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By Friar O'Sullivan, of Muckross Abbey.
Edited with Preface and Notes by F. Jarlath Prendergast, O.F.M.

This large article was originally published by the Journal of the Cork Historical and Archeaological Society in 10 pieces and over multiple issues during the years 1898-1900. The article is web published here by permission of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society, Founded 1891.

There have been a great many conjectures as to the author of this History of Kerry, and the time of its composition.  Miss Hickson, in her Kerry Records, first series, p. 14, holds that it was written in 1698, but this is in direct contradiction to the statements of the author, who mentions persons who lived fifty years afterwards, and could not have been alive at that time.  Archdeacon Rowan, who is usually very correct in his dates, says, that it was probably written at the beginning of 1700.  Doctor O'Donovan, however, with his usual instinctive accuracy, states that it was written about the middle of the last century.  All, however, have lost sight of the dates given by the author himself, where he clearly determines the time he was writing.  At p. 51 he says: "America was discovered about 260 years ago."  This would assign the production to 1752; for America was first discovered in 1492.  Again, at p. 55, he tells us: "In the great battle of Clontarf  . . .  where the Danes were totally defeated 720 years ago  . . .  the behaviour of the county Kerry men . . .  deserve notice," etc.  Here he clearly states that it must be written about 1754.  For the battle of Clontarf, according to our Irish chroniclers, cited by Keating, took place in 1034:--

[Our Irish Copy, p.  174.]

"The most renowned Bryan Boiroimhe, Was slain one thousand and thirty-four years." (After the birth of Christ.)   [O'Connor's Tr., I ed., p.  509.]

And, adding 720 years given by our author from that date to his time, we have 1,754 years.  So that we can hold for certain that this History of the "Kingdom" was written a short time after the middle of the last century.  It must, however, be acknowledged, the author, like all our Irish chroniclers, is very inaccurate as to his dates.  He says the O'Donoghues were seven hundred years here before the MacCarthys (p. 2), whereas we know, from the Annals of Innisfallen, the O'Donoghues were not in Kerry as Eachii before the middle of the eleventh century.  In the entry of the year 1603, "Cathal O'Donoghue, king of Eachii (tribe name of the district of Killarney) and Southern Ireland, died."  This is the first time the local annals mention this family.  We have, then, at the year 1110 -- that is, forty-seven years after -- the following entry:-- "Cormac MacCarthy, king of Desmond, driven out by his own Eachii, and he goes to Lismore.  Great devastations afterwards committed."  And, again, at the same year, 1110:-- "McRoderic, with an army, overruns the county of Cork, and carries off the hostages of Munster with Innsulich, the king of Locha-lein, and the two sons of Teig MacCarthy and O'Keeffe, expelled by the Connacians."

At 1175 we find:-- "Charles, the son of Dermot McCarthy, put to death by Cahill and Connor O'Donoghue and the people of Desmond for the murder of McGrath O'Sullivan."  This is the first time the name of O'Sullivan appears in these Annals.  Hence, we are absolutely assured that the O'Donoghues were only forty or fifty years in Kerry before the coming of the MacCarthys and O'Sullivans.  Then we have several persons mentioned in this History who lived in 1750 and many years afterwards.  Father Kent is stated to be President of the Irish College at Louvain at this time.  He was the immediate successor of John and Florence Sullivan, both of whom are honourably referred to in this History.  Father Kent died in 1781, and if he lived in 1698, as President, which is both improbable and impossible, he would have been, at death, at least 120 years old.  But we know from the history of the Irish College that he was President only after the death of Florence O'Sullivan in 1731, and continued so till his own death in 1781.  We have a very interesting letter, written by a Father Cangley from Midleton, county Cork, to Father Kent, in 1750, in which he shows Father Kent to be then a comparatively young man, which he must have been to live for thirty years afterwards as President of a college.  As to its author, we believe, with Archdeacon Rowan, that it was written by a friar of the O'Sullivan sept.  It was assuredly the work of a Franciscan, and of one who lived at St. Antony's, Louvain, as there alone he could have known so many details about the members of his family, who were priests on the Continent, and especially in the Low Countries.  That he was one of the brethren of Muckross, living then in their temporary home in a wild isolated place at the foot of Mangerton, can be easily gathered from the account he has given of the foundation of Muckross Abbey and its restoration.  Here for the first time we see that the O'Sullivans were signal benefactors of the Abbey, especially at its restoration in the year 1616.  No one but a member of the Friary could have known this circumstance; more than a hundred and thirty years afterwards.  It is also very remarkable that he mentions no other monastery or religious house of Kerry, as to its foundation or restoration.  The style is, we are sorry to admit, very un-English, and the idioms are evidently those of one educated on the Continent, and more accustomed to speak Latin or Irish than the English language.  The work, however, is the most authentic document we have of the Catholic and old Irish families of Kerry, especially of the O'Sullivans, in the last century.  It is the more precious as Smith's Kerry, which was written at the same time, only mentions the Cromwellian or Protestant proprietors of the day; for no Catholic, in Kerry, was allowed by the Penal Laws to own an acre, of even leasehold property, in the last century; the Kenmare family alone was excepted (by a special Act of the English Parliament).  We must acknowledge that there are a great number of improbable and marvellous stories given in the topography of this work.  We publish them, not that we believe in such impossible and silly legends, but solely to show how even superior minds can be influenced by the traditions and superstitions of their forbears.  We have, however, very interesting facts regarding the O'Sullivans, the O'Connells, the O'Brennans, the O'Moriartys, and the O'Falveys, for which we would in vain seek anywhere else in our old annals.

We are sure that this History will supply a want very much felt in Kerry by the old families for an authentic Catholic work on the history of the "Kingdom."  We have added some footnotes where the author mentions families or facts of which he has little or no authentic historic knowledge.  We are led to believe that his reading and education were very restricted, as he seems to ignore the most common and well-known works on Ireland before his time.  Thus he never cites Colgan, or Ware, or Usher, or The Book of Rights, or the Topographies of Duggan or O'Heerin, but confines himself to Keating and the few Irish MSS then amongst the people.  He is, nevertheless, an authority on all the contemporary history of his family, and the wars of Cromwell and the Prince of Orange.  We find a more minute description of the cruelties of Cromwell's soldiers in this work than in any other history of Kerry or Ireland.  We see here the story of that dreadful bloodhound by which Colonel Nelson and Captain Barrington tore and mangled the poor people so frightfully, that, ever since, they cry out against anyone guilty of a great act of tyranny or cruelty: "He is as bad as Barrington's bloodhound to us! "

We have also in this History very curious anecdotes about the hospitality of the old inhabitants, and their "Convenienceys for having Spanish wine, and their considerable trading with Spain till America was discovered"; and "that the Spaniards had several colonies and factuaries (sic) in several ports, as in Tralee, Dingle, Valentia, Begganish, Ballycarbry, Ballyskellicks (sic), Dunkieron, Cilemeculogue, Ardgroom (O tempora! O mores! a factory in Ardgroom!) Loghan Begg, Dunbuoi, and Bantry; so that said trading was very considerable, and of great advantage to the aforesaid inhabitants."  In this History we see also that "O'Sullivan Beara had £1,900 a year port charges," a very large sum for our day.  Then we have that very strange story about the O'Connell brothers of Ballycarbery Castle, one of whom lighted his fire and prepared a dinner, with Spanish wine for fuel.  Again, we read that "a gallon of Spanish wine could be purchased for a fresh salmon," when salmon was only 1d. or less per pound; "and a good many gallons for a green hide."  The home life of the gentlemen of Kerry is also very graphically painted, especially their learning and knowledge of the Latin tongue, so that county Kerry cowboys could speak Latin; and he mentions Bishop Connell, "and another learned clergyman of that name," Bishop Moriarty, Bishop Sullivan and Bishop O'Mara, as worthy representatives of Kerry learning and talent.  Then the knowledge of Irish, especially of the old Ogham writing, "in which not only their antiquaries, who had their estates, allowances and several privileges for being well versed in the reading, writing, and understanding thereof with all its requisite abbreviations, and occult manner of writings and characters before letters were invented, said characters were called Ogham Craoive, Ogham Cuill, and Ogham Consini."  This shows that Ogham was known and appreciated in 1750.  He tells us that they were well supplied with beer, ale, and whiskey, the latter, he says, "called uisgebeaha or acqua vitae; as also with honey, mead, and metheglin, etc."

This History, then, is a very valuable and interesting document on the traditions and life of our forefathers four hundred years ago, as well as an authentic account of the state of the Catholic families of Kerry in the middle of the last century, and as such, we are sure, it will be read with pleasure by all those who love their country and the old kingdoms of Kerry and Desmond.

We have carefully reproduced the original in all its quaint old English, changing only the spelling and the punctuation where the words were obsolete, or the etymology misleading, or the sense not clear to the reader.  (Webmaster note: While the editor made some corrections in 1898 when this was published, the prose is still difficult to understand by our 21st century standards, i.e. run-on sentences and awkward grammar.)  The English is evidently of the sixteenth rather than of the eighteenth century, and we have come to the conclusion that it must have been written by a lay member of the community, like O'Clery, the chief compiler of The Four Masters, and not by a priest; for we cannot believe any priest could have written such absurdities as we see in the topographical parts of this History of Kerry.

We have got a beautiful copy of this work in typewriting from Mr. Francis Sheridan, Congested District Office, Dublin, to whom we owe an eternal debt of gratitude for the great trouble and expense he incurred in preparing a very accurate transcript of this most precious MS. from the volume in the Royal Irish Academy.
          THE FRIARY, KILLARNEY, April 28, 1898.

There is one leaf wanting, and was wanting in ye [the] precedent, also in the beginning.¹

As I cannot satisfy myself by any historys which of the Milesians that first inhabited the county of Kerry, or that part thereof called formerly the county of Desmond, the chief town then of said county of Desmond Dunkeron, I shall begin with Liar the son of Fergus McRoige, of the progeny of Ciar McMileadh and Meive Cruachna, queen of Connaught, who came to the county of Kerry about seventeene hundred years ago.  From said Ciar were descended the O'Connors Kerry, and as the Milesians had not till the English conquest the titles of Earls, Viscounts, or Lords, but the chiefe not only of a county but also of a barony or cantread had the titles of either King, Prince, or Triah, signifying king or lord, So that the chiefes of the O'Conors of Kiery had for a vast extent of time the titles of Kings of Kiery.  Their further grandieur I refer to the author of the intended History.²

The next to them of the Milesians that came to the county of Desmond were the two grandsons of the great King of Cashele, Corl McLiagheach, the ancestor of the O'Donoghues and Moriarties, who came to the said county about four hundred years³ after the O'Conors, wch. is aboute 1,300 years ago.

