The tribes and territories of ancient Ossory; comprising the portions of O'Heerin's and O'Dugan's topographical poems which relate to the families of that district ..

l^Mlif.'i

^mj^^.

THE

TRIBES AND TERRITORIES

ANCIENT OSSORY;

COMPRISING THE PORTIONS OF

O'ilEERIN'S AND O'DUGAN'S TOPOGRAPHICAL POEMS

WHICH RELATE TO

THE FAMILIES OF THAT DISTRICT.

ENLARGED FROM THE TRANSACTIONS OF THE KILKENNY ARCHAOLOGICAL
SOCIETY FOR THE YEAR 1850.

BY

JOHN O'DONOVAN, LL.D., M.R.I.A

DUBLIN :

JOHN O'DALY, 9, ANGLESEA-STREET.

1851.

THE TRIBES A.ND TERIIITORIES

ANCIENT OSSORY.

GiLLA-NA-NAEMH O'HuiDHRiN (Gillananaeve O^Heerin), from whose
Topographical Poem the following extract is printed, died, according
to the Annals of the Eour Masters, in the year 1420. His production
was intended, as he himself informs us, as a supplement to another
celebrated Topographical Poem, by Shane More O^Dugan, chief poet
and historian of Hy-Many, who died in 1372, and who had given an
account of the ancient Irish families of Meath, Ulster, and Connacht;
and a brief notice of those of Leinster.

O'Heerin's Poem gives an account of the principal families of the
ancient Leinster and Munster, and the districts occupied by them. It
consists of seven hundred and eighty lines or verses; beginning
"■CujUe ye^yA A]t Q>]]X]t)\) O)-^," i.e. "Additional Knowledge on
Sacred Eirinn." See O'Eeillfs Irish Writers, p. cxix.

T^Aji 6]f lAoc|tA|6e t.A]5eAT),
Co CUA1) cl$v|t-^uiT)i) njo c|toj6e,
Co j-luAj ^lu|T)r) 0|*|iAi6e.

2t)AC '^]o\l4^-pAZ)ic^]CC pu]]tc B|teA5
JAC 0|*|iA]&e Af bo A]* blj^eAb,

O BlAbrtJA ATtlAC 5U}* AT) n)ll]|t,
CaItT)A a CAC Of T)A CACU]b.

U||i|ti05A ir CAOins ctiort)A

LAb|tOTT) pA IaOC LlAC-fc>|tOfT)A,

O BeAftbA CO rt)]x) 2t)urT)Atj,
Le ]i]5 "CeArbjiA a c^cu5a6.

2l)t& cAO]|*eAC cuA]ce at) co|iai6

O'l) Cbo]ll AO]bll)fc> UAc})CO|tA]6

0'*t)iibfl^lT)e, |f]Al At) peA|i,
O'p c-|*l]Ab Aj* ii]Ue ]T)beA|i.

0'CeA]tbA]ll bVji co]tc|tA c|to]r)r),
0'C)oi)T)c})v\6a b|tcAC tl]0■^0]t)^),
Sl6i5 I1A5 Af bo'v z]]i co]iA]6

<t)^ jtl5 A })-AOt}cbor)A]|l.

1 The Barrow, beATxbA, explained, AbA »)a b^ilbe, i.e., the dumb or silent
river, in the Dinnsenchus.

2 Ancient streams. This clearly alludes to its tributaries, which frequently
cause it to overflow its banks.

3 Heroes of Leinster. Ossory is usually distinguished from Leinster. The
people of Ossory are sometimes called Fionn-Mhidmhnigh, i.e., fair Munster-
men. See note 44.

* Of my heart, i.e., " dear to me," a common Irish idiom.

5 Mac-GiUaphadraig, now Fitzpatrick. Patrick Vincent Fitzpatrick, who
believes himself to be the head of this race, and Felix Fitzpatrick, Esq., Bar-
rister-at-Law, who married Miss Colclough, are now (next after the illegiti-
mate son of the late Earl) the most distinguished members, clari homines, of
this family. But Malachy Fitzpatrick, who is clerk to Sir Matthew Barring-
ton, says that he is of an older sept than either of these gentlemen ; he cannot,
however, show any proof of his descent. 1 believe that Felix Fitzpatrick can
prove his descent from the old stock of Ossory, as well as his relationship to
James Freney and Cardinal Wiseman.

6 Bregian fort, i.e., Tara, a tasteless compliment to the king of Ossory, to
indicate his regal grade.

7 From Bladhma out to the sea, i.e., from Slieve-Bloom to the Meeting of
the Three Waters, opposite Cheek-point, County of Waterford.

8 Brave is his battle over battles, or brave his battalion above battalions.

9 Urries, i.e., sub-chiefs. Shane O'Neill contended in England that all the
chiefs of Ulster were Urrighs, or sub-chiefs, tributary to himself.

1" Chiefs, taoisigh, i.e., leaders, or commanders of smaller clans.

