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

MOMONIA, or MOUNSTER.

MOmonia, in Irish Mown, and in compound wown, in English Mounster, lies southward open to the Vergivian-sea; separated from Connaught for some while by the river Siney or Shanon, and from Lemster by the river Neor. Formerly it was divided into many parts, as Towoun, i.e. North Mounster; Deswoun, i.e. South Mounster; Heir woun, West Mounster; Mean-woun, Middle Mounster; and Urwoun, the fore part of Mounster; but at this day into two parts, West Mounster and South Mounster. The West Mounster was in old time the country of the Luceni, the Velabri, and the Uterini; the South was that of the Oudiae or Vediae and the Coriondi; but at present it is distinguished intoa 1.1 seven Counties, Kerry, Desmond, Cork, Limerick, Tiperary, Holy-Cross, and Waterford.

In the most westward part of Ireland, and where it tents towards the Cantabrian Ocean, confronting at a great distance south-westward Gallitia in Spain, the Velabri and the Luceni formerly inhabited, as Orosius writes. The Luceni of Ireland (who seem to derive their name and origînal from the Lucensii of Gallitia in the opposite coast of Spain,* 1.2 of whose name some remains are to this day in the Barony of Lyxnaw) were seated, as I suppose, in the Coun∣ty of Kerry, and inb 1.3 Conoglogh, hard by upon the River Shanon.

The County of KERRY.

THE County of Kerry, near the mouth of the Shannon, shoots forth like a little tongue into the sea roaring on both sides of it. This County stands high, and has many wild and woody hills in it; between which lye many vallies, whereof some produce corn, others wood. Thisc 1.4 is reckoned a County Palatine, and the Earls of Desmond had herein the dignity and prero∣gatives of a Count Palatine, by the gift of King Ed∣ward the third, who granted them all royalties, excepting the trying of four pleas, Fire, Rape, Forestall, and Treasure-trouve, with the profits arising de Croccis, which were

reserved to the King of England. But this liberty, through the weakness of such as either would not, or knew not how to use it, became the very sink of all mischief, and the refuge of seditious persons. In the very entrance into this Country, there is a territory called Clan-moris,* 1.5 from one Moris, of the family of Raimund la Grosse, whose heirs were successively called Barons of Lixnaw. Cross through the middle of it, runs a little river, now nameless, though perhaps by its situation,* 1.6 that which Ptolemy calls the Dur, and passes by Trailey, a small town now almost desolate, where has been a house of the Earls of Desmund. Hard by lyes Ardurt,* 1.7 the See of a poor Bishop, call∣ed of Ardefert ^b. Almost in the end of this promon∣tory, there lies on one side Dingle,* 1.8 a commodious haven, and on the other Smerwick,* 1.9 contracted from St. Mary-wic, a road for ships;d 1.10 where lately, as Gi∣rald, Earl of Desmund, a man basely treacherous to his Prince and Country, wasted and spoiled Moun∣ster, arrived some* 1.11 confused troops of Italians and Spaniards, sent to his assistance by Pope Gregory the thirteenth and the King of Spain; who fortified themselves here, calling it Fort del Ore, and threat∣ning the Country with great ruin. But this danger was ended by the coming and first onset of the Vice∣roy, the most famous and warlike Baron,* 1.12 Lord Ar∣thur Grey. For they forthwith surrendered, and were put to the sword most of them; which was thought in policy the wisest and safest course, considering the then present posture of affairs, and that the rebels were ready to break out in all quarters. In conclusion, the Earl of Desmund was himself forced to fly into the woods thereabouts for shelter, and soon after set upon in a poor cottage by one or two soldiers, who wounded him; so being discovered, he was behead∣ed for his disloyalty, and the mischief he had done this Country. [ 1583]

Perhaps some will impute it to want of gravity and prudence in me,* 1.13 if I give an account of an old opinion of the wild Irish, and still current among them, That he, who in the great clamor and outcry (which the soldiers usually make with much straining before an onset) does not huzza as the rest do, is suddenly snatch'd from the ground, and carried fly∣ing into these desart vallies, from any part of Ireland whatsoever; that there he eats grass, laps water, has no sense of happiness nor misery, has some remains of his reason, but none of his speech, and that at long run he shall be caught by the hunters, and brought back to his own home.

DESMONIA or DESMOND.

