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"After treaties, succeeded Inquisitions to find what quantity there was in each Barony, and who were found owners thereof. Indentures were drawne betweene the Deputy in the behalfe of the Queene on the one part, and the chiefe possessioners in the several Precincts on the other, expressing so many quarters and quantities of Land, with the Rents thereon reserved, and such other covenants as were therein contained."-Government, &c. p. 82.

The Commissioners commenced with the "County of Clare and Thomond." Then followed the districts comprehended within the newly created "County of Galway." Among these, the following "Indentures of Composition" were entered into for the territory of Iar-Connaught. Those of the other counties of the province will be found in succession; but as they all agree in form, the technical verbiage, to avoid prolixity, has been omitted in each except the first. Almost all the Ecclesiastical lands of Connaught are held under these important, and hitherto nearly unknown, documents. The original inrolments are preserved in the Record Branch of the office of Paymaster of Civil Services, Dublin; and the following are now, for the first time, printed.

INDENTURES OF COMPOSITION.

A. D. 1585.
I.

"The Country of the O'Fflahertyes called Eyre-Conaght.

"THIS INDENTURE made betwixte the Right Honorable Sir John Perrotte Knighte, Lorde Deputie Generall of Irlande, for and on the behaulfe of the Queenes most excellent Matie of the one parte, and S' Moroghe ne doe of Aghnenure in the county of Gallway Knight, otherwise called O'Flahertie-Donell Crone O'Flahertie of the Cnocke, competitor for the name of O'Fflahertie-Teig ne Boolye (na buile) of the Arde, otherwise called O'Fflahertie of both Con o Marrice-Owine fitz-Donyell Coghie" O'Flahertie of Bonowen, gent.-Moroghe O'Fflahertie of the sam, gent.-Roger O'Fflaharty of Moycullen", gent.-Danyell Mc Rory O'Fflaharty of the Owre, gent.—Rory O'Fflaharty and Danyell his brother, sonnes to Moroghe ne Mooe-Me Thomas-M Connor

This Donyell Coghie (Domnaill an cogaid) had to wife Grace O'Mailly, well known in modern times by the name of Grauna Weale; and by her he had the two sons above-named, "Owine and Moroghe." The first was slain in A. D. 1586, by the soldiers of Sir Richard Bingham.-Four Masters.

The latter was afterwards known by the name of
Morogh na Maor.—See p. 108, ante, note ".

d This Roger O'Flaharty was chieftain of Moycullen, and grandfather of our author.

e Mac Thomas, chief of the Joyces. See ante, p. 44, note, and additional note P, p. 216.

Connor O'Halloran - Mc Cahill Boy Mc Donoghe-and M Enry'-Dominycke Lynche of the Ballaghe, gent.-Domynicke Browne of Bearny, gent.-William Martyne of Gortetleva, gent.-Richard Martyne of Ballyerter, gent.-Anthony Linche of the Dengine, gent.-Marcus Linch fitz-Nichollas of Furboghe, gent.—and Patrick ffrence of Curcholline, gent.-for and in the behalf of themselves and the rest of the Cheiftaynes, ffreeholders, Gent. ffarmers and inhabitants, having land or holdings within the countrey or terretorie of the O'FFLAHARTYES CONTREY called EYRE-CONAGHT, their heires and assignes, of the other partie :