11 Liathdruim, another name of Tara, introduced here in very bad taste. It

Pass the Barrow' of ancient streams/
After [describing] the heroes of Leiuster''
To the tribe of the level land of my heart/'
To the beautiful host of Ossory.

Mac-Gillaphadraig'' of the Bregian fort/
The land of Ossory to him is due,
Trora Bladhma out to the sea/
Brave is his battle above battles.^

Urries^ and heavy chiefs'"

I mention under this hero of Liathdruim,"

From the Barrow to the plain of Munster/^

To the king of Tara'^ it belougs to cement them.

The head chieftain of the fmitful cantred
Of the delightful CoiU-Uachtoracli'*
Is O'Dubhshlaine,'^ hospitable the man,
From the mountain of most beauteous rivers.'^

O'Cearbhaill'^ for whom the trees are ruddy, '^
O'Donnchadha'^ of honest aspect
(Whose firm hosts possess the fruitful land),
Are two kings in the same direction.

would improve the context much to insert Rolghne, the old name of Kells, in
Ossory, in place of Liathdruim. Thus : —

lAbTtoit) PA U\oc Ti)v\i5e Roi5T)e.

^2 Plain of Munster, i.e., Magh Femhin, in the south-east of the County of
Tipperary.

1^ King of Tara. This means Mac-Gillaphadraig, and not O'Melaghlin, for
which O'Heerin deserves some rough castigation. Originally, however, I
believe that Ossory was specially under the protection of the king of Tara.

^* Coill-Uaditorach, i.e.. Upper Wood. The Ordnance Survey has erected
this territory into a separate barony in the Queen's County.

'^ O'Dubhshlaine, i.e., O'Dulany, now Delany, a name still common in this
territory. Dubh-Shlaine, i.e., the Black Man of the river Slaney, nomen pro-
genitoris.

i*" Beauteous rivers. Invers, the term used by O'Heerin, is wrong, because
the Nore and Barrow, which rise in this mountain, have their invers, or
mouths elsewhere. He should have said " in which the lovely sister rivers have
their fountains or sources ;" but we must a.low him his own terms. He evidently
puts invers for rivers by bardic license.

17 O'Cearbhaill, i.e., O'Carroll ; but different from O'Carroll of the race
of OilioU Olum, seated in Ely-0'Carroll, at the JMunster side of Slieve-BIoom,
now a part of the King's County.

J8 Trees are ruddy, i.e., with fruit. Such was O'Carroll's righteous rule
that God blessed the fruit trees on his account. This tract is included in the
barony of Gowran.

19 O^ Donnchadha, now Dunphy It is anglicised like Murphy, from

Kj i)A c]t]ce AC cbuAlobAi|t,
7-eA]t 6^ corbco3A 6|* 2t)o]5 2t)^il
0''t)ot)i)cbA6A sloTt) 3^t)|ti^it>

O CblU-CbA]T)r)]5 1)A 5-cloC T)-AOll
Co Sl]Ab 5-CA1cle AT) C1)U]C ^el-CAO]!)

CluAii) U^ Cb^AjtbAillj t>' 'AV ■^V]^) n)U]]i,
"C^lt At) cuA]i) ceAr)r)5U]HTD coclu^j.

l)-U.]-<t)uAc Of|VAi6e Ai) f:u]i)i) ce,

H] pAbAlcApeAb AT) cli^T]!,
p'eAjt A bA]t^T)CA 0'B]IA0T)A]17.

2t)AC B|lAO]T) AT) ^eA|tA]I)T) 1T)T)lll,
2l|l T)A ClAT)T)Alb CUlTbl)151TD,

T^iji jIai) f a b6]c CAorb a ct)a,
0'Bft6|ce A|i 2t)A]5 fAOjt S6Abi)A.

j ^u]5 Iaca t)a leA|t5 ce,
Cj^AoliiiT), ]:eA|i6A AT) ]:iT)e,
2t)6|t AT) feucA^b A|* &10I biiibj

<Do l]01) ^UCA CpAol^jT).

0'2t)u|tc})A6A. The head of this family founded Jerpoint Abbey in 1180. 1
knew an old man of this sept, who lived near Gaulskill. He was always called
Shane O'Donoghue ; but his son is now called Dunphy. The latter form of
the name is considered genteel in Ossory, but plebeian in Kerry, where
O'Donoghue is considered noble. Such is the whim of custom !

20 Magh Mail, i.e., the plain of Mai. This was the name of O'Dunphy's
territory situate in that part of the barony of Gowran lying along the Barrow.
After the English invasion the O'Dunphys removed to Clandonagh, now a
part of Upper Ossory, in the Queen's County.

21 Gahhran, now Gowran. O'Dunphy lived at Gowran till driven from
thence by the English. The O'Caellys, or Kellys, afterwards had some pro-*
perty here.

22 Cill-Chainnigh, i.e., St. Canice's church, now Kilkenny. Ledwich says that
this name signifies " wooded head near the rivei'" {Antiq. 2nd ed. pp. 6,382) ;
but Ussher gives the true derivation (Primord. p. 957). See also Lanigan,
Vol. II., p. 202.