BEneath the Country of the old Luceni lyes Des∣mond, stretching out a long way, with a con∣siderable breadth towards the South; in Irish Deswown, in English Desmond, formerly peopled by the Velabri* 1.14 and the Iberni, who in some Copies are called Uterini. The Velabri may seem to derive their name from Aber, i.e. aestuaries; for they dwelt among such friths, upon parcels of ground divided from one ano∣ther by great incursions of the Sea; from which the Artabri and Cantabri in Spain also took their names. Among the arms of the sea here, there are three se∣veral Promontories (besides Kerry above mentioned) shoot out with their crooked and winding shores to the South-west, which the Inhabitants formerly cal∣led Hierwoun, i.e. West-mounster. The first of them, which lyes between Dingle-bay and the river Mair, is called Clan-car, and has a castle built at Dunkeran by the Carews of England.a 1.15 In this Castle dwelt Do∣nald Mac Carty More, a petty King of Irish descent, who in the year 1566. resigned his estate to Queen Elizabeth, and had it restored, to hold of her after the English manner, [ 1565] by fealty and homage. At the same time he was created Baron of Valentia,* 1.16 an Island adjoyning, and Earl of Clan-car; being a man emi∣nent and of great power in these parts, and formerly a bitter enemy of the Fitz-Giralds, who dispossest his Ancestors, Kings (as he pretended) of Desmond, their antient seat and inheritance. He enjoyed not this honour very long, having but one daughter legi∣timate, whom he married to Florence Mac Carty, and lived to be very old.

* 1.17The second Promontory, lying in the middle be∣tween two Bays, the Maire and the Bantre, is called theb 1.18 Beare; the soil of which is a hungry gravel mixt with stones; where lives O Swillivant* 1.19 Beare and O Swi∣livant Bantre, both of the same family, and men very eminent in these parts.

The third, namedc 1.20 Eraugh, lyes between Bantre and Balatimore or Baltimore, a Bay famous for the ma∣ny herrings took in it, and yearly visited by a Fleet of Spaniards and Portuguese, in the very middle of winter,* 1.21 to fish for Codd. In this the O Mahons had great possessions bestowed upon them by M. Carew. This is that Promontory which Ptolemy calls Notium,* 1.22 or the South-Promontory, at this day Missen-head; under which (as we may see in him) the river Ier∣nus falls into the sea. As for the name it now has,* 1.23 I dare hardly, in so much darkness, pretend to guess at it; unless it be that which is now called Maire, and runs under Drunkeran aforesaid. I am as much at a loss likewise for those people, whom Ptolemy places upon these Promontories, seeing their name differs in several Copies, Iberni, Outerni, Iberi, Iverni; unless perhaps they are a Colony of the Iberi in Spain, as well as their neighbours the Luceni and Concani were. Desmonia was formerly of great extent in these parts, even from the sea to the river Shanon, and was called South-Mounster. The Fitz-Giralds of the family of Kildare having conquer'd the Irish, became Lords of very great possessions here. Of these, Mau∣rice Fitz-Thomas (to whom Thomas Carew, heir to the Seigniory of Desmond, made over his title) was, in the third of Edward 3. created Earl of Desmond.* 1.24 Of the posterity of this Earl, many have been rich and valiant, and men of great reputation. But this glory was, and still continues sullied, in James: who excluding his nephew, has forcibly seiz'd the inhe∣ritance, and impos'd upon the people those grievous tributes of Coyne, Livery, Cocherings, Bonaughty, &c. for the maintenance of his Triarii and ravenous Sol∣diers. His son Thomas, as he exacted the same of the poor people, was apprehended by an Order from John Tiptoft, Lord Deputy, and beheaded in the year 1467. for his own and his father's wickedness. How∣ever, his children were restored, and this honour was hereditarily enjoyed by his posterity, till Girald's time, the rebel before mentioned; who being banished by Act of Parliament, Desmond was annext to the crown, reduced into a county, and a Sheriff ordain'd to govern it from year to year.5 1.25 The most noted and considerable Houses here for interest and riches, are those descended from the Fitz-Giralds, known by se∣veral and distinct names, which upon various accounts have been assum'd by them.

VODIAE or CORIONDI.

MOre inward, beyond the Iberi, dwelt the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, who are termed also the Vodiae,* 1.26 and Udiae; some re∣semblance of which name remains very express and clear in the Territories of Idou and Idouth; and of the Coriondi* 1.27 in the County of Cork, which borders upon them. These people inhabited the Counties of Cork, Tipperary, Limerick, and Waterford.

Comitatus Corcagiensis; commonly, The County of Cork.

