Note on the petition of Turlogh O’Loghlen of Gragans, , (c.1663)

Luke McInerney1

The foregoing petition and accompanying schedule which may be dated to circa 1663 is an interesting document from the viewpoint of the process of transplantation during the interregnum period of the Commonwealth Protectorate (1649-1660), and the subsequent restoration of confiscated lands under Charles II. While this process did not affect all Catholic proprietors who suffered confiscation and arbitrary loss of land due to their actual, or assumed, participation in the wars of the 1640s, the process of recovery of confiscated lands was put on official footing with the passing of the Act of Settlement in 1662. It was in pursuance of this Act that the foregoing petition was compiled in an effort to restore the chief lands of the O’Loghlen (Uí Lochlainn) family which centred on Gragans in the Burren.

The 1662 Act was designed to partially reverse This situation was met with frustration by the Gaelic the draconian Cromwellian policy which saw the Irish who considered their activities against the uprooting and transplantation of Catholic and Royalist Parliamentarians as service in defence of the Royalist landowners from their estates east of the Shannon, and and Stuart cause. Among this list we find the names of their forced relocation to Connacht and county Clare.2 several O’Loghlens from the Burren, including ‘Rosse O This policy resulted in wholesale confiscation of lands Loghlin of ffaha’, ‘Thirlagh O Loghlin of Glanslide’ and and the ‘planting’ of Cromwellian soldiers and settlers, ‘Donogh O Loghlin of Moguha’. 7 particularly in the fertile lowland areas of Leinster and Munster. The 1662 Act attempted a limited reversal of The collection of documents presented here, have been these arrangements by recognising that some Catholic kindly brought to light for the first time by Michael landowners were not involved in the wars of the 1640s, O’Loghlen Q.C., of Apollo Bay, Australia. Undoubtedly and that many Royalists were indiscriminately punished they will be of singular interest to an Irish audience, not under the Cromwellian policy. To remedy this perceived least because the worth of these documents lie in their injustice, and to reward Royalist supporters, the 1662 rather unlikely survival, handed down, as they were, by Act created a legal avenue of redress, known as the generations of the Martyn family before coming again Court of Claims. While the intention behind the Act into the possession of the O’Loghlens. On account of the was diluted by its wording and, in practical terms, by Cromwellian confiscations and forfeiture of their estates, the limited workings of the Court, it was this latter body the main lineage of the O’Loghlens were dispossessed which was responsible for ascertaining eligibility among of their chief castle at Gragans in the Burren. 8 During applicant landowners for the recovery of their former the eighteenth century the documents remained at lands. Even in spite of its limited function, many of the Gragans in the custody of the Martyn family, until they determinations made by the Court were short-lived and were fortuitously acquired by Hugh O’Loghlen, the were overturned by the Williamite Settlement of the brother of Sir Michael O’Loghlen (1789-1842), Master 1690s. of the Rolls, in the 1830s. The documents remained in Ireland until 1953 when Sir Colman O’Loghlen (1916- In 1663 the Court of Claims was set up to investigate 2014) of Melbourne, Australia, visited Dublin and took landowners’ claims.3 Assessing claims was a complicated possession of the documents which were previously process as most of the new owners had contracted their owned by the late Lady Beatrice O’Loghlen, widow of land from Cromwellian grantees as many decided not Sir Michael (1866-1934), the grandson of Sir Michael to settle the lands themselves. Therefore, numerous (1789-1842). The documents have remained in the contracts had to be unwound, with consequent family of Sir Colman, and they currently are in the implications for grantees and others. Many of these possession of Michael O’Loghlen, Q.C. buyers were not Cromwellian settlers themselves, but individuals who had already been living in Ireland The documents provide a rare account of the before 1641. Only a small number of Catholic ex- landholding of the leading Gaelic family of the Burren, landowners who lodged claims at the Court appear to the Uí Lochlainn. It also gives some insight into the legal have been restored to their former estates,4 and several machinations of the Court of Claims. For students of thousand claims remained unheard at the expiry of time Irish administrative and legal history, the documents allowed for hearing cases.5 also contain fascinating miscellanea about the type of evidence and argumentation which was submitted to the One element in determining whether claimants were to Court. While the Court received thousands of similar be restored to their lands was that they were required to claims, few have endured such a convoluted journey provide evidence about their conduct during the wars of survival, making this instance of survival outside of of 1641-52. Lists of applicants were drawn up and those Ireland an extraordinary occurrence. decreed innocent or deserving were allocated lands, usually a portion of what they held prior to 1641.6 15 Historical context the Leabhar Uí Lochlainn (Book of the O’Loghlens), which amassed poetry addressed to generations of The documents presented here formed the case of the the O’Loghlen family, including Turlogh (fl.1663).20 A main branch of the O’Loghlens in their dealings with number of other poems were addressed to Turlogh’s son the Court of Claims to restore their confiscated lands. Donogh (d.1714), and to his son also named Turlogh, who The claimant mentioned in the petition documents, and was alive when Mac Cruitín completed the compilation. in the accompanying schedule of lands and letter to King This 280 page book was partly an antiquarian response Charles II, was Turlogh O’Loghlen (Toirdhealbhach to changing times, and it stands as one of the last family Ó Lochlainn). We are fortunate that Turlogh’s petition poem-books (duanairí) composed in the classical recites his pedigree back to his great-great-grandfather; Gaelic tradition in Ireland. It was contemporaneous that he was the son of Owney Og, son of Melaghlin, son with another notable duanaire, the Book of Clanranald, of Rossa son of Owney. This accords with the traditional a work produced for the MacDonalds of the Scottish genealogies where it is given in the eighteenth century Western Isles.21 These duanairí marked the end of the tract ‘Gionalach Uí Lochluinn’ found at RIA Ms 23 H 25: classical Gaelic tradition of eulogising the great Gaelic ‘Toirdhealbhach mac Donnchaidh mic Toirdhealbhaigh families in both Ireland and Scotland, as such families mic Uaithne mic Maoileachluinn mic Rosa mic Uaithne’.9 gradually withdrew their patronage of the native learned In another manuscript, RIA Ms 23 F 14, a genealogy families during the seventeenth and early eighteenth appears to give the forebears of this last named Uaithne.10 century. Interestingly, this last mentioned pedigree was compiled by the official ollamh seanchais of Thomond, Maoilín Few details are known about this Turlogh O’Loghlen Óg Mac Bruaideadha, in the year 1594.11 What is who petitioned the Court of Claims in the early 1660s. significant here is that the principal lineage of the family He was the son of Uaithne Ó Lochlainn (Owney) who was recorded in the classical Gaelic tradition by the appears to have been born in 1593.22 Turlogh married leading chronicler-poet of Thomond, thus serving as a Honora O’Brien, the daughter of Donogh O’Brien Esq. of testimony to the high status of the Uí Lochlainn. Newtown in Drumcreehy. Turlogh appears as a witness in a number of land transactions, and he was often The main lineage of the Uí Lochlainn is recorded summoned as a juror in the manor court of Finavarra as holding Gragans castle from at least 1570.12 This in the 1670s.23 Like other local notables he appears lineage was clearly the dominant branch of the family in a number of land deeds and legal instruments. For and a number of their leading kinsmen are recorded example, he signed as a witness to the will of Captain in contemporary documents.13 Oyne (Uaithne) O William Neylan in 1678.24 Turlogh, who appears to Laughline was a signatory to the 1585 ‘composition of have been living at Tarmon in from the 1670s, Connacht’ agreement where he was recorded ‘of the was also embroiled in a land dispute in 1689 along with Gragans otherwise called O Laghline’. 14 This appellation his son, Captain Donogh O’Loghlen, of Ballyallaban in indicates that he held the headship, or ceannfine, of the Rathbourney. The proprietorship of Coskeam in Carran Uí Lochlainn lineage at that time. The ‘tanist’ (tánaiste) was disputed, a situation that may have had its origins in of the family, however, held his mensal estate further the 1640s when Coskeam was jointly held by O’Loghlens east at Glencolumbkille in Carran, and the composition and Donogh O’Brien.25 Turlogh’s claim to the land was agreement recorded its possessor as ‘Ross O Laghline re-stated in his c.1663 petition to the Court of Claims tanest to the said O Laghlin’.15 (annexed below) but it appears to have been either disavowed or disputed by Donogh O’Brien of Formoyle, Since medieval times the Uí Lochlainn were the leading Esq, presumably on the basis of an interest which lineage in the Burren, and by the sixteenth century they he held in the land from the 1640s. There was much had eclipsed the Uí Chonchubhair (O’Connors) with disturbance at local level due to the upheavals created by whom they shared an ancient progenitor. They were the transplantation and settlement of proprietors from frequently recorded in the Irish annals.17 However, elsewhere in Ireland into the Burren. A petition dated by the first decades of the seventeenth century, 1669 mentions that ‘Terlagh Oge O’Loughlyn’ along documentary evidence indicates that they began to with others attacked transplantee Maurice Connell with experience difficulty in maintaining their landholding the intention of dislodging him.26 Terlagh Oge may have and status. During this period, the land market in Co. been a son of Turlogh who petitioned for the restoration Clare underwent much change as successive earls of of his lands, many of which escheated to the crown and Thomond consolidated their estates, and merchants were re-granted others. Residual interest in lands dating from Galway such as the Blakes, Lynchs and Martyns, to before the wars of the 1640s remained contested, as leased and alienated land that previously formed the former proprietors sought to redeem their interest and hereditary estates of Gaelic families.18 rights from the new grantees.

