In the county Tipperary Barony of Clanwilliam, according to the Book of Distribution, 155 denominations were confiscated.

Upper Ormond

150

ditto.

In addition, all the Catholic glebe land, which was held for pious uses, was parcelled out in a similar ruthless manner. It amounted to several thousands of acres.

In the county of Clare, in the Baronies of Bunratty, Burren, Clonderalaw, Corcomroe, Ibraken, Inchiquin, Islands, Moyfarta, Tullagh, there were enormous confiscations also under the several baronial denominations. Each denomination averaged some hundreds of acres, and the chief complaint against the ancient possessor was his being an "Irish Papist."

But the soldiers, notwithstanding, were by no means satisfied with the way in which they were treated. Early in 1701, a tract was published in London entitled, "Some considerations upon the Payment of the Arrears due to the Army, and on the Subscription for purchasing Forfeited Estates in Ireland;" which showed that all was not pleasant with the soldiers, or with the adventurers who had advanced their money on the faith of being rewarded by the green acres of Ireland.'

The acres were plantation acres which bear a proportion to English, as 441 is to 264. The value of the goods and chattels (forfeited) were so uncertain, no estimate has been made of them. Debts due by judgment and statute, and a few mortgages due to forfeiting persons restored, amounted to £120,013 13s. 10d. There were yet to be computed 297 houses in the City of Dublin, 36 houses in the City of Cork, with 226 houses situate in the several cities and towns of Ireland; together with 61 mills, 28 fairs and markets, 72 rectories and tithes, chief rents amounting to £283 per annum ; and 6 ferries and fisheries, the forfeitures of persons not restored, value, in gross, £50,000. The woods of the kingdom, then standing on the forfeited estates not restored, particularly on the woods of Sir Valentine Browne, in the county of Kerry, where to the value of £20,000 had been cut down and destroyed; and the waste on the woods of the late Earl of Clancarty's estate, in grant to the Lord Woodstock, was computed at £27,000.2 In 1701 the trustees made a second report to Parliament of their proceedings; and in the year 1703 completed their duties by an auction, as directed, of the estates and interests which had not been previously granted or restored. They im

1 Tract entitled "Some Considerations upon the Payment of the Arrears due to the Army, and on the Subscriptions for Purchasing Forfeited Estates in Ireland." It is written in a bold, free, ungrammatical style, and is evidently the production of a disappointed man.

And, "indeed so hasty have several of the grantees or their agents been in the disposition of the forfeited woods, that vast numbers of trees have been at and sold, for not above 6d. a piece (one cause of the decay and destruction of the woods of Ireland); the like waste is still continuing in many parts of the kingdom, and particularly on the lands of Feltrim, within six miles of Dublin, and the woods of O'Shaughnessy, in the county of Galway, purchased by Toby Butler, Esq., for about £2,500, which was valued at over 12,000."-Report from the Trustees.

mediately after executed deeds of conveyance to the several purchasers. These deeds or transfers are enrolled in the Court of Chancery. By an act passed 33 Geo. III. cap. 42, the forfeited lands unsold vested in the Crown.

In the year 1704, the county of Limerick and county of Cork, were infested by three appropriators of somewhat different character, viz.: three notorious Tories, or Robbers, who carried every enterprise with a high hand; Connor More, O'Sullivan, and Philip Connell. They were, at length, so insufferable in their depredations, that the inhabitants of the various places named, rose against, pursued and beheaded them; and set up their heads at Mallow, Askeaton, and Newcastle west, county Limerick. Henry Widdenham and Richard Stephens wrote to J. Dawson, Esq., secretary, Dublin Castle, informing him of the fact, and praying the persons may receive the rewards, particularly the widow of Laurence Hartnedy who lost his life in the affair.1

To return to the sales, they were chiefly by "public cant;" the highest bidder was declared the purchaser. The sales in the county and city of Limerick, notwithstanding the extent and character of the confiscations, were comparatively few, the particulars of them are given in the note.2 In Tipperary and

1 Thorpe's Catalogue of the Southwell MSS.

2 Lands brought to sale in the county of Limerick :

Roll, 2nd Anne, first part, face.

