Notes on O'Molloys
From the Ordnance Survey Letters for Offaly 1837-1838
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O'MOLLOY'S COUNTRY OF FEAR CEALL
The Ordnance Survey Letters for County Offaly, part of a country wide series, are commonly known as O'Donovan's Ordnance Survey Letters, after John O'Donovan, the famous historian.
The Ordnance Survey Letters of 1837-1838 represent the first attempt on a systematic basis to collect material on Offaly's historical and archaeological remains. The pioneering effort of the Ordnance Survey and of its topographical department in particular was not emulated until the publication some 150 years later of the Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly. O'Donovan's Ordnance Survey Letters are in manuscript form in the Royal Irish Academy and were published in a typescript by Fr. Michael Flanagan in 1933.
The Offaly material consists of letters of John O'Donovan and of Thomas O'Conor. O'Conor, a native of Carrickmacross, was assistant to O'Donovan. Both men had spent September, October and November of 1837 in County Westmeath and in late December of 1837 their attentions turned to Offaly, then and until 1920 called King's County. The letters concern local antiquities, place-names, early Irish history and the genealogy of the native families
It should be noted that in the Westmeath letters are one of John O'Donovan's from Tullamore and another from Edenderry. That from Tullamore is dated 1st January 1838 and could properly be in the King's County volume.
O'Donovan wrote his sixth letter from Tullamore on the 29th December 1837. The inclement time of year did not prevent him from covering the old O'Connor kingdom of Offaly in a record ten days at a time when travel was difficult. His sixth letter is short while his seventh written the following day discusses O'Molloys country of Fear Ceall.
ORDNANCE SURVEY LETTERS KING'S COUNTY.
[ Letter no.6 from John O'Donovan ]
Tullamore,
December 29th 1837.
Dear Sir,
I have now got over a great part of my labours here, having finished that part of Ofalia lying in the King's County. I send you an account of the extent and subdivisions of Ofalia, which cost me much thought and serious investigation; please to read it through and say how far you think I am right. I am positively certain of the entire extent of Ofalia, but I have not decided the exact limits of two of its seven cantreds which were anciently celebrated for their beauty.
The Geraldines of Kildare, shortly after their arrival, wrested from O'Conor that portion of Ofalia lying in the present County of Kildare and now called the Barony of Ophaly. This dismembered the two territories in question, as the Geraldines erected the part of Ofalia containing these two cantreds into the Barony of Ophaly after the formation of the County of Kildare.
There were then two Offalys formed out of the ancient Principality of O'Conor Faly viz., the English Offaly in the Co. of Kildare, giving the title of Baron of Offaly to a branch of the Fitz-Geralds, and the Irish Offaly, extending into the present King's and Queen's Counties and giving the Irish title of King of Offaly to O'Conor, the senior representative of Rossa Failghe.
I will now attack O'Molloy's Country of Feara-Ceall and hope to get finished in a short time. O'Conor is at present at Edenderry but he will join me, perhaps, tomorrow.
I want from the Tripartite St. Patrick's travels through Ely, Dealghna Eathra and Feara Ceall.
Your obedient servant,
John O'Donovan.
ORDNANCE SURVEY LETTERS KING'S COUNTY.
[ Letter no. 7 from John O'Donovan ]
Tullamore,
December 30th 1837.
Dear Sir,
Please to send me some square paper and vouchers.
I have discovered the situation and limits of Moylena, which Mac Pherson attempted to waft over to Scotland and which the proprietor of Moylinny in the Co. of Antrim attempted to fix in his own neighbourhood; but such fooleries can be received no longer, as ancient Irish topography will now be placed on such a basis that no fabricator can disturb it. I remember that the proprietor of Moylinny was much displeased because we would not engrave that name on the Ordnance Map as Moilena to agree with Mac Pherson's fabrication and his own most learned commentary on it.
I have known these ten years that Moylena is situated in O'Mulloy's Country of Feara Ceall, but I never could find it the exact place until I visited the neighbourhood. Now to prove its situation:-
1. Colgan informs us that Durrow is in the Plain Moyleana.
2. Tigernach informs us that *** was taken prisoner in the Daimhliag of Durrow and conveyed to Moylena, where he was killed. This passage is not to be found among the Extracts sent me, but it certainly occurs.
3. In the year 902 Cormac Mac Cullennan and Flahertach, the warlike Abbot of Inis Cathy, defeated the Monarch on Moyleana.
4. In the year 1090 a dreadful battle was fought in Moyleana between Murtagh O'Brien, King of the South and Donnell, King of Meath, in which O'Brien was defeated with great slaughter.
The struggle for power between the chiefs of the north and south of Ireland generally took place on this plain, because it was the scene of the memorable struggle between their great ancestors, Con of the Hundred Battles and Mogha Nuadhat, after they had divided Ireland between them into two equal parts, which were separated by a line of hills called Esker Riada, extending from Dublin to Galway and passing through Moy-Leana. O'Flaherty speaks on this subject, as follows:-
"This division into two parts was observed no more than one year when Eugenius (surnamed Mogha Nuadhat) began to concert new measures. The only pretext for this rupture was : he represented to them that the northern Bay of Dublin and the harbor, that belonged to Conn, was infinitely more advantageous with regard to the profits arising from ship duties, fisheries and other commercial emoluments, in consequence of which he demanded half the revenue. Their pristine animosities are renewed; they are determined to decide the controversy by the more powerful argument of the sword, and, accordingly, both armies encamp in the Plain of Moylena in Ferakell in the King's County. Conn, being inferior in point of forces, had recourse to stratagem; having attacked the improvident enemy very early in the morning, he obtained a signal victory. Goll, the son of Morna, of the race of Sanbh (Belgie, King of Connaught) a distinguished champion, killed Eugenius on his bed, who, not apprehending any attack from the enemy, was asleep. There are yet to be seen at this place two hills, in one of which we are informed the body of Eugenius was interred and in the other the body of Froech, who was also slain in this battle." - Ogyia, Trans., Vol. II, p. 211-212.