The McCarthys and the O'Sullivans did not come to the sd. [said] county till aboute seven hundred years after the O'Donoghues and Moriarties, which was at the time of ye [the] English conquest, which is about 583 years ago.  The said two noble families of the McCarthys and O'Sullivans,⁴ which are allowed by all the Irish chronicles to be the eldest branch of the Milesians, parted a greate while before they came to the aforesaid county in the two great kings of Cashile, Finine and , who were two bros. [brothers], the said Finine ancestor of the O'Sullivans and Falvy ancestor of the McCarthys from books of genealogies, but not the Munster Book, does not mention that said Finine was the eldest of the two brothers, but they allow that he reigned first, and during his life, which with other instances imply that he was the eldest, and it is so maintained by Doctr. Keating, which his descendants still challenge.  The said Finine and his queen, , were the notablest couple in the Kingdom in theire time for hospitality and generosity, so that the greatest praise that could be given the best of women since for generosity and charity was to compare her to .  Two sons of said Finine reigned in conjunction after their father, for the aforesaid Falvi possessed himself of the sovereignty, upon which a poet composed the rhyme still kept in memory, and to be seen in the books of genealogy, which is as followeth:

However, said Falvi maintained the sovereignty during his life, as did his descendants, and the O'Bryns still form the descendants of said Finine, who were obliged to content themselves with a very considerable estate in the county of Tipperary, etc., and with the titles of Prince of Cluainmele and Triah of Cnockgiovan, where they had their mansion houses, and another at Carrignasiury, from which they were sometimes stiled by some poets in their poems , i.e. the hawk or the river Siure.  The first that was called O'Sullivan was of the descendants of said Finine.  His name was ,⁵ who lived in greate credit in Cluainmele at the time that a much-noted Scotch druide called Luvane, with many poets, druides, and bards waiting on him, came to his house, where they were splendidly entertained for a considerable time, and had many valuable gifts and presents bestowed on them.  As it was then customary with the kings, princes, and noblemen of the Milesians to gratifie such guests greatly, but as the sd. Druide Luvane seemed something out of humour at his parting, the said prayed he may let him know what would please or satisfie him, to which Luvane answered, that nothing else but Eocuig's eye, who was but a single-eyed man.  Eocuig, tho' something surprised on so inhuman a demand, concluded to maintaine his fame by not refusing anything in his power to any making a request for it, got his finger under the inside of his eye and threw it out to the Druide, at which surprizing and dolefull action Eocuig's lady, or consort, as well as his children and family, etc., made such a noise with grievous moans that suddenly came to the hearing of a very pious holy man that frequented (Eocuig's) house, by name Ruan Lorha, who ran with precipitation and great surprize to exam in what happened; who as soon as he was informed kneeled and earnestly prayed to his Master that the pair of faire eyes that Luvane had in his head may be removed to said Eocuig's and serve him during his life, which was granted.  Whereby Eocuig and his descendants had the name Sullivane, the ethimology of it being and proceeding from , i.e. the eyes of Luvane that said Eocuig had by said miracle, and by the prayers of the said holy man Ruan.  And if any person may take this to be a fable, or fixtion, if he is pleased to read the books of Genealogys he'll thereby find sufficient authority to the contrary, and it is besides maintained by several poems as --

And if any person should admire at this miracle if he was pleased to read the Irish Chronicles, or the Munster Book, he would meet with many relations or miracles as great and as surprising as this that happened, and were granted, on the prayers of Saints before and after this time in Ireland, which then was called Insula Doctorum et Sanctorum, as the miracle that happened at the convocation or parliament of Dromcat where (Aoadh McAmmire), then monarch of Ireland, intended to levy a tribute before due to the monarchs of Ireland, of Scotland, to put Scanlane, King of Ossory to death, and to banish the poets which came to Collum Cillys, i.e., St. Collumbe's hearing who was of the progeny of ye great monarch Nial of the Nine Hostages, and then Abbott of the Isle of Skey in Scotland.  Whereupon he came and made a request of said monarch and parliament to forgive said tribute, to spare the said King of Ossory's life, and to be indulgent to the poets; the latter was granted him, but he was refused for the two former, on which he told the monarch that his Master would not refuse him, which fell out to be true, as the said tribute was never after received of Scotland, and as the said King of Ossory was redeemed that same night.⁶

A miracle, or rather more than one, granted on the prayers of St. Lawrence O'Toole, Bishop of Gleandaloch, by restoring to life some persons that dy'd without the benefit of the clergy 'till they had sufficient time for preparing themselves, and having said benefit.⁷  Another miracle, granted on the fasting and praying of Beanane, Bishop of Leahmogha, of the progeny of Bugeniz Magnus, by restoring to life and health the son of Dirmd. McFeargus, Monarch of Ireland, who was put to death by the orders of his father, out of pure zeal and respect to the church, on some complaint made by a poore nun, and many more miracles too tedious to be inserted.⁸

The aforesaid Eocuig McMaoilivra, the first that was called O'Sullivane, and his offspring, had still great veneration for the aforesaid holy man, Ruan, who was likewise during his life very mindfull of his mementoes and prayers for their prosperity, and at the time of his death left them, along with his blessing, some small tokens of his, of which was a bell of small seiz which made a stupendous sound, which was still kept in memory of that holy man, and of the aforesaid miracles, as one of the monuments in O'Sullivane More's house.

As I cannot give a compleat account of all the branches that came out of the houses of the several O'Sullivanes, from the said Eocuig to the O'Sullivane that lost his estate by the English conquest, I shall now only speak of the notablest branch, which was the noble family of the Earls of Sutherland, decended from a son of O'Sullivane that went abroad, which was still known to this great family.  As for some other branches that came out of said houses, I shall speak of them in the following discourse.

It was still observed that the descendants of the aforesaid Eocuig, who bestowed his eye, were generally generous, especially every O'Sullivane More, and O'Sullivane Beara.  Witnessed by many poems composed fur them, of which is the poem , etc.⁹

The O'Sullivane that lost his estate in the county of Tipperary, etc., by the English conquest, was Daniel More Carrigifienavy.  The place from which he had that title was in Carrebry, where he had first fixed.  He had ten strong, active, courageous sons, who had each of them a party of effective armed men to waite on him, and at all occasions under his command, so that they were greatly envy'd and dreaded, and thereupon invited, as so pretended, to a greate entertainment to a place near Cork, called Lishlifionaguil, which was so well prepaired for them that the said Daniel More with eight of his said sons were there murdered.  The two that escaped the fury of that horrid stratagem, by having some charitable notice given them at approaching said place, were two sons of Daniel More, called Giollamiuodah and Giollanavaane, who retreated back to the said Carrigfionavy, where some of their relations, friends, and followers remained, who marched along with them to the county of Desmond, then chiefly occupied and governed by the aforesaid familys of the O'Donoghues and Moriartys.¹⁰  The O'Donoghues enjoyed the considerable estate called Enacty O'Donoghue, and the Moriarties that great part of the county of Desmond from the hill southward of Bantry town, called Cnocknaviagh, to the river Lean, and part of the barony of Maring Maine, westward of said Enacty O'Donoghue to Castlemaine and Castledromin.  These two families built some castles, and the most of the churches in said county.  The O'Donoghues are a family still of.good note for hospitality, manhood, and education.  The Mansion House of O'Donoghue More was Ross Castle, till he forfeited his estate in Queen Elizabeth's time; O'Donoghue of the Glin maintained his estate till Cromwell's, his mansion houses, Tiraha Castle and Inlagha.  The Moriartys¹¹ were a family of good note for hospitality; of them was the much-noted in that qualification, and of said family was the late learned¹² Bishop of Moriarty.  The mansion houses of said family were Ardea and Castledromond.

This family, dreading incursions from the English conquest, or from some other powers that lost their estates by said conquest, resigned and made over without any disputes or blows, unto the aforesaid Giollamoeada and Giollanavlan the major part of the county of Desmond, which was from the aforesaid Cnocknaviagh neare Bantry to the River Leane, reserving for McCarthy who came to said county about that time, along with the part of the Barrony of Maguinshytha, resigned to him the estates in that barrony of Iveragha called Clandanicline, Letir, afterwards called Letirmiccrohan; Curane in the Barrony of Dunbicrane; Ictercuagh in Glanarogh; Ardtuily, Neddeen and Killone, etc., in Bearhaven, Clandiarmida and Bunane in Bantry, Clandaniclroi of what was resigned to Giollamucodah and Giollanavlan as aforesaid.  They made a division of the Barrony of Iveranagh (the aforesaid estates of McCarthy excepted), the intire barrony of Dunkiorane almost, and four plough lands in the half barrony of Glanarogh to Giollamucoda, then called O'Sullivane More.  The most part of the half barrony of Glanarogh, the barrony of Beara, and Bantry (the aforesaid estates, reserved to McCarthy excepted) to Giollanavlan, then called O'Sullivane Beara.

Note that this county called Beara or Bere Haven derived that name from Beara, daughter of one of the kings of Spain, wife of Eugenius Magnus, king of Munster, or rather Leah Mogha -- that is, a moiety of Ireland southward of Dublin and Galway, and ancestor to all the notable families of Heber Flon's race.  As said Beara landed in this country on her coming from Spain, the aforesaid O'Sullivane More and O'Sullivane Beara, at making the aforesaid division, conferred with mutual consent on a young man, a near relation of theirs, who came along with them, by name Docalain McCearaviulaluin, eight ploughlands in Glanarogh, called Clanlocluin, and this family are distinguished from the other families by being called the family of Clonlocluin, who were generally of good note for hospitality.  All the four branches of the collateral cousins of the aforesaid O'Sullivan More and O'Sullivan Beara that came along with them to the county of Desmond had no estate there conferred on them, but large and beneficial farms, with some tokens of rents.  They are the family that the most part of them called themselves Sughrues.  Of them were formerly some persons of good note for sence and hospitality.  Likewise the family of Slicot, i.e. the descendants of Hugh.  They were a family of good note for generosity; the chiefest of note now of them are several good and learned clergymen at home and abroad, and some few living in the station of private gentlemen.  The family called Sliochruic Crah Roe, i.e. the descendants of Macarag of the red haire, which were formerly of note for manhood, and a good many of late for learning, of which are good clergymen, some at home and some in France.  Of this family was a learned and very much noted Doctr. Owen Sullivan, late Bishop of Ardfert and Accadeo.  The familys with large estates out of O'Sullivan More's house in the aforesaid county of Desmond, are as followeth: -

1st.  The aforesaid Giollamucoda, O'Sullivan More gave his grandson by name Giollamucodda.

The ancestor of the Macguillycoddys had near upon the third part of the aforesaid estate.¹³  I refer to O'Sullivan's records if there was any chief rent due of said family as was of all the other familys that had afterwards their estates out of his house, some more and some less, I refer to said records.  But that McGiollacoddy was formerly under an obligation to furnish O'Sullivan with 700 effective men on all occasions, offensive or defensive.  This family are still of good note for generosity and manhood.  They built the castle called Castleanaucurig, near the river Leane, which was their mansion house, as also was Coarkabegg.  Of this family was the brave Brigadier Daniel McGiollacoddy, much noted for courage and conduct, killed at Athlone in King James the 2nd's war, and several other brave officers of inferior ranks, who behaved well at Aughrim, etc., where many of them were lost.  The most of the said family, till Cromwell's time, called themselves Sullivans, but the head of the family still called themselves McGiollacoddy.  Since that time most of them called themselves McGiollacoddy, but such as goes abroad, as the Revd. and learned Dr. Florence O'Sullivan,¹⁴ who made some few foundations in the Irish College of Lovaine, when their president, and predecessor to the present Dr. Kent.  The said Dr. O'Sullivan was otherwise called and known by the name of Finine an Duna, a name his family got, as their ancestor that first got that name was born at Dunkieron.  Of this family is Dr. Dermod O'Sullivan, Professor of Physick, lately in Ostend, now in Bruges, under Lieutenant fflorence O'Sullivan of Collonell Rut's regiment.

2ndly.  The family Cumurhagh, otherwise called the family MacMuirrihirtigg, who had twenty-and-one ploughlands.  They were formerly a family of good note for hospitality, their mansion house was Colah; the chiefest now of whose note of them are some few good clergyman.

3rdly.  The family of Glanbegh who had sixteen ploughlands, their mansion-house Glenbegh.  They were for a long time of good note, but now extinct.