THE County of Cork, which was formerly a Kingdom, and contain'd all that part of the country upon the shore between Lis∣more and St.d 1.28 Brend,* 1.29 where Westward it faces Desmond, has in the midland of it Muske∣ray, a wild and woody country, where Cormac Mac Teg is very famous; and towards the sea, Carbray,* 1.30 where the Mac-Carties are the most considerable. The first place we come at upon the Coast, ise 1.31 Ross, a road for ships, and formerly frequented, but now, by reason of a ledge of sand across it, seldom used. From hence there shoots out a narrow neck of land into a peninsula, called the old head of Kinsale; near which the Curcies heretofore flourished in great wealth, descen∣ded from a brother of John Curcy, an English man, that subdued Ulster. Of which family here still re∣mains Curcy Baron off 1.32 Ringrom,* 1.33 but (such is the un∣certainty of human affairs) poor, and of mean for∣tune. After it, in a fertile spot upon the mouth of the riverg 1.34 Bany, and withall well enough wooded, stands Kinsale,* 1.35 a commodious port, fortified with old walls; under which, in the year 1601. the Kingdom of Ireland was at stake, and put to a fair trial, whe∣ther it should belong to Spain or England. For at that instant the Island was embroiled both with fo∣reign and civil wars; and Don John D' Aquila, with an Army of 8000 Veteranes, had surpriz'd this place, and fortified it; relying upon the censures and ex∣communications, which Pius 5. Gregory 13. and Cle∣ment 8. had thunder'd out against Queen Elizabeth; and upon the assistance of those Rebels,* 1.36 who had sent for them under pretence of establishing their Re∣ligion; the mask and disguise for all the Villanies of this degenerate age, which makes such a scuffle about it. In opposition to these,6 1.37 Charles Blunt, Baron Montjoy, Lord Deputy, though his Army was har∣rassed, and it was now the winter season, besieged the Town by land and sea; and at the same time al∣so took the field against those Rebels, headed by the Earl of Tir-Oen, O Donell, Mac Gwyre, and Mac Ma∣hound: whom also, by his valour and conduct, he so fortunately suppressed; that by the self same Victory, he both recovered the town (surrender'd to him with the Spaniards in it,) and disarm'd the whole Kingdom of Ireland, when with fire and sword they had not only resolved to rebel, but were now actu∣ally revolting. Off from Kinsale, on the other side of the river, lyesh 1.38 Kerry-wherry,* 1.39 a small territory late∣ly belonging to the Earls of Desmond. Just before it, runs thati 1.40 river* 1.41 which Ptolemy calls Daurona,* 1.42 and Gi∣raldus Cambrensis, by the change of one letter, Sau∣ranus, and Saveranus; which springing from the mountains of Muskerey, passes by the principal City of the County, grac'd with an Episcopal See, (where∣unto is also now annext the Bishoprick of Clon) which Giraldus calls Corcagia, in English, Cork,* 1.43 and among the nativesk 1.44 Corcach. It is of an oval form, enclos'd with walls, and encompass'd with, the chanel of the River, which also crosses it, and is not accessible but by bridges; lying along as it were in one direct street, with a bridge over it. 'Tis a populous little trading town, and much resorted to; but so beset with Re∣bel-enemies on all sides, that they are obliged to keep constant watch, as if the town was continually besie∣ged, and dare not marry out their daughters into the country, but contract one with another among them∣selves; whereby all the Citizens are related in some degree or other. They report here, that Brioc the Religious person (who in that fruitful age of Saints flourished among the Gauls, and from whom the Dio∣cese of Sanbrioch in Armorica, commonly called St. Brieu,* 1.45 takes its name) was born and bred in this town.

Beneath Cork, the chanel of the river is divided into 2 branches, which uniting again, make a large and very pleasantl 1.46 Island over against the chief dwelling house of the Barries, an antient and noble family; and there∣upon is called Barry Court. For they are descended from Robert de Barry,* 1.47 an Englishman of great worth, one who was rather ambitious to be really eminent, than to seem so; he was the first man that was wounded in the conquest of Ireland,* 1.48 and that ever mann'd a hawk in that Island. His posterity also, by their great loyalty and valour, have been honoured, first with the title ofm 1.49 Ba∣ron Barry, and afterwards with that of Vicount Buti∣phant, by the Kings of England;* 1.50 and from their riches and estates, have been called by the people, Barry More, or Barry the great. A little below this, the ri∣ver Saveren, near Imokelly, formerly the large posses∣sion of the Earls of Desmond, falls from a creeky mouth into the sea.