John Hunt, of Glangoole, Co. Tipperary, gent., 12th June, 1703; consideration, £422 12s. 94d. The lands of Curra alias Curryhouse, 177a. 3r.; barony Kenry, Co. Limerick-the estate of the late King James, subject to a chiefry of 2s. 5d. to the Earl of Kildare. Inrolled 19th June, 1703. Hon. William Fitzmaurice of Gullane, Co. Kerry, Esq., 12th June, 1703; consideration, £5,008. The castle, town, and lands of Gortnetubrid, 245a. 3r. Rosverilane, Moyvane, Ballynelaugy, 396a. 2r. 8p. Killeene, 164a. Rath, 174a. and 32p. Drumcumane, 609a.-in Gortmore, and Coolgorman, 48a.-liberty of commonage on the commons of Clonluske alias Clongish -the mountain of Monymuck and Ballydanniell, 694a. 1r. 16p.-the lands of Clounmore, 429a. 3r. 24p. Total quit-rent, £30 7s. 64d.; barony Connello, Co. Limerick-the estate of Sir John Fitzgerald, attainted. Inrolled 21st June, 1703.

Roll, 2nd Anne, first part, back.

Sir Matthew Deane, knight, 11th May, 1703; consideration, £195 12s. 33d. The lands of Killmacanerly, containing 76a.; barony Connello, Co. Limerick-the estate of the late King James II. Inrolled 10th June, 1703.

Richard Powell of Cloghviller, Co. Limerick, gent., 19th April, 1703; consideration, £901 18s. 94d. The town and lands of Galbuoly, 180a. Tonetire, 74a. 3r. 6p.; barony Clanwilliam, Co. Limerick-the estate of the late King James II. Inrolled 14th June, 1703.

Roll, 2nd Anne, second part, face.

Sir Thomas Southwell, bart., 22nd June, 1703; consideration, £116-in Ardagh, 29a. 32p.; barony Connelloe, Co. Limerick-the estate of the late King James II. Inrolled 30th June, 1703. John Bury of Ballynecarrigy, Co. Limerick, Esq., 22nd April, 1703; consideration, £131. In Dromherbegg, being the moiety thereof, £35-rent, 19s. 9d.; barony Kenry, Co. Limerick-the estate of Sir Drury Wray, attainted. Inrolled 3rd July, 1703.

Said Bury, 30th April, 1703; consideration, £1,087. In Middle Killashara, 61a.—in south Killashara, 34a.—in Graige alias Grange, 40a. Pallice alias Castle Pallice, and Knocktershane, 283a. 1r. 18p.; same barony and county-the estate of the late King James. Inrolled 3rd July,

1703.

Robert Twigg of the city of Lmerick, alderman, 30th April, 1703; consideration, £1,833. The town and lands of Whitestowne, 248a. Scartbally vallisa, 40a. Ballyogarhine, 64a. Carrigmartin, 63a.-Coolecragh, 20a.; barony Clanwilliam, Co. Limerick—the estate of the late King James. Inrolled 3rd July, 1703.

Henry Widdenham of Court, Co. Limerick, Esq., 22nd April, 1703; consideration, £841. The town and lands of Kilgrogan alias Kilrogan, 114a. Kilvocan alias Kilknockan, 136a. lr. Ringaariffe, part of Curry, 19a.-part of Gurteencarrghane, 74a. Lissavarra, 70a.; barony Kenry and Connello, Co Limerick-the estate of the late King James. Inrolled 3rd July, 1703. Roll, 2nd Anne, second part, back.

James Dawson of Ballynecourty, Esq., 18th May, 1803; consideration, £1,161. The town and lands of Carryganoush and Ballynegreenagh, 152a. 1r. 8p.-Cloghkillavarilla alias Cloghkillballyhilly, 100a.; barony Cuonagh, Co. Limerick-the estate of the late King James. Inrolled 5th June, 1703.

Dr. Thomas Smyth, Bishop of Limerick, 13th May, 1703; consideration, £3,589. The town and lands of Lickadoone, 533a. 3r. 2p. Bohirload, 123a. 2r. Ballynafrankey, 102a, and 32p.