"WYTNESSETH, that wher the said whole Cuntry of Eyre Conaught is devided into fower barronyes, that is to witt, the barrony of Moycullyn, the barrony of Ballynehynsye, the barrony of Ross, and the barrony of the illes of Arren, which conteyneth in themselves, as well by auncient Division as by late Inquisition and presentments hereunto annexed, the nomber of 318 quarters of land, estemeing everie quarter, with his pastur, woodd and bogge, at 120 acres, as by a particular layinge downe of the same, in manner and forme followinge, yt may appeare.-FIRSTE. in the barrony of Moycullen there is a quantitie of land called Gnomore and Gnobegge, which contayne 52 townes, consistinge of 138 quarters, that is to say, within Gnomore, in Aghnenure, 4 q—in Ardcollume, 4 q—in Ballymymyn, 4 q"—in Coyshowne or Fwoaghe, 2 q-in Russhyne, 2 q-in the Creagge, I q'—in the Leame, I q-in the Corre, 1 q'-in Ballyraghaine, 4 q"-in Ballyturlagoma, 4 q”—in Balliroschall, 4 q"-in Ballywoghterarde, 4 q"-in Ballyvickgillewye, 4 q"—in Ballynera, 4 q-in Ballyclonlorge, 4 q-in Curragheduffe, 2 q-in Rusmuck, 2 q”—in Leytrmyllane, 2 q-in Ballynemoght, 4 q"-in Killanelhire, I q'-in Lewghill, 1 q-in Clocke Mc Cahill oge, 1 q'-in Tierny, 1 q'-in Killeame, 2 q"-in Letercally, I q-in Ballynhenry, 4 q”—in the Ower, 2 q-in Kildaycamoge, 1 q'—in Killuryne, 1 q'—in Kylgeane, 1 q'—in Inyse vickenchine, 2 q"—and in Ballynaghekearnyn, 4 q—which in that part of Gnomore cometh to 79 quarters, the moytie whereof is said to belonge to Moroghe O'Flahertie is cept, and the other moytye to Rorie oge O'Flahertis cept. And within Gnobegge, in Moycullen, 4 q"-in Ballyclonyduff, 4 q-in Ballycoshowne, 4 q"-in Ballybarnae, 4 q"—in Ballineforbagh, 4 q”—in Ballynspiddell, 4 q"-in Coyleroe, I q'-in Moyascraghe, 4 q"-in Oheyrie, 4 q"

f Mac Connor, chief of a branch of the O'Flaherties, sprung from Hugh, the son of Rory of Lough Kime; for whom see the Genealogical table, post.

g Mc Donghe, chief of another branch of the O'Flaherties called the Clan Donogh, now Mac Donough, sprung from Donogh aluinn second son

rs

in

of Muredach mor, for whom see Genealogical table.

h Mc Enry, chief of the ancient Clan Conraoi or Conroy, corrupted in latter times to "King." This sept was located in Iar-Connaught, several centuries before the O'Flaherties. See ante, p. 253.