23 Sliahh g-Caithla. This was the name of a mountain, or rather mountain-
ous grounds, on the confines of the territories of O'CarroU and O'Dunphy, in
the barony of Gowran ; but no trace of the name (which would be anglicised
Slieve-Gahill, or Slie-Cahill) is now to be found.

^* The sea is smooth, i.e., whenever he goes to sea he lays the storms. The
Irish chiefs had nearly the same influence over the elements as the Irish saints,
though both were of the genus iritahile, according to Giraldus.

25 Ui-Duach, now Idough. This territory, which was otherwise called the
cantred of the Comar, from Comar (now Castlecomer), the chief residence of
its chieftains, comprised the whole of the present barony of Fassadineen, and a
considerable part of that of Galmoy.

IVear the Barrow of fruitful border.
The kiug of the district, ye liave lieai'd.
Is the man, who is elected over Magh Mail,-*^
The fine O'Donuchadha of Gabhran.'-^^

Trom Cill-Chainnigh^^ of the lime-stones,

To Sliabh g-Caithle-^ of beauteous slope

Is the plain of O'Cearbhaill for whom the sea is smooth,"*

Land of the green rich grassy carpet.

Ui-Duaclr^ of Ossory of the warm soil.
The fair, wide plain of the Feoir,^'''
Not easily passable is the wood of the plain.
Its protecting chieftain is O'Broenain.^^

Mac Broein^^ of i\\efast land
Over the Clanns I commemorate,
A fine district of beauteous nuts ;
O'Broithe"^ over free Magh Sedna.^°

In Magh-lacha^' of the warm hill-slopes.
Is OTaelain^^ of manly tribe.
Extensive is the district due to them
Which the OTaelains have peopled.

2" Plain oftheFeoir, i.e., of the river Nore, which flowed througli the ancient
Ui-Duach. This line is valuable.

-^ O'Broenain, now Brennan. The head of this family is unknown. Some
of them are Quakers at Mountmellick, Queen's County ! Dr. Brennan of
Dublin, commonly known as " the Wrestling Doctor," was believed to be the
head of the race in the beginning of this century. He was a poet of no ordi-
nary sarcasm. He left a son, who recovered his property, which was involved
in law.

'^ Mac Broein, now Breen. The situation of the Clanns is not determined ;
perhaps the barony of Knocktopher may be the district alluded to. A branch
of this family settled in the County of Wexford.

29 O'Broithe, now Brophy, — there are several of this name in the County of
Kilkenny.

30 Magh Sedna, so named from Sedna, the progenitor of the O'Brophys,
was comprised in the present barony of Galmoy, in the County of Kilkenny,
but nothing has yet been discovered to fix the boundary between it and Ui-
Duach. Sometime after the English invasion, O'Broithe was driven out of
Magh-Sedna, and he settled under the protection of Mac-Gillaphadraig in
Upper Ossory, at a place called from him Baile- Ui-Bhroithe, now anglicised
Ballybrophy, situated not far from Borris-in-Ossory.

^' Magh-kicha. The plains of Magh-lacha and Magh-Roighne are comprised
in the present barony of Kells, in the County of Kilkenny. According to Col-
gan (Trias Thaum. p. 625), Magh-lacha contains the parish church of Cill-
Bhrighde major, and the chapel of Cill-Bhrighde, and according to the Fes-
tilogium of ^ngus the Culdee, Magh Roighne contains the church of Cill-
Fhinche, now Killinny, a townland in the parish and barony of Kells, in the
County of Kilkenny.

3^ O'Faelain, now Whelan and Phelan, a name still common all over the

Of ^A13 21] fib, y\o]meArn co fi%
O' C<\]b&eAT)A]5 cliv|i coille
CeAuu 5AC co]tri)e ai) fiDO po|*A|8,
j 5-cioi;t) Cbojlle 0' 5-Caco|*ai5.

"CjilocbA ceb bo cjiicb TblMrj
"peAjlAI)!) rn]!) lit) CbAllA]t)b cbAO|o,
T>]]1 5At) CAllAjT^b (DO CAcbAO]|l.

U] BeA|i|tcor) AI) bfiu|c bajSe —
Ki t)A c|i]cbe 0'CAollu]6e,
ClA|t i)A ]^eA8T)A Af cjion) feo cjl,
2lt) "pOT)!) Of BeAfibA b]iA0]i)-5il.

K] 0-T)-&lJXC T)A T)-eAC|1A8 |*eAI)5,

0'B|tiiAbA]|t, b]le h]leAT)t),
C|iiocb 5Aii)TbeAc o't) c]ton) cu]le,
^A|i ]^or)t) Tt7A]5iteAC ^Aot)Tbu]5e.

County of Kilkenny. The O'Faelains of this race are to be distinguished from
those of the Desi-Mumhan, in the present County of VVaterford.

