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The Mooney Family of the Doon, County Offaly
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By Liam CoxThe O'Moony or Moony family of the Doon is singular in occupying the same lands as did their ancestors in the sixteenth and earlier centuries. The ruins of their castle of Esker, as its name implies, starts on a sandy ridge north of the road roughly midway between Athlone and Ferbane, near Doon crossroads, in the parish of Lemanaghan. The castle was occupied down to about 1775 when the family moved a short distance southward across the road o Doon, the present residence. A family tradition says the latter was originally built as a dower-house on the estate and was considerably enlarged and renovated when the old castle among many other antiquities, including a handkerchief belonging to Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, are still preserved in the Doon. A member of the Moony family, who was a Maid of Honour at the French court, brought the handkerchief to Ireland. About 12 ft. high on the castle wall is carved a large sile Na gcioch. A short distance to the east near the crossroads stands the ruin of an ancient building know locally as ' the monastery'. It was evidently the private religious house attached to the castle, but no details of it has survived. Some writers of the last century recorded a tradition that Esker castle was the site of a treacherous massacre carried out by the Mooney of the time on some of his neighbours whom he invited to a feast. This story is discounted by the family. They say the castle was once attacked by the MacCoghlans, the Moony's overlords, to whom they paid tribute in cows-milk at certain times of the year. The attackers came from the north side along the level ground and forced Moony's people back towards the castle gate. Their steward captain was wounded and was unable to move quickly. The defenders kept the castle gate open for him but he called to them to close it lest the attackers get in. His loyalty to his master cost him his life but the castle was saved. During the eighteenth century the shrine of Saint Manchan, now in Boher church, was used in litigation to swear oath on and was kept in Esker castle. The origin of the different Moony or Mooney families is lost antiquity. The name is derived from maoin a gaelic word meaning wealth or treasure of treasure, hence O'Maonaigh anglicised Moony meant the descendant of the wealthy one. Father Woulfe (1) says the name was found in all parts of Ireland by the end of the sixteenth century and mentions three lines - one in modern county Roscommon who were lords of Clann Murthuilee, a second who were part of the Ui Fiachrach seated in what it is now county Sligo and a third, an - shoot of the Siol Annchadha, the tribe name of the O'Maddens in the Southeast of modern county Galway. O'Hart (2) is more specific. He says O'Moony was descended from Naspre m Fothach m Eochaidh lamh-dhearg m Mesin-corb m Cu Corb ancestor of Cathair mor, King of Ireland in the second century AD, Whose son Ros Failghe was ancestor of the O'Connors Failghe. One of the earliest of the O'Maenaigh, as the name was written in the annals, occurs in 1493 when Cahir son of Conn son of Calbhach O'Connor Failghe was defeated in battle by James son of Connla, son Aide-Bui Mageoghegan of Cenel Fhiiachaigh in Westmeath. Some of the O'Connors were captured along with two sons of O'Maenaigh while 80 horses were seized. (3) In a note to this entry in the AFM O'Donavan mentioned two respectable Mooney families one in Lemanaghan parish (the Doon) and another near Athlone (Meaghramore) referred to hereafter. In 1523 John O'Maenaigh parson of Geashill a clergyman of the greatest renown in upper Leinster died. (4) In 1556 when Kings' county became shire ground Rory O'Moony, Son of Owen son of Tadg was proprietor of Esker castle and lands. This Rory obtained a Crown pardon 16 December 1558. He was father of John of Esker castle in turn father of Owen of Esker and Maud who married James Oge MacCoghlan of Kincora near Ferbane (5). Owen was included in a Crown pardon dated 6 May 1602. He surrendered his estates and had a regrant from the Crown of Esker, Corracullin, Doon and other lands by Patent on the 26 August 1637 (6) At the beginning of the reign of James 1, Doon belonged to John Fury, following whose death livery of his lands was granted to his brother and heir Edward Fury for a fine of twenty shillings on 7 May 1604 (7). Evidently Owen Moony obtained the Doon, probably by purchase, sometime between 1604 and 1637. He died in 1640 leaving issue: 1. Edward his heir who died unmarried in 1643. 