the anglo-norman landscape in county galway; land-holdings, castles and settlements

Galway Archaeological & Historical Society

The Anglo-Norman Landscape in County Galway; Land-Holdings, Castles and SettlementsAuthor(s): Patrick HollandSource: Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society, Vol. 49 (1997), pp. 159-193Published by: Galway Archaeological & Historical SocietyStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25535678 .

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THE ANGLO-NORMAN LANDSCAPE IN

COUNTY GALWAY; LAND-HOLDINGS,

CASTLES AND SETTLEMENTS

PATRICK HOLLAND

Richard De Burgh invaded Connacht with a substantial Anglo-Norman force in 1235,

having received a royal grant of the province in the preceding year. The lands which he

held after the Conquest, twenty-five cantreds in all, can be divided into two portions; (a) the demesne lands retained for his own personal use, consisting of Maenmagh, Sil

Anmchadha, Cineal Aedha and several other smaller areas and (b) those cantreds granted

by him to his chief tenants along with smaller cantreds granted directly to lesser tenants.1

De Burgh Demesne Cantreds

Maenmagh

Maenmagh was one of de Burgh's three main demesne cantreds and has been

identified by both Walton (1980,105) and Orpen (1915-16, 44) as the barony of

Loughrea which consists of the land to the north of Loughrea, at the southern end of the ridge of higher land running from Williamstown to Kilreekil and, to

the south, most of the Sliabh Aughty mountains2. Orpen (ibid.), quoting O'

Donovan, concluded that the motte at Oldcastle (69) was at the northern

boundary of the cantred. Only the badly overgrown motte survives there, situated upon, and created from a large natural ridge. The bailey has been

destroyed. The motte may have been built by Gilbert de Nagle (Orpen 1968, 3,

44, Holland 1996) or by Normans granted land in this area by John c. 1207

(Sweetman and Handcock 1875-86, 1, 353-4). The cantred contained the caput baroniae of the lordship of Connacht at Loughrea where de Burgh had built a

castle in 1235. A list of de Burgh tenants (Hardiman 1820, 51) from before 1251

(Knox 1901, 368) includes several tenants in Maenmagh (ibid., 369). There are

references to both demesne lands and free tenant holdings between 1272 and

1280 when the area was held by the king (36th Rep. D. K. 63, Pipe Roll 10

Edward 1 in Walton 1980, 105ff). Richard de la Rochelle held a manor at

Ballynageeragh, between Craughwell and Rathgorgin (Nichols 1972a, 30). The

1333 Inquisition Post Mortem gives us detailed information about the manor

(Knox 1902, 133-6). Loughrea had burgesses, a mill, a bakery, a brewery and a

deer park nearby. The castle (55) had a hall, a chamber, a kitchen and other



160 HOLLAND

buildings. There had been royal expenditure on the castle between 1272 and 1280. The castle must have been a substantial one. The Annals of the Four

Masters record that it was demolished in 1380 but it was 'well fortified' in 1572

(Nolan 1900-la, 112). It is not marked on the O.S. 1:10,560 scale map but a 1791

map of the town refers to a castle garden and lane (Egan 1951, 100, 102). De

Burgh's demesne lands would appear to have been centred about 'Camclon' and Tooloobaun (83) where there were a number of buildings and a stone house. The

present remains at Tooloobaun consist of a rectilinear enclosure, with curtain

wall, entered by a rectangular gatehouse of which only the southern, outer wall survives. The castle was held by a Burke in 1574 (Nolan 1900-1, 112). Knox's

description (1915-16a), though not to be used uncritically, does refer to

structures within the ward.

Many of the locations named in the Inquisition can be identified (see table 1). It seems likely that the manor of Maenmagh occupied the area between the

Williamstown-Kilreekil ridge and the Sliabh Aughty mountains. It extended some distance to the north-west, at least as far as Rathgorgin (78) and the

surrounding area, where there were some free tenant holdings. It stretched an

uncertain distance to the south-east towards Portumna.

Oldcastle (69), the only motte within the manor, is likely to pre-date de Burgh settlement. The castle at Rathgorgin (78) appears to have been similar to that at

Tooloobaun (83) with a roughly rectangular ward defined by a curtain wall and

entered through a gatehouse on the northern side. The gatehouse consists of two towers flanking an arched entranceway. The castle was held by the Dolphin family of de Burgh (Knox 1902, 135, Hardiman 1820, 51). Other unidentified castles

mentioned in historical sources include 'Castlefydegan' (Knox 1902, 135) held by Richard le Norreys before 1251 (Hardiman 1820, 51), possibly 'Shanrath' and

perhaps 'Beynne', the latter held by the FitzElysses (Curtis 1940,290). There are also a number of moated sites, a dozen perhaps, in the manor. Walter Hussee held land in 'Leykyn and Broska' in 1333 (Knox 1902,135) and there is a square moated site,

measuring 31 m by 34 m internally, in Brusk townland (9). John Dolfyn held

Galboley as one of de Burgh's principal tenants (Hardiman 1820, 51). There are two

moated sites there, one a smaller square site measuring 23 m by 25 m internally (42)\ The second site (41) is larger, measuring 52 m by 54 m internally and is raised

above the surrounding area. There is a

rectangular two storey stone structure close

to the western edge of the interior. There are traces of other structures and an

eroded corner of the site shows a section of topsoil above a layer of mortared

rubble, the remains of a curtain wall perhaps. A note, dated 1916, in an album of

antiquarian photographs probably taken by Patrick Lyons in collaboration with H.T.Knox (Waddell 1985-6) and now preserved in the Dept of Archaeology, U.C.G., states that there were traces of several buildings in the revetted platform.

A third moated site, at Raruddy West (77), now consisting of a low flattened enclosure and moat, might be associated with William Core (Hardiman 1820,



THE ANGLO-NORMAN LANDSCAPE IN COUNTY GALWAY 161

51). The remaining moated sites are sited in small distinct groups. There is some

correspondence between these groups and the tenements listed in the 1333

Inquisition Post Mortem. The sites in the cantred probably include those at

Curraghmore (31), Rahereen (76), Cahernamuck West (11), Ben Beg (8) and

possibly Srah (81) though the latter site may lie in Ui Fiachrach Aidhne as there are references to free tenant holdings of that manor nearby. The site at Cahernamuck West (11) has the remains of a two-phase masonry structure that

appears to be a small tower house built onto an earlier structure of rougher masonry. Ben Beg (8) has the well-preserved traces of a leat joining the moat to

the small stream some distance away from the moated site. It seems that Maenmagh was a prosperous cantred (though affected by war in

1333) with two demesne centres, many free tenants, tenants at will and some

gavillers and cottiers. Both free tenants and moated sites appear to have been situated some distance from the demesne lands and the manorial caput. They can

also be linked together. Maenmagh's pivotal geographic position agrees with its

role as the cantred containing the caput baroniae.

