Camden's Britannia newly translated into English, with large additions and improvements ; publish'd by Edmund Gibson ...

The County of LOƲTH.

THE County of Louth, in old books call'd Luna and Luda,* 1.1 in Irish Iriel or Uriel (if that is not ra∣ther a part of this county) lies beyond the Coun∣ty of Meath, and the mouth of the river Boine, toward the Irish Sea, upon a winding and uneven shore running northwards; full of forrage, and so fertile, that it easily gratifies the Industrious husbandman. Near the mouth of the Boine stands Drogheda or Droghda, in English Tredah,* 1.2 a neat and populous town, deno∣minated from thea 1.3 bridge, and divided in the middle by the Boine. King Edward the second endowed it with the privilege of a Market and Fair, at the in∣stance of Theobald Verdon; and several great Liberties have been granted it by the Kings of England; par∣ticularly the privilege of a Mint. Near this stands Mellefont-Abbey, founded by Donald King of Uriel,* 1.4

and commended by S. Bernard; lately given by Queen Elizabeth to Sir Edward Moor Knightb 1.5, a Kentish man born, very deserving for his wise con∣duct both at home and abroad; the Monks having been turned out some time before. Seven miles from hence standsc 1.6 Ardeth, a mid-land town, pretty emi∣ment; and higher in the Country Dundalk,* 1.7 which has the benefit of a good haven, and was formerly fortified with strong walls. It was burnt by Edward Brus, brother to the King of Scots, who had pro∣claimed himself King of Ireland, and was soon after cut off, with 8200 of his men hard by. Within the memory of our age, it was besieged by Shan O Neal, who was soon forced to raise the siege with dishonour. Eight miles from hence stands Carlingford,* 1.8 a pretty famous harbor. And these are all the places that I know of, memorable in this County

* 1.9This Louth has given the title of Earl to38 1.10 John Bermingham, an English man, conferr'd upon him by King Edward the second, as a reward to his great valour (after he had defeated and slain Edward Brus, that momentary King of Ireland aforesaid, who had ravag'd the country with great cruelty and slaughter for some time,) giving him the said Earldom to have and to hold to him and the heirs males of his body, as also the Barony of Athenry. But as the honour had its first life and being in this Gentleman, so it expir'd with him; for after he had come off safe from the Conquest of his enemies, he was overcome and slain here in a popular insurrection, with many others of the same name, leaving no issue behind him. This County likewise, within the memory of our fathers,* 1.11 has given the title of Baron to Oliver Plonket, conferr'd upon him by King Henry the eighth. Families now remaining in this County, are the Verdons, Tates, Clintons, Bellews or de Bella Aqua, Dowdalls, Gernons, Hadsors, Wottons, Brandons, Mores, Warrens, Chamberlains, and many others of English original; of Irish, are the Mac-Mahons, &c.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Triel, in Latin. Urgalia.
• * 1.2

  Tredah.
• a 1.3

  From whence Sir James Ware always calls it Pontana.
• * 1.4

  Mellifont Monaste∣ry.
• b 1.5

  Whose heir is now Earl of Drogheda.
• c 1.6

  Ard••e.
• * 1.7

  Dundalk.
• * 1.8

  Carling∣••••••d.
• * 1.9

  Berming∣••am, who 〈◊〉〈◊〉 also ca••led Bri∣••••tham, ••arl of ••••gh.
• 38 1.10

  Sir John.
• * 1.11

  Barons of Louth.