The Manor de Insula (Castleisland), 1299 Extent of the lands of Thos FitzMaurice, who died June 4 1298. The manor is surrounded by a stone wall, and there is in it a hall constructed of pales with an earthen wall and thatched, a kitchen of planks, a chamber with a cellar built of stone and thatched, a chamber for women, a stable, a chapel of worn-out pales covered with straw, which houses they cannot set down at any price; to maintain them an expenditure of 40s a year and more would be required … There are three carucates of land in demesne, whereof the carucate and nine acres are poor and little cultivated; these cannot be set down at any price, because no one would rent them. They say, however, that there are there five score and eleven acres of land, whereof each is worth 4d a year. There are also 7 acres of meadow, whereof they extend each acre at 4d a year; likewise a grove of alder trees, containing 16 acres of Currauth (morass land), the pasture thereof, which is good for bullocks and oxen, they extend at 2s a year. One of the carucates is waste. Total 41s 4d
The following is transcribed from Part IV of Jeremiah King’s History of County Kerry:
‘God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, who was from all eternity, did, in the beginning of Time, of nothing, create Red Earth; and of Red Earth framed Adam; and of a Rib out of the side of Adam fashioned Eve. After which Creation, Plasmation, and Formation, succeeded Generation as follows: 1. Adam 2. Seth 3. Enos 4. Cainan 5. Mahalaleel 6. Jared 7. Enoch 8. Methuselah 9. Lamech 10. Noah 11. Japhet 12. Magog 13. Baoth 14. Phoeninsa Farsaidh 15. Ninl 16. Gaodhal 17. Asruth 18. Sruth 19. Heber Scot 20. Beonman 21. Ogaman 22. Tait 23. Agnon 24. Lamhfionn 25. Heber Glunfionn 26. Agnan Fionn 27. Febric Glas 28. Nenuall 29. Nuadhad 30. Alladh 31. Areadh 32. Deag 33. Brath 34. Breoghan 35. Bile 36. Milesius’ (Four Masters)
Milesius was son of the king of Spain, and spent much of his youth in Scythia and in Egypt. Solomon, king of Israel, and Milesius, married two daughters of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. When Milesius returned to rule in Spain, he sent his uncle, Ithe, to explore Ireland. Ithe’s son, Lughaidh, was of the party, and gave his name to Loch Lughdhach, now Lock Currane, in Iveragh. Ithe was killed by the Dedanans; and Milesius decided to invade Ireland, but died in Spain. The expedition, under the command of Queen Scota and the eight sons of Milesius, set out from Breoghan’s tower (Corunna) in Spain, and sailed to the coast of Inis-Fail.
AM 3600 (BC 1695)
The fleet of the sons of Milidh, 120 ciuli, came to Ireland to take it from the Tuatha De Dananns; and they fought the battle of Sliabh Mis on the third day after landing. In this battle fell Scota, the daughter of Pharaoh, wife of Milidh; and her grave is between Sliabh Mis and and the sea, in Clahane townland, parish of Annagh. Therein also fell Fas, the wife of Un, son of Uige, from whom is named Gleann-Faisi, in Kilelton townland, Kilgobbin parish.
They came from a land beyond the sea,
And now o’er the western main,
Set sail in their good ships, gallantly,
From the sunny land of Spain.
Thomas Moore
AM 3679
Conmael, son of Emer, sovereign of Ireland, fought the battle of Loch Lein, Killarney, against the Ernai and Martinei Firbolgs; and against Mogh Ruith, son of Mofebis of the Firbolgs.
AM 3656
Tighearnmas, king over Ireland, gained seven battle at Loch Lughdhach (son of Ith, and cousin of Milesius) Corrane lake, in Iveragh. It was in his reign clothes were dyed purple, blue, and green; and goblets and brooches were forst covered with gold and silver in Ireland. Some of the Milesians were driven ashore at Inbher Scene, in AM 3500. Enda, son of Milesius, was drowned here on Currane river, and the wife of Armergin Gluingil, ie Sgene Davilsir, died there, hence Inbher Sgene. The graves of Erennan and Sgene were at opposite sides of Ballinskelligs Bay.
AM 3727
Eochaidh Faebhar-ghlas, sovereign of Ireland, fought the battle of Luachair-Deadhadh, Sliabh-Luachra.
AM 3751
Fiacha Labhrainne, sovereign gained the battle of Gathlach, Gayly parish, in which fell, Mofebis, son of Eochaidh Faebharghlas. It was in his reign that the springing of these three rivers first took place, namely, the Fleasc, Flesk; the Mand, Mang, Maine, or Inbear Mainge; and the Labhrann, Cashen; from which last the surname Labhrainne clung to him.
AM 3790
Aengus Olmucadha, sovereign of Ireland, cleared the plains of Mag-Arcaill in Ciarraighe – Luachra; and Magh-Luachra – Deadhaidh, near Castleisland.
AM 4169
Sirna Saeghlach, sovereign of Ireland, gained the battle of Luachair, Castleisland. It was in the time of Sirna, happened the eruption of the Leamhain, river Laune.
AM 4319
Enda Dearg, son of Duach, after having been twelve years in the sovereignty of Ireland, died of a plague at Sliabh Mis, with a great number about him.
AM 4981
Rudhraighe, sovereign of Ireland, gained the battle of Luachair and Sliabh Mis.
AD 448
Bishop Erc, the sweet-spoken judge of St Patrick, died in 514. He made Ardfert the seat of a Bishop in 512. He was St Patrick’s first convert in Ireland, and revised the Brehon code. St Erc was the spiritual father of St Brendan at Ardfert which appears to have been his native place, Fertai Fer Feic, by the side of Sidh-Truim, on the west. He was bishop of Slane, where his relics were enshrined and venerated on 2nd of November.
Termon Eirc, Lerrig townland, Kilmoyley parish, was founded by St Erc, son of Deaghadh. In Ballyheigue parish is the church of Kilvicadeaghadh, and the holy well of Macadeaghadh with the stone amulet or bauley of St Erc still preserved from his day to effect cures.
450
St Trian was abbot of Croebheach, near Brosna, founded by St Patrick (Acta SS p725)
St Benignus was sent by St Patrick to evangelise West Munster but he soon went to Clare and St Erc carried on the mission in Kerry.
484
St Brendan was a native of Fenit, Ardfert, a pupil of St Erc and of St Ita; and tutor to St Finan Cam. His Christianised Corcaguiny; he was baptised at Tubber na molt, Wether’s Well, in Tubrid townland, Ardfert; discovered America; and died in 577. He was buried in Clonfert Brendan, Ardfert. Brendan means the house of the virtues of St Brendan. Brendan, son of fair Findlug, and Mochuda, son of Findall. A holy pair, with penitential countenance, of the race of Ciar, son of Fergus.
St Brendan’s descent from Ciar, ancestor of O’Connors Kerry, is given as: 1. Fergus Mac Roighe, king of Ulster, had by Maev, Queen of Conacht, a son. 2. Ciar, whence Kerry, or Iar Mumhan, or West Munster, old Kerry north of the river Maine, Desmond being south of that stream. Ciar lived 200 BC. 3. Mogh Taoth 4. Astomon 5. Moetha 6. Fualasgec 7. Eoghan 8. Delmain 9. Fiochur 10. Oghaman 11. Alt 12. Olcu/Olca 13.Fioncadh 14. Finlug 15. St Brendan
The early Irish and Latin accounts of St Brendan will be given in detail later on in this history of Kerry, as well as an account of the O’Connors of Kerry.
500
Carpain, the bishop of Iferte, died.
560
St Finan Cam was born in Corca Duibhne, was a pupil of St Brendan for seven years, founded Innisfallen monastery, and spent most of his life in Iveragh, Lough Currane being his favourite retreat, where his patron is kept on March 16.
Aghadoe, Kilachaidconchinne, in Magh-Gconchinne, Magunihy, was founded by St Finan Can. Derrynane, Daire Fhinain, is also named after St Fionan, and O’Donoghue’s legendary White Horse was originally the steed of St Finan Cam.
577
St Becc died. It was at the mansion of Cahirairde, fortress of Airde Mac Fidaigh, in Listrim townland, Ardfert parish, that he prophesied the birth of St Brendan.
580
St Carthach, the elder, died. He was bishop of saigir.
636
St Carthach, the younger, died. He is patron of Lismore. He was educated by the other St Carthach, Kiltallagh. Castlemaine, was built by St Carthage Mochuda, who was expelled by Bishop Domaingen or O’Duibhduin, and Kiltallagh was given to the bishop’s brother, Faolan.
St Domaingin or Maingen founded Kiltomy, Tuaim-Musgire, and Kilmaniheen in Brosna. His name is given in Martyrology of Tallaght at April 29.
661
St Cummine Foda, died. He was born in 592, and was of the tribe of Eoghanacht Locha Lein.
782
Maelcogha, king of Kerry, died.
812
The Danes were defeated by Eoghanacht Loch Lein.
816
Mac Lachtna, lord of Ciarraighe Luachra, died.
819
Cobtharc, son of Mailduin, king of Locha-lein, died.
823
Eitgall of Scilig was carried away by the strangers (Danes), and soon died of hunger and thirst.
838
The northmen, Danes, wasted the churches of Kenmare, Scelig Michil, and Innisfallen.
843
Hugh, king of Kerry, died.
848
Cobhthach, son of Maelcobha, lord of Carraighe Luachra, died.
869
The plundering of Munster by Caerbhall, from Luachair westwards to the sea.
In 869 Dun-main, in the west of Erinn, was demolished and an extraordinary and indiscriminate slaughter of the foreigners was effected there by Culigan, son of Maelcron, and the Eoganachts of Loch Lein, and by Flannabart, grandson of Dunadach, King of Ui-Conaill, and by Congalach, son of Lactna, King of Ciarraighe, and by the whole west of Erinn. Other victories are recorded elsewhere, and attributed to the prayers of the Kerry Saint, Mochuda, the patron of Lismore.
886
Indreachtach, son of Aedh, lord of Ciarraighe Luachra, died.
903
At the battle of Bealach Mughna, Kildare, with Cuileannan, king of Cashel, was slain Maelgorm, lord of Ciarraighe Luachra; and the lord of Corca-Duibhne, O’Falvy.
904
Colman, son of Cinaeth, Lord of Ciarraighe Luachra, died.
915
A slaughter was made of the foreigners (Danes) by the Eoghanachta and by the Ciarraighi.
932
Congal, king of Kerry, died.
947
Cormac, king of Kerry, died.
950
Ballinaskelligs Monastery, St Michael’s Mount, founded.
950
Blathmhac of Sceilg, died.
970
Gebheannach, son of Diarmaid, lord of Ciarraighe, died.
An army was led by Mathghamhain, son of Ceinneidigh, into Ciarraighe, where he demolished many forts, and among others Dun-na-Fithrech, Dunferrees, in Liselton.
998
Macraith, king of Kerry.
1001
Culachra, king of Kerry, was slain.
1003
Muireadhach, son of Diarmaid, lord of Ciarraighe Luachra, died.
1009
Maelsuthain Ua Cearbhaill, of the family of Inis-Faithleann, chief doctor of the western world in his time, and lord of Eoghanacht of Loch-Lein, died, after a good life, at Aichedeo.
1013
A battle between the Ui-Eathach, O’Mahonys and O’Donohoes of South Munster.
1014
At the battle of Clontarf were killed: Eocha, son of Dunadhach, chief of Clann-Scannlain; MacBeatha, sonof Muireadhach Claen, lord of Ciarraighe Luachra; Scannlan, son of Cathal, lord of Eoghanacht Locha Lein.
It is said that surnames first began to be used in the reign of Brian Boru, and many of the old Kerry families then took the names by which families began to be distinguished from tribes. Ui-Eathach was the tribe name of both the O’Mahonys and O’Donoghues of South Munster. Both of these families distinguished themselves at the Battle of Clontarf where Cian (Kean), son of Maelmhuaidh (Molloy), the direct ancestor of the O’Mahonys, commanded that family, and Domhnall (Donnell or Daniel), son of Dubh-da-bhoireann (Duv-Davoran) the direct ancestor of the O’Donohues commanded them.
Amongst the slaughter at the battle of Clontarf as recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters was Geibheannach, son of Dubhagan, Lord of Feara, Maighe, the head of the Duggan family, and of the Cronins of Kerry; Mac Beatha, son of Muireadhach Claen, lord of Ciarraighe Luachra, head of the O’Connors, and Domhnall, son of Fimhin, Great Steward of Maer. He was chief of the Eoghanachts of Maer, in Scotland, and descended from Maine Leamha, the ancestor marched at the head of an army to Corca of the O’Moriartys of Kerry.
1015
Macrath, son of Muireadhach Claen, lord of Ciarraighe Luachra, was killed. Flann, king of Kerry, was slain.
1019
Joanna, daughter of Muldoon O’Moriarty, of Loch Lein, married Mahon O’Connor Kerry.
1020
Culuachra Ua Conchobhair, lord of Ciarraighe Luachra, died.
1024
Aed O’Cathail, king of the Eoganacht Locha-lein, was slain.
1027
Macraith O’Muireadhaigh, king of Kerry, died.
1029
O’Cairpre, the son of Flaind, king of Locha Lein, is slain.
1032
The son of Mathghamhain, son of Muireadhach, lord of Ciarraighe, was killed.
1038
Cinfaelad O’Muireadhaigh, king of Kerry, was slain.
1040
Aedh of Sgelig Michel died.
1043
Annad O’Flaind, king of Locha Lein, was slain.
1044
O’Cathal Rigdomna, king elect, of L. Lein, is taken from Achiddeo, and slain. O’Carroll, the rigdamna, his successor, was slain in 1044.
In the year 1044 we find the record of the death of Aedh (Hugh) of Sgelic-Mhichil, in a list of obituaries of ecclesiastics, which shows that the cells on that island were still occupied by hermits.
1045
The two Falveys, the two future kings of Corcudubne, were slain by the Eachii (people of the Onaght) in Buiberre.
1047
O’Carroll, king of L. Lein, was slain. Fordelbach leads an army into the Eoghanact and Corcadubne, and carried off many cows and other cattle.
1049
In Finnsuilech, king of the Eachii, killed. Loingseach O’Domhnaill, the other king of the Eachii, was slain at Corcoduibne.
1050
Conor O’Conor was slain by the Connacians.
1055
Ceannfaeladh Ua Muireadhaigh, lord of the one division of Ciarraighe Luachra, was killed by the grandson of Conchobhar, son of Muireadhach, lord of the other division, and many others along with him.
1060
Donchad O’Flan, king of E.L.L. was killed by O’Carroll while on his way from Kinncora.
1063
Cathal O’Donoghue, king of the Eachii and of southern Ireland, died
1064
Turlogh, son of Tiegue, son of Brian, became King of Munster, and he … duibhne (Corcaguiny), and from thence to Eoghannacht Locha Lein (district around Killarney possessed by Irish tribes descended from Eoghan or Owen More, son of Olliol Ollum, King of Desmond and Thomond AD 100) and brought away innumerable booty and spoil, and O’Cearbhaill, Prince of Loch Lein, was slain.
1067
Hugh Ua Conchobhair, lord of Ciarraighe Luachra, was killed in Connaught during the war with Leinster and Munster.
1069
The two Muirchertachs, the two kings of the Eoghanacht, and Cathal O’Connor, king of Kerry Luachra, killed each other.
1075
Dermod Mac Mel Brenan, comarb of St Brendan, died.
Miol Brenain means tonsured of the rule of St Brendan.
1086
Conchobar, king of Kerry, died.
1086
Mac Beth O’Connor, king of Kerry, died.
1089
Ard-fearta was burned.
In the year 1092 we find the obituary of Donnchadh MacCarthaigh, Lord of Eoghanact, Chasil, who was killed by Ceallachan-Caisil and of Muireadhach Mac Cartaigh, lord of Eoghanact. He is the ancestor of the MacCarthys of Munster and was the first person ever called MacCarthaigh; in fact, the first person who used the tribe name as a surname. He was the son of Carthach, son of Saeirbhreathach, son of Donnchadh Ceallachan-Chaisil, King of Munster.
1093
O’Flanin, son of Lannchada, was buried at Inis Fadlin.
Gormlaith, daughter of O’Connor Kerry, queen of the Eachii, died.
Ireland was desolated by a fearful pestilence AD 109 (sic) in which Bishop na-Corcraine, successor St Brendan of Clonfert, fied.
Amongst the chieftains who fell victims to this plague we find Mathgaanhaim Na-Seaghdha, lord of Corca Dhuibhne. This name is now anglicised O’Shea. The O’Shea were chiefs of Ui Rathach, now the barony of Iveragh, and were of the same tribe as the O’Falveys who were lords of Corca Dhuibhne, now Corcaguiney territory, extended from the River Many westward to Fintraigh (Ventry).
1098
Donnell, king of Kerry, slain.
1099
Pengus O’Cinaeda happily dies at Inisfathlind.
1100
Mahon O’conor Kerry had several galleys destroyed at Scattery Island.
1102
A fleet with the sons of O’Brian and the men of Thomond, to Ciarri Luachra, who make a great slaughter on the lake.
1103
Mathgamain O’Cuirce died, and was buried at Innisfathlain.
1103
In the battle of Magh-Cobha, in Ulster, were slain Ua Faibhe, Tanist of Corca-Dhuibhne and Erri of Leinster; with Ua Muireadhaigh, lord of Ciarraighe, and his son.
1104
The death of Deoraid O’Flainn, a se ipso, in Loch Eachach.
1107
O’Murcertag, king of E.L.L. and Cualacrias O’Connor, king of Kerry, driven out by McCarthy.
1108
A fleet with McRoderic to Corcoduibne, to expel Muircertach O’Murchertaig, king of the E.L.L. with his chieftains, and a great slaughter made there.
Ua Cearbhaill, lord of Eoghanacht, Lacha Lein, was killed byhis own brethren.
1110
The diocese of Kerry was known at the synod of Rathbreasail as Rath-Muighein deiscirt, extending from Dursey island to Kenmare and from the Feale to Valentia Island.
Cormac M’Carthy, king of Desmond, driven out by his own Eachii, and goes to Lismore. Same year M’Roderick carried off Innsulich, king of Lochlein. Murcertach O’Murchertaig, king of Locha-lein, and the two sons of Tadhg M’Carthy, and O’Keeffe, expelled by the Connacians. A fleet with M’Innsulig O’Murcertaig, against M’Rodrick, to Iniscathig, where they destroy many ships of Mahon O’Connor Kerry; and O’Connor Corcomroe captures a ship of theirs. There also was slain O’Donnell of the red hand.
1121
An army was led by T Ua Conchobhair and the people of the province of Connaught, by which they plundered from Magh Temhin to Traigh-Li, Tralee, both territories and churches.
1138
Mahon, king of Kerry and Corca Duibhne, died.
Diarmaid Sugach, O’Connor, killed Cormac MacCarthy, who built the beautiful chapel at Cashel.
1144
Flanagan or Flannan, abbot of Innisfallen, Innis-Faithleann, a distinguished anmchara, died.
1150
This year Dermot Sugach O’Connor brought ships on wheels from the territory of Corcadiubhne to Loch Lein (ie from Corcaguiny to Killarney Lake).
Diarmid, son of Cormac Mac Cuillean O’Connor, King of Connaught, and Tiagharnan O’Ruarke marched with a great army against the O’Briens. They advanced as far as Ciarriaghe Luachra where they remained a night and laid waste the country thereabouts. They came to an engagement at Sliabh Mis, when many people were slain, after which the Conacians returned home.
1151
Ardfert was burned by Cormac O’Coilleane, in which were the favourites of Dermot Sugach O’Connor.
1152
Mac Ronan, bishop of Kerry, attended the synod of Kells. He died in 1161.
1154
Diarmid Ua Conchobhair, lord of Ciarraighe-Luachra, died.
O’Dorney Abbey founded.
1158
The stone church of Aghadoe was rebuilt by O’Donoghue Mor.
Ua Failbhe, lord of Corca Duibhne, was slain by the Ui Seaghdha of Iveragh.
1161
Maelbhreanainn Ua Ronain, bishop of Ciarraighe, Luachra, died, and was buried at Ardfert.
Aed O’Carroll, king of E.L.Lein, slain by the Hy manii and O’Bruins. And M’Amlaib O’Donchada, Ardri of Cineoil Legaire, and E L Lein, was killed. In the same year Donall Mac Melruaned, king of Cineoil Legaire, and defender of the Eachii, and his son, were slain by O’Mahony.
1163
Murchertach O’Donchada, king of L. lein, killed.
1166
Ziola Mac Aiblan O’Hammad, bishop of Ardfert, died.
1172
In the year 1172, Dermot Mac Carthy, king of Cork and Desmond, swore fealty to Henry II and gave him hostage as a security for the payment of a yearly tribute. Dermot’s kingdom comprised all the tract of country from Lismore to Brandon hill in Kerry, with some part of Waterford. Desmond was divided into three districts – Clancare, which lay next the sea between Dingle and the Kenmare river; Bear, which lay between the Kenmare river and Bantry; and Iveragh, which lay between Bantry and Baltimore.
But Dermot’s profession of submission to the English king did not secure him undisturbed possession of his territory. It was a matter of absolute necessity that the Norman knights should be provided with estates if they were to remain in Ireland and subdue it; and they were by no means unwilling to take by force what was bestowed on them by policy. Dermot was gradually driven westward and the MacCarthys, who had been originally in Cork, became from this circumstance, located in Kerry. Dermot’s son, Cormac, having rebelled against his father, he called in Raymond le Gros to assist him in subduing the rebel. Raymond succeeded, and eventually imprisoned and beheaded Cormac. In return for this assistance Dermot MacCarthy bestowed on him a considerable tract of land at Lixnaw, where the Norman noble settled his son, Maurice, and thus was founded the famous family of Fitzmaurice, while the district obtained the name of Clanmaurice.
1175
Charles, son of Dermot M’Carthy, put to death by Cahil and Connor O’Donoghue and the people of Desmond for the murder of M’Crath O’Sullivan.
1177
War between M’Carthy of Desmond and O’Brien of Thomond. The people fled into the woods to Aoiv Eachach and beyond Mangerton, and the E.L.Lein was wasted to Ferdrum in Uibh Eachach.
In 1177, Henry II granted the whole of the Kingdom of Cork to Robert FitzStepehn and Milo de Cogan which included a considerable part of Kerry.
1178
Conenbar, son of Auliffe O’Donoghue, slain by his brother Domhnall. The latter was killed by the Eachii.
O’Donoghue, king of Locha-lein, and Aoiv Eachach, was killed by the English, during the banishment of Donogh M’Cein by Diarmuid M’Carthy.
1179
Ardfert Brendan was burned by the Clan Carthy. They slew many O’Connor chiefs in the very sanctuary of the church.
1180
Inisfaithlind was wasted by Melduin, son of Donaill O’Doncuda, who took away the wealth and gold and silver of the shrines, and the riches and goods of West Munster. He did not slay men, or close up the church, or make spoil of books.
1192
Mahon O’Murchertaig M’Muirceartach, was slain by the O’Donoghues, Eachii.
1193
Donald Mac Conarchy, bishop of West Munster, died
The English drove the O’Sullivans out of the rath of Knockgraffon, and built a castle there.
1196
Patrick O’Honaic, abbot elect, of Faithlin.
The English plundered and burned Glenfleisg. Many of them on their return were slain by Dermit M’Carthy.
1197
Giollapatric O’Hemair or Huihair, comarba of Faithlin, a learned man, died 16 Dec, aged 70.
1199
From the Shannon to Glenflesk was wasted in the war between the Irish and English.
Dermot Maccarthy was only waiting for an opportunity of expelling and harassing the new settlers; and, in 1185, he obtained the assistance of O’Brien, King of Thomond, and attacked Fitz-Stephen. Raymond le Gros was then at Wexford and came speedily to the assistance of his brother at arms, and routed the Irish forces completely.
The following year Dermot MacCarthy was slain by Theobald Walter (Gaultier), ancestor of the Butler family. His successor, Daniel McCarthy Mor na Caira destroyed the castle of Kilfeakle, and drove the English settlers both from Limerick and Cork. But the English gradually obtained the upper hand, and soon recovered more than was lost after each defeat. Hence, Kerry was made shire grounds as early as AD 1210.
1200
October 28. Meyler Fitz-Henry was granted two cantreds of land in Kerry, namely Akunkerry and Huerba (Ardfert); and a third cantred belonging to Humurierdac (O’Moriarty) in Cork, namely, Yoghenacht Lokhelen (Killarney Lakes); to hold of the king (of England) in fee, by the service of 15 knights.
1205
September 10. The Abbey of Connell (Kildare) was granted ten caracutes of land in Kerry.
1210
Prest made, at the mead near Trim, to the Bishop of Norwich, for the Irish who came with him to the king’s army from Monasteria and Desmond, £40, paid to Thomas Bloet. (Before the Norman Invasion the five Munsters in Great Munster were Thomond, Ormond, Mid Munster, Iar or West Munster, and Desmond or South Munster, Kerry (Ciar’s portion) was north of river Maing, and in Finn’s time was Carbrige. See vol II, pars 330, 339 etc).
1215
July 3. Thomas Fitz-Anthony was granted the custody of the county of Desmond so far as it belonged to the king, with the issues of the escheats for the safe keeping of bailiwicks and the king’s castles.
1216
June 1. Mandate to Geoffrey de Marisco, Justiciary of Ireland, to cause Petronilla Bloet, wife of Dermot Magarthy (Mac Carthy), king of Cork, to have her marriage (portion) which Thomas, her brother, gave to her.
1217
July 19. The King notifies to the justiciary that Maurice FitzGerald has been girt with the belt of a knight, and granted his father’s lands at Gallos in Decies held during the minority of the heir.
1222
January 7. The King commands Henry, Archbishop of Dublin and Justiciary of Ireland, to take the Bishopric of Ardfert, whose bishop was deposed by the Papal Legate and sent to Rome. Thomas Fitz Anthony is to receive the See if the Archbishop is loath to do so.
1224
June 20. A bull of Pope Honorius III directs John, the priest, who has caused himself to be consecrated as Bishop of Ardfert, to resign the See to Gilbert, the Bishop.
1225
May 7. The King assents to the election of Gilbert as Bishop of Ardfert; orders that he have seisin of the lands, rents, and possessions belonging to the bishopric; and issues mandate thereupon to the knights and free tenants of the See.
1232
September 3. The King commits to Maurice FitzGerald the office of Justiciary of Ireland, and orders all his subjects in Irland to be intentive and respondent to Maurice.
1236
December 6. The King refuses assent to election of a bishop of Ardfert after the resignation of Gilbert, as the dean and chapter should first obtain the king’s licence.
1237
October 5. The king prays for an aid on the marriage of his sister to the Emperor of Germany. Letter to the Bishop of Ardfert.
1243
October 28. The King commands Maurice FitzGerald, justiciary of Ireland, not to interfere with Brendan, bishop of Ardfert, regarding lands and temporal matters belonging to the king’s crown and dignity.
1244
June 11. The king grants a charter of free chase and warren to John FitzThomas, in Okonyl, Muskry, Kerry, Yonach, and Orathat.
July 7. The king prays the aid in person and with a force of Cormaclethan’ Macardhy de Dessemon (Desmond) in the march against the king of Scots.
1248
August 8. The king receives into grace the late justiciary of Ireland, Maurice FitzGerald, who pays 500 marks and goes to Gascony on the king’s service.
1252
April 29. The Dean and Canons of the church of Ardfert, vacant by the death of Brendan, late bishop, are granted by the king through the justiciary, licence to elect a bishop.
1256
August 20. George, clerk cnon of Ardfert, having come to the king with letters of his church (praying licence to elect), the dean and chapter of Ardfert have licence accordingly.