Sil Anmchadha

Sil Anmchadha has been identified by Walton as the barony of Longford and

the area known as Lusmagh, immediately across the Shannon. The manorial

caput was the borough of Meelick where there was a castle (40) (Knox 1902, 393

5). Burgesses were present and Knox has noted the placename 'Kilnaborris' or

the church of the burgesses a little to the north of the castle site. There were both

cottiers and betaghs with the latter holding land both to the north, in Ui Maine

in the King's Cantreds and under O Madden. Several areas of land are listed as

being held by free tenants including O Madden (who paid nothing in 1333) and

'Molrighlyn M'Lok-n' (Knox 1902, 395) and two Norman tenants, Geoffrey de la

Vale and (the heirs of) Henry Crok (Knox 1902, 394). A William Crok must have

been one of the chief tenants since he held the castle in 1245 (Sweetman and

Handcock 1875-86,1, 2908) and was raided in 1285 (A. Clon.). Two granges, which may have been nucleated settlements, are noted in 1333 as are various

pieces of ploughland and wasteland. A weir, fishery and water-wheel are listed.

William Liath de Burgh held land at 'Moyfin', in Sil Anmchadha at some stage

(Curtis 1940, LI, 293). The castle at Meelick was first built by William de Burgh in 1203 and all the

annalistic accounts (A.C., A. Clon., A. I, Misc. Irish Ann., AIM., A.L.C.) save one

(Archdairs Monasticum Hibernicum, quoted in the O.S. Letters) seem to indicate

that a motte was constructed by taking control of a church and filling it to the

eaves with soil to provide a base for a large mound. William was forced to

withdraw from the castle by King John and it was reconstructed, probably in

1229 (Orpen 1968, Vol. 3, 176). Hardiman's list of Richard de Burgh's tenants

includes 'Theobald Pincernus' (Butler) (holding) the castle of Mylyck'

(Hardiman 1820, 51). It was destroyed again in 1235 by Felim O Connor (A.C.). It



162 HOLLAND

must have been refurbished since the holder was ordered to hand it over to the

Justiciar in 1245 (Sweetman and Handcock 1875-86, 1, 2908) but it was again

destroyed in 1316 (AC). The 1333 I P.M. describes the castle as being enclosed

by a stone wall and containing a chamber, a chapel, a kitchen along with other

structures, all of which were in need of repair (Knox 1902, 393). It seems

plausible that the various references refer to the same site that was being reused

and rebuilt.

The 1838 first edition 1:10,560 survey shows an oval area delimited by dotting close to the river Shannon, a short distance to the north of the Abbey. Madden

described the site as 'a low green mound of considerable circumference, which is

surrounded by tall and stately trees../ (Madden 1902, 21). I have been informed

that a mound in this area, probably this site, was damaged in 1927 when the

mound material was used in the creation of the river embankment associated

with the construction of the hydro-electric station at Ardnacrusha. The site now

consists of a sub-rectangular area, raised c. 1.5 m above the

surrounding area. It

has one definite corner on the north-west and measures c. 40 m from east to west

and 65 m from north to south. There are slight traces of an external bank, a wall on the western edge and a shallow fosse.

There is a second fine motte with traces of a bailey at Moaty (65) near

Kiltormer. It is close to other Anglo-Norman sites. There are several moated sites

in the cantred and they seem to occupy the same general area as those

identifiable non-Gaelic Irish tenements. One, at Moaty (64), is very close to

Corbally, a free tenant holding (T.55, table 1). The site is almost totally destroyed but is shown on the 1838 first edition 1:10,560 survey as a rectangular banked

enclosure. There is a large square moated site, again in poor condition, at

Lisphasty (56) to the east and a rectangular moated site at Lissareaghaun/or Belview (57) in the centre of the cantred. The possible early castle and/or

moated site at Park (72) might have been in Sil Anmchadha as might also have

been the two moated sites at Foxhall (37,38). We can tentatively identify the manor's physical limits. The 1333 I.P.M.

records that some betaghs held land in Ui Maine, the southernmost King's Cantred and it seems likely that Sil Anmchadha extended northwards to somewhere in the Aughrim area. The 1333 I.P.M. also records that O Madden held land at Timsallagh while 'Molrighlyn M'Loc-n' held land close to an area of

bogs where there are no moated sites or other Anglo-Norman sites. O Madden

may have maintained his position because of his loyalty to de Burgh (Knox 1902,

398). The Anglo-Norman settlements in Sil Anmchadha occupied the area

between Meelick and Aughrim, south and west of the bogs along the Shannon, and north of the boggy area held by O Madden, extending a short distance,

perhaps, beyond the Kilreekil ridge towards Loughrea. The apparent lack of settlement in the parishes of Meelick and Clonfert may be because much of them

was held by the Church (Nichols 1971,67, n. 22). While de Burgh might have




decided to retain this cantred because of its agricultural value, it should be noted that it gave him access to a corridor leading from Loughrea and Aughrim to his castle at Meelick and beyond. Anglo-Norman settlement in the cantred seems to have been restricted. Only one Anglo-Norman free tenant is known in contrast to the six listed in Maenmagh in the 1333 I.P.M. and there does not seem to have

been many nucleated settlements. This could explain the cantred's lesser worth as compared to Maenmagh. O Madden's retention of part of the cantred might explain how he managed to regain control of the area later.