THE BATTLE OF MOYLENA
5. The situation of Moy-Leana is most distinctly pointed but in the old Irish account of this Battle of Moylena, which took place between our ancestor, Eogan and Conn in the year 192. I translate from it that part which bears directly on the subject:-
"Then did the chiefs and all the heroes of Munster and the two thousand Spaniards assemble at the Longphort of Eogan, and then were there nine large battalions together at Dun Coffey, which is at this day called Bruree (in Co. Limerick?). Then did they march forward to cross the boundary ridge between them and Conn and to contend with him for the sovereignty of all Ireland, until they reached Moy-Meen; thence they passed to smooth Brith Kile and on to Druim Forasgair in the east of Coill-na-gCrann, and they beheld a very level, heathy, mountainous plain stretching before them. What is the name of this plain, said Eogan? It is the Plain of Leana, replied they. On what side of it is the boundary ridge with Conn, said he? On that side next, replied all. We will make a road cross (thro') it, said Eogan, and we will erect a camp in Conn's half, as he has not left our own half to us. Then did Eogan, the Splendid, advance to the wide Plain of Moy-Leana" etc., etc.
Eogan then crosses the Esker Riada, which extended across Moy-Leana, and erects an extensive camp in the north side of it, to wit, on the very verge of Conn's portion of Ireland (Ar Tair seachaibh Chuinn).
Now the Esker Riada passes through the district which is at this day called Moleany, between Tullamore and Durrow, about one and a half miles to the north of the former and through the following Townlands:- Bracklin, Tinnycross, Ardan, Ballyduff, Ballykilmurry, Moneygatteen (where the road from Ballycown to Clara crosses it) Ballynasrah, Tullagh, Tullaghbeg, and so passes through the Barony of Garrycastle in a very distinct line and strikes the Shannon somewhere about Clonmacnoise.
Moleany is now the name of a Roman Catholic Parish which is coextensive with the Protestant Parish of Kilbride, a fact fully borne out by an Inquisition taken in the reign of Charles I, which calls the Parish of Kilbride by the alias name of Moylena, which is as near the Irish name as could be expected.
I have traversed a great portion of Moylena today but could not identify the site of the camp of Eogan. There are various field works to the north of the Esker, but as tradition remembers no names it is impossible to be certain. However, I will not give it up yet, as the account of the Battle of Moylena is remarkably definite as to its situation "immediately on north side of the Esker." If I had a correct Map of the Parish of Moylena or (als.) Killbride, I could make the search with greater facility. I had not time today; as the land is so flooded I found it very difficult to make my way to some remarkable features which attracted my notice.
Mr. Curry [Eugene O'Curry] has not copied enough of the Irish account of the battle. It is stated that Eogan, the antagonist of Conn, and his ally, Fraech the Spaniard, were killed in the battle and buried in two hills near the scene of the contest. Are not the names of these hills given?
The hand of cultivation has almost entirely removed the heath from this Plain of Moylena and it exhibits no more of that shrub at present than the Great Heath of Dunamase.
I want that part of O'Dugan's poem which relates to Dealbhna Eathra (Bathra) and Feara Ceall and that part of O'Heerin's or O'Dugan's relating to Eile and Ui Cairin and the adjoining territories.
Does the Book of Survey and Distribution mention the lands.
I have the descriptions of the Parishes in this County, as given in the Down Survey but no names of those of the Irishry who forfeited, which would guide me in finding out the extent and situation of the ancient territories. It is, however, now too late to get them copied, but I shall be able to fix the remaining territories in this County without them.
O'Conor has not joined me yet, but I expect him tomorrow.
Your obedient servant,
John O'Donovan.
THE BOUNDARIES OF O'MOLLOY COUNTRY OF FEAR CEALL
Of the extent of Feara Ceall.
Previously to the establishment of the Territory of Dealbhna Eathra, Feara-Ceall was bounded on the north by the River Brosnagh, which divided it from Teffia; on the northeast by Kinel-Fiach; on the east by Offaly; on southeast by Doohy-Regan and on the south by Ely, afterwards called Ely O'Carroll. But after the establishment of the Territory of Dealbhna Eathra, that part of the Barony of Garry Castle lying south of the River Brosnagh was cut off it.
The name of this territory is still preserved in the Barony of Fercall, which sometimes goes by the alias name of Eglish from a castle of that name, and though its retaining the name is sufficient to prove that this Barony was a part of the ancient Territory of Feara Ceall, still the Abbe Mageoghegan does not place the Barony of Fercall in the Territory of Feara Ceall but in that of Ely O'Carroll and Archdall, who was able to decide nothing, places this Barony one time in Ely O'Carroll and another time in Feara Ceall. I shall copy his words:-
"Ely O'Carrol was first called Ely-Riogh-Dearg i.e., Ely the Royal, comprehending the Baronies of Clonlisk and Ballybritt and perhaps Eglish, King's County. It formerly belonged to Munster and was O'Carroll's Country." - Nomen. Hib.
And again:-
"Feara Ceall (O'Molloy's Country, King's Co. Fear Ceall) Baronies of Ballycowan and Ballyboy; perhaps also ye B. of Fercall, al. Eglish." -
Nomencl. Hib.
Is it not curious if the Barony which remains the name of the territory should not be in the territory whose name it retains?
But how we prove that the Barony of Fearcall, alias Eglish, was not in Ely O'Carroll? Very easily, thus: Feara Ceall was in Meath but Ely O'Carroll was in Munster. (Ely formerly be longed to Munster and Fercal to Meath - Tr. Thau., p. 349) Ancient Meath extended southwards to the River of Birr.
