Category Archives: Journals

Irish Natural History Society Journal Index, Vol. VIII, 1858-61

Contents
Volume VIII
1857-1861


On the Lifting Powers of Electro-Magnets.
By the Rev. T. R. Robinson, D. D.

On the Annual Variations of Atmospheric Pressure in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
By W. Kelly, M. D

On the Determination of the Intensity of the Earth’s Magnetic Force in Absolute Measure, by means of the Dip Circle.
By the Rev. H. Lloyd, D. D

On an Improved Form of the Theodolite Magnetometer.
By the Rev. H. Lloyd, D.D

On the Opus Majus of Roger Bacon.
By J. K. Ingram, LL. D

On some Ancient Irish Deeds.
By the Rev. J. H. Todd, D. D (dating from the 15th C. Mainly Co. Clare (some Tipperary). Surnames: Mac Gorman ; Mac Loghlainn ; Mac Namara ; Mac Mahon ; Mac Sheedy ; O’Brien ; O’Curry ; O’Daly ; O’Davoren ; O’Dwyer ; O’Giltinane : O’Kearney ; O’Kennedy ; O’Mulregan ; O’Tierney

On the Theory of Reciprocal Surfaces.
By G. Cayley, Esq

On the Effect of a Distant Luminary, supposed Magnetic, upon the Diurnal Movements of the Magnetic Needle.
By the Rev. H. Lloyd, D.D

On Oldhamia, a Genus of Cambrian Fossils.
By J. R. Kinahan, M. D

Notes on the Molecular Constitution of Matter.
By G. J. Stoney, Esq

On the Contents of certain Ancient Tombs in the neighbourhood of Anet, Switzerland.
By the Rev. J. H. Todd, D. D

On an Ancient Inscription, supposed to be in the Etruscan Language.
By W. Drennan, Esq

On the Ancient and Modem Races of Oxen in Ireland.
By W. R. Wilde, Esq

The Report of the Case of M. Groux, and Discussion on same

On Nicotine considered as an Antidote to Strychnia.
By the Rev. S. Haughton, F. T. C. D

On Human Remains found at Barrettstown, County Westmeath.
By W. R. Wilde, Esq.

On the Hymnus Sancti Aidi.
By the Rev. W. Reeves, D. D

On a proposed Scheme for a Uniform Mode of naming Type-Divisions.
By J. R. Kinahan, M. D

On an Ogham Monument discovered in the County of Kerry.
By the Ven. Archdeacon of Ardfert

On certain Ornaments from Morocco.
By F. M. Jennings, Esq

On a Meteor seen near Cork.,
By F. M. Jennings, Esq.

Description of a Horizontal Sundial.
By M. Donovan, Esq.

On the Reflexion and Refraction of Polarized Light.
By the Rev. J. H. Jellett, F. T. C. D.

On a Cast of a Stone Cross discovered in Perthshire.
By T. A. Wyse, M. D

On the Morphology of the Hydrozoa, with reference to the Constitution of the SubKingdom Coelenterata.
By J. R. Greene, Esq.

On some Quatemrnion Equations connected with Fresnel’s Wave-Surface for Biaxal
Crystals.
By Sir W. R. Hamilton, L. L. D

Memoir of the Church of St. Duilech.
By the Rev. W. Reeves, D. D.

Account of three Crannoges.
By W. R. Wilde, Esq.

On certain Crannoges in Ulster.
By the Rev. W. Reeves, D. D.

Remarks on Donations presented.
By W. R. Wilde, Esq.

A Note correcting the Table printed at page 639, vol. xxiii., T. R. I. A.
By H. L. Renny, Esq.

On the Use of the Distaff and Spindle considered as the Insignia of Unmarried Women. By E. Clibborn, Esq.

On the Application of some new Formulae to the Calculation of Strains in Braced Girders.
By B. B. Stoney, Esq., C. E

On the Phonetic Values of Egyptian Hieroglyphics and Assyrian Letters, &c.
By the Rev. E. Hincks, D. D.

On Donati’s Comet.
By A. Graham, Esq.

On the Un-manufactured Animal Remains belonging to the Academy.
By W. R. Wilde, Esq.

An Account of the Crannoge of Inishrush, and its ancient Occupants.
By the Rev. W. Reeves, D. D

On the Tidal Currents in the Arctic Archipelago.
By the Rev. S: Haughton, F. T. C. D

On certain Methods in the Calculus of Finite Differences.
By the Rev. R. Carmichael, F. T. C. D.

On an ancient Deed in the Irish Language.
By the Rev. J. H. Todd, D, D.

Description of Drawings of Irish Antiquities presented by him.
By G. V. Du Noyer, Esq.

On the Wells in or near Dublin, attributed to or named after St. Patrick.
By K Clibborn, Esq.

On the Formation of Sugar and Amyloid Substances in the Animal Economy.
By R. M’Donnell, M. D.

On a Stereoscopic Magnifier.
By G. J. Stoney, Esq

On Anharmonic Co-ordinates.
By Sir W. R. Hamilton, L. L. D.

On Marianus Scotus, of Ratisbon.
By the Rev. W. Reeves, D. D.

Remarks on Artillery.
By Captain A. T. Blakely, R.A

Dr. Hart’s Remarks on Artillery.

On the Formation of Wood in Dicotyledonous Plants.
By D. Moore, Esq.

On the Box of St. Molaise of Devenish Island.
By the Rev. J. H. Todd, D. D.

On the Principles and Invention of the Methods of constructing Ordnance of
Superimposed Rings, with Initial Tension.
By R. Mallet, Esq.

On a new Analyzing Prism.
By the Rev. J. H. Jellett, F. T. C.D

On a Theorem relating to Conical Surfaces.
By H. Hennessy, Esq.

On the Organs which in the Common Ray are homologous with the Electrical
Organs of the Torpedo.
By R. M’Donnell, M. D

Obits of Eminent Individuals connected with Navan, &c.
By the Rev. J. H. Todd, D. D

On a MS. of the Tract intituled “Tipicus ac Tropologicus Jesu Christi Genealogioe Intellectus. quem Sanctus Aileranus Scottorum Sapientissimus exposuit,” preserved in the Imperial Library at Vienna.
By C. Mac Donnell, Esq.

Notice of some of the Lives which seem to have been ready, or in preparation,
for the continuation of the “Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae,” at the death of Colgan.
By C. Mac Donnell, Esq.

On the General Theory of the Integration of Non-Linear Partial Differential Equations. By the Rev. R. Carmichael, F. T.C. D.

On the Ancient Norse and Danish Geography of Ireland.
By J. H. Smith, Esq.

Tables and Diagrams relative to the Rain-Fall as observed in the Magnetic Observatory of Trinity College, from 1850 to 1860.
By the Rev. J. A. Galbraith, F.T.C.D.

On the Storm of the 9th of February, 1861.
By the Rev. S. Haughton, F. T. C. D.

On Clairaut’s Theorem.
By H. Hennessy, Esq.

The Old Countess of Desmond. An Inquiry,- Did she seek redress at the Court
of Queen Elizabeth, as recorded in the Journal of Robert Sydney, Earl of Leycester? And did she ever sit for her Portrait?
By R. Sainthill Esq.