Cineal Aedha

Cineal Aedha has been identified by Knox (1915-16,147) as being equivalent to most of, or at least the southern portion of, the barony of Kiltartan which

occupies the area between the Burren and the Sliabh Aughty mountains. There

appears to be comparatively few historical references to this cantred. A charter,

dating to the primary sub-infeudation of Connacht (1235-6) notes that Cineal

Aedha was to be kept in Richard de Burgh's own hand (Knox 1915-16, 145-6, MacNiocaill 1964, 23, 27). Knox (1915-16,150) believed that an O Heyne was

granted part of the former O Heyne lands as part of the manorial system. This

would appear to be confirmed by a later charter of 1252 (Knox 1915-16,155, MacNiocaill 1964, 67, 61-2) which notes that half of Echtghe (identified by Knox

(1915-16,156) as the cantred of Cineal Aedha) was granted by Owen O Heyne, who had both Norman and Gaelic Irish tenants, back to Maurice FitzGerald.

Richard de Burgh seems to have granted the cantred to Maurice FitzGerald who

held Ui Fiachrach Aidhne to the north. Later John de Burgh, Richard's son,

appears to have been given an interest in the area (Knox 1915-16,170). The non

appearance of the area in the 1333 LPM. could be because the area was retained

as a dower by Elizabeth, John's widow. Walton notes a few inconclusive

references indicating Anglo-Norman tenements in the area, including one to de

la Rochelle holdings in the manor of 'Adlehan', an unidentified location in the

cantred (Knox 1915-16,170, Walton 1980,112). She concludes that the evidence for

settlement is very unsatisfactory. The archaeological evidence is also very sparse. There is only one definite site,

Kiltartan castle (24), a large and complex structure similar to Athenry and

Dunmore. It consists of a large rectangular hall, sited within a ward defended by a curtain wall, gatehouse and mural tower. No other sites are known and several

moated sites to the north are likely to be part of the manor of Ardrahan. Three

factors: (a) an apparent lack of Anglo-Norman settlement, (b) evidence of Gaelic

Irish landholdings within the manor and (c) a large and sophisticated castle

situated in an area of strategic importance commanding the route southwards

would suggest that Richard de Burgh retained the cantred so as to control one of

the major access routes into Connacht but that the cantred was lightly settled

and mainly occupied by Gaelic Irish tenants.



164 HOLLAND

Galway and the Islands.

Other smaller areas, parts of larger cantreds, were retained by de Burgh for

his own use. These were the town of Galway which was part of Claim Taidhg and the islands of Loughs Corrib and Mask. While there is evidence of earlier

fortification of some sort (O'Corrain 1972, 156, 1974, 68-71) at Galway, the town was probably founded by Richard de Burgh. The castle (85) was destroyed in

1233 (AC.) and both the town and castle were burnt in 1247 (AC). The 1333

Inquisition gives a certain amount of information regarding the town. There were

salmon and eel fisheries and a great harbour. Walton notes that while de Burgh had a small amount of demesne and a few free tenants, the main value of the

town lay in the burgage rents, the borough courts and the fisheries (Walton 1980,

110). She also notes that the Pipe Rolls show Galway functioning as a port from

the mid-1270's. Two stone houses are noted in the Inquisition. The form of the

castle is unknown though we do know that it was in the area of the present Courthouse Lane (once Red Earl's lane) near the modern Customs House. The

'old castle of.Richard de Burgho' is noted in this position on the 1651 map

reproduced in Hardiman (1820, 28 and map facing page 30). There are no

moated sites, mottes and baileys or early castles in the immediate vicinity of

Galway city and it seems likely that the area about the town was linked to the manor of Galway with few free tenants living outside the town.

Richard de Burgh retained the islands of Loughs Corrib and Mask for his use.

They were restored to his son when he came of age in 1247 (Sweetman and

Handcock 1875-86, 2908). There seems to have been an extension of the area

controlled in 1256 when O Flaherty was attacked and forced westwards (A.C.). The castles of Castlekirke and Hag's Castle are recorded as being destroyed in

1233, before the conquest (AC). They were restored to Richard's son in 1247 and it is possible that Castlekirke, at least, was only built in stone as an Anglo

Norman castle following the conquest of 1237. The remains at Castlekirke (22) consist of a large rectangular stone hall with small corner towers and a base

batter, sited on a small island. The eastern and western end walls of the hall are

blank and features are concentrated in the long side walls. No other Anglo Norman field monuments are known from the islands, many of which are far

too small for permanent settlement and so it seems very likely that Richard de

Burgh retained and fortified the islands for their strategic value rather than their economic worth. Possession of the islands would have ensured control over the traffic on a convenient routeway.

Lands held by chief and Lesser Tenants of Richard De Burgh.

Having retained the areas noted above as demesne Richard de Burgh divided the remaining lands among his chief tenants. Some smaller areas were held by lesser tenants directly of de Burgh. Hardiman (1820, 51) has a list of the chief de

Burgh tenants, a list which Knox (1901, 368) dated to not later than 1251 but




which 'seems to have been made from scattered entries' (Knox 1902,132). According to this list Thomas FitzLyons and John FitzThomas held two cantreds in the lands of Kerrnoy and Kerylothnarne, one of these areas apparently being in Maenmagh (Knox 1901, 369). Henry de Rupe was in Sil Maelruain, John le

Chaun m Moyntleathy (in Maenmagh, (Knox 1901, 368), John FitzWilliam de

Cogan in Muinter Mailfinnain, John FitzRobert in Ui Lomain, John de Cogan in Cineal Fathaig, Hubert de Burgh in Koratheg (which Knox (1901,368) guessed was in Ballinacourty), Richard de Rupella or de la Rochelle in Montrach and

John Dolfyn in Rathgorgin within Maenmagh. Richard le Norreys held

Casselfidigan also in Maenmagh, John Lynet, Norman FitzWilliam, Robert Barun and William Hose were in Cathernemot and Cathoel while John Dolfyn

was at Galboley (in Maenmagh). William Core was in Raruddy (also in

Maenmagh) with Eadmund Huskard, John de Burgh, Thomas Fitzjordan and Dondovenald (a Gaelic Irish tenant perhaps?) in Cineal Fheicin and finally Theobald Butler held the castle of Meelick. Other names, such as the de

Berminghams who were de Burgh's chief tenants, would also have to be added.

The 1333 Inquisition Post Mortem lists most of the land holdings in modern Co.

Galway under five headings: (a) the manor of Loughrea, (b) the cantred of Sil

Anmchadha, (c) the cantred of Muinter Mailfinnain, (d) the cantred of Clann

Taidhg and finally the cantred of Clann Fhergail Ui Bruin Ratha. Important cantreds, such as Dunmore, are not listed perhaps because, as Knox (1902,136)

suggests, they were held by knight service.