Despite the reduction in the status of the Uí Lochlainn, That Turlogh was a man of standing is evidenced by they remained an important family in the Burren, the fact that he was a colonel and he employed this title until the Cromwellian confiscations of the early 1650s. in his letter to King Charles II and in the schedule of Notwithstanding this, evidence of their continued lands. It is not known how Turlogh attained the position status can be seen by their sustained patronage of Gaelic colonel, but foreign military service remains one such learning. In 1727 Aindrias Mac Cruitín, scion of the possibility. Clann Cruitín chroniclers of Kilmacrehy,19 completed 16 One of Turlogh’s kinsmen, Malachy O’Laughlin, was The lands detailed in the 1544 deed may have been a lieutenant and is recorded in 1704 as petitioning the the mensal, or lucht tighe lands, of the headship of the exiled King James II, at St. Germains near Paris, for Uí Lochlainn. This would have been possible under enoblement based on his descent from ‘O’Laughlin, Lord brehon law whereby the recipient was the recognised of the of Burren and head of an old and gentle successor for the headship of the family. Such a position family’.27 Many Irish went abroad to pursue military came with certain emoluments and lands. However, the careers in the 1660s, with another wave emigrating after lands transferred in 1589 present a different question the defeat at Aughrim in 1691. Turlogh appears in a list about inheritance. The fact that they were transferred of ‘chief gentlemen and ablest persons’ that noted the to Uaithe’s eldest son, Rosa, a year before the former’s supporters of King James II, and which was drawn up death, and that later Rosa was disseised of the lands by a by Donogh O’Brien of Dromoland in 1690.28 He was rival claimant of the family, suggests that the lands were recorded therein as Col. Turlogh O’Loghlen, along with not regarded as alienable property. If this was the case, then the 1589 deed may have been an attempt to alienate his son Daniel, in what is likely the last reference to and transfer demesne lands which were acquired by him.29 This son was probably Donnchadh whose death Uaithne but regarded, at least among their wider kin, as in 1714 was lamented in a poem ascribed to Aindrias 30 the collective inheritance of the Uí Lochlainn and thus Mac Cruitín (Air bhás Dhonnchaidh Uí Lochlainn). subject to partible division (i.e. ‘gavelkind’).

Judging from his petition for the restoration of his In this situation the lands would have been held under lands, most of Turlogh’s hereditary lands were situated customary practice and parcelled out to collateral Uí in Rathbourney, Carran, Kilcorney and Drumcreehy Lochlainn branches, and any interest which Uaithne parishes. Gragans was not restored to the O’Loghlens had acquired in them would have been for life only; during this period, and Turlogh appears to have resided usually demesne lands were subject to redemption so chiefly at Tarmon in Carran parish. Indeed, an undated that they were not alienated from their original owners poem addressed to Turlogh and which is preserved in whose entitlement to those lands, under Gaelic tenure, the Leabhar Uí Lochlainn refers to Tarmon (Tearmann), was analogous to having a collective freehold right. and that he was the son of Uaithne na n-each seang (‘of However, the fact that they were within Uaithne’s power the slender steeds’).31 The fact that Gragans castle was to dispose to his son, suggests that he was attempting to not directly mentioned in the petition likely derives do so under English common law and, more specifically, from the fact that it was originally held under Gaelic in accordance with the rule of primogeniture. Such partible inheritance among eligible sons, meaning that a strategy would thereby have circumvented partible it was never recognised as alienated property, held in fee inheritance and negated other claims made by other Uí simple. Lochlainn kinsmen. Practices like this were becoming frequent toward the end of the sixteenth century Possession of Gragans castle, like many of the mensal when English common law was beginning to govern estates of the Gaelic lords, rested on collective inheritance matters, and ambitious family branches ownership claims of the dominant sept or faction within sought a means to alienate what previously were hereditary lands with collective forms of proprietorship. the lineage, and as such it would have been attached to the headship (the ceannfine) of the Uí Lochlainn. The complex nature of the family’s landholding in While title inheritance to other Uí Lochlainn lands was 1641, however, indicates that like other Gaelic families, first recognised under English common law with the much of the Uí Lochlainn landholding was essentially 32 execution of a deed in 1589 by Uaithne in favour of his collective, or had been a generation or so prior. eldest son Rosa, Gragans castle may have been excluded Adding to the complexity was that collateral branches on account of an earlier agreement.33 Alternatively, it accumulated interests in different lands due to the may have been excluded by the continued operation of common practice of converting all manner of charges Gaelic inheritance whereby its possession rested on the and debts into pledges on land.36 Pledges were an maxim consuetudo pro lege servatur.34 important mechanism to acquire a legal interest in land which might deepen if the pledger experienced financial The strength of Turlogh’s petition rested on the assertion distress or was encumbered with debt.37 It therefore that he was the lawful heir, by descent, of his great-great was one way for ascending family branches to squeeze grandfather, Uaithne (d.1590). A chancery pleading, out declining branches (especially when redemption thought to date from the early 1600s, states that Uaithne was disallowed),38 but it also had effects on partible (Owny), granted to his eldest son Rosa in 1589, certain inheritance which still operated in Co. Clare into the lands that had been acquired by Uaithne and held in seventeenth century. fee simple. Some of these lands descended to Turlogh, including Tarmon in Carran, where he resided in the By the nineteenth century, following the death without 1670s. Other lands also descended to Turlogh, including issue of Peter O’Loghlen, known locally as the ‘Prince of the important estates of Glencolumbkille and Fahee Beg the Burren’, the head of the family belonged to another in Carran, and Glensleade in Kilcorney. Possession of branch, as represented by Sir Michael O’Loghlen, bart, these particular lands with their castles can be traced and Master of the Rolls in Ireland (1789-1842).39 His to Maolsheachlann (‘Molaghlin’) who, in a deed from residence was Dromconora House near Ennis. His 1544, transferred them to his son, the aforementioned connection to the line of Turlogh (fl.1663), however, Uaithne (d.1590), and his heirs.35 remains obscure. Ironically it was this line of the family, especially through the efforts of Sir Michael’s brother 17 Michael’s brother Hugh (1784-1849), who gained custody of the petition documents and preserved them for posterity. The documents are transcribed in full here so as to cast light on the Uí Lochlainn of Gragans. Hugh (1784-1849), who gained custody of the petition The documents are transcribed in full here so as to cast documents and preserved them for posterity. light on the Uí Lochlainn of Gragans. Genealogy of the Uí Lochlainn of Gragans40 Rudhraighe