rs

in Tullockyhamon, 4 q-in Ballimoilgorryne, 4 q”-in Ballyquirecke, 4 q'—in Corcullen, 4 q"-in Lettermillayne, 2 q—in Innishomictriere, 2 q-in Airdberrae, 1 q-in Ballynteny, 1 q'-in Ballilwye, 2 q"-and in Rynvilly Ohwye, 2 q", within. that parte of Gnobegge that is said to be belonging to Gilleduffe O'Flahertie, cometh to 59 q, and for the whole within that barrony cometh to 138 q". In the barrony of Ballynehynsye there are 33 townes, consistinge of 84 quarters, that is to say; in Ballinehinsie, 4 qa3——in Ballymoylyne, 4 q”—in Ballymongan, 4 q”—in Ballindwyne, 4 q”—in Ballynclarie, 4 q”—in Ballylurie, 4 q′′--in Ffeame, I q'-in Manynbegge, I q'—in Ballyfihensie, 4 q—in Moynes, 4 q”—in Moyrushe, 2 q-in Urishelenane, 2 q-in Ardmore, 2 q"-in Dowghan, I q'-in Ballyvickenrie, 4 q"—in Ummy, 4 q-in Carrowvegge, I q'-in Carrowahie, I q'--in Faydarge, 2 q"-in Soylehearne, 4 q-in Cluggin, 2 q"-in Moydollan, 2 q-in Ballinekillie, 4 q-in Moybillie, 2 q-in Moyhard, 2 q"-in Abarrae, 2 q'-in Dawrosse, 2 q"—in Rynvilly, 5 q-in Coyshinkillarie, 2 q"-in Clannancrewee, I q'-in Ballickynealie, 2 q-in Kilkernne, 1 q'—and in Inishtrevan, 1 q'—which are the whole within that barrony, which is said to belong to Teig ne bully O'Flaherty, and Daniell Coggie' sonnes called Owen and Moroghe O'Fflahertie, cometh to the aforesaid number of 84 q**. In the barrony of Rosse, there are nine towns, consistinge of 62 q" of land, that is to say, in Ballyrosse, 4 q"—in Ballynenaght, 18 q, gotten by the O'Flaherties from some of the Boorks, as is said, for an Ericke-in Ballykillebride, 4 q”—in Ballyglantrig, 4 q-in Ballyneclobricke, 4 q-in Ballydowlagh, 4 q"—in Dwaght, 2 qr, which is said to be the Joysce lands, bearing Signiorie as well to O'Flahertie as to Me Thomas-in Tomsnawe, 2 q"-in Dowrusse, I q'-in Tirenekillie, I q'-in the Carricke, q-in Tomnenean, 1 q'-in Brewnan, 1 q-in Moynteroyn and Cwylaghe, 1 q-in Glynglassie, 4 q"-in Carrae, I q'-in Fowaghe, I q-in Sleiveparthrie, 4 q”—and Ballybwyan, 4 q"--which in the whole within that barrony, cometh to the aforesaid nomber of 62 q". In the barrony of Arren there are three illands, one called Arrenmore consisting of 24 q", and the other two consisting of 6 q's a piece; which, in the whole, cometh to 36 q", being the Queen's Maties inheritance.-All which being drawen into one totall, cometh to the aforesaid nomber of 318 quarters.

"The said Sir Moroghe O'Fflaherty, knight, Donyll Crone O'Fflaherty, competytor, Teige ne Bulie, Owine fitz Doniell O'Flaherty, Moroghe O'Flaherty, Roger O'Flaherty, Donyll M Rory O'Fflaherty, Rory O'Flaherty and Donyll his brother sonnes to Moroghe ne Mooe, Mc Thomas, Mac Connor, O Halloran, Mc Cahill boy M. Donoghe, Me Enry, and the rest of the gent. freeholders, & inhabitants of the said. contrey, acknowledginge the manifold benefitts and easments they finde, in possesinge

of

of their lands and goods since the peaceable goverment of the said Lo. Deputie, and the just dealings of S Richard Binghame, knight, their cheife officer, as well against comon mallefactors and spoylers, as also agaynst the unmeasurable cesses and oppressions of all sorts of men of warr, heretofore layd upon them; have, inconsideracon thereof, and for that the said Right honorable the Lo. deputie dothe promise, covenaunt and graunte to and with the said cheiftaines, gent., freeholders and inhabitants of the said Earconnaght, for and in the behalf of the Queen's Mate, that they and every of them their heires and assignes, for their lands within the said contrey, shall, from and after the date hereof, be freelie and wholy dischardged, acquitted and exonerated for ever, off and from all manner of cesses, taxes, chardges, exaccons, cuttings, ymposicons, purveying, eateing, findinge or bearing of soldiers, and from all other burdens whatsoever, other than the rents, reservacons, and chardges hereafter in this Indenture specified, and to be enacted by parleament: willingly and thankfully for them their heirs and assignes, given and graunted, licke as they hereby doe give and graunte, to the said right Honorable the Lo. Deputy and his heirs, to the use of the Queene's most excellent Matie her heirs and successours for ever, one yearelie rent chardge of tenn shillinges of good and lawful current money of England, goinge out of every q' of 280 qr of the aforesaid number of 318 q" of land, which in the whole amounteth yearelie to the some of £140 ster. payable at the feastes of St. Michaell tharchangell and Easter, by eaven porcons, the first payment to beginne at the feast of St. Mychaell tharchangell next ensuing the date hereof, and soe yearele for ever at the severall feasts aforsaid, at her highnes' Exchequer within the same realm of Ireland, or to the hands of the Vice threr, or generall receaver of the same realme for the tyme beinge; and for lacke of money to be payed in the Exchequer aforesaid, the same thresurer or generall receaver to receive kyne, to the value of the said rente, or so muche thereof as shall remayne unpayed, at the rate of 13. 4°. ster. for everie good and lawfull beof. And if yt fortune the said rente of £140 ster. to be behind and unpayed, in parte or in all, in manner and forme afoesaid, that yt shalbe lawful unto the said right honnorable the Lo. Deputie, or other governour or governours of this realme for the tyme being, to enter and distrayne in all and singular the lands, tenements and heredytaments of the said 280 qr., and the distresse taken to detayne and keepe, tyll the said yearelie rent as afore be fullie and wholie satisfied and payd: provyded alwayes, that if yt fortune anie parte of the quarters aforesaid, subject to this composition, to be so waste as yt beareth nether horne or corne, that the same shall not be layd upon the rest that is inhabited, but shall be forborne both in rente and arrearadges, duringe that tyme.