Dunmore

De Bermingham was Richard de Burgh's chief tenant and held the cantred of

Conmaicne Dunmore, a half cantred of Clann Taidhg and probably the cantreds

of Corcamogha and Ui Diarmada. Conmaicne Dunmore was centred about

Dunmore where there is a castle and a town which was burnt in 1249,1284 and

1315 (AC) and walled in 1280 (30 Rep. D. K., in Walton 1980, 122). Knox

identified Conmaicne Dunmore as including the parishes of Templetogher and

Boyounagh, part of Clonbern and possibly the eastern part of Dunmore (Knox

1902, 401). This area is situated mostly to the east of Dunmore on the lower parts of the Williamstown-Kilreekil ridge. Dunmore is surrounded by higher land on

the north and bogs on the east and west.

Dunmore castle (21) consists of a first floor masonry hall situated within the

remains of a curtain wall. It is sited on a large scarped natural ridge. The curtain

wall enclosed the ridge and the hall is in the southern part of the ward. Some

large pieces of shattered masonry may, as Neary (1913-14,124) suggested, be the

remains of mural structures. The hall is a rectangular structure with a base batter

and originally three storeys. It was altered and heightened in late medieval

times. The ground floor had narrow vertical loops set in narrow internally

splayed embrasures. There was one in each end wall and two in the southern

side wall. One loop in the northern side wall may have been accompanied by a



166 HOLLAND

mural stair to the first floor. Both long walls and the western side wall had a

lancet window. A first floor doorway was located at the southern end of the eastern wall, flush with the southern wall. Two putlog holes survive outside and

below the doorway. A low narrow doorway, at the northern end of the western

wall, opens into a short and narrow passage to the site of an outshot latrine on

the wall's exterior. Two square holes in both end walls link to long chases or

gutters running along the inner faces of the side walls at second floor level. These may have been gutters to carry rainwater or they may have held the roof's

wall-plate. Evidence for the shallow roof profile survives on the interior face of

the western wall.

While there is some difficulty in identifying the boundary of Conmaicne

Dunmore it does seem as if there were moated sites within it, situated some

distance to the south and west of Dunmore. There is a small overgrown

rectangular moated site at Darrary North (32) and a moated site with an unusual and probably later, circular annexe at Carrowmunniagh (18). The earthwork at

Graigue (46), a truncated triangle in plan, may not be a moated site while the fine moated site at Newtown (68), north of Tuam may be outside the cantred.

There is a motte and bailey, with traces of a later stone castle, at Doonbally (47)

again to the south-west of Dunmore. There is also a possible deserted village at

Castletown (O.S. 16) to the south-east. It seems that settlement in the area was

restricted both in extent and in density, seemingly being concentrated in the

south-east part of the cantred. The moated sites and Doonbally castle are in an

area relatively free of bog and it may be that the higher and boggy land to the

east of Dunmore, towards the King's Cantreds, was controlled but not settled by the de Berminghams.

Clann Taidhg

The de Berminghams also held a large portion of the cantred of Clann Taidhg which was composed of much of the centre of present day Co. Galway excluding

the de Burgh demesne manors and the cantred of Dunmore. The areas held by the de Berminghams included half of the smaller area known as Clann Taidhg, the cantreds of Corcamogha and Ui Diarmada as well as the areas of 'Moyre', 'Moldone' and 'Montiragh' (Knox 1902, 399). The town of Galway, held by de

Burgh, and a tenement at Kilcaimin held by Richard Huskard in 1333 (Knox 1902, 399) made up the rest of Clann Taidhg. The smaller area known as Clann

Taidhg was identified by Knox as being within the baronies of Tiaquin and

Killian (Knox 1902, 399). However Walton believes that it was composed of the

barony of Athenry and probably part of Tiaquin barony which seems more

likely since Athenry was a major centre of the de Bermingham land holdings. The area defined by Walton occupies the land about Athenry as well as the

higher land to the north-east in Tiaquin barony. Settlement was begun in Clann

Taidhg by Meiler de Bermingham some time after 1237 and before 1241, the




foundation date of the friary at Athenry (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 221). An earlier grant of Clann Taidhg and Ui Diarmada by William de Burgh was

probably only speculative (Nichols 1972b). The castle was probably constructed, or at least well under way, by the foundation date of the friary. The town was

granted a weekly market and annual fair in 1244 (Sweetman and Handcock 1875-86, 1, 2674) and a murage grant in 1310 (Walton 1980,123). Peter de

Bermingham mortgaged the manor of Athenry, among others, to Italian bankers in 1291 (O'Sullivan 1949,19).

The castle (5) consists of a large rectangular stone first floor hall within a ward defended by a curtain wall, gatehouse and mural towers. There is a very interesting ring-castle (15) and a moated site with traces of stone buildings in its interior at Carnaun (16), some three miles to the north-west. The castle at

Rathgorgin, motte at Oldcastle (69) and two nearby moated sites, all in the

south-east, appear to belong to the manor of Loughrea. The cantred of Athenry seems somewhat confined and could only have extended to the north and east into Tiaquin. The small number of known sites near Athenry need not infer a

restricted settlement but rather that settlement near one of the major towns in

Galway took a form other than moated sites.

All of the sites noted above are within, or close to, the modern barony of

Athenry. Walton (1980,123) believes that portion of Tiaquin barony formed part of the cantred of Clann Taidhg and Knox (1902,400) thought it was part of

yMoyre' and 'Moldone' but there is little archaeological evidence to match these

beliefs. There are only two archaeological sites in this area, a moated site at

Lenareagh (54) and the reputed remains of an early castle at Tiaquin (82) where

some masonry fragments remain. If these fragments are the remains of the castle

destroyed in 1266 (A C, A.F.M ), it is possible that they represent an

unsuccessful attempt to expand the cantred of Athenry westwards onto the

Williamstown-Kilreekil ridge. It may be that while most parts of the cantred of

Athenry were settled, the extent and nature of the development may not have

been as great as hitherto thought. The area may have been held by O'Kelly as a

tenant of de Burgh (Knox 1902,400). The areas known as Corcamogha and Ui Diarmada are listed in the 1333

