pre- ference, where it was built. Among the new buildings in 1750, was a gaol, which was erected in the middle of ]\Iary-street, four stories high, with a large plain front close to the street, and nine barred windows in front, and an equal number in the rere. An arched-way led to a lane to St. Francises Abbey, where the County Conrt House was built in 173:i. The gaol had a separate entrance at the north- western side of the archway ; a gloomy dungeon was placed beneath the lower story ; and in this not only felons, but political prisoners were incarcerated, amid darkness, vermin, and noisomeness indescribable. In 1798, it was con- stantly crowded with the victims of suspicion and the men on the " black list.''''* While the city to some extent was improving in spite of Corporate exaction and neglect, the condition of the country was by no means flourishing. Between landlord and tenant there was not a community of interest, which was clearly shown not many years after this period, when agrarian discontent partook of the characteristics of Whiteboyism. A remarkable circumstance is related to have taken place at this period ' Walker's Hibernian Magazine, vol. 18, p. 283. 2 White's MSS — This chapel was furnished with an elegant altar piece, consisting of "the different orders of architecture, and a magnificent copy, by a lirst-rate Italian artist, of a celebrated picture by Michael Angelo, of the Crucifixion. These munificent gifts were bestowed by John Kelly, Esq., merchant, whose grand-nephew, the venerable John Kelly, Esq., Deputy Lieutenant of Limerick, bestowed in 1862, on the new Catholic Church of Kilfintinan, in the parish of Crat- loe, county Clare, and diocese of Limerick, a magnificent marble altar. ' Monamuckey became the property of Mr. Henry O'Sullivan, an extensive tobacco merchant, who made a very fine street on the lands, which he called Clare Street, in compliment to John Filz Gibbon, Earl of Clare. The houses, when built, sunk in the foundations, though they were admirably planned and in regvdar order. The Street has greatly fallen away in latter periods. * The then fashionable promenade was Mary-street, between Quay Lane and the old gaol, and where crowds of belles and beauxs went each day to witness the relie\ ing of the guard, during which a military band played. The old gaol is now well nigh a ruin. The roof is uncovered, and in one of the lower stories there is a nailor's shop. 342 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. in connection with agricultural affairs.' About noon^ on the 18th of May, 1753, some thousands of persons passed through the streets of Limerick. The country labourers, cottiers, and husbandmen had established a new system of husbandry, and there were "great companies of dis- tinction in the several degrees of agriculture;^' common labourers walked first, the men in their shirts, in ranks; the women also with green corn and straw; the plough was driven along, and the harrow; the mowers had their scythes, the reapers, the gleaners, a great number of women, and a great number of men with flails, walked in the procession. Their object was to congratulate themselves on the probability of a good ensuing harvest. This exliibition was admittedly more important than the Corporation pro- cessions, accompanied by the several guilds of trade, in their palmiest displays.^ On the next day the counties of Clare and Limerick joined, and were very particular in their representations of personating the several orders of husbandry in all the branches of it.^ On the 4th of May, the Prince of Wales' birth-day, the troops in Li- merick Uned the town walls and proceeded to hedge firing, the great guns also firing all round the walls. The gentry were devotedly attached to field sports : fox hunting was universally indulged in by them ; and one of the most famous fox-hunters of the day, was Edward Croker, Esq. of Rawleighstown, who had been High Sheriff of the County of Limerick, in 1735, and who in this year, (1753,) built a fine Mansion-house at Eawleighstown, at an expense of over £6000. On him was made the Popular Song of "By Y'r leave Larry Grogan," by Pierce Creagh of Dangan, Esq., which we give for the sake of its hunting lore and family history : — * 1 By your leave, Larry Grogan, enough has been spoken, 'Tis time to give over your sonnet, your sonnet, Come listen to mine, sir, much truer than thine, sir, For these very eyes were upon it, upon it, 'Tis of a buck slain, su', this very campaign, sir, To let him live longer, 'twere pity, 'twere pity. For horns and for branches, for fat and for haunches, He exceeded a Mayor of a City, a City. * An account before us, of this period, shows the acreahle rent of land, the value of cattle, sheep, turf, &c. : — Charged to Mr. Reading, March, 1750. To the month of 21 acres, at £1 per acre £21 10 To charges for mowing and saving the hay, per Furlong Smith ... 9 2 2 £30 12 2 Deduct ye 8th part being since consumed ... 3 16 6 To Turf, by Furlong Smith's account To 69 sheep, some bought in spring and some in autumn, prime cost) one with another £6 10s. Od. per acre > To 12 Bullocks 2 years old, at 16s. 6d. prime cost To 3 Cows, one of them old, sold at To 19 Cows at £2 10 each To 6 do. at 2 2 each To 1 Bull at To a bay mare ... ... ... ... Contemporaneous MSS. ' Ibid. * Ralph Ouslcy's, Esq. MSS. notes to Ferrar's History of Limerick. £26 15 8 9 11 3 19 3 G 9 18 7 £72 8 5 47 10 12 12 2 15 10 £145 HISTORY OF LIMEUICK. 343 2 A Conncil assembled, (who'd think but he trembled), Of lads of good spirit, well mounted, well mounted, Each, his whip and cap on, and spurs made at Ripon, The number full twenty, well counted, well counted, But in legs he confiding, our efforts deriding. He thought himself safe as in bed, sir, in bed, sir, With a bounce off he goes, and tossed up his nose. But Ringwood cried, Lord help your head, sir, your head, sir. 3 Off scores we went bounding, sweet horns were a sounding, Each youth filled the grove with a whoop and a halloo ; Had Douburg been there, such music to hear, He'd leave his Cremona and follow, and follow ; Knock-kiston, Knockany, and hills twice as many. We scampered o'er stone walls, o'er hedges and ditches, We skimm'd o'er the grounds, but to bafile our hounds, Was ne'er yet in any buck breeches, buck breeches. 4 Four hours he held out, most surprisingly stout. Till at length to his fate he submitted, submitted, His throat being cut up, and poor culprit put up. To the place where he first was remitted, remitted ; A place most enchanting, where nothing was wanting. That poor hungry huntsmen could wish for, could wish for, Off delicate fare, though numbers were there, Yet every man, was a dish for, a dish for. 5 We fell to with fury, like a long famished jury, Nor staid we for grace, to our dinner, our dinner. The butlers a sweating, the knives all a whetting, The edge of each stomach was keener, was keener. The bumpers went round with a beautiful sound, And clink, clink, like sweet bells, went the glasses, the glasses ; We dispatched King and Queen, and each other fine thing. To bumper the beautiful lasses, sweet lasses. 6 There was sweet Sally Currey, and Singleton Cherry, Miss Croker, Miss Bligh, and Miss Prittie, Miss Prittie, And lovely Miss Pearce, that subject of verse, Should not be forgot in my ditty, my ditty, With numberless more, from fifteen to a score. Oh, had you but seen them, together, together. Such charms you'd discover, you'd pity the Louvre, You'd pity the Louvre as a feather, a feather. 7 The man of the house, and his beautiful spouse. May they live to give Claret, and venison, and venison, And may honest Ned, there's no more to be said, May he ne'er want the beggars' old beuison, old benison. Long prosper that country, the store house of bounty, Where thus we indulge, and make merry, make merry. For jovial as wo are, we puff away all care To poor busy Robin, and Fleury, and Fleury.* In 1753, the Catholic parisliioners of St. John's undertook the duty of buildmg a parish chapel : the building, which for over one hundred years, ' Sir Robert Walpole and Cardinal Fleun-, v;eie at this time Prime Ministers of England and France. 344 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. was that in wliicli the Cathohc bishops of the diocese, chiefly ministered, was cruciform, and was taken down early in ISQ'-Z, some montlis after the new cathedral of St. John had been opened in the same locality. The old chapel had an excellent painting of the Crucifixion, by Mr. Timothy Collopy, a native artist of distinguished merit, who also painted the Ascension for the Augustinian Priary Chapel, in Creagh-lane.* In 1755, on the 5th of June, the Marquis of Harrington, Lord Lieuten- ant of Ireland, arrived in Limerick, where he was received by the authorities with the accustomed pomp and ceremony, and where he reviewed the troops on the King's Island on the 6th, and on the 8th attended Church service at St. Mary's Qathedral, where Dr. Arthur Smyth, Protestant Primate of Ireland, preached. He was the guest of the Protestant Bishop during his visit. On the 19th of September, in the same year, eighty thatched houses at Thomond gate were consumed by fire, when a collection amounting to £300 was made for the sufferers by the accident. 1 Timothy Collopy, a native of the City of Limerick, was originally a baker's apprentice.'but Lis talents for sketching and painting, having been discovered by Father Walsh, an Augustinian Friar whose convent at the time was in Creagh-lane ; the Rev. gentleman appreciated his talents so highly, that he raised a subscription among the wealthy merchants of the city, and sent bim to Rome to study the art, where he remained for some years. He returned home, a finished, first- rate artist, and having arrived in Limerick, thus accomplished, he was extensivelj' patronised as a portrait painter by the nobility and gentry of city and county. Father Walter Aylmer, O.S.A., who lived in Limerick towards the close of the last, and at the beginning of the present century, knew him well, and often spoke to him. Collopy went to London, where, in the first instance, he established himself near, or in South Audlej'-street, and afterwards in South Molton-street, and where he became eminent as a portrait painter. He occasionally visited Limerick, where he painted portraits of the leading families, particularly of the Maunsells. He painted the Ascension for his old friend Father Walsh, in 1782;* that picture is now in the Augustinian Church, George's-street it is a composition worthy of any of the Italian masters, exquisite both in effect and in colouring. He painted other pictures also, the above particularly, which was in St. John's Chapel, but which had been much damaged — St. John and the Blessed Virgin are painted at either side of the cross. His first sketch for the Ascension has been in the possession of Mr. E. J. Corbett, music seller, George's-street. His fellow students in Kome were Hugh Hamilton of Dublin, one of tlie most distinguished portrait painters of his day — fully equal to Sir Joshua Eeynolds, and Henry Tresham, who wrote the critiques on Sir John Leicester's Gallery, who was one of the associates of Collopy. Collopy took very many of his models from the finely proportioned heads of turf porters on the Limerick quay — and the widow of one of them, was in the habit of bestowing abuse on Father Walsh, because he had induced her husband, who died some time before, to sit for his portrait to Collopy — she believing that it was unlucky (!) for any one to have I>is likeness taken. Timothy Collopy died in London about the year 1810, or 1811, and left his property to his son. His executors were Phillips, the Koyal Academician, and Henry Tresham. lie had but one son, George, who was illegitimate ; George's mother was Jenny Madden the keeper of a public house, nearly opposite the old gaol in Mary-street. George became a reputed Orangeman — the Orange Lodge, and Freemasons' Lodge, No. 273, were kept in the house he occupied in Mary-street. Timothy Collopy had been always a Catholic. He gave directions for the cleaning of the picture of the Ascension, that it should be washed with warm water and a little soap, and the white of two eggs sponged over it after washing, |no copel varnish, or varnish of any kind to be used. That Collopy, who never changed his creed or name, was not identical with John Singleton Copley, another greater portrait painter, and father of the late Lord Lyndhurst, whose mother, nee Miss Singleton, I have some proof. Miss Singleton was of the Quin, Co. Clare, family of that name. John Singleton Copley, according to his own statement to my informant, had never been in Ireland. I have these particulars from Mr. John Gubbins, portrait painter, aged SO years in 1SG4, who knew both mtn, heard Copley disclaim ever having been in Ireland, and who has given me an autoo-raph letter of Colli py written to Miss Hamilton, daughter of Hugh Hamilton, in 1810, shortly before Collopy's d.ath. Collopy was also much employed by the Earl of Bute in London, in cleaning that nobleman's famous collection of pictures, and realized much money in that branch of the art. * In the books of the Augustinian Convent, the following entrj- appears: — " November 10th, 1782. — Painting of the Ascension erected, drawn by Mr. Tim CoUopey Native of this City of Limerick." An annual higli n>ass is celebrated for the repose of the soul of the painter by tlie Augustinian Fathers, in whose chapel in Creagh-lane, he had in his youthful davs o:t;n served nuiss. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 345 Again the demon of persecution was uncliained^ on tlie introduction into the House of Lords by James Hamilton_, Viscount Limerick, in 1756/ of a BiU_, which contained nine clauses, all of a penal character ; and princi- pally relating to the registration of the Catholic clergy, and to the enforce- ment of the penalties contained in the Act of 1705, against such clergymen of the Catholic persuasion, as did not comply with the requu-ements of this enactment.^ The clergy were forced to hide for a time from the storm — and the people as usual remained true and faithful. [In this year a slab was inserted in the wall which surrounds the cemetery of the ancient Church of St. Michael, which having being extramural, was destroyed during Ireton's siege. The slab contains the following inscription to the memory of the first members of the Catholic family of Eoche, who had settled in Limerick after the revolutionary wars : — t III s PRAT FOR THE SOULS OF PHILIP AND ELLEN KOCHE 1755 While speaking of families, I may here note a curious discovery recently made in one of those very narrow and miserable lanes that run between Broad- street, and John-street, and Curry's-lane, of what had been some few hundred years ago a magnificent chimney-piece, made of richly grained red and white marble, massive and beautiful ; it is now fixed over the fire-place in a room of one of the houses in this narrow lane, it is about ten feet in width ; about five and a half in height : the architrave is nearly two feet in breadth ; and on it are sculptured, in relief, on the extreme right, the arms of the Roche family on a floriated shield : a bird with outspread wings perched on a rock forms the crest and tops a shield — underneath, on the face of the shield, are three roches nayanU — at either side of the crest are the letters C. R : — at the extreme left of the architrave are the arms of a family, which I am unable to indentify by reference to the contemporary matter written in the MSS of Dr. Thomas Arthur ; but these arms also are beautifully sculptured in relief on a floriated shield Hkewise. The crest is formed, neither of bird or animal, but of something which appears to be a warlike weapon — underneath are the arms, a hound passant, and on eitlier side are the words S. B. In the middle of the architrave, between the two floriated shields, are the initial letters I: H: S: a cross on the H is a Prench cross, tri-foliated, and the letters are foliated also. Underneath is the figure of the Sacred Heart pierced with three swords. The pillars on which the • Now Viscount Clanbrassil — De Burgo Hib. Domin , p. 719. 2 This Bill enacted the oath of allegiance, and the repudiation of any authority in the Pope to dispense with that oath, and the repudiation of any temporal or spiritual authority on the part of the Pope within the realm. A long and important debate ensued in reference to the terms of this oath, which De Burgo most justly calls atrocious. He adds that he was present (incof]) while the question was discussing in the House of Lords, and that ultimately, owing to the proxies (only six) which Viscount Limerick had in his pocket, he was enabled to carry the measure in its original blackness, on the Gth of December, 1757. De Burgo states that the authors of this infamous Bill did not long survive its enactment — James Hamilton, Viscount Limerick (afterwards Clanbrassil) died on the 17th of March, 1758; Robert Clayton, Bishop of Clogher, died on 2()th of February in the same A-ear ; and the Bishop of Elphin ou the 29th of January, 1762. All died after a very short illness —Ilib. Don. p. 725. 346 HISTOIIY OF LIMERICK. architrave rests, are fluted, and the top or mantel-piece is fluted in the same manner. It indicates the costly taste of the citizens at a time when Pyers Creagh Fitz Andrew was Mayor of the city, when "trouperswere cessed^'' on the citizens at 15d. a day; when the civil war, which began in Limerick in 1641, was still raging, and a short time before Ireton''s dreadful siege. There was an "Edmundus Eoch, Corkagiensis^' — an ancestor, most likely, of the Catholic Roches of Limerick in the city at this period ; his name we find at p. 75 of Dr. Thomas Arthur's Diary, who says he cured his daughter of measles, for which he received a fee of £1, equal to a very considerable sum in our money.] A want of employmx^nt was now severely felt, not only in Limerick, but throughout Munster. Several projects were launched, including the cutting of the Grand Canal, to afford the needed assistance to the labouring classes. The improvement of Limerick was projected by Mr. Edmund Sexton Pery, who had become a representative of the city. In 1757, a BUI was introduced by him to the Irish House of Commons for the purpose of widening Ball's Bridge, against which Mr. Coulston forwarded a memorial, alleging the ruin of his interests. These improvements, however, were effected. On the 13th of June, 1757, the workmen began to cut the canal at Bartlett's Bog, and in the following year it was opened up to the Shannon at Eebogue. It was mainly through Mr. Pery's influence and exertions that the following grants of public money were made to Limerick by the Irish Parhament : — In 1755, ... ... ... £8,000 „ 1759, ... ... ... £3,500 „ 1760, ... ... ... £3,500 „ 1761, ... ... ... £4,500 „ 1761, ... ... ... £8,000 Total, ... ... ... £27,500 The first was for the canal, most of which was expended in cutting through the hill of Park ; the second grant was for finishing the cut j the third for building "the new Bridge ;i the fourth for improving the city and quays; ' This Bridge had been one of the greatest ornaments of the city, and was constructed by Mr. Uzuld at an expense of £1800. It connected the English town, by Quay Lane, with the then portion of the County Limerick which is now the principal part of the city — the new town. The first stone was laid on the 9th of June, 1761, and the Bridge was opened for traffic in the following September. This bridge was declared, in 1844, to be incommodious, owing to the fact that there was a considerable elevation in the only arch by which it spanned the river, when a new bridge was substituted, as appears by the following inscription on it. It is called the MATHEW BRIDGE.* CONTRACTED FOR IN THE YEAR 1844, DURING THE MAYORALTY OF THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL WILLIAM J. GEARY, M.D. THE EXPENSE OF ITS ERECTION BORNE BY THE CORPORATION AND BY PRESENTMENTS FROM THE COUNTY AND CITY GRAND JURIES. OPENED IN THE MONTH JUNE, 1846. THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL E. F. G. RYAN, MAYOR. JOHN F. RALEIGH, ESQ., TOWN CLERK. FRANCIS J. O'NEILL, TREASURER. W. H. OWENS, ARCHITECT. JOHN DUGGAN, BUILDER, ;■} * It is called by this name in honor of the late Very Rev. Theobald Mathew, the Apustle of Temperance. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 347 the fifth for continuing the new canal from the Shannon at Eebogue up to Killaloe. New roads were also made in 1757 — one from Thomond Gate to the causeway of Parteen^ which was a short cut, avoiding the round by " the Mayor's Stone^^; another road was made from Eastwater Gate to Pennywell Road. In consequence of an act of oppression on the part of Mr. Sweete, Mayor of Cork, the Catholic tradesmen of Limerick now took heart. Sweete having imprisoned a Catholic tradesman, because he would not pay certain exorbitant quarterage, which had been imposed upon him by the master of his trade ; the tradesman in question, backed by the principal Roman Catholic merchants of that city, entered a law-suit against Sweete, for raising money contrary to law.2 The action was tried in Dublin, and the Mayor of Cork was amerced in a fine and costs amounting to £800. " Quarterage'^ was at once refused by nearly aU the tradesmen of the kingdom to the respective guilds or cor- porations of trade, and each person followed his trade without becoming a " quarter brother^^ or " freeman." The Catholic tradesmen of Limerick, who, up to this period, had been confined to St. Francis's Abbey, quitted the Abbey in considerable numbers, and set up their trades in the city — a movement on their part which gave great umbrage to the Orange guilds, who were as exclusive as the municipal corporation, and equally as exacting. Money was gathered by the guilds of trade, not only in Limerick, but throughout the kingdom, and their representatives in Parliament received instructions to exert their influence to obtain a legal sanction for the charters of the guilds, and power to raise money from CathoHc tradesmen, by com- pelling them to become " quarter brothers of their respective companies.'''' ^ Every city and corporate town in Ireland forwarded petitions for this unjust purpose. At length, a Parhamentary Committee, of which Mr. Edmond I Travelling at this period was not only tedious, but dangerous and expensive. It took five days to travel from Dublin to Cork. The following is a copy of a traveller's bill, among the Smyth papers in the Corporation of Limerick : — Travelling acct. to Cork. 1758 £ «. d. August 13th- —To wash ball and case ... H To ale for servants in Dublin 8 To Bill at Naas ... To Turnpike ... 15 3 8 9 14th To Bill at Kilcullen ... 1 18 2 To man for taking horse ... To Bill at Castledermot •• 1 14 1 4^ 15th Laughlin Bridge Bill Turnpike Kilkenny Bill ... ... 1 18 4 19 10^ 9 6 16th Nine Mile House do. Clonmell do. Turnpike Clogheen do. 1 4 8 5 15 9 7 4 17tb Killworth do. ... 1 1 8 Rath Cormuck do. ... 5 9* Turnpike To helper on road ... 1 1 5 1 To 3 men 5 days boarding ... ... 1 4 H To Fitzgerald do. ... 10 10 To beggars in Cork ... 1 1 To beggars on Roads ... H £12 II ' This tradesman's name was Mahony ; he was father of the truly benevolent Jlr. Francis Mahony of John's square, who died on the 19th of June, I84I. » White's MSS. 348 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Sexton Pery, was Chairman, was appointed to investigate the matter. Many sittings were held, and many witnesses were examined. The Cathohcs, on their side, were not idle ; they too forwarded their petitions, and pressed their claims with spirit and ability. The printed Limerick Petition was signed by Nicholas Mahon, woollen draper, Edmond Sexton, wine merchant, James Browne/ woollen draper, Philip Eoche, " merchant and venturer,^^* all of St. Mary^s Parish, and by several others. The Protestants were defeated, and the Catholic tradesmen thenceforward were free.' Pope Clement XIII. proclaimed an universal Jubilee in this year, which was opened in Limerick on the 29th of April, and continued for one fortnight. In this year also, the Eight Hon. George Evans, Lord Baron of Carbery, died at his seat at Caherass, near Croom, county of Limerick. He was the only nobleman at this time who resided in or near the city.'* On the 23rd of June, same year, the 1st battalion of the Eoyal Scots, or 1st regi- ment of foot, and Lord Porbes^s regiment (the 76th) encamped near the Shannon two miles from Limerick, where immense numbers of persons Avere accustomed to walk each day to see the camp.^ In the year folloAving (1760) Limerick ceased to be a fortified garrison; up to this period there had been seventeen gates to the city, which, com- mencing at Thomond Gate, and taking the circuit of the walls, may be named thus : — 1 Thomond Gate 11 Mungret Gate 2 Island Gate 12 West Water Gate 3 Sally Port 13 Creagh Gate 4 Little Island 14 Quay Lane Gate 5 Abbey N. Gate 15 Bow Lane Gate 7 Pish Gate 16 New Gate 8 BalFs Bridge 17 And the Gate at the back of the 9 Eastwater Gate Castle Barrack. 10 John's Gate The destruction of the walls and gates was followed by the opening up of a road from the New Square near St. John's Church to Mungret Eoad, or Boher Buy, and a broad passage was made from Ball's Bridge to the Quay.^ Whilst these changes were taking place, the bitterest invectives continued to be poured out on the heads of the dominant faction in the Corporation by the liberal Protestants, who arraigned them in every shape and form for the ' The grand-daughter of this James Browne was afterwards Marchioness of Clanrickarde, and Mr. Browne's father's house was at Ballynacailleach, near Bruff. — White's MSS. 2 White's MSS. Philip Roche became one of the greatest merchants in the South of Ireland. His father, two years before, fitted up the Catherine Letter of Marque, mounting foiurteen sixteen-pounders, — the first ship of the kind ever seen in Limerick — for the West India trade. 3 White's MSS. * Ferrar, 1st Edition. * Ibid. fl In this year George III. was proclaimed in Limerick by the Blayor. The Corporation, guilds of trade, and a company of grenadiers attended the ceremony. The grenadiers fired three rounds each time the proclamation was read ; the streets were lined with three regiments of infantry, who fired three rounds at the conclusion of the ceremonj'. White (iMSS.) states that this year the city of Limerick began to shew much better than it had hitlicrto done, and to have a wholesome air circulating in it, and this by means of throwing down the old walls, and opening all the avenues leading to the city. The throwing down of the houses on the side of Ball's Bridge was of vast use, as were also the other public improvements they were making in and about the city. The castle and guard-house on Thomond Bridge were thrown down tliis year, in order to enlarge the passage of the bridge. At the head of Pump Lane a new pump, worked by machinery, was sunk to a depth of sixty feet at the expense of Mr. Pery ; wlio also caused a canal to be cut nearly two miles in length, to convey the water from Drumbanny to the Irish-town, to cleanse the streets. HISTORY or LIMERICK. 349 worst excesses. A sharp writer,, who was called " Peince Tellteuth Up- right/' ^ Avrote two letters in 1759, to the freemen of the city, in which he inveighed in a vehement manner against the Corporation. These letters were printed and chculatedj and in the second of them which we have before ns, these questions are asked : — " Is there not a melancholy appearance of decay and neglect throughout the whole city in those several places, which were built and decently supported before him (the leader in the Corporation, Mr. Arthur Eoche), when the revenues thereof were, by a considerable sum less than they are now, and no extortion was used by the collectors of these revenues to enhance them, and of consequence no murmurs were uttered against them ? Witness the Market House, Exchange, 'Chimes,' Blue School and Alms House, and many other places and things, too tedious to relate. Also what has become of the revenues of the city, so greatly increased ? since are not monstrous debts contracted by the Corporation? Is not the city credit sunk so low, that Corporation notes will scarcely yield fifty in the hundred, and large sums have been due on many of them for many years past to the great loss of the poor people they were passed to ? What is become of the large sums borrowed by them ? are houses or lands purchased with them T' Tell- truth wrote many other bitter words, and compares " the man who thrives on the ruin of his country to ascarides in the human body, who adhere so closely to the intestines, till they at length destroy that being which affords them noiirishment, if they are not timely ejected by strong purges and emeticks.'" Mr. John O'Donnell^ of Liberty Hall, outside Thomond Gate, was Se- cretary to the Free Citizens, and energetically and ably did he perform his duties. Herman Jacob, a native of Bremen and naturalized in Great Britain, now resided in Limerick, " where he followed merchandize,''^ and tendered twenty shillings to the Mayor and Council, praying to be admitted to the freedom of the city. The Mayor and twenty-eight of the CommonCouncil re- jected the claim; but Mr. Jacob memorialed the Lords Justices, and when the Mayor had found that the alien had some friends, who were determined to have his petition forwarded, they thought proper to admit him to his free- dom. It was mainly through the instrumentality of the " Tree Citizens'-' that Jacob obtained what he sought. " The Free Citizens" not only pulled together to obtain a release from the oppressions of taxation and monopoly, but they had their social reunions, banquets, &c. They worked with won- derful energy.' Catholics interfered only by sympathy in these demon- strations. 1 Papers of John O'Donnell, Esq. of Liberty Hall. 2 This gentleman was, as before stated, the grandfather of Major-General Sir Charles O'Donnell, Colonel of the 18th Eoyal Dragoons. ' They dined together often, and their list of toasts is a curiosity : — " The King." " The Free Citizens of Limerick and their Candidates — Pery and Massy." " The Glorious Memory." " The Lords Justices and the minority of the Privy Council." " May the Commons of Ireland ever hold the purse of the nation." " A Patriot Parliament.'' " William Pitt the father of Free Citisens." "The Linen Manufacture of Ireland and the promoters of it." " The Corner-Stone of the new Quay." " May the Electors of Ireland have a constitutional right of judging of the conduct of their representatives every seven years." " The Author of the Corn Bill." 350 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. The most stirring appeals were made to the independent citizens by the free citizens, to shake off the incubus of Corporate monopoly and plunder, to act as became men ; to show " that all public spirit was not lost ; to let other cities know that the freemen of Limerick were not biassed by the influence of the great or mighty, or misled by narrow party views; that they scorned the base practices of selling their votes for a dinner.^ "A lover of Liberty" came out in a powerful letter (1760) "to the gentlemen, clergy, and freemen of Limerick," in which he asserts the independence of the city, and suggests that young Mr. Massy, the son of Dean Massy, should be selected with Mr. Pery as a candidate on the independent in- terest for the city. Mr. Pery at the election of 1670 was the favourite. The exertions of Dean Massy in favor of the free citizens, and his anxiety to rescue the charities from the harpy grasp of the Corporation, caused him to be esteemed. That the son of so deserving a man should be well received by the citizens was not surprising; but the Smyth interest was dominant. Many however who were induced to divide their votes, voted for Mr. Pery and Mr. Massy, while others of them, voted for Mr. Massy and Mr. Smyth.2 The toll collectors pursued their detestable vocation with " The Man •who relieved the citizens from the embezzlement of Treasurers and oppressions of long taxes." '* May the Independent Electors of Ireland be always represented bj- those they love." " Speedy restoration to the just rights and privileges of the citizens of Limerick." " May all those who desert their friends fall into the hands of their enemies." " A firmer tenure to the Judges of Ireland." " May young patriots fill the places of old courtiers " ' Papers of John O'Donnell, lisq. of Liberty Hall. 2 Among those who voted for Massy and Smyth we find the names of Gough, Kawlins, Copley, Mac Adam, Kendal, Wastecoat, Brimmer, Stritch, Bluet, &c., whilst the names of Frankin, Wright, Monsell, Miles, &c., appear on the independent side also. Mr. Pery and Mr. Smyth were returned. The Corporation Memorial against the Bill for inquiry and reform contained these names : — The Mayor (weigh master), Francis Sargent and John Monsell, Sheriffs (the former under influence). Alderman Sexton (a lease), Alderman Wight (ditto), Alderman Jones (comptroller), Alderman John Shepherd (would not vote for until he had known the contents). Alderman Peter Sargeant (a lease), Eichard Graves (do ), Geo. Stammer (do), Robert Hallam (Town Clerk and Scavengerer), John Bull (son-in-law to Alderman the ]\Iayor), Jos. Crips (son to Alderman), Wm. Wakeley, Jos. Barrington (Treasurer), Christopher Carr Christopher (step- son to Peter), Geo. Sexton, jun. (son to Alderman Sexton), Jos. Johns (a large sum due to him) Exham Vincent (a lease), Wm. Gubbius. Against the memorial of the Corporation were : — Alderman Maunsell, Alderman Long, Alderman Baylee, Robert Davis, Geo. Waller, Eichard Maunsell, Jun., Henry Holland, John Samuel Taverner, Andrew Welsh, Christopher Bridson, Thomas Pearce. Papers of John O'Donnell, Esq. of Liberty Hall. " The Corporation of Clothiers," a very prominent and important body, were mixed up in the proceedings of these times, and having been called upon to give a character of one James Lombard, who, we must believe, had rendered himself obnoxious to some parties, and who was a ready man at the side to which the Clothiers were opposed, gave him a certificate, which for plain speaking is a model composition.* * " We, the Master and Wardens of the Corporation of Clothiers, and the undernamed inhabi- tants of the City of Limerick, do hereby declare and certifie, that we know James Lombard of the sd. City, who was bred to the Clothing trade, and now a Common and notorious bum, to be a person of a bad reputation, and a very infamous character, and do really believe he would swear the greatest falsehood if importuned to do so for a Consideration, so he thought he could do it with impunity, or secure from the punishment of the Law. " Dated this I6th of May, 1761. Daniel Widenham, Master. Francis Russell, ) -t-rr , „., „ „ ' y Wardens. Giles Powell, > Zachary INliles, ) Jacob bavies, Uider,. Samuel Hart, ( Michael Pinchina, ) William Alley. Richard Dillon. John Cherry. John Bernard. John Deane. Joshua Unthank. James Lynch. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 351 such unscrupulous rapacity that they defied every effort to make things in any degree tolerable to the neighbouring farmers and gentlemen^ whom, in many cases, they deterred from growing corn at all, there being no other market but Limerick, and the exactions being so insufferable that the agriculturists could not sustain tliem.^ This state of things con- tinuing, and the oppressions becoming more intolerable and cruel every day, the Protestants resolved to appeal to Parliament for redress. A curious correspondence took place between Mr. O^Donnell, secretary to the free citizens, and Dan. Hayes, Esq.2 In a letter to Hayes, the secretary Isaac Jaques, Joseph Jaques, James Greene, Thomas Hopkins. Edward Casey. James Hill. Robert Davis, 17G1. Thomas Allev. > Elders. Henry FoTvles. Blaurice Reddy. John Sanders. Andrew Gardner. Thomas Harrold. George Powell. William Canny." ' Mr. Eichard Parsons, writing to Dean Massy, from Carrigogunnell, October 30th, 1761, states, that the act of Parliament which was intended for the protection and the good of the farmers, they (the Corporation vampires) have turned to oppression — " in short, they have made me tired of farming, for I can assure you on oath, that these twenty years back except the last two years, that I sent into Limerick upwards of five hundred barrels of corn, but I was so oppressed with the usage I got in Limerick that I would not be any longer in their power, and have entirely quit tillage, nor have I sent one barrel of corn into Limerick those two years past, or ever will till the times alter." 2 Daniel Hayes, Esq. was a native of the county of Limerick, and was gifted with very superior talents. He published a volume of poems which went to a second edition — the latter rarely to be met with, was printed by A. Watson, in Mary-street. Hayes's " Farewell to Limerick" is a powerful Satire on the state of society in the city in 17ol, when it was written. He was a Fellow Commoner of Trinity College, Dublin. He died in London, on the 20th July, 1767, having giving directions in his will that his remains should be conveyed to St. Mary's Cathedral, Limerick, for interment. He bequeathed the greater part of his property to the county of Limerick hospital, which, however, never received the benefit of the bequest. His monument consists of a plain, white marble slab, affixed to a pillar in the south transept of St. Mary's Cathedral, with the following inscription : — DAX. HATES AN HONEST MAN AND A LOVER OF HIS COUNTRY. Hayes's letter to Sir. O'Donnell is characteristic : — Chelsea, April Glh, 1762. Dfar Jack, Your letter surprised me not a little, when I found that you had so far succeeded against my old friends the Corporation. But what in the name of wonder could suggest to you that I had, or could have, any intercourse with, or' access to, Lord Bute. He is, believe me, too great a personage for any Irishman in this kingdom to address as you mention ; except Lord Shelburne. I could, perhaps, get a written memorial delivered to him, or inscribe him a book, or get now and then to the foot of his table. But to attempt influencing his voice, and that too in the Privy Council ! Good God, Jack, what an idea you must have of a Prime Minister ! I could indeed point out a very easy channel for your agent to come at the other Secretary ; but as the Corpor- ation of Limerick, the magistracy in particular, behaved to me with such unparalleled lenity and friendship in my last and greatest distresses ; it would be the basest ingratitude to attempt (however feebly) to subvert their interests." Besides, good Jack, believe me, that a partizan is of all officers the soonest forgot, and the least thanked or rewarded. If the agent for your Corporation has cleverness enough to procure Sir Harrj- Erskine (who has the greatest influence with Lord Bute ; being his near relative, and having recently married his cousin), he may do you infinite disservice. For to my knowledge Sir Harry gratefully remembers the freedom of the city conferred upon him. This, upon my honour, I never hinted to any man ; and I suppose you can keep your own secrets. The future maxim of my life shall be, to steer wide of all parties, ruptures, and dissentions ; you are sure of enemies, who will engrave your actions on a table of brass ; of friends who will commit them to a rotten cabbage leaf. 352 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. to the free citizens enters into many subjects, and particularly recommends him to use his influence with Lord Bute and the members of the Privy Council to have justice done to the aggrieved and plundered citizens of Limer- ick.^ It should be stated that previously to this correspondence, they had framed a petition to Parliament, in the name of John O^Donnell, their independent secretary, containing all their complaints, and signed by upwards of five hundred persons of all ranks of city and country, but not signed by any Catho- lics. The petition was presented to Parliament on the first day of its sitting by the city representative. Counsellor Edmond Sexton Pery, and was backed by other representatives of Limerick and Clare. A committee was appointed by Parliament to examine into the causes of compkint, and Mr. E. Sexton Pery was appointed chairman of the committee. Many members of the Corporation were summoned to Parliament for the sixth of November, that being the day the committee was to sit, as were also many of the other inhabitants of all ranks and stations. The grievances wdrich the citizens suffered from the Corporation, and on which they were chiefly examined, were the unreasonable practice of quartering the soldiery on Catholics, and on those whom the Corporation did not like, without ever paying for such quarterage, though the Government allowed payment ; the dirty manner in which the streets and city were kept ; the exactmg of customs at the gates, double what the law allowed, and for articles which were not liable to custom ; and for exacting tolls in the market, treble what the laws and Parhamentary schedule allowed; the partial administration of justice between party and party, and the neglect of magistrates in the administration of justice, and visiting and regulating the markets ; the demanding and misapplication of the revenues of the city for over thhty years previously, and the Corporation farming to each other for ever the city lands for a crown or twenty shillings a year, which were worth to each individual £200 or £300 per annum ; the depriving the freemen and free citizens of their rights in the electing of Mayors, Sheriffs, &c., and not granting them a common speaker, or calling a court of D^Oyer Hundred ; the selling for life, in some particulars, employ- ments in the Corporation, w^hich w^ere to be elected for every year — these and many other charges against the Corporation were evidently proved before the committee, and the consequence was a new law for the better regulation of the City of Limerick was enacted on the 21st of December, the committee unanimously agreeing to 31 resolutions, which, on the 23rd of December were reported to the whole House, and on the 24th, the House, a xording to order, took into consideration the report made on the 23rd relative to the petitions of John O^DonneU and others, and the resolutions of the committee ■were read and agreed to by the whole House.^ The injurious power I have not seen either of the agents who have come over, but hope to have that pleasure before long ; and after all that has been or that will be said upon this matter, my humble opinion is, that Lord Halifax's pleasure will direct the Committee-table ; tbej- say he is much admired amongst you ; he is very much so here ; and I believe there is not an abler or better man in England. You do not mention what party he espouses, or whether he meddles at all. I should, however, conjecture he is with you, as the Bill passud in Ireland. If so, you may almost depend upon success ; nay, the Bills having past, and touching (I suppose) nothing upon the Crown's prerogative, should in my conception, ensure its stability ; for it can hardly be supposed that the memorial of any single body should countervail the two great councils of the kingdom. I should be excessively glad to serve James, and perhaps may before I die. My best respects to your wife, and believe me, Your's very trulj', John O'Donncll, Esq Liberty Hall, Limerick. D. HAYES. Write to me the news of the country without minding politics, or the want of franks. 1 O'DonneU's Papers. -' White's MSS. IIISTOny OF I.IMERIGK. 353 exercised by Arthur Roche was particularly condemned by the resolutions of the House — he was declared unfit to hold any office in the city — and it was ordered that leave be given to bring in the heads of a bill for the better regulation of the Corporation of the City of Limerick^ and for redressing the several grievances under which the citizens and inhabitants labour, and that Mr. Pery, Mr. Charles Smyth, Mr. Recorder, Dr. Lucas, Mr. Sergeant Paterson, and Mr. Lucius O^Brien, do prepare and bring in the same — Ordered that the same report be printed. We give the sequel in the lan- guage of AYhite.^ 1762. — 1. The act for the better regulation of the Corporation and City of Limerick, having, with some amendments, passed the Privy Council of Ireland, was brought over to England for the purpose of passing there by Mr. Nicholas Smyth, agent to the freemen, but it was opposed there by Mr. Andrew Shepherd, agent to the Corporation, who represented to the Council of England that the freemen of Limerick were entirely influenced by the papists ; that it was a Popish faction which introduced said bill ; that there were near one hundred priests and friars in Limerick f and that said bill was contrary to law, and an infringement on the Royal Prerogative from which the charter derived. The Solicitor- General and Attorney-General for Eng- land represented the bill in this false and odious light, and therefore, it was thrown out and not passed into law. 2. Counsellor Edmond Sexton Pery foreseeing that the bill would meet Avith this opposition in England, did very wisely introduce into other acts of Parliament clauses for the better redress of the many grievances and abuses under which the citizens of Limerick did labour, and which answered the purpose almost as well as if the bill did pass, that the customs on the gates and the tolls in the markets should be taken from them, tolls alone which are mentioned in the dockett, ratified by Parliament in the year 1723-4, and that no more should be taken than Avhat is there specified, and that under the severest penalty on the exaction of said tolls and customs, and on the chief magistrate, if he should neglect punishing according to law such exac- tion. By this clause the toUs and customs which are usually exacted are lessened by more than one half. By another clause in another act, the levying of public taxes and rates which were formerly assessed on the inhabitants by some members of the Corporation, according to their arbitrary pleasure, and by which the Catholics were greatly depressed, I say, these taxes and rates are so lessened by so many of the respective parishioners as are appointed by a vestry held for the purpose, and that assessment to be laid proportionally on all the parishioners, who, in another vestry, were to approve of the same, and then said assessment to be given to the treasurer of the Corporation, who must levy said money from every inhabitant according to said assessment, and who is to get a shilling for each pound so raised, for his trouble. By this law Protestants and Corporation men are hable to be equally taxed as Cathohcs which was never done before. By another law, the lamp money which was hitherto raised by the Corporation by exacting a crown a year out of every house in the street, must now be raised by a vestry in like manner as the public rates ; by another law, all disputes with the Corpora- tion must not be tried in the city, but in and by a jury of twelve men in any other county. 3. By an order of the barrack board, no soldiers are to be quartered on the inhabitants, save on their march, and that to be done in an equal manner, > White's MSS. * A notorious lie, whereas there were but sixteen. — White's MSS. 24 4 354 HISTORY OF limerick. and if there slioulcl be a necessity of quartering any soldiers on the city, their lodgings are to be paid for by the commanding officer. 4. The Eoman-Catholic merchants this year refused paying Cockett duties to the Corporation^ on compounding for them by paying to the Corporation £5 every year, and they judged such duties to be an unlawful exaction, and to which no one was liable but foreigners alone who followed trade in Limerick. 5. On the 5th of May, the Corporation party in the Councd made 150 freemen, chiefly strangers, in order to have a majority among the freemen in the Court of D^Oyer Hundred. This movement was a heavy blow to the Corporation ; and that it was infhcted by the hands of honest Protestants must be ever a cause of sincere congratulation to the citizens of Limerick. i As we have already stated, the state of feeling between landlord and tenant was becoming unpleasant in the extreme. About the month of January, 176£, some persons, who called themselves levellers or Whiteboys,^ to the amount of some hundreds, some say thousands, did much mischief by night, levelling hedges of those who had encroached on any of the commons, by digging up the lay rich ground of those who would not set land to the paor for tillage, burning the barns and haggarts, &c. By degrees they spread over Munster, did incredible mischief in the counties of Waterford, Tipperary, and Cork, as also in the county of Limerick, and in the parish of Kilthmane, where, in one night, they dug up twelve acres of rich fattening ground be- longing to a Mr. Maxwell, houghed some cattle, &c. White^ says, " there is no knowing where this will stop ; but the Government has given orders to the respective Governors of the counties to inspect into the causes of these evils, and for that purpose to assemble the justices of the jaeace ; it is surprising that though there are such numbers, none of them discover on their companions, that they are never seen by day, and that they damage, indiscriminately, both Catholics and Protestants, and even punish the Priests who exert themselves against them. Our Bishop has sent his mandate to his Parish Priests to speak against them.''' It was proved on the trials for these offences that in almost every instance the promoters and instigators of them were Protestants — Protestant tenants who had resolved to wring justice from the lords of the soil. At a Special Commission held in June of this year, 1763, two men named Banyart and Carthy, were tried, found guilty, and executed at Gallows Green on the 19th of that month. In reference to some of the causes of these disturb- ances, Mr. Lucius O'Brien, member for Clare, made a remarkably bold and telling speech, in his place in Parliament, in which he lamented the de- plorable condition of the inhabitants of the county in which he lived (Clare.) " arising from the total neglect of those who had nominally the cai'e of their souls, and the tythe of their property (the Protestant clergy) in Clare, he continued to say, there were seventy-six parishes and no more than fourteen churches, so that sixty-two parishes were sinecures. . . "Who can suppose that men will patiently suffer the extortion of a tythe monger, where no duty for which the tythe is paid has been performed in the memory of man. . . . It has been said that to prevent opposition to such demands we should put in force our penal laws against those that have opposed them already, but give me leave. Sir, to say that no penal law, however sanguinary in itself, and however rigorously executed, will subdue the natives of a free country into a tame and patient acquiescence in what must appear to be the ' In this j-ear, 1762, Cornelius Magrath, an Irish giant, who was born in the Silver Mines, Co. Tipperary, in 173C, died in College Green, Dublin, He was sein in Cork by Dr. Smith. — iimith's MSiH. in Royal Irish Academt/. * White's MSS. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 355 most flagitious injustice and the most crael oppression. The insurrections against which we are so eager to carry out the terrors of the law, are no more than branches, of which the shameful negligence of our clergy, and the defects in our religious institutions, constitute the root/'^ These causes operated on the people for a long time, and continued to produce the most fearful results, as we shall see as we proceed. In this year, on the 5th of August, Dr. Laurence Nihill, afterwards Bishop of Kilfenora,^ was appointed parish priest of Eathkeale. In 1764, White^ marks the following incidents : — " This year a sumptuous City Courtliouse was commenced on tlie ground where the old Courthouse stood in Quay Lane, opposite to the JMayoralty House. The first assize held in it in the summer of 1765, and the Quay was finished from the East side of Ball's Bridge, and joined the bank of the canal. This year also was finished the famous mill on the north side of the canal above the lock nearest the city ; therein six pair of mill-stones for corn, four boultiug mills, four tucking mills, and all loads were raised to the top of the house, and all that performed by two water-wheels and at the same time. Famous stores were likewise built for the reception of corn over the mill dam." These mills were erected by Mr. Andrew Welsh and Mr. Uzuld at a cost of £6000 One of the most memorable civic demonstrations was made on the occa- sion of the riding of the franchises of the city of Limerick on the 5th and 6th of September, 1765. This demonstration is described so graphically and clearly by White,* that we give the facts as they appear in his MSS. : — Tlie Order of Franchises of Limerick, rode the f)th and Gth of September, 1765. " On Thursday, the 5th of September, Thomas Smyth, Esq., being Mayor, Alexander Franklin and Counsellor John Tunnadine being Sherifis, the Franchises of the city and liberties of Limerick were rode. Servants, Bailiffs, and Mayor's Sergeants preceded on horseback, with blue cockades in their hats ; then the bands of music belonging to the army, the sword bearer, and water bailiff, with their proper ensigns, the two sheriffs with their rods, the Mayor, richly dressed, with the rod in his hand, rode after ; then followed the rest of the Corporation, John Quin, Esq., carrying the blue Corporation standard, and then followed numbers of other gentlemen well mounted, all having blue cockades in their hats. Then fourteen of the Trades or Corporations rode after them, each trade according to the antiquity of their charters, and each trade was headed by their respective mastei-s and wardens. Each trade had a standard according to the colour of their trade, with the arms of the trade in the centre, and cockades peculiar to the trade, and after their masters, and wardens followed the principal of each trade, all well dressed, well mounted and accompanied with drums and music. On Thursday they rode from the King's island through the city, and visited the S. E. liberties of the city. On Friday they, 1 Debates in the Irish Parliament, reported by an officer, 2 vols. 2 White's MSS., -which add that the Rev. Laurence Nihill was inducted P.P. of Eathkeale on the 5th of August, 1762. He exchanged afterwards with the Kev- Denis Conway, who succeeded the Rev. James White in the Parish of St. Nicholas, Limerick, whence he was promoted, in the \ear 1784, to the see of Kilfenora Dr. Young's Note. 3 White's MSS. contain in this year the following remarks and incidents : — The Rev. Timothy Flynn, on whom Priesthood was conferred by the Right Rev. Dr, Kearney, in St. John's Chapel of Limerick, on the 7th of April, 1764, was Doctor of Nantz, Professor of Theology, returned to Ireland in the year 1794, or 5, was curate of St. John's under the Right Rev. Doctor Conway, succeeded the Right Rev. Dr. John Young in the Parish of St. Mary, 1796, as Dean and Parish Priest, was translated thence to St. Michael's in the year 1805, and died 17th April, 1813. He was succeeded in St. Michael's Parish by the Rev. Patrick Hogan, inducted 24th of April, 1813, by the Rev. Charles Hanrahan, P.P. of St. Mary's, under the special mandate of the Right Rev. Dr. Young, who forthwith made him Vicar General. The Rev, P. Ilofjan's Note. The Very Rev. P. Hogan died Parish Priest of St. Michael's in 183?, and a beautiful monument was raised to his memory in St. Michael's Church. * White's MSS. 356 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. in like maunerj visited the S. W. liberties, returned through the city, and visited the N. liberties, but they never broiie down any walls, or regulated any encroach- ments. On Friday, the 8th of September, the Corporation and the aforesaid trades, with their standards, and cockades in their hats, walked with the Mayor from the square behind St. John's Church to St. Mary's Church, and returned with him, in the said order, to said square, where he treated them with wine, and had the mas- ters or wardens of each trade to dine with them that day. On Thursday, the 10th of September, the Mayor, Sheriffs, and rest of the Corporation, in the King's yachts, went down the river, in order to assert and make good his right of being admiral of the river Shannon. On Thursday, the 12th of September, the Mayor held a Court of Admiralty on the island of Inis Scattery, and on Friday, the 13th, he sailed to the mouth of the Shannon, where, between the heads, he threw a dart into the sea to point out the limitsof his jurisdiction ; at the same time it happened that a sloop of war entered the river, whom the Mayor compelled to lower her colours and her foi'etop sail in acknowledgement of his Power of Admiralty in said river Shannon. The Mayor and Corporation returned to Limerick on Saturday, the 14th, by ringing of bells, &c." In 17 6o, the revenue of the port began to increase, and a very hand- some and commodious Custom House was built from a design by an engineer named Davis Dukart. Caleb Powellj Esq., an ancestor of Caleb Powell, Esq., of Clonshavoj, ex-M.P. of the county of Limerick,^ was appointed collector of the Port, and was the first who inhabited the Custom House.2 In the following year a return was made in Parliament of the number of Protestants and " Papist " families in Limerick, Tipperary, and Clare, by which appeared that the Catholics trebled in number the Protestants in these counties. There were then 38 priests, and 8 friars in the county of Limerick. ' Caleb Powell, of Clonshavoy, Esq., in the Parish of Abingdon and County of Limerick, who represented the County in Parliament from 1841 to 1847 — in which year he contested the seat •with the Eight Hon. Wm. Monsell and the late Wm. Smith O'Brien, Esq., and was defeated by twentj"-four votes — L'aleb Powell is descended from Robert Powell, a Cromwellian officer, who, with his brother, Giles Powell, supposed to have been derived from a Shropshire family, settled in the County of Limerick in the year 1649. The latter obtained large grants of land in the barony of Costlea, and served the office of High Sheriff of the County, in 167G. Robert Powell married Barbara, and had issue Robert, married to a daughter of Hugh Massy, of Duntryleague, and had a son, Richard, a Captain in the Limerick Militia at the Siege of Limerick in 1G9I. He married Martha, daughter of Robert Minnitt, of Knigh, in the Co. Tipperary, and had an only child, Robert, born in 1 G94, and married, in 1717, Anne, daughter of Colonel Samuel Eyre M.P. for the town of Galway, by whom he had issue sons and daughters. Caleb, the fifth son of Robert Powell and Anne Eyre, was born in 1730, served in India under Clive and Forde, to whom he acted as aide-de-Camp ; he retired from military service in 1760, and same year mar- ried Frances, daughter of John Bowen, of Taghmon, in the Count}' Westmeath, and was appointed Collector of the Revenue for Trim and Athboy. In 1765, he was made Collector of the Port of Limerick, and was the first occupant of the present Custom House. He had issue by Frances Bowen, Stratford, born in 1761, died unmarried in 1790, an oflicer in the East India Company's Military Service; Samuel, died in America ; Ej're Burton, born in 1767, married in 1792 Henrietta IMagill, daughter of John Magill, of Tullycairne, in the County of Down, male representative of the Viscounts Oxenford, of Scotland. Eyre Burton Powell was called to the Bar, and practised successfully ; O'Connell, who was some years junior to him, used to relate man}' instances of his zeal and self-possession in advocating the cases of his clients. Having had a professional dispute with his first cousin, George Powell, many years his senior, they had a hostile meeting, in conformity •with the code of honor of the day, and Eyre Burton Powell •was mortally wounded in a duel, by his cousin, leaving a widow and four children. The eldest was called to the Bar ; married, in 1838, Georgina Frances, daughter of George Waller, of Prior Park, Co. Tipperary, and has issue a son, born in 1839. Stratford Powell, second son of Eyre Burton Powell and Henrietta Magill, entered tlie East India Company Service, and became Adjutant General of the Bombay Residency. E^tc Burton, third son, was Comptroller of Stamp Duties in Ireland, and left a son Director of Jublic Instruction at Madras, who married Miss Langley, and has issue. 9 This building cost about £S,0C0. The revenue of the Port in 1765 was £31,099, having neaily doubled within six years, from 1759. 'the Post Office department has been carried on for several years in a portion of the Custom House, where also the inluuil Ruvenue depiirtmeut has its offices, and where, in 1804, the District Probate Office was also placed. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 357 Eeports of a sinister character were now being industriously proioagated arising ostensibly out of the continued excesses of Whiteboyism, but as many strongly suspected, really originating in the efforts of the ascendancy party to throw all manner of obloquy on the people, in order to justify the legahsed oppressions of the day. These reports went to show that the Catholics of Ireland had agreed to rise on a certain fixed night in order to massacre all the Protestants in the kingdom ; and that the houses of certain Protestants in Kilkenny, Waterford, and other cities, were chalked at night to show that they were destined victims. A letter was sent to the Mayor and Corporation of Limerick, threatening to make the streets of the city flow with Protestant blood; but when a reward of £500 was offered for the dis- covery of the writer, and when, at length, it was found that he was a zeal- ous instrument of the dominant faction, his influential relatives interfered, and he was suffered to escape.^ Among those stated to have been marked out for destruction near Clonmel, was the Lord Dunboyne, who afterwards abjured the faith of his fathers, after he had been Catholic Archbishop of Cashel. Such was the fierce spirit of the times, that the Rev._ Nicholas Sheeliy, Parish Priest of Clogheen, had to fly from the storm, to his cousin's residence, in the county of Limerick ; but he was ultimately taken, and on evidence confessedly perjured, tried, condemned, and publicly executed in Clonmel, for a crime which was never perpetrated.^ Turning away for the moment from these terrible scenes and events, we may take a passing glance at the improvements which spirited citizens were now making in Limerick, as an evidence of the anxiety to avail themselves of the advantages which had been extended by the demoKtion of the walls, and the opening up of new roads.* ' Amyas Griffith's Tracts. ' The Rev. Nicholas Sheehy when hunted by the minions of the law, proceeded to the county of Limerick, to the residence of his cousin, Eoger Sheehy, Esq. , of Appletown, where he left a suit of satin crimson vestments fringed with gold. Mr. Roger Sheehy was grandfather of Bryan Keating Sheehy, Esq., J. P. of Garbally, Newcastle, West, who has these vestments yet in his possession, and who values them highly.* These Sheehys descended from the ancient Sheehy family of Ballyallinan, near the river Deel, in the barony of Connelloe, Co. Limerick, whose descendants also were the Sheehys of Drumcolleher and Ballintubber, Co. Limerick. The Rev. Nicholas Sheehy was son of Francis Sheehy, Esq., of Glenahira, near the Cummeragh mountains, Co. Waterford — whose brothers were Roger of Dromculloher, who died without issue ; Bryan of Gardenfield, the father of Roger who lived at Appletown ; and William of Corbally, Co. Cork, who was grandfather of William Sheehy, Esq. of the same place. From the Cummeragh branch descended " Buck" Sheehy, who was executed at Clogheen, in 1772, and who was father of Colonel Sheehy, a distinguished officer of the French Service, who became aide-de-camp to Wolfe Tone, and also father of Mrs. Power, wife of Michael Power, Esq., J. P. of Clonmel, who had two daughters, Margaret and Ellen, both very beautiful ; the first became Countess of Blessington, and the other the wife the Rt. Hon. Charles Manners Sutton, afterwards Lord Canterbury. The gifted Countess was fond of tracing her descent from the Earls of Desmond maternally through the Shehys. 3 Amyas Griffith's Tracts. * Mr. John Creagh, re-erected in Broad-street, in the Irishtown, the ancient buildings which in 1G40 had been built by his ancestor Pierce Creagh, and which had been known in tho last century as the Bear Inn. These houses were seventy feet in front, and were considered the oldest in the Irishtown. On a chimney-piece in these buildings was this inscription : — Petrus Creagh Filii Ande.e & Elionora Rice Uxor Ejus CURARUNT EXTRUI HAS CEdES A Suis HjEridibus in Timore Amore et Favore NuinNis Diu Pos SiDENDAS ViCENTIBUS. t I. H. S 1640. * By some it is stated that the vestments were brought to Appletown by " Buck " Sheehy' when he was on the run, and who valued them as the vestments in which his uncle, Father Nicholas Sheehy, last celebrated mass. 358 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Mr. Pery, ever active in charitable deeds, gave a small plot of ground in St. Francis's Abbey, to Mr. Charles Smyth and the Eev. Dean Hoare, at a pepper-corn rent, on which an hospital, containing forty beds, was built ; and as this hospital was outside the walls, and in the county, the act, which had just come into existence, in reference to county hospitals, was appUed to it ; subscriptions were obtained, not only from the city and county of Limerick, but from Tipperary, Clare, and Kerry, and at a general meeting of the sub- scribers it was unanimously resolved — that the benefits arising from the Act should be extended to the Limerick county hospital. In 1750, Surgeon Giles Vandeleur had made an unavailing endeavour to estabhsh, at his own expense, a Hospital in the Little Island. In 1761, a charity sermon was preached at St. Mary's Cathedral, and a play was acted to revive the charity, to which surgeon Sylvester O'Halloran gave his gratuitous pro- fessional services. Other improvements were made about this period. A Deanery House had been already built off Bow-lane, m 1764.^ A flouiishing paper mill existed at this time, under the proprietorship of Mr. Joseph Sexton ;2 and as if to manifest the active progress of civihzation, an Assembly House was soon afterwards begun on the South Mall — subsequently called the Assembly Mall.^ Other projects also were now afloat ; though poHtical On the occasion of the re-edification of these buildings, the folio-wing inscription was cut in relief on the Key Stone of an arch, through which there is an entry to a lane that leads from the Broad Street to Curry's Lane : — Built ix 1G40 By Pierce Creagii Re Built 1767 BT John Cbeagii. In one of the houses on the north-east side of the arch, Alderman James Qainn has at present a Grocery establishment. • The Deanery House was afterwards taken down, and on its site a portion of the city gaol was built at Crosby's-row, so called from the Hon. and Very Eev. Dean Crosby who occupied the Deiinery House. The present Deanery House is on the north side of George's-street in the new town. 2 Mr. Sexton had been patronized by Lord Chesterfield, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland : his mills made 30,000 reams of paper yearly. He supplied the local newspapers (of which in 1766 there were but three in the province of Munster) with paper — and amassed a considerable fortune — he died in 1782. 3 Prior to the year 1768, the want of a large public room for assemblies had been very much felt bv the o-cntry of Limerick and the surrounding counties, so much so, that it was suggested to build an Assembly House of such dimensions as would amplj' supply the want so much felt at the time. At a meeting of those interested, it was resolved — that a society consisting of twenty gentlemen be formed for the purpose ; and at a subsequent meeting, held in the Grand Jury Room of the City Court House, on the 30th September, 1768, John Prendergast, Esq. in the chair, It was resolved— that the following gentlemen be formed into a society for building and maintaining a Public Assembly House in the city of Limerick, on a capital stock of £2,000 ; and that each member should bear an equal proportion of the expense, viz. : — Charles Smyth, Esq., Thomas Vercker, Esq., mayor ; George Smyth, recorder ; Thomas Symth, Esq., alderman ; David Roche, Esq., alderman ; Robert Hallam, Esq., alderman ; William Monsell, Esq., burgess ; John Prendergast, Esq., burgess ; John Tunnadine, Esq., burgess ; Alexander Franklin, Esq., burgess; Sir Henry Hartstonge, baronet; Silver Oliver, Esq., John Bateman, Esq., Rev. Mr. Dean lloiire. Rev. Mr. Jaques Ingram, Alexander Sheares, Esq., William Blood, Esq., John Minchin, Esq., Norcot D'Estcre, Esq., and Patrick Mahony, Esq. Charles Smyth, Esq., having proposed to accommodate this society with a convenient lot of ground for buUding thereon such Assemblv House,— It was resolved to take a lease of the plot of ground, as described in a plan HISTORY OF LDIERICK. 359 objects, including the agitation about the law for the electing of members of Parhament every eight years,^— the Octennial BiU, — contributed to occupy ihe minds of all classes. CHAPTER XLIV. ELECTIONS UNDER THE OCTENNIAL BILL — PROGRESS OP LIMERICK. The excited state of society in the city and county of Limerick during the agitation caused by the Octennial Bill, showed the high degree of importance attached to that measure ; hence during its passage through Parliament, Lime- rick was the constant scene of electioneering intrigues. Among the candidates for the city, the favourites, for the two seats, were Mr. Charles Smyth and Mr. Pery. Mr. Smyth was the favourite of the masters and wardens of the several guilds of trade. Mr. Villiers' of KUpeacon, was a candidate ; but presented by the Rev. Dean Hoare, which was approved of, from Charles Smyth, Esq., for the term of 999 years, at the yearly rent of five shillhigs. The ground was on what afterwards went by the name of the Assembly Mall, in a line with Charlotte's Quay. A committee of five was appointed to carry on the work forthwith ; and on the 24th October, steps were taken to com- mence the foundation of the house. The house was finished in August, 1770, and by the following extract from the original minute book of the society, it was resolved, at a meeting held 1st August, 1770 — "That the house be opened for the reception of company on Tuesday, 11th September, and shall be opened every night during the assizes, at an English half-crown each ticket." (2s. 8id.) The arrangements of the assemblies and " drums,'' were carried out by the members, and the gentlemen in their turn took the tickets at the door, and acted as stewards in the rooms. This building cost the proprietors £3208 2s. lid., and the house was well supported by the public for many years. In 1772 it was set to Mr. Bowen, for the purpose of assemblies, &c., to be carried on by him, under the control of the company ; and he agreed to pay £300 per annum for the purpose, at a lease of 31 years. Before the expiration of Mr. Bowen's lease, balls and suppers became less frequent ; and in the j^ear 1790, the principal room was converted into a theatre by Sir Vere Hunt, Bart., Mr. Clinch, principal manager; and on the 31st of January was opened with Shakespere's comedy of " As You Like It." It continued a theatre for several years. In 1818, the Christian Brothers, for the first time in Limerick, opened school in the upper rooms of the house ; and paid j£75 per annum for the part they occupied as school-rooms, for the gratuitous education of the poor, and remained there until more convenient schools were opened in 1824. A Mechanics' Institute was first opened in this house in the year 1825. The large ball and supper rooms now became the theatre of Limerick, and some of the best actors of the day, performed here. It was in this house that Edmtmd Kean first made his appearance iu Limerick ; here too, all the celebrated singers of the period, that came to the city, appeared before crowded audiences. In was used as a theatre until 1834 or 1836, when it was suffered to go out of repair ; and in 1838, by order of the Sheriff, it having become dangerous, it was taken down. The site of this once beautiful building with part of the walls only now remain, and is the property of Mr. Stephen Hastings, T.C., who holds the books and papers of this very interesting old place, to which many of the older citizens look back to agreeable evenings spent in happier days, unequalled in the present time in Limerick.* * It was only when the Assembly House was completed (1770), that a parapet wall was built as a protection on Charlotte's Quay, before this time it was an open quay. ' In a postscript to a letter on the subject the writer adds his belief, " that Villers will not stand it," and sends a notification to this effect : — The Free Citizens of Limerick, who met on Monday, the 29th of February last at Mr John Boyce's ;* request their friends who mean to be true friends to liberty, and the Protestant interest, to meet at said John Boyce's on Monday, the seventh day of March inst., at five o'clock in the afternoon, to keep up a friendly union, and to consider what may be for the honour, credit, and advantage of the City of Limerick, for the cause of liberty, and the service of the Friendly and United Club. Rev. Dant.. Widenham, in the Chair. * Mr. John Boycewas an active solicitor — father of the late Alderman John Boyce, Mavor of Limerick in 1849, and grandfather of Thomas Boyce, Esq., J.P., Spring Fort, near Limerick. 360 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. though each coffee house^ was full of rumours as to who would be his supporters, it was quite clear that against the powerful influence of Smyth and Pery, he had no chance of success. Ladies took a warm interest in these elections, and did not fail to mingle in discussions even at the Oyster Clubs, as to the relative merits of the respective candidates.^ With such aids and exertions, it was no difficult matter to foresee in whose favour fortune Avas most likely to declare. Accordingly, on the 1st of August, 1768, Mr. Charles Smyth was again elected, and with him Mr. Edmond Sexton Pery ; whilst on the same day, Mr. Silver Oliver and Mr. Hugh Massy were elected members for the County of Limerick.'' ' Gough'3 in Quay-lane, was the fashionable coffee house. — O'Keefe, and after him Fitz- patrick, kept the Koyal coffee-house in the same lane There was also a celebrated coffee-house at the corner of Pahnersto-wn, in old Francis-street. 2 This is made plain by a rather characteristic letter written by Mrs. Julia Vereker to her father, which shows a curious state of society at this time in Limerick : — 'Mt Dkakest Sir, You are very happy about the Bill having past, but for my share I wish every thinpr had remained as it was — how dreadfull it must be, for a year and a half together, to have every bodj' in hot water, and their purses open for that time, to the ruin of all Trade, for the people will get such a habit of drinking and idleness, that they never will be good for anything after — but I keep my mind to myself. I delivered the letter to Tom as you desired. He gave an entertainment at Graves's to about twenty gentlemen ; all the rest of the Town was at an oyster Club at Gough's, I amongst the rest. Mr. Billy Pery and Mr. Mounsell were making great interest for Mr. Pery in the City, and Sir Henry Harstongue in the County, so I think you should loose no time, tho' you may be sure when solicitations were going about, we were not Idle, but every one seems to expect you down immediately. Mr. Pery I hear, leaves Dublin to-day ; they talk as if he had a very bad chance, for they say none of the traids will take for him. Mr. Mounsell asked Mr. Ingram for his vote for Sir Harry in the County ; and Mr. Ingram told him he would not promise it till he saw you. Mr. Mounsell said, he believed you would not interfere in the County, upon which Mr. Ingram said, that he did not doubt but you would set up for the City, and Tom Smyth for the County ; when Mr. Ingram told me this, I said, that he might do j-ou a great deal of ingery by speaking ia that manner, as for him I have not spoken a word to him this fortnight, nor do I think I ever will, for he behaved in a most villanous manner to Tom Vereker, I suppose you have heard of it, as it made a great noise in Town, and every one speaks of him as he deserved ; he is a vile incendiary, and a most dangerous companion I lind Torn Vereker has Avrote a long letter to 3'ou, so I may shorten mine. I hope soon to have the pleasure of seeing my dearest Father. To-morrow's post will let me know, I suppose when. Adieu, my dear Sir, and believe me to be Your sincerely affect., Julia Verekek." We give the above as it is in the MSS. of the writer, and as illustrative of the habits and manners of the times. 3 Sir Henry Hartstonge's candidature for the county was postponed to 177G, when he and the Kight. Hon. Silver Oliver were returned. Among the supporters of INIr. Smyth in 17GS, was Edward Lloyd, Esq. of Eyon, who writing to offer him his vote and interest says, he saw an account of the passing of the Octennial Bill in the Mvnster Journal, a venerable broad sheet, with which, and its immediate successors, several curious associations are connected, that throw light on the journalistic and dramatic history of the day. The Munster Journal was said to be the oldest Journal in the province of Munster. The proprietor was Mr. Andrew Welsh, ancestor of the respectable family of Welsh of Newtown House, county Clare, and a gentleman of enter- prise and ability. INIr. Welsh also published the Magazine of Magazine?, which appears to have been a reprint of ExshaAv's London and DidiUn Magazine, with a Limerick title-page. The Minister Journal was succeeded, about 1787, by the Limerick Journal, of which IMr. Edward Flinn was the proprietor ; this Journal enjoj^ed the patronage of Lord Clare, to whom the owner of it was agent, and reaped a harvest by the publication of the Castle Proclamations. Mr. Flinn who was a Catholic, resided in Mary-street, opposite Quay-lane ; Athlunkard-street not having been made for many years afterwards. His fellow-citizens and neighbours in ISIary-street were Mr. AV illiam Goggin," the great Chap Book and Ballad Printer, whose shop at the corner of Quay-lane, was known by the sign of Shakespear. Alderman Andrew Watson, the successor of l\Ir. Joha Ferrar, in the proprictorsliip of tl\e Limerick Chronicle, had his office and residence near the office of the Z-imencit yourea?, whilst " Charley Keating," as he was familiarly called, who rejoiced IIISTOKY OF LIMERICK. 361 Soon after tMs election — namely, on the 10th of August, Lord Viscount Towushend, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, arrived in Limerick, and was received with great hospitality. The triumphant party were in the best spirits and met his Excelleucy in the most cordial manner. The Smyth, Perry, and Vereker families vied with each other to do him honor. He Avas entertained at a grand banquet, in the Mayoralty House ; the chair was ably filled by Thomas Vereker, Esq., who was Mayor this year, and the freedom of the city was presented to Lord Townshend, in a gold box. At this time the local trades were in rather a flourishing condition, and Limerick exhibited unquestionable symptoms of progress.^ Every profession and every branch of trade were represented, whilst commerce employed in the dignity of " Seneschal of Parteen" — had a small -ware shop at the opposite corner. Andrew Cherry, the comedian, and author of the " Soldier's Daughter," and the "Travellers," to which Dibdin wrote the songs, &c., served his time as an apprentice in the printing-office of the Limerick Journal. Cherry often printed the play bills for his own poor strolling company ; and underwent many trials, having been reduced to the verge of starvation on some occasions.- In " Familiar Epistles" to Edward Jones, Esq.,* who succeeded Mr. Kichard Daly, the successor of Mr. Heaphy, as Patentee of the Theatres Royal of Limerick, Cork, and Dublin, (after Daly had realized a protit of £5,000 a year by them) — Cherry's plays are thus uncomplimentarily referred to by the Satirist : — " There is a burning chauldron's blaze Through Eeynolds's and Morton's plays, Each page of Allingham's and Cobbs's, And heavy Boaden's clumsy jobs ; Cherry's sad mess of mirth and groans, Insipid hash of Murphy's bones." It is related of Cherry, that, having been offered an engagement by a manager who had previously forgotten to pay him, he wrote : — " Sir, — You have bitten me once, and I am resolved you shall not make two bites of A. Cherrt." ff. Cherry was one of the leading comedians at Covent Garden Theatre for several j-ears ; his portrait was painted by De Wylde, and printed in the Monthly Memoir. Mr. John Gubbins, a successful portrait painter, also served his time in the Limerick Journal office. ' The following from F^rrar's -D(Vecforj/ of 1769, is a list of the fifteen corporations which were in that year in existence, with the names of the masters and wardens of each guild : — MASTEKS AND WARDENS OF THE FIFTEEN COUPOHATIONS. SinxHs Cakpemters Weavers Shoemakers Taylors Sadlers Masons Bakers Richard Bennis Samuel Johns ) Thomas Carr ) George Russell John Byrum > Thomas Brehon ^ Thomas Pincheon Giles Powell ) Thomas Kendall ) George Fivens Master Wardens Blaster Wardens Master Wardens Master Thomas Farquhar ) -^ , Thos. Burrowes George Evans Laurence Bluett } Wm. Ryan j Mitchel Bennis MauriceO'Donnell > Robert Carr Michael Dobbs PhUlip Dollard Jas. Charleton Wm. Walktr James Allison Thos. Bourke Master Wardens Master Wardens Master >- Wardens Master Wardens Coopers Surgeon Bar- bers. Butchers Tobacconists Tallow Chandlers Hatters Breavers James Clowden David Jones Wm. Gilmer Jacob Bennis Francis Downes John Fitzgerald James Allison John Dick George Coonerty Thomas Mason Patrick Martin John Robinson Master Wardens Master Wardens Master Wardens Master AVardens Thomas Alley, Jun. Master Raleigh James Jacob Rinrose John Kincaid Henry Lee James Rj'an John Bryan Edmond Casev Wardens Master Wardens Master ,-• Wardens • Familiar Epistles to E. Jones, Esq , by John Wilson Crokcr. — Edition, 1S06. 362 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. twenty-six first-class merchants, principally Catholics, who at length enjoyed ample means, if not freedom, political and social.' On the 20th of January, 1767, Standish O'Grady of Mount Prospect, afterwards Chief Baron, was bom.^ 1 An Analysis of the various trades, professions, &c. in the city at this time ia interesting. We classify them alphabetically : — Hatters Hair Dresser Haberdashers Harpsichord Teachers Innholders Jeweller Linen Bleachers ... Latin Teachers Merchants Malstera MUlinera Notaries Public ... Nailors Pewterers Peruke Makers Printers 2 1 U 3 6 1 2 3 26 2 10 3 3 2 14 4 Architect ... ... ... 1 Apothecaries ... ... ... 7 Auctioneer ... ... ... 1 Attornies ... ... ... 22 (nine of whom •were sworn for theTholsel court.) Bakers ... ... ... ... 12 Brewers ... ... ... 6 Butchers ... ... ... 6 Barristers-at-law ... ... 6 Brass Founders ... ... ... 3 Brush Makers ... ... ... 2 Booksellers ... ... ... 2 Chandlers ... ... ... 15 Carpenters ... ... ... 10 Carpet Maker ... ... ... 1 Card Makers ... ... ... 2 Clothiers ... ... ... 14 Cheque Manufacturers ... ... 1 Linen Bleachers ... ... ... 1 Cutlers ... ... ... 2 Cabinet Makers ... ... ... 4 Coopers ... ... ... 2 Coach Makers ... ... ... 3 Coach Spring Maker ... ... 1 Confectioners ... ... ... 4 Copper Smith ... ... ... 1 Dancing Masters ... ... 4 Dyers ... ... ... ... 4 Engraver ... ... ... 1 Fruiterer ... ... ... 1 French Master ... ... ... 1 Grocers ... ... ... 48 (one also sold China, Earthenware, &c.) Gun Smiths ... ... ... 2 Glover ... ... ... 1 (Lyons who made the celebrated " Limerick Gloves.") Glaziers ... ... ... 5 Hosiers ... ... ... 8 Hardware sellers ... ... ... 6 2 This remarkable man and distinguished judge was appointed Attorney-General on the 10th of June, 1803, vice the Hon. John Steward, resigned ; a Privy Councillor same date ; October 19th, 1806, he was appointed Chief Baron of the Exchequer, vice Lord Viscount Avonmore, deceased. On a large stone chimney-piece in the old Town Fish House pulled down in September this year were the following dates and cyphers, with three coats of arms : — (Cherry, Ferrar, and the Welshes — Andrew and Thomas.) Plumbers ... ... ... 2 Publicans ... ... ... 10 Paper Maker ... ... ... 1 Painters ... ... ... 4 Paper Stamper... ... ... 1 Pipe Makers ... ... ... 2 Stay Makers ... ... ... 2 Sadlers ... ... ... 3 Shoemakers ... ... ... 13 (The house of Joseph and William Worrall continued to be represented in the trade by the late Mr. Worrall of Shannon-street) Salt Boiler ... ... ... 1 Smiths ... ... ... 3 Toyman ... ... ... 1 Tobacconists ... ... ... 12 Farmers ... ... ... 4 Vintners ... ... ... 2 Woollen Drapers ... ... ... 28 Writing Masters ... ... ... 6 Wine Merchants ... ... ... 7 Watch Makers ... ... ... 4 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 363 Furtlier improvements were projected in the year 1768, and a spirited sub- scription was raised by " a Company of Undertakers" to make the Shannon navigable.* In this year the Eev. Mr. Dean Hoare being Rector of Killeedy, designed and built a handsome house on the glebe grounds for the Incumbents. The house is in the North Liberties and com- mands a fine view of the Shannon, Salmon-weir, King's Island, Corbally, &c. &c. 1 This Company was incorporated by Act of Parliament, and a sum of £10,000, in pursuance of the Act, was subscribed as follows : — Sir Henry Hartstonge, Bart. ... ... ... ... ... £1000 Sir Lucius O'Brien, Bart. ... ... ... ... ... 600 Edmund Sexton Pery, Esq, .. ... ... ... ... 500 R. William Pery, Esq. ... ... ... ... ... 600 Hugh Dillon Massj', Esq. ... ... ... ... ... 600 Anthony Parker, Esq. ... ... ... ... ... 600 William Maunsell, Esq. ... ... ... ... ... 600 Thomas Maunsell, Jun. Esq. ... ... ... ... 500 Richard Maunsell, Esq. ... ... ... ... ... 1000 Rev. William Maunsell ... ... ... ... ... 250 Eaton Maunsell, Esq. ... ... ... ... ... 250 John Tunnadine, Esq. ... ... ... ... ... 250 John Thomas Waller, Esq. ... ... ... ... ... 250 John Dowdall Hammond, Esq. ... ... ... ... 250 Andrew Welsh ... ... ... ... ... ... 250 John Martin, M.D. ... ... ... ... ... 250 James Guthrie, Merchant ... ... ... ... ... 250 Stephen Roche John, Merchant ... ... ... ... 600 Phil. Roche John, Merchant ... ... ... ... ... 600 Edmond Sexton, Merchant ... ... ... ... ... 250 James Browne, Merchant ... ... ... ... ... 250 Thomas Casey, Merchant ... ... ... ... ... 250 Michael Rochford, Merchant ... ... ... ... 250 James Lyons, Merchant ... ... ... ... ... 250 Thomas Mark, Merchant ... ... ... ... ... 250 Total £10,000 There were several lodges of freemasons in these times, the names of the Masters and Wardens of which are set forth in the Directory, and the places of meeting. Peter's Cell was a favorite place of residence with professional men, and in that locality Madame O'Dell had a fine residence and gardens ; the town walls affording a shelter to the fruit trees, and in the garden was a spring weU which supplied the neighbourhood with water. This well belonged to the ancient Abbey of St. Francis, and is at present closed off from the highway by the wall of a tan-yard. 17G9. Names of the Jury (in the county of Limerick) to try an issue of great importance between Ambrose Cuffe, Plaintiff, and James Hewson, Defendant, of a plea of trespass : — 1 Sir Henry Hartstonge, of Bruff, Bart. 2 Thomas Lloyd, of Kildrummin, Esq. 3 Launcelot Gubbins, of Maidstown, Esq. 4 James GodseU, of Sunville, Esq. 6 John Maunsell, of Ballybrood, Esq. 6 John Langford of Kells, Esq. 7 Michael Furnell, of Ballyclough, Esq. 8 Francis Green, of Graigue, Esq. 9 Robert Hewson, of Ballyengland, Esq. 10 Maurice Studdert, of Enniscough, Esq. 1 1 John Bouchier, of Attaville, Esq. 12 Percivall Harte, of Coolrusse, Esq. 13 Joseph Gubbins, of Kilfrush, Esq. 14 Michael Bevan, of Ballinlander, Esq. 1 5 Eyre Evans Powell, of Bilboa, Esq. 16 William Lloyd, of Tower Hill, Esq. 17 Cole Maxwell, of Garranscullabeen, gent. 18 James Bourchier, of Baggotstown, gent. 19 Robert Holmes, of Cleigh, gent. 20 James Casey, of Ballyneety, gent. Each of the Jurors is attached separately by his pledge. Anno 1769. Standish O'Grady, Sheriff. T. & P. Plumtke. 24: William Bennett, of Ballincallow, gent. 22 William Smithwick, of Kilduff, gent. 23 Standish Grady, of Lodge, gent. 24 Philip Elrisey, of Moigue, gent. 25 Richard Nash, of Dunwyllan, gent. 26 Henry Drew, of Drew's Court, gent. 27 Richard Dickson, of Ballybronogue, gent. 28 Richard Tuthill, of Ballyanrahan, gent. 29 Henry Touchstone, of Ballybeg, gent. 30 William Mason, of Derawling, gent. 31 Edward Nash, of Ballyteague, gent. 32 James Bourchier, of KilcuUane, gent. 33 William Glisson, of Bally vodin, gent. 34 Robert Bradshaw, of Ballyvodin, gent. 35 Edmund Burke, of Maddabue, gent. 36 Richd. Plummer, of Mount Plummer, Esq. 37 James Gubbins, of Hospital, gent. 38 James Ware, of Loughgur, gent. 39 Wm. Wilkinson, of Cahirellj', gent. 40 Francis Wilkinson, of the Same, gent. Jo. Doe. Rd. Roe. 364 HISTOIIY OF LIMERICK. Some trades and occupations which a century ago were in beinj^, have ceased to exist with alternating phases of fashion. ^ A theatre was built in Cornwallis-street in 1770^ under the auspices of Mr. Tottenham Heaphy, at a cost of £600, which sum was contributed by twenty-four gentlemen, who had free tickets.^ Consideration for the poor went hand in hand with these improvements ; and in 1771, the Pery Charitable Loan Pund was estabhshed for the rehef of tradesmen by loans of three guineas to each, to be paid in instalments of Is. 4d. per week. Mrs. Pery, until her death, was the chief patroness of this Institution, which in times of very great distress, contributed to the relief of a large number of distressed artizans. In this year, the Hon. Dean Crosbie revived the Craven and the Widow Yirgin charities, the latter for the distribution of a certain quantity of bread on Christmas day to the poor of St. Mary^s parish, for which purpose a house in Quay-lane had been be- queathed in 1733, by the Widow Virgin. In this year, too, an Act of Parliament was established for the Locks on the Grand Canal ; and to the great joy of the citizens of all classes, the navigation of the canal was opened to Newtown Bog.3 Though improvements were thus actively going forward, distress and misery had not altogether disappeared from among the people, and on the 12th of May in the same year, the great mills on the north bank ' The peruke makers are all but extinct — -whilst the chairmen, whose usual stand was at the Exchange, have become beings of the past. William Hamilton was a fashionable wig maker of the day, in Mary-street — his charge per week, for dressing the wig of a wealthy customer was the moderate sum of Is. 2d. 2 This was a celebrated theatre in its time. The box entrance was in the street now called Corn- wallis-street, and the pit passage was at the corner of Play House Lane. Mr. Edward Gubbins, a coach builder, occupied the front of the theatre as a workshop and showroom for carriages. For a long time, the liolders of box tickets were obliged to go through Mr. Gubbins' kitchen, to their places in the boxes. Celebrated actors, viz., Garrick, Mossop, Barry, Ryder, &c., all acted in the old theatre. More recently George Frederick Cooke, Kemble, Macklin, Mrs. Siddons, Miss Farren (afterwards the Countess of Derby) acted here also ; and in comic operas, Mrs. Billington, Miss Brett, and Mrs. Creswell frequently appeared in Love in a Villafje — Miss Stephens, the vocalist, at a later period, also sung here to crowded houses. Ned Williams, Richard Jones, Johnson, and others who are satirized by Wilson Croker in his Familiar Epistles to Edward Jones, Esq., were also actors in this theatre, the successive managers of which, were Mr. Heaphy, Mr. Richard Daly, an excellent light comedy actor, and Mr. Frederick Edward Jones. The amateurs also plaj'ed in this theatre, and drew crowded houses — among them were Sir Mathew, (then Mr. Mathew) Harrington, Mr. John M'Auliff, Mr. Pierce Brett, Mr, George Hogan, Mr. Thomas Gromwell, Mr. Hewett, Mr. Andrew Tracy, Mr. John Gubbins, Mr. William Glover, &c. The three last mentioned are alive in 1864. The amateurs played in support of the public charities, particularly the House of Industry, and the receipts were considerable. Near the theatre was the principal hotel of Limerick, which was a well conducted establishment, and in this hotel (the house though dilapidated is still in existence, about the lower part of Cornwallis-street, and is recognisable by its stone-front and flight of steps), Mrs. Siddons is said to have lodged during her visit to Limerick. The other leading actors generally lodged in the house of a Mr. Williams in the same street. It was from this theatre that George Frederick Cooke, the celebrated comedian, went out one night, his head full of the fumes of a little keg of whiskev to which he had been paying attention, and arrayed in the broad-brimmed hat and whimsical dress of Pelriichio, which character he had been playing, stumbled into the house of some poor people, from which the wail of woe was dolefully issuing, chaunting as the inmates were in full chorus over a dead body. Plunging sword in hand into the midst of the group, Cooke advanced towards the bed, on which the corpse of an old woman lay, and suiting the action to the word — exclaimed, " How now, ye secret, black, and midnight hags, what is't ye do?"* The result maj- be imagined, it cannot be described. James Vaughan, whose sister Miss Vaughan, was the heroine of a memorable trial in Ennis, for abduction, in which she acquitted herself with the utmost honour, should not be forgotten among the amateur corps of the old theatre. 3 Walkei-'s Magazine: The bog of Newtown is now in a great measure reclaimed — and the land of fair qualitj'. * Ktdi/hCs Dramatic Tabic 2'alL HISTORY OF LIMEfllCK. 365 of tlie canal, to which we have already referred, were attacked for bread by a famishing crowd, during the Mayoralty of Mr. Christopher Carr, (Fitz Christopher). Mr. Carr called out the soldiery, and had the mill occupied by a serjeant^s guard, who fired on the exasperated people, when three men were killed on the opposite side of the canal, and on the following day the military were again called out, when three more persons were killed in the Irishtown.i The House of Industry was founded on the North Strand in 1774, by Grand Jury Presentments on the County and City, to which was added £200 by Dr. Edward Smyth of Dublin, towards providing thirteen cells for the insane.^ The condition of Ball's Bridge had been for some time rather dangerous ; but a high tide on the 4th of February, 1775, did considerable damage to that ancient structure.^ On the 1st of Eebruary, 1776, a loyal corps, called the Limerick Union, the uniform of which was blue faced with buff, and the motto, " Amicitia Juncta '^ was formed by Mr. Thomas Smyth ; a troop of horse and a company of foot were raised ; and enrolled in this corps, were the principal citizens — all of the Protestant persuasion. The exigencies of the times caused the regular soldiery to be called away to more active and stirring duties abroad, and the Union did garrison duty "in the city. On the 27th of August in the same year, the Duke and Duchess of Leinster arrived at the house of the Eight Hon. Edward Sexton Pery, speaker of the House of Commons, in Newtown- Pery, as the new portion of the City was now called, and which Twiss, the traveller, in his visits to the city a year afterwards, describes as containing a few" straggling brick houses, and from which he went to view the remarkable lake and antiquities of Lough Gur, within ten miles of the city."* In the next year, the first stone of the Exchange was laid by Thomas Smyth, Esq. on the 25th of June, and a civic jubilee was held in Limerick, which attracted very general interest.* It commenced on the 12th of August, the Prince of Wales' birth day, with a fancy ball, which was attended by the eiUe of the four conterminous counties, viz.. Limerick, ''i'ipperary, Clare and Kerry. On the 13th there was a play at the old Theatre; on the 14th a " Venitian'-' breakfast in the gardens of Mr. Davis ;^ after the breakfast a ' To this day the above lamentable occurrence is spoken of, to the concleinnation of Mr. Christopher Carr ; among those killed was a poor woman — a milk woman — who was sitting at the time at her can of milk in Broad-street. 2 On the 26th of March, in 1774, the Stamp Duty came into operation in Limerick. 3 Several of the houses on Ball's bridge fell in consequence, and a Mr. Berry who was sit- ting in one of them, fell through the floor, and was borne down the stream to the New bridge, and was rescued by the intrepidity of a sailor named John Fitzgerald. In this year lire engines were given to St. John's, St. Mary's, and St. Munchin's parishes by the Right Hon. E. Sexton Perj-, Charles Smyth and Thomas Smyth, Esqrs. In this year also Sir Boyle Roche, Bart., beat up for recruits in Limerick with great suc- cess, in consequence of war between England and America, Lord Kenmare gave half-a-guinea bounty to each recruit. * Loughgur gave title to the family of Fane. Charles Fane, Esq., of Bassilden, a cadet of the Earl of Westmoreland's family, being created in 17 IS, Baron of Loughgur, and Vis- count Fane. His only son Charles died without issue in 1782, when his estates in the county of Limerick devolved on his sister's descendants, of whom, Mary had married Jerome Count De Salis in Switzerland, and Dorothy married John Earl of Sandwich. * Walker's Mcujazine gives a long account of this jubilee. 6 Limerick has been famous for its gardens. There were Carr's Gardens, &c. Roche's Gardens, or the Hanging Gardens of Limerick, as they have been called, bore testimony also to the taste of their projector and proprietor, the late ^\'il]iani Roche, Esq., M.P. Those gardens which are now in a very ruinous condition, were at one period a principal attraction of the new town, and extend from the rere of the house, No. 99, George's-street, to 366 lIISTOIiY OF LIMEEICK. | regatta; on the 15th an oratorio in St. Mary^s Cathedral; in the evening a grand ball at the Assembly Rooms, at which the ladies appeared in Irish manufacture ; on the 16th a concert of vocal and instrumental music; and between these displays, viz., on the 12th, the most imposing display that had hitherto been made by the Corporation and the guilds of trade, was that which took place on the riding of the bounds, or franchises — the rendezvous was on the King's Island, from which they went all over the city and county of the city. This memorable jubilee originated with Colonel Thomas Smyth, whose corps, the Limerck Union, took also, a prominent part in the procession. This corps, in the year after, with their president. Colonel Smyth, and the Friendly Knot, with their president, John Prendergast Smyth, met at the Assembly Eooms, and entered into resolutions to form the Loyal Limerick Volunteers, of which Mr. Thomas Smyth was unanimously chosen colonel. In a month afterwards they assembled in their becoming uniform of red, faced with white, at a grand civic ceremony commemorating 'the accession of the Hanoverian dynasty ; and on the 7th of August in the next year, they were presented by the Government with 500 stand of arms ; and to the county of Limerick a present of arms to the same amount was given at the same time. The times were stirring. A "new spuit had begun to operate in the midst of the people. The new town of Limerick was now assuming a shape, notwithstanding the absurd sneer of Eichard Twiss, so ludicrously punished by the wits of Cork. Men of enterprise had already begun to take ground and to build ; one was Mr. Patrick Arthur, merchant,' who built a Quay, which soon became the most fashionable part of the city, (" Arthur's Quay" is now, 1865, occupied only Henry-street, and occupy about an acre of ground ; they are formed on arches varying in height from 25 to 40 feet. Flights of steps lead from one elevation to another — the side terraces are 150 feet long, by 30 wide — the central one 180 feet long, by 40 wide, and the lower 200 feet long, and 100 feet wide, exclusive of what had been the melon and cucumber ground, which is 80 feet square. The top of the highest terrace wall is 70 feet above the street, and commands an extensive view of tlie Shannon, the Clare Hills, Tervoe, the residence of the Right Hon. William Monsell, M.P., Farranshone, the estate of the Marquis of Lansdowne, &c., &c. The redundant moisture is conveyed away through tubes concealed in the hutments of the arches to the main sewer. The tubes are stopped in summer to retain the moisture. The damp is pre- vented from penetrating to the extensive stores under the gardens by flags cemented together. Those stores are rented by the crown on a very long lease, at a large sum per annum, and have been used as bonding stores for many years by the Customs. The House which had been the Banking House, and residence of Mr. Roche, has been rented since 1858 to the Limerick In- stitution, which removed from the house No. 49, on the south side of the street. The Institution was established in 1809, with reading and news rooms, aoid library. The admission is by ballot, and payment of an annual subscription, or the purchase of a life membership. 1 With this ancient name of Arthur in connection with Limerick, the reader of this History must be already perfectly familiar. But the name claims a more special notice than we have hitherto devoted to it ; there were no less than forty-eight Arthurs, mayors, &c. of the city; commencing at a very early date, and proceeding downwards, in rapid succession, until the change brought about in and after the days of Queen Elizabeth, since which period, the name has appeared, " few and far between," on the Municipal Roll. In the Catholic Church too, the Arthurs flourished as bishops and priests, and they gave many an illustrious member to both orders in the ministry, and several who have reflected credit on our country. Dr. Thomas Fitz William Arthur, from whose MSS. I have so frequently quoted in the course of this work, gives, what he designates a genealogical idyll, which occupies some pages of his most interesting MSS., and in which he traces up the family to a remote antiquity, stating that Arthur is a Latin name in .Juvenal, drawn from the goodly fixed star, Arcturus, and that from Arctus, which is the bear, as Ursinus amongst the Romans. Learnedly quoting Camden, Usher, Mathew Paris, &c., he gives the names of ancestors so far back as the year 10G6 ; and states, that the first of tlie name who came to Ireland, arrived with t'.ie invader, Henry II., in 1170 — who conferred high honors on him in 1178, as well as great quantities of land — and having related the achievements of Thomas Arthur, who died about A.D. 1204, aged 76 years, he proceeds to narrate the actions of others of the race and name, including Kicholas, who died about A.D. 124G, aged 72 — John, who died, about A.D. 1274, aged 74 — of Thomas, who died, aged 73, about A.D. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. S67 by petty dealers and turf- vendors), and a line of streets branching therefrom, with exceUeut houses. Amongst those who followed the example set by 1326 — of John, who distinguished himself highly as mayor, in A.D. 1340, and who died about A.D. 1352, aged about 64 — of Martin, who was wealthy and powerful, and who built a magnifi- cent peristyle of marble to the Church of St. Saviour (the Dominican), and who died about the year A.D. 1362, aged QG years — of Thomas, who was raised to the Episcopacy, by Bull of Pope Boniface, dated at Rome, 2nd of April, A.D. 1400— of William and Richard, the former of whom died 4th of March, A.D. 1483, and the latter in A.D. 1484. The Latin metre proceeds at further length in reference to this family, and as a specimen of the matter and manner of this curious family idyll, we subjoin the following which we have translated : — Thomas, whom the Mayor's retinue distinguish, had raised the pinnacles of your ancient house. As Mayor, he fortified Limerick where it extends to the south, with lofty tower walls ; at his expense, was built to the Blessed Virgin, the elaborate fa9ade of the choir, of lofty marble. Hence, it bears the escutcheon of the family of Arthur, on the outward door, and near it a work is distinguished, with the pedigree of his wife: — she was Johanna Muryagh, ances- trally descended from Cork, the noble heiress of her sires. To her, being his kinswoman, Thomas, surnamed Kildare, gave at Rebog, meadows, lands, tillage fields and houses. These lands acquired by the valor and might of ancestors, you presently get O'Nicholas,* and many * I translate from the quaint Latin of the Arthur MSS. a Statement of curious facts, over which John Banim or Gerald Griflin would have rejoiced, as furnishing abundant materials for the basis of many a life-like national story, certain passages in the life of the above Nicholas. The person respecting whom these romantic details have been recorded by Doctor Arthur seems to have been a leading citizen of Limerick, and one of a class, whose adventures some four hundred years ago, give us a vivid idea of the manners and of the troublesome character of the times in which he lived. The piratical event to which it refers took place about six years after the commencement of the building of the walls of the southern suburbs of Limerick, and two years after the gate dedicated to John the Baptist and the eastern walls had begun. The Duke de Bretagne, who is spoken of in the extract, must have been Jean the V. so remarkable for his vacillating or perfidous policy, which attached him at one time to French, at another to English interests, but which enabled him to save his Duchy until two years preceding the adventure of Mr. Arthur, at which time the Duke of Bedford, Regent of France for the English party, devastated his territory. The early felt importance of the salmon fishery at Limerick is indicated in this famil}' history : — " The life of Nicholas Arthur, my great grandfather's grandsire, the first of his name. Nicholas Thomas Arthur, born at Limerick, about the year 1405, was a man capable of under- taking high and difficult enterprises, and engaged in respectable mercantile transactions. He was in the habit of exporting for the use of the King of England, its princes and nobles, horses of generous breed, hounds, falcons of powerful wing, scarlet mantles, and the skins of otters, martens,* squirrels, and other soft-furred animals ; besides pillars and tables made of polished (dolato) and variegated marble, whereby he acquired high favour and no little wealth. Now about the 10th of the Calends of July (June 22nd), A.D. 1428, sailing out the port of Limerick in a hired vessel belonging to one John Chirch, a citizen of London, as he was crossing over to England with merchandise of the above kind, he fell in with certain pirates, who were subjects of the Duke of Arraoric Brittany, at that time a bitter enemy of our sovereign. — These pirates having plundered all his property, which amounted in value to 700 marks, put into St. Malo with the skipper, vessel and crew, and there they sold the ship and the whole cargo by public auction, detaining himself moreover in a state of captivity in the Mount called St. Michael's for the space of two years, until he at last recovered his liberty by the payment of 400 marks. As soon as ever he had recovered from these distressing reverses he proceeded to wait upon his Majesty, the King, to whom he perseveringly complained of the loss sustained by himself and his. friend, John Chirch, and did not cease to press his claims until he obtained letters patent from the King, dated London, 29th July, 1430, authorising him to make reprisals to the value of £5,332 13s. 4d. sterling, from the property of the subjects of that Duke wherever found within the dominions of the King of England, whether by land or sea. Which reprisals he bravely, energetically, and perseveringly levied even to the last farthing, and wrested from them perforce. Nor did the munificence of his most Serene Highness, King Henry the VI., confine itself within these limits. For as a further token of his gracious disposition towards Nicholas, worthy of the everlasting gratitude of posterity, he gave him license to construct a fishery suitable for the taking of salmon and other fish on the bank of his farm at Castle Blath,t to the raid channel of the river Shannon (but in such a way that free passage was left for all vessels sailing to and from the port of Limerick), confirmed by his seal on the 26th of Feb., 1430. * Martens are said to have been rarely met with in the woods of Clare up to a recent period, t Quere Castle Beagh. 368 HISTORY or LIMERICK. Mr. Patrick Arthur, were Sir Harry Hartstonge, who made an embankment at Sluice Island, at a great outlay of money, and built a mall, and several more acquire. The celebrated firmness of your renowned race, and the probity of your charac- ter, and the integrity of your heart, had restored thee, who, wast dear to King Henry, surnamed the 6th, to his paternal uncles and princes, to whom you had presented gifts suitable to his rank, fair tokens of your grateful mind, falcons, and large dogs fit for hunting, and black marble, sculptured with a team of leopards — now Spanish steeds ambling with equal steps, now pearls, which " Eleaunius " had produced. Hence the Royal Castle of Limerick was committed to thj' faith — a great trust at a doubtful time, which thou didst discharge, conspicuous with war- cloak, sword, shield and gleaming helm. The honour of the Mayoralty presently sought thee, and tlie purple worn through unnumbered years, boasts of clothing thee. Catherine Skyddy of Cork found thee a match, and at the same time added immense wealth. Her parents endowed her with all their manors, houses and wealth. Thee too she blesses with a numerous progeny. [Thomas Arthur, above referred to, made his will on the 18th of March, 1426. Johanna Moryagh, was heiress of David Moryagh, senator of Cork, who survived him as widow, at least twelve years, dying about the year 1439.] For he (Nicholas) begot six sons, of whom the third was deemed worthy of the Episcopal honor of the city of Limerick, four obtained the rank of city procession (Mayor), and the sixth was bailiff by the voice of the people. One of these brothers shall be celebrated with a dirge of curs — Peter, ! my great, great grandfather, my muse shall sing thee for ever — that John Bud- stone, whose bells resound in the shrine of the Virgin, had chosen thee for a son-in-law. Alas ! thou wert presently torn from the chaste arms of Margaret, leaving thee two sons as pledges, whom to be brought up for nine lustres (45 years) their careful mother attended to, loving them like a widowed turtle ; and Catherine, the Countess of Kildare, who was given in marriage to Purdon, withdrew them from their mother. And the patrimony which your father Budstone left to his widow, these, your gentle parent, made over to thee, O William,* some houses at Kil- mallock, before the doors of the church, situated at the right, as j'ou go to the sacred shrines, and had given thee two monuments of her ancestors, both bearing the name of Budstone, and presenting, added, a fair [just] part of the Chapel which represents the name and aid of Magda- len. In truth, she wisely loved genius and the arts, and the splendid tokens of intelligence which you manifested. Though knewest right skilfully to touch lyre and harp ; thou didst open thy hospitable house to princely men. Hence the mightiest of Earls, the renowned hero of Desmond, bound thee to himself by the tie of friendship. Anon civic honors rejoiced to repose upon thy shoulders— thou wast bailiff bj' the voice of the people. Nor did the Nymph, whom Galway first gave to light, blush at soliciting thy nuptual torch. Ellen Dathy, born of the great John, whom your love drove far from your country. Thomas died on the 15th December, 1581 ; he had been married to Johanna Creagh. Of this wife he begat seven sons and three daughters ; and he left two of both sexes alive, and dying cherishes with the ashes and the monuments of his great grandfather, of his brothers, and parents and wife. The younger Thomas, who was a merchant on the Spanish coast, died unmarried, being a bold and opulent man. Ellen Johanna, who was married to long Cromwell, sustained both the rights and the honour of a nation. Thou next, by no means unworthy of so great ancestors, eldest born of thy father, O William, my father, f He died on the 14th of March, 1622, at the age of sixty j'ears. Thy person was handsome, symmetrical and upright thy form a long beard graced thy cheeks ; courteous and polite, mild of eyes, of voice, of aspect, thou wert munificent, clement and kind — the prayers of all bless thee ; and thou wert first chosen bailiff, the honour pays thee the meed of merit. Thine old age was venerable ; far from thee was wrath, treacherj^, malice, and the crime of odious avarice. Grave, dignified in merit and aspect, a worshipper of faith and of God, and estimable for thy guileless simplicity. Hence your generous house was open in hospitality to foreign exiles. Anastatia Kyce enjoyed in firm wed- lock thee and thy hand for thirty-five years, who rendered thee happy by a numerous offspring. She long abstained from meat and wine ; and on the 1st of March, 1G40, died at the age of 70 years. Edmund died on the 15th of November, 1G51. Here ends the idyll. After experiencing with unaltered spirit these vicissitudes of adverse and favourable fortune, Nicholas, intent upon the preservation and prcpagation of his family having been pressed to procure a suitable match in the person of a lady of rank, at length entered into a nupital alliance with the family of John Skiddy " Senator" of Cork, with whose daughter and heiress, Catherine, he obtained a fortune of 40 (quere 400?) marks, Oct. 30, 9 Henry VI. A.D. 1431, after an interval of one year, having first obtained a dispensation from the Sovereign Pontiff, on account of his being doubly related to the bride in the fourth degree of consanguinity. But after,^the due celebration and consummation of the marriage, it appearing upon closer enquiry on the part of their friends that they were bound in the hitherto latent and closer tie of * William published his will in August, 1533. t This William was the father of Dr. Thomas Aj thur. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 369 fine houses/ which, being without the walls, were free at the time from Corporate claims, or other city taxes. Mr. Thomas Mark, a Quaker mer- chant, buHt some very fine stores, which were called Marks's buildings, near the new bridge. Houses were built in various parts of the new town, by indi- viduals, who, though they consulted theii* pecuhar tastes, preserved uniformity in their construction, and thus early began to show what the new town was destined to become — one of the handsomest cities in the British Em- pire — with a noble street leading through from east to west, intersected to the north by several good streets leading to the river, and admitting pure ail- from the Clare hills, which might be seen from every portion of them — and intersected to the south, by an equal number of streets uniform consanguinity in the third and fourth degree, they had recourse as soon as possible to the clemency of the Apostolic See for the dissolution of the marriage, from Fondanus, Bishop of Sardes, Penitentiary of the Supreme Pontiff, and succeeded in obtaining a dispensation, given at St. Peter's, Rome, on the nones (7th) of May, in the second year of the pontificate of Eugeue the Fourth, and of our Lord's incarnation 1432. From this marriage there was a numerous issue, -who arrived at the years of maturity and discretion, and obtained sundry civil dignities. For the eldest, John, became the dignified heir of the family honors as well as possessions ; and the others, Peter, George and Robert, became men of senatorial rank ; and the sixth and youngest, David, Duumvir or Bailiff of Limerick — a position not to be despised ; and lastly, the third, Thomas, being dedicated to God, became a Canon of the Cathedral Church of Limerick, and afterwards Prior of the house of St. Mary and St. Edward the King, in the same city, being subsequently Treasurer of the Church of Limerick, and finally orthodox Bishop of Limerick in the year 14G9. This Nicholas, following the example of his forefathers, devoted his exertions to the increase of his property, and he received by bequest of Nicholas Creagh, a citizen of Limerick, in his will, published on the Monday next before the Feast of St. Catherine, Virgin and Martyr, a.d. 1435, two messuages adjacent to each other in Limerick, in the parish of St. Nicholas, betweea the tenements of Patrick Long, on the south side, and Thomas Comyn, on the north ; and two other messuages in the same city, lying in Pullmanagh, between the tenements formerly held by Gilbert Overy and Thomas Spicer, on the south, and the passage leading to the manor of the Church of St. Mary of Limerick on the north ; (which last two tenements Nicholas gave to his second son, Peter Arthur, who built the same into lofty houses of stone). He also got from Johanna Flowre, the aforesaid (?) widow of Robert Gardiner, a messuage in the city of Cork, next to the house of his father-in-law, John Skyddy, on the north side, and of John Nangle, on the south, which (messuage) also reaches to the western walls of the said city, 4th Feb. 1443, 22 of Henry VI., and on the 12th of March, next ensuing, appointed his son, John Arthur, to obtain seizin and possession of that messuage from John Muyriagh and Richard Skyddy, to whom tha aforesaid Johanna Balfio^vre previously granted that power, which they honestly and justly discharged. That noble and powerful man, Thomas Geraldine, second son of the Earl of Desmond, to whose safeguard and fidelity His Most Serene Highness King Henry VI. committed the care of the Castle of Limerick, reposed such confidence in this Nicholas that he appointed him his substitute for the discharge of this duty, and gave him an equal division of the Royal salary thence accru- ing, according to an arrangement made between them on the 3rd of November, 14G1, in presence of Thomas, Bishop of " KUmacduagh," (sic.) and William, Bishop of Limerick, and Patrick Torger, at that time Mayor of Limerick. To him the government of the city of Limerick was thrice entrusted ; for he was Mayor for the first time 1436 ; second time 1446 ; third, in the year 1452. At length yielding to fatal necessity, having made his will on the vigil of the nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, A.D. 1465, and having received the holy viaticum of our Lord's body, and being fortified by the Sacrament of Extreme Unction, he fell asleep in the Lord. Catherino survived him full ten years and seven days, devoted to works of piety and mercy, and at length departed this life for a better on the feast of the exaltation of the holy cross, on the 13th calends of October (14th September), in the year of our Lord's incarnation 1475 ; and her body was laid with that of her husband in the ancestral monument at the left wing of the altar of St. Catherine, " Virgin and Martyr," (in the Church of St. Mary's Limerick.") We fear that not a few of our readers may be of opinion that in giving some of the above de- tails, which we have translated word for word from the original, we have laid as great a stress on trifles as Dr. Burnet in Pope's impersonations of that historian, in the celebrated memoirs of " P. P. Clerk of the Parish." But such miimtioe give us a better insight into the character of our ancestors than much more imposing generalities. Till within the last few years martens, squirrels, and Badgers were not uncommon in the woods of Clare (CuUane, for instance) and Limerick. ' Called Sir Harry's Mall now gone to complete ruin — the site of its fine houses utterly nrglected. John Reilly, a blacksmith, who died in the year 1782, left a house in Mungret-street to tha Blue School, which, in 1818 produced i:21 per annum. — MSS. Notes of Mr. Ouaky 370 HISTORY OF LIMERICk. in breadth with those to the north — and equally well circumstanced in every particular. Indeed it already became apparent that the new town, or as it had been called, South Prior's Land, which had been granted, as we have already seen, to an ancestor of the Earl of Limerick, would, in the course of a few years, supplant the old, and that the seat of trade and commerce, as well as of fashion and wealth, would be changed to the one, to the detriment, and ultimate decay, if not ruin, of the other and the more historic town. To name the streets of Newtown Pery w^as an object which, was soon accomplished.