Clare, the sales were much larger. Among the purchasers in Tipperary were John Pyke of Woodenstown (or Wodingtowne); John Cooke, Esq. of Kiltinane; Henry Gower of Dublin, gent.; Richard Kellett of Clonmel, gent.; Mathew Jacob of St. Johnstowne, Esq.; James Dawson of Ballinecourty, Esq.; John Perry of Woodruffe, Esq.; Joseph Judkin, county Tipperary, gent.; John Carleton of Knocknanimy, county Tipperary; John White of Cappagh, Esq.; Henry Luther of Dublin, Esq.; Sir John Meade, Bart.; William Baker of Lattin, Esq.; Robert Craige of Dublin, gent.; Richard Lewis of Newcastle; Richard Burgh of Grove, clk.; David Lowe of Knockelly, gent.; Edward Stradford of Belan, county Kildare, Esq.; Joseph Damer of Dublin, Esq.; John Butler of Kilvelighter, gent.; Alexander Montgomery. These lands comprised, principally, portions of the estate of the unfortunate King James, which he too obtained, by means to which we have already adverted. In Clare, the purchasers of lands were John Ivers of Mount Ivers, Esq.; John Cusack of Kilkisheen, Esq.; Hector Vaughan of Knocknemece, King's County, Esq.; Sir Donald O'Brien, Bart. of Dromoland; (the estate of Nicholas Arthur, attainted), the same portions of many other estates; Terence Geoghegan; (the estate of Redmond Magrath, attainted); Thomas St. John of Ballymulcastle, Esq.; (the estate of Daniel Moloney, attainted); Robert Westrop of Bunratty, Esq.; (the estate of David Nihell, attainted); Robert Harrison of Fortfergus, Esq.; (the estate of Donough M'Namara, attainted, by lease from the Earl of Thomond for three lives, at £30 17s. 6d.-Harrison

Lismullaghunebegg, 90a.; barony Clanwilliam, Co. Limerick-the estate of the late King James II. Inrolled 10th July, 1703.

The said Bishop Smith, 8th June, 1703; consideration, £271. The town and lands of Stonetowne alias Farrenshane, 17a. 2r. 8p.; liberties of Limerick-the estate of the late King James Inrolled 10th July, 1709.

Roll, 2nd Anne, third part, face.

George Evans, the younger, of Caherrassy, Co. Limerick, Esq.. 18th June, 1703; consideration, £312 7s. 74d.-in Kilmure, 27a.-rent, 7s. 114d.; barony Clanwilliam, Co. Limerick-the estate of Theobald, late Lord Brittas, attainted-in Ballytownemore, 19a.; barony Poblebrian, same Co.-the estate of the late King James-in Howardstowne, 48a.-rent, 14s. 7d.; barony Small Co., same Co.-the estate of Sir Drury Wray, bart., attainted-one moiety of the lands of Ballyphillip-north liberties of Corke-the estate of Ignatius Goold, attainted. Inrolled 22nd June, 1703.

Abraham Green of Ballynard, Co. Limerick, Esq., 12th June, 1703; consideration, £1,010— the town and lands of Ballynaclogh, 22a. 2r. 24p.-part of Sheadfeakle and Garryglasse, 108a. -Co. City Limerick-the estate of the late King James. Inrolled 22nd June, 1703.

The said Abraham Green, Esq., 12th June, 1703; consideration, £1,488. The town and lands of Ballymacrees, 200a. and 16p. Lebanmucky, 161a. 1r. 8p.; barony Clanwilliam, Co. Limerick -the estate of the late King James. Inrolled 22nd June, 1703.

Roll, 2nd Anne, third part, back.

James Dawson of Ballynecourty, Co. Tipperary, Esq., 7th June, 1703; consideration, £290 In Knockerdon, 57a.; barony Clanwilliam, Co. Limerick-the estate of the late King James Inrolled 22nd June, 1703.

Thomas Stepney of the Grange of Portmarnock, Co. Dublin, Esq., 23rd June, 1703; consideration, £509. The town and land of Brittas, 128a. 1r. 8p.-rent, £2 16s. 104d.; barony Clanwilliam, Co. Limerick-the estate of Theobald, late Lord Brittas, attainted. Inrolled 6th July, 1703.