Inquisition as being worth nothing since O Connor then occupied them. As

Claffey (1983,71) points out there is an annalistic entry for 1325 (A.L.C)

recording that Felim O Connor had taken hostages of Ui Diarmada. These two

cantreds were held by de Bermingham. Robert Coterel (Walton 1980,124) or

Cogeshal (Claffey 1983,65), named in a charter of 1275 as lord of Ui Diarmada

(Blake 1900-1, 71), must have held the land of de Bermingham. It is possible that

Corcamogha was part of the same tenement as the two areas are listed together. Walton (1980,124) identified Corcamogha as the parish of Kilkerrin in the barony of Tiaquin. There is some disagreement about the precise location of Ui

Diarmada since Nichols (1972b,121) identifies it as being the parishes of



168 HOLLAND

Moylough, Killererin and Aghiart while Walton (1980, 124) believes it to be the

parish of Moylough. Whatever their precise location, both of the cantreds were

situated on the Williamstown-Kilreekil ridge between two higher areas and to

the south of the eastern parts of Clann Taidhg. The archaeological evidence is very scarce. There are the remains of a tall

first floor hall situated at the edge of a ridge at Moylough (67). The ground floor was lit by several small loops. A first floor doorway gave access to the

main room of the hall which was lit by tall lancets with seats and shutters.

The outshot latrine was probably, as Waterman suggests (1956, 75) at the

missing western corner, at the high end of the hall. A doorway across the

northern corner of the interior leads into a stair to the second floor. The

second floor appears to be an addition and has no recognisably early features.

There is a fine moated site at Moat (63) nearby which is sited on, and created

from, a natural ridge in low-lying land4. There may also have been another

moated site in the area (Claffey 1983,156). These three sites are all in the

parish of Ui Diarmada and there are no sites in the other areas named above.

It seems that the modern parish of Moylough is Ui Diarmada and that there

was an attempt at settlement there. Claffey (1983, 67), believes that a

settlement was created between the castle and the church but there is no

evidence of this though it would be an obvious location for a settlement.

There is no evidence known to this writer for any settlement in Corcamogha. The 1333 I.P.M. records that these two areas were under O Connor control,

presumably as a result of a re-conquest. An annalistic reference to the killing of a number of people in this area (AC) by Turlough O Connor and Donogh

O Gillapatrick may refer to the attack that ended the attempt at settlement.

Although the de Berminghams retained some influence and interest In the

area (Walton 1980,125) it seems likely that their attempt to permanently

garrison and settle the area were unsuccessful as with Tiaquin castle and the

eastern portion of Clann Taidhg. The remaining portions of Clann Taidhg held by the de Berminghams are

listed in the 1333 I.PM, as 'Moyre', 'Moldone' and 'Montiragh' (Knox 1902,

396). Knox (1902, 400) identified 'Moyre' and 'Moldone' as the western part of

Tiaquin barony with the eastern part being the half cantred held by the heir of

Richard de Bermingham. While this is partially, if not totally incorrect, it is

important to note that while much of Tiaquin barony is supposed to have been

settled by the de Berminghams, there is little sign of such settlement. Either O

Kelly held land there as a tenant, as Knox (1902,400) suggested, or else perhaps settlement did not take place because of O Connor and/or O Kelly opposition. 'Moyre' has been identified by Walton (1980,129) as 'Meyre' or Medhraigh, a

cantred located in the modern parish of Ballynacourty, an area now known as

Maree. Richard de Burgh seems to have retained Maree after the Conquest and it was probably rented out. Walton believes that the de Berminghams rented or




were granted the area since Philip de Bermingham was involved with a law suit

concerning the church there in 1317 (Walton 1980,129). Ballinacourty Court (17) is a small first floor hall situated a short distance to the north of a medieval church. It was probably the centre of the manor. The lack of other sites in the

Maree area may be due to their not being recognised but the apparent absence of moated sites could be due to the small size of the manor or a lack of free tenants. The small size of the manor of Meyre is confirmed by the fact that the 1333 LP.M. records that Richard Huskard held two townlands at Kylekamyn or

Kilcaimin (Knox 1902, 396) to the north of Ballinacourty Court, in the centre of the peninsula and close to the site of a possible moated site at Seafield (80).

Knox (1901,368) believed that 'Koratheg' (Hardiman 1975, 51) was in

Ballynacourty. Knox thought that 'Montiragh' an area for which Peter de Bermingham's

heir is listed as having held a theodum in 1333 (Knox 1902,396), was the area

about Athenry (Knox 1902, 400). Walton (1980,126) however shows it to be Muinter Fathaigh, identified as the parish of Killererin in the baronies of Clare

and Tiaquin, an area between Tuam and Moylough and between the Clare river and the Williamstown-Kilreekil ridge. If this is so it is likely that

Athenry was contained either within the half cantred of Clann Taidhg or

within the theodum in Moldone. Ware noted that John Canutus held the area

of Richard de Burgh in 1242 ( Walton 1980, 126). In 1247 (AC.) some people,

presumably Anglo-Normans, were killed in a raid. The area was held by John le Chaun from 1277 to 1280 (Walton 1980, 126) and probably earlier i.e. not

later than 1251 ( Hardiman 1820, 51). By 1333 it was in de Bermingham hands.

Walton believes that there was some settlement there. There are three moated

sites in the general area. There is a moated site with a later childrens' burial

ground at Graddoge (45) and a probable site at Cloonascragh (25) though the

impressive moated site at Doonbeg (34), to the south, might be part of the

manor of Corrofin. The apparent lack of a castle, nucleated settlement or

monastic settlement would seem to indicate a low level of Anglo-Norman settlement.

Most of the de Bermingham holdings in Co. Galway, Dunmore, Corcamogha, Ui Diarmada, Clann Taidhg, Muinter Fathaigh and perhaps 'Moldone' form a

continuous line from Dunmore to Athenry along the Williamstown-Kilreekil

ridge. While some of the settlements, such as Athenry and Dunmore, prospered or at least survived, others including Moylough and Tiaquin did not. Both of the

latter sites did have a small number of associated moated sites. We can only

presume that villages and dispersed settlements were also associated with

Dunmore and Athenry. If the manorial documentation had survived it is likely that the contrast between places such as Athenry and Moylough would be far

more evident.