O Loch Bodeirg go Biorra
O'n tSionnain soir go fairge. - Keating.
Therefore, as no part of Ely O'Carroll was in Meath, it comprised no part of the Barony of Eglish, which lies to the north of the River of Birr and therefore within the limits of ancient Meath.
(2). The Church of Drumcullen was in Feara Ceall (Usher) and on the very boundary of ancient Meath (Keating). Now the Church of Drumcullen is near the southern boundary of the Barony of Eglish, therefore the Barony of Eglish is not in Ely O'Carroll.
(3). The Leabhar Breac of the Mac Egans places Kinitty on the frontiers of Ely and Ferkell. Now, Kinnitty is near the south boundary of the Barony of Eglish (but in the Barony of Ballybrit). The two territories then met near Kinnity and therefore the Barony of Eglish could not have been in Ely O'Carroll. (See Sketch, pp. 24, 25).
Finan camm Chindettig i ccoicrich (in confinibus) h-Eli agus Fercell. - Leabhar Breac, fol.9.
Another very curious corroboration of this is afforded by the extent of the Diocese of Meath, which is exactly that of the ancient Kingdom of Meath in this direction, that is, the Diocese of Meath comprehends that part of the King's County which was included in the ancient Kingdom of Meath. It runs southwards to the Abhainn Chara or River of Birr and so as to include the entire of the Parish of Drumcullen, which was on the boundary of ancient Meath and Munster.
Another exceedingly curious fact is that the part of the King's County lying south of Birr, which was anciently in Ely O'Carroll and in Munster, is now in the Diocese of Killaloe. Hence we see that the ancient territorial boundaries are preserved by the ecclesiastical divisions. Thus, the boundary of the Diocese of Kildare with that of Meath, preserves the boundary of Offaly with Feara Ceall and the boundary of the Diocese of Meath with that of Killaloe (Laonensis) preserves the boundary of ancient Meath with Munster, and of Feara Ceall, which was the most southern territory in ancient Meath, with Ely O'Carroll, which was the most northern territory in ancient Munster.
(5). But the most irrefragable argument to prove that the Barony of Eglish was in Feara Ceall is that Dr. Molloy holds a part of it to this day as a remnant of the Principality of hi s ancestors, and John O'Molloy, the Sugaun chief, held Mount Henry in the Parish of Eglish till about 30 years since.
We have seen that O'Molloy's Country of Feara-Ceall extended southwards to near Kinitty, to Drumcullen and to the River of Birr, where it met Ely O'Carroll and that, therefore, it included the Barony of Eglish or Fercall. It now remains to be proved how far it extended to the north, east and west.
Colgan informs us that the Monastery of Durrow lies in that district of Meath commonly called Fera-Keall. See Triad. Thau., p.506.
He tells us elsewhere, however that Durrow was on the confines of Fera-Kellia and Ely (Tr. Thau., p. 349) but this is so outrageous a blunder that it must be attributed to a mere slip of his memory or to an error of the press.
In note (26) on the 3rd Chap of Lib. I, of Adamnan's Life of Colombkille (Triad. Th., p. 339.) he tells us that Dair-Mag or Durrow "lies on the southern district of Meath commonly called Fera-Kaill."
Colgan, O'Flaherty and the Annals of Tighernach place the Plain of Moylena in Fera Ceall. See Ogygia Transl. II, pp. 211, 212.
See also Mageoghegan's Translation of the Annals of Clonmacnoise, at the year 1013.
"A.D. 1013. Murtagh O'Carry, Calma took Molloye O'Moylemoyn, Prince of Ferkall, from out the Church of Dorrowe and killed him at Moylena, adjoining to Durrowe."
I have shewn in a former letter that Moylena is the name of a district in the Barony of Ballycowan coextensive with the Parish of Kilbride, and that Offaly in Leinster met Fera-Keall in Meath here, all the Parish of Moylena being in Fera Keall in Meath and all the Barony of Lower Philipstown being in Offaly in Leinster. I have also shewn that the Diocese of Kildare meets the Diocese of Meath here O'Donovan continues his proofs of the boundaries of Fear Ceall discussing Lynally, Pallas, the Great Wood of Fear Ceall and Rahan.
Let us trace the boundary farther to the south. In an old Life of St. Colman Elo, quoted by Usher (Primordia, p. ?) and by Colgan, it is stated that Fiodh Elo, now Lynally, was in Fera-Keall. The following are the words of the old writer, as translated by Lanigan, Vol. II, page 303:-
Colman Elo, returning to his own country (Meath) he found King Aidus, son of Ainmirech, and several other persons assembled, among whom were Columbkille and St. Caineach. This was most probably in the year 590, after Columbkille had gone from Drumceal to visit his Monastery of Durragh. It was proposed to the assembly by Columbkille that a spot of ground should be given to their relative Colman, where he might establish a Monastery. Aidus Slaine, who was present, said that there was a large forest called Fidhelo in the District of Fercall ('Colman southern part of his Principality, where he might settle if he liked. Colman accepted of the offer and said: 'there shall be my resurrection and henceforth I shall be named from that place.' In fact, he was surnamed Elo and constantly called Colman-Elo, Latinized Colmanellus. To the Monastery which he erected, and which became very famous, was given the name Land-Elo, that is the House or Church of Elo, now Linally or Lynally in the King's Co. (in the Barony of Ballycowen and 4 miles south of Durrogh)."
I have already shewn that Offaly comprised all the Barony of Geshill and that Leinster, Offaly and the Diocese of Kildare met the Diocese and Kingdom of Meath here; and I now infer with certainty that the boundary of the Parish of Lynally (i.e., the boundary between the etc. --------- and etc.) with the Barony of Geshill was the boundary of Feara Ceall with Offaly.