4thly.  The family Caneach and Glanareane who had sixteen ploughlands and a half, and were divided into two branches, that is, Cliocht Philip and Clioct Murirtig, i.e., the descendants of Philip, and the descendants of Mortagh.  Their mansion-houses were at Caneagh and Glanarcane.  They were a family of good note for education and manhood.  Of the branch of said Caneagh was the learned and pious Provincial of the Franciscan Order, who suffered martyrdom in the island of Scariff in the west of county of Kerry, in Cromwell's time.¹⁵  And of said family was an officer of good note for great courage and admirable strength, concerned in Sarsfield's Horse, and distinguished himself greatly at the breach of the Boyne, where he received such mortal wounds, of which he dyed the same night after said breach.  Of said two branches are now some good clergymen, and some few that live in the station of private gentlemen, some in the county of Kerry and some near Dublin.

5thly.  The family of Culemagort.  I refer to O'Sullivan More's records,¹⁶ what other denominations besides the two plou[gh] lands of said Culemagort this family had, but that said Culemagort, near Dunloe, was their mansion-house.  They were a family generally noted for good sense and education.  Of them was a young man who happened to be acquainted with one of the Lord Kingstones, who discovered said qualification in him, and thereby made him his agent and receiver, and afterwards having further tryal of his capacity entrusted him with most of the management of his estate, and conferred beneficial farms on him, whereby he and his son and grand-children lived happily; and by their alliance with good families a considerable spot of an estate in Carbry came into their family, but one of them that ventured too much att sea and mett with a considerable disappointment was obliged to encumber said estate; his family, which is now the eldest branch of the aforesaid Culemagort, to distinguish them from other familys, and for the good esteem they were in with the said Lord Kingstones, were generally called Messrs. John, Daniel, and Francis Sullivan Kingstones, instead of calling them from their aforesaid mansion house, as other familys of their name were called from their ancient houses, or some other places they were concerned or engaged in.  Of the aforesaid family is the worshipful Francis Sullivan, Doctor of Laws, and one of the Seniors of the College of Dublin, and Barrister-at-Law.

There was another branch of the aforesaid family of Culemagort¹⁷ that had a small spot of said estate.  The persons of chiefest note that I knew of them are a good clergyman and physitian, in Cean [Cayen], in Normandy; another clergyman in Desmond, in the county of Kerry.  As there was a third branch of this family that had none of the aforesaid estate that I could understand, they generally went abroad to other countries, and of them is a gentleman of good note in France, as far as I could find from some persons that pretended to know that he was of this branch, but as I hear of late that a family of O'Sullivan Bears challenges him to be of theirs, I refer this dispute to be decided by O'Sullivan More, to whom it must be best known; but as this gentleman of note was son of McDermod O'Sullivan that lived formerly in Tralee, and with whom I was acquainted, but so remiss as not to-inquire of what family he was of, I have no more to say than that the said McDermod O'Sullivan and his father, Mr. John Sullivan, were gentlemen of honesty, manners and education, and ally'd of good familys.¹⁸

6thly.  The family of Capancoss, otherwise called Sliocht Macrah,¹⁹ i.e., the descendants of Macrah, i.e., Macarius, brother of Rury Donn, i.e., Redoricus of the fair hair. -- O'Sullivan More, in the book of genealogy, mentions that said Macrah was O'Sullivan More during his life, and says no more of being the eldest of the two O'Sullivans, but that his descendants challenge it.  The son of said Macarius, Daniel, was obliged, when his uncle, the said Redorrick of the fair hair, came in to be O'Sullivan More, to content himself with twenty plough lands, that is, eight in the parish of Templenoe, and twelve in Ballybog.  The estate generally called the estate of Capancoss,²⁰ the mansion house of said family, which were very populous; there were four branches of said family that had their estates out of said house, that is, the family of Caparoe, the family of Lakeen, the family of Driminus, and the family of Grienane; but all notwithstanding call themselves the family of Capancoss, from which house they had their estates, as aforesaid.

This family for a time were of good note for generosity and education, and as the estate was but small, and the family populous, as aforesaid, many of them went abroad and to other parts of the kingdom, some before Queen Elizabeth's time, as the family settling att Cleangluish, of which were, not long ago, several good clergymen, but now I cannot give an account of any of them to be of any great note.

There was another family of them that settled in Ulster about that time, and made an acquisition there, and of them or of their station or circumstance I cannot now give an account.

Another family, in Leinster, of whom there were some persons of note about thirty years ago, but could not learn in what station they or their descendants were now.  It was remarked that after these familys and others that went abroad, that, in Cromwell's war, when Daniel O'Sullivan More raised a regiment for King Charles, that there were one hundred and forty young and beardless men reckoned at a day of review in said regiment all of the aforesaid family of Capanacross, and not one of them married but Captain Owen O'Sullivan of said regiment, head of said family; and such of them as were not lost in said service some went abroad, and some to the other parts of the kingdom, as Mr. John O'Sullivan, who went to study to Lovain, and attained afterwards to be President of the Irish College there, and made some foundations there, the benefit whereof some of said family lately had, as the Revd. Mr. Cornelius Sullivan, a person of good note for behaviour and learning, and now chaplain in Collonell Buckley's regiment, and another of said family, together with another good clergyman of the name, enjoys at present the benefit of said foundations.  The said Dr. John O'Sullivan that made said foundations was predecessor of the aforesaid Dr. Florence O'Sullivan²¹ of McGiollacuddy's family, and was called by another name in fflanders, which was Johannes Acutus.

And three brothers of said family, and of that branch of Grienane, Daniel, Owen, and Timothy, went to Dublin, the latter named from the London tavern,²² as was a nephew of his that succeeded him in the same; the former had a son who was Councile-at-Law, and died in London, and a daughter on whom he bestowed a considerable fortune to Counselr. Rayns [Ryan], of Cashill, of whose issue I can give no account, or of the descendents of the aforesaid Messrs. Daniel and Owen Sullivan, as the most of them went abroad, but of Mr. Daniel Sullivan, the notable, is now in Dublin, who is the eldest that I can understand now alive of that branch of the aforesaid Grienane of the family of Cappanacoss.  The aforesaid Daniel has many good relations in and about Dublin, by his grand-aunts and by the daughters of his grand-uncle.  The aforesaid Mr. Owen, whereof is Captain Mercer and other gentlemen in good stations, whereof is the Revd. Mr. Brenan, Jesuit, and the merchant and surgeon, brothers to the late lerned Dr. James Brenan (decd.).

Another family that went abroad at said time of Cromwell's war, and settled in the west of England, and changed their name from Sullivans to Silvers, of whom I have seen not account since the year 1691.  Another family that settled in Cork and Bandon, which were in good stations for a time, but now almost extict, or at least, in no great stations.

7thly.  The family of Capiganine.  I refer to O'Sullivan More's records.  What other denominations they had besides the said Capiganine and Tullig Capiganine, their mansion house.  They were a family of good note for generosity and other good qualifications, but were not populous, and none of them now of greater note than some few that live in the station of private gentlemen.

8thly.  The family of Formoyl²³ and Ballycarna, likewise referred to in said record; what other denominations they had besides the four plough lands of said Formoyl and the four plough lands of said Ballycarna.  They built the castle of Formoyl, and began the castle of Ballycarna, a little before Cromwell's time, which they did not finish.  They were a family of good note for generosity, manhood, and education.  Of the family of Formoyl was the courageous Captain Owen O'Sullivan, who was wounded and disabled at the skirmish of Ballinskellig, of which there will be a further account given in the following discourse, speaking of Cromwell's wars.  Daniel Garane O'Sullivan, of the branch of Ballycarna, was an officer of good note in said wars, and afterwards in France, and was eminent for learning and poetry.

Of this family of Ballycarna²⁴ was a young man that went abroad in the late Queen Anne's wars to South America, where he fixed himself in the town of Potosi, in Peru, where he acquired great riches, of which he made a remittance to his friends of seven hundred pounds, and at another time a remittance of fifteen hundred pounds, and intended, as he wrote, to put in very considerable sums into some banks in Europe, but was taken short, as he died before he accomplished his intent, and it is not known to whom he has left his last will, or nominated his executors; but it is expected that a worth clergyman, the Revd. Dr. Mortough O'Sullivan, who lately came from said country of South America to Cadiz, in Spain, can give an account hereof.

9thly.  The family of Ballyvicgullanavlaun, otherwise called the family of Cumenururevart, meaning a man of most generous actions, a family extinct.

The grandson of the aforesaid Redoricus of the fair hair, O'Sullivan More, built Dunkieron castle,²⁵ as did, very soon after, the grandson of the aforesaid Macarius, who was likewise O'Sullivan More during his life, as aforesaid.  The castle of Cappanacoss and Templenoe church, having that name, it being the last that was built in the aforesaid county of Desmond, and bestowed a glebe on said church, whereby the descendants of said grandson of Macarius, by name Cor, son to Daniel McCrah, who lost the title, etc., of O'Sullivan More, said Cor and his offsprings, for two or three generations, had the choosing of a clergyman in the parish of said Templenoe, but as their offspring neglected having this privilege recorded in Rome, it was forgot by the ancient clergymen and superiors as knew the nature of the case, who had still regard for the vote and commendation of the chiefest or eldest of the family of Cappanacoss in such cases.  These two castles of Dunkieron and Cappanacoss, which were built about three hundred years ago, were burnt by Lord Musgry, in Cromwell's time, to prevent their being made garrisons for said Cromwell's party.

It was still remarkable that every O'Sullivan More of the descendants of the aforesaid Redoricus of the fair hair was either endowed with manhood, great sence, or education, or great generosity,²⁶ and most of said qualifications concurring in most of them besides the hereditary qualifications in all the family of being noted horsemen, proved in the famous Owen Roe, father to the present O'Sullivan, who was the most noted of his rank in the kingdom therein.  Yet, for brevity's sake, I shall speak but of a few of them, and I shall begin with O'Sullivan called Donall na Scraddy, who proved to be a man of great courage and conduct, and particularly in a day of battle, where he was commander not only of his own army, but also of the McCarthy More's, who were often put into disorder, and as often brought to their proper ranks, not only by his activity, but also by his continual shouting and vehement . . screeching, sometimes crying out victory in a time of greatest desperacy, whereby he obtained the day, and got himself the name of Danll. na Scraddy.  Owen O'Sullivan More, who was married to Calia McCarthy, the couple who built the court at Dunkieron; the said Owen, always much noted for great sense and foresight, particularly proved in him when the greatest warrior, Owen Roe O'Neill, sent a courier from Ulster to him, the said Owen O'Sullivan More, Florence McCarthy More, and Daniel Caum O'Sullivan Bear, to meet him at a certain place in Munster, which they observed.  The said Owen Roe O'Neill at said meeting earnestly invited them to joyn him in opposition to the Queen, alleging that he had good strong allies in the kingdom, and great promise of considerable supplies from abroad, to which said Florence McCarthy More and Daniel Caum O'Sullivan Bear agreed.

But the said Owen O'Sullivan More not only refused to joyn them, but also absoutely told them their undertaking would prove in vain, that their allies at home were not sufficient, and may be disappointed in their expected succours from abroad, whereupon he was made captive by the said Owen Roe O'Neill,²⁷ and, by some histories, taken to Ulster; but as I had it from ancient knowing (clever) people, his being taken to Ulster is an error, and as said histories erroneously mentions that the said Daniel Caum was the son of O'Sullivan More, as undoubted he was not, but the con of O'Sullivan Bear,²⁸ called Donall Cnocanti, and the Earl of Tuamond's daughter, but was Owen O'Sullivan More's son-in-law, married to one of his daughters, Helena.  The said Owen O'Sullivan More did not join in this enterprise, and at last dissuaded the said Florence McCarthy More (who was his brother-in-law) from being concerned, which saved him, the said Florence McCarthy, his estate; but all his persuasions could not prevail with Daniel Caum from joining in that undertaking.