^ A palace for the Protestant Bishop, and a mansion house for the Earl of Limerick, were built close to each other, as early as 1784, in an o]^)eu place, called Henry-street, which was speedily built on at either side, and which enjoyed a desirable situation parallel to the river, with noble views northw^ard and w^estward.^ But we anticipate events : in 1780, Lady Ilartstonge having resolved to bring fever, which now prevailed, under one roof, laid the ground work of one of the most useful charities of w^hich the city of Limerick has had to boast viz., the Eever Hospital, by converting a small house which had been a guard- house to the citadel of St. John, into a temporary hospital. An association was immediately formed — subscriptions poured in; the famihes of Harts- tonge and Pery gave large sums ; and in 1781, an act of Parliament was passed in sustainment of this invaluable institution. ^ In the midst of the turmoil and excitement of the times, the Dominican Friars, whose order had been in the city for many centuries — indeed since the days of St. Dominic, ' Few streets of Limerick (new) had particular names before the year 1786, in which year Sir Christopher Knight, Mayor, made many useful regulations for the city. In his mayoralty the city (old) was paved and lighted with globe lamps, flagged the footways, caused the ancient projecting windows, pent houses and signs to be taken down, most of the streets to be named and boarded labels fixed with the name of the street at each corner. The following are the dates of some of the names of the streets : — William Street, N. end, July 1st, 1789 > ^^ o. Do. S. end, June 2nd, 1789, l ^° ^*°°®- Both, 1789. Crosbie Row, 1791. Cornwallis Street, August 7, 1799 (called from Lord Cornwallis). George's Street, 1770 (from King George). Denmark Street, 1770. Ellen Street, 1805. On Stone. (From Miss Ellen Arthur). Francis Street, no date. (Mr. Francis Arthur). Thomas Street, ditto. Nelson Street, 1804. (Lord Nelson). Kelly's Lane, no date, Stephen's Alley, no date. Barrack Alley, no date. Bedford Kow, no date. (Duke of Bedford). Sexton Street, 1797. Patrick Street, 1780. (Mr. Patrick Arthur). In July and August, 1811, new Board Labels with the names of the streets, were put up through the entire of the new town by order of the Commissioners, for paving, lighting, and watching, &c. 2 The Bis'nop's palace continues to be the residence of the Protestant Bishop — the Mansion House of the Earls of Limerick has been purchased by Messrs. J. N. Russell and Sons as a store or warehouse in connection with their great linen factory on the North Strand, in which this enterprising firm give employment to gieat numbers of males and females. 3 This Hospital is capable of containing 500 patients, including convalescent wards, and has attached to it nearly three statute acres of land, airing ground for the patients ; it continued to be of essential advantage to the poor of Limerick, until the year 18G1, when the Corporation, which, since the ena.tiient of the Improvement Act of 1853, has been the taxing body of the city, and which performs the functions of a Grand Jury in that particular, withdrew the sum which it had annually contributed, in continuation of the Grand Jury grant, for the support of this charity. Six members of the Corporation had been placed on the Hospital Committee some time before, but they withdrew whca the graiU ceased. In 1846, the Hospital was greatly en- larged, chiefly through the exertions of William John Geary, Esq , JLD. and J. P., lately one of the Medical Inspectors under the Poor Law Act. In times' of epidemic it had been of much public service. The County of Limerick Grand Jury continues its support to the Hospital, which receives county patients ; and a few patients from the city are also received, in consequence of HISTORY OF LIMERICK. according to the ancient Book of the Friars Preachers of Limerick^ preserved in the British Museum, rented a house in Fish-lane^ off Mary-street* "which in 1780 they converted into a chapel. The Augustinian Friars built an excel- The following are the particulars of estated property £8G 10 12 10 29 19 10 43 10 3 400 12 7 10 11 4 certain bequests made for that purpose, and funds for 1864 : — Annual Parliamentary Grant for 1863, Daniel Gabbett's Bequest, per annum, Mrs. Banks' do. do. Miss White's do. do. Cash invested in new 3 per Cent. Stock, Interest on above £427 6s. 8d., new 3 per Cent. Stock, Rent of small houses purchased, ... There were eighteen Governors for life in 1864. The Committee ia composed of the fol- lowing : — The Protestant Bishop of Limerick; Edward Bernard, Esq., J.P. ; Richard Russell, Esq., J.P. ; .Joseph Gabbett, Esq. ; Reuben Harvey, Esq, ; Rev. David Wilson ; Rev. John Elmes ; John Wilkinson, Esq., M.D. ; W. J. Geary, Esq., M.D., and J.P. ; Patrick M'Namara, Esq. I have been furnished with the following interesting statistics of the number of patients that "have gone through this Hospital for forty-five years to December, 1864. There was no record kept before the year 1820 : — In 1820 1821 1822 1823 1824 1825 1826 1827 1828 1829 1830 1831 1832 1833 1834 1835 1836 1837 1838 1839 1840 1841 1842 . . On stones in the wall of a house built in addition to the Hospital, are the following in- scriptions : — H. S. Baker Architect T.' O Brien M Gearin Builders A D 1828 In 1164 1843 1311 044 1844 1593 1645 1845 5228 1368 1846 2204 1658 1847 3525 1923 1848 2922 2783 1849 6097 2980 1850 3334 951 1851 2992 689 1852 1165 994 1853 967 1217 1854 745 1219 1855 864 1031 1856 633 1121 1857 475 1671 1858 439 3269 1859 337 2846 1860 352 1783 1861 663 2184 1862 452 2449 1863 417 1877 1864 to December 248 1713 Hughes Eussel Esqr Treasurer A. D 1828 The following inscriptions on stones which appear to have been picked up from the ruins of the old walls, or those of St. John's Gate, are inserted in the walls of the Hospital, opposite to the gatewaj-, being the first portion of the Hospital that was built: - 16 45 ' The chapel, or what had been the chapel, may yet be seen in Fish Lane, and the pillars which propped the galleries, &c. remain in 1865, as they had beeU; though the chapel has been for some time used a« a store ; and rooms over it, in which the friars lived, are occupied by poor artlzans. 372 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. lent chapel in Creagh-lane — two years before — which they opened on the 6th of December, 1778. St. MichaePs Parochial Chapel was opened in Denmark- street, on the 29th of September, 1781; and the Franciscans opened their new chapel in Newgate-lane, on Christmas day, 1782. These events show that the Catholics were at length assuming their place after nnheard-of suffer- ings, cruelties, and horrors, which came in rapid succession after the violation of the Treaty of 1691, and that a spirit of toleration had begun to prevail very generally. CHAPTER XLV. A EETKOSPECT, HOW THE PENAL LAWS OPERATED. LISTS OF CONFORMISTS. While recording the social, material, and political progress of Limerick, we cannot omit an important element in the construction of the frame-work of society, which has hitherto not received the attention to which it has a just claim for the effects which it has produced in the domestic relations, the position of families, and the transfer of property from one line to another. It is a curious fact in this age of exhaustive enquiry and patient investigation, that except a passing reference to changes of religion, we have nothing that at all resembles an account of how or when many of our principal Irish families changed their faith from the Catholic to the Protestant, although it is well known that change was in many cases attended by very important con- sequences, not only to the parties immediately concerned, but to the society to which they belonged; for not to multiply examples, the adoption of the new , creed in several instances occasioned the substitution of the junior for the elder branches in some of our great Irish houses ; and the intermarriages into Protestant families by the new conformist, gave a completely different colour to the tastes, the feelings, the habits, the politics, and the social status of the descendants of the original conformist, who from being more Irish than the Irish themselves, was often, or rather always converted into a most determined stickler for English interests, and for the promotion of his newly adopted views. Until we enjoy what England already in a great degree possesses, the advantage of county and family histories, we do not expect that this original and interesting department of history wiU receive any particular attention, more especially as the subject is what is generally con- sidered a delicate one, and unless for those who have access to family memorials and public libraries, one which is attended with very considerable difficulty. The following documents Avill, we are convinced, possess a very high degree of interest for the general as well as the local reader. They have been obtained from the Egerton MSS. in the British Museum, and may be re- ceived with undoubting faith as the legalised and authentic records of the chief conformists in the counties of Limerick, Clare, and Tipperary, as well as in other localities with which these counties have been associated by inter- marriage and other means. We are not aware that any similar document has ever been published, or even exists in a collective form, and we hope that any of our readers who may have occasion to avail themselves of it will acknowledge the source from which they have derived their information. From the reign of Queen Anne to the time at which we are now arrived. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 373 viz., about the year 1782 — the following are the principal local conformists, with the places to which they severally belonged, and the dates at which they conformed. Earlier occurrences of the same kind are freely noticed in a few of our local annals, but in more recent times some hesitation was felt to open up what began to be regarded as family secrets, and to disturb the pleasing notion that certajn families had been Protestants from the earliest period of the Reformation. My object in giving these particulars, is solely to add to the historical interest of this work, and I am convinced that so far from feeling offended at such details, such of my readers as are descended from the latest conformists among the local families, will do justice to my motives in pubhshing these unquestionable facts. EGERTON MSS. 77 IX BRITISH MUSEUM— LIST OF CONVERTS AND PROTESTANT SETTLERS IN IRELAND. 1. Alphabetical List of Converts from Popery to Protestant Religion in Ireland, from Commencement of Reign of Queen Anne, to 1772, — P. 1 to 153, filed in Rolls Office, Dublin The P. seems to mean Parish — D. Diocese. There are Limerick names so far as Counties stated, but many of the names have no Counties, and many Country people came up to Dublin to perfect their papers, and are so described as of Dublin. A County Limerick man can read the names easily. Arthur, A—, of Ennis, Co. Clare. May 26, 1754 Audly, and Castlehaven, Lord. July, 21, 1758 B. Browne, Vail, of EUestrin, Dio. Tuam. Dec. 24, 1726 Bernard, alias Pierce Mary, of Tralee. March .31, 1728 Burke, Lucy, Daughter of Lord Riverston, wife to Doragan Burke. January 12, 1734 Butler, John, of Kilcash, Co. Tipp. July 15, 1739 Brenan, Bridget, alias D'Lacy, wife to John D'Lacy, of Kilkenny, Gent. Feb. 24, 1739 Browne, John, of Elinogery, Co. Limerick. June 21, 1721 Butler, Wm., Co. Tipperary. Feb. 9, 1744 Bourke, Wm., of Bruff, Dio. Limerick. Dec. 7, 1746 Barry, Frances, of Limerick, Spinster. Sept 13, 1747 Brien, Michael, of Cloheen, Co. Tipperary, and Brien, Catherine, his wife. Sept. 27, 1747 Bourke, M'Michael, now of Dublin. May 24,17G1 Bourke, Walter, P. St. Mary, Limerick, Gent. July G, 17G0 Bourke, Edmund, P. St. Munchin, Limerick. Dec. 18, 1763 Boland, M. Anthony, of Limerick. May 20, 1765 Barry, David, of Rath, Co. Limerick, Farmer. July 10, 17G6 Bourke, David, Co. Mayo. July 18, 1767 Barnewall,Thos.Lord Tremlestown, May 2,1707 Blewitt, Anne, of Limerick, Spinster, Oct.30,1770 C. Connor, John, a Priest. April, 29, 1739 Cave, Thos., of Tullybraky, Co. Limerick. March 21, 1741 Callaghan, Jeremy, of Ballysalagh, Cahercon- lish, Co. Galway. Jan. 5, 1745 Cantillon, John, P. Croom, D. Lim., Gent. March 1, 1746 Creagh, Bridget, of Lk., Spinster. July 15, 1750 Croker, M. Pierce, P. Whitechurch. July 7, 1751 Comane, John, of Drew's Court, Lk., Farmer. August 2, 1752 Conloghty, John, P.Fedamore, Lk. July 18,1753 Considen, Daniel, of Limerick, Merchant. Sept. 26, 1750 Canny, Miss Jane, of Limerick. April 1, 1759 Cholmondeley, Hon. Mrs. Mary. July 23, 1760 Creagh, Miss Mary, of Coonagh, Co. Limerick, Spinster. April 22, 1760 Corban, Martin, of Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, Farmer. January 1, 1764 Carpenter, Elinor, wife of Joseph Carpenter, of Limerick, Gentleman. June 25, 1769 Collipy, Edmond, of Clahane, D. Limerick. Sept. 17, 1769 CuUen, M., of Nenagh, Co. Tipp. Wig Maker. Nov. 5, ] 769 Cahane, alias Keane, Robt., of Tullybrackey, Co. Limerick, now of Dublin. Jan. 8, 1771 D. Dalton, Edmund, Gent., of Killeshenally. Co. Tipperary. Oct. 10, 1731 Donnell, Jeremiah, Gent., of Clonmell, Co. Tipperary, Dio. Lismore. April 21, 1734 Dobbins, Elinor, wife to John Dobbins, of Limerick, Merchant. Nov. 26, 1732 Duhigg, Arthur, of Tuorin, Co. Limerick. Gent. May 20, 1744 Dowdall, Humphry, Dio. Ardagh\ -^^^ j^ ^„. „ Magery, ,. j " ' Dwyer, Mat.P.Abbington, Co. Lk. May 29,1763 E. Eustace, John, of Ballynuna, Co. Limsrick. May 18, 1746 F. Fitzgerald, Maurice, of Rosslevan, Co.Clare, and Joan, his wife. Nov 6, 1713, & Oct. 17, ] 714 Fitzgerald, John, Gent., Eldest Son of Thomas Fitzgerald, of Glyn, Co. Limerick, Knight of the Glyn. ' August 23, 1 730 Fitzgibbon, Thos., of Limerick. Nov. 1, 1736 374 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. ^urnell, John, of Kilkerilly, Co. Limerick, Gent. Sept. 10, 1737 Fitzgerald, Richard, of Glynn, Co. Limerick. July 17, 1740 „ Edmond, Gent, of Glvnn, Co. Lk. " Oct. 18, 1741 Fitzgibbon, Mrs. Margt., D. Lk. July 4, 1743 „ Elizabeth, P. St. Kicholas, D. Lk., Spinster. May 4, 1746 Fitzgibbon, Mary, P. Adair, D. Lk., Spinster. July 29, 1750 Fulham, Joan, wife of Isaac Fulham, of Lk., Shoemaker. Oct. 20, 1751 Fulham, Joane, wife of Isaac Fulham, of Lk., Cordwainer, certify receiving the Sacrament _ only. Nov. 3, 1751 Fitzgerald, Catherine, P. Adair, D. Limerick. March 10, 1753 Gerald, of Lk., Gent. Dec. 5, 1 756 Farrell, John, of Limerick. Feb. 4, 1759 Fitzgibbon, John, Co. Lk., Gent. July 17^ 1763 Friend, Mary, alias D'Arcy, wife of George Friend, of Co. Limerick, Gent. April 9, 1766 Furnell, Thos., of KUldery, Co. Limerick, Gent. July 20, 1766 Fullerton, Elinor, P. TuUebracky, D. Limerick. Sept. 17, 1769 G. Greatrakes, Edmond, late of Co. Limerick, now of Dublin. March 18, 1759 Gough, Mary, aliaa Clarke, wife of Thos. Gough, of Toureen, Co. Liberties of Limerick, Gent. January 20, 1765 H. Herbert, Frances, alias Browne, of Kilcow. Sept. 6, 1724 Hussey, Ignatius, Gent., late of the Middle Temple, now of Dublin, received into the Church by the Bp. of London. Aug. 10, 1740 Hill, Mary, wife to John Hill of Ardee, Co. Limerick. May 8th, 1734 Hoar, Maurice, Dio. Limerick. April 23, 1732 Hartney,Patk. of Limerick, Sadler.June 25,1782 Hierlihy, David, of Ballintobber, Co. Limerick, Gent. July 1, 1744 Hayes, Edward, of Lim. glazier Oct. 28, 1753 Hanrahan, Margt. P. Shanagolden, D. Lk., Spinster. Jan. 27, 1754 Hourigan, alias Bradshaw, Mary, Daughter of David Hourigan, and wife of Griffith Brad- shaw, Gent, both of Ballyadden,Co. Limerick. February 4, 1770 Kenny, Mary, of Limerick. June 1, 1760 Keane, Eobt. P. TuUebracky, D.Lk. N'ov.3,1754 Kirby, Patrick, of Glanogra, Co. Limerick. August 28, 1763 L. Lacy, Mr. Michael, of Ballinderry, now of Dublin. February 2, 1733 Lacy, Edmond, P.Monegai, D.Lk.Aug.20, 1738 Leake, Mary, alias Yeoman, late of P. St.John, Limerick. July 24, 1757 Loyd, Mr. Francis, late of Limerick, now of P. St. John. Dublin. Nov. 20, 1761 Lyons, Patrick, of Limerick weavcrNov. 1, 1761 Lynch, Mrs. Mary, late of Galway, now of Caslleconucll, Co. Limerick. July'll, 1702 Leary, alias Marret, Anne, of Lk. July 2G, 1767 M. Moore, Amb., Gent. D. Limerick. Mar. 23, 1717 M'Donnell, alias O'Brien, of Ennistymon, wife to Christopher M'Donnell, Gent. Nov.23,1718 Mason, Fran, alias Lacy, of Knoekarnane. April 5, 1730 Mahon, James. Gent. D. Limerick. July 8, 1733 M'Nemara, John, of Limerick. Mar. 17, 1733 MuUins, Bryan, of Limerick, Gent. June 18,1738 BI'Nemara, Mrs. Elizab., D. Lk. Aug. 13, 1738 Magrath, Mr. Jas. of Limerick. Aug. 20, 1749 M'Sweeney, Owen, Romish Priest, D. Meath. July 30, 1749 M'Duff, Hannah, alias Russell, wife to Peter M'Duff, of Limerick, Gent. Sept. 24, 1749 Martin, Daniel, P. Newcastle, D. Limerick. Feb. 3, 1750 M'Namara, Mary, late of Limerick wo., now wife to Edmond Cotter Lieut., of General Otway's Fort. August 18, 1751 Moore, Jane, of Limerick, Spinster. Jan.20,1754 Mahony, James, of Mount Collins, P. Killeedy, Co. Limerick, Gent. _j June 7, 1752 MacKenn.a, Edward, Captain "in the Dutch Service, now in Dublin. Jan. 22, 1757 Mangane, Thomas, of Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, Farmer. April 8, 1764 Murphy, IMary, of St. Francis' Abbey, D. Limerick. Jan. 14, 1767 N. Nagle, Daniel, of Clogher. May 23, 1703 Napper, Llrs. Margaret, wife to Mr. Thomas Napper, of Limerick. Jan. 27, 171 1 Netterville, Nicholas, Lord Vt. Oct. 27, 1728 Nugent, Ladtj, Riverston. Oct. 21, 1731 Nugent, Lord, Riverston. Jan. 28, 1738 Nash, Mr. James. April 21, 1745 Neale,Mary, of Limerick.Spinster. May 18,1746 Nash, Frances, of Ballycullen, Spinster. June 21, 1747 Neagh, Garrett, of Gortgarrold, P. Fedamore, D. Limerick. April 7, 1754 Nash, Mary, P. of Mary, Limerick.April 2, 1752 Nihell, Cathe P., Kilmurry, D. Limerick. May 13, 1760 Nugents — plenty of. Nagles, do. Nunan, P.W., Pluly, D. Limerick. July 9, 1771 0. O'Bryen, IMichael, a Popish Priest, P. of Togh- enna and Killegerill, Co.Galway. Dec,2S,1718 O'Briens — Plenty. O'Neal, Chas. of Cloneduff, Co. Limerick, Gent. Oct. 1, 1752 O'Brien, Mathew, of Newcastle, Limerick Co., Gent. Nov. 5, 1752 O'SuUivan More. July 7, 1755 O'Loghlin, Jeremy, of Limerick, Priest. August 14, 1766 O'Hurly, Murtough, a Priest, D. Oishell. June 4, 1769 O'Callaghan, Danl., t>f Lk., Esq., Oct. 20, 1771 P. Powers — Plenty. Peppard, Mr. Patrick, of Kilmacow, Co. Lk. March 14, 1739 HISTORY OF LIMERIOIv. 375 Pierse, Dorothy, P. Ballingarry, D. Limerick, Spinster. May 26, 1765 Piers, Garrot, of Tralee. Nov. 3, 1 745 Pierse, Kicliard, of Foxhall.^Co. Limerick, Gent. Dec. 30, 1753 Mrs. Anne, of same. March 10, 1754 John, of Limerick, Gent. April 9, 1758 Anne, of Foxhall, Wd. April 6, 1760 Barbara, of same. Spinster. Apr. 6, 1760 „ Honora. July 18, 1762 Power, REvd. John, now of Tallow. Jan. 9, 1763 Potter, H, of Lissnemurk, P. Creagh. Sept. 30. 1764 Purcell, Pierse, of Dublin. Nov. 16, 1765 Q. Quinn, James, of Limerick, Slater. May 6, 1759 R. Rice, Ellen, of Limerick. March 7, 1729 Roche, Dominick, of Limerick. March 27, 1739 Rice, Thos., late of Co. Kerry. March 19, 1749 Ryan, Matthew, late of Tipperary, now of Dublin, Gent. Juno 10, 1754 Reilly, Cathe, of Ballytarsney. Sept. 4, 1787 Redden, John, Gent. P. St. Mary, Limerick. Dec. 9, 1759 Reval, Jane, D. Limerick. April 6, 1764 S. Supple, Elizabeth. April 18, 1718 Sheehy, Roger, of Dublin. June 15, 1 732 Scanlan, Honora, alias Burgh, D. Limerick. April 15, 1739 Sarsfleld, Dominick. May 4, 1740 St. Alban, M. Victor, aFrenchGent.Aug .28,1763 Supple, Thos. Gent., D. Limerick. Oct. 28, 1764 Sweeny, Rev. Palk., D. Kilmore. Mar. 25, 1770 Swyny,Edmond, of Limerick, Gent. Oct. 13, 1771 late of Thurles, now of Dublin, Gent. March 29, 1772 T. Townsend, Helena, wife to Philip Townsend, and daughter to John Galway, of Cork. August 20, 1709 Touchett, Coll. James. Oct. 21, 1710 Taaffe, Thos. Dillon, now of Dublin. March 22, 1770 V. Vandelure, Elinor, of Garrane. March 19, 1737 W. Walsh, Mr. Richard, of Ballentubber, Co.Lk. ' May 7, 1710 White, John, of Rossgov/nan, Co. Limerick. April 21, 1736 „ John, of do. „ V Walthoe, Bridget, alias M'Mahon, Wd. of Ed- ward Walthor, late of Annagh, Co. Limerick, Gent. May 3, 1741 Warren, Sir Peter, K.B. July 9, 1753 Westmeath, Thos., Earl of. August 9, 1754 Welsh, Michael, of Limerick, Grocer, and Ellinor, his wife. June 17, 1746 Y. i Yelverton, Francis, of Dublin. April 13, 1772 2. Certificates of Converts having taken the Oaths of Conformity, filed in Rolls Office Dub.-153 to 231 B. Byrne, Sir John, Baronet. 1727 Butler, Hon. Edmond. 1736 „ Edmond, his son. 1746 Bourke, Wm. of Bruffe, Co. Limerick, Chandler. 1747 Buckly, John, of Limerick, Baker 1750 Bourke, Edmond, of Madabuy, Co. Limerick, Gent. 1761 Barnewall, Mat., son of Ld. Tremleston. 1763 Bellew, Patrick, Ensign 1st Rgt. Guards. 1766 Bindon, Mrs. Anne, wife of Henry Bindon, of Limerick, Esq. 1771 C. Creagh, Pierce, jun., Esq., of Dangan. 1 738 Connor, John, a Priest, Cahir. 1739 Commane, John, of Drew's Court. 1752 Crowley, Rev. Cornelius, Tralee. 1753 Considine, Daniel, of Limerick, Brewer. 1756 Castlehaven, James, Earl of. 1758 Collapey, Edmond, P. Tallabrakey, Co. Limerick, Farmer. 1769 Cahane, Owen Kean, R.M., Gent., hereto- fore of TuUybrakey, Co. Limerick, now in Dublin. 1771 D. Darcy, Rev. Francis, in Dublin. 1739 Dwyer, John, of Limerick, who was for- merly an apothecary. 1763 Dwyer, Mathew, P. Abbington. 1763 F. Fitzgerald, John, of Glvnn, Gent. Lk. 1730 Fitzgibbon, Thos., of Limerick, Gent. 1730 Fitzgerald, Gerald, cf Limerick, Gent. 1756 Furnell, John, of Killderry, Gent. 1750 Fitzgibbon, Gibbon, of Limerick, Esq. 1763 „ Thos. late of St. Nicholas, Lk. 1763 Furnell, Thos., of Kilderry, Gent. 1766 Fitzgerald, Gerald, of Limerick, Gent. 1766 Fullerton, Elinor, P. TuUybrakey, Co. Lk. 1769 G. Goonan, Cornelius, of Limerick, Innkeeper. 1742 Garrett, Rev. John, Co. Galway. 1744 Grady, Joseph, of Grange, Esq. 1773 H. Hierlihy, David, of Ballintubber, Co. Limerick, Gent. 1744 Hogan, James, Ennis. 1758 Hare, Rev. Patrick. 1769 Kenny, Mrs. Mary, P. St. John, Limerick. 1 760 Kirby, Mr. Patrick, of GlanogeraCo. Lim.1764 Kenedy, Daniel, of Aghaculare, Co. Limerick, Farmer. 1767 Kearney, M. of Killmalloch 1767 Kenney, Rev. Jas. Clerk, A.B. Ennia 1773 L. Lacy, Joan 1730 This is a certificate only of the Curate, or a Justice of the Peace, that they frequently attended Church in the year 1714 Lacy, Edmund, Lb. 1788 Loftus, Nichs. Cornet in Genl. Conky's Regt. 175i 376 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Lowth, Countess of 1763 Lacy, Henry, of Dublin, gent, 1770 M. Mayo, Vt. 1709 Mahony, Mr. of jMount^Collins, Lk. gent. 1755 Mungan, Thos.'of Shanagolden 1763 Macnemara, Maria, now Lady Dunboyne 1773 N. Nugent, Wm. Lord Riverstown 1738 Nash, Jas. Esqr._|of Killmorey 175G Nash, Jas. 1745 Nugent, Edward, Col. 1st Guards 1763 Nugent, John, Capt. 32nd Foot 176i 0. O'Bryen, Rev. Michael, Co. Galway 1718 O'Brien, Mattw. of Newcastle, Co. Limk.," M.D. 1753 O'Hurly, Murtogh, Priest 176!) O'Callaghan, Dl. of Limk., Esq. 1772 O'Callaghan, Edwd. of Limk., now of Dublin 1772 P. Peppard, Patk. of Kilmacow, gent. 1740 Pierse, Rd. of Foxhall, gent. 1754 Pierse, Hannah, Do. spinster 1762 Power, Rev. John, Tallow 1763 R. Reddan, John, Jan. of Limk., gent. 1 760 S. Sexton, otherwise Creagh, wife of George Sexton, of Louth, Burgess 1760 Skinner, Wm. of Cahirconlish 1769 w. Walshe, BridgidW. of Annagh 1741 Walsh, Michael, of Limk., groom 1764 Y. Yelverton, Thos. of Portland, Co. Tipp. 1773 List of Protestants who under act 13 Car. 2, took the oath of allegiance and supremacy, #c.- P. 231 to end. CLARE AND TIPPERARY NAMES AND ADDRESSES, &c. A. Angier, Mary, Dice, Cashell 1735 Aylmer, Mrs. Anne, of Ennis, spinster 1741 Arthur, Thos., of Clonyconry, Clare 1750 Archer, Jas., late Co. Tipperary 1751 Arthur, Catherine, Ennis, spinster 1754 Audlv, Lord. 1758 B. Butler, Jas., of Castlekeale, Clare 1714 Burke, Wm., Ennis j ,.^^ 1728 1733-1734 1739 1744 1 1747 I 1747 I 1747 1750 1753 Butler, John, of Kilcash, Tipperary Butler, Wm., Co. Tipperary Bradshaw, Rob., Shanbally, Tipperary ,, Mary, wife Burnett, Jas., of Shanbally, farmer Burnett, EUinor Brien, Michael, of Cloheen „ Catherine Bolton, Peter, of Ennis Bryan, Honor, P., Abbey, Tipperary Bellew, Mrs. Mary, of Ennis, wife of Rchd. Bellew, Esq. 1753 Bourke, Jas , of Killeen, Clare 1756 Brudenell, Patk., of Bally vaughan, Clare 1758 Burke, Anne, of Feacle, Clare, spinster 1759 Butler, John, of Garryriken, heir of Walter Butler, of Cashell 1764-5 Bourke, Dd. Co. Mayo 1767 Barnwall, Ld., Trimelston 1767 Buckly, John, Cullen, Tipperary 1768 Barnes, D., of Griegeloyhy, Tipperary 1769 C. Cunningham, Matthew, of Ennis 1715 Carroll, Jas., of Tulla, Tipperary 1706-9 Cunningham, W. of Crebal, Clare 1 736 Creagh, Pierce, J. of Dangan, Clare 1738 Casej', Mrs., of IMountscot, Clare 1739 Connelly, Timothy, of Casliell 1740 Clanchy, George, of Caherbane, Co. Clare 1740 Clanchy, George, of Cratloe, Clare 1743 Curtin, D1-, of Shanball}-, Tipperary > t-i-r „ EUenor, his wife ) ' Corkery, DL, of Clogheen, T. mercht. 1747 Crowley, Rev. Cornelius 1751-1754 Connell, Richard, of Knockaninane, Clare, gentleman 1754 Considine, Barthomlow, of Dromedrehed, Clare, gent. 1754 Cormack, Anne, Cashell 1754 Carroll, Wm., Ennis 1758 Comyn, Laurence, of Caherblonyg, Co. Clare, gent., jr. 1758 Creagh, Michael, of Ennis, gent. 1760 Carroll, of Ambuglin, Co. Clare, gent. 1762 Clewen, Patk., of Burrisasakan, Co. Tip. 1763 Corban, Martin, of Nenagh, farmer 1764 Cronin, Wm., Cashell 1764 Carey, Mary 1765 Carmudy, Walter 1765 Comyn, Michael, of Doolen, Clare, gent. 1767 Connolly, Thos., of Derrymore, Clare 1768 Cleary,"Dl., Cashell 1768 Connell, Jas., „ 1769 „ „ Fethard, Tipperary 1769 Conner, Catherine, Cashell 1769 Crafford, Pat, of Smithstowne, Clare 1770 Cullin, Jno., of Nenagh, wig maker 1769 D. Daniel, Pierce, of Derregrath, Tipperary, and Mary his wife 1725 Dalton, Edmund, gent., of Kellishenall, Tipperary 1731 Donnell, Jeremiah, of Clonmell 1734 Daly, Dl., Cashell 1734 Donnell, Rd., Carrick, D. Lismore 1743 Dwyer, Denis, Cashell 1744 Dannel, W. Rev., Clonmell 1747 Dawe, John, D Cashell 1748 Danton, Joseph, Carrick Lennon 1749 Davett, Domk., of Ogonnello, Clare 1759 Dowling, Maurice, Cashell 1758 Dalton, Michael, Kelmur, Tipperary, gent. 1758 Daniel, James, of Abbey, Tipperary 1761 Dunn, Catherine, Rathnonan, Tipperary J 762 Danaiel, Peter, Clonmell, Tipperary 1763 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 377 1710 1709 17G3 17G4 1766 1768 1768 1770 1704 1763 1769 1750 DaToran James, Killelagh, Clare 1765 Darcy, Domk., Rockvale, Clare, gent. 1768 E. Ellis. George of Ennis 1708 Egan, John, son of Cornelius Egan, of "> Carowle, Tipperary, gent.,"conformity V 1722 6 years ago" 3 Egan, Mr. Carbery, of Clooninihy, Tippy. 1736 Egan, Constance, of Broadford, Clare, Cloathier 1757 England, John Michael, of Cahircalloe, Clare, Esq. 1761 EUott, Rose, of Garrangibbon, Tipperary 1768 Egan, Darby, of Burrisokane, Tipperary 1770 F. Fitzwilliam, Lord Viscount Fogarty, Timothy, of Garane, Tipperary Fitzgerald, Maurice, of Kosslevan, Clare, 6 Nov., 1713, married Joan Prender- east, of Kacaghan, and said Joan con- formed 1714-1718 Fitzgerald, Chas., of Castlekeal, Clare, gent. 1740 Foster, Patrick, of Bankeell, Clare, gent. 1744 Fenesy, Richard, of Shanbally, Tipperary, farmer, and Catherine his wife 1747 Fitzgibbon, Andw., of Cloheen, Tipperary, shoemaker 1847 Fitzgerald, Garrett, of Catrakeale, Clare, gent. 1754 Fitzgerald, Cath., of Ennis, Clare, spinster 1757 Finucane, Bryan, of Ennis, gent. 1758 Fitzgerald, Charles, of Castlekeal, gent. 1763 Foster, Patrick, of Corrofin, Clare, gent. - Flanery, Michael, of Gortinagy, Clare, veoman Fitzgerald, John, of Fethard, Tipperary, Mary, alias Taylor his wife Foster, Patrick, o"f Kells, Clare, gent. Fitzgerald, Maurice, of Ballynairavn, Clare, gent. Fogerty, James, of Castlefogerty. Esq. Fay, Mr. Patrick, parish curate of Navan 1771 G. Grace, "W. Oliver, son to James Grace, of Cassistown, Tipperary Glison, Edward, Co. Tipperary Glysson, Daniel, of Kireldlly, Tipperary, farmer Gorman, Silvester, of Drummillehy, Co. Clare Gorman, Jas., of Kilelahane, Clare, gent. 1758 Guinane, Michael, of Cloheen, Tipperary 1759 „ Catherine his wife „ Gray, Patrick, otherwise Kane, of Clifden Co. Clare 1763 Gilfoyle, Wm., of Lessmacken, Co. Tippy., farmer 1765 Griffith, Esq., Tubrit, Co. Tipperary 1765 Gorman. Thady, of Shyan, Co. Clare, gent. 1766 Griffith, Elsth., of Burgess, Tubird, Tippy. 1766 Geeree, Wm., P. Clonmell, Tipperary 1767 Glisson, Roger, of Nenagh, carpenter 1769 Gleeson, Edmund, son of Morgan Gleeson, of Lisduff, Co. Tipperary, farmer 1771 H. Hickif, John, of Six-Mile-Bridge, Clare, gent. 1"15 Hogan. Wm. of Reneroe, Clare 1709 Hart, Elizth. wife to Rd. Hart, of Lis- lofin, Co. Clare, gent. 1729 Holland, Ellen, wife to Geo. Holland of Erebnl, Co. Clare, gent. 1729 Harte, Elizth. wife to Rd. Harte 1728 Hinshy, Peter, of Finagh, Clare, gent. 1735 Hickey, Maurice, of Clogheen, Tip. pe- ruke-maker 1747 Hogan, Elizth. of Killadangan, Co. Tip. 1749 Hays, Morgan, of. Shanrahan, Tip. 1 749 Hogan, Edmd. of Cragmohullen, gent. 1752 Hanly, Pat. of Nenagh, Co. Tipp. 1756 Hare, Pat. of Ennis, Clare 1756 Hehir, Joseph, of Knocknamucke, Clare 1757 Hogan, Jas. of Ennis, M.D. 1758 Hogan, Mrs. Bridget, of Ennis, wife 1763 Henessy, Jno. of Temple Etny, Tipp. 1 764 J. levers, Mary, wife of John Jevers, of Drimellan 1748 levers, Chas. of Moyne, Clare, gent. 1749 K. Kearin, Terence, P. Ennis, gent, 1751 Kennedy, Blary, of Rathronan, Tip. 1763 Kyffe, Manus, of Clogheen, Tip. 1 704 Kelty, Jas. of Cragaknockin, Clare, gent. 1765 Kenelj-, Laurence, of Cahir, Tip. 1768 Keiin, Patk. of Corofin, Clare, gent. 1768 Kelly, Pierce, of Garlickhill, Co. Clare, gent 1768 L. Lalor, Patrick, of Modrinny, Tip. 1 706 Lincoln, Walker, of Buresleagh, Co. Tip. 1780 Lysaght, Chas. P. & D., Kilfenora 1737 Lenahan, Dl., gent., Clerk to Corns. O'Callaghan, Sen. Esq. of Bantyr, Co. Cork 1737 Leary, Denis, of Clogheen, Co. Tip apo- thecary 1747 Lucett, John, of Ballybay, Cavan 1747 Lucett, Elinor, his wife 1747 Lynch, Jas. of Moyfrala, Co. Clare, gent. 1 755 Lysaght, Nichs. of Ennis, gent. 1759 Lysaght, Andrew, of Ballynagrave, Clare 1763 Linchy, Jas. of Morgh, Co. Clare, farmer 1767 Lardner, Michael, of Cooreclare, Co. Clare, gent. 1768 Lysaght, Jas. of Bally keal, Co. Clare, gent. 1768 Legat, alias Dowdall, Cathr. of Dublin 1770 Long, Redmond, of Killoran, Co. Tipp. now of Dublin, Esq. 1771 M. M'Mahon, Terence, of Ballymorlow, Co. Clare, gent. 1720 M'Nemara, Francis, of Cleenagh, Co. Clare, Esq. 1708 Mathew, Geo. of Thomastown, Co. Tipp. Esq. 1709 M'Donnel, Elizth. alias O'Brien, of Enys- tymon, Avife to Chas. M'Donnell, Esq. 1718 M'Carthy, Mrs Helena, of Cahir 1732 Morris, Jno. Gen. of LaJferagh, Co. Tipp. 1726 Mandeville, Jno, of Ballynaghymore, Co. Tipp. gent. 1729 Meara, Mrs. xVnne, of Nenagh, spinster 1728 Magher, Charles, of Thurles, Co. Tip. 1 740 378 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Mathew, Geo. of Thomastown, Esq, 1740 Morres, Jno. of Tipperary, Esq. 1740 Molony, Corns. P. Tulla, Co. Clare, gent .1711 M'Mahon, Mr. Chas. of Leadmore, Co. Clare 1745 Madden, Hugh, of Kellturoe, Co. Tip. gent. 1766 Murphy, John & Elizth. of Ballyboy, Co. Tip. farmer 1747 M'Nemara, Thady, of Rannah, Co. Clar 1747 Meagher, Connor, D, Cashel 1748 M'Swiney, Owen, priest 1749 Morony, Elizth. of Castletown, Co. Clare 1749 Mahon, Jas. of Ennis, merchant 1750 Molony, Dd. D. Cashel 1749 Murphy, Jas. of Kilbarne, Co. Tip. yeoman 1750 Martin, Domk. of Ennis, Mr. 1752 Magrath, Elizt. Co. Tipperary 1754 M'Nemara, Dl. P. Tulla 1757 Molonv, Dl. of Doouas, Co. Clare 1757 Molony, Patrick, of Tulla 1757 Jlolony, Pat, of Ardboly, farmer 1758 Mandeville, Edwd. ef Ballydine, Esq. eldest son of him, &c. 1759 Mandeville, Jas. of Ballydine, gent. 1760 Mathew, Thos. of Annfield, Co. Tip. Esq. now of Capel st. 1762 Mandeville, Jas. gent. 3rd son of Thos. of Ballydrine, Esq. 1762 Macnamara, Timothy, of Tormoyle, Co. Clare, gent. 1763 M'Keogh, Dl. P. Ardfinan, Co. Tip. 1763 M'Mahon, Terence, of Ballykinnakura, Co. Clare, gent. 1764 Molony, Dl. of Glandire, Co. Clare, mason, and Mary his wife 1764 Martin, Mary, of Ennis, Tipperary 1765 Martin, alias M'Namara, Mary, of Gra- gan, Co. Clare 1766 Malone, Judith P. Shanrahan 1766 Molowny, Grace P. Tubrid 1766 Mandeville, Edwd. Esq. M.D., P. Car- Mrick, Co. Tipperary 1767 athew, Chas. late of Thurles, now of Dublin, Esq. 1768 M'Carthy, Chas. late of Ennis, now of Dublin 1768 M'Nemara, Jno. of Cahirinagh, Clare 1768 M'Nemara, Florence, of Richmond, gent. 1788 Molony, Jno. of Derrymore, Clare 1768 Miniter.Patrick, of Do. 1768 Murphy, Corns, of same, farmers 1768 M'Namara, Anne, of Doolen, Clare, spinst. 1768 M'Namara, of Six-Mile-Bridge, Clare, gent. 1769 Meagher, Anne, daughter to Dl. Meagher, of Clonmel, D. Lismore 1770 N. Nagle, Jas. Mr. of Garnavilly, Tipp. 1765 0. Oldis, Cathe. alias Wright, of Ballylanigan, Co. Tipperary 1724 O'Meara, Darby, of Knockbragh, Clare 1728 O'Brien, Thos. of Tipperary, gent. 1740 O'Callaghan. Mrs. Hannah, and Mr. Donat of Kilgorey 1743 O'Connor, Garrett, Craghreagh, Clare 1745 O'CarroU, Timothy, of Prospect Hall, Co. Tipp. servant 1767 O'Dwyer, Edra. of Kilforbey 1751 O'Meara, Patrick, of Knockbehagh, Clare, gent. 1759 O'Brien, Ily. of Ennis, gent. 1759 0. Bryan, John, P. Temple Etney, Tipp. 1762 O'Keeile, Jas. of Fortanmore 1763 O'Brien, Wm. of Cahirbolane, gent. 1764 O'Brien, Mathew, of Coolreagh, Clare 1765 O'Brien, Christ, of Ennistimon, gent. 1768 P. Pierse, James, Esq. 1726 Pedder, Mary, wife to Jno. Pedder, of Cashel 1739 Power, Mr. Pierce, Co. Tipp. 1740 Pierse, Dorothy, P. Ballingarry, Tip. 1745 Piers, Garrott, gent. 1745 Purcell, Andw. now of Cahir 1762 Power, Mary, P. Kilgrane 1763 Purcell, Mary, D. Cashel 1765 Pearce, John, of Six-Mile-Bridge, apo- thecary 1765 Q. Quilly, otherwise Woods, Jas. of Castle- hill, Co. Clare 1767 Quinlan, Jno. of Youghal, Co. Tipp. 1769 R. Roach, Johana, D.. Cashel 1728 Ryan, Philip, of Clonmel, clerk 1743 Roach, Margt., D., Cashel 1746 Reddan, Mrs. Mary, of Cullane 1750 Ryan, Math. D., Cashel 1750 Ryan, Matw. late of Tip. now^of Dub- lin, Esq. 1754 Ryan, Timothy, of Clonoulty & Cashell, gent. 1760 Rj'-an. Thomas. P. Clonmel 1761 Roe, Cathe. Marianne, otherwise Mathew wife of Philip Roe, gent. dr. of Thoa , of Thomastown, Co. Tipp. Esq. 1763 Ryan, Jno. gent. D. Cashel 1763 Reardan, Edward, „ 1766 Reardan, Jas. „ 1764 Ryan, Alice, D. Cashel 1765 Raymond, Ellen, P. Tubrid 1765 Reardon, Wm. D. Cashel 1766 Ryan, Jno. P. Clonmel 1766 Ryan, Edwd. eldest son of Philip Ryan of Cardangan, farmer 1768 Reardan, Cathe., D. Cashel 1769 Russell, Bryan, of Ennis, M.D- 1771 Ryan, Francis, D. Cashel 1771 Rogers, Chas. Dora. Ffiar and Romish Priest of Elpbin 1769 S. Stapleton, Wm. of Bryan's Castle, Co. Clare, gent. 1742 Stapleton, Jno. his son 1743 Shepherd, Dd. and Mary of Cloheen 1747 Sarsfield, Maurice, of Carrighvohull 1747 Sullevan, Jno. of Shanrahan 1747 Shea, Rd., D. Cashel 1757 Stanley, Elizh. of Burrasakan, Co. Tip. D. Killoloe, spinster 1758 Shenan, Thos. Jun. of Killdyna, gent. 1763 Skerrett, Hj^acinth, late of Tinvara, Co. Clare, now of Dublin 1766 Shennan, Thos. now of Dublin, late of Clouubony, Clare . 1767 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 37a Walsh, Thos. of Shanbally, farmer 1747 Westmeath, Earl of 1724 Woulfe, Ignatius, of Emlagh, gent. Clare 1758 Woulfe, Stephen, of Killarnan 1758 Walsh, Jas. of Ballypooreen, Tipp. 1 761; Welsh, Jas. of Ballypooreen 1761 White, Andw. of Corofin, Mr. 1763 Woods, Rd. D, Cashel 176Q Weldon, Hugh, P. Rathronan 1764 Walsh, Rd. D. Cashel 1767 White, Andw. of Corofin 1770 Woulfe, Jno. of Cahirrush, Clare, gent. 1771 Shenan, John, of Kildyma, gent. 1767 Skinner, Wm., D. Cashel 1768 Swyny, Edmd. late of Thurles, now of Dublin, gent. 1771 Three-fourths of the " S." are described as now of Dublin. T. Thouhy, Owen, of Ballyea, Clare 1765 V. Vnadeleur, Ellinor, wife to M. Vande- leur of Garane, gent. 1757 W. White, Jno. D. Cashel, Esq. 1732 Few, indeed, of tlie Catholic clergy fell in any part of Ireland ; and it is indisputable that without exception the conformists changed, not fron^ principle, but in order to save their estates and properties from the hands, of the discoverer and informer. A curious anecdote is related of a Rev. Edmond Palmer, commonly called Parson Palmer, who filled the office of president of a Benevolent 'Annuity Society of Limerick in 1768-9, and who was said to have been a most energetic " discoverer," and Mr. Andrew Creagh, a member of the ancient Catholic family of that name. Palmer had already made several discoveries, and inflicted considerable mischief, and Creagh having heard that he was a marked man, proceeded to Dublin to take the oath, and have his name duly enrolled in the hst of those who had abjured the faith, in order to preserve property. As he was leaving the office where the enrolment took place, he met Palmer going in, and jocosely said to him " you perceive, lilr. Palmer, that I am before you.'' Eetuming to Limerick, he kept his property and gave the legal tokens that he had complied with the provisions of the No Popery laws. He died, soon after, and was buried in the cemetery attached to St. Mary's Cathedral, where his tomb-stone may yet be seen recording the fact, that though he lived a legal Protestant he died in the Cathohc faith. 1 It may be remarked in contrast with those days when con- formers were frequent, that probably in no part of Ireland would be possible to find anything like the good feeling which has in latter times prevailed between members of different creeds in Lunerick. This harmony, so completely different from the state of things in other localities, where Catholics are not in the majority as they are in Limerick, is attributable in some measure to the amiable character of many members of the superior orders of the clergy, whose personal character smoothed away the religious asperities arising from differences. But we beheve that most of our readers will concur with us in opinion, that this harmony is rather ascribable to the progress of education, to the restoration of Cathohcs to a position of greater equality with their fellow-citizens of the Protestant persuasion, and though last not least, to the ' This curious tomb-stone has the following inscription : — HERE RESTETH ANDREW CREAGH EDWARD WHO LIVED m esteem I AND DIED IN THE CATHOLIC FAITHl5th Sep. 1763 Arms and crest cut in relief with the motto " Virtute et numine." Broken 380 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. strenuous eiforts of Irish patriots in latter times to establish a good under- standing between Irishmen of all opinions. It may be here remarked, that though the commerce of the port had been increasing considerably, and though a large business was transacted with Spain, Holland, &c,, the export of corn was but little known up to this period ; and when it was commenced by Mr. Honan, an enterprising merchant, who built a portion of the quays of Limerick, called after himself and known to this day by the name of Honan's quay, he had every difficulty that it is possible to imagine to encounter, from the humbler classes of the citizens,' who looked upon the export of cereals as the greatest visitation that could befal them, and who were backed by the Mayor and the authorities in their interference with the course of trade. ^ Captain Topham Bowden, who wrote a book of travels in Ireland, visited Limerick soon after these times, and speaks of the state of society in the highest terms of praise. Dr. Campbell, author of a Survey of Ireland, speaks of the Milesian manners, and of the fondness of the citizens for music when he wrote, about ten years before. In 1786: — George Smyth was Recorder. - Henry Hallam, Town Clerk. M George Vincent, Weigh Master. Eobert Hallam, Water Bailiff. J. Prendergast Smyth, Chamberlain. Christopher Carr Christopher, City Treasurer. James Russell, Clerk of the Market. At this period the Common Council of Limerick, in which the election of magistrates and all civil power was vested, was composed of fifty-nine per- sons most of whom had served the office of mayor or sheriff, and of the following forty-seven who did not serve either office : total of the Common Council, 106, on the 2nd day of October, 1786 :— Daie of admission. Memhers. 1727, ... ... Richard Vincent 1748, ... ... Lord Viscount Pery • The following is an extract from a letter of Mr. Honan, -written in June, 1 78G, on this sub- ject, and -which I give as affording proof of the state of commerce at the time : — 1st June, 1786, " Our IMayor still continues to harass us in the purchase of corn. Last Saturday he brought out the army to hinder:;Mr. Lyons taking to his store some oats that came by boat, which could not be then weighed fortwant of proper scales. If scarcity comes on I will be sent to Tyburn, 38 " White Boys" have been arrested and put into jail here. The county people for revenge say they will not allow any potatoes or corn to come to market till they are set free. God send the corn factors dont suffer if any scarcity should happen. The export of oatmeal has caused such a scarcity of that article as to give great discontent to the mob and to the publick in general. Our Mayor called over each of us that promised to supply him last January with that article. None of the gentlemen were in any respect prepared to do it, I could not an instant hesitate. I am selling those three days past oatmeal at cost price, I have gained great favour with a turbu- lent unruly set and our corporation assures me of every protection in their power in future, so that the corn trade will be easier to me than any one else. I continue to supply the mob at cost price, had I refused the consequence would be fatal, for the mob would have it from me, and pre- vent all future exports, not alone of that article, but prevent my loading the " Endeavour" with oats. New houses building near Arthur's-quay, to the rere of one of them is a piece of ground which I had in view to take for some time past, I will see to-morrow if I can. It is the most eligible place in this city for the corn trade, as you could load the ships immediately from any of the lofts. If I can I will get some spot near the river to build on. Our Mayor and Mr. Pery our representative, called a meeting of the millers and merchants to determine about grind- ing oats for the city, Mr". Brady seemed unwilling to let his mills* for the purpose, till he was told that^his own term of them was expired and would not be renewed — they all thanked me for the supply of .meal I gave the city. I must continu° to do so for a few days, till I load the ship in the pool." • The great mills on the Canal, now in the possession of Messrs. J. N. Russell and Sons. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. S81 Right Hon. Silver Oliver Eight Hon. Thos. ConnoUy John Minchin Eev. Charles Smyth Eev. Eickard Lloyd Standish Grady, of Elton* Caleb Powell, of Clonshavois* Simon Purdon, of Tinnerana George Quin, of Quinsborough' John Tuthill Eobert Cripps Benjamin Prend John Croker James Godsell Eev. Thomas Burgh Edward Wm. Burton Thomas Gabbett Henry Prittie Thomas Lloyd, of Prospect Eev. Jaques Ingram Simon Davies WiUiam Loyd, of Tower Hill Eev. Thomas Smyth Geo. Eev. Thomas Smyth James Martin Tucker Darby O^Grady* Wilham Smyth John Purefoy Poe Thomas Hobson Thomas Lloyd, of Kildromin Wm. Cecil Pery, P. Bishop of Limerick Eev. Thomas Shepherd Henry Vereker Charles Smyth George Carew Smyth James Eev. Eowland Davies Eichard Townshend Amos Yereker, Henry Eichard Newenham John Yereker Wilham Purlong Erederick Lloyd, of Cranagh Arthur Ormsby Eichard Piercy ' Father of Lady Ilchester. * Caleb Powell, born in 1728, was fifth son of Eobert Powell, of New Garden. 3 Father of the Marchioness of Headford. * Father of Chief Baron O'Gradj, afterwards Lord Guillamore. 1776, ditto. ditto. ditto. ditto. ditto. ditto. ditto. ditto. ditto. ditto. ditto. ditto. ditto. ditto. ditto. ditto. ditto. ditto. ditto. ditto. ditto. 1781, ditto, ditto. ditto. ditto. 1782, ditto. ditto. 1784, ditto. ditto. ditto. ditto. ditto. 1785, ditto. ditto. ditto. ditto. 1786, ditto. ditto. 382 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. CHAPTER XLVI. THE lEISH VOLUNTEERS. THE CAREER OF JOHN FITZGIBBON, EARL OP CLARE. AN ELECTION. THE REBELLION OP '98. TRIAL OF FRANCIS ARTHUR, ESQ. THE REIGN OF TERROR. — rTHE ACT OF UNION. PROGRESS OF EVENTS; &C.-— " GARRYOWEN.^-' IMPROVEMENTS, &C. What Irislimaii is ignorant of the glories of 1782, wlien his country, awaking from a long night of degradation, sorrow, and slavery, rose brilliant and fair as the morning star, radiant with new-born freedom — when liberty spoke the word, and up rose at her call 150,000 armed volunteers — owing no allegiance to the government, and fully equipped with artillery, arms, and all the munitions of war ? Silently, rather than sullenly, the volunteers occupied Dublin in overwhelming force, and the earnestness of the patriotic spirit that animated them is sufficiently evident from the legend inscribed on the scroll that surrounded their ordnance, "Pree Trade or Speedy Eevolution V ^ Then a corrupt Parliament met, largely composed of the pensioners, or place holders of the crown, and the nominees of the proprietors of rotten boroughs. But coerced by the spirit and reahties of the times, they unanimously passed Mr. Grattan's celebrated resolution — • " That the kingdom of Ireland is a distinct kingdom with a Parliament of her own, the sole legislature thereof — that there is no body of men competent to make laws to bind the nation but the King, Lords, and Commons of Ire- land — nor any Parliament which hath any authority or power of any sort whatsoever in this country, save only the Parliament of Ireland.'''' This resolution was unanimously passed by the Irish House of Commons on the 16th of April, 1782; and thus after seven hundred years of subjuga- tion — of woes unmitigated — of sorrows unrelieved — of complaints unheeded — and of tyrrany unparaleUed in the history of nations — Ireland in one bold struggle burst her fetters, and gained her freedom ! One of the most curious incidents that occurred on this celebrated occasion was the speech of John Pitzgibbon, afterwards Earl of Clare. He had always been in hostility to the principles of this resolution. He was the ready tool in the hands of the Governement, which they used in the most unscrupulous manner to oppose the cause of Irish independence, and therefore, it was not without amazement that the Commons heard him deliver a speech, every word of which was at variance with the pohtical principles which he was known to entertain, and which he had, on innumerable occassions, publicly professed. " No man,''' said Mr. Eitzgibbon with great emphasis, " can say that the Duke of Portland has power to grant us that redress which the nation unanimously demands — but as Ireland is committed, no man I trust will shrink from her support, but go through, hand and heart, in the establishment of our liberties. As I was cautious in committing, so I am now firm in asserting the rights of my country ! J\Iy declaration, therefore is, that as the nation has determined to obtain the restoration of her liberty, it behoves every man in Ireland to stand firm V This extraordinary speech was received with universal feelings of contempt and disgust. No person gave him credit for a tittle of sincerity or good faith. Mr. Eitzgibbon was utterly destitute of the smallest spark of patriotism. The part he took was generally vehement and over-bearing, but was, nevertheless, the result invariably of selfish calculation. In giving utterance to this poHcital recantation, it is probable he considered the inde- » M'Nevin'3 History of the Volunteers, p. 118. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 883 pendence of Ireland achieved for ever^ and that he therefore took the earhest opportunity of siding with the strong, and of betraying his friends ; but there are those who hold the opinion that the Government were even then planning the deep laid scheme which finally resulted in the Union, and that Fitzgibbou got directions to adopt this line ui order to gam greater facilities to betray. In less than two years afterwards he was appointed Attorney-General. For a short time Ireland assumed a new aspect — she rose majestically from her ruins — and a season of unexampled prosperity and progress blessed a peaceful, contented, and industrious people.^ But even then treason was at work, and soon the splendid fabric of national greatness, underminded by her own unnatural children, fell to rise no more. Among those most active and most reckless in effecting her ruin was John Fitzgibbon. In the commencement of his career he purchased considerable landed property in the county of Limerick, including Mount Shannon. He attended but little to the duties of his profession, but on the death of his elder brother and his father, who, though originally a Catholic destined for the Catholic priesthood, became a member of the Irish Bar and a conformist, he found himself in pos- session of all those advantages which led him rapidly to the attainment of his objects. Considerable fortune — professional talents — extensive connexions — and undismayed confidence, elevated him to those stations on which he afterwards appeared so conspicuously seated ; while the historic eye as it follows his career, percieves him lightly bounding over very obstacle, which 1 Previously to 1782, (namely, in 1779), therewere two grand reviews at Lough Gur, when most of the regular army had been withdrawn from the kingdom, and though the Govrnment had hitherto looked with a jealous eye on the Irish Volunteers, their worth and strength were now sent down for the city and the county regiments — viz., five hundred for each. It was on the 17 of August, in 1780, that the first meeting was held at the Tholsel, in reference to a con- templated review of the different corps which had been already formed. On the 17th of the previous December the greatest rejoicings that had been known for many years before took place in the city in consequence of the intimation given in Parliament by Lord North, of offering certain propositions to the House for granting free trade to Ireland. At the meeting, which was held at the Tholsel, the chair was taken by John Thomas Waller, Esq., an unparalleled amount of enthusiasm prevailed. Surrounded by thousands of their admiring countrymen, the following corps were reviewed by Lord Kingsborough, Reviewing General, on the 10th of October following : — CAVALRY. Corps and Cojoianders. I. County Limerick Horse, John Croker, Esq. II. Kilfinnan Horse, William Ryves, Esq. III. Coonagh Rangers, Rt. Hon. Sir Robert Deane, Bart. IV. Small County Union, John Grady, Esq. of Caher, Esq. V. County Limerick Royal Horse, Hon. Hugh Massy. VI. Connelloe Horse, Thomas Odell, Esq. VII. County Clare Light Horse, Edward Fitzgerald, Esq. VIII. Ne^vport Horse, Right Hon. Lord Jocelyn. IX. True Blue Horse, William Thomas Monsell, Esq. INFANTRY. X. Loyal Limerick Volunteers, Thomas Smyth, Esq. XI. Kilfinnan, Volunteers, William Ryves, Esq. XII. County Limerick Fencibles, John Thomas Waller, Esq. X^IL Castle Connell Volunteers, Right Hon. Su- Robert Deane, Bart. XIV. Ennis Volunteers, Right Hon. Earl of Inchiquin. XV. Loyal German Fusiliers,* Henry Brown, Esq. XVI. Adare Volunteers, Windham Quin, Esq. XVII. Rathkeale Volunteers, George Leake, Esq. XVIII. Royal Glin Volunteers, the Knight of Glln. XIX. Newport Volunteers, Colonel Waller. In 17M1, on the 14th and 15th of August, Lord Muskerry reviewed the following corps at Loughmore ; he was accompanied by Lady Muskerry, who presented the Volunteers with several elegant stands of colours. His Lordship was elected Colonel of four ^different corps by the Volunteers : — * Composed of the " Palatines-pecfple" who had been introduced from'Germany some years before by Lord Southwell, who had established a colony of them at Castlematress, Co. Limerick. 384 nisTORY OF limerick. seemed to check his course to that goal where all the trophies and thorns of power were collected for his reception.* CORPS AND COMMANDERS. I. Royal Glia Artillery, Colonel John Fitz Gerald. II. County Limerick Horse, Colonel John Croker. III. Counagh Rangers, Colonel Lord Muskerry. IV. Small County Union, Colonel John Gradj% V. Connelloe Light Horss, Colonel Hon. Hugh Massy. VI. Connelloe Light Horse, Colonel Thomas Odell. VII. Riddlestown Hussars, Lord Muskerry. VIII. County Tipperary Horse, Sir Cornwallis Maude. IX, Clanwilliam Union, Lord Clanwilliam. XII. Castle Connell Rangers, Lord Muskerry. XIII. German Fusileers, Colonel Henry Brown. XIV. County Limerick Fencibles, Colonel John Thomas Waller. Lord Muskerry, on the 22nd of September following, was elected General in Chief of the Volunteer army in the county and city of Limerick. At this period the Irish Volunteers num- bered 40,000 men ; the finest in Europe ; and they obtained the thanks of both Houses of Parliament as follows : — " MaRTIS, 9 DIE OCTOBRIS, 1781 Resolved Nem con. '• That the thanks of this house be given to the Volunteer Corps of this Kingdom, for their exertions and continuation, and particularly for their spirited preparations against a late threatened invasion." Thomas Ellis, cler. pari. dom. com. Die Meecuii, 16 Octobris, 1781. " Resolved by the lords spiritual and temporal in parliament assembled, that the thanks of this house be given to the several volunteer corps in this kingdom, for the continuation of their efforts in defence of this country, and for their spirited offers to Government on the late alarm of an hostile invasion meditated against the kingdom." W. Watts Gayer, 7 ^j^^_ p^^^ Edward Gayer, j In 1782, the Limerick Independents, under Major Caleb Powell, and the Loyal Limerick Volunteers, beat up for recruits for the navy, twenty thousand men being demanded for that arm of the service ; they were successful to a considerable extent, and on the 20th and 2l3t of August, the following corps were reviewed at Loughmore* by the Earl of Charlemont : — Corps and Commanders. I. Glin Artillery, John Fitz Gerald, Esq. CAVALRY. II. Tipperary Light Dragoons, Sir Cornwallis Maude. III. Clanwilliam Union, Lord Clanwilliam. IV. County Clare Horse, Edward Fitz Gerald, Esq. V. County Limerick Horse, John Croker, Esq. VI. Kiliinnan Light Dragoons, Wra. Ryves, Esq. VII. Small County Horse, John Grady, of Cahir, Esq. * At Loughmore, where these reviews took place, and which is situated in the South liberties, and Parish of Mungret, is a natural curiosity, not noticed, or even mentioned, by any historian or tourist as far as I can learn : — It is situated within three miles of Limerick, and not far from the once famous Abbey of Mungret. It is a lake for several months in each year — in frosty •weather a favorite resort for skating — covering about 50 acres of atiat piece of ground adjoining the Church lands of the see of Limerick, and forms a commonage for the tenantry, for in summer it throws up a great quantity of grass The water usually begins to rise about the 1st of October, but earlier in a wet season ; in a dry season it begins to decrease about the 25th of March, but in a wet season not till the 1st of May; it is not supplied by any river, but by the rains, and the overflowings of the red bog of Anaherrosta, distant about two miles and brought by subter- ranean passages. When the flat ground is extensively flooded, the water begins to break up through subterranean passages near Mungret Church, and in two other places. These three streams unite in one small river near the Castle of Mungret within one mile of the river Shannon. As soon as the lough becomes dry, these rivers and passages become dry also. It is usually without water between four and five months each j-ear, but much depends on the season. The general depth of the water is from four to five feet. There are no fish of any kind found in it, except in very wet seasons a few eels. A Mr. Launcelot Hill, about fifty years ago. expended large sums of money in endeavouring to make a course for the waters, but failed. This lake much resemblas in quality that of Lindnig in Germany. > Maxwell'* Irit^h Rebellioiu HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 385 The period that elapsed from the time Fitzgibbon earnestly applied his mind to his profession until he attained the summit of his ambition, was VIII. Counagh Rangers, Lord Muskerry. IX. True Blue Horse, William Thomas Monsell, Esq. X. Count}- Limerick Royal Horse. Hon. Hugh Massy. XI. Connelloe Horse, Thomas Odell, Esq XII. RiddlestOTvn Hussars, Gerald Blenerhassett, Esq, INFANTRY. Corps and Commanders. XIII. Ormond Union, Henry Prittie, Esq. XIV. Tipperary Light Infantry, Sir Cornwallia Maude. XV. Ennis Volunteers, Earl of Inchiquia. XVI. Inchiquin Fusiliers, Earl of Inchiquin. XVII. Cashel Volunteers, Richard Pennefather, Esq. XVIII. Kiltinnan Volunteers, Right Honorable Silver Oliver. XIX. Loyal Limerick Volunteers, Thomas Smyth, Esq. XX. County Limerick Fencibles, John T. Waller, Esq. XXI. Castleconnell and Killaloe Rangers, Lord Muskerry. XXII. Adare Volunteers, Sir Richard Quin, Bart. XXIII. Rathkeale Volunteers, George Leake, Esq. XXIV. German Fusiliers, James Darcj"^, Esq XXV. True Blue Foot, William Thomas Monsel!, Esq. XXVI. Limerick Independents, John Prendergast Smyth, Esq. It was on the 10th day of April in this year that the Catholics of the city, on the resolution of Martin Harold, Esq., and the invitation of Major Caleb Powell, of Clonshavoy, joined the corps of Limerick Independents ; their uniform was scarlet lined with green, with silver lace and other silver appendages. Their Adjutant, James Russell, Esq. was presented with agold medal by the corps. On the 30th of June they marched to Clonrael, under the command of John Prendergast Smyth, Esq. and were with other corps there reviewed by Colonel Henry Prittie, reviewing General. The Catholics of Limerick were admitted to take part in the move- ment, and the following resolutions were passed — {Ilistory of the Irish Volunteers.') : — " At a time when religious prejudices seem entirely laid aside, and a spirit of liberty and toleration breathes unanimously through all sects, we see with concern so loj'al and respectable a part of our brethren, as the Roman Catholics, stand idle spectators of the glorious exertions of their countrymen in the Volunteer cause. Actuated by these principles, the Limerick Inde- pendents think themselves called upon to step forward, and invite their fellow-citizens of the Roman Catholic persuasion to unite in the common cause, and enrol themselves under their standard. By Order, "John Harrison, Secretary." " Such gentlemen as wish to join the corps, are requested to send in their names to any of the officers or committee, that they may be balloted for. " The Roman Catholics of the city of Limerick, impressed with a just sense of the honour conferred upon them by the Limerick Independents, are happy in this public testimony of their acknowledgments to the corps, for the very liberal invitation of associating themselves with so respectable a body of their fellow-subjects. — Whilst they feel a most grateful sense of the late removal of many of their restraints, and look forward with pleasure to the approaching period of emancipation, it is their most earnest wish to maintain those principles of virtue and loyalty, which are the glory of a free people, and have so eminently distinguished the character of Irish Volunteers. ^^ Limenck, April lOih, 1782, " Martin IIarqld, Esq. in the Chair." It is due to the Limerick Independents to state that they were oflScered by a thoroughly liberal gentleman, JIajor Caleb Powell. ' At Loughraore, on the 2Sth July, 1783, one of the most successful reviews of the Irish Volunteer army, which created much interest in those daj'S, was held Colonel Thomas Smyth, M.P. was the reviewing general, and came in from Roxborough in military state, escorted by Colonel Pery's fine Regiment of Horse. His aides-de-camp on this occasion were Standish O'Grady, afterwards Chief Baron and Viscount Guillamore, and Henry Vereker, elder brother of the second Viscount Gort, who was unfortimately shot in a duel, nine years later, by Mr. Furnell of Ballyclough. CAVALRY. Corps and Commanders. I. Clanwilliam Union, Lord Clanwilliam. II. County Limerick Horse, John Croker, Esq. III. Small County Union, John Grady of Cahir, Esq. IV. County Clare Horse, Edward Fitzgerald. V. Riddlestown Hussars, Lord Muskerry. VI. Limerick Cavalry, Edmond Henrv Pery, Esq. 26 386 HISTORY OF LlilERICK. unusually short. Soon after the death of his father in 1780, he became a conspicuous member of the Irish Parliament. In 1784) he was appointed Attorney-General. In 1789, on the death of Lord Lifford, he was appointed Lord Chancellor of Ireland, and raised to the peerage as Baron Fitzgibbon. In 1793 a Yiscount\s coronet was bestowed on him, and two years after he was created Earl of Clare. The title of Earl of Clare was conferred on him in 1795.^ He married in the year 1786 a sister of " Jerusalem^^ "Whaley, Avho was so called in consequence of a foolish bet he had made and won ; that he would walk on foot (sea only excepted) the whole way to Jerusalem, and after playing ball against the walls of the Holy City, that he would return again in the same way to Dublin within a specified time, which he did.2 Sir Jonah Barington gives a gorgeous account of the splendour and hospi- tality with which Lord Clare supported his office. He expended four thousand guineas for a state carriage ; and in all other respects far outshone all precedent. But then his family connexions or followers absorbed the patronage of the state, and so skilfully did he revive or create new offices, and so judiciously did he bestow them, that in a short time he became, as a subject, almost as potverful as an absolute monarch. His ambition knew no INFANTRY. VII. Loyal Limerick Volunteers, Thomas Smyth, Esq. VIII. Ennis Volunteers, William Blood, Esq. IX. C. Connell and Killaloe Rangers, Sir Richard De Burgho, Bart. X. Rathkeale Volmitcers. XI. German Fusiliers, James Darcy, Esq. XII. Inchiquin Fusiliers, Sir Hugh Dillon Massy, Bart. XIII. Limerick Independents, John Frendergast Smyth, Esq. XIV. Sixmilebridge Independents, Francis Macnamara, Esq. We have thus given the fullest details of the grand volunteer movement in city and county at this eventful period. Not only in Limerick, but in Tipperary and Clare, many Catholics ■were enrolled among the defenders of their native land. Mr. Francis Arthur, the son of Mr. Patrick Arthur, equipped a corps of artillery at his own expense; but the fact did not prevent him from falling under the ban of Government a few years afterwards ; his life was sought throixgh the infamous agency of a perjured informer of the name of Maum when he was charged with overt acts of high treason in 1798. 1 This title, lately become extinct, had been held by Edmond Burke's father-in-law. Lord Clare thought to give a prestige and appearance of antiquity to his title by selecting that of an elder member of the Peerage — of whom, indeed, the public know little, save that he once gave Goldsmith a haunch of venison — but as Robert Burns has it : " For a' that and a' that. Their dignities, and a' that, The pith o' sense, and pride o' worth, Are higher ranks than a' that !" 2 The following are the principal local events not already noticed of this period : — In 1786, a windmill was built on the banks of the Shannon, near Limerick, by Lant. Hill, Esq., it was burnt down January 29, 1803 ; again burnt down November 19, 1813, in this last fire the machinery was all in motion, though on fire, a brisk gale of wind blowing, the night dark, and the spectacle awfully and sublimely grand. The Globe Insurance lost by the last burning £1339 19s. 5d., which was paid February 10th, 1815, to Laurence Durack. In 1793, the King's County Regiment of Militia, commanded by Sir Laurence Parsons (afterwards Earl of Ross) consisting of 612 men, was the first newly raised Militia Regiment that did garrison duty in Limerick. In June this year (1793) the City of Limerick Regiment of Militia was raised, consisting of 469 men, J. P. Smyth, Esq. commandant. The County of Limerick raised, consisting of 612 men. Lord Muskerry commandant ; the other regiment, that of the King's County raised about the same time. 1 798, June 1 — Precedence of yeomanry corps drawn by lot at the Castle of Dublin, by counties ; Limerick drawn No. 12. In a few weeks after there were raised in the county and the city, &c., 16 troops of yeomanry cavalry, and 8 companies of yeomanry infantry. The Merchants' Companj' commanded by Thomas Maunsell, Esq., and the Revenue Company commanded by George Maunsell, Esq. raised in August, 1803, were particular!}' respectable. In 1793 Sir. John Ferrar, burgess, and author of the History of Limerick, gave jt^l a year for ever to the Blue School. I HISTORY OF LIMtrjCK. 387 bounds, his thirst for power was unlimited^ and he supported the administra- tion that plotted the destruction of Irish liberty, because he saw no other mode of retaining his power. The Government who could not dispense with his aid, literally refused him nothing ; and he knew that his opposition would at once lead to his downfall. The facility with which he had triumphed over the obstacles that impeded his rise to the summit of his profession, gave liim. the feelings of a conqueror. He felt he had grasped the coronet and placed himself on the woolsack by his own unaided genius ; and he considered the country, in the government of which he filled so consjDicuous a place, as belonging to him by right of conquest ; and in disposing of her liberties he only looked to his own aggrandisement. Ireland even appeared to his eyes, dazzled by success, to aiford too small a field for the exercise of his brilliant talents, and he looked forward with pride to the position he was destined to fill in the Imperial Parliament. But sadly was he disappointed. In England he found that the acts of political profligacy with which he was famihar created disgust, and that his self-sufiiciency and arrogance only excited pity and contempt. He had been used as a base tool for unworthy purposes, and as soon as his employers had sufiicientlymade use of him, he was contemptuously discarded. He was chiefly instrumental in fomenting the rebelhon of 1798.^ He only survived the subjugation of his country, which he was so uistrumental in cfi'ecting, for two years ; and died broken hearted — a miserable example of disappointed ambition — of fallen hopes — and of wayward talents that had over-reached themselves. Shortly after the declaration of independence of 1782, to which we have already referred, and which was adopted by the English Government in its integrity, serious apprehensions filled the minds of the patriots. If it required 150,000 volunteers to overawe, or at least to see that the Irish Parhament 1 In order to the clearer discernment of this eventful rear, I here subjoin the several incidents that could be gleaned of what took place in Limerick, city and county, during that period : — January 2nd. — The Limerick Navigation Company elected the following gentlemen as a committee of ten : — Stephen Eoche (John), John Howly, George Maunsell, James O'SuUivan, Laurence Durack, Michael Gavin, Henry Brady, Francis Arthur, Rev. Dr. Maunsell, and "William Marritt. Januarj' 9th. — General Duff reviewed at Newcastle the following regiments of which the garrison was composed: — The Earl of Eoden's 1st Fencible Cavalry, Eoyal Irish Ai'tillery, Longford and South Cork Militia, and Devon Fencibles. A meeting of the non-commissioned officers and privates of the Limerick Merchants' corps, was held for the purpose of presenting an address and sword to their adjutant Henry Eochfort, Esq. January 16th — By special command of the Lord Lieutenant for a general day of thanksgiv- ing to Almighty God, for the victories obtained by the fleets ; all the shops, &c. were closed, divine service was celebrated in all the churches, chapels, and meeting houses, the troops in garrison and corporation in full regalia attended at the cathedral. Mr. Fitzgerald of Ballineety, proceeded to Caherconlish on Sunday 21st and Sunday 28th to administer the oath of allegiance to all persons desirous of taking same. March 9th. — A meeting of the merchants, bankers, traders and inhabitants, was held in the City Tholsel, for the purpose of getting in voluntary subscriptions for the defence of the country. Resolutions were passed in furtherance of the object. The Mayor, Sheriffs, Right Rev. Dr. Young, R.C.B., the Recorder, Sir Christopher Knight, Eaton Maunsell, Esq., Rev. Thomas Shepherd, and Rev. Michael Seawright, were appointed a committee for carrying the resolutions into effect. The sums contributed were large, including £500 per annum, from John and Thomas Maunsell £100 per annum, Stephen Roche, John, £oO, John Howlej', Right Rev. Dr. Young, 1 year £11 7s. Gd. The resolutions, &c. were laid before the Lord Lieutenant, who in a letter from Mr. Secretary Cooke, highly approved of them. The officers and privates of the City of Limerick Regiment of Militia, commanded by Colonel Vereker, subscribed eight days' pay per year during the war, to the exigencies of the state, amounting to about £400. On Monday, 19th of JIarch, Joseph Cripps, Esq., Mayor of Limerick, as a county magistrate, •went to Mont Pellier (O'Brien's Bridge) when the Eev, Mr. Crotty, Parish Priest thereof, and 388 HISTORY OF LIMEIilCK. did its duty^ what security was there that the Parliament might not at some future time (when the volunteers were disbanded) become again the servile agents of a tyrannical Goveruinent ? The people were unanimously in favour of Irish Independence, but the Parliament did not represent the people. The majority of members were either the pensioners of the Government or the nominees of close boroughs, in whose election the people had no voice. It was evident that a reform of Parliament — rendering it really the representative assembly of the country — was essential to place Irish liberty beyond the reach of English gold or domestic treason. But Parliament was too rotten to reform itself, and the evil influence of Fitzgibbon was even then at work. This reform the volunteers felt, could only be effected through their agency. Accordingly it was resolved to hold a Grand National Convention of Ireland in Dublin, composed of delegates selected from the different volunteer regi- ments. The selection was made in November, 1783, and consisted of 300 delegates, who shortly afterwards repaired to Dublin, where they commenced their sittings Vvdth much pomp and military display. The first duty that devolved upon the delegates Avas the selection of a president — unfortunately they selected the Earl of Charlemont. To this selection the downfall of Ireland maybe traced. Charlemont was one of the most upright and honourable men of his day ; he never wilfully did wrong ; but he was unsuited for the position in v,hicli he vras placed, and for the crisis in which he lived. He was ]mnctiliously loyal, attached to regularity, law, and order, courteous to all men, a friend of the people, but devoted by sympathy to the aristocracy — fond of popular applause, but yet fonder of securing the good opinions of those in the higher classes, for whom his education and tastes taught him to enter- tain a polished and courtly respect. Lord Charlemont soon found that the 149 of his parishioners voluntarily came forward in the sessions house and took the oath of allegiance to His ilajesty. The Right Rev. Dr. Young sent the following letter of Thomas Maunsell, Esq., chairman of the committee for receiving voluntary contributions : — " Sir I am much flattered by the honor done me in being appointed a member of the committee for carrying into effect the resolutions which you proposed and were agreed to at the meeting. As an earnest how much I approve of them. I beg leave to inclose my subscription, and regret that I cannot contribute more ; but trifling as it is, it will give me pleasure to continue it every year, if 1 can, every year as long as it may be necessary ; at the same time I am concerned to add that the distance I live from town, added to a complaint which has confined me for some time back, and which I am not quite rid of yet, renders it rather inconvenient for me to attend the meetings of the committee yet ; with the best wishes for the success of their laudable exer- tions,! have the honor to be, sir, your obedient and humble servant, Eathbane, Monday. f Joitx Young." Great disturbances prevailed throughout the country ; several houses were attacked and robbed of fire arms. Lieutenant-General Sir James Steward, and IMajor-General Sir James Duff, reviewed all the troops in the garrison at Newcastle, on the "Wednesday previous. March 14th. — Collisions between the yeomanry and rebels were constant, not only in the County of Limerick, but in Tipperary, where, in one skirmish near Cashel, five united Irishmen were killed, and 25 were taken prisoners, most of whom were severely wounded. 28th March A unanimous meeting of Magistrates was held, to apply to the Lord Lieutenant to proclaim the County and Liberties in a state of insurrection. With this application his Ex- cellency complied. Detachments of the garrison were despatched to be stationed at Newport, Castleconncll, cavalry and infantry nightly patrolled the city and suburbs. April 7th. — Tiie Penguin sloop of war was sent round from Cork, by the Admiral of that station, to convoy merchant vessels from the Shannon to the English Cliannel. Several houses in this County were attacked and demands made for money and arms. Ten persons belonging to the party called " Defenders'' were removed from the Count}- j.iil and sent on board the fleet. Sevcr;d persons suspected of treasonable practices were pilloried in this City. April loth The following notice was issued in this City : — " The Commander-in-Chief gives this public notice, that the Lord Lieutenant and Council have issued orders to him to quarter troops, to press horses and carriages, to demand forage and provi- HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 389 convention over wliicli he presided was practically' all-powerful in the country, and that he as president wielded the destinies of Ireland. But he trembled at the power with which he was invested^ and was seized mth dread of the very institution he had originally been so active in creating. His pride pre- vented his resignation ; visions of greater men succeeding him^ and regen- erating Ireland;," oppressed him as horrible phantoms in a night-mare. He was too high to be commanded : too feeble to control. Lord Clare saw his embarrassing position^ and in conjunction with the Lord JLiieutenant and Government'' assailed him in his weakest point. He had taken, he Avas told, a place of fearful responsibility, but the crown relied implicitly on his loyalty. He held in his hands the peace of the country — it lay with him to control the angry elements he had conjured up, or, if they became unmanageable, his duty as a loyal man requu-ed him to dissolve the convention — thus wpuld he retain the confidence of his sovereign, and have his name transmitted to posterity as the saviour of his country. This language won over the feeble Charlemont; and thus the Government gained by flattering his foibles, a triumph which they would gladly have given millions to have secured ; and that too from a man, who, had millions been offered to him to purchase the fatal course he pursued, woidd have spurned the bribe as dross, and chastised the person who had the audacity to trifle mth his honour ! The convention was dissolved : the volunteers were disbanded ; the Parliament remained unreformed. The Irish rebelhon was carefully nursed and tended, and in 1800, in opposition to the people of Ireland, whose representatives they were falsely called — the Houses of Lords and Commons sold the birthright of the Irish people, and extinguished for ever the Nationality of their country. A list might easily be given of places, pensions, and peerages obtained at the long sions, and to hold court-martials for the trial of offences of all descriptions, Civil and Military, with the power of carrying into execution the sentences of all such court-martials and to issue proclamations. " The Commander-in-Chief calls on the general officers to procure of the Magistrates the last accounts they can give of the number of arms taken from the yeomanry and the -w-ell-affected, of arms that have been concealed and of pikes that have been made, which are to be recovered and taken possession of by the military. " They are also to communicateto the people through the priests, and by one or two men selected from each townland, the purport of the following notice : — " That the order if complied with will be a sign of their Central Repentance, and not only For- giveness will follow but Protection. " That they must be sensible, that it is infinitely better for them to remain at home quietly minding their own affaks, than committing acts which must bring on the ruin of themselves and their families." As it will be impossible in some degree to prevent the Innocent from suffering with the Guiltt, the Innocent have the means of redress by informing against those who have engaged in unlawful associations, and of robbing houses of arras and money. The PEOPLE must be very ignorant not to know that notwithstanding the fair promises of the French that they ha,ye. first deceived and then plundered every Country into which they have come, and they are therefore forewarned that in case of Invasions from the French, if they should attempt to join the enemy or communicate with him, or join in any insurrection, they will be immediately put to death and their houses and properties destroyed. The general officers call on the people to know why they should be less attached to the govern- ment now than they were a year ago, when they showed so much loyalty in assisting His Majesty's troops to oppose the* landing of the French. Is it not became they have been seduced by wicked men ? Why should they think themselves bound by oaths into which they have been seduced or terriQed The people are requested to bring in their arms to the Magistrate or Commanding Officer in their neighbourhood, who have directions to receive them and no questions will be asked. (Sigried) James Duff, Major-General. Another notice referring to the preceding, appeared, signed by Joseph Crips, Mayor, George Smyth, Recorder, Eaton Maunsell and Thomas Shepherd, requesting gentlemen and others to 390 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. instance of Lords Clare and Castlereagh^ for all who were willing to barter their country for ministerial favours. But space will not permit us to review minutely the conduct of the Govem- mentj principally acting on the advice of Lord Clare^ which preceded the rebellion of 1798. In the glorious days of the volunteers^ pohtical and religious animosities were unknoAvn in Ireland, and therefore the country was great and powerful. There were but two parties — those in favor of, and those opposed to Irish liberty. But from the dissolution of the volunteers, the Government (and in this sketch we have always referred to the Enghsh Government as opposed to the Irish patriots), left no means untried to divide and to sow suspicion between different classes of Irishmen. In this work none was equal to Lord Clare, and when at length the dis- turbances of 1798 broke out, the Protestants were first made to believe that it was an effort of the Eoman Catholic party against them (though in fact it originated with Protestant republicans) and then, once this feeling got root, and once the Roman Catholics became the leaders of the rebelhon, instead of its tide being stayed with a strong hand. Lord Clare iniquitously allowed it to gain gigantic proportions, in order that the Protestant party might ily from Popish enemies to English traitors for safety. Indeed one of the very first in Limerick to join and subscribe to a fund raised in 1790 for the defence of the country from the French invasion, was the Right Rev. Dr. John Young, Catholic Bishop of Limerick. Had the disturbances of 1798 been put down, as they might have been in"a few days, the Act of union could never have been carried, and no one knew this better than Lord Clare. A memorable achievement in '98 was the battle of Colloon)^, which is re- ferred to fuUy in the note, and for which the city of Limerick Regiment of Militia, and its gallant commandant. Colonel Yereker, obtained the highest applause. In February, 1785, in the course of a debate in the House of Commons on the abuse of attachment in the King's Bench, Currau made use of some communicate without delay, and promising that secrecy respecting the givers of the information should be observed as far as possible. General Duff left Limerick on Sunday, 15th of April, having previously arranged that he should be met by some yeomanry corps on the borders of the counties of Limerick and Tipperary. He then proceeded to Cappawhite, and arrested 29 persons charged with being defenders. A circular letter from Lord Castlereagh was received by the commanders of yeomanry corps stationed in this city, requesting to know what men of approved loyalty, not exceeding 50 in number, they could add to their corps. During this month (April) yeomanry corps are scouring the county in all directions, seizing arms and making arrests. On the 19th, at the Quarter Sessions of this city, a man named Thomas Ryan, was sentenced to be publicly whipped, for an alleged assault on two soldiers. May 1. The inhabitants of Emly having refused to surrender their arms, military detachments were quartered upon them. May 5. Twelve persons from the neighbourhood of Pallas, charged with being United Irish- ■ men, were brought in and lodged in the County Jail. 122 stand of arms were brought in from Keury by Captain Waller's corps, and lodged in his Majesty's stores. May 9. Ten men were sentenced by the Magistrates, assembled at Special Sessions, to serve His Majesty abroad. They were convicted under the Insurrection Act. May 12. Notice was given by General Duff, that he would supply with arras all Gentlemen who would undertake to defend their houses against the disaffected. The garrison at this period was composed of the Komney Eencible Cavalry, the 54th Regiment, the I'erthshire Highland Fencibles, the City of Dublin, and the Kildare Militia. May 10. General Duff marched 100 of the City Dublin Regiment to Dooharra, between Killa- loe and Ncnagh, and quartered them on the inhabitants, until thej- would surrender their arms. May 10. Tlie High Slieriff of Tipperary (John Judkin Fitzgerald), acting on secret informa- tion, had a man arrested in Nenagh, upon a cliarge of being a Defender, and bad him publicly whipped, until he was forced to disclose the names of his associates. HISTORY OF LOIERICK. 391 expressions towards Pitzgibbon, then Attorney-General, wliich being warmly repHed to, led to a hostile meeting between these two celebrated personages. The combatants fired two cases of very long pistols at each other with very bad success, and very httle eclat: for they were neither killed, wounded, satisfied, nor reconciled— nor did either of them express the slightest disposi- tion to continue the engagement. _ ... As a lawyer Lord Clare fiUed but an indifi'erent position, and his decisions are seldom referred to. It was to his promptitude, vigour, clearness, and courage that he owed aU his success. His triumphs have stamcd the anuals of his coimtry with calamities and sorrows. He was a hard man dealing with a gentle and confiding people; yet during aU the misfortunes of Ireland the mild voice of concihation never escaped his Kps; and when the torrent ot civil war had ceased to rage, he held out no olive branch to show tnat tlie flood had subsided. His favourate expression being, " that he would make Ireland as tame as a mutilated cat.^'i—an expression that never was forgotten. • Barrincton, vol. ii. p. 215. , . ^ j • o^ t> ^ < 2 Lord Clare died t^o years after the passing of the Union, and was in erred in St. Peters Church, Dublin. Just as the cothn was being lowered into its last resting place a large nuuibeT of dead cats were thrown upon his coffin, evidently as a commentary on the bitter phrase with which he had insulted his countrymen. Showers of dead cats too were thrown over the coffin from Ely-place to St. Peter's Church. Thus it is that the misconduct of an entire life will be freely forgotton; while the keen edge of a bitter sarcasm will long continue to irritate and mvite revenge. Lord Clare was succeeded by his eldest son John, who cUed without issue. His second son. Colonel Pdchard Hobart Fitzgibbon, Lord Lieutenant of the County Limerick and former y M.P.for the county, succeeded his brother John. But havmg died m the year 18C4 and hi. ol son Lord Fitzgibbon, having some time previously been kUled in the Crimean War, the tiUe becaine extinct. A bronze life-size statue to Lord Fitzgibbon, executed by P. Macdowall Esq RA. was erected on the Wellesley Bridge, Limerick in 1855. ^ It is placed on a granite pedestal, eleven feet three inches high, which has the following inscription :— To Commemorate the bravery of VISCOUNT FITZGIBBON, 8th Eoyal Irish Hussars ; And of his gallant companions in arms. Natives of the County and City of Limerick, Who gloriously fell in the Crimean war. 1855. On the front of the pedestal is inscribed the word— -Balaklava, over a has relief in bronze, representing the famous cavalry charge, in which Viscount Fitzgibbon was killed. On the north side — Alma. On the south side— Inkerman. On the south side of the Statue the following is inscribed :— Eobinson and Cottam, The Statue Foundry, Pimlico. And on the north side the name of the sculptor, P. Macdowall, E.A. London, Sculptor. Mav ''S At the Quarter Sessions held in St. Francis's Abbey, 11 men were condemned to serve in His Maie^tv's Navv, and four others were sentenced to imprisonment, and public whippmg. Mav ^% Messrs 0''Meara, Talbot and Fulton, Charles Elliott and Laurence Kennon, were brought"in and lodged in the County Jail, by a party of the 7th Dragoon Guards . 1 hey were convicted before and sentenced by the Nenagh magistrates, to serve on board His Majesty s Fleet The charge against them was administering and taking the Defender's oath. They were nest morning sent off with 10 others to Duncannon Fort. i,- wt, u x, Mav ''G Patrick Brien, who was convicted of making Pikes, was whipped through the city. The oper^ators on the occasion were the Farriers and Drummers of the garrison. ^ ^ . ,. Mav 30 Non-arrival of the Dublin Mail— all the troops called out by order of Brigadier General Morrison, who commanded in the temporary absence of General Duff. Messrs. Francis Arthur and George Hargrove arrested and lodged m jail, iilartial Law pro- claimed in the citv. Night patroles of Yeomen, Cavalry and Infantry, commenced. Ihe Mail 392 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Important events took place in the City of Limerick during the days of the Earl of Clare, which also -witnessed some of the most momentous occurrences in the History of Ireland, including the period from the time of the volunteers to that of 1798 and the Union ; a brief but happy and exceptional interval in our history, which has frequently been referred to with just pride as exhibiting a progress and prosperity unexampled in any other country. In the ten years which intervened between the embodunent of the volunteers and the Irish militia, that is, from 1783 to 1793, the external appearance of the city was completely changed by the improvements to which we have already referred ; while the internal Government was seriously modified by the exemption of jthe new streets from the jurisdiction of the Corporation ; by the changes which took place in the parliamentary representations, and lastly, by the restoration of Catholics to the elective franchise. Election riots pre- ceded and followed the visit paid to the city by the Duke of Eutland, then Lord Lieutenant, who was as much pleased at his reception as the late Earl of Carlisle in our own day. The building of Newtown-Pery raised Limerick to the position of the thii-d city of Irelancl, and the change of the representatives was followed by the embodiment of the yeomanry corps in city and county. Coach from this city to Dublin stopped near Kildare, and destroyed. General Duff endeavouring to open communication -with the metropolis.* * Owing chiefly to ths evil influence of the Earl of Clare, was the fierce and terrible persecu- tion which was sustained by Francis Arthur, a merchant of eminence in the cit)' of Limerick, possessed of considerable estates in land, and houses built by himself, daily improving his native city, and adding to its embellishment ; his commercial concerns employing a very considerable capital, requiring credits to the surrounding counties of Limeriek, Clare, Tipperary, and Kerry, and making, from this source, a rapid augmentation to his fortune. His character and conduct had procured him a high degree of estimation among his neighbours, and he appeared distinguished by a zealous attachment to the constitution, in the year 179G, when the French forces were in the Shannon, on which occasion he displayed the utmost activity in the service of government, and among other exertions, raised, under the direction of General Smyth, then commanding in Limerick, a corps of yeomanry Artillery, of which the General obtained for him the command, with the rank of Captain. This corps Avas trained by him with great assiduity, and at consider- able expense, till the loth of May, 1798, wnen it was disbanded. There were, nevertheless, points in Mr. Arthur's character which clashed too much with the opinions of other individuals not to render him an object of jealousy, and of something stronger, to those persons. The lioman Catholics of Ireland, under the oppressive penal laws formerly enacted against them, and still suffered to continue on the statute books of the kingdom, resolved to appeal to the breast of their Sovereign for redress, confident that His Majesty would, at all times, attend to the griev- ances of his people, when humbly and dutifully represented. It was, therefore, deemed expedient to call a meeting of the entire bodj', by its delegates, from every county and town in the kingdoir^ to assemble in i3ublin early iu the year 1793. Circular letters were issued by the committee of the city of Dublin, stating the general purport of the intended meeting, the mode of electing delegates, and soliciting the early attention of the several counties and towns, in its execution. The issuing of these letters caused a general outcry against the claims of the Catholics, and gen- tlemen high in office, influence, and power, exerted themselves iu all parts of the kingdom, to intimidate and prevent such meetings being held, or delegates appointed. Notwithstanding which, and the violent resolutions of their Protestant fellow-subjects, the meeting took place in Dublin, and an humble address was agreed to and presented, which induced His Majesty to recommend their case with such gracious efficacy to Parliament, and thereby procured relief to that body from many galling and unnecessary restrictions. Among others, John Fitzgibboa, afterwards Lord High Chancellor of Ireland, and Earl of Clare, became conspicuous in his attendance at a meeting of the magistrates and freeholders of the county of Limerick, called by the High Sheriff, at which meeting resolutions were entered into inhnical to the Catholic claims. Mr. Arthur, concurring that his Lordship and the great body of the county would give a patient hearing to such representations as might be urged on the part of the IJoman Catholics, and as chairman of that body in the city of Limerick, engaged a counsellor of eminence, a freeholder of the county, Mr. Powell, to plead the cause of the oppressed community. This gentleman, with the spirit and resolution which ever characterized him, though he very well knew the risk he ran, m his professional pursuits, bj' thus appearing openly in opposition to the measures of the noble Jjord, aischarged the sacred duty he owed his unfortunate clients highly to liis honor. His single opposition, however, availed but little, and the resolutions were carried as proposed, and published HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 393 to whom were sliortly afterwards committed the important military duties of the garrison. The latter event took place in 1796, about the same time that the Orange Institution, so fatal at all times to the peace and happiness of Ireland, was first recognised as an organised body, though it had originated in September of the preceding year; and been baptised, as might be expected, in blood. This accursed institution, which, though nominally dissolved in 1836, was remodelled and reconstructed in 1845 under legal advice,^ on the old basis of intolerance and exciusiveness, and is at the momentthat we write, not only still existent, but busily employed at its old wicked work, as far as the sphit of the age will tolerate. It soon gave evidence of its use and results, and received such official support from Lord Camden in about two years after its organization, that the whole Catholic population of Ireland was actually menaced with extermination.^ The spirit, if not the full organization of the Orange system rapidly extended to Munster also, and its deadly effects were soon felt there as elsewhere, though not in the same degree, owing to the preponderance of the Catholic element in the population. The effects of the rebellion of 1798, which burst ILke a hurricane over the whole country, though its incidence was not felt so severely in Limerick as in many other ' Suggested by the legal ingenuity of the Eight Honourable Mr. Napier. For an admirable history of this baneful institution, see Madden's introduction to his History of the United Irish- men, fourth series, 2nd edition. - Madden — a copy of the oath by •which Orangemen are said to bind themselves to " extermi- nate the Catholics of Ireland, as far as lies in their power," may be seen in Plowden's "Historical Disquisition on the Orange Societies in Ireland, " 1810, page 54, though its authenticity has been disclaimed by several of the Orange party. But if it is not authentic, why did Lord Clare and the secret committee who acted under their directions, question Arthur O'Connor whether Government had anything to do with their oath of extermination ? Plowden might have added, as Dr. Madden well observes, that the extermination of 70U0 Catholics in Armagh would be im- possible if such an obligation did not exist. at large in the newspapers of the day. The Roman Catholics, to do away, in some measure, with the odium cast upon them by the county resolutions, felt it necessarj^ to lay a statement of their claims and intentions, in their thus persevering to appoint delegates, contrary to the sense of that meeting, before the public ; which statement was signed on the part of the Catholics by Mr. Arthur as chairman, and was published accordingly. This open and avowed conduct of Mr. Arthur drew down upon him the indignation of the Lord Chancellor, who, finding that the Catholics had appointed Mr. Arthur one of their delegates to the general committee of the Catho- lics of Ireland, to be then shortly holden in the metropolis, was doubly incensed against him, and openly expressed his resentment. Stephen Roche John, Esq., his Lordship's conlidential agent, and Sir Christopher Knight, an alderman of the city of Limerick, and a magistrate for the countj"-, represented to Mr. Arthur how far he had incurred the Chancellor's displeasure ; that, moreover, his Lordship had heard many things to the prejudice of Mr. Arthur, and they cautioned him to take care, in future, how he conducted himself. To these threats, made so early as the year 1792, Mr. Arthur only replied that his conduct would, at all times, bear the strictest scrutiny, little expecting that a time would come when the administration of all law and justice would be suspended, and when everj' honest man who had the misfortune to incur the displeasure of a man in power, would be exposed to the most unwarrantable attempts on his life and pro- perty. Perhaps, also, much of Mr. Arthur's unmerited persecution might be attributed to his having had the hardihood to propose a respectable banker of the citj' of Limerick, Thomas Maun- sell, Esq., as a proper person to represent that city in Parliament at the general election, in opposition to a coalition (as it appeared to Mr. Arthur) formed by two principal families, for tlie purpose of reducing his native city of Limerick to the condition of a dependant borough, A man, therefore, of those independent principles, whose weight and influence on future elections might become formidable to such a coalition, was to be put down, and the time, though not yet arrived, was looked forward to, by the parties concerned, with anxiety. He, however, acknow- ledges these facts, and the consequences cannot induce him to regret them ; because he believed that, in taking those steps, he was fulfilling the duty of an honest man, and his reflection, after- wards, had never shaken this persuasion. The ill-will excited by this opposition of sentiment to the views of men in power and their retainers, had probably been long increasing in virulence, during the irksome silence which Mr. Arthur's private life and public behaviour hnposed on his enemies, till the opportunity occurred 394 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. localities^ were soon apparent in tlie usual accompaniments of the avengers of the outraged laws, and not unfrequently on occasions when no law had been outraged. The Orange Institution played an important part in this reign of terror. The new bridge of Limerick like the old bridge of Wexford, was in this respect rendered remarkable, though not equally memorable by scenes which are still remembered with horror by some of the survivors of these atrocities — atrocities which Government might have prevented over the length and breadth of the land had they a will to do so, and had they not been anxious to utilise, if they did not actually create this rebelhon for the purpose of carrying the ill-omened Act of Union. ^ One of the warmest contests for the representation of the city that had taken place uj) to 1897, signahsed that year. The election commenced on the 31st of July in that year, and ended on the 9th of August. The sheriffs were Messrs. Eobert Briscoe and Andrew Watson. The candi- dates were Colonel Charles Vereker, who was proposed by Colonel J. P. Smyth, seconded by Sir Yere Hunt, Bart. Thomas Maunsell, Esq., proposed by Captain Prancis Arthur (whose trial and persecution in 1798, we give in the note in the fullest detail) seconded by Alderman WiUiam Pitzgerald ; Henry Deane Grady, Esq., proposed by Sir Richard Quin, Bart., seconded by Sober Hall, Esq. ; Joseph Gabbett, Esq., proposed by Eyre Burton Powell, Esq., seconded by Ptobert Maunsell, Esq. Colonel Vereker was the ' According to Madden and his authorities the rebellion, cost the British Government 70,000 lives (about 50,000 being of the Irish party), and upwards of twenty millions of pounds sterling 1 The Irish population even then exceeded 4,000,000. In William's three campaigns, which cost about half the money, (see Stowe and O'Callaghan) the Irish population were only 1,500,000, of whom 100,000 were slain, and 300,000 ruined of the Catholic portion of it. of blending their personal animosity with the epidemic fury of the times. On Thursday, the 12th of Slay, 1798, a gentleman observed in Mr. Arthur's presence, how happy it was that the spirit of disaffection, which had shown itself in other parts of the kingdom, had not been dis- cernible, in any instance, in this neighbourhood. Lieut. -Colonel Cockell, assistant adjutant- general of the district, immediately answered, " this is not the case, for on Tuesday next some persons will be taken up, who will astonish the public." Vague surmises of plots and conspiracies were so continually insinuated at this unhappy period, as to have lost the power of exciting the curiositj' of any body ; and as Lieut-Colonel Cockele did not seem to allude to any body for whom Mr. Arthur could feel interested, it did not occur to Mr. Arthur to ask any questions on the subject. On Saturday the 2Cth of May, Captain Lidwell, who was superintending the flogging of some wretched being at the Market-house in Limerick, turned to the crowd that was collected on the occasion, and proclaimed a reward from one hundred to two hundred guineas, for any person who could inform against the late artillery corps. He then desired a Mr. John Connell to search for arms, adding that some of that (the artillery) corps had advised the inhabitants to secrete them. So direct an imputation on the artillery corps must have expounded Lieutenant-Colonel Cockell'a meaning, and have operated as a decisive hint for Mr. Arthur to flee the country had he been conscious of guilt ; as it was he regarded it as a shallow artifice to induce him to quit the city and avoid the disgrace of being arrested, when his retreat would have been called an attempt to abscond, and furnished a pretext for the plunder of his property. He treated the matter with contempt, little dreaming that his life would be imperilled. On the follomng Sunday, the 27th of May, Major-General Duff marched out of Limerick, and Major-General Edward Morrisson re- mained in command. On Tuesday, the 29th of May, while Mr. Arthur was at breakfast with his famil}', the Recorder, Mr. George Smyth, entered his house, and expressed a desire to speak to him in another room. No sooner had they withdrawn than the Recorder informed Mr. Arthur that he was arrested then and there, by order of Major-General Morrison. The Recorder produced no warrant; nor could Morrison issue any such order, Martial Law not ha^^ng been proclaimed at the time, nor had any information been laid or examination taken. The Kecorder demanded Mr. Arthur's keys which were delivered up. The Recorder called Jlrs. Arthur into the room and compelled her also to deliver up her keys to him. The Recorder immediately told Mrs. Arthur to quit her town house, for it would be forthwith occupied by soldiers. She re- monstrated — but in vain — she and her children rotrented to the house of her father. The Secorder then scut lor Mr. Francis Lloyd, one of the slieiiifa of the city, into whose custody he HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 395 Tory and Corporation candidate. Mr. Grady was induced to second the views of tliat party, and permitted himself to be put in nomination accord- ingly ; but, thinking himself free after the election, he made his own terms. Mr. Maunsell was the liberal independent candidate. Mr. Gabbett, who compiled the Digest of the Criminal Law afterwards, and a man of enlightened views, was pu tup, more as a fag than with any real design that his return coidd be effected — he gave what aid he could to Mr. Maunsell and the independent party. His proposer, Mr. Powell,^ was a leading and courageous liberal — he was ready at the sword as well as the pen; and in an encounter with Mr. H. D. Grady, high words were followed by a challenge ; the parties met and exchanged shots, and there was no cordial reconcihation subsequently. A contest in those times was synonymous with a combat. The election lasted nuie days. The great bulk of the electors consisted of freemen, creatures of the Smyth and Vereker factions, who swamped the honest electors in every effort to break down the scandalous coalition which had so long existed against their liberties. Some of the electors, anxious to stand well with Yereker and Maunsell, and play a double part, divided then* votes between both parties — but these instances were rare. The result was the return of Colonel Vereker and Mr. Grady against the liberal interest, represented by Mr. Maunsell and Mr. Gabbett. Mr. , 1 Father of Caleb Powell, Esq., Clonshavoy, -who represented the County for many years on thoroughly independent principles. delivered Mr. Arthur without having produced authority or warrant of committal. Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Garden with officers and a guard of the 34th regiment, then informed Mr. Arthur that he was his (Garden's) prisoner, by order of Major-General Morrison, thus changing the commitment into a military imprisonment, equally illegal. On the arrival of Major-General Morrison, Mr. Arthur informed him that he would hold him personallj' responsible for a sum of one thousand guineas in specie, besides a quantity of paper, and other valuables which were in the house ; and on this intimation Morrison sent for Mrs. Arthur, on the express condition, how- ever, that the seals which he then put on the counting-house and private drawers, (of which he held all the keys) should not be removed. A minute search was then made of the house, cellars, &c., even the vaults were emptied of the fuel by order of Sheriff Lloyd. Nothing having been found, the keys were delivered up to Lieutenant-Colonel Darby of the 54th regiment, then quartered in the garrison. The detention of these keys effectually put a stop to the extensive business in which not only Mr. Arthur was engaged, but in which his father, Mr. Patrick Arthur was a partner. Meanwhile, Morrison with the Mayor, Sheriffs, Constables, and a large body on horse and foot, proceeded to Mr. Arthur's house, bore him off from that to the city Marshalsea prison, in Mary street, where he was confined without commitment or warrant of any sort. Mr. Arthur was imprisoned. He did not applj- for a habeas corpus, because he could not obtain it from the governing powers at the time. Mr. Arthur was confined in a narrow front room of the prison, on the third floor ; he was denied the use of pen, ink and paper, as Avell as the sight of any human being but the turnkey ; and for further security against his escape, a sentinel was placed opposite his window, with positive orders to fire upon him if he approached it. Humanitj' might have dictated the cautioning him against subjecting himself to the danger ; but no intimation was given to him ; and Mr. Arthur, as was natural, did once approach the window, when luckily observing the sentinel cock his musket and present it at him, he retired in time from the danger. That the sentinel was posted merely to intimidate Mr. Arthur and prevent his planning any mode of escape, is the supposition that will present itself to the mind of the reader. But this supposi- tion is removed by the fact that the sentinel, seeing a person come to the next window, which was in another house, (though the uniformity of the building made it appear the same house) mistook him for IMr. Arthur, deliberately fired at him and grazed his skull. After this " accident" the front of Mr. Arthur's room was whitewashed, in order to mark where he was — but Mr. Arthur received not the most distant intimation of this precaution or the reason of it. So hot was the weather and insupportable the wretched room in which Mr. Arthur was confined, that he peti- tioned for air — and one pane of glass was broken in the window, and on a subsequent occasion a second pane. It was on the occasion of a visit of Mr. Patrick Arthur, father of Mr. Francis Arthur, to the prison, in company with Colonel Cockell, that the second pane was permitted to be broken. It was on this occasion too that Mr. Arthur demanded upon what charge or upon whose accusation he was arrested. The reply of Colonel Cockell was : — " You have been arrested and confined by order of Government ; whether j'ou will be tried here oyb HISTORY. OF LIMERICK. Maunsell had contested the representation in 179-i_, on the same interest a^'-ainst Mr. Smyth and Lord Gleutworth^ on which occasion the contest was equally fierccj equally energetic — but the voters was not so numerous on behalf of the liberal candidates. Some powerful broadsides were opened on Lord Glentworth^ Mr. Smyth and their supporters. Old men remember with horror, and shudder when they speak of the terri- ble events of '98 in Limerick. Full swing was given to the Sheriffs Lloyd and Webb, who made themselves acceptable to their patrons by the worst possible excesses. To be accused was in most instances to be condemned, and the details which will be found below, tell in simple but steady language, for how little justice and mercy these awful times were remarkable. Trade and agriculture were now neglected; famine and famine prices prevailed. At Kilrush in the County of Clare, oats rose to 2s. per stone. The Govern- ment had everything its ovru way ; each succeeding day gave strength and power to its minions, whilst the lash and the gibbet were in constant requisi- tion, the shrieks of the victims heard in every quarter ; and the roof-tree of many a dwelling was fired by the hands, not only of an infmiated yeomanry, but in many instances of men of rank and station who thus manifested the black feelings with which their hearts were filled. It was after these horrors that Lord Castlereagh and the Earl of Clare, were able to carry the Act of Union, to destroy by that nefarious measure, the independence of a country which had given birth to both of these unmitigated enemies to its pros- perity ; thus inflicting serious misery on the trade and commerce of Limerick, as well as of all L-eland. By the Act of Union Limerick lost one represen- tative, and the boroughs of Askeaton and Kilmallock were disfranchised. or in Dublin I know not. The only charge we have yet against you, comes from a man, who has never seen you and does not know you. If you are tried here you may depend on the honour of the present Court Martial." These were ominous words and merit the most marked attention, Mr. Patrick Arthur asked would the assistance of council be allowed if his son were tried in Limerick. " No," answered Colonel Cockell, " that is not customary." That it is and has been customary, however, is notorious. Nineteen da3's after the seizure of his efi^ects, namely on the 17th of June, through the pressing solicitations of Mr. Patrick Arthur (as partner with his son in trade). Colonels Darby and Cockell were so far prevailed upon that they gave up certain bills then about becoming due, but they absolutely refused to deliver up the thousand guineas, though the money was imperatively demanded to pay duties and freights of cargoes. Owing to'the perseverance of Mr. Patrick Arthur, the house was thoroughly searched, and the vaults, bureaus, drawers, &c. when the keys of the warehouse were given to Mr. P. Arthur ; but Colonel Darby retained those of the counting-house, as well as those of the vaults, drawers, &c. In JMr. Arthur's case, the principle of law which regards every man as innocent who is not found guilty, was subverted and ignored. All that could be done was done to persecute and depress him, irrespective of every other consideration. The application of Mrs. Arthur to the General, in order that I\Ir. Thwaytes, the military surgeon, should attend him, was rejected. The reply to the application was that the General had not heard Mr. Arthur was ill, but he wonld enquire about it ; but there was no enquiry, and Sheriff Lloyd continued his brutality. Seeing some whej' brought to Mr. Arthur's prison-door by a servant, Lloyd ferociously called a Serjeant to hold the poor servant, while he (Lloyd) beat him, the unoffending man, so brutally that he returned home covered with wounds and blood ! Whilst sick in bed on the evening of the 22nd of June, Mr. Arthur received a notice that he would be tried next morning, lie got no intimation of the charge. He was brought up to the Council Chamber accordingly on the morning of the 2ord, where the Court Martial, composed as follows, was then sitting : Lieutenant-Colonel Darby 54th Regiment, President. Lieutenant- Colonel Cockell oith Regiment. Captain Spence 54th Regiment. Major Carlisle of the Kildare Militia. Captain Mannel of the Perthshire Fencibles. Lieutenant Donald M'Can of the 24th Regiment, Assi.sting Judge Advocate. There was no swearing of the members of the Court in presence of the prisoner. The Judge Advocate preferred the charge in the following terms : — "Francis Arthur, you stand charged with liaving aided and asbisted in the present rebellion." HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 397 Tlie sense of the County and of the City of Limerick, having been declared against a Legislative Union, at meetings constitutionally held by the respective Sheriffs, it would be unnecessary for the individuals of those counties to deprecate a measure that had already been marked with general reprobation. But a list of signatures having appeared in favour of the proposed Union, it was thought necessary by many of the gentry of city and county, as they them- selves stated, to publish their names, and show the world that the sense of those counties had not changed, was not changing, but remained unalterable on the subject— "and we trust and hope'' (they continued)" our represen- tatives in Parliament will concur in opinion with us, and will therefore use every exertion in their power to resist such a measure should it again be submitted to Parliament.'" The following are some of the names which appeared in this counter de- claration against the l^nion : — De Vesci. Massy. Hon, John Massy, Massy Park. John Prendergast Smyth, Linaerick. Edward Croker, Ballinegnard. Joseph Gabbett, High Park. William Gabbett, Prospect. Thomas jMaunsell, Plassy, Robert Maunsell, Limerick. Bolton Waller, Bushy Park. Hon. George Massy, Plolly Park. Hon. George E. Massy, Stagdale. George Massy, Stagdale. PicharJ Taylor, Holly Park- Hugh Ingoldsby Massy, Rochestown. Hon. Robert Moore, Dublin. Richard Maunsell, Quinsborough. Edraond Browne, Mewgrove. Henry Baylee, Loughgur. Rev. Thomas Lloyd, Castle Lloyd, James Cooper, Cooper Hill, Sir Capel Molyneux, Bart. Henry Fosbcry, Carroa, Francis Fosbery, Curra Bridge; Thomas F. Maunsell, Ballybrood. Thomas Roche,Mercbaat, Limerick. Henry Bevan, Camas. William Thomas Monsell, i\I.P. Hon. Edward Massy, Limerick. Christopher Tuthill, Faha. John Wolfe, Forenaughts, M.P. Staudish Grady, Elton. George Evans, Bnlgadeer, M.P. Thomas Vercker, Limerick. Wm, H, Armstrong, Mt, Heaton, M,P, Rev, Thomas Grady, Littleton. Charles Vereker, Roxborough, M.P, Ralph Westropp, senior, Rosborough. Richard Harte, Coolruss. AMlliam Johnson Harte, Do. Frederick Lloyd, Limerick. Ralph Westropp, Attyflin. Johu Westropp, Attyflin. Michael Fnruell, Ballycahane. Standish Grady, Grange. (Then follow a large numlei and city, in alphabetical order.) The proof of this was to be made ont in three counts. First, offering, although not advancing, money for the use of Lord Edward Fitzgerald, after notice of his rebellious purposes. Second, eniplo-ying one Higgins to raise men in the west. Third, having pikes and fire-arms concealed in hogsheads. The only witness brought to substantiate the first charge was William Maume, a low person then actually under conviction and sentence of transportation for life to Botany Bay, for treasonable practices. In his progress to Waterford for this purpose, he was stopped bvan order of government, and immediatelj-^ taken into the protection and management of Mr, Thomas Judkin Fitzgerald, sheriff of Tipperary, and Colonel Foster, of the Louth militia. Maume from his arrival at Limerick, was handsomely maintained and permitted to go at large. His evidence was prevaricating and inconsistent. The two witnesses to the second and third charges, having nothing but heresay evidence to offer, and declaring their utter ignorance of Mr. Arthur, made no impression on the court. The court declared the prosecution closed on Saturday', and ordered the prisoner back to his confinement under a double guard, with orders to prepare for his defence on the Monday ; but he was not allov/ed in the intermediate time to speak or communicate with any human being, not even tlie turnkey. On Sunday the prisoner was visited by Colonel Cockell, who refused his pressing entreaties for an extension of time, and the means of aid, assistance, or counsel. On the opening of the court on Monday morning, Maume was called in by the president, who, without any suggestion, told the court, that Maume of names, of less prominent inhahitants of the county 398 HISTORY or limekick. The descendants of those men so far from blushing for the patriotism of their predecessors, will admit that it was with a certain foresight of what was to come, that their fathers pronounced agamst the Union, which was fatal to the influence thej had enjoyed, as it was ruinous to the best interests of every class and party. ^ Though enterprise and public spirit were perceptibly checked by the Act of Union, the new town of Limerick continued to increase in size and in importance. Some of the finest stores in Ireland now occupied ground which had been a swamp some few years before : a prince merchant, Philip Eoche (John) Esq. had expended in 1787, an enormous sum of money in building the great stores at Mardyke, which to this day are scarcely paralleled in magnitude, &c. in any part of Ireland. When Mr. Roche purchased the ground on Avhich he built these stores, and a range of houses on the south side of Rutland-street, and the south side of Patrick-street, a Catholic was not permitted by the Penal Laws to buy land, and Mr. Roche bought in the name of his friend and relative the Right Rev, Dr. Pery, Protestant Bishop ' The Summer of 1799 produced the greatest quantitj' of white thorn blossoms ever remem- bered — the hedges were like bleach places covered with linen ; the succeeding winter was very severe. A house for the reception of deserted infants, on Merchants' Quay, was established in 1799, as appeared by a date painted on the figure of a cradle. This institution has long since disappeared. was now cooler and would correct his evidence of Saturday. lie was called in and prevaricated still deeper. And when a letter written by himself to Mr. Peppard, was produced, acknow- ledging he had never seen Mr. Arthur in his life, he answered in confusion to the president, " You know. Sir, that it is but lately that I gave information against Mr. Arthur, and that I did not wish to do it." Between the close of the prosecution on Saturday and the opening of the defence on Monday, Mrs. Arthur and her friends procured some material witnesses from Char- leville and other places ; and ten of his witnesses, all respectable inhabitants of Limerick, had engaged a room in the hotel, adjoining to the court-house, to be at hand to answer the call of the court. Tlie Rev. Avril Hill gave in a paper to the president, and the court declared there was a revolutionary Committee sitting in the adjoining tavern :* on which the Judge Advocate wa.s despatched to take them into custody. Centinels were placed in the front and rear of the house, with orders to let none escape till the breaking up of the court. They seized all the peipers and written documents Avhich had been procured for the prisoners, and they were kept by the president Mr. Sheriff Lloyd complained that some other of the prisoner's witnesses were in waiting, and issued orders that all papers and communications relating to the prisoner should be first given into court. All Mr. Arthur's friends were forcibly kept out of court ; and with the utmost ditHculty, some of the first characters in Limerick prevailed on the sheriff to permit Mr. Arthur's father to be present at the trial of his sou. The greatest part of Mr, Arthur's witnesses having been kept out of court, the defence was closed on the same day. And now we come to the crisis of this most extraordinary and remarkable conspiracy against the life of an unoffending and most respectable citizen. The next witness brought into court was Mr. William Ward.f He was brought forward to corroborate a statement made by the perjured Avretch Maum, as to Maum's having purchased certain articles of silver plate, &c. at his shop, on Baal's Bridge, where he then carried on business, in February, 1798, but Mr. Ward like a man of business, entered on the day he sold the articles to Maum, the particulars of the purchases so made ; and from the Day Book it appeared that the articles were bought about Christmas, that is, shortly after Twelfth Day, instead of in February, as Maum had distiuctlj- sworn,t ISTothing could be clearer as to the date, the transaction, &c. &c. Maum had no previous acquaintiince with Mr. Ward, but he had a design in making his acquaintance, in onler that he might be made available in the corroboration of his testimony afterwards. Blr, Arthur had, among other things, refused peremptorily to subscribe to a fund which was being collected at the time against the war * INIr. John Tubridy's house in Exchange Lane. t This gentleman was father of Francis Ward, Esq. T.C. George's-street, Limerick. J I have now before me the leaf of the original Day-book in which the entries of the purchases were made by Mr. William Ward ; and this leaf contains, in addition, the marks or braces ('~-'— >) made by the President of the Court jMartial, whrn he read the entries of the articles sold and, the day of the month, &c. I am indebted to Mr. Francis Ward for these very interesting par- ticulars, and for an extract from the original leaf wiiich is in his possession. The leaf, no doubt, ought ever to be cherished as a precious heir-loom, of which any family ought to be proud. UISTORY or LIMERICK. 