2. John of Corracullin, who succeeded Edmund at Esker, married Mary Carroll by whom he had an only son and heir Owen, referred to below. John died in 1649 and his will was proved in the Prerogative Court in 1663 (8). 3. Matthew, who served as a captain in the armies of Charles 1 and Charles 11. His name appeared on the Enrolments of the Decrees of innocents, as one of twenty-three Mooneys so listed. He was not transplanted to Connacht since he was at the time in the King's army 'beyond the seas' (9). On 31 March 1654 he was with his company of four officers and sixteen men in Spanish Flanders having just arrived there from Spain. On the 28 April following, one of his men Edmund Croak received his commission as company ensign (10). On 20 January 1656 Sergeant Laurean of Captain Moon's company which was part of Colonel John Morfi's regiment, received a special pay increase manner merited our grace and favours 'according to the King's Declaration of 30 November 1660 (12) Captain Matthew Moony was living in 1665 but does not appear to have married or left issue. 4. Margery, who married Callagh otherwise Charles O' Melaghlin of Castletown in Kilcleagh (Moate) parish, county Westmeath, sometime styled of Ballinderry than in the same parish. His estate amounted to more than 700 Irish plantation acre in 1640. He served as a captain in the Confederate army in the years following the rebellion of 1641 and was living in 1650. Margery Moony was mother of his children: Cormac and Elizabeth O' Melaghlin. The adjoining districts of Lackaghmore and Lackaghbeg in Lemanaghan parish, about a mile southwest of the Doon, were both occupied by Moony families, that of Lackaghanbeg being represented by Edmund in the last quarter of the seventeenth century. During the Cromwellian war on 28 August 1650 Colonel Richard Grace and Captain John Moony complained to Ormond of their unjust imprisonment by Sir James Preston at Birr (13). This John Moony seems to be father of Edmund of Lackaghbeg, though this is not established. Edmund served as a captain in Colonel Sir Heward Oxburgh's Infantry regiment in the army of James 11. A Frances Moony was a lieutenant in the same regiment (14). Captain Edmund died 20 December 1689 leaving a son John of Lackaghbeg (15). Owen only son of John Moony of Corracullen and Esker was born in 1647 and while still a child of eight or nine years was transplanted to Connacht under Cromwell's Act of Settlement and settled on 35 acres in the parish of Rath in the barony of Ichiquin, county Clare (16). His mother Mary Carroll probably accompanied him. However he war restored to his estate of Esker by Decree as an Innocent dated 1 and 2 May, Elizabeth, daughter of Hugh Flattery of Streamstown, King's county (17). Hugh Flattery had been also transplanted to Connacht. Owen Moony died 24 April 1716 leaving issue: 1. Owen eldest son and heir below. 2. William styled of Lackaghmore.
He died unmarried between 11 December 1756 and 1764 when his will was
proved (18). 4. Alice married Anthony Molly of Galduss, King's county. 5. Honora married Charles Molly (20). Owen eldest son and hear of Esker and Doon was born in 1673 married in 1700 Mary, daughter of John Coghlan of Kilcolgan Court, the friend of the Four Masters, Cardinal Rinuccini and Ormond and issue: 1. John d.s.p. in March 1759. 2. Edmund married Anne Riley and also d.s.p. 3. Matilda referred to below. The Moony family line of the Doon, as it was now called, was Continued through Owens only daughter Matilda, who married James Enragh i.e. Mac Ionnrachtaigh, son of the Unlawful one of Dalcassian origin (24). His family had settled at Ballclare near Ferbane. James who settled in Banagher, married and died in 1808 leaving issue; and Francis Enragh born in 1744 married Henal, daughter of Robert Mulock M.D. OF Moate, county Westmeath and Later of Banagher by whom he had issue: 1. Mary Anne who married first Rev. Hamilton and secondly Henry Malone d.s.p, 1843, son of Edmund Malone of Ballynahown by his wife Mary daughter of John O'Connor of Mount Pleasant, King's county. 