There is a history of said Daniel Caum's great courage, conduct, and brave actions in the war that ensued, and I doubt not but one of the said histories may be met with in O'Sullivan More's library; if not, here is one passage not to be omitted: "As the Earl of Tuamond, uncle to the said Daniel Caum, and General to the Queen, could not bring his said nephew to submit, ordered an invasion by sea, which demoralised Dunbaoi, one of said Daniel Caum's mansion houses, which the said Daniel resent so much as to march with his small army, mostly by night, to the county of Clare, where he was revenged at Bunratti, one of said Earl's seats.²⁹  The said Daniel's retreat from said county and his conduct was remarkable, being pursued by a much superior army till he came to the river Shannon, where he found all the boats secured and taken up from him, upon which he encamped in the woods and copices on the banks of said river, where he found himself surrounded by the enemy at the approach of night, upon which he ordered sufficient lamps and lights in the boughs of trees as meaning that he intended maintaining said camp and giving battle next day.  In the interim, employed all his men in making hobbles or kishes in the shape of small boats, or cotts, and got all the horses in his small camp killed, and said hobbles covered with their skins, which machines were then and at other times called Corocain, or Naovoge, by which he got all his men but very fiew safe over said river to the great suprise of his enemy; but after this and all his other brave actions, was obliged to go to Spain, where he had the creation of Count of Bearha, and a considerable pension, conferred on him and his heirs.  He lived to a great age, with the character of pious and religious man, in Madrid, where he was at last murdered by one Jho. Batts, an Englishman, who served him in the nature of a servant for about twelve months, and was supposed to bem employed by a certain power in what he performed.  Said Daniel Caum's estates were forfeited, but as his uncle, Sir Owen O'Sullivan, was married to Barry More's daughter and one of Sir Owen's daughters, Calia,³⁰ married to the first of the noble family of Browns that came to the kingdom, and had great estates in the county of Kerry and Desmond conferred on him, the said Sir Owen, by the interest of the said noble families, had the estate of Daniel Caum granted to him.  It was the said Sir Owen that dismembered ye county of Kerry and Desmond to the barony of Bear and Bantry, and joined them to the county of Cork for some reasons, particularly as the leading men of said counties would not grant him the conveniencys of Assizes and Sessions in Killarney.

As I am not exact of O'Sullivan Bear's estate, or of the families that had their estates out of his houses, I shall speak but of few.  The offsprings of Daniel Caum are extinct; of Sir Owen's descendants were the late Count of Berehaven, and his brother, Collonel Owen, etc., in Spain.

Mac Finine duv, before said Sir Owen's time, had his estate of near third part to O'Sullivan Bear's.

This family was of good note for generosity and manhood, the chief of 'em is much spoken of for his behaviour along with said Daniel Caum, being the only man he confided in time of most desperacy and emergency.

The family of Ardea, the first of them by name Philip, was brother to the O'Sullivan Bear, called Donall Cnocanty, and to the said Sir Owen, and had but thirteen and a half plough lands, but had, in addition, £300 more per annum, and the yearly tribute of £1,900 that was due to O'Sullivan Bear of the Spaniards at the time of their great trading with the west of Ireland, for anchorage, port charges, and other privileges in ye port of Dunbaoi; the agreements with the Spaniards for such yearly tribute to be seen with the family of Ardea, under hands and seals.  They were a family of good note for generosity and hospitality, but had the estate of said Bunane conferred on 'em by McCarthy More by observing well to him.  To return to the aforesaid O'Sullivan More, who, by his conduct and foresight in not joining the aforesaid Owen Roe O'Neill, maintained his estate for himself and posterity for two or three generations, and for the other families that had their estates out of his and his ancestor's house; he lived in great prosperity during his life.  Daniel O'Sullivan More, the said Owen's son, married to Joan Fitzmaurice, daughter to Lord Kiery, as well called McMaurice Kiery.  The grandeur of this renowned family referred to the author of the intended history, to whom it must be well known.

The said Daniel O'Sullivan More³¹ had four sons by the said Joan Fitzmaurice, viz., Owen O'Sullivan More, the two Collonells, Philip and Dermod, of great repute both at home and abroad, and Daniel Oge O'Sullivan.  The said Daniel O'Sullivan More and Joan Fitzmaurice maintained and enjoyed their estates and lived happily during their lives, as did their son, Owen O'Sullivan More, married to Mary Fitzgerald, daughter to the much esteemed Edmond Fitzgerald, of Balimulno, of the same family with the great Earls of Desmond and Kildare.  The said Edmond Fitzgerald had two other of his daughters, sisters to the said Mary Fitzgerald, one of them married to the Earl of Inchiquin, the other to Lord Kiery, nephew of the aforesaid Joan Fitzmaurice.

Daniel O'Sullivan More, son to the said Owen O'Sullivan More and said Mary Fitzgerald, was married to Ellinor Brown, of the noble family of the Lords Kinmare, a family very much noted for generosity and forwardness to serve their country; their alliance was great with some of the Milesian princes and with the renowned family fo the Butlers and Fitzgeralds and other of the English conquest.

The said Daniel O'Sullivan More and Ellinor Brown enjoyed their estate but for a short time, as the said Daniel O'Sullivan More joined Daniel McCarthy, Terence O'Brien, and the aforesaid two Collonells, uncles to the said O'Sullivan More, and in opposition to Oliver Cromwell.

The first action (as far as I could learn) that they were engaged in was at Dromcassaragh, where they were defeated, though behaving courageously, where one of the said collonells, I know not which, distinguished himself greatly, verified by a heroick verse composed by a county Kerry poet in praise of said colonell, and arguing with a North country poet, who composed a very lofty verse a great while before in favour of ye aforesaid Owen Roe O'Neill; the said verse is as followeth:--

The North Country Poet.

The County of Kerry Poet.

The North country poet, in said rhyme, speaking of Ireland, says that the said Owen Roe O'Neill was the hand and thumb thereof.  A county Kerry poet in his verse arguing that the hand should have been divided, and half thereof to be given to Colonell O'Sullivan, as so deserving in said battle of Dromcassaragh.

The next action was at Cnock na Noss, where the Irish, after a resolute dispute, were defeated, after which several treaties of peace, which did not hitt; on which Cnoc na Clarsi, by mutual consent of both parties, was fixed for the field of battle, and though a passage that happened the night before said battle is not altogether pertinent to the purpose, yet I shall set forth it, as the Earl of Inchiquin,³² who was general of Cromwell's party, hearing of a wizard, or a man inspired with the spirit of prophecy, to live in the neighbourhood, sent for him, and desired to have his sentiments who would be next day defeated, on which the said man was much daunted, which the Earl observed, and desired him to declare his thoughts and that he should not be in the least molested, on which the man told him by what he could prophecy that the Irishman would maintain the field with credit, and the Englishman totally defeated.

The Earl answered he was right, as he himself was the Irishman, and O'Brien a Milesian, and Count Tafe, general of the Irish party, an Englishman by extraction, which happened as the Earl interpreted; as the Count, with his party, after a desperate bloody dispute, were defeated.  Soon after said battle, the aforesaid Daniel McCarthy, Terence O'Brien, and many more, submitted to much more moderate conditions than they could have before, but Daniel O'Sullivan More, who here lost a good many of his regiment and name, marched to that part of the county of Kerry, the baronies of Iverahegh, Dunkieron, and Clanarough, expecting by the bad passes and roads thereto leading that he could maintain said districts till further supplied or relieved; by this time, the aforesaid two collonells, uncles to the said O'Sullivan More, seeing no further prospect of success, declined that service, and went to France.  Soon after this the said Earl of Inchiquin, having a concern and tenderness for the said O'Sullivan, sent to him earnestly desiring and advising he may submit, and that the said Earl would use his best interest with the Government to get him good conditions.

O'Sullivan, after returning his lordship thanks for his inclination, told them if he had his estate and such of his country as were concerned along with him granted him, and them, that he would then submit, but not otherwise.  The said Earl made a report thereof to the Government, who, instead of approving of that proposal, gave direction to invade said districts, both by sea and land, in order to bring the said O'Sullivan to submission.³³  To this intent a strong party of effective men were embarked aboard three or four ships from Tralee Bay.

O'Sullivan by this time had his small army at Clanbegh, where he was late in an afternoon apprised that said ships, with a fair wind, were making sail towards Skeliks.  He thereupon immediately divided his party in two, one, headed by himself, towards the harbours of Snime and Poulnanuragh, the other, being four companies, by Captain Owen O'Sullivan, of the family of the aforesaid Formoyl, an experienced officer and commandant of said regiment, towards Ballinskeliks; but said ships came to anchor at said harbour early that night, and sent out three companies of about 160 men, who surprised most of the inhabitants of that neighbourhood before day, and took all the booty, and drove all the cattle they could there meet with to the banks of said harbour, at which time Captain Owen O'Sullivan with his party arrived near said place, and finding the situation of the English, who were then after turning the captives they had since the night before, and preparing to take the said booty and cattle, he of his companies made four parties, ordered Captain John Brenan with his company to take the opportunity of a small valley eastwards of said Ballinskeligs³⁴, and to attack the enemy at the time he would see him, the said Captain, and engage.  He likewise ordered another company, under the command of one Lieutenant McSweeney, by another valley westwards of said Ballinskeligs, with the like directions.  He himself, with a young captain a namesake of his, the head of the family of Capanacossy, with their two companies, marched towards the English, who sounded their trumpets with other acclamations of joy for seeing them approach; yet they took the advantage of fixing themselves on a low ditch,³⁵ surrounding a small field, on the brink of the sea and strand, which the said commandant observed, who ordered what small firearms he had in the front of his party, and to be discharged as soon as well within musket shot to the enemy, and not to wait for charging again, or withstand the second firing from the English, but to engage with pikes and broadswords.  The Irish made the first firing, which took no greater effect than wounding some few; the English had the patience not to fire till the Irish came nearer than musket shot to them, but then made such smart and regular firing as had the execution of killing six or seven of the Irish, whereof was the young captain ensign, a cousin-german of his, by name Der. Sullivan, and as many or more than that number wounded, whereof was the captain commandant, who was shot in the thigh, and fell to the ground, which when the other captain, his aforesaid namesake, saw, he made a motion of stepping to him in order to assist or help him, which the courageous and experienced commandant observed, cried out loudly, desiring the young captain to go on speedily with the men, as nothing else had happened him but the button of his breeches weast (sic) to fall out, and that he would immediately be at his heels, which commands the young captain observed by pushing into the ditch, from whence he dislodged the English, where they lost in a short dispute two or three men, but then withdrew in good order towards the strand very near them, the rere fighting while the front were charging in order to relieve them.  In this retreat they lost four or five men; but at their coming to the strand the aforesaid Captain Brenan there appeared, who attacked them furiously, as did the pursuers, so that a most resolute and bloody fight ensued, considering the companies on each side, as the aforesaid Lieutenant McSweeney did not come up till the action was over, which was soon, as the English had not time to make use of their firearms otherwise but to fight with their muskets and bayonets, and the Irish with pikes and broadswords, on which they were both active and expert, so that everyone of the three English companies were either killed³⁶ or desperately wounded to a few that begged for their lives, Captain Edward Voclier only excepted, who fought with admirable courage while he had any to stand along with him; but at last, after receiving ten wounds, which did not prove mortal, ran into the sea and swam till met with boats coming (too late) with some reinforcements who took him on board, where he behaved like a soldier and a man of honor, as some of the English party that remained there, as well as the crews, intended to hang the captives that they had since the night before out of the masts, which he hindered declaring that he and his party met with their wished-for enemies, from whom they had fair play, and that innocent people should not suffer on that account, and so enlarged them, and had his wounded and few prisoners returned to him.

