The estates, empires, & principallities of the world Represented by ye description of countries, maners of inhabitants, riches of prouinces, forces, gouernment, religion; and the princes that haue gouerned in euery estate. With the begin[n]ing of all militarie and religious orders. Translated out of French by Edw: Grimstone, sargeant at armes.

¶ A BRIEFE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROVINCE OF LEINSTER, DIVI∣DED INTO EIGHT COVNTIES.

[ B] THe prouince of Leinster containeth that part of land which was first conquered by the English hauing in it these counties, that is to say, Dublin, Kildare, Cater∣lough, Waxford alias Washford, Kilkenny, Kings Countie, Q••eenes Countie, and Wickloe.

¶ The first Countie.

THe countie of Dublin containeth all the land from Ballrothery (neere to the coun∣tie [ C] of Meath) to Bray, which is the length of the countie, and includeth all the land between it and the towne of Dublin, the kings lands, part of the mountaines of Otooles, and the Crosse of the countie of Dublin, being the Archbishops libertie, also his Islands in the sea, as Lambay, Irelands Eye, and Dalkey.

There are also in this countie fifteene townes, that is to say, the towne of Dublin, Swordes, Ballrothery, Luspicke or Luske, Clenshane, Hothe, New Castle, Kingsland,* 1.1 Ballamore, Fowldes towne, Bray or Breen, Wickloe, Macboygon, Arckloo, and Clou∣lerkin.

There are moreouer in this countie twentie foure castles, that of Dublin, Swordes,* 1.2 New Castle, Tulloy, Dunshaglin, Poores Court, Castle Knock, Malahide, Castle Ke∣uen, Rathfernan, Moncton, Merion, Turuey, Dronnaugh, Donber, Belgard Lucan, [ D] Kilmamy, Donamore, Holme Patricke, Dercouragh, Ballgriffin, the Ward, Hothe Blo∣wicke, and Ballutterell.

The names of the lords and chiefe gentlemen of this countie of Dublin, are, the Archbishop of Dublin, Lord Chancelor of Ireland, Ierlande, Lord of Hooth,* 1.3 Sir Dudley Loftes, Fitz-Williams, Wingfield, Obernes, Otooles, Collier, the Deane of Saint Patricke, Barne∣well, Bathe, Neuteruill, Feaugh Mac Hugh Allin warren, Segraue, Fitz simons, Burnell, Fing∣las, Talbot, and Wealch: In the tenth yeare of King Richard the second Robert Veere Earle of Oxford was created Marquis of Dublin; and afterward made Duke of Ireland in the same kings raigne.

[ E] ¶ The second Countie.

THe second countie in the prouince of Leinster is the countie of Kildare, and it is placed betweene the counties of Dublin, Caterlough, the Kings and Queens coun∣ties, and Meath: it hath Dublin toward the East, Caterlough to the South, the Kings and Queenes counties to the West, and Meath vppon the North.

There are in this countie seuen townes, the names of which are Kildare, Manouth, A∣thy, the Naus, Kilcullen, Leixlip, and Castle Dermot.* 1.4

There are in this countie 21. castles, that is, the castle of Kildare, that of Manouth, Lec∣tawe, [ F] Baltinglas, Molhussey, Euan Tipperer, Harriston, S. Wolstons, Lispicke,* 1.5 Wood∣stocke, Carbery, Marlace, Conall, Rath Goffy, S. Katherines, Killka, Castle Marten, Donfrit, Monaster, Rathangan, and Osbertes towne.

The lords and chiefe gentlemen of this countie are, the Earle of Kildare,* 1.6 the Bishop of Kildare, the Baronet of Rebin, Wedseley baronet of Narcowe, Eustace, Fitz-Geralds,

〈◊〉〈◊〉; Wh••••; Fitz G••r••et, S••reewe••••, C••oley, Saint Michaell, Lye, Woogan, Banerells, [ A] Al∣•••••• ••rimgham, De la ••ide, Boys, Sutton, Le••, and Flatzberry.

The Ea••le of Kil••••te•• eldest sonne is lord Gerald and baron of Ophaly.

The Earle was created in Queene Maries time, by the name of Gerrard Fitz-Garret baron of Ophaly

¶ The third Countie.