399 of Limerick. Until his death in 1797, Mr. Eoche carried on a vast trade with Holland, in rape seed, flax, &c. and he supplied large provision contracts to Government. 1 The old town continued under the tender care of the Corporation, which did its very best to provide for the requirements of its o"«Ti members, who were regardless of the condition of their peculiar charge, or of any other consideration, except that of alienating the public property, and dividing among themselves the loaves and the fishes. From the year 1757 to 1800, they had made but eight leases, and these were for a term of 999 years : — A. R. p. Ground on the Quay James Smyth, Esq. 1 1757 999 Ground adjoining Munchin's Church Bishop of Limerick 1757 999 Ground on Lock Quay Francis Russell 1766 999 Ground an acre in extent North of the city Thomas Norris 9 1782 983 Ground in Nicholas-street Thomas Vereker 7 1800 999 Ground between Mass-lane and Joice's mill, Ir. 14p. Peter F. Sargent 2 10 1769 999 Quarry and parcels of ground near Thomond gate David Roche 3 1770 999 1 These stores are now the propertj" of Thomas Kelly, Esq. of Shannon View, and are rented by the customs as bonding stores. Philip Roche (John) Avas married to Miss Margaret Kelly, daughter of John Kelly, merchant, who erected the altar of St. Mary's Chapel in 1760. John Kelly's son, Michael, was married to Miss Christina Roche, sister of Philip Roche (John), who was thus the uncle doubly, of John Kelly, Esq. D.L. of Pery Square, Limerick, and of Thomas Kelly, Esq. of Shannon View. Mrs. Frances Mac Naraara, sister of these gentlemen, and widow of the late Charles JlacNamara, of Limerick, wine merchant, has erected, at a cost of £1000, the magnificent middle altar of marble in St. John's Cathedral, Limerick. Mr. John Kelly's son, James Kelly, Esq. D.L, of Cahircon, Co. Clare, represented the city of Limerick in par- liament, on thoroughly independent principles, and is married to Miss Roche, of Trabolgan, Co. Cork, sister of Edmond Burke Roche, Lord Fermoy, by whom he has a numerous family. George Ryan, Esq. D.L. of Inch House, Co. Tipperary, is grandson of Philip Roche (John) ; as was also the late Garret Standish Barry, Esq. D.L. of Lemlara House, Co. Cork, who died on the 27th of December, 1864. Francis Grene, Esq. of Dublin, is married to Miss Kelly, daughter of Thomas Kelly, Esq. of Shannon View, by whom he has several children. with America or France ; he had also made himself remarkable in using his influential position in sustainment of the Catholic claims. — Dean Crosbie was a bitter enemy of his, as were all the members of the dominant party at the time. He was a marked man, but one of the means used by Maum to sacrifice this innocent gentleman was that by which Providence confounded the plot ; and to Mr. William Ward's book and accuracy may in the main be attributed the damaging blow inflicted on Maum's evidence and the destruction of the conspiracy. It is proper to observe that Mr. Ward never saw Maum before he came into his shop to make the purchases ; in those old times shopkeepers were hospitable, and Mr. Ward asked Slaum, who was a fellow of polished address and had been a tutor, in to breakfast — it was early in the morning. Maum at once complied ; and after breakfast they walked out to Newcastle to see the troops reviewed ; Mr. Ward little dreaming what a villain he was in company with at the moment. The evidence of Mr. Ward was quite clear as to the facts stated, and saved Mr. Authur's life. There never yet was a fouler, a baser, a more iniquitous conspiracy concocted than that to rob Mr. Arthur not only of property but of life ; and the aim would be attained were it not for the accidents referred to in the course of the trial, there can be no doubt whatever. Mr. Ward did his duty well ; the confession of Maume showed the diabolical nature of the plot of which he was the instrument. Mr. Hare* acted admirably ; the immediate family of Mr. Arthur manifested thorough readiness and the most energetic devotion. An innocent man was saved from the ignominious fate that awaited him at the hands of Mr. Sheriff Lloyd and Mr. Sheriff Webb. Lloyd lived to see a termination of his schemes. Webb was found dead in the gutter one morning, into which he fell and broke his neck the night before, as reeling homeward from a debauch, he missed his footing and stumbled, and was suffocated in the channel, from which there was no sympathising hand to raise him, until the coroner came, and had him brought a black and noisome corpse to his grave. He ate oysters to repletion, washed them down with whiskey punch — it was an awful fate ! Lloyd's common language in 1798, to the poor sufferers * Mr Hare was father of the late Major Hare, uncle of Mathew Hare de Courcey, Esq. Treasurer of the Limerick Corporation. 400 HISTORY OF LIMErJCK. Colonel Yerekcr was lord paramount — ^he did whatever he thouo-ht proper with the body of which he was the chief, and which he ruled with a strino-ent discipline, which did not permit a murmur to escape the lips of any on'e of his subordinates and creatures, by whom the Common Council of Limerick was composed. In the otherwise generous and admirable traits of character which this gentleman manifested, these spots appear to dim what would be bright and lustrous ; but it cannot be denied, that he not only did not form a becoming estimate of his own position, but that he used those under him for his own party and political purposes. However, whilst he resolutely opposed reform, he conjured up a spirit among the citizens at large, which proved its strength in the progress of important events, and caused'a change m after years, which struck a fatal blow for ever against not only local monopoly and oppression, but against the irresponsible iniquity of Irish municipalities, from one end to the other of Ireland. In the stand made against the Corporation, the " Free Citizens,'^ of whom we have w^-itten so much m a preceding pbTtion of our History, were succeeded by the '' Inde- pendents," who fought the good fight with manly vigour and success ; and who, not confined to one class or persuasion, embraced Catholic and' Pro- testant alike, and gave promise that citizens who difi'ered in religion would co-operate on an equal platform for the attainment of privileges which should be common to all. ■?vho came before him, was—" You shall have singing and dancing enough ! !" The singing -(vas the screeches of the victims, as the infernal lash of the drummer tore the flesh from their backs • and the dancing was the dying throes of the victim who swung in the air as he was turned off from the gnllows at the then new bridge— now the Mathew Bridge ! The prisoner was remanded, and a sentinel with a drawn bayonet quartered upon him in his narrow cell. His trunks also were taken from him. At nine o'clock on that night Colonel Cockell brought him the following sentence of the court-martial—" You are to be transported to Botany bay for life, to be sent off to-morrow morning at six o'clock, to pay a fine of £5000 to the king forthwith, or your entire property will be confiscated." When the' trial was ov"er Mr Arthur's witnesses, who had not been examined, were called in and severelv rebuked by the pre- isident as a revolutionary committee. This Mr.Hare, a permanent Serjeant, who had received Maume into his care and management, and who had deposed that Maume had written a certain letter from General Morrison's apartments to Mr. Peppard, which the sheriff declared had saved Mr. Arthur's life, was committed to jail without any charge or M-arrant, and on the next mornino- was tried and found guilty by the same court-martial of a breach of trust, in having permitted°Maiime to write that letter to Mr. Peppard. As Mr. Sheriff Llovd was conducting Hare to prison to which he was committed as well as dismissed from the office of permanent Serjeant, he told him explicitly, that that severe sentence was not passed upon him for having permitted Maume to write the letter, but because he had appeared too sanguine in favour of the prisoner Hare justified his obligation of obeying the summons : observing, that " had he not appeared the man would have been hanged." " To be sure he would," was the sherirs replv. " and had vou re- • mamed at home, the court would have overlooked it." An application was" made by Hare's son through Lord Matthew, for the liberation of his father ; which was acceded to But Colonel Cockell admonished the young man, that his father s was a serious breach of trust and grievous offence ; for the letter he had permitted to be written bv Maume had saved Sir. Arthur's life On the 20th of June Lord Cornwallis arrived in Dublin ; and it accidentally happened that a young gentleman of the name of Gorman,* a nephew of Mr. Arthur, lately arrived from London, * James O'Gorman (who was the fourth sen of Daniel O'Gorman and Mary Roche daughter of Phihp Eoche of Limerick), was born in the Castle of Bunrattv, Co. Clare, in 1081 • he lost his property, and went to live in Limerick in 1724, where he married Christina Harold third daughter of Thomas Harold and Alicia Enraght. He died in 173G. He had three sons and one daughter. His second son Thomas was born in 1724, and went to En'>-land in 1747 to claim for his relative Mrs. Margaret Daly Walsh, estates, as heir-at-law to Sheflield Duke of Buckingham, and succeeded in establishing her right. He afterwards established himself as a merchant in London. He died in 1800, and the mercantile house, a somewhat eminent one, was continued under the firm of Gorman, Brothers. He had fourteen children. The period at which lie dropped the O' was after he wont to London. The names of liis sons were Edmond Sexton Alicuthouse, Thomas Harold, James (Michael Arthur), William, Silvester, Charles, Jame^ Denis, Charles, 'Ihadeus, and George. It was James, we believe, that gave evidence for Mr Arthur. Edmond A. Gorman, Esq. of East Berghall, Suffolk, represents this family. HISTORY OF LOIERICK. 401 It cannot be omitted that the state of the old town at this period, was utterly neglected by the Corporation ; there were no watchmen to look after the property of the citizens, or to call the hours at night, except a few decrepit old men who were paid a few pence weekly by each shopkeeper. The principal item of intelligence in the local journal for the mouth of July, 1800, is the existence of a gang of shop-lifters and robbers from Cork, who broke open and carried off several pieces of linen, &c., from shops in Broad-street.^ But there were others not in the rauk of depredators or spoliators, who at this time made a noise in the old town ; and the parish of St. John in particular rang with the echoes of their wild revelry, while they caused their own names and fame to be wedded to verse to the immortal air 1 In 1801, cocked hats taken away from the grenadier and battalion companies of the several regiments of English infantry, and low felt caps substituted in their room ; about the same time the soldier's long clothing disused, and jackets substituted. In 1803, an applotment of £81 Is. lOd. was made on St. Munchin's Parish, the Rev. J. Duddell, rector — this was the proportion of City Rate made on the parish at spring assises. The applotment is dated May 23rd, 1803. The population of the City and Liberties of Limerick, as returned by Government in 1802 by Mr. Arthur Tracy, Hearth-money Collector : — City. Parishes. Numbers. City. Parishes. Numbers, St. Munchin .. 2962 South Liberty, Donoughmore 1372 St. Mary 9331 Carrigparson 332 St. Michael's .. 5672 Cahirnarry 1276 St. John 5961 Cahirarahy 469 Abbey .. 1135 Knocknagaule 402 North Liberty 3718 Mungret Stradbally Kilmurry 2918 1586 28779 629 Spittle KiUaloe 1808 703 14,046 St. Laurence .. 407 28,779 St. Patrick's .. 1498 Derrj-galvin UG Total . . 42,825 being unknown to any of those who had undertaken to keep the court clear of Mr. Arthur's friends, was present at the trial on Saturday. Anticipating the result of the proceedings, he set off for Dublin, where on the next morning he presented a petition to Lord Corn-wallis, stating the circumstances, and praying that if sentence should be given against the prisoner, the exe- cution of it might be respited, till his excellency should have revised the minutes of the court- martial. This prayer was granted. It also occasioned a general order from Lord Cornwallis, that in future no sentence of a court-martial should be summarily executed, as was then usual, without the confirmation of the Lord-lieutenant. On Tuesday morning, Mr. Gorman being in- formed that General Morrison was determined to exact the fine of £5000 from his uncle, waited on hira to remonstrate against the manifest infraction of his excellency's commands, to which General Morrison laconically replied, " I have received Lord Castlereagh's letter respecting Mr. Arthur, and shall use my discretion for the contents. I order the money to be paid." Accord- ingly the collector of his majesty's revenue took a bag from Mr. Arthur's desk, containing 1000 guineas in specie, and compelled his father instantly to make up the remainder. Notwithstand- ing the remonstrances of General Morrison to Lord Castlereagh's communication of his excel- lency's remission of the sentence. Lord Cornwallis sent a preremptory order, that Mr. Arthur's fine should be repaid him, and he be allowed to go to Great Britain, or any other part of his majesty's dominions. Though the order for Mr. Arthur's acquittal and delivery bore date the 30th of June, 1 798, yet was he kept in close confinement till the 6th of July, when, for the first time, Mr. Arthur was made acquainted with his excellency's order for the repayment of his fine and his liberation, through Colonel Cockell, by order of General Morrison. Colonel Cockell said to Mr. Arthur, " You must go to your house in a hand-chair, the curtain drawn about you. You are not to stir out of your house, and in twenty-four hours, you are to quit Limerick. Mr. Arthur was called upon to give security for his quitting Limerick within that time. But no such condition having been imposed upon him by his excellency, no one was found competent to take his recogni- zance. The limitation of time, though not required by his excellency, was again enforced, and Colonel Cockell observed, "half an hour more or less will not be taken notice of." Mr. Arthur set off for Dublin, on the 7th of July, where he remained till October ; constantly urging the Lord Lieutenant to reverse the sentence of the Court Martial, and allow Lim to prosecute 27 402 mSTOllY OF LIMERICK, I of " Garryowen"' — an air -which is heard with rapturous emotion by the Limerick man in whatever clime he may be placed, or under whatever cir- cumstances its fond familiar tones may strike upon his ear. Not even the Ranzes des Vaches has so many charms for the Swiss Exile as Garryowen possesses for every individual who claims Limerick as his birth-place or even as his residence. The words to which this air has been wedded contain allusions not only to the state of society as it existed in Garryowen in these days, but to certain local worthies, and principally the late John O^Connell, Esq., the proprietor of the Garryowen Brewery, who was deservedly much esteemed. THE ORIGINAL SONG OF "GARRYOWEN," WITH TRANSLATIONS INTO LATIN AND GREEK. [It is due to the translator, Thomas Stanley Tracy, Esq. A.B. Sch. T.C.D. to state that these translations were quite extemporaneous, and were never retouched.] Let Bacchus' sons be not dismayed, But joiu with me each jovial blade ; Come, booze, and sing, and lend your aid To help with me the chorus : — Instead of spa we'll drink brown ale, And pay the reckoning on the nail, No man for debt shall go to jail From Garryowen in glory ! ' Garryowen signifies " John's Garden"- — a suburb of Limerick in St. John's parish, in which in these times there was a public garden which the citizens were accustomed to frequent in great numbers. The opening scene of Gerald - Griffin's beautiful novel of the " Collegians" is laid in Garryowen, and from this novel Mr. Dion Boucicault has obtained materials for his famous drama of the Colleen Bawn. The " Nail" here mentioned is a sort of low pillar still extant in the Town-Hall, upon which payments used to be made in former times. Maurae for perjury, that he might be in possession of formal and authentic documents to clear and justify his own character. Mr. Cooke and Mr. Taylor, the under secretaries, as well as Lord Castlereagh, threw every difficulty in his way. The evidence of Maume they alleged was notori- ously known to be false. He was already sentenced to Botany baj' for life, and the necessary delay of prosecuting Maume in a civil court would break in upon Mr. Arthur's wishes to go to England. Government did not, however, scruple in the intermediate time to employ this per- jured miscreant to give evidence at Cork against some persons there under military prosecutions. Mr. Arthur was still naturally anxious for every justificative document that he could procure. He pressed to have copies of his excellency's different orders for respiting the sentence of the Court Martial, liberating him, and repaying the fine. He was assured, that all these orders had been verbal ! ! ! and that his excellency could do nothing more for him. Mr. Cooke, to put an end to Mr. Arthur's further importunity, wrote him the following letter on the 10th of October, 1798. Castle, lOth October, 1798. SiE, — I examined William Maume, whose evidence I am clear is false ; he will be sent off and transported, and there cannot be any objection to your going whither you think most eligible. As far as I can give testimony to your character, 1 shall ever do it by saying that I think it by no means implicated from any thing asserted by Maume; and I certainly never heard any asper- sion upon you from any one else. I am, &c. E. CooKJi. To Francis Arthur,. Eaq. Maume in the mean while was daily seen walking the streets of Cork, In January, 1799, he advertised his intention of publishing the whole of Mr. Arthur's trial, and all the means used to induce him (Maume) to give false evidence against him. He was instantly arrested, and thenceforth confined to the barracks (though in an officer's apartments) where he was frequently visited by Mr. Judkin Fitzgerald. Thence he was sent on board the Minerva transport, bound for Botany bay. Despairing now of his pardon, and repenting or pretending to repent, of his having burne false testimony against Mr. Arthur, he swore to, and signed a full and min- ute avowal of all the falsities he had given in evidence agninst Mr. Arthur, in order to criminate him capitally. This was done in the presence of Joseph Salkeld, the master, and Henry Har- rison, the mate of the ship Miberva ; Thomas Holmes, Esq. late captain of oith, Kilner Brazier, HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 403 "We are the boys that take delight iu Smashing the Limerick lamps when h'ghting, Through the streets like sporters fighting And tearing all before us. Instead, &c. We'll break windows, we'll break doors, The watch knock down by threes and fours. Then let the doctors work their cures, And tinker up our bruises. Instead, &c. We'll beat the bailiffs, out of fun. We'll make the mayor and sheriffs run ; We are the boj^s no man dares dun. If he regards a whole skin. Instead, &c. Esq. late sheriff of Cork, Arthur Arthur and Peter Arthur, Esqrs. merchants of Cork. Mr Ar- thur's last resort to do himself justice was to obtain the consent of the castle, to publish in the newspapers the letters of Jlessrs. Cooke and Taylor. This was refused on pretext of the temper of the times. The most inventive novelist could hardly have combined a chain of circumstances peculiarly illustrative of the coercive system, under which Ireland now laboured. June 2. Communication with Dublin re-established — General Court Martial assembled at the Council Chamber. A man named Grant, charged with taking an oath to be true to the French, and accused of holding the rank of serjeant in the rebel army, was sentenced to receive 600 lashes, 250 of which were inflicted immediately after, opposite the Main Guard, and the remain- der postponed until the ensuing Monday, to be" then carried into effect, unless he, in the interval, consented to give information, and disclose the names of his confederates. Mr. Peter O'Eeeffe, George Murphy, John Quin, William Crowe, Anthony Hogan, John O'Hogane, William Hanabury, B. Connors, and P. Clancie, all citizens, were arrested. The first named, Mr. Peter O'Keeffe, charged with administering the United Irishmen's oath, was subse- quently tried by Court Martial, and acquitted. Messrs. Joseph O'Loughlin and John Fitzgerald were brought in from Eathkeale, escorted by George Leake, Esq., and a party of the Lower Connelloe cavalry, charged with using traitorous language, and being sworn United Irishmen. June 4. £200 was subscribed by the citizens, for the wives and children of the soldiers who went in pursuit of the United Irishmen at Kildare. John Hayes, of Bilboa, committed, charged with being an United Irishman, and attempting to shoot John Lloyd, Esq., C.P. for the county. June G. Michael M'Swiney, charged with being a serjeant in the United Irishmen, was sen- tenced to GOO lashes. After having received 100 at the Main Guard, he requested to be taken down, promising to make some useful disclosures, whereupon the remainder of his sentence was remitted. Matthew Kennedy, charged with taking arms from the house of John Evans, of Ashroe, was executed on the new bridge, and his body buried in the yard of the intended new jail. John Moore, convicted of being a rebel captain, was hanged on the new bridge, and buried in the jail yard. Owen Rj-an, convicted of being a sworn rebel, was sentenced to receive 500 lashes, and to be sent to serve in the West Indies for life. He received 300 lashes on the new bridge. The following notice was issued by Major-General Morrison : — " All Public Houses and Liquor Shops to be closed from 8, p.m. untU 6, a.m. All peaceable and well-disposed persons are ear- nestly requested not to appear in the streets after dark. The Magistrates of the City and County, and of Clare, Kerry, and Tipperary, are hereby authorized to tender the Oath of Allegiance to such people as by their industry and labour, by carrying provisions into the towns, and by con- fessions and information shall show repentance of their former ill conduct, and that they are, by their good behaviour, contributing to the peace and happiness of the country." Persons are hourly brought iu from the country, charged with aiding and abetting rebellion. The Doonas Cavalry brought in Francis Macnamara, Esq., of Ardcloone}', near O'Brien's Bridge, charged with holding a captain's commission in tlie ranks of the disaffected. Major Purdon's corps brought in 2() from Killaloe, one of whom was a Colonel M'Cormick — also a quantity of captured pike-heads. Captain Studdert's corp.s from Kilkiaheu escorted three defenders, with their pikes hung round their bodies. June 13. Andrew Pvyan, Patrick Carroll, Michael Callinan, and — Sheehy, charged with having pikes in their possession, were vrhipped by the drummers of the Garrison. Letter from Lieut.-Colonel Gough, of the City Militia, dated Edenderry, June 7th : " I take the earliest opportunity of informing you that General Champaigne ordered me to march at 11 o'clock last night with 100 of our regiment, and 60 cavalry, to attack a rebel camp 404 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Our hearts so stout have got us fame. For soon 'tis known from whence we came ; Where'er we go they dread the name Of Garryowen in glory. Instead, &c. Johnny Conn ell's tall and straight ; And in his limbs he is complete ; He'll pitch a bar of any weight From Garryowen to Thomond-gate. Instead, &c. Garryowen is gone to wreck Since Johnny Connell went to Cork ; Though Harry O'Brien leapt over the dock In spite of judge and jury. Instead, &c. •within six miles of this town. At five o'clock in the morning we arrived there, and found the rebels posted behind an amazing strong quickset ditch, and a bog in their rere. I ordered a troop of cavalry to get round them on the right, and so to be between them and the bog, which they could not effect, the country being so much enclosed. In the mean time the Infantry attempted gettinground the flank of their camp, which they were so lucky as to effect, though they had to get over ditches strongly barricaded with strong stakes interwound with white thorns. The moment we entered the Rebel Camp they ran to the bog, to the number of 3 or 400, where they found we directly advanced, upon which they fired a general volley at us, accompanied with a loud huzza, and began to retreat. Finding that they would not stand, I ordered a general discharge, with such effect that they set running like furies ; we pursued them across the bog to an island on which they had a post ; this they abandoned on our getting near it ; we still pursued until we got near the dry ground at the other side of the bog, where I knew General Champaigne and Colonel Vereker had taken a position, with a strong body of our detachment. Unfortun- ately some houses were set on fire there, which caused the Rebels to change their course into the great Bog of Allen ; had it not been for that event every one of them must have either surren- dered or been cut to pieces. In our pursuit of five miles we found ten dead, but am convinced numbers more were lying in the long heaths ; for the first two miles they fired many shots, all which went over us. " It was surprizing to see how regular they had their outposts. Four miles from their camp we fell in with an advanced sentinel, capitally mounted and armed ; on his attempting to join the rebels he was shot. We then fell in with their advanced Piquet, who received so° warm a reception, that they scampered off with the loss of their arms and some horses. " We found in their camp 48 fat sheep, 20 cows and horses, which I am going to cant for the benefit of our men, who are also returned loaded with great coats, blankets, shoes, pikes, &c " Nothing could equal the ardour of our Limerick lads ; they would have burned down every house, and killed every man they met, had I not restrained them ; they are the most desperate fellows I believe on earth, and I am sure loyal ; not a man received the slightest wound.'' Letter next morning received by Lieut.-CoL Gough, from General Champaigne :_ " Dublin, June 7, 1798. Sir, — I am this moment favoured with your report of the affair of Tuesday morning, for which I return you many thanks. I have not only acquainted the Commander-in-Chief, but the Lord Lieutenant, of your conduct and success, of which I was an eye-witness, and your not having lost a man in the action was a proof that your disposition of action was not only planned with judgment, but conducted with spirit. I am, with great esteem. Your obedient humble servant, Lieut.-Col. Gough, City Limericlc Militia. X. Chajipaigxe. Thomas M'Swiney, for being a sworn ofiicer of the Defenders, was hanged on the new bridge, and his body buried in the jail yard. David Touhy and Michael Dunigan received 100 lashes each ; a man named Ryan 600 lashes— afterwards transported ; David Carroll 200 lashes, and transported. Those punishments were inflicted in the yard of the new jail. June 16. Francis Jlacnamara, Esq., of Ardclooney, was tried and acquitted. The only pro- secutor was a man named M'Swiney, who had been flogged for being a Serjeant in the rebel force. June 20. The Mayor ordered that the names of all male inhabitants of houses in the citv ■whose ages exceed 14, should be posted on a conspicuous part of the ground floor. All persons neglecting to comply to be reported to the Court MartiaL Th J following sentences were this day passed : Daniel Hayes, to receive 800 lashes, and be transported for life. John Collins, 100 lashes, and transportation. HISTORY OF LIAIEIUOK. 405 CARMEN GARRYOWENIENSE. Baccheidae impavidi, Adsitis compotanti mi ! Ut decet vos fortissimi, Ad pulchre concinendum. Chorus — Cervisiam fuscam pro aqua bibamns ; Symbolam promptam illico damus, Absit ut nexi iu vincla eamus Ex Garryowen insigni ! Juvenes sumus qui talia curent — Frangere lychnos dum splendide urunt Et Limericenses in plateis jurant Nos cunctos depugnare ! Fenetris domoram et foribns caesis, Et ternis quaternis vigilibus Issis, Signa iaspiciat medicus necis Et illinantur vulnera ! James Kelly, same punishment. Eichard Kelly, 600 lashes, and transportation. Thomas Frost, transportation for life. William Walsh, sentenced to death, respited, and transported. John Moyuene, transportation for life. Mr. Bartholomew Clancy, merchant, and Mr. Patrick O'Connor, attorney, tried and acquitted. June 23. The Mayor issued a proclamation against the lighting of bonfires on John's Eve. Trial of Francis Arthur, Esq., commenced. Sentences: — Francis Arthur, Esq., transportation for life to Botany Bay, and a fine of £5,000. Mr. Joseph Anderson, prevarication in his evidence on Mr. Arthur's trial, pilloried opposite the Exchange. June 27th. — Thomas Kennedy (brother of Patrick Kennedy hanged on the 4th instant) con- victed of taking arms, was removed to Down, under escort of the Koyal Limerick Cavalry, and hanged in pursuance of a sentence of a Court-martial. June 28th Dr. Robert Ross, and Mr. George Hargrove, were tried by Court-martial, and liberated by giving bail in £500 each to appear when called on, and to keep the peace for 7 years. Patrick O'Neill, a most active rebel, convicted of swearing several persons to assist the French when they landed, was sentenced to be hanged and beheaded in the neighbourhood from whence he came. He was convej^ed to Askeaton and his sentence there executed. July 4th._Extract of a letter received from an officer of the City Limerick Militia stationed in EdJenderry : — July \st, 1798. I am just returned in after giving the rebels a good drubbing. I marched against 300 of them with 60 men (infantry) ; I sent some cavalry to surround the hill where they were posted, but the moment I appeared they fled, keeping up a hot fire on us in every direction ; however, we routed and drove them to the cavalry who gave them a warm reception. I am certain upwards of 300 of them were killed. There was a Priest and a Captain Casey at their head, who were both killed ; the latter being this townsman we brought him back where he now remains hanging. Sentences passed by the General Court-Martial — William Ryan Stephen taking arms, and swearing people, to be hanged at Caherconlish, his body to be brought back and thrown into Croppies' Hole in the New Jail. Messrs. John O'Hogan, William Crowe, M'Knight, Andrew Kenny, M. Considine, to give bail for their good behaviour. Patrick Wallis, for collecting subscriptions for procuring the assassination of Chas. S. Oliver, Esq. to be hanged at KCfinan, his head to be affixed on one of his own pikes, and placed on the Castle. July 7th Sir Vere Hunt, Bart, received, in the most gracious and flattering manner, authority from His Royal Highness the Duke of York to raise a regiment of 600 men, with right to appoint his own officers. Twenty prisoners under sentence removed from Jail to Duncannon Fort. By order of General Morrison, John M'Daniel, Martin Sweeny, Thomas M'Knight, Theobald Burey, Matthew Dea, Daniel Cotton, Edmoud Sheehy, and James Grant W;;re dibcharged from prigun. 406 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Ludentes pulsabimns omnem lictorem, Prsetorem nrbanum et genus liorrnn — Nequia efflagitet scs debitorem, In Garryowen insigni. Virtus nostra famam quserit — Unde venimus nemo haaret — Quum nomen tuum terrorem ferat, Garryowen insigni s ! Johannes O'Connell procerus et fortis Cujusvis oneris sudibus tortis. Ex Garryowen ad Thomondi portas Projiciet insignis ! Sed Garryowen sublabi sivit, Ex quo Johannes Corkagian ivit — Et Harry O'Brien ex vinclis salivit, Coram Judice et juratore. Mr. Francis Arthur was liberated by the Lord Lieutenant, upon condition of giving £500 security that he shall remove himself into Great Britain, or any other part at peace with his Majesty, until be shall be licensed to return to Ireland on the expiration of the present troubles. At a meeting ot the Subscribers to the Royal Coffee House, notice being duly given, it wag unanimously resolved — That Francis Arthur, lately convicted before a Court-martial, of aiding and assisting in the present rebellion, be expelled this House, and that the waiter be ordered to erase his name from the list of Subscribers to said House. Signed by order, Maurice Crosbie, Chairman. July l-lth. — George Fitzgerald, who gave evidence against Thomas Kennedy, executed at Doon, was murdered on the mountains near Bilboa. The Mayor, Sheriffs, and Corporation passed votes of thanks to Generals Duff and Morrison, and voteel them the freedom of the city. They also passed a vote of thanks to Lieut.-Colonel Darby, and the Officers composing the Court-martials, for their temperate and decided conduct, wisdom and justice. August 1st. — Two gentlemen, named Orpen, from the County of Kerry, were brought in and lodged in the gaol, to await their trial by Court Martial. Thomas Lyons and Peter Coghlan, privates of the Kildare Militia, were tried by Court Martial, and convicted and sentenced to be shot. Thomas Lyons was marched by his own regi- ment to the King's island, where he was shot by 8 men selected for that purpose. Being a Catholic, he was attended by the Eev. Mr. M'Grath ; after the execution, the troops marched in slow time past the body, which was afterwards interred in the Fort of the island. August 6th. — Court Martial assembled at the Council Chamber, for the trial of Horatio Townshend Orpen and Richard Orpen, Esqrs., of the County of Kerry, charged with aiding and assisting in the Rebellion. The following members composed the tribunal — Col. Foster, Louth Militia, President; Lieutenant-Col. Garden, 54th Regiment; Major Carlisle, Kildare Militia; Major Sirle, Perth Highland Fencibles; Captain Crawford, Royal Irish Artillery; Captain Gibson, 54th Regiment ; Captain Spence, Do.; Captain Frederick, Do ; Captains Filgate and Faircloth, Louth Militia ; Captain Monsell, 2nd Fencible Cavalry ; Captains Compton and Manuel, Perth Highland Fencibles. Counsel for the prosecution — II. D. Grady, Casey, and Going ; Agent, Meredyth Monsell, Esq. ' Counsel for the prisoners — Messrs. Hartwell, Keller, John Dickson, and Stephen Dickson. Agent, Henry Hassett, Esq. At the close of the prosecution, the Court adjourned; at its re-assembling, the Messrs. Orpen entered upon then- defence, after which, they were pronounced not guilty, and liberated. At a meeting of the Croom Cavalry, held at Castle Connell, on the L'lJth of July, G. Croker, Esq., in the Chair, thanks were voted to Major-General Sir James Duff, &c. August, 1798 — Complaints were constant during those times of the non-arrival at regular periods of the mail coach from Dublin. September 1st. — Accounts reached Limerick this d.ay, that a report to the effect that the City ftlilitia were in action at Castlebar on tlie 27th of August, was imtrue. They were on that day at Carrick-on-Shannon, eu route to join General Lake. Laut. Hill, Esq., of Limerick, who had been on a visit to Killala, aud taken prisoner by the French on their landing, was liberated on parole. The French were at Castlebar up to 3rd of September and afterwards ; their cavalry were picketed at Lord Lucan's Lawn. September 12th — On this day letters were received from the city, stating that on the 5th HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 407 OAE FAPPiaENIA. Tov Bax^ou biov oxi r^ssa; n/ve/i/ r ahiiv vTov^yBoas E/Moi (SyjjjfuKom. AvTi Cid'i^^ou hharog TLiov/Mida "TTyggou l^iSsog, Totg Barley 2 to 2 1 > per stone. Oats 1 8 to 1 9 ) April 4th. — A female Hottentot exhibited in this city under the name of Venus. She died in Paris, May, 1816 — she remained in Limerick five days, and much to the credit of the people, was visited by very few. May 1st. — An hospital for lying-in women and for incurables, first opened for the reception of patients in Nelson-street. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 417 of St. Michael's Parish, as they were called, continued in existence until December 1st, 1853, when the Acts of Parliament, by which they were con- stituted a taxing body for the New Town, viz., 47 Geo. III. c. 75, and 51st Geo. III. c. 104, were repealed by the Limerick Improvement Act, 16th Victoria, which received the royal assent on the 15th of August in that year (1853). The power which had been so long and so well exercised by the Commissioners, was transferred to the Eeformed Municipal Corpora- tion ; and in the same year " the Limerick Corporation Act,'' 16th and 17tk Vic, c. 73, was passed, by which the five wards into which Limerick was divided by the Municipal Eeform Act of 1842, were divided into eight wards ; and other changes were made in the constitution of the Town Council. The New Town increased in size and importance under the Commissioners, and became proverbial for cleanliness and order. On the 14th May, in 1807, at a Common Council, held in the Council Chamber, Exchange, Eichard Harte, Esq., Mayor, in the chair, the freedom of the city, in a gold box, was voted, with a complimentary address, to the Duke of Eichmond, Lord Lieu- tenant of Ireland ; and on the same day it was also unanimously resolved that a congratulatorv address and the freedom of the city in a gold box, be presented to the Eight Hon. Sir Arthur Wellesley, K.B., and Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant. In this address it is said that Sir Arthur Wellesley is closely attached by noble birth and hereditary property to this part of the Empire. It was further resolved, that Colonel Charles Vereker, M.P., should present the addresses, which he did in a suitable manner, and for which His Excel- lency and Sir Arthur Wellesley returned their warmest acknowledgments. The 25th of September was a very memorable day in Limerick ; the Duke of Eichmond arrived in the city, and was received in the warmest manner by the citizens. His Grace was accompanied by the Duchess of Eichmond, Lord March, Lady Mary Lennox, and his staff. A number of men, principally from the brewery of Mr. Wilkinson, had a drag and ropes prepared as the carriage came withm a short distance of the city ; the ropes were covered with red cloth, and the drag was becomingly ornamented. His Grace, who had been in Killaruey visiting the Lakes, entered the city by Boherbuoy, went through Thomas-street, and George's-street, to the Bishop's Palace in Henry-street, where he remained during his visit. On the Sunday which he spent in Lunerick, His Grace and the Duchess of Eichmond aad staff attended service at St. Mary's Cathedral. Never before or since was witnessed so large a procession of carriages, or so extraordinary an exhibition of local wealth and mfiuence in Limerick. Conspicuous among the carriages was that of Lady Clare, which was a grand turn out ; it was drawn by six Prices of corn, April 12th, 1812 :_ s. d. Wheat, per stone of 14 lbs. ... 3 7 Barley, do. do 2 6 Oats, do. do 1 lOJ May 1 St.— Catherine JI'Daniel died at the North Strand, aged 103. The officers of the several Infantry Regiments began to disuse the cocked hats and long regi- mental clothing, and substituted in their place caps and jackets— the bullion epaulettes again re- stored to subalterns— order, dated December 24th, 1811. The order for taking away the bullion epaulettes dated February 19th, 1810, -when Sir D. Dundas was Commander-in-Chief. May 15th. —News by express, reached Limerick, that the Right Hon. Spencer Percival. first Lord of the isritish Treasury, was assassinated on the 11th of May, in the lobby of the House of Commons. It took place at about twenty minutes past five o'clock, p.m., by a pistol shot through the heart— death was instantaneous. The assassin was John Bellingham, a broker of Liverpool, and a native of Huntingdonshire— he was executed for the murder on the 18th of May. 28 418 UlSlailV OF LIMEUICK. liorses^ had footmen, outriders/ &.c. Au excellent cliarity sermon was preached by the Rev. Henry Gubbins, in aid of the Female Protestant Or- phan School^ to which their Graces most generously contributed — nothing ! Addresses were presented to his Grace by the Corporation and public bodies, and the Duke was invited by the Corporation to a public banquet on the 4th of October ; his staff consisting of Earl of March, Lord Loftus, Sir Charles Vernon, Knight Chamberlain, A.D.C.s., were likewise presented with the freedom of the city. The banquet was provided by Mr. Swinburne, a hotel-keeper, who had many relatives that rose to distinction in the British army, and was given on a grand scale.^ There was a record at the previous Cork Assizes about the salmon weir. A petition for the more equal distribution of the taxation and the improvement of the city and liberties was agreed to by the Corporation, and presented to Parliament by Colonel Vereker. The artillery barracks were completed this year (1807) and made capable of containing a brigade of artillery and 5000 stand of arms. In this year (1807) Surgeon Sylvester O'Halloran, the Historian died. He was a man of genius ; a great lover of the antiquities of his country, and an accomplished gentleman who moved in the first society, where his conversa- tion was esteemed and appreciated. His History of Ireland is a work of great merit, when we consider the comparatively slender materials which were at this period available to the searcher after information concerning the affairs of our country. The death of O^Halloran created deep regret in the literary world.' He had been attached to the county infirmary as surgeon until the time of his death. The Chamber of Commerce began to initiate several movements for the de- velopment of industrial pursuits in the county as well as in the city of Limerick ; it gave premiums for the produce of linen, and for yarn and flax sold in the market ; it built, or contributed to build, at an expenditure of some thousands of pounds, a Linen Hall* in Carr-street, which has long since fallen away from the purposes to which it was originally dedicated ; it erected Scutching mills at Abington and Bruff, in the County of Limerick, which mills are also numbered among the things of the past ; it imported seed wheat, barley and oats, ' It was on this occasion that his Excellency conferred knighthood on the Mayor, who then became Sir Richard Harte, and on the Sheriff, Sir Christopher Marrett. There was no city or town in Ireland visited by the Duke of Richmond in which he did not confer knighthood ono ne or sometimes on two or three persons, just as fancy suggested. 2 The bill presented by Mr. Swinburne to the Corporation, for the banquet to the Duke of Richmond was, on the 25th of October, laid before the council and ordered to be paid; it amounted to £183 9s. 9d. Messrs. Snej-d, French and Barton's bill for two dozen and eight bottles of champagne and carriage, at £8 lOs. per dozen (!) amounting to £23 12s. 4d. was discharged — and a sum of £17 17s. Id. to F. Wilkinson, Esq., " being Lacey'a account for drag, ropes, &c., purchased to draw their graces into the city," as the exuberant loyalty of the citizens would not permit them to enter in the ordinary way, was also ordered to be paid by the liberal corporators ! The bankers and merchants entertained liis Excellency, &c. on the 5th of October. 2 He resided in the house, in Nicholas-street, near the Corporation Alms House. * Long since disused as such ; and in 18G5, after having been let to several persons in trade in succession, greatly dilapidated. On tlie 4th of June, 1812, Gilbert Keith of the 90th Regiment, on duty as sentinel at the King's Stores, was fired at — his cap was perforated and his head grazed. Robert Thompson of the same regiment was fired at while on duty at said stores on the 2(jth of September. Thompson was wounded, and his left leg was amputated. On the night of the 10th October, same year, Patrick Lougblan, of the Galway Militia, while on duty at the Commiss-iriixt Stores, in Clare- street, was tired at and wounded in the hand. Large rewards were offered fur the discovery of the perpetrators of these outrages. I HISTORY OF LUIS RICK. 419 in order to enable the farmer to enjoy the best means of sowing his land ; it aided the poor by purchasing provisions and selling them out, in times of distress, at reduced rates ; it promoted gigantic works in after years, such as the Wellesley Bridge and Docks, &c., of which we shall have to speak m their proper place. In the contests with the Corporation it sustained the Independent party. The country continued very much disturbed at this period ; and on the seventh of August in the same year (1807), several gentlemen who were re- turning from a party given by Lady Clare, at Mount Shaunon,_ were robbed and ill used by a gang of depredators, who also fired at the Eight Eev. Dr. Warburton, the newly appointed Protestant Bishop of Lunerick, and wounded him with two slugs in the arm and in the ear. A new trade had been going on for some time before this year : a quarry was opened m Altamira in 1805, and in that and in succeeding years, to 1807, and again to 1809, mill stones of limestone, to the amount of 200 were quarried, and exported from Limerick to England for the pur- pose of grinding the materials that compose gunpowder, required to supply the army abroad. It was on the 1st of September in the same year that the foundation was laid of the County of Limerick Court-house. Colonel Prendergast Smyth got £500 for the ground up to low water mark. The building, at the time was deemed very handsome; its greatest length externally, 121 feet; its greatest breadth ditto, 94 feet ; Crown Court and Eecord Court, 50 feet by 30 feet each; a magnificent Grand Jury Eoom unrivalled in prospect, 41 feet by 25, and 15 feet high ; a very ample hall, 34 feet by 26, and ^0 feet high; and every useful and convenient offices, &c. ; the architects, Messrs. Nicholas and William liamion, brothers, were natives of the County of Limerick — the cost of the entire, without the portico, was £13,000. In the north front are 18 wmdows, and a brake with six Doric pilasters which support an entablature surmounted by an Ionic balustrade of limestone — the first of the kmd erected in the city. It was opened for business at summer assizes, July 17th, 1809. ^ ' The following inscription was written by a gentleman, and intended to be put up in some place most approved of; — ^DIFICAT^ FUEEUNT UM CURI^ ANNIS 48vo. & 49no. GEORGII TERTII REGIS, PUBLICIS SUMPTIBUS Commitatus Limericensis Gulielmo Odell | Equitibus. Hon. W. Qumn j ^ Opertse autem sunt justitiae Usui 16mo. die calendarum Sextilis. Anno, 1809. THOMA A. ODELL, Vice Comite, NICHO. & GULIELMO HANNAN, Curantibus. The year was rendered remarkable by the fact that hostilities with America broke out in June, in consequence of an attack made by H. M. S. Leopard, 50 guns, Captain Humphries, on the Chesa- peak, American frigate, Commodore Barron, off the Cape of Virginia. It appears that the Captain of the Leopard acted under the orders of his superior officer, Captain Berkley. August 8th.— General Vallancey, the great antiquarian and celebrated Irish scholar, died in Dublin. August 13th.— New church at Drehidtarsna, near Adore, coBsecrated. 420 uisroRY OF limerick. Tlie portico, which consists of four massive columns of limestone of the Doric order and supports an entablature and « pediment, was not finished till July, 1814. A gallery Avas erected at the bottom of the Crown Court, over the entrance, in the Spring and Summer of 1813. In the same year the Chamber of Commerce rented from the Corporation^ the tolls and customs of the City of Limerick, for one year, for the sum of £1500. On the 13th of February, IROy, the freedom of the city was conferred in a " heart-of-oak box'' ornamented with gold, on Captain Michael Seymour, a citizen. Commander of the King's ship Amethyst, for his briUiant exploit in conquering the French ship Thetis with a superior force. On the 17th of the same month, in the Corporation, not yet at rest, another petition was agreed to against the assessment clauses of the Act 33rd Geo. III., and the same reasons were advanced as those already set forth in a petition, in which reference is made to the St. Michael's Commissioners' Act which had passed the year before, and a call was made for the extension of the Act to the old parts of the city, and for an additional bridge down the river Shannon, as Thomond bridge had now become inconvenient and insufficient for the traffic.! For the first time for a long series of years, a bell now tolled in the cupola attached to the north gable end of the house inhabited by the Friars of the order of St. Francis in Newgate-lane. During some years before this, Daniel O'Connell, afterwards the illustrious patriot and liberator of his country, had been going the Munster Circuit as a young barrister and visiting Limerick. Indeed his first professional advocacy in favour of prisoners was made in Limerick in 1798, when the late Mr. James Blackwell, then gaoler of the city gaol, was in the habit of retaining his services for persons about to be tried. O'Connell now formed the acquaintance of an energetic and stirring Franciscan, Father Dan. Hogan,^ who is yet remembered by some of the old citizens, as a priest w^ho had won the affections of aU classes, and who w^is popular even with the Protestant party. Consulting as to how the Penal Laws could best and most safely be evaded, as to bells in chapels, and steeples in Catholic places of worship, O'Connell hit on an expedient, informing Father Hogan that there was no penal statute against erecting a cupola at the gable of his house, and putting a bell there if he chose. The good friar took the hint ; masons and carpenters were set at work ; the cupola was made ; ' On the 17th May, an agreement was entered into between the Mayor and Corporation on the one part, and John Meade Thomas, Esq. on the other, for the erection of a main guard-house. On the same day the Mayor was granted a sum of £61 13s. 2^d for clothing the Mayor's Ser- geants ! ! and £6 IGs. Gd. were given for three tons of coal ; a sum of ,£'200 was given on the 25th of July, to the Eccorder for his " trouble,'' &c., in preparing a long and voluminous bill. A sum of £67 2s. Od. was voted to Redmond Walsh and Michael Fitzgerald for repairing the piers of Thomond Bridge ; and a small sum was granted for repair of Baal's Bridge. ' Father Dan. Ilogan's portrait in full cauliflower wig, the fashion of the day, was admirably painted by Frederick Prussia Plowman, an able artist who visited Limerick. September 9th. — Great illuminations and rejoicings in the city, consequent on Wellington's victory at Salamanca, and the capture of Madrid. The harvest this year superabundant, beyond anything of the kind ever remembered, and the happiest continuance of tine weather to save iL August A fire engine for St. Michael's Parish, imported by John Norris Russell, Esq. October 11th. — The Earl of Limerick visited this city after an absence of three years, and was drawn into town from Rich Hill, attended by a meeting of the most respectable citizens, and the severd guilds of the trades, with their banners and formalities. HISTORY or LIMEKICK. 421 the bell was placed in its position j its sounds were heard, and the citizens awoke in amazement and joy, not unmixed with a nervous apprehension of the consequences, when on the 1st of June, 1809, they heard the iron tongue sound for the first time withm the memory of the existing generation, to call them to Mass. It was a most remarkable day in the annals of Limerick. Wakefield who had travelled through Ireland at this time, writes as follows, in his great work on the Pohtical and Statistical state of the country : — "1810-'11-'12. Much of the wealth that Dublin, Limerick, Cork and Waterford now possess has been acquired by Eoman Cathohcs engaged in commercial pursuits. * * "" . "" ^he Eoman Catholic grazier obtains his opulence by remaining quietly at home. * He invests his property in land, regardless of the income which he is to derive from it, his sole object is its security, and while withm sight he con- siders it safe.'''' It is certain that at this period the wealth diffused not only among the Catholic agricultural class, but among traders and merchants, nearly all of whom had grown rich in spite of every opposition, was enormous, and con- trasted with the Cromwellian and Williamite names that figure even in the list of "the fifteen Corporations,-" — the progress of Catholics and of Catholicity, and of Milesian and Celtic famihes, is something altogether marvellous. Only a few years before, it was penal for Catholics to aim at a respectable position in society — they had no standing place in the land of their fathers. Their names were blotted out from the local records ; they had nothing to which to look ; they were helots, hewers of wood and drawers of water for cruel and unrelenting taskmasters. They now, according to Wakefield, had in their hands the greater portion of the wealth, the mercantile enterprise, &c. ; they were becommg educated; colleges and schools were springing up around them and for them m every direction ; while their oppressors were fightmg among themselves, or endeavouring to stave off the evil day by every means imaginable, well knowing that the reif^n of corruption must one day or other be brought to an end. Per- secution had done its worst. Ehzabeth, Cromwell, William, Anne, and the 1st and 2nd Georges had endeavoured to extermmate the Cathohcs from the soil of Ireland ; but they did not succeed. November 13th.- Anchors and chains landed at the Custom House quay for the bark Fanny, in the service of the Government, to be moored in the pool of Limerick, commanded by Lieut. Philip Wright ; this vessel came into harbour the winter before in distress ; was sold, on account of the insurers, by auction, to Mr. Martin Creagh and purchased of him by Captain Robert O'Brien regulating officer of this port, and fitted up as a receiving ship for volunteers and impressed men belonging to H. M.'s navy, the moorings laid down December 8th, Jtb. Thev were the first of the kind ever let go in the river Shannon. Lieutenant Wright was eupeVseded by Lieutenant Smyth, October, 1813— his three years of service having expired. The vessel was sold on the 9th of June, 1814. The anchors and mooring chains taken up out of the bed of the river, on the 10th and Uth of June by a part of the crew of the Virago, gun brig, and carried back to England. 422 HISTORY OF limerick. CHAPTER XLVII. STATE OF THE CATHOLIC CAUSE. — A CATHOLIC COLLEGE FOE LIMEEICK DIOCESE. AGITATION OF THE VETO. NOBLE CONDUCT OF THE CATHOLIC BISHOP AND CLEEGY OF LIMEEICK, &C.— STATE OF THE COUNTY OF LIMEEICK. WTILLINGTON. DR. MILNEE. o'CONNELL. GALLANT LIMEEICK MEN ABEOAD. EOCHE. DE LACY. GOUGH — PEOGEESS OF EVENTS, &C. &C. We have to go back a little to take a retrospect of the conduct and of the struggles of the Catholics of Limerick, soon after the series of events with whiclTour preceding chapter has been so largely occupied. The rebellion of '98, the attempt of Emmett in 1803, the insolent bigotry and exclusive monopoly of the Orange party mside and outside the Corporation, the decay of trade, Avhich to a great extent was influenced by the Act of Union and other causes, had clouded but not destroyed the dawmug hopes of the Catholics. The Eight Eev. John Young, though a firm loyalist, and an anxious supporter of order, was at the same time thoroughly devoted to the best interests of his country, and the Cathohc rehgion possessed mhim a fearless and accomphshed defender and advocate in all times and seasons. Learned,! indefatigable, devoted to study, and to the exacting duties of his ex- alted station, he was an example of piety and self-denial, and exercised an mfluence, by the unostentatious performance of his duty, which was widely felt beyond the confines of his extensive diocese. There was no diocesan seminary or college, at this period, in Munster, except the small one at Peter's Cell, Limerick, and that of St. John's, Waterford, which coutmues to flourish up to this our own day, when Dr. Young conceived the idea of found- ing a college, suited to the increasing requirements of the diocese. _ In this he was aided not only by the clergy, but by the Catholic citizens, who m 1805, had entered into large subscriptions for the purpose : the site was at Park, within the demesne of Park House, which Dr. Young had purchased for £1800, as a residence for the Bishops of the diocese ; he presided over the college, which sent out many distinguished clergymen.^ In the agitation which now grew up, connected with the Cathohc claims, nothing became of more absorbing and intense interest than the question of the YETO~in other words, the permission of government interference in the appomtment of Cathohc Bishops —a proposal against which, the Catholic Hierarchy of Ireland had protested, and not one of them with more sunpleness of purpose and directness of aim, than Dr. Young in 1808, when a solenm synod was held m Dublhi, and when their sentiments were expressed in language not to be mistaken or 1 Dr Young possessed the Black Book of Limerick, which bears the marks of his industry in his chronological division of its contents. He had a school for the poor in Newgate-lane, which was attended by his sister, Miss Young, with careful assiduity ; he had the catechism translated into Irish, and the English and Irish version published together by M'Auliff the printer in Quay lane, and several editions of it went through the press. He published the Diocesan Statutes before the close of the last century, and in the commencement of them he gave a succinct account of the state of religion in the diocese, from the time of the Right Rev. Dr. O Keeffe, 'Q 1 '-•. who was the first Catholic Bishop who resided in the city after the last siege. He was a scholar and a divine of the highest order of talent, a great mathematician, an accomplished linguist, an ex- cellent historian : and in love of country he was never cxcellwl. , j^ , T.r « This college existed until 1830, when the students were drafted to Waterford, Carlow, Olay- nooth, (tc, but the building was not removed till the year 1804. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 423 misunderstood. Certain Catholic citizens of Limerick conceived that they had a right to enter the arena on this occasion, and at a public meeting subsequently held m Limerick, William Eoche, Esq., in the chair, a series of ambiguous resolutions were adopted, and the chairman, together with John Howley, Jun., Esq., (the present excellent Mr. Sergeant Howiey, Q.C., chair- man of Tipperary), Henry Lyons and Michael Arthur, Esqrs', were requested to prepare petitions to the legislature in accordance with those resolutions, which gave anything but satisfaction to the pubHc, and which were strongly inveighed agamst at the time in a periodical which represented the views of the Hierarchy, clergy, and the overwhelmmg majority of the people. Dr. Young met every objection with consummate skill and mastery. In a series of powerful letters to the Most Rev. Dr. Bray, Catholic Archbishop of Cashel, he manifested his apostolic spirit and noble bearing throughout a contest in which the malcontents were aided by what had been designated the rescript of J. B. Quarantotti, vice-president of the college of the Propaganda, Rome, which rescript was denounced by the Irish Hierarchy, almost without exception, and had also in the Right Rev. Dr. Milner, in England, a staunch and able opponent. The question continued to be agitated for a short time after Dr. Young's death, but there can be no doubt that his exertions had been of great use in organising the successful opposition to it. The state of the county and city of Lunerick in these years was otherwise extremely disturbed. In several parts of the country a spirit of resistance had arisen, which threatenedthe very worst consequences. Sir Arthur Wellesley, afterwards the great Duke of Welhngton, on his departure for the Peninsula in 1808, wrote a letter in reference to the state of the county of Limerick at the time, which is eminently characteristic of the great man. _ The ability with which he condenses the wide range of his ideas— the attention which he nevertheless pays to the minutest tritles — and the extraordinary knowledge he displays of the secret springs of action iu Ireland, are really surprising. Even if not unquahfied admirers we can hardly help wondering at the character of the man who could enter with such minuteness and deliberation into these matters connected with an Irish county, at the moment when he was preparing to meet the mighty Napoleon Buonaparte face to face in the most terrible of struggles. No record exists of the then state of the county of Limerick, which could for an instant be compared for forcible illustration and accuracy to this: — TO BRIGADIER-GENERAL LEE, AT LIMERICK. Cork, lih July, 1808. " My Dear Sir, — According to the desire which you expressed in the conversation, which I had with you at Lord Harrington's on Wednesday, I proceed to give you my opinion on the nature and circumstances of the command which you are about to exercise in the County of Limerick. In the first place I must point out to you, that the situation of a general officer commanding in a district in Ireland, is very much of the nature of a deputy-governor of a county or a province. He becomes necessarily charged with the preservation of the peace of the district placed under his command ; and the Government must confide in his reports and opinions, for the adoption of many measures relating solely to the civil administration of the country. From these circumstances it is obvious, that it is the duty of every general officer to make himself acquainted with the local circumstances of his district, and with the characters of the different individuals residing within it, in order that he may 424 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. decide for himself according to the best of his judgment and information, and that he may not be misled by others. " This duty will be still more obvious, by a consideration of certain circumstances which exist in nearly all parts of Ireland. It frequently happens that disturbances exist only in a very small degree, and probably only partially, and that the civil power is fully adequate to get the better of them. At the same time the desire to let a building to Government for a barrack — the desire to have troops in the county, either on account of the increased consumption of the necessaries of life, or because of the increased security which they would give to that particular part of the country — would occasion a general rise in the value and rent of land, which probably at that moment might be out of lease, — or in some instances the desire to have the yeomen called out on permanent duty — occasions a representation that the disturb- ances are much more serious than the facts would warrant. Upon these occasions letter after letter is written to the commanding officer and to the Government ; the same fact is repeated through many different channels ; and the result of an enquiry is, generally, that the outrage complained of, is by no means of the nature or of the extent which has been stated. The obvious remedy for this evil, and that which is generally resorted to, is to call for informations on oath of the transactions which are complained of. But this remedy is not certain, for it frequently happens that the informations on oath are equally false with the original representations. The general officer then has no remedy, excepting by his acquaintance and communication with the magistrates and gentlemen of the county to acquire a knowledge of cha- racters, and to become acquainted with all the circumstances which occur. " It frequently happens that the people who do commit outrages and disturbances have reason to complain ; but in my opinion that is not a subject for the consideration of a general officer. He must aid in the preservation of the peace of the county, and in the support of the law : and he who breaks the law must be considered in the wrong, whatever may have been the nature of the provocation he may have received. '' It is possible that grievances may exist in the County of Limerick ; provisions may be too dear, or too high a rent may be demanded for land, and there may be no poor-laws, and the magistrates may not do their duty as they ought by the poor. But these circumstances afford no reason why the general officer should not give the military aid he may have at his command to preserve the peace, to repress disturb- ance, and to bring those to justice who may have been guilty of a violation of the law. " In respect of the gentlemen of the county in which you are posted, I recommend you to attend particularly to the Lord Chief Baron O'Grady ; you will find him well informed of the transactions in the County of Limerick, and well acquainted with the characters, and disposed to assist your judgment. I also recommend to your attention Mr. Dickson, the late High Sheriff of the County, and Colonel Vereker, the member for the City of Limerick.' Thei*e may be, and certainly are, other gentlemen in the County of Limerick on vrhose information you may depend. But I have requested Mr. Trail, through whom I send this letter, to apprise you con- fidentially of the names of those whom you ought to consult. Believe me, &c. ''Arthur Wellesley.-'^ Just about the time that this letter was written by one who became so famous for all time, the County and City of Limerick were visited by another very remarkable and accomplished man ; not a soldier or a warrior, but an ecclesiastic and a prelate, the Eight Kev. Dr. John Mihier, D.D. ¥.8. A., ' Of these tlircc meu, particularlj' selected by Wellington, in Limerick, the son of one (the present Lord Gort) married the daughter of anotlicr (Chief Haron O'Grady and first Viscount Guilla- more) bj' whom Lord Gort has a numerous family. HISTORY 01- LIMERICK. 425 who was then making a second tour through Ireland . Dr. Milner had oppor- tunities of estimating the state of the population, and the condition of the land. He states that the fertihty of the County of Limerick, hoth in corn and pasturage, must strike the eye of every traveller ; but that this fertility is of no avail to its crowded population, who never taste the grain they reap, nor the beeves which they tend, as the same insipid root, the potato, if they can get even that, is their only food from one end of the year to the other. He adds, that in no part of the country had he seen the cabins, or the clothes and food of the people, more wretched than in the rich county of Limerick ; that their condition, in this respect, instead of exciting the scorn and ridicule of the reflecting stranger, who acknowledges a common nature with these suffering beings, calls for his commiseration, nay for his tears. 1 This may give a clue to the causes of those lamentable disturbances which prevailed ; and to which, it would appear, even he who was called the Iron Duke, could not close his eyes. In his visit to Limerick, Dr. Milner speaks of certain curiosities which particularly struck him — viz. what was shown to him as the Treaty Stone ; and the mitre, crozier, and register (the Black Book) of the ancient Catholic Bishops of Limerick.^ This state of society contmued for some time longer to give much uneasi- ness to the Government, but no movement was made to mitigate the miseries of the people. In the years 1809^ and 1810, the same causes produced the same effects.* In this last mentioned year, the citizens conceived the idea of building a theatre in the New-town, and they selected a site for the purpose, in that portion of George's-street,^ which in some years afterwards became the centre of the street, and the principal portion of it for business. > An Inquiry into Certain Vulgar Opinions concerning the Catholic Inhabitants and Antiquities of Ireland, by the Eight Rev. J. Milner, D.D. Second Edition, London, 1809. 2 These are described in their proper places. 8 1809. In this year died in London, Sir John Macnamara Hayes, a native of this city, first physician to their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Clarence, Inspector- General of Ordnance Hospitals, &c. He was created a Baronet in the year 1797. He was a very skilful practitioner, and always was attentive to his countrymen, for many of whom he provided handsomely by his interest at Court. He raised himself by his personal merits. * 1810. On the 26th of March, Thomas Sullivan, John Croneen, and Thomas Halloran, were executed at Gallows Green, for the murder of John O'Neill on the 21st of October instant, at Wightfield. The Grand Jury presented the Mayor, Francis Lloyd with £60, being at the rate of £20 per head for the three men above named convicted, for his expenses, incurred in making the arrest and procuring informations. On the 10th of September, 1810, a Charitable Society was formed for the relief of indigent manufacturers and families in distress, much on the plan of the Strangers' Friendly Society in Dublin. This excellent Charity was begun on the 2nd of November ; several gentlemen went about in the different parishes, and collected Subscriptions for raising a charitable fund for the relief of the poor ; and it was designated the Jubilee Charitable Fund, in consequence of the time in which it was initiated. The following sums were collected : — In St. Michael's Parish ... ... ... ... £554 6 8 In St. Mary's Do. ... ... ... ... 143 OJ In St. John's Do. ... ... ... ... 191 17 8i In St. Munchin's ... ... ... ... — 43 4 7} By two Gentlemen not resident in these parishes ... ... 79 12 6 £1112 1 4 A public dinner was given to celebrate the event, on the same day ; and on the 26th, 27th, and 28th instant, there were the most extensive and brilliant illuminations ever known, in this kingdom. The Jubilee Loan Fund continues to flourish, and in 1865 it has its ofBce at No. 36 Roche's-street. 6 This theatre was in length 100 feet, in breadth 58 feet, total area 5800 feet; it exceeded the area of the old theatre by 2608 feet ; the depth of the stage was 40 feet. For some time the theatre took pretty M-ell, "and several stars appeared on the boards; but it fell off subse- quently, and in 182?^ the Rev. Mr, Cronin, of the Augustinian Order, purchased the theatre, 426 HISTORY OF Li:,IERIGK. The fislieries of the great Lax and salmon weirs which the Corporation continued to let to tenants, had not ceased to be a source of Utigation and annoy- ance ; while between the people and citizens generally, and the tenants and Corporation, feuds prevailed to a serious extent. On the 21st of August, this year, (1810), three large gaps were broken down in the Lax-weir, to the great joy of the pubHc ; the centre gap was fourteen feet, which was to be constantly kept open ; stones, to the amount of one hundred tons which had been placed there, to prevent any advantage to the pubhc from the gap, were removed in the presence of a crowded assemblage of people. This was effected through the zeal and determination of William Eyves, Esq. of New Garden, near Castle CouneU, who at his own expense, instituted a suit agahist Thomas and John Burke, who rented and monopHsed the weir, against whom he obtained a verdict with costs and damages £200, at Cork Assizes, August, 1809.1 By way of contrast with these serious matters we shall here introduce a literary trifle for the sake of the associations with which it is connected. The "garden^' of Mr. WiUiam Carr,^ was famous at this period for its beauty, and was cultivated in the first style by an experienced gardener. Mr. Carr had three sisters who generally walked each day in the garden dressed in white in the fashion of the time, with large gold watches displayed. Mr. Francis Wheeler the father of the present Lady Lytton Bulwer, composed a song on the Garden, which became very popular, but which appears to be now almost entirely forgotten. The following is a copy of it : — BLLLY CAEE'S GAEDEN IN 1809. To the tune of Murtogh Delaney. You may travel the nation all over, From Dublin to Sweet Mnllingar, And a garden you will not discover Like the garden of sweet Billy Carr ; 'Tis there that the tall trees were planted In the days of the old Tommy Parr ; And the soft winding Shannon is flowing Round the garden of Sweet Billy Carr. 'Tis there the big praties are growing, Enough to supply all Dunbar, Where the soft whiding Shannon is flowing, 'Round the gardens of Sweet Billy Carr ; His sisters like sweet pretty posies, More beauteous than roses by far, They bloom like carnations and roses In the gardens of sweet Billy Carr. •which, by an outlay of about £600, he converted into a very beautiful Catholic Chapel, which continues in the possession of the Augustinian Fathers. In this Church the picture of the Ascension by Timothy Collopy, as already referred to, is placed over the altar. ' Another trial was to have taken place at Cork at the Summer assizes of 1810, when the Burkes knowing the injustice of the cause submitted, and the above opening was made. 2 Mr. Carr's house was that in which the successive Parish Priests of St. Mary's Parish have resided for several vear.s. I HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 427 ! may they be happily married. To a mayor, and a lawyer, and tar, | How blest will they be when they're wed, With the sisters of Sweet Billy Carr ! Now if you have a mind to live frisky. And trouble and grief would you mar — I'd advise you to go and drink whisky, Along with the Sweet Billy Carr ! In a room, Sir, he keeps a big bottle. Without either crack, flaw, or star, Which is often applied to the throttle, Of that thirsty gay soul Billy Carr. At tliis time Daniel O'Connell had become a great favourite on the Munster Circuit, and was highly popular in Limerick : a pencil sketch taken of him while sitting in the City Court-House, Quay-lane, shows that he was then full of life and vigor, and equal to any contest physical or intellectual.* _ The gallant conduct of several distinguished Limerick men servmg in the Peninsula at this period, under Generals Lord Yiscoimt Wellington and Marshal Beresford, was attracting immense attention. Colonel Roche' was one of these : General Sir William Parker CarroU of Tulla, near Nenagh, may be ranked as a near neighbour, if not a citizen ; John De Lacy of the 48th regiment, a descendant of the illustrious warrior Pierce De Lacy, who did wonders at the battle of Albuera, was another gallant citizen of Limerick. The year 1811, was rendered memorable in the annals of Limerick, by, several incidents, among others the result of a very important law-suit, which had been pending between the Eev. Archdeacon Hill, as incumbent, and the parishioners of St. Michael's, relative to ministers' money, levied by an act passed in the reign of Charles II. in walled cities and towns. Judgment, on this occasion, was given against the incumbent and his successors, so that the rapid progress of the Newtown was not impeded by an imposition which was as hateful as it was tyrannical, and which a more enlightened spirit in the legislature more recently abolished, when, indeed, the incumbent himself, the Rev. John Elmes, joined in the popular clamour against its con- tinued existence. It would have been a bold stroke of the incumbent in 1811, had he been able to saddle the Newtown with so heavy and intolerable a burden, which would have added enormously to his revenues, and checked the growth of that portion of the city, which, for this reason among others well nigh equally strong, had become the favourite residence of every citizen who was able to build or to rent a house — and house rent now was exceed- ingly high in the Newtown. On this occasion important evidence was given in sustainment of the opposition of the citizens by the Right Rev. Dr. Young, who produced an ancient manuscript which showed that the Church of St. Michael was outside the walls, and near the water-gate, and that in the ' This pencil sketch which was taken by Mr. John Gubbins, portrait painter, in 1810, represents O'Connell to the life, and is in the possession of the author. 2 Sir Philip Roche, K.C.B., the son of Philip Roche, Esq., of Limerick, related to the Howley family of Rich Hill, &c. &c. Sir Philip realized a large sum of money in the Peninsula. He left all this money to two nieces, provided they took the name of Roche, and did not marry an Irishman or a Spaniard; and in the event of their so doing, the money was to go to the Duke of Wellington. One of them married Colonel Fane, and the other married Captain George Vaughan, of tlie 9th Lancers, father of Captain Vaughan, R. N., A.D.C. to tlie late Earl of Carlisle. 428 IIISTOIIV OF LIMERICK. time of Cromwell it had been thrown down.' As it stood outside the walls, it is more than probable that it was demolished by the citizens themselves before Ireton^'s siege, that it should not afford shelter to the enemy, and allow him to approach the walls under cover of it. The want of a gaol was now seriously felt for the city, the old gaol in Mary-street, having become a pubhc nuisance ;^ and accordingly, at the spring assizes of this year, (1811), on the 18th of March, the Grand Jury presented a sum £6123 4s. 3d., for the purpose, to be assessed off the city and the county of the city at the rate of £1000 per annum, and appointed twelve commissioners to carry out the object. A long contest had been going on in the county for the representation, between William Thomas MonseU^ Esq., and Colonel O'Dell ; in these con- tests Colonel O^Dell had been successful ; and Mr. MonseU had been three times defeated. In this year he lodged a petition against Colonel O^Dell ; the petition having been tried. Colonel O'DeU was declared duly elected in April. It was at this time that Sir Hugh Gough, a distinguished Limerick man, was achieving heroic deeds at the head of the gallant pAus-^-BollAg, the 87th Eegiment in Spain : Barrossa had been fought, and in the achieve- ment the 87th and its gaUant Colonel, under General Graham, behaved with extraordinary bravery. A meeting of the Common Council was held on the 5th of April, when Sir Hugh Gough was admitted to the freedom at large of the city, and an order was made to present him with a silver box orna- mented with an eagle, an emblem of the eagle which was taken by him from the French in that battle. The career of this illustrious warrior in India, which he may be said to have saved by what the Times with little foresight styled his " Tipperary tactics,-" is too well known to require repetition. He was bom at Woodsdown, county of Limerick, on the 3rd of November, 1779, and is now Pield Marshal Lord Viscount Gough. We are reminded of Eichard Talbot, Earl of Tyrconnel, whose connexion with Limerick is spoken of in the history of the sieges by an incident that took place this year, by the death at Wilna, in Eussia, of George Carpenter, Earl of Tyrconnel. He followed the Eussian armies as a volunteer. Accord- ing to his letters to his friends, the instant the French left Smolensko the average number of human beings found frozen to death on the roads was 1500 daily. Lord Cathcart, in his despatches from Petersburgh, dated 31st December, says, " His Lordship served with the army under Admiral T. Chichagoff, especially during the pursuit of the French from the Beryzina to Wilna ; a pulmonic complaint brought on the fatal effects of the disease 1 From a plate in Sir George Carew's Hibernia Pacata it" appears that St. Michael's Church was outside the walls ; there are other and palpable evidences of the fact, even at this day, when it may be seen that the walls run off Carr-street, leaving a considerable distance between them and St. Michael's Churchyard. Such another instance of a church outside the walls having been demolished by the inhabitants for this cause, took place in Galway about the same period. The ground, except the Cemeterj', was the property of the late Walter Joyce, Esq., Banker of Galway, who in 1809, eradicated the foundations of the Church, which was situated on the South side of the Castle Barrack opposite to a bastion, on which workmen were employed to demolish the bastion and the curtain on the Town wall in that year, (1809). » The plans were perfected by Mr. Nash, Architect, and the place selected was the Dean's close, near the Cathedral of St. Mary's in Bow-lane, and washed by the river to the north and west. In this year the commissioners of St Michael's Parish, directed that the houses should be numbered. In many streets were vacant spaces for building, and 24 or 2') feet of frontage were allowed to each house intended to be built; and the existing houses numbered as though the Street was perfect. Labels with nniue of the street were also fixed up. HISTORY OF LIMEIUCK. 429 with great rapidity — lie first found MmseK to be ill on the 11th December, the day after his arrival at Wilna. Field Marshal Kutusoff Smolensko ordered all military honours to be paid to his remains, and a monument to his memory in the Church of the reformed Eehgion. For the first time for a great number of years, a convent of ladies of the order of St. Clara, or St. Clare, was opened at Limerick on the 1st of April, 1812, Mrs. Naughton being the first prioress. The house was situated in Bar- rack-street, and the gardens were bounded by the Eastern curtain of the Town wall. This house was built by Henry Rose, Esq., on part of the ground which had once belonged to the Dominician Convent. ^ In this year, through the liberality of Miss White a Catholic lady, who gave largely for the endowment of many charitable institutions in her native city, and of Mrs. Banks a Protestant lady, each having contributed £1000, a Lying-in Hospital was opened for the reception of patients in Nelson-street. In some years afterwards this Hospital was removed to Henry-street, where it has continued to be of great advantage to all who stand in need of its services. The efforts of the citizens at this period to free themselves from the incubus of the Corporation were extraordinary. A contested election took place this year ; the election lasted five days, and ended on the 21st of August. The independent interest was supported by young Lord Glentworth, whilst Charles Vereker, Esq. championed the cause of the Corporation. The Sheriffs declared Mr. Vereker elected; but one of the most magnificent ovations ever remembered was given to Lord Glentworth by the citizens — he was chaired through the city with a magnificence hitherto unknown. At least fifty thousand persons preceded and followed the chair in which the young ' This Convent continued for some years — but ultimately it was given up, and near its site the magniflcent Convent, &c, of the Sisters of Mercy was subsequently founded. 1813, April 19th. — A Coach commenced running between Limerick and the Grand Canal, through Nenagh, Birr, Tullamore, meeting the boat at Gallen, five miles from Shannon harbour, and 58 from Dublin. April 28th. — An elephant, the first of the genus, brought to Limerick, and exhibited. Surgeon John Wilkinson performed the wonderful operation of taking off the whole upper part of the skull of a woman named Kourke, aged about 30 years, living in Creagh-lane ; the arches over the eyes, extending not in a direct line, but jagged, and as low on each side and the back, also came off. The woman retained her health and good spirits afterwards, and was the mother of children. A callous substance was growing very fast over the brain in place of the skull ; but Dr. WUkinson did not think it would ossify. The Doctor declared the case to be unexampled in his experience or reading. May 27th — The mail from Dublin to arrive this day at 50 minutes after 2, p.m., and to leave Limerick every morning at II o'clock. The Ennis mail coach began to run, leaves Limerick at half-past three o'clock, p.m., each'af ternoon ; and returns at half-past ten o'clock, a.m. each morn- ing. May 29th. — News received in Limerick of the loss of the great Roman Catholic Bill in Parlia- ment. For the Bill, 247 — against it, 251 — majority against it, 4. 498 members voted — the greatest house remembered. The analvsis : — Members. England 489 Wales 24 Scotland 45 Ireland 100 658 Voted 498 Absent ICO 430 IIISTOUY OF LljlEiaCK. Lord was carried. Not an accident occurred to mar the proceedings of a joyous day. The local affairs of these years of the deepest interest and importance were confined for the greater part to the struggle of the independent citizens with the Corporation. On the 6th of August, 1813, in consequence of the application of the Independents, the Court of King's Bench granted a mandamus to try the several rights of the petitioners to the freedom of the city, which had been contemptuously denied them by the Corporation. The suit cost the Independents a sum of £1200 : the venue was laid in Clare, and as the jury was about to be struck at the assizes for that county in Ennis, the Judge (Day) who was remarkable for his charges, thought proper not to bring on the trial, no cause being assigned. The struggle, however, went on, as we shall see, and though the Corporation sustained itseK by the public revenue, the citizens proved their spirit and resolution by hberal subscriptions which were freely given and judiciously appUed. The want of a new bridge across the Shannon, to supply the requirements of the Newtown, was now generally felt. A meeting accordingly was held on the 11th of August at the Chamber of Commerce in Limerick — the Marquis of Lansdowne in the Chair. The meeting consisted of land owners, June 28th.- — George Smyth, Esq., recorder of Limerick, resigned that oflSce, which he held 32 years (elected in 1781) ; in his room was elected Henry D'Esterre, mayor in the years 1793 and 1794. Juh' 8th. — The city brilliantly illuminated in consequence of the Marquis Wellesley's victory over the French army commanded by King Joseph, at Vittoria, in Spain. About June 10th of this year, a large new school house, to be conducted on the Lancasterian plan, began to be built on the north side of old Clare street, intended to be opened for the reception of children on the 10th September following — opened Nov. 1st, 1814. Fund subscribed to August, 1813:— £950. Ground Kent, £20 per year. Carpenter's Estimate, £280 Mason's do. 190 Slater's do. 88 Law agent's charge, 12 £570 Dimensions — 80 feet long— 32 wide— 14 high. In the clear, 2560 square feet. August 25th Two or three hundred swallows gathered on the rigging of a vessel at Lang's Quay. This is the first rendevous of that bird in this neighbourhood that has been remarked. September 9th. — About nine o'clock in the morning of this day, a very loud report was heard in the air, like rapid volleys of artillery, accompanied by a long and rumbling noise, like the fire of musketry, the wind being at the time S.W., nearly calm, and the mercury in the Barometer standing at 29 in. 8-10th8 ; several stones were discharged from above, and fell in the village of Adare, and Patrick's Well. One remains in the possession of Mr. Tuthill, of Faba, weighing four stones weight. September 17th Account received of the death of the Hon. Wm. Cecil Pery, Lieutenant of H.M.'s 59th Regiment of Infantry, and son of the Earl of Limerick, at the storming of St. Sebastian, in Spain. Sunday, 2Gth A public form of prayer for H.R.H. Prince Regent of the Empire of Great Britain, read for the first time in St. Mary's Cathedral. October 31st. — Form of thanksgiving read for abundant harvest and plenty of this year. November 8th. — The city brilliantly illuminated, in consequence of a victory gained by the allies (Russians, Swedes, and Prussians) over Bonaparte at Dresden and Leipsic on the 19th of October. November 21st. — A house in May's Lane, outside Thomond Gate, blown up by gunpowder incautiously dryed in an iron pot — four persons were so miserably burnt that they all died in the County Hospital soon after ; the owner of the house worked in the quarries, and used powder in blasting — he was one of the sufferers. The new city gaol, with a stage in front, for the execution of criminals, finished in the latter end of this month ; the drop, or stage, has not been as yet ever used. HISTOilY OF LlilEUICK. 431 mercliauts, &c.j of the first respectability in the counties of Limerick and Clare, and City of Limerick. A committee was appointed ; resolutions were entered into; subscriptions, to the amount of £16000 were taken down — and a site, that part of the Custom-house quay adjoining the new bridge was selected — the bridge to be called the Wellington Bridge. This project was soon abandoned, and it was not until some years after that the question was revived, when another site was chosen, and carried to completion by an enormous expenditure of money borrowed from the government. The death of the Right Rev. Dr. Young occurred this year on the 23rd of September, mourned by every class and party. We shall speak of the revered Prelate^s life and services in another part of our history. The Right Rev. Dr. Charles Tuohy, who had been dean of the diocese, was elected vicar capitular on the 29th of the same month. The fight between the Independents and the Corporation was brought to an issue at Clare assizes before Baron Smith iu 1814, when on the 11th of March, a verdict was given m favour of the Independents, by which they asserted their chartered rights to the franchise and freedom of the city, by birth, by servitude, and by marriage. Before this, no person whatever had been admitted to freedom, no matter their rights, who were not of the Smyth and December 1st — The Mayor, with Aldermaa Watson, and some other gentlemen, went through the town, and solicited the subscriptions of the citizens for the poor and indigent, in place of illuminations for recent victories over the French by the Allies. £80 was raised. In this month the new Gothic gateway in Bow Lane was finished ; it opens a communication for carriages to the great western door of the cathedral, which had been long since disused as a passage. Opened December 2oth (Christmas day). Dec. 21st. — At an early hour this morning, the Kev. George Studdert, Rector of Kilpeacon, died at his house in the new Crescent. He accidentally fell into the unprotected area of a new building, on the S.W. corner of Glentworth street, on the dark night of the 18th instant ; and lost his life by the bruises he received in the fall. 1814 — January llth The Dublin Mail Coach, in its progress to Limerick, arrested for two days on the road, in consequence of a fall of snow. Reports state that the snow was ten feet deep in the Curragh of Kildare ; and the Dublin mail coach abandoned in it. Jan. 13th — Public thanksgiving in the Protestant churches for the successes of the allied arms over the French. The thermometer during these days was unprecedentedly low. Jan. 23rd The Abbey River frozen over, a circumstance that had not happened for thirty years before. Great numbers of people on the ice ; the Mayor active in inducing them to walk on the land, lest the ice should break under their weight. Jan. 25th. — The garrison so weak by the removal of the 71st Regiment, that dragoons were mounted with the infantry in the several guards — the 13th dragoons doing duty dismounted, and the succeeding day the drummers and filers of the 84th Regiment, able to bear arms, put n guard duty. Jan. 29th. — The mail coach from Dublin arrived in Limerick for the first time since llth inst. being impeded by the snow, and severity of the weather. Jan. 31st. — On the night of this day, eleven felons, confined in the new city gaol, broke a passage through the roof, and escaped by a rope on the side next the river. Feb. 1st. — A fatal duel between Daniel O'Connell, Esq., and John Norcott D'Esterre, Esq., a native of this citj' — the latter, mortally wounded, died on the 3rd instant. The duel took place at Bishop's Court, Co. Kildare. Feb. 2nd Died at Parteen, near O'Brien's Bridge, Martin Ilartigan, aged 102 ; he kept his faculties and worked as a labourer till within a few months of his deatli — Limerick C/iTonicle. In this month Thomas F. Wilkinson, Brewer, and Mayor, was declared a bankrupt. This is mentioned as the first instance of the kind happening to a chief magistrate in Limerick. All his property seized and sold by his creditors in the ensuing month (March). In this month an American female named Mrs. Bragshaw, without arms, legs, &c., exhibited, and displayed great ingenuity in embroidery, drawing, cutting cyphers in paper, &c. March 13th — Forcing engine to supply water to the city gaol, put up — cost £420 — and put up by Mr. Paine, architect, the builder of the city gaol. At Cork assizes Miss Cluston, of Cork, got £4,000 damages against the Hon. J. P. Ycreker, eldest son of Colonel Vereker, M.l'. for this city, for breach of promise of marriage — aet aside in Dublin afterwards. 432 HISTORY OF limerick. Vereker party. The names of the jurors who gave this verdict deserve to be recorded : — John Bridgeman, foreman, Daniel Lysaght, Charles Brew, Nicholas Clarke, Tomldns Brew, Robert Ivers, Francis M'Namara, jun. John Lucas, Thomas Keane, Henry Butler, Francis Sweeny, Eobert Parkinson. The Law Agents for the Independents were Mr. John Boyse and Mr. Matthew Barrington. Notwithstanding the march of liberaHsm thus far, it was not until the month of March in this year (1814,) that a second bell was placed in a Catholic Church in the City of Limerick ; when one being put up m the Parochial Chapel of St. John at this time. It is extraordinary, indeed, to look back, and view the humihating position of the Catholics of Ireland at this rather advanced period of the nineteenth century. The veto had been universally condemned by the united voice of Hierarchy, clergy, and laity ; there never perhaps was more unanimity on any question, and union was synonymous with success to those who joined like brothers for a common cause, while it was disaster and ruin to their oppressors. A spirit had been at length aroused, which coul4 not be subdued ; the Catholic cause had been making headway from the issuing of a celebrated circular of Mr. Secretary Pole to this period ; meetings had been held in several parts of Ireland, to March 30th.— The Brig Alice, owner F. A. O'Neill, Esq. foundered at Foyne8 Island, laden with wheat and provisions, on her voyage to England. Bow Lane made an inclined plane, and paved. April 9th Troops in garrison fired a feit de jok consequent on the news that the victorious allies had entered Paris, after a severe conflict, on the 30th instant. April 14th.— The city splendidly illuminated in consequence of a general peace on the Con- tinent by the abdication of the throne of France by Buonaparte on the 3rd instant. _ May 10th.— The Fanny Hulk, already mentioned, paid off, and put out of commission. June 1st.— The Inland Navigation re-opened this day, after having repaired the bursting of its banks on 5th of February, The Directors of the Inland Navigation purchased the property of this branch from the proprietors for the sum of £17,G66 13s. 4d., two-thirds of the original stock ; each share consisted of £250, for which the Directors- General paid two-thirds, Xljli 13s. 4d.— original stock 100 shares, at £250 each, £25,500. June 7th A luggage boat arrived from Dublin by the canal— the first that had come nearer to Limerick than O'Brien's Bridge since February, 1809, (when the banks burst.) June 8th.— The Mayor and Corporate body obliged to admit the following persons to thefree- dom of the city, in consequence of a mandamus from the King's Bench, founded on the verdict of the jury at Ennis on the 11th of March previous ;— John Tuthill, Esq., and James O'Sullivan, merchant. Lord Glentworth was likewise entitled, but did not attend to make his claim. Several new claims made. , .„ , . , „ ... June 12th Major Stoddart, of the 10th Enniskillen Dragoons, killed by a fall over his horse s head on the Castle Connell road—was interred at St. Munchin's church with great honor. He had come to Limerick to assist at a general Court Martial, of which he was judge. June 20th.— Peace proclaimed in London—in Dublin on the 24th— 27th in Limerick, —prices daily falling in consequence of the peace. ^ . . , , , Definitive articles of peace were signed and ratified between Great Britain and the several sovereigns of the Continent on the 30th ult. The following were the extravagant prices provisions bore in Limerick, in the commencement of the present year :— Mutton, lid. per lb-. Beef, lOd. per lb.. Pork, 7d. and 8d. per lb.. Wheat, 38. 8d. per stone ; and almost everything else in the same proportion. The gold com had entirely vanished, the silver very scarce, and paper money universal ; all the effects of a war of -0 years duration with France, happily terminated by the banishment (for a short time only) to i:.lba of Buonaparte. , , » i v * r Julv 1st.— The Shannon so low, that the inland navigation has ceased. A luggage boat from Dublin grounded at Annabeg. Flour scarce — country millers without means of turning their mills — wheat this day down to Is. per stone ! HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 433 vindicate the rights of petition, and to denounce the conduct of the govern- ment. Mr. John Howley, jun.' had presided at the Limerick meeting which took place on the 24th of August, 1812, and which was attended by Daniel O'Connell, Counsellor Casey, Counsellor O'Gorman, &c., and which was a noble meeting, where resolutions were adopted proclaiming the right of petition, thanking the most noble the Earl of Fingal for having taken his proper place at the head of the Cathohcs of Ireland, thanking the honest Protestant, George Lidwell, Esq., and declaring their determination to co- operate with the general committee of the Catholics of Ireland for a redress of grievances. 2 The fight was carried on nobly, unflinchingly, and reso- lutely. The Catholic Board was formed by Daniel O'Connell, and continued to work zealously ; but on the 4th of June, 1814, the Lord Lieutenant and Privy Council issued aproclamation by which they declared the CathoHc Board an unlawful assembly, and ordered all to abstain from its proceedings ! This did notdampthe ardour of theCatholics. To add to the troubles of the times, an unexpected peace with France was proclaimed, by the banishment of Bonaparte to Elba. The]?eacewasproclaimed on the 27th of June in Limerick, whenprices which the month before had been unprecedentedly high, fell, to the ruin of many speculators. Among themilitiaregimentsdisembodiedinthemonth after,wasthe county of Limerick regiment, whena mutiny had nearly resulted, owing to thefact ' The present Mr. Sergeant Howler, Q.C. * State of the Catholic Cause, Dublin, 1812. Julj' 7th. — General thanksgiving for peace. In this month, a wooden gallery built on the west wall of the City gaol over the river, and another on the north wall at the end of Newgate-lane, to prevent the escape of prisoners. A sentinel walks on the galleries. July 22nd Archdeacon Hill died in Dublin, and was buried on the 27th in St. Mua- chin's. July 2Gth The portico to the County Court House finished. Cost £700. July 29th. — The new Theatre in George's-street, opened. It was intended to open it with " Othello," but some of the tragedians not coming, the play was changed to the " Inconstant." Complaints of the gallery occupants was made of the old Theatre. Prices in the new : — boxes and lattices, 4s. 2d. — gallery, 3s. 4d. — pit. Is. 8d. In this month many failures in the different country banks ; credit at a low ebb ; the Limerick banks as yet stand safe, but refuse to discount any paper. So great and general is the demand for Bank of Ireland paper, that people will take nothing else. How changed, in everything since 1797, when the annexed advertisement appeared in the public newspaper, the Limerick Chronicle : — " Pursuant to a requisition made for a meeting on Monday next, the 13th inst., several of the gentlemen, merchants, and traders, met for the purpose of taking into consideration the present state of the notes of the Bank of Ireland. Limerick, March 11th, 1797. John Harrison, Mayor." August. — The latter end of last month and what has passed of this, uncommonly stormy, wet, and inclement — though in the dog days, the thermometer did not rise above 60 degrees. Oa the 15th a vessel arrived at the Quay, dismasted and almost a wreck ; a Welsh brig loaded with slates, which sailed from Cardigan, and was bound to Sligo, met a dreadful gale off Sline head, and put into the Shannon in distress. In this month a new fire engine for St. Mary's parish, was purchased by the inhabitants ; it was made by Charles and Thomas Lee, smiths, and was the first ever made in Limerick ; it coat £40, and the materials of the old engine, which was purchased in London, in 1768. The malt liquor so bad and debased, that what has been long sold as beer, scarcely possessed any of tlie qualities of that article, except those produced by chemical compounds. - Tlie conclusion of the month of August and the month of September, perfectly dry, and most favorable for saving a most luxurious harvest. September 11th About 9 p.m., the atmosphere over the city, stretching east and west, was a luminous vapour, arched like a rainbow — but the moon did not rise (hat night till 40 minutes after 1 o'clock; and there was no rain at the time. One end of it dissipated into various fan- tastical shapes, like northern lights ; it was a belt of white light, similar to the tail of a comet the height of the extremities of the arch above the horizon about 20 degrees (.f a circle, of which it was a segment ; its breadth that C'f a rainbow— it rose in the west, rip['er.ring first in 29 434 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. that the men were not permitted to take their great coats, which the govern- ment alleged they required to clothe the naked soldiers who were coming homo from the Peninsula — and thereby effect a saving of £30,000. — Miserable economy !' In September, 1814, a third belfry was erected in a Catholic Chapel in Limerick, that of St. Mary^s Parish, and a bell was put up in January following. The project of building the projected bridge over the Shannon from Cus- tom-House Quay to the opposite side of the river, was publicly abandoned on the 20th September this year (1814), when an advertisement appeared in the public journals of the city to that effect. At this time the north end of Thoraond Bridge near Castle-street, was only eight feet ten inches wide, though one of the greatest thoroughfares in the kingdom, and a resolution was adopted to widen and repair that ancient bridge. The state of the country this year and the following year was deplorable in the extreme : the people were in the greatest distress and misery, and crime consequently prevailed to a lamentable extent. In September, 1815, the several regiments that composed the garrison of Limerick marched under arms to their different places of worship : the County and Liberties of the City had been for a long time disturbed by nightly insurgents, who robbed, flogged, and deprived of their arms, many of the peaceable inhabitants. On the 26tli of the month, an extraordinary Sessions of the Peace was held, and the Magistrates of the County assembled by public advertisement. The County ' In more recent years, a mutiny absolutely took place in the North Tipperary Regiment of militia in Nenagh, on the disembodiment of that regiment, when the men were refused their clothes, through a miserable economy also. On this occasion the mutiny was quelled by Major-General Chatterton, Commander of the Limerick Garrison. the constellation of Hercules, near to the Corona Borealis ; its motion to the east very perceptible, and as far as the eye could guide, uniformly accellerated ; it shot from the place where it originated, through the milky way, entering it in Beta eygon, passing through epsilon Cygani, through the south of Lacura, through Andromeda, between Beta and Gamma of that Constel- lation, through the bright star of Caput Medusaa, and terminating in Persaeus near Auriga ; all of which stars were obscurely seen through its radiance ; it receded slowly to the south, and disappeared about two degrees further from the Zenith, than where it was first observed. Sept. 28th. — A large bird of the Heron species alighted, and remained half an hour on one of the pinnacles of tlie tower of the Cathedral, and drew some attention. In the Autumn of this year, the small pox very fatal in the city and neighbourhood, particu- larly to infants. In the latter end of the month of October, died at Bunnahow, in the Co. of Clare, Mrs. Butler, aged 105 years Limerick Adverliser, November ith, 18l4r. In the Summer of this year, the old city Brewery, long since a ruin, began to undergo an entire repair; a new mill wheel, and all necessary machinery erected, by Mr. Michael Rochford, the proprietor. Died at Killaloe, John O'Meally, aged 104 ; he worked as a labourer till a short time before his death. — Limerick Chronicle, November dth. November In this month, mile stones were erected on the canal and track ways between Limerick and Killaloe, with a double inscription, marking on two sides, the relative distances from each place. In this month, died, Jliss White, a young lady of considerable fortune, who left the following charitable bequests to her native city : — . £1000 for building a Magdalen asylum, in this city, and after the death of an old lady, £100 a year for its support for 20 years ; £50 per year for 50 years to the Fever Hospital ; .£40 per year for 21 years to the House of Industry; £80 per year to the Roman Catholic Schools; £30 each per year for 20 years, to the poor of the Parishes of St. Mary's, St. Munchin's, St. John's and St. Michael's ; £10 per year for 50 years to the Lying-in Hospital; £50 per year for 35 years to St. Michael's Chapel ; £5 a year for 20 years to the Dispensary ; £50 for the purchase of books for the poor, She has been the greatest benefactress to the poor since the time of Dr. Jeremiah Hall, — she was a Catholic — most pious — most devoted. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 435 of Limerick; and tlie Liberties of the City were declared to be out of Ilis Majesty's peace. Forty-three Magistrates attended. The County was pro- claimed on the 20th of September — the proclamation to begin to be in force from the 5th of October. The Liberties were also proclaimed. Sergeants Johnson and Joy were sent down by Government to hold Special Sessions in the City and County. A Special Commission of general gaol delivery was held at Limerick on the 1 st of November, Chief Baron O'Grady presided as Judge in the County, and Mr. Sergeant Joy in the city. In the County were confined seven charged with murder, nineteen for assembling at night, and taking arms, nine for robbery on the highway, twenty for burglary and felony, five for flogging at night, two firing with intent to kill, one for abduction, one for assault on a magistrate, four for cow-stealing, nine for minor ofiences — total, 79. In the city one was charged with murder, four for taking up arms, four for assaulting with intent to kill, four for robbery, two for burglary, two for sheep-stealing, one minor offence — total, 18. Out of those there were eight executed at the places where their several crimes were alleged to have been committed; some were transported to Botany Bay for seven years ; some were flogged, and some were confined and obliged to give bail. While these lamentable proceedings were taking place, it was a rehef to December A monument erected in the Cathedral of St. Mary's, near the burial place of the bishops, on the south side of the Communion Table, with the following inscription : — To the Memory of LIEUT.-OOL. RICKARD LLOYD, Who fell on the 10th December, 1813, While engaged in a successful contest Against superior numbers, Near the City of Bayonne, in the South of France. THIS MONUMENT IS ERECTED, By the Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, And Privates, Of the 2nd Battalion, 84th Regiment of Infantry ; As a testimony of respect for his valour AS A SOLDIER, And of affection for his virtues AS A MAN. This cenotaph was opened for the public on the 10th, the anniversary of Colonel Lloyd's death, when the 84th Regiment, then in this garrison, attended divine service, in grand funeral pro- cession at the Cathedral. It was executed at Dublin, and cost the Regiment £103 lOs. 3d has the family arms, with the motto vi virtute — and on the top a pyramid of black marble— with an urn and military trophies. December 16th — At a verj' early hour this morning, a tremendous storm arose from the S.W. quarter, and blew a hurricane more furious than any remembered by the oldest person living here ; it threw down several chimneys, and unroofed houses — it threw down a new house in Glentworth-street. About 7 o'clock, a Norway ship of about 200 tons, drifted from her fasten- ings at Shannon-quay, and was driven up to the lower end of Newgate-lane, abreast of the old Golden Mills ; a brig and a sloop, both laden, were driven completely over the weir of Curra- gower, and grounded under the S.W. tower of the Castle Barrack. The tide rose up to the houses on Merchants'-quay ; the lanes and passages were strewn with bricks, tiles and slates, which had fallen from the houses ; the flag-staff, erected on St. Mary's Cathedral at the close of A.D. 1800, was broken and carried away ; and the new wooden gallery erected in July last, on the west side of the City gaol, over the river, was totally destroyed. A new Scotch sloop, with rock salt, thrown on her beam ends, at O'NeiU's-quay, and sunk. Great damage on the North- strand, and most of a new parapet wall, erected only last summer, swept clear away. Many of the river craft totally lost, together with many lives. The leads on the Custom House rolled up, and partly carried off. This storm very general throughout the kingdom ; upwards of 530 large trees torn up from the roots at Adare ; 130 gross trees at Tervoe ; 200 ditto at Castletown waller ; 150 ditto at Hollypark (Mr. Taylor's) ; twenty farmers' houses were levelled to the ground on Kilgenny common, about 3 miles beyond Adare. An over grown elm tree at Clon- macken, in the N. Liberties, blown down — it had stood upwards of 150 years ; at Kilballyowen, 130 trees — all in this county. The damage at sea was dreadful. At Liverpool, 4 vessels were 436 HISTORY OF LLMElllCK. observe the exertions which the Catholics of Limerick continued to make, in order to provide themselves with commodious churches. Early in the year, the foundations of the new Chapel of St. Patrick's were laid in Clare-street, under the directions of the Eev. Patrick Magrath, P.P. ; and the Dominicans, who had been for many years confined to their small chapel in Fish Lane, undertook the building of a noble church in Glentwort.h-street, which, for a long period, was the largest in the city ; the Rev. Patrick Harrogan, O.P. was prior at the time; and many of the principal Catholic citizens aided him in the project. The mills on the north bank of the canal, which were buUt by Messrs. Welsh and Uzuld, having become almost a ruin, were fitted up as a brewery by Messrs. Walker and Co. of Cork, at an expense of £E5,000. This now became one of the first establishments of the kind in Munster ; but it did not prosper for any length of time. The Corporation, meanwhile, true to its instincts, persevered not only in opposing the legitimate rights of the citizens, but in plunderiag them remorselessly. On the 26th of June, 1815, the following accounts were submitted by the lost, at Newcorae 1, at Falmouth 6, at Dover 8, at Cowes 5, at Greenock 3, at Ltith Roads 4, on the Goodwin Sands 6, at Ramsgate 2, New Castle and Bristol 2, off Calais 8, Bologne 10, Dieppe 5, Hill 8, Scarborough 3. The mercury in the barometer, during the tremendous gale, Btood at Limerick, so high as 28 inches eight-tenths. 1815, July 10th. — The first square-rigged vessel ever built in Limerick, was launched from the Dry Dock, at Newtown, this day — tonnage 156 tons — Messrs. Mullock and Graham, owners. July 13th The City of Limerick Militia re-embodied — the same day the County Limerick Regiment of Militia was re-embodied. At the conclusion of the month of August, the roofing of the Cathedral, from the western tower or steeple to the eastern gable was finished. It was begun in the month of April, the roof at the time, being in a very tottering state, was partially stript. The rafters were all of oak, ten inches square, and much decayed and rotted, for about two feet from the bottom — by lowering the pitch of the roof, most of them were of great utility. The roof supposed to be coeval with the Cathedral. November 24th. — Peter Hehir, died in the Poor House, aged 102 years — he had the full exer- cise of his mental faculties to the last moment. — Limerick Chronicle. In this year, the fire arms of all the Regiments of Infantry were coloured brown. In this year a tower, a beacon, began to be erected on the Beeves Rocks, near Askeaton, to guide vessels at night. 1810, January. — Early in this month, a very fine organ, built by Evans of London, erected in the Parish Chapel of St. Michael, it cost J^IOOO, and is certainly the finest ever seen in this city ; the Chapel lias been recently very much ornamented, enlarged and beautified by the Rev. Patrick Hogan, P.P. In this month, an American screw arrived in Limerick from New York, having the figure head of an Indian chief, with his pipe of peace, string of wampum and other pacific emblems of his nation. The history of this vessel is interesting; it appears that the owner had sometime since lost a vessel on a remote coast of America, where a chief named Samopett ruled ; this chief afforded every kind of protection to the shipwrecked crew, and used his utmost efforts in preserv- ing their property, and sending them safe back to their own port. The owner built this new vessel, and in gratitude for favours received, named her the Samopett. The weather at this period was so severe that during the last ten or twelve days of the month, the setting out of the Dublin mail for Limerick from Dublin was altered for two nights from ein-ht o'clock, p.m., to seven o'clock next morning, to avoid losing way in the snow, which covered the Curragh of Kildare. March 3rd and 4th. — The city was visited with another of those terrible storms which are of such frequent occurrence, and which have been noted, from the very earliest times, in our annals. Several vessels in the harbour drifted from their moorings. An old uninhabited house, opposite the old market house in the Irishtown, fell, and crushed to death a poor old woman of the name of Dairs. The severity of the past winter is said to be greater than was experienced for the twenty preceding years. On this day (5th of April) also, all the officers of the Assessed Tax Department are off duty, and their future .services dispensed with. The as.sessed ta.KCS comprised hearths, windows, male servants, liorseS; carriages, and sporting dogs. The duty on liearths and windows was abolished 581 6 7 1 7 9 HISTOIIY OF LIMERICK. 