Maolsheachlann [fl.1544]41

Uaithne42 [d.1590]43

Rosa [fl.1585-89]44 Uaithne Toirdhealbhach [d.1584]45 Fionnghuala [fl.1625]46 Maolsheachlann47 [d.1562] Maolsheachlann of Gragans [d.1623]48 Toirdhealbhach Buidhe49[d.1598] Brian [d.1598]50 Uaithne51 [d.1617]52 Uaithne Óg [1593-c.1653]53

Col.Toirdhealbhach of Tarmon [fl.1662-90] + Honora O’Brien, dau. of Donogh O’Brien of Newtown

Donnchadh of Ballyallaban54 [d.1714] + Joan Nugent55

Toirdhealbhach + Máire Ní Ghráda [fl.1727]56

ANNEX 1: THE DOCUMENTS57

40 On the main line of descent see RIAPetition Ms 23 H 25. to The the genealogy Court of of the Claims main family [undated] line is preserved in a poem titled Fada bhur g- codladh bhur g-ceas. This poem appears in the Leabhar Uí Lochlainn and is printed in Ó Luaighnigh, Dánta, pp 45–7. t65 41 See reference in a Chancery[First pleadingpage] which states that ‘Molaghlin O Loughlin’Mleaghlen was seised o ofLoghlen; the ‘castles’ And and ‘towns’farther of shew=Glencolumbkille / eth y your and Fahee in Carran, Glensleade in Kilcorney, and Dangan in Drumcreehy inpeticoner 1544 (i.e. 35 was Henry seised VIII). andSee Chancery possessed Bills: of Survival severalls from parcells / To thepre -right1922 Collection Honor,able (no.184), his National Maties ArchivesComrs, of for Ireland, the p. re31. / e d e 42 Probably ‘O Loghlyn, Captain of Bornye’ who is mentioned in a tract fromof y 1567s lands regarding in y thescheadall nobility of mentionedThomond. In it hereunto reference is annexed ies e e settlemtmade of to his his Mat sons ‘Rossa, Kingdome and Tirrelagh’. of Ireland See Ke nnethin / pursuance Nicholls, ‘A commentaryy 22 on / ofthe Octobernobility and 1641 gentry & of of Thomond, severall circa other 1567’, parcells The of y of hisIrish gracious Genealogist declaration, 4:2 (1969),58 pp / 65–73, p. 68. land which he redeem= / ed of ye sd lands and purchased 43 Annals of the Four Masters, sub anno 1590. He signed the ‘composition of Connacht’e in 1585. See Freeman, (ed.), Compossicion, p. 11. 44 since y rebellion as in the saide / The humble Ibid, sub peticon anno 1585. & HeClaime was mention of Thorlaghed in 1585 /as o the Loghlen ‘tanist’ of of the family. See Freeman, (ed.), Compossicion, p. 11. In 1589 Rosa of Gragans59 tooke possession of lands which were held by his father Uaithne. These lands included: Ballyallaban in Rathbourney, Coskeam in GragansCarran, in Enagh y Count in Kilcorney, of Clar Termon & Barony in Carran, / Glencolumbkilleof Burren gent in Carran . The 1589 deed infers that [Secondhe also held Glensleadepage] in Kilcorney, / ShewingDangan untoin Drumcreehy, yours hon and Faheethat yourin Carran. peticoners See Chancery greate Bills: Survivals from pre-1922 Collection, (no.184), National Archives of Ireland, p. 31. 60 greate45 grand= / father ownhy [illegible] o Loghlen Scheadall annexed distinctly shall be sett forth, And Ibid, sub anno 1584. r deseased46 Frost, long History since, p. 307. was seised / and possessed in his yo peticoner / being so seised and possessed of them demeasne47 Annals as of of the fee Four simple Masters of, sub all anno the 1562. lands in the schea= since and before the rebellion / was thereof dispossessed 48 Frost, History, p. 308. He was recorded as acting as a feofee in 1604. See NLI Ms 45,045/3. 66 / dall 49hereunto annexed, and being thereof foefeifed & by the usurped power to transplanted / psons whose Toirdhealbhach Buidhe and his brother Brian were both slain in 1598 at Killeveragh near Kinvarra by a raiding67 party of Aodh Ruadh possessedÓ Domhnaill did infeoffefrom Donegal. / Seecertain Paul Walsh ffeoffees (ed.), Beatha of Aodhatrust Ruaidh and Uínames Dhomhnaill, are ashereunto Leabhar Lughaidh annexed. Uí Chlérigh Now, (Dublin, in somuch 1948 that / d their [rheireseprinted aboute 1988]) p. seaventy193. yeares since / of all the s your peticoner hath beene faithfull & loyall to his now 50 Ibid.e d e tie e lands 51in y s scheadall mentioned to y use and behoofe maj / and to his royall father Charles y first of Blessed On this branch, which is traced from Maolsheachlann’s son Uaithne, to Rudhraighe and beyond,e see Séamusth Pender, ‘The O Clery book / of Rossaof genealogies’, o Loghlin Analecta his oldest Hibernica son, 18 & (1951),heire andpp 1– the198, heirescf. §1927 ‘Genelachmemory .H. Lochluinn’. / since ySee 22 RIA of Ms October 23 F 14 where 1641 it statesas may that appeare malesUaithne of his was / body alive in lawfully 1594 and thebegotten genealogy or was to written be begotten for him by Maoilínby Ógseverall Mac Bruaideadha. & / Authenticke See Ó hÓgáin, certificates Conntae an Chláir of [illegible…], p. th 135. r w other52 limitations in / the deed expressed by virtue hon & quality, and / that he inviolably observed all ch Frost, History61 e, p.d 307. He held the towerhouses of Muckinish, Glencolumbkille,e Fahee Beg and Fahee More at histies death in 1617. of w 53 intyaleHe was thirty y yearss Rossa old in o1623. Loghlen See Frost, / Historywas seised, p. 308. andUaithne Ógy waspeaces the subject made of a bardicby his poem maj by Lochlainn / chiefe Óg Ógovernor Dálaigh, of the d e e possessedtitled, Fogasof all cabhair the sdo landschrích Bhoirne and thereof. See Damian dyed McManus seised, & Eoghan Kingdom Ó Raghallaigh and (eds.), specially A Bardic Miscellanyy peace (Dundalk, of y / 2010)yeare pp 1648 as after 321/ –whose3. Uaithne deseased (Owny), alongMleaghlen with his three o Loghlensons, was62 alleged son andto have beenshall among appeare the besiegers unto of Ballyallia yor honours castle in 1642.by Comission Frost, History , / under pp. 342, 347.d e e ble heire 54to the s Rossa was / […] possessed of ye lands in y hand and seale of y right hon. Ullick late lorde / Captain Donogh (Donnchadh) O’Loghlen was recorded in a lease for Coskeam in Carran parish in 1703 along68 with his son, Therlagh. See ye scheadallNLI Ms 45,099/4. menconed and […] / […] in possession Marques of Clanrickard being then Lord deputy of reversion55 Ó Luaighnigh, or remainder Dánta, pp and 50–2. so dyed seised of and / Ireland; By all which ye claymt, humbly concarneth 56 possessed, Ibid., exceptpp 54–5. whatSee the parcellspoem addressed thereof to Toirdhealbhach’ he unlawfullys wife63 titled Dohimselfe Mháire, inghean restoreable Uí Ghráda / to bain so-chéile much Thoirdhealbhaigh of ye sd lands Uí as were Lochluinn. Immortgadged / as by ye scheadall is sett forth. The claym in his owne real and actual / possession, condicon of e e d e further sheweth that / after y desease of y s Mleaghlen 6 redemption, reversion or remainder / by certaine of y e d d y power of redemption of so=/much of ye s lands as s intayle, being comprehended within the letter / and were any wise mortgadged descended on / Ownhy oge o intent of his maties gracious declaration. Now in somuch Loghlen as son and heire to ye saide Mleaghlen / together / that your peticioner never tryed qualoficacon or wth all other intrest that might fall by vertue of / the sd receaved/ or demanded any parte of ye sd lands restorable intayle or by descent. All which mortgadges and others to him / hoping and considering still in restitution ye / lands intayle shall be distinctly sett forth in the sd and restauracon/ of his now Majie to his Crownes and scheadall / hereunto annexed, after & by whose death ey dominions. His humble / request is that your honrs be sd lands intayle wth / the power of redemption of all the sd pleased to grannte unto him / an order whereby he may mortgagdges descended on / your petr64 as son and heire be restored according to his majties/ declaracon. e d e d to y s Ownhy oge o Loghlen and as / grandchyld to y s 18 And to grante ye processe of this Courte to his / majties pish / Polleneyn92 & Cahirconell93 one qrter in the sd attorney gratt69 and ye […] tenants to appeare and shew pish by / discent and possession in October aforesd 1641 / / cause if any they can why your peticioner should not be / restored to ye saide lands according to his maties70 In Enagh94 one qrter & one third in the sd pish aforesd gracious declaration. pose[...] / in October 1641 /