2. Robert James Enragh-Moony below. Francis Enragh-Moony died in 1802 and his wife Helen Mulock, 21 October 1815, aged 74 (25). Robert James Enragh-Moony above succeeded his father at The Doon and served as a magistrate for King's county of Which he was High Sheriff in 1794. In June of that year He married Isabella, eldest daughter of John Drought of Whigsborough, High Sheriff of King's county in 1780, By whom he had issue: 1. Francis Moony, son and heir, below. 2. Isabella Georgina died young. 3. Sarah Isabella died 18 November 1838 4. Susanna Elizabeth married 19 March 1833 Commander Lundy Dickinson R.N. of Spring Lawn, Tubber, king's county and died 28 June 1843. 5. Eleanor Mary married first John Whitly Frazer R.A, who Died and was buried in Clonmacnois and secondly 24 January 1885 Charles Dillon Fry, who died 20 October 1885. 6. Matilda Frances married 12 January 1836 Rev. Simon Charles Foot M.A Rector of Knockopher, county Kilkenny And died 23 September 1838. Robert James Enraght-Moony died 22 November 1842 having Survived his wife Isabella Drought, who died 16 October 1836 (26). Francis Moony Enragh-Moony of the Doon born 1795, was Magistrate for King's county of which he was High Sheriff in 1820. He married 22 December 1829 Cathrine daughter of Lundy Foot of the Rower, county Kilkenny, and Orlagh, county Dublin, by whom he had issue: 1. Robert James, son and heir, below. 2. Jeffery Francis died young. 3. John Drought, a lieutenant
in the 13th Somersetshire L.I. and i. Francis Herbert Greenock, resident British Commissioner of Swaziland, born 9 April 1865, Married Mary L. Stevens and d.s.p. In Jersey in 1940. ii. David Robert, born 11
October 1866, killed in the Matabele War 15 June 1896. vi. Rose Gwendaedd, married 3 June 1896, Captain C.R. Nettleton - both was living 1958. vii. Edith Violet, born March 1876, married 9 June 1903 Major Alfred Edmond Weld, R.A.M.C., elder son of Mathew Richard Weld of the Indian Civil Service - both living 1958. viii. Gladys Wharton, born 23 June 1883 and living 1958 (27). 4. Anne Jane, eldest daughter, married 9 August 1862, Captain George Joseph Maunsell of the 15th Regiment. 5. Isabella Sarah, married 3 June 1874 John William Tarleton of Kelleigh, King's County, whose ancestors came from Lanchashire in the seventeenth century. Francis Moony Enraght-moony was living at Retreat, Athlone, County Westmeath and King's county, of which later he was High Sheriff in 1855. He was fired at by a would be a assassin as he drove home to the Doon on the evening of 3 January 1882, but fortunately escaped injury (28). He married 31 January 1861 Angelina, youngest daughter of George Mears Maunsell, of Ballywilliam, county Limerick, who died 19 December 1916 and was buried in Clonmacnois with her husband. He died 5 September 1892. Their issue included: 1. Francis Owen who died 1 April 1870. He was buried at Clonmacnois where the monument gives his age as five years. 2. George meares Stopford, below. 3. Robert James born 13 September 1869 and died 6 May 1946. 4. Mary Maud, Married 9 April 1890 William Morley Philip Aldborough Reamsbottom of Aldborough House, King's county and Larkspur Park, Kati Kati, New Zealand and died 24 May 1925 leaving issue. 5. Katherine Isabella, Married 21 October 1903 Wilfred Perry of Lisberg, Belmont, King's county, (died 12 March 1944) and died 10 August 1953 leaving issue two sons and a daughter. 6. Hilda Angelina, born 1875, living at the Doon, Ballynahown in 1953 (24). Georges Meares Stopford Enright
- moony succeeded to the Doon. He was a magistrate for King's county and
was High Sheriff in 1920. He was born 31 March 1868 and educated at Westward
Ho. On 16 September 1902 he married Henrietta Georgina Ethal, eldest daughter
of George Charles Mulock, District Inspector of R.I.C. by his wife Henrietta
Cole, daughter of John Charles Metga of Sion, county Meath (30), by whom