1257
March 23. Royal assent to the election made of Master Philip, canon of Ardfert, as bishop of that church. Mandate to David, Archbishop of Cashel, to do what is his in this matter.
March 25. The king wishing to spare the labour and expense of Philip, elect of Ardfert, on account of the distance between the places and the poverty of the See, of special grace commands Alan la Zuche, Justiciary of Ireland, that when he has learnt of letters of David, Archbishop of Cashel, that the elect has been confirmed, he cause him to have seisin of the temporalities on the king’s hand, after taking from him an oath of fealty.
1259
November 7. Feoffment by Edward, the king’s son, to John FitzThomas, of all the lands of Decies and Desmond with the bailiwicks, which belonged to Thomas FitzAnthony, father of Margery, John’s wife (see 1215).
1265
The king gives royal assent to election of John, archdeacon of Ardfert, as bishop of that church, the justiciary to take fealty from him and restore the temporalities.
1272
August 18. Maurice FitzMaurice is appointed as justiciary of Ireland, and all in Ireland are to be intentive and respondent to him.
1276
May 16. The king assents to the election of Brother Christian, canon, to be abbot of the conventual church of the Apostles Peter and Paul at Rattoy (Rattoo), in the diocese of Ardfert. If the abbot be canonically confirmed he must give fealty and receive the temporalities.
1278
September 29. Richard of Exeter received £20 for his maintenance in the office of justice at Cork and in Kerry. For writing summonses of the eyre of Cork and Kerry, 10s. Received customs from merchants leaving the port of Dengyn (Dingle) in Kerry, £12. Paid to Roger Andrew and Walter de la Haye, justices itinerant in the counties of Cork and Kerry, £40. To John de Saunford for his expenses in taking his eyre in same, £33 6s 8d.
1280
September 29. Received from the abbot of Strothul, for not appearing when summoned, 20s.
1281
May 17. Paid by Maurice FitzThomas of the service of Okenthy, by John de Sanford, by weight 8 marks, by tale 53s 4d. Paid by William Uncle, sheriff, for debts of divers persons £4 12s 8d; and issues of the profits of the county, £10.
1282
August 8 Inquisition held at Kilmallock as to lands of John Fitz Thomas.
November 4. The king grants licence to elect an abbot, devout, fit to rule their church, and useful and faithful to the king and to Ireland, for the prior and convent of the abbey of saints Peter and Paul at Rattoo, of the Augustinian order in the diocese of Ardfert.
1283
Debts of John FitzThomas for quit rents and other profits taken in the war, after the war, and after the peace, £11.
1284
February 8. The king receives the homage of Thomas FitzMaurice, relative and heir of John FitzThomas, deceased, who held of the king in capite.
April 17. Grant for ever to Geoffrey de Clahull of wreck of the sea in his land of Offerbe (Ardfert coast) in Ireland, with all things appertaining to wreck, without hindrance of the king, his justices, sheriffs, bailiffs, or ministers therefor at the Exchequer, Dublin, in the feast of Michaelmas, 6s 8d. No one on the king’s behalf shall aggrieve or molest Geoffrey regarding wreck aforesaid contrary to this grant.
May 5. Mandate to the justiciary to cause Thomas FitzMaurice. Relative and heir to John FitzThomas, deceased, who held of the king in capite, to have seisin of lands, tenements and bailiwicks in Decies and Desmond as the said John, his grandfather, had at his death.
Profit of county of Kerry, one year, 100s.
Donald Rufus MacCarthy, lord of the Irish of Desmond desires to be subjected to the king’s domination, and sends Brother Walter of Kilkenny, reader of the Dominicans of Cashel, to lay his affairs before the king.
1285
May 20. Letters of protection and of safe conduct for Donald Roth Maccarthy, of Desmond, in coming to the king in England, with a moderate retinue, horses, and harness, and in remaining and returning to his own country. To endure for 2 years.
October 9. Receipts from Kerry. Farm of the county, by Geoffrey de Clohulle, £10. Farm of the sergeancy of the county by the same, 50s. Wreck of the sea at Oferbyth (Ardfert) by tehh same, ½ mark.
October 16. Geoffrey de Clohulle, sheriff of Kerry, pays arrears of his last account, £20.
1285
October 20. From William Laundre, for release of venue, by John Freydmontel, Adam Laundre, Gilbert Colle, and Thos Ythel, 24s. Willm le Chance, for trespass, 20s.
October 24. From Geoffrey de Clohulle, sheriff of Kerry, for arrears of his account, £20. Alexr Stake (Stack) he to have peace, £4. G. de Clohulle, arrears, £7 14s 10½d.
October 29. John Freydmontel, fine to have peace, 20 marks.
November 13. Paid to Roger Andreu, justice itinerant in the counties of Cork and Kerry, his fee for a r.6, by writ, £20. Same to Walter de la Haye, and 50 marks to John de Saundfor, justices itinerant.
1286
April 28. Grant to Thomas FitzMaurice (Fitzgerald) that from the making of these presents until the end of seven years he may take in aid of inclosing his vills of Traylli (Tralee), Moyal (Mallow), and Ard (Ardfert) for the security and safe keeping of those vills, and the neighbouring parts, the following customs on articles for sale (here follows a long list of dues on corn, cloth, fish, salt, honey, etc).
April 30. Thomas Fitzmaurice attorned before the king Matthew de Snawedon and Thomas le Gurney in all pleas and plaints touching the king and him in regard to the lands of Decies and Desmond in Ireland.
May 2. Roll of receipts Willm Fitz Andrew, fine for having peace, 100s. Alexander Stak, for the same, £6. Farm of the sergeancy of the county, by Geoffrey de Clohulle, £10, 50 marks. Basilia, who was the wife of Andrew Fitz Andrew, fine for visne released, 2 marks. David Ker and Reymund his son, for the same, by Maurice FitzAndrew, 100s. From the same sheriff, for arrers of his account, by Andrew Brun (Brown) 100s. Maurice de Karru (Carew) for divers services, by Maurice Fitz Thomas (Fitzgerald) £13.
May 4. Willm le Chanu, fine for trespass, 20s.
June 6. Dean and chapter of Ardfert notify the king of vacancy in their church by the decease of John, late Bishop of Ardfert; and send Walter, their brother canon, praying licence to elect. Licence granted, June 28, the elect to pay fealty due to the king, June 25. Roll of receipts from Adam Fitz Andrew, for visne released, 50s. Basilia who was the wife of Andrew Fitz Andrew, for the same, 40s. Ralph Brun and Wantliana his wife, for the same, 5 marks. Walter Fitz Yvor and his associates, for the same, 40s. Alexander Stake, for having peace, 40s. William Fitz Andrew for the same, 50s.
June 27. Debts of divers persons of this county, by Thomas Fitz Maurice, £10 (or £40).
June 28. From Robert and William Fitz John for pledge of Adam Fitz Robert, 4s 8d. Henry Dundrey, for default, 4d.
July 2. Geoffrey de Clohulle, for arrears of his account, £8.
July 15. Same, for arrears, £7 10s.
July 23. Same for same, £14 10s.
September 30. Receipts from Geoffrey de Clohulle, arrears, £38. Debts of divers persons, by the same, 100s.
October 3. G de Clohulle, arrears, 40s.
October 7. Same for arrears, 40s.
October 7. Same for arrears, 20s.
October 12. G de Clohulle, for arrears, £15 13s 4d.
October 16. William Uncle, arrears of his account of profits of this county, £4.
December 9. John Freydmauntel, fine to have peace, £9, 17s 1d.
1287
January 24. From Alex Stak, fine to have peace, £6.
January 31. From same for same, 11s.
February 7. John de Freydmauntel, fine to have peace, 2s 11d.
April 15. Debts of divers persons, by G de Clohulle, £4.
April 28. Farm of county by same, £10.
June 26. John Freytmauntel, sheriff, paid in debts of divers persons, 7 marks.
June 27. Receipts from Willm Daubeneye for licence to agree, 11s, 2d; Alexr Stak, fine to have peace, £6 15s 8d; Walter Worthyng, for not coming when summoned, ½ mark; Basilia, who was the wife of Andrew Fitz Andrew, fine for visne released, 1 mark; Ralph Brun, for the same, 5 marks; Richd and Roger Fynaly, for the same, 50s; Walter Yvor, and his associates, for the same, £7 6s 8d; Joseph Fitz William, of fine to have peace, 5s 4d; Richd Laundrey and Margery his wife, to have a writ of novel disseisin, 1 mark; Thos Fitz William and Juliana his wife, for not prosecuting, 1 mark; Donal Abbot of Rathtoy (Rattoo) to have an attaint, 40s; John le Waleys, for pledge of Thos Fitz William, ½ mark; Thomas Fitz William and Juliana his wife, for a false claim, 1 mark; Walter de Valletort, for pledge of Thos Fitz William ½ mark; debts of persons in the county, by Geoffrey de Clohulle, £18 0s 11d.
October 10. G de Clohulle, for arrears, paid 10 marks.
October 24. Alexr Stak, fine for having peace, 7 marks.
October 27. G de Clahulle, arrears, £28 6s 8d; debts of divers persons, 100s.
1288
April 17. Geoffrey de Clahulle paid arrears by Richd de Cantelupe (Cantillon) £20. April 1. Same, £8 13s 11 ¾d.
April 26. Letters of licence to elect directed to the dean and chapter of Ardfert for Walter, canon of Ardfert, who had announced to the king the death of Nicholas, formerly bishop of that church.
August 10. The king grants above licence.
1290
February 18. Having learnt that Robert de Wyk is useful for the king’s service in Ireland, the king commands Nicholas de Clere, treasurer of the Exchequer, Dublin, to commit to him the county of Kerry, to hold during the king’s pleasure or that of the justiciary of Ireland for the time being, and during good behaviour; yearly rendering at the Exchequer, Dublin, so much as other sheriffs of that county were wont to render.
1290
Robert de Wyk, the sheriff, paid in various sums from the county, including 60s, from Thomas Mac Rory Okronehor (O’Connor) and his associates, for having peace; and 1 mark from Martin the Ferreter for trespass.
1291
January 26. Fynyn McKarth (MacCarthy) pays fine of 5 marks by Maurice Fitz Thomas (Fitzgerald).
March 18. By a Bull of Pope Nicholas IV, the king is granted a tenth of ecclesiastical profits for six years, on his departure for the Holy Land. Directions for collecting the tenth (see Vol II, p156).
May 12. Fynyn MacCarthy paid 5 marks for visne released.
June 2. Hugh de Bruges given custody of the lands of John de Courcy, deceased, who held of the king in capite in Co Kerry; also lands of Thomas de Clare, deceased; until the lawful age of the heirs, and paying usual terms to the Exchequer, Dublin.
July 26. John de Curcy paid for debts of Milo de Curcy, by Richd de Cantelupe, £19.
October 3. Robert de Wyke paid profits and fines of county, including ½ mark from Richd Fernegynan because he sold wines against the assize.
1292
January 21. Emelina, wife of Maurice Fitz Maurice (Fitzgerald) sued Thomas Fitz Maurice for the manor of Kyllorgelan (Killorglin), the lands of the vill, the cantreds of Moyconchyn (Magunihy) and Orathath (Iveragh), the island of Darfry (Valentia), and other islands given by Thomas de Clare to Thomas Fitz Maurice on rendering a jerfalcon soar and trained, and a soar-hawk, and the foreign military services due to the chief lords of the fee.
February 6. The king confirms to Thomas Fitz Maurice the lands of Decies and Desmond on paying 200 marks yearly, and orders the knights and tenants to be intentive and respondent to Thomas and his wife Margaret.
1293
April 15. John Fitz Ralph of Kilmallock paid custom of 44 hogsheads and 1 pipe of wine at Aardart (Ardfert), £8 18s.
1296
May 20. Adam le Rous de Dengs (Dingle) paid issues of the new custom of wool and hides, for Gerard Chymbard, £7.
1298
October 21. Paid by Nicholas, Bishop of Ardfert, fine for transgression, £6 13s 4d; the cantred de Osurres, for knowingly receiving Nicholas Okathbothy, the outlaw, £7 8s 10½d; the villata of Tralee, for escape of John Ivor, a felon, 100s; the villata de Kilmalkeder for escape of William Bochard, Trewent, and others, £7 2s 7d.
1299
Extent of the lands of Thos FitzMaurice, who died June 4 1298, July 27, The Manor de Insula (Castleisland). Jurors: Rys, son of Elias, William de Frendeville, Gregory le Hoe, Ralph Fitz Richard, William le Hore, John le Fleming, John de Naas, David de Naas, Adam Walour, John Fitz Simon, Henry le Waleys, Elias le Marshall, who say that the manor is surrounded by a stone wall, and there is in it a hall constructed of pales with an earthen wall and thatched, a kitchen of planks, a chamber with a cellar built of stone and thatched, a chamber for women, a stable, a chapel of worn-out pales covered with straw, which houses they cannot set down at any price; to maintain them an expenditure of 40s a year and more would be required.
There are three carucates of land in demesne, whereof the carucate and nine acres are poor and little cultivated; these cannot be set down at any price, because no one would rent them. They say, however, that there are there five score and eleven acres of land, whereof each is worth 4d a year. There are also seven acres of meadow, whereof they extend each acreat 4d a year; likewise a grove of alder trees, containing 16 acres of Currauth (morass land), the pasture thereof, which is good for bullocks and oxen, they extend at 2s a year. One of the carucates is waste. Total 41s 4d.
They say that the burgesses of the will of Trayly (Tralee) hold their burgages and render therefor 100s a year. Rys, son of elias, holds 3 knights’ fees in Toythonsin Uda. He renders at Easter 1 penny alone and does suit; Nicholas le Hore holds 1 knight’s fee in Ballilogan by the service of 10s, and does suit of court; William le Frend holds 6 carrucates in Culko, renders 1 mark a year, and does suit; Daniel Fitz William 2½ carucates by service of 2s 6d; Thomas le Harbour holds 1 carucate in Ahoth, renders 1 mark, and does suit; Roger de Rydel holds I carucate in Balymoluyr, renders ½ mark, and does suit; Philip and John Lodyn hold 1½ carucate, render ½ mark, and Philip does suit; Henry de Capella holds 7 carucates, renders 17d, and does 2 suits; Maurice Cleremunt holds 1 carucate at Ga–dauch, and renders 6d a year; Audoen de Cantilupe holds 1 knight’s fee at Duyryletrum, which was wont to render 1 mark, but is now waste among the Irish; William Cook holds 1 knight’s fee at Kilbanan (Kilbonane), which was wont to render 60s a year but nowlies waste among the Irish; Gilbert Brun (Brown) holds the knight’s fee at Curryngs (Currans) by the service of 10s and it now lies waste among the Irish; Maurice Fitz Thomas holds 4 carucates in Kynkylle, which was wont to render 2 marks, and do suit, but now lies waste; Adam Fitz Daniel holds 4 carucates in Ardcam which were wont to render 40s a year but now lies waste. Total of service, 12s 6d; total of rent £7 2s 1d; total waste land, £6 16s 8d. There is one water-mill at Tralee worth 20s a year; the mill de Insula (Castleisland) is worth ½ mark. Total, 26s 8d.
There are 10 carucates hled by Betagii, each extended at 40d a year; their works are worth 20d a year; two fees in the mountain parts of Lothyr (Luachair) to wit, Tylauthbeg and Brossnauth (Brosna), lie waste, there are three knights’ fees among the Irish, and 7 carucates lying waste from which nothing can be received. Perquisites of court there with payments and heriots are worth 40s a year; perquisites of the hundred of Tralee are worth ½ mark a year. A curtilage at Insula (Castleisland) is extended at 6d a year. Total, £4 2s 2d. Total of totals, £21 8s 11d.
Extent of the manor of Kilorglan (Killorglin) taken at Tralee on July 27 1299. The document is defaced and illegible.
May 15. Roll of Receipts of issues of the escheatry of Kerry, by Walter de la Haye, 5 marks. Nicholas, Bishop of Ardfert, for transgression, 100s. Maurice Fitz Thomas of fine for visne released, 70s 1d. From Kilmalkeder, for escape of William Buchard and others, £7 3s 3d. The cantred of Ossures, for knowingly receiving Nicholas Ocathbothy, 32s 0½d. Gildeholinchy and Benet Omakan, for escape of Donat Mac Conbay, 64s 5½d. The villata of Tralee, for escape of Gerald de Frendevyle, 100s. The villata de Dengen (Dingle) and William de Chaneu, for escape of Walter Laundrey, £4 5s 5d. Geoffrey de Clahulle, the sheriff, for escape of Donhoght, son of Donoght reuagh Oconchor (O’Connor), 50s. The parishioners of Kilbannan (Kilbonane), for knowingly receiving Nicholas Okathbothy, 14s 10d. The cantred de Altry, for the same, 15s 5d. The parishioners of Rathlogh (Ranalough or Killeentierna) and four nearest villatae, for escape 19s 10d. Nicholas de Pontefract, for escape of Donat Macconbay, 25s. Of profit of the county, by Richard de Cantelowe, the sheriff, 60s. Of debts of divers persons, £15 8s 11½d.
1300
March 19. The lands of Thomas FitzMaurice in Kerry were valued at £74 17s 3d for the manor of Killorglan; £21 8d 11d for the manor de Insula (Castleisland); other lands in county, 77s 2d. Matilda de Barry, who was the wife of Maurice FitzJohn, deceased, held in dower lands at Tralee and Novum Manerium, £10 18s 4¾d. Thomas FitzThomas, the eldest son, is the next heir of Thomas, and was aged 10 at Easter 1300.
1302
February 15. Grant to Dermot O’Falvey, an Irishman, for his service in Scotland, of licence to use English laws during his life. The same grant was repealed.
June 1. Among the king’s gross receipts were the following from Kerry: Of issues de Anach, for debts of Thomas FitzMaurice, by Richard de Cantelou, the Sheriff, 55s. For escapes, from the Sheriff, 40s. Of profits of the county, 5 marks. Of debts of divers persons, £37 0s 7d. From Walter de la Haye, of issues of the escheatry, by the same Sheriff, 52 s 4d.
August 6. Gross receipts of profit of the county, by Richard de Cantilupe, the Sheriff, 40s. Of issues of lands of John de Curci, by James de Keting, £6. Arrears of the Sheriff’s account, £14 7s 5d.
1305
December 28. Paid by Gerald FitzGeoffrey, collector of arrears, of his accounts, £4.
1306
April 18. Receipt of 40s from Gerald FitzGeoffrey, the Sheriff.
September 29. Receipt of 20s from Gerald FitzGeoffrey, collector of 15th, of arrears of his account.
1307
March 1. Receipt of 20s from same. From David FitzGerald, the Sheriff, 37s 5d.
Ecclesiastical Taxation of Ireland. For taxation of Ardfert diocese, see King’s History of Kerry, vol 2, p156.
1309
William de Bristol, prior of Ardfert, claimed the mortuary fees, from Bishop Nicholas.
1312
Leper house and castle erected at Ardfert by Nicholas Fitzmaurice.
1325
Dispute between friars and Knights Hospitallers of Rattoo, about Ardfert market cross and pillory.
1331
Edmund, of the Friar Preachers, appointed to the See of Ardfert, void by the death of Alan. Letters to chapter, clergy, people of diocese, vassals of the church, abp of Cashel, and to the king.
1336
Alan appointed to the See of Ardfert, void by the death of Nicholas.
1343
Stephen Laweles (Lawless?) had a canonry and prebend of Ardfert.
1347
Alan O’Hatherton, Bishop of Ardfert, died.
1348
John de Valle appointed Bishop of Ardfert, See void by death of Alan.
1363
Valle, John de, Bishop of Ardfert.
Philip de Valle, given Archdeaconry of Ardfert, by John, Bishop of Ardfert, on the death of Bernard Yconchur.
1366
Maurice, son of Peter de Geraldinis, canon of Ardfert (value 50 florins) given archdeaconry of Limerick (40 marks).
1368
John, son of John de Geraldinis BCL rector of St Brandan de Antro (O’Brennan) given canonry and prebend of Limerick (value 20 gold florins).
1372
John de Valle, Bishop of Ardfert, died.
Cornelius O’Tiegrnach, Bishop of Ardfert.
David O’Conchour (O’Connor) subdeacon granted by bishop John, the chancellorship of Ardfert void by the resignation of Patrick Offichillich (O’Feely).
1379
William Bull, dean of Cork, was bishop of Ardfert.
1382
Bishop Bull of Ardfert excused from attending Parliament because the country was disturbed by Irish enemies and English rebels.
1391
John OMochlehayn, priest assigned to the church of Dayngyn (Dingle) was delayed admittance by the Augustinian prior and convent of Killagh (Belloloco) who held the church.
1396
Theodoric Chonchur, rector of Dubhacha (Duagh) granted benefices in the gift of the bishop of Ardfert. Dubhacha is without cure.
Gilbert Ossullewayn, Archdeacon of Aghadoe in Ardfert, granted a benefice in the gift of the bishop of Ardfert and Augustinian prior and convent of St Mary’s, Killaha (de Belloloco) mandate to Bishop of Tuy, priors of St Michael’s Mount (Sancti Michaelis de Rupe) and Pnysfachlynd (Innisfallen).
Mandate to the Archdeacon of Aghadoe (de Achadeo) in the church of Ardfert, to assign to John Flemyng, the perpetual vicarage of Cacyrbresslean (Cachyrbresleayn, Brosn).
Mandate to the Archdeacon of Aghadoe in Ardfert to assign to Mark Otnonia, priest, the vicarage of Killcrochayn (Kilcrohane) void by the death of Dennis Ossulluayn.
1398
Appropriation to the Augustinian prior and convent of St Mary’s, Killaha, the vicarages of their patronage.
Kyllerochan (Kilcrohane).
Kyllmayneayn (Kilmainheen in Brosna).
Dangen (Dingle).
Kyllorglan (Killorglin).
1398
Kilmaniheen in Brosna parish appropriated to the Augustinians of St Mary’s convent, Killaha (de Belloloco).
Appropriation to the Augustinian prior and convent of St Mary’s Killaha (de Belloloco) of the perpetual vicarages of their patronage of Kyllerochan, Kyllmayneayn, Dangen and Kyllorglan.
Reservation of a benefice to John Flemyng, vicar of Cachyrbresleayn (Brosna) in the diocese of Ardfert.
Mandate to the Archdeacon of Ardfert to assign to William Stak the rectory of Fyndtrahig (Ventry) held by Thomas, son of John de Geraldinis, rector of Stradbalybog (Stradbally), and detained by Patrick Treawnt (Trant).
1399
Mandate to the bishop of Ardfert to dispense to marry Maurice, son of the late John de Geraldinis, Knt, and Joan Mauricii.
1401
The bishop of Ardfert to assign benefices to Thady (Thaeus) Omulthag, Brandan Ouogha, Alan, son of Denis Ysullebayn (who holds the vicarage of Killneulayn) (Killinane) Denis Florencii, and Charles Ocwina.
Mandate to the prior of Killagh (de Belloloco) to assign to Cornelius, son of Thomas Ysullibayn, the vicarage of Kyllduton, void by the death of John O’Sullebayn.
Mandate to the Bishop of Ardfert to dispense to marry Donald Yeayn and Borgayll, dau. Of Denis Ysullevayn.
Mandate to the Bishop of Ardfert to dispense to marry Gullananaem Ymulchota and Myam, dau. Of Ychwoma.
1402
Nemerus Oralyd rehabilitated for holding Killnanwayn (Kilmaniheen) vicarage and the victory of Traly from its patron, Gerald, Earl of Desmond (dessimonyie).
Mandate to Nemerus Adalayd, Canon of Ross, to assign to Willaim Mecgildroma, Canon of Killagh, the rectory of Cathairbreslayn (Brosna) on exchange for that of Kyllmaneayn (Kilmaniheen).
Brosna was let to farm to secular clerks for a fixed yearly pension, by the Augustinians, but Kilmaniheen was more profitable.
Mandate to the bishop of Tuy (Galicia, v Spain, papal mandatory), and John Offlahainayn, canon of Ardfert, to assign to Cornelius Oloynsig of Killaloe diocese, the vicarage of Limerick.
1403
Mandate to Nemerus Odalyd, canon of Ardfert, to assign to John O’Sullebayn, the vicarage of Kyllcrochayn (killcrohane), void by the resignation to Bishop William of Dermit Yhullebayn, but he is to resign Kyllmannacayn (Kilmaniheen, Brosna).
Mandate to the precentor of Ardfert to assign to John Ykeleachair the vicarage of Mogoflahyn (Molahiffe) void from Reynaldas Okeleachair, who held Cnochunys, also (Cnochannys).
1405
Gilbert O’Sullewain, archdeacon of Aghadoe, granted a dispensation to hold benefices.
Nicholas Ball, given See of Ardfert, did not take out letters of provision, and is given See of Emly instead.
1408
Rehabilitation of Richard de More, deacon of Ardfert, of knightly race, and student at Oxford, of rectory of Annagh, givenby Thomas, son of John, Earl of Desmond, and Clochorbryan (Clogherbrien) by bishop Nicholas.
1409
John, bishop of Ardfert, is restored to See, after the instrusion of Nicholas Mauricii.
1410
Mandate to the abbots of Raithuoyg (Rattoo) and Otorna (O’Dorney) to assign to Maurice Fitzmoris, precentor of Ardfert, who is by both parents of a race of barons and earls, the deanery of Ardfert, held of John Fitzmoris, with Rathtey’s rectory.
1411
Mandate to receive as a canon of Killagh (de Belloloco) Alan Olongsigh, clerk of the diocese of Limerick, who has studied at Oxford for four years.
The archdeacon of Aghadoe (de Achadeo) is to assign the Augustinian priory of St Michael’s mount (de Ruppe Beati Michaellis) to Alan Omolchonore, canon).
Grant to Nicholas of See of Ardfert.
1413
Philip Odwynchayn, canon of Ardfert, assigned the vicarage of Kylthome (Kiltomy) and prebend of Glenardella in Ardfert.
1414
Donald Oscannlayn, canon of Ardfert.
1417
Eugenius Oconchur, chancellor of Ardfert, confirmed in his office, void by death of Henry Karhind, but held by Patrick Offighilig, vicar of Balissidia (Ballyseedy).
1418
John Aflahainayn was canon of Ardfert (Areferten).
1420
Nicholas Fitzmaurice, second son of Lord Kerry, was bishop of Ardfert.
1421
Indult of plenary remission of James Desmond de Geraldinis, son of the late Gerald, Earl of Desmond.
1422
Maurice Ossullebayn granted benefice of rectory of Inisdasliog alias of the parcels of Cathirbressleayn (Brosna) Kylldatom, Kyllimleac (Killeemlagh).
Reservation of a benefice to Philip Odubuychayn, canon of Ardfert, prebend Gleannardeala, vicar of Kylthome.
Nicholas Fitzmaurice was bishop of Ardfert. The Pope not writing to (reason not stated).
Mandate to dispense to marry Cornelius Yhullebayn and Sabina, daughter of Merckarrtay.
1424
Mandate to assign to Philip Stake, the rectory of Cuoygnys, vicarage of Rynbera, rectory of Kylbertan, Kyllahyn.
1427
Maurice Stak was canon of Ardfert.
1440
Donal McCarthy Mor founded Muckross Abbey for the Franciscans.
1480
John Stack was bishop of Ardfert.
1488
John Stack, bishop of Ardfert, was buried in the Cathedral.
1495
Philip, bishop of Ardfert, died.
1496
John Fitzgerald was bishop of Ardfert.
1510
June 5. Petition of Morice, Earl of Desmond and others to the king, to allow the Earl of Kildare to remain in Ireland to end ‘the trowbill and wariens’ between them and the Lord Burke of Connaught, and others taking his part.