And he will pray, etc. The other qrter & one third in Enagh95 aforesd redeemed /since the sd October 1641 / Schedule of Lands [undated] In Ballyvihine96 in the sd pish one third of a qrter decended / since that since that tyme come to the Claymt / [First page] Two thirds of a qrter in Kilcorny97 a aforesd ptdly98 71 A pticular of the estate of Col. Tirlagh o Loghlen of by descent & / ptely99 by purchase since that tymeor Gragans / in the Countey of Clare [crossed out, illegible] ratherredeemed come to the Claymt / & Barrony of Burren / In Mingagh100 in the pish of Carne101 one sixt and one 72 73 74 Ughtgoaland pte of the Lands of Gragans by him twelft / pte of aqrter redeemed from Donogh o Bryen posese / in the yeare/ on [...] October 1641 being two Esqr since /October aforesd 1641 / thirds of a qrt / in the pish75 of Rath,76 Barony of Buren & Con of / Clare aforesd onto him come by discent from In Morhamoelane102 pte of Liahanagh103 in the sd pish his / Anncestors / one / sixt pte of a qrter possessed in October aforesed by descent / In Gragans aforesd one qrter & one third unto him / come by discent and possession alsoe since that by / In Liahanagh aforesd two thirds of a qrter purchased for upon the death of Honora Bryen als Macknamar[a]77 / eighte pounds since October aforesd from Syprian O / / whoe pretended a jointure or title of prouf [?] there Davoren.104 / In Gragans aforesd two thirds of a qrter mortgadge / to John Linch78 of Galway mrchant and by the Claymt / [Third page] redeemed since the tyme aforesd / Kilkelly and Kinally105 one third and one nynth pte of a Another third pte of a qrter in the sd Lands of Gragans qrt / in the sd pish come by descent to the Claymt since / in the Claymts possession by descent upon the 22th of Oct[...] / aforesd / d d / October afores soe as the Lands of Gragans afores / 106 d doe containe in the whole three qrters of land / In Coskeime one third of a qrter in the s pish redeeme / since October aforesd / 79 d Craigyvacoge a pcell of land in the s pish by him alsoe 107 d d r Gortilevane one ninth pte off a qrter in the s pish / redeemed since the s yeare from Donogh O Bryen Esq 1 / this condicon of redemption falling to him from his / in / the [...] Mahon O Bryen srnder[?] prtence / an unlawfull mortgadge came to the Claymt by [descent?] / Anncestors as aforesd / since October 1641 /

Rathbegg81 prcell of Gragans aforesd / One third of a qrter in Culrish109 in the hands of Moragh / mc Cashie110 srnder111 prtence of an unlawfull mortgadg Cahirmucunna82 one sixt pte of a qrter unto him come / come to the Claymt by descent / since October af[oresd...] / Cnockanes112 one qrter one third of a qrter in ye sd [Second page] Parrish, come by d[iscent] / to ye Claymt as aforesd. / Ughtmama113 two thirds of a qrter in this pish of In Dangin83 in the pish of Drummcrihy halfe a qrter Ughtmama / come to this Claymt by descent, chiefry due / possessed by descent in October aforesd 1641 / In to the See [of] / Kilfenora114 / Dangin aforesd another halfe qrter mortgadged / to John Haloran84 & the condicon of redemption85 come / to the Aghavinane115 aforesd halfe qrter in the sd parish cont the Claymt & by discent / / in Aghavinane aforesd two thirds of a qrter come alsoe / descent wch lands of Ughtmama & Aghavinanone with Ballycahill86 two thirds of a qrter in the sd condicon of chiefry to the / See of Kilfinora/ r 87 red =emption pish mortgadged / to Cono o Bryen Esqr came to ye 116 this con[dicon] of redemption come / to the Claymt since The Castle Towne & Lands of Muckinish wth one qrter Claymt as aforesd / the yeare of land, in the pish of Drumcrihy, this Castle, Towne & 1641 Lands of Gleancolamkilly117 / wth one qrter of land in One sixth pte of a qrter in Ballyvaghane88 mortgadged to Carne118 pish: ffahybegg119 and / ffahymore one qrter of John Linch / Lisgogane89 one third of a qrter possessed Land, Borenormala120 one third / of a qrter Sliavecarne121 in October aforesd/ 1641. two thirds of a qrter in the sd / pish mortgadged to Sr Thomas Blake122 Kt as he / pretends / Muckinish90 one qrter in the sd parish, Gleancollumkilly/ 123 re d 91 d And other pcills p tended in the s mortgadge the / Gleanslead redeemed since October afores from condicon of redemption falling come to the Claymt/ by Donogh / o Bryen Esq containing one qrter in Kilcorny discent. 19 One third of a qrter in Coillane124 in Kilonchon pish125 ANNEX 2: DOCUMENT IMAGES unto him / come since this sayd October 1641. Petition to the Court of Claims