"And further, the persons above named, for them their heires and assigns, doe covenaunt

covenaunt, promise & graunte to and with the said Right honnorable the Lo. Deputie and his heires, for and in the behalfe of the Queens most excellent Matie her heires and successors, not onelye to aunswer and beare yearlie for ever, to all hostings, roods and jurneyes within the said province of Connaght and Thomond, whereas and at what tyme they shalbe thereunto comaunded, by the lo. deputie or other Governour or Governours of this realme, or by the cheif officer of the said province, fiftie good hable footemen, well armed, uppon their owne proper costs and chardges, over and besids the rent aforesaid: But also to aunswer & beare to all generall hostings proclaymed in this realme, twenty footemen well armed and furnished with carriadge and victualls, uppen their owne proper costs and chardge, dureing the tyme of the said generall hostinges, if the lo. deputy or other governour of this realme, for the tyme being, doe require the same.

"And further yt is condiscended, concluded and agreed, as well by the said right honnorable the deputy, for and in the behalf of the Queens most excellent Matie, as also by the said Sir Moroge, Donyll Crone, Teige ne bully, Owen Fitz Donyell, Moroghe O'Flahertie, Roger O'Fflahertie, Donyell McRorie, Rorie and Donyell, sonns to Moroghe ne Moe, MeThomas, McConnor, O'Hallorane, Mc Cahill boy McDonghe, McEnry, and the rest of the freeholders and inhabitants of the said contrey, in manner and form followeinge, viz. that the names, stilles, and titles of captayneships, taynistships and all other Irishe aucthorities and jurisdictions heretofore used by the O'Fflahertyes, together with all ellection and customarie division of land, occasioning great streeffe and contention emongest them, shall from henceforthe be utterlie abollyshed, extinct, renounsed, and put backe within the said countrey of Eyrconnaght, for ever, but that their lands and inhery tants shall lynialie discend from the father to the sonn, accordinge to the course and order of the lawes of England. In consideracon whereof, and for that her Matie doth moste gracouslie mynde of the benefitt and advancemement of everie good subject according to his degree, by redusinge of their uncertayne and unlawfull manner of takings from others, to a certayne and more beneficiall state of liveinge for them and their heires, then their said pretended titles or claymes did or could hitherto afforde them; the said right Ho: the lord deputie for and in the behalfe of the Queen's most excellent Matie, and also the aforesaid. chieftaynes, gent. freeholders and inhabitants, one the behalf of themselves and the rest of the said contrey, their heires and assignes, doth covenaunt, promise, graunte and agree to and with the said Sir Moroghe ne doe, knight, otherwise called O'Fflaherty, that for the better mayntenaunce of the degree of knighthode, whereunto yt hath pleased her Matie to calle him, he shall have, hold, receive and take, by letters patenttes from her Mate to him his heires and assignes, the castle of Aghenure, and IRISH ARCH. SOC. 15. 2 S fower

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