On the Townland Distribution of Ireland.
By the Rev. W. Reeves, D. D

On the Shower of Aeroliths that fell at Killeter, Co. Tyrone, on the 29th April,
1844.
By the Rev. S. Haughton, F. T. C. D.

On the Connexion between Storms and Vertical Disturbances of the Atmosphere.
By H. Hennessy, Esq.

On the Time of High Water in Dublin Bay, on Good Friday, the 23rd April,
1014, the day of the Battle of Clontarf.
By the Rev. S. Haughton. F. T. C.D.

On the History of the Battle of Clontarf, in connexion with Mr. Haughton’s Determination of the Time of High Water in Dublin Bay on Good Friday,
April 23, 1014.
By the Rev. J. H. Todd, D.D.

On the true Height of the Tide at Ireland’s Eye on the Evening of the 6th September, 1852, the day of the Murder of Mrs. Kirwan. By the Rev. S. Haughton, F.T.C.D

On Augustin, an Irish Writer of the Seventh Century.
By the Rev. W. Reeves, D.D.

On the Amplitude of the daily Variation of the Magnetic Dip in Christiania between 10 a.m.. and an hour before Sunset, from 1844 to 1859.
By Professor Hansteen, of Christiania.

On the Degree of Accordance which may be attained in Observations made with
Dr. Lloyd’s Dip Circles.
By G. J. Stoney, Esq

On Geometrical Nets in Space.
By Sir W. R. Hamilton, LL. D.
APPENDICES.

I. Account of the year ending 31st March, 1858
II. Account of the year ending 31st March, 1859
III. Account of the year ending 31st March, 1860
IV. Account of the year ending 31st March, 1861

The PRESIDENT read a paper- ON SOME ANCIENT IRISH DEEDS.

THESE deeds are mostly in the Irish language and character, of the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth centuries. They are of the nature of deeds of mortgage, wills, covenants, deeds of arbitration, indentures, deeds of partition, conveyance of land; and some of them are Brehon Law judgments.

No. I – Is dated A.D. 1450, and also by the local historical fact, “the year in which Donoch O’Brien died.” It is a deed of mortgage by deed poll, but differs from our modern deeds of mortgage in that it does not convey the lands. It consists of five parts. In Part I. it is recited that Donnell oge O’Kearney had possession of the lands of Ballymote, or rather a half quarter of them, for a debt due to him by the owners, Teige Mac Sida (Mac Sheedy), [Mac Namara], and his son. But Teige and his son seem to have been in debt to Donoch O’Brien [first Earl of Thomond ?], whose bailiffs entered the lands of Ballymote, then in the possession of Donnell Oge O’Kearney, and carried three valuable mares. Arbitrators were appointted, and Teige Mac Sheedy and his son were condemned to payfive marks to O’Kearney. As security for these five marks, Mac Sheedy, the son, mortgages a half quarter of Ballymote to O’Kearney. In Part II. it is stated that Mac Sheedy, the son, had been murdered by Donnell Oge Mac Namara, but had by his will left his property to his brother and chief, Donnell Derg [or the red], subject to the debts due to O’Kearney. Part III. is a further mortgage. Donnell Derg, and the two sons of Lochlainn O’Curry, had stolen two pigs from O’Kearney ; an arbitration was agreed to, and a fine of half a mark given for the pigs, with three ‘unigee as costs, and one ‘uinge’ as a twelfth, or umpires’ fees. To meet these charges, Donnell Derg mortgages the lands to the amount of one mark.These facts enable ns to fix the price of pigs in that golden age in Ireland. The mark was two-thirds of £1, or 13s. 4d., and consequently the two pigs, being valued at half a mark, were worth 3s. 4d. each. The other half mark was equal to four’ uinge’, or ounces, and one ‘uing’e is called ‘thetwelfth’ i.e. the twelfth of a pound [of gold ?]. An ‘uinge’ must, therefore, have been 1s. 8d. Part IV. The pig transaction does not seem to have permanently broken friendship between O’Kearney and Donnell Derg; for the former appears to have lent the latter a sum of money, secured by a further mortgage on the lands. Part V. Donnell Derg, however, engaged in gambling, but lost eight marks, and his person appears to have been seized by Hugh Roe Mac Namara, and Owen of the Money, the successful gamblers. He was ransomed by Teige Mac Donnell Mac Namara, who gave a good steed for him to the gamblers; so that the price of a good steed in those days-was about £5 6s. 8dMac Namara, however, owed O’Kearney one ‘uinge’ of gold and six marks for three milch cows; and the rescued gambler, Donnell Derg, mortgaged his lands still further to the prudent O’Kearney, to discharge this portion of his debt to Mac Namara. The lands concerned in this document are situated near Sixmilehridge, County of Clare, and the same remark applies to the next two deeds.

No.2 – Is another deed, of the nature of a mortgage on the lands of Kill Fiontanain, dated August 11, 1612.

No. 3 – Is a statement of the debts or demands of Conor Mac Teige upon the clan Mac Craith, out of the lands of the Lower Corbally. (No date.)

No. 4. – The will of Mortogh Mac Mahon, written after his death by the testamentary priests who were present at his death-bed; it is little more than an acknowledgment of his debts due to Donn Mac Gorman. ( Not dated). He appears to have lived in the neighbourhood of Kilrush, County of Clare.

No. 5. – A deed of mortgage (1549), on the lands of Donnell Oge O’Kearney (see No. 1), to Mac Con Mac Lochlainn, son of Sida [M’Namara). (The date shows that the Donnell Oge O’Kearney here mentioned to have been the son or grandson of the personage mentioned in No. 1.]

No.6.- An endrsement on No.5, dated also 1549, containing a power of redemption, and libertyto O’Kearney to carry off manure from the land, “if there be manure upon it.”

No.7. A deed of arbitration respecting the lands of Garry Orrtha, between Conor Mac Teige and Mac Craith Mac Teige, dated A.D., 1587.

No. 8.-An endorsement on the former, much obliterated.

No. 9.- A deed of indenture, dated 1551, conveying half the land and inheritance of Murchu, son of Conal’, son of Murchu, son of William, of Bally Sidhnoidh for ever, to Philip and Connor, the two sons of Conor son of Teige, and their heirs after them; and a sort of mortgage of theother half of his land to Philip and to Dermot, to whom Murchu promises to pay a rent, whenever”he is able to sit in the land,” and if not able “to sit” in it, then Philip and Dermot were to pay him a rent. This document is subscribed by Murchu O’Mulregan, Conor O’Dwyer, William O’Davoren, Shane O’Dwyer, and Philip O’Dwyer .

No. 10.- A mortgage, dated 1587, to Conor, son of Teige [O’Dwyer?] and Eogan, son of Donnell, on the lands of Matthew, son of Murchu [O’Mulregan ].

No. 11.-A mortgage, dated 1576, to Conor, son of Teige, son of William [O’Dwyer], on two-thirds of the lands of Dromainn-an-Chunna, from Matthew, son of Murchu, son of Conor [O’Mulregan).This deed contains two singular covenants :- lst. That Matthew is to have an invitation at Easter and Christmas, “upon Conor, and upon Eoghan, son of Donnell.” And 2nd. “If it shall happen to Matthew to fall into poverty or distress, Conor and Eoghan are to give him food and clothing, Conor paying two-thirds, and Eoghan one-third, of the burthen, .and Matthew doing the utmost service to them on that account.”

