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nivit filios Briani ;" the O'Flaherties, and all the people of Hy-Briuin Seola, "gentemque de Hua-Briuin." Here also he built the church of Domnach-mor, now called Domnach Patruig, on the banks of Loch-Sealga, of which considerable remains may be seen at the present day.

In

Loch-Sealga is now called Lough-Hacket, which name it received from one of those English families planted in. Moy-Seola, in the thirteenth century, by the Earl of Ulster, when the O'Flaherties were driven westward by the power of the De Burgos.Hist. Galway, pp. 51, 219. In A. D. 1300, some of these "Hackets" accompanied the Earl Richard de Burgo on the expedition to Scotland.-Cal. Rot. Pat. 31 Edw. I. No. 21, and they continued retainers of the De Burgos to a later period.-Id. Rot. Pat. 3, 4 Edw. II. No. 127. By them was built the castle called Castle Hacket. A. D. 1584, 29 Jan. it was found by inquisition, that "the sept of the Hackets was seised of the island called Ilan-Hacket in Moynter Murcho," i. e. in Moy Seola; “and of 12 quarters of land there, called Magherylary."-Ing., Rolls Off. In the composition for the territory of Clanrickard in that year, it appears that "the land of Shane bwye's sept of Castell Mc Hackett were 34 quarters."-See Appendix, No. I., and for more of this family of Hacket, see Rot. Pat. 15° Jac. I., p. 2, and 17o, p. 2.

The district now forming Clare barony, was thickly castellated by the settlers above alluded to, during the thirteenth, and the three succeeding, centuries. The following enumeration of those castles, with their proprietors, &c., is extracted from "The Division of Connaught, A. D. 1586," preserved in the British Museum, Cotton, Titus, B. xiii. p. 399: "The Baronie of Clare, conteininge Moyntagh Mc Hugh, Moynter Moroghowe, and Maghere-reogh, x miles long and vi broade; and is, after like rate, plowlands xvi.—John Burke fitz-Thomas, and Me Creamon (Redmond) chief in the same.-Parishes. Vicarage of Clare, vicar. of Kilmillayn, vicar. of Lekagh, vicar. of Kil. . . . . ., vicar. of Bealclarhome.-Gent. and castles. Therle of Clanricard, Clare; Ullig Reogh, Dromghriffin; John Lynch fitz-William, Yowghule; Tybbot Lyogh, Loscananon; Mac Walter called Thomas Mc Henry, Ballenduffe; Moyler Mc Shean, Cloynebow; Walter fitz-Ab. fitz-Ed., Masse; Nicholas Lynch, Anaghcoyne; Henry fitz-Edmond, Leagkagh; Mc Reamon, Cloghenwoyr; Ullig Mc Reamon, Castle Hackett; Walter Burke, Kilnemanegh; Me Walter's sept, Cahermorise; Moyler Mc Reamon, Anaghkyne; Wil. Grana Me Ric, Cloghran; Redmund Me Moyler Mc Roe, Bealclarhome; Redmund Mc Walter, Aghkyne; Ullig Mc Richard, Comor; William Gaynard, Carigin; Meyler Mc Rickard, Tawmagh; Richard Burke, Coroffyny; James fitz-Ambrose, Anbale; Thomas Balue, Qworanonyn; Thomas Ballagh, Beallabeanchere; John Burke fitz-Thomas of Ballindere, and of Deremaclaghlyn; Murrogh Mc Swyne, Kyleskiegh; Edmund Owhny, Achrym; Walter Boy, Grange; John oge fitz-John fitz-Ed., Carnan; Richard Burke fitz Tho., Beallauea; Tirlagh Caragh Me Swyne, Cahirnefieke; Ffoxe's Castle. Cas. 33."

Most

Most of these thirty-three castles, which we here find inhabited in the barony of Clare, in A. D. 1586, were erected by the De Burgos, but they are now all in ruins. The Four Masters state, that the castle of Coroffyny, Coradhfinne, now Corofin, was built in A. D. 1451, by Mac William himself, i. e. Ulick, son of Ulick an fhiona, and father of Ulick, who, A. D. 1503, defeated O'Kelly [Melaghlin], lord of Hy-Many, and destroyed his castles of Garbh-doire [Garbally], Muine-an ̧ Mheadha [Monivea], and Gallach [Castleblakeney], places now (1844) well known in the county of Galway. The Four Masters add, that O'Kelly complained of those outrages to the Lord Deputy, Gerald, eighth Earl of Kildare; and that his complaint occasioned the memorable battle of Cnoc-Tuadh [the Hill of the Hatchets], fought in this barony of Clare, in A. D. 1504. But that such was the cause of that great and disastrous outbreak, does not seem credible, or consistent with the general policy of the English rulers at the time; which was, not to afford any aid to the native Irish chieftains, or to redress their wrongs, but rather to root them out and seize their lands. And we are elsewhere informed that “the Burkes be of Englishe nacion;" and "berith mortal hate to the Kelleys.". State Papers, ii. p. 451. But the "Book of Howthe" expressly states, that the battle was occasioned by a private quarrel between the Lord Deputy and De Burgo. As the singularly curious account of that battle, one of "the most bloody that stains the Irish annals," contained in the old Book of Howth, has not been published, I am induced to insert it here, from a manuscript in the Library of the Royal Dublin Society, stated to have been taken from that Book, fo. 108, a.-See King's Collections preserved in that Library.