1520
July 11. The king to the lord lieutenant on the discord between Desmond and Sir Piers Butler, Earl of Ormond.
September 25. The lord lieutenant to Wolsey, wishes to reconcile Desmond and Ormond.
October 6. Reports reconciliation.
1521
April 27. Surrey to Wolsey, that Cormac Oge M’Carthy desires to hold of the king.
1528
January 28. Sir John Fitzgerald of Desmond and his son Gerald write to the king from Dromany, that they have obeyed his commands, and aided James Butler. For this aid James, the eleventh earl of Desmond, came with a host and burnt and destroyed the most part of their country. Have driven the said Earl to take shipping to the main sea, and slain many of his host.
February 24. Sir John Fitzgerald to the king. Complains of the injuries done to him and his tenants by the Earl of Desmond. Solicits pardon for the inhabitants of Youghal, who suffered the said Earl of Desmond to land with a great company from certain English ships.
October 14. Bill prepared for the attainder of James, eleventh Earl of Desmond, for treason in receiving and comforting the lord Kendall of France, with other Frenchmen, his associates, within his lordships and manors in Ireland, and for privily sending messages to Francis, the French king, then being at war with Henry VIII.
1532
December 21. Lord Butler married to the heiress of Desmond.
1535
February 15. The Earls of Desmond have a malicious rebellion rooted in them ever since the execution of Thomas, Earl of Desmond, at Drogheda.
1551
July 28. Instructions of Lord Deputy to the Earl of Desmond for the better ordering of the King’s service in Co Kerry.
July 28. Form of the oath of fealty to King Edward VI to be taken by MacCarthy Mor’s people.
December 15. James, Earl of Desmond, to the Lord Deputy Croft, complaining of Lord FitzMaurice Kerry, who refused to acknowledge the Earl’s right of the liberties of Kerry. Offers to entertain any Judge to hear, examine, and determine all manner of causes within this liberty, Tralee.
1558
March 24. Robert Remon to the Earl and Countess of Desmond, stating that he is about to go to Cardinal Caraffa, Legate in Flanders of Brabant, for a dispensation for their daughter, Onoria, and McCarthy More, because Cardinal Pole has not yet received his powers.
December 18. Map of the two peninsulas between the river Kenmare and Dunmanus bay. Irish maps, vol I, No 27.
1559
May 23. The Queen to Auditor Valentine Brown, to take all the accounts of Ireland.
June 22. Confirmation of the regalities of the county of Kerry, to Gerald FitzJames Fitzgerald, Earl of Desmond. Latin.
December 12. Petition of Donnell O’Sullivan to the Privy Council, relative to the controversy between his uncle and him.
1562
Desmond’s quarrel with his uncle, a pretext to avoid coming into England. Patrick Meagh, late ‘Sufferan’ of Kinsale, sent to Desmond.
20 May. Notes of matters to be ordered with the Earl of Desmond. To swear to be true to the Queen and obedient to the principal Governor. To suffer the Lord Great Barry, the Lord Roche, Little Barry, Barry Roe, the Lord Courcy, the Lord Fitzmaurice, Sir Maurice Fitzgerald, McCarthy More, McCarthy Reagh, Teig McCormac (McCarthy), O’Sullivan Beare, O’Sullivan More, McDongho, O’Callaghan and others in Munster, to remain in the Queen’s peace. And he to have the leading of his own kin and holders of land in Cork, Limerick, Kerry and Desmond.
28 June. Gerot, Earl of Desmond, submits and acknowledges the Queen, and gains her favour. Will assist the Bishop in the furtherance of religion. Will be answerable to the laws. Will suffer the Lords Fitzmaurice of Kerry, Great Barry, etc, to remain upon the Queen’s peace. Will repair to Parliaments.
June 30. Donyll M’Arti More to the Queen in favour of John Appleyard, etc, who mean to repair to Baltimore, there to plant and inhabit for the fishing traffic. Pallis.
21 July. The Queen’s pardon to Gerald Earl of Desmond. Greenwich.
1565
January 29. Lord Justice Arnold from Waterford assures Cecill he acts with the wild Irish as with bears and bandogs. So that he sees them fight earnestly, and tug each other well, he cares not who has the worse.
February 28. The Queen to Earls of Desmond and Ormond, McCarthy More etc to repair to England for determination of controversies
April 25. The Earl of Desmond and the Lords McCarthy More and O’Sullivan Beare arrived at Liverpool on their way to the Queen.
June 22. Causes of Ormond and Desmond have been heard at good length. McCarthy More to be made an Earl. O’Sullivan Beare to be made a Knight.
June 24. Form of the oath or homage of M’Carthy More, now Baron of Valentia and Earl of Clancarr.
June 27. Donyll Earl of Clancarr to the Earl of Leicester, sues to the Queen for a loan of £600; for an annual fee or land in the English Pale as is customary for newly-created Earls; the priory of Ballyndreyght; to be Vice-Admiral upon his own coast; for the patrongage of all spiritual promotions within his own countye of Clancare; to have the appointment of the head sheriff of ‘My owne Nation.’
July 8. Petition of Sir Owen O’Sullivan to Queen Elizabeth, relative to his patent; granting his lands of Beare and Bantry; lands 42 miles by 24; and loan of £200.
July 13. The Earl of Clancarr begs that the services reserved to him be fully expressed in O’Sullivan Beare’s patent; and enclosing a schedule of such services, rents, duties, and demands.
July 24. Patent to Sir Owen O’Sullivan (Bere) granting to him his lands. Latin.
December 31. The arrears of the Earl of Desmond, with his answer.
June 24. Map of Munster, evidently drawn in 1565, when MacCarthy Mor was made an Earl. Irish maps, vol I, No 6, and printed State Papers, vol 2.
1566
January 7. The Earls of Ormond and Desmond are reconciled, and licensed to depart to Dublin where the latter must pay his arrears.
February 1. Draft of Instructions for the Government of Munster, devised for Sir Warhame Sentleger.
1567
January 4. Note of burnings, spoils, and murders, committed by the Butlers against the Earl of Desmond, since his going to serve the Queen in the English Pale.
April 9. The Earl of Clancarr and Sir Owen O’Sullivan came to Sydney, although prohibited by the Earl of Desmond.
June 11. The Queen directs the attention of the Lord Deputy to the great traffick of the Spaniards to the seacoasts of Munster. Means to be sought to prevent it, and to bring it into our own people’s hands. The captains of the Irishry to be encouraged to surrender their estates, and receive grants of them by way of inheritance, and by this means to reduce the number of men of war kept by them.
13 December. The Lord Justice to the Queen, send over the Earl of Desmond and Sir John of Desmond.
1568
January 8. Examination of Cahir O’Connor, showing his treatment in the country of the Earl of Desmond, giving the customs of the times.
January 11. Eleanor, Countess of Desmond, to the Commissioners in Munster complains of the disorder of the country.
February 8. Gerot, Earl of Desmond, in the Tower of London, to Cecill. For furniture for his chamber and table, the charges whereof he will repay to Her Majesty at a convenient time.
February 8. Lord Justice reports to the Queen that James Fitzmaurice, the Earl of Desmond’s cousin German, and Thomas Roowe, a base brother of the said Earl’s, attempt a disturbance striving for the rule in Munster. James was appointed by the Earl to have the rule in his absence. Thomas Roe claims the rule of right. The Earl’s uncle, John, proffers his services for ruling the country.
February 17. Examinations of the Earl of Desmond and his brother Sir John. Desmond thinks he might challenge the authority to rule all the Geraldines in Musnter and in all causes betwixt two Geraldines he taketh that he ought to be their Judge.
March 23. James Fitzmaurice has been liberated without the knowledge of the Commissioners. The country people will not permit him to appear, as the Earl and Sir John are pledges enough.
July 1. The submission at Havering of the Earl of Desmond and Sir John of Desmond, and surety in £20,000 to perform the articles.
July 16. Thomas Fitzmaurice of Kerry, writing from Lixnaw, to the Lords Justices that James Fitzmaurice of Desmond, with all the power of the Geraldines, entered his country, took all the cattle, burned the houses, and is still there pulling up all the green corn and killing his men. Also complains of the Bishop of Limerick’s false book against the writer.
July 27. James Fitzmaurice of Desmond, writes from Ballyrobearde, to the Lords Justices. Has committed no hurt on M’Maurice, but taken 200 beeves in pledge for rents.
August 1. Thomas, Lord Fitzmaurice of Kerry, has given battle to James of Desmond, and killed O’Conor Kerry and Edmund Oge M’Shyhy. Names of those who came with James.
August 5. Sir Maurice Fitzgerald reports that 300 at least were killed in the conflict of the 29th July.
September 11. John Oge, son of the 14th Earl of Desmond, writes, from Traly, to Gerald the 16th Earl of Desmond. Informs him that he had been in the parts of Kerry resisting the enemy with James Fitzmaurice.
September 14. Lord Roche complains that the Earl of Clancarty, with McDonoky, O’Kyre, M’Auly, O’Donocowe More, O’Sullivan More’s heir, Edmond M’Swyny, andothers, with six or seven banners displayed, has taken 1,500 kine, 7,000 sheep, and burned his corn.
September 20. The Lord Justices to the Earl of Clancarr to make restitution to Lord Roche.
October 24. Certificate of the yearly rents of the Earl of Desmond.
November 18. The Earl of Desmond, writing from the Tower of London, to his cousin, Mr James Fitzmaurice, Captain in Munster during the Earl’s absence. To collect as much money as he can, and to take advice from the Countess of Desmond and Sir W Sentleger. Same to the Knight of Kerry, and his constable of the island in Kerrie, John Oge, to assist the Countess and James Fitzmaurice, and for collecting the revenues.
1569
February 14. Sir Warhame Sentleger reports that the Earl of Clancarty, James Fitzmaurice, and others have agreed to send messengers to the King of Spain.
March 21. John Corbino to Cecill. Practises of Earl of Clancarr and James FitzEdmond. Two Spanish ships, with arms, expected at Easter. The Earl of Clancarr has the charge of James Mac an Erle, the Earl of Desmond’s brother, twelve years old, who would be better brought up by the Queen. Places on the south-west coast fruitful to the Spaniards. Every year two hundred sail fyshetho there, and caryeth away 2,000 beyffs, hydes, and tallow. No due to the Queen’s Majestic knowen Advice to destroy the Maxvyns’ (M’Sweenys’) gallies. They have coin in M’Carthy’s country. Incloses: Donill, Earl of Clanecare to Mr John Corbine. Promises his man a safe pass through his country. James Headein is dead at Bearhaven. 1568, June 20, the Palliese.
June 17. James Fitzmaurice, with 4000 men, spoiled Kerrycurrihy and took Tracton Abbey which Sir W Sentleger farmed from the Earl of Desmond.
July 17. Earl of Desmond from the Tower to the Queen. To write to the Lord Deputy to take of Desmond’s officer, John Oge, of the Island in Kierrie, so much money as will discharge the Earl and his brother John of £902 15s owing to Her Majesty.
December 1. Captain Humphrey Gylberte, from Limerick, to the Lord Deputy. The voyage into Kerry; being hindered by tempest and adverse wind, he despatched Mr Apsley and twenty horse thither. Apsley, assisted by the Baron of Lixnaw, Sir Thomas of Desmond, Rory M’Shee, John M’Shee, Purcell and Edmund Fitzdavy, reduces Kerry and Connolough to obedience.
December 4. The Earl of Clancarr and M’Donough came into H Gylberte at Limerick.
December 7. The Earl of Ormond reports that two French ships have arrived at the haven of the Dingle. Treason of James Fitzmaurice.
1570
January 24. Names of such in Munster who have given pledges to the Lord Deputy. Sir H Gylberte’s notes as to Bonnaught burres, Bonnaught begs, and every man’s particular forces in Munster, with fittest places to garrison soldiers to command every particular lord.
February 22. Donyll, Earl of Clancare, and his servant, James Ronayn, write from Cork to Sir H Gylberte desiring his return to settle the country.
June 6. Sir W Sentleger to Burghley that the Countess of Desmond is sick at Sentleger House in Southwark. The Earl and Sir John of Desmond have but lately recovered. Their health cannot be long being pent up in so little a room as they be. Incloses note of £130 received for the use of the Earl of Desmond.
1571
July 24. Lord President of Munster writes on necessity of winning Castle Maigne.
July 31. Lord Justice Fytzwylliam explains that Castle Mayne was left untaken through want of powder.
20 August. Sir John Perrot, President of Munster reports that six of James Fitzmaurice’s men were killed at the Dingle when he went there to take the great ordnance. Proposes that Sir John of Desmond be allowed to return to Ireland and that the Earl of Desmond be kept in London as he is rash and void of government.
September 7. Brief of the expense by the Lord President in Munster, of the sieges and other exploits, including the retreat from Castle Maigne.
1572
March 14. Piers Walshe to Burghley that Munster is £20,000 worse than it was at Sir H Gylberte’s departure, and advising that the Earl of Desmond be suffered to come to Ireland.
May 30. Examination of James Traunte, merchant, of the Dingle, an interpreter, between James Fitzmaurice’s man, Gylly Duffe and Monsieur de la Roche, at the French Court. The French king promised to send 5,000 men, and James to bring 20,000 of his own. The French king offended that James sought aid of the King of Spain.
July 20. President of Munster has been at Castlemang since the beginning of June.
August 14. The Lord Deputy urges Privy Council to send home the Earl of Desmond and his brother.
August 15. The Lord Depty can get no answer from the President, still occupied in the siege of Castlemang.
September 19. The President of Munster writes to Lord Deputy that, if he have no victuals he must send the soldiers home, and come himself after. The Earl of Clancarr, Lord Lixnaw and Sir Thomas of Desmond, accompanied Perrot against James Fitzmaurice.
November 2. Lieutenant John Harbert made Constable of Castlemagne.
November 29. Note of matters touching the Earl of Desmond, from November 28 1558 to July 14 1568.
December 30. The yearly extents and standing rent of the Earl of Desmond’s lands and inheritances. Plan of Castel Mang over the river Mang, with the Lord President’s first and second camps. Perrot besieged this castle ever since the beginning of June 1572. See Irish maps, vol I, No 11.
1573
January 3. Note of articles to be observed by the Earl of Desmond. To observe his oath of homage. Keep the Queen’s peace. Be answerable to law. Not levy nor keep together a number of people. To suffer the noblemen and gentlemen of English or Irish blood to live upon the Queen’s peace. Assist the President and Council of Munster. He shall suppress James Fitzmaurice. Refer his disputes with the Earl of Ormond to the Lord Deputy and Council of Ireland. The articles were subscribed by Desmond at the Council Table on January 21.
January 21. The Queen to Lord Deputy Fytzwylliam. Has ordered that the Earl of Desmond and his brother John should repair into Ireland.
January 28. Perrot reports from Cork having sent the Queen’s letters for the readiness of their services against the rebels to the Earl of Clancarr, Baron of Lixnaw, Sir Thomas of Desmond.
March 3. Perrot forwards the submission of James Fitzmaurice.
April 3. Perrot discourse on his doings in Munsters, having killed 800 persons and disbursed £1200.
April 10. Sir Edward Fyton reports his safe arrival in Dublin with the Earl of Desmond.
April 12. Perrot thinks James Fitzmaurice will become a second Saint Paul.
May 18. The Earl of Desmond answers the articles of the Irish Council and prays for his release from Dublin by the Queen. The new restrictions proposed were: Not to pay to any galloglass Bonnaght beg or Bonnaght Bowe; not to use coin or livery, cuddy, or other Irish impositions, no kernety, no guns greater than the caliver; to keep no parliaments on hills, no Brehon law, no canes; to take no erecks or recompense for murder; to cause the people to know God and to swear by nothing but Him; not to give comerick to any that offend against the Queen’s laws; no black rent; a book of his men.
May 25. Lord Deputy writes that Sir John of Desmond has gone from Dublin having agreed not to suffer the Brehon law, not to take earick, not to give comerick, and not to keep any bard, karroghe, or rhymer. The Earl refused to forbear his coin and Irish exactions, and the liberties of Kerry.
June 18. The Earl of Leycester writes to the Earl of Desmond that he has dealt with the Queen and Council as requested and presented Desmond’s son to the Queen.
July 13. Perrot writes to the Queen from Cork. In Munster the plough doth now laugh the unbridled rogue to scorn. Wishes the Earl of Desmond to be sent back to England
July 17. Earl of Desmond to the Queen from Dublin. Complains of his hard case, being detained, although he has shown himself conformable unto all the articles proposed to him.
July 26. Perrot reports that Desmond’s officers leave the lands waste, and put wards into his castles.
August 17. Plot of part of the county of Kerry, including Tralee Bay, Ventry Harbour, Dingle Haven, Valentia Harbour, together with the Blasquet Islands, Valentia Island and the Skelligs.
October 28. Earl of Desmond to the Queen. Desires to be enlarged and put in possession of his lands.
November 20. The Lord Deputy and Council from Kilkenny to the Earl of Desmond pointing out the rashness of his escape and to come personally on the protection of these letters during 20 days.
November 22. Lord Deputy reports to Burghley the escape of Desmond.
November 30. Justice Walshe states Desmond was conveyed through Kildare by Rory Oge and Piers Grace, receied in Leix by 400 of the Mores, and in Limerick by James Fitzmaurice, Castlemaigne attempted.
December 3. Walshe writes from Cork that Castlemaigne was taken by treason. Desmond keeps a brother to John Harbert, and others of the ward, prisoners.
December 5. Lord Deputy forwards letter from Earl of Desmond dated 25 November, Ballyallyne – Complains that he had no favour of liberty shown him. Eight months long enough to determine his case. His country has been barely fleeced in his absence.
December 13. From Askeaton the Earl of Desmond relates to the Queen his causes of leaving Dublin. His advice would ease Her Majesty’s charge in Munster.
December 28. From the Island of Kerry, the Earl of Desmond writes to Justice Walshe, that certain of his men have taken Castlemaine, that he has apprehended them, and put in his ward. Desires that Andrew Skyddye, Justice of his liberty, may be sent to hear controversies.
1574
January 7. Justice Walshe writes: Desmond refuses to put away his great numbers till Captain George Bourchier with his soldiers shall leave Kilmallock.
January 11. Justice Walshe Castlemaine taken by Desmond’s party. A Scottish gentleman, after conference with James Fitzmaurice, changed his attire for Irish.
January 16. Earl of Clancarr and Baron of Lixnaw, victual Castlemaine. Manner of the taking of Castlemaine by Donnell McMorice Dick. The Earl of Desmond at the Dingle threatens to spoil Clancarr’s country. Edward Castelyn, Cork.
January 31. The Queen to Burghley. Displeasure at Desmond’s undutiful taking of Castlemaine. Marvels that Deputy suffers him to have such scope. Deputy’s letters too mild. Forces sent and to be despatched with Sir J Perrot. Desmond must be reduced and Thomond succoured.
February 10. Articles proposed by Edward Fitzgerald, lieutenant of H M Pensioners, to the Earl of Desmond.
February 28. The Earl of Desmond has by proclamation put away his galloglass but they still spoil. Pickaxes and tools are being made in the Dingle.
March 8. Lord Deputy to Earl of Desmond, requiring delivery of Castle Maigne, and all other castles and places in Munster; and to render himself simply before the last of March.
March 27. Earl of Desmond, from Loghger, to Privy Council. Will give no further answers tillt he Queen’s resolution is known. Desmond encounters and overthrows the Earl of Clancarr.
March 28. Declaration of John Herbert, Constable of Castlemaine, as to the circumstances under which that castle was betrayed.
March 29. Privy Council to Lord Deputy. Her Majesty will proceed by merciful means to reduce Desmond to obedience, unless he should obstinately refuse. 900 men to serve against Desmond.
April 9. Examination of Dominick Meaghe, servant to Mr John Herbert, constable of Castlemaine, declaring the manner and parties of the betraying of that castle to the Earl of Desmond, and by whose entreaties he was spared at the gallows.
April 23. A kind of grant made by the Earl of Desmond to James Fitzmaurice, of the castles of Glanecorybry, Tarybert, and Carigkpoyle, for the time Kerrykuryhy shall remain in mortgage. In case Desmond miscarry Carrygpoyle shall be delivered to his ward, O’Conor Kerry’s son [note: this entry is found in Calendar of the State Papers relating to Ireland, of the Reign of Elizabeth 1574-1585 (1867)].
May 18. The Queen to the Lord Deputy. Allows that Desmond should submit himself in England. If he remain obstinate he is to be prosecuted immediately.
May 29. Desmond’s preparation is 20,000 men and 28 galleys. Will fortify Valentia and put it in the hands of the foreigner, Corbyn.
June 2. Lord Deputy forwards request of Earl of Desmond that Sir E Tyton and MR Agarde may be sent as pledges during his repair to Dublin. Refused.
June 15. The Queen, from Greenwich, to the Lord Deputy. Esteems her honour very much wounded by the proceedings with Desmond. Deputy to proceed against him without attending further answer.
June 20. Earl of Desmond, from Lough Gurr, to the Earl of Essex. Is determined to follow his advice and commit himself wholly unto him. Will meet him at Kilmacthomas on July 1.
July 7. Earl of Desmond’s submission before the Lord Deputy and Council.
July 8. Articles propounded to the Earl of Desmond, and his answers.
July 18. Earl of Desmond, from Askeaton, to the Privy Council. Notwithstanding his submission and consent to the articles delivered to him, the Lord Deputy has concluded upon a war with him.
August 1. The cancelled proclamation against Desmond, offering £1,000 and a pension to any one to bring him in, or £500 for his head.
September 2. Humble submission of Gerrot, Earl of Desmond, before the Lord Deputy, Cork.
September 3. Castlemaigne delivered to Captain Apsley.
September 12. Lord Deputy to the Queen. Perfect conclusion with Desmond. Earnest show of duty emphasised at taking the oath of allegiance.
September 12. Earl of Desmond to the Queen. Protests he will faithfully serve and dutifully obey Her Majesty and her Governors of Ireland. Prays for one drop of grace to assuage the flame of his tormented mind.
September 19. The Queen to Lord Deputy. Glad to hear of his good success against Desmond. Consulation to be held for avoiding further disorder in Munster
Justice Walshe states that neither his persuasions nor Agarde’s earnestness will induce the Earl of Desmond to set Lord Fitzmaurice’s pledges at liberty. It is necessary for the Queen to hold a sure footing in Munster to keep Desmond a good subject still, says Earl of Ormond.
1575
February 28. James Fitzmaurice from Glane, informs Earl of Ormond of his going abroad for the recovery of his health, and to make friendship to come to the Queen’s favour.
March 31. The Earl of Desmond prays for their Lordship’s mediation to Her Majesty for the recovery of her favour.
April 12. The Queen thanks the Earl of Ormond for advertising the departure of James Fitzmaurice and the White Knight without licence; directs him to have an eye to Desmond; and to write often.
April 28. Report of the service done, and profits procured to the Queen, by Sir John Perrot during his presidentship of Munster.
April 28. Catherine Burke, wife of James Fitzmaurice, writes to John O’Dwyn, of their arrival at St Malo and of her husband’s reception in the French King’s Court. Encloses letter to her mother, Margaret Power, desiring that she be not offended at her departure.
May 25. George Thornton reports proceedings of James Fitzmaurice, with whom the French King will send 4,000 men into Ireland, during his pretended siege of Rochelle.
June 1. Thomas Bracke states that the Earl and Sir John of Desmond were privy to the departure of James Fitzmaurice.
June 10. Earl of Desmond desires Burghley to restore his castles to him, and license his son to come to Ireland for a time from Bristol.
July 20. Henry III, King of France, intercedes with Queen Elizabeth for favour to James Fitzmaurice of Desmond.
August 30. Order passed by the Commissioners of Munster for the Earl of Desmond against the Baron of Lixnaw for his appearance in the Liberty Court of Kerry. Also as to rent and kine rising out of Clanmorris.
1576
February 27. Lord Deputy Sydney says the Queen’s writ not current in Kerry.
August 25. The Baron of Lixnaw complains of grievous spoils and murders by the Earl of Desmond.
October 10. Edmond Fitz Davie, Her Majesty’s tenant in Kerry, complains against Mortagh M’Edmund M’Shey and his brother Murrough, and 198 galloglas thei followers, and against Patrick Fitzmaurice, son of the Baron of Lixnaw, and 15 of Desmond’s horsemen.
November 30. Protection by the Earl of Desmond, Tralee, to the Baron of Lixnaw and freeholders of Clanmorris within Kerry on condition of their answering his Liberty Court of Kerry.
1577
March 20. The Earl of Desmond says the people are exclaiming against the abuse of the soldier taking meat of one and money of another.
April 14. President Drury reports that James Fitzmaurice has gone to the Pope to get his benediction and aid to invade Ireland, with the support of the Kings of France, Spain and Portugal. David Woulfe will be sent to the Indies.
May 5. Drury says Desmond has given the castle of Porttrenawd, the fort of the three enemies, to his brother, Sir James of Desmond.
May 13. Privy Council to Drury, to examine the disorders committed by the soldiers under his charge, complained of by the Earl of Desmond.
May 20. Lord Deputy Sydney desires 2,000 footmen, a mass of pwder, £20,000, and three ships to oppose James Fitzmaurice.
July 16. The Queen thanks the Countess of Desmond for her good offices in advising her husband to continue in his dutiful obedience.
July 16. The Queen thanks the Lord of Clancarr for his forwardness to do good service, reported by President Drury.
1578
January 15. Drury states that the Earl of Desmond, accompanied with 1,000 fighting men, well furnished, and a great number of rascal, oppress the province with coiny and ungodly exactions.
February 20. Privy Council warn the Earl of Desmond of the danger of being led astray by his enemies and the peril of gathering idle and unprofitable followers.
March 24. Drury has appointed an Englishman as Sheriff in Desmon, and keeps Castlemange and other castles.
June 28 Everard Mercurian, General of the Jesuits, from Rome, to James Fitzmaurice (Domino Jacobo Geraldino) at Paris. Considers the present is not a fitting time to send his men into Ireland. Will be glad of any employment for old David Wolf.
July 1. Nicholas Walshe and John Myagh, Justices of Munster, acquaint the Earl of Desmond with the news of foreign invasion, and desire his advice.
September 30. Earl of Desmond to the Queen, protesting his readiness to spend life, lands, and goods against Her Majesty’s enemies.
December 21. The Queen assures the Earl of Desmond of her desire to maintain the Irish subject in peace and quietness.
December 21. Privy Council will restore Castlemagne to him on conditions of Lord Justice.
1579
January 6. The Earl of Desmond to Lord Justice Drury, likes device for reducing uncertain customs and charges to a yearly rent from his followers and tenants towards maintenance of his house.
January 9. Earl of Desmond informs Privy Council that Richard Newton of Bridgewater, after tossing six weeks on the coast has been obliged to discharge his freight of gold ore in Desmond’s palatinate of Kerry. He will reserve the ore for the Queen.
January 31. The Queen will not restore Castlemagne, but will grant to Earl of Desmond the fee farm of the abbey lands he deserves in Kerry.
April 20. Earl of Desmond, Dingle, to Drury, reporting James Fitzmaurice is at St Malo with 300 men and several ships.
July 21. Patrick Walshe to the Privy Council, that Andrew Martin, Constable of Castlemayne, has signified that James Fitzmaurice landed at the Dingle the 18th of July.
The Earl of Desmond, to the Lord Justice, that he is ready with all his to venture his life in Her Majesty’s quarrel, and asking for advice.
The Portreeve etc of Dingle, to the Earl of Desmond, reports arrival of six Spanish ships very late in the afternoon, and visit of same. They talked with and knew some of the mariners that were Spaniards, but were not allowed on board. No doubt of its being James Fitzmaurice. Dingle. July 17.