No. 12.-A mortgage, not dated.

No. 13. – An endorsement on No. 12, dated 1531. These are of no particular interest, except that the payment is made in cows, and no mention made of money. The parties seem to belong to the same families of O’Dwyer and O’Mulregan, who are concerned in Nos. 9, 10, and 11. Nos. 7 to 13inclusive relate to a district in the county of Tipperary, on the borders of the county of Limerick. ”

No. 14.-A deed in Latin, nearly obliterated.

No. 15.- A deed of arbitration, in Irish, dated 8th Oct. 1584, containing a very full and formal statement of the names of the parties concerned, the cause of controversy, and the decision of the arbitrators. The original is in Mr. Curry’s collection, and is a very remarkable and valuable specimen of a decree of arbitrators under the Brehon Law between two parties of the O’Kennedys of Lower Ormond, county of Tipperary.

No. 16.-This is very nearly in the form of a modern deed poll, dated 19th July, 1611. It is a lease for twenty-one years, of the western half of the lands of Moy Lacha, parish of Kiliush, barony of Clonderala, county of Clare, from Turloch Roe Mac Mahon, to Shane, son of Teige O’Gilltinane, and after the expiration of the term of twenty-one years, “until redeemed by the payment of ten pounds of the crowned money of the Saxons, of good metal and pure silver.” This deed contains a formal clause of re-entry, the appointment of a bailiff to give possession, and a covenant for peaceable possession. .

There is also a remarkable covenant in which Turloch Mac Mahon, the lessor, acknowledges himself bound “to put this writing into the force of the law of the Saxon king, as the law adviser of the above Shane may advise.”

The originals of this and of the five following are in Mr. Curry’s collection.

No. 17.- A curious document, evidently founded· on Brehon Law, but not dated. It is a statement of certain personal and other injuries inflicted upon Teige, son of Sioda, or Mac Sheedy, by Fingin, son of Mac Con, and his family. It is a kind of bill of indictment.

No. 18 . – A deed of arbitration for certain injuries inflicted on Donnell, son of Rory, by the sons of Lochlainn, son of Fingin, son of Donnchadh [Mac Namara.] These personages appear to have livedin the neighbourhood of Cratloe (county of Clare); and the outrages which gave occasion to the arbitration were committed “in the summer in which Murchadh O’Brien and Donnchadh O’Brien went to England.” The deed was executed in 1550. Nos. 17 and 18 relate to the Mac Namaras mentioned in No. 1.

No. 19.-This document, dated 1591, is a curious compact, in which the descendants of Melachlainn O’Lochlainn of Ballymachane [in Burren, county of Clare], acknowledge themselves bound to Donnchadh O’Brien, by the terms of a compact made with their family by Connor, son of Turloch O’Brien, grandfather of the then Earl of Thomond. In this covenant they acknowledge themselves tenants of certain lands and vassals under the Earl; and he, on the other hand, concedes to them what would now be called tenant-right :- .. “I, the Earl of Thomond, acknowledge upon my honour that I have promised that whenever lands or castles belonging to these people shall be brought to an end” [meaning, it is presumed, by the expiration of their lease or tenancy], ” I will give them the appraisement of Boece [Mac Egan] and John O’Tierney and Eoghan O’Daly.”

No. 20.-A deed of partition, dated April 3, 1675, between Aedh and Cosney, the sons of Gillananoemh Oge O’Davoren, of certain lands of their ancestors, situate in the district of Burren, county of Clare. This document provides that if any part of the lands be lost to the parties, they are to balance the loss with each other, in the same way as in the original partition. Also, that neither party has a right to put away his portion in pledge or perpetuity, so that the other cannot redeem it; also, that if any part of the lands be in pledge, whoever is first able to redeem it shall hold it until redeemed by the other; and if one party shall fail to have heirs, the other shall succeed to his portion of the property. Lastly, that if there be any part of Aedh.’s land which he is unable to occupy, Cosney shall, if able, occupy it without let or hindrance from Aedh.

No. 21.-An agreement between Donnell Oge O’Kearney and Graine, daughter of Mac Con [Mac Namara). Donnell had a mortgage upon the lands of Graine [situate near Six-mile-bridge, county of Clare], to the amount of eleven ‘uinge,’. with a right to two free cows; the lady being advanced in years, gives up her rights and her lands to Donnell, on the condition that he supports her, with power to her son, and to him only, to redeem the lands after her death; but if there be manure or buildings on the lands, they shall be appraised and redeemed according to appraisement. Here is another recognition of tenant-right. This document is dated 1522.

No. 22-1s a copy of a deed, made by Mr. Curry from the original, in the British Museum (Egerton, No. 139, p. 179). It is an agreement dated 1510. Lochlainn Riabhach O’Mullona [Mullowney] mortgaged his lands to Shane O’Radan for four cows, in calf, and a good male pig; Shane O’Radan gives Connor O’Gleeson the privilege of having four cows on the land until it is redeemed.

No. 23.-This is a judgment of four Brehons in a controversy respecting land. The Brehons were of the family of O’Deoradan, Domhnall, Cathal Ferganainm, and Giolla Patrick; and the contending parties were, Gerald, son of Cathal Carrach; Brian, son of Murtoch; and Donnchadh, son of Crimhthan. Witnesses were examined upon oath, and the Brehons, acting upon their testimony, decide; and in an appendix to their decision minutely describe the boundaries of the land. The decision is as follows:- “And in accordance with that” [viz., the evidence], “the Brehons gave it as a judgment that Gerald should have possession of the land, and that neither Teige nor Donnchadh should have any claim on it from that time forth. And the one-eighth part of the sheaf of that year was awarded to Donnchadh in payment for his labour.”

This decision is dated 1560, showing that the Brehon Law continued to be practised in some parts of Ireland to that period; and it can be proved to have continued at least 100 years later. The original is in the Library of Trinity College (H.. 3, 18, p. 455). The lands and parties mentioned in this document belonged to the county of Wexford.

No. 24. – Is a letter of confraternity, in Latin, granted by Patrick Culvyn, local Prior of Dublin, of the order of Friars Eremite of St. Augustine, to John Stackpoole, and Genet Gwyth, his wife. Dated 31st of August, 1507.

Dr. Todd then made some remarks on the historical and antiquarian value of the deeds described, and exhibited to the Academy some of the deeds, together with a MS. book containing transcripts (made by Mr. Curry for the University Library), in which the whole are written, without the contractions of the originals, and rendered accessible to ordinary readers of Irish.

.

John Burke’s Recollections, Co. Dublin, 1803

John Burke’s Recollections:
Dublin Historical Record,
Vol IV, No. 4. pp. 150-153. 1944


Some extracts from this article:

John Burke, second son of Mr. William Burke of Chamber St. in the Earl of Meath’s Liberty, Dublin – Woollen Manufacturer.

John Burke was born 17 Nov. 1796; now in his eighty-second year of age, thank God, with memory unimpaired, health the same, writes at the particular request of a friend the following true recollections of his so far:

“I John Burke can well remember the Saturday night in the year 1803 when Lord Kilwarden was piked in Thomas St. by a band of wild enthusiastic fools who rushed out of Robert Emmet’s depot in Marshalsea Lane off Thomas St., and R. Emmet was said to have been with them. Lord Kilwarden was brought into the watchhouse, Vicar St., where he died. J.B. says it was a cruel act.