437 Chamberlain, (which we give as a small specimen of the way in which the public money was scattered broadcast in bootless litigation) : — £ s. d. Ordered No. 1. The Prosecutor's taxed costs in the Cause — The King at the Prosecution of John Tuthill, Esq., against the Corpor- ation of Limerick, per Boyse and Harrington's Bill, ... 840 10 1 Ordered— No. 2. The Prosecutor's Taxed Costs in the Cause — The King at the Prosecution of James Sullivan, against the Cor- poration of Limerick, per same Attorney's Bill, ... 524 10 4 Ordered— No. 3. The Prosecutor's Taxed Costs in the Cause— The King at the Prosecution of Lord Glentworth, and the Mayor, Sheriff, and Citizens of Limerick, per same Attorney's Bill, No. 4. Postage paid on the foregoing Costs, received in a Packet from Mr. Barrington, ... The manufacture of freemen still went on in the most barefaced manner, in order to swamp the liberal interest ; but while their ' honours' were going on after this scandalous fashion, seahng their inevitable doom, dividing the loaves and fishes, dressing up Sergeants-at-Mace at enormous figures, and acting throughout on the exclusive system, the Catholics who had passed through a fiery ordeal, but who were not as yet emancipated from the fetters of the penal laws, were up and stkring, and making their voices heard in every direction. in 1822 ; the other duties not unfd March, 1823. The Chancellor of the Exchequer declared that the last mentioned duties, viz. those on servants, &c., produced £1,000,000 a-year, and that the hearths and windows netted only i:250,0OO. The expense attending the coUection left the produce very little. In this month the fish and fowl markets were removed from Ellen-street, and the street opened and continued in a straight line towards the Corn Market, the cupola of which makes a pleasing termination to this vista. , j • ^ April 17th The Catholic Emancipation Bill lost in the House of Commons— the adjournment of the House was carried as follows : — For the adjournment 313 Against ^^*^ Majority 202 An address was presented by the Protestant Bishops expressing their objections to the altera- tions in the Tithe BUI : the address bears the signatures of the Archbishops of Dublm and Tuam ; the Bishop of Limerick, and thirteen other Bishops. The other Protestant Bishops who signed are:_Kildare, Kilmore, Down and Connor, Clogher, Cork and Ross, Elphin, Ossory, Waterford, Dromore, Killaloe, Ferns, and Raphoe. . May 10th.— The City Sheriffs received an order from Government to transmit hve men ana three woman, under sentence of transportation, to the Penitentiary House, Cork. May 14th.— Mr. Thomas P. Vokes, appointed Police Magistrate for the County of Limerick- vice Richard Wilcocks resigned. Mr. Wilcocks retains his appointment as Inspector-General of the MunsterjPolice. It is deemed worthy of observation, and a proof of the change in the time, that the Mayor, on the 10th of May, actuaU.T/ and publicly advertised for estimates for the repair of the parapet wall on George's quay, and the three water slips on the same— two of them—the one near the new (now Mathew) bridge— and the other near Ball's bridge, were in a most deplorable and truly dangerous state, having probably, no attention paid them, since their erection m 1763 ; the slip at the end of Creagh-lane was well repaired in the Mayoralty of Andrew Watson, Esq. in 1812. June Gth.— In the King's Bench, William Taylor, one of the City Sheriffs, sentenced to one month's imprisonment, in Kilmainham Gaol, from the first day of term, for using and writing provoking expressions to John Norris Russell— inducing hun to break the peace ; this matter arose out of the disputes between the Corporation and the Independents, of whom Mr. J. N. Russell was an efiicient member. The Linen Board has granted 200 spinning wheels and 12 reels, to enable the unemployed females in this County to earn a subsistence. The grant to the several Cyuntijb in the I'rovinco 438 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Another great suit was tried at Cork Spring Assizes^ in the year after {18]6), in M'hich John Tuthill, Esq., on behalf of the independents, was plaintiiF, and the Corporation defendants. The jury remained in two days and one night — they gave no verdict — eleven were for the plaintiff. One only, a Mr. William Taylor, for the defendants. Mr. Taylor was presented with the fi-eedom of the city for this act, in a gold box, and was made Sheriff in the years 1819, 1820, 1821, and 1822. On the 23rd of March, another trial took place, with the same plaintiff and defendants, on other grounds, in which the plaintiff was non-suited. At the commencement of this century one of the most ancient families in the County of Limerick, could lay claim to three distinguished individuals whose names are interwoven with the history of the time. We refer to Standish O'Grady, afterwards Chief Baron O'Grady, afterwards Yiscount Guillamore. Harry Dean Grady, and Thomas Grady of Belmont, better known by the soubriquet of Spectacle Grady. We have already referred to the Et. Hon. Standish O'Grady, far the most distinguished of the three. Harry Dean Grady was a barrister of great and rising talents. He represented Limerick in Parliament in conjunction with Colonel Yereker, and supported the fatal Union, against which his colleague voted on every of Miinster, including Limerick, amounts to 1798 wheels and 383 reels, at the total expense of £1000. Ball's Bridge, Mary-street, Nicholas-street, Castle-street, and part of Thomond Bridge, newly paved since the commencement of this year. In the Summer Assizes of this year, a change in the route of the Munster Circuit took place- since the Summer Assizes of 1796, when Tipperary and Waterford were added to the Leinster Circuit, the judges began at Ennis, thence to Limerick, thence to Tralee, and finished the judicial career at Cork. This year, they commenced at Cork, thence to Ennis, thence to Limerick, thence to Tralee ; and in consequence of the weight of the criminal business, return again to Cork after all the other business of the Circuit is finished. Messrs. Williams and Cockburn of Dublin, have contracted for the new Lunatic Asylum about to be built in this City, at a sum not much exceeding £20,000. This work will give employ- ment to the numerous distressed tradesmen at this period July 4th. — Two Dutch Boers or farmers have been brought by the Linen Board from Holland, to instruct the peasantry of this county in the cultivation and management of flax, which is a source of national wealth to Holland. Their tour will be the Counties of Cork, Limerick, Clare, and Galway. A great number of linen wheels and reels have, within a short period, been dis- tributed among poor j'oung females here to encourage them to industry. Diary of the weather for June : — Thermometer — Highest, 70. Lowest, 45. Barometer — Highest, 30, 40. Lowest, 29, 30. Days of rain — 10. Cloudy — 6. Sunshine— 13. Thunder — 1. Wind, in general, N.E., N.W., and S.W. Quantity of rain— 1 inch six-tenths. July 12th — The following will show the great depression in the articles of life. A boat load of potatoes was this daj' sold at the Poor House at three farthings per stone. July 26th. — At the Summer Assizes £4000 to be presented in the County for the Insurrection Act to the Judges ; £2000 to the Police. In the month of July a new Butter Weigh-house built in Carr-street, closely adjoining the new Linen Hall. The former Weigh-house outside Mungret Gate ejected for want of title. August 4th. — A man named Daniel O'Connell, who had been tried at the Assizes, was executed in front of the new County Jail for murder. He acknowledged that he was one of the party who broke into the house of Dennis Morrissey, on the 22nd of February, 1822 ; but he denied that he fired the r^hot by which Morissey was killed. August 7th — Labourers commenced digging the foundations for the New Lunatic Asylam on the A^ aterford and Tipperarj' road. Upper Wiliiara-street. State of the weather for July : — Thermometer — Highest, C)9. Lowest, 50. Barometer — Highest, 29. Lowest, 0. Weather — Days with rain — 27. Clouiiy and no rain— 3. Sunshine 1. Wind in general W.S.W. and N.W. Quantity of rain upon each square foot of surface — 3 Inches. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 439 occasion. He was rewarded with the office of "first Counsel to the Com- mons/' after which he slowly sunk into obscurity. Two of his daughters, Lady Muskerry and Lady Eoche, were married to members of theh native County. Mr. Thomas Grady's fii-st appearance in public was at the meeting of the bar convened to discuss the Union on the 9th of December, 1799. Of course the Father of the Bar occupied the chair, and Saurin, Plunket, Bushe, Jonah Barrington, Peter Burrowes, and all the most distin- guished members of the bar attended. St. George Daly was the first to speak in favor of the Union. Of him it was wittily observed, that the Union was the first brief he spoke out of. Thomas Grady was Fitzgibbon's spokes- man. " The Irish,-" said Mr. Grady, following Daly, " are only the rump of an aristocracy. ShaU I visit posterity with a system of war, pestilence and famine ? No ! Give me a Union. Unite me to that country where all is peace, order and prosperity. Without a Union we shall see embryo chief justices, attorneys-general m perspective, and animalcula sergeants ? &c. fee" Mr. John Beresford, Lord Clare's pursebearer, followed in the same strain, and Thomas Goold, another Limerick man, practically closed the debate with the declaration, that " the Almighty has in majestic characters signed the great charter of our independence. The great Creator of the world has given our beloved country the gigantic outHnes of a kingdom. The God of nature never intended that Ireland should be a province, and hy she never shall ! Loud applause followed, and the division being taken there appeared Against the Union, ... ... 166 Forit 32 Majority 134 For his vote on this occasion, Thomas Grady was made a county Judge, worth £600 a year. August 16th A wooden portico of four Doric columns with its entablature, erected at the entrance of the new Augustinian Chapel (lately a Theatre) in George's-street. August 18th. — Patrick Ivis executed at the New Gaol, pursuant to sentence at the last Assizes. He acknowledged his guilt ; he was sixty years of age. August 22nd James Connell and John Dundon executed at the New Gaol, pursuant to sentence at the last Assizes. Daniel Nunan, under similar circumstances, received a reprieve, a few minutes before his associates were led to execution. The vulgar tradition, " that if St. Swithin's day (15th July) is wet, it will rain for forty days after," was most completely exemplified this year ; probably a wetter autumn has not been remembered. Turf was taken by the country people from the Quays to Charleville, Bruff, Tipperary, Rathkeale, and all around in the County of Limerick, to the extent of twenty miles, the bogs being under water and inaccessible. At this period (August 26th; the crops are yery luxuriant and promising ; but the heat is only 61 on Farenheit scale, whereas summer, or ripen- ing heat is always 76. August 30th.— Henry Rose, Esq. elected to serve the office of sheriff for the ensuing year, in the room of John Cripps, Esq. Jun. who was appointed to that situation on Monday after the 24th of June. From returns made to the House of Commons in the course of the last Sessions, it appears that the following Protestant Parochial Schools are in the sees of Limerick and Kerry :— Fifteen Parochial Schools which are attended by about twelve hundred children. The greater part of the population are Roman Catholics, and stoutly persist in refusing to permit their children to receive any instruction from a Protestant Establishment. Sept. 5th. — A Special Session of the Insurrection Act held at the Court-house ; a man sent off from the dock for transportation. Diary of the weather for August : — Thermometer — Highest, 72. Lowest, 41. V Barometer— Highest, 30-10. Lowest, 29. Weather— Sunshine, cloudy, and rain more or less every day ; wind in general S.W., W.N.W. Quantity of rain — 1 inch. 440 HISTOKY OF LIMERICK. Although possessed of great talents he practically failed at the bar. lie was eaten up with the green-eyed monster, and if surpassed by any one, he cherished for him the most undying hatred, being totally incapable of understanding, that sooner or later we all meet our masters. Even his relative, Standish O'Grady, was not exempt from this jealousy, and many were the satires directed against him by his kinsman. Sick at heart and soured in disposition, Grady ultimately left the bar, and devoted much time to his pen. ^ '. Tha character of this extraordinary man may be thus epitomised. — He was a gentleman of independent property, a good lawyer, but without judgment, an amatory poet, a severe and scarcely decent satirist, and an indefatigable tuft-hunter. He wrote the " Flesh-brush" for Lady Clare ; the " West Briton" for the Union, " The Barrister" for the Bar, and the " Nosegay" for Mr. Bruce the banker at Limerick, who it is said, refused to appreciate the value of some accommodation bills tendered to him in exchange for cash. The following extract from the " Nosegay" will show the characteristics of the poem. It represents Bruce tortured by his own conscience and reflections in the solitude of night : Yet in the dark and dreadful midnight hour, Oh God ! this caitiff owns thy sovereign pow'r ; It happen'd once, by some unlucky doom, I lay (not slept) in his adjoining room ; 'Twas then I witness'd of his soul the pangs. The stripes of conscience, and of guilt the fangs ; Scar'd by fierce visions from his fev'rish rest, He saw ten thousand daggers at his breast ; "Murder! ye villains ! murder!" he exclaim'd. And of his many victims some he named ; Now seem'd the pistol's muzzle to evade, And parried now the visionary blade. Now roar'd and bellow'd like one mad or drunk, And now to abject supplication sunk ; Now the most hellish imprecations utter 'd ; Now, half suppressed, the Litany he mutter'd ; And now, confounding blessed spirits with evil, Invok'd, at once, our Saviour and the Devil. Thus passed a night, which fear and fury share, . A sad melange of blasphemy and pray'r-; And while his groans and suspirations rattle, I thought of Richard on the eve of battle ! Oh ! Heav'nly Father 1 merciful and kind. Subdue my passions, grant me peace of mind ! Peace with good men on earth to me be given, And glory be to Thee, on high in Heav'n 1 And if this world one Atheist shall disclose. Thy sacred balm of mercy interpose ; Place him by night where he may fairly hear The ravings of this wretch's guilt and fear ; Atheist no more — reform'd, he'll bend the knee To truth and grace, to Majesty and thee. It is to be regretted that many passages in his works render them unfit for general perusal. In the year 1816 he published a second edition of the " Nosegay," upon which an action for libel was brought against him at Spring assizes, 1817, and £500 damages given to Bruce, though £20,000 were sought. The following are the names of the jurj* before whom the case was tried : — Hon. George Eyre Massj', Foreman ; Edward Croker ; Stephen Edward Rice ; The Knight of Glin ; De Courcy O'Grady ; Thomas Rice ; Michael Scanlan ; Edward Villiers ; George Tuthill ,- John Greene ; Robert Cripps ; Alexander Rose, Esqrs. The local papers suppressed the trial, but portions of it were printed by A. J. Watson, Limerick, for the Editor, which caused much litigation after- wards. The damages Grady would never pay, and voluntarily expatriated himself for life. He died some few years ago at Boulogne. His works abound in curious anecdotes about Limerick people. The following anecdote about Bernard, Bishop of Limerick, in 1799, will afford a fair specimen of his dry humour : HISTORY OF LDIERICK. 441 CHAPTEE XLVIII. LOCOMOTION. Mil. BIANCONI. EDUCATIONAL KEFORM. INTRODUCTION OF THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS TO LIMERICK. — THOMAS SPRING RICE, ESQ. CHAIRING OF MR. TUTHILL. DISTURBANCES AFTER VISIT OF GEORGE IV. TERMS OFFERED BY THE INSURGENTS, &C. &C. It was in the same year (1815), that Mr. Charles Bianconi, an ItaKan by birth, but an Irishman in heart, and of wonderful energy and ability, applied his active mind to the promotion of means for the public accommodation of passengers in the South of Ireland, which had been hitherto confined to a few mail and day coaches, which travelled mth comparative leisure on the great Imes of road between Munster and Dublin. From his pecuKar position in the country, he had ample opportunities of reflecting on many things, and nothing struck hun more forcibly than the great vacuum that existed in travelling accommodation between the different orders of society. " I never will forget the impression this accomplished man (the Bishop) made upon me, the first day I sat in his company. It was at Lord Gort's — after dinner the conversation took a stupid turn upon our taxes, and particularly upon the window tax, then lately laid on this country, and I threw in some stupid observations, reprobating the tax and lamenting the miser- able five or six pounds a-year I had to pay for my house in Dublin — ' Sir,' says he, ' you have no taxes, it is idle to talk of taxes in this country. Sir, I had a house once in London that lay at the angle of two great streets. By consequence it had two fronts — each very extensive, and with more than the ordinary proportion of windows to each front — and sir, I had to pay for the window tax of that house (I think he said) £80.' This struck me with horror — proximus ardet. I had a prophetic anticipation of what had since happened, and in the state of despair arising from the coup d'ceil, I burst forth into the vulgar and indecent ejaculation of 'oh blood and 'ounds !' I saw in an instant the lawn sleeves present themselves to my confounded imagination. I was sensible of the vulgarity and grossness I had committed, and I most humbly asked his pardon. He saw I was degraded and humbled in my own feelings, and fixing his eyes upon me, which sparkled when he was going to be playful, and gave notice of the coming flash — ' Well — you mai/ say ' blood and 'ounds,' sir ! It was enough to make any honest man say ' blood and 'ounds,' sir ! I can tell you, sir, it has made a bishop say ' blood and 'ounds,' sir.' The whole table was convulsed, and I was redeemed by the wit, the pleasantry, and good nature of this admirable man." O'Grady also wrote " Si* Phelim O'Shaughnessy," the " Two-penny Post-Bag," &c. September 29th.— Pursuant to Act 4th Geo. IV. the Freemen of the City assembled in the Tolsel Court, to elect a Common Speaker for the Court of D'Oyer Hundred ; John Barclay Westropp, Esq. was elected. There is no mention in the existing books of the Corporation of a Common Speaker being chosen since the 3rd of April, 1680, when Robert Smyth, Burgess, was chosen to that oifice. Mr. Westropp and Mr. Hughes Russell were the only Candidates for the ofiice of Common Speaker, the former on the Corporation interest, the latter on the independent interest. The Rev. Henry Ivers Ingram, the oldest resident freeman, presided in the Chair. Numbers for Westropp, 122 ; for Russell, 20. In this summer Rutland-street, George's- street, and Patrick-street, were newly paved. In this year the 29th Regiment quartered here ; they paraded to church every Sunday twenty boys and twenty girls. Captain Bridges was remarkable in the Regiment as a very wealthy man ; he drove a bang-up coach and four-in-hand, the first seen in Limerick — he always drove, and was accompanied by several of his brother officers seated on the roof, with one or more servants in the hinder seat, blowing horns. October 3rd. — Ten men tried in Kathkeale, under the Insurrection Act, and sentenced to seven years' transportation ; and on the 4th, three more met a similar fate. 442 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. The inconvenience felt for the want of more extended means of intercourse, particularly from the interior of the country to the different market towns, gave great advantage to the few at the expense of the many ; and, above all, a great loss of time. In July, 1815, he started a car for the conveyance of passengers from Clonmel to Caher, which he subsequently extended to Tipperary and Limerick; at the end of the same year, he started similar cars from Clonmel to Cashel and Thurles, and from Clonmel to Carrick and Waterford, and he subse- quently extended this establishment, including the most insulated localities, and numbering in 1843, IQO vehicles, including mail coaches and different sized cars, capable of carrying from four to twenty passengers each, and travelling eight or nine miles an hour, at an average of one penny farthing per mile for each passenger, and performing daily 3,800 mUes, passing through over 140 stations for the change of horses, consuming 3 to 4,000 tons of hay, and from 30 to 40,000 barrels of oats, annually, all of which were purchased in their respective localities. His establishment originated immediately after the peace of 1815, having then had the advantage of a supply of first class horses intended for the army, and rating in price from ten to twenty pounds each, one of which drew a car and six persons with ease seven mUes an hour. The demand for such horses having ceased, the breeding of them naturally diminished, and, after some time, he found it necessary to put two inferior horses to do the work of one. Finding he thus had extra horse power, he increased the size of the car, which held six passengers — ^three on each side — to one capable of carrying eight, and in proportion as the breed of horses improved, he continued to increase the size of the cars for summer work, and to add to the number of horses in winter, for the conveyance of the same number of passengers, until he converted the two- wheeled two-horse cars into four-wheeled cars, drawn bv two, three, or four horses, according to the traf&c on the respective roads, and the wants of the public. Oct. 6tb New mayor and sheriffs sworn to office ; the sergeants-at-mace, bailiffs, and con- etables, appeared in new and hitherto uncommonly fine uniforms. Before this time it was not the custom to clothe them till the ensuing spring assizes. The toll on corn and grain this year is one penny per bushel. The decadence of theatricals throughout Ireland is instanced this year, not only by the change of the Theatre of Limerick into an admirable Catholic Church, but that at Kilkenny, so famous some years ago for its theatricals, has been changed into a hay market and corn store. The Patrick-street theatre, Cork, is appropriated to the fine arts, and the Wexford theatre converted into a dissenting meeting house. October 29th. — At a special sessions in the City Court House, under the Insurrection Act, a man sentenced to seven years' transportation, and sent out of the dock. October 30th and 31st. — Dreadful storms and shipwrecks on the English coast. This city, and Ireland generally, have escaped. December 3rd. — A great depression in the mercury, but no storm. Viscount Gort elected a sitting peer of the Realm in the room of the late Viscount Powerscourt. Dec. 6th This day the Cork coach from this city leaves the Post Office at half-past eleven o'clock, A.M., and arrives in Cork at eight, p.m. ; leaves Cork at six, a.m., and arrives here at half-past two, p.m., performing the journey of fifty miles, Irish, in eight hours and a-half. Dec. 10th and 11th. — Special sessions at Kathkeale, under the Insurrection Act ; one man, "a country schoolmaster, an alleged writer of Captain Rock's orders, transported. In the summer of this year a vestibule or portico, supported by four wooden columns of the Ionic order, erected over the entrance into the new Augustinian Chapel, George's-street. Dec. 12th In the Court of King's Bench the will of the late Mrs. Hannah Villiers, of tliis city, fully established ; among many charitable bequests, she has left the sum of £288 per year for the support of twelve poor widows at £24 each. By this will an Alms House was built at her expense for their reception on a piece of ground adjoining St. Munchin's churchyard, and known by the name of the Bishop's Garden, which she had purchased several years before for this purpose. This Alms House is admirably built, and i.< beautifully situated in view of the (Shannon, the Clare mountains, &c. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 443 The progress of the establishment was wonderful. • Mr. Bianconi became one of the men of mark of his time. He has been also always prominent in the pohtical movements of his time as a staunch and earnest friend of O^Connell, and his policy. He threw heart and soul and money into the movement for CathoUc Emancipation ; he realised a noble fortune, portion of which he has invested in the purchase of estates in his adopted County of Tipperary, of which he is a Magistrate, a Grand Juror, and Deputy Lieutenant. The late Sir Robert Peel recognised his public services by a complimentary reference to them in the House of Commons, when the naturalization of Mr. Bianconi was granted. He relates himself that in 1807-^8 he was located at Carrick-on-Suir, distant from Waterford, by road sixteen, and by the Kiver Suir about thirty miles ; and the only public mode of conveyance for passengers between these two places, containing a popula- tion of between thirty and forty thousand inhabitants, was " Tom Morrissey's boat,-*' which carried from eight to ten passengers, and which, besides being obliged to await the tide, took from four to five hours to perform the journey, at a fare of sixpence-halfpenny of the then currency. At the time the rail- way opened between Cork and Waterford, in 1853, there was between the two towns horse-power capable of conveying by cars and coaches one hundred passengers daily, performing the journey in less than two hours, at a fare of two shillings, thus showing that the people not only began to understand the value of time, but also appreciated it. He subsequently became a contractor for the conveyance of several cross mails, at a price not exceeding half the amount which the Government had paid the postmasters for doing this duty ; and it was not until Lord O'Neill and Lord Eoss had ceased to be Postmasters-General of Ireland, and that the Duke of Richmond became Postmaster General of the United Kingdom, under the Government of Lord Grey, and that the local postmasters were no longer appointed exclusively from one section of the community, that the conveyance of all the cross mails was set up to public competition, to be carried on the principle of his estabhshment. Notwithstanding the inroads made on his estabhshment by railways, and which displaced over 1,000 horses, and obliged him to direct his attention to such portions of the country as had not before the benefit of his conveyances, he still in 1865 employs about 900 horses, travelling over 4,000 miles daily, 1 The following interesting particulars as to the extension of the great locomotive establishment of lilr. Bianconi, show that this establishment has at least been fifty years connected with Limerick ! Clonmel to Limerick Commenced 1815 Clonmel to Thurles, 1815 Clonmel to Waterford, 10 o'clock, A-M. 1816 it i( ti 6 o'clock, A.M. 1820 li II II 3 o'clock, P.M. 1821 » to Cork, 1821 " to Kilkenny, 1820 Kilkenny to Waterford, 1822 Thurles to Kilkenny, 1822 Clonmel to Eoscrea, 1822 " to Tipperary, 3 o'clock, P.M. 1828 Limerick to Cork, 1830 Clonmel to Youghal, 1831 Limerick to Tralee, (Coach,) 1833 U II (Car,) 1833 Tralee to Caherciveen, 1834 Kilarney to II 1836 Limerick to Galway, 1837 Galway to Tuam, 1833 444 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. passing through twenty- three couutieSj having 137 stations, and working twelve mail and day coaches 672 miles ; fifty four-wheel cars, with two and more horses, travelhng 1,930 miles; and sixty-six two- wheel one-horse cars, travelling 1,604 mUes.^ Almost contemporaneously with the introduction of this great locomotive improvement, the extension of the Schools of the Christian Brothers to Limerick in 1816, took place. The institute which has conferred wonderful good on Society, was projected by Mr. Edmond Eice of Waterford, who in the year 1802, had submitted the plan of the proposed association to Pope Pius YII. by whom he was encouraged to proceed with it, and by whom it was eventually approved of and confirmed in 1820. Since that time the schools have rapidly extended, and continued to extend — and when the Commissioners who were appointed to enquire into the endowed schools in Ireland in 1858, made their examination, they visited the Christian Schools, though not endowed by the State, on the contrary, entirely separated from any state endowment whatever, and at that time there were 15,000 pupils in these schools in Ireland, and 3,000 in England. In Limerick the schools have gone on in the most successful manner : there are no less than six of those schools in the City of Limerick, while there are schools also in Bruff, Adare, Kathkeale, &c. In 1858, there were 1,458 pupils in those schools. The Commissioners, of whom the Earl of Kildare was Chairman, reported that " the state of education is noticed as excellent. Several of the pupils could draw well ; their writing was generally unexceptionable ; and the answering in Euclid, mechanics, arithmetic, and all the ordinary depart- ments of English education, including dictation, was of a very superior order.^ No greater blessing could be conferred on a community than that which has been extended through the influence and operations of these admirable schools, which in 1865 contain nearly 1800 pupils, in seventeen school- rooms, some of which contain over one hundred pupils each, and which are every day proving their superiority over all that has been done to check their growth, or win their pupils to other and more showy estabHshments on which the state has been lavishing enormous funds. The battle of independence was nobly fought in Limerick, nor could it ever have been fought so well, were it not for the wanton plunder of the Cor- poration, which, stimulated by the apprehension that its days were numbered, left no stone unturned to make the most of the time of respite, from a doom which all honest men heartily desired to see it receive. Daniel O^Connell had already denounced the misdeeds of the Corporation, the annals of which, at this time, were nothing more than malversation of the public funds, out- rageous infringements on public liberty, corruption of the worst character, manufacture of freemen, &c. For some time Thomas Spring Eice, Esq., who had attained a prominent place in the public eye, by energy and atten- tion to public business, had identified himself with the popular struggles. This gentleman, connected with the city by family ties of ancient duration, and born in Mungret-street,^ threw himself heart and soul into the ranks of the independents ; and well did he advance his own interests by the part he took, in promoting those of the citizens against the conspiracies of an un- ' Papers Read before the British Association Meeting at Cork 1813. Before the same at Dublin 1857, and before the Social Science Congress in Dublin ISGl. * Report of Her Majesty's Commissioners on the endowments, &c. &c. of all the schools endowed for the purposes of education in Ireland in 1858. ' In the house occupied by Mr. Parker, No. 1, Murgret-street. HISTOiiY OF LlMEillCK. 445 scrupulous factiou. A Protestant, Mr. Spring Rice carried with him his iu- flueutial connexions and friends of that persuasion. Early in 1815, he wrote a pamphlet, in wliich he vehemently denounced the Grand Jury Laws. The Corporation had become rank in the nostrils of all classes, and every man washed to see an end to its ignominious reign of audacity and spoliation. Mr. Tuthill had fought the good fight, but was defeated by a combination of the most discordant elements. A great blow to the interests of all parties was struck at the declaration of peace, after the battle of Waterloo ; and as history re- peats itself, we have to record the fact, that in the years following 1815 the country fell from comparative prosperity to the very abyss of misery and woe ; bankruptcies in country and town were rife ; farmers and landlords, shop- keepers and merchants, brokers and money-changers, all fell in promiscuous ruin ; and no where was the visitation more severely experienced than in the city and county of Limerick. Of the several banks in the city, the bank of Messrs. Thomas and WilHam Eoche, was the only private bank that with- stood the shock and braved the storm in Limerick. To the everlasting honour of the Roches be it said, they paid every penny to every holder of their notes ; and, whilst others succumbed beneath an unexampled and un- foreseen pressure, they kept their credit and proved that confidence was well placed in their honor. At this time, Mr. Thomas Grady, of Belmont, wooed the Muses in the shape of an Ode to Peace, a remarkable production; and just when the country was convulsed by a social revolution, resulting from a sudden fall in prices, and its heart-breaking effects on society, the poet manifested a spirit capable of feeling for the miseries of the people, however bitter and unscrupulous his satire was against Mr. Bruce. Mr. Grady compHmented several of the resident landlords of the county ; but it should be stated, that the social condition of the people had given the greatest pain and affliction, even before the peace of 1815, to the well-think- ing and reflecting amongst the highest in the land — some few of whom were an exception to the overwhelming majority. If Judge Day wrote himself down as a truculent upholder of the state of things that existed, and went about charging, in a manner of which his friend Toler might well approve, there were other judges on the bench who saw the evil in its true features, and who did not hesitate to denounce the causes and the results with noble firmness, and the eloquence of truth and sincerity. Among those judges. Judge Fletcher stood in the loftiest grade — he w^as bold, honest, firm, and unflinching.* Would that the lofty bearing, the sterling honesty, the dignified power of Judge Fletcher, had those to imitate his judicial virtues and admirable character at this day ! Would that from the high seat of the judge, were poured into the ears of men in authority, words fraught with wholesome admonition, and lessons which, for the sake of the country, it would be well that landlords and others would take to heart, and profit by. If Mr. Thomas Grady wrote powerfully in reference to the multitudinous evils against which even he did not shut his eyes. Judge Fletcher about the same time, gave warning to those who should listen to his admonitions ' Ilis charge to the Grand Jury of the County of "Wexford, edited by the late Frederick Wm. Conway, of the Dublin Evening Post, and given to the world at a moment when the iron had entered into the souls of the people, was an expression of opinion from the judgment seat, on the wrongs of Ireland, which deserves an everlasting place in the grateful memory of all faithful Irishmen ! 446 mSTORY OF LIMERICK. to put their house in order, and prepare for the evil time which so soon came upon them. He denounced, in terms not to be mistaken, the system which to this hour has acted lilce an anthrax in eating up the vitals of native prosperity, in oppressing and overloading the poor with an insufferable weight of wretchedness, in setting up land to the highest bidder, who, when he obtains it, tires of his bargain, and again becomes himself the victim of the same system which annihilated his predecessor. The battle of independence continued to wage in the city. Mr. Rice already the champion of the popular cause, was looked upon as the future representative in parliament of Limerick. At every meeting of the Indepen- dents he took a prominent part. — He aided all who stood forth against the irresponsible iniquity of the Corporation. As each sum was doled out by that body for corrupt purposes, he, and the Independents took note, and exerted themselves to check the wrong doings of their honors, but it was all in vain for a time ; the manufacture of freemen by the Corporation was such, that nothing could resist its bad effects in interfering with the exertions of the citizens, who, nothing daunted — ^persevered, knowing that truth and justice were on their side. "Magna est Veritas et prevalehit!' Mr. Tuthill was chaired after a contest between him and Major Vereker, in which, however, the gallant Major was victorious. The local Tory organ did not pubhsh a report of the popular ovation, because it had been always ranged on the opposite side ; but in a Dublin paper of the day, the chairing was described as an unparalleled popular triumph, during which Mr. Tuthill was surrounded by at least 30,000 people. On the chair were four labels in letters of gold ; the first was, God save the King ; the second, the Man of the People ; the third, the Champion of our Rights ; and the fourth, Tuthill and Independence. He was presented with favours from the several trades : with a beautiful sash from the clothiers. What heightened the scene, and excited the greatest enthusiasm, was the presenting him with a branch of laurel, the leaves of which were edged with gold, by Mrs. Russell, of Glentworth- street. This was done amidst loud huzzas, waving of handkerchiefs and hats. The procession, in the following order, then moved on : first, the different tradesmen with cock- ades and favours, amounting to some thousands, their respective banners in front, and walking arm in arm, indiscriminately united. Next came a square car, with high railing, interwoven with shrubs and flowers ; in the middle was planted the tree of knowledge, representing the garden of Eden ; two children were standing at the step of the garden, dressed in buff to represent Adam and Eve in their innocent state ; a large eel was twined round the tree, in imitation of the serpent who alights on it, and was anxiously expecting Adam would take the apple from Eve that she was presenting him with. Then came the chair, preceded by gentlemen bearing banners, on which were inscribed, ' Our Music is the Voice of the People -! and now our longing eyes beheld Mr. Tuthill surrounded with nearly all the wealth, talent, and res- pectability of Limerick. On the platform were Mr. William Roche, the banker, Mr. Mathew Barrington, and other respectable gentlemen ; and the chair was followed by about 800 respectable citizens with wands, to which branches of laurel were bound. The procession was closed by an innumerable concourse of people, and proceeded through every quarter of the city, even to the liberties ; but in going through George's-street, Major Yereker stepped out on the balcony at the Club-house, respectfully bowed HISTORY OF LIMEIUCK. 447 to Mr. Tuthill; and remained uncovered untill the procession passed by.* Eeturning, tlie procession stopped at the prison to pay a token of respect to Mr. Bryan M'Mdion, who had been sheriff in 1808, with Mr. Abraham Colclough Stretch, and who became legally liable for the defalcations incurred by his colleague, was arrested and incarcerated after having voted for Mr. Tuthill, and hence the demonstration in his favor. Such was a chairing in the times at which our history has arrived, and such was the enthusiasm of the citizens, though success did not smile on their exertions. The Corporation, in the face of these demonstrations, pro- ceeded in its iniquitous and spohating courses. Hundreds of freemen con- tinued to be manufactured. And about this time, it having been proposed by Lord Viscount Gort to become tenant to the several lots of ground, houses and premises, then just out of lease, at Thomondgate, Carr- street. Limekiln concern. West Watergate, Crotagh or Garryowen, John- street, Pennywell, Diocesan School and elsewhere, on a lease of hves renew- able for ever, " at a rent to be valued and ascertained by a committee of the Council to be appointed for the purpose," it was resolved that " the said houses, plots and concerns, to Lord Viscount Gort be let at the rent which shall be ascertained by i^Q said committee, and that leases of Hves renewable for ever be perfected to him of the same.''"' The committee was appointed ; it consisted of creatures of Lord Gort ; the leases were perfected ; and the pubhc property was dealt with as if it were a valueless nuisance. No wonder that the " rising star" of Thomas Spring Rice should be regarded under auspices so favourable to the interests he undertook to promote.'^ On the 17th December, 1817, the Corporation moved an address of condolence to the Prince Eegent on the melancholy and sudden death of the Princess Charlotte of Wales, Consort of His Highness Leopold of Saxe- Coburgh. An address was passed to the Lord Lieutenant, through whom the former address was transmitted.' On the 4th of January, 1817, the Corporation presented, through the Lord Lieutenant, an address of condolence to the Prince Regent on the death of his mother, the Queen, and on the same day it resolved to defend a petition against Major Vereker, which was presented to Parliament, and to defray the expenses.* On the 19th of June, 1818, the Mayor's salary, which had been £365 per annum, was increased to £500 per annum; the Recorder's salary was increased to £300 per annum ; and the payment to the Mayor was ordered to be made in advance by the considerate Corporators. It is no wonder that legalised vengeance should have befallen the Corpora- tion. In the history of the world there has been seldom heard of such malversation, spoHation, and unblushing plunder. About this time, viz. m 1817, the County Gaol, on the Cork road, was commenced. At Spring assizes 1816, the Grand Jury had granted a sum of ' This mark of respect was certainly felt as it ought to be : it was of a piece with his conduct all through the election, which was highly honourable and praiseworthy ; and which we have no hesitation in saying, made a good many friends for himself. * Mr. Tuthill, M'ho had beea the man of the people, fell, in some short time afterwards, from his high estate, and went over to the enemy, wiiich he had expended such enormous sums, and so much energy and determination in opposing. s By what means the Princess Charlotte died, history is silent, though the busy tongue of rumour has it that Her Royal Highness was put out of the way by the foulest means imaginable. * The petition referred to the manufacture of non-resident freemen, and to the fact that mul- titudes of men were nut granted their freedom who had the right. 448 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. £23,000 to be invested in Commissioners for the purpose of building this Gaol. The Government in the first instance, advanced the money, to be repaid by instalments at the rate of £1,916 13s. 4d. each assizes : there had been a fund of 5,000 on hands for this purpose.^ In 1821 it was finished at an expense of £23,000. Andrew Fletcher, of Saltouns, says he knew a wise man who beheved it mattered not who made the laws if he had the making of the ballads. — These times were rife in ballads and poetical pamphlets. Mr. Thomas Grady, as we have seen, wrote from his retreat at Belmont, where it is said, when a happy thought struck him, it was his custom, at dead of night, to ring the bell, to ask the servant to strike a light, proceed to the library, and there sit up, perhaps, till morning, throwing off in verse the sentiments by which he was actuated, lest by postponement he should forget them.^ There were other and not bad poets too, and ballad rhymers, at the time^ . Just about the very time when the courtiers and flatterers of George the Fourth, and some sanguine Irish patriots, who believed in the reaUty of his favorable intentions towards Ireland, were calculating upon the happy results of the Royal visit, in August, 1821, disturbances of a very serious character again broke out in the County Limerick, and parts of Cork and Tipperary, as if in mockery of the predictions of the tranquilising effects of that visit which were made by Mr. W. Conyngham Plunket, and other admirers and beneficiaries of that deceitful and profligate Sovereign. Mr. Plunket, indeed, who had always acted with the small, but noble and energetic party who represented Irish national interests in the English House of Commons, the friends and followers of Grattan, Ponsonby Shaw, and Sir John Newport, had been appointed his Majesty's Attorney-General, at the King's particular ' Messrs, Pain and Harman's proposals for building the^new gaol was accepted by the Com- missioners on the 27th of March — tlieir estimate was £21 250, which did not amount to more than IJd. an acre on the county at each assizes. The whole was repaid in six years. It was built on the modern model, similar to which nearly all the gaols in the country were afterwards erected. A sum of £2,000 was expended on a tread mill, kitchen, laundry, &c. It contains 22 apartments for debtors, and 103 cells for criminals and convicts. There are five solitary, or what were denominated " condemned" cells. Immediately after its completion, it was thronged with prisoners, as it was just at this period that those disturbances commenced in the county, on which we shall have much to say, and which originated in the unsettled relations of landlord and tenant, and gave occasion for the greatest possible amount of irritation, &c., for a lengthened period. The former County Gaol was the one anciently adjoining the present City Prison, with an entrance from Crosby Row. The cost on the County and Liberties of the Insurrection Act in 1816, was £ s. d. 1160 on the County. 766 13 6 on the Liberties. £1926 13 6 Total. * I have this on the authority of a domestic who had lived with him for a long period. 8 " Martin Farrcl, Philomath," was a very powerful rhymer at the time. He published a long poem in four cantos, in 1820, which he " most respectfully dedicated to the Independence of Limerick" — and which has a vignette, very well engraved, of Mr. Thomas Spring Rice, in top boots, with wand in hand, trampling on the hydra of corruption. Mr. Eice holds the charter of "the rights of the city of Limerick restored," whilst a citizen, in top boots, is handing the keys of the city to him — and the angel of independence is crowning him with laurels. In the back ground is the temple of justice, and the arms of the city — the Castles, flag, &c. The poem des- cribes the state to which the country was reduced after the fall of Bonaparte — the crushing of banks, the ruin of the farmers, &c., and it pays to the Messrs. Roche a tribute of praise wlbich they well deserved. z/yv^///{m.i0tp: a/i/? r^^t^/y /.>^.^6^/da c x^^/7//<>w. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 449 desire ; and hence it was not unnatural to expect that this eminent man had abated somewhat of the zeal which had distinguished him five or six years before when supporting the motion made by that able and patriotic states- man. Sir John Newport, in 1816, for a change in the coercive measures pursued towards Ireland, he declared that the state of the country indis- putably showed that some intrinsic vice was in the Government, which must be removed before tranquiUity was restored. Civil disabilities, the brutal and offensive assertion of superiority by the Orange societies over the whole Catholic body, and the offering of designed offence to the Catholic Priesthood by the government of the day, were amongst the reasons assigned by Mr. Plunket for the evils which afflicted Ireland in those days — and, as one instance of the latter fault, he mentioned the case of a Priest in the county Limerick, who had been instrumental in quelling a disturbance, for which a letter of thanks had been sent him by the Right Honourable Sir Eobert Peel, at that time Chief Secretary ; but, before it could reach his hands, it was published in the newspapers, in consequence of which this clergyman was held up to the suspicion of his fraternity and his flock, as a person aiding the tyrannical purposes of government.' He advised ministers to retrace the steps as exactly as possible which they had pursued in the govern- ment of Ireland, and to adopt, instead of the narrow principles of Protestant exclusion, measures calculated to secure the happiness of all classes. Such was Plunket in 1816. But when Sir John Newport brought forward his motion in April, 1822, to enquire into the state of Ireland, Plunket justified the government, of which he was so able and energetic an official, in conferring additional power on the Irish government to arrest the prevailing outrages. 2 While Mr. C. Hutchinson, Sir John Newport, Sir F. Burdett, Sir Lucius O'Brien, Mr. Spring Eice, and other members of Parliament of Hberal ten- dencies, were recommending a policy of conciliation as a remedy for the prevaihug disturbances, the aggravation, if not the commencement, of these agrarian troubles, in the county Limerick at least, was generally ascribed to the oppressive treatment of the tenants on the Courtenay estates, which were at this thne under the management of an exceedingly unpopular agent. These immense and beautiful estates, granted to the ancestors of the Earl of Devon by Queen EUzabeth, had been in the hands of English trustees, the then owner. Lord Yiscount Courtenay, residing in some part of An;erica. He had been selling this old forfeiture for some years, the sales amounting to some £200,000 ; but he had still remaining 42,000 Irish plantation acres — from which fact it will easily be inferred what great influ- ence for good or evil one individual possessed in a country where all depended on agriculture for their support. The agent was a Mr. Hoskins, whose son was murdered by the followers of Captain Eock, and who was succeeded by a gentleman of a very different character, Albert Eurlong, Esq., of Dubhn. We shall mention a few others of. the outrages which disgraced the country at this unhappy period. At the commencement of the disturbances. Major Going, a county magistrate, had heeii shot on the Com- mons of Ptathkeale, and shortly afterwards^ Mr. Christopher Sparling, a ' Plunket's Speeches. Duffy, Dublin, 1859. ^ It Avas en this occasion that he alluded to the happy effects of the King's Tisit, of which Lord Byron, -with the instinct of genius, took much more correct views in his poem called the .^f«^ar; and on this occasion also he suggested the advisability of placing the landlords, whom he cen- sured, between the people and the Protestant clergy, of whom he spoke in favourable terms. ao 450 HISTORY OF LDILlilCK. respectable Palatine farmer, as he was riding towards the town of Newcastle from a farm called Eourka, on which he had become tenant on the ejection of the late occupier. At a previous attack made upon his house in Patricks- well, he had made a spirited resistance, assisted by a respectable young man named Samuel Cross, from the city of Limerick, Avho was resident in the house at the time, and unfortunately killed in the attack. Three men were hanged for the offence, and one, who contrived to escape to America, was accidentally burned in his adopted country. It does not enter into our plan to describe the progress of Rockite insur- rection^ at any length, but as a clue to the objects proposed to themselves by the insurrectionists, we may mention that after severe fighting at Church- town, county Cork, to which county the insurrection had extended, in which 1500 insurgents were engaged. The following were the terms offered by the insurgents, on condition of their giving up their arms, and swearing allegiance to his Majesty : 1st. A discharge of all prisoners taken. 2nd. No Tithes or Taxes on Windows. 3rd. All arrears of rent to be forgiven. 4th. Lands to be lowered to a third of the present rents. The peasantry had previously arisen in arms in 1815 and 1817. But the failure of the crops in 1828, added to Special Commissions, &c. completely broke down the spirit of outrage, though the predisposing cause, the suffer- ings of the people, was still unremoved. CHAPTER XLIX. ATROCIOUS MURDER. OF ELLEN SCANLAN, ALIAS HANLY, IN THE COUNTY OF LIMERICK. — CONVICTION AND EXECUTION OP JOHN SCANLAN, HER HUS- BAND, THE MURDERER. — PROGRESS OF EVENTS. THE INSURRECTION ACT. LOCAL ACTS, &C.. In the spring of the year 1820, a trial as remarkable as any that has since taken place, occupied the attention of the public. Romances have been written and dramas enacted on the groundwork furnished by this terribly tragic event, which became the subject of judicial enquiry before the Right Hon. Richard Jebb (fourth Justice of the King's Bench), who, with the Hon. Henry Joy (first Sergeant), went the Munster Circuit at that assizes. A fearful murder had been perpetrated on the 4th, of the previous July, in the River Shannon, within the jurisdiction of the city, and under circumstances of the most revolting atrocity — circumstances which have awakened the indignation of every individual to whom they have become known in all parts of the world. The principal in that murder was a person 1 A pamphlet called the " Old Bailey Solicitor," in which the most dreadful imputations are cast on Mr. Hoskins, and in which " Captain Kock" is described, appeared about this time. It enters into many details as to the alleged misconduct of Mr. Iloskins, and mismanagement of the Courtenay Estate by oppression, &c., and gives a statement respecting the trials and convic- tion of leaders of the Kockites. The original Captain Rock, whose name was Fitzmaiirice, was tried in Limerick in 1S22, and executed. HISTORY OF LIMEIIICK. 451 who had served in the Royal Navy as an officer, and who had moved in the highest ranks of society ; the victim was his wife. The wife, no donbt, be- longed to a grade much lower than that which the murderer had occupied, and hence he was mcliaed to get rid of her. Search had been ineffectually made for a long time for the murderer ; but it wasnot till the foUowiug Novem- ber, (1819) that he was arrested whilst enjoying himself in the house of a friend in the west of the county, conducted to the city gaol on the warrant of the Mayor, and brought to trial at the City of Limerick Spring assizes, which were opened on the 11th of March, 1820, before the Judges above named. - Probably no murder ever committed has excited more attention than that of Ellen Scanlan, a fact which is chiefly owing to the treatment her melancholy story has met with at the hands of the authors of " The Poor Man^s Daughter,'^ a narrative in a serial entitled "Tales of Irish Life,^^ another in the New Monthly, the beautiful novel of the truly gifted Gerald Griffin, the Collegians, and the extraordinaiily successful drama of Mr. Boucicault, the Colleen Bawn. Captain Addison has also given a version of it in his adventures of Mr. Thomas Yokes, the Police Magistrate, who, he says, arrested Scanlan.^ She was living with her uncle, one John Connery, a ropemaker, others say a shoemaker, in a small town in the County Limerick, who had adojated her, when she contracted her ill-omened marriage. Scanlan was defended by Daniel O'Connell, the Liberator, and Mr. George Bennett. Messrs Pennefather and Quin were Counsel for the prosecution. Scanlan is misrepresented in one of the fictions as having been a CathoHc. He was a Protestant, and attended by the Rev. Henry Gubbins, who raised the cap from his face just before he was turned off, imploring him to make his peace with God by telling the truth. His answer was, ' I suffer for a crime in which I did not participate. If Sullivan be found my innocence will appear.' He thus died with a he in his mouth. Scanlan''s family were connected v/ith some of the highest names in the county and city of Limerick. One of his relatives rode from ' This, however, has been contradicted, as the gentleman by whom Scanlan was arrested was Gerald Blennerhasset, Esq. J. P. of Kidddlestown. * The following are copies of the original depositions and indictments on which Scanlan was found guilty at the assizes above mentioned, and executed on the 16th March, forty-eight hours after he was convicted. Sullivan was tried before the Right Hon. Charles Kendal Bushe in the year after, when he also M'as found guilty and executed, after confessing her guilt : — County of Limerick,'^ The Information of Michael Hanly, of Ballyclan, in said County, farmer, to wit. V taken by me, one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for said } County. Informant being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists and examined, deposeth that on the night between the 13th and 14th of July last, informant's daughter, Ellen Hanlj', between 15 and 16 years of age, was seduced to go with John Scanlan and Stephen Sullivan in a boat to cross the river Shannon, from Carrigafoyle to the county Clare, as informant is credibly in- formed bj' several persons, who will prove the same on being summoned in a proper manner ; and informant sayeth that his said daughter was on the aforesaid night stripped of the clothes she then wore in said boat to her shift, and then tyed her with a rope by binding her legs, thighs, and neck together, and did then and there barbarously and feloniously break her arm, and throw her into the said river Shannon, west of Tarbert, and drowned her ; informant sayeth, one Catherine Hogan, who is kept as a reputed concubine by said Scanlan, had devised, prompted, and put up the said Scanlan and Sullivan to murder and drown said Ellen Hanly as aforesaid, and that the said Catherine Hogan, after the aforesaid murder, had a pair of ear-rings, a locket, a silver thimble, and a gown, and other articles, the property of the said Ellen Hanly, which she was robbed of on the aforesaid night, and that there are several articles of her property distri- buted among several persons in Glin, Tarbert, and Balljdongford, and the neighbourhood thereof, who were privy to the aforesaid n;iurder, a part of said articles being put and offered for sale by some of the aforesaid persons who sanctioned and encouraged said murder to be committed the day before the aforesaid night the horrid act was perpetrated. 452 UISTORY OF LIMERICK. the Court House^ immediately on his conviction, through the country with a memorial for a respite to the judge. The memorial was influentially signed, and presented by a number of influential persons ; but the judge inflexibly refused its prayer, stating that he had left for execution a poor man who was found guilty of a minor offence, and asking, how could he interfere in a case of such undoubted magnitude as Scanlan's. Scanlan was about 23 years of age, and of fair and prepossessing appearance. In the year 1821, Thomas Westropp, Esq., left several bequests for the charities of the city ; and in the same year Mrs. Bridget Honan left con- siderable bequests also for the poor of Limerick. Informant bound to our Sovereign Lord the King, in the sum of X20 sterling to prosecute this information^at the next General Assizes. Michael Hanly. Sworn and acknowledged before me this 20th day of September, 1819. Tho>ia3 Odell. the inquest. County of Clare, "^ An inquisition indented, taken at Carndotta, in the Parish of KUlinna, and To Wit. Y Barony of Moyart, in said County, in the 59th year of Our Lord, George the ) Third. Before us : — John F. Fitzgerald, Knight of Glin. George Warburton, and Thoiias Odell, Magistrates — upon the view of the body of then and there found dead. Upon the Oaths of Patrick Kellt, Blichael Mangane, Timothy Inerheny, Michael Connell, John Flanagan, Michael M'Donnell, Michael Foran. Pat. Connell, Matthew O'Connor, John Driscoll, Richard Cavanagh, Thos. Bennett. Ellen Walsh sworn — States that a person, a woman named Ellen Hanly, whom they saw about seven weeks since in company with certain men, at the Quay of Kilrush, in this county, and also at Carrigafoil, in the county of Kerry — whose names will be hereafter stated and which woman was supposed to have been murdered, had remarkable teeth on each side of her upper jaw. Patrick Kej^s, of Glin, sworn. Patrick Connell, jun., of Carndotta, sworn. Thomas Odell sworn. When the following verdict was returned : — We find, on a view of the body buried on the shore at Carndotta, that the woman exposed to our view was murdered. We find that such murder was committed on the River Shannon. We find that such murder was effected by strangluig the body, with the rope found about her neck. We find that such murder was committed by John Scanlan or Stephen Sullivan, or by both. Pat. Kelly. Michael Mangan, Michael Cusack, Timothy M'lnerheny, John X Flanagan. iSIichael M Foran, Matthew X Connor, Patt X Connell, John X Driscoll, Thos. M Bennett, Richard X Cavanagh, Michael X M'Donnell. Taken before us this Tenth day of September, 1819, nineteen. J. F. Fitzgerald, Knight of Glin. George Warburton, Clerk. Thohas Odell. Present when acknowledged, HrNRT SMITfl. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 453 Early in the summer of 18^2, there was great scarcity of potatoes and other provisions for the poor, in consequence of the very wet weather during FURTHER INFORMATIONS. County of Limerick,) The information of Ellen Welsh, of Glin, taken before John F. Fitz- to wit. y gerald, Knight of Glin, and Thomas O'Dell, Esq., Magistrate of said ! ) County. Informant being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists, and ex- amined deposeth— That on or about the Thirteenth of July last, she left the town of Kilrush, in the County of Clare, in a boat, the property of John Scanlan, son of William Scanlan, Esq., of Ballvcahane, in the county of Limerick, in which boat were said John Scanlan, a young woman named Ellen Hanley, the reputed wife of said Scanlan, Patrick Caze, Stephen Sullivan, the boatman of said Scanlan, James MitcheU and Jack Mangan, intending to go to Glin. Deponent further saith that all said party put into Carrigafoyle, in the county of Kerry, from bad weather and contrary tide, all said party remained that night in Carrigafoyle, during some part of which time Stephen Sullivan forced a gold ring off the finger of the aforesaid Ellen Hanley ; early the nest morning Patrick Caze, James Mitchell, and Jack Mangan, went by land to Glin, leaving deponent on Carrigafoyle Island with the aforesaid John Scanlan, Stephen Sullivan, and Ellen Hanley. Deponent further saith that said Scanlan requested her to remain on the Island until ha returned for her, during which time he said he would get rid of the said Ellen Hanley ; that deponent insisted on being put over the Creek, to enable her to walk to Glin, upon which Seanlan and Sullivan, accompanied by Ellen Hanley and deponent, went across the creek. Deponent then set out on her way to Glin, and saw the boat depart with the aforesaid John Scanlan and Stephen Sullivan and Ellen Hanley. Deponent further saith that said Ellen Hanley shov.'ed her several articles of wearing apparel which were in a trunk in said boat, and some on her person, and a gold ring. Deponent further saith that John Scanlan and Sullivan came very early into Glin the next morning, not having with them Ellen Hanley, saying that they left her at Kilkee ; that the aforesaid ring was on Scanlan's finger. In a few days after deponent saw a silk handkerchief, a grey mantle, a frock, a skirt, two silk spencers, together with several other arti- ticles, in the possession of Mary Sullivan, sister of Stephen Sullivan aforesaid, and several other persons. All which articles now produced to deponent, she swears are the same she saw in the possession of Ellen Hanley the night they were at Carrigafoyle. Deponent further saith not. Informant bound to our Sovereign Lord the King m the sum of £5 to prosecute this infor- mation at the next general assizes to be held at Limerick, her Ellen N Welsh. mark. Taken sworn, and acknowledged before us this 10th day of September. ' J. F. Fitzgerald, Knight of Glin. Thomas Odell. Glin, Nov. 12, 1819. Mary Sullivan sworn— Deposed that she got the grey cloak now produced from her brother, Stephen Sullivan, who told her he bought it ; cloak was taken out of a round hair trunk in the possession of John Scanlan ; Nelly Welsh told deponent that was the trunk she saw in the boat with the woman who lived with John Scanlan ; John Scanlan gave deponent a shift, a pair of shoes, and a pocket, a cap and ribbon ; deponent saw a plain gold ring on Sullivan's finger ; saw a ring on Scanlan's finger ; it was a figured gold ring ; Scanlan had money ; saw four gold guineas and a red leather pocket ; never saw any woman's clothes with Sullivan or Scanlan till the last time they came to Glin ; heard that Pat Scanlan's wife had silk stockings and a silk handkerchief ; Sullivan told deponent that Scanlan, Nelly Welsh, Paddy Case, Mitchell, Jack Mangan, and the young woman, arrived at Carig Island the night before he came to Glin ; the hak trunk was brought by Sullivan the morning after they said they were in Carrig Island. Some days after deponent asked Scanlan where the young woman was ; he said he left her at Klrush ; in about a week after he told deponent that he left the young woman at Kilkee with his sister ; Scanlan sent a letter to Ballycahane by deponent ; saw Scanlan's sister at Ballycahane ; on deponent's return from Ballycahane she told Scanlan that his sister was there, but did not see the young woman there ; he immediately said that she went off with a captain of a ship. Signed, Sworn before us this 12th day of September, 1819. her Mary M Sullivan. mark. J. F. Fitzgerald, Knight of Glin. Thomas Odell. Grace Scanlan sworn— Deposeth that Stephen Sullivan gave her a yellow silk;;spencer, a sprigged skirt, a pair of silk stockings, a silk handkerchief, and a pink handkerchief. Deponent saw a trunk with a round lid ; saw ten guineas in the poasession of John Scanlan, and a five 454 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. the last harvest. The sum of £1122 Is. 6d. was collected in the city for their relief. The people of England subscribed over £100,000 in aid of the Irish poor at this crisis. Limerick, Clare, and Kerry, suffered most severely. In Ulster and Leinster, matters were far and away better. Several cargoes of potatoes were imported to Limerick from Scotland. Three soup kitchens were opened in the city, cajjable of feeding 6000 people gratuitously each day. Oa the 23rd of May, a vessel arrived at the Quay from London, laden with 45 tons of potatoes, 38 barrels of Scotch herrings, and 26 cwt. of dried ling, the gift of a benevolent lady m England, to the poor of the city.^ On the 21st of the same month, the Mayor received from the Mayor of Carlisle £200 collected there for the use of the poor of Limerick. To give employment to the wretched labourers, who were in the utmost misery, the pavement of the new Bridge was torn up, and a powdered pavement was substituted. Breaking stones to mend the roads was generally resorted to, and the new road from the Crescent, leading to the new Barracks, was thus much improved. The war between the citizens and the corporation continued. On the 23rd of May, the House of Commons appointed the following 28 members to form a committee to take into consideration the petitions of the citizens of Limerick, complaining of the Corporation taxation, and the misapphcation thereof : Mr. T. llice, Mr. Goulburne, Sir John Newport, Mr. Dawson, Mr. Abercrombie, Mr. Edward Wodehouse, Mr.Beecher,Mr. ButlerClarke, Mr. Bux- ton, Sir Nicholas Colthurst, Mr. Evans, Mr. Eitzgibbon, Mr. O'Grady, Mr. Grattan, Mr. John Smyth, Mr. Wellesley, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Eorde, Dr. Phili- more, Mr. Geo. Lamb, Sir Lowry Cole, Mr. Paris, Mr. Eumbold, Mr. White, Mr. Thomas Ellis, SirEobert Shaw, Mr. Leonard, and Sir Arthur Chichester. Five of these gentlemen, viz. Mr. Wodehouse, Sir Lowry Cole, Mr. Paris, Mr. Dawson, and Mr. Buxton, were members of the first committee who tried Mr. Rice's petition, when the opinions of the entire, except Mr. Daly, ' This excellent lady would not allow her name to be made known. pound Bank of Ireland note, and some small notes, a red leather pocket book ; saw a gold ring on Sullivan's finger and a gold ring on Scanlan's finger. Deponent asked Scanlan if he should ever see his lady ; said he left her at Kilkee with his sister ; expressed her surprise that Scanlan should permit Sullivan to make so free with the clothes. Scanlan then said that the young woman misbehaved with a captain of a ship; once or twice Sullivan wanted Scanlan to give him money, and on Scanlan's refusing it, said, I have as much right to it as you have. Deponent further saith not. All this happened since the beginning of July, Signed, her Grace X Scaslan. mark. Sworn before us. J. F. FITZGERAT.D, Knight of Glin. ThojliVs Odell. Witnesses were — Ellen "Welsh, Patrick Keyes, Grace Scanlan, Patrick Connell, John Driscoll, Catherine Collins, John Connery, Mary Sullivan, Thomas Odell, John Fitzgerald, Knight of Glin ; Thomas Spring Rice. The indictment was a very lengthy document, entering fully into all the particulars of the case ; and ends thus : — " And to the jurors aforesaid, upon their oath aforesaid, do say that the said John Scanlan and Stephen Sullivan, the said Ellen Hanly, otherwise called Ellen Scanlan, &c. &c., in manner and form aforesaid, feloniously, wilfully, and of their malice prepensed, did kill and murder, against the peace of our said Lord the King, his crown and dignity, and against the statute i?i such case made and provided. The bill is endorsed — Eu.EN Walsh, E K C, NO. 6. True bill for self and fellow jurors, J. P. Yekeker. £ s. d. 1841 9 3 708 19 6 935 19 6 358 14 7 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 455 (who was the nominee of Colonel Vereker) were in favor of Mr. Rice ; and Dr. Phihmore and Sir Lowiy Cole were members of the committee on Colonel Vereker^s counter petition, when he lost his cause by a majority of eleven to four ; these gentlemen established the claims of the citizens, and secured Mr. Eice in his seat. On the 10th of June a Jury assembled at the Tholsel Court to examine the site of a new Lunatic Asj'lura, for the counties of Limerick, Clare, Kerry, and the city of Limerick ; it is near Mr. Connell's brewery, and contains 7 acres, 2 roods, and 26 perches, valued at 20 guineas per acre, and allowing 20 years' purchase for same. The several claimants to be paid as follows : — To John Coull, part tenant, Daniel Gabbett, lessee, Corporation, for reversion, Mr. Connell, in lieu of water course £3,845 2 10 The heat was excessive in June. On the 19th (June) £6,000 granted hy Government to em- ploy the distressed poor in the Co. Limerick. June 15th and 24th. — Men transported from special sessions held in Rathkeale and in city of Limerick. July 5th On this day the hearth and window taxes expired in Ireland — the former took place in 1662, 14th K. Chas. II., the latter in 1806, 42nd K. Geo. III. The several streets of the city, with very few exceptions, were repaired, the pavement taken up, and powdered pavement substituted. All done by the committee for the relief of the poor. The greatest improvement was effected by the levelling of aclivities of the new bridge (now Mathew Bridge.) Before this, the pavement of this bridge rendered the passage for horses, &c. extremely dangerous in frosty weather, and at all times the passage was difficult. " King Wil- liam's Road" was also repaired — this road led to Park before the canal was cut. July 31st. — The report of the Committee of the House of Commons, on the petition of the citizens of Limerick, presented May 23rd, complaining of undue influence and unjust abuse of public money, printed by order of the House. August 3rd William Walsh, Edward Dooherty, Laurence Walsh, and William Martin, were executed at the new County Gaol for the murder of Thomas Hoskins, Esq , on the 27th of July, 1821. It is rather a singular circumstance that the unfortunate youth died of his wounds August 1st, 1821, and these wretched murderers were convicted August 1st, 1822, when they confessed their guilt. At this assizes upwards of forty persons had been convicted of capital offences, and awaited the sentence of the law. Mr. Thos. P. Vokes is said to ^have brought to justice the men for the murder of Mr. Torrence and Mr. Hoskins. August 5th. — Five men were executed in front of the new Co. Gaol, for the murder and rob- bery of Henry Sheehan, a post-boy, conveying the mail between Rathkeale and Shanagolden ; they acknowledged their guilt ; the crime was committed on the 1st of March. August 10th Jeremiah Eourke executed at the new gaol, for firing at Robert H. Ivers, Esq., a magistrate of this county. Commissioner Parsons held a court on the 4th and 5th days of August, at Limerick, when 45 insolvents were discharged. The assizes ended for the present this day, and adjourned to the 4th of September. The following appeared in the public prints at this time, illustrating the cause of the present agricultural distress — but only one of them : — In 1722. The men to the plough, The wife to the cow, The girl to the sow. The boy to the mow. And your rents will be netted. In 1822. Best man — Tallyhoe. And Miss — Piano. The wife — silks and satin. The boy — Greek and Latin, And you'll all be gazetted. August 17th. — Two men executed in front of the new gaol, pursuant to sentences at the assizes, for burglary and taking arms. August 22 — A chimney erected in the distillery concerns of Messrs. Stein and Browne, 115 feet high — the first of its kind ever seen here. The improvement in Thomond Bridge finished ; it consists in the opening the E. end of the Bridge at the bottom of Castle-street, by enlarging three of the arche; on the N. side, and by throwing down an old house that projected into the street ; this passage had been long only eight feet ten inches width ; it is now increased nearly sixteen feet — it is much to be wished that the improvement be continued to the centre of the bridge. The road to the North Strand, at the S. end of the bridge, mdened and much improved. On the 23rd of July, the Co. Limerick Central Relief Committee published their report : — 456 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. The present year was long afterwards memorable for a great depression in the value of the articles of life.^ The landlord who seven years ago might rate his income at £1,000 a year, did not this year net £300, except chief rents and old bargains. The next year was still worse, the middlemen were nearly annihilated. In the sum- mer of this year great unprovements were made in the North Strand, and several impediments were removed. Again disturbances prevailed with the usual results, of which we give a specimen : — October 19th. — Special sessions under the insurrection act satin Limerick. One man was sent off for transportation. October 26th. — Special sessions at Eathkeale under the insurrection act, two men sent for transportation for 7 years. October 30th. — Sessions at Limerick, no conviction on this day. Some offenders against whom serious matters are alleged, held over. ' Those are the market prices of the past week : — Eed Wheat, 8d. to lOd.'per stone, Wliite do. 9d. to lid. " Barley, 8d. " Flour, 26s. to 30s. per bag, Oatmeal, 10s. 6d. per cwt. Tallow, 5s. 6d. per cwt. Butter at different ^ prices.according to > £i to £2 2s. per cwt. quality. ) Whiskey, 8s, 6d. per gallon. Beef, 3d.'to3i. per lb. Mutton, 2^. to .3d. per lb. £ 8. d. By gross amount of receipts to this date as published, ... ... ... 9769 15 6 July 2ith. Grant from the Lord Lieutenant, ... ... ... ... ... lOGQ Grant from London Irish Distress Committee, for relief of the Parish of Kilgrane, and half Parish of St. Munchin's, Co. Clare, £50 British, ... ... 54 3 i July 27th. Grant from Liverpool Irish Distress Committee, £100 British, ... ... 108 6 8 £10,932 5 6 The total amount giren by England to the several Counties in Ireland in aid of the prevailing distress, ... ... ... ... ... ... £128,921 August 31st. — Patrick Hyslane sentenced at the Sessions of Rathkeale to seven years' trans- portation, and again transported in the city for sheep-stealing in the Liberties. September 4. — The assizes resumed, pursuant to adjournment ; there were several convictions, among which were Thomas Halpin, John Dogan, Patrick Hennessey, and Edmond Hennessey, convicted of the murder of Buckley, a crown witness at a former assizes. These men were executed on the 9th of September, at the front of the new County Gaol ; they all confessed their guilt, except Dorgan, who declared that he was not of the party. Same assizes, seventeen con- victs under sentence of death, respited. Sept. 17th. — The new church of Chapel Russell, West Pallaskenry, Co. Limerick, consecrated. By the Census taken in 1821, there were 8,268 houses within the separate jurisdiction of the city— population, 66,042 ; in the city of Waterford, 4052 houses— 28,782 inhabitants. The report signed by W. S. Mason. 18_'2, September 23rd. — A most abundant harvest; fruits in great plenty; a second growth of polyanthuses, sweet willi.im, and other spring flowers. September 27th — Twenty convicts who had received sentence of death at the assizes for various acts of whiteboyism, sent off from the county goal for transportation. The locks on the canal underwent inspection. October Cth. — The ships on the Quay suffered from a heavy gale from N.N.W. 1822 — A requisition to the High Sheriff issued by 52 magistrates, requesting a meeting at Adare on the 4th of November, to appoint 176 baronial constables of police in this county, under the Lord Lieutenant's proclamation for the better preservation of the peace during the following winter. Major Wilcox will have the choice and recommendation of this body of men. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 457 In 1823 an act was passed for remodelling the Corporation of Limerick, wliich for so very long a time, had been so obnoxious to the citizens of every party 'and persuasion, and so injurious to the best interests of the city in general. In the samel year the Wellesley Bridge Act was passed. In 1825, another bill was passed for the erection of a bridge across the Shannon, at or near Athlunkard, and for making approaches thereto. The historical place selected for the erection of this bridge is near the spot where the army of William III. crossed in 1690 and 1691. In 1825, the exports consisted of 2654 tierces and 258 barrels of beef, 4417 tierces and 9100 barrels of pork, 19,750 cwt. of bacon, 65,000 firkins of butter, 61,000 barrels of wheat, 364,000 barrels of oats, and 12,500 barrels of barley. In 1792 the population, as estimated by Dr. Beaufort, was 40,000, with 4,900 houses. In 1821, as was ascertained under Act 55 George III. c. 120, the city con- tained 7,208 houses, 12,419 famihes, 28,117 males, 30,928 females, making a total of 59,045 inhabitants. During these and subsequent years, the con- duct of the Corporation had continued to bring down upon it the indignation of the public. Mr. Eice grappled with the enormities of that body, but was unable to check its extravagance, which went on from day to day without November 4th Three men eentenced in the County Court to transportation under the Insurrection Act. November 6th 176"Baronial Constables, appointed for the County. November lith_A violent gale of wind from the S.E., raised the tide to a great height, burst open the gates of the dry dock at Kidgell's Quay, (now the Steam boat Quay,) and threw a brig in it, under repair, on her beam-ends. The tower on the Beeves' Rocks much injured, November 16th.— At a meeting of the magistrates this day, in the County Court, 44 Con- stables and 132 Sub-constables of police were appointed to preserve the peace during the ensuing winter The police consist of one chief magistrate, his Secretary ; one chief constable, and fifty con- stables, and fifty sub-constables, six of which are mounted cavalry ; chief magistrate,— Drought, Esq. ; Secretary Mr. Gostlett; Chief constable, Mr. Dames. The Chamber of Commerce, at considerable expense, &c., have renewed the navigation of the Shannon safe— and noticed the several members over buoys, rocks, shoals, &c. December 5th A most furious gale from S.W. ; did much damage ia town, threw down many chimneys and stiipped several houses. Said to have been the most inclement day ever remembered. 50 large elm trees were blown down in the demesne of the Bishop of Clonfert ; £4000 damage sustained at Carton, the residence of the Duke of Leinster ; and great losses on the grounds of several noblemen and gentlemen in the County of Meath. 500 vessels of different descriptions are said to be wrecked off the coast of England, Wales, and Scotland. Two ships were sunk in Liverpool Docks, so terrible was the storm. The City Militia staff reduced, and 30 of the County staff. December 13th.— A Supersedeas arrived to the Clerk of the Peace, ordering a residing of the magistrates of this county. It contains the names of two who are dead ; eighteen who reside out of thebaUiwick ; and fourteen who reside in the county — A most useful measure of justice. The maU coach which runs from Dublin to this City, is conveyed by 17 sets or relays of horses ; each relay consisting of four, in all 52 horses. This was in order that it should perform a journey of 94 miles in 15 hours. December 23rd Special Sessions in Eathkeale under the Insurrection Act. Two men sen- tenced to 7 years' transportation. December 25th.— A neat organ opened in St. John's Church ; it came from London and cost £150, the maker, a Mr. Layman. It is estimated that the jubilee loan, which commenced in 1810, has lent out up to the conclu- sion of this year, 1822, a sum of seventy thousand and eighty-five pounds. The annual amount of Dr. Hall's charity in 1822, X441 17s. 6d. Of Craven's Charity in 1822, ^224 14s. December. — Messrs. Brotherton of Liverpool have renewed proposals for running the mail coach between Dublin and Limerick, at an accelerated rate : viz., to arrive at 10 o'clock, a.m. and be dispatched at 4 p.si.. On market days it is proposed that the coach should arrive an hour earlier (at 9 o'clock). It now arrives at 11 a.m., and is dispatched at 3 p.m. December 25th.— A Serjeant's guard placed in the old main guard house, on George's-quay. The amount of money lodged in the Limerick Savings' Bank at the conclusion of this year— £17,000. In Cork the amount for the year is £119,13G 18s. lOd. 458 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. the slightest compunction or remorse on the part of its members. To mark the appreciation of his public services, the Chamber of Commerce had a full length portrait of Mr. Rice painted bj Sir Martin Ajcher Shee, President of the R.A. at a cost of £300, which was placed in their Reading-room on the 19th of December, 1822. Just about this time, too, the Catholics of Ireland were up and stirring to obtain Emancipation, led by the illustrious Daniel O'Connell, who, by the fire and impetuosity of his character, infused vigor and courage into ranks which contained, hitherto, too many who were pusillanimous and cowardly — too many who were wavering between the temptations of government and the stern behests of duty. Some relaxations had been made in a partial shape in the penal code. CathoUcs filled the office of grand jurors in cities and counties — they had long been in the first place as merchants aud as traders — they had_ pushed the old monopoHsts and task masters off their stools in various cities, and no where more than in Limerick, where they now numbered amongst them some of the first merchants, &c., in Ireland. No where had the Liberator more influential friends than among his supporters in Limerick, and these supporters always sustained his cause to the fuUest extent. The Catholic rent was collected with the utmost regularity, and whenever O'Connell addressed his hearers in the old rooms at the Com Exchange, Dublin, he never forgot the aid he received from the patriotic men of Limerick. Liberal opinions, in the midst of the events that were passing, were making steady headway and beating down the mahgnity aud oppression of the old Corporate system. Mr. Rice, the popular member, who had proceeded to Dublin, in December 1822, with the Mayor and Sheriffs of Limerick, in order to present an address to the Marquis of Wellesley, on his escape from the bottle-throwing Orangemen in the Theatre Royal, was waited upon, on the 1st of January, 1823, by the Lord Mayor, the Sheriffs, Town Clerks, and Common Councilmen, in full costume, and with sword- bearer, mace-bearer, &c. to congratulate him, in a complimentary address, on his Parhamentary conduct. This address and the freedom of Dublin had been voted to Mr. Rice on the 18th of October, previously, but there was no means until now of presenting it in due form. The Lord Lieutenant, incapable from indisposition of attending to public business, did not receive the address of the Corporation of Limerick on this occasion, but he appomted the 30th of the same month, when Mr. Rice and the Mayor again proceeded to Dublin, when the address was read, and a suitable reply was returned by His Excellency. At this parricular juncture a serious check had been given to the prosperity of Limerick, which, in its trade and commerce, had been falling away from the high ground which it had for so many years occupied. Foreign shipping had almost deserted the quays ; there was a diminished trade Avith England. The revenue of the port was little over that of Newry, and not near the revenue of the port of Waterford. The old rival, Galway, had gone down in this respect, many years before ; and Limerick threatened to follow to a similar level. While the revenue of Cork was £234,010 — and that of Waterford £94,643— and Londonderry £72,137— Limerick was but £60,437 — Belfast, at this time, was not near Newry, the revenue of the former being but £302,762. A contemporaneous writer ascribes the decay of Limerick to the prevalence of too much showiness and idleness on the part of those classes Avho ought to have been engaged in bu?=incss pursuits; but the real HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 459 cause of the temporary decline may be discerned in the overwhelming miseries which befel the agricultural classes, on whom, in a great measure, the prosperity of the city had always depended. These classes, at this time, were suffering from various causes, and particularly from the fall m prices, the exactions of the tithe system, the oppressions of middle-men who were dying out, and the great changes which had come over the country since the declaration of peace. The Corporation, too, was rapidly on the wane. At the Spring assizes of this year (1823) there were only nineteen names on the City Grand Jury; and among those was the name of Denis O'Brien, Esq. of Newcastle, a Catholic gentleman of fortune, for the first time. At the County of Limerick assizes, a trial of considerable importance and of deep interest took place, that of Patrick Neville and James Fitzgibbon for the mm-der of Eichard Gomg, Esq. They were ably defended by Daniel O'Connell and other leading Counsel. They were, however, found guilty, and on the 14th of March were executed. Eitzgibbon, who is represented to have been a hardened culprit, suffered much owing to the inexpertness of the executioner. The north hberties of Limerick continued to be greatly disturbed by nightly insurgents : houses were set on fire, among others the house of one Allen, a respectable farmer, who lost fourteen cows on this occasion, and the blaze of incendiarism was seen to arise from many other rooftrees during some months. A retui-n to Parbament was now made of the yeomanry corps in the four Provinces,— an inefficient and at all periods a partizan force. The total was 30,753, thus distributed :— In Lemster, 5,915. In Ulster, 20,131. In Connaught, 2,356. In Munster, 2,351. Sir Robert Peel's pohce force had not as yet done much towards proving their activity; both country and town were subjected to multitudmous evils, owing to the distracted state of society. _ On the 27th of March, in consequence of these outrages, a special sessions was held imder the Insurrection Act, when John Halloran was indicted for beino- absent from his house after prescribed hours— he was arrested by the polic^'e on the night of the 22nd of that month, when Mr. Allen s cowhouse and cows were burned. HaUoran was sentenced to seven years transportation and conveyed to Cork at seven o'clock on the same evening— he was the son of an industrious and respectable father, an independent farmer, and neigh- bour to AUen. A short tune before he had been tried for the murder of AUen's son and was found guilty of manslaughter. The prosecution bemg carried on by the deceased's father, it was generally beheved that he owed Allen what they caHed in this country " Sweet's revenge f but he was not tried for the burning. He was rather in a better class of hfe, and well educated ; his example, it was considered, would strike terror into others. The distur- bances, however, not only contmued in and about the liberties and m the counties of Lunerick and Clare, but spread to those parts of the County of Cork, which adjoin Limerick, where there was a great deal of agrarian suffering and outrage. .it x- a i In April and early in May, special sessions under the insurrection Act were held at the County Court House of Limerick, and at Eathkeale, when one man was sentenced to seven years transportation at the former, and two men to the same measure of pimishment at the latter place. The Palatines had been about this time subjected to nightly attacks, their cattle slam or houghed, and their houses burned. The result was that many of them 460 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. emigrated. Sessions were held in Braff on tlie 16th of the same month, at which two men were sentenced to seven years transportation for setting fire to the village of Glenasheen in the preceding April, On the 20th of the month, an adjourned sessions were held at Eathkeale, at which thirty men were charged with being absent from their dwellings on two nights previously. Their defence was, that they had been at the wake of a deceased friend ; nine of them were relatives of the deceased ; these were acquitted, twenty-one were committed and received sentence of transportation for seven years. Such was the severity of the times. On the 20th of June following, a sessions was also held in the County of Limerick Court House, under the Insurrection Act, when two men were sent off from the dock for Cork, to be transported for seven years. Early in July another sessions was held at Rathkeale and in Limerick with similar result ; and a few nights after — viz. on the 9th, Gerald Blenerhasset, Esq. and Chief Constable Keilly of the Constabulary, discovered sixty-eight pike-heads concealed in a wall on the most remote part of Knockfierna Hill, in the County of Limerick. Whilst the country continued thus disturbed, and the wail of sorrow was heard in many an humble homestead ; whilst the hulks were crowded with the victims of the law, and the gibbet groaned under its human burdens, there was a most active movement drawing to a successful issue, between the independent citizens and the city member, Mr. Rice, and the Corporation and its abettors. On the 6th of May, in the House of Commons, Mr. Eice's Bill for the better regulation of the city of Limerick' was read a second time . Captain O^Grady,^ one of theCounty representatives, had stood up in his place, and moved that the bill be read that day six months; when Mr, O'Grady having sat down, and the Speaker asked who seconded the motion ? there was a dead silence, in the midst of which Mr. Eice again stood up, and made many ani- madversions on the conduct of the hon. and gallant member. Meantime, the Wellesley Bridge Act^ had received the Eoyal assent, and public notice was given to that effect by the directors of the Chamber of Commerce. A meeting of the forty-eight commissioners named in the Bill, was convened for the purpose of electing additional new commissioners. The Corporation now began to set its house in order — in other words, to distribute among its members, the remnant of the property of the citizens which had sur\aved up to this period the almost general plunder and spoliation of the pubHc revenue. TheEegulation Act was passed in the teeth of an insolent opposition; but two days before it came into operation, the Corporators made a lease for ever to Sir Christopher Marrett, Knight and Alderman, and one of the Com- mittee of Accounts, at the rent of £34 2s. 6d. Irish, of the ancient island of Scattery, which had been granted to the Corporation by Queen Elizabeth. The island contains 103 acres, of which four are in possession of the Govern- ment, having been purchased from the Corporation in 1810 for the Ordnance Service,* For some lengthened period, the Chamber of Commerce, anxious to free the city from the intolerable nuisance and oppression to which farmers had been subjected heretofore, had carried out an agreement to pay the Corporation £1500 a-year for all their claim on tolls on corn and potatoes, with the intention of relieving potatoes from any charge, which they did accordingly.^ This bargain was annually renewed from 1808 to 1823 ; the ' The Limerick Regulation Act, 4 Geo. IV. cap. 126. * Son of the Chief Baron O'Gradv. a 4th Geo. IV. cap. 94. * Report of the Commissioners on Municipal Corporations in Ireland. HISTORY or LIMERICK. 461 Chamber of Commerce profited from £400 to £1000 a-year by the arrange- ment ; but the war against the Corporation lost none of its bitterness not- withstandmg ; and the year at which we have arrived, witnessed, to a great extent, the reaHzation of the hopes of the citizens, by a curb being appHed to the overgrown licentiousness and irresponsible malversation of the public funds by the Corporation, During the prosecution of the suit in Parhament, serious charges were brought by Mr. Eice against Chief Baron O'Grady. These charges became the subject of investigation : the principal charge against the Chief Baron being for alleged institutmg and receiving exorbitant fees, not warranted by law, in the matters brought before his court. It was decided by a majority of the House on the 11th of July, that it was not necessary to proceed farther with the investigation. Captain O'Grady, on this occasion, made a defence for his father which ehcited general approbation manifestuig as it did fine natural feeling, and noble self-possession. The Eoyal assent, however, was given to the Regulation Act on the 18th of July ; it having passed the House of Lords on the 14th vtdthout a division. Uni- versal joy prevailed throughout the city. The principal source of income of the Corporation was from the tolls and customs, which had been rapidly increasing every year, and which for the year ending 1833, were let for £3,706. The gross annual produce of them under favorable circumstances, had been estimated at £5,000 per annum.* This money was not expended in improving the city, or in reheving the citizens in any shape or form. The enormous sum of £10,393 19s. 10|d. was spent before 1831 in the political contest between the Corporation and the Independents ; while to sustain the tottering power of the spoliators, a sum of £1011 14s. 7 |d. was laid out for stamps provided for the admission of honorary and non-resident freemen alone^ This expenditure entailed embarrassments of so serious a nature on the Corporation, that bonds were passed in 1824 ; and the discharge of those bonds, until 1833, and indeed duruig the term of its existence until 1841, not only deprived the Corporation of any surplus available to the public uses and charities of the city, but plunged it into debt. The Independents, in this long contest for their rights, did not spare their purses,but with open hand gave freely of their money to the good cause ; and it has been estimated that it cost them £30,000 in the prosecution of the contest against the Corporation.' Never did a body of men act with a truer sense of what they owed to themselves and to the important interests of which they were the guardians, than the Limerick Independents, composed of Protestants and Catholics ; a feehng of liberahty prevailed between them, arising fi'om the fact that they were engaged in a common cause, and that mutual co-operation was essential for the success of the paramount objects on which they had set their hearts. They went on hand in hand, setting an example of perseverance and energy, while, though the Corporation continued to drag on a miserable existence for some few years, and expended annually a sum of £3,000 in the payment of the Mayor, Chamberlain, Corporate Staff, &c. it held no place in the estimation of the citizens, but on the contrary was pronounced to be a disgrace and an abuse even by ' Report of the Commissioners, &c. ' Ibid. » As an instance of the generosity of the citizens, we have the fact on the best authority, that the firm of Edmond Ryan and Son, merchants, gave no less than £1500 to the cause of the Independents in subscriptionss. Edmond Ryan, the venerable patriot and friend of O'Connell, ■was grandfather of E. F. G. Ryan, Esq., R'M., Middleton, Co. Cork, and of Michael R. Ryan, Esq. J. P., Templemungret, Limerick. Mr. Creagh gave a subscription of ^500. 462 HISTORY OF LlilERICK. those wlio in social life were on terms of intimacy and friendship with its members. 1 Eor several years before it was dissolved by the Municipal Eeforra Bill, it had permitted the guilds of trade, wliich in the last century exercised such influence at Municipal and Parhamentary Elections, and which were designated " the fifteen Corporations/' to dissolve their connexion with it, simply because those guilds had ceased to be composed of Orangemen, and could no more control the votes of Tory partizans in favor of a particular candidate. It possessed scarcely a trace of the forty ploughlauds which King John granted to the City, and of which there was an iuspeximus by Henry VI.^ and which we must confess were spohated, to a considerable extent, a long time before. It made away with or scattered to the winds the records of its proceedings and misdeeds, so that except in the Birmingham Tower and the British Museum, where a few of its old books have found their way, there would he but little to tell of the evUs it perpetrated, except in Law Courts, where true to its instincts, it has left its trace in a series of bootless, but to the citizens, i-uinous law suits. An effort being made in 1824, to revive the Merchants of the Staple, who had been created by charter of James I., and who had become extmct, by order of the Lord Lieutenant in Council, on the 14th of August, 1824, thirty-two members of. the guild were named, one of whom only was a member of the Common Council, though several of them were freemen. That efi^ort failed — the guild became inoperative. The Chamber of Com- merce, on the other hand, went on steadily and well. Their funds were at first derived from rateable subscriptions paid by each member according to the extent of his export trade in the port of Limerick, and a schedule of 1 In 1833 the Corporation proposed to borrow from the Commissioners of public warks £9,000 on the security of the surplus revenues of £1,000, for the purpose of rebuilding Thomond Bridge. The bridge was built, but the money was never paid by the Corporation. 2 Report of the Commissioners, &c. The noticeable events of this year were : — 1824, January 31st. — The warrants appointing six magistrates under the Limerick Regulation Act issued ; the names of these gentlemen are as follows : — The Hon. John Massy, City of Limerick ; Rev. Josiah Crampton, Rector of Sradbally ; Alderman Joseph Gabbett, City of Limerick ; Major-General Richard Bourke, Thornville, South Liberties, William Roche and John Kelly, Esqrs. — Before this time the justices were constituted by Charter Jas. I., March 3rd, 1609, and limited to six, the Mayor and Recorder for the time being always two of them. The remaining four were elected the second Monday after Michaelmas day, and it was usual to appoint the late Mayor when he had served his office, a charter justice for the succeeding year. February 7tb. — Great joy prevailed in Limerick, on the arrival of the news that Mr. Rice had obtained the Lord Lieutenant's approbation of a grant of £60,000 for building the Wellesley Bridge. February 17th. — On the evening of this day a very unusual circumstance occurred at the funeral of a Mr. Laurence Durack, in St. John's Churchyard. The Rev. Mr. M'Carthy, a Catholic Clergyman, in stole and surplice, recited the usual prayers, &c., and was resisted by the Rev. John Fitzgibbon, Protestant Vicar, who remonstrated to no purpose. The surrounding crowd pushed and jostled Mr. Fitzgibbon and called him hard names. The ultra Protestants were annoyed ; but the affair did not create a feeling bej'ond them. March 3rd. — From a Parliamentary document just issued, the value of silver and copper coins now in circulation is estimated according to the market price of silver and copper : — Silver — the Crown or 5s. piece, at 4s. 6d. Half-Crown or 2s. 6d. 2s. 3d. The Shilling, lOd. The Penny, one Farthing. March 12th. — The Excise district of Ennis, annexed to Limerick, by which one Chief collector, one surveyor, and some subalterns are out of office. March 22nd James Bridgeman, aged 22 years, executed in front of the county gaol for the murder of Richard Going, Esq., late Chief Magistrate of Police of the County of Limerick, • lliSTOUY OF LIMEKICK. 463 these rates was fixed by a bye-law of the Chamber; but this becoming too heavy on individuals, s'ome of whom paid a contribution so high as £40, a maximum subscription of £12 was fixed, which, about forty years ago, was reduced to a subscription of £5 annually from each member. They first un- dertook the management of the butter trade of Limerick, by which they increased the export trade in that article wonderfully, and derived a good income. They applied their funds to the improvement of the port and harbour of Limerick, by clearing away rocks and shoals in the river, and mooring buoys ; in encouraging the hnen trade ; in expending £1500 in one season of distress by purchasing provisions for the poor, and selling them at a reduced rate ; and about £1200 in opposition to the Corporation before the Committee of Appeal in 1820, on the rights of freedom. The population returns of the County of the City of Limerick in 1821 was 59,045, and in 1831 accordmg to the population returns printed by order of the House of Commons, it was 66,554 showing an increase in ten years of 7,509. The population of the parishes forming the city as built upon, was estimated in 1831, at 49,769. The number of inhabited houses in the county of the city by the returns of 1831, was 7,820. The number building 138. The number unmhabited 427. The number of families 11,953 — of which there were chiefly employed in agriculture 2,798 — in trade, manufactures and handicraft 4,057— all other families not comprised in the two preceeding classes 5,098. The proportion of females to males as 6 to 5. The number of males over twenty years of age 15,663 — labourers employed in agriculture 2,561 ; ditto not employed in agriculture 3,618. Persons employed in retail trade or handicraft as masters or workmen 5,106 — capitalists, bankers, professional and other educated men 1323 — occupiers 14th October, 1821. The culprit acknowledged to be at the murders of Major Hare, and Mr. Bushe. It appeared from the declaration, that the murder of Mr. Going was in contemplation for three months, before an opportunity for executmg it presented itself. Mr. Going, on the night previous, slept at Castletown, the residence of John Waller, Esq. He had choice of three roads which led to Rathkeale, on each of which four ruffians were posted, so that escape was impossible. Bridgeman appeared to have been the chief planner of all the mischief. He had been discharged at Spring Assizes, 1823, for want of prosecution. March 26th. — A Mr. Porter of London, on the part of the United General Gas Company, has agreed to light the Parish of St. Michael, from the first October next, with gas— oil being hitherto used in the public lamps. Mr. Porter promises to do so at a saving of £30 a year to the Parish Commissioners, and to furnish the requisite apparatus, «S;c. at his own cost. He anticipates an expenditure of £4000 before the work is completed. March 31st Ten convicts embarked on board the convict ship at Cove, Co. Cork ; they pleaded guilty at last assizes for an attack on Glenasheen barracks, in the County of Limerick, and receired sentence of transportation. April 6th. — For the first time in Limerick, a Columbian printing press, introduced by Messrs. Watson. April 10th. — Thomas Shehan executed in front of the county gaol, pursuant to sentence at last assizes, he being an accomplice in the crime of cutting Mr. Nagle's throat at Kilmallock. April 14th. — Labourers employed this day in clearing quarries from which stones are to be raised for the Wellesley Bridge. April 17th Three men executed at the county gaol pursuant to sentence at the last assizes. In the house of Lords, Earl Darnley states that the population of Ireland is 7,000,000, and that 50,000 of the number only are of the Established Church. April 24th. — Donovan and Eussell executed in front of the county gaol for attacking Glenasheen barracks. They neither denied nor acknowledged guilt. St. George's Day, (April 23rd), the newly appointed time for celebrating the King's birth-day, happening in Easter week, firing of troops, &c., did not take place till the 29th inst. May 2nd. — The Emigrant Brig, Maria of Pembroke, from New Eoss to Quebec, put into the harbour of Limerick in distress ; 89 passengers on board, in the utmost want. A subscription raised of £72 lis. 3d. for them. The Rev. P. Hogan, P.P., St. Michael's, realized £20 additional for them by a charity sermon. 464 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. and others not included in the foregoing 8,055. The quantity of corn bought in Limerick in 1830 and 1831 was : — 1830. 1831. Wheat, 147,400. 169,993. Barley, 85,558. 85,560. Oats, 296,070. 315,732. The increase of the grain trade in the forty years preceding, appears from a petition on the subject of tolls, presented to the Irish House of Commons in 1790, which states in the past year 1789, there were exported from Limerick : — 21,693 Barrels of Wheat. 24,906 „ }} Oats. 568 „ }} Beans, 526 „ )} Barley. 1360 cwt. of Flour. 714 tons of Oatmeal The tonnage too of vessels had increased in the same ratio, and Limerick was giving evidence of its progress in every respect notwithstanding a partial check to its prosperity a few years before this period. Concurrently with these improvements and projects, the Catholics of Limerick began to take energetic measures to join in the struggle for Eman- cipation : O'Connell had already established the Catholic Association, and projected the Catholic Eent. Limerick immediately threw its weight into the scale. On the 2 1st of June, 1824, a meeting of the Catholic parishioners of St. Michaers was held in the Parish Church ; resolutions were unanimously adopted to sustain the collection of the Catholic Eent, which was set on foot and pushed with vigorous alacrity. The parish was divided into districts ; the subscription was not less than one penny, or more than two shillings per month, from each contributor. A few days after the estabhshment of the Association in Limerick, a solemn service was celebrated in the same parish church for the repose of the soul of Francis Arthur, Esq., who had lately died at Dunkirk, in France, and of whose trial and sufferings, and escape from an imminent death at the hands of military executioners and civic plot- ters, we have given an account in a preceding chapter. The Protestants of Limerick were, generally speaking, in favor of an adjustment of the Catholic claims ; there was, they said, but little use in Maj' 13th. — A diving bell imported from Waterford, to be employed ia the erection of the Wellesley Bridge — the first ever seen here. May Hth. — The first stone of the central building of the new Lunatic Asylum laid with much ceremony by Stephen Edward Rice, Esq., (as proxy for his son, Thomas Spring Rice, Esq., M.P. now attending his Parliamentary duties), in presence of the directors and several gentlemen. Johnson and Murray ; Williams and Cockburn, architects. Maj' 14th. — A young gentleman of the name of Barnes, shot himself at the mail-coach hotel in George's-street— he languished in great agony till the morning of the 17th. Disappointed love was the cause. May 30th. — Keeper Hill covered with snow. The revenue establishment at Kilrush and Scattery Island done away with. The Castle Barracks ordered to be taken down and rebuilt in the most perfect manner. June 1st. Great drought : a boy forded the Shannon from Custom House Quay to the House of Industry on the North Strand. May 30th.— Died in Dublin, Richard E. Crosbie, Esq., aged G8 years ; the first who ascended in a balloon at Dublin or any where else. He ascended from the rere of the House of Industry, on the North/.Strand, on the 27th of April, 178G, of which the Hibernian Magazine gives a lengtliened account. A woman ^aged 60, named Catherine Glynn, gave birth to a daughter at the Lying-m Hospital. June 14th. — A sum of £300,000 per annum said to be drained out of Ireland by absentees. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 465 resisting the rapid progress of liberality. A statement had heen just made in the House of Commons which showed that in Ulster there were only five-eighths of the whole population, or 1,250,000 Protestants— in Leinster, one-fiflh ; in Munster, one-twelfth; in (Jonnaught, one in twenty-five; in all, 1,840,000 Protestants to six millions of Catholics. The question of Emancipation was simply one of time. A return was published of the resident and non-resident Protestant clergy throughout Ireland; and from this return it appeared that, while there was a very large proportion of non- resident clergymen elsewhere, the diocese of Limerick showed a larger aggregate in this respect than any other, there being no less than 47 non- resident clergymen to 95 benefices. By another return it also appeared that the estates of the Protestant Bishop of Limerick consisted of 6,720 •acres, and the reserved rent £2,102 18s. lid., and the customary renewal fines an equal profit. The total amount of acres in Ireland owned by Archbishops and Bishops (Protestant) 427,365 acres. One of those trials of deep interest between the Corporation and the Independents took place at Cork assizes this year ; it was of great impor- tance to Limerick. Denis Lyons, Esq., merchant, represented the plaintiffs —the Chamber of Commerce. A verdict was given for the defendants. The trial occupied three days, and a vast deal of old and new matter was produced, which it was thought would prove to be the forerunner of future litigation. It was alleged that the Corporation was possessed of immense estates. The charters of John, of Edward I., of Henry V., the two charters of Elizabeth, and the charter of Jam3s L, were referred to fully. Nothing practical, however, eventuated from the trial for the citizens. Lord Comhermere, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in Ireland, arrived in Limerick on the 9th of September, and inspected the troops in garrison on the parade of the New Barracks.^ Immediately after, his Lordship left Limerick for Rockbarton, the residence of the Chief Baron O'Grady. 1 These Barracks were built in 1798, and occupy about a square mile. They are capable of containing about 1000 men, including officers' quarters. They are on an elevation to the south-west of the city. In 1843 a district Military Prison was added, which in 1865 coutams 87 prisoners, and a staff consisting of chief warder and seven warders and servants. The prison consists of three corridors and fifty-nine cells. July 27th Prospectus of an Irish Provincial Banking Company issued ; local committees have been formed in different towns and cities. The following committee formed in Limerick :— John M'Namara, President, and J. N. Russell, Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce; Joseph M. Harvey, John Kelly, Martin Croagh, John Hill, Michael Ryan, Ralph Westropp, and William White, directors of the Chamber of Commerce for the current year. _ August 20th.— The sentinel at the Excise Office door made an attempt to break it open ; there were £1200 in an iron safe in the office. The sentinel, whose name was Wm. M'Kenny, a native of Ballyshaiinon, deserted. September 13th The Assembly House on Charlotte's Quay, having been again fitted up as a theatre, opened this evening with Shakspere's tragedy of King Richard III. The cele- brated actor, Kean, played Richard. Kean left Limerick on the morning of the 18th of September, displeased at his reception— he hadengaged with Mr. Clarke, the manager, to play twelve successive nights— ho only played five nights, and those to almost empty houses. It is supposed his receipts did not cover his expenses. He returned for the races, and fulfilled his engagement, playing alternatelv tragedy and comedy. Country families attended the plays. Major Hedges Maunsell built the flour mills at Plassy, within two miles of Limerick— mills probably inferior to none in Ireland. They were afterwards occupied for several years by Mr. Reuben Harvey, INIr. Richard Russell, J. P., rebuilt Plassy House in a superb style in 1863, and has added to the power of the mills considerably September 29th.— The coach between Limerick and Tralee commenced running this day Leaves Limerick at 1 1| a.m., and arrives at Tralee at 1 1 p.m. : returns rom Tralee at 3 a.m. 31 466 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. The country continued very much disturbed ; and the expense of the old Constabulary was excessive : for the half year, on the county of Limerick, it amounted to £1,846 12s. and the new police for the same time was £1,941 8s. 9d. The Corporation on the 11th of October this year, let the Lax weir, in Court of D'Oyer Hundred, to a Mr. Thomas Little, at £450 per annum : the weir had been for some years Avholly neglected, and abandoned, and had become altogether unproductive of any revenue. A Mr. Kelly had been for some months previously, engaged on the part of the Government in suppressing all private weirs and obstructions, both in the river Shannon and in the small rivers that run into it. From this it was conjectured that the take of salmon would prove to be abundant. Forty years before this time, salmon sold in Limerick for one penny and three halfpence per lb. It is stated that in old apprentices' indentures, masters were bound not to give apprentices salmon more than three times a week for dinner.^ In this year a return to Parliament was made of the number of magis- trates in Ireland: 4507 is the total number; 1932, acting and reside'nt ; 266, acting though not resident, — 187 attached to Limerick. Manufactures a few years after thistimebeganto appearagaiuin Limerick, which is largely indebted to one firm for sustained and persevering efforts to locate manufactures in the city.2 Messrs. J. N. Russell and Sons, one of ' In 1863, the price of salmon early in the season is 3s. and 2s. 6cl. per lb., and throughout the season it is seldom below the sum of Is. 8d. per lb. William Maleorason, Esq., of the fir m of JMalcomson Brothers, Portlaw, county of Waterford, the tenant of the great Lax weir , sends off enormous quantities each day to the London, Dublin, and other markets in Englan d and elsewhere. The lake is fully as large, if it be not larger, than it ever had been. "^Th e trade in it realises a vast revenue. Besides the fishery at the Lax weir, there are several boats employed by Mr. Malcomson in the fishery, and many fishermen who had been on their own account, are at present in the employment of Mr. Malcomson. Ice is used in preserving the fish fresh, and ice houses have been built near the weir, and at the terminus of the Waterford and Limerick Railway, for the purpose. 2 The Russellsof Limerick (who were once numerous) arc an old Protestant family that can clearly be traced to the time of Cromwell, though further trace oflhemis horelost,it is probable that their progenitors were citizens of Limerick at a period much more remote. The 9th Mayor of Lmierick was John Russell, (styled John Russell, alias Creagh), and the 56th Mavor of LmierickM-as John Russell. Since then several of the name have filled the ofBico of Baifiif and Sheriff. By inscription on front of the Old E.xcliange it appears it was rebuilt in 1777, Walter Widenham being Mayor, and Francis Russell and Charles Sargent, Sheriffs. This Fiancis Russell was grandfather to Francis William Russell, the present Representative in Parliament for the City of Limerick, and the last member of the family that filled the office of ShciifF, was his brother, Thomjjson Russell ; Hughes Russell was Sheriff for the city in 1837, and took part as a public officer in the civil and military procession through the streets of Limerick on the occasion of proclaiming Victoria Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, and the first and reaches Limerick at 2^, p.m — route through Patrick's Well, Adare, Crough, Rathkeale, New Bridpe, Foynes, Loughill, Glin, Tarbert, Listowell, and O'Dorney— performing a journey of 50 miles and 3 furlongs in Hi hours. The expense of the mill house, tread mill, and machinery for scutching flax, at the County of Limerick Gaol amounts to £806 2s. 3d. About the commencement of September, the foundation of a new Convent and Chapel for the Franciscan Friars laid in Henry-street. Nov. 3rd.— John Collins, aged 114 years, died at Manister, in this countv.— Limerick Vlironicle. The Limerick Jubilee Loan gave on loans up to the end of this year (1821) £81,563. Bryan Salmon, a shoemaker, died in Mungret-street, aged 104 years. He retained liis faculties to the day of his death. The Catholic rent collected in Limerick from May until the end of December (1824) amounts to £314 17s. Id. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 467 the oldest, and for many years the largest merchants and manufacturers in the south-west of Ireland, in 1827, for the first time, added flour milling to their previously extensive business. They were the first in the city to see the advantage of steam power applied to manufactures, and in this year fitted up the Newtown Pery mills with steam machinery, much to the surprise and wonder of the people, as no one considered the plan either rational or feasible.