Andrew Martin, Constable of Castlemange, is at the courtesy of Desmond and Clancarr for flesh, having small provision.
July 22. Lord Justice, Dublin, commends Earl of Desmond for his loyalty, care and diligence. He is making preparations to assist him. Requests Earl of Clancar, Lord Fitzmaurice, and others, to arm and unite with Desmond against the rebel.
July 22. James Golde, Tralee, to the Mayor of Limerick. The traitor upon Saturday last came out of his ship. Two friars bearing ensigns, and a bishop with a crozier staff and his mitre, preceded James Fitzmaurice. He has two vessels of 60 tons and four barks. He makes fires on the high hills and looks for more ships. The writer intends to beat him out of his fort tomorrow.
July 23. Lord Justice, Dublin, to the Privy Council, reports that the rebel burned the Dingle, spoiled all Desmond’s tenants, and doth spare none of Her Majesty’s subjects. Desmond, at White’s town, having all his force, hopes, with the hand of God, to expel this traitor.
July 24. Lord Justice gives commission to take up ships and prosecute James Fitzmaurice and his rebellious navy.
August 3. Lord Justice, Limerick, to the Privy Council. Sir John and Sir James of Desmond have burst into dangerous rebellion, beginning at the shameful murder of Henry Davells and the Provost Marshall of Munster. Sir John hath a Bull from the Pope to maintain his rebellion and excommunication for all that depend on the Queen. Of 1,200 that were with Desmond not 60 left. James Golde, Her Majesty’s Attorney in Munster, commended. Speedy aid of men, money and munition.
August 5. Walsyngham orders to stay the shipping of victuals for Ireland, as James Fitzmaurice’s force is not above 200 or 300 men, and little to be feared.
August 9. Council of Ireland, Dunboyne, order Munster of all persons in the Pale between 16 and 60, on the news of the rebellion of John and James of Desmond. The proclamation against the traitor James Fitzmaurice to be made at Trim. Leaders of blind folks, harpers, bards, rhymers, and all loose and idle people having no master to be executed by martial law.
August 23. Justice Drury, Cork, to Walsyngham. James Fitzmaurice, the author of this rebellion, brought to his end. John of Desmond remains, and should not be slightly regarded. The Earl of Desmond, Clancarr, etc suspected.
September 10. Sir N Malbie, Kilmallock, to Walsyngham. Desmond has not three men of the country that will follow himin Her Majesty’s service.
September 14. Lord Justice Drury reports Doctor Sanders still with the rebels. He persuades the Earl of Desmond that it was the provision of God for his fame to take away James Fitzmaurice, and that the Earl shall be more able to advance the Catholic faith.
September 28. Sir N Malbie, Lieutenant of the Forces for Munster, Limerick, desires Desmond’s assistance with forces and advice in Council.
October 1. Desmond, Askeaton, to Malbie, considers his plot ought to have been followed, and that his service against the traitors will be more available than his presence.
October 2. Malbie urges Desmond to come to Limerick.
October 4. Malbie promises much honour and favour to Desmond if he will get that papistical arrogant traitor Saunders to be arrested.
October 6. Desmond at Askeaton marvels that Malbie should destroy his tenants, and the latter urges Desmond that his presence in Limerick is requisite to show his obedience. Malbie also desires the Countess, Morice M’Shehan, or the Constable of Askeaton, to attend a conference in the Abbey of Askeaton.
October 10. Earl of Desmond to Earl of Ormond. Malbie hath most spitefully broken and burned Ormond’s mother’s grave, and defaced and burnt the abbey and town of Askeaton. Desmond relates his services against James Fitzmaurice. A Bishop and two Irish scholars arrested by him and executed. John of Desmond most cruelly murdered Mr Davells and the Provost Marshall. Fear that his brothers would imbrue their cruel hands in the blood of his wife and son.
October 12. Sir N Malbie, Adare, to Walsyngham. In the conflict with the traitors allt heir captains were slain, saving the two traitorous brethren, who carried away the Pope’s standard through the woods and thorns in post haste. Desmond joined his force of 600 galloglas with the 600 of his brethren, gave them his blessing and instructions to fight on the morning of the battle at Monasternenagh, and then departed to Askeaton himself. The Earl of Clancarr had a base son and many men slain there.
October 31. The young Lord Garrett, son of the Earl of Desmond, brought to Kilkenny and committed to the custody of the Constable of Dublin Castle.
November 4. F Waterhous to Walsyngham. The Earl of Desmond now proclaimed a traitor. He expects relief from the Pope and Spain. Desmond was past all persuasion. Our nation must not be shut out from a footing when his lands are divided.
November 15. Sir Warham Sentleger Cork to Burghley. All the Geraldines confederate except Sir James of the Decies, Sir Thomas of Desmond and his son James, and Mr John FitzEdmond of Cloyne. All Munster bent to the Popish religion. The traitors burn all the corn they may get, and demolish all castles. More forces needed.
November 27. Dengill-y-chouyse in Kerry wholly sacked.
December 2. Sentleger, Cork to Burghley. The people of Munster are marvellously addicted to this rebellion. Finnin MacCarthy, with two sons of O’Sullivan More and 400 swords, and also Edmund McSweeney and his train, have joined the traitors. Desmond assembles all his force at the foot of Slievloghera, intending to prey Carbery and sack Cork.
December 29. John of Desmond burned the residue of Sir William Burke’s country, 26 towns, in revenge for the death of James Fitzmaurice, slain by his son Tibbot. The Lord Macmorris has put away Sir Donnell O’Brien’s daughter to marry James Fitzmaurice’s widow.
1580
March 24. Meeting of the Lord Justice and Ormond, and their journey towards Tralee and the Dingle.
March 27. John Thomas, Carrigafoyle, to Burghley. Burned seven towns of the rebels in Smerwick. Present at the siege of Carrigafoyle. Meeting with the Lord Justice and camp.
March 29. Ormond’s march with Pelham into Kerry, burning, spoiling, andpreying. Railing of the rebels and Spaniards in Carrigafoyle.
April 1. Lord Justice Pelham to the Quee. The plat of Carrigafoyle. Taken by assault after two days’ battery. 16 Spaniards under Capt Julian kept it by assignment of the Countess of Desmond. Common rebels executed for their readiness of shake off the Queen’s Government.
April 8. Ormond relates his return from the Earl of Clancarr to the Shannon over Slieve Logher. Tralee burned by the rebels. Dingle said to be razed. Carrigafoyle battered.
April 22. Edward Fenton to Burghley. Relates the journey into Munster. Encamp at Tralee, where Mr Davells was murdered. Dingle burned.
April 23. Richard Startupe, captain of the Elizabeth Bonaventure, for allowance for his ship and company, and for the spoil of his mainmast in discharging the cannons at Carrigafoyle.
April 27. Sir William Wynter to the Privy Council. Smerwick harbour the aptest place to encounter an enemy. Thornton has gone in the Handmaid with victual to Castle Mayne.
April 29. Earl of Clancarr, Kilhoryglon, to Captain Thornton, on his repair to Castle Maigne to help the ward with victuals. Has not boats or pinnaces. Allows him to take such men as shall like to go with him. He had relieved the ward with flesh on the 26th. Has protected Gerrot Traunte of Dingle and another.
May 7. Sir W Wynter, on board the Revenge, in the Road of Vyntre, to Burghley. Inconvenience of short warning for service. Sir John of Desmond’s letter to the Knight of Kerry. Wants two small ships victualled for three months, also two little pinnaces to be built.
May 21. Sentleger’s policy to coop up the Earl of Clancarr.
June 9. Richard Byngham describes Kerry, which has but little wood.
June 28. The Countess of Desmond appeals to the Privy Council against the treatment of the Earl by Malbie.
June 28. Lord Justice Pelham describes his journey over Slieve Logher to Dingle. Takes a prey of 1500 cows, 2000 sheep, and some garrons.
1580 July 11. Edward Fenton, Limerick, to Walsyngham. Relates journey through Kerry. View of Smerwick and the Palace of Clancarr.
July 12. Earl of Desmond, Tralee, to Sir W Wynter. Sends two casts of falcons. Desires to declare his service and received injuries.
July 22. Sir Nicholas White, Master of the Rolls, to Burghley. Diary of his journey through Kerry. White sends as a present to Burghley, Dr Sanders’s ‘sanctus bell, and another toy after the manner of a crosse supporting a booke,’ discovered at Castleisland with the remainder to Mrs Blanche when Burghley has done with them. White and Pelham gathered cockles for supper at Inch. Ventry called in Irish, Coon Fyntra or Whitesand Haven. The Dingle, Coon edaf deryck or Red Ox Haven, for the drowning of an ox brought over by the first Englishmen from Cornwall. Surnames of the inhabitants. An English gent, named De la Cousen, gave his name to Dingle de Couse or Dingle Cush. Captain Froblisher’s new found riches perished at Smerwick, of which the Irish name is Ard Canny or Canicius’s height (the hermit). Ormond’s march known by his fires in Valentia. The Lord Justice questioned the Earl of Clancarr as to the justice of the proclamation against Desmond.
August 7. Clancarr remains under commandment in Limerick.
September 8. Mr E Denny to Walsyngham. Sir N Malbie’s favour. The people are such, as Satan himself cannot exceed in subtlety, treachery, and cruelty. He will stay in Ireland only for the love he bears to Lord Grey. Dublin.
September 13. Garratt Trant, of the Dingle, merchant, to the Earl of Clancarr. Four ships of the Pope’s army come. Other four and a galley expected. The Baron of Lixnaw desires the aid of the Earl in the mutual defence of their countries against the Spaniards. Andrew Martin of Castlemagne also informed by the Knight of Kerry. The Spaniards re-edify the fort built at Smerwick by James Fitzmaurice, to keep their munition and treasure.
September 17. Sir G Bourcher marched into Kerry, burning the south and north sides of Sliev Mish. O’Sullivan More has come in also Clancarr and Lixnaw. Desmond fled from Tralee to Connologh with 30 followers. A garrison of 200 foot and 30 horse to be maintained at Tralee.
September 26. Capt Thomas Clynton, off Carick Cowlagh (Carirgfoyle). If he had but 10 shot he would venture a course with the great galleys for all her 32 oars. She has come with ordnance to besiege the castle of Fernodd (Fenit).
September 27. The Commons of Lixnaw report that the S[amoards lee[ two camps at Ardart (Ardfert) and Fyenyn (Fenit). Desmond with his Irishmen is preying the country. Friar Mattheus Ovieds, Commissarius Apostolicus, and Donnell Ryan’s son, the Bishop of Killaloe, in their company.
October 9. Sentleger, Cork to Burghley. Sir James of Desmond hanged, drawn and quartered at the gates of Cork on Monday last. The enemy fortifies Smerwick, Ventry, Dingle and Valencia. All messengers are hanged or killed. Most of the protected men have again revolted.
October 18. Capt R Byngham, Harbour of Smerick, to Walsyngham. He obtains information from Clinton in Valentia harbour. The enemy in the old fortress which James Fitzmaurice first prepared. His intention of taking their ships and galley frustrated. Many of the strangers die daily; scarcely 500 left. Their lieutenant-colonel, with 300, has joined Desmond, to besiege two of MacMaurice’s castles called Feonode (Fenit) and Adarte (Ardfert) but were repulsed with loss of one of their chief captains. John of Desmond this day at the Dingle. Three barrels of reals sent to Desmond. Andrew Martin, the Constable of Castlemayne, slain with a caliver bullet. Clinton to have that charge.
October 23. Captain Richard Byngham, Road of Smerwick. Parted from the Admiral and the fleet in a storm. Entered Smerwick harbour the 17th in 60 hours from Portland Race. Exchanged shots with the Spaniards. Some of the Spanish ships taken by Rochellers. The Irish Bishop and Pope’s Munico have arrived. Their largest ships have returned to Spain with 200 soldiers. They will fortify Bongondar and Kyllballylathe in the Bay of Tralee. John of Desmond, Baltinglas, and a great number have joined them. Byngham has 80 men fewer in the Swiftsure than he ought. Has waited the Admiral’s arrival with impatience seven days.
November 11. Lord Deputy Grey, Camp, at Smerwick to the Queen. The three causes which greatly hindered his marching. The stormy and raging weather. Admiral Wynter’s arrival John Zouche and Capt Mackworth. Good John Cheke’s wound. Battery of the fort Parley. Speech of the Spanish captain sent by J Martines de Ricaldi, Governor of Bilboa. The colonel, with 12 of his chief gentlemen, trailing their ensigns rolled up, present their lives and the fort. November 9 600 put to the sword, of whom 400 were gallant and goodly persons. Capt Byngham a great jewel. Expects more Spaniards. Will leave J Zouche as Colonel, with 400 footmen and 50 horse, for the defence of the coast. Finds the people hard and stiff necked, far from loving obedience, can hardly get any to overthrow the fort. Infinite letters and writings, with bulls and commissions from the Pope, make promise of great forces to arrive with expedition. Don Pedro de Valesia to be General of the Armada. The Earl and Sir John of Desmond, who had promised to be on the mountains with 400 men, to relieve the fort in case of necessity, never showed themselves. All the Irishmen and women hanged, and upwards of 400 Italians, Spaniards, Basques and others put to the sword. Execution of the Englishmen who had served. Dr Sanders and two others whose arms and legs were broken for torture. Names of the Italian and Spanish prisoners spared.
November 12. Capt R Byngham, Smerwick. The Admiral arrived November 5. Particular detail of the attack on the fort. Commends Zourche, Edward Denny, Pers and Anscell. Pears’s deep wound, ague, and no food for 17 days. His service as trench-master at the winning of the fort.
November 14. G Fenton, Smerwick. 20 or 30 captains and alphiaris spared to report in Spain and Italy the poverty and infidelity of their Irish consociates. Two days after the slaughter we executed judiciallye Dr Sanders’s man, borne in England, and one Plunkett, an Irishman, together with a priest, all reserved of the slaughter.
November 27. Chancellor Gerrarde to Walsyngham. His feigned letter not to be discovered to Hussey, the Earl of Desmond’s messenger, about to be sent over.
November 30. Mr Denny despatched to the Court with the news of the taking of Smerwick. Six months’ victual to be sent to the Dingle.
November 30. Earl of Ormond relates his march from Cork, October 2. Intelligence that Desmond, Baltynglas, John of Desmond, and Piers Grace, being encamped with all their forces and 500 of the foreign enemy upon a very strong ground called Bongonder, promised to fight. They fly at his approach. Surprised Desmond’s camp at Killenturny (Killeentierna) and took the Nuncio’s altar cloths, chalices, and books.
December 12. R Byngham, Ventry. Victuals for 16 days. Intends not to depart. The Earl traitor and Sir John have come over the mountain to besiege the Dingle.
December 12. The Queen to Lord Deputy Grey on the happy success against the invaders. Grey shall not lack good countenance. Wishes that those who had been spared had been reserved for her to have extended either justice or mercy. To let the soldiers understand in how thankful part she takes their service.
December 24. W Wyntter, junr, Achates, Cork harbour, sends Plat of the manner of the fort and strength of the enemy late being at Smerwick, with the stations of the ships and of the besiegers. Irish maps, vol I, no 8.
December 30. Earl of Clancarthy’s charges at the taking of Castlemaine, with the wrongs done to himby divers captains, amounting to kine, 2000, and garrans 350.
December 30. Map of Munster, with Burghley’s addition of Smerwick, where the Spaniards were overthrown. Irish maps, vol I, no 7.
1581
January 9. R Byngham relates the particulars of his service on the coast of Kerry. The dreadful mortality and sickness at the Dingle in Zourche’s and Case’s bands. The traitor still lurks in Conoloughe taking a prey from MacMorris and sometimes from Clancarr. Capt Zourche’s prey of 400 kine.
January 27. Capt John Zouche, Dingle, has lost a number of men by sickness and death. Capt Case is sick. Zouche has recovered a marvellously extreme sickness. Fortunate arrival of the ships came to victual. Mr Bingham, Clancarr, is truly a most vile man. His pursuit of Desmond.
January 29. Burghley received a sharp message by Ned Dennye from Her Majesty for default of the victuals.
February 2. Capt John Zouche, Dingle Cush, commends the bearer Capt Naughan, who hearing the necessities of his garrison, had taken great pains to bring some victual from Limerick. Clancarr much suspected.
February 20. Capt John Case, Dingle Cush, is much weakened by the extreme time of sickness. Prays that he and his band may return to his old place.
February 22. Capt John Zouche, Dingle Cush. The Earl of Clancarr humbles himself. Desmond and his Countess are near Zouche. Capt Case’s suit strongly recommended.
February 28. The Queen to Lord Deputy Grey. It is meet that the Earl of Ormond’s allowance should cease. She finds it strange that when he promised her with only 300 soldiers to reduce Desmond, yet having more than 1500 has done nothing.
March 11. Miler, Archbisohop of Cashel, writes McCarthy More, the O’Sullivans, etc have joined the rebels.
April 19. Proclamation by Queen, offering her gracious pardon generally, with the exception of the Earl of Desmond.
April 24. Lord Deputy Grey. If Her Majesty will not be at the charges of a sufficient force to bridle the rebels she will not long bear rule in Ireland. If the proclamation and general pardon come over it will do great hurt. If Her Majesty will not go through, she would do better to let Ireland to certain Irish, mentioned in cipher, and call all Englishmen away.
May 25. Col John Zouche, Dingle Cush. Their great sickness. The service has destroyed many by sword and famine. Service he would do on Clancarr, if he might have Mr Broughton’s ship.
June 3. John of Desmond wounded. Dr Sanders dead of an Irish ague two months since.
June 10. Ormond blames Zouche who has lost 300 men by sickness.
June 15. Col John Zouche. With 42 on horse, going to Castlemange, he attacked Desmond’s camp. Above 60 of the enemy slain, among whom were the captain of the galloglass who married James FitzMorris’s wife, James FitzJohn FitzGarrett, David Duffe, his judge, Teige M’Dermot, and Pursell. Desmond and his wife in a baggage house. Desmond force 1600, whereof many were gone with Sir John for a prey.
July 4. Capt E Denny, Dublin, to Walsyngham. Relates his cousin Zouche’s success against Desmond. He is posted at Caster Cevin with 200 men.
July 23. Articles set down by Col Zouche, and subscribed by Thomas Lord Macmaurice, Baron of Lixnaw, and his tenants, followers, and freeholders. Their allegiance and promises of service. Pledges.
August 11. The escape of the pledges, sons of the Lord Fitzmaurice and Rory McShee out of Limerick Castle likely to do much harm.
August 26. Sir W Sentleger to declare the first causes of the Munster rebellion. Her Majesty’s thoughts much perplexed through grief at that war.
September 12. Andrew Trollope, Dublin. The Erle of Clancarr and the Lord Morrys came the thirde of this instante to presente themselves to my Lord Deputye at Dublen, in all their bravery, and the best robe, or garment, they wore, was a russet Irishe mantle, worth about a crowne a pece, and they had ech of them a hatt, a lether jerken, a payre of hosen, which they call trowes, and a payre of broges, but not all worth a noble that eyther of them had.
September 18. Mr Petre’s declaration of the issue of £154,647 10s 5½d out of the Exchequer for Ireland causes, by reason of the late unnatural rebellion by the Earl of Desmond and his associates, from 1 Aug 1579 to 18th September 1581.
December 10. Deputy, Dublin. Special commendation of the 16 years’ service of the bea. Capt Geo Thornton at Smerwick, Carrickfoyle, Askeaton, and Dingle Cush.
December 30. Petition of James FitzThomas of Desmond to the Queen, that his father may be acknowledged Earl of Desmond, and to have assistance to extirpate the present rebel earl.
1582
January 5. John Zouche. The death of John of Desmond. The revelation of James FitzJohn Fitzgerald.
January 12. W Wendover to Secretary Fenton. How Sir John of Desmond received his death wound in the ambush laid by Capt Zouche. His fair turquoise set in gold sent to the Queen; his Agnus Dei to Bedford.. Zouche is the David that must overthrow Goliath.
January 13. Lord Deputy Grey to Walsyngham. John of Desmond’s head brought as a new year’s gift from the Colonel. Her Majesty might do well to bestow on him the traitor’s lands. The proclamation gives £500 for his killing, but where is the money?
May 7. McMorris and his sons too strong for half the forces in Munster. Desmond is like to be too strong for the rest.
May 8. No hope of the preservation of the garrison of Ardart. The Baron of Lixnaw, alias McMaurice, has gone to join his sons. He is old, wise, and of great experience, James Golde, Limerick, on the late mischance at Ardart (Ardfert) and overthrow of the garrison.
May 25. The Baron of Lixnaw having killed Captain Acham and some soldiers has gone out. Edmund McRudderye, son o the White Knight, has joined Desmond.
May 28. The soldiers in Ardart relieved by the Governor.
June 1. Payment of £200 to wife of Tibbot Burke, who slew James Fitzmaurice.
June 7. Zouche has hanged M’Maurice’s pledges in revenge for Capt Acham’s death in Ardfert.
July 23. Dingle is now inhabited, and should be entered in the schedule concerning imposts on wine.
September 22. Desmond has 200 horse and 2000 footmen. The soldiers at Ardart hardly beset by the traitors. Lieut Morgan dead. O’Keif, M’Awnlie, and the gentlemen of Dowalla drawn into an ambuscade, and cut to pieces by the traitors.
September 30. Book of the victuallers of Kerry, Desmond, and Clanmorris, with the rates and places of garrisons.
October 11. The horse and foot in Kerry in miserable and weak estate are brought away. A ward left at the Dingle, and the castle of Ardart, committed to James Oge the Sheriff.
October 24. G Fenton to Burghley. Desmond runnet licentiously over all Munster and reapeth the corn without resistance. Most of the captains of Munster are in England, and their bands in disorder.
December 6. The Queen’s full resolution to prosecute Desmond and supply all wants meet for that service.
December 9. Her Majesty approves of enterprise to induce the Earl of Desmond to submit.
December 12. Desmond is gone into Kerry to draw to him and M’Maurice, the Earl of Clancarty, and the two O’Sullivans.
December 24. Desmond distresses Dingle Cush. Mr Morris has gone with two bands of footmen to its relief.
December 27. Mr Morerys being within a day’s march of the Dingle, the Earl and M’Morris raised the siege of Sally of the soldiers and townsmen of the Dingle.
1583
March 2. Sir W Stanley is appointed Constable of Castlemaigne, where he intends to make a town of English.
April 10. Ormond to Privy Council. Desmond will not yield a simple submission; but insists on his life, lands, and liberty. The Baron of Lixnaw has submitted, with the chief rebels.
April 28. Gerot, Earl of Desmond, Feale, to Sentleger. He will not come in to Ormond. His proffer to repair to Her Majesty’s Court in England.
May 20. Purser, a notorious pirate, has taken a bark of victuals of the Queen’s bound for Castell Maigne. He has promised to be at the Earl of Desmond’s devotion; defies England; andpromises a piece of service to Spain.
May 26. Danyell, Earl of Clancarthye, Clonmel, to the Queen. His faithful service at all times. Unfounded suspicions against him. His wife two years a pledge in Cork. His son sent from school to Dublin Castle for three years without learning. The soldiers eat up everything, for fear the traitors should have any. Prays for a reformation and enlargement of his son.
May 28. Ormond. 134 traitors slain, and 247 submitted. Sixteen calivers besides horses, muskets, shirts, etc, taken from the Earl of Desmond, who is in greater extremity than ever.
June 18. Ormond to the Queen. The Countess of Desmond has submitted simply. The Earl wanders from place to place forsaken of all men.
June 22. Ormond. Desmond has only a priest, two horsemen, one kerne, and a boy.
June 27. Thomas Spring petitions for his pay as Lieutenant to Governor Zouche, vice-constable of Castlemayne, and for the diet of 12 pledges, 16 years service. His brother slain in Her Majesty’s quarrel. Prays for reversion of the commandry of Anne (Any) which he holds in right of his wife, relict of Wm Apsley, whose children he protects.
June 30. The Earl of Ormond has received 2109 noblemen and gentlemen into protection.
July 10. Ormond, Cork, to Burghley. Has been into Kerry, Castlemaigne, Dingle, Desmond, Clancarty; the two O’Sullivan’s and others came to him at Castlemaigne. Note of such noblemen as gave in their pledges.
August 24. N White, Master of the Rolls. Money, friendship, and favour used to procure the apprehension of Desmond.
September 10. Thomas, Baron of Lixnaw, requests to be received to mercy.
September 19. Names of the principal leaders put to the sword by Ormond, and the conditions whereupon rebels were received to mercy.
September 23. Mr Michael Bryskett asks for confirmation of the constableship of Castle Maigne.
September 23. Lord Roche’s men overtook the Earl of Desmond’s chaplain, and took all the bags, bottles, four beeves, and other stuff. Desmond narrowly escaped in Sliev Loughra.
October 19. Sentleger to Burghley. Desmond resteth in Kerry in Irrertaconoro, and sometimes upon Slieveloughera; he is willing to submit if he may have life and liberty, and his son to enjoy his living after his decease.
November 11. Desmond slain by the sept called the Imwrrihertaghes (Moriartys), aided by Lieutenant Cheston, the constable of Castlemaigne, at Glaneegnitye.
November 15. Earl of Ormond, Kilkenny, to Burghley. On Monday last Donill M’Donill Imoriertagh, dwelling near Castell Mange, assaulted and slew the Earl of Desmond in his cabin at Glanegnictye near the river Mange. He had with him 25 kerne of his followers, and six soldiers of the ward of Castell Mange. ‘So now is this traytor com to the ende I have longe looked for, appointed by God to dye by the sword to ende his rebellion.’ The traitor Gorehe M’Swiny, the only man that relieved Desmond in his extreme misery, slain 1 November. Has sent for Desmond’s head, and appointed his body to be hanged up in chains at Cork. Asks mercy for the Lord Fitzmaurice.
December 6. Fenton to Burghley. Recommends the cutting off of the title of Earl from the Geraldines, and reducing Munster to an English Pale.
December 10. Lord Justices to Walsyngham. They have niehter rack nor other engine of torture in Dublin Castle to terrify Dr Hurley (Archbishop of Cashel). The Tower of London would be a better place for one so inward with the Pope and Cardinals to be examined.
December 16. Earl of Ormond to the Lords Justices. For pardon for the Countess of Desmond, her daughters, women and men. She claimeth a great portion of Desmond’s land for her jointure.
December 16. Request of Ricahrd Speart and others for a grant of 160 plough lands in Desmond’s country, with a commission to enable their society to press 100 mariners. The trades they intend to establish, etc.
December 21. Petition of Teige McCarthy to have the keeping of Castlemaing as Constable; for a lease in reversion of the Abbey of Killagha, and a fee farm of Killorglin, lying in M’Carthy More’s country. Also for payment of £40 arrearage of his pension.
December 25. Sir Wm Stanley records his continual travel in Kerry and the furthest parts of the West in following the Earl of Desmond.
December 31. View of the noblemen and families of note disposed in affection to Desmond. Estimate of Desmond’s lands. Names of Geraldines, etc, slain in Munster. Names of prisoners.
1584
January 4. Edward Stanley, captain of 40 footmen at the Dingle, commended for money paid by him after his discharge last August. Daniel Kelly was the first to light upon Desmond. Ormond.
January 8. Ormond. The ward at Castlemaigne discharged by one Champion. Cheston, who has gone into England without license, to be punished.
January 8. Petition of Thomas Cheston, Constable of Castelmayne, to Burghley. His service against Desmond, whose head was cut off in a cabin at Glaniett. Prays for the £1000 head money and other consideration. Shows how he was the officer who procured Desmond’s head to be taken. Names of all the soldiers and kerne present at the action (see Moriarty History in vol III of King’s History of Kerry).