Petition to King Charles II [undated]

[First page] The humble Petn of Collonll Therlagh ô Loghlen [Second page]

The humble Petn. of I / To the Kings Most Excellt Collonll Thirlagh ô Loghlen & Sacred Ma:ty In most humble and submissive in manner declared / the [tear in manuscript] Petr126 & his Anncestors the family of ye / ô Loghlens time beyond ye memorie of man & / especially since their surrender to ye Crowne of / England made in ye time of yor Maties most noble / pgenitor King Henry the Eight of blessed / memory have been seised in their demeasne as / of fee, of & in divers Castles Lands tennents and / hereditamts lyenig in ye Barony of Burren County / of Clare & within ye Kingdome of Ireland untill / the beginning of ye warres & ever since as well in / possession as in remainder. The particulars / whereof are set forth in a schedull herunto / annexed; That ye Petr being soe possessed as well / of his anncient Estate & mortgadges by him redeemed / as of other lands by him purchased since the yeare 1641 / was of all his sd Estate by ye Late usurped Power / dispossessed & the same conferred uppon trnsplanted / psons.127 Nowe in soe much that yor Petr hath / been alwayes faithfull & loyall to yor sacred Ma:ty / and yor Royall ffather Charles the first of Blessed / memory since ey 22th of October 1641; submitted / to ye Peace made by his Excell:cy the Lo: Marquesse / of [tear in manuscript] his M:ts Lt Generall of Ireland in ye yeare 1640128 / and inviolably observed ye same & now tooke Armes / till by Commission from ye Rt honno:ble Ullick late Lo: / Marquesse of Clanrichard129 your Mats Lo: Deputy of / Ireland bearing date ye 8th day of July 1651; It may / please yor Majesty the rather yt yor petr never made / anie Clayme or sought anie Decree from ye sd / usurpsed power. And for yt his sd Estate is not / possessed by souldr130 or Adventurer; to be graciously /

[third page] pleased to give order that your petr may be restored / and reestablished in ye possession of his sd ancient / Estate purchase & Condition of redemption wth / the remainder & reversion of ye same; And he as / in duty bound shall ever pray for yor Mats / long life & psporous Reigne, etc. 20 Schedule of Lands