The Irish had about thirty men killed in this action, and something more than that number wounded, whereof was the aforesaid courageous commandant much lamented by his party, and as not being able to serve afterwards.  The aforesaid field and strand ever since goes by the names of the English garden and the English strand.

The Government having an account of this action, a forth was erected in the island of Valentia in Iverahegh, and another at Nedeen³⁷ in Glanarough, which were furnished with strong English garrisons, etc., in order to suppress the said O'Sullivan, etc.

Meantime the aforesaid Earl of Inchiquin, as also Lord Kiery and other true friends to O'Sullivan, used their interest and best offices for peace and conditions for him, and thereby a cessation of arms was agreed upon, so that no hostilities were committed by either side for the term of about three years; but many overtures, treaties, and meetings for peace, which at last proved abortive, as O'Sullivan had no other offers made him but some thousand acres, to which he would not agree, or for anything less than his estates and his adherents, instead of which the governor of the country had strict orders to take all opportunities for invading his small districts, on which Captain Gibbons, Governor of Nedeen, furnished himself as private as possible with many boats, and embarked with a party of about two hundred men from said Nedeen.  O'Sullivan being advised hereof where he had his small party near the aforesaid Glanbech, divided 'em into three divisions, one whereof, headed by himself, towards Ballyanshellicks, another by an experienced officer towards Sneem, and three companies by Captain Owen O'Sullivan of Cappancoss, and Captain Brenan,³⁸ who were, as aforementioned, in the action at Ballyanskellicks, towards the harbour of Danlanarah, where Governor Gibbons landed at night before them, and marched with nine score men to the river Curane; but as most of the inhabitants had some notice of his landing, did not meet with any of them; the next morning drove all the cattle of said neighbourhood, and took all booty for which he could get carriage to the banks of said harbour, at which said Irish party arrived in sight of 'em at a hill above said harbour, near a church called Crocain, at which the English shouted and challenged for a battle, and drew themselves up in three columns, one of the number of sixty under the command of said Governor at the right hand, such a number headed by Lieutenant Boyn at the left, and the like by Ensign Bostyn in the centre.  The Irish suited the same battle array by dividing the party in three, one half, of about fifty men headed by said Captain Sullivan at the right, the like number by Captain Brenan at the left, and another of such a number by a subaltern officer of the Sullivan's in the centre.

The Irish gave such orders as before in Ballyanskellicks, not to withstand the fire of the English after the first.  Both parties, with undaunted resolution, marched on in the aforesaid order till they met at a field near the castle of Bunenire, called Droumfaddy, at the brink of said harbour, where happened what was remarkable as the six aforesaid officers marched on with such resolution and at a distance before said parties, and after the first firing, which did not hurt either of said officers, till they engaged hand to hand, where Lieut. Boin fell by the hands of Captain Sullivan, Governor Gibbons by Captain Brenan, and Ensign Bostion by the sub-altern officer, Sullivan.

This in some measure discouraged the English party, who yet fought well for a time, but as the Irish had the advantage of pikes and broadswords, and were expert at 'em, as that the English were put into such disorder as occasioned their entire destruction, as one man of the nine score did not escape, being either killed or wounded, but very few that prayed for quarters; the said wounded and few prisoners were tenderly used till and opportunity offered of exchanging them.  The Irish lost about twenty men in this action, besides about such a number wounded.  This action was called the action of Buninire from the aforesaid castle, or by some the action of Droumfadda, from the aforesaid field.  The account hereof exasperated the Government so much that a proclamation was published that all persons to be met with (without protection) at the south side of the river Lane, or westwards of the river Finhih, near Nedeen Fort, were to expect death without mercy, likewise all the cattle or any other goods, etc., to be found at the outside of said lines to be taken without redemption, which daunted the poor inhabitants so far that a great many families out of Ivrah, Bordonine, and Glancare, etc., met together at said Glancare with an intent to go over said river Lane for their safety, who had the hard fate of meeting a strong party sent out by Brigadier Nellson, Governor of the County, as well of Ross Castle, at a mountain called Ireanalirane, said party being commanded by Captain Barrington, a man bloodthirsty, who did not there spare man, woman, or child.  Some few young men that were by their great activity of running were making their escape till said Cap[tain] had set a bloodhound he had with him, of large size, great strength and swiftness, at 'em, of whom she tore a good many.

Soon after this several families of said Bordonine, Ballybog,³⁹ etc., employed a friend of theirs who was under the protection of the Governor of Nedeen, to procure them a pass from said Governor for coming under his sanction, which was promised they should have on a certain day near the river Sneem, to which place they repaired with their cattle, etc., and not there meeting with said pass, which they hourly expected, proceeded on their journey near the river Blackwater, where, instead of meeting with said pass, it was their dire fate to meet the said Captain Barrington at a large mountain in Ballybog, that to this day goes by the name of Slav an Varihi, i.e., the mountain of slaughter, as neither man, woman, or child was there spared, but some few active men endeavouring to make their escape, as aforesaid, were all tore by the aforesaid bloodhound, one young man excepted, who, by his great activity of running, made his way towards a hill called Sanavame, of good distance from said mountain, but was pursued by some of said party who have had set the bloodhound at him, which when he saw, prepared himself by slipping off his waistcoat and wrapping it about his left arm and wrist and drew his broadsword, at which time the bloodhound was coming toward him with unmerciful fury, but her very first attempt of tearing him he parried with his left hand, and gave her such a manly stroke as cut off both her forefeet.  His name (as near as I could learn) was Brennan; whoever he was, he had great thanks, praise, and commendation for destroying this merciless creature, which never is forgotten in the country, as some, when they meet with cruel dealings or bad neighbours, are wont to say, they wo'd as soon trust to Barrington's bloodhound as 'em.

In a short time after said slaughter some poor inhabitants of Ballybogg were obliged to withdraw to Ivrah,⁴⁰ Bordonin, etc., and as they left some sowings behind them in said Ballybogg they, next harvest, attempted to save and carry away their said sowings, and to that intent removed their families along with 'em, and had out centinels by day, but towards night went to shelter themselves to the adjacent woods.  This being discovered to the garrison of Nedeen, a party was sent out in boats by night, the most of 'em being Captain Purify's company, who surprised said colonies in a wood called Easagh, in Derequin, where none were spared but a few women and children, and some of 'em even were there inhumanly dealt with.  Next day, as sucking babe wou'd been thrown out of a boat on the waves, and when the mother at that sight did grieve, had her breast cut off with a hanger or broadsword.  But, notwithstanding this surprise, etc., as provisions were so extremely wanting to the rest of the said poor inhabitants, a parcel of active men attempted taking away said sowings, but were not fully prepared, but were obliged towards night to lodge in the woods and coppices of Dunguilly, in said Ballybog, where they were likewise surprised by some of said party, especially some young unmarried men who went by themselves to the coppices of a small inse [inch] in said place, where they were killed.  The inse is ever since called Insinanoganagh, signifying the inse where the young men were slain.

About this time the Governors of Ross,⁴¹ Nedeen, and Killorglin, etc., used all efforts to make incursions into O'Sullivan's small territory, 'pon which he was obliged to divide his small army in different parties to secure the different passes of Drung, Cnocknagantih, Ballahbemi, etc., a party whereof, under the commands of the aforesaid Captain Owen O'Sullivan and Jno. Brenan, who were concerned in the aforesaid skirmishes of Ballyanskeliks and Buninire.  They were stationed from the aforesaid hill of Cnocknagantih to the harbour of Baulnanazeh and the river Curane, and generally came to camp at night to a place in the centre of said station; but as the aforesaid garrisons always employed many spies by which they were informed of the situation of the Irish party, on which a powerful party marched in the beginning of night from Killorglin who met with some of their spies by the way, who informed 'em that the aforesaid Irish party, stationed as aforesaid, came to camp that evening late to a place called Glanmore, to which place the English were guided, who surprised the Irish in their tents and huts by daybreak, and there killed a good many of 'em before they could make up the least body or recover their arms, and such as escaped that fury made off to the adjacent woods, whereof was the aforesaid Captain Owen O'Sullivan, who ridd the evening before coming to said camp, lay in his boots and clothes all night, but by directing his course towards a large mountain was soon overtook by a small party of four or five men, the first of which that came to him was a county Kerry Irishman, who spoke to him, desiring he may take quarters and deliver him his sword and purse, which he promised to secure, and take him safe to Captain Hassett, chief commander of the English party.  Said Captain Sullivan replied he was glad to meet such a friend making him such a kind offer, and to know that Captain Hassett was the commander, and then delivered his sword and purse, which the three or four of the men had seen, challenged to have said booty distributed, which the Irishman refused, whereupon they instantly with their broadswords cut said Captain Sullivan to pieces, to the great surprise and concern of Captain Hassett, as he was acquainted with him on the aforesaid treaties and meetings of peace, etc., and thankful to him for his behaviour and tenderness to some English prisoners, etc.  Many besides them carrying arms lost their lives in that neighbourhood that day, whereof was an ancient decrepid gentleman, Mr. Owen Sullivan, of the family of Ballycarna, who was met with on his devotion in a den or hutt in one of the neighbouring hills; and all the cattle of said neighbours drove to Killorglin.  This very much terrified the rest of the poor inhabitants of Ivrah and Bordonine, so that they took all opportunities of procuring passes and protection and by coming away at night to come under the aforesaid lines of Lane and Finihih; by these districts of said Ivrah and Bordonine were thinly inhabitated, and thereby provisions much wanting to O'Sullivan's small and distressed army, in which situation he thought it most necessary to force some cattle under the protection of Nedeen Garrison, and to that intent marched in the night through Ballybogg and the parish of Templenoe, and arrived next morning at the river Finihih, very near said garrison.  At passing said river the powder, which was intended to be distributed among the men at the bank of the other side, was recommended to the care of a man on horseback, who dropped it into the water, to the great surprise and disappointment of O'Sullivan, etc., who directed that all carrying firearms should examine their charges and primings, which were found to be dank, which gave room, together with dropping the powder, as aforesaid, to suspect treachery; but there was not sufficient leisure to examine further, as a party of horse and foot suddenly marched out of Nedeen Fort.  The horses engaged first, and reserved their charges till they came to within pistol shot to the Irish, as if dreading no fire from 'em, and there discharged not only their carbines but pistols, which made good execution which could not be returned by the Irish, who attempted to engage with pikes and broadswords, but the horse filed off and gave the foot room to engage, whom they soon again relieved.  O'Sullivan, etc., concluded to repass the river, which they did in tolerable order, but still attacked in the rear till they came to a field called Gortandroshanigg, above Dunkieron Castle, where they were so vigorously attacked by the said horse, who still gave them disappointments by filing off as aforesaid when they attempted engaging with pikes and swords as aforesaid; but at last were there put to absolute disorder, retreating in small parties by different ways, which the English suited by pursuing in small parties.  A person was observed retreating who wore a red waistcoat, richly trimmed, accompanied by two young men, whom they took by his attire to be O'Sullivan, which was no mistake, and his attendants were two young subaltern officers, brothers to the aforesaid Captain Owen Sullivan⁴² and Captain Brenan.  They were closely pursued by three troopers, who shot one of the young officers in the leg or thigh, whereby he fell to the ground, and at his endeavouring to recover had his head clove with a broadsword.  O'Sullivan, with the other officer, faced back, expecting to relieve him, though having nothing to fight with but their small swords, at which time the other young officer was shot dead.  Thereupon two of the said troopers dismounted to possess themselves of the young officers' swords and cloaths, etc., but the other trooper, by name William Machir, eagerly pursued O'Sullivan, and after making a shot at him out of a pistol, which did not hitt, he often came so near him that he expected he could not miss with his broadsword, but O'Sullivan was so very active, and taking the advantage of some bad steps he kept him in agitation for some time, and at last in his desperate situation, as Providence would direct, he quickly and most timely drew off his waistcoat and threw it aside, telling the trooper that there he had what may be of service to him during his life, on which, seeing the other two troopers approach, said Machir alighted in order to have that booty to himself, which gave O'Sullivan an opportunity of getting into a bog, from which he made his escape.  This skirmish, which was the last, as far as I could learn, of all the battles or skirmishes in Cromwell's war in Ireland.