he had issue: 2. Edward Ross, born 14 September 1909, educated on HMS Conway and served as a lieutenant in the Royal Navy. On 9 February 1937 he married Frances Josephine, daughter of James Ryan of Rathdowney, County Laois, by whom he had issue all living and parents also, in 1958: i. Nicholas Ross born 26 May 1940. ii. James Frances Owen born 29 April 1947. iii. Georgina Jane born 25 October 1937. iv. Margaret Aphra born 18 January 1939. 3. Desmond Stopford Mulock (in 1958) of Sutherland Avenue, Orpington, Kent, born 8 June 1911 and educated at St. Columba's College Dublin (M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O. 1940). He married 4 July 1956 Joyce Mary youngest Daughter of Henry Coningsby Denny of 27 Hinchley Drive, Hinchley Wood Esher, Surrey - both living 1958. 4. Rodrick George of Doon (1958) born 1 February 1914 and educated at St. Columba's College. On 15 August 1944 he Married Kathleen Teresa eldest daughter of Patrick St/ Laurance O' Dea of 37 Prospect Hill, Galway, by whom he had issue all living and also parents in 1958: i. Robert Patrick born 6 November 1945. ii. Peter Roderick born 4 June 1952. iii. Isabella Anne twin with her brother. iv. Jennifer Mary born 16 May 1947. 5. Aphra Emily (in 1958) of 1386 Sacraments Street, Saluseto California, U.S.A. born 27 May 1947. George Meares Stopford Enright-moony, eldest son, succeeded to the Doon. He was born 9 July 1903 and educated at St. Columba's College (31). An interesting monument in Clonmacnois Churchyard is inscribed : Pray for the soul of Dolly Moony alias Cloghan who parted this life March the 17, 1774 aged 60 years, Dolly is unidentfied, but the spelling of her name is that of the Doon family. In this note to the Annals of the Four Masters in 1493 John O' Donovan mentioned a second respectable Mooney Family 'near Athlone'. This family was located in Maugheramore townland about a mile south of Mount Temple village, rather nearer to Moate that to Athlone. The earliest of the family noted was Cornelius Mooney, who died 7 May 1742 aged 48 years and was buried in Kilcleagh old Castledaly, where his son Francis Mooney erected a monument to his father's memory. Francis was succeeded by Connor Mooney presumably his son. In 1802 at the Mullingar Lent assizes this Connor was named with Christopher Adamson of Bellanalack and Anthony Mcloughlin of Maughermore in a Grand Jury Presentment to make 79 perches of new road between Seeoge and Maughermore (32). In the tithe rental of 1826 for Ballyboughloe (Mount Temple) parish three Mooneys -John, Frances and Martin - were each cessed for tithes on separate holdings in Maughermore townland. They apparently belonged to the family of Connor above. All three made claims to be registered as voters for county Westmeath in 1832 under the regulations introduced that year but none of them was granted registration (33). In Griffith's Valuation (34) complied in 1853 there was no Mooney residing in Maughera more or neighbouring townlands. Another Mooney family of standing in the seventeenth century was located at Gallen near Ferbane, in county Offaly. It was represented by John O' Mooney in the reign of James 1. John's daughter Margery, married Cucoghry eldest son of John O' Molloy of Aghdonagh, near Kilmanaghan and Tubber, by his wife, Dorothy daughter of William mor Magawly of Carne Castle in Calry, county Westmeath (35). The well-known Franciscan friar Donagh O' Mooney belonged to either the Esker of Gallen family. He was born about 1578 and while still a young man, probably a teenager, served as a soilder in the O' Neill war. He joined the Franciscans at the frary of Donegal probably in October 1600. After the friars of that house were banished he joined the community at Multyfarnham where he continued his preparation for his religious profession. At the beginning of October 1601 Sir Frances Shane of Ballymore, county Westmeath, with a large company of troopers attacked the friary. He was directed to plunder the place, burn it down and arrest the friars. Among those seized were: Richard Brady, bishop of Kilmore, John Grey, the provincial, Nehemias Gray, the gaurdian, Bernard Moriarty, Dean of Ardagh and fine or six other friars. Darkness had fallen when the troopers arrived, which gave some of the brotherhood an opportunity to escape into the nearby woods. Shane then sent the bishop, the provincial and some others under escort to be locked-up in the castle of Ballymore, while he detained the rest if the prisoners including Donagh - Mooney for two days at Multyfarnham while the troopers ransacked the buildings. O' Mooneys and an old lay brother were then sent under escort to Ballymore. After they had gone a mile or so Shane overtook them and ordered them to turn around when they saw the friary in the flames. Later they reached Ballymore castle in which O' Mooney made his profession secretly in presence of the provincial, the bishop and Father Moriarty. With the latter he shared a room in one or the towers or the castle by night. With a rope of tow he made his