January 26. Sir Thomas of Desmond claims the earldom.
January 31. R Lane to the Queen. Offers to transfer the O’Mores of the English Pale into Munster. (The Moores, Lalors, etc, went into North Kerry later with Crosbie).
February 20. Difficulty of victualing Capt Dowdall’s 100 men at the Dingle, which may now be kept by a ward.
February 20. Rafe Lane to the Privy Council. Touching the colonelship to be committed to him in Kerry, Clanmorris and Desmond.
March 4. Ormond to Burghley. Sir Valentine Browne is ready to survey the lands escheated. Ormond’s claim as heir general to the House of Desmond.
March 7. Lord Justices. Examination of Abp Hurly. Torture by toasting his feet against the fire with hot boots. Should be executed by martial law.
March 12. Rafe Lane desires 30 horse and 40 foot, with officers and a minister for guard of Kerrye. Desires the houses and demesnes of the Island and Tralee. The removal of the O’Mores into Kerry.
March 31. Privy Council who shall be at the charge of educating the Earl of Desmond’s sons.
April 4. Rafe Lane to Burghley. He has chosen in the end of his 20 years service about Her Majesty’s person to employ himself in Her dissolate kingdom of Ireland. Requests garrison for Kerry.
May 27. Sir Valentine Browne requests to be one of the Council in Ireland, free transportation, 50 diets, 10 horsemen, and two carriages and vessels.
June 19. Extent of Desmond’s lands in Munster taken by a commission.
July 9. Treasurer Wallop to Walsyngham. Desires some very good thing in Munster. Desmond and Clancarr’s sons sent over from Dublin to London.
September 17. Wallop, Limerick, surveying rebels’ lands. Kerry all wasted, and no place to get victuals till they come to the Dingle. Sir Valentine Browne hath endured the travel well for his years.
October 21. Jenkin Conwaye to Walsyngham, to write again to the Deputy about a grant to him of Killorgan.
December 11. Sir Valentine Browne, Dublin, to Walsyngham. Has 35 years service. Petition to have 300 marks of escheated land in fee simple. His three sons and younger children.
December 13. Sir Valentine Browne to Burghley. Return from the survey of Munster. Suit for an increase of his entertainment and a further imprest of £300.
1585
February 8. Warrant by the Queen to Lord Deputy Perrot, for the government of Kerry and Clanmorris, with 20 horse and 40 foot, to have been delivered to Rafe Lane, to be supplied by substitute, in consideration of his undertaking the voyage to Virginia for Sir Walter Rawley.
March 31. Lord President John Norreys ssigned custodian of Moally (Mallow) and Tralee.
May 21. Sir Valentine Browne, Dublin, to Burghley. It seemth, by some letters that I have seen that Mr Lane expecteth to have the best and greatest things in Kerry, and to have the letting and setting of all the rest, and also that some others there account themselves assured of very great parcels of the other attainted lands. Kerry I account too great a thing for any one man to deal withal, and think Mr Lane shall do but little good therewith, unless he were of better ability than I conceive him to be.
July 10. Jenkyn Conway, Dinglecush. Perrot has appointed him Sub-Sheriff of the shire in Mr Lane’s absence, and given him the custodiam of Kylorgan. Donough McCarthy, a base son to the Earl of Clancar, doth disquiet the country with 20 or 30 men.
December 21. Act for planting of habitations in Munster, and for division of market towns, parishes, and limits.
1586
February 10. Eleanor, Countess of Desmond, to Walsyngham, to procure her some relief from Her Majesty.
February 12. Donald Earl of Clancarr, for payment of £50 for 100 beeves delivered at the request of Capt Zouche.
March 31. Thos Spring, Constable of Castlemaine.
May 20. Plot for peopling Munster in seignories of 12000, 8000, 6000, and 4000 acres English; in families of 91, 61, 46 and 31; at the rate of 4d per acre; 4 seignories in Kerry.
June 17. Three seignories in Co Kerry allotted to Sir William Herbert and Edward Unton; the country of Desmond, one seignory, desired by Sir Valentine Browne.
July 6. James Myaghe, citizen of Cork, to Burghley, explains his tenure as sheriff of Desmond, and the attempts of Harry Moyle and O’Sullivan More to injure him for discharging his office. Sending the cloth he took from Sir John of Desmond, which was painted at Rome and always set up on stakes when Dr Sanders said Mass in the field. Also testimonials from the gentlemen of Kerry and Desmond, the portreeve of Dingle, etc.
August 12. Wallop to Walsyngham. Sending some alumn ore from a mine in Kerry on James McShane’s land.
September 25. Sir Valentine Browne craves pay for 124 days.
October 28. Sir V Browne to Burghley. Asking for the letters patent of the lands in Kerry and Desmond granted to him and Sir Wm Herbert. Hogsdon.
December 30. Note of lands, parsonages, etc, belonging to the Priory of Kilha, both in Desmond and Kerry. Draft of divisions of the five Munsters, with gentlemen thereof.
December 31. The rates of the lands in Co Kerry, 4 seignories, each 12,000 acres. Demesnes, £1004 12s 8d; customary tenures, £1045 7s 9d; services £999 1s 9d; in toto, £3,049 2s 3d which is at Her Majesty’s disposition and not yet disposed of.
December 31. John Cowper, pensioner, requests to be granted Tralee. His brother Maurice Cowper desires the Island (Castleisland). William Trencherde of Wiltshire wants Dingle Cush, where Maxee dwelt.
1587
January 29. Petition of the Munster Undertakers, that garrisons be assigned for their security, free of charge; that kerne and galloglass be expelled; that none else sell corn; that they be on the Council; that Judges be mere English. Sign by Sir Wm Herbert, Sir Valentine Brown, etc.
February 17. Edward Denny to Burghley, asking for the reversion of J Wyngfeld’s office, Master of Ordnance in Ireland.
February 27. Queen Elizabeth grants Sir William Herbert and Sir Valentine Browne, 25 horsemen, pay 12 pence sterling the piece.
March 8. T Norreys, Cork, to Burghley. I have received your honour’s letter concerning Mr Denny, to whom I delivered the possession of Tralee, as your honours assigned me.
April 26. Instructions for the division of Munster among undertakers. The lots of land upon Slelougher, Sleamishe, Slealetrough and such like in Desmond, by reason of the ‘insterrilities’ and coldness of the same, shall not bring people to inhabit those places so largely, mitigations were allowed, provided the settlers do not retain or lodge Irish rhymers, bards, harpers, or such idle persons.
April 26. The Queen appoints Sir V Browne to be high steward of all escheated lands in Munster, and sheriff of Kerry and Desmond; also with his son, Nicholas, now sheriff of Kerry, to be receiver of the Queen’s rents for four years only. The ward of Castle Maigne standing upon the river Maigne, which is a boundary to that part between Kerry and Desmond, builded for defence against the nation and sept of the McCarthys, being a yearly charge of £285 18s 4d to be discharged, and fall into the division appointed to Sir Valentine Browne, knight, and for that it standeth partly upon his portion of land, and hath neither ground nor water belonging to it, we have granted to him and his heirs for ever, for the maintenance and defence of the same, a perpetuity of £40 yearly out of our rents and revenues within the counties of Desmond and Kerry, and not to be any further burdened in that behalf.
April 30. Sir William Herbert, Castle of the Island, to Lord Burghley. I came hither to the Castle of the Island the 26th of April, having arrived at Cork the 22nd of the same, after ten days being at sea, beaten back with contrary winds first to Milford, then to Tenby, where for my own safety I was enforced to surprise a pirate that lay at road hard by me. Touching this place and seignory I find here divers inhabitants, some upon title, some upon sufferance; much heath ground, much barren ground, and much bog, and interlaced with them reasonable fruitful land in the very heart of my portin, Sir Valentine Browne hath gotten six or seven hundred acres of the best ground that is about me, called Ballimackdaniell [Ballymacdonnell], which I can so ill spare that I must humbly crave your honor’s letters to the commissioners to consider of the matter, and to take order with Sir Valentine Browne in it. Touching the estate of religion in these parts, here is neither public prayers in any church nor private prayers that any of them doth understand, whereby it seemeth God is altogether unserved. I have taken order that public prayers shall be said in their own tongue, and that they shall assemble themselves in their churches on the Sundays. I have caused the Lord’s Prayer and the Ten Commandments and the Articles of the Belief, to be translated into Irish, and this day the ministers of these parts repair unto me to have it in writing. They have undertaken to instruct their parishioners in it. I find them very tractable and willing to learn the truth. I hope to do some good therein with them. As for matters of justice I find here sundry complaints against some officers, whose corrupt courses I trust to repress and redress to the great contentment of the country, for the people, generally the richer sort, are very subtle and fraudulent; the poor are very filthy and barbarous. I know not which will be more difficult unto me, to bring the subtler to sincerity, or the simpler to civility. I will by God’s grave endeavour both. For foreign matters I can say little, for I have yet attained to very little advertisement, otherwise than such as my good neighbours, Mr Denny, hath acquainted your honour with.
May 10. Donnell O’Sullivan’s claim to Beare and Bantry, against Sir Owen O’Sullivan, who aided James Fitzmaurice and the Earl of Desmond.
May 11. Muster of 8 horsemen of Sir Edward Denny’s at Cork.
May 25. Sir Valentine Browne. The Court, to Burghley, touching the Earl of Clancar;s title to the lands allotted to him.
June 13. Sir V Browne replies to certain objections regarding MacCarthy More’s lands in Desmond, especially portions of Teig MacCormack’s. Odonoughe More’s and John MacUlick’s of Mallaheife.
June 24. Note of muster of Sir William Herbert’s nine horsemen before Norreys, vice-president of Munster.
July 26. Edward Denny, Tralee, to Burghley. Fears he shall not be able to make is rent of Tralee, a very remote place, unless Her Majesty be pleased to abate it. Connologh much better and less rent by £50 a year. Repines at Clancarty getting so much of Her Majesty. A follower of O’Sullivan More brought in question, for saying he knew no other queen, he had but O’Sullivan More, and adjudged to lose his ears. His nephew Darci will move his suits in England.
August 6. Chief Justice J Smythes to Burghley. The sessions in Kerry tended to the amendment of that country. No appearance could be procured in Desmond in the absence of McCarthy. Stubbornness of the jury, though several times instructed from the Bench, gently admonished and persuaded by the commissioners by the space of two whole days, and imprisoned in Castle Maigne with grievous fines. Prays that Desmond may be united to Kerry on account of the old malice between them.
September 29. G Fenton, Dublin, to Walsyngham. Suit for Tarbart and Leisloughty for which lands he has procured tenants and cattle out of England. Mr Hollyes has taken possession of the same.
October 7. Petition of Teig McCarthie to Burghley that hemay have Killorglin with other lands amounting to £40.
October 10. Sir W Herbert will further Mr Conway by all means he may. Srah and mart, which were due to the Earl of Desmond, are very difficult to be levied for Her Majesty. Plan for a composition.
October 10. Jenkyn Conway, Castle of Kyllorgan, to Walsyngham. Requesting that the Undertakers institute him to be lieutenant of their horsemen. Also, if the Moriartaghs do make any complaint about a castle which I do of right to possess, called Castle Drom, which they challenge as theirs, whereas they have no right unto it, I request that theh Commissioners decide. (See Moriarty History in my Vol III).
December 2. Commissioners on Munster submit Sir Wm Herbert’s claim to lands of Terberte and Lyslawghtee, already appointed to Denzil Holles Esq. Herbert has already 24,000 acres.
1587
December 10. Submissions by Dame Eleanor, Countess of Desmond, detailing her efforts to meet the Queen’s wishes, and asking for relief and pardon.
1588
February 14. Sir William Herbert, the Island, to Walsyngham. Had intended to found a college at Lislaughtea, and failing that at Tintarne, on the Wye, in Monmouth.
March 9. Testimony of Richard Power, James Trant, etc, as to the conditions between the Earl of Clancar and Florence MacCarthy for his marriage with the Earl’s daughter.
March 15. Collection of Her Majesty’s titles to the lands in Munster, beginning from Dermot MacCarthy, who was slain in the reign of Henry II, and extending to the 3 Henry VII, who made a charter to Florence MacCarthy.
March 20. Sir W Herbert, Castle of the Island, to Burghley. Requests favour to Patrick Fitzmaurice, Lord Lixnaw’s son and heir, now in some restraint of liberty at Dublin, and who offers his son and heir as a pledge.
May 14. Sentleger points out trouble likely to result from marriage of Clancar’s daughter to Florence MacCarthy.
June 29. Norreys arrests Florence MacCarthy for marrying the Earl of Clancarty’s daughter.
June 30. Tracts on Munster, apparently by Sir Wm Herbert. The people are natural inhabitants and English soldiers. The rents and services of the Earl of Desmond. 100 footmen to remain in Dingle Cush, under his command. The war dof Castlemaine in unprofitable and perilous. The position of Lord Fitzmaurice, Earl of Clancarr, O’Sullivan More; O’Donoghue More; Lord of the Cosmaigne; Sleught Cormac; Gulecuddy; McFinnin; Clandonoroe; O’Donogho Glan; Clandermonde; Clanlawras. The demesne lands of Ballinaskellig; Maygonnie; Euraught; Ballicarbery; Castle Lough; Abbey of Vriett (Muckrus). The marriage of Clancar’s daughter to Florence MacCarthy was urged by O’Sullivan More, the Earl’s seneschal and marshal, married to Florence’s sister; McFinnin; Donnell M’Tybert, constable of Palace and chief officer of his lands, chief of the Mergies; Hugh M’Owen (? Ferris) captain of the Earl’s galloglass. Castlemaigne should be razed, and Desmond and Kerry made one county. The present constable is married to Desmond’s foster sister, and the vice-constable and some of the ward are Irishmen. Suggests the new county be called Mayne, instead of Desmond and Kerry. Desmond’s exactions upon his tenants were, shraughe, marte, chiefry, coiny, livery, kernety, sorren, galloglass, kerne, Bonnaught beg, Bonnaught mor, musterroon, tax and tallage (southe), refection, coshery, cuddy, gillieree, and gillycon.
July 1. Norreys to Walsyngham. How F McCarthy married Clancar’s daughter. His affinity to James Fitzmaurice. Arrest of Florence; Countess of Clancar; M’Finnin’ Teig Merigagh, and others.
July 12. Sir Wm Herbert, Castle of the Island. The Countess of Clancar should be liberated. Dispute with Sir Edward Denny about lands of Dermond Terrelagh and M’Gillicuddy, and Hayford’s of Dingle Cush. Complains of disrespect from Denny’s men to him as sheriff. Undertakes to save Her Majesty £4000 yearly in Munster if given bands from Wales.
August 31. Pledges remaining within the castle of Dublin: Patrick FitzMaurice (afterwards 17th Lord of Kerry); Donough M’Cormuck McCarthy; Captain Robert Cullum.
September 3. John Gerald, alias Knight of Kerry; Richard More, alias M’Morris, of Cyaltady; Morris M’Eligott, alias M’Eligot, of Ballygrillaghe; and Hubert Hussey of Castlegregory, in the county of Kerry, as well for themselves as for the rest of the gentlemen and freeholders of the said county, pray to be relieved from conye, livery, and other exactions and services not justly levied on them. Answer – They cannot be relieved upon this Bill because they severally did not put in their petition.
Richard Moore, of Castle Moore, county Kerry, claims the lands of Killkowanes Shankill, near Smerwick, and 20 acres in Balledaiey. The plaintiff being called answered that he would not further proceed.
Richard Trant of Dangley, county Kerry, claims a stone house and garden in Dangley (Dingle) against one Thomas Hayford, who claims the same to the use of Her Majesty. The plaintiff said that he had lost his deed of feoffment, and that he would not prosecute his title before the Commissioners in Munster for aryer claims.
Gerrat More, of Ballymore, county Kerry, claims the town ad lands of Ballymore, which have been seized for Her Majesty. He did nto prosecute his suit.
Note – Out of 82 cases, only one claimant obtained anything like success.
September 8. Captain Pretro de Quibel informs President of Munster, of three Castilian ships driven by stress of weather; and Captain Pietro Rodriguez intreats good treatment and friendship. Sominick Ryesse, suffrein of Dingle Cush, reports Spaniards in the Sound of Blasgay (Blasquets); a Scotchman taken prisoner by them reports them sick, destitute of victual, and in great extremity for want of knowledge; a great galleaswith 1000 men. The Vice-President Tho Norreys writes to Walsyngham enclosing above letters, and stating there is also a Spanish ship near Tralee, from which three men swam ashore, and confessed to be of the fleet encountered by the Lord Admiral Howard; the ship’s company yielded themselves and their ship to Lady Denny; Norreys is going towards the Spaniards with 200 foot and 50 horse, from Shanden.
September 9. Norreys is sorry for the execution done on the 24 Spaniards taken in the Bay of Tralee by Sir Edward Denny; encloses examination of other Spaniards, driven ashore by contrary winds.
September 15. Examination of John Anthony of Genoa, mariner, son of the pilot of the Spanish ship, called Our Lady of Rosary, which struck on the rocks in the Sound of Blasquets, where 1000 men were drowned from two ships, including the Prince of Asculo, base son to the King of Spain.
September 18. The Lord Deputy encloses letter from James Traunte to Sir Edward Denny. Three great ships, one of 900 tons, being the Admiral’s, whose name is John Martines de Ricaldo, ride at anchor betwixt the Fereter’s main island and the shore. The Principe d’Ascula, base son to the King of Spain, drowned with 500 tall men in the Santa Maria de la Rosaria. The Duke himself is in the galleon Saint Martin. 1588, Sept 11, Dingle.
September 30. Norreys writes that Mr John FitzEdmondes, of Cloyne, entirely refused to deal or take part in compassing the marriage between the Earl of Clancar’s daughter and Florence M’Cartht (See life of latter by D McCarthy).
September 30. Queen Elizabeth to the Lord Deputy. Warrant for a patent to the Countess of Desmond for a pension of £200 per annum.
October 16. Sir Valentine Browne to Walsingham, from Dublin. Prays for a fee farm. Stands in doubt all the M’Carthys will join against his three sons who are possessed of those lands which Florence M’Carthy did look to have upon the marriage of the Earl of Clancar’s daughter. Donnell M’Carthy, the Earl’s base son, is gone to the woods. The Earl’s daughter resorts to Florence M’Carthy’s prison with small restraint.
October 20. Castle of the Island in Cullough-Herbert in the county of Kerry. Sir William Herbert to Burghley. Our pretence in the enterprise of plantation was to establish in these parts piety, justice, inhabitation and civility, with comfort and good example to the parts adjacent. Our drift now is, being here possessed of land, to extort, make the state of things turbulent, and live by prey and by pay. Sir Edward Denny’s letters patent to be recalled and Sir Valentine Browne’s to be stayed. Disorder of the plantation in Munster. Incloses letter from Sir Valentine Browne to Sir William Herbert, thanking him for kindness to certainof his men; chides himfromcourse he pursues. Aug 15, Dublin.
October 27. Sir Edward Denny to Walsyngham. None else has been so hardly dealt with as he. The Lord Deputy claims all that was taken of the Spaniards for Her Majesty.
October 28. Sir Valentine Browne’s certificate for 17 whole years’ accounts, to be engrossed at £40 for eachyear.
October 29. Privy Council direct Norreys to keep Florence M’Carthy in more safety than he is.
November 5. Sir Thomas Williams gives his view of the undertakers’ men in Kerry and Bantry.
November 27. Sir V Browne protests against Sir William Herbert’s suggestion for making up his seignory in Kerry.
November 28. Muster of the ward of Castlemaigne.
December 7. Sentleger advises that it were good if Florence M’Carthy were kept a prisoner for life.
December 31. Patentees of attainted lands in Kerry: Sir Edward Denny, Sir Valentine Browne, Conalough, Mr Billingsley, Mr William Trencherde.
1589
January 6. Nicholas Browne, Dublin, to Secretary Walsyngham. Prays to be restored to the allowance of 12 horsemen, or in lieu thereof to the pay of 20 footmen, or else to be made Sheriff of Desmond and Kerry for 4 or 5 years.
January 7. Jenkyn Conway, Denyvale, to Sir Edward Denny. Sir William Herbert oppresses him. The Lady Denny and the young gentlemen are merry.
January 9. Sir William Herbert, Castle of the Island, to Burghley. Commends the suits of the bearer, N Kennam, the Bishop of Ardfert. Hopes to make Kerry and Desmond a little England after the example of Pembrokeshire in times past. Incloses: Sir William Herbert to Sir V Browne. Answers 14 objections brought against him. His disapproval of the marriage between Florence M’Carthy and Clancar’s daughter. His abhorrence of being Italianated. Receipt of the rents of Corkydwiny. The reparations of Currains. Sends Her Majesty’s speech to him at his leave taking extracted from the first book of his Commentaries of Munster. The Limerick goods cast away at Cloghane. Browne’s son too foolish to be ruled by Sir V Browne’s wisdom. The six objections by Sir Edward Denny.
January 28. Lord Deputy Fytzwylliam to Walsyngham. Sends Florence M’Carthy by the bearer Chichester, from Dublin Castle. The young lady after being taken from Florence M’Carthy was delivered by her father to the keeping of certain of his own servants. William Hurlye, late in England, following some causes of Florence McCarthy, his master has under colour of going into Ireland slipt into France.
February 8. Sir Henry Wallop to Lord Burghley. Sir Valentine Browne departed this life, February 8.
February 9. Mr Nicholas Browne, Dublin, to Walsyngham. His father, Sir V Browne, expired on the 8th inst. Prays to be accepted by succession as one of Walsyngham’s followers.
February 18. Sir Warham Sentleger, Cork, to Walsyngham. On Friday week the Earl of Clancarthy’s only daughter, being committed to the safe keeping of the gentleman porter at Cork, stole out of the town in disguise and a maid with her. What has become of her is not known with certainty, but a gentleman of Carbery says that a man of Florence M’Carthy’s called Brian Carthy, in England called Brian of the Cards, because he is cunning in playing at cards, received her outside the gates, and is her guide. If this be true Florence M’Carthy is acquainted with her departure, for this Brian is one that Florence M’Carthy reposed great trust in, the said Florence having saved him from the gallows. The day before her departure a messenger of the said Florence’s came from Dublin to her either with letters or a secret message. She is kept marvellous close, and great cunning is used in her secret keeping to gain time, so that she may be of full years to give her consent to marriage irrevocable. The fear that if her father had her in his possession he might persuade her to be divorced, which might very well have been done if she had not been taken away. She was the less closely looked after for that the said Florence was bound in a recognizance in the sum of £400 that she should remain prisoner till delivered by Her Majesty’s order. The forfeiture of this bond should not be let slip, he has in mortgage a castle belonging to the Earl of Clancarthy for £400 or £500 lent him in England. It is called Castle Lough, and stands in a great lough where there is great store of Orient Pearl found. It is the strongest situation in the province, and with a little fortification would be impregnable. Her Majesty may now justly seize this. The province remains quiet.
February 22. Mayor and Alderman of Limerick to the Privy Council. The bearer, Sir William Herbert, very diligent to advance the word of God, and due obedience of the rude people about his dwelling in Kerry.
February 28. Table of all the undertakers in Munster, with the number of acres, people and rent.
February 28. Note touching victual and kerne to be had out of Munster. Donnel M’Cartea had killed Donnel O’Falvea, a gentleman of Desmond, and is thereupon gone out with fourscore swords. Proposal to employ him in Her Majesty’s service.
March 6. Milerus Magrath, Archbishop of Cashel, to Sir Francis Walsyngham. Recommends Sir William Herbert. Has perused certain articles and orders which he has made his tenants in Kerry observe, and which are both godly, politic and wise. Prays that Herbert may have some charge touching ecclesiastical reformations.
March 6. Sir Edward Dennie’s note of such Englishmen as have lands in Kerry.
At the Castle of the Island, one of the Earl’s chief houses in the county Kerry, dwells Sir William Harbord (Herbert) who hath a seignory of 12,000 acres; the yearly rent is £200.
Mr Charles Harbord, his kinsman, dwells at a castle of the Currans, who hath taken a seignory of 6000 acres besides Sir William’s own portion. The rent £100 yearly.
One Mr Conway hath taken a place of the Earl’s late escheated lands, of what value or quantity I know not.
Whether any of Sir Valentine Browne’s sons have any land I know not for certain in Kerry. I think there is some controversy between them and Sir William Herbert for some portion.
Mr Stone, the Queen’s footman, and Mr Geford have taken land of Her Majesty in Kerry. Geford and his wife now dwelling there.
I myself dwell at Tralee, and after the rate of 4d the acre, do yield for 6000 acres £100 yearly.
Mr Holles hath taken Tarbert and land thereabouts to the value of 3000 acres, after 4d an acre, £50 a year.
There is one Mr Thomas Spring, the constable of Castel Mang (Castlemaine) that dwells in Kerry, but hath taken none of her land that I know.
These be all the English that I know dwelling in Kerry that have taken land of themselves.
March 8. Norreys relates how the young Lady of Clancarty has abused the lenity that hath been used towards her.
March 11. Justice Smythes reports that the nearest allies, fosterers, and friends of Clancarthy’s daughter have been examined and kept in durance a month, but they have not declared whether she has conveyed herself. Commends the bearer, Mr Conway, who was sheriff of the county of Desmond last year.
March 23. Examination of Florence McCarthy. See Life of, p68.
March 24. Nicholas Browne to Sir Edward Denny. Safe return of the expedition into Kerry after much suffering of frost, cold, and hunger. He is discouraged at Sir William Herbert’s likelihood to have Ballymacdaniel.
March 25. Petition of Eleanor, Countess of Desmond, to the Privy Council, that she may have payment of her pension out of the Exchequer in England.
March 31. Lord Deputy is glad to hear that Florence McCarthy is sent to the Tower of London.
April 10. Muster roll of Sir Edward Denny’s soldiers, mustered by Mr Staughton at Denny Vale; Mr Arthur Denny, Gallor Page. Mr Thomas Blennerhassett, entered for John Lewin, discharged. Mr Anthony Randell, for Richard Smith, dead. John Russell, without sword, rapier; Wm Adames, pike, horseman for Simon Rokes in England with Sir Edward Denny. Robert King, for Robert Prise. James Stanley, pike, for Jerome Halsey. Robert Curtesse, without flask and touch-box, for Thomas Ryder, John Hercules, musketeer, a good shot, a horseman for Hugh Baker, hurt at Dublin. John Harrowe, mason, ill shot, for John Spencer, gone to Dublin, at Easter. Francis Christian, good shot, for Robert Campe. Thomas Boundes, pikeman for John Ashe. Christoperh Barton, musket, gunpowder-maker. John Phillips, halbert. Peter Kelly, halbert. Wm Foundes, sick, bayly in Tralee. Wm Fleete, sick, butcher in Tralee. John Prince, without sword, flask, and touch box, for John Bright. Anthony Fitzwilliams, halbert, a horseman before. Donnell O’Sullivan, shot, for Wm Taylor. Harry Smith, alias Warren, shot. James FitzJohn, a birding piece. Thos Symons, for Wm Farthing. John Boye, for Robt Stringer. This muster roll is delivered by Thomas Blennerhassett, the 10th of April 1589.
April 11. Muster of the ward of Castlemaigne, viz, Thomas Springe the constable; John Burtoll the lieutenant, in place of Thomas Wolwarde; and sixteen privates. Signed by John Stoughton.
April 13. Muster roll of Sir Edward Denny’s men, viz, Capt Sir Edward Denny, Lieut, John Pyne. Ensign, John Sadler. Sergeante, Rafe Roods. Phiffe, Robert King; Drums Thos Bliss, Nicholas Cursye, Surgeon Humfrye, Bliss. And 71 men, whose names are given. Delivered upon the oath of William Brocket, and taken by Mr Staughton, deputy muster master.