33 Magh-Airbh, i.e., the plain of Arbh (a man's name), a territory comprised
in the present barony of Cranagh, in the County of Kilkenny. See Circuit of
Muircheartach Alac NeiU (published by the Irish Archaeological Society), p. 39.

3* O' Caibhdeanaigh, now GaflPney, and sometimes Kavanagh.

35 Coill-0'g-C'athosaigh, i.e., Wood of the O'Caseys, was a large wood in the
plain of Magh-Airbh, but no trace of the name is now preserved. It would
be angli'^;ised Kill-o-Casey.

36 O Gluinirn, There are some traces of this name at present in the name
O'Glorin ; Clorin, Claran, or Clerrin may also represent it. It is to be found
in the King's County, but I do not remember it in Kilkenny.*

37 Callann, now the King's River. There are two other rivers of this name
in Ireland, one in the County of Kerry, in Munster, called Callainn-Glinne-
Ua-Ruachtain, and the other in the County of Armagh, in Ulster. The pre-
sent " Liberties of Callan" formed a portion of the sweet cantred of O'Gloiairn
lying on both sides of the Callann.

38 Ui-Bearrchon, now Ibercon, It is to be remarked that O'Heerin makes this
comprise the three old baronies of Ida, Igrine and Ibercon, while at present
Ida sinks the other two names. Of the three old baronies now comprised in
Ida, that called Igrine contained Tory-hill (Sliabh-Igrine), Gaulskill, Gauls-
town, &c. Ida contained the central portion of the same barony, and Ibercon
contained Ross-ibercon and the northern part. A family of the name of
0'Dea,t or O'Day, was highly respectable in Ida down to the time of Cromwell.
The head of this family was locally called at) np]i(xe 'De'A^AC, i.e., the Knight
O'Dea, and the ruins of his house were to be seen about thirty years ago near
the meres of the townlands ot Scartnamoe and Carriganurra, in the parish of
Kilcolumb, barony of Ida, and County of Kilkenny. 8ee Ordnance map, and
" Names of the Gentlemen inhabiting the County of Kilkenny with the Value
of their Lands," in the Carew collection of MSS., at Lambeth Palace, No. 611,
p. 87. It should be here remarked, that according to local tradition the

• The name, Glory, is found in the City of Kilkenny.

-f- The Ui-Dea east and west, were under the special patronage of St. Moling. The
eastern Ui-Pea were seated in the deanery of Oday, barony of Gorey, County of Wexford.

9

Over Magh-Airbh,^^ I now mention,
Is O'Caibhdeanaigli''* of the woody plain,
Head of every meeting is the steady chief
At the head of Coill-0'g-Cathosaigh.^^

O'Gloiairn,^^ the fruitful branch, has got

A cantred of a sweet country,

The smooth land along the beauteous Callann;'''

A land without a particle of blemish.

Ui-Bearrchon^^ of the yellow mantle —
King of that territory is O'Caelluidhe,^^
Plain of a tribe, who return heavily,^'^
The land over the bright-flowing Barrow.

King of Ui-Eirc^^ of slender steeds.

Is O^Bruadair*" scion of the flood [the Suir],

A sandy territory of heavy floods,

Like the champaign land of Maenmhagh.*^

heads of several families under the Earls of Ormonde, were knights, like the
Knights of Glyn and Kerry, under the Earl of Desmond. Of these the most
conspicuous in this barony were Gaul-Bourke, O'Dea, Denn and Freney, and in
Galmoy, Archdeacon or Mac Odo. The last head of the Archdeacons M'as
always locally called Sir-

3y O' Caelluidhe, now always, but incorrectly, Kelly.* I knew John, son of
Kieran O'Caelluidhe, and his sons Thomas and John, who lived at Rochestown
on the Bai'row. They were very honest, decent farmers, but never heard that
their ancestors were chiefs of Ibercon ! The late Rev. Mr. Brennan, a native
of the City of Waterford, a Roman Catholic priest of very refined learning and
eloquence, was the grandson of Kieran O'Caelluidhe above referred to. They
had a particular veneration for St. Kieran of Ossory. According to an Irish
poem attributed to O'Dugan, O'Caelluidhe was sometimes chief of all Ossory
from Slieve-Bloom to the sea ; but this family sank into insignificance after
the English conquest ; only one small family seated near Gowran having re-
tained any kind of hereditary estate.

'^^ Return heavily, i.e., loaded with spoils from the territories of their enemies !
I wish the meaning were "plain of a tribe whose sown crops give heavy re-
turns."

■*! Ui-Eirc, i.e., nepotes Erci, now the barony of Iverk, in the south-west of
the County of Kilkenny, washed by the river Suir, which divides it from the
County of Waterford. This sandy territory is the richest part of the County.
The inhabitants were till recently wealthy and well-fed, and were called Dur-
nnuns, or churls, by the Munstermen. This epithet, or soubriquet, is said to have
been originally bestowed by St. Patrick, on account of the cold reception he
got from St. Kieran, at Rathkieran in this barony.