As the Saveren watereth the lower part of this coun∣ty, son 1.51 Broodwater, formerly Aven-more, that is, a great water, supplies the upper. Upon which is the seat of the noble family de Rupe, or Roch,* 1.52 transplanted out of England hither; where it hath grown and flourished, and now enjoys the title of Vicount Fer∣moy.* 1.53 In Edward the second's time, they were cer∣tainly Barons of Parliament;* 1.54 for George Roche was fined 200 Marks for not being present at the Parlia∣ment of Dublin, as he was summoned. As the river Broodwater (which by its course for some time is the boundary between this County and Waterford) runs into the sea, and makes a haven, stands Yoghall,* 1.55 not very large, but walled round, of an oblong form, and divided into two parts; the upper, which is the greater part, stretches Northward, having a Church in it, and a littley Abby without the wall, called North Abby; the lower part to the Southward is na∣med the Base-town, and has also an Abby, called South Abby. The convenience of the haven, which hath a well fenced Kay in it, as also the fruitfulness of the country hereabouts, draws Merchants hither; so that the town is prety populous, and has a Mayor for its chief Magistrate. At present the County of Cork reaches only thus far; which (as I have already ob∣served) was heretofore counted a Kingdom,* 1.56 and was of greater extent, containing Desmond also within the bounds of it. King Henry 2. gave this Kingdom to7 1.57 Robert Fitz-Stephens and8 1.58 Miles de Cogan, in these words. Know ye, that I have granted the whole King∣dom of Cork, except the City and Cantred of Oustmans, to hold, to them and their heirs, of me and my son John, by the service of sixty Knights. From the heir of this Fitz-Stephen,9 1.59 George Carew, now Baron Carew of Clopton, is descended in a right line; who was not long since Lord President of Mounster, and, as I most willingly acknowlege, has given me great light into the Irish Antiquities.

The County of WATERFORD.

ON the East of Ireland, (between the rivers Broodwater on the West, and the Suire on the East, the Ocean on the South, and the County of Tipperary on the North,) lyes the County of Waterford; a County very fair and delicate, both in respect of pleasure and rich∣ness. Upon Broodwater, at its leaving the Coun∣ty of Cork, stands Lismor,* 1.60 remarkable for its Bishop's See; where presided Christian* 1.61 the Bishop and Legat of Ireland, about the year 1148. a person very deserving of the Church of Ireland, educated at Clare∣vall in the same Cloister with St. Bernard and Pope Eugenius. At present, by reason the possessions here∣unto belonging have been almost all of them aliena∣ted, it is annext to the See of Waterford. Near the mouth, lyes Ardmor,* 1.62 a small village; of which, and this river, thus heretofore Necham.

Urbem Lissimor pertransit flumen Avenmor, Ardmor cernit ubi concitus aequor adit. Avenmor guides his stream through Lismor town; Small Ardmor to the ocean sees him run.

The little adjoyning territory is called Dessee;* 1.63 the Lord whereof, descended from the Desmonds, had since our time the honourable title of Vicount Dessee conferred upon him; which died soon after with him, for want of issue-male. Not far from hence stands Dungarvan,* 1.64 upon the sea, a town well fortified with a Castle, and advantageously situated for a haven. King Henry 6. gave this, with the Barony of Dun∣garvan, to John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury; but af∣terwards, by reason it stood convenient to command that part of Mounster which was to be reduced, the Parliament annext it to the Crown of England for ever.* 1.65 Near this, the Poers, an antient and noble fa∣mily, have flourished from the first conquest of this country by the English, who were afterwards advan∣ced to the honour of Baronso 1.66 Curraghmore. Upon the bank of the river Suire, stands Waterford,* 1.67 the chief City of this County. Of which, thus old Necham.

Suirius insignem gaudet ditare Waterford, Aequoreis undis associatur ibi. Thee, Waterford, Suir's streams with wealth supply, Hasting to pay their tribute to the sea.

This City, which the Irish and Britains call Porthlar∣gy, the English Waterford, was first built by certain Pirats of Norway. Though 'tis situated in a thick air, and on a barren soil, and close built, yet by rea∣son of the convenience of the haven,p 1.68 'tis the second City in Ireland for wealth and populousness, and has ever continuedq 1.69 particularly loyal and obedient to the Crown of England. For since it was first taken by Richard Earl of Pembroke, it has been so faithful and quiet, that in our Conquest of Ireland it has always secur'd us from any attempts on this side. Upon this account the Kings of England have endowed it with many, and those considerable privileges, which were enlarged and confirmed by Henry 7. for behaving themselves with great valour and conduct against Per∣kin Warbeck, a sham-Prince; who being but a young fellow of mean extraction, had the impudence to aim at the Imperal Diadem, by pretending to be Richard Duke of York, the second son of King Edward 4.