<snip>

I well remember to have seen Robert Emmet hanged and beheaded in Thomas St. – I believe on a Saturday in July 1803 in Thomas St. opposite St. Catherine’s Church and fully remember Martial Law proclaimed said year in Dublin. The Yeomen, the Liberty Rangers, had their Barracks on the Coombe, the Weavers’ Hall, where the Statue of George the II is still outside over the entrance. There were gates placed across from Hanover St. at one end and gates similarly placed across from Francis St. at the other end – so that the Rangers could not be surprised by any sudden “Coup”.

<snip>

I should tell that at the time Emmet was executed there was the Cornmarket Bridge, in Thomas St. which ran down from the corner of St. to the corner of New Row, and in the Emmet day part of this was a Barrack.

<snip>

I well remember the remains of the Old Custom House at Essex Bridge, ’twas then occupied as a Barracks. There was no passage then down the present Wellington Quay. Passengers had to pass down Essex St., go on to part of Temple Bar and come out, I believe, by the Bagnio Slip to get on the Quay.

I well remember the place called “Hell” at the top of Winetavern St., where a long dark arched passage led you into a very pretty open space where abundance of Toys were sold. In the archway was a large black oak Statue which the “Boys” used to call the “Devil”. There is at present some old citizen who, J.B. has been told, got a snuff box made of a part of said Black Oak in which he has these words:

“Prime your nose well;
I’d have you be civil.
This Box was in ‘Hell’,
And made of the ‘Devil’.”

I remember to have been in Astley’s Theatre, Peter St., where now stands the Molyneux Asylum. <snip>

The first Balloon which was said to have been sent up for 50 years previous, was sent up from Belvedere Lawn at Drumcondra, the 1st. of Oct., 1811; ’twas a clear beautiful day when the old Mr. Sadlier ascended from the Lawn. He veered his course over the Irish Channel with the view of landing at Holyhead or some other point. I recollect – so clear and beautiful was the sky – you could see the Balloon until it appeared only the size of a small round circular globe; the wind having changed the Balloon was driven back and Sadlier fell in the sea and was taken up by some fishermen who were on the look out for him – quite safe.

I saw Watty Cox pilloried at the Pillory at the Royal Exchange for having written in his Magazine a seditious libel called the Painter Cut. That was the year 1812 or 13.

I have a perfect recollection of Drumgoole’s Tavern in Lamb Alley in Cornmarket, where the famous Irish Piper Geoghegan used to play. I often went to hear him with my father. It was most respectably attended by the Mercantile Class of the time, as well as high-ups from other parts of the City. I would say I was there in 1807, and it was in existence long before that.

<snip>

The Liberty was the seat of manufacturers of Woollen, Silk, Cotton checks, Corduroys, Calicoes, and various other trades. Cork St. and Mill St. were mostly occupied, 1812, by Tanners and Spanish leather dressers, in fact it was crowded with foundries [sic] – Smiths, Carpenters, Masons, Artisans of all kinds, with many Block printing works where Ginghams, Muslins, and Calicoes were printed off with various designs for Houses where such was sold. The clothing for the Army and Yeomen and the old Watchmen were mostly furnished and their clothes made by the Army Clothiers of the Liberty. The extensive Army Clothier Charles Haskins of Summer St. (now Caffrey’s Brewery) – the Lamberts, the Beasleys, and numbers of others were all suppliers for the Army. The militia during the French war were then in existence and clothed. Such was the great employment of thousands of persons in Woollen, Silk, Cotton, and other branches of trade that the population was immense – wages well paid, and no person might want that was industrious. The climate of this period was very different from our present wet and uncertain weather. I remember that in November then, snow and frost set in and scarcely disappeared before April. Owing to this frosty weather the workmen, weavers and cloth dressers of the woollen trade were often thrown out of employment for weeks in consequence of not being able to get the weavers’ woollen warps dried, neither could the shearmen get their cloths dried on the tenters on account of the frosty weather. A great benevolent philanthropic gentleman named Pleasants, seeing the distress caused by a want of drying weather, took the plot of ground up in Brickfield Lane (now the late Fr. Spratt’s Refuge) and there, in the year of the great fall of snow and frost, 1814, built the famous Stovetenters House at his sole individual cost, which enabled the weavers to dry their warps and the shearmen to dry their cloths. From that grand act of Mr. Pleasants hundreds of persons were again set to work. I will here note that this same Mr. Pleasants was the person who founded the Pleasants School in Camden St. Singular as may appear, this same year, 1814, John Claudius Beresford of the Riding School notoriety was Lord Mayor of Dublin, and escorted by the City of Dublin Militia Band playing the music of the Liberty Boys with the people carrying a gilt lamb, he had it placed in the niche over the centre door of the Stovetenter [House] – so much for Beresford.

In the year 1815 the Big Sweep was flogged from New Gate to the Royal Exchange for having put fire in a grate under one of his climbing boys to force him up the chimney to sweep it. The pressure of the crowd on the Exchange against the Rails, forced it to give way, it fell out, some persons were killed and several wounded. The writer was on the outside of the rails when the Sweep was coming up Parliament St. He fortunately jumped down and went up on the steps which saved him from consequence; the Exchange rails at that time came a great way forward from its present position – this was in 1815. ‘Twas supposed Watty Cox’s pillory was the cause that shook the railing.

<snip>

Coming now to the time of a whispered wish of George IV to visit Ireland in the year 1820 – I can relate the correct circumstance of that whispered desire. My father who at that time lived in Chamber St. in the Liberty of Dublin – a woollen manufacturer – was a person highly respected and possessed of immense influence among the great population of that manufacturing locality. It can be said to be the part of Dublin at that time to command the popular expression. I can well remember a letter being brought on a Saturday night in December, 1820 to my father. That letter came from a high up gentleman who was much attached to my father on account of his general correctness and information on many important affairs. That letter was brought by a special servant from Mr. T. Nolan from the house of Harty’s in Westmoreland St. at that time. This letter to my father was worded to this effect:

“My dear Billy,
Go you and get an early Mass tomorow Sunday morning – I ‘will go also to Trinity college Church to get service – come down to Westmoreland St. soon after breakfast as you can for I want to see you particularly on most important business.
T.N.”

My father handed me that letter to read, saying to me, “If you are not too lazy to get up in the morning and go to Mass and come with me, you who so well know who Mr. Nolan is and with whom you were once on a visit for seven months when a boy in 1813-14.” I was delighted to have the opportunity to go with my father and was in Westmoreland St. before 10 o’clock. We were ushered into the Drawing room. Soon after, Mr. Nolan came in – after the usual kindly welcome he sat down and produced a letter which he had received from Sir Benjamin Broomfield, the private Sec. to George IV and the intimate friend of Mr. Nolan. The purport of that letter was to this effect – The Queen’s trial, brought by George IV and his then Government to accuse his Queen of immorality and get a divorce, having completely failed, and public opinion, particularly in England, having set in against the King – in order to allay it, the letter of Sir B. Broomfield was to stir up Irish feeling to invite the King to come pay his Irish people a visit. Mr. Nolan knew well my father’s popularity and influence in the Liberty and if they could be set in motion to agitate the question “’twas sure to be accomplished”. About 12 o’clock on that same Sunday a few more friends arrived, and the subject was discussed. The result was, a meeting of those few bringing with them a few other friends took place in the same week at Morrisson’s Hotel in Dawson St., from which a resolution was sent to  the then Evening Post stating a few friends had met there whose patriotic desire was to invite the King to visit Ireland. ”

Thousands of signatures were obtained and this was forwarded to His Majesty and he came in August 1821.