*2 O'Bruadair, now Broder, Brothers and Broderick. This name still ex-
ists, but there is scarcely one respectable man of the name now in Iverk, nor
is there one in the barony who ever heard that O'Bruadair was the ancient
Milesian chieftain.

*^ Maenmhagh, to which Iverk is here compared, was the ancient name of a

* The names O'Ceallaigh, OCaelluidhe, O'Ceile, O'Cadhla and O'Caela, are often
ronfoiiiided : O'Ceallaigh is properly Kelly ; O'Caela is now Kyley ; O'Ceile, Kealy ;
and OCadhla, Keely. Such are the whims of custom !

10

2l]t 5-cuiT)A clo]t)i)e CAcbAO]|t,

level district around Loughrea, in the present County of Galway, much cele-
brated by the Irish poets for its fertility ; but I would venture to state,
that Iverk is not honoured by being likened unto it, for O'Bruadair's sandy
territory is far more beautiful and more fertile than the Firbolgian and
Lallyan territoi-y of Maenmhagh ; but Iverk had no poets to celebrate its
amenities. The only persons distinguished, localhj, for learning who were na-
tives of this barony at present known to tradition, were Edmond (son of John,
son of Cornelius) O'Donovan, P.P. of Kilmacow, who died in 1780, the Rev.
Francis Donovan, of Kilmacow, a Franciscan friar, and Mr. James Scurry,
of Knockhouse, a good Irish scholar. Michael Donovan, Esq., M.R.I.A., now
of 11, Clare-street, Dublin, the celebrated chemist, was born at Kilmacow, in
this barony about the year 1788. He is the son of John, son of Michael, son
of Michael Donovan, of Kilmacow ; and it will not be attributed to Clan-feel-
ing on my part to express the opinion that he is the profoundest philosopher
that the Milesian Irish race has yet produced, and that though he has not
succeeded in a worldly or lucrative point of view, he is infinitely superior in
originality, profundity, and research, to those on whom favours have been
showered by the state. I am exceedingly sorry to have to record that I have
not the honour of being his relative, or even of being of the same sept of
the I'ace of Heber. The Rev. Francis Donovan was of his sept, i.e., Calry of
Cashel, but the Rev. Edmond O'Donovan was of mine, i.e., IJi-Cairbre Aeva.
The latter and I stand related thus: —

1, Edmond O'Donovan, of Gaulstown, and Bawnlahan, near Castletownshend, in the County of Cork, killed at

I Ballinvegga, March 18th, 1643, m. Catherine, d. of William Gaul Bourke of Gaulstown, County of Kilkenny

2, Cornelius of Ballymountain, m. Rose Kavanagh of Ballyleagh, County of Carlow

I '

3, John of Ballynearl in Iverk, m. Mary Donovan, d.

1735, aged 63

3, William of Drumdowney, m.
Mary Hoberlin 1717, d. 1749

4, Rev. Edm. P.P. of 4, William. 4, Dominic. 4, Cornelius. J

Kilmacow, d. 1780. . ^,

The race of John, No. 3, are extmct. They he
buried in the church-yard of Dunkitt, mimediately
outside the south wall of the old church, and over
them is a large lime-stone^g inscribed.

dmond, born 1720, m. 1750
Mary Archdeacon,* d. 1798

4, William

5, William,

I b. 1753
! d. 1802

6, Edmond,

b 1796
living.

5, Patrick,

I b. 1754
I d. 1831

6, Patrick,
living.

5, John,

I b. 1759
I d. 1837

6, Patrick,
living.

Edmond, of Attate- 5, Michael, 5, William Beg

niorp, or Black- b. 1765 I

nov's part, born living jetatis | I

17G0.m. 1788, Eleanor 86 I 6, John, 6, William,

Hoberlin, d. 1817 living, living.

0, Michael
I b. 1790
I d 1840
7, Edmond
b. 1832
living.

, John, LL.D., M.R.I. A.

, 6, Edmond of Waterford,

m. 1840, Mary Anne

1 living

Hroughtun

1

7,

John. 7, Patrick.

1
, John,

b. 184-2.

7, Edmond, 1

b. 1814. 1

7, William,

b. 1846.

7, :

lichard.

I

). 1848. 1

7, H

enry.

b. 1

850.

*t Clanns of Cathacir, i.e., the families descended from Cathaeir More, king
of Leinster and Monarch of Ireland in the 2nd century. These were O'Conor
Falv, O'Toole, O'Byrne, Mac Murroitgh (now Kavanagh), O'Dunne, O'Bren-
nan^ O'Rian, O'Dempsev, and various other families. See the Will attributed
to this Monarch, printed'in the Buak of Rights (published by the Celtic Society),

* Marv Archdeacon, mv grandmother, was the daughter of John, son of Patrick, son of Pierce
Archdeacon, alias Mac Odo, of Erck, in the County of Kilkenny. See Annals of the lour Masters,
Ed. J. OD., A.D. 1544, p. 1488, A.D. 1600, p. 2159, and Appendix, p. 2482.