170 HOLLAND

Clann Fhergail Clann Fhergail has been identified by Walton as being most of the parish of

Oranmore in Dunkellin and Galway baronies, a substantial area at the head of

Galway Bay. Ware says that it was held by Philip de Barry in 1242 (Walton

1980,127-8) and there are a number of law suits at the end of the thirteenth

century which mention a manorial court at Oranmore and which seem to show

that the area was settled. Odo de Barry held the manors of Oran and Rinville in

1322 (Knox 1901, 369). There is not a substantial amount of archaeological evidence presently available in this area. There is a rectangular moated site with

evidence of masonry structures at Garraun North (43) and another moated site

at Frenchfort (39), both south of Oranmore. A small rectangular raised site at

Palmerstown (71) might also be accepted. There is a parish church with a

medieval grave slab at Oranmore (Walsh 1973) and a similar church and slabs

nearby at Roscam. It seems likely that there was an unenclosed village at

Oranmore with a hall of some sort belonging to de Barry, a forerunner perhaps, of the later tower house. The moated sites would probably have belonged to free

tenants of the manor, being some distance away from the manorial caput. The manor extended to the south-west as far as Rinville but not as far as Kilcaimin.

Gno Mor, Gno Beg and Conmaicne Mara.

Land holdings in Gno Mor and Gno Beg are listed in the 1333 Inquisition. Some small tenements such as Barna and Tullokyne can be recognised. It seems

that small tenements were situated along the coastline westwards from Galway and along the western shore of Lough Corrib northwards from Galway where

there is an area of fertile land jutting out into the lake. No moated sites or early castles were located in these two areas nor have they been located by the Galway

Archaeological Survey (Gosling 1993). The apparent lack of sites would suggest that these areas were either held by Anglo-Normans living elsewhere or else by

native Irish tenants. The fact that all the townlands have no tenant names listed and all are recorded as then being worth nothing would seem to support the latter conclusion.

Hubert de Burgh is recorded as holding a half cantred of Knockbeg of Walter de Burgh before 1271 (36 Rep. D.K., 63 in Walton 1980,159). The 1333 I.P.M.

records that the pleas and perquisites of the court of Gno Mor and Gno Beg were

worth ?5 which leads Walton to believe that there were a number of settlers there. The lack of archaeological evidence for Anglo-Norman settlement could be due to the fact that they have yet to be recognised or else that the majority of tenants were native Irish, The tenements which make up Gno Mor and Gno Beg are all situated close to Galway and these two cantreds seem to have been concentrated in the western half of the barony of Moycullen. This area would

only have been settled after 1256 when Richard de Burgh took possession of all Loch Oirbsen (AC, A.L.C.). The cantred of Conmaicne Mara is listed in the 1333




I.P.M. as being worth ?12. 6s. 8d. previously but then nothing. Walton (1980,

159) identifies the barony of Ballinahinch as Conmaicne Mara. Jordan de Exeter was granted a weekly market and annual fair at a place called Tipernehinch' in

1253 (Walton 1980, 159, Sweetman and Handcock 1252-84, 250) and was later

(1258) killed by pirates off the Connemara coast. This coincidence, along with

the placename which could be a garbled version of Ballinahinch, led Walton to

suggest this identification. It would be unwise to put too much reliance on it

given the uncertain nature of the evidence. It is clear, however, that there was

some settlement or at least Anglo-Norman land holdings off the west coast as

there are records of a court case regarding the islands of Inishbofin and Inishark

(Walton 1980,160) though as she notes, land tenure here could be an off-shoot of

settlement in Mayo. The same is probably true of the moated site at

Millpark/Fahy (59)(Gosling 1993,171) and the early castle referred to at

Cappaghnagapple or Petersburgh (73).

Ui Briuin Ratha

Ui Briuin Ratha was part of Clann Taidhg though it was not valued in the 1333 /.P.M.. John de Cogan held it from Richard de Burgh and in 1252 he was

granted a weekly market and annual fair at Claregalway, the caput of the manor

(Sweetman and Handcock, 1252-84,121). The Franciscan friary must have been

built before 1250-56 since a charter of c. 1250-1256 mentions it as well as the

'curtilage of Robert the Vicar and the wood of Carnau' (Gray 1959, 53). It is clear

from these documents that substantial occupation had taken place in Ui Briuin Ratha and specifically in the Claregalway area by the 1250's. John de Cogan is

recorded (Hardiman 1820, 51) as holding Cineal Fathaidh some time before 1251, an area identified by Knox (1901,368) as the parishes of Annaghdown and

Claregalway. William Liath de Burgh acquired Lissavally from John FitzThomas

in 1289 (MacNiocaill 1964, 42, 40). It appears that John de Burgh managed to

gain an interest in the manor after 1310 when his father granted land to him and to his wife, Elizabeth on their marriage. The manor is only briefly mentioned in

the 1333 I.P.M. because it was held in dower (Knox 1902,136). Walton identifies Ui Briuin Ratha as the parish of Claregalway in the baronies of Clare and

Dunkellin, an area which lies to the east of Lough Corrib on both sides of the

river Clare as it flows into the lake. Ui Briuin Ratha would probably have

extended northwards from Galway and from Clann Fhergail which was centred around Oranmore. Much of the land to the west of Claregalway, between it and

the lake, is bogland and so Ui Briuin Ratha would have extended to the north and east of Claregalway.

There are few Anglo-Norman archaeological sites in this area. The tower

house at Claregalway may have been built on the site of de Cogan's earlier castle or hall but no trace of it remains. The Franciscan friary still stands and the little island in the river to the south of the friary is probably that referred to in the



172 HOLLAND

1250-1266 charter. The village of Claregalway is probably on its original site

since the 'curtilage of Robert the vicar' is mentioned as being opposite the friary. There are three moated sites in the area, Carheeny (14) and Racoona (76) to the

north and Coolaran (28) to the north-east. Carheeny is a large rectangular moated site while Racoona is also rectangular but contains the rough grave markers of a childrens' burial ground as well as a large rectangular gravestone. Coolaran, again a rectangular site, is unusual in being shown on the first and

second O.S. surveys as a small sub-square field and a circular enclosure of trees

respectively. It is likely that these sites belonged to free tenants of the manor

whose tenements were some distance from the caput. It seems unlikely that the manor would have extended as far south as the moated sites north of Oranmore, which probably belonged to Clann Fhergail or as far east as Kilskeagh (52) which was probably part of the manor of Athenry. The limits of the manor to the

north are unclear except that they would probably not have extended as far as

the manor of Corofin. Ui Briuin Ratha would appear to have been a small and

relatively well settled manor with a village, friary and market at the caput and

outlying free tenants.