I have also shewn in a former letter that Pailis Ui Mhaolmhuaid, now Pallis (and Lough Pallis) on the mearing of the Parish of Killoughy and the Barony of Geshill, was in Feara Ceall.
The following passage in the Annals of Clonmacnoise, as translated by Connell Mageoghegan, will shew the extent of Feara Ceall in this direction:-
"A.D. 1210. The King of England's Deputy came to Lynster and sent for the forces of Munstser, who came accordingly with Donnogh Carbreagh O'Bryen and marched with all their forces to Killnegrann (this is the Coill na gCrann of the Battle of Moylena) in Fercall, now called Killmore, where they met by Connor Mac Art O'Melaghlyn, who discomfitted them, where they left all their cows, horses, gold, silver and other things to the said Cormack."
This Kill-More or Great Wood of Fearkeall is referred to in two Inquisitions, one taken at Philipstown on the 3rd of September 1632, and the other at Iland on the 26th of May 1632, and in another Inquisition, taken at Killigh on the 31st May 1664, the "Great Wood of Fercale is described as lying in the Parish of Killaghie, Barony of Beallaghboy and King's County."
The name of this wood is yet retained in the Townlands of Coill More (Kilmore) and Great Wood in the Parish of Killaghy.
Hence it appears that the Territory of Feara Ceall was coterminas with Geshill in Offaly in Leinster, as far as the southeastern boundary of the Parish of Killaghy, where the three territories of Geshill, Doohy-Regan and Feara Ceall met or were conterraneous. (see pp. 24, 25).
To trace the boundary further to the south: It appears from the Annals of Clonmacnoise that the Castle of Ballyboy was in Feara Ceall:-
"A.D. 1260. Carbry O'Melaghlyn, worthy Prince for manhood, bounty and many other good parts, was treacherously killed by David Roche, in Athboye (Ath Buidhe, Baile Atha Buidhe) in the Territory of Fearkeall."
The Inquisitions will also shew that all the Parish and even Barony of Ballyboy was in Feara Ceall.
The following passage in the Annals of the Four Masters will also give one a clear idea of the extent of Feara Ceall in this direction:-
"A.D. 1601. O'Neill (after having crossed the Shannon at Ath Croch) marched forward through Delvin Mac Coghlan and Feara Keall, and until he crossed the muinchin (ridge) of Slieve Bloom into Hy Cairin (Ikerrin)."
I have shewn in a former letter that ancient Offaly in Leinster met the Kingdom of ancient Meath and Munster on the Mountain of Slieve Bloom, at the western extremity of the Barony of Tinahinch in the Queen's Co. and that the Diocese of Kildare meets the Dioceses of Meath and Killaloe at the same point. Hence I infer with perfect certainty that the Territory of Feara Ceall, which was the most southern part of ancient Meath, also met Offaly and Ely O'Carroll at this very point. (The old Map of Leax and Offaly shews Fercal O'Mulloy's Country immediately to the west of Geshill).
I have now traced the eastern boundary of Feara Ceall and found that the east side of that territory comprehended the Parishes of Durrow, Moy-Lena (or Kilbride) Lynally, Killaghy and Ballyboy, and I have also shewn in pointing out its southern boundary that it comprised the Parish of Drumcullen and that Kinitty was near its southern mearing. It now remains to be proved how far this territory extended to the north and west.
I have shewn in a letter from Westmeath that Kinel-Fiach or Mageoghegan's Country bounded it on the northeast and that Mageoghegan's Country was exactly coextensive with the Barony of Moycashel in the County of Westmeath; therefore Feara Ceall extended northwards to the verge of the County of Westmeath. I have also shewn in a letter from Westmeath that Muinter Thadhgain or Foxe's Country was coextensive with the Barony of Kilcoursey. Hence Feara Ceall could not have extended farther northwards than the southern boundary of the Barony of Kilcoursy.
We learn from the Annals of Clonmacnoise, the very best authority on the subject, that the Church of Rahen was in Feara Ceall.
"A.D. 1131. Mortagh O'Molloye, that succeeded as King of Ferkall, was burnt by the family of Muntyr Lwanyn in the Church of Rahin."
"A.D. 1212. Donnell Mac Donnell Breaghagh O'Melaghlyn, next in succession of Meath and Irish of Ireland, made a journey to take a prey from Meyler, was overtaken by Meyler himself and great forces of both English and Irishmen, who killed the said Donnell, with many others with him, at the River of Rahin in fFearcall." - Mageoghegan's Translation.
The Leabhar Breac or Speckled Book of the Mac Egans places Rathain the Territory of Delvin Eathra, but the Annals of Clonmacnoise are a better authority and must be received in preference to the former. The Church of Rahin, however, is close to the boundary of both territories and may have been at one time in the possession of the Mac Coghlans, but there is every appearance, if not certainty, that the River Brosnagh was originally the boundary between them in this direction.
"Civitas Rathen posita est in media Hiberniae in regione Midi in Plebe (cinel) scilicet Fearceall." - Vita Carthaci, quoted by Usher, Prim., pp. 910, 911.
This agreeing with the Annals of Clonmacnoise is decisive on the subject. The Leabhar Breac is wrong!
From the foregoing evidences, and from the following Inquisitions, it will appear that the Territory of Feara Ceall, since the encroachment of the Dalcassian tribe of Dealbhna Eathra, comprised only the Baronies of Ballycowan, Ballyboy and Farcall (Fercall) or Eglish.