Mr. Pierce Ferettr held out in his country till about this time, when he was betrayed by coming, on a treaty of submission to the aforesaid Brigadier Nellson, to Ross, as he had a promise in case the same should not hitt not to be molested till he would return back, which was not further performed, but by admitting him to go as far as Castlemaine, where he was taken by a party of said Brigadier, who brought him back to said Ross, where said Brigadier ordered him to be put to death and executed at the fair hill in Killarney, with a bishop and another clergyman.⁴³

Soon after this and the aforesaid skirmish, O'Sullivan was obliged to submit, having no other conditions but a protection for such of the inhabitants of the aforesaid baronies of Dunkieron, etc., as remained till then subjects to him, and a pass for him and such of his regiment as were willing to go along with him to France.  His lady, Eleanor Brown, died before this time.  He left a son, the notable Owen Roe, etc., in the care of his family-in-law and friends till he returned from the French service, where he was concerned several years.

The said Owen Roe had not the title O'Sullivan Mpre, as his father lived many years after him; neither did he enjoy any of the estate, yet lived in great repute for generosity and good qualifications till the beginning of King James the Second's reign, at which time he went to Dublin to take a commission for raising a regiment for said King James, where he was taken very much notice of by Richard Talbott, then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and many of the chiefs and nobles of said kingdom, particularly on account of very remarkable riding he performed in the presence of said Lord Lieutenant, etc.; but was there soon taken by the smallpox, of which he died, very much lamented, not only in the province of Munster, but in other parts of Ireland, where he was not only known but heard of.  As to the present O'Sullivan, to avoid censure that it may be for love or affection that I may speak of his great generosity, qualifications, behaviour, and happy expressions, shall refer that to Mr. Connor, author of the intended work, who is not a stranger to him, but that the present O'Sullivan did not enjoy any of his ancestor's estate, but a small spot for which he was (though in possession thereof) obliged to apply to Queen Ann, who was graciously pleased to confer it on him, the income and profit thereof, etc., he undeniably bestowed with much credit.

As I am not exact of the estates and the branches of McCarthy More's⁴⁵ family in Desmond, shall refer that to persons more capable than I am, but shall give an account of some fan1ilies that came to Desmond after the McCarthys and the O'Sullivans, and were still concerned with them, and had no estates but what acquisitions they made, yet of good note and credit, as the O'Mahonys,⁴⁶ who were descended from Oghig McCas McCuirk, who was grandson to the aforesaid King of Munster, Cork McLuge, who conferred on the said Oghig ye (the) very considerable estates in Carbry and Musgry, etc., about the same time that he, the said Cork McLuige, gave the estates in Desmond to the ancestors of the O'Donoghues⁴⁷ and Moriartys.  From the said Oghig was descended the two O'Mahonys, viz., the O'Mahony of Carbry and the O'Mahony of Cinelmeaky.  The O'Mahony of Carbry was the eldest, and sometimes called O'Mahoona Fionn; of his descendants was an O'Mahony who by his last will made over to his eldest son, Florence, the bulk of his estates, reserving to his other two sons, Derby and Daniel, the good estates of Ross-Bryn, for which the said Florence, the eldest, disputed after his father's death, which made the two younger brothers decline their right to said Ross-Bryn.  The said Dermod came to Desmond, where he took large and beneficial farms from McCarthy More; Daniel went to Barrett's country, where he took the large farms of Keelnacliny.  From him are descended the family of the O'Mahonys called the family of Broshnah.  From the said Dermod descended a very populous family, still prosperous both at home and abroad; they were called O'Mahonys of Ross-Bryn, and by some the O'Mahonys of Desmond.  They were still noted for good sence, and several of them for noted hospitality and other good qualifications, and of them were some good clergymen.  Of said family was Colonell Dermod O'Mahony, of great note for courage and conduct in King James the Second's war in Ireland, as likewise was his brother Daniel, captain in the Royal Regiment, who afterwards was knighted by the said King James in St. Germain's for his remarkable behaviour in Cremona ; and afterwards had the title of count from Lewis the Fourteenth for his behaviour and good service in other parts of France and Spain, and particularIy in the battle of Almansa.  His son, now in Spain, has the title, with several other titles of honour, and his brother, Demetrio, the title of Collonell, as being captain in the King of Spain's guards.  The aforesaid Collonell Dermod O'Mahony's sons are in great esteem in Holland.

The first of the family of the Connells was called O'Connell⁴⁸ . . . . generation from the aforesaid Eohig McCass McCurk, where his descendants had their estates.  I do not well know, but had it from several, that it was Cuslane-noe O'Gonell, i.e., Castle O'Connell, etc., till conquered or taken from them by some great potentates.  The first of them that came to said Desmond his name I do not well know, but from him was descended a populous family, much noted for hospitality, learning, and education.  Of them was Bishop Connell,⁴⁹ and the very learned Daniel Connell, General of the Order of Capuchins in Ireland, as also the much noted, pious, and learned Jesuit, Maurice Connell; and of said family was Mr. Jno. Connell, a man of great sense and formerly agent to the Duke of Ormond, and made the purchase of Ashtown, near Dublin; and of said family was the courageous Brigadier, Maurice Connell, killed at Aughrim.

Of the family of the Brenans there were two.  The first came to said Desmond before the MacCarthys and the O'Sullivans, and do not well know from whence, or the name of him that first came, but were not near as prosperous as the second family, which were of the family of Iveduach, and of the house of McGibllaphadruigg, that is, Fitz-Patrick, then called Kings of Ossory, and afterwards Earls of the said Ossory.  The first of said family of Brenan that came to the county of Kerry or Cork was Dermod, who came along with one of the said Earl's daughters, who was married to Barrymore.  The sons of said Dermod came along with a daughter of said Banymore married to the aforesaid Maccrah, i.e., Maccarius O'Sullivan More, to Dunkieron, where the four plough lands of Ahalubrud, in Ivrah, were conferred on them the said two brothers called Jno, and Donogh, for a token of rent to be paid the said Maccarius, in which place they prospered, their sons and grandchildren enlarged very much, purchased many beneficial farms for very small tokens of rent, and of them were descended a populous family, much noted for hospitality and other good qualifications and their alliance with some of the best private gentlemen in the country.  Of them was the man that built the castle of Buninire, the courageous Capt. John Brenan, before mentioned, in O'Sullivan More's regiment in Cromwell's war,⁵⁰ and several good clergymen, likewise the learned Dr. James Brenan, of Dublin, deceased, etc., and several other persons of good note not inserted.

The family of Falvy⁵¹ from whence they came I cannot well tell, but they were a family of good esteem with MacCarthy More since the time their ancestor, Falvy fionn, admiral of the Mamonian fleet, rescued his ancestor Calachan Cassell, King of Munster, at Dundalk, from the tyrant, Scithericus, then titled King of the Danes, of which there will be a full account in its proper place.

The McEagans⁵² I know what time they came to said county of Desmond.  They were accounted a family of good sense and education, and were judges, called Brehons, to MacCarthy More in the time of the Brehon Law.  Many other families, occupiers of the said county of Desmond, and concerned with MacCarthy More, O'Sullivan More, and O'Sullivan Bear, too tedious to be mentioned.

The great name the county of Kiery and Desmond formerly had for learning and other branches of education, as harp playing, playing of tables, etc., as also for hospitality, generosity, manhood, and the particular actions they were engaged in, if completely described, would make a good part of history.  As to the Latin tongue, they were well versed in it, though I shall name but few in particular, as not knowing any to be named before the learned Bishop Ruanan, who was Bishop of Kiery, and attended the Synod of Kells in Charles O'Neill's reign, about 600 years ago; and for brevity's sake, shall name but the very learned Phill O'Sullivan, otherwise called Pater meus, of O'Sullivan Bear's family, who wrote several volumes not inferior (as by the approbation of competent judges) to Cicero's Latin. The aforesaid Bishop Connell,and the other learned clergyman of that name, before mentioned, Bishop Moriarty,⁵³ and Bishop Sullivan,⁵⁴ Bishop O'Mara,⁵⁵ and our present learned prelate, N. M.,⁵⁶ and shall leave said counties to the observation of other countries that county Kerry cowboys could speak Latin, which I am sorry persons of better note cannot now maintain.

As to the harp playing, said county could well bragg of having the chiefest master of that instrument in the Kingdom in his time, Mr. Nie Pierce, of Clenmaurice, not only for his singular capacity of composing lamentations, funeral additions, and elevations, etc., but also by compleating said instrument with more wires than ever before his time were used.

As to playing bagg gammon,⁵⁷ count Kerry gentlemen are not as yet strangers, but the tables called Taplish Vore, i.e., the large table on which was played several different artful games, is almost forgot.

The county Kerry and Desmond gentlemen were great proficients in the copious Irish language, in which not only their antiquaries, who had their estates, allowances and several privileges for being well versed in the reading, writing, and understanding thereof, with all its requisite abbreviations and occult manner of writings and characters; before letters were invented, said characters were called Ogham Craoive, Ogham Cuill, and Ogham Consini.  They were not also strangers to the art of poetry, and in the nicest and most difficult branches thereof, as the poem called Dane, of which there were six branches, viz. ; Devih, Raniaght Vegg, Raniaght Vore, Sena, Drinah, and Casvarn, in which many of them were famous, as also in the heroic verse, and the composure called Tiriv, of whom was Geffry O'Donoghue of the Glinn,⁵⁸ Messrs. Pierce Ferettr,⁵⁹ Jno. McCarthy of Ardcanacta, and Daniel Garav O'Sullivan, and after their time the famous Owen Roe O'Sullivan, in which he undertook [in which he excelled?]

As for hospitality and generosity, which was formerly their element, as nothing could gratify them more than frequenting their houses, and were rather in emulation for said qualifications than in any way backward, and have still a tincture of the same, considering their abilities.

Said counties had their proportion of the 1,800 nominated and appointed entertainers⁶⁰ of the province to have their estates and privileges for being prepared at all hours for all strangers, comers, and goers.  Said counties had considerable conveniencys as most of their occupiers paid no rent, and such as did was but tokens; their soil was good, and produced all sorts of grain; their flocks of black cattle great, with numerous herds of swine, fed in woods with acorns, of which some very often found with their backs broke with loads of fat; they had extraordinary conveniencys of all sorts of fish, as marine, fluviatile, and lakish.  Their country afforded them to be well prepared with beer, ail, and whiskey, the latter called uisghe beaha, or aqua vitae,⁶¹ as also with honey, meath, and metheglin, not only by the stocks in their gardens, but also by the abundance of honey they were wont to have out of the trunks of aged trees, of which am partly personal witness, seeing, sometime above sixty years ago, trunks of trees that afforded each more honey and honeycombs than four or five rich hives.