^ It is idle now to say that the new power did succeed, and as the business grew and enlarged itself under the upright, liberal, stone of the new Church of St. John's was laid by John Norris Russell, the year that he filled the ofiice of Sheriff. In former days there was a branch of the Russells in Limerick who were of this family, but the connection was remote, having descended from the brother of one of the progenitors of the present family (Philip Russell, born in 1650). They have long since left Limerick, and are at present represented by the Venerable John Russell, Archdeacon of Clogher, whose sister Elizabeth was married to the late Right Rev. Charles Dickinson, Protestant Lord Bishop of Meath. There have been from time to time, and are at present, several of the name residing in Limerick, unconnected with this family. The burial place of the Russells is St. Johu's in Limerick, where for many years they used to inter in the interior of the old Church, until such interments were prohibited by Act of Parliament. The last person whose remai-ns were interred in the interior of the old Church, was the widow of a Philip Russell (Miss Fosbery, of Clorane, in the County Limerick). Consequent on her decease having taken place a short time after the passing of this Act, her remains were interred outside the Church in the morning, and at night, with the sanction of the Vicar of the parish, who was a particular friend of the family, they were secretly removed, and placed in the tomb near the remains of her late husband. The tomb was situated near the passage leading from the communion table to the vestry room in the old Church, on the site of which the new one has been raised. . There are now three vaults in the burial ground outside the Church, belonging to diflerent branches of the family, one of which has lately become extinct by the decease of Francis Philip Russell, of St. Thomas's Island. Over the organ loit, in the new church, is a hand- some wheel window with richly stained glass, in the centre of which are the arms of the family. The name of Russell is identified with the ancient Cathedral of Limerick so far back as the year 1272, Henry Russell being one of the Canons of the Cathedral at that period. Mayors of Limerich of the Name of EusscU. John Russell, (styled John Russell, alias Creagh). John Russell. Bailiffs of Limerick of the Name of Buisell. Pierce Russell. David Russell, ... ... ■•■ <«"«■ Philip Ru.?sell, ... ... .- <"«cc. Sheriffs of Limerick of the Name of Eussell. Francis Russell. William Russell. Philip Russell. Abraham Russell. Francis Philip Russell. Hughes Russell, John Norris Russell. Richard Russell. Thompson Russell. 1 In front of the Newtown Pery store, in Henry Street, built in addition to themills m 1837, is inserted a stone, which was formerly in front of the «ld ^^^y«'•"'*/,^°"^",";, ^"^^ Lane and was purchased by Mr. J. N.Russell, when that building was taken down. On eiS side of the stone is the date of the erection of the store. 1837 ; over this stone, cut in relief also, are the Russell arms, with the name underneath— JOHN NORRIS RUSSELL. In addition to the Newtown Pery Mills, the machinery of which is already_so rapid hare been the improvements in steam machinery since its erection-old fashioned and comparatively expensive tSwork-the Messrs. Russell hold Lock Mills, situate where the canal joins the 468 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. and prudent course always before and since pursued by the firm, other mills fell from time to time into their hands, until they are now, in 1865, the largest millers in Ireland, if not in Great Britain. | Abbey River ; the large mills at Corbally, just above the last regulating weir on the Shannon Plassy Mills, farther up the river ; Garryowen Mills, a large steam concern ; and extensive mills at Askeaton, situate several miles below the city, one of which is also driven by steam. These concerns ^ive large employment to the people, and largely contribute to tlie commerce of the port, both by imports of grain, coals, etc., and by exports of flour and other com- modities. A great portion of this is done by the sailing vessels of the firm, and by the line of steamers which they have largely contributed to maintain. The public benefits at all times resulting from these enterprises, need not be enlarged upon ; but the advantage to the community was especially found, during the disastrous years of the famine, when the Messrs. Russell were enabled to provide breadstufFs to an enormous and unprecedented extent for the consumption of the neiglibouring unions, then dependent on almost instant supplies to prevent famine taking possession inside the workhouses. At one period, in 18.58, it was in contempla- tion by the guardians to apply for advances from the imjjerial treasury, in anticipation of the poor rates, for payment of the supplies provided, which their funds were unable to meet. Before the era of steam navigation the English-and Scotch trade with the port was carried on by a line of sailing packets, of which Messrs. Russell werelirge proprietors ; but in 1850, when steam vessels became necessary to supersede the liners, they did not hesitate to take a very leading part in cstal)lishing the Steam Ship Company.* In 1858, when the Company Avas suffering from the opposition of railway competition, and the general depression of Irish public enterprise, Messrs. Russell took the shares of those whose confidence was shaken, and devoted themselves largely to restore the line. The success of these efforts is seen in the prosperity of the undertaking now, and the river vessels of larger size and power added to the fleet, which now can bnast of having as fine vessels of their class as any port of Great Britain or Ireland. In addition to ample accommodation for the general import and export trade of the city, this line is now enaijled to provide large supplies of coals, and thus keep a wholesome clieck on the enormous prices and extreme fluctuations which always existed when the supply of coals was entirely dependent on sailing vessels. In 1851, Messrs. Russell com- menced the erection of Lansdowne flax spinning and weaving factories at North Strand, and such was the energy devoted to this entirely new branch of manufacture here by them, that the buildings and machinery of the spinning factory were erected and started in October, 1853, and shortly afterwards the power loom factory was erected, giving further large employment in the manufacture of the yarns into lines. These fine, well proportio:!ed buildings, all built of dressed limestone, are, in a mere architectural sense, an ornament to the city, and the advantages of the steady employment both factories have since given to large numbers, chiefly of the younger portion of the population, otherwise utterly unprovided with well-paid work, are not easily over-estimated. The firm has regularly engaged, in all their various enterprises, about 2,000 people. The founder of the firm, the late JNIr. John Norris Russell, died at a ripe old age in 1859, having lived to see his sons successfully carry into operation all the enterprises, which he with them had originated. His eldest son, Mr. Francis William Russell, was returned one of the members for the city in 1 852, and has since worthily represented it in the House of Commons. The contributions of the firm to the local charities, without distiuctioa of creed or party, have always been in liberal keeping with their other acts. * Previous to 1817. the only mode of river conveyance between Limerick and Kilrush, was >)y turf boats. About that period three sailing packets, the Royal George, Lady Frances, and Vandeleur, were established for the conveyance of goods and passengers ; and in some years after a steamer, called the Lady of th ; Siiannon commenced to ply (she was the property of a Limerick Company) — but having proved a failure, in some time after, was broken up. Consequent on want of steam power, she was not alone slow in movement, but unable to proceed against tlie tide when there was a strong head wind. In 1820 the Dublin Steam Packet Company placed a powerful boat on the station, called the Mona, and iiave since continued to run steamers between Limerick and Kilrush ; a new route is also now opened by the Foyues Railway. I HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 469 CHAPTER L. NEW AND OLD BRIDGES OF LIMERICK. — WELLESLEY BRIDGE. — ATHLUNKARD BRIDGE — PARK BRIDGE — BALL's BRIDGE— THOMOND BRIDGE — NEW AND MATHEW BRIDGE. — PROJECTED RAILROADS. — WATERWORKS. — BARRING- TON'S HOSPITAL. — STATISTICS OF TRAVELLING, &C. &C. With the growth of the New Town and the augmentation of trade and commerce, the necessity arose for new bridges to span the Shannon, and docks to protect the shipping frequenting the port. In 1759, a grant was made of £3,500 to the Ball's Bridge Commissioners for enlarging the quay, building a bridge to Mardyke, and clearing the river of rocks from the quay to the pool. In 1765, a further grant of £2,500 to the Ball's Bridge Com- missioners was made for continuing the new quays; but the rcqairements of the port and harbour at the period at which we have arrived were larger and more imperative in this respect ; and accordingly, as we have seen in the previous chapter, the Wellesley Bridge Act was passed in 1823 ; in 1825, the Athlunkard Bridge Act was passed. In the same year, an act was passed for supplying the city and suburbs of Limerick with water. In 1826, an act was passed to make a railroad from the city of Limerick to Carrick-on- Suir, in the county of Tipperary — the first project of this kind in the South of Ireland. In 1830, Barrington's Hospital Act was passed ; and in the same year was passed an act for rebuilding Ball's Bridge. It was a time of enterprise and action, and several of the projects, though numerous and of great magnitude, were carried out to successful completion, not only with speed, but with skill and science which could not be surpassed, if equalled, in any other city in the British Empire. The preamble of the act for the erection of the Wellesley Bridge — one of the noblest structures in the kingdom — set out the fact of the wealth and importance of the city of Limerick, the extension of its commerce, and the likelihood of the increase of that commerce — the want of a direct communication or passage from the west side of the Liberties, and from the counties of Clare and Galway, except by the one very old and narrow bridge — Thomond Bridge^ — which was "inconveniently remote from the new and trading parts of the city" — the necessity of a canal for the passage of ships and boats above and below the projected bridge — the want of a floating dock for shipping of a sharp form, or copper-bottomed, commonly used in the trade of the Atlantic, which could not now be safely brought to the quays of the city. The act appointed the following commissioners for erecting the bridge, &c.: — viz., the Right Hon. "Wm. Vesey Fitzgerald, Sir Edward O'Brien, Bart. ; the Hon. Richard Eitzgibbon, Thomas Spring Rice, Bolton Waller, Thomas Filzgibbon, the elder ; Joseph Massey Harvey, Richard Bourke, George Gough the younger; John Kelly, Edward Croker, William Gabbett, Thomas Roche, William Roche, John Vereker, John Mark, William Monsell, the younger, Thomas Gibbon Fitzgibbon, John Brown, John MacNamara, John ^ The Old Tliomond Bridge stood exactly on the site of the present one, It was incon- veniently narrow, and iliere was no ilagway for foot passengers. It was provided with small chambers or recesses over each of the piers, that people stood in when two vehicles were passing each other, and by their means accidents were prevented. 470 HISTORY OF LIMERICK, Hartigan, Daniel Leahy, Joseph Gabbett, William Howley, Halph West- ropp, Richard Kenny, Robert O'Callaghan Newenham, Michael Furnell, John Perrott, Edward Villiers, John Connell, Robert Maunsell, the older; Martin Creagh, James Fisher, John Staunton, John Green, John Norris Russell, Michael Ryan, Daniel Gabbett, Martin Arthur, Michael Gavin, William White, John Stephenson, Reuben Harvey, Stephen Dickson, Daniel Barrington, and Robert Keane Charles, and their successors. The place selected was from Brunswick-street across the river to the North Strand. Extensive powers were granted to the Commissioners, and among other powers given them, was one by which they were enabled to borrow a sum of one hundred thousand pounds for the purposes in question, on the credit of the tolls, rates and duties to be levied. No one applied himself more zealously to the successful realization of this project than Mr. Thomas Spring Rice, M.P. Several objections had been raised to the advance of money for the proposed Bridge ; but on the 6th of February, 1824, Mr. Rice addressed a letter to the President of the Chamber of Commerce, announcing that the Marquis of Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, had approved of the report of the Commissioners, recommending a grant of £60,000 for the in- tended Bridge and Docks at Limerick ; and expressing his assurance that no further doubts or difficulties could arise, nor could any new obstacles be interposed to defeat a measure which would be found no less important to theunemployed tradesmen and labourers of Limerick, than to the commercial interests of the city and the adjacent counties. It was thought, in fact, that the tolls would considerably exceed the estimate of the Commissioners, and bring in a revenue of over £5,000 a year. Mr Rice anticipated a reduction in the tolls in consequence of the revenue, and eventually the opening of a free port. In these anticipations he and the public have been completely deceived. The revenue from the tolls never arrived at anything whatever even remotely approaching to the estimate. Year after year the tolls have been decreasing, until in 1865 they are rented at £400 per annum to the eminent firm of Messrs. John Norris Russell and Sons, who have rented them for several years for about the same sum. The laying the foundation stone of this bridge on the 25th of October, 1824, was attended with all possible ceremony and eclat. The plans were drawn by Mr. Alexander Nimmo, the eminent engineer, on the plan exactly of the beautiful Pont Neuilly over the Seine above Paris, and they were carried out with faultless precision by Messrs. Clements and Son, the contractors. The bridge has five river arches, with a swivel bridge and two quay arcbes. The Earl of Clare laid the foundation stone, in the absence of the Marquis of Wellesley. The entire garrison were under arms on the North Strand, where the stone was laid — the artillery firing, &c. On a stone in the middle of the western parapet of the bridge is the following inscription : — THIS BRIDGE WAS ERECTED A.D. 1831, UNDER AN ACT OF THE IV. OF GEORGE IV., INTRODUCED INTO PARLIAMENT BY THE RIGHT HONORABLE THOMAS S. RICE, M.P. FOR THE CITY OF LIMERICK. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 471 This Bridge is a noble ornameut to Limerick ; and if it has not realised the expectations of its projectors, it must be admitted to be a structure beautifully planned and executed. The Bridge took eleven years to build, and the Commissioners spent no less a sum than £89,061 in its completion. It was opened by the Ead of Mulgrave, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, on the 5th of August, 1835. A sum of £30,000 would have sufficed for an excellent suitable bridge. During the years that were occupied in building the bridge, the promised dock lay in abeyance, and the commercial community were compelled to pay exorbitant dues for an unfinished bridge, which inconveniently interfered with the traffic of the port. They viewed the proceedings of the Com- missioners with dissatisfaction, more particularly as the bridge and the port were different undertakings ; the bridge to benefit the landed interest, while the port was for trade and commerce. A memorial, signed by the principal merchants and others, was presented to the commissioners in 1833 in which complaint was further made of the dangerous coudition of the harbour, caused by the bridge encroachments, and of the misappropriation of the revenues of the port, which ought solely to have been applied to the construction of the promised docks. In the year 1834' a new act was procured, under which a sum of £45,000 was raised by loan from government, and was expended uppn an engineering project, which was subsequently abandoned as impracticable. This project had for its end the construction of a dam across the river, and the conversion of the stream into a large floating dock. _ Engineers, how- ever, of eminence reported that such a dock would occasionally lay a great part of the city under water. The advantage derived by the city from the £45,000 thus expended was the construction of a noble line of quays. In 1847, a third act was procured ; and an additional sum of £o4,000 was advanced, which was expended in the construction of the existing dock, which was opened, as we have stated in the first chapter of this work, m 1853. The dock covers a space of eight acres, and was constructed by John Long, Esq., C.E. The dock is capable of accommodating eighty sea- going vessels, large and small, and is entered by dock gates seventy feet wide. The depth is from twenty to twenty-five feet. The total cost was £54,000, a moderate expenditure on a work of such extent and depth. When the original act of 1824 was procured, the estimate was that the income of the port would be £1,025, and of the bridge about £6,000 a year. The income from the bridge is almost nothing, but that from the port has risen from £1100 in 1825 to over £9,900 in 1856. The Board of Public Works which has had possession of the bridge tolls and harbour dues, has kept one general account of their receipts without 1 Under the powers of this Act the ancient office of Water Bailiff, with a revenue of about £llOOa year was abolished. The Water Bailiff was appointed by the Corporation, and collected his own charges off the vessels, and of which he rendered no account. His badge ot office was a silver oar. He enforced all magisterial and judicial warrants against the shipping and seamen frequenting the port. £3000 was awarded him by way of compensation. 472 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. discriminating between tte sources from whicli they were derived. On 31st December, 1862, the following is tbeir statement of tbe account : — Date of Loan. a, •s .S lis to en u "a CO ra o a. Interest now Due. Total remaining Due. 1824. £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 25th May 55,384 55,384 71,816 71,816 55,384 1832. 24th October... 25,000 5,722 19,278 24,709 23,937 772 20,050 1837. 31st Rlay 40,000 40,000 40,482 27,062 13,420 53,420 1839. 2Ist August... 5,000 5,000 5,722 2,344 3,378 8,378 1848. 23rd June 54,000 ... 4,000 31.214 181 31,033 85,033 By the last account rendered it would appear that the commissioners then owed the government the sum of £222,265, and this amount has not been lessened. The merchants of Limerick have been for sometime energetically engaged, and with every prospect of success, in demanding a readjustment of this account. It was never the intention of the government or the merchants to prejudice the port at the expense of the bridge — the only thing to be said is, that the advances for the bridge had been made on an estimate that has proved completely illusory. In 1864, a movement begun by the Harbour Board and Chamber of Commerce, and which has been sustained by the representatives of th i city and by the municipal corpora- tion, Avas set on foot for the purpose )f pressing on government the abso- lute necessity of readjusting the ac; ounts. A few years previously a proposition was laid before the Corporation to make the bridge debt a lia- bility on the rates of the city, the amount due to be in the first instance diramished very considerably by the Lords of the Treasury. The Corpora- tion rejected the proposition by a considerable majority. On the 26th of April, 1824, labourers were employed in opening the street from the end of Park Bridge, to communicate in a line from thence, and cross Mary-street to Quay-lane. The labourers could work only in the Abbey, (then part of the county of Limerick by charter) as the houses in Mary-streetwhich wereto betaken dovn had not been at the time presented for by the City Grand Jury. Ultimately the presentments were made, and Athlunkard-street was formed. James Kennedy, Esq., a banker, about twelve years before, projected a bridge from Corbally across the Shannon to Allan Court, cleared a passage through a pit at great expense, and laid a solid abutment. The project, however, was not carried through, though it had obtained general concurrence. It was at the conclusion of the session of Parliament this year that St. Francis's Abbey, theretofore in the county, by charter of James I., March 3rd, 1609, was attached to the city, and placed under the control of the city magistrates. Mr. Nimmo, the engineer, gave his opinion that a chain bridge could be thrown across the river at Allan Court for a sum not exceeding £2.000, but the idea of a chain bridge was abandoned. The Bill lor the erection of a bridge across the Shannon at Athlunkard to make a direct com.muuication or passage from the northern parts of the counties of Clare and Gal way, into Limerick, thus became law in 1825. Be- HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 473 fore this period there had been no means of communication between the northern and eastern parts of these counties and the city of Limerick; and Park Bridge,' aplaiu structure of three arches, which crosses the Abbey river a short distance above the Abbey slip, and leads to the beautifully improved suburban townland of Corbally, the greater portion of which was purchased by the late Alderman Pierce Shannon, in 1833, for £22,000, from Colonel William Thomas Monsell,^ of Tervoe — led only to Corbally, where the • Park is a townland within the municipal boundary of Limerick. Park House is the resi- dence of the Catholic Bishop of Limericlf. The inhabitants of Park are among the most thrifty and industrious in any part of Ireland. They pay from ^£8 to wf 10 an acre tor their patches of land, the largest holders not renting more than from three to four acres. They cultivate vegetables, witli which they supply the citizens ; they rear cattle and pigs, and grow potatoes and turnips to feed their cattle and pigs, and for their own use also. They manure the land very highly, and being within the Borough they are subject to high rates and taxes. There has been nmch emigration from Park in recent years, of youngmen andyoung women especially. 'J'he names generally of the residents are Cunneen, or O'Ounneen, one of the most ancient names in the South of Ireland, tradition having it that it was with a chieftain of that name Saint Patrick dwelt when he visited Singland, which forms part of the parish of St. Patrick in which Park is situated ; Hannan, or Haimeen, Quilligan, Clancy, and MacNamara, or by abbreviation Mac, of which there are a great number in Park. The AlacNamaras are said to have settled in Park since they were driven from Clare in the wars of the seventeenth cen- tury. It was through the old road of Park that King William is said to have passed to the Shannon in 1690, when he made his inspection of the river, in order to obtain a knowledge of the passage of it, which was effected so successfully the year afterwards by Ginkle. The site of the ^^C AU ^ee, or the King's gate, which divided Park from Corbally, and from which William passed, is yet pointed out, within a short distance of the river. There are several very handsome residences at Corbally, including the beautiful one of Pierce Shannon, Esq., grandson of Alderman Pierce Shannon. The ancient cemetery of Killeen is situated in the " Killeen field," at Corballj'. It has ceased for many years to be a burying place. Recently fragments of cannon balls and human bones have been found in this field. ^ Monsell of Tervoe. The name of Monsel or Moncel occurs in some of the earliest MSS. documents connected with the city and diocese of Limerick : "Dominus Robertus Moncel " is the name of one whose signature appears to a lease of certain Church lands set forth in the Liber Niger, or Black Book of Limerick in the thirteenth century. Sir Bernard Burke, how- ever, states that the Tervoe branch of the family settled in Ireland early in the reign of Charles I. IMonsell and Maunsell is the same name — and in a detailed pedigree, of the Maunsell family* which is in existence, a branch of the arms of that family are given in the pedigree, and they are the same as those borne by the Monsells of Tervoe. Changes of spelimghave frequently taken place in Ireland from the pronunciation of English names by the Irish tongue. The name had been evidently known in Limerick, as appears above, many ages before the period stated for the settlement of the family in Ireland, by the great authority on Irish Genealogy ;t but the first mention of the iVIonsells in more recent ages in the neigh- bourhood of Limerick occurs in a history of the Siege of Balyally Castle, near Ennis, in 1641, against the O'Gradys, to which Siege we have referred in our note on the O'Grady family, J the Seneschal being William Monsell, Thomas, the son of Samuel Monsell of Tervoe, married first the daughter of William Burgh, of the ancient Dromkeen family — by whom he had a son who d. unm. — He married secondly in 17-^1, Dympna, sister of Edmond Viscount Pery, and speaker of the Irish House of Commons — and by her was lather of Colonel William * The Maunsell family has been also one of high respectability in Limerick. Richard Maunsell, Esq., represented the City of Limerick in Parliament in 1741, and died in 1770 — he w as grandson of Colonel Thomas|| Maunsell, who so gallantly defended the Castle of MaccoUop, in the County of Waterford against Cromwell's forces in 1650, as mentioned in the inscription on his tombstone in the churchyard there. This family is descended from William Maunsell, the third and youngest son of the celebrated John Maunsell, Chief Justice and Chancellor of England, Provost of Beverley, &c., temp. Henry III. Walter Maunsell held, while he lived, the Capital Serjeancy of the County of Limerick, temp. Edward U. Thomas Maunsell of Chicheley, (England), son of 1 homas Maunsell who died A.D. 1382, was ancestor of all the MaccoUop iamily and of different other branches of the family who now reside in Ireland as well as of the Maunsells of Thorpe-Malsor, in the County of North- ampton. Thomas was born 17th April, 1377, and early entered the Navy, in which he distinguished himself against the Spanish Armada, ht retired from active service in 1609, for in the summer of that year he received an order from the Privy Council to the Lord Deputy to all Governors, Captains, &c., to furnish him with every protection and assistance t Sir Bernard Burke's Landed Gentry of Ireland. } See pp. 39—60. II Ferrar in his History of Limerick erroneously states that it was Colonel Richard Maunsell, 474 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Shannon divided it from Athlunkard, in the county of Clare. Park Bridge was built about the year 1798. The building of Athlunkard Bridge, which Thomas IMonsell of Tervoewho sat in the Irish Parliament, born in 1755, who married in 1776* Hannah, daughter of Amos Strettle, Esq., and by her had, with four daughters, Dymphnai married to Thomas Ellis, Esq., IM.P. for Dublin ; Hannah, married to Thomas Wilson, Esq* Diana died unmarried, and Frances, married to Sir Hunt Walsh, Bart., William, his heir, Amos died unmarried, Thomas in Holy Orders and Archdeacon of Derry, married Jane Rae, andhad a daughter Diana, and three sons, John, married to Miss Anne Waller of Castletown; William, and Charles Henry, married to the Hon. Harriet O'Brien, sister of Lord Ineliiquin ; William Monsell, Esq., of Tervoe, born in 1778, married in 1810, Olivia, eldest daughter of Sir John Allen Johnson Walsh, Bart, and died in 1822, leaving an only son, the present Right Hon. WiUiam Monsell of Tervoe, a member of the Privy Council. Colonel of the County of Limerick Regiment of Militia — Vice-Lieutenant and Member of Parliament for the County of Limerick, High Sheriff in 1835^Late Clerk of the Ordnance, when he reorganised the war department in conjunction with Lord Panmure, and President of the Board of Health, born 21st September, 1812, married Uth August, 1836, Lady Anna Maria Charlotte Wynd- ham Quin, only daughter 2nd Earl of Dunraven, and by her (who died 7th Jnnuary, 1855,) had issue a son and heir, William, born in March, 1841, died 1845. Mr. Monsell married secondly, 1857, Berthe. youngest daughter of the Count de Montigny, younger brother of the Marquis de Montigny, and has a sou born 5th March, 1848, and daughter Margt. Tervoe demesne contaiiis about 500 acres, and adjoins the famous Castle of Carrigogunnell, which is also on the est ate of Mr. IMousell, is about three miles from Limerick, and is beautifully situated on the river Shannon below the city, from which there is a fine view of its picturesque woods, and of the excellent family mansion, of one of the most estimable of gentlemen, who in every relation of life, public and private, has won and retains the very best affections of every class and party. in selecting a place in which to reside. The following is a copy of the order ; the originall was destroyed when Joseph Maunsell's house was burned down, who resided in the County of Galvvay : — Copy of a Document given to Captain Thomas Maunsell, R.N, " Arthur Chichester, By the Lord Dipptie. We greete you well, whereas this gent. Captaine Thomas Maunsell, is come into this Kingdome wth. entent to take a viewe and enforme himselfe of the ports and most convenient places for him to settle in, and especially in the Province of Ulster and some ptes. of Con- naught, to wch. ende he brought unto us leres. of recamendatons in his behalfe from the lis. of his Matie. most honorable Privie Councell wch. wee received this day signefiinge his Matie. and theire pleasures in that behalfe. These are, therefore, to wille and require you and every of you his Maties. officers, mynisters, to take notice hereof and not only to suffer and p'mitt the said Captaine above named, wth. his servants peaceablie and quietlie to pass by you to and fro as he shall have occasion to veowe, searche, and enquire as aforesaid ; but also to bee aydinge, comportynge, and assistinge unto him wth. post horses and guydes from place to place in his travell, and if noede require to give hime the best knowledge and furtherance you may in your ovvne mons for effectinge his desire according to his Matie. and the lis. pleasure unto us signefied as aforesaid whereof you and every of you may not fayle as you will answer the contrary at your p'rlls., given at Melefant, this iSth of July, 1809. To all Governors, Captaines, Maiors, Sherefes, Justices of Peace, Headborowes, Constables, and to all other his Mats, officers and lovinge subjects to whome it shall or may app'aine. Geo. Sexten." He settled in the County of Cork, at Derrivillane. .John, a fourth son of his, a Captain in the Life Guards and settled first in Ireland, was ancestor to the Maunsells of Ballybrood and Thorpe-Mal^or. Mrs. Alphra Maunsell, the mother of a numerous family, having resided for some time in England, returned to Ireland a, id resided witli her son John at Bally vorneen, near Caherconlish, where she died prior to lt)62. She was buried in the Church of Caher- conlish where the following memorial was erected to her by her son : — Herelyeth the Bodye of ALPHRA MAUNSELL,^ My dear Mother, daughter of Sir William Cragford of Kent ; Here also lyeth my dear Wife, MARY MAUNSELL, Daughter of Geor^je Booth, Esq., of Cheshire; Andofmy sister ALPHRA PEACOCK; and of her Daughter ANNE PEACOCK. Erected by me JOHN MAUNSELL, ESQ., and Intended for myself and rest of my family. This 12th October, 1GG2. The Maunsells fought throughout for the Royalist cause in the person of Charles I., and on the restoration obtained grants of land in the counties and liberties of Limerick, Gal way and City and Couaty of Waterford. Thomas Maunsell of Anuaghrostin, County Limerick was one of the Commissioners of the Peace for Limerick, and appointed May 10th, 1633. H HISTORY OF IRELAND. 475 is of five arches, was commenced in June, 1826, and finished in December, 1830, at a cost of £7000. It has a toll gate at the city side, but the income from the tolls, which are set up each year to auction produces in the year 1865 about £200, a sum not at all equal to discharge the interest on the money advanced for the structure. There never was a toll on Park Bridge.^ On a stone on the west side of the bridge is this inscription : — THIS BRIDGE WAS DESIGNED AND BUILT JAMES AND GEO. RICHD. PAINE ARCHITECTS. Commenced, June, 1826. Finished, Deer. 1830. In the year 1830 an Act of Parliament (11 Geo. IV., c. 12G) was passed for rebuilding Ball's Bridge,^ than which there have been few, if any, more ancient bridges in Ireland. This bridge, for which there had been three or four proposals, was given to Messrs. Paine to build at a cost of £600. It has one arch of 70 feet span, with a rise of 15 feet. It bears the following inscription on one of the parapets : — THIS BRIDGE WAS ERECTED BY VIRTUE OF AN ACT OF THE XL OF GEO. IV. THE RT. HON. THOMAS SPUING RICE, M.F. FOR THE CITY OF LIMERICK. COMMENCED TAKING DOWN THE OLD BRIDGE, NOV., 1830. THE NEW BRIDGE FINISHED, NOVEMBER, 1831. JAS. AND G. PAINE, ARCHITECTS. died unmarried and was the first of his family who was buried in St, John's Church in the City of Limerick, where the family vault has continued. He served the office of Sheriff of the County Limericic in 1697. Richard Maunsell, Esq., who was M.P. for Limerick from 1740 to 1761, represented the family after the death of his brother, Joseph, of Cahir, Co. Galway. Richard Maunsell left several sons; his eldest son, Thomas, was senior King's Counsel, was M.P. for Kilmaliock, and he left three sons, Thomas Maunsell, Esq., of Plassy, who was M.P. for Edwardstown, Co. Kilkenny, for 16 years; and Robert Maunsell, Esq., of Bank Place, whose two sons, living in 1865, Henry Maunsell, Esq., J.P., and Lieut.-General Frederick Maunsell, represent the families in both county and city of Limerick. The late Archdeacon Maunsell of Limerick is represented by Lieutenant-Colonel William Maunsell, East Kent Militia, of Northampton- shire family, where his brother. Colonel Thomas Maunsell, represented Northamptonshire for several years, and retired in consequence of old age. 1 A curious clause in all the old leases of the Corbally tenants states that they shall have an abatement of £2 per acre in the rental of their lands should Park Bridge at any time go . out of repair. The rents were raised when the Bridge was erected, and the landlord was obliged to keep the Bridge in repair, &c. The rental of Corbally in 1865 is £6 : 16 : 6 an acre. Since the passing of the Athlunkard Bridge Act, Park Bridge has been one of the approaches to Athlunkard Bridge, and has ceased to be a private bridge, and the roadway over it is maintained by the Athlunkard Bridge Commissioners. 2 The locality of Ball's Bridge was celebrated in old times for a hard fought conflict between the O'Briens and John de Burgo, commonly called John of Galway ; and less than a century ago was a fashionable promenade. There is no bridge the origin of which, as far as I am aware, so little is known as of Ball's Bridge— even the name itself of the bridge is uncertain ; in Irish it is called 'OjAelllt) me<\1 timepegh, viz. " the Bald Bridge of Limerick." In White's MSS. it is written, the Bald Bridge, (^a^tf meaning without parapets, which it probably was), and in White's MSS. it is 476 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. On a stone tablet on the other parapet of the bridge, i3 the following inscription ; — THE ANCIENT BRIDGE OF FOUR ARCHES WHICH OCCUPIED THIS SITE, WAS TAKEN DOWN, AND THIS BRIDGE ERECTED AT THE EXPENSE OF THE NEW LIMERICK NAVIGATION COMPANY, INCORPORATED 1«30. CHAS. WYE WILLIAMS, ESQ., CHIEF DIRECTOR. JAS. AND G. R. PAINE, ARCHITECTS. Old Ball's Bridge was a structure of four arches, the land ones having sprung from the Quay walls. Where the abutments of the present arch stand wasformerly part of the water course. During the time that Limerick was a fortress within the limit of the town wall, (it then having consisted of the English and Irish towns only) the inconvenience of the limit of ground to build on was much experienced. To meet this difficulty in part, the Earl of Shannon to whom the bridge belonged permitted the building of two ranges of houses on it, which so contracted the roadway that it was almost impassable. After the Siege and surrender of the City to King William's troops, the houses on the east side were purchased and taken down by Act of Parliament, which was a great improvement. The range on the west side, which were a good class of shops in their day, remained until the bridge was removed in 1830. The New Bridge, now Mathew Bridge, crosses the Abbey river also.^ One of the great wants which the New Town continued to suffer from was that of a sufficient supply of water for domestic use, &c. Though in the immediate proximity of a superabundance of the vivifying stream, there was no means hitherto of bringing it to the houses of the citizens. Mr. R. Leadbetter, an engineer, made an estimate for supplying the desideratum by means of subterranean pipes. The estimate was lodged in the office of the Clerk of the Peace on the 9th of January, in 1825, and it amounted written in Latin Pons Calvus. It is also -written Baal's Bridge. It was known in the four- teenth century,' and is quartered, as already stated, on tiie Galway arms, in reference to the battle that was fought on it in 1361, in which John of Galway was the victor. It is mentioned in the Bibernia Focata as the Ye Bridge, and in old maps printed in Loyden in the seven- teenth century, as the Tiiye Bridge, it was a quaint old structnre — a sort of old London Bridge in miniature — with its old-fashioned hruses on both sides, its shops, &c. Tradition speaks of it as having been originally built, in far distant time, by one Baal, whom St. Patrick converte i to Christiani'y when at Singland. It has been frequently the subject of legislative enactment, and in the Acts of Parliament it is called Baal's Bridge. • it should be remarked ot the " New Bridge," where the Mathew bridge now stands, of which we have already treated in a previous chapter, that what wasformerly called the New Bridge stood on the site of wiiat is now called the Mathew bridge, forming a direct com- munication between Quay-lane and Bank-place. Previous to its erection in 1762 for some years, there was a ferry established. It was a bridge of three arches, the centre one forty-one feet wide, being so much larger than the other two, particularly in height, that it was found from the steep nicline of the roadway at both sides of the centre, or crown of the middle arch, not alone to be inconvenient for trathc, but in frosty weather actually dangerous. It was for this reason, (though quite sound in preservation, as the year it was finished), taken down and re- built. Like the old Ball's bridge the land arches sprung from the Quay walls, so that what now forms the abutments of Mathew bridge, was formerly part of the water course of the New bridge. Tliere were two iron lamp-posts set opposite each other on the centre of this bridge, which were madefast to the parapets. From their const ruction they wcrefoundtoanswer thepur- pose of a gallows, and were used by theauthoriliesin tberebellion of 1798,for hanging purposes. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 477 to the sum of £43,333 6s. It was proposed to have two reservoirs of masonry, containing 600,000 gallons of water, with an engine of 40 horse power (or 200 men), for filling the reservoir from the Shannon. The Water Works Company which undertook this giganticwork, obtained an Actof Parliament (6 Geo. IV. c. 172), in the course of the same year, and the project was speedily completed to the entire satisfaction of the citizens. The reservoir was made on the place traditionally known as Cromwell's Fort, and close by those remarkable localities which in the civil wars, from the time of the Danes and downwards, have been famous as the field of sanguinary battles.^ This was an age of speculation and improvement, as well as of political excitement caused by the intense struggle for the obtainment of civil and religious libert3^ An Act was obtained for the purpose of accomplishing the Railway from Limerick to Carrick-on-Suir, in the year 1826, (7 Geo, IV. c. 139). The project v/as not realized at this time ; nor was it perfected until the year 1848, when the line of railway was opened between Limerick and Tipperary, and afterwards to Waterford in October, 1854. The opening of this railway has been followed within very few years by the extension of several other important lines of communication between Limerick and Dublin, also Cork, and more recently nearly every one of the intermediate towns, to Castle Connell, opened 28th of August, 1858 — Ennis, opened viz. : — l7th of January, 1859, to Clare Castle, and afterwards to Etmis — total length to Ennis, 24f miles. — Foynes, opened October, 1859, total length, 26 one-eighth miles. — Cork direct, opened 1st of August, 1862, — Dublin by Nenagh, opened October 5th, 1863, and to Bird Hill Junction, joining the Castle Connell and Killaloe line, in June, 1864. — Hathkeale and Newcastle, length 10 miles, opened in 1865 ; an extension of this line is proposed to Listowel in the County Kerry, length 22 miles. The amount of capital invested in these lines of Railway is enormous. Waterford and Limerick line ... ... ... £1,237,759 Castle Connell .,. ... ... ... 82,333 Ennis ... ... .., ,., .., 225,000 Foynes ... ,.. .,, ,.^ .,. 175,000 Cork direct ,.. ... ... ,,, .,. 133,000 Rathkeale and Newcastle .,. ,.. ... 66,000 Not including the Nenagh line, the amount of capital invested in these lines represents a figure of ... £1,919,092 An extension of the Ennis line to Galway, joining the Midland line at Athenry, is in course of construction this year, 1865, capital, £266,000, length, 36 miles. The traffic between Limerick and Dublin by Railway was opened on the 4th of May, 1848. The effect of these railways on traffic is worthy of notice.^ * In 1859 these works were further extended under the inspection of R. W. Mylan, Esq., Engineer, of London, up to which year the city had but a supply of water every alternate day, when the worlds were placed under the local direction of M. R. Ryan, Esq., J. P. Lime- rick is at present (1863) well supplied with water, as besides the Corporation street fountains, others have been erected by private gentlemen at the railway terminus, on the Quay and in Athlunkard Street, by M. li. Ryan, Esq., William Malcomson, Esq., &c. a Some particulars as to travelling will beof interest here: — Until about the year 1760 there was no public mode of conveyance between Dublin and Limerick or any other two cities in Ireland. The Country was then much under -wood, the roads few and indifferent, and traTel- lingon them very dangerous, consequent on their being infested with highwaymen who lived by plunder, and were totally reckless of life when it suited their purpose. To meet these difficulties it was a fixed arrangement for persons going to Dublin from Limerick to travel in company, a particular day being decided on to leave, it was posted on a sheet which was placed oyer the manttl-piece iu the coffee room in Quay- lane, and those who intended travelling 478 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Sir Joseph Barrington, Bart., a name inseparably interwovea with the history of these times in Limerick, undertook in 1829, with liis sons Mat- thew (afterwards Sir Matthew), Daniel, Croker, and Samuel, to found a charitable institution for the relief of the poor of their native city. An Act of the Legislature was obtained in the year after, (11th Geo. IV. c. 72), constituting the Hospital for the County and City of Limerick. By this Act the Mayor is an ex-officio governor of the hospital, which is other- wise unconnected with the Corporation, though for a period commencing in 1854, a certain number of the Corporation were appointed on the Commit- tee or board of Directors, the Corporation at this time and afterwards until 18()4, contributing to its funds ; but as the Corporators could not vote at any of the meetings of the Committee or Board, they declined to act on the Committee; they deemed their presence at the Board useless and nugatory. The hospital was opened for the reception of patients on the 5th of Novem- ber, 1831. It is situated on George's-quay, on the site of the old main guard house, isof cut stone, presenting a handsomefront, surmounted by an illumi- nated clock, and for a long time the only one of the kind tobe seen in the south affixed their names to it. On the day appointed they all set out well armed, and provided with the best means they could travel by. The journey being then performed in five days (the same horses being used all through), unless the weather proved very unfavourable. About this time a stage coach was started which left weekly, taking its departure from what was called the Head Inn in Cornwallis Street. This house is still standing, and is situated at the left hand side as one walks from William Street to John's Church, about midways in the street, and will be easily known from its having a hall door in the centre and windows at either sides of it, and it was here as already stated that Mrs. Siddons and the actresses and actors, who frequented Limerick, lodged. The coach then proceeded by John's-square, through the Irish town, over Ball's bridge, through the English town, over Thomond bridge, and thence by Killaloe, passing over part of Keeperhill in its route to Dublin. This Co.ach which was called the Fly accomplished the journey with punctuality in four days. In some years after, the travelling was greatly improved by using a lighter built coach, and havin"- the relays of horses ready harnessed when it arrived at the different stages, instead of using the same set of harnoss all through, which was attended with great loss of time and in- convenience; with these and other improvements the journey was made in three days, the coach that performed it being called the Balloon, from what was then considered its rapid movement. An experience of twenty years having pointed out much that was wrong with both the Fly and Balloon, resulted in further alterations and improvements, amongst them the route was changed, and the road newly constructed. Instead of going over Thomond bridge and by Killaloe, the coach proceeded by Clare Street, and direct to the town of Nenagh, changes so happy in the result that the journey to Dublin was then performed in two days, and ultimately in one, but to accomplish this, there was an early start and a late arrival. In the present days of comfortable and expeditious travelling by rail this sketch of the past may appear exagge- rated, but this is not the case ; about the period referred to, 1760, the roads in Ireland were very few and badly engineered (if this term be at all applicable), no care having been taken to avoid hills or cut through them ; they were also indifferently constructed aud so ill cared that in bad weather parts of them were almost impassable. The coach first started (the Fly) was very large and heavy in construction, great strength being necessary for the work it had to go through. The horses too were harnessed after the same stvle, many unnecessary straps and buckles being used which were afterwards dispensed with. When stage coaches were first established, and for some years after, the mails were conveyed from Limerick to Dublin three times a week, being small (usually letters only and comparatively few) ; they were carried in saddle bags placed at either side of a horse which was ridden by a courier who travelled a fixed distance, usually ten miles ; the charge was then handedover to afresh man and horse, and so onuntil they reach their destination, whichhowever could not always be relied on, as highwaymen sometimes interfered, the great preventative to M hich was avoiding to enclose anything of value that could be made available. The application of steam power for propelling ships being at this time unknown, the mails between England and Ireland were conveyed in sloops, the sailing of which being controlled by the wind made their arrival very irregular. The gentleman who started the Fly between Limerick and Dublin was a Mr. Buchannan of Thomond Gate. I have already given'in Chapter XLVIIL some particulars relative to therise and progress of the great car establishment of Charles Bianconi, Esq., D.L. The further and fuller particulars of the state of that establishment, which had its first connection with Limerick, have been fur- nished to me by Mr. Bianconi, cannot fail to be of deep interest to the readers of this History ;— HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 479 of Ireland. — The Barrington family expended £10,000 en it. By the Act of a> 0) 3 -13 (U OJ 13 M O >, a S >. a ;"^ ttf ^^ •*j ^ ci ^^ 4-> ^ *-» re c ,a a a ci s 03 Q o o t5 .2 to Q o o w w U} P ;^ H S s M ::? s Clonmel & Limerick 1815 50 100 1849 Longford & Ballina 1840 71 142 1851 Do. and Thurles 1815 31 62 1849 Clonmel & Roscrea 1842 56 112 1849 Do. & Waterford, Ennis & Ballinasloe 1844 38 76 1849 10 o'clock 1816 32 64 1853 Ballina & BelmuUet 1844 41 82 Do. and Ross 1818 15 30 1836 Mullingar and Waterford and Longford 1848 26 52 1855 Wexford IS19 40 80 1839 Westport Mail Do. & Eniiiscorthy 1819 36 72 Coach 1.^49 62 124 Clonmel & Waterford Sligo Mail 1849 82 164 18(52 Regulator 1820 32 64 1853 Sligo Day 1849 82 164 1862 Do. & Do. Longford & Ballina Teleofraph 1821 32 64 1853 Mail Coach 1849 71 142 1862 Do. and Cork 1821 65 130 1853 Mullingar and Gal- Do. & Kilkenny 1821 33 66 1854 way Mail 1849 70 140 1852 Kilkenny & Water- Do. and Do. Day 1849 70 110 1852 ford 1822 32 64 1851 Waterford &Goold's Clonmel & Thurles 1822 31 62 1811 Cross 1849 51 102 1862 Thurles & Kilkenny 1822 31 62 Templemore and Roscrea & Portumna 1822 28 56 1857 Athlone 1849 51 102 1857 Tipperary & Cashel 1824 13 26 1847 Clonmel & Goold's Waterford and Cross 1849 21 42 Dunjrarvan 1824 28 56 Athlone & Ballina 1851 70 140 1859 Wexford Mail 1825 40 80 1846 Galway and Boyle 1851 50 100 1861 Thurles and Roscrea 1826 23 46 18-12 Athlone and Ros- Tipperary & Clon- common 1851 19 38 1«59 mel, 3 o'clock 1828 30 60 1852 Galway & Westport 1851 52 104 1851 Do. Do. Night Limerick & Tipper- Mail 1828 30 60 1849 ary 1851 23 46 1861 Limerick and Cork 1830 40 80 1849 Galway & Clifden Clonmel and Dun- Mail 1851 50 100 garvan 1831 26 52 Limerick & Ennis Athlone & Longford 1831 24 48 Mail 1852 22 44 Waterford and Sligo & Strabane 1852 71 142 Kilkenny 1631 32 64 1853 Sligo & Enniskillen 1852 30 60 Birr & Ballinasloe 1831 26 52 Sligo & Westport 1852 62 124 Sligo and Longford 1832 56 112 1861 Kilkenny & Durrow 1853 16 32 Limerick and Tralee 1833 62 124 Athenryand West- Do. & Do. Coach 1833 60 120 1853 port, Car 1853 61 122 1861 Ross and Carlow 1833 30 60 1847 Waterford and Galway and Tuara 1833 22 44 1860 Jlary borough 1853 62 124 1862 Limerick & Galway 1834 64 128 Limerick & Ennis, Kilkenny and Day 1854 22 44 1859 Mountmellick 1835 37 74 1852 Killarney & Mallow 1854 41 82 1864 Killarney and Tralee and Do. 1854 51 102 1864 Caherciveen 1836 37 74 Longford & Ballina Tralee and Do. 1836 16 32 Strabane and Let- Ballinasloe and terkenny 1836 13 26 Westport 1836 75 150 1S53 Bandou and Skib- Do. and Galway 1836 34 68 1853 bereen, Mail 1857 33 66 Mitchelstown and Bandon and Skib- Mallow 1837 21 42 1858 bereen, Day 1857 33 66 Longford and Ballinasloe and Castlerea 1837 27 54 1851 Ballybrophy 1858 48 96 Galwav and Clifden, Oranmore & Ennis 1859 36 72 9 30 o'clock 1837 50 100 Enniskillen and Limerick and Kil- Omagh 18G0 64 128 larney 1839 15 30 1853 Do. & Bundoran 1861 30 60 Ballinasloe and Castlerea & Ballina 1864 43 86 Athlone 1839 15 30 1851 Westport & Swin- Ross and Fethard 1840 20 40 1856 ford 1864 27 54 The total number of miles traversed daily, was 6524. This mark shows where the cars or coaches continue to ply in 1863, 480 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Parliament all donors of a sum not less than twenty guineas are constituted Governors for life; and every person who shall subscribe and pay any sura not less than three guineas annually, to be an annual Governor. Sub- scribers of two guineas to have power to recommend two patients, and of five guineas, five patients annually. The hospital contains in 1865, 45 beds ; patients are only admitted on the ticket of a Governor, unless in case of persons accidentally injured, who are always immediately received. A Committee of Management is elected annually from among the Governors, on the second Monday in the month of January. The Hospital is capable of containing 120 beds ; it has an annual income of £100 from rents of houses in Mary-street, from the city Dispensary, which is accommodated with a portion of the hospital, and from the Mont de Piete,^ Subscriptions from Government, and others, £45 a year; Anne Bankes's Bequest £30 a year ; the Bequest of the late Marquis of Lans- downe, the interest of £3000 : in all about £300 a year. In seasons of severe epidemic, as at the outbreak of the cholera morbus in 1832, thehospital was of iucalculablebenefitto the citizens, as ithas been also in all cases of accidents, whenever immediate relief is demanded by the sufferer. It is supplied with a large board room in which there is a well painted portraitofthefounder,snrroundedby his sons,projectingthe charity. The Board Boom is furnished with surgical apparatus, a library for medical reference, and a remarkably well-executed picture of the Barrington family, founders of the Hospital, which was painted by Cregan, President of the Royal Hibernian Academy, There are two other pictures in the Hospital, one of the Good Samaritan, and the other, of Christ healing the Sick, which were painted by John Murphy, a young Limerick artist, and pro- tegee of Sir Matthew Barrington, in London. It would be a great pity that so deservingan institution should decay orfail from want of spirited support. In addition to the hospital, the late Sir Matthew Barrington projected, and in 1837, built a Mont de Pi^te or charitable Pawn office, which while it existed gave relief by way of loan or pledge at a very moderate rate of in- terest. The Mont de Plete which was founded on the plan of those of the same name in Italy, France, Belgium, &c., has ceased since 1845, to have an existence as such; it is built in close proximity to the hospital, and is an object of architectural ornament to the city. Since 1847 it has been con- verted into a police barrack. Sir Matthew Barrington's intention in build- ing the Mont de Piete was that the profits which he anticipated would arise from it, should be allocated to the exigencies of the hospital, which even in its incipiency did not meet with the support which it merited. He placed an active manager over the Montde Piete, but though debentures varying from £5 to £500, bearing interest at the rate of six per cent, were freely taken, by which its capital was created, it did not realise the sanguine ex- pectations of its benevolent and enterprising founder. From 1837 to 1840, the gross profit was £3940 10s. 2|d. The total number of pledges received since the openingof the establishment up to March 19th, 1841,was4G0,S95; the amount lent on pledges in four years above stated was £78,595 9s. OJd. — theamount received forreleasedarticles,£71,0058s.7d. Sir MatthewBar- rington had another design in establishingthis institution, namely that the humblerclasses whohave been in the habitoffrequentingpawn offices should not pay the higher rate of interest on loans which are charged in private establishments. In the palmiest days, however, of the Mont de Piete there ^ Now and since November, 1847, George's Quay Police Barrack. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 481 \yere twenty licensed pawn oiflces in Limerick, and the business in such establishments has not dechned, nor has the number of them lessened^, on the contrary it has gone on increasing since then. The Mont de Piete like other useful local institutes, fell from its original purposes in consequence of gross neglect. It forms rather a remarkable object, even yet, with its cupola, pillars, raiUng, and small grass enclosure. CHAPTER LI. THE STRUGGLE FOR EMANCIPATION. THE CLARE ELECTION. — EMANCIPA- TION. — REMARKABLE EVENTS. GUNPOWDER EXPLOSION. — PARLIAMENTARY REFORM MUNICIPAL REFORM. DEATH OF WILLIAM IV. PROCLAMATION OF QUEEN VICTORIA. A GENERAL ELECTION. The Kmits to which we are necessarily confined will not permit us to do more than take a rapid glance over a wide field of events, commencing with 1825, in the last month of which year the Right Rev. Dr. John Ryan was consecrated Catholic Bishop of Limerick in St. John's old Chapel, by the Most Rev, Dr. Lafian, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly ; and passing on through the struggle for Cathohc Emancipation — the glorious victory in Clare in 1828 — the remarkable contemporaneous events, and those which followed — the agitation for a repeal of the denationalising act of Union, for Parliamentary and for Corporate reform — the triumph of the popular cause, the temperance movement, the growth of manufactures, &c,, until we arrive at the last portion of our work, intended to illustrate the civil and military history of Limerick. In a subsequent part of the History, devoted to the Bishops, the Churches, the Religious Houses, the list of Mayors, and the enumeration of the charters, &c., granted to the Corporation, we shall supply what may possibly be omitted in these chapters. It is true that the history of the three great movements for Emancipation, Reform, and Eree Trade, is still to be written in formal book shape, but the leading circum- stances connected with these movements are so much identified with the general history of Ireland, that a mere passing reference to them is all that will be expected in this History. There was no city in Ireland for which O'Connell had entertained more affection than for Limerick : it was in Limerick, in 1821, that he issued two of his most remarkable letters in reference to the controversy which he then had with Mr. Shell on the subject of Mr. Plunket's Bill in reference to the Catholic Clergy. These letters appeared in a local journal, which has long since ceased to exist. ^ It was in Limerick that he ordered the waiter of the bar mess to take the shoes of Mr. M'^Mahon (afterwards Sir WiUiam M'Mahon, Master of the Rolls,) from the fire-place, where they had been put inside the fender to air by an obsequious barrister, O'Connell stating, in the presence * The Limerick Herald. 32 482 nisToiii OF limerick. of M'Mahon/ tliat they ought to be kicked out of the room^ an expression for which M'Mahon applauded him. 2 Some of his best speeches were deHvered at Catholic meetings held in Limerick,^ and at the Court House in the defence of prisoners. He lodged, during his periodical visits_, at the house No. G, Patrick- street, then occupied by Mr. Sheehan, a saddler, where he was constantly besieged by attorneys and clients ; and his appearance, as he walked with a thorough air of complete independence, " kicking the world before him,"* to and from Court, or through the city, always attracted a large and enthusiastic crowd of admirers. Going to or returning from his beloved mountain home in Kerry, he usually rested for a night in Limerick ; and it was his usual habit on these occasions to address the throngs by whom his carriage was ever surrounded, when he never began a speech without, in the first place, attacking the local Tory journal, and asking, "How is Andy Watson?" its proprietor. He retained a strong hold on the affections of the citizens up to the very last visit which he paid to Limerick, which v.-as towards the close of the simimer of 1846, when, breaking down in health, and sorely disappointed in hope, he was no longer the eloquent and enthusiastic orator that he had been. During the Clare election, in 1828, Limerick was as it were the centre of operations of O'Connell and his friends. The citizens were absolutely wild with excitement. As O^Connell proceeded to Clare, to open that great county, and strike the final blow for Catholic freedom, the entire population of Limerick became well nigh frantic in their demonstrations in favor of the cause in which the nation and its avowed leader had embarked. The return of O'Connell for Clare was an achievement hitherto unparalleled in history — it was the cutting of the gordian knot which could not be untied, and the cutting of that knot with the sword of the constitution. The immense military force with which Limerick had been fdled, and which occupied every village and hamlet in Clare, had no effect in controlling the feelings of the people : it no more overawed them than did the frowns and threats of a baffled and beaten aristocracy. Every barony in Clare gave a mojority to the Man of the People, over the nominee of the aristocracy, Mr. Vesey Fitzgerald ; and when, at the close of the poll on the 2nd of July, 1828, the High Sheriff declared that there were 2027 votes recorded for Daniel O'Conn'ell, and only 936 votes for his opponent, giving to the former > The late Sir W'iiliam M'Mahon, Master of the Rolls, was brother of Major-General Sir Thomas M'Mahon, Bart. K.C.B. commanding at Portsmouth. Sir William was born 12th July, 1776, and married in May 1807, Frances, daughter of Beresford Burston, Esq. King's Counsel, by whom he had issue two sons, and having married again in 1814, Charlotte, sister of Sir Robert Shaw, Bart, has had issue four sons and three daughters. He was created a Baronet, 6th May, 1815, with the ranli of Privy Councillor, and the office of Master of the Rolls, in which he succeeded John Philpot Curran. The deceased Baronet was succeeded in his title and estates by his eldest son. Sir Beresford Burston M'Mahon, Bart. The father of Sir William M'Mahon was Comptroller of the port of Limerick.* 2 Pagan's Life of O'Connell. ' See O'Connell's Life, by his Son, John O'Connell. * Grattan's Sketch of O'Connell. * Comptrollers of Customs of Limerick. James I.— Samuel Johnson. Jas. I— Francis Cave. Charles 1 Pierce Arthur. Chas. II — Mountiford Westropp. Will. III. — Humphrey May. Anne — Benjamin Chetwode. Geo. I.— William Westby. Geo. II. — Daniel Carrington. Geo. il.— John M'Mahon, Sen. and Jan. Geo. Ill — Wm. M'Mahon, 23rd Sept. 1801. Elgar Pagden was the last Comptroller of the Customs of Limerick, the oflice having been establislied in 1858. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 483 a majority of 1091, after a contest unequalled since the commencement of Parliamentary elections, the joy that diffused itseK everywhere knew no bounds. On his return to Limerick fi'om Clare on the Monday after his victory, O'Counell was escorted into the city by the congregated trades, with banners and heralds bearing wands wreathed with laurel. A vast concourse of people swelled to thousands the crowds by which his triumphal car was surrounded. He arrived at his hotel in George's- street, i where he addressed the assembled myriads, demanding of them if ever before they had seen a CathoHc member of Parliament ? He bestowed lavish abuse on the ministry, on the corporation of Limerick, as well as on that of Dublin ; he denounced the local Tory press in unmeasured terms. He left town on the 8th of July in a green barouche and four, loudly cheered, and accompanied by " honest Jack Lawless." To shew the extent of the preparations made to quell the people by the Government at this time, there were brought into the Limerick district a brigade of Artillery from Athlone, three troops of the Bays from Carlow, three troops of the third Dragoon Guards from Mayo and Galway, two companies of the 5th Foot from Athlone, three companies of the Gith from Galway, 62nd Regiment from Templemore, 75th ditto from Mullingar, in addition to an enormous strength of military that had been before this in Limerick and Clare. Many of these soldiers sympathised heartily with O'Connell and his cause, and declared their feehngs in terms not to be mistaken. As a counterpoise to this victory, Brunswick Clubs were now estabHshed everywhere throughout the country by the ascendancy party. At Eathkeale, a great meeting of the gentry of the county of Limerick took place, at which a Brunswick Club was initiated, and of which Lord ]\Iuskerry became the President. At Charleville a club was likewise initiated. At Nenagh, the Tories of the Ormonds established a Club.^ A Protestant declaration, drawn up in Limerick in favor of Catholic claims, lay for a fortnight at the Commercial Buildings, and had not received a dozen signatures during that time. Liberal and Independent Clubs started up side by side with the Brunswick Clubs. It was action and counter action — plot and counter plot. The Order of Liberators, which had been established by O'Connell, who first spoke of his intention to that effect at the great Water- ford election in 1826, between VilHers Stuart and Lord George Beresford, received new accessions every day to its members. In the Catholic Associa- tion Eichard Shell thundered with Demosthenic fire, while " Bully Boyton'^' fired from behind some " Constitutional" Club, in sustainment of principles which had already become exploded. The faction feuds which had hitherto divided and destroyed the people, ceased in general reconciliations, particu- larly between the factions in Limerick and in Tipperary, where on one occasion, during this year, 50,000 men assembled, and swore on the altar of their country that they never would fight again among themselves, an event which more than any other struck terror into the hitherto dominant faction.* ' Then Moriarty's — afterwards Cruise'3 Royal Hotel, which he never left without calling for Mrs. Cruise and thanking her for her elegant hospitality. This hotel is now (1S65) rented by Mr. John Joseph Clearj', and retains its high character. * A powerfiil satire was composed on this club, and sung to the air of " Tally-i-ho in the morning." * The Kev. Charles Boyton, F.T.C.D., a powerful speaker on the Protestant side. * Such a reconciliation, which is well described in a contemporary ballad by John Banim, occurred again at Emly in the winter of 1862, when the Three Years Old and the Four Years Old Factions were reconciled by the Archbishop of Cashel, the Most Kev. Dr. Leahy, ;ifter a misaon given in that parish by the Kedemptorist Fathers of Limerick. 484 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Emancipation could be no longer postponed ; and thongh CyOonnell could not take his seat in the House of Commons without an oath which he rejected with utter scorn^ the Duke of Wellington and Sir Eobert Peel discovered that it would be better policy to repeal that oath and concede Catholic claims^ tlmn risk a civil war. On Wednesday, the 18th of March, 1829, the E,elief Bill was read a second time in the House of Commons by a majority of 180, and contemporaneously with the vote a bill for the de- franchisement of the forty- shilling freeholders. It is not our purpose to depict the state of things by which this great victory was surrounded. The Clare election continued to be a thorn in the side of the Tories, and of the aristocracy. Mr. William Smith O'Brien, at the time, issued a manifesto, which gave mortal offence to the friends of O'Connell, and which was followed by a hostile meeting between Mr. O'Brien and Mr. Steele, the confideutial follower of the Liberator. The local memorabilia during these days of gigantic agitation, were few and unimportant, absorbed, as the people appear to have been, in the vortex which drew within its gaping jaws nearly every other consideration. One of the fiercest contests that had taken place after the Clare election, was that which occurred in the county of Limerick in 1830, when the candi- dates were Colonel O'Grady and Mr. Massy Dawson. The contest, as usual, lasted several days ; and at the conclusion Colonel O'Grady had a majority of 215 votes on the gross poll.' In two years afterwards — viz. in December, 1832, a contested election took place in the county of Limerick, when there voted for Colonel Eitzgibbon, 1056 ; Colonel O'Grady, 1040 ; Godfrey Massy, 760 ; Alexander McCarthy, 751. ' The particulars of this extraordinary election, the names, &c., of the parties who -were mixed np with it, together with a number of songs and ballads, which were sung in the interest of Colonel O'Grady, appeared in a brochure printed in Limerick in this year, and being dedicated to Daniel O'Connell, it is called Quinbus Flestrum — the Man-Mountain.* Some of the ballads were piquant. The following stanza of a jeu d'esprit is a fair specimen of the entire. THE COALITION OF THE PEERS. Air — " Old Erin's Native Shamroclc." " Lords Kingston tall — and Clake quite small, With Massy, cold and hollow, Together came — a man to name, Their plots and schemes to follow.— Says Massy, ' see, our choice must be ' Where talent's not expected, * For oh ! the light of Genius bright, ' I always have rejected.' Oh ! the Blockheads, the proud and senseless Blockheads, To think again, that Free-born men Would bow to titled Blockheads." Lieutenant- Colonel S. O'Grady, who represented the county of Limerick in several parliaments, was the eldest son of Chief Baron O'Grady. He joined the 7th Hussars early in life, and on the return of Buonaparte from Elba, he sailed, having then the rank of Lieutenant, with his regi- ment for Brussels, to take part in the brilliant series of manoeuvres in which Wellington was then engaged ; and which ultimately resulted in the total downfall of the Emperor, and in his banishment to St. Helena. There were few officers of the age and rank of O'Grady whose conduct was so con'ipicuous at so early a period, and so marked by the approbation of his superiors. When Lieutenant Standish O'Grady, he was placed in command of the 7th Hussars at the desperate entci; L-ise at Genappe,t the result of which was to secure a safe counter-march for the British trooijs to the plains of Waterloo, where they were destined so shortly afterwards to win by their valour imperishable fame. At Waterloo, Lieut.-Colonel O'Grady again distinguished himself, but nearly thirty years elapsed before a tardy recognition of his services promoted him to the * See Gulliver's Travels. - f For the full particulars of this action, and of the gallant conduct of O'Grady, see Captain Silorne's Histurv of Waterloo. HISTOIiY OF LIMERICK. 485 It is scarcely necessary to give details of these events^ or of the misdeeds of the Corporation of Limerick, during the years that elapsed between the position of Aide-de-Camp to the Queen, with the consequent rank of full Colonel. A singular circumstance occurred at Genappe. The French soldiery charged the 7th Hussars -with an irresistible and powerful body of lancers. Opposition on the part of O'Grady and his war-worn followers was evidently useless, and the only chance of safety lay in getting into a field at the side of the road, from which it was separated by a ditch full of mud and water, nearly three feet wide, and a bank at the other side, four feet high. O'Grady rode a beautiful white charger, steady in battle as a rock, and implicitly obedient to his master's voice. But never since the horse" was foaled had threat or bribe been sufficient to make him cross the most footy fence. Meanwhile, the French lancers approached rapidly ; a rush was made at the fence. Most of the horses took the leap in good English style ; and O'Grady's horse took it the most gallantly of all ! Those who failed to cross the fence were butchered by the French. Colonel O'Grady, after the occupation of Paris, brought over the charger to whom he owed his life to Cahir- Guillamore, where a rich paddock was allotted to him for life. Efforts were often made by the young men of the family to compel the charger to jump some trifling thing, such as a stump of a tree, &c. But all to no purpose— the faithful charger made but the one leap in his life, _ and thereby saved his gallant master from a French lance — a second leap he never tried, either before or after. Lieut.-Colonel O'Grady shortly afterwards retired on half-pay, as the forty years' peace opened but few prospects for military promotion. He married in the year 1828 Gertrude, daughter of the Hon. Berkeley Paget, and niece of the Marquis of Anglesea, the Us- bridge of Waterloo, then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, by whom he had a numerous family. On the death, in 1840, of his father, the Chief Baron, who had been created a Viscount in 1831, Lieut.-Col. O'Grady succeeded to the title and estates as second Viscount Guillamore. Lieut.-Colonel O'Grady was engaged in a great number of contested elections, and his family had the reputation (for good or for evil) of being the best electioneerers in Ii-eiand. Standish, second Viscount Guillamore, died in the year 1843, and was succeeded by his eldest son as third Viscount. Captain the Honorable Adolphus Vereker — In the above brief biographical sketch, we have referred to the brilliant services with which Lieut.-Colonel O'Grady commenced his military career. Captain Vereker commenced his military life with services yet more brilliant ; but alas ! while the highest honors were opening before him, the cold hand of death was laid upon one who would have added another glorious name to — " Limerick the nurse of heroes ; honor's crest ; By beauty gem'd ; Circassia of the West !" Captain Vereker was nephew of Colonel O'Grady, grandson of Colonel Vereker, of Colooney, and fifth son of the present Viscount Gort. He was born at Koxborough, near Limerick, in the year 1833. In March, 1855, he was appointed to an ensigncy in the 20th Regiment, and resigned, as a necessary consequence, an office he held in the Ordnance Department, and a lieutenant's commission in the 6th West York Militia. He shortly afterwards sailed for the Crimea, and was ordered to assist in the combined attack by the sea and land forces of the British and French against the Eussian fortress of Kinburn. He took his turn with the other officers in the fatigues and dangers of the trenches at Sebastopol, while he held at the same time the position of Captain in the land transport service. Of his services at this time, Ilarte states, in the Official Army List, " Captain Vereker, at the siege and fall of Sebastopol, from 3rd Sept. 1855, and also at the capture of Kinburn, 3fedal and Clasp— a TurJdsh medal:' At the close of the Crimean War he returned to England, where he was not destined to remain long, in consequence of the Indian revolt and mutiny. On landing in India, he was embodied with the " Selected Marksmen" of his regiment, who were generally employed on all occasions where a small European force was intended to operate with crushing effect against the hosts of the mutineers. The first serious engagement in which he took part was at Chauda where Brigadier Frankes* defeated a body of mutineers, 25,000 strong, with twenty-five guns. He took an active part in the battles of Umeerpore and Sultanpore, and the storming of the fort of Dhowraha, and a vast number of minor operations. He bore a distinguished part in many other important and perilous operations. In the despatches giving 'i? accounts of this long series of brOliant operations, Vereker's name will often be found mentioned in terms of the highest praise— a very rare thing in the case of a lieutenant. The following is the official statement in Harte's Army List of Vereker's services in the Indian insur- rection •— " Served in the Indian Campaign of 1857—1859, with the selected marksmen of the regiment in the actions of Chauda, Umeerpore, Sultanpore, fort Dhowraha, seige and capture of Lucknow subsequent operations in Oude, and affairs at Churda ; fort of Musjeedia and Baukee, as adjutant to a detachment. Served as orderly officer to Colonel Corraick, commanding Gondii Column, in the operations in the trans-Gogra. in March and April, 1855, and was present at tlie * Query, a Limerick man ? 486 HISTORY Of LIMERICK. period at wliicli we have arrived and tlie dissolution of that body by the measure of Municipal Reform in 1841. The same names_, with very few exceptions, constituted the common council; the same spoliation of the public revenues marked their proceedings ; the same reckless admission of freemen was practised. The Mayor was largely reimbursed for " expenses/" of which there docs not appear to have been ever a clear account given. At Adare, in October, 1830/ the Duke of Northumberland, then on a visit to Lord Dunraven, was addressed by the Corporation, who proceeded to Adare Manor, headed by the Mayor, when the freedom of the city was] unanimously awarded to his Excellency, as also to Sir Edward BlakeneyJ General Sir Charles Doyle, &c. Early in 1831, the Corporation addressed! the Marquis of Anglesea on his accession to the Viceroyalty. In the latter part of the year 1833, an interesting event occurred which ought not to be omitted : an address, numerously and respectably signed, was at this time forwarded to Thomas Moore, Esq., the National Bard, ' This year (1830) saw the last of the sedan chairs. Bringing the judges fully robed to court in sedan chairs was an old custom in Limerick, only given up about the year 1809. Sedan chairs were much used by ladies going to balls, and were found a great convenience by daj- in bad weather. A sedan chair was aa upholstered seat, completely covered in, with a door in front about five feet high, with glass in it ; outwardly it was covered with leather,* and was carried bj* two men between poles, who moved at a tolerable pace, in a kind of trot, equal to perhaps four miles an hour. They continued in use until 1830, their stand being in George's street, near William-street, where there were generally eight or ten of them ranged. Forty years before their stand was at the Exchange, in Mary-street. affair of Muchleegawn, attack on Cawnpore mutineers in Kookee jungle, and pursued to Nagowar —meritioned in despatches — medal and clasp." At the conclusion of the Indian revolt, Vercker returned to England, and in Nov. 18G0, obtained his company. In 1863, he was again ordered to India ; from whence he proceeded to China, and shortly afterwards, in consequence of the threatening aspect of affairs in Japan, he proceeded with his regiment to that Island. Captain Vereker was quartered at Yokohama, where his health, which had suffered very much in China, rapidly improved. Late in September, he dined with the Governor, Sir E. Alcock, and before he retired to rest he finished a letter to his relatives in England, -u'ritten in the highest spirits, and imder the influence of the brightest prospects. He doubtless felt, as he glanced at the brilliant staff by whom the Governor was surrounded, that few of his standing in the army had shared the glories of more well-won fields, and that the time was not far off when his seniority and services would entitle him to a separate command, and thus enable him to display that coolness, judgment, and military capacity, which he so eminently possessed. Meantime, Destinj', with her iron pen had traced a stern and cruel decree. Captain Vereker was attacked with small-pox ; but already worn oiit physicallj' and mentally by the severe military labors he had gone through, the disease rapidly gained ground, and in a few days he surrendered to illness that life which had been so often and so freely exposed in the cause of duty. Near Yokohama, but far from his native land and all he loved, Captain Vereker sleeps a soldier's sleep, and the affectionate regards of his companions in arms have erected a monument to mark the place. But few will read this sketch without regretting that one whose morning of life was glorious beyond his fellows, should have been cut off by inexorable fate, just as the brightest prospects were beginning to open to his view. But — " When future bards shall sing of life, Its loves, its cares, and all its strife, The grace and moral of the song. Shall to their checker' d fate belong, Whose wayward fortune will supply The brightest tint and deepest dye : These, soldiers yet unborn, in pride shall raise ; Relate their triumphs and renew their praise."t * At present this description of a sedan chair can be of little interest, but in fifty years' time, few will be living in all probability that ever saw one, and they may then be numbered with the curious things of by-gone days. t From an unpublished poem, of singular beauty and merit, by the Rt. Hon. Chief Baron O'Grady. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 487 inviting liim to stand for the representation of the city. The address em- bodied the wishes of the most influential of the electors,, and had the additional recommendation of being presented by a distinguished citizen of Limerick, of European celebrity, Gerald Griffin, the novelist, who, however, failed in his mission, of which he has left a very pleasant account,^ Mr. Moore's engagements not permitting him to take advantage of the offer. Nothing continued to prosper under the corrupt corporation system of the day. The city revenues became worthless for the public good. The great Lax weir had fallen away. Mr. Poole Gabbett having been declared the highest bidder for it, at a meeting of the Corporation on the 6th of January, 1834, it was resolved that his proposal of £300 a-year be accepted, and a lease granted to him for 99 years, on the same terms as heretofore held by Mr. Little. The works of Corporate corruption, however, had become fully laid bare, in consequence of the Commission of Inquiry which was held in Limerick from the 36th of September to the 11th of October, 1833. O'Connell was now stirring the popular mind to its very depths, and no where was he more ardently responded to than in Limerick. Early in the year 1834, he published a manifesto to the people of Ireland in favor of a Eepeal of the Union — and thus "nailed his colours to the mast''; the anti-tithe movement, which embraced the greater portion of the country in its immense proportions, went hand in hand with a demand for a Parliament in College Green ; the minister trembled, and Irishmen showed that they were in earnest by a quick response to the caU of the great Leader. Mr. William Roche and Mr. David Eoche, members for the city, declared in favor of the great national question. The popularity of Mr. Spring Rice, to whom a colossal pillar and life-like statue had been a few years previously erected in Pery Square by his appreciative fellow -citizens, had been for some time on the wane, and was now completely forfeited by the decided opposition which he offered to the cause of Repeal, and he fell rapidly in the esteem of even those ardent admirers of his who for several years had followed his chariot wheels as they rolled in triumph over the prostrate faction of the corruptionists in Limerick. The debate on O'Connell's motion in the House of Commons in AprU this year (1834) for a Committee of Enquiry on the ' See the Life of Gerald Griffin, p. 311, by his brother, of which the author of this history possesses the MSS. This gifted son of genius was born in the city of Limerick, December 12th, 1803, and died in April, 1840, at the Monastery of the Christian Brothers, Cork, of which religious order he was a member, and in whose little cemetery he lies interred, with the simple iascription, " Brother Gerald Griifin." 1834 — January 18 Mr. Steele writes " To the Limerich Chapter of Liberators," resigning the office of Patron and President of that Society. A transient misunderstanding between him and the Liberator is avowed. Prospectus of the Limerick Star and Evening Post published — to appear on Tuesday, 4th February, 1834. March 6th. — At the Assizes this month a libel case was tried, of Samuel Dickson, Esq. v. W. R. Yeilding, Esq. proprietor of the Limerick Herald — damages were laid at £5,000. Mr. Dickson was held up to ridicule, not only by writings but by woodcuts, in the Herald. The jury gave a iiverdict for the plaintiff with comparatively small damages. Mr. Dickson was a gentleman of high position, and an active politician with rather liberal tendencies. April 19th A new Catholic chapel projected by the Rev. Denis Buckeley, P.P. for ths mountainous Parish of Glenroe, Co. Limerick. April 23rd. — John Dcmpsey and Denis Cahill fined £10 at Petty Sessions for selling one ccpy of the Dublin Satirist, unstamped paper, in the public streets. May 4th. — Mr. Sheridan Knowles and Miss jarman visited Limerick. Mr. Lawless publishes a letter in the True Sun, in which he disapproves of Mr. O'Connell's propcaition to grant glebe-houses to the Catholic Clergy of Ireland. 488 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Eepeal, in whicli Mr. Spring Rice championed the cause and originated the phrase of " West Britain/' topped the climax of his unpopularity. O'Connell's motion was rejected by a majority of 523^ which pronounced in favor of an amendment of Mr. Rice^ whilst 38 members voted for enquiry. In the minority the names of the two Roches of Limerick were prominent. Just as the great debate was going on, one of those fatal tithe afPrays which were not uncommon at this time, occurred at Mahoonagh, in the vicinity of Newcastle West, county of Limerick, where three men, named Browne, Griffin, and Sullivan, were shot dead by the soldiery, then collecting for the Rev. Mr. Locke, of Newcastle. O'Connell made the most of the catastrophe in the House of Commons ; nevertheless, even after this event. Major Miller, with a detachment of military and police, scoured the country to enforce payment of the impost. Mr. David Roche, M.P., proposed a plan for the settlement of the tithe difficulty, which plan met the approval of O'Connell. Ministers, however, took up the tithe question on their own account ; and in August the Church Temporahties Bill, and the Irish Tithe Bill went through their stages in both Houses of Parliament, and received the royal assent in due course next summer. It was now that O'Connell gave the aid of his powerful influence to the establishment of a National Bank for Ireland, pronouncing the Agricultural and Commercial Bank, which had a strong party of supporters in Limerick, " a wild scheme.'''' In Limerick the project of the National Bank was taken up with spirit. In the month of October the Mayor (William Piercey, Esq.) presided at a meeting in the Commercial Buildings, when resolutions were adopted in its favor — the capital of the Limerick Branch was proposed to be £250,000. A committee was formed,^ and everything went on favorably. ' The Bank was established in the house in Brunswick-street, which had been the residence of Mr. David Koche, M.P., and from it removed to the more spacious premises in George's street in 1850. This house in Brunswick-street is now (1865) the Union Bank. June 11th. — The Astrea, filled with emigrants, bound from Limerick to Quebec, reported to be lost, with 240 lives. Supposed that she got upon the ice off Halifax in a fog. September 13th. — A branch of the Agricultural and Commercial Bank established at a public meeting in Limerick — John Dobbs, Esq., in the chair. September 27th The Rev. Thomas Enraght, C.C., St. Mary's, writes a public letter, in which he states that not less than 25 families are living in one house in that parish, where misery and destitution prevail to a wof ul extent. Mr. Ehodes, Government engineer, who recently surveyed the port and harbour, in order to extend improvements, was this week in Limerick, with a view to acting upon the specifications detailed in his report, under the Wellesley Bridge Amendment Act. The Provincial Bank propose to transfer the business of their establishment to a more commodious and suitable concern in George's-street, having purchased the site of the " Round Church," as St. George's Church, in George's-street, was called. This Church was built by the Pery family in the last century as a chapel of ease. Near it a terrible murder was perpetrated, long before houses had been built in George's-street, and when the church was in the fields. Though called the " Round Church," it was a plain square building, with the gable to the front of George's-street, and a stone ball topped with a weather-cock on it. The Provincial Bank of Ireland was established in Limerick before any other Joint Stock Bank, and eighteen months before the branch oftice of the Bank of Ireland. October 3rd John Vcrekcr, Esq., Mayor, obtains the unanimous thanks of the city magis- trates, at Petty Sessions assembled, on the motion of William Roche, Esq., M.P., on his retiring from the mayoralty. Mr. Vereker left a few days after to join his regiment, the 7th EusUeers, at Malta. October ISth. — Mr. Cobbett, the celebrated public writer, visited Limerick. He lectured in Limerick ; and diued and slept at the residence of the very Rev. T. 0. B. Costello, P.P., Murroe. Signor de Bcgnis, the celel^rated vocalist, visits Limerick, HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 489 A new era was brightly dawning on Ireland. Earl Mulgrave,tlie most popu- lar Viceroy that Ireland had ever seen^ was, to use O'Connell's own words, '' mulgravising^'' Ireland. His Excellency visited Limerick in August, 1 835, and was feted, caressed, cheered, and lauded, as no Viceroy had ever been before. It Avas on this occasion that he opened Wellesley Bridge, as we have stated in the preceding chapter. The depression, however, among the working classes of Limerick at this period was unexampled. Enghsh competition had completely annihilated the weaving trade, which had flourished in Garryowen, in Thomond Gate, at Park, &c., where weavers had been numerous. Hundreds of these poor operatives were now thrown out of employment, and in this year (1835) a memorial from them was presented to the Corporation, signed by no less than 259 weavers, when a vote of £50 was passed by that body to enable the Mayor to send as many as he could of the number to England, whither several of them went. Though this depression was great, the amount of exports had been nearly doubled since 182:1; yet a distinguished traveller,^ who had visited the city this year, admits that no where did he meet with more destitution ; he states that he entered forty abodes of poverty, and that to the latest hour of his existence, he never could forget the scenes of utter and hopeless wretched- ness that presented themselves. Commissioners of Poor Enquiry had been sent down the year before, and had sat for several days, obtaining facts as to the distressed state of the people, and public works had been going on, were it not for which the misery would be intensified beyond bearing ; and a system of poor laws was now advocated by many as the grand remedy, though private charity had been constantly put in requisition to mitigate the suffer- ings of the poor. That system of Poor Laws, which had been supported by Dr. Doyle and opposed by O'Connell, came soon afterwards ; but with what permanent advantage to the poor is a question on which there are conflicting opinions. The blight of the Union had long been felt in the annihilation of manufactures, in the decay of trade, in the exhaustion of the artizan and the labourer ; and though in the march of events, men beloved by the people had become recognised for their worth and merit, and had obtained the guerdon of their deserts at the hands of a now liberal Government, which for the first time sympathised with the masses, the permanent prosperity of the country was not materially affected by legislative improvements. On the 3rd of January, 1837, a catastrophe of a most lamentable charac- ' A Journey throughout Ireland in 1834, by Henry D. Inglis, 2 vols. London, 1835. Dec. 17, — Monday, the Parish Priests of the diocese of Killaloe assembled at Newmarket-on- Fergus to elect a Coadjutor Bishop to the Rt. Eev. Dr. M'Mahon. The three candidates returned by the Clergy for the choice of the Pope, were the Rev. Mr. Kennedj', P.P., of Birr, dignissimus ; Rev. Mr. Fahy, P.P. of TuUa, dignior ; and Rev. Mr. Vaughan, P.P., of Killaloe, digitus. The Prelates present were — the Most Eev. Dr. Slattery of Cashel, Right Revs. Dr. Murphy of Cork, Dr. Egan of Kerry, Dr. Ryan of Limerick, and Dr. M'Mahon of Killaloe. February 8th, 1 837. — Influenza most prevalent in Limerick. 1837 March 25th. — The Postmaster-General acceded to the request of the Chamber of Commerce of this city, to run the mail hence to Dublin at the rate of nine and a-half British miles per hour, after the 5th July next. Custom duties received at the port of Limerick last year, £126,291, being an increase of £3,856 over the preceding year's amount. April 4th Mr. Craipen, son of Puller Craven, Esq., of Gloucester, drowned in a cot at the fall of the Leap, Doonass, while fishing. Near the same place, six years before, the Honorable 490 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. ter occurred in Limerick, by an explosion of gunpowder in the premises of one AVilliam Eichardson, a gun-maker and vendor of gunpowder, No. 1, George^s-street. Eleven persons were killed by this explosion, viz. Margaret M'Mahon, John M'Mahon, Bridget O'Donohoe, John O'Brien, Patrick Doolan, Mary Barry, John Enright, Bridget Doolan, John M'Mahon, and Michael O'Neill, a watch-man. The cause of the catastrophe could never be clearly ascertained, as the only person in the part of the house where the gunpowder lay was blown up, and his body torn in pieces. The terrific details of this dreadful affair' cause a shudder of horror whenever they are brought to memory, while the miraculous escape which some respectable families had from being involved in the worst consequences of the explosion, is referred to the special agency of Providence. Every effort was made by the Mayor and magistrates to mitigate the sufferings of the survivors. A deputation laid the matter before the Lord Lieutenant, who gave his active 1 There were four persons under the roof at the time, three of whom were killed, while a young man named Teskey, an apprentice, escaped with his life, though he had been blown to a great height, and came down senseless in the street, at a considerable distance. At the house No. 2, George's -street, the widow of Michael Ryan, Esq., one of the most extensive and esteemed mer- chants in the city, resided with her family, two sons,* a daughter and a sister-in-law ; they were all in bed, being instantly stunned after lying unconscious under the ruins for an hour, the first recital or perception that Mrs. Ryan remembered was hearing her daughter, Barbara, a child of eight years old, who slept with her, crying, " Mamma, where are we ?" they were at the time buried amid the debris. A long and fruitless search had been made for them — it was suggested that they hfid gone to the country ; further exertions were about being relinquished when the almost inaudible cries of the child were heard under the ruins. Efforts were again made, and the child was heard to cry " to take care of Mamma" — whose collar bone had been broken — their persons having been overwhelmed in rubbish between the shop and the underground apartment yet supported by two doors having came together, in their fall, so as to form an arch over them — the legs and feet, however, were so crushed that thej' could not change their position. One of the sons, William, was blown up in the air on the matrass where he was sleeping and came down in the street with it blazing about him — he asleep all the while ! He sustained no injury. The elder brother Edmond was not blown up — but the corner of the floor whereon his bed stood could be seen for days after from the street, like a shelf without support attached to the tottering wall. Mrs. Catherine Ryan, the sister-in-law of Mrs. Ryan, had no perception of anything having happened until the next morning when she found herself in a public house on Arthur's Quay — having been blown out, so stunned as to be senseless, buried under a heap of rubbish, and lying for an hour in the street with a beam of timber over her. A servant who slept in the room next to Mrs. Catherine Ryan's was blown into the hall of the house No. 3, belonging to Mr. William Wilson. Mr. Ellard who resided near the corner of Denmark-street, opposite to Richardson's, was lifted off the ground and with a whirling motion dashed across the street and buried under a heap of rubbish, from which he was dug out. His respectable familj' had a most narrow escape— as had also the family of Mr. Thomas Tracj^ who lived in No. 13, of Mr. J. Hallowell, No. 10 ; of Mr. J. Burke, No. 18, &c. &c. The gas throughout the city was on this occasion extinguished, and windows were broken on the North-strand at the opposite side of the Shannon. The verdict of the Coroner's jury threw blame on the incautious manner in which Richardson had exposed the gunpowder for sale. Mrs. William Massy, of Belmont, while passing over in a cot to Hermitage, at Christmas, in a fog, was drowned. May 24th Universal sorrow in the city of Limerick, consequent on the death of John Vereker, Esq., brother of Lord Gort. June 7th Considerable sums raised by public subscription in the city for the relief of the poor. June 2Gth The Masters and Wardens, and the great body of the Congregated Trades of Limerick, in full dress, bearing the standards and insignia of each craft, waited upon the Mayor, at Cruise's Hotel, George's-street, with a complimentary address, in which they manifested the most anxious desire for his re-election to office. * Edmond, afterwards Mayor of Limerick in 1846, and^ noTT (1865) R. M, of Middleton, County Cork, and William, afterwards drowned. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 491 sympathies^ and a public subscription was raised, to which every one contributed. We turn from this appalling scene to the state of local politics and parties. Between O'Connell and WiUiam Smith O'Brien, a strong feeling of antagonism had prevailed since the Clare Election — and in this year an interchange of lengthened letters showed that their differences on public questions were widening, and that there was but little hope of reconciling them. The popular party was gaining strength. Baron O'Loghlen was elevated to the proud position of Master of the EoUs, with a Baronetcy — and never did a public man better deserve the honor than Sir Michael O'Loghlen. Mr. Woulfe, afterwards Chief Baron, was appointed Attorney General — and re-elected for Cashel — Mr. Brady, (now Lord Chancellor Brady), Solicitor General, and Mr. Pigot, (now Chief Baron Pigot), law adviser to the Castle. Parallel with these events, went the Irish Municipal Eeform Bill in Parha- ment, and the motion for the expulsion of the Bishops from the House of Lords for which the two " Limerick Eoches^' gave their votes, but which was rejected by a majority of 197 to 92. Grand Jury Reform, tithe adjustment — though with the abandonment of the appropriation clause on which the Whig party had got into power — Poor Laws, &c., now became the order of the day ; in the midst of agitation. King WiUiam IV. died ; and Her Most Gracious Majest_y Queen Victoria — a maiden queen, radiant with youth, and of highest promise, ascended the throne in the month of June this year (1837), amid the acclamations of Her Majesty's Irish sub- jects. Limerick was full of animation, to witness the customary pomp and pageantry of proclaiming a new Sovereign. The Union Plag floated from the Commercial Buildings ; the ships in harbour hung out their ensigns ; the Cathedral Bells exchanged a peal of joy for the mournful toll at the King's death. The streets were gay, crowds having come in from the country. A procession formed at the Exchange, according to programme. General L'E strange gave the military force to the civic authorities. The various Trades mustered in great numbers, with insignia descriptive of each Guild. The Mayor, Sheriff, Aldermen, and Civic Officers, in full Corporate robes, occupied the centre of the procession. Archdeacon Maunsell and the Protestant Clergy ; the Very Eev. Dr. Hogan and the Cathohc Clergy ; John Kelly and William Howly, Esqrs. Deputy Lieutenants ; the President and members of the Chamber of Commerce, citizens, &c. were present at the ceremonial. Having traversed the principal streets, repeating the proclama- tion at stated places, the procession finally separated in Bank Place. The windows along the route were occupied by elegantly dressed ladies. The Mayor entertained the military Officers, Clergy, Gentry, Ereemasons, and heads of all the trades at the Council Chamber of the Exchange. A general election followed the immediate dissolution of Parliament by the July 5th. — Change in the dispatch of Mails, by the Post OfBce Department, commencing Thursday, 6th inst., at 6, p.m., when the mail coach leaves this for Dublin, and arrives here on the morning of Friday, the 7th instant, at 30 minutes past seven. The Ennis and Galway mail leaves this every morning at 45 minutes past 7 — the Cork and Tralee mail coaches at eight every morning. July 12th. — Judge Crampton repaired to Court this morning, at nine o'clock, to try Mary Cooney for the wilful murder of Mrs. Anne Anderson, widow, of Harstonge-street, on the evening of Monday, the 6th of March last, by inflicting a mortal wound with a knife on that lady's neck, of which she instantaneously died. The Jury, after a short consultation, found a verdict of. guilty. Hanged on Monday, the 7th August. 492 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Queen — and Limerick^ county and city, became again the vortex of the political excitement. In the month of July O^'Connell arrived from Dublin, on his way to Cork, and held a public meeting, John O'Brien. Esq. of Elm Yale, afterwards M.P. for the city, in the chair ; when O'Connell delivered with characteristic freedom his opinion of certain members of the aristocracy, who happened at the time, or whom he believed to be opposed to the popular cause, denouncing as usual the Corporation in the most unmeasured terms of reproach. He extolled the Messrs. Eoche as friends of the people, and adherents of a liberal Government. The election for the city commenced on the 1st of August, it was marked by the utmost excitement. The windows and doors of the houses in Francis- street of the anti-popular candidates had been smashed the night before. The candidates were William and David Eoche, Esqrs. on the popular interest; and William Monsell, Esq. and Mr. Wilson on the Tory interest. The following was the result of the gross poll : — W. Eoche, 563 ; David Eoche, 555; W. Monsell, 176. The Court rung with acclamations from the friends of Messrs. Eoche, who having returned thanks, the Sheriff adjourned to next morning. There was no chairmg of the City members,' CHAPTEE LII. FOUNDATION Or TWO CONVENTS IN LIMERICK. THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT. TRIUMPHANT VISIT OF FATHER MATHEW. GREAT REPEAL DEMON- STRATION. The year 1837 was rendered remarkable by the introduction into the city of the nuns of the Presentation Order from Cork, whose admirable convent was founded that year in Sexton-street, chiefly through the instrumentality and zeal of the Yery Eev. Patrick Hogan^ P.P., Y.G., St. MichaeFs, who gave the ground, at a moderate rent, on which the Convent and Schools were built, and who built the spacious Schools at his own expense for the instruction of poor female children by the nuns. Mrs. King, a native of Waterford, who had joined the order some time before in Cork, brought a considerable fortune to the new establishment which was speedily joined by ladies from the City and County of Limerick. This noble establishment soon gave evidence of its strength and usefulness — its schools became fre- ' In October following a grand banquet was given in the Northumberland Buildings, to the city members, when 150 citizens Tvere present. William Hawkins Bourne, Esq. of Terenure, near Dublin, died in September this year in London. He it was that first established a Mail Coach between this city and Dublin ; while by pushing the sphere of his operations, he also opened new and explored sources of profit to the merchant and agriculturist throughout the South of Ireland, by forming splendid roads, and providing safe and expeditious conveyances on various lines of louto. His large establishment gave employment to a vast number of persons, who dtfjily deplored the loss of their benefactor. niSTOUY OF LLMEUICK. 493 quented by hundreds of children, and the great work in which the nuns were engaged prospered admirably. James P. Carroll, Esq., M.D., an eminent physician of Limerick, and a devoted Catholic, contributed a sum of £500 to build the beautiful chapel of cut limestone which is attached to the Con- vent, and to his memory, a white marble tablet is erected in the chapel with this inscription : — PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF JAMES F. CARROLL, ESQ., M.D., WHO BEQUEATHED THE SUIVI OF FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS TO BUILD THIS CHAPEL. HE DIED SEPTEMBER 17th, 1837. REQUIESCAT IN PACE, AMEN. The Schools having been found incapable of containing the great numbers of children who frequent them, the foundation stone of a new school-house was laid on the 4th of August, 1864, at a cost to the nuns of £400. These additional schools are now (1865) also in operation, and afford amoral, religious and industrial education to nearly 1,000 children who should otherwise be destitute of so great a blessing. The late Eight Rev. Dr. Eyan, Catholic Bishop of Limerick, was a munificent benefactor of these schools and of this truly excellent establishment. The progress which religion and religious institutions were making through- out the city was really marvellous. On the 24th of September, 1848, the convent of the Sisters of Mercy on the site of a convent of the Order of Poor Clares, who had been there some years previously, and in a locality famed in ancient days for the great convent of the Friars preachers or Dominicans. Mrs. Macauley, from the Parent House, Baggot-street, Dublin, was the foundress of the new convent ; and was accompanied by Mrs. Moore, a native of Dublin, who became superioress, and who for several years has presided over the laborious duties of her office, with incalculable benefit to the interests of rehgion and of the poor. In the old convent of the Poor Clares were two lay sisters when Mrs. Macauley arrived in Limerick ; and these, with pious solicitude, she admitted into her establishment. The house which was prepared for the accommodation of the Sisters of Mercy was smaU ; four or five ladies joined during the first year. The growth of the establishment became vigorous, fostered as it was by the constant vigilance and munificence of the Eight Eev. Dr. Eyan, who encouraged the pious sisterhood in their un- wearied labours, and who gave them the most substantial proofs of the deep interest which he took in their successful progress. The grounds occupied an acre, with room sufficient for building purposes and extended accommodation. School-houses, a Eefuge for Servants, an Orphanage, &c., were soon erected, and brought within the reach of the destitute and the forlorn. Thousands of pounds were expended by the community in increasing the accommodation for these merciful objects ; the Eefuge of Servants was at once prepared and occupied, and in 1865, there are no less than forty servants out of place in the Eefuge. In 1844 the Orphanage was founded, within the Convent grounds ; but not having been spacious enough for the accumulating numbers who were 494 HISTORY OF LIMEKICK. daily offering themselves for admission^ the Sisters of Mercy founded a new Oqihanage, Mount St. Vincent, on the 3rd of April, 1850. On the 5th of July, 1851, the foundation stone of the present really ornamental and com- modious building was laid at Mount St. Vincent by the Et. Eev. Dr. Eyan, who was attended on the occasion by a large number of clergymen connected with the city. The Limerick Convent has established several foundations, including Kinsale, 15th April, 1844; Killarney, 30th April, same year; Mallow, 13th October, 1845; Glasgow, August, 1849; and Edinburgh, 7th July, 1858. The branch convents in immediate connection "ndth the Limerick house, are, St. Catherine's (Newcastle West), 24th October, 1849; Eathkeale, opened 19th August, 1850; Eoscommon, 1853; Ennis, 1851; Adare, 1854. The handsome Convent of Adare has been built near the Cathohc parochial church, at the sole expense of the Earl of Dunraven. The Sisters of Mercy were introduced to the Union Workhouse Hospital on the 4th of January, 1861. A Widows' Asylum, founded by the Very Eev. W. A. O'Meara, O.S.E., for 18 widows, was begun near the Orphanage of Mt. St. Vincent, in 1861. The Tipperary branch house was opened on the 6th of October, 1864. The community now (1865) numbers 60 nuns, who devote their time to the instruction of the children of the poor, to the visiting of the sick, &c. During his life-time, the Eight Eev. Dr. Eyan gave very large sums to the Orphanage, to the Convents of Newcastle, E,athkeale, &c. The following is a hst of the schools under the care of the Sisters of Mercy : — Average on rolls Convent Schools Teachers. for 12 months. St. Mary's Sisters of Mercy. ... 788 St. John's-square do. ... 475 St. John's do. ... 372 Pery-square do. ... 457 Over the portico of the convent, in large letters, are these words : — AD MAJOEAM DEI GLOEIAM. On the 20th of December, 1838, the Limerick Poor Law Union, which ranks as the first, was declared. It lies partly in the county Clare and partly in the county Limerick, and embraces the entire city of Limerick. It com- prehends an area of 125,085 acres. Feb. 21st, 1838. — At the reform dinner given to O'Connell, at the CroTrn and Anchor Tavern, London, on the 18th evening — a dinner celebrated for the speech in which O'Connell charged the Tory Parliamentary Committees with perjury, for which a vote of censure was passed against him the chair was taken by a very distinguished Limerick man — namely. Sir de Lacy Evans — who pronounced O'Connell " the object of the attention of the whole empire, and the admiration of the best and most enlightened men, not only of England, but of the world." January 6th, 1839 One of the most terrific storms ever remembered visited Limerick ; several lives were lost. July 12th, 1839. — On this day the first number of the Limerich Reporter was published. July 22nd A great meeting was held, presided over by General Sir Kichard Bonrke, to address Earl Fortescue, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, on his way through Limerick to visit hia brother-in-law. Lord Courtenay, at Newcastle. At Cork Spring Assizes, was called the case of the Rev. James Ealeigh, falsely charged with having struck a lady in St. Michael's Church, versus Dartnell, the proprietor of the Limerick iStandun], and Massy, Kector of Bruff, for libel. On the suggestion of Judge Jackson, the case was settled out of court, the defendants paying full costs, and making a most ample apology to the Kev. James Raleigh. HISTOUY OF LIMEKICK. 495 Sunday the 3rd of December, 1839, was rendered for ever memorable in the city by the arrival of the Apostle of Temperance, and the greatest excess which popular enthusiasm ever reached in this country has hardly ever exceeded the curiosity and intense admiration manifested by the people towards him, from his arrival to his departure. On Friday and Saturday streams of people flowed in from all directions to get themselves enrolled beneath the Temperance Banner, and on those days there could not have been less than 5000 in the city without the luxury of a bed — the lodging houses being crammed to excess. As it was known that the Eev. Gentle- man was to arrive by the mail from Cork, the concourse flowed in that direction. His friends had a car in waiting for him, but still he was obhged to show himself to the crowds, and then proceeded to the residence of his brother-in-law Mr. Dunbar, in Mallow- street. Sunday was peculiary fijie, and never a morning broke on a more glorious scene than Limerick presented. The entire length of George's-street was a mass of beings at an early hour. The quays and bridges were thickly peopled, yet the utmost order prevailed. At the sermon vast crowds assisted, the Church being crowded to excess ; Col. Maunsell, and Capt. Fitzgerald, and many liberal Protestants were present, were present. Half-past two was the hour for the sermon. When the Eev. Gentleman appeared he was a little flushed, but recovered his self- possession. He read the text of the day — asked the congregation whe- ther the practice of charity was not the true road to blessedness in heaven. The drift of his discourse which continued nearly an hour, was in advocacy of a collection for the Convent Schools. The givmg of pledges was begun at the Court House on Monday. The rush at Mr. Dunbar's house was fearful, and one pregnant poor woman was precipitated into the area, by the falling in of the rails. She died from the injuries inflicted on her chest. About nine o^'clock Father Mathew proceeded to the Court House, and received pledges till three o'clock. At least 10,000 people knelt down in Mallow- street, and received the pledge. He then proceeded to the Steam boat quay, and administered it to 700 men from Kilrush, not allowing them to disembark. The concourse in fact was now so great in the city, that the prices of provisions rose greatly. He continued to receive people from the four adjoining counties on Tuesday. He now became so hoarse, that the Eev. Gentlemen with him had to call out the words of the pledge. He left for Cork on Wednesday.* ' The results of drinking may be inferred from the quantity of spirits consumed in England and Ireland in 1839, viz : — England, 12,341,409 gallons, Ireland, 12,293,464 gallons, seven pints one-ninth per head in England — more than thirteen pints per head in Ireland. Sept. 4th. — On this day several net fishermen were put in jail, for fishing in the Abbey river. £30,000 per annum said to be laid out at this time in Limerick for Scotch herrings. Sept. 30th. — At the swearing in of the civic officers, the Mayor and the Mayor's Sergeants wore the usual orange and blue lock of wool in their cocked hats — Sir R. Franklin, Mayor. Great numbers of people proceed to Father Mathew to Cork to take the pledge of Temperance at his hands. 150 citizens petition the Lord Lieutenant against Ministers' Money. October 14th. — Mr. W. S. O'Brien publishes his annual address to his constituents of the Co. Limerick, in which he passes in review the great national events of the year. December 17th, 1839. — Account of the death of Lady Monteagle, received in Limerick with much regret. January 10th, 1840. — Seizure of gunpowder at Richardson's, gun maker and powder vendor. Penny postage rate comes into operation this date. 496 nisTOHY OF limerick. On Wednesday, the 7th October, 1840, the congregated trades of Limerick, attended by a host of other repealers including many from the neighbouring towns, who altogether, according to Mr. O'Connell himself, amounted to some 60,000 persons, marched in grand procession to welcome the Liberator, who drove amidst enthusiastic multitudes to the Treaty Stone, when he was presented by the trades with an address, and made one of his celebrated Eepeal speeches. On this occasion the trades deplored the distressed condition of the citizens and manufacturers, concurring with O^Connell in the declaration, that the only resource was a domestic Legisla- ture. O^Connell pointing to Thomond Bridge, said that he remembered seeing eleven men who were taken out on it together, for execution, under martial law, on which occasion a lieutenant of miUtia struck Father Hogan, a friar who went to give them spiritual assistance, but who was promptly revenged by some one behind the lieutenant who killed him dead with a blow from a " Clealpeeu.''^ One of the most noticeable objects in this pro- cession was a large and highly decorated boat, moved by men on the stem, on which, beneath a richly "festooned canopy, sat one of the strand fishermen who personated Neptune the god of the water. The day's proceedings finished with a grand dinner at the Theatre, at which over 1,000 persons were present. Limerick thus effectually behed the assertion which had been some time made as to its being cold and apathetic in the cause of Eepeal. On this occasion as usual, honest Tom Steele was a conspicuous actor and speaker. He identified himself in a particular manner with the congregated trades, associating himself with the coopers. The spectacle was one of the most remarkable ever witnessed in Limerick. CHAPTEE LIU. LIMERICK UNDEB, THE EEFORMED OOEPOEATION. After the success of the magnificent Parhamentary campaign under Earl Grey and Lord Eussell, backed by the " Imperial Guard'-' of 1832, and so w^ell maintained and supported by Brougham and by O'Connell, and the other popular leaders, the question of municipal reform had been only a question of time, and was in fact ceded a few years after the carriage of the Eeform Bill; but the' reader would be greatly mistaken if he imagmed that it was won without a severe struggle, or that champions of corporate corrup- tion were wanting to enact the same part in the municipal agitation as Peel, and Lyndhurst, and Inglis, and Wetherell had played in the struggle against the measure of Parliamentary reform. It is true that the old Corporators were eventually betrayed by some of their oldest friends, or as O'Connell humorously adopting the words of Dryden expressed it, were — " Deserted in their utmost need, By those their former bounty fed." Death and funeral of the late Alderman John Vereker, died on Wednesday, 8th of January, in Dublin. Trades attended — Catholic and Protestant Bishops were in the procession. January 20th — A terrible storm visited Limerick, nearly equal in it« destructive effect! to th« Ktorm of 6th January, 1839. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 49T But in the case of tlie Corporation of Limerick there was no lack of sturdy defenders of corruption up to the very last moment, and the tenacious grasp which the Corporators still endeavoured to retain of the many good things which were, however, rapidly slipping from them, resembled the last despe- rate clutch with which the drowning man holds out to the last. It seems almost incredible at the present time, that men having the same blood in their veins as the men of the present generation, could ever have been such uncompromising champions of the old Corporations. But place, pelf, and power, will effect wonders, and the old habits engendered by ascendancy had become so inveterate from long prescription, we can only wonder that the same feelings were not transmitted to their children with the rest of the family possessions, by many more than the ancestors of the would-be ascendancy party of the present day, who, however, are still numerous enough to stand in the way of many useful 'and even necessary reforms. But the reformed municipality went to work at once and with a will ; and the Corporation of Limerick, which was once so notorious for its illi- berality, soon became equally celebrated for the opposite quality, and established a character which it has never yet forfeited. Corporate reform was now an accomplished fact. On the 10th of August, 1841, a proclamation was issued by the Lord Lieutenant,' in which Limerick was declared within the operation of the Municipal Reform Act. Unbounded joy prevailed when the glad tidings were diffused throughout the city. On the evening of that glorious and wel- come day, a procession of unparalleled magnitude went through the city, following as it were the remains of the old Corporation, which were borne on a funeral car in a coffin of enormous magnitude; bands of music playing the funeral march accompanied the procession, with a vast array of mourners. The cortege passed along, amid myriads of people, through the principal streets, until its arrival opposite the office in Rutland Street, of the tory newspaper which had so long upheld the reign of corporate monopoly and spoliation. Here the procession halted; the coffin was brought from its car, laid on the pavement, and with loud shouts of exul- tation, consigned to the flames. Proceedings were at once adopted to place the city under the operation of the new Act. Aldermen and Town Councillors were elected. On the 11th of November, the newly-constituted body assembled to elect a Mayor; two candidates for the honour presented themselves, viz.. Alderman John Boyse and Martin Honan, Esq. The former withdrew, when the latter was elected by acclamation to an office which he filled with dignity, pru- dence, and justice. John F. Raleigh, Esq., was elected Town Clerk in open court. There were two other candidates for the office. The Lord Lieutenant's proclamation, however, had fixed the day for the Act to come into operation in Limerick prematurely, as t-^yelve months had not elapsed from the certificate of the Poor Law Commissioners of the making of a rate for the relief of the poor. In consequence of this error, the Court of Queen's Bench, at the prosecution of the Hon. Charles Smyth Vereker, the Mayor elected by the old Corporation, declared all the pro- ceedings connected with the introduction ot the Municipal Reform Act null and void, including the making of the Burgess roll, the acts of the Revision Court, the election of Aldermen and Town Councillors, and elec- ' Under the Act of 3 and 4 Victoria, cap. 108. 33 498 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. tlon of Mayor. In order to prevent the confusion that would arise from this state of things, Lord Elliot, the then Secretary for Ireland, introduced an act which got the royal assent in July, 1842, legalizing all these pro- ceedings, and settling the new Corporation in office as elected under the Lord Lieutenant's proclamation. Pending these events there were two mayors in the city — the one de jure, and the other de facto, — and a con- siderable degree of annoyance resulted. A deputation waited on the Hon. Mr. Vereker, to give up possession of the Exchange, the books, records, and corporate property. Mr. Vereker gave a direct refiisal to this request, stating he was advised that all the proceedings taken under the Municipal Reform Act were illegal, null, and void, and warning them from exer- cising any authority or jurisdiction within the Hmits. The old Corporation placed on record an account of their liabiKties, which amounted to over £12,000, and which was left as a burden on the new Corporation.' The last official act of the old Corporation was to present Lord Gort with his portrait, which had graced the Council Chamber for many years. During the confusion wliich prevailed under the two mayors, resistance was offered by the people to the collection of the tolls, the lessee of which waited on the new Mayor and Corporation for protection whilst he en- deavoured to collect them ; the consideration of his petition was postponed. One of the earliest acts of the new Corporation was to select the names of twelve gentlemen of the coimcil to be presented to the Lord Lieutenant, from whom to choose magistrates, as the term of the Charter Justices was to exjiire on the 12th of the following December (1841). Six Catholics and six Protestants were chosen by the council, which in this instance manifested the liberality for which it has subsequently been distinguished, as the great majority of the members were Catholics. The gentlemen who had filled the ofiices of Town Clerk and Chamberlain of the old Corpora- tion were formally removed by vote of the new. A code of bye-laws was prepared and adopted. The birth of the Princess Royal afforded the new body an occasion for the exhibition of loyalty in addresses of congratula- tion to the Queen and Prince Albert, and the Duchess of Kent. An at- tempt to continue the office of Recorder for the city was resisted success- fully ; and after some time the jurisdiction was transferred to the Chairman of Quarter Sessions, in whom it has continued to repose. The collection and lodgment of the public funds became a matter of importance ; a treasxirer was appointed in the person of Francis John O'Neill, Esq., who held the office until his death in 1860. Early attention was directed to the neglected con- dition of the streets, etc., of the old town, which the old Corporation had * From this statement, it appears that they owed Messrs. Furlong and La Touche, Attorneys, Board of Works mortgage, for erecting Thoraond Bi'idge, Mr. Paine, Architect, for erecting approaches to the Bridge, TheSherilTs, For lighting the old Town, ... ... ... ... To Chamberlain, ... ... ... ... And miscellaneous items, nine in number, varying from £68 15s. 6d. to £22. In June, 1841, Mr. Joseph Fogerty, an enterprising citizen, after having taken down a circus which he had built in Queen Street, built a theatre — the present Theatre Royal — in Henry Street, on a plot of ground which he took from the Earl of Limerick. The theatre is 110 feet long. 66 feet wide, and 80 feet high, and has sitting accommodation for 1,300 persons. With the exception of the Theatre Royal, Dublin, it is considered the best building of the kiod b Ireland, and cost J61300. ... £212 10 3 ... 9000 ... 1855 120 109 15 85 4 10 HISTORY OF LEMEEICK. 499 abandoned to utter ruin. The separation of the ancient liberties from the city by the Municipal Bill, at once became a subject of deep interest to the public. In this year (1841) the Limerick Union Workhouse, which had been formed under the Poor Law Act, was opened on the 18th of May for the reception of paupers.* Early in 1842, a memorial was presented to the Lord Lieutenant, in which the Corporation stated, that whereas the liberties, comprising 14,825 acres, were separated from the city, the city now com- prised but 816 acres, and taxation should be curtailed as much as possible. There had been a constabulary force of 46 in number, including an inspector, a sub-inspector, and a head constable; and the memorial prayed, among other things, owing to the wonderful decrease in drunkenness, in conse- quence of the temperance movement, and the general diminution of crime, that twenty sub-constables, with an inspector and sub-inspector, be allocated, as quite sufficient, to the city. Deep distress was suffered during the spring and summer of this year by the working classes, who had no employment ; provisions, too, rated very high ; and a meeting was held early in June for the purpose of applying remedies. In that month an attempt having been made on the life of the Queen in London, the Corporation met and presented an address to her Majesty, to which a gracious reply was returned. Up to 1842, as we have just seen, the reformed Corporation had been placed in an awkward position; but the Act of Parliament which was passed by the influence of the government, effectually removed the difficulties that legal technicality had opposed to the free and immediate introduction of the Mimicipal Act into Limerick ; and from this date the old Corporation may be regarded as extinct, and the reformed body proceeded in its course un- fettered by the obstacles which had been thrown in its way for no other object than to subserve a disreputable purpose. Mr. Vereker, the Mayor, submitted ; the Chamberlain, Town Clerk, and Common Speaker, however, continued obstinate ; and it was not until they were forced by law^ to give • Limerick Umion. — Land under Workhouse, 9a. 2r. 5p. Rent of do. per annnm, £70. Total number of inmates in "Workhouse, April 8th, 1865, 2,099. Number in Fever Hospital, 72.— Number in Infirmary, 760.— Total, 832. Date of appointment of Sisters of Mercy to the Hospitals, November, 1860. Electoral Divisions since change of Boimdary in 1850, 34. Valuation of Union in 1865, £189,526 16s. Population do. in 1861, 90,728. Electoral divisions previous to change in 1850,-19 as follows :—Abington, Ballybricken, Cappamore, Caherconhsh, Castleconnell, Crecora, Derrygalvin, Doon, Fedamore, Killocke^nedy, Kiitannonley, Kilseely, Kilfeenaghta, Kiltely, Kilmurry, Limerick, Murroe, Mungret, and Patrickswell. Date of declaring WorkhoUse fit for the reception of paupers, 18th May, 1841. Date of first admission of paupers, 19th May, 184:1. Number for which House was originally built, 1600. Average number of paupers maintained for quarter ending 24tb June, 1842, embracing nine weeks, 1302. Date of declaration of first rate, 5th September, 1 840. Date of declaration of Union, 20th December, 1838. Date of order to borrow for providing a Workhouse, 23rd September, 1839. Amount borrowed, £12,900. Amount of contract, £10,000. 2 Mr. Cripps, in August, 1842, handed to Mr. Potter, Law Agent of the Corporation, one hundred and twenty-one parchment documents ; twelve unimportant parcels of proposals and other papers connected with the tolls, as also twelve parcels of papers relative to the lax weir — Corporation Tenants' Account Book, expired leases, only four leases made since 1800, none of the original charters, old maps, rentals, or contracts for leases, nor any document referring to the leases given up, under which the rents now appearing to be payable are reserved — Minutes oj the Reformed Corporation, A.D. 1842, 500 JHISTORY OF UMERIGK. up the record, leases, charters, etc., etc., that they did so. Among the property that survived the general spoliation was the advowson, or per- petual right of presentation to the living of St. Laurence, in the gift of the Corporation. One of the early acts of the Corporation was to dispose of this advowson, for which purpose an advertisement was published; and in February, 1843, it was sold to the Trustees of the Asylum Episcopal chapel. In their incipient condition and early struggles to meet the demands which were left unliquidated by their predecessors, and to discharge accu- mulating claims and liabilities, the new Corporation experienced very great difficulty : already a sxmi of over £10,000 was required to pay debts and meet current requirements. The Mayor (Mr. Honan), on his own respon- sibility, advanced a sum of £1,500 to enable the Corporation to take up the property which had been mortgaged to the Board of Works, for which and for other equally admirable acts during his mayoralty, a requisition was presented to him, to which he acceded, and he was appointed Mayor for 1843. The Master of the Rolls, Sir Michael O'Loghlen, Bart., having died in Dublin in October, regretted by every class and party, as a mark of public sympathy and respect, the Mayor and Corporation of Limerick attended his funeral in mourning costume, as it passed through the city on its way to Clare. An object of very great importance for the citizens was to obtain posses- sion of the King's Island. The influence of the city and county represen- tatives was enlisted in the cause ; but there were serious obstacles thrown in the way, and a treaty with the Commissioners of Woods and Forests for the sale ended without auy result.^ As a mark of appreciation of the services of brave Limerick men abroad, a vote of thanks was passed by the Council, on the 2nd of January, 1843, to Sir Hugh Gough, his aide-de-camp. Captain Gabbett,* Major John Sar- gent,^ and his son, Ensign Sargent,* of the Royal Irish Regiment, and Cap- tain Thomas Bourchier, R.N., five Limerick heroes, for their distinguished and noble conduct in China, but without expressing any opinion on the character of the war in China. Certain leases, of which we have already spoken, had been given of cor- porate property to favourites of the old corporators, and to the corporators themselves, and it became an object of importance to the new Corporation to ' By an inquisition taken 33rd Henry VIII., and preserved in the Birmingham Tower, it ap- pears that " the pasture and grassing of the said island — the King's Island — appertaining to the said King's castle, and that the inhabitants of the said cittie, had their ingresse for their pasture without any interruption". * Gabbett; this is an old and influential name in Limerick. The first of the family who set- tled in Ireland was Robert Gabbett, of Acton Burnell, Shropshire, Exon of the guard of Henry VII. His descendant Robert died at Cashel, A D. 1652. William Gabbett, who was marriedto Alicia England, of Lifford, Co. Clare, acquired the estates of Caherline and Eathjordan, in the county of Limerick, A.D. 1685, and from him have descended the Caherline and Rathjordan, Castlelake and High Park families, who intermarried with the ancient family of the Burghs of Di'omkeen, the Coxes of Bullynoe (who claim descent through the Plantagenet Kings from William the Con- queror), the \Aallft'rs of Castle Waller, the Studderts of Bunratty, the Lanes of Lane's Park, Co. Tipperary, the Lloyds of Castle Lloyd, the Joneses of Mullinabroe, the Riches, and many other families of distinction in the counties of Limerick, Tipperary, and Clare. Several of the family filled the office of High Sheriff of the county of Limerick. The late William Smith O'Brien, Esq., was married to Miss Gabbett, daughter of the late Aldermau Joseph Gabbett of Limerick. Edmund Gabbett, E^q., who died deeply regretted, on the 24:th of February, 1865, filled the office of Mayor of Limerick in 1858, '* In some old documents the name is written O'Sargent. The Sargents have filled the office of mayor, bailiff, sheriff, etc. ' * J^ow Colonel John Sargent, C.B., late of 3rd Biiffs. HISTORY OP LIMERICK. 501 break those leases. A resolution vas adopte'd to that effect. Expensive litigation resulted in no corresponding advantage to tlie citizens, the lands and rentals remaining as follows, with the exception of the Lime Kilns, the lease of which was broken : — Gortaklins, ... ... £100 Part of Clino bog, ... ... 92 Corkanree, ... ... 160 Rhebogue Island, ... ... 130 Scattery Island, ... ... 31 Lime Kilns, ... ... G2 The Lax Weir, ... ... 300 6 2 15 4 10 3 8 £876 15 2 Additional rents received by the Corporation, 146 Making a total rental of ... £1022 15 2, the small remnant of the enormous property in land, etc., which the Cor- poration once enjoyed, and even this rental, some few years afterwards, was mortgaged for a loan of £20,000. The great question of a Repeal of the legislative Union, being now para- mount, a petition to parliament in favour of Repeal was adopted by the Corporation, by a majority of 28 to 6. Six members were absent. The Corporation adopted a petition also against certain proposed amendments in the Poor Law, and against Electoral Divisions. On this occasion Mr. W. S. O'Brien, M.P., wrote a long letter, refusing to support the petition of the Corporation for Repeal. Sir David Roche, M.P., presented the peti- tion to the House of Commons, and supported its prayer. In June, 1843, the Law agent reported that, having had an interview with the Earl of Lincoln, one of the Lords Commissioners of Woods and Forests, relative to the King's Island and the claims made by the Corpora- tion on behalf of the citizens for the restoration of certain rights granted by the charter of Queen Elizabeth, he had stated that he was informed by the legal authorities that no legal right was vested in the citizens whereby they could establish the title claimed under the charter of Eliza- beth, and that consequently the Lords Commissioners could not feel war- Feb. 6th, 1843 — The Corporation adopted a memorial to the Lords of the Treasury, asking leave to borrow £11,000 for the purchase of the King's Island. In June this year the new Potato Market at the Long Dock, was made at a cost of ^£1200. The following is on a stone tablet near the Mathew Bridge : A.D. 1843. THIS MARKET WAS ERECTED BY THE REFORMED CORPOKATION, During the Mayoralty of The Right Worshipful MARTIN HONAN, IN THE SECOND YEAR OF HIS OFFICE. \V. H. Owens, Arch. John F. Raleigh, Esq., Town Clerk. | John Duggan, Builder. Francis John O'Neil, Esq., Treasurer. October 3rd, 1843. — A memorial adopted to tlie Treasury to borrow .£15,000 502 HISTOBT OF LIMERICK. ranted in assenting to a restoration of tlie claim. Lord Lincoln at the same time stated that the Commissioners were willing to afford the citizens an opportunity of recreation in a small portion of the island, and tliat they were prepared to apply to the Treasury for a certain sum of money for an embankment, provided the Corporation would make a suitable passage or road thereto. This was ultimately agreed to, and a noble public promenade was made. The question of Repeal continued to agitate the comitry from the centre to the sea. The greatest meetings that had ever been known in Ireland, not exceeded by those that had taken place during the anti-tithe campaign, were held in various places in Munster, Leinster, and Connaught. Limerick gave its weight and strength in the national movement. It was emphati- cally " the Repeal year", but in the autumn of the year, Government, which had already fortified the barracks, and indicated its intention to deal with the question with a strong hand, prepared to take legal measures against O'Connell and the popular leaders. The Corporation of Limerick met at this crisis, and an earnest resolution was adopted on the motion of Alder- man Geary, seconded by Alderman Shannon, to the effect that they con- sidered the proceedings adopted -within the year by O'Connell for procur- ing the Repeal of the legislative Union, and the meetings held in various parts of the country for that purpose, were strictly legal and constitutional, and did not call for or warrant the intervention of the executive. On the part of the people, they disclaimed the least intention of violating the laws or endangering the public peace, and solemnly protested against any infrac- tion of theii' legal rights to meet and petition Parliament, upon the mere assumption that the public peace would be disturbed. The Corporation went further, and declared their dehberate intention to continue their sup- port to O'Connell in the same constitutional course that had characterised the Repeal movement under his guidance. A copy of this resolution was forwarded to the Liberator, with the Corporation seal affixed. A grand banquet was also given to him in the new theatre. Intense dissatisfaction and great political excitement characterised the opening of the year 1844. O'Connell and the Repeal leaders who had been arrested, were now standing their trial in Dublin, and the intelligence of the proceedings of each day, as they were received in Limerick, created an extraordinary amount of excitement. Alderman Pierce Shannon was sworn into the Mayoralty on the 1st of January, and one of the first move- ments of the Corporation was the adoption of a memorial to the Queen to dismiss from office Her Majesty's Tory Ministers; at the same time the Corporation voted their undiminished and unlimited confidence in O'Con- nell, whom persecution was making dearer to the hearts of his countrymen. A demonstration in sustainment of O'Connell was made soon afterwards in Cork, when a grand banquet was given to him, and on this occasion the Corporation of Limerick, headed by the Mayor, proceeded there to com- pliment the man of the people. Mr. Smith O'Brien, who had liitherto On«the 5tb of February, 1844, it was resolved to lay out £,1030 on the approaches and walks around the King's Island — one of the approaches at Thomond Bridge ; the other at Park Bridge. Negociations were entered into for the purchase of or letting of the Commercial Buildings in Rutland Street, for a Town Hall. Memorials were forwarded by the Corporation in favour of floating docks, the King's Island embankment, and on the subject of the great distress of the people, owing to the want of that employment which the embankment would furnish. All these measures were carried. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 503 opposed repeal, now threw himself into the movement with enthusiastic devotion. Amid this state of poHtical exacerbation, the condition of the working classes of Limerick was so extremely wretched, that in a petition to Par- hament in favour of the Dublin and Cashel (Great Southern and Western) Railway, the Corporation set forth the astounding fact, that it had been the opinion of all travellei;s from Inglis to Kolil, that there was more wretchedness among the poor of Limerick than aiiiong those of any other town of equal population in Ireland — that this arose from want of regular employment — that there were 1215 journeymen of trades, and only 407 in regular employment, and 5000 labourers equally destitute. Alderman Shannon, who had been an energetic benefaci jr, a liberal and active politician, a warm friend of O'Connell, and an earnest advocate of a domestic legislature for Ireland, died rather suddenly, during his mayoralty, in the month of June, when proceeding to take the chair at a public meet- ing to address O'Connell, then in prison in Dublin, and was buried with great ceremony in the church-yard of St. Munchin's, the Catholic Bishop and all the city clergy walking in procession. Alderman W. J. Geary, M.D., J.P., was chosen for the mayoralty in succession, and he was reelected for the following year (1845), when he and the Corporation attended a levee to and addressed O'Connell in Dublin. Almost contemporaneously with these events was the appointment of a committee to prepare a memo- rial to Government, praying that one of the new collegiate institutions (Queen's Colleges) which were now projected, be placed in the city of Limerick, and to report on the propriety of having a deputation pro- ceed to London to present the memorial to the ministers of the crown. The influence of the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Earl of Clare, Lord Monteagle, the Earl of Dunraven, the Earl of Limerick, Viscount Adare, the county and city members, Augustus Staflford O'Brien, Esq., M.P., William Monsell, Esq., and Sir Matthew Barrington, Bart., was sought for and obtained. An interview was had with Sir Robert Peel and Sir James Graham, to whom the memorial was presented by the Mayor. Sir James Graham paid every attention to the statements that were made, and dismissed the deputation with an assurance that the claims of Limerick to a collegiate institution would receive attention. These claims were, however, ignored in favour of Cork ; but on the ques- tion of these colleges, pubUc opinion soon afterwards underwent a complete revolution, and the often expressed resolutions of the Catholic Prelates about them, as well as the opposition of the Catholic body in general, have vindicated the estimation in which they have been held by the friends and supporters of free, tolerant, and enlightened education. An incident of a remarkable character took place in the summer of this year, when O'Connell, who arrived in Limerick on his way to Derrynane, accompanied by his friend, " honest Tom Steele", and others, was waited on by the mayor, who soHcited the honour of his company at dinner to meet the Corporation. O'Connell accepted the invitation ; but an awkwardness arose which led to unpleasant results: the judges at the moment on circuit being in the city, they too were invited to the mayor's banquet, which was given in the Exchange in Mary Street. One of these judges had not only tried O'Connell and the State Prisoners, but had pronounced sentence of incar- ceration on the Liberator. When the facts were told to O'Connell, he at once left the city, with an intimation to the mayor that it was impossible for 504 HISTOTIY OF LIMEEICK. him to dine witli him. Steele and others took fire. The Corporation be- came inflamed with excitement. A nieetinof was convened, and a resolu- tion, which was proposed by James Kelly, Esq., M.P. for the city, wheat the time was a member of the Corporation, and seconded by Martin Honan, Esq., was to the effect, that " This council having heard with surprise that the Liberator is under the im- pression that the invitation he received from the Mayor on last Wednesday had emanated from this body, resolved, that though on this, as on all other occa- sions, we would feel highly proud of the presence of the Liberator, yet Ave deem it right to communicate to him, that if the Mayor used the name 'of the Corpo- ration, he did so without authority, and that the Town Clerk be instructed to apprise the Liberator, that we feel too high a respect for him to allow him for a moment to remain under such an impression". An amendment was carried " that no further proceedings be taken in the matter till Mr. O'Connell's rejDly be received". On the 11th of August a meeting of the Corporation was held, when the Mayor read the following remarkable letter from O'Conuell: — " Derrynane Ahhey, 7th August, 1845. " My Dear Mayor, I am very much afraid that out of my anxiety to prevent disunion in the Corporation of Limerick, I have fallen into the opposite error, and have been the means of creating something like confusion, instead of that conciliation which it was my anxious desire to promote, and which of course continues to be so. I certainly did understand you to invite me in the name of the Corpo- ration, of which you are the head, and I communicated that fact to my friend Martin Honan, Avho was so kind as to undeceive me and to set the matter right. I need not say that I am now perfectly convinced that the mistake was mine, and that you did no more than intimate that the Corporation would dine with you to meet me ; I do n't know how to account for my mistake, and I am now exceedingly anxious to apologize to you and to my friend Honan, and indeed to the entire Corporation, for having created any uneasy feeling on this subject. I wish to heaven it were in my power to put an end to the jealousies that unhappily prevail, and to have anything that has passed buried in oblivion. Let by-gones be by-gones, and let us all iiombine for the forwarding of the Kepeal in future. I was the more anxious to reconcile the popular party in Limerick to each other, because the result of existing feuds is, that the connection with the Repeal Association is not kept as it ought to be. I am personally very grateful to you for your individual invitation. I am exceedingly obliged to the Corporation for the cordial kindness which they have exhibited towards me ; and it is to me a source of consolation to find so much of what deserves to be called affectionate attention from so truly patriotic and respectable a body as the Corporation of Limerick. With respect to a public dinner to myself — that is a subject upon the originating of which I could not possibly take any part or express any opinion. There are so many local circumstances that must belong to a meeting of that kind, that all I could say is, that those who are on the spot are alone competent to judge of the fitness of any such proceeding. The last public dinner in Limerick was so brilliantly successful that any diminution of its splendour would be deemed a failure. I throw this out as the only hint I can give on the subject ; ovr sole object should be how to advance the cause of Eepeal^ quite independently of any compliment to any individual. HISTORY OP LIMERICK. 505 Will you be so good as to convey my gratitude to your brother Cor- porators, and be assured that I am, My dear Mayor, Yours faithfully and sincerely, « The Right Worshipful the DANIEL O'CONNELL. Mayor of Limerick^\ The matter ended here ; but it left some bitterness, which time, however, eradicated. The affairs of the Corporation were not in a flourishing condition, and at a meeting of that body, held on the 1st of September, a motion was made by Alderman Mulcahy to the effect that the salary of the Mayor be fixed at £300 per annum. There was very great distress too throughout the city, as had been shown to the Government by several memorials. The Treasury permitted the Corporation to raise a sum of £5,942 17s. 6d., by loan; and employment to some extent was given, when on the 29th of November the first arch stone of the Mathew Bridge was laid by the Mayor. A movement had been going on in the Corporation and among the citizens for a statue of Sarsfield, Earl of Lucan, and models were sought for by public advertisement. Mr. Kirk of Dublin forwarded a model, which, however, was not approved of, and the question was not revived. E. F. G. Ryan, Esq., was sworn in Mayor of Limerick on the 1st of January, 1846, a year rendered remarkable not only by continued political excitement, but by the secession from the Repeal Association of the Young Ireland party, and the meeting of the Royal Agricultural Association in Limerick. At the banquet of this Association given in the theatre the Mayor presided. The year was more remarkable, perhaps, for the potato failure and its terrific consequences. A sum of £5,000 was collected in the city to meet the exigencies of the dreadful case, which was thought so little of, however, by some of the agricultural philosophers at the dinner just referred to, that Mr. Smith, of Deanstown, expressed himself to the effect that the blackening of the potato would be attended with no danger, and that its effect would pass away speedily, and leave no injurious result to deplore. A demonstration in sustainment of Mr. W. S. O'Brien, M.P., took place on Thursday the 6th of June, when a magnificent reception was given to him on his first visit to Limerick after his confinement by order of the House of Commons. On this occasion there was a procession of the con- gregated trades, the temperance societies, the Corporation, including the Mayor, the Aldermen, and Councillors, a long line of pedestrians and equestrians to the number of 20,000. Trees were brought from the coun- try to form triumphal arches. The neighbouring towns furnished addi- April, 1846.— The sura of £600 was offered to Mr. O'Hara, as assignee of Mr. Arthur, for his interest in the Commercial Buildings, and accepted, for a Town Hall for the meetings of the Corporation, etc., instead of the Exchange in the English town. April 2 Ist.— £682 were advanced to credit of Puhlic Woi'ks as the contribution of Corj oration to make the roadway around the King's Island. Sept. 21st. — A movement was got up for a cemetery on portion of King's Island. This cemetery is now used by the military only. October 30th.— Memorial for a loan of £10,000 to Lords of Treasury for embankment of Arthur's Quay, and erection of places for public corn markets, etc. April 22nd, 1847. — The New Reading Rooms established at the Town Hall. Joseph Murphy, Esq., appointed Town Clerk, in the room of the late John F. Kaleigh, Esq., deceased- 506 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. tional numbers, and the music of several bands gave furtber life to tbe proceedings of tlie day. Next tlie trades rode Smith O'Brien himself in a triumphal chair, a fine piece of workmanship made by Mr. Owens, of Mallow Street, and in this chair, accompanied by the mayor in liis robes, he passed amidst the cheers of thousands along a route embracing all the chief parts of the city, except the lanes and alleys. The procession was followed by a monster meeting, which was held in a field in the north Liberties. The Corporation had already adopted a resolution, which Alderman Geary proposed, fully sustaining the course that had been adopted in Par- liament by Mr. Smith O'Brien. On this occasion the expediency of the course adopted by Mr. O'Brien was not approved of by O'Connell; and a wide difference of opinion arose between them, which led to that disrup- tion of the great repeal party and the break up of the greatest poHtical organization which Ireland had ever witnessed. The following year, 1847, was remarkable for events of the most thril- ling importance, including the ever-to-be-lamented death of the Liberator at Genoa, on his way to Rome, on the 15th of May; a general election, and the continuance of the decimating famine. On the 1st of January, Thomas Wallnutt, Esq., was sworn into the office of Mayor. A strong feeling prevailed at this time in reference to the expenditure of the Cor- poration on improvements in the old town, over and above the ordinary sums applied under the Act of Parliament, to discharge the interest of the debt due by that body, the salaries to officers, etc. It was complained that a sum of £11,937 2s. 4d. had been expended in this way since the New Corporation had been formed, in addition to a sum of from £1,000 to £1,500 a year in paving, watching, and cleansing for the six years pre- viously. The St. Michael's Commissioners continued to discharge their duties with benefit to the interests over which they presided in the capacity of a taxing and watching, lighting and cleansing body ; and it now became a serious matter of debate whether the revenues of the Corporation and the loans should go to the requirements of the old town, rather than to an equal and impartial distribution of them over the city at large. The matter was brought before the Corporation by Dr. Griffin, a member of that body, and a resolution which was proposed by him, embodying his views, was carried. The Commissioners and the Corporation had serious discussions on the subject, which had its result in a few years subsequently in the in- troduction of the Limerick Corporate Reform Act, which gave the control of the entire city to the Corporation, and which annihilated the Commis- sioners. The Corporation during these proceedings adopted a petition to Parliament against Ministers' money. The subject of a Repeal of the Union was again mooted, and a petition to the legislature in its favour was carried by an overwhelming majority of the council. The Corporation also expressed its sympathy and concurrence with an ineffectual movement begun in the House of Commons by Lord George Bentinck, M.P., for the advancement of a loan from the Imperial Treasury of £20,000,000 to Ire- land for public works, in order to meet and repel the ravages which the famine had been making on the people. On the 27th of May the intelligence was received in Limerick of the death of O'Connell at Genoa. The city at once assumed the garb of mourn- ing. The foremost man of his age had died on a foreign shore, sore at heart at the situation of his country, the frustration of his hopes, and the HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 507 ingratitude witli wKicli a section at least of his countrymen had treated a patriot who had laboured with indefatigable perseverance and unparalleled zeal for over half a century, in the service of Ireland. To every shop in the city the shutters were put up. The vessels in the harbour had their flags half mast high. The newspapers throughout the country put their columns in deep mourning The voice of political schism was silenced for a time ; and all felt the heavy blow that had been inflicted on society and on liberty throughout the world by the loss of the mighty leader. A special meeting of the Corporation was convened to express public feeling on the lamentable event which caused the tears of millions of people to flow. A resolution was adopted. " That the intelligence of the death of O'Connell, justly styled the Liberator of Ireland, has filled the members of this council with the deepest grief — impressed as we are with the vivid recollection of the manifold services conferred by him upon his native country. Whilst we bow with submission to the decree of Provi- dence, which has snatched him from a people who loved him and from a world filled with the fame of his peaceful victories, we offer our sympathy and condo- lence to our now doubly afflicted countrymen for the loss sustained by his death, the loss of a leader of so much energy and genius, of a patriot so pure and un- sullied, of a Christian statesman, whose principles led to the infraction of no laws, divine or human. On his grave v/hen dead, as on the altar of peace, we would desire to place the tribute, which would be so grateful to him when living, an oblivion of all differences among ourselves, and a determination to work together for the land of his affection. •' That this Council will join in any tribute which may hereafter be adopted by the Irish nation, testifying our feeling of respect for the memory of O'Connell, and that the Mayor be requested to convene a special meeting when the occasion shall arise". On the 8th of June there was a solemn Office and High Mass at St. Michael's Parochial Church, for the repose of the soul of O'Connell. The Mayor, though a Protestant — to show his respect for the memory of the Illustrious Dead, with a large majority of the members of the council, etc., went in procession to the Church, which was crowded with citizens. There never was more heart-felt sorrow than on this occasion. It must, however, be stated, that among a small section of the people, feelings antagonistic to the policy and principles of the Liberator had been finding expression in various Ibrms. In July of this year, a resolution was brought forward in the Corpo- ration, to the eiFect that it was contrary to the honest advocacy.of Repeal to seek for place under any government. This proposition was regarded in the light of a slur on the memory of the deceased patriot, and an insidious attack on his family and the admirers of his policy ; yet at the general election John O'Brien, Esq., and John O'Connell, Esq. (the beloved son of the Li- berator), were returned for the city as Members of ParHament. An amend- ment to the resolution, moreover, was adopted by the Council to the eflect " That the charge ungratefully made against the late illustrious Liberator and his patriotic family, of having abandoned the honest advocacy of repeal by the solicitation or acceptance of favours from the Government, is unjust and un- founded — a slander upon the memory of the dead and the character of the living ; and believing the resolution now proposed to be indirectly a repetition of that charge, we reject it". The strong sense of the people also not only rejected the proposition, but a general subscription commenced throughout the city and county of Limerick, in sustainment of a National Testimonial to the memory of 508 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. O'Connell. A large sum was subscribed, and forwarded to a National Committee then formed in Dublin for that grateful purpose; but as the sums raised by the Parishes of St. Michael, Parteen, St. Patrick, and Monaleen, amounting to £151, were retained by the merest chance in Limerick, and were subsequently lodged in the Provincial Bank of Ireland by the Treasurer of the fund, William Roche, Esq., the money formed the nucleus of a much larger and more general subscription, which some few years subsequently was raised by the city and county, and by the counties of Tipperary and Clare, for the magnificent statue in bronze to O'Connell, which graces the Crescent in Limerick, and of which we shall have to treat in due course. An action was brought this year, by Mr. Joseph Robinson, merchant, against the tenant of that portion of the Tolls and Customs comprised under the head " Tolls and Customs on river and water carriage", as here- tofore collected. The action arose from the seizure of a portion of a cargo of Indian corn, imported into Limerick from Kilrush by a trading vessel during the previous year, after toll had been demanded and refused. De- fence was taken by the Corporation. The action involved the whole ques- tion of that portion of the revenue of the citizens of Limerick, which went under the head of Tolls and Customs — nearly four-fifths of the Borough Fund — a fund from time immemorial collected, as in Liverpool, Cork, Glasgow, Bristol, etc. The right had been before challenged, but without effect. In 1 823 an action had been brought against the then existing Corpo- ration, to test their right to levy tolls and customs. It was tried in Cork, and a verdict found for the Corporation. The case embracing the greater portion of the Borough Fund, out of which the public markets were main- tained, the public charities contributed to, the cleansing, A^atering, light- ing of the old town, etc., defrayed, the local courts supported, and the general improvement of the city advanced, it was unanimously resolved to defend the action, which was done successfully. This, however, was but the commencement of a more concentrated and powerful attack on the tolls and customs of the Corporation, in a word, on the principal revenue of that body, which eventuated, in 1850, in the loss of the tolls and a verdict in favour of the Great Southern and Western Railway, which disputed the legal right of the Corporation to levy them. Michael Quin, Esq., was swoin jNIayor of Limerick on the 1st of January, 1848. On the 4th of May railway communication was opened up for the first time between Limerick and Dublin ; and possession Avas obtained of the Island Bank, or road-way around the King's Island, for the recreation of the citizens.' The Corporation agreed with the eminent artist, the late ' On a stone at the walk at the Thouaoud Bridge side of the embankment is the following inscription; — PUBLIC WALK TO THE KING'S ISLAND EMBANKMENT, EXECUTED UNDER THE DIRECTIONS OF THE CORPORATION OF LIMERICK AND THE COMMISSIONERS OF HER MAJESTY'S WOODS AND FORESTS, COMPLETED IN OCTOBER, 1848. MICHAEL BOYLAN, CIVIL ENGINEER. MICHAEL QUINN, MAYOR OF LIMERICK. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 509 Mr. Haverty, to paint the -well-known picture of tlie Liberator, wliich has been suspended in the Council Chamber, and which a few years after narrowly escaped the ravages of a fire which broke out in the Town Hall. Mr. Haverty got 150 guineas for the picture. This was an era of revolution abroad and of unexampled excitement at home. The Corporation voted an address to the French people " on their victorious achievement of liberty". The unhappy events which occurred in Ireland in 1848 are written on a sad page of her chequered history, and can only be referred to in the language of unavailing indignation and grief. The grand national organization was broken up. Thousands of troops filled the country. The people continued to fall beneath famine and cholera, and the workhouses were crowded beyond endurance. Never yet was there a more gloomy crisis in the fortunes of Ireland. A soiree, which was given to Mr. Smith O'Brien, Mr. John Mitchell, Mr. Thomas Francis Meagher, etc., at a store in Thomas Street, ended in a disagreeable manner, fire having been set to the windows and shutters, and the lives of those within placed in jeopardy.' In the autumn of this year the trial of the State Prisoners, viz., Mr. Smith O'Brien, MP., Thomas F. Meagher, Mr. T. B. Mac Manus, and Mr. O'Donoghue, took place in Clonmel before the Lord Chief Justice Blackburne, the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas (Doherty), and Mr. Justice Moore, when those '" who loved their country not wisely but too well", were sentenced to the death of traitors, a sentence which was commuted to transportation for life, from which only one of them returned, viz., Mr. Smith O'Brien. In the beginning of the year a Special Commission sat in Limerick, when several prisoners were tried, including William Ryan (commonly called Ryan Puck), who was hanged in front of the county Limerick jail on the 7th of February, for the murder of John Kelly at Knocksentry in the pre- vious September. Other prisoners were sentenced to transportation, among whom was William Frewen, who was transported for life for harbouring Ryan Puck. The Lord Chief Justice and the Lord Chief Baron presided. Sir David Roche was High Sheriff of the county.' Alderman John Boyse filled the office of Mayor in 1849 ; he presented an address of the Corporation to her Majesty the Queen, at a levee which was held in Dublin in August.^ He laid the foundation of the new floating docks, for which he was presented with a silver trowel. He was a thorough liberal, a solicitor of eminence, and an energetic member of the independents. He died during his mayoralty about November, and was succeeded for the remainder of the term by Laurence Quinlivan, Esq. January 1st, 1850, Laurence Quinlivan, Esq., was chosen Mayor. He presided at a banquet given by the citizens to General Lord Gough on his Lordship's return from India, 16th May.* He also attended the Lord 1848. — 1st Dec. — A sum of £120 a year, wliicli bad been granted out of tbe corporate funds to tbe " Pbilosopbical Society", was now discontinued by a vote of the Corporation. ' TuACKERAY, wbo more tban once expended bis gall on Limerick, wrote a ludicrous ballad on tbe subject for Punch. * Tbe Chief Baron Pigott bad sentenced Ryan to be banged on tbe 6tb of February, which being Sunday, the day was changed to tbe 7tb of tbe month. ^ On tbe 3rd of September Mr. Hampton, the aeronaut, accompanied by Hampden Russell, Esq., and Mr. Townsend, C.E., made a successful ascent in the magnificent balloon, Erin-Go- Bragh, from a yard in Cecil Street. * Hugh Viscount Gough was born at Woodsdown, in the coimty of Limerick, in 1779. His father was Lieuteuant-Colouel of tbe City of iimerick Militia for many years, and was present 510 HISTOET OP LIMERICK. Mayor of London's banquet to Prince Albert with the Mayors of the United Kingdom, in furtherance of the great industrial exhibition of all nations. 1851. — Thaddeus M'Donnell, Esq., was sworn Mayor on the 1st of January. This year was particularly remarkable for the great excitement caused by the attempt to get up a new persecution against Catholics, under pre- tence of repelling " papal aggression", consequent on a foolish and inflam- matory letter of Lord John Russell. The subject caused the greatest in- dignation in Limerick, in which meetings were now held supporting Mr. J. O'Connell, for tenant right, and to memorial the Queen in favour of Mr. W. S. O'Brien. At a stormy gathering of the Corporation, an attempt had been made to get a vote of censure passed against the city members, but in vain. Mr. O'Connell's resignation was afterwards reluctantly accep- ted, and he was succeeded in the representation by the Earl of Arundel and Surrey, who was received by the Catholic bishop and clergy and a great number of citizens on his arrival, and who for the short time he continued representative, contributed largely to the local charities. 1852, January 1st, Thomas Kane, Esq., M.D._, J.P., Mayor. January 27th, a great banquet was given in Limerick in honour of Lord Arundel, who, however, was unavoidably absent. There was a general election this year. Robert Potter and Francis Wm. Russell, Esqrs., were returned members for the city. Mr. Sergeant O'Brien was the third candidate, and lost his election by a small majority. The ex- citement consequent on his defeat was tremendous. The requirements of the city demanding improved market accommoda- 1851.— Richard L. Shiel died at Florence, in the May of this year. Sunday, 5th October. — A most extraordinary tornado, which caused several singular accidents, p,nd considerable damage to property, took place in Limerick. One man, Thomas Ryan, was blown down and killed. It was exactly like a West Indian hurricane, and had been preiu- dicated by a small cloud. in command of that regiment, at the brilliant action of Colooney. At the early age of 13, young Gough was appointed by Colonel Vereker to a commission in the City of Limerick Regi- ment, whence he was transferred by the influence of his kind patron to the line. After a short time he joined the 87th Regiment, with which he proceeded to the West Indies, and was present at the attack upon Port Rico and the taking of Surinam. But events of greater importance were occurring elsewhere, and Gough, with the gallant 87th, were ordered to the Peninsula. Whilst Napoleon was making himself master of Vienna, and gathering fresh laurels at Wagram, Sir Arthur Wellesley, with a force including the 87tb Regiment, then undfir the tem- porary command of Gough, was engaged in a series of brilliant operations before Oporto, from which he ultimately drove Soult, and delivered Portugal from the enemy, Gough, then Major, accompanied Sir Arthur in his advance into Spain, and distinguished himself in the glorious action of Talavera. Here he was severely wounded, and had a horse shot under him. Gough obtained his brevet Lieutenant-Colonelcy. At Barossa, his regiment again covered itself with glory. Gough led the gallant charge of the 87th, and captured the first French eagle taken during the war. Again we meet the gallant Gough and the 87th on the blood stained field of Vittoria (June, 1813), where his regiment captured the baton of Marshal Jourdan, which procured the baton of a Field Marshal of England to Lord Wellington. But Lord Gough's day had not yet arrived. From thence it may shortly be said, that Gough always did his duty — that lie was severely wounded at the battle of the Nivelle (November, 1814) — that he received from the king of Spain the honour of knighthood, as a special mark of his Majesty's admiration of his conduct during the war, and that he then retired into a comparatively private state till the year 1837, when he was appointed to the command of the Mysore division in India, having previously (in 1830) obtained the rank of Major-General. England having b«Qonici iayolTed in war with the Celestial Empire, Gough was selected in HISTOKY OF LIMERICK. 511 tion, an act of parliament was passed this year for establishing public markets in Limerick, by which all agricultural produce, cattle, etc., must be sold in the pubhc market-places alone ; and all corn, butter, etc., must be weighed by the Markets' Trustees previous to sale, a system which has given much satisfaction to buyers and sellers ; and a sum of about £1,500 a year is paid to the Corporation out of the revenues of the markets in lieu of their for- mer tolls. The question of the O'Connell monument again arose during the mayor- alty of Dr. Kane ; and there being no appearance of the national monu- ment in Dublin, the propriety of renewed local exertion was mooted to commemorate the fame of the illustrious chieftain in *' the city of the vio- lated treaty". Through the exertions of the Mayor and the Rev. R. J. O'Higgin, O.S.F., a meeting was convened on Wednesday the 2nd of No- vember, when the chair was taken by the Mayor; the Town Clerk, Joseph Murphy, Esq., was requested to act as Secretary. It was proposed by Maurice Lenihan, Esq., seconded by Rev. J. O'Higgin, O.S.F., and unani- mously resolved — " That we hereby agree to retain the O'Connell Fund at present in the Pro- vincial Bank of Ireland for the purpose of erecting a local monument to the memory of the illustrious Liberator". It was further resolved, on the motion of Eugene O'Callaghan, Esq., seconded by Joseph Murphy, Esq. — " That this committee devise the most appropriate mode of applying the fund in bank, and any additional sums that may be subscribed, in commemoration of the memory and fame of O'Connell, having regard to the original object for which the fund was subscribed, and that this committee report accordingly the result to a future meeting". A subscription list was opened among those present, and a sum of £30 was laid down. It was further resolved that the Mayor should communi- cate with John Hogan, the eminent Irish sculptor, on the subject ; and a stirring article in the " Limerick Reporter and Tipperary Vindicator" gave fiu-ther impetus to a movement, which, in the estimation of the public at large, had already made great progress, but which required a few years more to develop into the fullest and most perfect proportions. 1840, to command tlie British. Conquests in remote parts of the Empire having proved quite useless, General Gough determined to strike some blow which would really be felt at the seat of empire, and a peace for which the emperor paid twenty-one millions of dollars was the immediate result. In 1842 General Gough was created a baronet, as a reward for his conduct in China, and in August, 1843, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief in India — shortly after which, the victories of Maharaghpoor and Funiar showed that the position he filled was not an honorary one. The first campaign against the Seiks terminated after the battles of Moodkee and Ferozeshah, in the decisive victory of Sabraon ; and Gough was rewarded by being elevated to the peerage. In 1849 he was further elevated to a Viscounty. But the Seiks were not yet subjugated. Lord Gough was recalled, and Sir Charles Napier was appointed to succeed him. But before his successor arrived, the veteran had met the enemy enormously reinforced, at Googerat. The British arms triumphed, and Gough ter- minated his career in India only with the complete termination of the war. Lord Gough shortly afterwards returned to Ireland covered with glory, having been succes- sively created a Baronet, Baron, and Viscount, a Field Marshal, and having thrice received the thanks of Parliament for his gallant achievements. In the land of his birth, surrounded by retainers who love him, this venerable warrior devotes Xhe evening of his days to the social improvement of his fellow countrymen. 512 HISTOKY OF LIMERICK. 1853, January 1st, William Henry Hall, Esq., Mayor. Limerick exhibited in this year some cheering signs of remunerative employment and commercial advancement. At the lace factory in Upper Glentworth Street, 740 hands were employed, and in Messrs. Forrest's in Ab- bey Court, 420, besides establishments in Clare Street, Patrick Street, and from 200 to 300 small job houses throughout the city, altogether employ- ing some 8,500 females. The Messrs. liussell's spinning mill on the North Strand was also rapidly being prepared. The Foynes Railway was pro- jected; and the Sisterhood of the Good Shepherd instructed a number of young women at their convent in making Valenciennes lace. Orna- mental art also received a great impetus in the government school of de- sign. January 1st, 1854, Henry Watson, Esq., who had been Mayor under the old corporate regime in 182o-'24-'25, was elected Mayor, under the provisions of the Limerick Corporate Reform Act, which, while it abolished the Commissioners of St. Michael's Parish, gave the Corporation increased powers of taxation, etc., changed the boundaries of the wards, limited the number of Aldermen to eight, and gave four Councillors to each of the eight wards. It was a strange sight to witness the exponent of the ex- ploded system of corporate misdeeds chosen as tiie first Mayor of what may be termed the second reformed Corporation; but the liberals of that body not being able to agree among themselves on a candidate of their own party, they chose Alderman Watson, who fell into their ranks and acted with that section of the council. During his mayoralty. Alderman Watson traversed, according to ancient usage, the land and water bounda- ries of the municipality. In July, accompanied by the Corporation, he 1853.— Sept. 2.— The Commissioners reported in favour of the Shannon as compared with Galway, as a transatlanctic packet station. September 2dth. — The Lord Lieutenant and the Countess of St. Germans visited Messrs. Russels's factory on the North Strand. The great Munster fair was estabUshed, to which an extra fair was added in 18G5. The Floating Docks, the finest work of the kind in Ireland, were opened by the Earl of St. Germans, who was entertained on this occasion at a great banquet in the theatre. On the previous day his Excellency turned the first sod of the Foynes Railway, on the estate of Lord JMonteagle, at Foynes. War proclaimed against Russia. The Irish Militia embodied. Terms agreed to for telelegraphic communication between Limerick and London. Wm. Sniith O'Brien released by the " spontaneous act of Government". The spontaneity is believed to have received considerable stimulus from the zeal of his former parliamentary colleague, Mr. Monsell. April 17th. — A great meeting was held in St. Michael's Church, Lhnerick, to adopt a petition against the new measures for the invasion of nunneries. The Mayor presided. The Right Rev. Dr. Kyan made a poweriul speech on the occasion. The petition was signed by upwards of 10,000 persons. ISlr. Whiteside's bill was shelved by a count out. Young Men's Societies established by the Kev. R. B. O'Brien, C.C., of St. Mary's. The "Very Rev. Dr. GahiU delivered tlie third of his course of scientilic lectures to this Society, in the July of this year, at the Theatre Royal, Limerick. 1354. — August 5th. — Dr. Geary reported that a great numberof cases of cholera had appeared of late in the city. September 2t5th.— Death of one of the city representatives, Robert Potter, Esq. The funeral, procession to Mount St. Laurence Cemetery was attended by the Corporation and other public bodies. October '26th. — A meeting was held at the Town Hall, the Mayor presiding, for the purpose of opening a subscription for the widows and orplians of soldiers, lately fallen in action in the Crimea. The Earl of Clave and the Right Rev. Dr. Ry.in, the Catholic Bisliop, attended. October 28th. — Sergeant O'Brien was returned without opposition M.P. for the city. November. — Scattery Island was annexed, by order of Privy Council, to the barony of Moyarta, in the comity Clare. December. — S. E. d'e Vere, Esq., canvassed the county of Limerick successfully; Mr. Bai- rington, less so ; Colonel Dickson, a candidate, withdrew from the field. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 513 exercised the rights of Admiralty on the Shannon ; he entertained the members of the Corporation sumptuously on board the river steamer, which, when off Scattery Island, grounded for a short time, to the alarm of all on board. Alderman Watson was an active chief magistrate, and went loyally with the party to which ho had newly allied himself. January 1st, 1855, Henry O'Shea, Esq., Mayor. It was in this year that, at a meeting of the Corporation, on the 1 7th of May, the Mayor (Henry O'Shea, Esq.) in the chair, an announcement was made by him whicli took the citizens by surprise, viz., that a sum of £1,040 had been subscribed for the erection of a statue in Limerick to the memory of Lord Viscount Fitzgibbon, who fell at the battle of Balaklava; and Mr. O'Shea proposed that the centre of the Crescent should be allo- cated by the Corporation as a site for the intended monument. Five members of the Council who had taken an active_ and earnest interest in the O'Connell monument movement, did not permit this intimation tp pass without an expression on their part of strong disapproval that any site for the Fitzgibbon monument should be set apart without first con^■ulting the Council. Among the citizens generally there was marked disapprobation. The subject was taken up with warmth and energy by them, and by the Reporter and Vindicator newspaper ; meetings were held ; and at a subse- quent meeting of the Council, a resolution was adopted refusing the site at the Crescent for the Fitzgibbon monument, and affirming a proposition that it should be given to the projected one to the Liberator. A committee was appointed to collect additional subscriptions. Thomas Roche, Esq., 1 homas Kane,.Esq., M.D., J.P.,and Michael Quin, Esq., were named as treasurers,' and the Rev. R J. O'Higgin, S.F., and Maurice Lenihan, Esq , secre- taries. An impassioned appeal was printed and circulated, which called upon the people generally to vindicate the memory of O'Connell by_ largely con- tributing to a monument destined to perpetuate his memory in Limerick. Contributions poured in from every quarter. The committee advertised for sculptors to send in estimates for a bronze statue and pedestal, which re- sulted in an agreement with Hogan for the work, which was carried through with complete succcess, as we shall see as we proceed. The Fitzgibbon monument, which we have already described, was completed within _ a short time ; and the Wellesiey Bridge, as we have seen, was chosen by its projectors, where it was duly inaugurated. An important inquiry was held this year by the Queen's Commissioners who were appointed to inquire into the endowments, funds, and actual condition of the schools endowed for the purposes of education in Ireland. The Commissioners opened the proceedings on the 1st of September in the grand jury room of the County of Limerick Courthouse. A large amount of evidence was given, in relation particularly to the Protestant Endowed Schools, on which, in general, they reported unfavourably ; indeed well nigh with unreserved hostility, showing that a great change should be made in their constitution and management.* The Commissioners bestowed 1855. Fountains were in this year erected for the use of the poorer classes of the city. 1 Mr. Roche, owing to advanced age, did not act, upon which Eugene 0'Callaghan,Esq., was substituted. * The schools inquired into on this occasion by the Commissioners, viz., the Marquis of Kildare, Rev. Dr. Charles Graves, Robert Andrews, LL.D., George Henry Hughes, Esq., Q.C., now one of the Barons of the Court of Exchequer, and Archibald John Stephens, Esq., were;— 1. The Diocesan Free School for the Dioceses of Limerick, Killaloe, and Kilfenora. It 34 514 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. the Mghest possible praise on the Catholic schools, and particularly on the schools of the Christian Brothers. The year 1856 was destined to witness other remarkable movements on the part of the citizens of Limerick. James Spaight, Esq., was elected to the mayoralty on the 1st of January. On the 27th of the same month an influential meeting of the parishioners of St. John's was held in the old chapel of that parish, the Right Rev. Dr. Ryan in the chair. The meeting was called for the purpose of devising means of raising subscriptions towards the erection of a new church or cathedral in that historic parish. The attendance of clergy and laity proved the interest which was taken in the movement. The venerable bishop spoke in liberal terms, expressing himself certain that the good work would be aided and encouraged not only by the Catholics of the diocese, but by those Protestant friends who had given the benefit of a generous cooperation on other occasions to Catholic projects. A subscription was then and there opened for the parish itself, which realized a sum of £615 7s. The Rev. William Bourke stated that the idea of holding the meeting that day had been suggested by Mr. Richard Raleigh, one of their energetic and intelli- gent parishioners. The enthusiasm spread. Money poured in. The site chosen for the new church was within a few yards of the famous gate of St. John's, where so many patriots had suffered death at the hands of Ireton, and in immediate proximity to the spot from which the legions of William had been hurled with defeat and disaster in 1690. The Bishop then proceeded to the parishes adjoining the city, where he was received with equal warmth and generosity ; and after some time he went through the several parishes of the diocese, where he was heartily welcomed, and where large sums were contributed by clergy and people. appears from the report* tliat there had been a school m Limerick in 1788, with a house in bad condition; there were twenty-six boys, but none free. There was at the same time a school in Killaloe, with nineteen boys, of whom two were free, but no schoolhouse. In 1809 there was no available sclioolhouse in Limerick, the old one being in ruins ; but there was a schoolhouse with a garden at Killaloe, and twenty-eight boys, but no free scholars. The Grand Juries of th« county and city of Limerick were the first to exercise the enlarged powers conferred on them in 1813 to present for schoolhouses, and they began to create a fund for the purpose in 1816. la 1823 the fund amounted to £1640; but it was not until 1837 that they were able to realize it, owing to the fact that it remained in the hands of the county treasurer, when at length it was handed over to a committee of management for the building of a schoolhouse. A memorial from the bishop and clergy of the dioceses of Killaloe and Kilfenora was presented to the com- mijsioners, in which they complained that since the annexation of their school to Limerick, they paid a yearly sum of £75, from which they received no benefit, and they prayed that the money should be given for the establishment of Exhibitions in Trinity College, or in any other way that might be approved of. The commissioners disapproved of the way in which the school was conducted, tliere being but five scholars there on their visit, whereas there had been seventy-four in 1838. The school in this year (1865) is under the management of the Rev. Dr. Hall, and contains eleven pupils, of whom four are free. 2. Pallasgrene (Erasmus Smith's) School, which has been connected with the Church Educa- tion Society, and which the Commissioners pronounced defective in the extreme, though enjoy- ing large endowments. Erasmus Smith's estates in tlie coimty Limerick are worth £3,000 a year. 3. Christian Brothers' Schools, of which we have spoken in reference to the favourable report in a previous chapter, and which have added wonderfully to the moral and intellectual advancement of the children of the Catholic artizans, etc., in Limerick. 4. Limerick Bow Lane Charity Blue School, founded on Mrs. Alice Craven's charity, on which the Commissioners reported unfavourably. The annual revenue of the charity amounted to asumof £59 10s. 4d, of which £27 is thercntof the property or part of the property granted by Mrs. Craven; £11 Is 6d., the interest of £200 lent by the Trustees to the dean and chapter; and £21 8s. lOd., the dividend on a sum which had been recovered by the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests, after having been lent on private security by the Trustees. * Report of the Queen's ConjmUsiouers, etc , etc. A.D. 1858. HISTOEY OF LIMEEICK. 515 The first of May was chosen for the laying of the foundation stone of the new cathedral. The congregated trades took part in a ceremony which had not been exampled for ages in Limerick. The Temperance Societies, the Young Men's Societies, the Christian Brothers and their numerous pupils, the Religious Confraternities, with banners and emblems en wreathed with lam-els, the Committee of the Cathedral, with wands and rosettes, mustered in considerable numbers. The secular and regular clergy of the city assembled, and many from the country, as did the mayor and several members of the Corporation. The Town Clerk, the Treasurer and the City Surveyor, were present ; the mayor and members of the Corporation robed in their scarlet mantles in the Town Hall, from which they issued to join the procession. The following was the order of the procession : — Banners of the Church. Boys of the Christian Brothers' Schools. Christian Brothers. g Young Men's Society. Q CQ Eta O " ^ Temperance Societies — St, Michael's, St. Mary's, p. .-tt St. Munchin's, St. John's. S ^ Congregated Trades. § ^ a Each Trade with its banner. Citizens. B ^ a U § Clergymen. ^ O •' _ ^ '3 The Bishop's Carriage containing s: *§ The Bishop, ^ The Mayor, g and ?" Sir Vere de Vere, Bart. Trades with banners. ¥'e\)mary (1865).— Death of John O'Brien, Esq., late M.P. for many years for the city of which he was a native, and which he represented with honour to himself and credit to the city. Electric Telegraph Company completed their arrangements for communication with Limerick. The bakers of Limerick commence an agitation for the abolition of night work, which in the following year was done away with by some of the proprietors for a short time only. September 8th. — Thomond Estates advertised for sale. October 23.— A deputation from all the conferences of St. Vincent de Paul waited upon the Right Worshipful Robert Tighe, Esq., chairman of the county and city, to secure his assistance in checking the multiplication of public houses throughout the city. October 31st.— Smith O'Brien addressed a letter to the Rev. Dr. O'Connor on the grievances of the Limerick fishermen. November. — County Limerick magistrates met to distribute the police force. Death of Augustus Stafford, Esq., M.P. The school was confined for a long time to the education of the choir boys of St. Mary's Cathe- dral, many of whom were natives of England. It is now (1865) merely a sinecure of the master's. 5. Villiers's endowments : — The schools in Nicholas Street under these endowments are placed in coBnection with the National Board of Education. Those in Henry Street remain on their original footing. The Charity Estate appUcable for these purposes consists of £47 19s, Id. a year, derived from a rent-charge, and £656 4s. from personal estate in the funds, amounting 516 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. The streets and windows were densely lined throughout with admiring groups, as the well arranged procession' moved to the Crescent, where it passed around the site of the intended monument to O'Connell; it then went on the Military Road, and through the streets in that part of the city, to St. John's Square, where some thousands of spectators awaited its ap- pearance, and where the Bishop proceeded with the ceremony accompanied and surrounded by the clergy, the Mayor and members of the Corporation, the public bodies, the trades, etc. In a cavity in the stone, coins and records were placed, with an inscription in Irish, Greek, Latin, ItaHan, French, German, Flemish, and English, written on vellum and enclosed in a phial. The following is the inscription in Latin: — A.M.D.G. S.I.B AD FUTURAM REI MEJIORIAM. Anno Sal. Mun. MDCCCLVI. Pio IX. Sum Pont. Doin. Jacobo Spaight Urb. Pr^f. Eev. Gulieliuo Bourke Par. Fer. Ascen. D.N.LC. Kal. Mali. Eeverendissimus Joannes Ryan Ep. Lim. Anno Sui Ep. XXXL Huj. Ecclse. Cath. D. 0. M. Sub. Invoc. S. Joan. Bap. : Et Patro. B. ac Immac. Mari« Semp, Virg. Sumpt. fid. ^dific. lap. primar. adstant. et favent. Urb. Prsef. Magistrat. cor. mun. Ord. cler. tum reg. tum sec. ingentique. Om. gen. civ. mult, rite ac solen. collocavit. P. 0. Hardwick, Arch. GuLiELMo Wallace, Edif. Fundamenta ejus in montibus Sanctis : Diligit Dominus Portas Sion super omnia tabernacula Jacob. — Psalm Ixxxvi. to £21,837 2s. 3d. There lias been now over a sum of £7,507 I83. Id. expended by tbe trustees on the purchase of a site, and on building the Sclioolhouscs in Henry Street and Nicholas Street, and the Villiers Alms House. The Commissioners report rather well of the Henry Street school, in which the average attendance is 50 boys and 44: guis. lu Nicholas Street the num- bers are less. 6. Dr. Jeremiah Hall's Schools (St. Mary's), to which we have referred at length, page 272. The Commissioners report favourably of the boys' school. The property is worth £200 a year. A sum of £379 in 3 per cent, stock, belongs to the institution independently of the property. 7. Harstonge Street Leamy Free Schools: — William Leamy, Esq., in 1814, left £13,300 for the education of the children of the poor in Ireland, especially those in the neighbourhood of the city of Limerick. A decree of the Court of Chancery in England enabled the Commissioners of Charitable Bequests to recover the endowment. In 1841, the Court of Chancery in Ireland settled the way in which the endowment should be made. The pupils were to be taught gra- tuitously, and to receive a good English education ; members of the Church of England to be instructed Iii the Scriptures, and Roman Catholics in the Scripture lessons in the National School books. A sum of £3,940 was expended on the schools and site in Hartstonge Street, a brick building in the Elizabethan style. In latter years no Roman Catholics whatever attend this school wiuJoli is supported by the interest of the balance of £10,000, which was transferred to this country after the obtainment of the decree from the English Court of Chancery. The Catholic bigbbp>was one of the governors of this institution after its establishment, but we do not believe ^4h4W: acted, and the school now (1865) is exclusively Protestant. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 517 The day was brought to a close by an entertainment wliicli was given by the Rev. William Bourke to the Bishop, Mayor, Corporation, etc. The collection for this church began in 1840, when Mr. S. Hastings was secretary. The Mayor, in July, laid the foundation stone of a building intended for a Sailor's Home, in Frederick Street, but never used for that purpose; and presided at a grand banquet which was given to the Viceroy, the Earl of Carlisle, in the theatre, on the same night. For the year after (1857) Dr. Thomas Kane was elected, a second time, to the Mayoralty; and on this occasion a proceeding was taken by the Corporation, which deserves notice, from the fact that it was found inoperative almost immediately after its adoption. To insure the return of Dr. Kane, a majority of the Corporation, consisting of twenty -seven members, carried a resolution by which what is termed " the rotatory system" was adopted. By this resolution it was decided that a Catholic and Protestant should fill the office of Mayor each alternate year; a stretch of liberality on the part of the Catholic majority of the Council which has been rarely paralleled in other places, and of which there is no record, or anything approaching to it, where the Protestant party are nu- merically the stronger. But though the resolution was rescinded the following year, on the ground that it produced anything but harmony in the council, it was not until the year 1864 that it was practically abolished. The project of the O'Connell monument was brought to a successful termination during Dr. Kane's mayoralty; and the 15th of August — Lady Day — witnessed one of the most gorgeous and solemn demonstra- tions of which Limerick has been the scene ; Hogan's bronze statue of the Liberator being then inaugiu'ated with all the pomp and civic ceremonial befitting the great event, and in the presence of several thousands of the citi- zens, as well as of the people of the neighbouring counties. There was a procession, in which the clergy were fully represented ; the Mayor and Corporation appeared dressed in civic costume; the trades were active and energetic in doing honour to the occasion ; the public bodies of the city were all present. At the monument a platform was raised, and was occupied by the leading Catholics of city and county, including the Earl of Dunraven, the city member, Sergeant O'Brien, etc. The Mayor presided; and the secretaries, viz., the Rev. R. J. O'Higgin, O.S.F., and Maurice Lenihan, Esq., occupied their places near him. Flags and streamers were thrown across the streets ; trees were transplanted to positions near the carriage way, and triumphal arches were formed, on which patriotic devices were exhibited; the people never appeared more enthusiastic. The Earl of Dunraven, who took part in the procession and the proceedings, made a remarkable speech, in which he bestowed a deserved amount of praise on the memory of the illustrious Irishman in whose honour they had assembled to unveil his statue. In referring to the mighty changes wrought by O'Connell, the noble earl spoke of the fact that an ancestor of his (the Earl of Dunraven's) had changed from the Catholic to the Protestant creed, a century before, in order to retain his property — an act which, he Said deserved his strongest reprobation. The meeting was also addressed by Mr. Sergeant O'Brien, M.P., and other gentlemen. The statue .is eight feet high, and forms a conspicuous object in the middle of the Crescent — a noble likeness of the immortal O'Connell. It is raised ^ a granite pedestal, thirteen feet high; in front of which is cut, in gUi letters : — 518 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. O'CONNELL. Thomas Kanb, Mayor. I On the western side is the date of its erection- MDCCCLVII. Thus Limerick may boast that it was the first city in Ireland practically to recognize the claims and support the memory of Daniel O'Connell. The monument cost £1000; and the gifted sculptor admitted that he had jiever before been so generously treated. The entire expense amounted to £1,300, which was promptly paid. In November this year disputes arose in the Corporation respecting the compromise just referred to. The Protestant party, moreover, did not agree among themselves as to the choice of a mayor. Mr. Edmund Gabbett, a Protestant, was put in nomination for the coming year Mr. W. L. Joynt, a Protestant also, had been abeady in the field with every prospect of success. The members of the Council who did not sign the " rotatory" resolution of the 1st of December, 1856, and some of those who did sign it, deemed themselves, under the circumstances, free to vote for either candidate. At a meeting of the Council on the 10th of Decem- ber, the compromising document was ordered to be erased from the records of the Council.' » Monday, 1st December, 1856. A document signed by twenty-seven members of the Council, to secure a Rotatory Election of Mayor for the future, was handed to the Mayor. And on motion of Alderman Fitzgerald, It was ordered, That the annexed Document be inserted on the minutes. We the undersigned members of the Corporation, anxious to promote good feeling and har- mony in that body (in the event of Dr. Kane bemg this day elected), do adopt the Rotatory System in the annual election for the Mayoralty, as practised with so much satisfaction in the city of Dublin. Dated this 1st day of December, 1856. It is understood by the above that the party now opposed to Dr. Kane shall have the selec- tion for the year 1858. "" John Barry, Patrick Mulcahy, John M'Donuell, John Fitzgerald, Francis Ward, Robert Keyes, James Spaight, Mayor William O'Hara, Robert Rodger, A meeting was held on the 10th December, 1857. The following were present : Thomas Kane, Mayor, in the Chair. Thomas Kane, William Sheehy, Michael Dawson, Henry Watson, Robert MacMahon, John Thomas Devitt, Eugene O'Callaghan, David Garvey, Stephen Hastings, W. L. Joynt, Edmond Gabbett, S. Bourchier, Arthur Russell, William Fitzgerald, Henry O'Shea, William Spaight, William Phayer, Francis Spaight. Aid. Watson, T. C. Barrington, T. C. Aid. Tinsley, ,, J. Spaight, Aid. Fitzgerald, „ Purcell, Aid. Mulcahy, „ M'Mahon, T. C. Sheehy, „ Lenihan, „ M.Kelly, „ Barry. ,, Devitt, „ Keyes, ,, Ellard, „ Ward, „ Boyse, „ M'Sheehy, The resolution and document of the 1st December, 1858, " which has been found to produce anything but harmony in the council", were unaulmooily rescinded and canceUtd. Fitzgerald, O'Callaghan, Garvey, Cullen, Ryan, Hastings, Russell, Phayer. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 519 The election having gone In favour of Mr. Gabbett, he was sworn Into the mayoralty on the 1st of January, 1858. Mr. Sergeant O'Brien, M.P. for the city, being this year appointed one of the Judges of the Queen's Bench, his seat was vacated ; and an active canvass was instituted by Major George Gavin, of Kilpeacon, and John Ball, Esq., son of the late Right Hon. Nicholas Ball, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, for the vacancy ; both gentlemen being liberals, and of the same religious persuasion, Catholics. Strong feelings were aroused, and influential sections of the liberal party became divided into adverse camps. The result of the election, which ended on the 7th of February, favoured Major Gavin, who had a majority of 49 votes. On a petition instituted by Mr. Ball, however, a new election was ordered by the House of Commons. Major Gavin having been disquali- fied on this occasion on a charge of bribery, for which it was admitted he was morally, though not legally, irresponsible, Mr. James Spaight was taken up by Major Gavin's supporters to oppose Mr. Ball, who again entered the arena. At this election Mr. Spaight was returned, Mr. Ball, on the 3rd of May, having withdrawn without going to the poll. Several election rioters were incarcerated, but were liberated by the Lord Lieu- tenant on the 27th of May. ■■ On the 24th of May, John O'Connell, Esq., " the beloved son" of the Liberator, died at Kingstown. He had been some few years before member for Limerick. He was a man of distinguished abilities, an able writer and debater, and of the highest character in public and private life. Meantime the progress of Catholic institutions, schools, and churches in Limerick, had become one of the most remarkable phases of the year at which we have arrived. An event of great interest, and one that attracted an immense concourse, was the laying of the foundation stone, on the 30th of May, of the new and beautiful church of St. Alphonsus by the Right Rev. Dr. Ryan, who was surrounded by the clergy of the city, secular and regular. The Redemptorist Fathers, who follow the rule of their founder, St. Alphonsus de Liguori, had their first residence in Lime- rick at Bank Place, where they opened a small oratory on the Feast of Saint Andrew (November 28), 1853. In the May following they had built on the South Circular Road a comparatively small church, which ad- joined the site of the present one; and during the years 1856 and 1857, at a cost of £6,000, a conventual establishment, which is one of the architec- tural ornaments of the city. The walls of the church had been already raised some feet above the surface, and these having been flagged, boarded over, and carpeted, formed a suitable course for this grand rehgious proces- sion. The transept of the church is 73 feet — the nave and side aisles 70 feet wide — the length 176 feet — the height 76 feet from the nave floor to the apex of the ceiling. All the religious orders of the city, and the representatives of every public body, were present. The arrangements were admirable, and the day was brilliant. Two episcopal thrones were placed in suitable positions, one for the bishop of Limerick and the other for the Bishop of Kerry, who, however, was unavoidably absent; these thrones were canopied over with crimson velvet, and were gilded and festooned. The procession left the sanctuary of the small temporary chmrch of the fathers at half-past two o'clock, preceded by cross-bearer, acolytes, standard-bearers, boys in surplices and soutanes, boys bearing the rule and square, the trowel and hod ; lay brothers bearing the banner of 520 HISTOEY OF LIMEKICK. St. Alplionsus ; bands of music ; Christian Brothers, two and two ; boys in the picturesque habits of the Dominican order; the Dominican Fathers in their white habits; the Redemptorist Fathers; the Franciscan and Augustinian Fathers ; the secular clergy. The venerable Bishop followed in magnificent cloth-of-gold pontifical robes, with mitre and crozier, ac- companied by the Very Rev. Dean Butler and the General of the Re- demptorist Order for the provinces of Holland and England. The Earl and Countess of Fingall, father and mother of the Hon. and Rev. Wil- liam Matthew Plunkett, one of the Redemptorist Fathers of Mount St. Alphonsus ; Lord Killeen, Lady Killeen, Hon. Lady H. Ridell, Mr. Ridell, the Ladies Plunkett, Mr. Corbally, M.P., Major Cruise, etc., were among the distinguished laity present. The ceremonial having been gone through, the Earl of Fingall placed a phial in the stone, containing a medal com- memorative of the National Synod of Thurles, and pieces of the current English, French, and Roman coins. The phial was sealed with the episcopal seal of Limerick, and the following inscription on vellum was placed in it also : — Pio IX. Pontifice Maximo feliciter reguante, Victoria Brittaniarum Regina, Nostrse Congregationis anno CXVII., Nicole Mauron, rectore majore, Joanne Bapt. Swinkels, Provincise Plollandite et Anglias Pra3sulft, Joanne Bapt. Roes, IIujus Domus Limericensis Rectore, Hunc Lapidem aiigularem Ecclesise Sti. Alphonsi, Posuit Joannes Ryan, Episcopus Limericensis : Die XXX Maii, Anno Domini MDCCCLVIIL William E. Corbett, P. C. Hardwick, Contractor. Arc'nitectus. The ceremony was in every respect creditable to all who took part in it. Mr. Hardwick was architect to the convent and church : the convent and foundations of the church were built by Mr. W. E. Corbett, C.E., and the superstructure of the church by Messrs. Wallace and Sons. Convent and church cost about £20,000. Thus religion was gaining new conquests by the erection of a church which is justly regarded as a model of architectural skill and good taste; and the spirit for which Limerick was famous in other days was develop- ing itself irresistibly. An energetic movement was made this year in favour of obtaining a Packet Station on the River Shannon : a larize and influential meeting was Dec. 15. — Inaugural Address delivered at tlio Mechanics' Institute by W. S. O'Brien, Esq. The Anniversary of New Year's Day was celebrated in Ballingarry by a ball given in the fine old ruin of Delacy's Castle. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 521 held in the Town Hall, on the 7th of October, at which resolutions in favour of the project were adopted by acclamation, and a memorial to the Trea- sury agreed on. Michael Robert Ryan, E?q., J.P., was elected Mayor for 1859. A ge- neral election took place in the month of May. F. W. Russell, Esq , was elected M.P. for the third time, and Major Gavin was elected M.P. the se- cond time for the city. Mr. James Spaight was the unsuccessful candidate. In the county of Limerick the Right Hon. William Monsell headed the poll by an overwhelming majority. Lieutenant-Colonel Dickson and E. J. Synan, Esq., J. P., were the other candidates. Mr. Synau lost his election by a trifling majority in favour of Colonel Dickson. At the city election a most disastrous occurrence took place. In the evening of the 4th of May, after the close of the proceedings, in consequence of some stones having been thrown at the windows of a shopkeeper in Broad Street, the police fired on the people, when Wm. Clohessy, J. Phelan, J. M'Namara, John O'Brien, and another lad, named Meskill, were shot, and the three former died of their wounds. The police, who were commanded by Sub-Inspector Milling and Edward Gonne Bell, Esq., R M., were acquitted after a lengthened investigation, though a verdict of manslaughter had been returned at the coroner's in- quest against the stipendiary magistrate and 2(3 policemen. William Fitzgerald, Esq., was sworn into the Mayoralty on the 1st of January, 1860. Energetic and of much promise and ability, he exerted himself perseveringly for the benefit of the city. He died during his Mayoralty, on the 26th of October, aged 34 years, and was buried in St. Munchin's churchyard ; his remains were accompanied to the grave by the Corporation and a large concourse of citizens. In compliment to his memory, the Corporation had his portrait painted by Mr. Catterson Smith, and placed in the Council Chamber. At a meeting of the Corporation, on the 23rd of March, Mr. R. Russell made a statement in reference to the financial position of the Harbour and Bridge Commissioners, and proposed a plan for liquidating the liabilities of the Harbour Commissioners. It was epitomised in the following motion of Mr. Barrington, Town Councillor :' " To appoint a Committee for the purpose of inquiring into the propriety of promoting a BUI ' for transferring of the Harbour Commission to the Corpora- Movement in favour of a monument to Sarsfield. April 26. — Mr. Monsell's motion in favour of competitive examinations for the Artillery, carried against the Government. June 18. — Meeting in the Council Chamber to sustain the collection of the O'Connell fund. June 26 — Visit of Prince Alfred. July. — The Harbour Board resolves on the removal of ruins of Carragower MiU, North Strand, which had been built by William Joynt, burgess, a.d. 1672. Nov. 23. — Funeral of Lady Barrington, who was buried in the family vault at St. Mary's Cathedral. 1859. — Silver cradle presented at Temple Mungret to IMrs. Ryan, wife of the Mayor, by the Council and Corporate Officers, in accordance with ancient custom of the City, to commemorate the birth of a son and heir, on the 30th of January, in the year of his mayoralty. January 9, I860.— Great fire at Mr. William Delany's pawn-office, in Broad Street. Lord Derby withdraws or declines acting on his notice to quit, served on his Doon tenants on account of the murder of Mr. Crowe. Jan. 28. — The body of Mr. Hugh Massy O'Grady, of Castlegarde, found floating in the Dead River, County Limerick, near the Railway. Verdict — accidental death. ' This question has been taken up, in 1865, with renewed energy, by Mr. Russell and the Harbour Commissioners. 35 522 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. tion, on the understanding that the Government accept in full for the debt and interest due to the Treasury by the Harbour Commissioners, the sum of £4,000 a-year for fifty years, and this Council guaranteeing this sum out of the rates of the Borough or tolls of the Harbour' ". This motion was rejected after a long debate. A movement of surpassing interest and importance went on during the greater portion of this year, which marked the deep sympathy of the Ca- thoHc hierarchy, clergy, and people, with Pope Pius IX., who had been suffering at the hands of the King of Italy and the Emperor of the French. Meetings were held throughout Ireland to sustain the Pope ; but no where was there more enthusiasm in the cause than in Limerick, where not only large sums were contributed to the Papal exchequer, but where many brave young fellows volunteered for enlistment in the Irish Papal Brigade, which was formed in Rome, and which distinguished itself in many hard-fought fields in Italy, viz. : Perugia, Spoletto, Castel Fidardo, and Ancona. The Go- vernment sought to prevent this enlistment, but young men enrolled them- selves rapidly notwithstanding ; and as detachments of the recruits left the Limerick station by train, en route to their destination, they were loudly applauded for their chivalrous resolution. The Right Rev. Dr. Ryan presided, on the 5th of June, at a meeting in St. John's old chapel, at which resolutions expressive of active and warm sympathy with the Pope were adopted, and a subscription list to aid his Holiness was opened. The city of Limerick contributed more largely than any other in Ireland in men and money, towards the cause. On the 17th of October, a solemn requiem High Mass was celebrated in St. Michael's church for the repose of the souls of the soldiers of the Irish Brigade who were slain in Italy, and their companions-in-arms ; and on the return home of the- surviving Brigaders, on the conclusion of the Itahan war, an ovation awaited them in Limerick, whilst on the 3rd of December a grand banquet was given to them at the Theatre. Limerick diocese contributed a sum of £6,000 towards the Papal exchequer this year. The Mayoralty for the year 1861 was well and ably filled by John March 10. — Death of Alderman Henry Watson, caused by the excision of a fish bone, which he had swallowed in Dublin. March 29. — Major Excommunication pronounced at Rome against the Invaders' usurpation of the Romagna, etc., etc. Mr. Hyde, master of the diocesan school, publishes letters against the managers of that establishment. May. — Terrible fire at Messrs. Boyd's, Seed Merchants, William Street. Movement in favour of the night-working bakers. May 8. — Telegraphic communication with Ennis. October 22. — Alderman Sheehy found burned to death in his country house in Clare, but whether accidentally or otherwise has not yet been clearly proved, though public opinion appears to incline to the latter view. December 17. — A Government investigation conducted in the Limerick Asylum into certain charges brought forward by one of the governors, David John Wilson, Esq., respecting the al- leged tampering with a number of entries relating to the meat contracts of the institution. The decision was that the charges were not made out by evidence, yet that Mr. Wilson was jus- tified in what he did. The Sisters of Mercy were admitted, after a smart contest, as hospital nurses to the Limerick Workhouse. 1861. Civil war broke out this year in the hitherto United States of America. Prince Consort died 14th December in this year. Important meeting at the Town Hall to secure the advantages of the port and harbour, which are rendered unavailing by their being mortgaged to the Board of Works for upwards of £200,000. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 523 Thomas M'Sheeliy, Esq., J.P., of Shannon Lawn, who was sworn into office on the 1st of January, and who, by his vigilant discharge of duty, and the earnestness with which he interested himself on behalf of the un- employed labourers and artizans, merited well of the citizens. Mr. M'Sheehy was presented with a valuable silver testimonial on his leaving office. The exertions he made for the embankment of Corkanree, as a promenade and park for the citizens, were of the most energetic character. A sum of £1100 was collected during his year of office to provide fuel for the poor. On the 25th of July this year the consecration of the Right Rev. Dr. Butler, as coadjutor Bishop of Limerick, took place in the new Cathedral of St. John's, which was opened for the first time. It was an event worthy of remembrance. The cathedral was crowded with the hierarchy of Munster, headed by his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Cashel, the clergy of the diocese of Limerick, and a vast congregation of the laity. The grandeur and solemnity of the sacred occasion impressed every beholder. The Bishop of Kerry preached the consecration sermon. Alderman William Lane Joynt was sworn into the office of Mayor on the 1st of January, 1862. The important local movements of this year were connected with the earnest support which the Catholics of Limerick gave to the Catholic University of Ireland : in this movement the Corporation took a creditable lead. The question of a charter to the CathoUc University was intro- duced into the Corporation by Mr. Maurice Lenihan, who proposed the adoption of a memorial to the Lord Lieutenant in its favour, which passed unanimously, every Protestant in the Council supporting it by his vote. A deputation from the Corporation proceeded to Dublin on the 24th of March, where they were entertained at a banquet by Monsignore Woodlock, Rector of the Catholic University, the Catholic Lord Archbishop of Dublin being January 24. — Meeting at Newcastle West of the Earl of Devon's tenantry, praying him to lower their rents. The Limerick National Petition Committee obtains numerous signatures. February 12. — The Mayor and law agent proceed to Dublin to see the Lord Lieutenant about the Corkanree embankment, and employment for the poor. Meeting of the Shannon Conservators to consider the new fishery bill, and to support the decision of the Commissioners relative to the removal of the Queen's Gap in tlie Lax Weir. Feb. 18. — Meeting for the relief of the poor of the city. March 25. — A branch of the Provincial Bank was opened at Newcastle. Same day, the distressed labourers of BrufF assembled in a threatening manner. April 1. — Death in Dublin of Sir Matthew Barrington, Crown Solicitor of Munster, one of tha most active and energetic professional men of his time, and one of the most useful and re- markable of the citizens of Limerick. Market Trustees decide there shall be no local inspection in the Butter Market this year. April 2. — The Mayor of Limerick went to DubUn to attend the Cattle Show and banquet. May 17. — The Mayor places the royal arms sculptured in stone, which had been placed over the old Exchange in Mary Street, over the Town Hall, after being repainted and regilt. May 27. — Great meeting at the Town Hall in favour of a transatlantic packet station for Ireland. May 31. — The Harbour Board convened to petition in favour of the Galway subsidy. June 7th. — The Secretary of the Trades receives a letter from the Bishop of Orleans (France) in reply to one thanking him for his advocacy of the poor of Fartry. June 13. — Souper riots at Pallaskenry. July 4. — Council meet to address the Prince of Wales on his visit to Ireland. 1862. — January 14. — Mr. W. S. O'Brien publishes a letter respectmg the affairs of his property. J anuary 20. — Mr. Monsell lectures on the education of Catholics. Address to the Protestant Bishop thanking him for removing the "Symbols of Puseyisni" out of tha Cathedral on Christmas Day. 524 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. one of the guests. On the following day, by appointment, the deputation, who were joined by the Mayor, proceeded in their robes to present the me- morial to his Excellency the Earl of Carlisle, who, however, gave any- thing but a favourable reply. Indeed the conduct of the Viceroy was quite contrary to what was expected at his hands, when free education was all that the memorialists demanded. The education question, which has been at all times regarded by the citizens of Limerick with an unfailing interest, had been for some time before the public in reference to the Model Schools under the National Board of Education, all of which, built on an expensive plan, and furnished with every requirement, had been in existence since the 4th of September, 1855.' Those schools were attended up to the next year (1863), in which Robert M'Mahon, Esq., J.P., was elected Mayor, by large numbers of Catho- lic children ; but a speech having been made by one of the inspectors, which not only elicited pubHc attention, but which threw down the gauntlet to the conscientious opponents of the system, action was taken by the Right Rev. Dr. Butler and the clergy against the Model School system, and a decisive and emphatic condemnation of the Limerick Model Schools was the result. On the first day of the new year, from the altar of every Catholic church in the city, the schools were denounced, and CathoHc parents were cautioned against permitting their children to frequent them. Pulpit and altar rang with warning voices against a system which the government had adopted, and to which it appeared determined to adhere, in opposition to the frequently expressed hostiHty to it of the CathoUc hierarchy. These efforts on the part of the bishop and clergy were successful; the children were withdrawn. The establishment of an in- termediate school, under the direction of the Jesuit Fathers, supphed a want which had been for a long period experienced. The schools of the Christian Brothers were also brought into, if possible, more vigorous Feb. 1. — Meeting at Right Rev. Dr. Butler's, in sustainment of the Catholic University. Feb. 11. — Numerous protests against the Queen's Colleges. Feb. 19. — Public meeting at Limerick, to sympathize with the Queen on the death of Prince Albert. The Lord Lieutenant is presented with an immense salmon taken at the Lax Weir on his re- turn from A dare Manor, where he had been on a visit. Feb. — Last week Rev. Dr. Anderdon lectures on the Catacombs, and Capitals of Europe. March 16. — The Archimandrite, the Very Rev. Dr. Issa, delivers palm branches from the Holy Land, to the Cathedral of St. John. March 2. — Petitions against the Church and Convent Taxing Bill of the Irish Chief Secretary were signed at all the Catholic Churches of Limerick on Sunday. April 6. — New Catholic Church consecrated at Ballysteen. Death of Colonel Doheny. Murders of Gustavo Thiebault and Maguire in Tipperary. May 6th. — Murder of Francis Fitzgerald, Esq. , of Kilmallock, for which Beckham and Walsh were hung at the Special Commission which opened June 16. Dillane suffered death for the same crime after.vards. Sept. 11. — Robbery of Castlepark by burglars. Oct. 13. — Meeting to organize a collection for the National Monument to O'Connell. Nov. 30. — Reconciliation of the " Three and Four years old", in Emly, by the Ai-chbishop of Cashel and the Redemptorist Fathers. Jan. 24, 1863. — A meeting was convened by the High Sheriff for the county to adopt a petition to parliament in order to support Colonel Dickson's drainage bill. Feb. 14. — Mr. W. Cooper announces that the late Marquis of Laudsdowne had bequeathed to Lord Monteagle and the governors of Barrington's Hospital £3000, pro\'ided it be opened at all times to the natives of the County Kerry. Feb. 24. — Judgment given by the House of Lords in favour of Mr. Malcomson in the great Fishery question, Malcomson v. O'Dea. ' These sclxjoib .ire on the Milifary Road, and were begun in 1853. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 525 operation for the requirements of the children of the poor. The nuns ol the Faithful Companions, who had estabHshed an admirable boarding and day school at Laurel Hill, in 1854, for first-class education — a school second to none other in the kingdom for every advantage— these rehgious ladies also met the difficulty by forming an intermediate school, to which large numbers of Catholic children who had frequented the Model Schools ■were now sent. The latest official return of the number of pupils attend- ing the Model Schools shows that, with the exception of the children of teachers and those connected with the schools, and a few dependents on ultra zealot families, those who attended them are chiefly Protestants, Presbyterians, and Dissenters'. It is impossible that a government which pretends to have at heart the peace and well-being of the people, can continue to force a system which wars with the convictions and feel- ings of the overwhelming majority of her Majesty's loyal subjects— the Catholics of Ireland. On the 6th of June this year, the Right Rev. Dr. Ryan, Catholic Bishop, who had governed the diocese of Limerick for so many eventful years with prudence, wisdom, and justice, expired at his residence, Park House, at the age of eighty-three years. The remains of the venerable prelate were conveyed in grand funeral procession from Park House to the cathedral of St. John's ; in the procession were the clergy of the city and many of the county, in soutane and surplice ; the religious societies, the Christian Brothers, the pupils of their numerous schools, the citizens in crape, a long line of carriages, etc., were also the funeral cortege. In the same month, at Bangor, North Wales, Mr. Wilham Smith O'Brien died after a rather short illness. He had suffered much and long Feb. 19. — At a meeting of the Trades, James Spaight, Esq. in the Chair, resolutions were adopted against the closing of Barrington's Hospital. A meeting of Ratepayers was convened next evenmg, to sustain the Corporation vote in reference to Barrington's and the Fever Hos- pitals. March.— The marriage of the Prince of Wales took place. The Rio-ht Rev. Ur. Butler initiates a movement at the Limerick diocesan conferences, held in the last -tveek of March, in favour of Mr. Dillwyn's motion against the Church Establishment. April 4. — Fishery Commission opened in Limerick. April 8.— Awful calamity and loss of seven lives by a fire in Denmark Street, among the rest Air. P. Ryan, foreman in the Reporter and Vindicator Office. Excessive emigration continues. May 9. — A meetmg to petition Parliament against punishment by death, convened by the Mayor. May 16. — Opening of the new organ at St. John's Cathedral with a grand oratorio. June 1. — Railway to Nenagh opened. June 11.— Borough rounds perambulated by the Mayor, Town Clerk, City Treasurer, City Surveyor, and four mace bearers. Waterford and Lunerick Railway run no trains on Sundays, thereby causing material incon- venience. Sir Colman O'Loghlen's bill falls through. April 12. — In a meeting held in Tliomond Gate it is resolved to enclose the " Treaty Stone". ' The pupils in the Model Schools are in the following religious persuasions: Denominations. Boys' School. Girls' School. Iniants' School. Total Established Church Roman Catholic 78 17 11 21 127 73 18 17 14 122 77 10 18 12 '/28 45 4G 47 Total 117 366 526 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. for his) counti J, wliioli he loved, if not wisely, at all events with hearty sin- cerity and complete devotion. He was a ripe scholar, an able writer, a powerful debater, a warm and constant friend, a tolerant and liberal minded gentleman ; and the opinions of early years became absorbed in those more generous emotions which he expressed on all occasions for every class, party, and creed of his countrymen. His remains were con- veyed for interment to Cahirmoyle, county of Limerick. There was no public procession.' Eugene O'Callaghan, Esq., J.P., succeeded to the mayoralty on the 1st of January, 1864. The industrial movement connected with the manufacture of flax, and the increased growth of manufactures generally, were prominent features during this year. 1865. John Rickard Tinsley, Esq., J.P., succeeded to the office of Mayor on the 1st of January, and at once set about means of obtaining employ- ment for the distressed labouring poor.^ Within the last two years Limerick has been the station of departure en route to Liverpool and Cork for an extraordinary number of emigrants to America, who have taken not a little of the wealth of the country with them, to countries where a better prospect awaits labour and industry. The departure of the producers has no doubt left fewer mouths to fill, but the means of filling them has not been in- creased; and the labour market has suffered, while the farmers, to add to their difficulty, have had to contend with the results of the in- clemency of bad seasons, with high rents, and with the discouragement arising from the want of security of tenure. Reacted on by the state of the country, the city has sufiered from this depression, as well as from the exceptional^ condition of the harbour and the agitations in the money mar- ket. Still it is not to be denied that many improvements were perceptible, in promise at least, if not in realization, in the condition of Limerick withm the space to which we refer. The last year has been particularly re- markable for the revival of the flax trade and the establishment of a flax company in imitation of that recently got up in Cork ; and for the advance- ment of this congenial and hopeful industry the thanks of the city are es- pecially due to the Messrs. Russell and to Mr. Peter Tait, the latter gentle- man at the head too of the great army clothing establishment, having in- augurated the manufacture by a public dinner, at which some useful speeches were^ made, and subsequently visited the north of Ireland to procure the best information respecting the best modes of management. 1864. Jan, 12. — A Flax meeting was convened by the High Sheriff. A meeting was held for the repair of the Church of St. Muuchiu's, Thomond Gate, which has been greatly improved in consequence. Jan. 25. — A meeting to consider the Irish Taxation question was convened by the Mayor. The Earl of Dunraven succeeds the late Earl of Clare in the Lord Lieutenancy of the County Limerick. The Hon. R. O'Brien publishes a pamphlet on Irish affairs. Mr. Peter Tait visits Belfast, to make inquiries about the management of Flax. March 15.— The Mayor presides at the meeting of the O'Connell Monument (Dublin) Committee. The Limerick Corporation are unanimous in favour of petitioning against the oath required of Catholic members. ' A movement for the erection of a national monument to the memory of ]\Ir. WiUiam Smith O'Brien, has been attended with considerable success. At Cahirmoyle his children have resolved on erecting a monument to him. ■•'Through the exertions of the Mayor a sum of about £3,000 was expended through the Irishtown and portions of the Newtown in making sewers. HISTOKY OE LIMERICK. 527 The last two or three years have also been remarkable for the estabHsh- ment of the Limerick Scholarships in the Catholic University of Ireland. The complete abandonment of the model schools by Catholics soon followed in consequence of the forcible and repeated condemnation of the system by the Bishop. A school of art has been formed at the Athenaeum in Upper Cecil Street, and though its advantages are not widespread, some of the pupils have distinguished themselves. Education, too, has been making rapid progress. Limerick, although it stands alone among cities of its rank in not possessing a public library or a gallery of art, has very good collections of books in its reading rooms, which are well at- tended. In fact, like other localities. Limerick has witnessed a sort of re- vival of letters as well as of manufacturing industry; nor has even a political resuscitation been wanting. A crusade against church endow- ments and in favour of tenant right has been lately inaugurated by the Catholic clergy, and taken in hand latterly by the new Catholic Associa- tion ; and the part taken by the men of Limerick in the O'Connell demon- stration in Dublin proves that their patriotic feelings are as vivid, if not as demonstrative, as ever. The river Shannon has been recently rendered much more safe of navigation by lights, beacons, and buoys ; and salmon was never so plenty, though the citizens are not the better of its abundance. Limerick saw for the first time a native poetess publishing her works, in 1865, in the person of Mrs. Fisher, wife of Dr. Fisher, a lady who writes with considerable taste and feehng. The city has suffered deeply, owing in a great measiu'e to the want of continuous employment among the labour- incp classes : this sad state of things has been the constantly recurring cause of complaint for very many years ; it is, in fact, the normal condition of the labourers in the city, a circumstance which owes its existence to causes which demand the vigilant attention, as well of those locally interested in the peace of society and the contentment of the people, as of the Go- vernment. Many sources of employment, no doubt, have been dried up. There has been, also, a considerable falling off in the receipts at the Custom House, which is attributable, to some extent, to the fact that certain commodities which paid custom duties in Limerick in former years, are now brought in by railway, duty paid. A return, with which we have been obligingly furnished by the Collector of Customs, shows the state of the revenue in this respect, as compared with what it had been but a short time since. In the year ending the 31st of March, 1860, the receipts amounted to a sum of £176,305. The number of vessels with cargoes in foreign trade was in that year 116. The nimiber of vessels arrived, foreign, with cargoes, nearly all of grain, for the year ending 31st December, 1862 ... 181 ^ „ „ 1863 ... 163 1864 ... 103 Robert Ti<^lie, Esq., resigns the Chairmansliip of the County Limeiick, which he had ad- mirably heldfor twenty-four years ; he refuses a testimonial, and is presented with a complimen- tary address. He is succeeded by John Leahy, Esq , Q.C. ^ Unprecedented take of salmon in the Shannon by Mr. Malcomson s boats. Fishery Commission sits in Limerick. „ , ^ , . ., -t e a^ r.i,-i April 1.— Neat school-house built by Mr. Scanlan, for the use of the pupils of St. Philo- mena's School, under the care of the ladies of Laurel Hill Convent. . , . . August 9 The Mayor, and some of the members of the Corporation, with some of the citizens, proceed to Dublin, to attend the laying of the Foundation Stone of the O'ConneU Monument. 528 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. The subjoined Tabular Statement indicates the position of the Customs for the financial year, ending March 1865 : — t^ o ■<1< rt t^ CO CP 00 a CO CO cS !>. (M *^ 05 iO •^ ■* ^H O -»t< CO 00 CO OS eo »o S9 H b- 00 a 1.0 to 00 •^ '* >o 00 CO t~ § ^ CO «*< «*1 •t^ •i* CO - 10 CO IN (M '^ ^ t~ -* •* 00 ■^ ■x> -* «> <-l t— 1 I— 1 --J o ,_^ t- 10 -* ! _- CO n 1-^ , eo 00 (M iM -* CO 10 CO 0^ ■' !• H ^ ac_ o CO CO CO CO CO ^ ^ ^ «♦» '^ - ':)< '0 CO tH 00 CO CO 1-1 T^ U5 •* t^ *^ 10 Si _i «> 1) ■-' ^ tn CO 10 00 w ca CO Ci ■^ CO s r> 10 CO CO >o at -* Cl 0>1 =5 t2 ^__ CO C5_ C-T^ CO ■* »o_ ■*! 1) as ^ CO (^ 0" 00 _r 0" CO CO CO CO (M CO CO CO CO CO t- t^ t^ CO C5 t- 1-^ r— < r— 4 0) u C5 CO C5 00 (M CO s^ t^ (M Q >o ■* IM era •>*i '*! 00 W 10 00 t— >n 00 C>J C0_, '*< «+» (yT t— • of (HI CO im' ^ «*1 '♦I «+» ■^ Oi CO -* C5 -+I -- 00 a> • 4A CO ■* CO t^ CO •■^ CO •* t-l '^^ C0__ 10 ■* !N >H t-l CO CO N 0" X , CO CO CO CO fctCO 10 CO .S "■ .a a t CZ3 u 00 00 9 "^ 1 1 CO c 00 00 '5 _A 1 i Q i 1— 1 1 '3 _- a 01 -a <1> c (4 CB a C HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 529 The principal deficiency arises from tobacco and sugar, owing, in some respects, to non-consumption, in other respects, to the introduction by rail- way of some of those articles duty paid. There are symptoms, indeed, of a revival. F'actories are s})ringing up in the city, in addition to those of which the Messrs. J. M. liussell and Sons are proprietors, and to which we have referred in a previous chapter. Alderman Peter Tait, of Limerick, an energetic and enterprising citizen, has given an impetus to the industrial movement, not only by his indefatigable exertions in reference to flax manufacture, but by his employment of some hundreds of persons at his great army clothing establishment — the first and most important of the kind in these kingdoms — and one in which Limerick has reason to experience the utmost pride. Milling is largely carried on, manufacturing all the home- grown and large quantities of foreign wheat. Wool-combing and paper- making, have well nigh altogether disappeared In 1800 there were twenty tanneries, and but one pawnbroker's office in Limerick. In 1865, there are at least twenty pawnbroker's offices, and only two tanneries. In 1841, the number of breweries w^as four. In 1865, there are three — one, the old established one at Garryowen, of which "Johnny Conuell",' celebrated in song, was the owner, and which now belongs to a lady of his family; the second, that of Messrs. Fitts, at the Newgate Lane;^ the third, that of Messrs. Stein, in Clare Street. In brogue-making, which had been an important branch of trade, there has been a great decline. Other branches of trade have died out altogether, such as cloth-finishers, wool-staplers, woollen- weavers, etc. The manufacture of gloves, for which Limerick was famous a century ago, and which owed its superiority to a secret which was said to be in the exclusive possession of a glover named Lyons and his family, has declined also. Lyons frequent iv got orders for his gloves from the Court of Russia and other European courts. Mr. Tait endeavoured to revive the manufacture, but was not successful. The proverbial celebrity which the fishing hooks of Limerick have won, is nearly gone' — every fishing hook was said to be worth a salmon ; their form, lightness, and temper covild not be imitated. Limerick lace, which has Avon a world-wide reputation, does not quite retain its old place : yet Spanish donnas have had their mantillas made in Limerick, while magnificent robes fashioned of it, have won the patronage of royalty. ' John O'Connell, Esq., see page 402. * Brewing is one of the most ancient of domestic arts; and breweries in Limerick have teen known for many generations. The earliest, however, of which we have an authentic record, is the city brewery, near the Golden Mills, and in the most historic part of the city, close by King John's Castle, with the river Shannon bounding it to the north. The Danes possessed the secret of brewing the heather — and Danes' ale continues to be remembered in tradition — but the secret has departed. The story of the secret of making heather ale, known only to the Danes, is told by Lady (Gardner) Wilkinson in her little work on Weeds and Wild Flowers — (Vide "Hea- ther', p. 172.) The anecdote of the putting to death of the two sons and the father for refusal to betray the secret, is related as having taken place on the final expulsion of the Danes from Ire- land, at Ballyportery Castle in west Clare, taken, it is supposed, from the wild Celtic legends of southern Scotland, as related by Mr. K. Chambers in his Pictures of Scotland, or those of the county Clare in Notes and Queries. The inhabitants of the Isle of Skye still brew an ale of two parts of heather tops and one of malt. The city brewery has the following inscription on a stone v/ith the city arms : — THE CITY BREWERY. 1739. ' The Limerick fishing hooks were celebrated all over the world. Daniel O'Shaughnessy, about sixtv years ago, was one of the most famous— if not the most famous fi.