The Inquisitions will shew that many Townlands lying in the present Barony of Eglish are in the Territory of Feara Ceall. Indeed the O'Molloys seem to have retained property in that Barony later than any of the others. John O'Molloy, the celebrated Sugawn chief, not thirty years dead, possessed Mount Henry in Eglish Ph.
The southern boundary of ancient Meath extended "from Dublin to the Abhainn Righe (Rye) and from the Abhainn Righe westwards to Cluain Conrach (Cloncurry) and from Cluain Conrach to the Ford of the French Mill, and to the Confluence (of the Boyne and Black Water) at Cluain Ioraird (Clonard) and from thence to the Causeway of Carbury and from the Causeway of Carbury to Crannach Geisille; thence to Druim Chuilinn and to Birr, and to the river called Abhainn Chara, and thence to the Shannon." - Keating.
O Loch Bodeirg go Biorra
O'n tSionain soir go fairge. - Old poet.
1. Muinter Thadhgain was Foxe's Country; now Kilcoursey Bary.
2. Dealbhna Eathra, Mac Coghlan's Country, now the Barony of Garrycastle.
3. Feara Ceall, O'Molloy's Country. This was the most southern territory of Antient Meath and met Ely O'Carroll at Birr. Dr. Francis O'Molloy, author of the Irish Grammar and Catechism styles himself "Franciscus O'Molloy Midensis." [published in Rome in 1676 - see Offaly History and Society: Nicholas Williams article on Irish language in County Offaly]
This sketch of Feara Ceall is manufactured from Petty's engraved Map of the King's County. All the remarkable places referred to in history as lying in Feara Ceall are laid down in order that the eye may see, at a glimpse, how far the territory extended in every direction. If Archdall, Beaufort and the Abbe Mageoghegan had done the same, they would not have exposed themselves to the ridicule of posterity.
FEARCALL - (From the Inquisitions).
Castlegeshill, 23 Oct., 1612. (8 Jac I.).
The aforesaid Gerald, late Earl of Kildare etc, by an indenture dated the 8th of May, 1607, demised to John alias Shane Oge Mc Teige O'Molloy, of Durys in Fearkeale in the King's County and Annabella ny Woran of Le Porte in the County aforesaid, widow, all that the castle, lands etc., of Eglis, Durys, Portlogh and Ardoige in the County aforesaid, to hold for the term of 41 years, as by the same indenture doth appear, the tenor of which follows in the original.
*** The aforesaid Gerald, late Earl, and Richd. Talbott, by an indenture dated the last of May 1609, gave to one Neile Moore & Annabella ny Horan, his wife, the Castle, Town and Hamlet of Downes, Le Porte alias Inchloughcurry, with 1 cartron in the Eglish de Moyanny called Ballynegullyne al' Ballynenarge, with their appurtenances in Tomyanny in the Territory of Fercall in the King's Co., to hold for the term of 41 years, as by the same indenture doth fully appear, the tenor of which follows in the original. The aforesaid Gerald, late Earl etc., by an indenture dated 1 May 1610, demised to Maurice Eustace of Clongowswood the Castle, Town and lands of Doughill, Ballincurre, Ballynconnoe, Ballincharde & Ardglasse in Farcall in the King's Co., containing 3 cartrons of land with their appurtenances, to hold for the term of 21 years, as by the same indenture doth appear, the tenor of which also follows in the original.
(See following Inquisition, which ought to precede this).
Philipstown, 3 Sept., 1632 (20 Car. I). Patrick, Baron of Dunsany, was seized of the Town and lands of Ballyna al' Coglena in the King's County, containing one hundred acres of arable and pasture; Clonagh 49 acres arrable & pasture, and 250 acres arable & pasture in Clonagh aforesaid and Mucklagh, and 50 acres of moor and wood in the great wood commonly called "the Great Wood of Fercall" in the County aforesaid.
Being so seized thereof without obtaining the licence of the late King, by his deed dated 8th of Feby., 1602, he gave the premises, among other persons, to William Lyons, as by the said deed, the tenor of which follows in the original, doth appear, by the virtue of which the aforesaid William was seized of the premises and died on the 16th of April, 1633.
Chas. Lyons is his son and heir, was aged 16 years at the time of the death of his father and not married. The premises are holden of the King in capite, by Knight's Service.
Iland, 26 May 1632 (19 Car. I).
(Ought to go before the preceding).
Patrick, Baron of Dunsany, was seized of the Town and land of Ballyna al' Coillyna in the Barony of Ballycowne in the King's County, containing one hundred acres of fertile land and 20 acres of wood and moor; Clonagh 49 acres fertile and 250 acres of arable and pasture; 256 acres wood and moor in Clonagh aforesaid and Mucklaghe in the Barony and County aforesaid and 50 acres of wood and moor in the wood commonly called "the Greate Woode of Fercall" in the aforesaid County; and by his deed dated the 8th of Feby., 1622, without obtaining the licence of the King, granted the premises to William Lyons of Dughill in the aforesaid County; all the premises are holden of the King in capite, by Knight's Service.
Philipston, 3 Sept. 1633 (24 Car. I).
Theobald Molloy was seized of the Town and land of Pallice, whereof the Hamlet of Ballyduffe al' Killmogonoge is parcell, containing 4 messuages & 249 acres of arable & pasture; Ballyduffe 1 messuage and 99 acres arable and pasture; Ballycore 1 mess' and 35 acres arable and past; Curraghmeelagh 1 mes' & 28 acres arable and Ballyferral 3 mes' & 66 acres arable & pasture, all which lie in the Territory of Fercall in the Kings County and contain in all 508 acres arable & pasture and 139 acres of wood and moor.
Being so seized thereof, he died on the 3rd of June 1633. Neale Molloy is his son and heir and was aged 35 years at the time of his father's death and married. The premises are holden of the King in free and common soccage.
(54 Car. I.).