May 3. Sir William Herbert’s answer for the Lady Denny. At a quarter sessions holden for the county of Kerry, immediately after Christmas, Sir Edward Denny, their high sheriff, but then absent; his sub-sheriff and bailiffs were commanded by Lady Denny that they should not serve nor come to the Sessions. Moreover she commanded that none of the inhabitants within Sir Edward’s seignory, which containeth the one half of that county, should appear there on pain of £5, that none of them should obey any precept of mine, or answer any complaint made against them before me, then supplying the vice-president’s place, and the attorney of the province being then with me, both of us being of that provincial council, and the hearing of many matters in that province referred to any two of the council being together. Moreover, a direction of mine in some poor men’s causes in matters of justice, showed by one of the parties to my Lady Denny; she tore it in pieces. She was commanded to appear and answer for these things. Sir William protests he has done nothing but justly and gentlemanly, and he would have done neither more nor less to his own mother. The Lady Denny took it in very ill part, vouchsafed me no answer, and complained to the Lord Deputy. Sir Edward Denny hath here in England complained to Her Majesty. Her Majesty hath had in Ireland a poor servant that without respect of persons dares do justice, but so shall his course prosper as it shall be countenanced.
May 3. Petition to Denzil Hollis, Esquire, to the Privy Council. Complains that the castle of Tarbert is withheld from him by Sir William Herbert, and the Abbey of Lislaughtye by Sir Edward Denny.
May 3. Sir William Herbert’s answer for Mr Denzil Hollis, touching Tarbert and Lislaughtie on the Shannon. Sir William desires to have a dwelling upon that river of Shenant.
May 10. Answer of Sir Edward Denny to the Articles delivered to him as an Undertaker. He has passed his patent for a seignory of 6000 acres. His patent is in Ireland. His tenants, stock, etc. Two of his tenants, Edward Gray and one Mayrisse, are better stocked than himself.
May 11. Phane Beecher writes: The greatest man thereabouts now is Sir Owen MacCarthy, but the man most to be doubted in time to come is Florence McCarthy, for that if he may succeed his uncle, Sir Owen, in the country of Carbery by the custom of tanistry and be heir tomy Lord of Clancarthy, whose daughter and heir he hath married, he shall then be of greater territories than ever the Lord of Desmond was.
May 12. Instructions for the Commissioners appointed by Her Majesty to examine the proceedings of the undertakers in Munster.
May 12. Answer of Sir William Herbert to the Articles. He has a seignory of 12,000 acres at 4d per acre.
May 12. Answer of Charles Herbert, Esq, one of Her Majesty’s Undertakers for lands in the county of Kerry, to the 13 Articles. He has undertaken to people a seignory of 4,000 acres in Kerry. The rent reserved in his patent is 4d an acre. There are on his seignory about 50 English and 20 Irish; also 10 ploughs, viz, seven horse ploughs and three ploughs of oxen, 200 milch kine, 400 sheep, 300 swine, and he himself has had his part of 100 acres of wheat and rye, and his part of 300 acres of barley and oats, and 60 acres of peas and beans.
May 12. The answer of Sir Edward Denny. He hath undertaken to people 6000 acres. He has assigned 1000 acres to Mr Edward Gray, son to Lord John Gray, and is to allot unto farmers copyholders, according to Her Majesty’s plot, as followeth, viz: Freeholders – Thomas Blennerhassett, gent; Anthony Randall, gent. Farmers – Mr Skipwith (or Skipworth), Mr Rycroft, William Adams. Copyholders – Simon Rookes, Walter Chapman, William Penred, Christopher Barton, John Harrowe, William Foundes, William Fleete, John Carpenter, Robert Preste als Fletcher, Davies, Simon Dye, John Tredle. Cottagers – Thomas Ryder, William Fardinge, John Dutchman, tailor; George Sawyer, Jerome Burton, Jesper, the millwright; George Natt, hynton, weaver; Bandell, shoemaker; Thomas, fisherman; Frawdesome, and Henry Smyth. By way of further answer to the rents, I say that for the not levying them, the most part thereof is not liable to the debt, in respect that there is neither manurance, people, nor cattle upon the land, and so ‘unpossible’ to be levied or answered. Sign by Sir Edward Denny.
May 24. Sir William Herbert objects to maintain law and justice without pay or pension, nor to be tenant to any but to Her Majesty, as Sir Edward Denny wants chief rents out of his demesne lands. Those of the Irish nation who conform in religion and manners should be more favoured therefor. Piracies should be repressed in the ports and havens.
The under-sheriff and bailiffs did not come to the quarter sessions at Dingle Cush on 14th May 1588. In January last the Lady Denny warned all her tenants not to answer any precept that came from me. In October last, divers goods coming upon these coasts upon the wreck of the Spanish ships, I directed the coroner of the country, the constable of Castlemayne, the suffragan of Dingle, and others, that such goods be kept by the best in every township to her Majesty’s use. I had thereupon, by the constable of Castlemayne, a most bad letter written unto me. Mr Nicholas Browne tore my precept and beat the bailiff sent by me to apprehend one of his tenants for robbing upon the highway. Sir Edward Denny, Mr Spring, and Mr Browne oppose me in all I endeavour. When I ordered that no mantles to be worn in the county, their tenants were willed not to obey it. Sir Edward Denny has included in his patents, the head rents and customary rents (shraa and mart) levied by the Earl of Desmond. We shall thus be tenants to the Queen and to Sir Edward Denny, which we may nto ormean not. Sir Edward Denny’s soldiers in coming to Tralee do take, by the way, of the poor inhabitants meat, drink and money, whereas they should pay 2d a meal for themselves and their boys. Thomas Oge Fitzgerald was reformed by me in religion, manners, and habit, and was the means to reduce others living on my lands. Sir Edward Denny, to frustrate me, has had him committed to prison. Upon like ground hehas imprisoned Dermond O’Sullivan, who is at variance with his elder brother, O’Sullivan More, one of the most dangerous men of Desmond, brother-in-law to Florence MacCarthy, and chief contriver of that marriage. Sir Edward has to the self same end borne a most hard hand towards the dean of Ardarth (Ardfert), a papist, who conformed after showing him certain testimonies in the fathers. The dean was deprived of all his livings by Sir Edward, who preferred a bill of high treason against him at the last Assizes; and Sir Edward’s jailor took away from the poor dean, for his fees, a long black cloak, which I had bestowed uponhim, which cost me £6. The pirates are too much favoured in Kerry. Sir Edward Denny has received Gascon wine which was robbed from Frenchmen, and Lady Denny has received goods which were taken from Brittaines. One Captain Marss of Youghal, a known negociator in these kinds of affairs, is shortly to remove to Tawlaght, a castle of Sir E Denny’s near Tralee, there to exercise that trade. Her Majesty, and not Sir Edward Denny, is entitled to have the wrecks of the Duke of Medina Sidonia’s goods, worth £2000 if not more. Sir Edward Denny has stretched his seignory from the ford on the river Feale to the west part of Litroverbea, about 30 miles in length, in breadth from Bealtye to Balecartea, 18 miles. He collects other Undertakers’ rents, and buys up much ground that should be the Queen’s.
May 25. Reasons which moved Sir W Herbert to put the statute in exection against Irish habits. The mantle serving unto the Irish as to a hedgehog his skin, or to a snail her shell, for a garment by day and a house by night; it maketh them, with the continual use of it, more apt and able to live and lie out in bogs and woods, where their mantle serveth them for a mattress and a bush for a bedstead, and thereby they are less addicted to a loyal, dutiful, and civil life.
June 22. Sentleger, from Cork, to Burghley. The Earl of Clancar has dispossessed and threatened to murder Alexander Clarke who holdeth 25 plough lands called Clan Donnell Roe, as an undertaker from Mr Attorney General of England. Would to God the said wicked Earl had been keptin England when he was there, for he was never born to do good to this country. The said Earl’s base son, Donnell McCartie, hath lately stabbed an honest subject in Desmond for resiting Irish extortions, and is gone out playing the Robin Hood with 20 swords. The wives of Patrick Fitzmaurice and Patrick Condon have stolen passage over to sue for the liberty of their husbands. Deal with Her Highness so that their suits may not take place as these are dangerous men.
June 25. Sir Charles Herbert from his castle of the Currins, to Sir William Herbet at St Julian’s. I received your letter of April 3 on May 28. The controversy between my brother and Mr Proger still continueth. No Quarter Sessions have beenheld since your departure upon the murder lately committed by Donnell McCarthy. Mr Vice-President gave commission unto O’Sullivan More and M’Finnin to have certain Irish soldiers to cess there, to the intent to do service upon Donnell. They rather maintain than abridge him. Lieut Bostock and 50 soldiers and kerns were at the Desmond, and there lived upon the country after their old custom, meat, drink, and money, pretending to seek Donnell, unless some of the country themselves should betray him to avoid the extortion. Donnell McCarthy and his company at Brasnagh robbed my man of £7 and his weapons while coming from the fair at Kilmallock, but will now return them by the next messenger. The roof of Sir William’s Hall at the Island is set up; and he has a great harvest coming this year. I intend to obtain the lands of Bally M’Danyell by exchange or otherwise.
July 8. Instructions to Commissioners to inquire into progress made by the Undertakers in peopling Munster.
July 25. Sir Edward Denny, Dennyvale, to Walsingham. Now is the best time to plant Kerry with English. The inhabitants of Irish birth and nation should not be left wealthy, populous, or weaponed till they are first brought to the knowledge of God, and to obedience to the laws. No persuasion will ever win the Irish to God or to Her Majesty, but justice without mercy, must first tame and command them. Sir William Herbert and Beacon have appointed constables throughout the country, but such for the most part as if one rake hell, he shall scarce find worse, such as have been thieves, rebels, and murderers. A Welsh humour and a fat conceit hath fed him foolishly. He hath scornfully used Lady Denny in Sir Edward’s absence. Denny desires Sir R Bingham’s place when vacant, and £500 to plant English in Kerry and Desmond.
July 31. Sir Wm Herbert’s collection out of letters written to him. The mislike between the Earl of Clancar and Mr Nicholas Browne, Crimes of Donnell M’Cartie. Sir Edward Denny’s soldiers pillage the country. Discontent at the Earl of Clancar’s commission to bring home his tenants from all places.
September 13. Sir W Herbert, Tintarne, to Burghley. Mr Stone, one of Her Majesty’s footmen, and Champion, a man of Sir Walter Rawley’s, are unable through insufficient means to inhabit the lands they have undertaken in Kerry. These 8000 acres might be given to Herbert’s cousin, Winston. The land called Terbert, with a ruinous castle, is said to be given over by Mr Holles. This would content his cousins, Minors.
October 29. Of the Munster undertakers, Sir Edward Denny hath by patent 6000 acres, the most inhabited with Irish, 30 English. Mr Chas Herbert 4000 acres, 20 Irish tenants, 50 Englishmen. Sir Wm Herbert Holles, Tarbert seignory, now desisteth disliking his rent.
1590
February 17. Walsyngham. The 50 horse which Sir Walter Rawley was to have to be made 100 foot, and Thomas Spring, captain of Castle Mayne, to have the leading of them.
1591
January 11. Death of the Baron of Lixnaw. His heir, Patrick Fitzmaurice, a prisoner in Dublin Castle, asks to be released, and offers his loyalty and bonds.
1592
Feburary 18. Nicholas Kenan, Bishop of Kerry, resigned a living in England, value £80 yearly, to be bishop of Ardfert in Kerryshire, value 20 marks yearly, to which the Queen added livings worth £80 yearly. He never received the £80 from thelivings, and offered to resign them and to have the Bishopric of Limerick, value £40 yearly. He prays the Queen to sign the appointment. John Garvey, Abp of Armagh, supports the petition. Value of Limerick £40; of Ardfert £12 13s 4d yearly. Wa Harold; Ric Colman.
December 31. Names of undertakers: Sir Edw Denny 6000 acres, £100; chief rents, £50. Sir Wm Herbert, 13,276 acres; rent, £221 5s 8d; Mr Chas Herbert, 3768 acres, £62 15s 4d; Mr John Holles, 4422 acres, £73 14s; Captain Jenkin Conway, 526 acres, £8 18s 8d; John Champion, 1434 acres, £23 18s 0d; Nicholas Browne, son to Sir Valentine Browne, hath Rossy Donough to pay after the Earl of Clancar’s death, £180. The rent for Kerry and Desmond is 4d per acre.
1593
March 8. Bishop of Cork. The young child of Florence McCarty is used as a young Prince, carried about the country with three nurses and six horsemen and songs of rejoicing in the praise of his father, to be fostered with the best, month by month. Florence, in London, should be detained.
June 17. The Earl of Desmond, The Tower, to Sir Robert Cecil. He has never breathed out of prison since his infancy. Prays he will further his humble request to Her Majesty.
1594
February 7. The partition between the O’Sullivan’s is finished. Donnell hath allt he lands in Beare, and Sir Owen O’Sullivan in Bantry.
July 4. Petition of Lady Florence Herbert, widow, and of Mary Herbert, daughter and sole heir of Sir Wm Herbert, Knight, of St Julians, deceased. A new survey and an abatement of rent to be made for the Seignory of the Island of Kerry.
December 4. Nicholas Brown, Sir V Browne’s son, to Burghley. Complains of the favourable allowance obtained by the Earl of Clancarty for his claim to the lands granted by patent to Sir V Browne. Clancarty’s base son, has cruelly murdered his men, spitefully killed horses and cattle, taken the prey of the town, andlaid divers malicious plots for Browne’s life.
1596
April 19. John Walshe, sovereign of Dingle Cush, to Norreys. News of a bark about 20 tons burden suspected as a spy.
April 25. Thomas Springe, abbey of Killahogh, to Norreys. Certain Scots have entered the town of Ballineskillick, and murdered Mr Bleake and all his men. Will gather the country against the Scots.
August 17. Thomas Spring, Ballinkillegoe, to Norreys. John Champion and others saw at Smerwick, four Spanish ships ow gone northwards towards Galway.
December 31. The Queen orders a new survey of the seignory of the Island of Kerry, at the suit of the late Sir Wm Herbert’s widow and daughter; and to issue a new patent, including any escheated lands adjoining the seignory.
1597
January 15. Norreys advises that lands should be granted to Florence MacCarthy but without the title of MacCarthy More, or signory over the rest of the Clancarties of Muskerry and Dwally; a little portion of the lands being left for Donogh and Donnell MacCarthy, base uncle and son of the best reputation to the late Earl.
February 12. Florence McCarthy sues for the demesne lands of his father-in-law, the Earl of Clancarty, and the parcel of lands mortgaged to Sir V Browne. Note of followers of the Earls of Clancarty. The Bishop of Ardfert and others ask that Clancar’s lands be divided among good subjects.
July 1. Queen Elizabeth to Lord Deputy Burgh. Displeased with conduct of Munster Undertakers, and desiring punishmentof offenders. Directs a particular survey of the lands and seignories held by the late Earlof Clancar in Desmond including demesne lands, tributes, castles, havens, mortgages, dowers and services of Her Majesty. The Council may add such other articles as may seem good to them whereby the country may be distributed to English people.
1598
January 24. The Countess of Desmond Dublin to Sir Robert Cecil. Finds it hard to live on her bare pension, and desires furtherance ofher case.
March 8. Sir G Fenton to Burghley. Desiring patent for escheated lands, called Tarbart. A custodiam was granted to him, but while engaged in service abroad, Sir V Browne assigned the lands to Sir John Hollis, who soldhis goodwill to James Goold, a mere Irishman, who cannot have letters patent.
March 29. Sir Thos Norreys to Burghley. Forwards survey of Mr Nicholas Browne’s seignory, and recommends renewal of patent.
May 25. Sir R Wilbraham, Solicitor General of Ireland, Gray’s Inn, to Sir R Cecil. Recommends that Donnell M’Carthy be given estate assigned by Earl of Clancarty, his father. The said seven quarters of land in Kerry and Desmond, tonpay 20s each, rent, composition, and charges of the Prince and country. Divers cautions to be inserted in the letters patent.
August 29. James Goold, Second Justice of Munster, Kilmallock, to Sir R Ceil. Touching his suit for the seignory of Tarbert.
October 12. James Desmond son of Sir Thomas of Desmond, Carrigrowe, to Earl of Ormonde. The Queen promises to consider my claimto be Earl of Desmond before the death of the late Earl. I will now follow by all the means I can to maintain my right.
October 20. All the English in Kerry have abandoned it; including the tenants of Sir Wm Herbert, Mr Williams, Mr Nicholas Browne, and Sir Edw Denny.
October 21. James Sarsfield, Mayor of Cork, to Privy Council. The undertakers in Kerry have come to this city for their refuge, being rifled of all their goods.
October 26. Wm Laxey, Chief Justice of Munster. On October 7, James FitzThomas was created Earl of Desmond at the hill of Balliagly. The most part of the castles are now in the hands of the Irish.
October 31. Wm Weever, taken prisoner at Ballingarrie, relates the proceedings in Munster. O’Neill creates James FitzThomas Earl of Desmond. One Mr Rory Oge would have no Spaniards into Ireland, which the Irish would keep from the English. The Pope would acknowledge O’Neill as King of Ireland, and send him a crown.
October 31. MSS History. In the county of Kerry and Desmond, the Island of Kerry, the seignory of Sir William Herbert, after his death was forsaken by one Mr Williams; Furryes (Fieries), of Nicolas Browne, his seignory; Trallie, a town of Sir Edward Denny’s seignory. Generally, all the English in Kerry, ran away, when there was no rebel within forty miles of them. Castlemayne was long defended by the ward without any means but their own shifts, which cost John Middleton, a fine clerk, his life, not having his natural diet. They sware to James Desmond, the traitor, in parley, that they had victuals for half a year. Hereupon they yielded the castle, and saved their lives, whereas they had not one iota of any food.
December 9. Norreys, Cork, to Privy Council. At first sight it was thought this disturbance grew through the ambition of James Fitz Thomas to be Earl of Desmond, and Derby M’Owen to be Earl of Clancarty. Religion is now pretended. In Desmond, Donnell McCarthy, base son to the Earl of Clancarty, opposeth himself against Derby McOwen for the Earldom. O’Sullivan More doth as yet refuse to give the rod (according their ancient custom) to either of them, but how he will persevere, I do not yet know. The town of Dingle cush, not being walled nor otherwise defensible, has been surrendered by the townsmen, on condition that, by May Day next, they must either join the rebels or else abandon theplace to be razed by them; and they are not to carry away with them any of their corn or cattle. Meanwhile, William FitzGerald, alias the Knight of Kerry, one of the principal traitors in those parts, whose father had sold to the merchants of Dinglecush the most of his lands, compelled them to surrender unto him all their estates. Norreys doubts he will not have means to relieve them by May Day conveniently; and, as the town is very important, and the townsmen have ever been reputed very dutiful and loyal subjects, prays that 500 foot and 50 horse may be sent there, with victuals andmunition. Lord Fitz Morris, with his sons and followers, is joined to the traitors, and so are generally all the freeholders and inhabitants of Kerry.
December 21. Norreys, Cork, has received news out of Kerry that the traitors there, as soon as they shall hear news of any forces to march down that way, purpose to break down the Abbey of Tralee, the Castle of the Island, and to burn the town of Dinglecush, with all other buildings fit to receive any garrisons. The boat sent to relieve the ward at Castlemaine was taken by the traitors.
1599
March 16. The state of the several petitions and claims of Florence McCarthy and Nicholas Browne, to all the inheritance of the late Earl of Clancar. Heard at Court (London).
March 16. Florence McCarthy to Sir R Cecil. Cannot pay rent of £120 for his country. The undertakers were never able to pay it. Will pay as found by the survey of Council of Munster. Desires provision of meal, butter and flesh due to his father-in-law (Clancar) from certain septs. Has consumed all his means during his 12 years’ imprisonment in England. He wants provision from the Queen to put his 1,200 men in arms.
March 26. MSS History. Patrick MacMorrish, Lord of Lixnaw, in June 1598 excused himself from the general hosting. When in England was greatly graced by Her Majesty, made a pensioner, and employed in service of great trust. Was taken to Limerick, and escaped, for which the keeper and his wife were hanged together. Patrick was again taken to the Castle of Dublin. Sir Wm Fitzwilliams, being Lord Deputy, had his hands oiled with the oil of angels, and away goeth Patrick. Last of all, this rebellion no sooner began but he was as forward as the forwardest, Thomas Oge of the Island. Donnell MacCarthy, base son of Clancar, once in rebellion before and pardoned. Owen Oswlevan More, in Desmond, excused himself for not coming to the general hosting.
March 31. Earl of Ormonde to Privy Council. Sent a Waterford bark to Dinglecush, where James Fitz Thomas seized the bark to convey Andrew Roche with letters to King of Spain. On putting to sea the Waterford merchants seized Roche and the letters. In the letter Desmond says he has drawn the sword first for the Catholic religion, and then to maintain his own right to the earldom of Desmond. His uncle, Gerald, was slain, and his country planted with Englishmen. He has now utterly rooted out these malapert boughs out of the orchard of his country. He wants cannons and powder to assail the towns. Asks for a supply, for which he will make satisfaction, and his forces will be ready to serve the King in any country. Asks for a competent force of soldiers.
April 20. Florence McCarthy to Cecil. It is necessary to specify that all the Earl of Clancarty’s rent and chieferies may be reserved for Her Highness, except such as are due out of the lands of Desmond granted to the writer. From these he must pay about £120 a year.
April 30. Cecil to Essex. The Queen desires to commit some trust to Florence MacCarthy, who has long endured want, and he offers to assist her service with all the means he and his friends can make. Essex is to give such grants to McCarthy as he considers wise.
October 9. Wm Lacey, chief justice of Munster, advises Essex that 800 foot and 60 horse should be sent to Kerry and Desmond, and be victualled by sea. Records good service of Sir Edward Denny.
October 15. James FitzThomas, Earl of Desmond, informs Sentleger that he must prevent the victualing of Castlemaine, according to cessation terms with O’Neill. Dated at my house of Ilande (Castleisland).
November 4. James Desmond, Castlemaine, to Commissioners of Munster. The ward of Castlemaine have yielded in respect of famine and have been granted their lives, goods, and furnitures. Intends to keep Castlemaine.
December 10. Sentleger to Cecil. Florence McCarthy should be graced with the title of McCarthy, now usurped by Donnell McCarthy, base son of Clancar. 600 Connaught men now hold Desmond for the traitors.
December 12. Florence McCarthy, Kinsale to Cecil. Has no means to defend his country. James of Desmond and his Connaught bonnaughts stand by Castlemaine. My wife defends Castle Logh against her base brother. Relates his interview with James Desmond and Bishop McCrogh at Drishane, asks for the title of McCarthy, and arms and munition for 300. Is weary of the 12 years’ imprisonment already.
December 25. Sentleger to Privy Council. Regarding the loss of Castlemaine, not one bit of victuals was put into that house since Michaelmas last was twelvemonths, but what the poor warders had made shift for. Patrick Crosby can declare that £100 was spent and lost in seeking to victual it by water. Sir Edward Denny, the Constable, received the worth of £40 in munition, assuring us he would victual it for some time. When it pleaseth Her Majesty to recover Kerry, that house will soon be had.
December 31. Queen Elizabeth directs O’Sullivan Bere, O’Sullivan More, and Florence McCarthy to act in Desmond against Donnell McCarthy andhis confederates.
December 31. Sir George Carew. The chieftains of Munster are linked together by affinity and consanguinity. O’Sullivan Bere married O’Sullivan More’s sister. O’Sullivan More married to Florence McCarthy’s sister. O’Sullivan More’s sister is mother to the Knight of Kerry. O’Sullivan More’s son and heir married Lord FitzMorris’s daughter. The Lord FitzMorris married to Lord Roche’s and the Lady Barry’s sister; and his son and heir married to the Earl of Thomond’s sister. O’Connor Kerry married O’Sullivan More’s daughter. James of Desmond and his brother John are brothers-in-law to McCarthy Keogh, cousins germain to Lord Roche, Ladies Barry and FitzMorris, to Lord FitzMorris, and to Florence McCarthy’s mother.
1600
February 15. Wm Lyon, Bishop of Cork and Ross, to Sir R Cecil. Florence McCarthy, about the first of the last January, went into Desmond with some 500 men, and there on a parley hill had a rod given him by O’Sullivan More, after the Irish custom, and so was made McCarthy More. Florence was sworn into James FitzThomas Desmond, the traitor, and they both received the sacrament. The rebels deal with the French ships for powder and munition, and exchange hides for a French crown. So the towns, having the soldiers’ pay and the rebels’ prey, cannot choose but grow in wealth.
February 16. The Commissioners of Munster. Florence has taken the name of McCarthy More, received the rod from O’Sullivan, and written to O’Neill. But, if he fail of his duty we hold him an easier McCarthy to deal with than the other (Donnell). He desires two barrels of powder for the defence of his country. We are not so well persuaded of him that we shall grant that.
February 26. The Commissioners of Munster. Therre is not any man of account in Cork, Limerick, and Kerry, but is either joined with the traitors, or patcheth with them except Lord Barry and John Fitz Edmonds.
March 8. Proposals for killing James Fitz Thomas, and his brother John.
April 2. Florence McCarthy was deputed by O’Neill to be chief commander over the Irishry in Munster, and James Fitz Thomas over the English Irish rebels, now Irished altogether. Florence came near Cork to parley with Sir Charles Wilmot. He aims to be as great in the south, as O’Neill in the north. The House of Hosts confound them both, I pray in charity. Wm Lyon, Bishop of Cork.
April 2. Donnell McCarthy Reogh was told in Kilbritton Castle, in the window next the sea, by Florence McCarthy, that if he got McCarthy More’s country, it was a fast and safe place, full of rocks, and mountains, and great fastnesses, where he should be safe and strong enough for the English. Bishop of Cork.
May 6. Sir George Carew to Cecil. The stay of Florence MacCarty from aiding James MacThomas, and the drawing in of the White Knight, doth in a manner free the county of Cork. Then my task lies only in Limerick and Kerry, in which counties I doubt not but to raise up factions against Desmond and his brother, which will give a fair hope towards the finishing of this war. This bearer, Captain Browne, son to Sir Valentine, and a cashiered Captain, I may not forget to recommend to your Honour’s good favour.
May 14. Florence McCarthy to Carew. Before I took the name of McCarthy More I could not get twenty of the country, men of war or common people, to come to me. Teig Ofayle, a foster brother of my wife’s, hath been nine years in Spain a student, and last year returned with the Bishop of Kerry, one Michael Walter, born at Limerick, now dead.
June 27. Carew, Kilmallock, to Cecil. Explains failure of scheme to capture James FitzThomas, Earl of Desmond, by Dermond O’Connor, chief of O’Neill’s Connaught bonnaughts in Munster. Maurice Hurlye, whose wife is a foster sister to Dermond O’Connor’s wife, helped in this action, and is commended. Of the taking of James Desmond alive, I am now hopeless.
July 3. Unsigned intelligence against Patrick Crosby or Crossan, suitor at Court. His treasons with the Moores and with chiefs in Munster. Driven out of his native Leix he lived with the traitor baron of Lixnaw, Captain Tyrell, etc. Denounced as an Irish spy against Essex.
July 18. Carew. O’Connor Kerry has surrendered Carrigofoyle castle. The Earl of Thomond has given him the use of a castle in Thomond with thirteen ploughlands. I sent a party of fifty soldiers by water, who have surprised and hold Liscahane castle, which was in possession of Edward Gray. Lord McMorris broke down his castle called Bewley (Beale). He is the most obstinate and malicious traitor within this province.