King Henry 6. gave the County of Waterford,* 1.70 to∣gether with the City, to John Talbot Earl of Shrews∣bury, in words which so clearly set forth the bravery of that warlike man, that I cannot but think it worth the while (and perhaps some others may think it so too) to transcribe them from the Record. We there∣fore (says the King after a great deal more, wherein one sees the defect both of the Latin and eloquence of the Secretaries of that age) in consideration of the va∣lour of our most dear and faithful Cousen John Earl of Shrewsbury and Weysford, Lord Talbot of Furnival and Le∣strange, sufficiently shewn and proved in the wars afore∣said, even to his old age, not only by the sweat of his body, but many times by the loss of his blood; and considering how our County and City of Waterford, in our Kingdom of Ireland, with the Castle, Seigniory, Honour, Lands, and Barony of Dungarvan, and all the Lordships, Lands, Ho∣nours, and Baronies, and their appurtenances within the same County, which by forfeiture of rebels, by reversion or decease of any person or persons, by escheat, or any other title of law, ought to vest in Us or our progenitors; which by reason of invasions or insurrections in these parts are be∣come so desolate, and as they lye exposed to the spoils of war, so entirely wasted, that they are of no profit to us, but have done, and now do many times redound to our loss and charge; and also that the said lands may hereafter be better defen∣ded against the attempts and incursions of enemies or rebels; do ordain and create him Earl of Waterford, with the stile, title, name, and honour thereunto belonging. And that all things may correspond with his state and greatness, we hereby of our special grace, certain knowledge, and free motion, that the Grandeur of the Earl may be suppor∣ted more honourably, do give, grant, and by these presents confirm unto the said Earl the County aforesaid, together with the aforesaid title, stile, name, and honour of Earl of Waterford, and the city of Waterford aforesaid, with the fee-farm, castles, lordships, honours, lands, baronies, and all other appurtenances within the County; as also all man∣nors, hundreds, wapentakes, &c. along the sea-coast, from the town of Yoghall to the city of Waterford aforesaid, To have and to hold the said County of Waterford, the stile, title, name and honour of Earl of Waterford; and likewise the city of Waterford aforesaid, with the castle, seigniory, honour, land, and barony of Dungarvan, and all other lordships, honours, lands, and Baronies, within the said County; and also all the aforesaid mannors, hundreds, &c. to the abovesaid Earl, and to the heirs males of his body begotten, to hold of us and our heirs, by homage, fealty, and the service of being our Seneschal; and that he and his heirs be Seneschals of Ireland* 1.71 to us and our heirs, through∣out our whole land of Ireland, to do, and that he do, and ought himself to do in the said office, that which his prede∣cessors, Seneschals of England, were wont formerly to do for us in that office. In witness whereof, &c.

However, while the Kings of England and their Nobility, who had large possessions in Ireland, were either took up with foreign wars in France, or civil dissentions at home, Ireland was quite neglected; so that the English interest began to decay,r 1.72 and the power of the Irish grew formidable by reason of their absence; and then it was enacted, to recover their interest, and to suppress this growth of the Irish strength, that the Earl of Shrewsbury, for his absence and carelesness, should surrender the Town and Coun∣ty of Waterford to the King and his successors; and likewise that the Duke of Norfolk, the Baron Barkley,* 1.73 the Heirs Female of the Earl of Ormond, and all the Abbots, Priors, &c. of England, who held any lands there, should surrender them to the King and his suc∣cessors, for the same faults.

The County of LIMERICK.