*** Laurence Parsons, Knight, on the day on which he died, was seized of the Town and lands of Carrigedmond and Cargindonell al' Carriggdonnell, with the appurtenances in the Barony of Eglish in the King's County and 135 acres of arable and pasture and 250 acres of wood and moor in Ballinlogg, Shillogg and Ballynea al' Ballymea next adjacent to the Town and land of Port and Doorus in the Barony and County aforesaid, and of three-quarters of the wood and moor of Drynagh and of all the wood and moor of Derryfadda al' Derrada and le Cargins in the Barony and County aforesaid. He held Carrigedmond and Cargindonell and the rest (of) the premises of the King in free and common soccage and not in capite, nor by Knight's Service.
The aforesaid Laurence also, on the day on which he died, was seized of the Town and land of Ardgogy with the appurtenances in the Barony of Eglishe aforesaid, and of the Towns and lands of Shanvoly, Derrinloghy and Ballykelly al' Ballykeely, and of 500 acres of wood and moor in the Barony of Eglish aforesaid. He held the aforesaid Town and land of Ardgogy and the rest of the premises of the King in free and common soccage. The aforesaid Laurence, on the day on which he died, was also seized of the Manor of Newton in the Territory of Ely O'Carroll, and the Towne and lands of Newton and Ballinegowne with the appurtenances and of 126 acres of arable and pasture; 10 acres of wood and moor and 80 acres of mountain in Tullagh, Ballymacmorroghe, Ballywilliam and Clonyn; 105 acres arable and pasture and 50 acres mountain in Roscomroe and Clashroe next adjacent to the Town of Newton aforesaid and a court leet and court baron within the Manor aforesaid.
He held the aforesaid Manor of Newton and the other premises of the King by Knight's Service. The aforesaid Laurence was also seized of the Castle, Town and land of Ballybritt with the appurtenances in the King's County, from the feoffment of John Carroll of Clonlyske and he held them of the King by Knight's Service and of the Castle, Towns and lands of Ballindowne and Ballywilliam with the appurtenances in the Territory of Fercall and he held, on the day on which he died, the aforesaid castles, towns and lands of the King, by fealty only, in free and common soccage.
The aforesaid Laur Parsons, Knight, being so seized, died on the 8th of Sept., in the year of the reign of the King that is now (4).
Richd. Parsons is his son and heir and was aged 17 years at the time of the death of the aforesaid Laurence and was married to Anne Loftus, daughter to Adam Loftus of Rathfarnham in the Co. Dublin, Knight, in his father's life-time.
Killeigh, 31 May 1664 (2 Car. II).
James Griffith and Dermot Duigin were lately the proprietors of part of the Great Wood of Fercall in the Parish of Killaghie, Barony of Beallaghboy and King's County, containing 200 acres, forfeited to the now King Chas. II, by the late Act of Settlement and now given in custody to one Thomas Bourcke. ...
O'MOLLOY CHIEF KILLED BY A BEGGAR
O'Donovan continues his series of the history of the O'Molloy's of Fear Ceall including the killing of the Lord of Fear Ceall and his wife by a beggar or professional geocach.
Shane O'Dugan, in his metrical list of the chieftains of ancient Meath, mentions O'Molloy, thus:- ...
"King of Feara Ceall of ancient swords,
Is O'Mulmoy - noble the surname
Each sword was bent (conquered) by him;
He has a share to himself apart."
How different from this is the Bard Roe's character of the Feara Ceall! ...
"The Feara Ceall observing their customs
Is cause of scandal and disgrace,
Flaying (Feannadh*) is in use with the Feara Ceall
On the banks of each river!
*What does he mean?
I confess I do not understand what Aengus O'Dauly Finn means here by Feannadh, a custom upon which he looks as a Mionos or Barbarity. Is it what he means that the O'Molloys were in the habit of flaying cattle alive? It may be, but I do not think (I fear) that Aengus was Arabian enough to think that a barbarity. Does he mean flaying their prisoners alive?
It is wonderful to me that he has not attempted to lessen the historical fame of the O'Molloys by dwelling on the fact of their ancestor having been slain by a Beggarman (Geocach) in 1110.
"Molloy may boast of ancient swords,
Of guards and hosts of warlike men,
But let him tell where were his hordes
In that sad year, 1110,
When Geocach Hallion, who to swords,
Was not accustomed, nor to strife,
Ransacked the fortress! mark my words,
And choaked Gilcolumb and his wife."
The first notice of the Territory of Feara Ceall which occurs in the Annals of the Four Masters is at the year 839, when it is recorded that it and the adjoining one of Delvin Ehra were plundered by the King, Niall Caille, and henceforwards we find it in the possession of the O'Molloys, the descendants of Fiacha, the son of Niall of the Nine Hostages.
The most extraordinary entry in the Annals of this territory is under the year 1110, when it is recorded that Gilcolumb O'Molloy, Lord of Feara, and his wife were killed by the Geocach O'Aillen! (now Anglicised Hallion).
A chief, Geocach, who was a professional Beggar who traversed a certain district, which he called his territory. The Geocachs were often men of great muscular strength, and there are instances in the memory of tradition of their having performed extraordinary feats of strength, though they most generally, if not always, pretended to have some impediment in their limbs, for which, as being Aidhilgneacha an choimhdhe, they claimed tribute from a certain district and from the minor Geocachs of the same, of whom, by the right of lamh laidir and superior talent in the profession, they often made subalterns and willing tributaries. This impediment of limb was, however, most generally a pretended one and a story is still vividly remembered of one of them who kept the old women in the south of the County of Kilkenny in awe for several years and often defied the strongest men to a contest of strength.
On one occasion a Geocach entered a farmer's house not far from Waterford, and finding that the farmer's wife was boiling a piece of beef, he sat down and told her that he would not go till the meat was boiled, that he might eat the whole of it.