July 20. Dermond O’Connor with his 1400 bonnaughts have left Munster. Hugh Cuffe, Kilmallock.
August 20. Carew to Mountjoy. James Fitzgerald, son to the late Earl of Desmond, isnow at liberty, and is permitted to write himself Earl of Desmond.
August 25. Carew reports taking of Lord Fitz Morris’s house called Lixnaw, and Rathonyne castle belonging to the Bishop of Kerry. Sir Edward Denny’s house in Tralee was utterly defaced, nothing being left unbroken but a few old vaults. The Island of Kerry, the ancient and chiefest house of the Earls of Desmond, and late belonging to Sir William Herbert as an undertaker, and almost all the castles in those parts, are razed to the ground by the rebels. Florence MacCarthy tried to induce Morris Stacke, a servant of mine, to surrender Liscahane castle.
August 25. Garrett Liston of Skehanaghe, Limerick, being in actual rebellion with James Fitz Thomas, attended him to a village in Kerry called Bollaghafenan (Ballyfinnane), possessed before the rebellion by James Hussey. To this place, two miles from Castlemaine, came Florence McCarthy, guarded by 100 foot, under Morrogh na Moe. Florence apologised for not joining his forces with James against the English army, but that he would hold out with Desmond and O’Neill. Those present were Liston, MacAulyff, Thomas Oge, Moriertagh McSheehy and John Ulick. James went to Currans castle for the night, and Florence to Mollaghheef, Nicholas Browne’s house.
August 30. Sir Geo Carew, Cork. He has frustrated marriage of James Fitz Thomas with Cormack McDermott’s sister, which was plotted by Florence McCarthy. Donnell MacCarthy (base brother to Florence’s wife), who was displaced by Tyrone, has submitted and is recommended for a grant of some of Clancar’s lands. Florence has sent a priest, Owen Keggan, to Spain for aid. The Knight of Kerry has submitted to Sir Charles Wilmot. Suggests that the King of France be asked to prevent the merchants of St Malo trading with Dingle, where Vicengrave has brought a vessel laden with wine and munition for the rebels. Advises that young Desmond be sent over from London.
September 2. Sir Theo Dillon informs Sir Robert Cecil that he has delivered O’Sullivan More and Donnell McCarthy to Dublin Castle.
September 18. James, Earl of Desmond, to Sir R Cecil, recommending Mr John Crosby for the poor bishopric of Kerry, now void and of no value at present. Edward Hargrave is also named Desmond’s chaplain. The young Earl mentions he has not got his patent.
September 30. Cecil’s instructions for the Earl of Desmond, regarding marriage, servants, retinue, religion, Irish customs, estate, loyalty, etc.
October 2. James, Earl of Desmond, from Bristol, to Cecil, requesting outfit of saddles, etc, for Irish journey.
October 21. James, Earl of Desmond, from Mallow, to Cecil. Reports landing at Youghal, visiting Cork, and coming to Lord President at Mallow. Patrick Crosby also describes arrival of the young Earl. It is intended to capture Castlemaine and James FitzThomas.
November 2. Sir G Carew reports that Florence MacCarthy submitted. To abate his greatness the two O’Sullivans, two O’Donnoughoes, MacFinnin, O’Crowley, and O’Mahowne Carrebry, are put in pledges for their own loyalties. He is now gone to induce Thomas Oge, constable of Castlemaine, to surrender that fort. Advises general pardon for Munster. Total, 10,706.
November 5. Sir Charles Wilmott, Tralee, to Sir Robert Cecil, praying for some money of old account due to him.
December 2. Sir C Wilmot to Sir G Carew. The castle of Listowell yielded today, having been ruined into the cellar. There were eighteen soldiers in the castle, besides women and prisoners. Of them I hanged nine, for at the siege I lost so many killed by them. I have taken thirty pieces, six swords, six targets and six graven head-pieces. I have kept as pledge the eldest son of the constable, Gerrot Roe Stacke. I have also kept the priest a prisoner. I will leave a company of 150 men here. I enclose some papers found in the castle.
December 5. Sir C Wilmot reports having taken the eldest son of McMorris. The child was taken away by one of the women only wrapped in a sheet, and having his body besmeared with black and dirt. Next day, the sheriff, James Oge, informed me. The priest after a promise of the child’s safety, led me to a cave, eight miles from Listowel, where boy was found. The priest was Sir Dermott McBrady.
December 15. Sir G Carew. Castlemaine has been delivered up unto the Earl of Desmond by Thomas Oge, and a constable placed therein by me.
December 16. Sir Carew, Mary O’Shea, the Countess of Desmond’s woman, brought letters to Lady Jean and Ellen Fitzgerald, regarding a marriage with Hugh O’Donnell and Joan.
December 18. James, Earl of Desmond, recounts to Sir R Cecil, the taking of Castlemaine and the tracking of James FitzThomas in Arlagh. Also, how he informed Carew about his mother’s servant, Mary Shea, bringing letters to his sister Joan. I am contemptible unto the country, without means. Otherwise let me have leave to come into England.
December 20. Sir G Carew has paid the Earl of Desmond, £540 12s 10¼d with allowances to his sisters, Lady Margaret and Lady Ellis.
December 31. Patrick Crosby answers charges against him. He is named McY Crossan, one of the mere Irishry, his mother being of the Moores, and his father’s mother of the Kellys of Clanmalirie. Crosby replies that his family name has been Crosby since 8 Edward IV, and that he is only of English blood.
December 31. Spanish gold and silver is the coin that most aboundeth, and is chiefest reckoned on in that realm, specially in Connaught and Munster. Other ancient coins like Dominic groats, Galway pence, are not so much embased as English standard.
December 31. Sir G Carew. The only place to plant the Earl of Desmond is in Clanmorris, Kerry and Desmond. A sure man inthis place is more needful than in any part of Ireland. Therefore make Desmond English, and keep him English, and all is well, for I am sure he will be strong enough of himself. If Florence (MacCarthy) be gone, it were necessary to place the Earl of Desmond presently in his country, and that he be master of the castles there, especially the Pallis, Castlelough, Rossidonogh (Ross), Killorgan and Ballycarberry. For although these four be upon the edge of Loghleyne and the river of Lawne, and may stop all the passages into the fastness of Desmond, yet Ballycarberryis of far more importance. For it is upon the ocean sea, joining to the island of Valentia, which is a very good harbour for shipping, and thither will Florence come, if he bring any Spaniards with him; besides that the castle will command all the country on that side, which is between the fastness and the sea. The fastness of that country is incredible, for no man will believe it, but he that sees it. It were good that security were taken of O’Sullivan More, who is lord of the fastness, and brother-in-law to Florence, and of O’Sullivan Beare, who is brother-in-law to O’Sullivan More, and both will join with Florence. Endorsed by Sir R Cecil.
1601
January 4. James, Earl of Desmond, Kilmallock, to Sir R Cecil. Sends, by Patrick Crosby, a request for better provision to maintain his position and rank in Munster.
March 19. The discovery of Owen McMorlerteigh as to a conspiracy sought by Florence McCarthy with James FitzThomas; the White Knight; Dermond McOwen McDonogh; O’Sullivan Beare; the Knight of Kerry; the Knight of the Valley; James FitzThomas and others. Carew states that Owen McMoriertagh is Cormack McDermond’s chiefest Counsellor, and the said Florence did practice this combination between his first and second protection.
March 22. Carew and the Abp of Cashel recommend Thomas Oge Gerald (who delivered Castlemaine) to the favour of Sir R Cecil.
March 23. Petition of Cecil by Joan, Ellen, Margaret, Katherine and Ellice, daughters of the late Earl of Desmond, that Her Majesty will relieve them either in portion or yearly annuity, as their mother is unable to do so.
April 29. Dermond McMorris deposes having found McMorris and Gerrott Roe Stacke at Ballymote. McMorris said if any of his friends would procure him any favour, he would be glad to accept of it, and come home to his country. If not, he must be constrained to spend his life in seeking his own.
April 30. Cecil to Carew. I am very glad that the Earl of Desmond is here (London). He is well used, and shall have the same sum which grows by the lendings but not by the apparel; at the least he shall not know so much, because he is every day looking for more than his allowance.
May 2. Sir Geo Carew to Cecil asheir to Robt FitzStephens (1176) he claims the lands of McMorris (Clanmaurice). He recommends the bearer, Patrick Crosby, who has been employed in Her Majesty’s service nearly twenty years. His faithfulness and zeal. He has lost all his goods and the profits of his livings by this late rebellion. He is beloved of the better sort, and greatly hated of all the evil-affected, both for his religion and for that they know him a continual worker of means for their over-throw. His trustworthiness. I know no man of his coat with this kingdom that is better able and more unfeignedly willing to do Her Majesty’s service than he is, not only in this province, but also in all other parts of the realm. Prays that Crosby may have some attained lands, when they are disposed of. He has a suit to Her Majesty concerning the brewers about London.
May 29. Edmund FitzGibbon, the White Knight of Munster, from Kilmeheny, reports to Sir G Carew, the capture of James FitzThomas in a cave by Slevgrott.
June 3. Carew reports arrival in Cork of James FitzThomas. Encloses statement of his case by James, who points out that three of his race are alive; his uncle Garrett’s son, James, in London; his brother John, in Ulster; and his cousin, Maurice FitzJohn in Spain. Patrick Crosby took the despatches to London.
June 18. Carew to Cecil. Florence MacCarthy is now Her Majesty’s prisoner. With James FitzThomas I do propose to send him to England, and then have I sent you two Earls of their own making, and the most powerful rebels that ever lived in Munster. I have paid the White Knight £400 for capture of James. Now will be a good time for Nicholas Browne to come into Desmond, and he will be a good stay in that wild country whether he have a charge or no, for those parts are very quiet. Encloses a letter from the Spanish Archbishop of Dublin to Florence McCarthy, regretting they cannot meet before the bishop returns to Spain. Encloses letter from Thomas Shelton, by direction of the Archbishop of Dublin, to Florence McCarthy, that at the request of McDonogh, your agent here, I did write a letter to the King of Spain, proferring your service. Encloses letter from Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone, to Florence McCarthy, stating his army will go into Munster, and the time of help is near.
November 14 1601. ‘The young Earl of Desmond is dead.’
1602
No papers printed.
1603
March 26. Wilmore to Carew. No rebels are now stirring in Munster, except those in the castle of Ballingarrye in Clanmorris, who are blockaded by Capt Boys, with 800 foot by list. Within are M’Morris himself, Gerrot Roe Stacke, Donnell O’Swillivan More, Hussey the Scholar, and other principal rebels. The place is within a huge cliff in the sea, and no way to come in or out but by a bridge. The rock is 50 fathom down into the sea, so that no boat can relieve them. Their water Captain Boys hath taken from them; and there are within above 100 persons. He has sent boats down from Limerick. When these shall have taken to mercy, then was this province never so clear of malicious traitors (In the Pacata Hibernia, Oliver Hussie, a schoolmaster, os called a most pernicious member of this traitorous combination). Capt Fleminge was forced to take the Queen’s pinnance to Plymouth with sick men, hence the Kerry coast was open to the Spaniards, and to the O’Mayleys and O’Flaherties of Connaught. Report of Capt Tho Boys enclosed.
June 21. Docquet Book. An annuity of £150 to the Lady EllenMcCartie, daughter ot the Earl of Clancarty, during life.
August 29. Robert Atkinson relates having seen, at Kingston, a secular priest called Father Hussie, well horsed and in company of the Irish knights with feathers in his hat, as gallantly attired as any knight in the Court. A warrant for his arrest was issued, but Husie escaped, and is thought to be returned to Ireland in Sir C Plunket’s company.
September 27. The King accepts a surrender from Dermot, son of Donel O’Sulyvan More, deceased, and the said Donel’s younger brethren, Dough, Daniell, and Cnougher O’Sulyvan, so much of their late father’s country and lands in the county of Kerry, held in tanistry, and such other lands as they are peaceably possessed of, viz: the town and lands of Formoyle, Soltcke, Oughugaduh, Cluhurracgh, Cianimkin, Cily, Bohissil, Nullinraigne, Cludagh, Irhirach, Dunloyhy, Nu-Capuillh, Cappaigh, Aunynkyasse, Cnoysse, Datalligh, Dromcuynugy and Letter, Cahir, Donill-Jerragh, containing one ploughland, Nugollaine, Kaypagch in Ruisse, Lyftyknougher, Durime, Aughhyffe, Durryeletter, Coysh, Many Flanigh, Numyllech, the half of the Bracaharracgh, the half of Carrubbey,Fyarrin, Nunarde, Behicghanne, Slyactun, Dullimgh, and two parts of Myanus, and the chief [rent] that the said Dermot has with that part of Myanus, with the rent due unto him yearly upon the lands called Pobble Sliactu, McCrahe and Jurrahagh; and to re-grant said lands, with all their rights, to him, his brethren, and theirheirs and assigns for ever; yielding to the King such rents and services as have been theretofore yielded for the same; to be held of the King by such tenure as heretofore they were held by. Hampton Court, 27 September.
October 1. The King’s army in Kerry, under Sir Charles Wilmott, was 150 foot.
October 26. The King causes a pardon to be passed under the great seal to Thomas Fitz Morris Gerald, Baron of Lixnawe, for treasons committed by him, and to accept a surrender of all such lands as his father, late Baron of Lixnawe, was possessed of, and re-grant the same, on rendering the ancient rents and services. Thomas hath repaired to His Majesty and obtained his favour.
December 12. Undertakers in Munster, now resident in England, include the heirs of Sir Edward Denny, Knight, deceased; the heirs of Sir William Harberte, Knight, deceased; and Charles Harbarte, Esq.
1604
July 30. Owen O’Sullivan More having surrendered his lands in Munster and his Irish title, to the King, for re-grant of lands by English tenure and title or baron, his request was ordered to be considered in the next Parliament held in Ireland.
August 14. The President and Council of Munster offer a reward of £40 for the body of every Jesuit; £6 3s 4d for every seminary priest, and £5 for every missing priest.
September 25. The King accepts the surrender of Dermot O’Sullivan and Tough, Daniel and Cnougher, his younger brethren of so much of their late father’s lands in Kerry as they are peaceably possessed of and to re-grant the same.
September 25. Chief Justice Saxey, to Cecil, on the State of Munster. Nicholas Keenan, late deceased, a poor singing man, void of the knowledge of his grammar rules, was advanced to the bishoprick of Kerry, who hath now a successor, John Crosby, of like insufficiency. Denounces the Jesuits; and prays for some reward and consideration.
1605
March 31. John FitzNicholas complains that Patrick Crosbie had threatened to expel him from the possession of teh town of Tirbroine, in the county of Kerry, which adjoins the said Crosbie’s lands. The Irish Council are to hear his complaint and do him right.
May 1. Draft of commission appointing Sir Charles Wilmot to be Governor of the County of Kerry and Desmond, with the usual entertainments, and with powers to proceed against rebels, traitors, and offenders, and to parley with them; also to be a justice of assize and custos rotulorum; with power to hold courts of oyer and terminer; also empowering him, in case of his absence upon public service or by licence, to substitute a vice-governor.
June 23. Privy Council allow Captain Delahoid, Captain Darcy, and Captain Fitzgerald (Maurice Garaldin) to recruit 200 voluntaries a piece into the Low Country warres. It is not meet that any men may be taken up by sound of drum or displaying of ensign. These were agents for King of Spain.
July 4. King James proclaims that all Romish clergy must leave Ireland before December 10th next, unless such priests conform.
September 19. Maelbrighde O’Heodhusa, Douai, to Father Robert Nugent, desires to go to Louvain to study divinity. Could have gone to Salamanca or Valladolid. Letter in Gaelic (this Franciscan, Father Bonaventure O’Hosey (Hussey) [Giolla Brighde O hEodhasa c1575-1614] was the author of the earliest printed catechism in the Irish language: there is a copy in British Museum).
October 5. Warrant for fiant for letters patent to appoint Sir Thomas Roper, Knt, Constable of Castlemayne in the county of Kerry, in place of Sir Charles Wilmotl Knt, who hath surrendered the constableship and the patent dated 8th December, 43 Elizabeth, appointed him therefore, on the same terms, viz, a fee of 3s per day for himself, 9d day for four horsemen, and 8d a day for 13 footmen, to hold during good behaviour.
October 31. Privy Council to Lord Deputy of Ireland. Prays him to be favourable to the three daughters of Gerald, late Earl of Desmond, now returning to Ireland, and to pay without delay their pensions. Jane, Ellen, and Elizabeth Fitzgerald, at £50 per annum, thepiece, per diem 8s 2 11-24d.
November 26. Rates for ferry from Kilrushe of Thormonde side of Shannon to Carrigefoyle of Munster side; for every horse, cowe, or garrion, sixpence; every 2 sheep, 2 goats, 2 hoges, three half-pence; and every passenger, three pence; and any packe which any passenger carries himself to be free. Sir Dominic Sarsfield, Knt, Chief Justice of Munster.
December 31. Morris FitzJohn Desmond, the pretender for the earldom of Desmond, is now a pensioner in Spain.
1606
January 16. Wilmot, governor of Kerry, deplores not getting his pay. He has been captain in the wars for 13 years, and has not £100 in the world and possessed of nothing. He reports how the coast is full of strangers during the fishing time, and that the Irish bear an infinite love for the Spaniards, while many are pensioners in Spain.
January 15. Sir Charles Wilmott to have only 50 footmen in Kerrie; captain, 10s, lieutenant, 2s; ensign 1s 6d; one serjeant, a drum, and surgeon at 1s le piece per diem and 50 footmen at 8d in money and apparel.
January 15. Among the officers of Irish in pay with the King of Spain were Captain James (Fitz) Gerald; Teig O’Sullivan, son of Owen; Rory McSwyne, ensign; Morrice M’Ruddery, the Knight of Kerry’s brother; O’Donoghan Moore; Conogher M’Ownhy of Desmond; Redmond, Nicholas and Thomas Dalton, brethren; Thomas Eleyott; Owen M’Swynie.
February 10. Sir Charles Willmot goes to London for redress. Permit from Chichester.
September 18. Justice Walshe to the Earl of Salisbury, relating the success of his last circuit in Munster and showing the successful union of Desmond with Kerry.
1607
January 1. Crown lands and tithes in lease from the King in County Kerry Mau. Cursey, assign of Jo. Newton, the town of Killahnie (Killahan) and Ballihenrie, late possessions of Shane M’Richard Cursey, attainted: – Sir Th. Rooper, Knight, the seignories, &c, called Puffyns, late possessions of Gerald, late Earl Desmond in co Kerry and Desmond, attainted: – Thomas Springe, the priory of Killagha: – Assigns of Jo Bleke, lands of the late monastery of Ballinskilling: – Ja Scott, the abbey of Leslaughty [Lislaughtin]: – Assigns of Jo Champen, lands of the abbey of Ratowth alias Arragacensis, of the order of St Augustin, and of the late abbey of Oderny, alias Ladies Abbey, of Keriolezen: – William Long and Thomas Chetham, the customs, etc, of Dinigenhuske. The total amount of rents, etc, in Kerry, £56 4s 4d.
January 21. Wards. Sir Thomas Roper, Constable of Castlemaigne, himself at 2s 3d, 4 horsemen at 6¾d, the piece, and 13 footmen at 6d the piece.
March 4. Thomas Younge desires a new survey to be made of Mr Gould’s seignory of Tarbert.
April 20. Lord Deputy and Council to the Privy Council. Request letters for planting Tarbert in Kerry (held by John Hollies, who was soon weary of it) with the Moores of Queens Co, and their followers, the Kellies, Lalors, Clanmaclaughlins, Clandeboyes, Doran’s and Dolins. They have been in rebellion eighteen times in the past sixty years. Patrick Crosbye is their agent, and it is thought best to satisfy him with the parcel of land called Tarbert upon the mountains of Slewlougher, in Kerry, between O’Connors’ country and the Knight of the Vallies’.
June 6. Sir Arthur Chichester to Salisbury. The Moores are sending an agent to England requesting permission for them to stay in Queen’s County. Recommends refusal, and asks that grant of Tarbert to Mr Crosbie be expedited.
June 10. Patrick Crosbie to Salisbury. Hopes his proposal to remove the Moores will be favourably considered, Dublin.
June 10. Petition of the Moores and the six other septs of Leax (Queen’s County). Declaring how they are daily troubled by the English freeholders of that county, and specially by one Patrick Crosbie. They hold leases of land and number 400. Pray not to be disturbed.
July 16. The King to Sir Arthur Chichester. Grants warrant to give Patrick Crosby in fee farm the lands of Tarbert at £5 rent per ann; and approves remove of the O’Moores and other septs.
August 26. The King to Chichester. Refers to him the petition of Arthur Denny, son of the late Sir Edward Denny, Knt, requesting arrears as undertaker may be relieved; that he be granted the rents due to the late Earl of Desmond from the burgesses of Tralee, 18 marks half face by the year; and that he might receive his fifteen patents, and take the lands not seignory, at one half-penny per acre yearly. The Irish Justices report Mr Denny is in arrears of rent to the King, £402; for relief £127 on death of his father; a heriot due, being his best horse or beast; that the yearly rent is £127 15s 6¼d; if distresses be taken, the tenants would quit their farms and leave them waste; against granting arrears of the rent of the burgages of Tralee, but think the growing rents might be granted; think he might surrender and have new grant at the old rents and service.
September 19. Earl of Thomond to Salisbury. Mentions a report of the intended release of Florence McCarthy, and similar intelligence as to the return of O’Sullivan Beare out of Spain into England. Represents his treacherous character.
November 10. Papers relating to the Munster Undertakers, from Sir Valentine Browne, etc.
December 31. Petition of Florence McCarthy to the Privy Council, as to his lands at Carrigenass and Rinrion.
1608
January 6. Elizabeth, wife of Arthur Denny, to Salisbury, for remission of arrearages of rent on the seigniory in Kerry.
January 14. Papers seized in the possession of Francis Tillotson, the priest, being shipwrecked, at Dingle Cush. He was going to England to the Spanish Ambassador, and was a priest of the diocese of York. Died, 5th March.
March 29. Chichester to Salisbury. Has tried to remove the Moores and other septs from Queen’s County by means of Patrick Crosby. They refused to go unless they were made freeholders at Tarbart for £40, Crosby only giving £5. Later some agreed to go with Crosby, some to Tarbert, and others farther into his land in Kerry. Crosby now bargains to have some of them in His Majesty’s entertainment. 289 members of the septs signed the agreement, six of each sept were: The Moores (102); Kedagh M’James; Mortough M’Rourie; Patrick McConnell, Donell M’Connell; Pierce M’Kedaghe; Lisaghe M’Murtoughe; Owen M’Shane.
The Kellies (39); Tirlaghe O’Kellie; Cahill M’Euryn; Hugh M’Rorie; Teig M’Brassil; Gerrott M’Brien; Gerrald M’Brien.
The Lalors (87); Hugh M’Shane O’Lalour; Donnell M’Shane; Donogh M’Diermot; Hughe M’Diermot; Donell M’Teig; Donogh M’Donell.
The Dorans (13); Teig M’Diermot O’Doran; Diermot M’Edmond Mortogh; William Laghlin.
The Clandeboys (43); Geffrey M’Eboi; Thomas M’Mulrony; Teig M’David; Laghlin, Donell Moyle.
The Dowlins (5); Donell M’Edmond O’Dowlin; Donogh M’William; Teig.
The septs agreed to be directed by Patrick Crosbie and his Piers, and to pay rents fixed by the Lord Bishop of Kerry.
June 27. The Lord President proposed tp put new wards in Munster at Dunkerrin (O’Sullivan More’s); Castle Lough (Donell M’Cartie More’s); Artully (M’Fynnen’s); M’Awley’s Castle; and other ports and passages of importance against foreign invasion or inland rebellion.
November 30. Patrick Crosbie to Salisbury. Knows a gentleman the likeliest to break the knot of the rebels in Spain, who is very willing and ready. Wishes directions. It is dangerous to commit matters of weight to paper.
December 22. Petition of Florence MacCartie, prisoner in the Tower, to Salisbury. Desires to be removed to some other prison in hope that his life may be preserved. His eldest son is dead here, and his three young sons are kept close with him.
December 30. The King directs remission of arrears of rent due to Arthur Denny. He can have new grant of lands, not seignory, at the ancient rents and tenure.
1609 February 1. Sir Thomas Roper, Island of Kerry, thanks Salisbury for the addition of 50 to his company.
June 17. Chichester to Salisbury. By persuasion and force the seven septs are departed from Queen’s County; some into Thomonde, more into Connaught, and most into Kerry, with Mr Crosbie. Some young children of the septs still remain, and it is desired that they be taken into England to be put to occupations.
December 18. Edmund Fitzgerald, Knight of the Valley, protests against the castle of Glyn being put into the possession of Patrick Crosby.
1610
January 15. Dermot Carty, Bordeaux, writes to Richard O’Connell and Thadeus Hwollaghan, that the Pope’s Nuncio will arrive soon in Ireland.
April 25. The King directs that Thomas Fitz-Morrish Gerald, Baron of Lixnaw, be regranted the lands of his father Patrick, late Baron. Patrick Crosby to surrender his patent. The rent of £160 and 120 cows to the Earl of Desmond to be discharged.
May 31. Lords of Council to Chichester. John O’Connor has petitioned the King to be restored to the castle of Carrigfoyle. It may be delivered upon good bonds.
June 3. Bishop of Limerick reports landing of priests in Ireland. Teig O’Holahan, doctor of divinity, and of St Francis’s order, who came out of Spain a year past.
June 27. Intelligences. Thomas Geraldine is Tyrone’s agent in Ireland; Reccard O’Connell is Daniel O’Swollyvane’s agent; Teig Ohwollaghan, Franciscan Friar, is Morris FitzJohn Desmond’s agent in Ireland. The Catholics have a complete organisation in Ireland.
June 23. Lady Ellen M’Cartie to Salisbury. Is now in great want. Requests licence for transporting of certain tuns of beer into the low countries.
August 31. Lords of Council direct regrant to William, son of Capt Robert Cullum, of lands in Kerry.
Sir Thomas Roper, Knight, farmer of divers customs and chief rents of the Earl of Desmond, at £10 yearly, paid 100s.
1611
May 31. Lord of Council permit Sir Thomas Roper to export 120,000 pipe staves which he had prepared previous to the late prohibition, and had lying at the ports of Youghal and Dingle-I-Coush, ready for transportation.
December 31. Docquet Book. The Exchequer is to pay Florence McCarthy, prisoner in the King’s Bench, the sum of £3 weekly during His Majesty’s pleasure.
December 31. Act to rebuild churches. In Ardfert in Kerry, at Dingly Chase (Dingle).
December 31. Undertakers Lands in Kerry. The seigniory of the Island of Kerry was granted to Sir William Herbert. The King’s now tenant, Sir Thomas Roper, Knt, Demesnes 400 acres. Fee farms, 550 acres. Leases 8; 1100 acres. Small tenures, 5. Evicted divers lands whereof the certainty is referred to an inquisition taken before Sir Humfrey Winch and other Commissioners in August 1610. Rent reserved, £292 16s 5½d. Rent abated upon a new survey, £252 16s 5½d. Rent payable, £40. Divers mere Irish are under-tenants within this seigniory. Muster of horse, 4; foot, 17.
A part of a seigniory called Bally M’Donnell granted to John Champion and George Stone. The tenant now is Sir Richard Boyle. Demesnes, 250 acres; fee farms, 250 acres; leases, 900 acres; small tenures, 14; rent reserved and payable, £36 0s 6½d. Some Irish under-tenants are dwelling in this seigniory. Mustered, 6 horse, and 13 foot.