THe third countie in the prouince of Leinster, is Caterlough, alias Carlough, and it is a long slip of land lying for the most part betweene the riuers of Slane and Barrowe, and containeth diuers lordships aunciently inhabited by the Englishmen; but not long after, it was recouered by the Cauenaughes, which do inhabit both it, and much of [ B] the countie of Wexford. It hath in it certaine high mountaines vppon the East part, and the rest is more plaine. The third part of the whole shire belongeth to the Earle of Ormond, and his brother Sir Edm••••d Butler. it is bounded with the countie of Kildare to the North; to the West and South with the Queenes countie; and with Kilkenny to the North-West.

* 1.7There are in this countie but two townes of any note, that is, Caterlough, (from which the countie takes the name, the which also Lionell Duke of Clarence began to wall, and Belling••••m a most renowned lord deputie fortified with a castle) and Leighlin, where there was an Episcopall chaire, now vnited to the See of Fernes, as Camden reports.

* 1.8As for castles, this countie hath the castle of Caterlough (as I haue said) that of [ C] Leigh∣lin, Rathemore, Rathulley, Fortenollon, Tully, Saint Molins, and other of lesse note.

* 1.9The lords and chiefe gentlemen of this countie, are, the Bishop of Lawghlin or Leigh∣lin, Sir Edmund Butler, Ragnal, Turlo Mac Donel Gallo-gl••sse, Hugh Mac Ihane, Harpole, Dae∣uells, Oliue, Oge, Brian Mac Cauer, Cauenaughes, and Og••rmagon Barry.

¶ The fourth Countie.

THe fourth countie of the prouince of Leinster is Wexford alias Waterford, this contie containeth all the land betweene the hauen of Waterford, to the demesnes of A••kloo Castle vpon the sea coast. It hath the sea to the East, and South; the countie of Wickloe to the North; the riuer of Barrow neere Rosse, and the countie of [ D] Cater∣lough to the West.

* 1.10This countie hath but few townes of any importance and these are, Wexford, Rosse, Fearnes, and Colmine.

* 1.11But it is well fortified with castles, for there are the castles, of Wexford, Fernes, Ini∣shecorth, the tower of Hooke, Belmagir, Donbrody, Bally hac, Adams towne, Bromston, Tniterne, Doncannon, Rossegarland, Old Crosse, Mountgarret.

* 1.12The lords and gentlemen of this countie are, the Bishop of Ferres Sir Henrie Wallop, Deurox, Browne, Stafford, Lamports, also the Sep of Crean Mac Morough, Donel Spainaugh, Thomas Masterson seneschall, Williams in the right of the Lady Colcloughe, Neuel, Cheuers, [ E] Mailons, Hayes, the three lords of the Knisheloughe, Mac Vado, Mac Damor, and Edmund Duffe, Ketinge, Sinots, Roches, Powers, Isames, Turners, Surcots, and Cauenaughes.

¶ The fift Countie.

TH•• ••it countie in the prouince of Leinster is called Killkenny: This countie hath the mo•••• ••••ew of ciuilitie of any other of the bordering counties, in respect of the faire feats, of hou••es, the number of Castles and English maner of inclosure. It is bounded on the East by the ••••uer of Barrow; on the South by the riuer of Shewer; with the Queenes countie and O••••eri•• ••o the North; and with Tipperary to the West. [ F]

* 1.13The chiefe townes in this countie are the Townes of Kilkenny, Thomas towne, Cal∣••an, Inystrong, and Ganran.

* 1.14There are also the ••astles of Kilkenny, Ganran, Balley rigate, Kelhs, Ballingto••gh, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Church, Grace towne, Whites haule, and others.

[ A] The lords and chiefe gentlemen of this countie are, the Earle of Ormond and Osserie,* 1.15 Lord Vicount, Mount Garret, Cantwells, Archdeacons Arches, Blancheuits, Birth Louet, and his sonnes, the Bishop of Ossery, the Baronet of Burnt Church, Comberfordes, Welshes, Dor∣mers, Saint Legers, Bromesford, Butlers, Graces, Shees, Denes, Rothes, Stonge, and of the Eng∣lish Staffords. The Earle of Ormonds eldest sonne is lord Butler and vicount Thurles.