Their conveniencys for having Spanish wine and their considerable trading with Spain till about 260 years ago, when America was discovered, could hardly be believed now had there not been several proofs and instances for it.  They had some trading ships of their own, besides some ships of war, and the Spaniards undoubtedly had several colonies and factuaries in several ports, etc., in the western parts of said two counties, as in Tralee, Dingle, Valentia, Begganish, Ballycarbry, Ballyskellicks, Dunkieron, Cilemeculogue, Agroom, Loghan Begg,⁶² Dunbaoi, and Bantry, so that said trading was very considerable and of great advantage to the aforesaid inhabitants; one sufficient proof of said great trading, as before mentioned, that O'Sullivan Bear had £1,900 a year port charges, anchorage, and other privileges in the aforesaid port of Dunbaoi.  Nothing then in vogue with the inhabitants of said two counties but Spanish wine, Spanish clothes, Spanish leather, and Spanish swords, which they called Spanish tucks, and other commodities - iron, liquorish, fruit, etc.  An instance whereof: as two brothers of the gentlemen of the Connells, who lived in Ballycarbry Castle, in Ivrah, which was divided among them, the lower rooms and apartments to the eldest, the upper to the youngest, at a time that MacCarthy More and his lady, with their attendants, took a tour to said Ivrah, who had put up first with the eldest of said two brothers, where they were splendidly entertained the night and next day, at which time the youngest invited them to dine the day following, which MacCarthy More promised; but the eldest brother being very much dissatisfied and jealous thereat checked his brother for offering the invitation, but the youngest stiffiy insisted on the promise he had, upon which there happened a hot dispute, which MacCarthy's lady quelled by promising that MacCarthy and she would dine with him having dinner ready earliest next day, so that said brothers parted in peace, each of them earnestly preparing to have that honour.  But in the beginning of the same following night the eldest, in the lower rooms, as aforesaid, expecting to disappoint the brother in the upper of either fire or water, ordered all the doors and passages leading from said rooms not only to be locked, but also a guard to watch and prevent any attempt of opening the same, which the younger brother discovered, and could not otherwise remedy but by ordering all his pans and pots to be filled with Spanish wine, wherein all his meat was boiled over as many fires of liquorish as were requisite, so that, unexpectedly, he had dinner ready much earlier than the eldest brother, and thereby the honour and pleasure of having MacCarthy More and his lady, etc., to dine with him.

The trading with Spain grew so familiar with the inhabitants of said two counties that they made no difficulty of making voyages to Spain.  An instance whereof: as a woman in Ballyanskelicks (as it passes for truth), calling to her gossip or neighbour for the loan of a mantle being asked how far she intended, answered, unconcerned, "only to Spain."

I very well remember to hear ancient people tell, about sixty years ago, that they had it for truth from other ancient people, about eighty years before, that, at the little village that was at Templenoe Church for about sixty years after the building thereof, and about the like term before the declination of said Spanish trading, that a gallon of rich Spanish wine could be purchased there for a fresh salmon, and a good many gallons for a green hide.

I take , that is, the battle at a strond, called fionn-traigh, near Dingle, mentioned in school books, to be rather for diversion than truth.

The first battle that I can give an account of where the inhabitants of said two counties were engaged was at the first invasion made by the Danes into Ireland in the west of Munster, about 900 years ago, where they were defeated by the King of Cashel, Artre, of the progeny of Heberus fionn.

Secondly: They were engaged in the defeat given by Felim McCrefin, Bishop of Leahmogha and King of Munster, to the Danes who made the second invasion into the Kingdom, and that in the west of Munster in six years' time after.

Thirdly: The said two counties' inhabitants showed their loyalty and forwardness in the pursuit of ⁶³ King of Munster, in conjunction with the Eugenians, i.e., the descendants of Eugenius Magnus aforementioned, and Dalgassians, etc., etc., all under the command of Donagh O'Caiv, to Dundalk, where they had the melancholy sight of seeing their said King bound to the mast in one of the Danish ships ready to sail for Norvegia, but soon had the great pleasure of seeing him relieved and rescued by the Momonian fleet of seventy sails, under the command of Falvy fionn, ten whereof belonging to the aforesaid two counties and by them man'd, which in said sea fight behaved well.  I forgot above to mention in its proper place that the said Donogh O'Keef and his party in their march to said Dundalk stormed Ardmagh and put all the Danes therein to the sword.

Fourthly: In the great battle of Clontarf, fought by the renowned monarch Brian Boroive, where the Danes were totally defeated, about 720 years ago, the behaviour of the county of Kerry and Desmond men, in conjunction with the aforesaid Eugenians from all other parts of Munster, headed by Kian MacMaolmuaidh, King of Ralahig, and son-in-law to said monarch, deserved notice, where the two courageous princes of Kery Luachra and Cnochta Logha lane.  As for any other skirmishes that happened 'twixt said two counties and some of their neighbours, of which I cannot give an exact account, I shall pass them, and refer further to what is before spoken of.  Daniel na Scraddy O'Sullivan More, Daniel MacCarthy, the two colonels, Phil and Dermod O'Sullivan, the four last engaged in Cromwell's war, and the two first before.

In King James the Second's war the county of Kerry and Desmond gentlemen by their loyalty, courage, and conduct deserved commendation, as Charles MacCarthy More's raising a regiment for said King James, and being Governor for him in the castle and fortress of Carrigfergus, which he maintained against a close and vigorous siege for a longer time than could be well expected.

Sir Vallentine Brown and his son, Nicholas, Lord Viscount Kenmare,⁶⁴ that behaved well at Achrim and Limbrick, and Col. Roger McEligott,⁶⁵ who was Governor of the city of Cork, which he maintained with credit against the great force of a desperate siege to great extermity; but last was taken prisoner to the Tower of London, at which siege O'Sullivan Bear, who should of right be named from the county of Desmond, behaved well there, but he lost most part of his regiment.

The two brave brigadiers, Dennis McGiollacuddy and Maurice Connell, of whom mention is before made, headed two regiments till one of them was killed at Athlone and the other at Achrim [Aughrim].  Col. Daniel McCarthy headed a regiment, who was killed at Achrim, together with many brave officers of inferior ranks, county Kerry men.  Col. Dermod Mahony, though no having a regiment, yet counted a man of great courage and conduct, proved in him at the Boyne, Achrim, and Limbricke, etc., and his brother Daniel, captain of the Royal Regiment, afterwards Count, spoke of before, in the account of his family, his commendable behaviour at Cremona and Almansa, etc.

O'Sullivan Bear, Count of Bere Haven, who was not in said service, meritted great commendation at Orant, in Barbary, as did Col. Jno. O'Sullivan, under Marshal Melleboyze, at Corsica, on the Rhyne, and afterwards of great note in Scotland and other county Kerry brave officers of lower stations who behaved well in Fontanuah.

The most remarkable mountain in the county of Kerry is Sliav Mish,⁶⁶ so named as by tradition from a distracted woman of great strength and activity called Misna Dairi, who proved a great enemy and hindrance to passengers in this mountain during her reign of it.  Said mountain much remarkable as the first battle that was fought in Ireland between the Millesians and the people then inhabiting said Island called Tuaha Dedanain, which were Easterlings, was at this mountain said battle fought about 3,050 years ago, when Eire, the Queen then of the Tuaha Dedanain, with her party, were defeated, and Scota, the daughter of the King of Egypt, second wife of Milelius, and six of his sons was (were) slain, which occasioned that her two sons, Herberus fion and Amergin, concerned in said battle, in memory of her, ordered the Island to be called Scota.

This mountain is further noted, as Cury McDain, of the progeny of Herberus fion, General and Chief champion of the Mamonian army, intended to erect a fort or Rah on the top of said mountain, the ruins whereof still to be seen, called Cahir-Con-Raoi, i.e., Cury's fort or fortification, on which employed vast numbers of overseers, masons, and labourers, etc., at which time Cuchulainn, chief champion of Ulster, with a party of armed men, made a tour to Munster, chiefly with a desire to be acquainted with said Cury, who, for his conveniency of overseeing said Rah, had a house at the upper part of a Glinn in said mountain called Gleann Skolim, near said Rah, to which said house Cuchulainn, etc., came early in a morning, and there (on first sight) fell in love with Cury's wife, by name Blanad, which was so mutual that Cuchulainn discovered it, and desired she may come along with him to Ulster; to which she answered that she would readily comply, but as it would be a vain attempt as Cury undoubtedly would pursue them and kill her and him, and as he was invincible, especially when wearing or carrying a certain sword he had, which she promised to prevent, and thereby have a safe opportunity for going, which was, advising Cuchulainn and his party to hide themselves in said Glinn till Curry would come to dinner, after which, as by wonted custom, he'd sleep for some few hours, which opportunity she promised to take and secure said sword, and desired them to take due notice when the small river running by her house and thro' said Glinn would turn white, as she would throw a reeve or pail of milk into it, then to be the proper and exact time for them of having an opportunity of murdering Curee, of which was precisely observed and accomplished, and this small river always since called Fionna Glaissi, that is, the, white rivulet.  On first alarm and account of this woful tragedy, vast numbers running with great precipitation and outcries, not only from the aforesaid Rah, but also from all parts of the neighbourhood, so that there was suddenly an admirable congregation at and about the aforesaid house, where this inhuman fact was committed, and all in melancholy and mournful moans for the death of their much beloved warrior.  This gave room to an observation of an old saying ever since in the county, when any concourse of people are observed in any uncommon motion, or crowding together with signs or loud expressions of sorrow, that some auditors or spectators of the same inquire for the motive and subject thereof in these expressions, that is, what sudden and surprising account is this, like the account of Curry's death.

To return to Cuchulain and Blanad, who went off safe to Ulster, as there was none that dare pursue or be revenged of them, as the valiant Curi was not alive, till about twelve months' time after, one of Curry's fosterers went to Ulster, where he was kindly received by said Blanad on account of said Cury, her former husband, and introduced him to Cuchulainn, who kept him in his house with fondness, etc., for a considerable time, till both Cuchulainn and Blanad fixed a day for diversion and taking the air abroad, which they and several along with them, whereof was said fosterer observed; and amongst their other amusements they walked by the brink of a high cliff, under which one in company saw something deserving notice, at which they all earnestly looked, especially Blanad, who was over curious, exposed herself too much near said cliff, which opportunity (for revenge) the said fosterer used by grappling her by the middle and tumbling her and himself down the cliff where they were shattered to pieces.

Sliav Luachra, a very spacious mountain, and this is all I know rernarkable of it.  Sliav fionleahid, a spacious good mountain in the barony of Dunkerron, but more remarkable for the report of having a cow boy or herd on it that never eats, drinks, or sleeps, but still found standing taking a view of the numerous flocks of cattle on said mountain.  This is in truth but a stone standing on an end on a place from whence there is a full prospect of the rest of said mountain, and at a distance seems to some going by to be a man, as being much of that shape and size, and is called , meaning the aforesaid herd.  Fionavagh, a large mountain and commonage to the baronies of Dunkerron and Ivrah; nothing remarkable in it, but being very bleak, cold, boggy, and wet; but bog berries in abundance growing on it; but persons meeting with bad farms wish to be rather concerned at said commonage and that persons seem good improvers of bad farms are said to be capable of improving said fionavagga, i. e., the white bog.

Hills of most note in the county of Kerry and that part formerly called the county of Desmond, viz.:

Brandon Hill,⁶⁷ remarkable for pilgrimaging and performing penances, of a great height and fine prospect of part of the main ocean, of good part of four counties, Limerick, Clare, Cork, and Kerry; but a further description thereof referred to the author of the intended work.