Abraham Green of Ballynard, Esq., 18th June, 1703; consideration, £321. The hamlets, towns, and lands of Ballyvycoge and Ballymorishroe; barony Connello, Co. Limerick; which weree mortgaged, or otherwise conveyed by Gerrard Fitz-Gerald of Ballynard, Esq., to his brother James Fitz-Gerald, Esq., counsellor at law, for the sum of £150; which, with the interest, amounted to £321; which James is attainted. Inrolled 6th July, 1703.

Edward Cosgrave of Dublin, gent., 22nd May, 1703; consideration, £50. The town and lands of Ballyneety and Kilkeatry, 168a. Graigure, 101a. Ballylyone, 67a. Lislotane, and Ballybrue, 164a. Ballinvolla, 51a.; barony Connello, Co. Limerick. Lismongane, 92a. Gortreagh, 58a.-the fishing were thereto belonging on the river Lawn; barony Mogunnihy, Co. Kerrythe several closes of Knockyne, Clonin, Lisneleenoughtragh and Lackeenivoudrick, 20a.; barony Corkagujny, same Co.the estate of Edward Rice, attainted. Inrolled 4th August, 1703.

obtained "the lands in consideration of £10;" Nathaniel Lucas of Clonmel, Esq., "consideration of £10," all their estates and interests to 100a. in Tullacommon, in Glankeen, 121a; barony Inchiquin, county Clare-demised by Murrough Earl of Inchiquin, for 61 years from 1st May, 1666, at the rent of £5; the interest of which lease afterwards came to Donough McNemarra, attainted. Inrolled 1st November, 1703.

Among the lands brought to the hammer of the state auctioneer, were those which comprised the enormous estates of Daniel O'Brien, Earl of Clare, who lived in Carrigaholt Castle, where his name, cut on a large stone mantelpiece over the fire-place of one of the large rooms of the Castle, may yet be seen. These lands (among other lands) by patent dated 26th February, 1698, were granted to Joost Earl of Albemarle, who, by deeds of lease and release, dated the 9th and 10th of March, 1698, conveyed them to Francis Burton, Nicholas Westby, and James MacDonnell, Esqrs. A catalogue of these lands would occupy some pages of this work: they included among other possessions, the manor, castle, town and lands of Ballykett, with a fair and market, 114a. prof., 604 unprof.-Moyferta, east, with a market, courts leet and baron, 127a. prof., 274 unprof.-Moyferta, west, 1 qr. 226 a. prof., 135a. unprof.-Rathrony, alias Rahony, east, 1 qr. 219a. prof. 94a. unprof. -The manor, castle, town, and lands of Carrigaholty, alias Reinmackaderrigg, qr. 55a.-Kilcordan, 1 qr. 128a. prof., 142a. 2r. unprof. Several thousands of acres not only in Western baronies, but in the barony of Corcumroe, &c. &c. The trustees by this deed received a sum of £10,161: 17: 53. Messrs. Burton, Westby, and M'Donnell, each to hold a third part thereof to him and his heirs-Inrolled 5th June, 1703.

The MacDonnells are mentioned in John Loyd's History of Clare as among the descendants of an ancient Ultonian race, who, in the earlier wars, came down to Connaught, to which province Clare at that period belonged. The three names of Burton, Westby and MacDonnell, exist in Clare at this moment as possessors of the same broad lands which their ancestors thus obtained by purchase in 1703. The name of Daniel O'Brien still lives in the traditional remembrances of the people, as that of one who in his day fought manfully the good fight for Ireland, and sacrificed all he possessed on the altar of his country. There were few more beautiful residences than Carrigaholt Castle. Situated near the estuary of the Shannon, the landscape everywhere was enchanting; it inspired a love for fatherlandit embraced all that was grand and suggestive in Irish scenery. River, mountain, island, ruin, round tower, plain, sea-all grouped within the prospect in magic beauty from the towers of Carrigaholt; and to this hour there is not, perhaps, in any part of the land a lovelier or a bolder panorama than that which is presented to the eye, when one looks over the extensive territory which the illustrious patriot, the great Earl of Clare, claimed as the owner, but which he was destined to forfeit for his loyalty. This Daniel was an active supporter of King James; he raised at Carrigaholt a regiment of horse for his royal master, which from its facings, yellow, were called the Dragúin bujde, or Yellow Dragoons; they went with the garrison of Limerick to France, where they distinguished themselves by glorious feats of arms in many memorable engagements.1

The Castle of Carraig-a-Collta, Carrigaholt, (the Ulsterman's rock*) with_the_entire denomination of West Corcovaskin, Co. Clare, was the property of a branch of the MacMahon

* Shaw Mason's Statistical Survey of Ireland.