of Cnoc-tuadh

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"THE BATTLE OF KNOCKTOW, A. D. 1504.

After this the Earl [of Kildare] married another daughter of his to a great man in Connaught [Mac William of Clanrickard], which was not so used as the Earl could he pleased with; and said he would be revenged upon this Irishman, who stood at defiance with the Earl and all his partakers. The Earl sent to all the Irish lords that were his friends, as O'Neil, O'Reily, O'Conor of O Faly, and all the power of the English Pale, so many as he could possibly make. For the Earl understood that all the Irish in Ireland were divided between him and his adversarys. They were a great number, whereof he had good experience. Therefore he made better provision of all things; and the best men in all the English Pale, both spiritual and temporal. And being 20 miles off Knock tow, he called the noblemen to councell. certain bishops and men of law. When O'Neill saw them he said: My Lord of Kildare, command the bishopps to go home and pray, for bishop's councells ought not to be taken in matters of warr, for their profession is to pray and preach, to make fair weather, and not to be privy to man-slaughter or bloodshed, but in preaching and

Amongst all were

teaching

teaching the word of God. And I assure you, it is a presumption for any prowd prelate to come where such matters are to be done, for it is contrary to his religion.' And so, O'Connor asked the Earl, what he would do with the judges and men of law in his company. 'Wee have no matters of pleading, nor matters of arguments, nor matter to debate, nor to be discussed by pen and ink, but by the bow, speare, and sword, and the valiant host of gentlemen and men of warr, by their fierce and lofty doings; and not by the simple, sorry, weak and doubtful stomachs of learned men, for I never saw those that were learned ever give good counsaile in matters of warr. For they were alway doubting, staying, or persuading men, in frivolous and uncertain words, that Hector or Lancelot's doings. Away with them, they are overbold to press among this company, for our matter is to be decided by valiant and stout stomachs of prudent and wise men of warr, practised in the same faculty, and not matters of law, nor matters of religion.' The Baron of Delvin, called Richard, said, his learning was not such that with a glorious tale he could utter his stomach; but I promise to God and to the Prince, I shall be the first that shall throw the first speare among the Irish in this battle. Let him speak now that will, for I have done.' The lord of Gormanston said, that it was good to be advised what was to be done; for, after a good advisement, there shall come a good end, for a hasty man never lacked woe. Let us understand the matter ere we take the weighty matter in hand; for many perills may fall unless wee take the better hold thereof. Let us understand the quarrell again, and debate the matter whether we shall proceed or no ere wee begin; and let the King be privy to this weighty and uncertain enterprise, for wee may put the whole realm in hazard if wee speed not well, for I understand that they are many against us, and this is so much as I at this time mean to say.'

"This counsaill was at three of the clock in the afternoon before the day of battle, then within a few miles from the field appointed. Sir Nicholas, lord of Houth, sayd, The sayings of O'Neill and O'Connor are not to be disallowed, let it be as they have said. And my lord of Gormanston's opinion is good, so it had been spoke before our coming to the field; and for that, here is my opinion, seeing the time is short:' for at this time appeared upon a hill above two hundred horsemen. Whereunto Gerot, the Earl's son, would have been at them, and asked of the counsell to go to them; but the lords of the councell said that none should go until they had gone all; and, so staid this lusty and worthy gentleman, at which young Gerot was very sorry, as though he never should have his fill of fighting. Well,' said the Lord of Howth, 'to answer the Lord of Gormanston, this matter was determined before we came hither deliberately by the councill, and if it were not, the time is not now to argue the case, our enemies being in sight; and for the displeasure of our Prince, if wee win this battle,

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as lam sure we shall, though the King frown a little with his countenance, his heart will rejoice. And admit he will be offended upon losing this field, he that shall live let him beare the blame or burthen, as for my part I am assured to win this battle or to loose my life, and then all the world is gone with me, vayell que vayell pourya, for I will be afoot in the wayward that day myself. But to the matter. Let us send away our sons and heires to revenge our quarrell, if need so require; and prescribe our battles in perfect order this night, that every man shall know to-morrow his charge. For it is not when we shall go to fight, that we should be troubled with discussing the matter.'