THus far we have surveyed the maritime coun∣ties of Mounster: two remain that are in∣land, Limerick and Tipperary; which we are now come to. The County of Limerick lies behind that of Cork Northward, between Kerry, the river Shanon, and the county of Tipperary; fruitful and well inhabited, but it has few remarkable towns. The West part of it is called Conilagh,* 1.74 where among the hills, Knock-Patrick,* 1.75 that is, St. Patrick's hill, is most eminent for its height: from the top whereof one has a pleasant prospect into the sea, and along the river Shanon, which at a great distance falls from a wide mouth into the Vergivian Ocean. At the bottom of this hill, the Fitz-Giralds liv'd for a long time in great honour,* 1.76 till Thomas, call'd the Knight of the Val∣ley, or de Glin, when his graceless son was put to death, for Arsony, (for 'tis treason by the laws of Ireland to set villages and houses a fire) was also found an Ac∣cessary, and had his estate confiscated by Act of Par∣liament. The head city of this county is Limerick, encompass'd by the Shanon, a famous river, which di∣vides its stream, and embraces it. The Irish call its 1.77 Loumeagh,* 1.78 the English, Limerick. It is a Bishop's See, and the great mart of this Province of Munster; first taken by Reimund le Gross, an Englishman, the son of William Girald: afterwards it was burnt by Duve∣nald, a petty King of Thuetmond. At last, it was given in fee to Philip Breos, an Englishman, and King John fortified it with a castle. At present, tis reputed two towns; the upper (for so they call it, where stands the cathedral and the castle) has two gates, which give entrance to it, and each of them a fair stone bridge leading to them, strengthen'd with bulwarks and little draw-bridges; one of which leads West∣ward, the other East. The lower town which is joyned to this, is fortified with a wall and castle, and a fore∣gate at the entrance. More to the East, stands Clan-William,* 1.79 so called from a family of that name, descen∣ded from the House de Burgo, (which the Irish call Bourk) who inhabit it. Of this family was that Wil∣liam, (who slew James Fitz-Moris, the plague and firebrand of this country,) upon whom Queen Eli∣zabeth conferr'd the title and honour of Baron of Castle-Conel, (where Richard Rufus, Earl of Ulster,* 1.80 had fortified the Castle) together with a yearly pen∣sion, in recompense for his bravery, and the loss of his sons, slain in that conflict. In the South part of this county, standst 1.81 Kil-mallo, next in dignity to Li∣merick, both in respect of plenty, and populousness; and walled round. Likewise Adare, a little town, for∣tified heretofore, situate upon the same river; which straightways from thence runs into the Shanon; near which, standsu 1.82 Clan Gibbon,* 1.83 the Lord whereof, John Fitz-Girald, called John Oge Fitz-John Fitz-Gibbon, and from the grey hair of his head, the white Knight, was banished by Act of Parliament. But by the cle∣mency of Queen Elizabeth, his son was restored to the whole estate. The most noted and eminent in this tract, besides these Bourks and Fitz-Giralds, are the Lacies, the Browns, the Hurleys, the Chacys, the Sapells, the Pourcells, all of English extraction; the Mac-Shees, and the Mac-brien, O Brians, &c. of Irish extraction.

The County of TIPPERARY.

THE County of Tipperary is bounded on the west with that of Limerick, and the river Shanon, on the east with the County of Kilkenny, on the south with the Counties of Cork and Waterford, and on the north with the territory of the O Carolls. The south part is very fruitful, pro∣duces much corn, and is well built. The west part of it is water'd by the long course of the river Gla∣son;* 1.84 not far from the bank whereof stands Emely, or Awn, a Bishop's See, and, by report, a very popu∣lous, and well frequented city heretofore. The Sewer or Swire, a noble river which rises at Badin-hill, runs through the middle of it, and so through the lower Ossery,* 1.85 which by the bounty of King Henry the 8th, gave the title of Earl to the Butlers; and then through Thurles, which gave them the title of Vis∣counts; from whence it passes by Holy-Cross, a fa∣mous Abby heretofore, which makes the Country about it to be commonly called the County of the Holy Cross of Tipperary.* 1.86 This Abby enjoys certain privi∣leges granted in honour of a piece of Christ's Cross preserv'd there. The whole world, says St. Cyrill, is fill'd with pieces of this Cross, and yet, as Paulinus says, by a constant miracle it hath never been diminished. This was the belief and opinion of Christians in ancient times. And it is incredible what a concourse of people do still out of devotion throng hither, as to a holy place. For this nation does yet firmly persevere in the religion of their fore-fathers, which is now grown in more reputation than ever by the neglect and ignorance of their Bishops; for there is none here to instruct them otherwise.

* 1.87From hence the Swire passes by Cassil, adorn'd with an Archbishop's See by Eugenius the third, Bishop of Rome, with many suffragan Bishops under it; and so forward, making many Islands as it runs along, till it encompasses Cahir-Castle, which has its Baron, one of the family of the Butlers, raised to that honour by Queen Elizabeth. But his son proving disloyal, was thereupon attainted; the castle being taken by the Earl of Essex in the year 1599, and he himself committed. From whence it runs by Clomell,* 1.88 a mar∣ket town of good resort, and well fortified; and also by Carick Mac-Griffin situated upon a rock, from which it takes its name, the habitation of the Earls of Ormond; which (with the honour of Earl of Car∣rick) was granted by King Edward the 2d, to Ed∣mund Boteler or Butler. Here it leaves Tipperary,* 1.89 and becomes a boundary to the Counties of Waterford and Kilkenny.