"That's not fair, says the woman; "I am boiling this meat for my husband, who has gone to a fair, and he promised to be home by this hour, so you had better take care of yourself, as he is the strongest man in this country."
"I know that very well", says the Geocach, "and it is for that very reason that I wish to insult him as much as I can. Will you wait till he comes home? says the woman; he will be here before the meat is done. Be Gor, I will, says the Geocach, and if he is able to put me down, I will say that I am no longer able to command the district.
He sat down till the husband returned, and when the Geocach saw him, he eyed him from head to foot and cried out: I have come to eat this meat in spite of you, but I will first give you the fair play of fighting you for it. Upon my soul then, says the farmer, you have very little chance of a bit of it, if you seek for it on these conditions. I will wrestle you for it, says the Geocach. Agreed, says the farmer.
They laid hold of each other (lamh shios a's lamh shuas) and, after some violent struggles, the Geocach found that he was not able to cope with the farmer in consequence of the manner in which he was tied up to give himself a lame appearance. Allow me, says he to the farmer, to unloose a belt. To be sure, says his antagonist. The Geocach then unloosed a strap, by means of which he contrived to make himself artificially lame, and grappling with the farmer again, made no more of him than he would of a child! And the farmer, acknowledging that he never met so good (i.e., strong) a man before, gave up the meat to the Geocach. The wife, however, had not the same respect for her husband ever after!
This is a true story as told by Livy! The Geocach referred to is about 90 years dead. These Geocachs were, at least in modern times, great topers and one of them composed a song in which he ordered himself to be interred in the floor of a public house that he might listen to the drunken revels of jovial fellows. ...
The history of Geocachs is of great importance to the general Irish historian, but, as they are disappearing very fast, it is not easy now to recover much of their history, rights or privileges. It must have been a very curious state of society that tolerated such vagabonds.
The Annals mention another Geocach who, at the Fair of Taillteann, took a false oath or rather, swore falsely by the hand of St. Kieran.
JOHN O'MOLLOY OF EGLISH - THE SOOGAN CHIEF
Here Thomas O'Conor recounts the history of Eglish and the story of John O'Molloy, a colourful character who died in the early 1800's. EGLISH PARISH
The Annals at the year 1532 record that:-
"Ferganainm O'Carroll proceeded to the assistance of his son-in-law, the Earl of Kildare, the then Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, to oppose the sons of John and they took the Castle of Kill Uirin, the Castle of Eaglais and the Castle of Baile an Duna."
To the west side of Eglish parochial Church is Eglish Castle, which is now occupied by Capt. English. It is said that the former Church of Eglish stood somewhere convenient to the present one, that "Lady Loftus"* a resident of old of the Castle of Eglish, caused, in order to remove annoyance, or perhaps out of some other fanciful intention, the burial ground within which the present Church stands, to be consecrated, having procured from England a Bishop who performed this ceremony of consecration, whereon the former Church falling into ruin, became totally effaced, as likewise did the cemetery belonging to it, fall into utter disuse.
It is said that the place where it stood remains free from cultivation to the present time.
Tradition communicates all this information as to the removal of the Church, which is of no great importance, but may merit to be thus put together. (See Ballindown infra).
The inquisition from which the marginal notice is taken was not in my hands when I wrote this account given by tradition, which receives corroboration from the Inquisition as to the existence of a woman surnamed Loftus in the place.
*In an Inquisition ( *** 54, Car. I) is found this statement, viz:-
"The aforesaid Laurence Parsons, Knight, being so seized, died on the 8th of September in the year of the reign of the King, that is now 4 *** Richard Parsons is his son and heir and was aged 17 years at the time of the death of the aforesaid Laurence and was married to Anne Loftus, daughter of Adam Loftus of Rathfarnham in the Co. Dublin, Knt., in his father's lifetime.
Seven wells are described in the Name Book as lying in the southwest side of Eglish Townland. The name set down for them is Tubbernabearly, which is pronounced by some Tober na Bhearla and by others Tobar na bPearla, signifying Well (not Wells) of the Pearls. The former of these names if corruptedly pronounced in both pronunciations, Tobar, a well (not wells) presents itself.
The persons who have a knowledge of these wells state that there were formerly seven in number, but that there are only five now. I think the one bearing the name of Tobar na bPearla, ought to marked with the name attached to it on the Plan, if not already done.
Baile an Duna, mentioned in the Annals cited above as having a castle in it, is now anglicised Ballindown, which is the name of a townland in the Parish of Eglish. The castle was entirely demolished. Its site is described in the Name Book as lying in the southwest side of Ballindown Townland about six chains southwest of the road from Birr to Cloghan.
Inquisition ( *** ) 54 Car. I finds that:-
*** Laurence Parsons, Knt., on the day on which he died, was seized of the Town and lands of Carriggedmond and Cargindonnell al' Carriggdonell, with the appurtenances in the Barony of Eglish in the King's County and of 135 acres of arable and pasture and 250 acres of wood and moor in Ballinlogg, Shillogg and Ballynea alias Ballymea, next adjacent to the Town and land of Port and Doorus, and of three quarter of the wood and moor of Drynagh and of all the wood and moor of Derryfadda alias Derradda and le Cargins in the Barony and County aforesaid.
He held Carriggedmond and Cargindonnell and the rest of the premises of the King in free and common soccage and not in capite, nor by Knight's service. The aforesaid Laurence also, on the day on which he died, was seized of the Town and land of Ardgogy, with the appurtenances in the Barony of Eglishe aforesaid and of the Town and lands of Shanvolly, Derrinloghy and Ballykelly alias Ballykeely and of 500 acres of wood and moor in the Barony of Eglish aforesaid. He held the aforesaid Town and land of Ardgogy and the rest of the premises of the King in free and common soccage.