“The occasion of the visit needs no language to speak of it. It was one of the most magnificent displays ever seen. On his entry from the Vice Regal Lodge in the Phoenix Park along the North Circular Rd. into Dublin through Sackville St. to the Castle. The day was beautifully fine. Sir Abraham Bradley King the Lord Mayor under the Triumphal Arch at the top of Sackville St. presenting the Keys of the City to his Majesty was a gem.”

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Old Irish Newspaper Abstracts

We do have some old newspaper abstracts on this website (which can be found here) and I always remember one day as I was copying some material in the National Library in Dublin laughing to myself because life had not changed that much.  The bit I was transcribing was advising people to take their keys out of their front doors because thieves were just able to walk into houses.  The thing is, the paper had been published in the 1830’s, and then it was about 2006, and only that week my mother had begun to bring her car key into the house at night instead of leaving it sitting in the car.  My mother was a medical Doctor and getting called out at night was a regular thing so leaving her key in the car saved her the trouble of having to look for it when called out.


Ireland Old News – a newspaper site giving ‘abstracts’ from Old Irish Newspapers. Came across this website earlier today (I had forgotten it!)  and I am or was the 399248th visitor since the year 2000.

Ireland Old News

We tend to forget the things that so many people have done, especially in this day and age of advanced technology.  Many of you don’t remember the days when the Irish Census returns were not on the internet, many of you don’t know about the days when you had to go to the Irish Civil Records office to get the references for births, marriages and deaths.  Today, we can get those references if they exist on the internet (for the most part).  We all forget so easily about how it was so hard back then and about what we owe to the dedicated people who transcribed material and put it up on the net for the rest of us to see.

Ireland Old News contributors:
Cathy Joynt Labath who I believe did most of the transcribing and who created the website.
Jim McNamara (and I think he told me recently it was 1999 we first met) and
Brian Magaoidh who I am still in contact with.
Alison & Kathryn who I knew through lists.
Dennis Ahearne (RIP) who contributed so much to people researching their Irish ancestry.

Some examples of the earliest years covered for any county – extracts from other newspapers are included on the site, I’ve just taken the first extract for any county as an example.

The Armagh Guardian, Dec 3rd, 1844
Cavan Herald, July 14, 1818
Ennis Chronicle (Co. Clare), 1793
Corke Journal, 1756
Londonderry Journal (Derry) 1772
Ballyshannon Herald 1832 (Donegal)
Dublin 1705
The Enniskillen Chronicle & Erne Packet 1813 (Fermanagh) Connaught Journal, Galway 1823
The Kerry Examiner, 1847
The Kildare Observer 1915
The Kilkenny Independent 1826
The Leitrim Journal & Carrick-on-Shannon Advertiser 1868 The Limerick Chronicle 1769
The Drogheda Conservative, or Meath, Louth, Monaghan and Cavan Advertser 1837
The Ballina Chronicle, 1849 (Mayo)
The Meath Chronicle 1899
The Northern Standard, & Monaghan, Cavan and Armagh Advertiser 1839
The Midland Tribune, 1901 (Offaly/King’s Co.)
Roscommon & Leitrim Gazette,, 1822
Sligo Champion, 1887
The Clonmel Advertiser, 1818 (Tipperary)
The Strabane Morning Post, 1812 (Tyrone)
Jackson’s Oxford Journal 1804 (Waterford)
Belfast Newsletter (Antrim & Down) 1749
The Bray & South Dublin Herald, 1916 (Wicklow)
The Newry Commercial Telegraph, 1813 (Co. Down)

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Armagh Plantations, Aghivillan and Brochus Manors, 1622

(6) Manor of Aghivillan and Brochus (2,000 acres).


Granted to John Heron July 23 (??? ) and omitted by Carew. We have no knowledge of events on the lands comprising the above two proportions previous to 1619. In that year Pynnar found that two small bawns of earth with a pallazado upon them and a ditch about them had been built and near to each a number of houses inhabited with English tenants, 13 families in all able to make 26 men with arms.

John Heron died August 1, 1616, and was succeeded by his brother Sir Edward Heron, who joined with his younger brother William in selling the lands to John Dillon March 25, 1620, (Inquisitions of Ulster, Armagh, 5 Car. I), at which time a mansion house of stone and lime 60 feet by 20 feet had been. erected in the townland of Ballenraye by John Dillon and the assigns of John Heron.

The Survey of 1622 shows “Sir John Dillon” (1) in occupation and states – there was then only “one convenient dwelling house of timber rough cast with lime wherein himself and wife with their family do now inhabit” and that there was “no bawne about it.” Leaseholders and cottagers on the lands then totalled 42, but none confirmed in their holdings; 18 Irish families were resident on the two proportions.

By 1630 these lands had passed either by purchase or forfeiture to a “Mr Waldron” who figures in a Muster Roll attributed to that year.(2) There were then 45 tenants on the property capable of bearing arms. That is the earliest reference we have to Waldron’s connection with the manor. He is said to have been of the same stock as Sir Richard Waldron who received a grant in 1610 of 1,000 acres in Co. Cavan.

From a Subsidy Roll of 1634 we learn that John Waldron was then in occupation. Two years later, May 20, 1636, we find that he and his son William had been “admitted into the number of Planters in Ireland.”(3) Besides William above he had a son George of whom later and a daughter Elizabeth who married John Obins of the Manor of Ballevoran and was left a widow by his death April 15, 1635.

John Waldron sometime during the reign of Charles I acquired half of the adjoining Manor of Shanagoolan.(4) He seems to have been dead before 1641. A deposition relative to affairs in that neighbourhood made September 3, 1642, by Mrs. Jane Grace mentions Mr. Waldron and his brothers whose Christian names she “knew not.” Mrs. C. Stanhawe, relict of his neighbour Henry Stanhawe, in her account of July 23, 1642, records “a guard of 100 men on Mr. Waldron’s house,” the “Mr.” in this case being the son William.

A “Mr. Waldron, gent.” figures in the Poll Tax or Census of 1659, presumably William above. From other sources we know that William must have died previous to 1676 but that George was still alive in 1678(5)

William married and had a son William who must have died young, and a daughter Elizabeth who married Gilbert Thacker of Repton in Derbyshire, by whom she had a daughter Jane Thacker, the ultimate heir to the Waldron estate in Co. Armagh.

Jane Thacker was a considerable heiress, having inherited a large fortune from her father as well. She married firstly the Honble. Charles Wottop alias Stanhope, son of Philip, 2nd Earl of Chesterfield, and following his death in 1703 she married secondly Thomas Stanhope of Elvaston, Derbyshire, of the branch of the Stanhopes now represented by the Earl of Harrington. He predeceased her in 1735. She died 1744. There were no children by either marriage so the Armagh property was sold by her trustees, in 1706, to Arthur Brownlow of Lurgan who, by his will dated September 29, 1710, bequeathed it with his Manor of Brownlowsderry and other lands in theseveral counties of Armagh and Monaghan to his son William, thus increasing the, Brownlow lands by another 2,000 acres. One of the parties to, the sale was a Francis Stonard Waldron of Knole Hill, Essex, probably a descendant of the John Waldron of 1630, but of whom we have no further information.

from from “County Armagh In 1622 A Plantation Survey”
Edited byT. G. F. PATERSON, M.A., M.R.I.A. published in Seanchás Ardmhaca

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Waterford During the Civil War, 1641-53

Waterford during the Civil War(1641 -1653).