11

After visiting Ossory of beauteous laud^
After enumerating tlie (Planus of Cathaeir/^

where the Editor, by an oversight, forgot to observe that it was written in
imitation of the will of the patriarch Jacob in the Old Testament (Genesis, c. 49.)
The Ossorians are not of the race of Cathaeir More, but descended from
Connla son of Breasal Breac, son of Fiacha Foibhric, from whom Cathaeir
More was the 16th in descent. The relationship of the Lagenians and Osso-
rians will appear from the following table : —

1 , Fiacha Foibhric

I

2, Breasal Breac

I

3, Connla

4, Lughaidh Loittfinn,

ancestor of the Leinstermen

I

5, Sedna Sithbhaic

I

6, NuadaNecht

I
7 J Fergus Fairge

8, Rossa K/uadh, Rex Lagcniie

9j Finn, the poet

10, Conchobhar Abhraruadh

11, Mogh Corb, Rex Lagenise

12, Cucorb, R.L.

I

13, Nia Corb

14, Cormac Gealta

I Gaoith

Ij, Felimidh Firurghlais

Mesin Corb,
a quo Dal
Mesin-Corb.

4,

Nuada
1

5,

Carthach
1

6,

Labhraidh
1

7,

1
Lughaidh

8,

Oilill
1

9,

Sedna
1

0,

1
lar

16, Cathaeir More, R.H., a quo the Lagenians.

11, Crimthann More

I

12, Aengus Ossory, who con-

quered as far as the Suir

I

13, Laeghaire the victorious.
His mother was Sidhe, d.
of Dalwav, the druid

I

14, Amhalghaidh

I

15, Eochaidh Lamhdoid

16, Buan of Ossorv

I

17, Nia Corb

18, Cairbre Caemh

I

19, Conall

20, Rumann

I

21, Kinfaela

20, Feradhach

I

21, Cnhnan, chief of
Ossory, A.D. 601

12

T^|i|aU i)ac jot)5t)a6 co Siu||t y]\'},
SiA|i CO p|OT;i)-2it)A(5 iiifi ye]xr)V)-

I I

22, Scanlan More, i.e., the Great 22, Scanlan,

I the friend

23, Laighne Failidh, i.e., the Gay of St. Coluinbkille.

24, Bicne Caech, i.e., the Blind, or one-eyed

I

25, Colman More

I .

26, Ronan Righfhlaith, or [legal Chiettain

27, Crunnmhael

28, Faelan, or Phelan

I

29, Cucerca

I

30, Anmchadh, or Animosus

31, Amhalgaidh, or Awlcy

I

32, Ferghal, or Farrell

I

33, Dunghal, or Dunnal

34, Cearbhall, or Carroll

I

35, Ceallach, or Kellagh

36, Donnchadh, or Donough

37, Gillaphadraig, slain by Donovan, son of Ivor or Ifars, king"of the Danes of

I Waterford, A.D. 995

38, Donnchadh, R. Lageniae, obiit, A.D. 1039, ancestor of O'Dunphy

39, Domhnall, founder of Jerpoint Abbey

I

40, Gillaphadraig

I

41, Scanlan

I

42, Domhnall Clannach*, i.e., of the Clanns or tribes

43, Domhnall of Magh-Laeighse, i.e., of the Plain of Leix

I

44, GefFry Bacach, i e.,the Lame

45, Geffry Finn

46, Domhnall

47, Domhnall Dubh

* " Donnate Clonaghe Mac Gilpatricke was a peerless warriour in Anno 1219."' —
Campion.

Vi

Pass we (nor wonder at it) to the Suir
Westwards to the fair rich phiin of Feinihin.

48, Finghin, or Florence

49, Finghin

I

50, John

51, Brian na luireuch (loricaruni)

52, Sen-Brian Finghin.

I.

53, Brian Oge

I.

54, Finghin

oo, Tadhg 55, John

I I

5Q, Brian 56, Finghin, or Florence

I I

57, Brian 57, Col. John Fitzpatrick,

I living A.D. 1666.

58, Brian, living in 1666.

O'Dugan, who mentions only the great families of Ossory, sets down the
Clann-Cearbhaill, the Clann-Donnchadhaand Mac-Gillaphadraig, as the kings
in their turn ; and the Ui-Bruadair, Mac Breens, and the Ui-Broenain, as three
families of Munster, inhabiting, the one Uibh-Eirc, the second the Clanna,
and the third the Comar, i.e., Castlecomer, the head residence of Ili-Duach.
It is highly probable that the Clanna or Clanns, were seated in the barony of
Knocktopher, and that they were supplanted by the Breathnachs or Walshes.