-^hin"- hook maker 36 530 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. It was equal, if not superior, to that manufactured in Brussels and Vulcn- ciennes. Mr. Walker introduced tlie manufacture in 1829. At first he em- ployed but a few hands. In 1841, there were 1700 females engaged in the manufacture of lace. In 1865, the numbers have fallen off considerably. At the convent of the Good Sliephcrd, in Clare Street, the manufacture of Brussels lace was carried on for a long period under the inspection of one of the nuns, a lady from Belgium, and such was the extraordinary progress made in the manufacture, that the lace was fully equal to the best Brus- sels. The provision and coopering trades, which, towards the close of the last century and the beginning of the present, flourished, owing to large army and navy contracts during, and subsequent to, the European war, and subsequently until competition was opened to foreign countries, have de- clined. This trade was revived about 1826, by Mr. John Russell, an Englishman, whose estabhshment was the largest in Ireland, and who spent £200,000 a-year in the purchase of pigs and the manufacture of bacon. The principal houses in the trade in 1865, are the Messrs. Matterson, Oak, Shaw, Hogan, and M'Donnell, famous for the manufacture of Limerick hams, which retain their unapproachable celebrity. As to the trade of Limerick from the foundation of the Chamber of Com- merce in 1818, it is best indicated by their record of exports until the year 1848, but from that period the operation of railways in conveying a large proportion of merchandize and produce, both inwards and outwards, renders this source of information necessarily incomplete. The table at page 531 shows the principal exports every fifth year during the period named. From this period also the effects of free trade are strongly marked by the almost total cessation of the exports of wheat, flour, meal, beef, and pork ; the land being converted largely into pasture, and grain food imported largely, instead of shipped. Under the influence of an enterprising spirit we would hope that Limerick may soon rival its ancient fame as a manufactiiring city, when it gave robes of finest cloth to the kings of England,' and exported some of the choicest articles of dress, etc., to that country, from which it now imports too many articles which could be better and far cheaper made at home. in his day. He was succeeded by his son John, who died without issue ; and though the " Shaughnessy" hooks have been sold until very recently, there has been no person of the name in the manufacture of them since the death of Mr. Robert O'Shaughnessy of George's Street, wlio employed hook- makers, and who continued to selL the " Shaughnessy" hooks. William Selles, or Lascelles, succeeded the second of the O'Shaughncssys in the manufacture, and was an adept Michael Selles of Quay Lane, his son, succeeded William, and is now (18G5) hving, and is the last of the manufacturers of these celebrated articles; he is poor though industrious The material of which these hooks are made is cast-steel, which is given out to nailers in the country, who heat the steel in a tuif fire to a certain peculiar- temperature, taking great care that it must not be over-heated. It is then beaten out by the nailer, and in that condition it is brought to the hook-maker. Sellers of Croom was justly prized for his success in preparing the cast steel. The hook maker then did his part. He formed the hook out of the splid, gave it the symmetrical form while the steel continued soft, and then tempered it, producing an ax- ticlo unrivalled. English manufacture of a bad imitation has nearly extinguished the make; hut whilst Michael Selles of Quay Lane lives, the disciple of Isaac Walton can obtain a fu-st class salmon hook for 2d. and a trout hook for a lesser sum. ' See pp. 367-8, in which, in the account given of Nicholas Arthur, it will be seen that he freighted a ship from Limerick in 1428, with cloth, furs, etc., as a present to King Henry. Irish clotli was so valued in these times, and before then, that we find in a MS. in the British Museum the prosecution of a man for stealmg a piece of Irish cloth at Winchester, England, temp. Henry III. Conviction and hanging, duel or ''wager of battle" inconsequence. — Ex. Kol. Mad. HISTORY OF L1MI:KICK. 531 '6 o o o o o o o 1 »■ o o o o o o o !5 > t^ -*< ^^ o «— 4 lO -w CO ?a t~ CO 05 Ci 00 3 ^ =^2' i^ CO sf CO 05 CO- CO H M o ->J< CO o 00 o ^ 00 Ci o_ '"' ^_, ^ t- OS •spssaA T)< CO CO 03 CI JO a<5qiuiij>j^ ,__j ■* CM o t^ CO o o o SJA\0 t>. (M -* t^ «>• 1— o ■jO lO o lO o CJ^ o_ »o iq_ — ^ •p;atujiiO co' kT to" '-^'" CO of 1-^ •S^AVO M -* o CI CO ■* Oi t- o t^ o C-l CO CO CO 00 •jm.i^ Co t^ '^l t— < «5 •suu9a; "" C-l CA~ -*" ■*_ ■* [^ 00 t- >n t- 'l- 1- -* iM ffl »o ^ CJ _^ 00 CC o >o dt r— ( »o ICl CO ■;B5ilAi c-f 00 o" Ci_ cc' c4^ co_^ co" C5 -* C5 Si lO 'M *~l ^ '^ t~ CO ,_< 00 o o t- C4 o •SJAO to o CO CO CO o CD ■>tl pjBI '^ ■"* rfT CO CO " C^ „^ t- CI CO o --0 CI CO o SIMO t^ (M CI CO C^l 05 lO CO lO o_ CO q. IQ^ -i. »o co^ •uooug CO CO 00 •^'" C5 eo co" CO 00 CO o -^ o o CO 0""- '^"^ F^ •c o o r^ n 2 '^ 'O CO 00 -* •SJMO CO o l-~ S o — ; Ci o •^ ■* -f" t-' si M CO lO Ol oo" oo •J94;na (M (M CI t- 00 t^ ta CO CO (M -«J< _ o CO JO o eo 03 l~- o o f-H o 00 ■a o siajj^a C(f 05 ao" -* CO 00 us" "— ' — ' -~ CC o t^ l^-.. iCi t-- f~-, tO' f^ OD t^ -*l CI CO t^ lO CO 00 ■saoaiix o_ o lO CO o CO CO b-^ o_ ^— t-^ ■s CO IC co~ i6 -^h" uf ■-" CO Ci o as CO o U5 03 -* 00 00 -5< ta •spxiBg; c» -*_ t- C5 '"' v! ^" !M oo t^ I* iD CO CO CI ^H 2 PQ CO 35 lO CO t~ eo o ^H •890.131 y^ t- o CO_ CO co_ "^ ■<*l t-^ CD ■*■ cT i-T r-l (H 00 CO 00 CO CO CO 00 CO oo S o 1— 1 C5 CI CO -Xl -* -*< i?" CO 00 CO CO oo 00 00 00 00 {H 1-1 r-< iH I— 1 The following table indicates the existence of an enormous produce in the districts of which Limerick is the market, and in which so vast a trade is carried on as to lead us to hope that at no distant day it will assert its proper position among the great commercial cities of the empire : — 532 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. p- fcO n JJ 00 S ^3 a ^ t^ !3 ■nreao I a It ? O •^BaqAi •sqcaBi •eAi[V ■p^aa daoqs "saApo •8111'BO i-H W — I •suns poB sapiH •sao^B^oj •AVBJ^S •sdtuTiT; •gup[iij[ O W pq •ifa|JBa •S?BO l^aqAi •jsqraa'jdog ?si 3uipu3 J^ax t> ^ r^ g H at N 3 ^ Ti ^ o eS hfi a si T3 ^ >» be bl) a TJ o kM o a n O it o-S Tl H o o yA ^ m u rrt 0) -a a ^ 3 C) cd d OJ m fH 2 ~ Q> H s in O o cS ^3 *S C 3 IS U ;x4 Ph ^ c 5 hn P5 > HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 533 In 1823, the Bridge and Docks Act was passed, and duties were imposed on ships and cargoes, and the following is a Table of the principal statistics of the Port, every fifth year, since 1825 : Year. Vessels Arrived. Registered Tonnage Vessels. Harbour Duties Collected. Amount of H. M. Customs' Duties. Register of Vessel.* belonging to the Port. £ 8. d. £ s. d. Tons. 1825 440 46,983 1,211 12 1 58,138 19 8 563 1830 437 45,005 1,483 1 2 86,090 3 8 3,230 1835 476 60,724 1,765 2 8 136,949 8 6 4,173 1840 545 71,218 3,900 8 148,802 10 12,214 1845 585 76,658 4,204 10 7 192,975 15 2 14,395 1850 572 82,779 5,852 17 11 12,291 1855 554 78,847 6,741 16 11 168,780 17 1 12,121 1860 521 99,017 8,236 3 4 172,403 8,287 1864 446 91,052 8,208 8 4 136,551 4' 5,519 The largest amount of shipping that ever entered the port was in the year 1847, when 1013 vessels arrived, registering 149,867 tons — a striking evidence of the effect of the potato failure, which necessitated the repeal of the Navigation Laws, and an immense importation of foreign grain. As we have already observed, the coasting trade was some years ago carried on by a large fleet of fine clipper schooners, which in latter years have been superseded by first-class steamers ; and large ships, by which the emigration and timber trades had been formerly carried on, have been con- siderably reduced in latter years, as well on account of the great stringency of the emigration laws, as of the extraordinary facilities which have been provided by the transatlantic steamers from Queenstown, Liverpool, etc. There is every reason, notwithstanding a partial decline in trade, and com- merce and manufactures, to hope that Limerick, situated in the midst of the most fertile and beautiful part of Ireland, at the head of the tidal Shannon, " the queen of Irish rivers"', with railway communication to every part of the country — with a population only anxious for work, and with men of enterprise and ability giving an impetus to manufactures, will soon wit- ness a revival, such as must realise the fondest anticipations of all who wish well to her historic fame and proud and invincible reputation. The suburbs of Limerick have been very greatly improved within the last thirty or forty years. The townland of Corbally contains many hand- some villas and residences, which range at a short distance parallel with the Abbey river, and from which the views of the city and river, the Clare and Tipperary mountains, and the scenery generally, are extremely beau- tiful. The North Strand, and the townland of Little Kilrush, the property of Thomas Revington, Esq., have become a favourite place for building, ' This return is up to 31st of March, 1865, and includes whiskey .£2,293 16s. 534 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. and contain several excellent residences, including Eden Terrace, which Mr. Revington has erected. In the North Liberty Barony, on the Townland of Ballygrennan, is Castle Park, the handsome seat of John Christopher Delmege, Esq., J. P. for the counties of Clare and Limerick. The residence is commodious, and formerly belonged to the Ormsby family. There were several fine mansions on this estate, called the townland of Ballygrennan — viz., Ballygrennan House and demesne, the residence of the Smyth family ; Peterville, of the Monsells ; Crcaghville, Violet Hill, and Summerhill, in one of which the first Lord Kiltarton was born. This estate of over three hundred acres was formerly in the North Liberty of the city of Limerick, but now forms part of the North Liberty Barony of the county Limerick. All the fine mansions have been entirely swept away, either by time or neglect, the only residence on the Ballygremian estate being Castle Park, which was also a ruin, when it and the whole estate came into the possession of the Delmege family by purchase several years ago The house has been considerably enlarged and improved in every way, but strictly preserves its ancient appearance. The demesne is well planted, the only old plantation left being stately rows of fine old limes. This house now ranks amongst the best of the second-class residences of the county Its situation possesses the advantage of being within half an hour's drive of the city, and a similar distance from the Clare mountains, which are well supplied with grouse and other sorts of game. Mr. Delmege is the largest landed proprietor in the North Liberty Barony, and gives much employment on a considerable portion of his estates in his own hands in the counties of Clare and Limerick. James Sexton, Esq., J.P., is also a resident landed proprietor in this barony, and is the owner of some very rich corcass lands called v.^oonagh Sexton, lying along the banks of the Shannon, and which have been for a long time in the possession of the Sex- on family. Adjoining the North Liberty Barony is the Barony of Lower Bunratty, county Clare, within fifteen minutes walk of the city, where there are also several beautiful residences, including Quinpool, the property of Mrs. Honan; Whitehall, the property of Thomas Keane, Esq., M.D., J.P, ; Par- teen, the property of George Gloster, J.P., who has an excellent resi- dence adjoining the Church of Parteen, and close by the great Lax Weir. Some few miles to the north is Trough House, the castellated residence of General Sir Charles Pvoutledge O'Donnell, colonel of the 18th Hussars; Black water, the residence of Samuel Caswell, Esq., J.P., etc' On the South Circular Road there are many commodious residences also ; and here is situated the convent of the Faithful Companions already alluded to, which is one of the noblest educational establishments in the south of Ireland. Tervoe House, the residence of the Right Hon. William Monsell, M.P., embosomed in foliage, etc., lies west of the city, and has a picturesque ap- pearance. New and tasteful blocks of buildings are rapidly rising in this di- rection, which has many claims to architectural beauty from its churches, convents, and schools. At Park there was a chalybeate spa, which about sixty years ago was much frequented, but which has not only fallen into disuse, but has been completely forgotten in latter years. This most likely is the spa which is commemorated in the song of Garryowen. This spa is not mentioned by ' Near Blackwater is the Trooper's BusL. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 535 Rutter in his history of Irish spas, who received his information of Castle- connell spa from his contemporary Dr. O'Halloran. It has been observed that there are few cities in Europe more dehght- fully situated than Limerick. In the midst of a country teemhig with agricuUural and mineral riches, and surrovmded by one of the most abun- dant salmon fisheries in the world,' with all the advantages of navigation, etc., it requires only the band of industry and enterprise, to constitute it all that it was intended by Providence it should be. Seen from the towers of St. Mary's cathedral, it presents a view that cannot be surpassed for picturesque beauty and antiquarian interest. North and south, east and west, the country about it, bounded in the distance by ranges of lofty mountains, is fertile to a proverb, constituting a portion of the " golden vein". The broad Shannon winds its course above the city, and expands into an estuary below on its way to the Atlantic Ocean, after traversing 240 miles from its source in Leitrim, where, flov\'ing out of Lough Allen — imbedded in lofty hills abounding in iron and coal — it washes the county of Roscommon, expands into the great Lough Ree, twenty miles long and four broad ; going on by the counties of Tipperary and Galway to Por- turana, in a more confined channel for thirty-seven miles; then through Lough Derg to Killaloe, and thence by the Doonas, with a fall of ninety- seven feet to Limerick — the scenes of ancient battles, and of more modern sieges : the old castles, the bridges — the quaint streets of the Englishtown, with their fading and falling Dutch gables — the Irishtown, with its historic places — the handsome and regular streets of the new town, with its churches, public buildings, shops, private residences, etc. — these objects all group to- gether into a panorama on which the eye loves to dwell, suggesting the thought that a city so well circumstanced, must eventually rise superior to any combination of adverse circumstances by which it may be encumbered, and that as it has been " the fairest city of Munster", so it will not only preserve its reputation in that respect, but become the busy seat of manu- facturing and commercial enterprise — the home of prosperity — as it has always been the pride of Irishmen in whatever part of the world they may dwell. The Shannon is well described in a beautiful sonnet by Sir Aubrey de Vere : '• River of billows! to whose mighty heart The tide wave rushes to the Atlantic sea — River of quiet depths by cultured lea, Romantic wood or city's crowded mart — River of old poetic founts! that stai't From their old mountain cradles, wild and free, Nursed with the fawns, lulled by the woodlark's glee, And cushats' hymeneal song apart! — River of chieftains whose baronial halls, Like veteran warders, watch each wave worn steep, Portumna's towers, Bunratty's regal walls, Carrick's stern rock, the Geraldine's grey keep — River of dark mementoes — must I close My lips with Limerick's wrongs — with Aughrim's woes ?" About two miles south from Limerick, at a place called Newcastle, is a very fine race ground, with a permanent stand, where the sporting events celebrated in a well-known ballad are generally held. Tliese races have latterly attracted a great deal of attention even in England. About a ' An inquiry was held by the commissioners of Fisheries in March, 1865, into the legality of the great Lax weir, which ended in an unanimous judgment on the part of the Commissioners in favour of the weir. 536 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. mile farther on, and in nearly the same direction, but nearer the Shannon, are situated the picturesque rvxins of Castle Troy, once the seat of the K'Eogh family, of whom Mahony K'Eogh forfeited in the time of Cromwell, for his loyalty to the Stuarts. Dr. John K'Eogh, D.D., author of several learned works, and father of the author of the Botanologia Universalis Hibernica, the Zoonomia Uibernica, etc., was a member of this family. Further on in the same direction, is Moimt Shannon, the beautiful demesne and residence of the late Earl of Clare, remarkable for its fine classical library, on which John, second Earl of Clare, expended a large sum of money. Near Mount Shannon are Rich Hill, the handsome residence of William Howley, Esq., D.L., Woodsdown, where Field Marshal Lord Gough was born, which is now in the occupation of W. G. Gubbins, Esq., J. P., and which is divided from Annacotty Mills, etc., by the river Mul- cair. A few miles east of Mount Shannon is Glaenstal Castle, the magni- ficent residence of Sir William Hartigan Barrington, Bart., and Clonsha- voy, the'tasteful residence of Caleb Powell, Esq., ex-M.P. for the county Limerick. In the vicinity of Limerick there are several attractive localities which merit attention, and to which excursions can be made by rail or boat, or by road, at a comparatively small cost, some of which may be noticed in a subsequent portion of this work. The picturesque village of Kilkee, romantically situated upon the Clare coast, is the favourite bathing-place of the citizens of Limerick, who gene- rally repair thither in considerable numbers when the season arrives. There are many other places within a few miles distance, which will well repay a visit, from the beauty of their scenery and their antiquarian and histori- cal interest. Such are Carrig-o'-Gunnell, Adare, Castleconnell, Bunratty, Killaloe, Lough Gur, etc. For those, indeed, who are fond of exploring Druidic, military, and ecclesiastical antiquities, tlTfere is no county in Ireland wdiich supplies more ample materials than Limerick, which possesses like- wise numerous attractions for the lovers of sporting. The last act of parliament passed in reference to Limerick, is that which empowers the Corporation to make an embankment at Corkanree, and to add to the city a certain portion of Corkanree which had been in the county. This act passed the committee of the House of Lords on Thursday, the 4th of May, and received the royal assent soon afterwards. Thus the citizens will be soon provided with a healthful and much-needed park and promenade." CHAPTER LIV. EARLY ECCLKSIASTICAL HISTORY OF LIMERICK DESCRIPTION AND ANNALS OF MUNGRKT ST. NKSSAN AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES AND SUCCESSORS. — ST. MUNCHIN, OR MANCHENUS. — ST. MUNCHIn's CHURCH. — KING Donald's charter, etc We come now to that portion of our history which brings us back to events of remote ecclesiastical antiquity, being that period at and before St. Patrick's visit, on which so much discussion has arisen. The chronicles ' From this park the quays and shipping will be seen to advantage. Two other fine views may be obtained from the Corbally Iload outside, and the Military Koad inside the city. The Crescent with the O'Connell monument, IVry Square with the Kice monument, the Kedemp HISTORY OF LIMEUICK. 537 of some of our religious houses, especially their interior history, are neces- sarily meagre. Most of the records which the ravages of the barbarous Dane had spared, perished at the time of the Norman invasion, of the dis- solution of monasteries under Henry VIII., and subsequently in the Crom- wellian and even Williamite wars. But it is certain that a knowledge of Grecian and Roman literature and art, including a superior style of archi- tecture, was known in Ireland long before the invasion, and that the Gospel was diffused abroad, and the blessings of education were known at home anterior to that disastrous event. Limerick appears to have been one of the first places in Ireland to attract the attention of the early Christian missionaries, the antiquity of its rehgious foundations ascending so high as the beginning of the sixth century, if not still higher.^ About the year 549, the holy Comin founded the churches and towers of Inniscalthra, on the Shannon. After the bloody battle of Cuildrheinne, which was fought between Dermod and Cuorrane Mac Aodla, in which the latter was aided by St. Columba, whose asylum he sought, which was invaded by Diurmuid — the victory being attributed more to the prayers of the saint than to the valour of tlie soldiery — Dermod had scarcely recruited the loss of the battle, when he commenced a war against the gallant Guare, King of Connaught. It is believed that he refused to pay the provincial tax, crowning Dermod as a monarch, who marched his army along the Shannon, probably to a little above Killaloe. The mediation of the holy Comin proved fruitless, as all remonstrances were rejected by Guare, who was foretold by the saint that his troops would be routed. The monarch's horse and foot plunged into the Shannon, forcibly gained the opposite bank, routed the enemy, who fled precipitately, yet rallied the following day. Guare, dreading to make his coimtry a scene of war, sur- rendered himself to the monarch. Before St. Columba established his celebrated monastic institution in the Scotch Island of lona, an institution which remained undisturbed for two hvmdred years, an abbey had been founded at Mungret, the ancient Mongairit, about two miles south-west of Limerick, by St. Nessan^ sur- named the Leper, who was confirmed by St. Patrick himself in the abbacy, and who died in 551, according to the Annals of the Four Masters, but according to the Annals of Clonmacnoise, in 561. Mungret is even at this day a ruin of considerable size, and exhibits many tokens of high antiquity. The doors and windows of the church have either horizontal stone lintels, or that sort of round arch-head which denoted the Romanesque, less correctly, we tliink, called Norman architec- tural period which preceded the introduction of the pointed style. The detached building on the road side bears marks of fire on its square lintel stones ; and the roof, which, judging from the shape of the gables, torist Church and Convent, the Convent and Orphanage of Mount St. Vincent, St. Michael's Protestant Church, built a.d., 1843-4-5, the Model Schools, the Tr.rkish Baths with their minarets and other oriental features, etc., are all visible from the Military Road. ' De hac regione (says O'Flaherty) et Corcoiche plebe fuit S. Molua divo Bernardo (S. Ber- nard in vita Malachire, S. Luanus), Luanus clarus, S. Comgalli discipulus, cujus monasterium celebre Cluanfertense in Eeginali agro, et Lagisia ad radicem montis Smoil, qui mons Bladma dictnr — (^Ogyc/ia, p. iii. p. 381.) * The festival of this saint is celebrated on the 25th Jvily, and as a coincidence with his sur- name we may mention that near the eastern borders of the parish, opposite Ballinacurra, are the ruins of an ancient hermitage, which was aftervviirdti suid to have been an hospital for lepers.' or- 538 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. must have been built somewhat in the style of Columbkill's House at Kells, St. Molua's at Killaloe, and St. Kevin's at Glendalough, was like these vener- able stmctures, probably covered with large slate-like stones, several of which have been turned up in the field immediately adjacent to the build- ing. The well known legend of the " wise women of Mungret", monks who disguised themselves in female attire, and who frightened away by their extraordinary learning certain professors from Lismore, who had come to test it, is familiar to every person in the vicinage. It is illustra- tive too of the admiration always felt for martial prowess by the Irish, that those soldier monks, the Knights Templars, who occupied the old Castle of Mungret, are still spoken of with great reverence in the neighbourhood, not only for their piety but their warlike spirit. If tradition can be relied on, they occasionally did garrison duty at Carrig-o-gunnell, and were well disposed, if not actually bound by engagement, to render military service when called on.' The traditions about the abbey itself are not numerous. That Mungret was a famous religious house, formed by St. Patrick, that its students and monks were most numerous after it became a great college as well as a monastery, that there were of one name alone, one hundred and forty of the inmates called " John Loftus",^ and that the monastery and college were burned by the Danes, and afterwards by Cromwell's forces, or prob- ably by General Scravenmore, who blew up Carrig-o-gunnell in the Wil- liamite wars, who are stated in the local traditions to have shelled it from the Shannon, on which occasion, whenever it happened, they are said to have set fire to tl^e then thatchedroof of the monastery ; these are about the whole of the existing local traditions that refer to the history of this cele- brated establishment. The great eastern window was some time ago quite covered with ivy externally, but some treasure-seekers removed it without doing any further mischief. Internally on the right side of the same win- dow, which is broken into two lights by a mullion, there stood, until within the last few years, a fine specimen of a piscina, the bottom resembling the impress of a human face, which some Vandal, or dishonest antiquarian visi- tor, has lately destroyed if not removed. The people for miles around, were, in our memory, in the habit of applying their faces to this stone as a sup- posed remedy for headache. The venerable ash trees which occupied the northern side have also disappeared. And indeed even the very walls of this truly venerable house would have long ago been destroyed, had the builder of the new church been permitted to construct the new edifice on the site of the old. But the people of the neighbourhood firmly opposed it, and fortunately carried their point. The Psalter of Cashel states that the Monastery of Mungret had within its walls six churches, and, exclusively of nmnerous scholars, 1,500 monks, ' Those who think we have assigned too high an antiquity to the existing walls o? Mungret, will see that Dr. Fetrie thought them still older. The ruined Church in the Inis Liia, near Killaloe, does not look much older than the detached Church of Mungret. The former, how- ever, is one of our oldest stone churches. — (See Petrie's Roiind Towers, p. 183.) It is the belief of the peasantry near Mungret that a subterraneous passage connected the house oftheKnighti Templars, if not the Monastery, with the Castle of Carrig-o-gimnell. In proof of thetnith of this opinion they pomt out a part of the road where there is a sort of hollow sound as if it closed a vault or archway. They also show the pond where the professors, disguised as women, pre- tended to be washing, and addressed their visitors in Greek, etc., like the story told in Rabelais. ^ Loftus's Road received its name from three brothers. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 539 of wliom 500 were learned preachers, 500 psalmists, and 500 wholly em- ployed in spiritual exercises. The ruins of the abbey, which was situated on the south side of the Shannon, consist of the walls of a church which by no means bespeak their former splendour. The west end is 47 feet long by 16 broad, with a plain narrow window. The centre or nave is 33 feet by 281; and the communication from this to the east end is by a small arch. On the north side of the nave is a small porch or entrance. The west end is 12 feet by 22, on the north side of which is a small square tower, with ruined battlements. There are no ancient tombs to be found there. To the eas1 of this are the ruins of another church, and about 300 yards distant from it, the remains of a tower and gateway. About 150 yards north of the church is a soHdly built house, which we have spoken of as bearing marks of lire. It is of considerable extent, with lofty walls and jointed gables, with a narrow circular-headed window at the east end, and entered %y a square ladder doorway on the west. In the adjoining fields extensive foundations are frequently found by the plough, and are also met with at Temple Mungret, which stands about half a mile north of the Pro- testant church, which was originally the hospital of the Knights Templars, and afterwards the manor house of the Bishop of Limerick. The bell of Jklungret — one of those ancient objects so interesting to the Christian arch^ologist— was dug up at Loughmore, in the same_ parish, near the abbey of Mungret; it Is described in a popular periodical,' m which it is also pictorially represented, as of a square form, as a specimen of very rude workmanship, much corroded by time, and composed of a mixed metal, hammered and riveted together. The bell of Mimgret is alluded to by Keating. /. c< c The early history of St. Nessan, who was a contemporary ot bt. benan and Carthage, is involved in obscurity. We cannot admit, according to Lanigan, who remarks that it is strange that^ Ware says nothing of Mun- gret, the story of his having become a disciple^ of St. Patrick, when m Munster. He may have been at least in part a disciple of St. Ailbe, m Emly, with whom he was in the habit of conversing on theological subjects. At the time of these conversations he could not have been very young, as it may fairly be inferred he was born before the sixth century. He was then probably at that time, or before Ailbe's death, abbot of Mungret. He never rose higher in the Church than the rank of deacon, by which title he was known during his hfe and ever since. Yet his reputation was so great, that he has been considered as one of the Fathers of the Irish Church, and therefore it can sarcely be doubted that he was that Nessan named in the second chapter of the saints. St. Neassan or Nessan, is thus spoken of in the Martyrologij of Tallaght, by Cumin of Connor, who llourished, according to Colgan, about the year 635:— " Neassan, the holy deacon, loved an angelic pure mortification. There never came past his lips anything that was false or deceitful". The following are the leading events in the history of the abbey which we find in the ancient chronicles :*— St. Neassan was succeeded in the abbey by St. Munchin, son of Seadna, grandson of Cas, and great grandson of Conall of the Dalgais, and nephew of Bloid, King of ' Dublin Penny Journal, vol. iv. p. 237. * Our authorities are M'Curtin, Luuigaii, Annah of the Four blasters, Colgan, JYias Thau- maturga, et Vit. Sli. Fit. Acta Sanctorum, Keating, etc. 540 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Tliomond, wlio, on account of his unexampled piety and great learning, was ordered by St. Patrick to undertake the instruction of his converts in Connaught, and afterwards became the first bishop of Limerick.' A.D. 760. Died the Abbot AiUoll, the son of Creabachain.'' 820. This abbey was plundered and destroyed by the Danes. 834. This year the abbey, together with several other churches in Munster, was burnt and destroyed by the Danes.* 840. The Danes repeated their depredations.* 908. Cormac M'Cullenan, Archbishop of Cashel and king of Munster, did, by his last will, bequeath to this abbey three ounces of gold, an embroidered vest, and his blessing.® 909. Died the Abbot Maoileasil.^ 934. The abbey was again consumed by fire." 993. Died the Abbot Muirgheas, the son of Muireadhy.® 994. Died Eebechan, the son of Domchudha, the Archdeacon." 1006. Died the Abbot Caithair, the son of Maony." 1033. Died Constans, he was Archidnach of this abbey, and also of the Abbey of Derest Aenguis.'^ 1080. The abbey suffered much this year from a general conflagration.'* 1088. Donal M'Lochloin, with the forces of Ulster, destroyed this abbey.'* 1102. On the 5th of October, died in this abbey the blessed Mugron O'Mor- gair, principal professor of Divinity at Armagh, and in the west of all Europe.'* A.D. 731. According to the Annals of the Four Masters^ the death of Molua, of the monastery of Mungret occurred. In 751 the death of Astell, Abbot, took place. In 752, death of Bodhbhghal, Abbot [756, Annals of Ulster.'] And according to the Annals of Injiisfallen, Cuind Mac Cirerain died in 951. In 965 Conn, son of Cercran, Abbot, and "head of all Munster", as the Annals of the Four Masters call him, died. * 975 Death of Muirg Mac ]\Iuirdoch, Provost of Mungret. * 989 Death of Caher, son of Moenach, Abbot. [Thus marked * are taken from the Annals of Innisfallen.~\ The Annals of the Four Masters mention the following : — 994. Death of Eebechan, sou of Dunchad, Airchinneach. 1011. Death of Art O'Donogh, Abbot. 1014. {recte 1015) Niall, son oi" Dearggan, Airchinneach of Mungret, killed. 1028. Death of Art Ua Duuchada, Airchinneach. 1033. Death (quievit) of Con Mac Maelpatrick, do. 1070. Death of Cathasach, son of Cairbre, Abbot. 1171. Mungret burned by Murtagh O'Brien. 1107. Mungret devastated by Murtagh O'Brien. 1179. Donald O'Brien, king of Limerick, granted the lands of Mungret and the lands of Ivamnach to Brictius, Bishop of Limerick, successor of Turgesius (who assisted at the Covtncil of Lateran with other Irish bishops in 1179-80), and his successors, and to the clergy of St. Mary's, Limerick. ' Lanigan, Ecdes. Hist, vol. ii. p. 103, etc. ' Annah of the Four Masters. * Amiah of the Four Masters. * Ibid. * M'Curtin, p. 193, 184. * Annals of the Four Masters. ' Tr. Th. p. 633. ^ Annals of the Four Masters, * Idem. '" Act. SS., p. 682. " Annah of the Four Masters. ^' Ann. Idem. ^^ Ibid. ^* Ibid. ^'> Ibid. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 541 The Black Book of Limerick contains a copy of this charter, from which it was taken by Sir James Ware. In the Sloane MSS. (British Museum) there is a copy of the charter also copied. The following is the charter :— ^ Charta Donaldi, Eegis Limericensis. [The date of this Charter was about 1194; the Archbishop of Cashel was Mathew O'Heney. Ware.] Donaldus Rex Limericensis universis Dei fidelibus tarn presentibus quam futuris Saluteni. Non lateat universitatem vestram me donasse Brictio Lumni- cano Episcopo, suisque successoribus cleroque Sanctee Marise Limericensi in liberam ac perpetuam elemosynam terram Mungram [terras Imungram Wake and Erck] et terras Ivamnachani ab arcu viz. ? Immungram usque ad terras Imohn ; et a vado Ceinu usque ad flumen Sinan cum omnibus appendentibus, [al. appen- dicibus] Ut autem valida fiat h^c elemosyna, sigilH mei impressione earn con- firmo. Teste Domino Mathaso Cassellensi et Ruadri Uagradei. Which is thus translated: Charter of Donald King of Limerick. Domnaldus, or Domnald, king of Lumneach, to all the faithful of God, as well present as to come, greeting. Know ye all that I have granted to Bric- tius, Bishop of Lumneach, and to his successors, and to the clergy of St. Mary's of Limerick, in free and perpetual alms, the lands of Immungram, (now Mun- garet) and the lands of Ivamnach ; that is, from the arch of Imungram to th? lands of Imalin, and from the ford of Ceiu to the Eiver Sinan, with all their appendances. And in ratification of this my grant in frankalmoigne, I con- firm it with the impression of my seal. Witness, Lord Mathew, Archbishop of Cashel, and Roger O'Gradei. 1630. In this year, April 22, the Vicarage of Mungret was taxed at £142. The taxation and boundaries of this as well as of other vicarages of Ireland were made by Francis, Bishop of Limerick, and other commis- sioners, on October 5th, and fifth of Charles I. The taxation is quoted in Seward's Tip. Bib., ap. p. 22. The Erenach or Aircinneach, as well as the similar but superior officer Comharha (Coarb), corruptly written Corba or Corbe, was in ancient times the manager of church lands. By degrees the office of the erenach fell into the hands of laymen, who consequently assumed the title of arch- deacons. In fact, the erenachs were the actual possessors of old church lands, out of which they paid in money or kind certain contributions for ecclesiastical purposes. The monks of Mungret were Canons Regular of the order of Augustine. It is still church land, and went into the posses- sion of the Protestant Church in the reign of Elizabeth. Dr. Lanigan does not hold some of the popular opinions about St. Nes- san or St. Patrick. We give those opinions, with the authorities on which they rest. Dr. Lanigan, v. ii., 104, says that it is undeniable that St. Nes- san was abbot, and most probably of Mungret, but that he cannot mark the precise time. He died, he says, in 552 (Tr. Th., 186), and therefore could not have been placed over Mungret by St. Patrick, unless he (?) had lived about 140 years. It is to be observed, however, tbat in making St. Patrick's death occur in his seventy-eighth year, anno 465, Lanigan goes against the joint authority of the Annals of Ulster and tlie Annals of the 542 HISTORY OF LIMEEICK. Four Masters, who are followed by Usher, Ware, ColgMi, etc., in assigning the date A.D. 493 for tliat event. Lanigan's reasoning is very ingenious; he uses very scant ceremony with O'Halloran, Archdall, and Ferrar, whom he describes as nonsensical and ridiculous, the two first for stating that the Monastery of Mungret existed in the fourth century ; the latter, for assign- ing its foundation to the year 433.' St. Munchin or Manchenus, above referred to, son of Sedna,^ is said by a continued tradition, which has been followed by the ancient writers, and by Sir James Ware and his authorities, etc., to have been the first Bishop of Limerick, and to have founded a cathedral there, which, rmtil the founda- tion of St. Mary's cathedral by Donald O'Brien, King of Limerick, about the time of the arrival of the English in Ireland, was the cathedral of the see of Limerick. The Ostmen are stated to have restored St. Munchin's Church. The festival of the saint, who is the patron of the diocese, is observed in the Catholic ritual on the 2nd of January. It is a matter of no small controversy who this Munchin was. We are of opinion that he was that Manchenus, whom Jocelyn ( Vit. Pat, cap. 69) calls " a religious man and one of complete knowledge of the Scriptures", "and whom", as he afiirms, " St. Patrick placed over the subjects of Amalgaid, King of Connaught, then recently converted to the Christian faith". Others con- found him with Manchenus, whom the Annals of Ulster call abbot of Menedrochid, and say that he died in 651 or 652. This, however, is im- probable. To St. Munchin's sister, St. Lelia, the church of Killeely, in the parish of Killeely, was dedicated. Tradition ascribes to Rose, another I ' Until the year 18G0 the Castle of Mungret was in good preservation. It stands on the lands of Castle Mungret, and in that year lost some ten or twelve feet of its original proportions, the tenant who took the lands from the Protestant bishop, wishing to make it available I'or a mansion house. This act spoiled the venerable beauty of this ancient structm^e, which stands close by the Tervoe Road, near the hill of the Cross of Mungret, and not far from Temple Mungret, a fee property of M. K. Ryan, Esq., J.P. The Rev. Michael Casey, PP., Mungret and Crecora, and his Parishioners, have recently erected in the chui'chyard of Mungret, a tabular monument fixed to the south wall of the old Church, and made of cut lime stone, to the memory of the Parish Priests who were interred from time to time in tliat ancient cemetery : it bears the followhig inscriptions with the sacred monogram I.H.S., chalices, etc. : — Erected by the Rev. Michael Casej' and his Parishioners of Mungret and Crecora, to ask prayers of the faithful. Rev. Michael Mac Namara, who served these parishes about 40 years, and died 11th April, 1822. Rev. Denis McCarthy, who served about 30 years, and died about 1792. Rev. John Heynes, who served 26 years, and died 1756. And other priests whose remains lie beneath, and whose names and date are not remembered. Requiescant in Pace. A.D. 1862. ' St. Munchin, son of Scdna, sou of Cassia* Tail, the Dulcassiau — CoJgau, p. 510. ' Ware's JBiakops. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 543 sister of tlie saint, the building of Little Kilrush/ and to St. Covanus, tlie abbot, tlie historic cliurcli of Kilquane, all of which, tradition further has it, were built near the time of St. Patrick. The commemoration of the dea,th of Manchenus is pointed out under the name of Manicheus, " the wise Irishman", in the books De mirahilihus ScripturcB, by some erroneously ascribed to St. Augustine {Opera St. August, tom. 3, lib. 2, cap, 4). The ancient church of St. Munchin was situated on the south side o[ tl^e river Shannon. Tradition has it that when St. Munchin was building his church the inhabitants of Limerick were very unwilling to contribute thereto, which so provoked the saint that he gave this curse to^them, viz. : " that the natives of Limerick should never prosper therein".'^ On the site is built a Protestant church, a comparatively modern^ building seven hundred feet in circumference, bounded on the north or river side by the old town wall. In 1711, a year of very great excitement in Limerick, the Right Rev. Dr. Smyth, Protestant bishop, expended a considerable sum of money in repairing this church. His sons, Charles Smyth, Esq., M.P., and the Rev. John Smyth, set on foot in 1734 a subscription by which a sum of £150 was raised to build a vestry room.^ 1 The residence of the Hon. Robert O'Brien, brother of Lord Inchiquin, is close by this ancient church, which is in many I'espects similar to that of Mungret. * White's MSS. » There are many remarkable monuments in and about St. Munchin's Church, which deserra notice, as in ancient as well as in modern times it has been a favourite burial place with the citizens of Limerick. The oldest monument within the church, and that winch ciauns hrst notice on accomit of the beauty of its design and the finish of its construction, is _ that which at a cost of £147 Is. 7.* the Eight Rev. Dr. Smyth raised to the memory of his wite in 1717, wliicn lady was daughter of the Right Rev. Ulysses Burgh, Protestant Bishop of Ardagh, who had heen promoted to that see from the Deanery of Emly by William III. about 1693. * The monument, which is raised at the south side of the Communion Table, over the tamiiy vault of the Smyths and their successors the Verekers, is made of fine black and white marble, and supported bv two cherubim. The following is the inscription : — " Conditura est hoc monumentum a Thoma Smyth S. T. P. episcopo Limericensi, in piam memoriam nuperse suas uxoris charissimse Dorothse, quaj obut, sexto die Augusti, A.V. 1711, ffitatis 43, cujus reliqiua hie sit* sunt. Fnia erit Ulisses Burgh S. 1. P. non ita prmem Episcopi Ardachadensis, ex Maria Nata Gulielmi Kingsmill armigeri. ^ . „, c *i, "In eodem tumulo iuxta iacent Maria Mater, et Elizabetha filia prsefati Thomas bmyth, quarum prior obiit septimo die Septembris, 1704; altera vero 15 die Novemhris 1709, cum jam decimum sextum cetatis annum compleverat". , Near the north door of the church the Right Rev. Dr. Leslie and his wife are interred. Outside are a few ancient monuments, the most remarkable of which is one ot the creagn family, now represented by Pierce Creagh, Esq., of Ralahine, county Clare. On this monu- ment the name ^ntireas Creagij is cut on a stone moulding, placed over three arches, which appear to have formed portion of a larger monument. Flat on the ground is a slab, with this curious inscription. Armorial bearings of the MacMahons. This monument was erected by Thomas M'Mahon his spouse Brigt. in memory of his father in law Kennedy M'Mahon died 9br. 27 1722 aged 103 years. Also (defaced) his (defaced) children Bridget (defaced) Kennedy 7 years and Brien 4 years. Also (defaced). 544 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. It is remarkable that of tlie bishops who followed St. Munchin, or Manchin, there is no record before the conversion of the Danes to Chris- tianity, though there can be no question that the Church of Limerick had always enjoyed the continued succession of its episcopacy. Gille or Gil- bert (said to be a Dane), first Apostolic Legate to Ireland, was Bishop of Limerick a.d. 1110, and flourished until 1140, when he died. He con- vened a synod at Rathbreasail, which twenty-five bishops attended, and at this synod, according to Ware, the limits of the Irish bishoprics were laid down.' He assisted at the consecration of Bernard, Bishop of Menevia, (St. David's) in 1115, which was performed at Westminster by Ralph, Archbishop of Canterbury, according to Eadermus. Growing old and infirm, in 1139, he voluntarily divested himself of the legatine authority, when the Pope raised Malachy Morgair, Bishop of Down, to that office.'' He wrote epistles to Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, a book de Statu Ecclesiae or de Usu Ecdesiastico, which contains the different forms of liturgies and the various ways of celebrating divine service in the Church of Ireland, which he reforms to the Roman custom.' He is said to have insisted, with Malchus, Bishop of Lismore,* on St. Malaclii accepting the Archbishopric of Armagh, in virtue of his legatine authority, when he as- sembled the bishops and great men of the island, threatening St. Malachi with excommunication if he persevered in his refusal. According to Keating he was called Giolla G^-ppuic (bishop) — was Abbot of Bangor, A short distance from the gate which leads to the cemetery, surromided by an iron railing, is the tomb of the late Thomas O'Reilly, Esq., father of the Very Rev. Dr. O'Reilly, S. J. It has the following inscription on white marble :— I. H. S. To the Memory of Thomas O'Reilly, Esq., who departed this life on the 12th of January, 1833, aged 51, this monument is erected as a small testimony of respect and affection of his deeply attached widow and son. Kequiescat in pace. In the same tomb repose the mortal remains of Mrs. OTicilly, a munificent benefactress to the poor. In the cemetery are monuments to the late Alderman Pierce Shannon, who died during his mayoralty, and to the late Charles O'Hara, Esq., etc. There are vaults of the Bannatyne, Gelston, ' KeatinIn the decanate ol Adare. can thy, | 8. The canonry or prebend of Disert, } 9. The canonry or prebend of Athnitt, J 10. The canonry or prebend of Croagh, In the decanate of Ballingarry. 11, The canonry or prebend of Killeedy, In the decanate of Ardagh. So far the important matter in White's MSS. With respect to the property of the cathedral in its ancient state, there can be no question of its extent, and of the jealous care with which it was preserved. Grants of land were frequently made to the cathedral ; whilst, as we perceive by the Black Book, the possessions in mortmain of all the churches of Limerick have been taken into account in the Patent and Close Rolls of Chancery in several successive reigns. These lands were most frequently leased out to tenants. The bishop's manors, of which Mungret, containing six large plow-lands, was one, Kilmallock another, which " hath been ever the bishop's manor", where the bishop was lord paramount, when it (Kilmallock) was a strong walled town ; where tlie bishop had a fair which he purchased for £10 from David Lord BaiTy ; where he held a court twice a year, had a mill, a bake-house, and a shambles; where all persons should grind at the bishop's mill, bake at his bake-house, and pay for the shambles according to custom ; and whcj-e the burgesses and townsmen were called and impannelled as juries in the bishop's court.' Ardagh, as we have above seen, Avas another bishop's manor in which bishops held courts and received rents ; Drumdeely was another ; and there is an entry in the little Black Book^ (quoted by Bishop Adams), ' See Black Book and Bishop Adams's MSS., account of the property, etc. ' See also folio 7, p. 2, of the Black Book, and folio 8, p. 1, in the two offices of inquieition, where Drumdeely is found to he the bishop's land. HISTOEY OP LIMEEICK. 567 to the effect tliat the inhabitants of Inniscattery are bound " cairiare lig- num, gramen et victualla ad omnia maneiia sua de Lesamkill, Drumdeely et Mungarett". No church was more richly endowed by kings and princes, than the Ca- thedral of St. Mary's, Limerick. We now proceed with the Bishops : Robert of Dondomhnal or Dundonald, a canon of Limerick, was elected bishop by the king's assent, after canonical election in 1302. He was not restored to the temporalities until the 2od of September following, as appears by the accounts in the Chief Remembrancer's office. He died on the 3rd of May, 1311, and was buried in his own cathedral. Eustace de L'Eau, or Waters, Dean of Limerick, succeeded, and was consecrated at the close of the year 1311. He indeed was a great bene- factor to the cathedral in his time. The citizens, who appear to have been not only wealthy, but pious, and to have appreciated the value of the cathe- dral, gave their energetic assistance towards the good work in which the bishop was engaged. After a session of twenty -four years, he died on the 3rd of May, 1336, and was interred in his own church. Maurice de Rupe Forte, or Rochfort, succeeded to the episcopacy in the same year, and was consecrated on the 6th of April in Limerick. An information was exhibited against him for opposing the levying of a subsidy granted to the king, of which he was found guilty. It appears that, in 1346, a parhament was held at Kilkenny, which granted the subsidy to the king (Edward IIL), to support the exigencies of the state. Ralph Kelly, Archbishop of Cashel, opposed the levying of it within his province, and for that end summoned a meeting of his suffragan bishops at Tipperary, at which Maurice, Bishop of Limerick, Richard, Bishop of Emly, and John, Bishop of Lismore, appeared. They fulminated excommunication against all who should contribute to the subsidy; and at Clonmel the Archbishop appeared in the public streets, robed, and boldly published the decree of excommunication, particularly against William Epworth, the king's commissioner in the county of Tipperary, for gathering in the subsidy from the collectors. Maurice Rochfort was for some time deputy to Sir Thomas Rokeby, Lord Justice of L-eland, and according to Eriar Hogan's Annals ofNenagh (preserved in the Brundusian Library, Brussels), Maurice was " a man of good life and honest conversation". The mort- main laws were so strictly enforced during his episcopacy, that whereas Gerald le Marescal, above mentioned, in a.d. 127-| had purchased some lands for the see, without having previously obtained his license of mortmain, Edward HI. obliged Maurice Rochfort, in 1337, to pay a fine of twenty marks. An ancient rental of the Diocese of Limerick is attri- buted to Maurice Rochfort. The attitude assumed by the Church at this period was bold and ve- hement against the tyrannical usurpations of the crown, which not only sought to set aside the liberties extended by Magna Charta, but under the falsest ofpretences, levied oppressive taxes, and frequently revoked all pre- vious grants, letters patent, etc., as well to all persons denounced, as to the Church itself, which maintained its position as the champion of truth and the protector of the persecuted. Many instances are given, in contem- poraneous records, of the rapacity of the crown, and of the resistance of 5g8 history or limerick. the Cliurcli to tlic spoliating hands of royalty and to the unscrupulousncss of its acrents ; and the vehemence with which the Archbishop of Cashel hurled defiance at the decrees of the subservient parhament of Kilkenny, and the readiness with which his zeal was seconded by his suffragans of Limerick, Emly, and Lismore, afford a proof, if proof were wanting, that the Church, in those times, never abandoned the people, though the power of the state and the influence of the crown were brought to bear against it on many- occasions. Stephen Lawless, or Lollies, Chancellor of Limerick, succeeded in 1353, and was restored to the temporalities by the king on the 13th of May, 1353. He died on the 28th of December, 1359. In 1360, Stephen de Valle, or Wall, Dean of Limerick, succeededby provision of the Pope, and was consecrated this year. He filled the high office of treasurer of Ireland. He was translated to the bishopric of Meath, where havinsr sat ten years, he died at Oxford on the 4th of November, 1379, and was buried there ni the Dominican monastery. While he was Bishop of Limerick he translated the bones of Richard FitzRalph, Arch- bishop of Armagh, commonly called St. Richard of Dundalk, from Avig- non to Dundalk, the birth-place of that archbishop, and deposited them in the Parish Church of St. Nicholas in that town.' Peter Curragh (in a MS. in T.C.D., said to be taken out of the Black Book, he is called Creagh; and in White's MSS. he is designated Pierce Creagh, a native of Limerick, though Ware states that he was a native of the county of Dublin) was elected next in succession, in 1369. He took the oath of fealty to Edward HI. before the illustrious Wilham of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester, on the 10th of February (English style). Creagh's episcopacy was full of troubles. He engaged in implacable opposition to the Franciscans. When Archbishop Warrington came to Limerick to redress their grievances, and cited the bishop to answer their complaints, he (the bishop) laid violent hands on the archbishop, and tore the citation from him with such force that he drew his blood, and ordered the archbishop to begone, or that it should fare worse with his attendants. It is said, more- over, that the bishop laid censures on and threatened with excommunica- tion all who should repair for divine service within the church of the Fran- ciscans ; that he excommunicated all who afforded the archbishop food and entertainment. There are other matters equally harsh said of this bishop : some of these accusations are preferred by Ware, on the authority of Luke Wadding ; but we must accept them with some reservation. We must bear in mind that this prelate governed the see of Limerick for the long period of thirty years. During his time religion flourished in Limerick. Some of the most eminent of the families of the city then lived, and by their munificent expenditure on the churches and monasteries, showed that their zeal was ardent and their faith sincere. It was during the episcopacy of Pierce Creagh that Martin Arthur made a wilP which shows that there were nine churches in the city. This will was made A.D. 1376. Among the bequests was one to the Franciscan friars, which the assertion of Ware, or rather of his commentator, Harris, as to the resent- ' In a Parliament held at Trim, in June, 1485, a chantry was confirmed in this church of St. Nicholas, at Dundalk, in honour of God, the Blessed Virgin, St. Nicholas, and St. Richard, of Dundalk. Ware's Bishops. ' Preserved in the Arthur MSS. I HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 569 ment manifested by the bisliop towards the Franciscans, shows did not ex- tend to the citizens. This will indicates the curious domestic manners of the times, and sets out several curious bequests. Confirmation of it is granted, and letters of administration, by the bishop. The will concludes as follows : " In the name of God, Amen, I, the aforesaid Martin, bequeath my soul to God, the Blessed Virgin, and all the saints ; my body to be buried in the church of the Preaching Friars in Limerick. I also bequeath to the Cathe- dral of St. Mary's, Limerick, for forgotten tithes ... (marks) 20 Also to the Preaching Friars ... .., 1 8 Also for a friar's habit, to be put on him, half a mark Also to the Friars Minor (Franciscans) ... Item to the Vicars of the Church of St. Mary Item to the Church of the Holy Cross Item to the Vicar of St. Nicholas Item to repair of the Church of St. Munchin's Item to the Church of St. Peter Item Church of St. Michael Item Church of John Baptist Item Church of St. Lawrence Item Church of St. Patrick Item to Sarah Wingaine Item to Mr. John Lawless Item Mr. John White, Chaplain Item to Mariota Mylys Item to John Sole, Monk Item to Friar Maurice O'Cormacaine Item to Friar Simon Modin Item to Preaching Friars, to pray for his soul Item to ISlurse Johanna This bishop resigned his see a.d. 1400, and died about the end of Octo- ber, 1407. Before his death, but after his resignation, viz., in 1401, John Budstone, a wealthy citizen of Limerick, bestowed four great bells on the cathedral of St. Mary's, to which we shall have to refer in the next chapter. Up to this period, from the foundation of the chapter by Bishop Donat O'Brien, there had been nine' Deans. • •• 10 ..• 2 ... 3 4 ... 2 ... 3 4 ... ... ... ... .. ... ... ... ... half a mark. ... o o 4 ••• 2 ••• 2 • •• 8 CHAPTER LVII. BISHOP CORNELIUS o'dEA — HIS MITRE, CROZIER, AND SEAL — HIS IMPROVE- MENTS — STATE OF AFFAIRS IN HIS TIME — GRANT OF HENRY VI. TO THE CITIZENS — THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. MARY's — MONUMENTS AND MONU- MENTAL INSCRIPTIONS — THE BISHOPS IN SUCCESSION — THE " REFORMA- TION", ETC., ETC. The illustrious Cornelius O'Dea, Archdeacon of Killaloe, succeeded Cur- ragh or Creagh, a.d. 1405. He was a liberal benefactor to the cathedral, as we have already seen, and he also enlarged and beautified it. His mitre Viz.:— in 1204:, p. 1212, T. ibid. W. Reymundus, tempore Henrici de Walyn, Dec. Lim.; 121 to 1278, Thomas of Woodford ; 1295-8, John de Cotes ; 1302, Luke ; 1311, Eustace de I'Eau or Waters, who was raised to the bishopric this year; 1366, Adam Owen; 1398 to 1409, 40 570 HISTOEY OF LIMEllICK. and crozler are yet extant, and have won tiie admiration of all anti- quarians and learned societies : tliey have been shown at the great Na- tional Exhibition in Dublin in 1852, and at the congress of the Arche- ologlcal Society in England in 18G2.' The mitre is of thin silver parcel o-llt, ornamented both on the front and back, as also on the infulce or pendants, with a profusion of pearls, crystals, rubies, amethysts, emeralds, and other precious stones. The two sides are composed of silver larainse, gilt, and are jewelled in a broad band round the base, tip the centre, and alono- the sloping edges ; these bands are edged with mouldings, and the sloping portion has been enriched with an elaborate cresting of vine-leaves along its outer edge. The interspaces on either side are now occupied by a foliated ornament, composed of pearls laid down over foil. The infuloe, or pendant ornaments, are not so ancient as the mitre itself. There are, however, among them two ancient cabochon crystals, and two small orna- ments of translucent enamel, one with the emblem of a hare pursued by a hound, the other with a winged lion. It has the following enamelled in- scription, under a crystal cross in front : — " HOC SIGNUM CRUCIS ERIT IN CCELO". Under a similar cross on the back the inscription goes on : " CUM DOMINUS AD JUDICANDUM VENERlx", Round the base of the mitre is the following inscription, in letters of the period, on ground covered with blue, green, and purest translucent enamel : -f-Me+fieri-j-fecit+Cornelms-l-O Deaygh4- episcopus-! l-anno4-Domini-{-niiUi°-[- — + + The name of the artist is engraved in similar characters above the hinged band : — Thomas + 0'Carryd-|- artifex'-f- faciens. The crozler is of silver gilt, and ornamented round the curve with vine leaves and real pearls, and down the shafts with crowns and chased work. Within the curve are statuettes of the Blessed Virgin and the Angel Gabriel, and that of a dove over the former. This curve is sup- ported by a pelican, with extended wings, feeding its yoimg ones. Beneath are the enamelled figures of five female saints and St. John the Evangelist. The crozler weighs about 10 lbs. The boss of the crozler exhibits six elegant statuettes under rich canopies of Edwardine archi- tecture, and standing upon appropriate pedestals. These statuettes re- present the Blessed Trmity, the Virgin Mary, St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Patrick, and St. Munchln, the patron saint of the diocese. Ricliard Warren, Waryer, or Warying. Of prebt'iKlaries, \\p to this period, we find only tlie names of: 1320, Ricliard Fort, Preb.of Kilbealcan; John de Bosworth, presented by the crown, September 10th, 134G, Preb. of Tullabrackey ; 1389, John Eyloward [Aylward], presented by the crown, September 20th, Freb. of Tullaghbrackey ; 1388, John de Karlell [Carlisle?], Preb. of EflBn— held. ' Dr. IMihier gave a particnlar description of these most valuable treasures to the Society of Antiquaries, with a sketch of them, which was made by Mr. John Gubbins, of Limerick, Artist. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 571 On the crozier, in beautifully executed letters of the time, are these ■svords : — " Me fieri fecit || corneli' odeaigh || eps limiricens' || a°do' M°cccc°xviii t(et) consecracionis || sue anno xviii.' It is stated in the White ]^ISS. that these precious treasures had been always in the possession of the Catholic Bishops of the See of Limerick. O'Dea, who was connected by fosterage with tlie royal family of O'Brien, was buried near the tomb of the O'Briens, under a monument of black marble adorned with a statue; but in 1621 this monument was removed to a place set apart for the bishops of Limerick, on the south side of the choir." The following inscription is on the monument : — "Hrec est effigies Reverendissimi Viri Cornelii O'Dae Quondam episcopi Limericensis qui ad monumentum Hoc novum Episcoporum Limericensium ad Perpetuandum meraoriam et honorem tantl Prcesulis Translatus fuit ut hie cum fratribus suis requiesceret 14 die Julii, Ano Domini 162L Remotus autem hue evi (qu. fuit?) Sumptibus nobilissimi herois Donati comitis Thomoniaj Tunc Honoratissinii Domini Presidentis provincite Momoiie". Thus translated in Harris's Ware : " This is the effigies of that most reverend man, Cornelias O'Dea, formerly Bishop of Limerick, who, to perpetuate the memory and honour of so great a prehite, was translated to this burial-place of the bishops of Limerick, that he might rest with his brethren, on the 14th day of July, 1621. Bat it was re- mo'ved hither at the charge of that most noble hero, Donat, Earl of Thomond. then the Right Hon. Lord President of the province of Munster". O'Dea resigned in 1426. We must dwell for a short time on the state of religion in Limerick durino- the episcopacy of this illustrious bishop, and show what was done for hi? cathedral by liim and by the citizens. Among other improvements, Thomas Arthur, who was born about the year 1378, with his wife Johanna Morrough, daughter of David Morrough, senator of Cork and Youghal, built up at their own expense, in a magnificent manner, the eastern 'fronfand the costly wrought window of the choir of the cathedral church of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Limerick, the wester^door of which he caused to be sculptured, in a workmanlike ma%ei|Pin ptone, with the armorial bearings of the Arthurs, and the southern (5'oor with the armorial bearings of the Murroughs, " not through a spirit of vain glory, but in order that others horeaft'er should imitate the memorials of their piety". He was thought worthy to liold the dignity of Mayor of Limerick twice. The first time he entered upon its duties was in the year 1421, which was the tenth and last year of the reign of Henry V., in which time they beo-an to build the walls of the southern suburbs. The second time he discharged the duty of Mayor was in the year 1426, in which year the 1 That is, "Cornelius O'Deagh, Bishop of LiiBerick, caused me to be made a.d. 1418, and in the eii,'hteenth year of his consecration". The Right Rev. Dr. Butler, the present Catholic Bishop of Limerick, wore the precious mitre at his consecration ; and his lordship lent it to the South Kensington Loan Exhibition in 1862, where it was admired as a laatchless curiosity, as the mitre oi William of Wykeham, which was like it, but has gone to decay. 572 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. gate dedicated to St John the Baptist, and the eastern walls, were begun. And having six months of his office unexpired, he died on the loth of the kalends of April, 1426 (Arthur MSSy The great Bishop O'Dca gave an impetus to improvement, not only as regards the cathedral, but to the convents and monasteries, and the city generally. He was liberal, energetic, and pious. The spirit by which he was animated was largely participated in by the citizens, of whose coope- ration in raising and erecting costly monuments wc have records in the Arthur MSS. The cathedral contained several chapels dedicated to saints, the chief of which were those of St. Mary Magdalene and St. Catherine, St. James, etc. It was the invariable custom of those who could afford, to bequeath certain sums for the repairs of the cathedral, as well as for the repairs of the parochial churches of St. Manchin, or Munchin, St. Nicholas, St. Peter, St. Michael, St. Laurence, St. Patrick, and the priories and mo- nasteries, and fines imposed on citizens and others were appropriated to the repairs and adornment of the edifice.' In reference to John Budstone, above referred to, Dr. Thomas Arthur, in his MSS., writes in Latin, which we translate literally: — " I composed this inscription to be set up by the stone-cutter by way of epitaph, on the mural tablet of marble, sculptured ia golden letters, inserted in the wall of my chapel, dedicated to the Blessed Mary Magdalen, in the church of the Virgin Mother of God, in Limerick, in happy memory of my grandfather's grandsire, John Budstone, by whose gift I, my parents, my grandfather, my great-grandfather, and my great-great-grandmother, Margaret Budstone, have possessed that part of the chapel. "This pious man made a gift, to the church aforesaid, of four large brass bells, as I have found in a writing in a book belonging to my grandfather, William Arthur, grandson of the same, by his daughter : " Now stay thy steps, and, reader, cast thine eyes. And reskd the fate that waits on thy demise : That fair corporeal mass dissolved and passed. Shadow and dust shalt thou become at last. That shadow passeth not to empty air, Nor into other bodies doth repair, 'The win of tlie aboveuamecl Thomas Arthur, which was made on the 17th March, 1426, s sealed with the seal of Cornelius, Bishop of Limerick, impressed on red wax. The following is a description of the seal; it represented on tlie iipper part the image of the Blessed Trinity the Father bearing up the crucified Son ; in tlie middle was an image of the glorious Virgin Mary, with two other images, one at each side ; on the lower part of tie same seal was an image of the bishop, with the shield of the Earl of Desmond on the right side, and of the Earl of Ormonde on the left ; on the circumference were these letters. " The seal of Cornelius, by the grace of God Bishop of Limerick" (^Arthur MSS.). ^ (From the Arthur MSS.) " I wrote this epigram, to be sculptured sometime on a marble altar which I wish to erect in the chapel of the tutelary saints, Saints James the Greater and Mary Magdalene, if ever I shall survive the close of this war — (He means the war of 1641) — be- tween the walls of both alabaster statues, to be placed upon neat arches or couches of both: The hostile flame, pent up in densest clouds, A rain mist, like to v.'ater, has poured forth. The heavenly fire dilfused in sacred minds Draws fortli the lightning of the Word, and then Devotion thunders, rivalling the saints With sighs and moans; but let the limpid tear Wash away siu". HISTOEY or LIMEEICK. 573 But Avitli the spirits of the blest reposes, Where gales benignant fan Elysian roses. If aught impure the flesh contracted here, Passed through the fire the soul becometh clear. While, racked on sulphur piles, the ■vvicked lie, Banded with souls accurst eternally. Darkling in gloomy night, whom nevermore Water of life shall unto health restore. Traces of human shape it doth retain, Longs to return and join the flesh again ; But ages pass before it re -attires The mouldering ashes with their former fires. Then shall the soul its members reassume. And, AvidoAved once, rise glorious from the tomb. Then shall the dreadful trumpet's awful tone Summon the crowds before the Judge's throne ; Returned to life, the bad to tortures doomed, The good with light eternally illumed. Oh ! stain not, then, your pious sovils with crime. Comport your holy life to faith sublime. Without morality all faith is vain, « John Buston teaches in this Avarning strain. Who to the church these powerful bells has given : Do thou, departing, Avish him rest in Heaven". Bisliop Milner states that the ancient taxatio dicecesis in the Black Book which he saw on his visit to Limerick in 1808, is in the handwriting of Cornehus O'Dea. A description of the episcopal seal, the only one extant, is preserved in the note Ave have just given from the will of Thomas Arthur. Those indeed Avere bright and happy days for the Church. Under the influence of this great Irish bishop everything flourished. Men lived and died for religion. It is probable that the oak stalls and " mise- reres", which even at this hour win the admiration of every visitor of St. Mary's Cathedral, are of the time of O'Dea: the carvings on the "mise- reres" (or seats with ledges, A\'hich were turned up to allow the occupant of the stall to rest during the recital of the divine offices) are of this period ; they are similar in many respects, to the carvings on the misereres in some English cathedrals.' It is equally probable that Bishop O'Dea founded the valuable MS. library of St. Mary's Cathedral (a few specimens of which we believe are yet in existence), and of Avhich a catalogue, to some extent at least, is preserved among the Sloane MSS. in the British Museum. The folloAving is a portion of the catalogue translated : No. 46, Sloane MSS., 4793, page 119. A 1631. The names of 45 MSS. in the Library of the Cathedral of Limerick : 1. Last of the Fou.r Gospels and Richard the Hermit. 2. „ Explanations. y. Tract on Vices and Virtues. 4. Explanation of the Apocalypse. Augustine on the Wondejrs of Scripture. Historical Allegory on the Scriptures. ' Glossary of arcbitecture. 574 HISTORY 01* LIMERICIC. 5. Augustine on the Doniination of Devils. Meditations of Anselm. 6. Great Prologue containing all the Prologues in the Bible. 7. Chrysostom. 8. First Book of the Summa of St. Thomas. 9. Explanation of the Names in Scripture. 10. Acts of the Apostles, and all the Epistles. 11. Questions in the Old and New Testaments, and Lombards. 12. Four Books. 13. Concordances. 14. On Vices and Virtues, in Folio. 15. Explanation of the Avhole Bible. 17. Explanation of the Canticle of Canticles, and certain Symbols. 18. Text and Explanation of Matthew. 19. Five Books of the Decrees of Gregory. 21. Paraphrase of the Psalms. Fifteen Books of Augustine on the Trinity. Anselm on the Incarnation of the Word. The same on the — Monologia of the same. 22 ^ Prologia of the same. The same on the Trinity. The same on God-Man. Anselm on Truth, etc., etc. 23. Dictionary of Words. 24. Observations on the History of the Bible. 25. Innocent IV. on Canon Law. 26. Summary on Vices. 28. Text of the Gospel of John. 30. On Vices. 31. Explanation of the Psalms^ 32. Explanation of the Epistles of St. James and St, John. 33. Explanation of the Epistles of St. Paul. etc., etc, etc. Those MSS. appear to have still existed, as the catalogue states, in 1631. Most likely, tliey were scattered and destroyed in the wars of Cromwell. Bishop O'Dea lived some years after his resignation, and died a.d. 1434, and w^as buried, as we have seen, in the cathedral to which he was a muni- ficent contributor. The year previous to his death, viz., in 1433, on the Monday before the feast of St. Michael the Archangel (12th Henry VI.,) the Mayor and community of the city of Limerick, by unanimous consent and assent, admitted Dr. John Ovcni, as prior of the House of St. Mary and St. Edniond, to the freedom of the city ; " so that he shall render and give with the citizens of the same city as his predecessors rendered and gave with the citizens of the same city and their predecessors" ; {Arthur MSS.). This prelate lived in troubled times. The city suffered as well from the attacks of Irish as of English rebels. In the British Museum, among the Sloanc MSS., appear letters patent by which Henry VI., to prevent the destruction of the city from day to day, grants to the mayor, bailiffs, and commonality of the city of Limerick, power "as often as they please to retain with them sufficient people (or septs, HISTOEY OV LIMERICK. 575 gentes) for defence, both horse and foot of the county of Limerick and marches of the city and county aforesaid, and to lead these people with them in resis- tance to the malice of said enemies and rebels, to make "war upon and to chas- tise and punish them according to, their demerits, and to be able with God's assistance to make head against them. And we also of our special favour grant that neither the aforesaid mayor, bailiff, and commonalty, or their successors the mayors, bailiffs, and commonalty of Limerick city, neither any of them, nor any one of any of the county and marches aforesaid, who shall thus have gone hereafter with the aforesaid mayor, bailiffs, and commonalty, and with their successors the mayors, bailiffs, and commonalty of the said city, against the said enemies of ours, and English rebels who are to be curbed in the manner and form aforesaid, be impeached, nor any of them be impeached or in any way be aggrieved by our heirs, officers, or servants, or any of our heirs hereafter what- ever in the causes aforesaid, or any of them. And we further of our fuller favour grant unto the same mayor, bailiffs, and commonalty of the said city for ever, the power of treating and parleying with the aforesaid our Irish enemies dwelling about the city, county, and marches aforesaid, and to restore them to peace with us, or of our heirs, and as often as they please to make armistices and truces with them, without impeachment on the part of us, our heirs, officers, or servants, or of our heirs whatever hereafter, providing, hoAvever, that such treating be not to our prejudice or that of our faithful people. In testimony whereof we have caused to be made these our letters patent. Witness our beloved Thomas Straunge, Knight Deputy ; our beloved and faithful John Sutton, Knight, our Lieutenant in our land of Ireland. Trim, the 8th day of March, in the eighth year of our reign, Sutton, by petition by the Deputy him- self and the whole coiincil, and sealed with the privy seal". We thus perceive the state of society without the city, at a period in which religion was effecting so many improvements wdthin the walls, and when piety among the citizens was one of their chief characteristics. By a special patent the bishop himself was empowered to parley witli the rebels. In the third of Henry VI., the king, by his letters patent, remitted to Cornelius, Bishop of Limerick, all debts, compositions, arrears, fines, and amercements which were due of him to the crown of England. The letters bear date the 26th of April, and are witnessed by Sir John Talbot, Lord Justiciary of Ireland (Pat. E. Hib., Henry VI). John Mothel, or perhaps more correctly John of Mothel, an Angus- tinian canon of the abbey of Kells, in the county of Kilkenny, succeeded O'Dea by provision of Pope Martin V., and was restored, according to Ware, to the temporalities on the 23rd day of January, 1426 (English style). He governed the see nearly thirty-two years; resigned it in 1458 ; and died in 1468. The Royal Irish Academy, in 1849, according to Dr. Cotton, became possessed of an ancient seal or stone, which was prob- ably that of this bishop. It bears the rude figure of a bishop under the usual canopy, beneath which is another figure of a prelate with his pas- toral staff. The workmanship of these is coarse. It is inscribed : — SiGiLLu. Dni. Johs. Epi. Lymeensis. An account appears in the Black Booh of an inquisition wliicli was lield by Bishop John Mohel, which is to this effect : — 576 HISTORY or limerick. " An Inquisition was held in the [bishop's] court of Tullabrek, on the 9th day of September, in the year of our Lord 1447, before our Lord John, Lord Bishop of Limerick, Eobert Stancon, and many others ; item, Eoy. O'Cachaue, jur. ; it. Sehan O'Pharrell, jur. ; it. Nichus. Fyn, jur. ; Kichus. McJonyn, jur. ; Donaldus McJonyn, jur. ; Kichus. Duff, jur. ; Thos. O'Morvie, jun. ; Thos. O'Bogane, jur. ; Cornelius O'Morio ; Willmus. BloAvet, jur. ; v.'ho being sworn as witness, on their oath depose, that in whatever way the tenants of Tullabrek did work by their horses and cattle for themselves, they would do in like manner for the Bishop of Limerick." The deans, from the time already enumerated to the episcopacy of tliis bishop, were, according to Dr. Cotton, Luke (1302), Eustace de L'Eau, or Waters (1311), who was raised to the episcopacy in that year; Stephen de Valle(1360), who was elected bishop, according to Ware; Adam Owen (1366), Richard Warren, Waryn, or Warying, Eustathus d'Aqua, who is named in a MS. T.C.D., f. 1-18. •" But, perhaps", says Dr. Cotton, " there is a mistake of a figure, and 1405 ought to be 1^05 (see above)". Robert Peer also was Archdeacon of Lismore as well as Dean of Limerick (1434), and was sent as proxy for William, Bishop of Meatli, to the coun- cil of B^sle, and on his return the council ordered the bishop to pay all his expenses — [see Register Swayne] : — Peer in 1446 was raised to the bishopric of Waterfbrd; and, lastly, Thomas O'Semican. From the foundation of the cathedral up to this period, there were four precentors, viz.: M. Omelinus {Black Booli), (1204 to 1207); Thomas {ibid., id) (1272); Dyonysius O'Dea (perhaps a relative of Bishop Cornelius O'Dea), who obtained leave of absence for five years to go and study in the schools of Oxford and Cambridge (Robert Patrick Wark), and who in 1421 was raised to the bishopric of Ossory ;^ Maimer Fleming (1426) — {Cod, Clar. 36). William Creagli, a native of Limerick, succeeded John Mothel by Papal provision, on the resignation of the latter, and was consecrated in 1459. He occupied the see about thirteen years. He recovered for the church the lands of Donoughmore, according to the Black Book, which were usurped by others." The salary of the organist in his time was 6s. 8^d. per annum.' He was a distinguished member of a highly distinguished family, which gave archbishops and bishops to the Church, commanders to the army, chief magistrates to the city, and which traces its pedigree to Eugenius, son of ISial of the Nine Hostages, son of Eochaymoyvegau, several nionarchs of Ireland having been of the family.^ ]\Iost pi'obably it was during the reign of this prelate that the Galway monument, or, at all events, the principal portion of that very remarkable monument, was erected in the cathedral, the inscription on which has been much defaced, no doubt purposely, and most probably by the soldiers ' This Bishop of Ossoiy may, however, have been of the Kilkenny sept of O'Dea, located near Waterford. - The entry is in his own handwriting. 3 Arthur MSS. * From an old MS: — "Here followeth the antiquity, gcanologle, and explanation of the most antient family of the Creaglis in all places where they be, and the reason why they were called Creaghs, and their pedigree to Eugenius, son of Nial of the Nyne Hostages, son of Eochaymoy- vegan, with account of each monarch of Ireland that had been of the ancestors of the said family, with the year of the world or of Christ each monarch began their reigne, and how many years each monarch reigned lirst, and begin with". Three brothers, Pierce, Patrick, and James, commanded the party that forced their way through Creagh Gate, which is called alter their name from that day, because they wore green branches in their helmets, to distmguish themselves from their enemies, the Danes, whom they conquered. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 577 of the Commonwealth, Sir Geoftrcy Galwa}^ of whom we have ah-eacly written so much (see p. 127), having been one of the citizens proscribed by Ireton. The coat of arms, which surmounts the monument, seems to have been placed above the tomb many years after the erection of the latter. The arms of the Galway family are those of the De Burghs, distinguished by a bend. On a shield at the right, over the tomb, are the arms of Galway, impaling those of Stritch ; and on a second shield, at the left, are the Galway arms impaling those of Arthur. There is a third shield under the apex of the monument, but we have not been able to ascer- tain with correctness to whom it belongs. The inscription, as far as it can be at present made out, is as follows : — vu' Ricardus xx. . . . ort .... roa . . . civitatum Lime xxx. Corgagije qxx anno di mccccxxxx. . . . Hie jacet xx venerabilis vir Galfiridus Galwey quondam civis civitatum Limerici Corcag xxx Waterfordie qui obiit xx. . . . Januarii anno Domini mccccxlxx um XX filius talis xx Margarite filie talis Ricardi xx. . . . fort hunc tumulum fieri fecit. Thomas Arthur succeeded in 1472, and died on the 19th July, 148(3. He was the third son of Nicholas Arthur of Limerick, and Catherine Skyddy of the city of Cork.' His father was one of the most eminent citizens of his time — (see p. 369), and appears to have been on intimate terms with the Kings of England, to whom he was accustomed to make valuable presents. His grandfather, Thomas, did much, as we have seen, towards the decoration of the cathedral. The bishop had five brothers, all of whom rose to distinction in their native city. Richard, whose surname is not given by our authorities, succeeded in 1486, and died in the same year, in Rome, where he was appointed to the see by Pope Innocent VHI. He never took possession of his see. John Dunow or Dumow, a canon of Exeter, doctor of laws, and, at the time, ambassador of Henry VIH. to the court of Rome, was nomi- nated, on the loth of November, 1486, by the Pope's provision, to succeed ; but he also died in Rome the third year after his consecration, before he had time to visit his see. John Folan succeeded in 1489. He was canon of Ferns, rector of Clonmore, and procurator for Octavian de Palatio, Archbishop of Armagh at the court of Rome, and was advanced to the see of Limerick by the Pope, on the 13th of jVlay in the same year. During the episcopacy of this prelate in 1449, the nave of the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was narrow and mouldering to decay, was enlarged, and several other additions were made, including the erection of three transepts, as well as the formation of various aisles. The citizens undertook the duty of decorating the cathedral.- The Arthurs appear to have given their aid towards these improvements. Robert Arthur filled the office of mayor at the time, and Christopher Arthur was one of the bailiffs. It was the custom, a few years after, if it » Arthur MSS. - Ibid. 578 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. was not at tliis periocl, to apply tlie fines that were levied by the mayor on the citizens, towards the restoration and improvement of the cathedral. For instance, during the mayoralty of" William Stackpoll, John Everard and Richard FitzNicholas Creagh, bailiffs, a.d. 1500, the Mayor com- manded that the fines which had been imposed on Anthony Galway and Philip England should be expended on the repairs of the Church of the Blessed Virgin; and in 1505, William Harrold for the second time mayor, Nicholas Creagh and John Rochfort, bailiffs, the Mayor expended the fines imposed on the citizens in the building the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary.* In 1519, Geoffrey Arthur, the ninth treasurer of the cathedral, according to Dr. Cotton, died, and his monument, which has been a serious puzzle to antiquaries and historians, and which Ferrar and Fitzgerald made ridi- culous, deserves particular notice. The following is an exact engraving of a tracing of this monument, made by the author of this work, and which is followed by the contracted Latin of the original, expanded, with a translation : — " Hie jacet in tumuli fundo sublatus a mundo Galfridus Arture thesaurarius quondam istius ecclesisB xvi. luce maya requievit in pace perpetua. Anno crucitixi domini 1519. Tu transiens cave qui hie dices pater et ave. "Here lies, in the bottom of the tomb, removed from the world, Geoffrey Arture, formerly treasurer of this Clnirch. He rested in perpetual peace on the 16th day of May, in the year of the Crucified Lord 1519. You who pass by take heed that you here say a Pater ai;d Ave". John Coyn, or Quin, a Dominican Friar, and, according to Dr. Cot- ton, a brother of the direct ancestor of the present Earl of Dunraven, suc- ceeded to the bishopric through the immediate influence of the Pope, though Henry VIIL laboured zealously to substitute in the room of Bishop Folan Walter Wellesley, Prior of Conal, who was afterwards elevated to the See of Kildare. Bishop Quin, who was consecrated in 1521, resigned on the 9th of April, 1551, not being able any longer, through age, want of sight, and other infirmities, to hold the office. He assisted at the synod held in Limerick by Edmund Butler, Archbishop of Cashel, about the festival of SS. Peter and Paul, 1529, at which Nicholas Comyn, Bishop of Water- » Arthur MSS. HISTOllt OF LIMERICK. o79 ford and Lismore, andJames O'Conin, Bishop of Killaloe, also assisted. At this synod power Avas given to the mayor of Limerick to imprison ecclesiastical debtors, until they made satisfaction to their creditors, without incurring danger of excommunication. The privilege was sought for by Nicholas' Stritch, mayor, for himself and his successors, but a doubt is expressed that the concession was vahd.^ The clergy arraigned the de- cree as a violation of their canonical privilege ; and judging from the brief record of the event in the Arthur MSS., it would seem that the laity were not in favour of it, whatever cause may have impelled the mayor to demand a power hitherto unknown in the municipal annals. Whilst John Quin was bishop, there were improvements made in the cathedral by James Harold, mayor, which we find by a rudely cut tablet, inserted in recent years, in the wall of the north transept of the cathedral. The letters are relieved Roman, and the tablet was brought from another part of the cathedral, near the O'Dea monument, during the alterations in 1861 : IE HAROLD QUI HOC OPV S FIEEI FECEEUN T AII'OIII 1526. The words before 1526 appear to be Aug. 3. James Harold was mayor, "for the first time", in 1525.' _ The bishop was a member of the old family of O'Cuin, of the tribe of jMuinter lifernan, located at Corofin, in the county of Clare, his brother James Quin, of Kil- mallock, being the direct ancestor of the Right Hon. the Earl of Dunraven. It appears by Dr. INIoran's introduction to the Lives of the ArcliUsliops of Dublin^ that John Coyn, or Quin, for some time had a coadjutor named Cornelius O'Neil, of the Tyrone family. Writing on the authority of Father Domingo Lopes, the annalist of the Trinitarian Order,_ whose rare •work was published at Madrid in 1714, he says this coadjutor was a member of that order, and had acted in preceding years as provincial ; that the convent contained forty-five rehgious, and that in 1539, when acting as suffragan, he preached in the cathedral, denouncing the threatened innova- tions in rehgion, the destruction of the religious houses, and anathematizing any of his flock who should renounce the saving doctrines of the Catholic Faith for that which had then begun to be preached to them. On the same evening, 24th June, 1539, in his own residence, according to the same authority, his head was struck off by a blow of a sword by one of the emissaries of the crown. On the 16th January, 1540-41, we find Bishop Quin at Cahir, where, with the Lord Deputy Sentleger, the Archbishop of Cashel, and the Bishop of Emly, he certified the submission of James FitzJohn, Earl of Desmond. The Bishop of Limerick is mentioned in some state papers printed in Lynch's Feudal Dignities of Ireland (p. 341), and in the State Papers of Henry VIII. (vol.iii. part iii. p. 307), as having been present at the parhainent of 1541, which enacted that Henry should > Arthur MSS. 2 The reader is aware that the mayoralty occupied from September to Septembei*, thus ruu- ning over portions of two years. 580 History or limerick. be king in place of lord of Ireland ; but no Christian name is mentioned, although given as was customary to several other bishops. The list too, as to numbers, totally disagrees with those mentioned by the Deputy Sentleger ; hence it seems questionable whether he was there, though there is no doubt he had been summoned. There is little doubt also that Bishop Quin opposed the progress of the Reformation, as we find in a letter from Sent- leger to Secretary Cecil, dated ]9tli January, 1550-1,' the following state- ment: "And nowe, as tuching religion, altho it be hard to plante in men's mynds herein, yet I trust I am not slake to do what I can t'advance the same. I have caused the whole service of the commyon to be drawen into Latten, whiche shalbe shortly set furthe in print. I have caused boks to be sent to the citty of Lymik, who most gladly have condescended to ymbrace the same with all efFecte, altho the Busshop therr, who is both owlde and blind, be moost agensyt it". According to Ware and Morrin's Patent Rolls, Bishop Quin resigned his see the 9th of April, 1551, and there can be little question but that his resig- nation was compelled, considering what Sentleger wrote against him, and that in another letter written by him to the Duke of Somerset, 18th February, 1550-1 (Shirley, p. 49), he mentions that the Lord Chancellor, accompanied by the Master of the Rolls, had made a late journey to Limerick and Galway, and " had established the king's maties. ordres for religion in such sorte as there is greet assueraunce the same shalbe duely observed, so as I trust those parties be wthoute suspecte of adhearing to anny forreigne power". This view is confirmed by the Rev. James White in his MSS., p. 51, who writes, " I find by an old MS. in my possession, that John Coyn was ' dejyosed ' by an order of Edward VI., for being a Catholic bishop, and that William Casey, a conformist, was put in his place". It was during Quin's time that a most cruel persecu- tion began to rage, and expended no small share of its fury. He was fated to witness the suppression of the abbeys in 1538, and the arrival of Edmond Sexten at Limerick, on special employment by his royal master, alienating the property of the churches and uprooting the ancient landmarks. He saw his cathedral church of St. Mary's, which had for centuries been dedicated to the observances of the old faith, handed over to William Casey, who, at the instance of James Earl of Desmond, according to Ware, was advanced to this see by Edward VI., and was made bishop by George Browne, the first Protestant archbishop of Dubhn." He lived to see himself restored to his see by the advent of Queen Mary to the throne of England, but not to find rehgion in the flourishing state it had been in when he first enjoyed the episcopal dignity, and during several of those years in which he had filled that exalted office. He saw Thomas Creagh, mayor of Limerick, a.d. 1569, proclaim Connor O'Brien, Earl of Thomond (who had fled to France, and returned and obtained pardon in London) a traitor.' It is strange to observe that on the very eve of the troubles which brought such deep afiliction on Church and peo- ple, the citizens of Limerick were extending their venerable cathe- dral, making improvements in it, and decorating it with great taste and even elecancc. Thus we find that during the episcopacy of oiu' prelate Shirley's Original Letters, p. 47. 2 Casey's Life in Ware, p. 510, shows that he was never caiionically appointed. Sexten's Annals, in the British Museum. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 581 John Quin (a.d. 1532-1533), " Daniel Fitzgregory Arthur, mayor, George Creagh and William White, bailiffs ; the mayor, from a principle of piety and for the sake of his offspring, had the three aisles and the whole choir of the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Limerick, laid with square polished marble flags, from whence it is to this day called Lec- CA-OAniet (Daniel's pavement or flags) ; and the Lord blessed him with a numerous offspring".' Among the deans during those years, was Andrew Creagh, who re- signed in 1543, and received the king's pardon for some unknown offence on the day when his successor was confirmed {Rot. Pat., 35th Henry VIIL). In the cathedral a stone is placed to his memory with the inscription: ^ic Jacct iEacjtster ^ntireas (fTreasij Jstius ISccUsiae ©tcanus* This marble slab had lain near the great altar ; but in the alterations in 1861 it was removed to the north transept, where there are some other ancient tombstones of an apparently contemporaneous period, a few of which we shall notice here : Lyinor -^vith the head from the western wall of the north transept, is a highly elaborate cut stone, with floriated ornamentation in high relief, divided into four compartments by a cross embraced in the middle by a oircle. In each of the compartments is the figure of a lion passant, the arms of the O'Briens. This ancient relic is said to have formed the lid of a stone coffin, and until the alterations in 1861, it lay near the western entrance, from which it was removed to its present place. The monument of Dean Creagh, above referred to, is placed next to the above tombstone. The next in position is a floriated cross on a plain black marble slab without any inscription. A tombstone, apparently belonging to the Roche or Hice family, is placed next to the above. A monumental slab in black letter, somewhat broken and defaced ^ is placed next in order. This monument was erected to Thomas Mahon, and his wife Creagh; the former died 1st November, 1631, the latter November 2nd, 1637. On the deprivation of William Casey, who had been advanced, as we have seen, by Edward VI., from the rectory of Kilcornan, on the recom- mendation of James, Earl of Desmond, Hugh Lacy, or Lees, a canon of Limerick, was appointed by Queen Mary.^ The following abstract of the royal letter is in Morrin's Calendar of the Patent Rolls : The queen to ' Arthur MSS. These, we suppose, were the tiles which were taken up in the repairs of the cathedral in 1861, and which were similar in many respects to the ancient encaustic tiles found in Mellifont Abbey, Christ Church, and St. Patrick's. Dublin, and in other abbeys and churches, and a descriptive catalogue of which has been published by Thomas Oldham, Esq., in his work on ancient Irish pavement tiles. The tiles of St. Mary's were encaustic, with the lily impressed on them — some were vitrified, and the lily also impressed on them. [I liavc a few specimens of them. J ^ He was of the great De Lacy family of the County of Limerick. 582 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. tlie lord deputy, stating that the see of Limerick being vacant, the pope was pleased, on the recommendation of her majesty, to prefer Hugh Lees, or Lashy, to that see, as by the bulls sent over would appear, and requiring the lord deputy, therefore, according to the laws and customs of the realm before the twentieth year of the reign of the late King Henry VIH., to restore to him all the temporalities of the bishopric, first requiring him to take his corporal oath of fealty, truth, and allegiance. He was restored on the 13th of April, 1557, having first taken such oath, which, as given by Ware, was as follows: — "I, Hugh, Bishop of Limerick, elected and consecrated, do acknowledge that I have and hold all the temporal possessions of the said bishopric from your hands, and from your successors. Kings of England, as in right of the crown of your Kingdom of Ireland, and to you and to your successors. Kings of England, faith will bear. So help me God and his holy Gospels". After the accession of Queen Elizabeth he attended her first parliament in 1560, in which the act of uniformity was passed, and the royal supremacy reenacted, but there is no evidence that he supported these acts or ever conformed: in fact, the evidence is the reverse, for in 1562 we find David Wolf, a native of Limerick, and Jesuit father, who had been appointed nuncio for Ireland, residing with him when he was desired to see "what bishoppes did their dewtles there, and what sees ware voyde". And Dr. Richard Creagh, Arclibishop of Armagh, states in his examination taken by Ousley, Recorder of London, March 17tli, 1564,-5,' that on going out of Ireland to Rome, he obtained from the nuncio forty crowns, and " from the Bysshoppe of Lymericke twelve markes". Previous to his de- parture Dr. Creagh had, by the directions of his diocesan, been engaged in denouncing " in public and private, in season and out of season, the oath of supremacy and attendance at the Protestant worship". Inasmuch, wrote the late Dr. Kelly {Rambler, May, 1853), as " the strong attachment of the citizens to the English crown, and the general ignorance regarding the precise nature of the changes introduced, endangered the fidelity of the peo})le". In 1565 it seems the English government intended to deprive Dr. Lacy, as, in the Instructions to Sir Henry Sidney, Lord Lieutenant, on assuming the viceroyalty, it was amongst other matters directed, that " Inquisition also would be made of the bishoprick of Lymerick, whether it be voyde, or that by some means some mete person were placed there to serve for the like purpose in such a counsell". That is, to serve thereafter as a coun- sellor in Munster for the governance of those parts. Sidney, in the opinion he gave upon these minutes, states, he would certify the opinion of the Irish council as to the bishoprick of Limerick, but it does not appear any action was taken as to it, and as, in the original instructions, the execution of the Ecclesiastical Commission previously issued was directed to be confined to the English Pale and other obscure places, we may fairly presume that in tlie then unsettled state of the south-west of Ireland, Sidney considered it unwise and Imprudent to their interfere with De Lacy. In January, 1568, Lacy Avas appointed one of the commissioners of Mun- ster, along with Brady, Bishop of Meath, John Plunket, Henry Draycott, and Justice Edward Fitzsymon, and was directed to join the others at Youghal. He wrote them from Kilmallock on the 11th, that he could not join them for lack of money, after which they wrote him from Cork, re- ' Shirley's Oriyinal Letters, pp. 171, 173. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 583 quiring liim to repair to them speedily, bringing with him the Countess of Desmond, if possible, and that they would bear his charges. He, accom- panied by the countess, accordingly reached Cork on the 21st. What was done there does not appear from the state papers, but on the 19th March, they wrote a joint letter to the Lord Justice, in which the countess thanks him for his care of the Earl of Desmond's lands, tenants, and followers [he was then in London Tower], and beseeching that James Fitzmaurico might rule in the earl's absence. Shortly after, the bishop wrote to the Lords Justices complaining of Thomas Lord Fitzmaurice of Kerry. The nature of the complaint does not appear, but Lord Fitzmaurice, writing from Lixnaw on the 6 th July, calls it a false book. Desmond wrotehim from the Tower on 18th November, requesting him to assist in executing justice to poor and rich, to help in collecting money, that is, the earl's rents,^ and stating that Donoghow Cassbie,' Chancellor of Limerick, would not give a penny for his discharge. Li other letters he frequently and bitterly com- plains of Casshie's conduct in detaining his money. The very same year,^ when Dr. Creagh, before mentioned, was a prisoner in the Tower oi London, it appears by the Consistory Acts in the Vatican Archives, that O'Hairt, Bishop of Achonry, was recommended by Cardinal Morone to administer Armagh, and at the same time, the Bishop of Limerick to be chosen by the Apostohc See to give testimonials for the provinces of Munster and Leinster to those clergy who went to Rome. Dr. Lacy is also said to'have resigned in L371 ; but the real fact is, that he was dejjrived of the temporalities, continuing as before to exercise his spiritual jurisdiction till the time of his death. Dr.Moran, in the intro- duction to his Lives of the ArchbisJwps of Dublin, writes: " We find him (Dr. Lacy) petitioning the Holy See for special faculties for his diocese in 1575 ; and the same year we find the Holy See expediting these faculties for ' Hugo Epus. Limericensis', and on account of the wants of the Irish Church,°tliese faculties are further granted to him for the whole province of Cashel, ' quamdiu ven. frater noster Archiepus. Cassellensis a sua diocesi et ecclesia et universa provincia abfuerit'. Indeed so high was the esteem in which Dr. Lacy was held at Rome that he was selected by the Holy See to recommend members of the Irish Church for the vacant sees. The see of Limerick, in 1580, is described in a Vatican list as vacant ' per obitum D. Ugonis Lacy in sua ecclesia defuncti' . Thus", continues Dr. Moran, " by the so-called resignation of Dr. Lacy, the temporal possessions of the see were, indeed, merged in the Estabhshed Church, but the hierar- chical succession remained unchanged, and both clergy and people continued attached to the faith of their fathers". The concluding years of Dr. Lacy's life are thus summed up by the Rev. Dr. M'Carthy, in his valuable chap- ter on the Irish bishops from 15ot) to 1600, subjoined to his edition of the late Rev. M. Kelly, D.D.'s Dissertaiions on Irish Church History. " He, like his predecessors, was deprived, and died in 1580 (according to White's JNIS. p. 52) after three years' imprisonment. He was confined in Cork jail, as Bruodin informs us, fled thence to France in the reign of Edward, returned under Mary, and died in prison under Elizabeth. Rothe, pars 3*^'^, p. 4, reckons him among the confessors of the faith". On the death of William Casey, who was restored by Queen Elizabeth,^ and to whom the first Protestant dean, viz., Denis Campbell, a native of I Casey. 584 IIISTOEY OP LIMERICK. Scotland, and formerly archdeacon of Limerick, was appointed coadjutor, John Thornborough, D.D., a native of Salisbury, and educated at Magdalen College, Oxford, who became Dean of York and chaplain to Queen Elizabeth, was appointed Protestant bishop, after a lapse of two years since the death of William Casey. He, however, was translated to Bristol, A.D. 1G03, and subsequently to Worcester, where he died in July, 1641. A lonor account is given in Harris's Ware of his monument in Bristol. From this period till the days of the Confederation, a.d. 1 White's MSS. ■^ Ibid. 624 HISTORY OF LIMEPvICK. a proper person to fill the vacant bisliopric, when they unanimoiisly chose the Very Rev. John Creagh, Dean of the diocese, above mentioned, to be eligible primo loco ; the Rev. David Bourkc in sccundo loco, and the Rev. Rowland Kirby in tertio loco, when an act to that effect was solemnly drawn up and duly signed by the canons and parish priests, and counter- signed by the Rev. John De Lacy, Prothonotary Apostolic, and the Rev. James White, Notary Apostolic. Though, as we have stated, the postu- lation was unanimous, the court of Rome, nevertheless, in consequence of an attestation signed by four bishops in favour of Dr. Daniel O'Kearney, a native of the city of Limerick, a Doctor of the Scibonne, and parisli priest of St. Patrick's, chose Dr. O'Kearney, on the 21st of November, for the mitre of Limerick. At this period there were great troubles and apprehensions entertained by the government respecting a threatened French invasion of England and Ireland. The Duke of Bedford, lord lieutenant, signified, in consequence, to the Irish Catholics, the king's wish that they should manifest a perfect zeal and loyalty ; and in obedience to the proclamation of the viceroy, ninety of the principal Catholics of Limerick signed a most loyal and dutiful address to the tlirone, but many others refused signing it.' In Cork, one hundred and thirty Catholics signed the address, and in Waterford a very large number did the same. It may be observed as a strange fact, that the entire trade and commerce of the city of Limerick were at this time in the hands of Cathohc merchants and traders. By sea and by land the Catholics held uncontrolled the mer- cantile affairs of the city and port in their exclusive possession.^ But appre- hensions were indulged in, which were soon afterwards realized, that through the imprudence and avarice of some of the Catholic merchants, who, for the sake of getting large apprentice fees, took Protestant and Presbyterian apprentices, who began to settle in trade and business in the city, the Catholics would lose their preeminence.^ This, however, is a digression. In consequence of the Pope's bull, vrhich bore date the 27tli of Novem- ber, 175 y, the Right Rev. Dr. 0"Kearney was consecrated, at Thurlee, Bishop of Limerick, on Sunday, the 27th of January, 1760, by his Grace the Most Rev. Dr. James Butler, Archbishop of Cashel, two ecclesiastical dignitaries having assisted in the room of two bishops, by virtue of a Papal indulgence to that effect. On Tuesday, the 29th of the same month, Dr. O'Kearney informed some of his clergy who had assembled at St. Mary's chapel. Limerick, of his election and consecration, they having met his lord- ship for that purpose. The court of Rome at the same time granted him a bull for the parish of St. John's with all its annexes, which had been before possessed by the deceased prelate. Dr. Lacy. On the 10th of May, Dr. O'Kearney was inducted into the parish in question by the Very Rev. Michael Hoare, ex-Provincial of the Dominicans, by directions of his grace the Archbishop of Cashel. Though the penal laws existed in their ^ White's MSS. "-Ibid. 3 Mr. Stephen Roche, Mr. John Browne, j\lr. Patrick Plunkctt, ]\Ir. John Pery, Mr. Edmund Sexton, Mr. JMichael Rochford, Mr. Patrick Ai-thui-, Mr. Patrick Bluett, air. Paul Sullivau, Jlr. Laurence Mahon, were among the Catholic merchants and traders who took Protestant and Presbyterian apprentices, much to the chagrin and mortification of the Catholic citizens gener- ally, which was increased considerably when these apprentices afterwards set up iu business for themselves. — White's MSS. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 625 full vigour, tlie loyalty of the bisliop, of tlie clergy, and of tlie citizens, was not less warm than it had been. The death of George II., on the 25th of October, gave occasion for the expression of that feeling, in an address from the chief Cathohc inhabitants of the city and county of Limerick ; in which the strongest feelings of devotion to the throne were declared, as well as the deepest regret for the loss of the late king, who had been mild and merciful in liis relations to the Catholic subjects of the crown. ^ The Rev. Denis Conway (afterwards Bishop of Limerick) was appointed by Papal bull, parish priest of St. Patrick's, on the promotion of Dr. O'Kearney, who was a zealous, learned, and active prelate, thoroughly versed in the canons and in Scripture, an accomphshed theologian, of kindly and simple manners, but possessed of that strong masculine common sense which enabled him to surmount the difficulties at the critical time, of his aj^pointment and during his episcopacy, of a dangerous position. Dr. O'Kearney held his first ordination of subjects for his diocese on the 15th May, 1761, being Friday of Whitsuntide, Quatuor Tense. On this occasion he exercised his sacred functions openly, notwith- standing the highly penal character of prohibitory laws^ which were not as yet repealed, and conferred minor orders and subdeaconship on four young candidates for the ministry, who on the following day received deaconship, and on the Sunday next succeeding, priesthood. Dr. O'Kearney witnessed the demolition of the ancient walls of the city, and the commencement of the new town by Edmund Sexton Pery, and many other changes in the social and political aspect of his generation. He attended a meeting of the bishops of Munster, which was convened by the Most Rev. Dr. Butler, Archbishop of Cashel, near Cork, on the IStli of July, 1775, in consequence of the act 13 and 14 George III., which enabled subjects of all denominations to testify their allegiance upon oath. Many Catholics firmly declined to take the oath prescribed by that Act of Parliament, not alone because it was insulting in its language, but, as they conceived, because it was in downright opposition to what they believed to be their conscientious principles. To counteract this view on their part, and to satisfy the scruples of the people and clergy, the Most Rev. Dr. Butler called together the Bishops of Munster, and at this meeting the following declaration was agreed to and subscribed by Dr. O'Kearney, as well as by the other bishops : — " We, the chiefs of the Eoman Catholic Clergy of the Province of Mixnster, having met together near Corke, have unanimously agreed that the oath of allegiance, prescribed by the act of parliament, anno regni decimo tertio et quarto Georgii Tertii Kegis, contains nothing contrary to the Roman Catholic Keligion" Dr. O'Kearney also attended another provincial meeting of the Bishops, held in Thuiies, on the 28th of the same month, in which the able and enlightened work, entitled Hihernia Dominicana, and its supplement, written by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas de Burgo, Catholic Bishop of Ossory, were solemnly disapproved of (except by Dr. McMahon, Bishop of Killaloe), on the ground that they tended to weaken and subvert the allegiance, fidelity^ • Whites MSS, 626 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. and submission wliicli were due to tlie king, by raising unnecessary scruples in the minds of the people, and sowing the seeds of dissension on points on which, from their religion and gratitude, they ought to be firmly united. Than the great work of Dr. Thomas de Burgo, which is a wonderful com- bination of facts and documents connected with the ecclesiastical history of Ireland, exhibiting an unequalled amount of industry, patience, research, and learning, there has never been published a work of more inestimable value to the student of Irish Church history. That Dr. Butler and the other bishops condemned it, was a source of pain in many quarters ; but the real cause of its condemnation by this provincial meeting was, as stated by His Grace the most Rev. Dr. Butler himself, in his Justification of the Tenets of the Roman Catholic Religion, that the Hibernia Domini- cana violently reprobated a similar oath of allegiance to the above, required by an act of 1756-7. Indeed, Dr. O'Kearney sustained in his own person strong ideas on the conduct of the government of the day. He would not cause to be read a certain printed form, which was forwarded from the Castle of Dublin, and which ordered on the part of the Catholics of Ireland a general fast to J)e observed throughout the kingdom on the 12th of March, 17(32, " to beseech the God of Hosts to bless his Majesty, his officers, and his troops, and to inspire and direct his councils to grant a glorious and a happy conclusion to this war, and that a solid, lasting, and advantageous peace may restrain the effusion of Christian blood". He did not admit that directions about observing a fast should come from the secular power, and he deemed it an infringement on the spiritual authority, permitting only so much of the printed form to be read as he thought proper, and omitting as much of it as contained an exhortation to the people to observe the fast " exactly according to the tenor of the proclamation for that purpose". Dr. O'Kearney stoutly and vehemently opposed the movements, the aggressions, and the violences at the same time of the Levellers and the Whiteboys, who to the number of some thousands, levelled what they said were encroachments on commons, wherever these encroachments existed, dug up the lay rich grounds of those who did not let out land to the poor for tillage, burned barns and haggards, and by degrees spread a reign of terrorism over Munster, doing great mischief in the counties of Waterford, Tipperary, and Cork, as also in the county of Limerick, where they dug up, in one night, in the parish cf Kilfinane, twelve acres of land which belonged to a ]\'Ir. Maxwell.' The bishop issued directions to all the parish priests to exert themselves, and to speak boldly against these aggres- sions, in which, however, Protestants were the chief actors, and into the causes of which the government at once sped an inquiry, with a view to redress any real grievance ; but to put down and to punish crime at the same time, a commission of Oyer and Terminer sat in Limerick on the 31st of May, when, on oath of one Joseph Prestage, a Protestant, who became king s evidence, several of those whom he admitted in his evidence he had compelled to perpetrate these outrages, and whom he had furnished with arms for that purpose, were found guilty, and two of them, viz., one Banniard, a Protestant, and one Carthy, were condemned to death for killing cattle. William Fant, a Protestant, who began the troubles, was condemned to two years' imprisonment and a fine of £50, while » White's MSS. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 627 many others were condemned also to various terms of imprisonment for the same cause. There was no Cathohc of any weight, consequence, or position involved in these doings, though they were said to be the com- mencement of a Popish rebellion. They were, nearly altogether, con- fined to Protestants possessed of affluence, who had made the unsus- ° pecting Catholic peasantry their mere instruments and victims in^ the business. The Rev. Father Kennedy, P.P. of Tulla, near the Silvermines, Co. Tipperary, was one of those who were arrested, and escorted by Sir James Caldwell's Light Horse into Limerick, on the 2d of May, charged with rebellious practices, which existed only in the fertile imaginations of his accusers. He was at once discharged when the facts were inquired into. As in other cases and circumstances, the Catholics were slandered and denounced for crimes and offences of which they had no cognizance ; but no prelate could act with more vigour in resisting the disturbers of the pubHc peace, than did Dr. Daniel O'Kearney, who continued to discharge his onerous duties with zeal. He ordained many priests for the diocese of Limerick, and afforded the utmost satisfaction to all by the faithful and perfect discharge of every duty. His Lordship died at Ballyshannon, near Limerick, in January, 1778,^ full of years and virtues, a noble speci- men of an Irish Catholic prelate. His acquirements were of a most varied character, and his mildness, playfidness, and simplicity, are even yet remembered in the traditions of the people. The good prelate was in- terred in St. John's churchyard, and over his remains was placed a tomb which was situated near the east wall, towards the S. E. end of the churchyard.* On the death of Dr. O'Kearney, the Very Rev. Denis Conway, P.P. of Rathkeale, was appointed Vicar-Capitular until the election of a successor to the deceased bishop should be made. But, in the mean- time, His Grace the Archbishop of Cashel, who desired that his kinsman, the Hon. and Rev John Butler, a brother of Lord Cahir, and a member of the illustrious Order of Jesus, shovdd be appointed to the vacant sec of Limerick. Accordingly, on the 9th of March, 1778, Dr. Butler, his rcla- 1 Walker's Hibernian Magazine. » Dr. Young's Note in White's MSS. In this church-ynrd were also interred the Rev. Dr. John Lehy, P.P. St. John's, who died 14th December, 1754; the Rev. Denis O'Connor, the Rev. Owen O'Sullivan, who was curate to Dr. Lehy, and wlio died in 1750, aged 60 years, etc. The names of the Rev. Messrs. Lehy, O'Sullivan, and O'Connor, are inscribed on the same tombstone, which now (1856) forms the south side of the tomb of the Right Rev. Dr. Conway, ■whilst an older tombstone,' with the date of 1728, forms the north side of the same tomb. Dr. O'Kearney's tomb is said to have been more northv.-ard, near where the tomb of the Riglit Rev. Dr. Michael Peter M'Mahon now is. Dr. M'Mahon's tomb has the following inscription, and in the same vault are buried his relative, William Hartney, Esq., and the Rev. John Thayer, the eminent convert and controversialist: — I. H. S. Hero lieth the body of the late Right Rev. Doctor M'Mahon, Roman Catholic Bishop of Killaloe, who departed this life on the second day of March, 1807, in the 98th year of his age, and 40th of his episcopal dignity. May God be merciful to his soul. Amen. 628 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. tlve, the Hon. and R,ev. Fatlier John Butler, S.J., signified to liim that all the prelates of Minister except one,' viz. : Dr. Carpenter,^ who desired that Dr. Nihell should be promoted to the mitre,^ and many other prelates had cast their eyes upon him as the most worthy person to fill the vacant see of Lhnerick under the circumstances ; that he hoped his humility would not be alarmed, and that, bearmg in mind the joint postulation of the prelates, the will of Almighty God, he would submit to the order of Providence, and resign himself to a burthen which the Divine grace would render light to him and advantageous to the diocese he was invited to govern. To this communication Father John Butler returned an answer dated Here- ford, March 23rd, 1778, in which lie announces his determination to resist the proffered dignity by every means in his power, whilst he expresses his sincerest thanks to all who have been pleased to entertain so favourable an opinion of him. The good archbishop, in his reply to this refusal, states that the postulation had been forwarded to Rome backed by the sig- natures of three archbishops and twelve bishops of Ireland ; by the Roman Catholic peers of Ireland; by the united letters of the Nuncios of Paris and Brussels; of the first president of the parliament of Paris; and of Monsieur de Vergennes, Ministre des Affaires Etrangcrs, to Monsieur dc Bernis ; and, to crown all, by the letters of the most worthy prelate, Dr. Walmsley,* in his favour. It would appear that a strong opposition, however, had been raised in other quarters to the appointment of Father Butler,^ and that the Propaganda had rejected him as an ex- Jesuit; but the Pope, in attention to the earnest application which the prelates of the province of Munstcr in particular, as well as others, thought it for the in- terest of religion to make in his favour, overruled the determination of the Propaganda, and named him for the vacant mitre. The Right Rev. Dr. William Egan, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, resident in Clonmel, wrote a long letter to Father John Butler,*^ in which the right reverend prelate urged him in the strongest possible manner to accept the dignity, to which Father Butler at length submitted on tliis express stipulation, " that when- ever the Society of Jesus be restored, I shall be at full and perfect liberty to reenter the same and retire again to my college, the seat of real virtue and happiness".^ In May the archbishop writes to him to Cahir Castle, where he had arrived on a visit to his brother Lord Cahir, congratulating him, and announcing the receipt of a letter from the Very Rev. Dr. Conway, Vicar-Capitular of Limerick, assuring him that he would meet Avith the most pleasing reception there both from clergy and laity, and that all ranks of people were most impatient for his arrival amongst them. On the 10th of July, same year (1778), the archbishop announced that the bulls had arrived for Father Butler, and had been forwarded to him (the archbishop) from Paris the preceding week, but that an indispensable journey on his part had prevented him attending to them before. The Arclibishop adds: " I need not tell you the pleasure it gave me to receive them, and how I wish and hope that the use which is to be made of them may tend to advance the glory of God and the good of the diocese of Limerick". ' Oliver's Collections. ^ Dr. Carpenter was Arclibisliop of Dublin. ^ Renelian's Collections, ' The author of Pastorini's Prophecies. ' Oliver's Collections. ^ See Dr. Oliver's Collections for Dr. Egan's letter. Dr. Oliver's Collections, HISTORY OE LIMERICK. 