Petition to King Charles II

21 1. I wish to thank Martin Breen of Ruan, Co. Clare, for his 22. Frost, History, p. 308. helpful comments in the preparation of this paper. 23. S.C. O’Mahony, ‘The Mannor Courts of The Earl of 2. See John Cunningham, Conquest and Land in Ireland: The Thomond 1666-1686’,Analecta Hibernica, 38 (2004), pp Transplantation to Connacht, 1649-1680 (London, 2011). 135–220, pp 166–8. 3. On a history of the court see L. J. Arnold, ‘The Irish Court 24. Ainsworth (ed.), , pp 513–4 [no.1491]. of Claims of 1663’, Irish Historical Studies, 24:96 (1985), pp 25. R. Simington, Books of Survey and Distribution, Being 417–30. Abstracts of Various Surveys and Instruments of Title, 4. In total 566 decrees of innocence were issued to Catholics; 1636-1703, [Co. Clare], (Dublin, 1949), p. 457. Coskeam 141 to Protestants. See J.G. Simms, ‘The restoration, 1660– is first mentioned in connection with the O’Loghlens as 85’, in T.W. Moody, F.X. Martin, & F.J. Byrne (eds.), A New early as 1589 when it was conveyed to Rosa, son of Uaithne History of Ireland, vol.3: Early Modern Ireland, 1534-1691 (d.1590). See Chancery Bills: Survivals from pre-1922 (Oxford, 1991), pp 420–53, p. 425. Collection, (no.184), National Archives of Ireland, p. 31. 5. On those cases that were lodged with the Court of Claims 26. Ainsworth (ed.), Inchiquin, p. 447 [no.1354]. On the see Geraldine Tallon (ed.), Court of Claims, Submissions difficulty of transplantees such as Maurice Connell in and Evidence, 1663 (Dublin, 2006). gaining actual possession see Ibid, p. 453 [no.1375]. 6. For Co. Clare see Anonymous, ‘The Dispossessed 27. Calendar of the Stuart Papers Belonging to His Majesty the Landowners of Ireland, 1664 Part II, Munster and Ulster’, King preserved at Windsor Castle, vol 1 (London, 1902), The Irish Genealogist, 4:5 1972, pp 429–49. p. 194. 7. Ibid., p. 446. 28. Frost, History, p. 564. 8. In 1659 ‘George Marten’ held Gragans. See Séamus Pender, 29. Ibid. Daniel is taken as an equivalent form of his Irish A Census of Ireland, circa 1659 (Dublin, 1939), p. 186. name Donnchadh. 9. RIA Ms 23 H 25. The Turlogh of the petition appears in the 30. Liam Ó Luaighnigh, Dánta Aindriés Mhic Cruitín (Ennis, genealogy here as ‘Toirdhealbhach mac Uaithne’. Printed 1935) pp 50–2. in Seán Ó hÓgáin, Conntae an Chláir: a triocha agus a 31. Ibid., pp 48–9. The poem is titled Do Thoirdhealbhach Ó tuatha (Baile Átha Cliath, 1938), p. 134. Lochluinn. 10. Ibid, p. 135. 32. See Chancery Bills: Survivals from pre-1922 Collection, 11. Ibid. (no.184), National Archives of Ireland, p. 31. 12. Martin Breen, ‘A 1570 List of Castles in County Clare’, 33. e.g. either a contract or an arbitrated agreement made North Munster Antiquarian Journal, 36 (1995), pp 130– under brehon law. 8, p. 134. Gragans is always referred to as a castle rather 34. i.e. custom is kept before the law. than a towerhouse, despite its obvious place in the Gaelic 35. See Chancery Bills: Survivals from pre-1922 Collection, towerhouse building tradition. I adhere to this convention (no.184), National Archives of Ireland, p. 31. throughout the paper. 36. On Irish inheritance and land law see Kenneth W. Nicholls, 13. John Ainsworth (ed.), The Inchiquin Manuscripts (Dublin, Land, Law and Society in Sixteenth-Century Ireland (Cork, 1961), p. 301 [no.957], p. 302 [no.959], p. 324 [no.1009] 1976). pp 365–6 [no.1120], p. 366 [no.1121], p. 367 [no.1125], p. 37. K.W. Nicholls, Gaelic and Gaelicized Ireland in the Middle 368 [no.1127],p. 373 [no.1144], p. 374 [no.1150], p. 447 Ages (Dublin, 2003), pp 74-6. [no.1354], pp 513–4 [no.1491], p. 551 [no.1543]. 38. As English common law replaced brehon law, the practice 14. A. Martin Freeman, (ed.), The Compossicion Booke of of using quitclaims became a frequent and convenient way Conought (Dublin, 1936), p. 11. to transfer an interest in property without conditions such 15. Ibid. as provisions for redemption. 16. See John O’Donovan & Eugene Curry (eds.), The 39. Richard F. Cronnelly, Irish family history: being an historical Antiquities of Clare: Ordnance Survey Letters 1839 (Ennis, and genealogical account of the Gaedhals, from the earliest [reprint] 2003), pp 271, 273. period to the present time, compiled from authentic sources 17. See, for example, Annals of the Four Masters, sub annis (Dublin, 1864), p. 53. 983, 1045, 1060, 1149, 1361, 1389, 1396, 1408, 1425, 1434, 40. On the main line of descent see RIA Ms 23 H 25. The 1448, 1562, 1584, 1590. A number of the family appear in genealogy of the main family line is preserved in a poem a set of fourteenth century annals, thought to have been titled Fada bhur g-codladh bhur g-ceas. This poem appears compiled at in . See E.J. Gwynn (ed.), in the Leabhar Uí Lochlainn and is printed in Ó Luaighnigh, ‘Fragmentary Annals from the West of Ireland’, Proceedings Dánta, pp 45–7. of the Royal Irish Academy 37 C (1926), pp 149–57. 41. See reference in a Chancery pleading which states that 18. See, for example, James Frost, The History and Topography ‘Molaghlin O Loughlin’ was seised of the ‘castles’ and ‘towns’ of the County of Clare from the Earliest times to the of Glencolumbkille and Fahee in Carran, Glensleade in Beginning of the 18th century (Dublin, 1893), pp 307–8. Kilcorney, and Dangan in Drumcreehy in 1544 (i.e. 35 On the general point see Patrick Nugent, The Gaelic clans Henry VIII). See Chancery Bills: Survivals from pre-1922 of Co. Clare and their territories, 1100-1700 A.D. (Dublin, Collection, (no.184), National Archives of Ireland, p. 31. 2007), pp 227–8. 42. Probably ‘O Loghlyn, Captain of Bornye’ who is mentioned 19. See Luke McInerney, ‘The origins of Clann Chruitín: in a tract from 1567 regarding the nobility of Thomond. chronicler-poets of the learned Gaelic tradition’ The Other In it reference is made to his sons ‘Rossa and Tirrelagh’. Clare, 38 (2014) pp 19–30. See Kenneth Nicholls, ‘A commentary on the nobility and 20. RIA Ms E iv.3. Also see Bernadette Cunningham & Siobhán gentry of Thomond, circa 1567’, The Irish Genealogist, 4:2 Fitzpatrick (eds), Aon amharc ar Éirinn (Dublin, 2013), pp (1969), pp 65–73, p. 68. 24–5. 43. Annals of the Four Masters, sub anno 1590. He signed the 21. Alexander Macbain & John Kennedy (eds), ‘The Book of ‘composition of Connacht’ in 1585. See Freeman, (ed.), Clanranald’ in Reliquiae Celticae, 2 (1894), pp 138–309. Compossicion, p. 11. 22 44. Ibid, sub anno 1585. He was mentioned in 1585 as the 59. Risteárd Ua Cróinín & Martin Breen, ‘Some tower houses ‘tanist’ of the family. See Freeman, (ed.), Compossicion, p. with bawns in the Burren’, The Other Clare, 20 (1996), pp 11. In 1589 Rosa of Gragans took possession of lands which 5–13. were held by his father Uaithne. These lands included: 60. i.e. Uaithne Ó Lochlainn. He appears as a signatory to Ballyallaban in Rathbourney, Coskeam in Carran, Enagh the ‘composition of Connacht’ in 1585 and was therein in Kilcorney, Termon in Carran, Glencolumbkille in recorded as of Gragans castle. A representative of this line Carran. The 1589 deed infers that he also held Glensleade of the family attended the Irish Parliament in 1585. See in Kilcorney, Dangan in Drumcreehy, and Fahee in Carran. Annals of the Four Masters, sub anno, 1585. See Chancery Bills: Survivals from pre-1922 Collection, 61. Under English common law ‘entail’, or ‘fee tail’ as it is also (no.184), National Archives of Ireland, p. 31. known, was a form of trust established in law by a deed 45. Annals of the Four Masters, sub anno 1584. whose purpose was to restrict the sale, alienation and 46. Frost, History, p. 307. inheritance of an estate. It allowed an estate to be passed 47. Annals of the Four Masters, sub anno 1562. automatically by law to a pre-determined heir as defined 48. Frost, History, p. 308. He was recorded as acting as a feofee in 1604. See NLI Ms 45,045/3. in a settlement deed. The concept was feudal in origin and 49. Toirdhealbhach Buidhe and his brother Brian were both it acted to prevent the division of large estates, held under slain in 1598 at Killeveragh near Kinvarra by a raiding feudal law, through the operation of partible inheritance party of Aodh Ruadh Ó Domhnaill from Donegal. See among a number of heirs (usually male). Under Gaelic Paul Walsh (ed.), Beatha Aodha Ruaidh Uí Dhomhnaill, as brehon law, partible inheritance among agnatic kinsmen Leabhar Lughaidh Uí Chlérigh, (Dublin, 1948 [reprinted (known as the dearbhfhine) operated into the seventeenth 1988]) p. 193. century in Co. Clare, and often saw competing claims to 50. Ibid. hereditary land among kinsmen. 51. On this branch, which is traced from Maolsheachlann’s son 62. i.e. Maolsheachlann Ó Lochlainn. Uaithne, to Rudhraighe and beyond, see Séamus Pender, 63. This word has been partially interlined. ‘The O Clery book of genealogies’, Analecta Hibernica, 18 64. Contraction for ‘petitioner.’ (1951), pp 1–198, cf. §1927 ‘Genelach .H. Lochluinn’. See 65. Scribal abbreviation for ‘that’. The ‘y’ represents the RIA Ms 23 F 14 where it states that Uaithne was alive in Old English thorn which was a character that stood for 1594 and the genealogy was written for him by Maoilín Óg the letters ‘th’ and used in handwritten documents from Mac Bruaideadha. See Ó hÓgáin, Conntae an Chláir, medieval times. p. 135. 66. Contraction for ‘persons’. 52. Frost, History, p. 307. He held the towerhouses of 67. This could refer to the names mentioned in the schedule Muckinish, Glencolumbkille, Fahee Beg and Fahee More of lands; otherwise they may have been listed in a now at his death in 1617. lost document. 53. He was thirty years old in 1623. See Frost, History, p. 308. 