A great number of Cromwellian families were settled in the County of
Kilkenny, who got considerable estates, forfeited by those Anglo-Irish families
who opposed the peace of Ormonde, and had fought against him at Ballinvegga,
18th March, 1643. The Archaeological Society of Kilkenny ought to investi-
gate the exact amount of forfeiture in Cromwell's time, and the restorations
under the Act of Settlement and Explanation. The families of Bishopp,
Dyas, Snowe, Caroline, Furnish, Oberlin, &c., were settled in the barony
of Ida in (/romwell's time ; and it is curious to observe, that nearly all
these families, are now either extinct, or reduced to plebeianism. My
great-grandfather William, who was proud almost to madness of his
maternal descent from the Kavanaghs and from Sir William De Burgo
of Ballydooley, was in the habit of telling old Robert Snowe of Snow-
hill, that he (Robert Snowe) was descended from a weaver, who came
over with Cromwell and his pick -pockets ; and Snowe, who was a very sensible
man, was wont to reply that all bloods were equally red and equally old ; and
that it would be found that all bloods were good or bad according to the kind
of food the possessor used. To this AVilliam was wont to replv, that the
families settled by Cromwell in Ida had never any food but what'they either
stole or earned by mean trades. These feelings of ancient pride and family
distinction, which certainly have retarded the progress of industry, existed
to a late period in the County of Kilkenny, but the late famine has nearly obliter-
ated them. The ancient Irish were the first stream of population from Asia, and
they retain the traces of primitive shepherd rudeness, and patriarchal feelings.

14

THE EXTENT OP ANCIENT OSSORY.

The following short poem, describing the original extent of Ossory,
is ascribed to- O'Dugau : —

O BbeA|tbA 50 S]U]\l nA|tA]T)

0|-|tAi8e AT) i:\.i]vn ^Tiih-5|i]AT)Ai5,

O Bbl^^TT7A bu|5 50 ]*^]le,

Ciqh &o't) BbAT)bA ]X b|tA0i)-4xille.

3o BA]le C)atci 6 AC-corbA|*,
LejceAb Oy]XA]6e Af fe y]\),
'^\)e f At) cofrbuile CA|tcAiT).

O 2t)uUAC-ji)eot)A frjAl,
Cuib 0|*|iAi6e h'lAC ^^^^iM^i^
C)o citjc }^loTt)T) 50 Le^c-jl]!)!) to]|i,
Meirbc]!!} At) |iO]t)t) b'i^ jijoJAib.

Sl^OCC Cbot)t)lA C|t6&A C|teACA]5

2I5 7toit)t) jiiAtt) |te 2t)u]Tt)t)eACA|b,
C6i]t fiot)i)-^buirbi)i5 bo |iiv6 p|t]ii,
Lat) b'f]0t)t)-b|tu]5t)ib ]|- b'i^|ib-cl]u.

M] b|t65, 6 BbeA|tT)^t) 6]le
3o Cot)l^t)-cit)t)-]*et) z-y\^]he,
Sl^Ab BlA6rt)A A|i ^Ab -\y ^ y]r),
"^'AjibA h A t)-Art) Ia5 LA]5et).

SljAb BlA8tt)A CAOtt) Of A CjOtJt),

0|*|iAi&e, Of AjtbA^b B]|iiot)t),

t)'6>l|tlt)t) o't) Cl6]|l t1)A|l CA]]tC 5^^l

21 5-CAT|tc f:e]t) a|i 5AC feA|iAt)t).

1 Bearhha. See note 1, p. 4, supra. It has its source in Sliabh Bladhma, or
Slieve Bloom.

2 Siuir, i.e., the sister. It has its source in Sliabh Alduin in the County of
Tipperary, and unites with the Barrow and the sea, about one mile below the
City of Waterford. Ossory originally comprised the entire region lying be-
tween the Barrow and the Suir ; but that portion of it at present contained in
the County of Tipperary was wrested from the Ossorians by the race of Fiacha
Suidhe, brother of Conn of the Hundred Battles, in the time of Aengus Mac
Nadfraich, king of Munster, who was slain, A.D. 489. See Keating' s History
of Ireland, reign of Cormac Mac Airt.

15

From the Bearbha' to the Siuir'^ westwards
Extends Ossory of high sunny laud^
Troin the soft Bladhma^ to the sea,
The most irriguons fair part of Banblia.'^

From Glaise-an-ionathar'' forth

To Baile Daithi^ in re-mcasurement/

Is the breadth of Ossory,

Of aspect how like to lovehness.

From MuUach-Inneona^ the hospitable,

Is Ossory^s part of the land of Gailian^

Of the country of Flann, eastwards to Leith-ghlmn ^^

Fearless the division is defended hy its kings.

The race of brave and plundering Connla"
Were at all times dividing with Munstermen,
It is right to call them fair Munstermen,
Full of fair mansions and high fame.

3 Bladhma, i.e., Sliabh BladhTna. See note 1, p. 4.

^ Banhha, one of the ancient names of Ireland.

^ Glaise-an-ionathar, i.e., the stream of the entrails. This was evidently the
ancient name of the " Munster river" which divides the County of Tipperary
from that of Kilkenny.