The aforesaid Laurence on the day on which he died was also seized of the Manor of Newtown in the Territory of Ely O'Carroll and the Town and lands of Newtown and Ballinegowne with the appurtenances and of 126 acres arable and pasture, 10 acres of wood and moor and 80 acres of mountain in Tullagh, Ballymacmorroghe, Ballywilliam and Clonyn, 105 acres arable and pasture and 50 acres of mountain in Roscomroe and Clashroe next adjacent to the Town of Newtown aforesaid and a Court Leet and Court Baron within the manor aforesaid. He held the aforesaid Manor of Newtown and the other premises of the King by Knight's serice. The aforesaid Laurence was also seized of the castle, town and land of Ballybritt with the appurtenances in the King's County from the feoffment of John Carroll of Clonlyske and he held them of the King by Knight's service, and of the castle, towns and lands of Ballindowne and Ballywilliam with the appurtenances in the Territory of Fercall, and he held on the day on which he died, the aforesaid castles, towns and lands of the King by fealty only, in free and common soccage.
The aforesaid Laurence Parsons, Knt., being so seized, died on the 8th of September in the year of the reign of the King, that is now, 4.
Richard Parsons is his son and heir and was aged 17 years at the time of the death of the aforesaid Laurence and was married to Anne Loftus, daughter of Adam Loftus of Rathfarnham in the Co. Dublin, Knight, in his father's lifetime. ...
Ballywilliam in Eglish must be meant here, as this Laurence Parsons, Knt., was seized of the castle, town and lands of Ballindowne and Ballywilliam in the Territory of Fercall, by which name Eglish Parish is now frequently called; Ballindowne, in competition with which it is mentioned, being in the same Parish. ...
The Inquisition just quoted, tho' later in time than the following one, got the first place here, because it is more connected with the local tradition respecting Eglish.
This Inquisition, dated 'Castlegeshill', 23rd October 1612 (8 Jac. I) finds that:-
"Gerald, late Earl of Kildare, etc., by an Indenture dated the 8th of May 1607, demised to John alias Shane Oge Mc Teige O'Molloy of Durys in Fearkeale in the King's County, and Annabella ny Woran of le Porte in the County aforesaid, widow, all that the castle, lands etc., of Eglis, Durys, Portlogh and Ardoige in the County aforesaid, to hold for the term of 41 years, as by the same indenture doth appear the tenor of which follows in the original.
*** The aforesaid Gerald, late Earl and Richard Talbott, by an indenture dated the last of May 1609, gave to one, Neile Moore and Annabella ny Horan, his wife, the castle, town and hamlet of Downes, le Porte alias Inchloughcurry, with 1 cartron in le Eglish de Moyanny called Ballynegullyne al' Ballynenarge, with their appurtenances in Tomyanny in the Territory of Fercall in the King's County, to hold for the term of 41 years, as by the same indenture doth fully appear the tenor of which follows in the original.
The aforesaid Gerald, late Earl, etc., by indenture dated 1 May 1610, demised to Maurice Eustace of Clongowswood, the castle, town and lands of Doughill, Ballincurre, Ballynconnoe, Ballincharde and Ardglasse in Fercall in the King's County containing 3 cartrons of land with their appurtenances, to hold for the term of 21 years, as by the same indenture doth appear the tenor of which follows in the original. The premises are holden of the King in capite by Knight's service." ...
Tradition says that the lands contained under the denomination of Mount Henry in this Parish were in the possession of John O'Molloy who is dead now nearly 30 years. He and his brother lived in a thatched house on the premises, which house as yet remains undestroyed; he never married and always entertained the highest artistocratic notions and on every occasion exhibited himself as a nobly descended personage. Out of peculiarity of taste in military dress, looking upon himself as the descendant of warriors, he always wore a three cocked hat with a Soogan (Sugan) of hay tied around it and carried a sword suspended from a soogan of the same material which encircled the middle of his body and served instead of a belt.
The sword which he used was a long one and curved towards the point.
Another interesting anecdote is related about the Soogan chief and a Mr. Berry, who 'came in for a farm' adjoining his landed property. As O'Molloy was one day amusing himself cutting off the heads of thistles with his sword while walking through his fields, he was observed in the progress of this act by his new neighbour, who, on addressing himself to O'Molloy in a style, strain and tone indicative of self-importance and of apparent contempt for the chief, was replied to in the commanding interrogative: Who are you, Sir? 'The Chief' receiving the answer: My name's Berry, returned, 'and I believe, a bitter berry too.'
Berry being surprised by such an answer from a person upon whom he looked as insane from his peculiar dress, went and questioned his Irish labourers who that eccentric character was who was cutting off the heads of the thistles with his sword, telling them at the same time the impudent reply he himself received from him. An' Sir, is that all he did to you, was the general cry; you are very safe when he did not cut off your head with his sword. He is John O'Molloy, the proprietor of the next estate, whose family were so very respectable heretofore. The labourers going on relating the importance of the man, were reproached by Berry with: You ruffians, why did you not tell me who he was before I incurred his censure by treating him so disrespectfully as I did.
Berry returned immediately and excused himself with Molloy, saying that he did not know him first, that he begged his pardon for addressing a gentleman of his responsibility (person?) in such language as he had done, adding that if it were not convenient to O'Molloy to give assistance in renewing a broken down fence which ran as a mearig between both their properties, he should get the whole of it fixed himself without any trouble or expense to O'Molloy. Which kind proffer was responded to in this insubmissive, as well as contemptuous manner: 'I don't want any assistance from you, Sir, I'll take care to have my fences properly made up.'
Your obedient servant,
T. O'Connor.
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