68. This was Ulick mac Richard Burke, 5th Earl of Clanricarde Uaithne Óg was the subject of a bardic poem by Lochlainn and 1st Marquess of Clanricarde (1604-57). Burke was Óg Ó Dálaigh, titled, Fogas cabhair do chrích Bhoirne. an Anglo-Irish nobleman who was active in the Wars of See Damian McManus & Eoghan Ó Raghallaigh (eds.), the Three Kingdoms (1641-51) as a Catholic Royalist. He A Bardic Miscellany (Dundalk, 2010) pp 321–3. Uaithne had command of the Irish forces during the later stages of (Owny), along with his three sons, was alleged to have the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland (1649-51). been among the besiegers of Ballyallia castle in 1642. Frost, 69. i.e. ‘grant’. This reading is doubtful. History, pp. 342, 347. 70. Contraction for ‘majesties’. 54. Captain Donogh (Donnchadh) O’Loghlen was recorded in 71. Turlogh O’Loghlen appears in a number of land deeds a lease for Coskeam in Carran parish in 1703 along with from the 1670s. See Ainsworth (ed.)., Inchiquin, pp 366, his son, Therlagh. See NLI Ms 45,099/4. 374, pp 513–41. 55. Ó Luaighnigh, Dánta, pp 50–2. 72. Recorded in 1641 as ‘Oghtgelane’ and formed part of 56. Ibid., pp 54–5. See the poem addressed to Toirdhealbhach’s Gragans townland in Rathbourney parish. Simington, wife titled Do Mháire, inghean Uí Ghráda bain-chéile Books, p. 471. Thoirdhealbhaigh Uí Lochluinn. 73. Contraction for ‘part’. 57. Editing and emendations in parentheses. I would like 74. Gragans in Rathbourney parish. In 1570 the castle of to thank Martin Breen of Ruan, Co. Clare, for his expert Gragans was recorded as ‘Gragan o Loghlins castle’. In 1641 assistance with the transcriptions. it was held by ‘Owhney Moor O Loghlin’ and contained 58. This refers to Charles II’s ‘Gracious Declaration’ as 875 Irish plantation acres (approx. 1,400 statute acres). It contained in the Act of Settlement of 1662. The Court was confiscated under Cromwell and granted to George of Claims was appointed by Charles II to administer the Martyn. See Simington, Books, p. 471; and Breen, ‘1570 Act to oversee the ownership of land in the aftermath List of Castles’, p. 134. of the disruptive Cromwellian land settlement. As a 75. Contraction for ‘parish’. result of the land confiscations of Catholic proprietors, 76. i.e. Rathbourney. a number of Catholics petitioned the Court of Claims 77. This woman cannot be positively identified. She may for the restoration of their estates. Petitioners, who often have been the wife of Turlogh, who was Honora O’Brien, were dispossessed Catholic landowners, were required daughter of Donogh O’Brien, Esq. of Newtown. The to prove their innocence and non-participation in the addition of the surname McNamara, however, complicates 1641 uprising. Those found innocent were to be restored this identification, but she may have been previously to their estates. However, the reality was that such efforts married to a McNamara. were frequently frustrated by Cromwellian planters who 78. The Lynch family were merchants from Galway who trace were in situ on the forfeited lands and had little incentive their ancestry to a branch of the de Lench family who of surrendering their claims. See Arnold, ‘The Irish Court settled in Galway at the beginning of the fourteenth of Claims’, pp 417–30. 23 century. There they became one of the leading ‘tribes’ 102. Moheramoylan in Carran parish. and members of the merchant oligarchy which ran the 103. Recorded in 1641 in Carran parish. Simington, Books, city down to the seventeenth century. From the early pp 451. seventeenth century, Old English merchant families from 104. One ‘Cyprian O Daverin’ held the land of Lissinagh in Galway such as the Lynchs, Blakes and Martins, acquired Ballyganner in parish in 1641. He also held some of the O’Loghlen lands in the Burren as the latter Lehanagh in Carran parish along with ‘Owhny O Loghlin’. began to decline. Rev. Patrick Woulfe, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Simington, Books, pp 451, 461. Gall: Irish names and surnames (reprint Baltimore, 1969), 105. Possibly Keelhilla in Carran parish. In 1659 a Kellykilly p. 266. was recorded in Drumcreehy parish and it potentially is 79. Kragavakoge a sub-denomination in Gragans in the Kilkelly noted here. See Pender, 1659, p. 186. Rathbourney 106. Coskeam in Carran parish. In 1641 it was held by ‘Rossa, 80. Contraction for ‘parcel’. Turlogh, Donogh mcOwny and Mahon mcBryen O 81. Presumably part of Gragans in Rathbourney parish. Loghlin’. Simington, Books, p. 457. 82. Cahermacun in Rathbourney parish. 107. This denomination cannot be identified. 83. Dangan in Drumcreehy parish. In 1641 upper Dangan was 108. Contraction for ‘surrendered’. held by ‘Owney Oge’ and ‘Owney More O Loghlin’. 109. This denomination cannot be identified. 84. He cannot be identified but he was obviously of the well- 110. The surname McKashy appears in Carran parish in 1641 known Uí Allmhuráin family of Co. Clare. where a ‘Murtage Oge’ held certain lands. Simington, 85. Brehon law usually left conditions for redemption of land Books, pp 450–1. so that, in theory at least, hereditary land (dúthchas) 111. Contraction for ‘surrendered’. was not alienated without the consent of the kin-group 112. Knockans in Carran parish. In 1641 it was held by ‘Pharis (dearbhfhine) who, in normal circumstances, had mcRosse, Turlogh mcDonogh, Turlogh mcRossa, Owney collective proprietorship to it. Conditions for redemption and Leishagh O Loghlin’. Simington, Books, p. 455. on mortgaged land features frequently in land transactions 113. in Oughtmama parish. of the seventeenth century. Usually they were inserted 114. A chiefry (or chief-rent) was the fixed rent due out of a in order to ensure that the transfer of property was property to an overlord, in this case it was owed to the conditional and came with disabling restraints. See of . The land in question was undoubtedly 86. Ballycahill in Drumcreehy parish. ecclesiastical or termon land, with an ancient obligation 87. Conor was the son of Donogh O’Brien, Esq. of Newtown in to pay to the diocese of Kilfenora. Drumcreehy parish. Turlogh O’Loghlin married Honora 115. Aghawinnaunin in Oughtmama parish. O’Brien, daughter of Donogh O’Brien Esq. 116. Probably Muckinish in Drumcreehy parish. The 88. Ballyvaghan in Drumcreehy parish. towerhouse there was held by the O’Loghlens and it may 89. Lisgoogan in parish. In 1641 it was held by date from the fifteenth century. ‘Turlough O Loghlin’. Simington, Books, p. 474. 117. Glencolumbkille in Carran parish. In 1641 it was held 90. Muckinish in Drumcreehy parish. In 1641 it was held by by the heirs of ‘Owney O Loghlin’ and totalled 706 Irish ‘Owney Mor O Loghlin’ and his heirs. Simington, Books, plantation acres (1,129 statute acres). Simington, Books, p. p. 479. 456. The towerhouse of Glencolumbkille was an O’Loghlen 91. Glensleade in Kilcorney parish. The towerhouse of possession from at least 1544 when it was mentioned in Glensleade was an O’Loghlen possession from at least a deed relating to the property of ‘Molaghlin O Loughlin’. 1544 when it was mentioned in a deed relating to the See Ua Cróinín & Breen, ‘Some tower houses’, pp 5-13; property of ‘Molaghlin O Loughlin’. See Ua Cróinín & and Chancery Bills: Survivals from pre-1922 Collection, Breen, ‘Some tower houses, pp 5–13; and Chancery Bills: (no.184), National Archives of Ireland, p. 31. Survivals from pre-1922 Collection, (no.184), National 118. i.e. Carran parish. Archives of Ireland, p. 31. 119. Fahee in Carran parish. In 1641 it was recorded as Fahabeg 92. Poulanine in Kilcorney parish. In 1641 it formed part of and held by the heirs of ‘Owney O Loghlin’. Simington, Karconnell and was held by ‘Anth. mc Connor O Laghlin’. Books, p. 455. The towerhouse of Fahee was an O’Loghlen Simington, Books, p. 467. The forename Anthony was used possession from at least 1544 when it was mentioned in as an anglicised equivalent for the popular O’Loghlen a deed relating to the property of ‘Molaghlin O Loughlin’. forename of Uaithne. See Ua Cróinín & Breen, ‘Some tower houses’, pp 5-13; 93. Caherconnell in Kilcorney parish. In 1641 it was held and Chancery Bills: Survivals from pre-1922 Collection, by ‘Anth. mc Connor and Leshagh mcPhelin O Laghlin’. (no.184), National Archives of Ireland, p. 31. Simington, Books, p. 467. 120. Unidentified denomination. 94. A now defunct denomination, but recorded in 1659 as 121. Slievecarran in Oughtmama parish. In 1641 it was held by Enagh in Kilcorney parish. In 1641 it was held by ‘Anth. Sir Thomas Blake. See Simington, Books, p. 449. Oge, Turlagh mcPhelin, and Turlogh O Loghlin’, among 122. Mercantile families such as the Blakes of Galway became a number of other kinsmen who held it under collective established in the land market on the Earl of Thomond’s proprietorship. Simington, Books, pp 468–9. estate in the beginning of the seventeenth century when 95. Ibid. merchant, Valentine Blake, served as Sir Turlough 96. Recorded ‘Ballyveghenie’ in Kilcorney parish in 1641, and O’Brien’s (d.1623) attorney in 1605 in Corcomroe. held by a number of O Loghlens. Simington, Books, p. 466. Subsequently, the Blake family developed interests in 97. Kilcorney in Kilcorney parish. Co. Clare, and by 1641 numerous lands were under their 98. Contraction for ‘reputedly’. proprietorship. See James Hardiman, The History of the 99. Contraction for ‘partly’. Town and County of the Town of Galway from the Earliest 100. Meggagh in Carran parish. Period to the Present Time (Galway, 1820, [reprt. 1958]) 101. i.e. Carran. pp 7–10, p. 54; NLI Ms 45,694/4 [1605]. 24 123. Contraction for ‘parcells’. 125. Killonaghan parish. 124. Possibly Cullaun in Rathborney parish. That it is given 126. Contraction for ‘petitioner’. here as situating in Killonaghan appears to be in error. 127. Contraction for ‘persons’. Cullaun has a long connection with the O’Loghlens, 128. Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford. notably with Donnchadh Ó Lochlainn of ‘Cuillean’ who, 129. Ulick mac Richard Burke, 5th Earl of Clarincade and 1st in 1845, owned an Irish language manuscript which is Marquess of Clanricade (1604-57) now found at NLI Ms G 1312 (formerly NLI Ms acc.5522). 130. Contraction for ‘soldier’.