62& Fatlier Butler, however, almost immediately after, completely withdrew from the honour which ho had in his hands. In a meek, courteous, and respectful letter to the Archbishop, in which he cordially thanked his Grace for the zeal and interest he had taken in his promotion, lie says : " I decline the proffered honour, because I reiilly think myself incapable of fulfilling the duties of such a station in the Church". The father of this noble-minded priest was the ninth Lord Cahir, who was the eldest son of the eighth Lord Cahir and of Frances Butler, daughter of Sir Theobald Butler, Solicitor-General of James IL' Whether there were other reasons than those advanced by Father Butler in his letter to the archbishop, which actuated him in his determi- nation not to accept the mitre of Limerick, we are not aware. It is true, indeed, that the majority of the chapter of the diocese of Limerick, in- cluding twenty-two beneficed clergymen, had forwarded to the Holy See a protest,^ and that there was much inconvenience felt during the time that had intervened between the death of Dr. O'Kearney and the ultimate settlement of the grave question as to who was to succeed him and govern the diocese, the administration of the affairs of which continued in the hands of Dr. Conway, Vicar Capitular, who resided in Rathkeale, and who often consulted his intimate friend, the Rev. John Young, then curate of St. John's parish, who was destined to succeed to the see of Limerick, and whose learning and piety pointed him out as an able and a safe coun- sellor in difficulties. Dr. Conway was a learned, ready, gifted, and pious man. He visited Father Butler at Cahir Castle, when that excellent priest was regarded, what he had been for some months, virtually the Bishop of Limerick, but does not appear ever to have visited the diocese. He speaks of Lord Cahir, whom he met during one of these visits, as " a fine, sober, good man also, who lives hke a prince" ; he states that he met the Archbishop of Cashel at Cahir Castle, who received him with cordi- ality and affability, and that there was a perfect reconciliation in refer- ence to any misunderstanding that might have arisen between his Grace and the chapter of Limerick. Whilst matters were in this state, the Right Rev. Dr. MacMahon, Bishop of Killaloe, who had resided generally in Limerick, blessed the oils in Holy Week, and performed other episcopal duties. The chapter, mean- while, continued to apply themselves to the court of Rome in the emer- gency, and the Rev. Dr. Kelly, then agent of the Irish bishops at the Holy See, was frequently written to by Dr. Conway, who was himself postulated for, and who, after some months, and after many rumours that the choice had fallen upon another, viz., the Rev. John Mullog,'' received his bulls of consecration from the Archbishop of Cashel on the 14th of May, 1779 ;* and on the 20th of June in that year. Dr. Conway was consecrated by His Grace, who decided that Thurles was the fittest place for the cere- monial. Dr. Butler, Bishop of Cork, and Dr. M'Kenna, Bishop of Cloyne, assisted, whilst the Rev. John Young, on the invitation of his dear friend • Augustine Butler, Esq., D.L., Ballyline, County Clare, is tlio great-great-grandson of tlio celebrated Sir Toby Butler, whose son married a daughter of Lord Cahir's, and Lord Cahir's son (afterwards Lord Cahir) married Sir Toby's daughter. These marriages took place about the year 1711. ^ MS. Correspondence of Dr. Conway, ^ This clergyman resided ia Kilkenny. * Conway Correspondence. 630 HISTORY OP LIMERICK. the new prelate, accompanied him to Thiirles. The Rev. J. Young con- tinued to be the constant friend and companion, and ultimately the coad- jutor In the episcopacy of Lhnerlck, of Dr. Conway, who was a distin- guished student of Louvain. Versed in canon law and in Scripture, a pleasing and correct writer, as we like^vise gather from the few letters which he has bequeathed, and in which his wit and sprightliness of disposi- tion flash frequently and agreeably, he was received at all times in the warmest manner by clergy and laity. During the episcopacy of Dr. Con> way, St. Michael's Chapel was built, and his lordship presided at the opening of it on the 29tli of September, 1781. Of the public acts of Dr. Conway we have not many records. He attended a meeting of the Bishops of Munster, which was held in Limerick on the 1st of May, 1784, and which was presided over by the Archbishop of Cashel, at which a declaration of loyalty to the king and country was drawn up, agreed to and signed by the bishops, who, at the same time, enjoined their clergy to exhort the people to industry, sobriety, and a peaceable demeanour in all things, as a sure means of fulfilling their duty towards God and the state. He opposed the Rlghtboys and the White- boys in the most determined manner, and he was one of the Bishops of Munster who attended a provincial meeting held at Cork on the 26th of June, 1786, and which was presided over by the Archbishop, at which decrees were adopted condemnatory of the riotous and Illegal proceed- ings of the lilghtboys. At this meeting regulations were made in refer- ence to the dues of the parochial clergy, and the restraining of certain parochial expenses on the part of the parishioners.' Dr. Conway was a benefactor to the religious and charitable institutions of his native city of Limerick, and a friend of education, as he proved by his having be- queathed a sum of £415 7s. 8d. towards building a college for the edu- cation of Roman Catholic youth, should any such be established in this kingdom, or towards support of students thereof" — {extract from will^ 1794). This money was invested afterwards in building the Catholic seminary at Park. He also bequeathed a sum of £92 6s. 2d. upon trust, for educating, clothing, and maintaining poor children of the charity school of St. John's parish, a bequest of which there is no account at present.''' He lived to the age of 75 years, and died on the 19th day of June, 1796. His remains were interred, as were those of his predecessors, Drs. O'KeefFe and O'Kearney, in St John's Churchyard, near the south-east wall, under a plain limestone tomb, which bears the following inscrip- tion : — I. H. S. In this Sepulchre are deposited The remains of the Right Revd. Dennis Conway, Roman CathoUc Bishop of Limerick, and Parish Priest of St. John's Parish in sd. City, who departed this life on the 19th of June, 1796, in the 75th year of his age. ' "Vide appendix, to Arclibishop Butler's Jitsiijication of the Tenets of the Roman Catholic Meligion, ^ Yido Report of Commissioners of Endowed Schools, etc. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 631 Previously to tlie death of Dr. Conway, and owing to his increasing in- firmities, the Holy See appointed the Right Rev. John Young, bishop of Maxula, in pariibus infidelium, and Coadjutor-Bishop of Limerick, and he was consecrated on Whit-Monday, the 20th of May, 1793, at St. Mary's chapel, Limerick, by the Most Rev. Dr. Bray, Archbishop of Cashel, assisted by the Right Rev. Dr. Conway, Bishop of Limerick, Right Rev. Dr. MacMahon, the venerable Bishop of Killaloe, the Right Rev. Dr. Egan, Bishop of Waterford, the Right Rev. Dr. Moylan, Bishop of Cork, the Right Rev. Dr. Teahan, Bishop of Kerry, and the Right Rev. Dr. Coppinger, Bishop of Cloyne. Dr. Young was a native of the city of Limerick, and one of its most distinguished and illustrious citizens, whether we regard his great learning, his extraordinary zeal and piety, or the deep interest he took in every measure calculated to advance the best interests of religion and of his country. He was one of the sons of William Young and of Mary Cahill, respectable citizens of Limerick ; he was born in St. John's parish on the 9th of April, 1746 ; was baptized on the 10th of that month; was sent, after his preparatory studies, to Louvain, where he matriculated in 1765 ; he defended his thesis, and took the degree of A.M. in that university on the 11th October in 1770; was ordained sub- deacon in December, 1768; on the 23rd of September, 1769, deacon; September 23rd, 1770, priest; deputed missionary to Ireland, 1771; was curate of St. John's, and Dean and Parish Priest of St. Mary's. His first appointment as parish priest was to that of Bruff, and he was conse- crated bishop, as we have just noticed, on the 20th of May, 1793.' Called to the active and onerous duties of the episcopacy in troubled and anxious times — in times of great peril hkewise. Dr. Young at all times acted with prudence, firmness, and independence, which formed the most prominent ieatures of his exalted character. He showed a bold front to the oppressors of his country on the one hand, whilst on the other he resolutely set his face against the wild and delusive schemes which just at this critical junc- ture were set afloat by the unhappy policy which resulted a few years afterwards in the horrors and atrocities of '98. He subscribed to the de- fence fund which was raised in Limerick when the French again menaced an invasion of Ireland. He became an active member of the defence com- mittee which was formed for that purpose ; and he thus showed that true and ardent patriotism, the deepest attachment to his religion, the purest piety, and the widest charity, were not inconsistent with loyalty to the throne and a deference to laws which, even yet, scarcely recognized the legal exis- tence of Catholics, and which then proscribed and outraged the Catholic priesthood and hierarchy. One of his earliest acts was to establish a school in Newgate Lane for female poor children, which was presided over with sedulous care by Miss Mary Anne Young, one of his gifted sisters, who not only taught the poor children of St. Mary's parish, but clothed them, and even to this day her name is held in deserved honour in the memories of the poor. The bishop published a catechism for the use of the children of the diocese, which ■went through several editions, and this catechism was printed in Irish and in English.^ Dr. Young also pubhshed two or tliree editions of the Statuta ' Memoranda in pencil in a fly-leaf of the Conway Correspondence. ^ Dr. Young had these catechisms, etc., printed by Messrs. John and Thomas McAulifF, of Quay Lane, who printed and published, besides, many Catholic books which had the seal of hia lordship'3 approval. 632 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Dioecesis Limericensis, to wliich, lie affixed a brief memoir of tlie life of tlie Ri(>-ht Rev. Dr. O'KeefFe, wlio, as we have seen, was the first to enact these statutes on the revival of religion after the violation of the treaty of Limerick. In the government of the diocese, Dr. Young was strict and particular, whilst in his demeanour to all classes, he was kindly, cheerful, and affable. He Avon the affections by a charming manner, and preserved that dignity which became the scholar and the prelate, without effort or affectation. Devoted to books, he read copiously and profitably ; his reading embraced every variety of subject connected with theology, the Scriptures, canon law, the classics, history, ancient and modern, antiqui- ties, etc. ; and his annotations on the books in his own as well as in the diocesan library, are, in some instances, extant, and show the extent and versatility of his information on almost every subject connected with sacred and profane literature. He, as well as the other bishops of Mun- ster, condemned in no measured terms the Rebellion of '98, which the Irish episcopacy and clergy in general resisted with all their combined strength and power. We do not find that he issued a pastoral address to his flock on the subject, at least we have no record of such as was addressed by Dr. Moylan, of Cork, Dr. Hussey, of Waterford, and Dr. Michael Peter MacMahon, of Killaloe,^ who, at the time continued to reside in Limerick. In all likelihood. Dr. Young did address a pastoral : and that he exerted himself with zeal, skill, vigour, and success, in warning his flock of the danger they incurred, there is no doubt whatever. As we have already seen, he was one of the first in Limerick to insert his name as a subscriber to the large fund that was raised for the defence of the country from, the threatened French invasion. Whilst he was loyal to the throne, however, he thought that to afford the government a control over the privi- leges of the hierarchy in the nomination of bishops, or in any other shape or form, was to be resisted by all honourable means and appliances. He opposed the insidious advances of Mr. Pitt and Lord Castlereagh as well for the subjugation of the Catholic Church as for the destruction of Irish freedom. In January, 1799, a meeting of certain Irish prelates was held in Dublin, at which resolutions were adopted in favour of a state provision for the clergy, and of giving the government a veto on the appointment of the bishops. The name of the Right Rev. John Young does not appear among the names of the prelates who met and resolved on that occasion ; but we find him in 1808, at another meeting of the Irish hierarchy held in Dublin In the month of September that year, denouncing the proposed change, and stating in language not to be mistaken or misunderstood, that it was inexpedient to introduce any alteration in the canonical mode hitherto observed in the nomination of Irish Catholic Bishops. On the 24th of February, in the year 1810, another meeting of the Irish hierarchy was held in Dublin, and resolutions to the same effect were adopted. The resolutions of 1808 were not only then confirmed, but their lordships re- solved that they neither sought nor desired any other earthly consideration for their spiritual mmlstry to tlieu" flocks, save what the flocks from a sense of religion and duty might voluntarily afford them. We find his name sub- ' The episcopal seal of the Right Rev. Dr. MacMahon is in the possession of the Right Rev. Dr. Power, Coadjutor bishop of Killaloe, who was consecrated by the Most Rev. Dr. Leahy, Lord Archbishop of Cashcl and Enily, attended by all the bishops of Muuster, in Nenagh Catholic church, on Sunday, June 2yth, 18G5. HISTOET OF LIMERICK. 633 scribed also to an address of the prelates wl-iicli was issued in the same month to the clergy and laity of Ireland, reiterating their former resolu- tions, and further declaring, that during the captivity of the Pope, who then lay a prisoner in the hands of Napoleon Buonaparte, they would refuse and reprobate all briefs or pretended briefs, rules and rescripts, bearing title as from his Holiness, and purporting to be declaratory of his " free", or of any abdication of the papal office, until His Holiness should enjoy the full exercise of his liberty. As a friend of education, and one of a family that had afforded so many brilliant members to the Church, Dr. Young, about the year 1805, conceived the design of erecting a college in which students destined for the sacred ministry shouldbe educated.^ There had been, at Peter's Cell, a small col- lege some time before, but it was too contracted for the increasing require- ments of the diocese, and Park College, near Park House, the bishop's resi- dence, was at length erected, to the building of which the Catholic citizens of Limerick contributed cheerfully and liberally. The first president of Park College was Dr. Young, and his lordship was succeeded in the presidency by the Very Rev. Dean Hanrahan, a learned and accomplished dignitary. The Right Rev. Dr. Milner, the vicar-aposfcolic of the midland district of Eng- land, in the course of his tour through Ireland, visited Limerick in 1808, and was hospitably received by Dr. Young, who, to gratify the antiquarian zeal of the learned and gifted historian of Winchester Cathedral, and the indefatigable and chivalrous defender of the faith in various important pub- lications, obtained a clever artist^ to make a drawing of the mitre and crozicr of Cornelius O'Dea, which Dr. Young presented to Dr. Milner, and which Dr. Milner got engraved afterwards for the Areha3ological Society of Lon- don, with a letter-press description, as already stated. It is impossible to estimate the amount of good which the apostolic Dr. Young performed in his time. His name to this day is held in veneration by the people. He was particularly fond also of encouraging local genius, especially painters, and to that encouragement may be attributed the number of ex- cellent paintings which adorned the Catholic churches of Limerick, and some of which are yet in existence.* Succumbing at length to illness, ' The efforts made by the Irish hierarchy and priesthood were constant and successful for education in ancient, as well as in more modern times. Two coUeges weie erected for the native Irish, before Trinity College, Dublin, and founded at Salamanca in 1 582. At the instance of Thomas White, native of Clonmel, one of these was instituted in 1582. At Alcala in 1590, by do. At Lisbon and Genoa, in 1595, by do. At Douai, in 1596. At Antwerp, in 1600. At Touruay, 1607. At Lille, 1610. At Louvain, 1616. At Rome, 1625, hj Luke Wadding. ^ Mr. John Gubbins. ' In Dr. Youngstime, viz., in 1808,Mr.OwenMadden,arespectableparishionerof Thomond- gate, presented Thomondgate chapel with a painting of the Ascension, by Henry Singleton, A.R.A., for which Mr. Madden gave fifty guineas. It was a beautiful picture, but it has been greatly injured by injudicious cleaning; and about the same time Frederick Prussia Plowman, a clever portrait painter, and student of the R. A. in Sir Joshua Reynolds' time, visited Limerick, and painted, among other subjects, the Virgin and Child, surrounded by Angels, for Father Denis Hogan, O.S.F., and a Crucifixion for him also. These pictures are in the Fran- ciscan church, Henry Street. Plowman painted a first-class portrait of Father Denis Hogan u 634 HISTOItY OP LIMERICK. caused in a great degree by the austerities wliicli he practised, Dr. Young, after a life of intense labour in the episcopacy, died on Wednesday, the 22nd of September, 1813, in the 68th year of his age. His funeral obse- quies were attended by all the clergy of the diocese, whose loss was incalcu- lable. The remains of the learned and zealous prelate were carried to the cemetery of St. Patrick's on Saturday, the 25th of that month, where they lay for six or seven years near the site of the ancient church of St. Patrick's, until the vault was built to which they were afterwards con- signed, where an humble memorial marks the spot where they rest. An inscription cut on a limestone slab, raised on stone of the same de- scription, on one of the panels of which the episcopal arms of the see of Limerick are brought out in high relief, and all being enclosed by an iron raihncf, tells who lies beneath : This Monument was erected at the expense Of the Parish Clergymen of the Diocese, To the memory of the Right Rev. John Young, B.C. Bishop of Limerick, who departed this life On the 22nd day of September, 1813, in the 68th year of his age, and twentieth year Of his episcopal dignity. His life was truly exemplary and apostolical, He was remarkable for his Piety, Charity and profound learning. Humble and mortified in his manner Of life, he sought only the honour And glory of God, not the things Of this life. He died regretted by all his Clergymen, to whom he was a Faithful instructor, and lamented by the poor, to whom he was a parent and protector. May his soul rest in peace. I The Right Rev. Dr. Charles Tuohy, a native of the city of Limerick, was the successor of the Right Reverend John Young, immediately on whose universally lamented demise he was elected Vicar-Capitular by the also. Mr. John Gubbins painted a small pictnre of the Annunciation, intended for the sacristy, on the order of Mr. James O'Connor, brother of tlie Riglit Rev. Daniel O'Connor, O.S.A., Bishop of Saldes — a native of Limericlc. Air. Gubbins copied also for the Dominican convent, where it is at present, from the celebr.atcd picture by Rubens, The AVoman accused of Adultery, the original of which is in Sir John Leicester's gallery. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 635 cliapter of the diocese of Limerick, and on the 26tli of October, 1813, received the greatest number of votes on the election for bishop. He was appointed in Rome in 1814, was consecrated in Cork on 24th of April, 1815, and throughout his episcopal career was held in sincere esteem by the clergy and laity of the diocese over which he presided. The ques- tion of the veto continued to be warmly discussed both before and during the episcopacy of Dr Tuohy ; and in these discussions, his lordship took a prominent part, always in opposition to the flivourers of the government design on the independence of the Church and its pastors. We find him, as Vicar Capitular, in November, 1813, signing the protest of the bishops against the rescript of Quarantotti. On the 16th of February, in that year, the celebrated rescript of J. B. Quarantotti, Vice-President of the Propaganda, which had been addressed to the Right Rev. Wm. Poynter, Vicar Apostolic of the London district, recommended the amplest submission to the British Minister. It was stated in it that "nothing can be more agreeable to the Apostolic chair than that full concord and mutual confidence should prevail between your government and its Catholic subjects". It went on, "Wherefore we advise all in the Lord, and especially the Catholic bishops, to lay aside all contention, and for the edification of others to set an example of unani- mity of sentiment .... and if the law be carried which frees the Catholics from the penalties to which they are subjected that they should receive it with satisfaction; . . . but also return the warmest thanks to his Majesty and his most magnificent council for so great a benefit, and show themselves worthy of it". Copies of the rescript were sent to the Irish bishops, who indignantly, and with nearly unanimous accord, rejected it. The bishops met, the clergy throughout the land met, the resolutions against the Quarantotti manifesto were couched in terms of earnest repudiation. A meeting of the parish priests of the diocese of Limerick was held in St. Michael's chapel on Saturday, the 28th of May, 1814, the Very Rev. Charles Tuohy, Vicar Capitular of the diocese, in the chair. Thirty-eight parish priests were present. They resolved " that the rescript of Quarantotti should not be obeyed by the Catholic Church of Ireland, because they considered its principles dangerous to our holy religion, and contrary not only to the decision of the Irish bishops, but to the express sentiments of the Sacred College itself, promul- gated in the year 1805". This was unmistakeable. What was called a Catholic aggregate meeting was held on the 7th of September in the same year (1814), William Roche, Esq., in the chair.^ A series of ambiguous resolutions were passed, and William Roche, John Howley, junr. (the present excellent Sir John Howley, Knight, Sergeant, Q.C., Ex Chair- man of Tipperary, etc.), Henry Lyons, and Michael Arthur, Esqrs., were requested to prepare petitions to the legislature in accordance with these ambiguous resolutions, one of which vv^as unmistakably vetoistical, which gave anything but confidence to the people generally, and which are thus spoken of in a periodical of the time :^ — " We have noticed these two years past that Limerick is on the decHne, its Catholic spirit is evaporating fast, and the incuhus which lay on Cork seems to have been thrown upon it. We regret this much, and we regret still more that, J Mr. Roche opposed the veto afterwards. » The Cork Catholic Repertory. 636 HISTORY OP LIMERICK. the people of Limerick seem not to be aware of it. Is a proof wanting ? It is furnished by the last meeting — first, by having been miserably attended — secondly, by the very men who are continually framing ambiguous and dangerous resolutions, and who have been hitherto suspected of an inclination to vetoism, being the leaders, nay, the sole managers, and four of the very leaders of those leaders voted to be a standing committee, contrary to the usage of the rest of Ireland. Close meetings are generally corrupt — they are always suspected — four men can more easily combine than forty. Open meetings, and every man watching his neighbour, has kept Ireland honest, and saved us from the Veto. Thirdly, the Catholic spirit of Limerick must have evaporated, or they would never have adopted a Veto Itesolution. I shall be told they have a Committee of Indepen- dence in Limerick, which is a proof of their spirit. They have for the purpose of getting into the Corporation ; but if they abandon their religion in this way, they had better spare themselves time and expense, for by taking the present Corporation oaths, or by having the Veto granted, there will be no obstacle to their admission. O Limerick! how art thou fallen? Not one voice raised within thy walls to oppose or to complain of a Veto Resolution ! ! ! — Not one solitary paragraph of a newspaper to remonstrate with thy recreant children ! ! ! — Limerick ! ! ! — O Limerick ! ! ! — O Limerick ! ! ! — There is but one way oflf thy disgrace. Fling off those who have disgraced thee ! ! ! '" Tho agitation against the veto became now fiercer than ever. The Right Rev. Dr. Milner threatened to resign his office into the hands of His Holi- ness if the veto were persevered In. Cardinal Gonsalvl at length arrived in London on a message of congratulation to the Prince Regent, and avowed that he never had heard of the rescript until he came to London. His Holiness denounced the entire scheme, of which Quarantotti was the in- strument, to serve the Interests of certain of those Catholics In England and L'eland, who did not care how much the Church was enslaved, so that their own ends were gained and their interests promoted. The name of Dr. Tuohy is found in all the protests against the measm-e. But It was not in his public acts as protesting against the conduct of the government and its partizans, that Dr. Tuohy signalized himself One of the greatest boons that ever had been conferred on the Catholics of Limerick was mainly attributable to his exertions. He conceived the design of calling to the aid of the education of the poor the invaluable services of the Christian Brothers. The order had been for some few years established in Waterford by its eminent founder, Mr. Edmond Rice ; and the jjrcat benefit it had conferred on that city was sufficient to induce the blsliop to invite Mr. Rice to Limerick, in order that he might establish his order in the city. Accordingly, In June, 1816, the Schools in Sexton Street- and in Clare Street, Limerick, were established by JNIr. Rice, who sent Mr. Grace and other Christian Brothers to take charge. The year previous, namely on the 1st of January, 1815, a bell was for the first time erected in the parochial church of St. Michael's, which, though built thirty-six years before, had not been furnished with a bell, though six or seven years before a bell was hung over the dwelling of the Franciscan Fathers In Newgate Lane. Dr. Tuohy lived to witness many great changes in the position and prospects of the people of Ireland, and it must be said that he aided the * The number of these gentlemen in all was thh-ty-uine, and they went by the comical name of the thirty-nine articles afterwards. ^ The locality of these extcnsiTC schools, etc., is now called St. Michael's Place. i HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 637 struggles of clergy and people with an undivided heart and a resolute spirit. He was gifted witli much wisdom. Besides his numerous other accomplishments, he possessed a taste for music. While parish priest of Rathkeale, the people there entered into certain resolutions against the payment of more than a very trivial and insufficient sum to the pastor as dues at weddings, baptisms, etc. At a large wedding in Rathkeale, when the collection for the priest was being made, each person handed in a shilling, with a dogged determination to give no more. The good pastor took the money in the best humour, and asking the instrument from a performer who was at the feast, he played many airs with a sweet- ness and truth which were felt by every heart. At length, haying concluded, he took the plate, saying, '' As you have not paid the priest, I am sure you will not forget the musician". This was enough. Every one present experienced a sense of the injustice that had been done, and the utter folly and impropriety of the resolutions. Those who had come to refuse, and who did refuse, were the first to contribute liberally — a con- siderable sum of money Avas cheerfully given to the wise and zealous pastor, and from that time forward there was an end to the combination against paying the priest, not only in Rathkeale, but everywhere else throughout the diocese where the bad spirit had prevailed. Dr. Tuohy lived on the best terms with the Protestant bishop. Dr. Jebb;^ and the latter spoke in the most earnest and cordial teraas of Dr. Tuohy on several occasions, particulary in reference to his exertions against the Whiteboys. Dr. Tuohy died on the 13th of March, 1828, and was interred like his pre- decessor, in the ancient cemetery of St. Patrick's, where his remains were placed in the same vault with those of Dr. Young, and where no inscrip- tion marks the place of his sepulture. A few years previous to the death of Dr. Tuohy, his lordship had called on the Court of Rome to issue a mandate for the election of a coadjutor to assist him in the weighty cares which had pressed so severely and anxiously on him. Dr. Tuohy desired that the Very Rev. W. A. O'Meara, Pro- vincial of the Franciscan order, a native of Limerick, but then resident in Cork, should be his coadjutor, and forwarded his name to Rome. Finally, however, after some demurring on the part of a portion of the secular clergy, the Holy See thought fit, after due deliberation, to refer the question to the Most Rev. Dr. Laffan, Archbishop of Cashcl, who selected for the high dignity the Rev. John Ryan, a priest of the archdiocese of Cashel, and a native of the parish of Thurles, county of Tipperary, and who had been parish priest of Doon. Dr. Ryan received the rudiments of his education in Thurles, and at an early age Avas sent by the Most Rev. Doctor Bray, Archbishop of Cashel, to ]\Iaynooth College, where he be- came a distinguished contemporary of many of those admirable eccle- siastics who were destined in after years to fill exalted places in the church. Called to the episcopacy as coadjutor bishop to the Right Rev. Dr. Tuohy, the consecration of the Right Rev. Dr. Ryan took place in the old parish Church of St. John's on the 11th of December, 1825.^ Tliough his predecessors had done much for the advancement of religion, it re- mained for Dr. Ryan not only to perfect the glorious work in which ' In 1821, Bishop Jebb, who might often he seen arm-in-arm with some Catholic priest or other, addressed the people after Mass from the altar of the Roman Catholic church of Murroe, with a view to dissuade them from secret societies. The congregation were affected to tears.— Forster's Life of Jebb. 638 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. they had indefatigably laboured, but to extend to every part of his exten- sive diocese the most enduring monuments of that ardent love for the faith with which every action of his lordship's episcopal career proved that his soul was inspired. A native of the archdiocese of Cashel, it was not to be wondered at that his appointment by the Holy See to the mitre of Limerick was not regarded in the commencement with favour by a portion of the clergy. But no sooner had he undertaken the great and important duties inseparable from his office, than every symptom of coolness and pre- judice gave way. He was blessed with a clear judirment, with admirable tact and impartiality. His conscientious sense of justice was universally admitted, so that those who might not at first have looked upon his eleva- tion with favour became the most ardent among his admirers, the most attached among his friends. All were unanimous in awarding him the most earnest and unequivocal praise. The chains by which the liberties of our countrymen were fettered, had not been broken for some few years after Dr. Ryan's accession to the episcopal throne of Limerick. Catholics were excluded from every office of trust and emolument in the state : the old religion was banned, whilst bishops, priests, and people were looked upon in no other light than as helots in the land of their birth. To obtain emancipation was the Herculean labour to which O'Connell had been devoting his imparalleled resources ; and, though naturally adverse to agita- tion, the good cause had no more earnest friend than Dr. Ryan, who gave not only his sympathy, but his support to the efforts of his co-religionists to place themselves on an equality with their fellow-subjects throughout the empire. In the measure of emancipation, at length granted, no one more cordially rejoiced than Dr. Ryan. Once freed from the odious trammels to which hostile legislation had for so protracted a period of gloom, despondency, and terror consigned them, he saw that Lish Catholics, placed at length on an equality with their Protestant fellow-countrymen, were prepared to vie with them for the su- premacy in every field, and often to win the palm of precedence from those who had so long with impunity trampled upon them, with contumely and scorn. The progress of religion went hand-in-hand with political fieedom. A desire to show forth the results of the independence they had achieved, soon took possesssion of the Catholic heart and intellect; and giving a right direction to the impulse, the Right Rev. Dr. Ryan soon found means not only to extend the blessings of religion and education throughout every parish of his diocese, but to establish and endow convents, to build churches, to advance the position of liis devoted clergy, and to obtain from all that imqualified respect and devotion which accompanied his footsteps wher- ever he went, and which must have been a solace to him in every one of his undertakings. He felt his task an easy one, whether it was to erect a church or build a cathedral, because it was a pleasure — a delight — to aid him in every way. He had only to ask and to obtain, because he was wise, right-hearted, and true ; and thus it was that nothing impeded him — that when he spoke, a satisfactory answer was given. Thus, though in the year 1825 there was but one small conventual establishment for nuns in the city of Limerick, and we believe we are correct in stating not one elsewhere throughout the diocese, there are now five convents in the city, including the Presentation, the Order of ]\lercy, (2), the Good Shep- herd, the Faithfu companions, (Laurel Hill), whilst elsewhere in the diocese there arc several. In the life of Madame D'Houet, foundress of the I HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 639 order of tlie Faithful Companions, a tribute of just praise is bestowed upon Dr. Ryan and the Very Rev. Dean Cussen for the wonderful services conferred on the great educational ])roject in which that holy nun Avas en- gaged ; and the first convent of the order in Ireland was established in Limerick, the splendid convent of Laurel hill, which has been recognised since its formation as a leading educational establishment of the first class for young ladies.' In Bruff, the convent of St. Mary's was founded in 1856, and in a few years afterwards, owing to the extraordinary sacrifices and exertions of the Very Rev. Dean Cussen, a new and beautiful con- vent was built, which has attained a first-class position as an educational estabhshment.^ The open sincerity of Dr. Ryan's heart shone in those features which, even in death, had much grace and benignity impressed upon them. In 1825 there were but few schools in the city and diocese. The Christian Brothers had been but a short time before introduced by his excellent predecessor, Dr. Tuohy. Dr. Ryan not only gave them every encouragement, but he afforded them facilities by which they could extend their usefulness, increase the number of schools, and bring to the child of every poor person in the city all the advantages of an excellent education. As to higher schools, they were extremely few thirty or even twenty years ago in Limerick. By the earnest zeal of Dr. Ryan for the promotion of education among the better-to-do classes of Cathohcs, the Jesuit Fathers have been introduced there, and their college at this moment is one of the most flourishing in the south of Ireland. It was by Dr. Ryan that the unwearied and indefatigable Redemptorist Fathers, the sons of St. Alphonsus, have been introduced to bestow the inestimable blessings and benefits of their most pious labours on a people who know how to look upon them with deserved reverence and affection. As if by magic, too, he raised up^ the grand Cathedral of St. John's, having only sought assistance, and in a moment his most sanguine expectations being more than realised. In addition to his other admirable traits of character. Dr. Ryan was an ardent friend of temperance, as lie was of its apostle, the illustrious Father Mathew, who ever spoke of him in the kindest possible terms, as of a prelate who was among the very first to invite him to leave Cork and administer the pledge to the millions. Thus Dr. Ryan went on, increasing in years, and not the less increasing in good works and in the veneration of his people ; and though with the majority of that people in some of their struggles he did not accord, this fact did not lessen or weaken their love for him, who was ever tolerant and liberal himself, and never yet was known to quarrel with others for ' Vie de Madame DeBonnauItD'Houet, Vans, 1863. Madame D'Honet also bestowed praise on the late Rev. William Bourke, the active and zealous administrator of St. John's, and after- wards parish priest of Brm-ee. His remains are interred in St. John's Cathedral, which he exerted himself with wonderful assiduity to build. 2 The Very Rev. Robert Cussen, P.P., V.G., Dean of Limerick, died in London on the 13th of May, 1865, after a short illness. He was a most learned, exeiuplary, zealous, pious, and truly excellent ecclesiastic in every particular. He had reached only his 65th year, and hopes were entertained that he would live for many years, an ornament to the ecclesiastical state, and a source of support and strength to the educational institutions in which he took so deep an interest. Dean Cussen's remains were conveyed for inteiment to his parish of Bruff, where, amid the lamentations of his sincerely attached parishioners and the deep regrets of the religious and pupils of St. Mary's Convent, they were consigned to their last resting-place within the church of Bruff, in which he had so long, so faithfully, and so well ministered. Dean Cussen was a native of the city of Limerick, and he may he ranked amongst the truly learned and estimable of her sons. The Very Rev. Archdeacon O'Brien, P.P., V.G., Newcastle West, suc- ceeded Dr. Cussen as dean, by Papal rescript, dated July 27th, 1865. The Very Rev. James O'Rourke, P.P., Patrick's Well, was appointed archdeacon at the same time by Papal rescript. 640 HISTORY OE LIMERICK. entertaining opinions different from his, but gave tlie fullest credit to those who entertained views opposite to his own on public affairs. As we have said, though constitutionally adverse to agitation, there was no prelate in the land who gave larger toleration to the views of others ; and it cannot, in this brief and hasty sketch of his career, be omitted to state that the great O'Connell, on the very last occasion he ever visited Limerick, took occasion not only to make the most particular inquiries after the health of the Right Rev. Dr. Ryan, but to request the Right Rev. Dr. Whelan, who accomj)anied him, to make a special visit to Park House in his (the Libe- rator's) name to pay Dr. Ryan his compliments, the Liberator being unable to go himself He breathed his last on the 6th of June, 1864. After his death, the body, robed in episcopal costume, with purple rochet and cross, etc., was laid out in the lower reception room of his residence, Park House, where, in the course of the afternoon, -vCry many of the citizens proceeded to pay the sad tribute of their respect to all that was mortal of one who for so long a spaceof time was amongst them, a model of everything that was cal- culated to make man estimable. The remains of the lamented prelate were borne to the Cathedral of St. John's, in solemn procession, from his residence. The Bishop, the Right Rev. Dr. Butler, the clergy, the members of the various public bodies of the city, corporation, chamber of commerce, religious societies, the children of the Christian Brothers' and Presentation Convent and Sisters of jMercy Schools, etc., were in the procession in mourning. The body of the deceased Bishop lay in state in the Cathedral of St. John's, where, after the procession on Tuesday evening, it was received by the Right Rev. Dr. Butler, and where thousands thronged to pay their last sad tribute of respect to the remains of a bishop who, for the greatest part of half a century, had hved amongst them. Four of the clergy of the cathedral, including the Very Rev. the Administrator, were present through- out the night. The solemn appearance of the cathedral, clothed in black drapery, and lighted with gas pendants, gasaliers, and wax candles, was in perfect keeping with the solemnity of the occasion. The arms of the diocese — the mitre, the pastoral staff and crozicr, were placed in front of the great organ gallery, which, with the noble organ, were all draped in black. The pillars of the church were in alternate black and yellow drapery of cloth, and had a very good effect. Between the arches of each pillar festooned curtains of black cloth were arranged. On the following (Wednesday) morning, from the very earliest hour, clergymen from all parts of the diocese poured into the city, and proceeded to the cathedral, where they celebrated mass. The lid of the coffin was closed down on the remains of the good bishop, on which was the following inscription on a brass plate : KIGHT EEV. JOHN RYAN, liOKD BISHOP OF LIMEKICK, ON THE 6th of JUNE, 1864, IN THE 8 1st year OF HIS AGE, and 39th of his bishopric. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 641 At eleven o'clock a.m. tlie catliedral was crowded, and tlie solemn tones of the organ were awakened in the dirge notes, and immediately after that hour began the procession of the clergy, etc., headed by the Lord Arch- bishop of Cashel and Emly, who had come to pay his respects to the memory of his old and sincere friend, Dr. Ryan, the Lord Bishop of Limerick, the Lord Bishop of Bombay, entered the choir, preceded by acolytes and cross-bearers. After the usual solemn services, the coffin was lowered into the vault prepared for it, opposite the great altar in the ca- thedral of St. John's. Thus were laid in the grave the mortal remains of the venerable bishop who for nearly forty years had governed the see of Limerick with prudence, justice, and liberality, and who was one of the most munificent benefactors to the many convents and religious insti- tutions which are now established throughout the diocese. In the year 1860, then grown old, and Avell nigh unable to undergo the cares of duty, the Right Rev. Dr. Ryan had called upon the Holy See to issue its rescript for the election of a Coadjutor Bishop. Accordingly on the 2nd of May in that year, the parish priests met in the old church of St. John's, and forwarded to the court of Rome the names of the Very Rev. Dr. George Butler, Dean of the Diocese of Limerick, and P.P. of St. Mary's ; the Very Rev. Dr. Robert Cusscn, V.G. and P.P. of Bruff ; the Very Rev. John Brahan, V.G., P.P., Newcastle West ; the Very Rev. Dr. O'Reilly, S. J., and the Very Rev. Dr. Kirby, President of the Lish College in Rome. The Holy See at length thought fit to select the Right Rev. Dr. George Butler, the present Bishop of Limerick, to whom all his acquaintances wish a long life of happi- ness unalloyed and continued usefulness in the ancient Sec of St. Munchm, which has been filled by men of most distinguished lives and services to reli- gion and country. Dr. Butler was born in the city of Limerick in the year 1815. At the age of fourteen years he entered the Diocesan Academy, which was kept by the Rev. Dr. Carey, under the patronage of the Right Rev. Dr. Ryan, where he continued for two years. At the early age ol sixteen, the young student was sent to Maynooth College, and went through the whole collegiate course, on the completion of which, in the year 1838, he was placed on the Dunboyne Establishment. Towards the end of that year, the Bishop of Trinidad in the West Indies went to Maynooth for missionaries for his far distant diocese, the climate of which has been proverbially fatal to Europeans. The zealous and ardent youthful ecclesiastic, George Butler, did not hesitate : he, with a few others, including his brother, the Rev. John Butler, then, also on the Dunboyne Establishment, volunteered their services. The brothers were both ordained in Maynooth College in November in that year by the Bishop of Trinidad, the Right Rev. Dr. Smith, and soon afterwards they set sail for that island, in which one of them was destined in a very short time to find an early and glorious grave. The Rev. John Butler lived but nine months after their arrival. The Rev. George Butler resided for two years in Trinidad : during the greater part of the time he was cure or Parish Priest of San Fernando, one of the chief districts of the island. After the premature and lamented death of his brother, the health of the survivor became affected, and within less than a year he had three severe attacks of fever. Having heard of these circumstances, the Right Rev. Dr. Ryan signified his wish that the Rev. George Butler should return to Limerick. In obedience to that wish — for Dr. Ryan was still his bishop — the young 642 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. missionary left the West Indies, and arrived in Limerick towards the end of 1840, when he was appointed to the curacy of St. Patrick's, of which the late lamented Rev. Mathew O'Connor was parish priest. Jn Saint Patrick's the Rev. George Butler continued curate for four years. He was then appointed to St. John's, where he remained for one year, at the expi- ration of which he was sent to St. Michael's, where he was curate lor twelve years, during the last years of which he was administrator. In 1857 he was appointed parish priest of Saint Mary's and dean of the diocese; and in 1861, on the 25th of July, he was consecrated Bishop of Cidonia i7i pao-tihus, and Coadjutor Bishop of Limerick; the consecrating prelate was the Most Rev. Dr. Leahy, Archbishop of Cashel, assisted by the Bishops of Killaloe and Cloyne. The Lord Archbishop of Dublin, and many of the prelates of Munster and Connaught were present, as was also the Bishop of Bombay, as well as the Archimandrite of Lebanon, all at- tended by their respective chaplains. The consecration sermon was preached by the Right Rev. Dr. Moriarty, Bishop of Kerry. On the 6th of June, 1864, on the demise of the Right Rev. Dr. Ryan, the Right Rev. Dr. Butler succeeded to the see of Limerick, of the mitre of which his lordship has in every possible way Toved himself preeminently worthy, and which it is universally hoped e may live for very many years to wear. CHAPTER LX. THE RELIGIOUS ORDERS. — CATHOLIC CHURCHES. — INSTITUTIONS, ETC We shall devote this chapter to an account of those illustrious religious orders, which for so many years have made Limerick famous, and contri- buted so materially to keep the faith alive in the city. THE AUGUSTINIANS. First then in order of time, as in extent of their privileges, come the regular canons of St. Augustine,' a distinct order from that of his hermits, and originated in the regular community founded by St. Augustine in his own house. The order of the Hermits of St. Augustine, accord- ing to the learned Alban Butler and the ancient writers, dates its foun- dation from so early an epoch as a.d. .S88, when it was established by the great saint himself. The convent of the order of the Hermits of St. Augustine was founded at Limerick in the tliirteenth century by O'Brien of the royal race of Limerick and Thomond.- Its site is said to have been where the city court-house once stood in Quay Lane. Both Canons and Hermits were branches of the same illustrious order, with which, in Ireland at least, no other could stand in competition, being as great in this country as the Benedictines were in England. There were also ancient foundations of Augustinian nuns in Ireland, and all these foundations for men and women were represented in the city of Limerick, where the Augustinian nuns were called the Canonesses of St. Augustine. According to Sir James Ware, a priory for regular Canons of St. Augus- ' According to many learned writers, the old Irish Ciildee monks were the same as the re- gular canons of St. Augustine, into -Yvhoso order tlic ancient monks may have merged. Both the Culdees and secular canons officiated in cathedrals. Dr. Lanigan refers the canons to the eleventh century, but is not generally followed. ' Bruodin in Hib. Dom. p. 749. HISTORY OP LIMERICK. 643 tine was founded in tlie reign of King John, anno 1227, by Simon Minor, a citizen of Limerick, imder tlie invocation of the Blessed Virgin and St. Edward the King and Martyr ; and according to this author it was the prior of this house who had the first voice in the election of the Mayor of Limerick, a privilege,' according to Archdall, which belonged to the Augustinian Hermits or Austin Friars. The site of the monastery of the Regular Canons was at the end of the Fish Lane, and near the site of Sir Harry's Mall. It had been rented for some time before its demolition as a fish house by the corporation, the pro- prietors of the Lax Weir, but not a vestige of it remains at present. _ It totally disappeared nearly a century since. An inquisition was held mto the possessions of this monastery in the 19th Henry VIII f and the grant to Edmond Sexton is set out in the 29th year of that reign.' The priors having, as stated, had the principal voice in the city election, occupied a seat in the court house next the mayor. The last prior before the sup- pression was Patrick Harrold. In the year 1472, a command was given by the Most Rev. Father Aquila, the General of the Order, that " regular discipline" should be observed in the convent of the Augustinian Hermits ; and though in the days of persecution there could hardly have been a regular Augustinian community in Limerick, there can be no question as to the uninterrupted existence of the order in the city. The Augustinian Hermits certainly lived in community in Limerick, even in the reign of George 11. The friars occasionally fled, but they invariably returned. The succession, so to speak, was never broken. The possessions of the convent of the Holy Cross, consisting of lands and houses through town and country, were valued at its suppression at £8 6s. Id., equal to £166 Is. 8d. at pre- sent. They are now the property of the Earl of Limerick, to whose ' Archdall refers to an inquisition, 37th Elizabeth (a.d. 1595), to prove that the Eremites, not the Canons Regular, had tlie privilege. Stephen Sexton, while he lived, certainly claimed that privilege in right of that house, but, as appears from the next note, the prior of the Regulars claimed the same right. See next page, text and note. Perhaps the Sextons claimed in right of both houses. 2 Inquisitio taken at Lymeric before Mc. Comyn, Mayor, IQth year of King Henry VIII. It is found, "That Symon Mynor some time citezen of the cittie of Lymeryk was fondowr of Sayntt Mary hows in the worsippe off the Blessytt Virgin, Saynt Mary, and Sayntt Edward, Kynge and Martyr. The Prior Sir John Fox lefthe in the sayd hows a challs, that stands in Stywyn Creaghe is handes, to pledge of the sayd Prior for the som of 30s. The jury say thei found on the hey aulter of the" forsayd Saynt Mary hows a table of alabaster, 4 candelstykes, a senc. toy payr cruetts, 21 bouks grett and small, holy water stok, a payr organys, • * * 18 tapers wex, try cowpyr crossyr, 3 weatymettes, a grett bell, 2 small bells, 3 doss bowls, 2 old coffyrs, * * * beds, a standynge bed, 3 old surplices, a lydge table, 3 small tablys, 6 tastelles, 2 chayres, 2 candelstykes, 2 broches, a hangynge candylstick, a plateyr, 2 pattengs, a brass poth, 2 * * * S lowys of glas, a lydge trestell, and 5 fowrmys or beuss, wliiche were found both in the chirche and hail of the sayd Sayntt Mary hows. That the Prior had the firste w ys eleccyon of Mayor, Ballyffes, • * » er, the Kynges Officerys in the sayd citie and sat'h nexth the Mayor, wt. in the tolse the days off eleccon in chossyng suche ofSceres . . . hawing no room nexth the Mayr nether among the Consayll nor statt but only the sayd days . . . wt. in the tolse, and was not of the Consayll of the citie ne wyr theles he had chyfthe and Mayr as a Mayr ys pyr beryug there for as any other Mayr is pyr and nown other. September 28tk 1537. 3 A grant to Edmond Sexten by Privy Seal, to the King's well beloved servant Edmond Sextan Sewer of his Chamber of tlie Monastery, Priory or Cell of St. Mary-house, the cite ambit or ground thereof, and all Lordships, Manors, Lands, Advowsons of Churches, Tytlies, Chapels, Chantries, etc., spiritual and temporal thereto belonging, within the precinct of the city or in the county of Limerick, in as large and ample manner as Sir Patrick Harrold late Prior had the same together with the goods and utensils thereof, To hold to the heirs male of his body by the service of one Knight's fee, with directions for a Commission to issue for dissolution of said Monastery.— /nro//erf, EoUs Office, Dublin, 2dtk year of Henry VIII, 644 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. ancestor, Edmond Sexton, tlicy were granted. White's MSS. assert that, from the ruins of the monastery of the Canons Regnlar, the Irisli hred upon the soldiers of King William, as they approached the city from the heights of Park. In 1691, we find there were a community and convent in Limerick, De Burgo alludes to a lawsuit between the Prior of the convent of St. Augustine, in Limerick, and one William Lysaght, as to the possession of their convent. In that year, the Prior was the celebrated Bernard O'Kennedy, subsequently Provincial of the Order in Ireland. He after- wards fled to Spain from the horrors of the persecution of William III., wliere he died in 1704. In a letter which he wrote a little before his death to the province of Ireland, for he was then the Provincial, he states that he left in trust with a friend in Ireland, a chalice and suit of vestments for the convent of Limerick, which is a proof that a convent had been there before his departure from Ireland. We find that almost all the regular clergy, notwithstanding the numbers banished in 1698, continued in their native land. It was not, however, until the end of the reign of George I., that regular clergy began to live in community and to erect chapels in the principal towns in Ireland. In the next reign, as before mentioned, and for the last century, we find the Augustinians living in com- munity in Limerick. In 1736 the Dominicans and Franciscans of Limerick applied to Dr. O'Keeffe, the bishop, for redress against the Hermits of St. Augustine, who, as they alleged, had settled themselves in the city without having any title for so doing, asserting they never had a convent of their order in the city. The bishop, attended by his secular clergy, often examined both parties on the merits of this affair, and ultimately passed sentence against the Augustinians. The Augustinians appealed to Cashel, and from thence to the Primate of Armagh. The Dominicans and Franciscans would not acknowledge the Primate's jurisdiction in Limerick, and there- fore they appealed to the Sacred Congregation de Propaganda; but not- withstanding their appeal, the Primate's commissary in absence of the con- tending parties, pronounced a sentence of absolution in favour of the Augustinians, who, by virtue thereof, opened their chapel, and ever since continued to officiate in the city. In some time after, the Augustinians pro- duced a decree of the Holy Congregation, declaring their censures sus- pended usque ad exitum causae; they required this decree in their favour to be published in all the chapels, which Dr. John Lehy, the Vicar- General, refused doing, as the Congregation did not send the decree to him. However, the Augustinians still continued to have their chapel open and ofiiciated in town equally with the rest of the friars in 1755.' In 1778 the Hermits of St. Augustine erected a neat chapel and chapel- house in Creagh Lane, which they occupied until 1823. Their com- munity were never less than three, and were sometimes four. Their chapel was the first in the city in which an organ was erected. The removal of the community from Creagh Lane to George's Street, which occurred in 1823, was occasioned by the pressing demands for in- creased accommodation, and by an opportunity which now occurred of purchasing the new theatre, which had been recently built, in consequence ' White's MSS. The MSS. particulars of the controversy arc extant. Fitzger.ild states that the question in dispute was "set at rest for ever in 1739 or 1740, by the Canons Regular of St. Augustine cedmg to the said Hermits all their rights, privileges, and immunities". HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 645 of the burning of the old one, and wliicli was now brouglit to tlie hammer for the liquidation of arrears of debt. The theatre had been built by sub- scription in 1810, at the expense of £4,000, but the Very Rev. Father Cronin, the prior, aided by public liberality, purchased it for £400, and having insured the premises, employed an architect to make such altera- tions as would fit it for the service of religion. In negociating this pur- chase the prior was assisted by the Rev. D. O'Connor, now Bishop of Saldes, a distinguished member of the order, and in a few weeks, the work having been complete, the church was opened with great solemnity, and consecrated by the bishop of the diocese, the Right Rev. Dr. Tuohy, the sermon being preached by the celebrated Dr. Doyle, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, who was himself an Augustinian, and whose successful appeal on this occasion considerably assisted to liquidate the building debt. The alterations and improvements cost about £600 in addition to the purchase money. The interior is about ninety feet in length and sixty in breadth. The gallery is supported by metal columns and is in the form of a horse- shoe. The new and costly altar of marble, etc., is ornamented by the fine painting of the Ascension by the celebrated artist, Timothy Collopy,a native of the city, of whom we have already written fully (see p. 344). This excellent church is principally lighted from the roof. Of the fathers of the convent who have always been held in deserved respect by the citizens of Limerick, it is only necessary to mention the names of the Very Rev. Thos. Walsh, the Very Rev. Augustine Aylmer, the Rev. Patrick Green, the Rev. Thos. Connolly, the Very Rev. Father Stephen Egan, and the truly estimable Father Augustine Cronin, who were all distinguished for piety, learning, and amiability. Father Walsh, who built the old convent about one hundred years ago, was Provincial of his Order, lived to the age of ninety years, and said Mass every day almost to his death. Father Cronin, who was the principal means of removing the convent from the old to the new town, did great service to religion by the establishment of confraternities. He died regretted by all who knew him in 1835.» The following is an accurate list of the priors from 1760 to 1865 : 1760— Very Rev. Thomas Walsh. 1770 ,, „ James Byrne. • 1778 „ „ Thomas Walsh. 1786 ,, ,, Augustine Aylmer. 1811 ,, „ Stephen Egan. 1815 ,, ,, John Augustine Cronin. 1819 ,, ,, Stephen Egan. 1823 „ ,, John Augustine Cronin. 1835 „ ,, Robert Dore. 1839 „ ,, James Dundon. 1843 „ ,, Robert Dore. 1855 „ ,, James Dundon. 1859 ,, ,, Robert Dore. 1863 ,, „ James Dundon, the present prior, 18G5. The Very Rev. Fathers Egan and Cronin are interred in the old vault on the north side of St. Patrick's churchyard. The former died on the 26th of June, 1832, aged 75 years; the latter on the 23rd February, 1835, aged 54 years. 646 HISTOEY OF LIMERICK. The Canonesses of St. Augustine had a nunnery In Limerick, founded by King Donald O'Brien in 1171, and dedicated to St. Peter, whence its name of Peter's Cell. It stood near the town wall, at the lower end of Pump Lane or Peter Street. After the suppression, it became the pro- perty of Lord Milton. The dissenters of Limerick rented their chapel from him mitil 1798. A handsome house was afterwards built on its site, which, with its fine garden, became the residence of Madame O'Dell. This order had also three other establishments in the county, viz., at Cluan-Credhail, founded in the sixth century by St. Ita; at Kilsane, founded by MacSheehy, an Irish gentleman, and dedicated to St. Catherine; and at Monaster-na-Calliaghduif, in the parish of Roberstown, barony of Shanid, founded by the Clangibbons in the thirteenth century. The Knights Tem- plars had a house in Quay Lane, and a Commandery at Newcastle, of which there are still some remains. The Knights of St. John of Jerusalem had a house at Adare, and a preceptory at Any, both founded in the thirteenth century, by Geoffry de Maurisco : they had also another estab- lishment at Hospital. THE DOMINICANS. Next in order of time are the Dominicans, whose monastery was situated within and close by the walls of Limerick, on the north-east of the city, in a delightful situation, and not far from the waters of the Abbey River. According to the Book of the Friars Preachers of Limerick,' the first founder of the monastery of Limerick of the Friars Preachers was Donough Carbraigh O'Brien, who is said to have obtained from St. Dominic some of his religious to preach amongst the Irish. It is asserted by certain of the Dominican writers that St. Dominic himself visited Ireland.^' This Donough Carbraigh, as appears in the ancient calendar and necrology of the monastery aforesaid, died on the 8th day of March in the year of our Lord 1 241 . So that between the confirmation of the order of St. Dominic, which was con- firmed by Honorius III., Sovereign Pontiff, in 121G, and the death of the aforesaid founder, there intervened twenty-live years. The monastery and church were dedicated to St. Saviour. Of the founder there occur in the margin of the calendar, after the last day of the month, the follow- ing words : — Here lies Lord Donough Carbraigh O'Brien, a valiant leader in arms, Prince of Thomond, made a knight by the King of England, who caused to be built the Church of the Friars of the Order of Preachers, who died on the 8th day of the month of March, a.d. 1241 : on whose soul may the Lord have mercy. Amen. Let each devoutly say a Pater and Ave. This is confirmed by O'Heyne' and De Burgo.* Sir James Ware states that in his time the statue and the church existed, but after the two sieges of Limerick in 1650 and 1691, nothing remained of the tomb or the statue, and of the church and monastery there are only a few walls standing, which, by lancet windows of great altitude, and the debris of stone-work and tracery which now lie scattered in confusion about the convent of the Sisters of Mercy, tell what the monastery and ' Sloane MSS. in Britiah Museum, 4793. ^ Chronological Epilogue, 2 Tenda, Malvenda, etc. * JHib. Dom. HISTORY or LIMERICK. 647 cliurcli had been in tlieir days of splendour. It is said that the soldiers of King William broke in pieces the statue of Donougli Carbraigb, who was a very religious and devout prince, having built 80 churches, abbeys, and chapels (according to MacBrody's Chronicles). The Abbey of Ennis for Franciscans was one of the first he built. He also erected an academy or seminary for learning at Clonroad, near Ennis, where, according to many authentic writers, six hundred scholars and a great many monks were frequently supported at the proper expense of the O'Brien family, until the reign of Henry VHI. of England, when the dissolution of abbeys, seminaries, etc., etc., commenced.' It was he who also built the noble Cistertian Monastery of Holy Cross in the County of Tipperary. Ware states that he was interred in Killaloe ; but it is positively asserted by O'Heyne and others that he was buried in the Dominican Convent which he founded in Limerick. In the church of the same monastery was buried Hubert de Burgo, Bishop of Limerick, who died on the 15th of September, 1250. Hubert's ancestor was called pugnator, the " expugnator", because after his arrival in Ireland with Henry II., he subjected Connaught to the power of its new masters. He married, in the first instance, a daughter of the King of England, and afterwards a daughter of the great Donald O'Brien, who was the last king of Cashel.^ There were, besides, three bishops of Killaloe buried in this monastery, namely, Donald O'Kennedy, in the year 1252, Mathew O'Hog- hain in the month of August, 1281, and Mathew MacCrath on the 1st of September, 1391. There were also interred in the same monastery the following bishops of Kilfenora: Christianus, in the year 1254, Simon O'Curriu in the year 1303, and Maurice O'Brien, in the year 1321. The fact of Hubert's burial in the Dominican Friary is stated in the ancient calendar of the order, and in the Black Book, v/hilst in confirmation of the fact as to the interment of the six bishops, we have it on the authority of an ancient sepulchral inscription which existed formerly in the archives of the monastery, and which was preserved in Latin, and which is in the Book of the Friars Preachers above quoted, the translation of which is thus given in Ware's Bishops : Six prelates here do lie, and in their favour I beg your friendly prayers to Christ our Saviour ; Who in their hfetime for this house did work, The first of whom I name was Hubkrt Burkk, Who graced the see of Limerick, and Matthew, With Donald, Bishops both of Killaloe ; Christian and Maurice I should name before, And Simon, Bishops kite of Fenabore. Therefore, kind Father, let not any soid Of these good men be lodged in the black hole. You who read this, kneel down in humble posture. Below three Aves say one Patei: Nostcr. Whoever for the soul sincerely prays. Merits indulgence for a hundred days ; And you, who read the verses on this stone, . Bethink yourself, and make the case your own ; ' Joha Loyd's History of Clare. ^ De Burgo, Hib. Domin, 648 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. Then seriously reflect on what you see, And tliink on what you are now, and what you '11 be ; Whether you 're greater, equal, less, you must, . As well as these, be crumbled into dust. In 1279, according to King, a general chapter of the order wa3 held there. On the loth of Jauuary, 1330, a " liberate" was issued for the sum of thirty-five marcs, for the payment of one year's pension to the Domin- icans of Limerick, Dublin, Drogheda, Cork, and Waterford.' Nine liberates had been issued. In 1340 Gerakl Rochfort, a renowned knight, and liead of his sept, died on the 29th of March, and according to Ware was interred here. About this time, according to the Arthur MSS., Martin Arthur built a magnificent peristyle of marble to the church of St. Saviour in Limerick. 1345, John O'Grady, Treasurer of Cashel, and for a time Rector of O'Griffin, in the diocese of Killaloe, succeeded by the election of Dean and Chapter to the Archbishopric of Cashel, and having procured recommen- datory letters from the King to the Pope (dated 10th October, 1331) was by his provision placed in that see (Cashel) in 1332. " A mark", says Hogan, the author of the Annals of Nenagh " of great wisdom and industry". He died in Limerick on the 8th day of July, 1345, in th.e Dominican habit, and was buried there in a monastery of that order. He made many donations to his church, and in that particular gave it a large pastoral staff.* Indeed, according to the book of the Friars Preachers already referred to,^ the Dominican monastery of Limerick was famous, among many other circumstances, for being the place of interment of illustrious Irishmen in olden days. It was there, it adds, that its founder 'OomcA'o Cuijibpouc ob]Ai. 694 HISTOEY OF LIMERICK. 1336 1337 1338 1339 1340 1341 1342 1343 1344 1345 1346 1347 1348 349 MAYORS. BAILIFFS. John White, Richard Noxthine, John "White, W. Greg. Wainbold, John Daniel, John Nash. According to Arthur the persons following -John of Kildare, John Daniell, Thomas Bicolf. John Kildare, A. W. Thomas Kildare, Richard Miles Owen, Thomas Bambery, Robert White, Gregory Wambold, Simon Bouir, Gregory de Lisborn, W. Nicholas Fitz-Thomas, Simon Coney, Nicholas Fitz-Symons, Nicholas Symons, John Troy, A. Richard Troy, Nicholas Howse, W. John Fleming, Laurence Daniel, W. Thomas Taylor, John Howse, W. John Daniel, John Nash, W. Richard Miles Owen, Thomas De Rannecks, A. 350 1351 1352 1353 1354 1355 1356 1357 1358 1359 1360 1361 1362 1363 1364 1365 1366 1367 1368 1369 1370 1371 1372 1373 1374 1375 1376 1377 1378 1379 1380 1381 Martin Fitz-Thomas, William More A. Richard Miles Owen, Thomas de Knock, W. Nicholas Tabernator, Thomas White, A. W. gives John Bambury as mayor. John Croft, W. Richard Miles Owen, senior, Adam Moore, Richard Reymbald, A. W. Richard Miles Owen, of Emly, Rd. F. Thomas, John Lofts, A. White gives Thomas Silver, Richard Troy, and Nicholas Hussey. Richard Millisse of Emly, Richard Fitzthomas, John Loftus, W. John Moore, Richard Rembold, W. Martin Fitz-Thomas, William Moore, A. Wm. FitzAdam More, Maurice FitzKichard FitzThomas, A. Thomas Troy, Mw Howse, of Hunlin, S. John Vigoner, Richard Rembold, W. Richard Fitzsimon, Thomas Troy, W. Henry Croyn, Branden Valens. (A. & S.). Robert Creagh, Nich. Fitz-Thomas Nicholas Fitzsimon, John Nash (W), Nicholas Black, of Kildare, John Kildare, Rd Bultingfourd, John Crofte (S.), White gives John Baltingford, Henry Troy, and Branden Valens. Rd. Milles Owen, Rd. Fitz-Thomas, Henry Croyne (A.). This mayor was sworn in on the festival of St. Senan the Bishop. A. MSS. Rd. Milles Owen, jun., A.W. John Ffleminge, Laurence Daniel, A. Nicholas Bakkecar, John Wigmor, John Troy, A. Robt. Creaughe, S. John Bambery, Wm. Longe, John White, S. Thos. Pill, Walter Gilbert, Roger White, S. John Fitz-Thomas Arthur, Rd. Nashe, John White, S. Thos. Bambery, John Bultingfourd, Gilbert Fitz-Thomas, John White, Gilbert F. Thomas Blake, Robt. Creaugh, S. John Arthur, S. Nicholas Blackader, Rd. Milles Owen, Wm. Bambery, Rd. Bultinfourd, Thomas Kildare,* William White, Thomas Kildare, Rd. Bultingford, John Banbery, Rd. Dony, Robt. Lisborne, S. John Vigmor, Rd. Skiner, S. Dominick Cricke, ^^'illiam Man, W. Richard Nophine, John White, W. John Creaugh, John Troy, A. John Arthur, W. David Cricke, Thom. White, A. John Wigmore, John Troy. These were ofBcers a.d. liifii, 12th August. S. Jolm Ffleminge, Laurence Daniell, S. Wm. Longe, John White, S. Thom. Pill, Roger White, S. Wm. Longe, Rd. Grant, S. Thomas Barkley John Man, W. Thomas White, Thomas Spicer, S. Peter O'Cullen, Brandon O'Hurtigane S. Wm. Longe, Thom. Taylor, S. * One of this name (Kildare) was representative for the county and city of Limerick in the parliament of Edward III., a.d., l.S7(i, at Westminster. [Between the Sextcn and Arthur, and the While JiSS. roll there is much discrepancy from 1357 to 14S3, which I have endeavoured as far as possible to adjust by a careful conipaiison of the lulls. In reading these confused accounts of the chief magistrates of Limerick, we are reminded ot what Vi\y says of those of Uome : — " Tanti implicant errores temporum et noniinum ut nee qui coiisules fueriut sucundum quosdam oruinares, nee etc". " So many mistaiies about persons and dates embarrass one, that you can neither tell who were consuls after others, nor", etc. However, there is nearly a perkct agreement in all the MSS. rolls from Hi<3 down to l(i36and 16G5, when S. and A. end. Arthur would appear to have had access to Sesten'sroU, whicli he margins some times with E. S. lie quotes ancient MSS. for his roll, Sir James \\'are, family monuments and i ecords, etc., etcj HISTORY OP LIMERICK. 695 MAY0K3. 1382 John White, 1383 Richd. Troy, 1384 Thomas Kildare, J 385 Thorn. Pill, 1386 Richard Bultingfourd, 1387 John White, 1388 Thonaas Malby, 1389 John White, 1390 Richard Baltingford, 1391 John White, 1392 John Kildare, 1393 Thomas Kildare, 1394 Thomas Kildare, 1395 Walter Daniel, W. 1396 Richard Bullingfourd, 1397 Thomas Kildare, 1398 Thomas Kildare, 1399 Nicholas Black, liOO John Arthur, 1401 Peter Loftus, 1402 Thomas Spicer, 1403 John Arthur, 1404 John Arthur, 27th June. John Spofford, 6th Dec. A. 1405 Thomas Kildare, 1406 (Wanting in S. A 1 407 Thomas Comyn, 1408 Thomas Comyn, 1409 Thomas Comyn, 1410 John Bambery, 1411 Thomas Troy, A. W. 1412 (Wanting in S. A. W.) 1413 Thomas Comyn, 1414 Thomas White, 1415 Peter Loftus, 1416 Thomas Comyn, 1417 Thomas Comyn, 1418 John Gale. a/iasSpafford, 1419 John Spafford, BAILIFFa. Richard Nopthyrein, John Whyte, de Ballysheada, A. Nich. Woulfe, John Troy, S. William Longe, Richard Grand, S. Mathew Long, Roger White, A. Nich. Gough, Nich, Scourlock, A. John SpafFourd, Roger White, A. John Cassy, Richard Wigmor, S. Roger White, Thomas White. Pierce Callan, Brandon O'Hartigan, W. John Carter, John White, Alanus, O'Noyn, A. John Man, John Carter. John Sraws, Alanus O'Noyn, A. John Grante, John Carter, S. John Grant, Philip Moddii, S. A. Brandanus O'Hethigan, Petrus O'Cullan, A. Richard Wale, Willam Yonge, A. Nicholas Walsh, Richard Mason. John Vigoner, John Moody, W Richard Troy, John Moddii, A. John Budston, John Fitz-Robert Crevagh, A. Thomas Comyn, John Whyte, A. Thomas Comyn, PhiUp Lawless, A. W.) 1420 Richard Troy, 1421 Tliomas Arthur, 1422 Richd. Troy, 1423 Spafford, 1424 Pires Loftus, 1425 Richard Troy, 1226 Thomas Arthur, 1427 Nicholas Stritch, 1428 Thomas Comyn, W. 1429 (Wanting in S. A. and W.) John Moddy, Peter O'Cullan. A. Richard Troy, Nicholas Fitz-Howe, S. A. W. Philip Callane, John Moddy, W. Thomas Arthur, Nicholas Walsh. A. Thomas Arthur, Nicholas Walsh, W. Thomas Arthur, Nicholas Walsh. A. William Long, John White. A. Richard White, Nicholas Howell, A. Nicholas Walsh, A. Philip Lawless, Richard White, A. Richard White, Peter Loftus, A. William Budston, John Crevagh,A. John Nagle, Nicholas Walsh, A. Richard White, Peter Loftus, A. Richard White, William Harold, A. Nicholas PalUel, John Moddy, A. Sworn the first Wednesday after the feast of Corpus Christi, A. Peter Loftus, John Troy, A. Patrick Cogan, Thomas Barton, W. Pires Loftus, John Troy, W. Richard Arthur, WiUiara Harold, W. John Creaugh, William Budstone, A. William Creaugh, John Borton, W. Nicholas Walsh, John Rede, A. Edmond Harrold, Phillip Nagle, W. 1419 The woorke about Towre ny Clony and St. John's Gate in the suburbs began. S. Amah, 1428 Cahan's Towre in ye east of the suburbs builte. Ibid. The following are from the Arthur MSS- : — In 1419, Na Clouna Tower, and that portion of the town walls which looks towards St. John's Gate and the country, were built. Previous to this date, the walls were principally confined to that part of the city which is now called the English town. Thomas Arthur, who was Mayor in 1421, obtained a pardon {Patent and Close liolls of Chancery and Select Rolls, 58). A pardon was granted in 1422 to the Corporation, of fines, etc. (;ibid.) In the charter of Henry VI. to the city, the abominable exclusion of " Irishmen" from all privileges, etc., is expressed. In 1424, the cliarters of Limerick were confirmed (P. and C. Rolls, 272). The bishop was summoned to answer certain charges (t6. 234). In 1429, another charter is granted to Limerick by Henry VL, and in this year the eastern 696 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 1430 Richard Troy, 1431 William Arthur, 1432 John SpafFord, 1433 Thomas Bambery, 1434 William Wailsh, 1435 Richard Fox, 1436 Nicholas Arthur, A.S.W. 1437 AVilliam Yong, 1438 Thomas Comyn, 1439 Walter Yong, 1440 William Arthur, 1441 William Arthur, 1442 Nicholas Arthur, 1443 Richard Ffox, 1444 Nicholas Arthur, 1445 Richard Arthur, 1446 Nicholas Arthur, 1447 William Loftus, W. 1448 William Comyn, 1449 William Arthur, 1450 Thomas Arthur, 145 1 Richard Arthur, 1452 Nicholas Arthur, 1453 Thomas Burthon, 1454 Nicholas Arthvrr, 1455 William Longe, 1456 Edmund Howell, 1457 Nicholas Arthur, 1458 Nich. Arthur A. W. 1459 William Comyn, 1460 Richard Arthur, 1461 Patrick Torger, A. W. 1462 Nich. Fitz-Thomas Arthur, 1463 Nicholas Arthur, A. S. W. Patrick Cogan, Phillip Russell, A. W. Robert Warren, John Loftus, W. Richard White, William Harold, W. John Cassy, Richard Vigoner, W. William Loftus, Thomas Fox, W. John Loftus, Robert Nagle, \V. John Husshie, -lohn Cromwell, A.S. Edmund Howell, PhiUp Midchael, A. Phillip Russell, John Axdy, A. Robert Warren, Laurence Scott, A. Robert Waring, John Loft. Robert Nangle, Richard Galway, A. Patrick Turger, Robert Warren, S. John Lofts, "Robert Nangyll, A. John Lofts, Edraond Harold, S. John Loftus, Robert Nagle. John Loft, Edmond Howell, Robert Waring, John Rede, jun. A. Patrick Cogane, Robert Nangle, A. John Creagh, David Arthur, W. Edmond Howell, Robert Nangle. John Long, Patrick Torger, A. Patrick Vogane, Thomas Budstone, A. John Lofts.'Edmd Harold, S. David Creagh, John Comyne, S. John Verdune, William Whyte, A. John Roch, John Verdun, A. Maurice Roch, John Arthur, W. Patrick Fox, Richard Fanning, A.W. John Arthur, William Young, S.A. Richard Stretch, Anlenus O'Neonen, A. Philip Troy, Walter Whyte, A.W. Peter Arthur, John Dondon, A. side of the suburbs is fortified by a wall and tower. The tower was caUed Cogan Tower, and it did not occupy a long time in building, because, in 1430, Richard Troy, mayor, Patrick Coo-an and Phillip Russell, baiUifs, rendered an account of the expenses of building Cogan Tower in the eastern wall of the southern suburbs, Hen. VL (Arthur AISS.). This tower lay on the east walls of the suburbs of the Irish town " Richard Troy being mayor" ( White's MSS.) In 1434, Gerald Earl of Kildare being Lord Depirty, a parliament was held here (22nd Ewd. IV.). , . . , . . In 1436, a trial is piohibited in Limerick by ecclesiastical authority. In 1441, 20th Hen. VI., Wilham Arthur, mayor, Robert Nangyle and Richard Galway, bailiffs the'y furnished an account of the expenses incurred in building the walls of the southern suburbs {Arthur MSS.). White's MSS. state : " In this year part of the town wall near Cromwell's Tower was built, and add that the different joinings in the wall, to be seen at Mr. Robert Carr's house, prove that this wall was built at several different periods". 1449 This year the Tholsel (which afterwards was converted into a gaol) was building. The fact is told in rhyme in the Davis MSS. 1450 This year they began to build John's Gate of Limerick, near Tower-ne-Clouny, Thomas Arthur being Mayor. 1451 The Tolsel began to be built. Seztens Annals. 14G0 The following account of salaries and expenses appears in the Arthur MSS. : — S. D. 1460 To Catherine Carter, return of tolls Salary at the time usually given to the Mayor To Nicholas Arthur, for the custody of the castle Baihtfs There was a public clock, to the caretaker of which used to be paid ... To the Public Assistant Clerk (Amanuensis) of the Court To the Mayor's Sergeants To the two Porters To Thomas Hay, for market dues Organist 2 2 50 6 40 5 20 27 4 10 8 3 4 6 S HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 697 MAYORS. 1464 Nicholas Arthur, BAILIFFS. John Fitz-WilHam Arthur, John Marahall, A. Stephen Skeolan, 1st February, A. 1465 Patrick Torger, Gerald Tews, William Whyte, A. 1466 Thomas Arthur, James Creagh, John Stackpol, A, 1467 Tliomas Arthur, Patrick Arthur, Richard Stretch, A. This year teing the nineteenth of Edward IV., David Ffanning was Assessor of Limerick. A. MSS. 1468 Wilham Comyn, 1469 Thomas Arthur, 1470 Henry Creagh, S. David Creagh, W. 1471 John Arthur, 1472 Patrick Arthur, 1473 William Comyn, 1474 John Arthur, 1475 David Creagh, 1476 Patrick Arthur, 1477 Daniel Crevagh, 1478 Thomas Arthur, 1479 Thomas Arthur, 1480 John Arthur, 1481 John Comyn, 1482 David Arthur, John Stackpool, William Verdune, A. John Creagh, Daniel Arthur, A. W. Garret Woulfe, William White, W. John Comyn, John Stackpol, A. John Waring, Thomas Woulfe, A. John Stackpol, John Verdon, W. John Stackpol, John Comyn. Edmoud Arthur, William Cromwell, W. Edward Arthur, William Cromwell, A. Edward Arthur, William Cromwell, A. Edmond Torger, David Miagh, A John Warren, David Midchell, A. John Creavagh, David Arthur, A. George Arthur, Walter Arthur, A. William Comyn, David Miagh, A. 1483 John Fitz-Nicholas Arthur, John Fitz-WilUam Comyn, William Fitz-Richard CreTagh. 1484 Walter Whyte, S.A.W. Maurice Stackpol, Philip Richford, S. This was the first of the Whites of Ballycondon that came to Limerick. W. MSS. 1485 William Harold, 1486 John Arthur, 1487 John Arthur, 1488 David Creagh, 1489 Thomas Arthur, A. W. 1490 Patrick Arthur, 1491 David Creagh, 1492 Maurice Stackpol, 1493 Edmund Longe, 1494 Geo. Fitz-Nicholas Arthur, 1495 Edmond Longe, 1496 George Comyn, 1497 George Comyn, 1498 William Harrold, 1499 David Roche, John Stackpol, Richard Stritch, W. William Cromwell, Myles Arthur, A. William Cromwell, Myles Arthur, A. Edmond Long, Nicholas Nangyll, A. W. Christopher Arthur, John Whyte, W. George Comyn, Pierce Rice, W. David Roche, Christopher Arthur. AVilliam Arthur, Edmund Nangyll, A. W. Nicholas Whyte, David Verdune. Richard Fox, David Meyagh. David Roche, Walter Harold, Thomas StackpoL Richard Fitz-David Creagh, Thomas Stackpol, Richard Fitz-David Creagh, Thomas Stackpol. Nicliolas Stretch, John Fitz-William Whyte. Thomas Roche, John Stackpol. The city sent this David and Richard Serjent, its orators, to Henry VII. A violent contention arose between him and his successor Philip Stackpol, relative to the succession to the mayoralty. A. MSS. John Everard, Richard Fitz-Nicholas Creagh. 1500 Philip Stackpol, 1501 Christopher Arthtir, 1502 John Creagh, Robert Stackpol, Edmond Comyn. Richard Harrold, Thomas Cromwell. 1465 In this year it was enacted that every town in Ireland should have a constable, and A pair of butts for shooting every holiday (Irish Stat. Edwd. IV.) 1466 Liberty given to the cities of Limerick and VVaterford to coin money (^ibid.). 1470 It was enacted that every merchant who imports goods into Limerick, must import bow* to the value of 100 shiUings (ibid). Charter granted by Henry VL to barbers and chirurgeons, or Guild of St. Mary Magdalene, Limerick. 1485 \\ illiam Harrold, Mayor. Numbers of cattle died of murrain. This year cow hide sold for four pence, and the bushel of wheat for a shilling (Arthur's MSS.) 1489 In this year, the charter oi Henry VII. was granted to Limerick, on the 26th of July. 1492 The citizens then sent John Woulf, clerk of the court, and Richard Stretch, their pleaders, to the King of England, and for the expenses of the journey, granted them £d sterling. From an old MS. quoted in Arthur MSS. 1494 They were then engaged in the building of the St. John's Gate, and Wm. Donnyll (?) [this name is Daniel, or O'Donnell, an ancient family represented now by General Sir Charles O'Donnell and his relatives] appointed treasurer of that gate ; and the bailifiFs were bound to pre- side alternately over those who watch this and Thomond Gate every night (Arthur MSS.). 1495 A guild of merchants was incorporated in this city, audit was exacted in this year that every subject having goods to the value of £20, must have a jack, sollet, an English bow and sheaf of arrows, and every freeholder a hone also, to assist the king (Irish Stat.). 1501 This year there were collections made by the mayor to place the cathedral of St. Mary's la repair. 48 698 HISTORY OF LIMEEICK. MAYORS. 1503 Nicholas Stretch, 1504 Nicholas Stretch, 1505 William Harrold (2nd time) 1506 William Arthur, 1507 William Creagh, 1508 Richard Fitz-Patrick Fox, 1509 Nichs. Thos. Fitz- W. Arthur, 1510 Nicholas Stretch, 1511 Thomas Roch, 1512 Rohert Harrold, 1513 Robert Stackpol, 15U Richard Fox (2nd time 1515 Thomas Corny n, 1516 Nicholas Harrold, 1517 Nicholas Harrold, 1518 David Comj-n, 1519 John Rocheford, 1520 Walter Ryce, 1521 David Comyn (2nd tune),* 1522 David Whyte, 1523 David Roche, 1524 Christopher Arthur, 1525 James Harrold BAILIFFS. Robert Roche, Nicholas Bonevyle. Nicholas Lawless, Nicholas Fitz- John Arthur, John Lewis or Lawless Nicholas Creagh, Nicholas Rochford. Richard Whyte, Richard Sergeant. Nicholas Harrold, Nicholas Ryce. Thomas Yong, Richard Sargeant. David Comyn, Richard Boneovle. Walter Rice, Richard Fanning. Patrick Fanning, Thomas Rochefort. David White, Peter Comyn. James Stretch, Christopher HaiTold. Christopher Ci'eagh, James Fitz -Edward Arthur. William Long, William Arthur. Richard Milonis (Fitz-Milo) Arthur, Galfridus Stretch. James Harrold, Peter Walter Arthur. George Stretch, Peter Fitz- William Creagh. Edmond Harrold, Daniel Fitz-John Arthur. Stephen Creagh, Thomas Woulfe. William Fanning, Andrew Harrold. John Ryce, Thomas Arthur. James Creagh, Stephen Comyn. Peter Creagh, Patrick Everard. Richard Comyn, Patrick Everard. White who giTes James Arthur as Mayor this year, states " that a lease made to Thomai Roche, a citizen of Limerick, on the 2t)th clay of February, 152G, which ia in my possession, was witnessed by James Harrold, Mayor of the city"— another proof of the general conectness of the Arthur roll. 1526 Thomas Yong, 1527 Nicholas Creagh, 1528 Nicholas Stretch, 1529 Patrick Fanning, 1530 Stephen Creagh, 1531 Edmond Hanold, 1532 Daniel Fitz- George Arthur, 1533 Thomas Yong, 1534 John Fitz -Nicholas Arthur, 1535 Edmond Sexten, 1536 Birtholomew Stretch, 1537 Nicholas Comyn, 1538 Wm. Fanning, 1539 Leonard Creagh, 1540 Dominick Whyte, 1541 Patrick Everard, 1542 George Crevagh, 1543 David Whyte, 1544 James Harrold, 1545 Dominick Whyte, Nicholas Fitz-Thomas Creagh, John Nangyll. John Fitz-Nicholas Arthur, Peter Fitz- Christopher Arthur. William Creagh, Leonard Creagh. Nicholas Comyn, Patrick Long. William Verdun, Richard Stackpol. John Harrold, Roland Ai-thur. George Creagh, Wm. White. David Ryce, Thomas Long. Bartholomew Stretch, John Fitz-John Stretch. Dominick Whyte, Oeunepherous Fitz-Christoper Arthur. John Comyn, Jasper Fanning. William Yong, Patrick Ryce. James Fox, James Roche. Wm. Stretch, Thomas Creagh. David Creagh, James Loftus. Walter Harrold, and Dominick Comyn. Wm. Stretch, James Stackpol. Wm. Creagh, Wm. Yong. Andrew Harrold, Hector Fitz-James Arthur. Patrick Long, George Rochfort. * 1521. 13th Hen. VIII. 1522, David Comyn second time Mayor, Nicholas, son of Thomas William Arthur, William Fanning, Andrew Harrold, bailiffs. A terrible pestilence prevailed all over the city, and carried ofif Mayor Comyn, who was succeeded by Nicholas (F. W.) Arthur on the 4th day of September, ou which day ho was made mayor {Arthur MSS.). It was then that the Supieme Pontiff conferred on Henry VIII. the title of Defender of the Faith, in consequence of the book he published against Luther, and it was then that the Turks invaded the Island of Rhodes {Arthur MSS ) 1505 William Harrold imposed sereral penalties or taxes on the citizens for the repairs, etc., of St. Mary's Church. 1529 On the 10th of June, Edmond Biitler, Archbishop of Cashel, held a Provincial Council at Limerick, at which were present — Nicholas Comyn, Bishop of Lismore and Waterford; John Quoin, Bishop of Limerick; and James O'Corrin, Bishop of Killaloe. In this synod power was granted to the Mayor of Limerick to commit to prison ecclesiastics for debt, without any prohibition to the contrary, until their creditors were satisfied. The clergy complained grievously of this decree, as an impiety and a violation of their rights {Arthur JISS.). The MSS. adds, it is doubtful whether the concession avails. 1530 Richard Fanning was clerk of the court, Town Clerk (?) of Limerick (Arthur MSS). 1542 Hector Arthur was Clerk of the Court of Limerick (Arthur MSS.) I'li'd D.tvid White being Mayor of Limerick, was the first Mayor who carried a white wand (White's MSS. p. 41). This year the title of Earl of Thomond was conferred on Maurice HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 69^ MAYORS. 1646 Stephen Creagh, 1547 John Fitz-Nicholas Arthur, 1548 Wm Stretch, 1549 John Fitzgeo. Stretch, 1550 James Fox, 1651 James Creagh, for one month Mayor ; James Fox, second time for two months. 1552 "William Stretch, 1553 William Verdune, 1554 James Stretch, 1555 John Stackpol, 1556 John Comyn, 1557 Clement Fanning, 1558 Edward Fitz- Daniel Arthur, 1559 Daniel Comyn, 1560 Peter Fitz- Leonard Creagh, 1561 Richard Fanning, 1562 Nicholas Whyte, 1563 Nicholas Harrold, 1564 George Roche, 1565 Thomas Fitz-John Arthur, 1666 Roland Harrold, 1567 Christopher Creagh, 1568 Dominick Fanning, 1569 Philip Rochford, 1570 John Fitz-Stephen Comyn, 1571 Geo. Fitz- William Fanning, 1572 Richard Stretch, 1573 Thomas Fitz-John Arthur, 1574 Thomas Harrold, 1575 Roger Everard, 1576 Stpn. Fitz-Dominick Whyte, 1577 Thomas FitzJohn Arthur, 1578 John Woulfe, 1579 Nicholas Fitz-Bw, Stretch, 1580 Jordan Fitz-Gerald Roche, BAILIFFS. Wm. Verdun, Myles Stretch. Thomas Arthur, John Stackpol. Peter Whyte, James Creagh. John Harrold, Christopher Creagh. James Stretch, Edward Fitz-Daniel Arthur. Clement Fanning, Nicholas Harrold. Roland Harold, Philip Rochford. Nicholas Whyte, John Creagh. William Fox, Richard Fanning. David Comyn, Thomas Creagh. Peter Fitz- Leonard Creagh, George Roche. Richard Arthur, John Everard. Stephen Whyte, Dominick Creagh, Dominick Fanning, Thomas Fitz-Peter Creagh. Thomas Fitz-Patrick Creagh, Richard Young. Patrick Rochford, David Cromwell, Nicholas Woulfe, Patrick Fox. John Comyn, John Fanning. George Fanning, Thomas Harrold. Patrick Creagh, William Creagh. Roger Everard, Stephen Fanning. James Creagh, John Wolf. Thomas Fitz- Arthur, Richard Cromwell. Nicholas Price, Stephen Whyte, Dominick Everard, Daniel Fitz-Daniel Arthur. George Fitz-Daniel Arthur, George Comyn. Philip Comyn, Jordan Roche. Thomas Stretch, Milo Fitz-Eustace Arthur. George Cromwell, Nicholas Whyte. Stephen Fitz-Dominick Whyte, David Rochfort. William Fitz-John Arthur, Patrick Fanning. Walter Fitz-Patrick Ryan, Nicholas Stretch. John Stretch, Peter Stretch. Thomas Stretch, Arthur Creao-h. Andrew Creagh, Edward Fitz-Hector Arthur. O'Brien, descended of the O'Briens who were Kings of Limeriek, and the title of Earl of Clan- rickard on Ulick Bourk (ibid.). 1549 Hector Arthur was amanuensis of the court of Limerick this year. Arthur MS S. 1559 The Masse put down, and the communio. put up: so Thom. Creagh [Creagh, bailiff of LimerickJ. Sexten's Annals. 1565 1 he Earl of Desmond taken and sent to England. Ibid. 1565 John Hawkins, who had come from Santa Fe, in South America, originally introduced potatoes into Ireland. 1569 Coner, Earl of Thomond, pclayd. trayter (by Thom. Creaugh), fled to France, from thence he ca. to England, and was pdoed. Conor O'Brien was third Earl of Thomond. In his letter of submission to Queen Elizabeth, dated 27th September, 1572, he proposed to "advance the Book of Common Prayer, the Sacraments, and the Communion Book". Stxten's Annals. 1570 Kilmalock spoyled by James Fitz-Morris. Ibid. 1570 Kilmallock burned by James Fitzmaurice, Earl of Desmond. 1571 Printing in Irish characters introduced by Nicholas Walsh, Chancellor of St. Paul's, Dublin. — Dublin Directory, 1573 A terrible pestilence broke out in Dublin this year. 1574 James Fitz-Morris, the archtrayter, wet. fro. Inshcatty beyond ye seas. A great plage in Dublin. Sexten's Annals. 1755 (18 Eliz.) A swoord grattd. and borne before ye maior. Ibid. 1575 The Queen (Elizabeth) sent by the Viceroy, Henry Sydeney, a royal sword, to be borne before the magistrates for the greater honour. Arthur J\JSS. Symon Sexten was clerk of the court of Limerick this" year. Ibid. 1576 The ruins of the King's Castle at Limerick are repaired this year. Ibid. 1577 James Fitz-Morris landed and fortified at Smerwick, and the Earl of Desmond rebelled. Sexten's Annals. 1579 James Fitz-Morris and Theobald did slay either the other. Sexttn's Annals. 15^0 The fort at Smerwick taken, and the no. of 600 or 700 Spaniard, and Italians put to the sword [1680]. Ibid. . 700 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. MATOKS. 1581 James Fitz-John Galway, 1582 John Fitz-Bw. Stretch, 1583 Nicholas Comyn, 1584 James Fanning, 1585 Stephen Sexten, 1586 Thomas Yong, 1587 George Fanning, 1588 Jordan Roche, 1589 Nicholas Bourke, 1590 Thomas Fitz- V\ m. Stretch, 1591 Oliver Bourke, BAILIFFS. Thomas Yong, George Harrold. Peter Fitz-Dominick Greagh, Peter OenopherouS Arthur. Oliver Harrold, Nicholas Bourke. Nicholas Harrold, Patrick Midchell. Patrick VVoulfe, Oliver Bourke. Kobert Whyte, James Cromwell. Stephen Roche, Edmond Comyn. Martin Creagh died, Walter liyce, and Patrick "Woulf. William Fitz-Wm, Creagh, Thomas Stackpol. Thomas Woulf, Nicholas Fox. suui. v^iivci jL^vLLLxv.., Edmond Fox, Richard Woulfe. 1592 Nicholas Fitz- Thomas Arthur John Fitz- Andrew Comyn de Parke, David Woulfe. (first time), . 1593 Peter Fitz-l>ominick Creagh, Bartholomew Fitz-Jas. Stretch, Ed Fitz-Stephen Whyte. 1594 John Fitz-Bw. Stretch, Dora. Fitz-John Arthur, Edward Stretch. 1595 JamesWhyte, who died in the John Fitz-John Stretch, Clement Famimg. first month, and In his place was chosen Peter Fitz-John Creagh, 1596 Eohert Whyte, 1597 Dominick Fitzjordan Roche, 1598 James Cromwell, 1599 Wm. Fitz-John Stretch, IGOO Galfridus (Sir Geoffi-ey) Gal way, afterwards made a baronet, fined and im- prisoned by the lord presi- dent {Sexteri's MSS.). 1601 Stephen Roch, Wm. FItr-Thomas Stretch, for the first six mouths; Jas. Fitz-Kdward Arthur, for the second six months; David Fitz-Walter Ryce. 1602 Philip Roch, James Fitz- James Whyte, Wm. Myeagh. 1603 Nicholas Bourke (2nd time), Thomas Fitz-Philip Comyn, Thos. Fitz-Patrick Creagh. 1604 James Galway (2nd time), David Fitz-Milo Comyn, Thos. Fitz-Patrick Creagh. 1605 Edmund Fox, for two mouths, Dominick Fitz- Peter Creagh, James Woulf. 1606 Edmund Sexten, Christopher Arthur, P. Creagh. Sexten Sheriff of the County Limerick a second time, S. 1607 Nicholas Arthur, Nicholas Whyte, William Hally. Galway and Sexten Agents for England, S. Sir Henry Bunkard, President of Munster, commenced a truculent persecution against the Catholics; and because Edmund Fox, three weeks before Jlicliaelmiis Day, retu-ed to take the oath of supremacy and go to churcli, he was deposed of his office. '1 he citizens heing driven to a new election, cUoso Andrew Creagh Fitz- Gasper', who was the first Protestant Mayor. Arthur MSiS., and White't MSS., p. 66. Andrew Creagh was May )for one month. Bartholomew Stackpol, Eohert Bourke, Wm. Fitz-Thos. Arthur, Jas. Fitz-Stephen Whyte. Pliilip Roche, Thomas Bourke. David Fitz-Nicholas Whyte, Michael Waters. Simon Fanning, Robert Arthur. 1582 A hat of maintenance granted and borne before the maior. Ibid. 1583 Queen Elizabeth granted the Salmon Weir, the Island of Iniscattery, in the Shannon, with twenty-four acres of land, a house and castle in the island, to the Mayor and citizens of Limerick for ever, and their successors, at the annual rent of £3 12s. 8d.; also ten cottages, one church in ruins, twenty acres of wood and stony ground in said island, called beechwood, with all the tithes, and the several customs following:— From every boat of oysters coming itno the city of Liiuerick, once a year 1,000 oysters; and from every herring boat, once a year 600 herrings (Archdall, etc.). The Queen also granted the customs of the several gates of 1594 A hundred talemen were sent to ye north of Trland, under the leadinge of David Woulf capte. in somer tyme. My father dyed this year. Sexteri's Annals. 1600 On the I4th of November in this year. Sir George Carew, Lord President of Munster, held a sessions of jail delivery iu Limerick, w'hen several of the Irish were condemned and executed (Hih. Pacata, p. 305). 1601 Siege of Kinsale and overthrow of the Spaniards. 1601 Edm. Sexten sher. of the county of Limke. ye first tyme, and then married. Sir J. Norish the Lo. President, and Sir Thom. Vic. Pdt. longe befor absented fro. church. 1(101 Geffrey Galway, Maior. This maior fined and imprsd. by ye Lo. Presdt. Secured ye East Dich of ye south suburbs. 1002 All the cittyes and towns of Munster entered into arms, and put upp Masses in their churches, which continued not long. 1604 A terrible pestilence, brought over from England, scourged the province of Mun»ter, and carried off three hundred of the inhabitants of Limerick (Arthur MSS.) HISTORY OP LIMERICK. 701 MAYORS t BAILIFFS. 1608 Patrick Arthur, Wm. Creagli, Geo. White. These were the last Bailiffs and the first Sheriffs of Limerick, • HEBIFFS. 1609 David ^Vhyte, William Myeagh, Dominick Creagh. 1610 Clement Fanning, Walter Whyte, Jasper Whyte. 1611 David Comyn, one month, David Fitz-GeofFry Ryce,two months; Christopher Creagh. This David Comyn and David Eyce -were deposed for refusing the oath of supremacy and not going to chui ch, and were chosen Edmund Sexten, Christopher Creagh, Patrick Lysaght. 1612 Wm. Myeagh, for four months, Patrick Fitz-Henry Whyte, John Skeolan, for four months. This Mayor and both Sheriffs were deposed for not taking the oaths, etc., and in their places were chosen Christopher Creagh, who took Geo. Fitz-James Creagh, John Lyseiaght, conformable the oath, but did not go to Sheriffs for eight months, church, and held the office for eight months, 1613 Dominick Fitz-Peter Creagh, John FitzJohn Arthur, George Wonlfe, for three months. This Mayor and Sheriffs were deposed for the same cause, and in their places were chosen William Haly for nine months David Bourk, Thomas Power, nine months. 1614 Michael VValtei*, for five Nicholas Fitz-Nls. Stretch, Wm.Roch de Cahlravahalla, five months, months. The Mayor and Nicholas Stretch were deposed for not going to church, and in their places were chosen James Fitz-James Whyte, William Eocbford, Peter Fitz-Peter Creagh, three months. They were likewise deposed for the same cause at the following assizes, and there were chosen James Galway, (third time David Bourke (above), Thomas Powei', two months, who Mayor), resigned the office, then chosen Arthur Fanning, Chris- topher Fitz-D. Arthur. 1615 William Stretch, fourteen James White Fitz-Henry, Walter Fitz-Richard Arthur, days, fourteen days. This Mayor and Sheriffs were deposed for the same cause, then chosen Simon Fanning, George Sexten, George Rochford. The Mayor also and George Sexten were deposed for the same cause, then chosen David Comyn (second time) Nicholas Fitz-Henry Whyte, Geo. Rochford, The Mayor and Nicholas Whyte resigned office, then chosen 1616 James Galway, (fourth time) James Fitz-John Stretch, George Rochfort. The Mayor and Rochfort were deposed for refusing the oaths, then chosen Christopher Creagh, (con- Patrick Leyseaght, James Stretch, formed), This Mayor, for now refusing the oaths which he tooli in 1611, when Sheriff, was brought to the Star Chamber, was fined £100, and was confined ; none, of these five Mayors or Sher.ffs, in 1616, would take the oaths or go to church, except Patrick Lyeseagb, who was a i'rotestant. 1616 Dominick Roche, (second John Fitz-John Stretch (conformed), Richard Lawless, time Mayor), (conformed). 1617 John Fitz John Stretch, George Fitz-James Creagh (conformed), Peter Harrold, (Poyson), (conformed), 1618 Dominick Roch, (third time) He resigned in Dublin, then chosen Peter Fitz-Peter Whyte, Edward Sexten (conformed), David Roch (conformed). 1619 Edward Sexten, (third time), Edward Sexten (conformed), PhiUp Ronane (conformed). 1620 Henry Barkley, Who was deposed through the opposition of the Earl of Thomond, the very day of election, then chosen 1621 Dominick Roche (the fourth James Lawless (conformed), Robert Lawless (conformed), time Mayor,) booksellers. 1608 This year James I. granted his charter to the citizens, by which they obtained sherifi's, and the ancient name of bailiffs abolished, and the mayors increased (?) — Arthur MSS. 1608 (7 J as.) Ihe plague at Limke., whereoff 300 dyed. Limke., Cork, and Galway, made county es. (lonmel had first a mayor and bayliffe wt. a swoord. 1613 An act was passed for the King's generaland free pardon ; also an act to repeal a former act, which prohibited the Irish, English, and Scotch, from intermarrying. — Irish Statutes, lith Jas. I. 1615 Edm. Sexton 4 time sheriff of ye county of Limke., whoe had ye corporation seised in the Castele chamber for a riott. Saxteris Annals, 702 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. MAYORS. SHERIFFS. 1622 Jolin Fitz-John Stretch, Peter Harrold (conformed), Philip Ronane (conformed). (Poyson), 1623 Edward Sexten (3rd time George Fitz-James Creagh, Patrick Lawless. Mayor), 1624 David Fitz-Nicholas Comyn James Sexton (conformed), Edward Barkley (conformed). (3rd time Mayor), 1625 Henry Barkley (conformed), Nicholas Fanninp;, John Meyeagh, Catholics. 1626 James Fitz-Nicholas Bourke, James Fitz-Bw. Stackpol, George Bourke, Catholics. (Catholic), Mayor and Sheriffs went publicly to Mass. 1627 James Fitz-John Stretch, Andrew Fitz- Andrew Creagh, Peter Fitz-Oliver Dfarrold. 1628 Peter Fitz Peter Creagh, Dominick Fitz-Bw. Whyte, Edward Skeolane. 1629 Dr. Domk. Fitz-David Whyte, Peter Fitz-Andrcw Creagb, William Fitz-Stephen Roch. vStephen Fitz-James Whyte, Robert Haly. Stephen Stretch, Dominick Tyrry. James Fitz-Stephen Whyte, Francis Fanning. James Fitz-Ed. Fox, Peter Fitz-Peter Creagh. John Fitz-Thomas Bourk, William Fitz-Peter Creagh. 1680 Nicholas Fanning, 1631 Andrew Fitz- Andrew Creagh, 1632 James Lawless, 1633 John Meyeagh, 1634 Peter (or Pierce)* Creagh Fitz-Andrew, 1635 Tliomas Fitz-Martin Arthur, 1636 Sir Domk. Fitz-Bw. Wliyte, Daniel Nihell, James Fitz-Water Ryce. Luke Stretch, William Leyseaght. This Sir Dominick was father to the Marquis of Albavilla in Germany. 1 637 James Fitz-James \^ hyte, 1638 Robert Lawless, 1639 Jordan Roch (the younger), 1640 William Fitz-Ed. Comyn, 1641 Dominick Fitz- Simon Fan^ ning (third time). 1642 Peter 'Fitz- Pierce Creagh, James Fitz-John Creagh, James Hackett. James Fitz David Whyte, Nicholas Fitz-Ed. Fox. David Fitz-David Whyte, William Fitz-Wm. Stretch. John Fitz-Jasper Comyn, Henry Cass}'. Thomas Fitz-James Whyte, George Fitz-Patk. Rochfort. Laurence Whyte, Laurence Ryce. 1643 Dominick Fitz-David Whyte, Thomas Fitz-David Comyn, James Sarsfield. 1644 Francis Fanning, James Mahowne, Patrick Meyeagh. 1645 John Fitz-Thomas Bourk, Thomas Fitz-Patrick Stretch, Edmund Fitz-Stephen Roch. This Mayor was deposed hy the clergy and populace for endearouring to proclaim Ormonde's peace, and the rod was given to Dominick Fanning (second time). David Fitz-Peter Ci'eagh, James Fitz-Geo. Sexten. Bartholomew Fitz-David Ryce, Patrick Woulfe. 1646 Dominick Fitz-Stephen Fan- nine, 1647 Peter '(Pierce) Creagh Fitz- Andrew, 1648 SirNichs. Fitz-David Comyn, Patrick Fitz-Oliver Arthur, Andrew Bourk. 1649 John Fitz-Wm. Creagh, David Rochefort, James Bonefield. 1650 Thos. Fitz-Patrick Creagh, Martin Fitz Andrew Creagh, Nicholas Ronan. 1651 Peter Fitz Peter Creagh, Stephen Fitz-David Skeolan, Wm. Fitz-David Creagh. These were the last Calholics in office in Limerick. This was the year of Ireton's siege, leferred to in detail in this work. The mayoralty was racant for four years after that most lamentable event, and governed by the military governor until June, 166C, whtn twelve Englisli aldermen were electfd, who chose, for the remainder of the year, until Monday after Michaelmas, Colonel Henry Ingolsby as Mayor. 1656 Colonel Henry Ingolshy, John Comyn, Peter Ash. 1657 Captain Rait' Wilson, John Comyn, Peter Ash. • The f hrist an name of the Creaghs are called Petrus in Latin, which we translate Peter throughout In White's MSS. it is called Pierce, for which Fierlus and Peircius are also given in the Camb. Lat. Die. 1622 Mnngret Gate opponed and nowe built, half ye street paved wc. was shut tyrae out of mynde. St. Mary Churcb repayrd, and organ put up there. The spitell bego. to be built. .5. Annals. 1627 (4 K. Chas.) (ienerall agents sent for England from the pvinces., whoe granted £120,000 subsidy to be granted by parlt., but levied for the souldiers wt. out. pliament. Ibid. 1631 1 be lower part of the sub. burnt, and ale at £3 the hogset. Ihid. Indenture of last day of August 1609, defining boundaries of county of the citty of Lk. between Erl. Tbomond. Bishop Limck., and Mayor of Limck, etc. I'id. 1 652 Jcdm Cullen, of the Order of St. Dominick, was executed for the faith in Limerick. — Whites M6S. 1654 Commons of Ireland limited this year by Cromwell's Parliament to thirty. The counties of Limerick, Clare, and Kerry, one member only; city of Limerick and Kilmallock, one each. 1657 The death of Oliver Cromwell is thus noted in the Davis MSS. ;— •'Oliver Cromwell hurried to his woe, Justly rewarded by a quid pro quo". HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 703 MAYORS. SHERIFFS. 1658 Wm. Yarwell, Esq., Jeremy Heywood, Christopher Keyes. 1659 Wm. Hartwell, Esq., Robert Passy, John Crabb. 1660 Thomas Miller, Henry Price, Kobert Shutt. 1661 John Comyn, James Banting, Wm. Pope. 1662 Henry Bindon, Henry Salfield, Wm. Joint. 1663 Sir Ralph Wilson, Thomas Martin, John Burn. 1664 Sir Ralph Wilson, John Lence, Samuel Foxon. 1665 Sir Wm. King, Henry Price, John Symmes. 1666 Samuel Foxon, John Backner, John Arthur. 1667 Sir Ralph Wilson, Wm. York, Anthony Bartlett. 1668 Sir Ralph Wilson, Edward Clock, John Bennett. 1669 E. Werendoght, Rowland Bonton, Henry Clinton. 1670 R. Studdendoght Francis Whittamor, George Bockendoght. 1671 John Bourin, chirurgeon, Daniel Hignett, John Hart. 1672 Sir Geo. Ingoldsby, John Beer, John Halpin. John Halpin deposed ; James Philips, Sheriff. 1673 Wm. York, Robert Higgins, Bartholomew Ast. 1674 Wm. York, Thomas Rose, Robert Smith. 1675 Edward Clarke, George Roche Wm. Craven. 1676 Capt. Humphrey Hartwell, Pierce Graham, Edward Waight. 1677 Capt. Humphrey Hartwell, Richard Lyllis, Wm. Clifford. 1666 A great drought this year, without great heat; the river Shannon was so low that people walked dry round the city, and from Thrawnoe (new strand) now big Water Gate, to Emblin Gate (I suppose Creagh's Gate) about the time of St. James's fair, there were scarce any brooks, ponds, or wells running. Cattle were driven many miles to|water. 500 salmon would be taken in a day at the weir. — White's MSS. 1666 On September 1st, his Grace James Butler, Duke of Ormonde, Lieutenant-General, General-Governor and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, came to Limerick, Sir William King being Mayor. He was accompanied by many of the nobility: the Earl of Barrymore carried the sword before him; a drummer mounted on horseback beat the kittle drums, which was the first of the kind ever seen in Limerick. He was lodged by and at the expense of the Mayor. It was an excessive hot summer, all commodities exceeding cheap. — White's MSS. 1666. The follov/iug inscription was on the bridge near Villadora:— " This causeway was repaired by the Commons of Limerick, Samuel Foxon, Mayor, a.d. 1666. J 669 On May day, some Protestants of the Company of Grocers, would fain bring the Cathohc merchants under quarterage, as other trades practised, and, therefore, would°form themselves into a company, and began to march through the streets with their officers and colours, as others did ; but as they imagined that all other trades should give way to them, they attempted to take the right hand, but they were terribly banged and beaten, which oufht to deter them from the like for the future. — White's MSS. ° John, Lord Roberts of Truro, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, after reviewing the troops at the Curragh of Kildare, on the 18th of September, came to Limerick, but in no great pomp, and lay at the bishop's for two nights. — Ibid, 1669 This year the poundage for Protestant ministers began — .Ibid. 1670 The shaking fever and bloody flux greatly raged in this country, and swept away numbers. — Ibid. The JIaycir of Limerick, Robert Shute, was accused at the assizes of ravishing his maid and of other high crimes. — Ibid. 1671 Proclamation was made for the restoring all the exiled merchants to their ancient freedom and privileges, in all the corporations of the kingdom. 1672 John Bourin, the Mayor, collected all the boys of the town, and perambulated the Gravelines with them for two days. 1672 November 10, The Earl of Thomond admitted to ye freedom of this citty, and ye same presented to him in a silver box, in Latin. Cor. Book'm British Museum from 1G72 to 1680. 1672 Salary of mayor £100. John Baptist Houzell, of Bridges (Bruges ?), in Flanders, admitted to his freedom. Tobacco from Antigua to Richard Pierce. Charity Pyne charges half a year's lodging of Earl of Inchiquin, when he was a captain of a troop of horse, m tins city in 1672, according to a contract with the corporation, X9. From Corporation Book in British Museum, from 1672 to 1680. 1673 No swyne to be kept within the walls, nor dogs loosed after ten at night. Coruoration Book, ibid. '^ 1674 Charter granted to plasterers and slaters, 1676 Tobacco-makers made a fraternity. Corporation Book, ibid. 1677 Total rent roll, £867 lOs. lOJd., besides coquet, customs, pilotaixe, Corp. Book ibid Masons' charter granted. Felt maker's guild created. Corporation Book, ibid. 704 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. SHERIFrS. 1678 Wm. York, (third time), Thomas Long John Bond. This Mayor died in April, Sir William Kint; (second time) chosen. 1679 Sir Wm. King, (third time), Wm. Allen, Moses Woodroff. ib79 &ir Yvm. D. „, y Richard Ingram, Thomas Meagher. John Craven, Nathaniel Webb. Edward Clark, :f ^^j^f « ^"J the army ; it continued to be a main guard until the year 1750, when the city jail was built in Mary Street. , , ri ^• 1688 The brogue makers granted a charter by the Corporation. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 70o MAYORS. 1724 Tock Roche, 1725 John Carr, 1726 Lieut.-Gen. Thomas Pierse, 1727 John Vincent, 1728 Arthur Vincent, the above's son, 1729 Walter Parker, 1730 Wm. Carr, shoemaker, 1731 Philip Rawson, 1732 Charles Smyth, Esq., 1733 Wm. Wilson, Esq., 1734 Richard Maunsell, Esq. 1735 George Wright, 1736 Thomas Vincent, 1737 The Lord Thos. Southwell, 1738 George Sexton, 1739 Isaac Clampett, SHERIFFS. Thomas Vincent, Joseph Franklin. Samuel Mounsell, Wm. Gardiner. Philip Rawson, Wm. Jespop. George Rose, Richard Chester. James Seamor, George Sexton. John Wight, Benjamin Barrington. Richard Seymour, Joseph Roch. Thomas Roch, John Ingram. John BuU, Mark Scaly. John Shepherd, Simon Burton. Peter Sargent, Arthur Roche. James Sargent, William Roch. Henry Long, William Robinson. John Franklin, Zachary Davis. Richard Graves, David Roche. John Long, John Gough. 1740 Josph. Roche, this Mayor died, Robert Cripps, John Davis: the latter died, anl was suc- and was succeeded by Thos. ceeded by George Waller. Vincent (second time), James Smyth, Wm. Yokes. John Jones, Walter Seymour. Henry Ivers, Esq., Thomas Maunsell. James Robinson, Thomas Brown. Wm. Davis, Zachary Johnson. Henry Holland, Frederick Gore. Richard Nash, Esq., Francis Sargent. George Vincent, Robert Hallam. John Smyth, John Bull. Andrew Shepherd, Joseph Cripps. John Weakly, John Tavernor. Thomas Palmer, Joseph Harrington. Sexten Bayly, Dr. John Barrett. George Sexton, Christopher Carr. Edward Villiers, Esq., Joseph Johns. Andrew Welsh, Exham Vincent. Christopher Britson, Wm. Goggins. John Parker, Wm. Gubbius. The list in White's MSS. is eontinaed down to 1814, for the most part in the hand-writing of the Right Rer Dr. John Young. 1759 Francis Sargent, Walter Widenham, Thomas Pearse. 1760 Arthur Roche, (third time.) Thomas Yokes, Eaton Maunsel. 1761 George Vincent, John Monsell, Francis Sargent. The above Mayor was the best and most actire we had within the memory of the living. \V. MSS. 1762 Edward Villiers, Esq., Eyres Evans Powell, Esq., Thomas Vereker. 1763 Robert Hallam, John Prendergast Smyth, John Yereker. 1764 Thos. Smyth, Esq., admitted Alexander Franklin, Counsellor John Tonnadine. in 1755, Samuel Johns, Francis Sargent. Counsellor Henry Wm. Bindon,* John Shepherd jun. Wm. Smyth, Raleigh James. Wm. Gabbett, Richard Harte. Edmond Morony, Thomas Ewer. 1741 John Wight, 1742 John Robinson, 1743 Arthur Roche, 1744 Henry Long, 1745 Robert Cripps, 1746 rienry Ivers, Esq., 1 747 John Ingram, 1748 John Jones, 1749 David Roch, 1750 Captain Henry Southwell, 1751 James Smyth, Esq., 1752 John Shepperd, 1753 Peter Sargent, 1754 John Gough, 1755 Stepney Rawson Stepney, 1756 Arthur Roch, 1757 Andrew Shepherd, 1758 Sexten Baylee, 1765 George Sexton, junr., 1766 Joseph Cripps, 1767 Thomas Vereker, Esq , 1768 Dr. John Barrett, M D., 1769 John Vereker, Esq., 1770 Exham Vincent, post master, John Creaghe, John Atkinson. 1771 Christr. Carr Christopher, 1772 Arthur Roche elected, but being disqualified, George Roche (parson) his son, ad- mitted in 1755, 1773 Joseph Johns, silversmith, Bryan Mansergb, Wm. Piercy. Wm. Stamer, Pierse Piercy. Thomas Carpenter, Miles Jackson. * Was elected Recorder in the room of Baron Smyth, which office he held until !iis deatli, a.d. 1781. 1749. David Roche (Mayor) died on Monday, 22nd of May, 1797, aged eighty-one yeara, He was father of the city, buried at St. Munchin's, Thursday, 2otli May, 1797. 1752. Thomas Palmer (who was sherifi' this year), died in 1792. 1755. Christopher Carr (who was she^'iff this year), died 24th March, 1791. 49 700 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 1 774 Richard Hart, 1775 Wm. Gabbett, 1776 Thomas Smyth, 1777 Walter Widenham, 1778 Philip Smyth, 1779 Eaton Maunsell, 1780 F. Sargent James, Philip Smyth, Burton Bindon. Wm. Fitzgerald, Joseph Gabbett. Christopher Knight, Thomas Vincent. Charles Sargent, Francis Russell. John Gabbett, Amos Vereker. Hugh Gough, John Harrisson. Edward Parker, John Ferrar, author of the History of Limerick. 1781 Thomas Cai'penter, Wm. Fosbery, John Frederick Furnell. 1782 George Smyth admitted in George Tomkins, Hugh Brady. 17>6, 1 783 Alexander Franklin, John Fitzgerald, Wm. Russell. 1784 Thomas Pearse, Wm Wallace, Michael Blood. 1785 Sir Christopher Knight, Kt., Joseph Sargent, Arthur Vincent. 1786 Wm. Fitzgerald, Esq., Wm. Piercy, M.D., Henry Rose, Attorney. 1787 John Creagh, attorney, Robert Wallace, Samuel Hunter. 1788 Richard Maunsell, Esq., John Cripps, Wm. Hunt. 1789 Joseph Gabbett, i-sq., Henry D'Esterre, Thomas Moroncy. 1790 John Minchin, John Augustine levers, Bryan M'Mahon. Said levers died in ofBce in the month of February, 1791, and Michael Furnell, Esq., was associated as a colleague with Bryan JI'Mahon for the rest of the year. 1791 Rev. Thomas Shepherd, George Sargent, David Dwyer. 1792 Benjamin Frend, Esq., Ralph Westrop, Henry Brady. 1793 Henry D'Esterre, Esq., George Davis, Thomas Edwards. George Davis died in office the latter end of July, 1794, and was succeeded by Philip RusselL 1794 Henry D'Esterre, Esq , re- Robert Briscoe, Joseph Cripps, elected, 1795 Thomas Gabbett, Esq., Nicholas Mahon, Frederick Price. 1796 John Harrison, Esq., Robert Briscoe, Andrew Watson This Mayor died in the beginning of April, 1797, and Joseph Cripps was sworn into his office the 25th of the same month. 1797 Joseph Cripps, re-elected, Francis Lloyd, Pachard Webb. 1798 Frederick Lloyd, Andrew Watson, Henry Pierce Carroll. 1799 Frederick Lloyd, Francis Lloyd, Richard Webb. Mr. Webb died suddenly on the night of Tuesday the 2.5th ot Alarch, 1800, and was succeeded by Philip Russell for the rest of tlie year. 1800 Ralph Westropp, Philip Russell, Henry CoUis. 1801 Ralph Westropp, reelected, Ed. Morony, Thomas F. Wilkinson. 1802 Joseph Sargent, nephew to Abraham Russell, Henry Collis. Peter, Mayor in 1753, 1803 Arthur Vincent, Henry Pierce Carroll, Colclough Stritch. 1804 Robert Briscoe, Henry P. Carroll, Colclough Stritch. 1805 Wm. Fosbery, Ah. Colclough Stritch, Bryan M'Mahon. 1806 Richard Harte, Henry P. Carroll, D. F. G. Mahony. This Mayor was knighted the year following. 1807 Kilner Brooke Brasier, 1808 John Cripps, 1809 Francis Loyd, 1810 Francis Loyd, 1811 William Hunt, 1812 Andrew Watson, 1813 Thomas S. Wilkinson, 1814 Edmond Morony, Edmond Moi-ony, Thomas Westropp. Edmond Morony, Thomas Westropp. Edmond Morony, Thomas Westropp. Edmond Morony, Thomas Westropp. Denis F. G. Mahony, Henry Watson. Henry Collis, Arthur Brereton. Henry Collis, Arthur Brereton. Henry Collis, Arthur Brereton. 1792. Henry Vereker was killed in a duel with Michael Furnell this year {Ouselt/^s MSS). 1814. Bow Lane was reduced to an inclined plane of easy ascent, making a difference of sevf uteen feet. 1814, June 1, The inland navigation opened between Limerick and Killaloe, after being suspended since the bursting of the banks on 5th February, 1809. Un the 31st of May, the Directors General of Inland Navigation purchased the property of this branch from the proprietors for the sum of £17,666 13s. 4d., two- third of the original stock; each share consisted of £250, for which the Directors General paid £170 13s. 4d. The original stock was 100 shares, at £25U, £25,000. Provisions at fammt prices — beef lOd. per lb.; mutton, lid.; veal, 7d. to 8d. Wheat 8s. Sd. HISTORY OF LIMERICK. 707 MAYORS. SHEBIFFS. 1815 John Vereker, Henry Collls, Arthur Brereton. 1816 John Vereker, Henry CoUis, Arthur Brereton. 1817 John Vereker, Henry Collis, Ai-thur Berreton. 1818 Joseph Gabbett, W. M. Jackson, J. M'Al. Taverner, John M'AUster Taverner died in office, tlien was chosen Wm. Taylor. 1819 Joseph Gabbett, Wm. M. Jackson, Wm. Taylor. 1820 Sir Chris. Marrett, Knt., Wm. M. Jackson, Wm. Taylor. Sir Christopher Marret was the first Mayor of Limerick who presented an address to a soTer.dgn in London: and on the visit of King George to Dublin, he received the honour of Isnighthood from his majesty at a special court held in Dublin Castle, 30th August, 1821. In this year, Carew Smith, Esq , was Recorder E. Parker, Esq., Town Clerk, D. F. G. Mahony, Esq., Chamberlain. Charter Justices-Right Hon. Lord Viscount Gort, Andrew Watson, Esq., Denis F. G. Mahony, Esq., Henry Watson, Esq. 1821 Thomas Ormsby, W. Taylor, Andrew James Watson. 1822 1). F. G. Mahony, W. Taylor, Andrew James Watson. 1823 Henry Watson, John Piercy, Henry Rose. J 824: Henry Watson, Wm. Hunt, Wm. Piercy. 1825 Henry Watson, John Harrison, John Westropp. 1826 Nicholas Mahon, A. J. Watson, Richard Franklin, jun. 1827 Thomas Jervis, John S. T. Piercy, Edmond Moroney, jun. 1828 Vere Hunt, William Gibson, John Standi sh, 1829 Henry Rose, William Piercy, George Lloyd. 1830 John Cripps, Andrew James Watson, Henry Mahon. 1831 Hon. J. P. Vereker, Edmond Moroney, jun., Ralph Westropp Brereton. 1832 Hon. J. P. Vereker, Richard Franklin, Valsh Equitis Aurati Hexasticon Chronologicon (apostrophe ad defunctum) Sat Walsbee Tibi Vixisti Mors Tua Nato Te IJapuit terris ut fruerere polo Non sat pauperibus nee amicis mors tua namquo utrisq. ; ingentes divitias rapuit. Patricius Kearin fabricavit. R.i. S S « * o s s ^ lam sexcenti mille annis septemque decemque Virgo ex quo enixa est immaculata deum Alteraque orta dies juli cum redditur umbris inclita Walshese lausque decusque domus Edmundus Torquatus eques vir maximus armis major at hospitio nee pietate minor. S Sfe o SUI3 aera]ssi{iqon ooq uin;uauiTiuoni oiduuj ■b^jia 'hia'xd -pra imraoQ; Over the inscription are the arms of the Walshes and of the Butlers; on either side are incised figures of St. Peter and St. Bernard, and the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Mary Magdalene. ' Publiihed from the original MS., by Evelyn P. Shii-ley, Esq., M.P,, in the Transacitom of the Kilkenny Archaological Society for January, 18G5. 718 HISTORY OF LIMERICK. The following is a literal translation of the inscription ; To that most distinguished man, Sir Edmond Walsh, Knight, 1^ On the death of that (apostrophe of the deceased) most distinguished man, Walsh, thou hast lived long enough for thyself, Sir Edmond Walsh, Thy death for thy son snatched thee from earth to Baronet, a six verse thy enjoy Heaven. Not long enough for the poor and chronolcy for friends for thy death great riches took from them, Patrick Kearin maker. iij|i One thousand six hundred and sixteen years after the Immaculate Virgin bore God, ^ And when the second day of July verged towards evening, ""^ 0) ^ The distinguished praise and glory of the house of Walsh, -^ 'o *^