Mungarta,⁶⁸ in the county of Desmond, next in height to Gulaba in Ulster, and Cruachain in Connacht, of great and delightful prospect of part of the main ocean, a good part of the aforesaid counties, of the river Kenmare, of the river Mane, Lane of Logh Lane, and Logha Luah, Glanaregh, Glanfeisk; of several towns, as Castleisland, Castlemain, Killorglin, Killarney, Killone, and Dunkerron, and several other Loughs, hills, glens, and mountains.  The said hill rarely without frost or snow, on the top of which is a Lough called the Punch Bowl.⁶⁹

McGillicuddy's⁷⁰ rock hills, of great height, seldom without fog.  Bealagh Turk, a lower hill than the former, remarkable as it is said that , General of the Army of Ireland, in the great Monarch, time, killed an enchanted boar that had a poisonous bristle, therefrom which derives its name Tork, and as one of said Fionn's Captains observed said poison, and being jealous with one of the chief leaders of said army with whom he held a wager that he could not measure said boar from head to tail, by inches, which the leader attempted, and meeting with said poison died thereof.  This account I have by tradition and school books rather than by history, but said hill now is very notable for the memorable rode made by the Hon. Thos. Lord Viscount Kenmare⁷¹ through it.

Bealach bemi, though a low hill, is remarkable on several accounts, being in the centre of O'Sullivan More's estates, and where or at a large mountain at the foot thereof called Reana Lacht every O'Sullivan generally called or summoned his country on all occasions; and most commonly made it their station of having a view of the stag hunting, of which diversion they were generally admirers.  On this hill is a stone called Leac an dualgais, i.e., the fee stone, by which a physician got a double fee as an O'Sullivan More, who was a very healman, till once happening a little out of order, whereupon immediately sent for a physician,⁷² to whom the ailment appeared favourable, and therefore speedily applied what was but plain though proper, whereby O'Sullivan got an immediate abatement, and was very thankful to the physician, of whose skill he much approved, and paid accordingly to his full content, and desired he may remain along with him for 12 months, telling he would pay him a certain fee, and double that in case of giving him any trouble during said term, which the physician embraced, and remained, without any occasion for him till said time was almost out, but then at a day that O'Sullivan with his said physician, etc., went to said Bealachbemi to look at the stag hunt where the physician found an opportunity and occasion for being serviceable by seeing O'Sullivan sitting on a stone, which he immediately hindered by directing him to sit off, which was observed.  Very soon after the said term was expired, and his first fixed fee was offered him, which he said was not his due, but rather double.  O'Sullivan answered there was such a discourse in case any trouble was given him or service done.  He answered: though the trouble was little, yet the service was great: if he minded the day at Ballahbemi where he, hindered his sitting on a stone, which perhaps saved his life, which O'Sullivan recollected and considered, and generously paid him his double fee.

The name of this hill, Bellach bemi, is further well known by Mr. John Connel's⁷³ composure called "Tiriv of Ireland," which is still repeated and kept in memory on account of the great knowledge of antiquity comprehended in it, and the several poets in their several learned composures for art and wit gave the several O'Sullivans different titles, as some giving the deserved titles (meaning their ancestors) King of Logh Mogha, King of Munster or Cashel, Prince of Clonmel, Triah Cnoe Graffan, other Hawk of Suir, Phœnix of Porush, Lyon of Dunloe, but the aforesaid Mr. Connel, in his said composure, gave only O'Sullivan More of Bealachbemi.  His reason was, as I am confident, for the aforesaid accounts given of said Hill on the aforesaid occasions, or as it was one of the passes by Daniel O'Sullivan More maintained against Cromwell's party, or rather as it suited the metre of said composure; but whatever induced him chiefly the name of Bealaghbemi is well known on account of said composure to a great many that never saw the county of Kerry, or perhaps Munster.

Curruchanavich, a low hill, through which is a road leading to Ivrah, of which was an old observation, that any passenger taking that road and not composing a poem or verse in praise or dispraise of said hill would have his leg broke.⁷⁴  However, composing on this subject was usual, as by some taken on warrants or writs, or summoned on unwelcome occasions praying to have their legs or limbs broke, to hinder what perhaps may be of worse consequence; others happening hungry, thirsty, wet or cold at this hill, praying them for a safe passage, and faithfully promising never after to frequent that way.  Many of said composures could be repeated, but would be too tedious.  Many other hills omitted, chiefly remarkable for being well stocked with red deer and having cane apples and juniper berries, of which is the hill of Cillurli for the many convenient passes whereby the deer is easily hunted and killed; but Drung and Cnocnagainti, two passes where Cromwell's party attempted several incursions, were obstructed by the aforesaid Daniel O'Sullivan More.

Cnocanti, in Tuahosist, only remarkable for a battle fought between O'Sullivan Bear and another Milesian nobleman, who fell hand by hand in it.  From said battle and hill the said O'Sullivan Bear in all histories and books of genealogy speaking of him was called Donall Cnocan Tih.  Cnoc Uara chiefly remarkable for being (a hill in Bere Haven) mostly covered with Camomile, which as by report was brought there by the Spanish horses at the time of the aforesaid great trading with Spain; the scept of said Camomell (as likewise said) is had at sea some leagues from said hill.

The most remarkable glin in the aforesaid county, viz., Gleann Scohin, for the murder of the valiant Cury, as aforesaid.  Gleannagiriti,⁷⁵ as the great Earl of Desmond was there beheaded.

Glannagalla and Glennaul, to which distracted and mad people⁷⁶ have generally their recourse, where some are discovered and met with generally naked, some deaf, some dumb, very hairy, with dismall and rufull looks, one of which [I] met with at said Glanna not above 7 years ago.

Gleannaragh, a pleasant valley, chiefly remarkable for the gold,⁷⁷ silver, and copper mines, etc., therein, as also for the abundance of physical herbs there naturally growing and for an observation of Sir William Pitty's of its giving no right and taking no wrong, as meaning the inhabitants.  Several other glins from very great woods; some several sand banks, etc., omitted for brevity's sake.

The most remarkable river in that part of the county of Kerry, formerly called the county of Desmond, is, 1st, the navigable river Kenmare, being south west, north and east in length from the ford eastwards of Nedeen Fort, called Achincork, to the Durzies, eleven leagues, but from said fort to the bull, cow, and calf 13, said bull, cow, and calf, otherwise called Tigh Duinn, i.e., the house of Donn, the eldest son of Milesius, who was there shipwrecked and drowned in a storm and fog, raised by the magic art of Tuatha Dedanainns, of which there will be something more spoke in the sequel.  This river is further noted as being a safe harbour for ships by its good anchorage, bold shores, and commodious outlets, as Sneem, Cilemuculoge, Agroom, Poulnanrrach, and Cialancruhane, and for its being a good river some seasons for the fishing of haak, herrings, pilcher, and likewise for very plenty oyster beds, as at Dunkerron and the aforesaid Sneem and Cilemuculoge, etc., with some few scollop beds and many islands, as Inisvernaird, Sherky, Rosmore, Ormond, and Dinish Island, besides the small islands of Dunkerron and Cappanacoss, noted for quarries of marble, and abunqance of physical herbs and oysters seen to grow on silver mine in said Dunkerron Island.  The river Maing, notable for salmon fishing, being the bounds twixt the aforesaid counties of Kerry and Desmond, and for a battle or considerable skirmish fought at the brink thereof a place called Insianvima of one McCarthy More and the great Earl of Desmond; of the true detail thereof I cannot give an exact account.⁷⁸

The river Lane, very notable for salmon fishing, etc., and pearls.⁷⁹  The rivers Flesk, Carrah, and Behih for salmon fishing and some pearls.  The river Ini for the same, but more for a bridge of the form of a rainbow,⁸⁰ not known by whom built (but as by tradition) built one night, as was (as it's reported) Dromuin Church, both as supposed built by some Saint.

Curane river, very remarkable for salmon fishing; Cumurah for pearls and salmon, the river Sneem for salmon in the Summer season, and being a good harbour, as aforesaid, where said river discharges itself into the sea.  The river Blackwater, the bounds 'twixt the parish of Templenoe and Ballybogg, noted for pearls and the salmon fishing in the Summer season, but what deserves further notice that ye salmon goes on it two or three miles and within musket shot to the source thereof called Loch Brinn, having in their way of said miles many cataracts and falls till coming to a smooth ford that has neither, which they never pass, nobody able to discover the secret, but as by report and common opinion that it is owing to a curse denounced by a holy man who met with some accident in said ford, since called ; i. e., the cursed ford.

The river Finihih only remarkable for the skirmish fought near it, being the last in Cromwell's war, as before mentioned.  Ruaachta, Sure, and Mialach for salmon fishing; but what was lately taken notice of where the river Shine discharges itself into the sea that the seal, salmon, trout, cod, haak, herring, pilcher, and spratt were taken in one haul.

Lakes of most note in the aforesaid county of Desmond: - First, the much noted Logh Lane,⁸¹ for pearls, prospect, etc.; a complete description thereof referred to by the account given by several ingenious and capable writers, whereof was Mr. Owen McCarthy.⁸²

Loch Calane, in Gleann fleisk, no more noted for anything I know than that a creature or monster of the size, shape, and colour of a small white bull that sometimes appeared, as is reported, on the banks thereof, and for some small islands in it in which grows cane apple trees.  Loch Brenn, in the parish of Templenoe, noted, as it is said, that the aforesaid , about the time he killed the enchanted boar at Bealaturk, unharbour'd and enchanted deer, near the aforesaid Balah-Bebish, at which he had set a very noted greyhound he had, called Bran, of which mention is made in Irish old stories and school books; the said deer made towards said Loch and the greyhound at him, and both talking the water there sunk and never since seen, by which said Loch has the name of Loch Brenn, from the aforesaid greyhound Bran.  This I had rather by tradition, old Irish stories, and school books than by history; but it was averred to me for truth and by persons of honest repute,⁸³ of which are now some alive, that they sometimes saw a creature of the size, shape, and colour of a large white greyhound on the banks of said Loch, and that a cow near the same calved a creature half whereof like a calf, the other like a white greyhound, and was the opinion of common people in the neighbourhood of said place that said cow was bulled by this creature, which they took to be the aforesaid Brann, and still enchanted.

Loch Laoich, in the aforesaid Gleannmore, in Ivrah, noted for fishing, but chiefly for the several islands in it, whereof is a small island called Innisuaval, that is, the noble island, wherein is a small church, formerly noted and used as a burying place, and much remarked, as no kind of worms were ever seen in the earth of the graves opened therein.  Duncillih Loch, in Ballybogg, as the tide that comes into it is seen to ebb and flow at a time, which is owing to the unevenness of the passage.

Loch philib Garraltuig, or Cluanni Loch, no more remarkable than for salmon and trout fishing and the abundance of juniper berries growing in its islands.

Loch McCinlane, i.e., the lake of St. Matalogus, in that part of Gleannaroch called Tuaosist, very remarkable for pilgrimaging and devotion, especially in the pattern days of the parish of said Tuaosist, and as several pieces or parcels of the banks of said Loch, to the size of a large shafe of wheat and some larger, separate themselves from said banks generally to the number of 6, 7, or 9, which, without either storm, flood, or wind, go in a motion, sailing from one side to the other, where they close to the bank after such a manner as no distinction can be made, there called by the inhabitants of said place tussocks.  I have seen of 'em but three, and in such motion as aforesaid, and on such a still and calm day that I could not imagine a breeze of wind so strong as sufficient for blowing or forcing a feather from one side of said Loch to the other.⁸⁴

I took my observation of a rivulet breaki