Book Review: The Holy Wells of County Clare (2015) and The Sacred Trees of County Clare (2016) by Michael Houlihan, published by the author. Terri Shoosmith Books dealing exclusively with these fascinating aspects along with websites and further research sources. of Clare social history and folklore are long overdue. Although many sources, most notably the Ordnance The Sacred Trees of County Clare follows a similar Survey Name Books, record the presence of such sites, format, with a general introduction to the subject and its the context for holy wells and sacred trees within local context in social history before covering such topics as society has been taken so much for granted that it has the May Bush; trees of inauguration and assembly; the been rather neglected. They have suffered, too, by the use of wood in country life and the connection between tendency of historians to relegate such places to the saints, holy wells and trees. The role of woods and trees realms of ‘folklore’, a subject which has only recently in the ‘othering’ of Irish people by the Establishment and begun to garner the attention it deserves. Increasingly, their depiction as supposedly-uncivilised ‘wild Irish’ is we are coming to see that our relationship with the comprehensively explained. The picture that emerges, of physical and symbolic landscape, and the ways in which a society whose relationship with the landscape was not landscape features are interpreted and used, is vital to just a practical one, but one which was deeply imbued our understanding of the value of landscape, especially with symbolism, is both interesting and important. as so many places are under threat of overdevelopment Trees, by their nature, have a limited life, so it is vital to and exploitation. As the routine observance of rituals record these sites while sacred trees still live. But even attached to sacred sites in the landscape declines, it is though the regular use of sacred sites may end, their important not only to map them and record them, but role in society is still important. A recent art project in to explain their importance in days gone past, in the Clare which built shelters at killeens where unbaptised present and in the future. Michael’s Houlihan’s duo of babies were buried, found that the shelters were quickly books, then, are especially valuable and timely. utilised by local people for whom the killeen had 1 The author begins The Holy Wells of County Clare with personal meaning. Small tokens were left there, and a general history of Clare wells from prehistoric times, local people reported going to sit there. Clearly, even before moving on to consider wells as sacred spaces; though the practice of burying unbaptised infants in their roles in illness and wellbeing; patterns and wells, killeens has now ended, their place in local society is and the renewal of the church with its corresponding deeply felt. decline of Patron Days. Importantly, he concludes Many of the photographs of trees, blossom and fruit with an assessment of the post-famine period and are beautiful. The location of Clare crannogs is mapped an exploration of the role of holy wells in modern- and maps showing woodland coverage in history are day spirituality and pilgrimage. This discussion of the included. A map of current-day sacred trees, although relationship between people and wells in past times, difficult to pinpoint, would have been useful too, though and their ongoing value as society seeks new forms of a list of ancient woods still in existence is given. spiritual expression, is important and could be utilised if such sites ever come under threat of development or Having whetted our appetite and sent us out in search of exploitation of resources. holy wells, sacred woods and individual trees, the author ends by telling us which wood makes the best fire, and Each section is accompanied by very good photographs he gives us a recipe for ‘Lambswool’, a hot spiced cider and is carefully researched through written sources – made with Clare’s own heritage varieties of apple, no and conversations with numerous local people. Such doubt - with which to toast Clare’s rich legacy of folklore a marriage between academic analysis and local and custom. knowledge and interpretation is relatively new in historiography and is to be warmly welcomed. Altogether, a very satisfying and fascinating pair of books. Of special note are the appendices, giving the location of each well both in map and list form, including their References reference in the Record of Monuments and Places (which 1. http://ainephillips.com/artwork/2110066 used to be known as the Sites and Monuments Record), _Shelters_in_Memory_2005_2011.html 25