Muinter Murchada

Muinter Murchada is mentioned in the Annals (A.C.) under 1238 as being one

of the areas in which a castle was built following the conquest of Connacht in the

previous year. It was held by Walter de Ridelsford and appears to have

consisted of two main parts: the manors of Athmekin (Headford) and Corphyn (Corrofin), situated in the northern part of Clare barony. This area is situated to

the east of Lough Corrib and consists of flat land, mostly pasturage, on a

limestone bedrock. The Williamstown-Kilreekil ridge forms the eastern edge of the area.

An early grant of Muinter Murchadha by William de Burgh was probably

only speculative (Nichols 1972b). The manor of Corphin lay about the river

Clare. Walter de Ridelsford's possessions were divided between his two

daughters and their various heirs (Knox 1900-1,169). Emelina inherited Corrofin

while Headford passed to Walter's granddaughter, Christiana. The manor of Headford was centred about the castle of Headford (7), of which no trace now

remains. Various events resulted in two documents which record the value of the manor, one from 1281 (Sweetman and Handcock, 1252-84, 2810) and the

other from 1284 (Sweetman and Handcock, 1252-84, 2340). These, like an earlier document dating to 1243, a mandate to the Justiciar listing the main tenements in the manor were published by Knox (1900-1). Walton has shown how small land

holdings survived the conquest to become Anglo-Norman tenements (Walton 1980,103). In brief 'bailte' belonging to minor chieftains were later 'villates' held

by tenants of the manor. Most of the tenants listed in the two complementary valuations are Anglo-Norman tenants. Some may have come from England, as




Walton (1980,113) suggests since they are noted as being 'of Hereford' and 'of

Northampton' (Knox 1900-1,172). No gavillers or cottiers are noted. The manor

had some demesne land as well as pasture, meadow and arable land. There was

also a water mill and a fishery.

Many of the areas held by the tenants have been identified, some less reliably than others, by Knox (1900-1, 178) and can be plotted (see map). The tenements

occupy the parishes of Kilkilvery, Killursa, Cargin, Killeany, Kilcoona and part of Belclare. Knox (1900-1, 177) believed that O Flaherty was allowed to retain some of his lands about Loughhackett (the parishes of Donaghpatrick and parts of Killower and Belclare). There is a lack of references in the valuations to these areas and this may be due to O Flaherty's tenure. However he appears to have

been expelled from his lands before the valuations of 1256 and 1273 and he may not have held these areas. It could be that the transfer of the lands to the new

owners, apparently the Hacketts, was not recorded in the valuations for some reason. The Gaynard family, who were probably the chief tenants, were the

largest landholders in the manor and they held land to the south and south-west

of Headford while David FitzThomas held land to the west. Other tenants held

land close to Headford or on an island in the Corrib. It seems as if Headford was

situated between two large tenements with other smaller tenements close by. There are three known Anglo-Norman secular sites: a castle, now

destroyed, at Headford (7) and two castles, or more properly halls (Holland 1996), on the

lakeshore at Cargin (13) and Annaghkeen (2). Cargin was held by the Gaynards (Knox 1900-1, 183) and Annaghkeen was probably held by David FitzDavid as it

is situated within his lands (ibid., 171). These three castles would have controlled

the manor. Two are situated at a narrow point in the lake where a ferry operated until recent times. It is likely that a small nucleated settlement existed at

Headford, perhaps close to the castle but was not large enough to have been a

borough and there appears to be no reference to a market or a fair. Some of the

tenants may have been absentees and it may be of significance that none of the

tenants of the manor listed in 1284 are named as jurors in the earlier extent of

1281 (Knox 1900-1,170-172). On the other hand the apparent lack of moated sites

may be due to the presence of the two tenant castles. There is no evidence of

gavillers or cottiers.

The manor of Corrofin formed the second part of Walter de Ridelsford's lands in Muinter Murchadha. Emelina, his daughter, inherited it and in 1252 a grant of a weekly market and an annual fair was given to her and her husband

(Sweetman and Handcock, 1252-1284, 2810). Settlement had probably commenced by then. In 1325 Alan de la Zouche returned the manor of Corrofin to Richard de Burgh from whom he had received it in 1304 (Curtis 1940, 291, xxxxv and xxxvi). Knox (1900-1, 367) has identified the manor as being

composed of 'parts of Belclare and Kilcoona and the parishes of Cummer,

Killerein, Kilmoylan and Lackagh' (though he also identifies the area as Ui



174 HOLLAND

Briuin Ratha, which was the manor of Claregalway). Corrofin was the caput of

the manor. There is a tower house there which might have been built in 1451

(Nolan 1900-lb, 27). An aerial photograph (Cambridge Coll. BDN 77) shows the

castle to be sited upon a rectangular raised area, a moated site perhaps. There are three moated sites to the north-east of Corrofin and three more to

the south but many of these could belong to another manor such as

Claregalway. Although manorial documents do not survive it seems likely, if we

accept the evidence from other areas, that (a), there were free tenant holdings in

these manors and (b) that some of these free tenants occupied moated sites some

distance from the caput and, presumably, from the demesne lands. We can also

suggest that free tenants held land to the south and west of Corrofin.

Ui Fiachrach Aidhne

Ui Fiachrach Aidhne was situated in the south-eastern portion of County

Galway, between the Sliabh Aughty mountains and the head of Galway Bay, in

the area formed by the barony of Dunkellin and the northern half of Kiltartan

barony. It was granted to Maurice FitzGerald by Richard de Burgh and the text

of the charter survives (MacNiocaill 1964, 23, Knox 1915-16b, 145-6). It is thought to date to about 1235-6 and mentions one Ruaidhri O Heyne who appears to

have previously held the cantred showing either the divide formed by the

conquest and/or O Heyne being a tenant of de Burgh. Maurice received a grant of free warren in his lands and a weekly market and annual fair in his manor of

Kilcolgan in 1241 (MacNiocaill 1964, 4,16-17). Kilcolgan and Ardrahan, the caput, were the two centres of the manor, each perhaps being sited within one of the two cantreds forming Ui Fiachrach Aidhne (Knox 1915-16b, 148). Maurice

managed to exchange lands with the bishop of Kilmacduagh so as to obtain access from Kilcolgan to the sea (MacNiocaill 1964, 28,30-1 Knox 1915-6b). Both

Ardrahan and Kilcolgan were boroughs with burgesses. The burgage rent for

Kilcolgan was twice that for Ardrahan. Both towns were burnt in 1258 (A.C.). Ardrahan was seized by the Earl of Ulster in 1264 (A.L.C) as part of the

Geraldine/de Burgh feud.