¶ The sixt Countie.

THe sixt countie of this prouince is called Kings countie; but it was in old time cal∣led Ophaly, and is both wealthie and quiet, because it is by nature strong, and hath [ B] few passages and those well guarded. It containeth all the land between the countie Kik∣dare and the riuer of Shenin: and it is bounded on the East with the countie of Kildare, on the west with the Shenin, and West-Meath; on the South with the Queenes county, and part of Tipperary; and on the North with East-Meath.

Philips towne is the chiefe towne of this couutie,* 1.16 which tooke the name of king Philip, as also this countie was in honour of him, called Kings countie.

In this countie there are the castles of Fort Dingan, Crohan, Bally Burley,* 1.17 Bally Bri∣taine, Minster Oris, Eaton Dirrey.

[ C] The names of the chiefe gentlemen of this countie are,* 1.18 Sir George Burcher Lieute∣nant, Sir Edward More Constable of the fort, Sir Iohn Mac Cowghlan, More, Cowley, Fitz∣garrets, Philips, Omeloyes, Morrice, Sankey, Tirrill, Lany, Rosse, Denises, and Foxes.

¶ The seuenth Countie.

THe seuenth countie in the prouince of Leinster is the Queenes countie, alias Leese, this countie containeth all the land in effect betweene the riuer of Barrow and Or∣mond, including all that did belong to Omore, Odiun, vpper Ossery, and Slemarge. It is bounded with the countie of Kilkenny to the South, with Tipperary to the West, with [ D] the kings countie, and the mountaine Slebloome to the North, and the riuer of Barrow to the East.

There are not any townes of account in this countie, but the chiefe towne is Mary∣borough, so called by Queene Mary.* 1.19

The castles of this countie are the Queenes Fort, the Shian, the Abbey of Leese, Strudballey, Donamaze, the Blacke Fort, Ballicockan, and Diserte.* 1.20

The lords and gentlemen of greatest reputation in this countie, are,* 1.21 the baron of Vp∣per Ossery, Warham Seintleger, Lieutenant, George Haruy Constable of the Fort, Brian Mac Douel, Pierce Butler brother to the Earle of Ormond, Cosbies, Harpoole, Bowen, Mac Callough, Bruerton, Dauels, Pigot, Barington, Lamden, Odni, and diuers others.

[ E] ¶ The eighth Countie.

THe eighth and last countie of the prouince of Leinster, is the countie Wickloe, this was lately made a countie in the gouernment of Sir Arthur Chichester; It is bounded on the East with the sea, on the South with the countie of Wexford, on the West with the counties of Carlough and Kildare, and on the North with the countie of Dublin:

Asfor townes in this countie there is no mention made of any of importance and therefore I passe them ouer at this time.

There is the castle of Lamtaddon and diuers others of lesse importance.* 1.22

The chiefest gentlemen of this countie are Sir Charles Occaroll,* 1.23 and diuers others of [ F] his name. Now that I haue briefely touched euery particular both in the prouince of Linster, and also in euery particular countie of this prouince, I will now returne and shew you the commodities of the prouince of Munster, with the counties, townes and places of importance vnder the iurisdiction thereof.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Townes,
• * 1.2

  Castles.
• * 1.3

  Lords and Gentlemen.
• * 1.4

  Townes.
• * 1.5

  Castles.
• * 1.6

  Lords and Gentlemen.
• * 1.7

  Townes.
• * 1.8

  Castles.
• * 1.9

  Lords and Gentlemen.
• * 1.10

  Town••s
• * 1.11

  Castles.
• * 1.12

  Lords and Gentlemen.
• * 1.13

  Townes.
• * 1.14

  Ca••••••••.
• * 1.15

  Lords and Gentlemen.
• * 1.16

  Townes.
• * 1.17

  Castles.
• * 1.18

  Gentlemen.
• * 1.19

  Townes.
• * 1.20

  Ca••••••••s.
• * 1.21

  Lor••s and Gentlemen.
• * 1.22

  Castles.
• * 1.23

  Gentlemen.