Thus much concerning the south part of this Coun∣ty. That northward is but barren and mountaneous; twelve of the hills here are huddled together, and over-top the rest; these they call Phelem-ge-Modona. This north part is call'd in Latin Ormondia,* 1.90 in Irish Orwowon, that is, The front of Mounster; in English Ormond, and by many very corruptly Wormewood. Its glory is from its Earls, who have been many since James Butler,a 1.91 to whom and his heirs King Edw. the third gave this title for term of life,* 1.92 together with the royalties and other liberties, as also the Knights-fees in the County of Tipperary, which by the favour of the Kings of England his posterity still enjoy.* 1.93 Hence this County is reputed Palatine, and he has been call'd by some the Earl of Tipperary.

The ancestors of this James were heretofore But∣lers of Ireland, an honourable office, from which they derive the name of Le Boteler or Butler. Those

of this family were nearly related to Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, being descended from his sister. After his murder, they were translated into Ireland by King Hen. the 2d, who hoped to redeem his credit in the world, by preferring his relations to wealth and honours.

The first Earl of Ormond in this family was James, son of Edmund Earl of Carrick; who married the daughter of Humphry Bohun Earl of Hereford, by a daughter of King Edw. the first: and this was their first step towards honour. Hereupon his son James was commonly called by the people the noble Earl. The fifth Earl of this family (not to be particular in the ac∣count of them) had the title of Earl of Wiltshire given by King H. the 6th, to him and the heirs of his body: but being Lord Deputy of Ireland, as some others of this family have been, and Treasurer of England, he was banish'd by Edw. the fourth, and soon after taken and beheaded. His brothers were banished likewise and absconded; John died at Jeru∣salem without children; Thomas, by the favour of H. the 7th, had his attainder reversed, and died in the year 1515, leaving two daughters, Ann married to10 1.94 James de S. Leger, and Margaret the wife of Wil∣liam de Bullein, who had issue11 1.95 Thomas Bullein made first Viscount of Rochfort, and after Earl of Wilton and Ormond by King Hen. the 8th, upon his marriage with Ann Bullein the Earl's daughter: by her he had Elizabeth Queen of England, whose memory will be ever sacred to the English. After the death of Thomas Bullein12 1.96, Peter or Peirce Butler, a man of great power in Ireland, and of the Earl's family, (who had been before created Earl of Ossery by K. Henry the 8th) was now also preferr'd to the Earl∣dom of Ormond. He dying, left it to his son James, who by the daughter and heir of James Earl of Des∣mond, had a son, Thomas Earl of Ormond now living, whose fidelity and loyalty has been render'd eminent by many tryals. He has married his only daughter to Theobald Butler his Brother's son, upon whom King James has lately conferr'd the title of Viscount Tullo.

As for the story of some Irish (and those too,* 1.97 such as would be thought creditable,) that certain men in these parts are every year converted into wolves; 'tis without question fabulous, unless perhaps through excess of melancholy, they may be affected with that distemper which the Physicians call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which will make them fancy and imagine themselves thus transformed. As for those metamor∣phos'd Lycaones in Livonia so much talked of, I can∣not but have the same opinion of them.

Thus far we have continued in the Province of Mounster, which Queen Elizabeth with great wis∣dom,* 1.98 in order to advance the wealth and happiness of this Kingdom, committed to the government of a Lord President; that with one Assistant, two Law∣yers, and a Secretary, he might correct the insolen∣cies of this Province, and keep them to their duty. The first President was Wartham St. Leger Kt. who was constituted in the year 1565, a man of great ex∣perience in the affairs of Ireland.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Into ••••x at present, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Typerary, and Waterford.
• * 1.2

  Luc••ni.
• b 1.3

  Conilogh.
• c 1.4

  It was so•• but is not at pr••sent.
• * 1.5

  C••an-Mo∣••••••.
• * 1.6

  •••• riv.
• * 1.7

  ••••h••prick 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.8

  ••••••g••e.
• * 1.9

  ••••erwick.
• d 1.10

  Now united to Limerick.
• * 1.11

  Tumul∣••••••••i.
• * 1.12

  Art. Lord Grey.
• * 1.13

  A ridicu∣lous per∣suasion of the wild Irish.
• * 1.14

  V••••••••ri.
• a 1.15

  It is n••w divided into the Baronies of Iveragh and Dunkerran.
• * 1.16

  ••••ron of 〈◊〉〈◊〉. ••••••l of ••••••ncar.
• * 1.17

  ••••ve.
• b 1.18

  A ridge of hills running through this Promontory, makes the bounds be∣tw••en the Counties of Co••k and Kerry. That part on the North side, is the Barony of Glanerough in the County of Kerry; that on the S••uth is the half Barony of Bear in ••he County of Cork; to which the half Barony of Bantry joyns.
• * 1.19

  O Swilli∣••ant.
• c 1.20

  This third Promonto••y is at this day part of the Ba∣r••ny of West-Ca••b••y in the County of Cork.
• * 1.21