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"Well,' sayed the Earle, my dear cousin, you have well spoken; be it as you now have said.' No,' said young Gerot the Earl's son, by God's blood I will not go hence and leave so many of my friends in battle, for I mean to live and die among you.' 'All well,' said the Lord of Houth, boy, thou speakest natural, for ever this kind is such from this first generation, and first coming into Ireland, so thou art to be born withall, thou worthy gentleman and lyon's heart.' The lords of Killeen and Trimelston thought the number of Irishmen to be very great, as they were certainly informed by certain spies, which brought them word, that the number of the English side were not the sixth man to a man; and said in plain terms, that a good giving back were better than an evill standing, and in further time better provision might be made to serve such a turn.' 'It is well spoken,' said the Baron of Slane, and 'Good God,' said the Lord of Houth, by our Lady that is blessed

Lord of Dunsany.

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in the north church of Houth, you four might have spoken those words in some other ground than this is, and our enemies now being in sight, and the night at hand.' Well,' said the Earl, call me the Captain of the Gallowglass, for he and his shall begin this game, for it is less fair of them four, than it is of our younger men.' I am glad, said the Captain, you can do me no more honour;' and took his axe in his hand and began to flourish. No,' said the Lord of Houth, 'I will be the beginner of this dance, and my kinsmen and friends; for we will not hazard our English good upon the Irish blood. Howbeit it is well spoken by the Captaine of the Gallowglass, nor shall they not be mixed among us.'

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Then all things was

according to the matter prepared; the bowmen put in two wings, of which the Lord of Gormanston and Killeen had the charge, being good men that day. The bill-men in the main battle, of which the Lord of Houth was leader; and in the wayward

himself.

The Gallowglass and the Irish in another quarter.

The horsemen on the

left side the battle, under the guiding of the worthy Baron of Delvin, by reason there was a little wall of two foot high of the other side the battle, which would Somewhat have troubled the horse.

After all things put in order, they went to supper,

supper, and after, their lodging to rest the residue of the night. The ground was appointed, and all such things as were necessary for such a purpose.

"At midnight, a horseman came from the Irish camp to the Earl, and willed him to get him away, and save his life; and said, it was but folly to fight. For this man was, afore this time, a horse-boy to the Earl, and gave him first horses. The Earl came incontinent to the Lord of Houth, being in a sound sleep, to tell it him, and a long while he was e're he could wake him, for he called upon him divers times; at which the Earl marvelled, for he could not awake him by his voice, he slept so sound: and at length he awoke by stirring of him, and blamed him, who answered, that all things before were determined in his mind, and so nothing else in his mind to trouble him but sleepe. For it must be ours or theirs,' said the Lord of Houth, 'therefore my mind is settled, but before this I could not rest well.' 'Well,' said the Earl, how is the business? This man is come to me as a trusty friend,' and so told the whole matter, as he told the Earl before. Well,' said the Lord of Houth, 'suffer him to pass, and I pray you tell this tale to no more, for it will rather do harm than good.' And with that he arose and incontinent after the day appeared. And so they went and prepared themselves in good order of battle, and did appoint young Gerot, a valiant young gentleman, with a choice company for reliefe; fearing so great a number of enemies would inclose them about, being far less in number than the Irish, as O'Kelly, Mc William, O'Brene, and the rest.

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"All that night was watching, and drinking, and playing at cards, who should have this prisoner or that prisoner, and thus they passed the night over; and at morrow they prepared for battle, in such order as their custom was. They sett forward their Gallowglass and footmen in one main battle, and all their horse on their left side, and so came on. The Earl of Kildare, after his battle set, willed that they should stand within that little wall of two foot high, that was made afore by those that dwelt there for safeguard of their horses; and rode upon a black horse, and made this

oration:

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My friends and kinsmen, I say to you that here is against us a great number of people, without weapons; for a great number of them have but one speare and a knife, without wisdom or good order, they march to battle as drunken as swine to a trough, which makes them more rash and foolish men, than wise and valiant. Remember all that wee have done rests upon this day's service; and also the honour of our Prince, and remember how we are in a country unknown to the most number of us, and farr from our townes and castles.' The Earl did not well finish these words, when they heard three great cries that disturbed his oration. A company of tall worthy gentlemen being in the fore part of the English battle, amongst all was Hollywood

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