6 Baile Daithi, i.e., the town of Dathi or David, now Ballydavis, in the
parish of Straboe, barony of Maryborough, and Queen's County. See the
Ordnance map of that County, sheet 13. The ancient Ossory comprised the
three districts called the Three Comanns, which extended northwards to
Baile Daithi, until the time of Gaoithine Mac Cinaeth (ancestor of O'More),
who attached them to Laoighis or Leix, in the beginning of the ninth century.

"^ Re-measurement, this is the measurement of the territory of the Ossorians
since they lost Magh Feimhin, which their ancestor Aenghus Osraidheach
(i.e., Aengus of Ossory, No. 12, in the pedigree, p. 11, supra), had won frcm
the Munstermen. From this period forward Ossory is referred to as the
western portion of Leinster, occidentalis Lageniensium plaga.

8 Mullach-Innenna, now Mullaghinony, a townland in the parish of New-
chapel, in the barony of Iffa and OffaEast, in the County of Tipperary. Keating
states in his account of the reign of Cormac Mac Airt, that the Ossorians
were defeated by the Deisi at this place, and routed from thence into Leinster.

9 Gailian. This was one of the old names of Leinster.

^^ Leith-ghlinn, i.e., half glen, now Old Leighlin, in the County of Carlow.

1' Connla, i.e., Connla son of Breasal Breac, the common ancestor of the
Ossorians and Leinstermen. See No. 3, in the pedigree, p. II, supra.

12 Dividing ivith the Munstermen. The kings of Munster claimed jurisdiction
over Ossory as far as Gowran, while the Ossorians contended that their ter-
ritory should extend to the river Suir, so as to embrace the whole of Magh
Feimhin. The territory is still traditionally considered a part of Munster
by the natives of Ulster and Connacht.

IG

It is uo falseliood ; from Bearnan Elle^^

To Conlan-Cinn-Sen Sleibhe^^

Is tlie entire of Sliahh Bladhma,

Which is a protection in the time of Leinster's weakness.'^

Sliahh Bladhma, the fair, is over the head
Of Ossory, above the heights of Eirinn,""
To [each sept of] Eirinn by the poets/'' hke the charter of

the EngUsh,
Is given their own charter for each land.

'3 Bearnan Eile, i.e., the Gap of Eile, now the Devil's Bit, in the barony of
Ikerrin (originally a part of Ely-0'Carroll), and County of Tipperary. This
shews that the ancient Irish gave the name of Sliabh Bladhma to the whole
chain of mountains extending from the Devil's Bit to near Clonaslee in the
territory of Iregan, Oregan, or O'Dmine's country, now the barony of
Tinnahinch, in the Queen's County ; and hence Keating is wrong in his criti-
cism on Cambrensis, who had written that the Three Sister rivers, Suir, Nore,
and Barrow, had their sources in one mountain.* See Haliday's edition of
the first part of Keating's History of Ireland, preface, pp. 28, 29, 30.

'* Conlan-Cinn-Sen Sleibhe. This was the old name of the north-eastern
extremity of Sliabh Bladhma, now the Ridge of Cappard, in the barony of
Tinnahinch, Queen's County.

^^ Leinster's weakness. The fastness of this mountainous region is frequently
referred to in Irish history. In the petition of Dr. Charles Dunne, of Trinity
College, Dublin, to the Lord Deputy and Council, A.D. 1608, he remarks,
that " Teige Reaghe O'Doyne, sonne to Margarett, daughter to Shane O'Neyle,
is not a fitt ruler over so strong a contrye, and so fitt for rebellion, as Iregaine
is." See a paper MS. in Marsh's Library, Dublin, Class V. 3, tab. 2. No. 20,
pp. 221—231.

'S Above the heights of Eirinn. O'Dugan is very erroneous here, if by above
the heights of Eirinn, or JvT^bA]b ei|t]ot)i),-|- he means actual altitude, for the cone,
or highest top of Sliabh Bladhma, is only 1 676 feet above the level of the sea,
whereas Carrantuohill at Killarney, in Kerry, is 3404 feet.

'' Bu the poets, i.e., the poets have, in their poems, recorded the territories
with their boundaries, and the families to whom they belonged, with as much
truth and certainty as the charters granted by the kings of England, since
the Anglo-Norman invasion, have recorded and defined the estates granted by
them to the Anglo-Norman settlers, or to such Irish families as have submit-
ted to their authority.

* The poet Spenser has also been censured for making the Three Rivers the sons of the
Giant Blooniius. See the Faerie Qitcene, Canto XI.

•j- The highest ridge of the Slieve Bloom range, lying over the Gap of Glandine to the
S. E., is still locally called the Height of Ireland, i.e., 2lnf' VA h-C|Tt]ot)t) ; but the
inhabitants of the district always use the English term, the Irish language being totally
forgotten even in the deepest glens of Sliabh Bladhma. The view from the Height of
Ireland comprises fifteen Counties, and is perhaps the most extensive and richest in
Ireland. — J. G.

THE END.

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