The half seigniory of both Coshmaines and granted to Sir Nicholas Browne. The King’s now tenant, Valentine Browne, Esq, a ward. Demesnes 1200 acres; fee farms 1200 acres; leases 5; 1100 acres. Rent reserved and paid, £113 6s 8d. No copyholders nor mean tenants in this seigniory by reason of the heir’s minority. Some Irish under-tenants do dwell in it. Mustered, 5 horse and 15 foot.
The half seigniory of Trawley granted to Sir Edward Denny. The King’s now tenant, Arthur Denny. Demesne, 900 acres; fee farms, 910 acres; leases, 3; 1,200 acres; small tenures, 17. Rent reserved, beside a chief rent, £100. Rent abated, £66 13s 4d. The chief rent is £373 11s 2d and 186 cows. Breaches of the articles and plantation found by inquisition; divers under tenants of the mere Irish are dwelling in this seigniory. Muster for the half seigniory: 7 horse and 22 foot.
A part of a seigniory called Learmachell granted to Charles Harbert. The King’s now tenant, Giles Harbert. Demesnes, 150 acres; fee farms, 200 acres. Leases, 1600 acres, small tenures, 3. Rent reserved, £85 13s 8d. Rent abated, £35 13s 8d. Rent payable, £48. Muster: horse, 4, foot 19.
A part of a seigniory called Killorglin granted to Jenkin Conwaye. Tenant now, Jenkin Conway, the son. Demesnes, 400 acres. Leases, 5; 126 acres. Rent reserved, £8 18s 8d. Rent payable, £8 18s 8d. Mustered: horse, 3; foot, 6.
The manor or seigniory of Tarbart, first in the possession of Capt John Hollies, at the rent of £89 7s 6d; after, upon a new grant made to Patricke Crosbye, there was only reserved £5 rent.
1612
March 7. The King to Sir Arthur Chichester. Valentine Browne of Molahiffe has petitioned for an abatement of the rent reserved on lands in Kerry, as he cannot inhabit and fulfil the conditions of the plantation. The rents are to be drawn down in the same proportion as paid in Cork.
November 23. The Lord Deputy to the Attorney General. Order to draw forth a fiant of incorporation to Arthur Denny, Rt Blennerhassett, Edm Roe, Hum Pethick, Edw Vawclese, John Hampton, Fra Adames, Tho Brampstone, John Brampstone, Giles Kinge, John Curlesse, by the name of Provost, and Burgesses of the town of Tralye, co Kerry, enabling them to send burgesses to Parliament, and to enjoy other privileges.
1613
April 1. Counties and Boroughs sending burgesses to Parliament. Kierye, Dinglecush, old; Tralye, new. Bishop of Kerrye. The Baron of Lixnawe.
May 6. Order by Lord Deputy to re-form an Act of Parliament penned by Morrishe Fitz Thomas Fitz Gerald for the restoration of his blood; in order that the same may be recommended into England.
May 27. A discourse tracing the right of the Crown of England to Deasie and Desmond, granted by King John to Thomas Fitz Anthony, and down to the attainder of Garrett, late Earlof Desmond.
May 31. Petition to the King against abuses in elections. For county of Kiery, Daniel O’Sowlevan and Stephen Rice.
August 26. The King to Lord Chichester. Sir Charles Wilmot, Knight, had by letters patent the government of the county of Kerry, with 10s Irish per diem. He is restored to that post, and granted leave of absence for 12 months.
1614
May 31. Lords of the Council admit the just claim of Florence McCarthie, prisoner in the Tower, to lands leased by H Pelham.
June 15. The King directs that Sir Charles Wilmot be granted land value £200 in fee simple, in lieu of surrenders.
July 9. Sureties that Florence M’Carthie shall not depart out of the realm of England without the King’s license, nor travel above one day’s journey from the city of London without license. Florence M’Cartie, £2000, Earl of Thomond, £500; Earl of Clanricard, £500; Lord Delvin, £500; Lord Bryen, £250; Sir Randalph M’Donnell, £250; Sir Patrick Barnewall £500; Dermott M’Carthie, £250; David Condon, £250. Total, £5,000. Florence sues of release on October 15.
December 31. Lord Chichester to Sir John Davys. Order to draw forth a fiant to grant licenses to Gilbert and Roger Rise (Rice) of Askeaton to keep taverns within the county of Lymbricke, and to make the sell aqua vitae and usquebaugh within the said county.
1615
February 8. Sir Thomas Roper, Knt, was constable of Castlemaigne.
1616
June 30. Return of fines for Kerry, £14 13s 4d.
1617
March 27. State papers relating to Florence M’Carte. In 1594 he had correspondency with Sir William Stanley. His servant, Patrick Cullin was executed. In 1594 Sir Nich Browne wrote: ‘I know him to be suspicious and subtle, a great briber to his power, friended by some great men of Ireland, who have procured him favourable countenance with some of great calling in England, an importunate suitor, and indeed the only dangerous man in Munster, having been brought up with and in league with James Fitzmorrice, Dr Saunders, Sir Wm Stanely and Jaques.’ In 1596 Sir Geffery Fenton advises that he be imprisoned. In 1601 O’Neil wrote to him that he would take his army to Munster. In 1609 M’Carte’s agent made proffer of his service to the King of Spain. He was combined with Desmond in his rebellion. He married the daughter of the Earl of Clincart. There passed couriers between him and Jaques. He pretends to come lineally from the Kings of Munster, and to be both M’Carte More andM’Carte Reo. Tieg Hurly of Carbry, his servant, related several articles against him. Tiege went, 27 years ago, as Florence’s foot boy in to England but after 3 months went into Spain and Germany for 16 years. Coming to London he found Florence in the Marshalsea. At this time one Rickard O’Connell, a seminary priest by birth of Ivrahagh if Desmonde (his ancestors being constables of Ballicarby, the principal seat of M’Carty More) came out of Spain into France, and from thence into England, where he, disguised like a Frenchman, did lodge with Florence’s men, Cornelius, alias Cnoghor O’Rorke, and Dermod M’Finn O’Hangelin, in the house over against the Marshalsea door, being the sign of the Crown, at one Mr Goodchilde’s, and every day for the space of a fortnight or three weeks came in that habit of a poor Frenchman into the Marshalsea to Florence, where he would continue sometimes from morning to night in private conference. Florence promised to send Tieg Hurly into Spain after Ricard O’Connell but altered his mind and sent O’Hangelin instead. He also sent O’Rourke to Brussels to confer with Lieut Jaques. The messenger to Spain brought back no money from O’Connell nor O’Sullivan Beare, to enable Florence to escape. Teig returned to the service of Sir Tho Beadle, and later went to the wars in Flanders, taking a script from Florence in the Tower to Colonel Jaques in Brussels who got him into the King’s list and pay, serving in Capt Driscoll’s company for four years. Tieg came back to London and visited Florence in the Marshalsea, and later advised the Lord Courcy and Valentine Browne against Florence. Donogh M’Fynnym Carthy and Donogh M’Donell M’Carthy told Florence. Tieg came to Ireland with Valentine Browne for four years. Tieg was converted from papacy and married an English woman, so Browne cast him away. Tieg went to Carbry to his brethren and after two months to Wiltshire. Later he went to London and tried to convert Florence in August 1616, who was then enlarged. At Florence’s house he met John O’Voleghane, Cnogher O’Voleghane and Tieg M’Cormock, all Desmondmen and one a brother of the Franciscan friar Tieg O’Voleghane. The friar and John Entlea were staying with Florence at the Boar’s Head within Ludgate. Tieg got a pass from the fourministers of the Custom House for Tieg Hurly and John Entlea. Hurly saw the friar Teig O’Voleghane, in Ireland, collecting monies within the counties of Cork and Kerry under pretence of mending an abbey called Ireelagh (Muckross), having some masons working on a few stones only. He got a good purse of money and came to England. After the receipt of the pass out of the Custom House, they went to the friar’s lodgings in Thames Street, being the sign of the Sugar Loaf, where he saw the friar with Donell and Cormock, Florence’s two sons, the friar’s brother, John, and his kinsman Cnogher. From Billingsgate they went to Gravesend, and there the friar took ship to Flushing, the searcher and justice not allowing him to ship to Dunkirk. And ever since the said Florence M’Carthy doth run into the score, having his three sons with him; his servant Donogh-ne-buille of Carbry, a good linguist; also Donogh M’Tieg Duffe of Carbry, gone to Spain; and Cormock M’Calloghane, a Desmond man, gone to the Low Countries. Tieg Hurly swore the above allegations were true, on 27th March 1617.
1617
April 10. Privy Council to Lord Deputy. Give order for the examination of Florence M’Carty’s complaint concerning divers lands and detained from him.
November 20. The Lord Deputy issues warrant to prepare a fiant containing licenses for the retailing wines and making and selling aqua vitae or usquebough by Thomas and Jane Peys in Dinganlacoush, Tralie, Ballyskillig, and Castlemaine, co Kerry – Desmond.
December 31. Petition of Florence M’Carty to the Privy Council. The late Earl of Clancarty being in England about 30 years past before Florence married Clancar’s daughter, he mortgaged to Florence for £190 the lands of Twoh Irilagh and Dromhumfrey, afterwards mortgaged to Mr Harbert Pelham. When Florence was sent to England the Earl of Tyrone delivered those lands to Dannell, that untruly alleges himself to be the late Earl of Clancartie’s base son. Donnell still holds those lands. Other tenants also hold as they allege by mortgage to the late Earl lands worth £30 a year called Anaghrilly, Lahharde. Culenoe or Ballyahir. Eaglais, Ballytrasty, Turpin Fahagh, and Ceapagh. Florence desires to clear any mortgages due and to get the lands restored by the Chief Justice of Munster.
1618
November 30. Petition of Patrick Fitzmorris to the Privy Council against his father, Baron of Kerry and Lixnaw, who refuses to execute an assurance of £150 per annum according to agreement.
1619 June 24. Florence M’Carthy to Lord Zouch. Complains that Mr Browne, who holds the best part of his lands, got an information made that Florence had intercourse with a friar, thereby persuaded Secretary Naunton to commit Florence. He protests that he never saw or spoke to any priest or friar; and is now restrained at the request of Browne. Requests that he may be restored to that liberty granted by the King upon sureties. He is ill with an ague, and has nothing wherewith to support his children.
1620
June 30. Privy Council to the Lord Deputy. To send for the Lord of Kerry, to expostulate with him, to allow fit maintenance to his son, Patrick Morris. The master in Chancery took surety of £2000 from Lord Kerry to appear in London.
1621
January 4. Sir Chas Wilmott raised to the rank of Viscount Wilmott of Athlone.
February 27. James Tobin sends to Lord Carew, a book printed in Bordeaux, the author, Derby McCarthy. The book discovers the number of priests made in the college in Bordeaux. A Bull was obtained for erecting a college there. The following names Kerry appear in the book:
Pere Thomas Ly Jacobin reforme, Ardferten
Pere Maurice OConnel au dit ordre, Ardferten
Pere Richard OConnel, prestre theologien, Ardferten
Pere Jacques Valteria, prestre theologien, Ardferten
Pere Gelatius O’Kemaghta, prestre casuiste, Ardferten
Pere Gerard Dilon, theologien, Ardferten
F Richard David, Ardferten
F Bernard O’Connor, Ardferten
F Daniel Macteige, prestre, Ardferten
F Maurice Macteige, Ardferten
F Daniel Ohualachan, Ardferten
F Charles Carty, Ardferten
F Alanus Lein, Ardferten
F Philip O’Suillivan, Ardferten
F Gerard Gerardin, Ardferten
F Jean O’Daly, Ardferten
F Edward Ryse, prestre casuiste, Ardferten
F Dermituis Falvey, Ardferten
F Gerard Boulen, Ardferten
F Charles Cartaeus, Ardferten
1622
February 26. Sir Ric Aldworth proposes the transfer of some part of the county of Cork to county Kerry.
March 5. Grant to Sir Fran Annesley, Bart, Principal Secretary for Ireland, of the dignity of Viscount of Valentia, in reversion after the death of Sir Hen. Power, the present Viscount, without issue male.
June 2. Order in Council in the case between Lord Lixnaw and Kerry and his son Patrick Fitz Morris.
September 23. Lord Kerry, from the Flete, asks for a copy of order touching his restraint.
October 7. George Fielding created Baron Fielding of Lecagh, Viscount Callan, and Earl of Desmond, the earldom only to be enjoyed on death of the present Earl of Desmond, Richard Preston, without heirs male.
The King directs the Lord Deputy to grant to Richard (Preston) Viscount Dingwall, Earl of Desmond, without fine in fee farm, such lordships as were parcel of the lands of Gerot Fitzgerald, late Earl of Desmond, his adherents or accomplices attainted of high treason, and come to the Crown by Act of Parliament., the composition royal established in that kingdom to be preserved, to be held of the castle of Dublin in free and common soccage.
1623
April 1. Sir Th Roper, Constable of Castlemaine.
August 6. The King to Lord Deputy to favour Sir Fred Hamilton in his grant of the island of Valentia.
1624
July 26. Florence McCarthy of Desmond is released out of the Tower and confined to the city of London. Sureties as before.
September 30. Lord Deputy to Privy Council. Has failed to compose the differences between the Lord of Kerry and his son. The father has gone to England.
1625
March 12. Florence MacCarthy to Conway. He has now removed to the Gatehouse, and kept in a little norrow close room, without sight of the air, where his life, that is above 70 years of age, being his long restraint, is much endangered.
March 12. Petition ot the King by Owen O’Sulyvane Esq of Down Keyran, Co Kerrye. That petitioner and his ancestors have long been seized in fee simple of divers ploughlands, some fishings, etc, in Kerry, held by His Majesty by knights service in capite. Desires to surrender his lands, etc, with power to create one or more manors with court leets and court barons, fairs and markets, etc, to be held of His Majesty at an increase of five pounds more than the former rent.
March 12. The names of those who bought goods of the pirate Campane at Lymecon in the west of Ireland – Mr Jenkin Conoway, near Kilmaire, had two coverings for beds with canopies which came out of ship from the Canary Islands.
September 1. Chief men reckoned dangerous in Munster – Lord Kerry, a Papist and fights with his son. Florence McCarty brought the Spaniards to Kinsale; should be secured.
1626
March 29. Loyal address of the Irish peers and gentry protesting their devotion to the King in spite of difference of religion, and repudiating the rules of any foreign prince, prelate or potentate. For Munster, Daniel McCarty Riogh, David Counton, Sir Roger O’Shaughnessy, and Conor MacGillicuddy. The latter is chief of that sept, and possessed of a great territory of mountainous land lying upon the south sea in the county of Kerry.
May 17. Lord Falkland, Dublin Castle, writes: Two days ago Ihad word that Captain Campane (pirate) is at Dingle ‘Icough.’ Mr Stockdale yesterday started to meet him, and I hope his mission may be successful.
June 13. Lord Herbert, Baron of Castleisland in Kerry, complains that having made a lease of the castle and seignory of Mount Eagle Loyal and other lands in Munster for three lives to Sir Thomas Roper, Knt, for a small fine and 6d yearly, the castle has been let to go to ruin, and the woods cut down by the under tenants, and that some dwellers thereabouts have wrongfully entered into lands of the estate of the time of Tyrone’s rebellion. The Irish Commissioners recommend that a commission be sent to settle the matter on the spot. The waste committed by Sir Thomas Roper should be tried by Irish Law Courts, even though he be a Privy Councillor.
September 1. Patrick Fitzmorris has for nine years sought justice and the execution of his marriage covenant at his father’s hands and has never secured it. He refutes various points in his father’s petition.
1627
April 23. Sir Valentine Browne, knight and baronet, deputy vice-admiral of Kerry, from Molahiff to Lord Deputy. Describes his arrest of the crew of the man-of-war St John of St Malo while on shore at Valentia. He has overpowered the ship, andhas got her sails and rudder. Sends all he can find out about the ship’s cargo and commission. The ship is worth £1,000.
July 15. List of Commissioners to the Counties of Ireland for raising the money for the Army, Co Kerry and Desmond, £E700 Lord President; Earl of Cork; Lord Baron of Kerry; Patrick Fitzmorris; Sir Thomas Roper; Sir Valentine Browne; Sir Edward Denney; Sir Thomas Harryes; Walter Springe Esq; Jenkin Conway Esq; John Rice of Dinglecush Esq; Francis Kendall Esq; Walter Crosby Esq; William Fitzgerald Esq.
July 17. The King to Sir William St Leger. Ordering that Daniel McCarthy shall be put in possession of the Castle in Co Kerry, and the plough lands belonging thereto, of which he had been unlawfully deprived.
July 31. Petition to the Privy Council of Griffith Meare, a poor man born in England. He lately dwelt at Kilmeare in Munster, and kept an inn and a clothing shop, but a fire in July 1627 destroyed all his property. Has since lost 46 cattle, and is reduced to misery. He can get no redress from the King, and prays for a pass which will enable him to return to Ireland without expense.
December 2. Examination of Michael de Noblizia, captain of the St George of St Sebastian in Spain, surprised and taken in the harbour of Dingle, by Sir Valentine Browne. He had orders to view the French and English ships. He was driven into Valentia. He seized two of a number of men who came aboard and kept them until the people on shore sent him out two sheep and promised him a firkin of aqua vitae; but he having released the hostages, they did not send him the aqua vitae. He kidnapped another gentleman when, by threats of carrying him off to Spain, he induced to approach the shore in a boat, and beg his friends in his own language to send out some provisions. It was agreed that a boat should be sent ashore for them at night, but when it was sent with six men and the hostage, it found not provisions but a number of armed Irish, who rescued their countrymen, took two of the crew prisoners, drowned the rest and kept the boat. Witness then tried to put to sea but was wind-driven into Dingle, where he yielded to the mercy of a strong man-of-war. He has no cargo on board; his arms, two pieces, two dozen half pikes, thirty swords and 50lbs of gunpowder worth £E120 (see Calendar of State Papers Relating to Ireland 1625-1632 (1900), pp286-289).
1628
March 25. Jenkin Conway, Castle Conway, in Kerry, to Lord Conway. I hope you will excuse the letter of a stranger who is aforgotten relative, and accept my offer of devoted service. I live here in a distant place and remote from that more eminent sphere in which your lordship is a lucent star. I pray you to favour my petition with the King which has long lain dead for want of a friend at Court.
July 21. The King to the Lord Deputy for making William Steers, sometime Deanof Ardfert, Bishop of Ardfert and Aghadoe, with the right to hold in his hand commendams to the value of £100 a year.
November 14. Sir Thomas Harris, Traly, to the Lord Deputy. Ont he 8th a Hamburg ship with pipestaves, timber and tar came into the harbour of this town, and bound for Argamount in Portugal. As all the ships of the Hans towns which carried prohibited goods (including pipestaves) were seizable, I took the ship with great difficulty. She is old and leaky. I hope for instructions. Encloses commission of the Senate of Hamburg to George Oleffsen, captainof the ship ‘Ab imagine Salvatoris nominatam.’
December 3. Lord Deputy, in the case between Sir Patrick Fitzwilliams and Thomas Lord Baron of Kerry and Lixnaw, orders that plaintiff be established in suchlands set forth in order of Council of 20th July 1620.
1629
September 1. Daniel McCarthy, son of Florence, petitions against Sir Valentine Browne holding his lands.
1630
April 22. Sir Valentine Browne, Ross, to Lord Dorchester. I understand my petition to the King has been referred to the Council of Ireland, where the matter has dropped thorugh the machinations of my old enemy Florence McCarthy. He is a disloyal and false man, and deserves no attention. His friends here threaten to divide up my lands amongst themselves but, with your lordship on my side, I do not fear them. My grandfather and father held these lands before me. Sir Wm Jones decided that McCarthy have the lands on paying the sums stipulated for.
September 20. William Conway, Killyvallig, to Lord Conway Jr. I wish to obtain someploughlands called Kilballyrighie, whereunto the King has just right by the attainder of Cnogher McCarthy.
1633
Petition to the King of the gentlemen and freeholders of O’Sullivane More’s country in Co Kerry. In 1592 they paid to Queen Elizabeth a composition rent of £7 10s a year for three years. In 1604 Commissioners sat in Limerick to settle for a renewal of this rent. O’Sullivan was absent in England at the time. One Farres appeared with a letter of O’Sullivan’s More’s wife, and consented to a doubling of the composition. No advantage was taken of it, and the old rate was paid. Lately, in 1633, a greenwax issued to the Sheriff of Co Kerry ordering him to collect and levy the arrears of the surcharge. The petitioners protest that Farres had no right to bind them, and pray relief. They pay 9s 4d to the King and 30s to O’Sullivan More, yearly per quarter, though the rent they can get is not at best above £4 a quarter.
1634
July 14. Parliament holden in Dublin. From Kerry attended: Patrick FitzMorris, Lord Kerry and Lixnaw; Sir Valentine Browne, Bart, Co Kerry; Sir Thomas Harris, Kt, Co Kerry; Dominick Rice, gent (sick), Dingle-i-couch; James Rice, gent, Dingle-i-couch; Sir Beverley Newcomen, Kt and Bart, Tralee; David Crosby Esq, Ardfert; Pierce Fitz James Pierce, Ardfert.
July 22. Jenkin Conway, Castle Conway, to Lord Conway. Has got into difficulties with the resident clergy about tithe. They are complaining to the bishop. Hopes that Lord Conway will support him by speaking to the bishop.
August 6. Sir Richard Plumleigh to the Earl of Portland. Reports detention of a Spanish ship, the Misericordia St Ano at Kilmarr, while loading pipe staves. Richard Isaac, of Ballinskelligs, deposed she was the ship which had robbed him of £300 between Dungarvan and Bristol last year, while on board the White Hart of Bristol. Six weeks later the Spaniards crew landed in shallops at Inish island, in the river of Kilmarr, and took 19 sheep. John Wills deposed that Vicente Fita, the present Spanish captain, robbed Mr Isaac of money and plate, and deponent of clothes. John Touchstill, aged 36, constable of Glenarough, relates arrest of Captain Fita. Thomas Dight, merchant, John Williams and John McOwen of Glenarough and Kilmarr, give evidence regarding the Spaniards. Several of the Galway freighters and the crew also made depositions.
November 11. Edmund Spriring of Malahide to the Lords of the Admiralty. He brought woods in Cork and Kerry for supplying the East India Company with ship timber at Plymouth. There was a lot of useless wood in them which he could use for working iron stone which he has discovered there. The Irish lord of the manor has offered it to him for a small sum. He prays for a lease of the foreshore to erect works and an English plantation.
1637
July 4. Mahon O’Kelly was arrested on 22nd March last by Lord Baron Kerry, on the accusation of Teilagh Mac Berein Roe against whom he had a suit for lands illegally withheld. Having nobody to plead for him, O’Kelly escaped from the constable’s ward in Kerry, and thereby incurred the penalty of death. He prays the King that the Judges of Assize for Kerry may be ordered to waive the penalty and proceed to try the original cause.
1641
March 9. The King to the Lords Justices. Ordering that the dispute between the Earl of Thomond and the Lord Kerry be settled finally the the Justices.
1645
January 12. The Supreme Council of the Confederate Catholics of Ireland paid to Gerald Fitzmorrish for Co Kerry, £479 6s 8d.
1650
February 25. Petition to the Marquis of Ormond of Peter Peterson Boon, master of the Fortune of Flushing. His ship on a voyage to Cape Verde lost a mainmast in a storm andput into the bay of Dingle Icouch. She was at once boarded by Major Dom. Pierse Ferriter andmany of his retinue in boats. Lord Inchiquin directs that Major Ferriter, who saved the men and goods from perishing, will return on board the sixty pieces of eight, and procure a mainmast, yards, etc, from his father, to fit the ship, taking a bill of exchange upon Peter Felings, Burgomaster van Flushing. Donogh McFeenin Esq, Receiver of the Co Kerry, will allow out of your recepts and put the same in account on me.
1659
April 23. List of garrisons. Valentia and Dingle 60, Ross 40, Listowel 40, Carrig Ifoyle 40.
1661
March 23. The King to the Lords Justices for Dr William Petty. Certain lands in the Co Kerry were set out to Petty amounting in all to 3,559 acres odd of which 898 acres odd lie in Kilmore, and Teycista in Gleneroghty. They were set out in payment of £889 odd soldiers arrears by an order of assignment. Our pleasure is that in respect of the early endeavours of the said Doctor for our restoration, he be given in addition all such land as lies within any of the townlands where the 3,559 acres lies and is not let at 5d or more a year. These lands shall be settled upon him as other lands are settled on the soldiers for their arrears and shall be surveyed for that purpose bythe Surveyor General.
April 13. The King directs that Sir Wm Petty who is a man of integrity and prudence and has been knighted, shall be deemed to have been in our army up to 30 November 1660. He and John Petty and James Naper shall receive a pardon under our Broad Seal.
April 18. The King directs that Colonel Donough McGillicuddy shall be restored to all the lands taken from him by the late usurped power. The Marquis of Ormond and Lords Moore and Kingston report testifying to his loyalty. He adhered to the peace of 1648 and raised a foot company under Lord Inchiquin. Later, when our cause declined in Ireland, he brought together five or six companies of his kinsmen and friends and commanded them as a regiment under the Earl of Clancarty. When Clancarty had to surrender on terms, Col MacGillicuddy went abroad and remained there till our Restoration. Clauses for execution, eviction of leases from usurped power, and cancelling any charges upon the premises.
April 25. The King’s general pardon to Sir William Petty; Sir Arthur Denny; Capt Geo Dillon of Ardtully; John Blennerhassett jun or Ballycarthy; Cornet Gerald Rives, of Carrignafeely; Thomas Crosby of Kerry.
July 10. Patrick Archer, Irish merchant of Amsterdam, petition the King. In 1652 he freighted his own ship, the St Ann, with arms etc, at his own expense, to the value of £500, for the relief of the king’s garrison at Ross then held by the Earl of Clancarty. When the ship came to the river at Kilmare [Kenmare], the master heard that the garrison had yielded. He put to sea again, and was beaten into the coast of Brittany at Roscoff. The Admiral of France seized the ship. Archer now requests compensation. The King directs that Archer be favoured.
1662
May 30. The King directs that the officers and soldiers of the Earl of Orrery’s troop who were granted lands in Gleneroughty, but not satisfied, be given satisfaction out of the barony of Dunkerron, not given to adventurers or soldiers.
August 4. The Lord Lieutenant directs collectors to pay in their accounts. For the first double poll money, Sir Arthur Denny for Co Kerry. For the second poll money, same.
1665
June 24. Petition of Edward, Lord Herbert, Baron of Chirbury and Castle Island. The seignory of the island of Kerry was granted in 1589 to Sir Wm Herbert. During Tyrone’s rebellion he was forced to come to England. His only daughter was heir. In 1605 Sir Thomas Roper was tenant of the seignory under petitioner’s grandfather, who married the aforesaid daughter. The seignory was surveyed in 1605, and rent fixed at £40 a year. It was laid waste for 20 years during the late rebellion. He desires to proceed with a new plantation, and petitions for a new grant from the King at the rent of £40. He has beenimpoverished through serving the King in the late wars. The petition was examined and granted.
1666
September 4. A troop of militia was raised in Kerry by Sir Arthur Denny.
1667
February 11. For payment of the subsidy in wheat and oats, a magazine in Limerick was to be supplied for Co Kerry with 438 barrels.
September 27. The King appoints Francis March, DD, Dean of Armagh, to the vacancy caused by translation of Bishop Fuller to Lincoln, from the See of Limerick, Ardfert, and Aghadoe.
1668
December 28. The Archdeacon of Kerry, Mr Clarke, ‘an honest man,’ income £100.