escape but the rope broke and he fell into the castle ditch. Fortunately he wasn't seriously hurt and was able to walk about ten miles to the house of a friend (36). The latter may have been Magawly of Carne related by marriage with the Mooneys of Gallen. Donagh O' Mooney's ability, although young was already apparent. He was equally learned and must have been well educated even before joining the Franciscans. His mother was a sister of Hugh O' Dallaghan of Lisclooney in Tisaran parish in King's county. Hugh Oge O' Dallaghan, O' Mooney's cousin, was a Gaelic scholar of ability. In February 1928 Michael O' Clery chief of the four masters used his book to copy a life of Ciaran of Clonmacnois when he visited the Athlone Franciscans at Killinare on Lough Ree (37). Hugh Oge O' Dallaghan was living aged 58 and married, when his father died in 1638 (38). Hence Hugh Oge and Donagh O' Mooney would have been about the same age, if the latter was living. In 1602 some of the friars who were at liberty returnedto Multyfarnham under Nehemiaas Gray as guardian and set to restore the burned down buildings. For this purpose they obtain a quantity of timber from Garrycastle barony (39). Althought it is not so stated it appears Donagh O' Mooney had the timber made available for the friars in this native locality. Soon after his profession he was ordained priest, probably at the friary of Creevelea at Dromahair where he said his first mass (40). The provincial chapter was held in woods near Leitrim village' on 4 August 1602. Mooney was present but later went to the continent. He arrived in Louvain with florence conry, the Irish provincial, in May 1607 and in November was appointed guardian there (41). The same year Hugh O Donnell the infant son of the Earl of Tirconnell was brought to Louvain and entrusted to the care of the Sisters of Saint Augustiane and later transferred to the charge of Donagh O' Mooeny and the Irish Franciscans. In January 1609 Father Donagh was called away to France and the prioress of the Sisters wrote to the secretary of State for sufficient money to provide for the child and his nurse (42). The next year 1610 when trouble arose by another Irish woman seeking to supplant the nurse O' Mooney wrote an attestation dated June 1 at Louvain that when Tirconnell gave his infant son too be reared and educated by the Irish Franciscans at Louvain he (O' Mooney) employed Anne ny Madin, wife of Denis Kelly, as nurse. He affirmed the care, love and attention given by Anna to the Earl's son and three other children in her charge. The testimony was written out as O' Mooney was about to leave Louvain for Ireland (43). In the meantime in the 14 September 1609 the provincial chapter meeting in hiding near Roscrea had appointed O' Mooney guardian of the friary at Drogheda. Sometime about the end of 1610 he was back in Ireland and on the 11 January 1611 he was appointed vicar-provincial at Ballysheil, county Laois, to rule the Irish Franiscans general chapter in Rome in 1612. O' Mooney's term as a Vicar-provincial ended in September that year at the chapter meeting held at Kilnalahan friary in the diocese of Clonfert and he probably returned to Drogheda as guardian (44). At the provincial chapter meeting at Waterford on 18 September 1615 he was elected as Irish provincial to Serve for three years. However, he was in Louvain 2 November 1617. Between that date and 24 May 1618 he wrote in Latin his manuscript 'The Irish Province of Saint Francis' in which he gave a detailed account of the Irish Franciscan houses and their history. The manuscript is now No. 3947 in the Royal Library at Brussels (45). Ware (46) described Donagh O' Mooney as a preacher of great repute. He attended the Franciscan general chapter at Salamanca in 1618 and towards the end of the year or early in 1619 returned to Ireland as guardian of Drogheda. An unfortunate dispute developed there between him and Delahoid, vicar general of Armagh, concerning rights claimed by the regulars to organise lay societies. The Franciscans were conducting a school of philosophy at Drogheda at this time and O' Mooney more that likely was one of the lecturers. However his life's work was over and he died in April 1642 (47). References: Back to List |
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Ancestry - Bury Quay - Tullamore - Co. Offaly - Ireland - email
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