  ••••ah••ns.
• * 1.22

  The Pro∣montory Notium.
• * 1.23

  Jernus, a river.
• * 1.24

  Earl of D••smond.
• 5 1.25

  N••v••rth••l••ss, in th•• last rebellion, the ••••bels erected a tit••la•••• Earl; and against him Queen Elizabeth granted the Title of Earl of Desmond u••to J m••s F••••z-Gira••d, s••n to the foresaid ••ebel, who shortly after dyed ••ssucless in th•• year 1601.
• * 1.26

  The Vodiae.
• * 1.27

  The Cori∣ondi.
• d 1.28

  Brandon-hills in Kerry.
• * 1.29

  P rhaps Miss••n head. Muskeray.
• * 1.30

  Carbray.
• e 1.31

  A Bishop's See united to Cork.
• f 1.32

  Baron of Kinsale.
• * 1.33

  Curcy. Ba∣ron of Ringrom.
• g 1.34

  Bandon.
• * 1.35

  Kinsale.
• * 1.36

  The Spa∣niards dri∣ven out of Ireland.
• 6 1.37

  Sir Charles.
• h 1.38

  Called at this day Kyrycurry.
• * 1.39

  Kerry-wherry.
• i 1.40

  At present called Lee.
• * 1.41

  The river.
• * 1.42

  Dauron.
• * 1.43

  Cork.
• k 1.44

  Corkig. This Cork is now mostly inhabited with English, who by their industry have so improved their estates, trade, and city, that it far exceeds any city in Ireland, Dublin only excepted.
• * 1.45

  S. Brieu.
• l 1.46

  It is called The Great Island.
• * 1.47

  Barons Barry.
• * 1.48

  G. Cam••••••▪
• m 1.49

  They are now Earls of Barry-more.
• * 1.50

  Vicount Butipca••
• n 1.51

  Now commonly called Black-water
• * 1.52

  Baron Roche.
• * 1.53

  Vicount Fermo••.
• * 1.54

  Par. 9 〈◊〉〈◊〉 an. 8 Ed.
• * 1.55

  Yoghall.
• * 1.56

  Kingdo•• of Car••
• 7 1.57

  Sir Robert.
• 8 1.58

  Sir Miles.
• 9 1.59

  Sir George
• * 1.60

  ••••smor.
• * 1.61

  B••••hop Christian.
• * 1.62

  Ardmor.
• * 1.63

  ••••see.
• * 1.64

  ••••••gar∣••••n.
• * 1.65

  ••••ers, Ba∣•••••• of C••••ragh∣••ore.
• o 1.66

  Now Earl of Tyrone.
• * 1.67

  ••••terford
• p 1.68

  It was once; but now Cork may claim that honour.
• q 1.69

  Its motto was, Intacta manet Waterfordia. But in the course of the Irish rebellion, begun An. 1641. by means of the Popish Clergy, it became exceeding faulty. Now, that the English Inhabitants daily encrease, we may expect it will recover its former reputation.
• * 1.70

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 of ••••terford
• * 1.71

  Seneschal of Ireland
• r 1.72

  See the Statute of Absentees in the County of Caterlogh.
• * 1.73

  Ann. 28. H. 8
• * 1.74

  Conilagh.
• * 1.75

  Knock-Patrick.
• * 1.76

  Knight of the Val∣ly. Qu. El••z. An. 11.
• s 1.77

  Louminagh is the name.
• * 1.78

  Lime••ick, L u¦meagh.
• * 1.79

  Clan-William
• * 1.80

  Baron ••f Cast••e-Cone••.
• t 1.81

  Killmalock.
• u 1.82

  This is now in the County of Cork.
• * 1.83

  Cl••n Gib∣b••n.
• * 1.84

  Emely.
• * 1.85

  Lower-Oss••ry.
• * 1.86

  The County of the holy Cross of Tippe∣rary. The wood of the Cross.
• * 1.87

  Cassil.
• * 1.88

  Clomell.
• * 1.89

  Earl of Ca••rick, Ann•• 9. Edw. 2.
• * 1.90

  Ormon∣dia. Butlers Earls of O••mand••••
• a 1.91

  The heir of this noble family is now Duke of Ormond both in England and Ireland.
• * 1.92

  Anno 2. Ed. 3.
• * 1.93

  Earl f Tippe∣rary.
• 10 1.94

  Sir James.
• 11 1.95

  Sir Thomas.
• 12 1.96

  Without issue male. Sir Pierce, &c.
• * 1.97

  Men turn∣ed into wolves.
• * 1.98

  Presidents of Mun∣ster.