In the same year Mr. Vandeleur, the ancestor of Colonel Crofton Moore Vandeleur, M.P. for Clare, purchased the extensive Kilrush estates of the Earl of Thomond; they were not brought to sale by the State auctioneer. Mr. Vandeleur's family had been settled in Kilrush since 1687, when the Rev. John Vandeleur, M.A. a younger son of the Ralahine family, was collated to the prebend of Inniscathrie, alias Kilrush, to the vicarage of Kilferagh, and to the vicarage of Kilballyhone. This Rev. gentleman fought at the battle of Aughrim for William, and was seriously wounded.

The effect of these sales on the population of the several counties in which they took place, was destructive and ruinous. The change from the old proprietors, who, in general, were of the same race and religion as the people, was promptly and painfully perceptible.

As if to allay popular excitement, previous to these events, the statute of 1697, against Popish Bishops, Dignitaries, and Regulars, had been recently repealed; but the full force of a storm which only slumbered for a short season, soon fell on the devoted heads of the Catholics of Limerick. Plots were hatched in which innocent men were involved for crimes which existed only in the wicked imaginations of their unscrupulous persecutors. In 1702, three abandoned ruffians-and the more abandoned, the more acceptable to the authorities of the day-gave information that the Catholics of Limerick had engaged in a conspiracy to raise an army to support the claims of "the Pretender," to the English crown. Three gentlemen of eminence and worth, were summarily arrested on the sworn depositions of these perjured villains; Major Geoffrey Keating, Counsellor Ronan, and Mr. Thomas Arthur, merchant, were literally dragged from their peaceful pursuits, sent off to Dublin, under a strong escort of dragoons, tried, and rather strange to write, acquitted.i There was not a breath of evidence adduced against them; but the accusation and the noise were quite sufficient for the hateful purposes of those who had concocted this accusation against irreproachable citizens merely because they were Catholics.

On the 21st of September, same year, Parliament met, when the Duke of Ormonde, as Lord Lieutenant spoke, and told them that "they should make such other laws as were wanting for the Establishment of the Protestant religion, and the welfare of the kingdom." He also spoke of the necessity of providing such fortifications "as would much conduce to the safety of the kingdom, and particularly at Limerick." The Bill against the growth of Popery was passed into a law. A book called "The Memoirs of King James II." published by Brocas and Malone, in Dublin, was ordered

family till the reign of Queen Elizabeth. A romantic story is told of the manner in which the property went into the possession of Henry O'Brien of Trummera Castle, Co. Clare, the ancestor of Daniel O'Brien, Lord Clare. Henry O'Brien, having proceeded to Carrigaholt, to remonstrate with Teigh Keugh MacMahon, against certain outrages, the families being always on bad terms, was struck with the beauty of MacMahon's daughter, who, in the absence of her father at the opposite side of the Shannon, received O'Brien, when a mutual attachment arose between them. On the return of MacMahon, he treacherously fell on O'Brien and his servants; one of whom was killed. O'Brien, wounded, escaped, and lost no time in presenting himself to Queen Elizabeth, to whom he complained of the conduct of his relative MacMahon, who was at once declared an outlaw, and lost his estate which was granted to O'Brien. It had been agreed between O'Brien and the young lady, that the latter should hoist a black handkerchief on the northern pinnacle of the Castle, should her father arrive, by way of warning. This signal O'Brien neglected to look for; and hence the outrage on him, and the disaster that befel MacMahon in consequence. Henry's son Daniel was knighted; was representative in Parliament for Clare, was a Member of the Supreme Council of Confederate Catholics in 1642, and at the restoration was created Baron Moyarta and Viscount Clare. Daniel was Henry's grandson. See p. 282.

White's MSS.