Traits and Stories from the T.C.D. Depositions (Continued)
Edited by THOMAS FITZPATRICK, LL.D.

LI
John Crockford, of Killgraney, in the County of Waterford (f. 125)
(Losses, 521(li) 13 shillings 9d (pence)

….. And further he sayth, yt there was murthered, of and in the parish of Whitedchurch, Ralph Bennetl jun., Wm Shoah, Robert Drew, James brother-in-law to Robert Wallis, Robert Damorell, and four others whose names he knoweth not.
And further the depont sayth, that he was robbed of his goods & chattells by the hands & means of Sr Nicholas Walsh of Ballykeroge, Knt, John Hore of Dungarvan, gent, Capt Edmond ffennell, now of Dungarvan, Richard Butler of Kilcash, a reputed Generall of the forces of Waterford and Tipperary, Edmund mc James, & Robcrt Stephens, parish of Whitechurch, John fitz gerald of Balliellane
JOHN CROCKFORD.
Jur &c 18 June 1642
(Bisse, Badinedge, Rugge)

LII
John Lambert of the Grange, barony of Decies (f. 126)
(Losses, 376 li)
……………. He saith that John fitz Gerrald of ffarnan, gent, James Welsh, Son to Sr Nicholas Welsh, Knt, and John Butler of Ringova (Ringagoona), gent (a reputed Captaine of the rebells), were the parties that robbed this depont, as he is [credibly] informed.
And further he deposeth that John Stutely (see also Nos. c, cxiv) of Ardmore (sic), in ye sd county, cleark, formerly curat of Armore, since this rebellion turned papist, together with his wife & family, John Adams his wife and family, likewise turned papists.
Jurat &c 23 Junii 1642
Tho: Badinedge,
Hen. Rugge)

LIII
Barnard Pabe of Ballingambon, parish of Whitechurch, yeoman
(Losses, 264 1i l1 shillings 4d (pence))
He was robbed by the hands & means of Robert Stephens & his followers, as, Wm Veale of Ballingambon, & John Veale brother to the sd Wm., husbandmen, & divers others
He further sayth that Phillipp Veale of ye parish of Whitechurch, taylor, John o Lyne of the same, husb., Daniell . . ” husb, who also tould his wife, a protestant, that she must shift for herself, for if it were knowne that he was in her company he should be cut to picces (how can the deponent swear to this?): All these were heretofore reputed protestants, and now, sithence this rebellion, tumed papists.
(Mark)
Jurat &c 18 June 1642
(Bisse, Badinedge, Rugge)

LIV
Hercules Beere of Gleinmore, parish of Lismore, carpenter (f. 129)
(Losses, 439 li sterl.)
The deponent saith that Morris o Downey of Glanmore, husbandman, James fitz Gerat of Coole-Ishell, gentleman, and others whose names he knoweth not, were the parties that then and there so robbed him.
Jur, &c 17 June 1642
(Bisse, Ellwell)

LV
Charles Hart, parish of Kilgobint, barony of Decies, husbandman (f. 131)
(Losses, on New years day night, 9 li 5 shillings)
………….by Turlough o Brien his tenants. He saith that he himself his wife and children, were then and there stript by the tenants of Turlough o Brien aforesd and John Hore fitz Mathew of Shandon, barony of Decies, Esqrs.
Jurat &c 15 Aug. 1642
Phil Bisse
Jam Wallis

LVI
Robert Clay of Coscam, parish of Dungarvan,: clothier, (f. 132)
(Losses, value 35 li 7 shillings)
He further sayth, he was robbed by Garrett Newgent, of Coscam, gent, & his followers…………….And further sayth that Sr Nicho. Welsh of Ballyearoge & his followers stole & carryed away certaine Englishmen’s cattle, & as they were driving them by an house nere wherein the deponant was ffaine to hyde himselfe for shelter, his wife and one child, being one James Mac Thomas his house, of Coscam…………….. hearing ye drove of cattle going by ye aforesd James Mac Thomas, now in actuall rebellion & his company, ran out and took of the prey an English heiffer & presently killed it. He further sayth that one . . . Boston, with his wife & three children were stripped by ye rebells; but knoweth not who they were yt stripped them.
And lastly this deponent sayth, that Peter Anthony of Comro (Comeragh) his wife, & children formerly a professed protestant, but since this rebellion turned papists.
ROBERT CLAY
Jurat &:c 22 June, 1642
(Badnedge, Bisse, Rugge, Ellwell)

LVII
Phillipp Chapple, of the town and parish of Whitechurch, clarke (f.133(
(Losses 39 li 3 shillings”)
(‘……… besides the loss of his curattship of Whit Church
under the Bishop’s seale, worth to this depont coibus annis twelve pounds per annum – further sayth he was robbed of his goods, as he is credibly informed,’ struck out) by Margrett Tobin of the same parish, with her son Edmond and daughter More, and David Morrish his brother-in-law – his name the deponent knoweth not, and Wm Brenagh of the said parish his brother & Margarett Garracoin, only so called in the sd parish, widow, with divers of the forces of Waterford and Tipperary he also sayth that he was stripped stark naked by the said rebells.
PHILLIPP CHAPPELL
Jur 24 June 1642
Percye Smyth
Phi1 Bisse

to be continued

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Armagh Plantations, Teemore Manor, 1622

(5) The Manor of Teemore (1,000 acres).


Granted to the Rev. Richard Rolleston (1) March 25, 1610. As an undertaker he seems to have been ambitious but somewhat unlucky. In 1611 Carew found that he was living upon his lands and had some timber buildings after the English fashion. Three men of good sort had settled with seven poor English-men, their wives, children and servants, but the stock consisted of four English cows and eight horses for ploughing “amongst them all.” Despite that report the grantee had by then acquired the 2,000 acre manor of Bellevooran from William Powell. This, however, involved him in financial troubles and compelled him to part with Bellevoran to Richard Cope who some years after sold half of that proportion to Michael Obins.(2)

In 1619 Pynnar records a bawn of sods (3) with a pallizado, moated about and a little house within it in occupation. Near the bawn were 9 houses, inhabited with English tenants – total 10 families able to make 24 men with arms.

In 1622 Sir Francis Annesley we are told was owner having purchased the estate from Rolleston. This was far from an accurate summary of the then situation. There is ample evidence that the vendor was in monetary difficulties and had consequently been obliged to mortgage Teemore to Annesley. The latter, however, by sharp practice had by then acquired almost the whole of the estate. The story is, however, too involved for insertion here.

Richard Rolleston died in 1636. In 1641 his widow was living in Marlacoo, a townland within the manor, to which she presumably moved following her husband’s death, who had been predeceased by their eldest son Henry. At the time of the Civil War Mrs. Rolleston was resident with a family of six sons and one daughter, of whom four sons, Edward, Richard, Ralph and Thomas perished at the beginning of the troubles of that unhappy period.

Sir Francis Annesley was appointed Constable of the Fort of Mountnorris in 1612 and eventually acquired it, with its attached lands and many neighbouring townlands. On October 12, 1611, he secured the Moyry Fort and its three townlands following the death of Captain Henry Atherton who had died earlier in that year, and had been in possession from 1606. In the following year, in April, he obtained a patent for a market and fairs at Mountnorris, later acquiring the fort and its three townlands. He represented the County in the Irish Parliament in 1613 and a few years later received a further grant of lands in Orior.

Additional property coming into his possession at that period included the nunneries of Templenafertagh and Templebreed in Armagh city. Upon the institution of the order of baronetage by James I he was created a baronet August 7, 1620, and in the following year was given a revisionary patent dated March II, 1621, of the Irish Viscounty of Valentia, an honour not however available until the death of the then Viscount. Shortly afterwards on February 8, 1628, he was put in the more immediate possession of a peerage as Baron Mountnorris of Mountnorris Castle, Co. Armagh. He died in November 1660 and was the ancestor of the Earls of Annesley, Earls or Mountnorris, Earls of Anglesey, Viscounts Valentia and Barons Altham.

The Earldom of Mountnorris became extinct in 1844 but the Barony of Mountnorris survives and continues with the present Viscount Valentia.

The Annesleys no longer own any lands in County Armagh. The Mounttnorris estate was purchased by the Copes in the early 18th century and shortly after the major portion of the Manor of Teemore was added to Castle-dillon estate by the Molyneux family.

(1) His brother Arthur came to Ireland with him and was the founder of the Rollestons of Ffranckfort Castle, Roscrea, for whom see BURKE’S Landed Gentry of Ireland, 1958.
(2) See under (3) Manor of Ballevoran.
(3) Erected in townland of Teemore. Site of bawn still known locally.

from from “County Armagh In 1622 A Plantation Survey”
Edited byT. G. F. PATERSON, M.A., M.R.I.A. published in Seanchás Ardmhaca

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Armagh Plantations, Kirnan Manor, 1622

(2) The Manor of Kirnan (1,000 acres).


Granted to James Matchett, Clerk, May 30, 1610. Three years after he was collated rector of Drumcree, Co. Armagh. and also of the adjoining parish of Kilmore. He seems, however, to have been unable to plant tenants or erect buildings so quickly disposed of his proportion.

In 1611 his eldest son Daniel Matchett aged 24 years was acting as agent for his father-had indeed been resident since Michaelmas 1610. Carew, however, only found 2 freeholders on the land and no tenants or labourers. Promises were made to construct a bawn, materials provided for building and 9 horses and other beasts ready for work.

By 1619 the Manor had passed to Sir Oliver St. John and at that time there were upon the lands 2 bawns of timber moated about and made very strong, in each, “an English house of cage work, and 2 English families dwelling in them”; there are near to one of these bawns 5 houses, being inhabited with English families; the rest are dispersedly on the land, 3 or 4 families together.”
Total 17 families who with their undertenants are able to make 30 men with arms.”

On January 22, 1621, by an inquisition relating to the lands we learn that Sir Oliver (who by then had been created Lord Grandison) had built upon the said manor one bawn or fort of earth, four square, strengthened with pallizaadoes, and within it a good English-like house, and 20 more English houses all inhabited by English families besides a water-mill upon the river runnning through Balteagh.

The survey of 1622 presents a somewhat different picture. It is difficult to reconcile the “small timber house thatched” and” compassed about with a ditch and a quicksett hedge” with the particulars given by Pynnar and embodied in the above inquisition.(1)

(1) See (15) Manor of Ballymore.

from from “County Armagh In 1622 A Plantation Survey”
Edited byT. G. F. PATERSON, M.A., M.R.I.A. published in Seanchás Ardmhaca

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Armagh Plantations, Ballynemony and Dewcorran Manors, 1622

(1) The Manors of Dewcorran (1,500 acres) and Ballynemony (1,000 acres)


Dewcorran granted to John Brownlow May 28, 1610, and Ballynemony to William, his son, June 18 of same year. Carew in his report of 1611 states that both were then resident and dwelling in an Irish house, that they had brought over 6 carpenters, 1 mason, a tailor and workmen. One freeholder and 6 tenants had been settled and preparations made for the building of 2 bawns-some muskets and arms in readiness.

According to Pynnar’s Survey of 1619 bawns had been erected on both proportions, that at Dewcorran having within it a fair house of stone and brick, the bawn was, however, constructed of timber and earth but stone and lime were in readiness to build the usual walled enclosure. At Ballynemony there was a good strong house within an island. At this date “a fair town” had arisen on Dewcorran consisting of 42 houses all inhabited by English families, the streets “all paved clean through,” 2 watermills and 1 windmill-all for corn, 57 families “with divers under them” able to make 100 men with arms and “not one Irish family upon the land “- statements open to grave doubt.

The survey of 1622 gives particulars and measurements of the bawn on Dewcorran “near adjoining which he had made a good village of 40 houses inhabited with English tenants on both sides the streete in which a good windmill stands. “As regards Ballynemony nothing new transpires other than that the number of armed men had increased to 160 and 24 Irish families were resident.

William Brownlow was knighted in 1622, served as High Sheriff of the County in the following year, and represented Armagh in the old Irish House of Commons in 1639. He died January 20, 1660. By his wife Elinor O’Dogherty (daughter of John O’Dogherty of Derry and great-granddaughter of Sir John Oge O’Dogherty, Lord of Inishowen) he had issue three daughters, of whom the eldest. Lettice Brownlow, married firstly Patrick Chamberlain of Nizelrath. Co. Louth, member of an old Anglo-Norman family established in that county previous to 1312. By this marriage she had with other issue an eldest son Arthur Chamberlain born 1645, who assumed the name of Brownlow as directed by the will of his maternal grandfather.

Arthur Brownlow alias Chamberlain was High Sheriff of the county in 1679 and 1686 and Member of Parliament from 1692 until his death in 1710. He was a man of cultured tastes and took a deep personal interest in the management of the property especially in the welfare and housing of his tenants. His chief claim to our admiration, however, lies in the fact that he was the saviour of the Book of Armagh, that priceless treasure of the Primatial See and earliest of our Irish manuscripts that can with absolute certainty be dated. He was succeeded in the estate by his eldest son William, High Sheriff 1711 who followed his father in the representation of the county, retaining the seat until he died in 1739, leaving a son William (High Sheriff 1750, M.P. for the county 1753-1794) whose second son, Charles Brownlow, was the father of Charles Brownlow, M.P., created Baron Lurgan of Lurgan, ancestor of the present Lord Lurgan.(1) The estate was considerably enlarged in the early 18th century by the purchase of additional lands including the Manor of Richmount, Co. Armagh,(2) in 1706. The family also possessed property in Counties Louth and Monaghan.

(1) For detailed information on the Brownlow, Chamberlain, and allied families see L.A.J. Vol. x. pp. 318-326 and Vol. XI, pp. 173-185.
(2)See (6) Manor of Aghivillan and Brochus.

from “County Armagh In 1622 A Plantation Survey”
Edited byT. G. F. PATERSON, M.A., M.R.I.A. published in Seanchás Ardmhaca

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Armagh Plantations, Dirricrevy and Dromully Manors, 1622

(4) The Manors of Dirricrevy and Dromully (3,000 acres).


These proportions were granted to Lord Saye and Seale. His Lordship did not, however, take possession so the lands were passed to Sir Anthony Cope, Knt. July 5, 1611, but whether by purchase or because of the original grantee’s defection is uncertain. Carew informs us that Sir Anthony had sent over a sufficient overseer and assistant, both of
whom were resident in 1611. A fair castle of free stone was then in process of erection upon which 14 or 15 workmen and 9 carpenters were employed, 16 mares and horses being engaged upon the transport of materials from a quarry some eight miles away. This castle, commonly called Castleraw, survives in a somewhat fragmentary condition in the townland of Ballyrath in the Dirricrevy proportion and is not to be confused With the bawn of lime and stone described by Pynnar eight years later who, curiously enough, makes no mention of the castle, contenting himself with noting 2 water-mills and 1 windmill with 24 houses erected near the bawn. The latter with the houses and mills was situate, however, on the portion known as Dromully close to the lake where its walls now enclose a garden.

In 1622 the castle at Ballyrath is referred to as “a house of lime and stone three and a half storys high” wherein Anthony Cope, Esq. resides with his wife and family. At that time the bawn on the Dromully proportion had “four good flankers three of which contained small buildings of lime and stone 2 ½ storys high in one of which William Pierson dwells” the latter the ancestor of the Pearsons of Loughgall and Kilmore parishes. On the two estates there were then 72 men furnished with arms and 40 Irish families.

Sir Anthony Cope of Hanwell in Oxfordshire is believed to have purchased these lands for the benefit of his second and third sons, Anthony and Richard, but if so he took out the Patent in his own name and by his will settled his County Armagh property upon his son Anthony. There must, however, have been some kind of family arrangement for Richard was subsequently of Drumilly.

Sir Anthony was born in 1548 and in 1606 admitted to Gray’s Inns. He was High Sheriff of Oxfordshire three times between 1582 and 1603, and also served as a Member of Parliament for Banbury and Oxford. Having presented to the Speaker a Puritan revision of the Common Prayer Book and a bill abrogating the existing ecclesiastical law he
was committed to the Tower and there remained from February 26, 1586, until March 23. 1587.

In 1606, and again in 1612, he entertained James I at Hanwell and in June of the year previous to the King’s second visit was created a baronet. He died at Hanwell and was buried there in the family vault July 23. 1615.

Sir Anthony was succeeded at Hanwell by his eldest son William for whom he had purchased an estate in County Tyrone. Sir William, however, did not retain his Irish property, which by 1633 had passed from his ownership into other hands. Five years later he died leaving a son John, ancestor of the succeeding baronets down to the eleventh baronet at whose death in 1851 the title reverted to the Rev. William Henry Cope of whom later. Anthony Cope, second son of Sir Anthony above, was the builder of Castleraw alias Ballyrath and possibly of Drumilly also, leaving with other issue a son Henry who succeeded him at Castleraw but later moved to Loughgall and was the ancestor of the Copes of the Manor and of a son Anthony who settled in Dublin and was the direct ancestor of the above mentioned Rev. Sir William Henry Cope, from whom the present and 15th baronet. Sir Anthony M.L. Cope descends.

Castleraw was badly damaged in the Civil War of 1641 and is not believed to have been repaired. It seems to have been of the fortified manor-house type and was enclosed by a ramparted trench much of which remains in tolerable order.

Drumilly an interesting old mansion. occupies a fine position on a hill overlooking the lake, its crannoge and the old Drumilly bawn, with an excellent prospect of the Loughgall Manor House on a like eminence on the opposite shore. In the Civil War of 1641 Richard Cope the then owner was taken prisoner with his wife and two sons at Monaghan, in which county he also had lands, and imprisoned at Carrickmacross. His son Walter returned to Drumilly and after the Restoration is believed to have built the present house. He was resident there in 1673 when visited by Archbishop Oliver Plunkett whom he describes in a letter as ” a man of gentle birth and much learning.”

The Cope estate was largely increased in the 18th century by the acquisition of the Manor of Mountnorris in April 1738 and the Manor of Grange O’Neiland in the same year.

from from “County Armagh In 1622 A Plantation Survey”
Edited byT. G. F. PATERSON, M.A., M.R.I.A. published in Seanchás Ardmhaca

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Armagh Plantations, Ballevoran Manor, 1622

(3) The Manor of Ballevoran (2,000 acres).


This property was granted to William Powell of Tutbery in Staffordshire. If you need the such property related advice, eXp Realty’s write-up should be read first and things should be taken into consideration. 

Like his brothers he had a situation in the King’s service. It seems probable that he had no intention of crossing to Ireland. Carew in 1611 reported that Powell had turned over the lands to Mr. Roulston and that no freeholders or artificers were settled upon them nor any work done saving the building of two bays of a house. Pynnar in 1619 shows considerable progress and states that “Mr. Obbyns” the then owner had built a bawn within which there was a good fair house of brick and lime, himself dwelling thereon.” Twenty tenants had procured land, who with their undertenants were able to make, 46 men with arms.(1)

Pynnar, through some carelessness in obtaining particulars relating to Obins, neglects to state that the Rev. Richard Rolleston the grantee of the Manor of Teemore in the same barony, owing to financial difficulties, had been unable to retain his purchase from Powell and, as a consequence, was compelled to resell to Richard Cope of Loughgall who had passed half to Michael Obins, retaining the other 1,000 acres for his sons Walter and Anthony Cope. Obins died September 26, 1629, leaving a widow, Prudence Obins, and a son John. Mrs. Obins died April 5, 1635, and John died May 14 of same year leaving by his wife, Eliza Waldron, an only son Hamlet then aged 6 months – see Inquisitions of Ulster (22) and (35) Car. I.

Michael Obins above seems either to have been improvident or financially insecure. At any rate proceedings were taken against him in 1626 which resulted in some 380 acres having to be sold- the remaining 620 acres were, however, granted to his widow and son. The Survey of 1622 confirms that he was then in prison in England but that his wife was resident. Michael Obins’ descendants in the Manor of Ballyoran (better known perhaps as Portadown) took a keen interest in the property. With Richard Cope he was responsible for the first bridge there. Anthony Obins of a later generation was concerned in the development of the canal from Newry to Portadown, a service that by the end of the 18th century resulted in the latter town becoming a useful inland port.

The last of the name to hold the property was Archibald Eyre Obins. Born 1776 and educated at the Armagh Royal School he subsequently entered T.C.D. in 1793, later taking Holy Orders and settling in England where he died at Bath in 1868.

His mother was the Honble. Nicola Acheson, daughter of Sir Archibald Acheson, Bart. and sister of Arthur Acheson, 1st Viscount Gosford. Her niece, the Lady Olivia Acheson, married Brigadier-General R.B. Sparrow of Tanderagee, a family relationship that brought about the purchase of the Obins estate by the Sparrows in 1820, for whom see (15) Manor of Ballemore.

(1) HILL, p. 559, gives “40 men” but in Hibernica and Carew the number is shown as “46” so we may assume the latter figure to be correct. ‘

from from “County Armagh In 1622 A Plantation Survey”
Edited byT. G. F. PATERSON, M.A., M.R.I.A. published in Seanchás Ardmhaca

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