Settlement seems to have commenced by c. 1240 since a document of that

date, which records an agreement to build a castle similar to that used by Jordan de Exeter in the manor of Ardrahan shows us that Jordan had not only taken

possession of his lands but had also constructed a castle, possibly at Dunkellin

(MacNiocaill 1964, 191,167, Knox 1915-16b, 155) where there may have been an

earlier O'Connor fortification (O Corrain 1972, 156). A 1252 agreement gives us some information about the manor of Ardrahan (MacNiocaill 1964, 67, 61-2

Knox, 1915-16b, 155). It records that Owen O Heyne had granted half a cantred of land in Cineal Aodha to Maurice FitzGerald. This cantred appears to be that reserved by de Burgh for his own use in the charter of 1235-6 and it would

appear that all of the cantred had come into Maurice's possession at some point.




It is also of interest to note that Owen O Heyne, holding land as a tenant of

Maurice FitzGerald, had tenants himself, both Irish and Anglo-Norman, with

their own charters. O Heyne was clearly integrated within the manorial

framework and apparently assisted in the construction of a friary founded by de

Bermingham at Athenry (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 221). The document which gives us the most information, however, is the 1289

extent of the manor of Ardrahan. Maurice FitzGerald died and a precise account

of the manor's worth was required for its division between his two daughters, Juliana and Amabilia. The 1289 extent, together with the 1321 Inquisition Post

Mortem of Thomas de Clare (Knox and Redington 1911-12, 81-1), are the basic source documents for information regarding manorial settlement in Ui Fiachrach

Aidhne. The amount of detail given in the extent is such that a reconstruction of

detail can be made in conjunction with the archaeological evidence. The castle

(4), with its stone chamber, two cellars, grange and curtilage was worth two

pounds. The castle today consists of the remains of a first floor hall within a

large rectangular banked enclosure. Two mills and a forest are noted. The

demesne lands, both arable and pasture, are listed and many of the placenames can be identified (table 2 and map). A significant pattern can be seen. The

identifiable demesne lands are situated in three main areas: (a) about the inlet of

Kinvara which led Knox to suggest Dunguaire as an early castle or site thereof,

(b) in the Ardrahan area and (c) in the Craughwell area. No tenant names are

given for these areas but it is probable that most were rented to farmers.

The lands held by free tenants show a similarly significant distribution. Most

of the free tenant lands are situated some distance away from the caput of the

manor, Ardrahan and they form a rough but clearly visible circle about it. The

siting of the remaining, unidentified, tenements can be suggested since there is a

definite and regular correspondence between the free tenant listing in the extent

and in the actual location of the extent. It seems as if the jurors listing the

tenements (or the rent roll which they may have consulted) used a simple clockwise progression starting to the north of the caput where one of the largest tenements, that belonging to the Joys, was situated. The mutually exclusive

distributions of demesne and free tenant lands are made more significant by the

fact that moated sites are not found in demesne land but generally in land held

by free tenants. At least two of the known moated sites can be linked with

specific tenants. Richard Valens held Drumharsna where there is a rectangular moated site (35). The site appears to have been subject to later interference as

there are traces of structures superimposed upon its eastern sector. A nearby tower house hints at a continuity of land-holding into the late medieval period.

Richard Valens may also have held land at Cahermore (10) where half of a

moated site remains. The Joy brothers, Thomas and Hugh, held Suifin, Moycola and Gortnamanagh near the moated site at Killogilleen (50) which is itself close to a medieval parish church. A fourth moated site, Cuilmore (30), is likely to



176 HOLLAND

have formed part of the tenement held by Norman Fitz William. Rooaunmore

(79) is a small moated site unusual in being sited upon a scarped ridge while the

sub-rectangular earthwork with internal divisions at Manninard (58) may also

be medieval.

If we asstime that the main tenants would: (a) have paid most rent, (b) held most named areas and (c) acted as jurors we can list Peter le Pouer, the Joy brothers, Norman FitzWilliam, William Hackett, William le Osillour, William

Marshall (the latter three holding less land for less rent than those named before) and Gilbert Valens (a non-juror) as tenants. Several of the manor's moated sites can be associated with these proposed main tenants. No Gaelic Irish tenants are

noted in the list of free tenants although it is clear from the 1252 agreement (MacNiocaill 1964, 67, 61-2, Knox 1915-16b, 155) that they did hold land within

the manor. Knox (1915-16b, 164) believed that families such as the O Heynes, the O Shaughnessys and the MacGillakellies continued to hold land, mainly in the

south and south-east of the manor where there appears to be a lack of Anglo Norman sites. However and unlike other manors, there are not a

large number

of areas held by anonymous, and possibly Gaelic Irish, tenants in the extents.

Settlement appears to have existed at Ardrahan before the Anglo-Norman

conquest. The remains of a round tower and an annalistic reference confirm the

presence of an Early Christian monastery. Traces of an enclosing bank used, if not constructed, by the Anglo-Normans remain and portion of the castle (4) still

stands. There are also traces of the medieval church mentioned in the extent

(Knox 1915-16b, 171) and later in 1333 (Knox 1902,61). The settlement was

strategically situated on a dry ridge, running roughly east-west and overlooking the area about. It was also centrally placed within the manor. The present street

pattern and the late market cross may reflect earlier arrangements. The

settlement appears to have been a substantial one though it would probably be more appropriate to regard it as a large developed village rather than a town. A

burgess total of 81 with a burgess population of 405 can be proposed, if one uses

the '1 shilling per burgess per year' formula but these figures seem somewhat

inflated. It is worth noting that, unlike Kilcolgan, there is no record of Ardrahan

being granted a market and fair but it would be unusual if the caput of the manor

did not have these facilities. Substantial earthworks (Knox 1915-16b) survive close to the sea at Kilcolgan

and it is likely that the medieval settlement was situated there rather than at the

village's present location (MacNiocaill 1964, 49, 47 Knox 1915-16b, 151). The earthworks can be identified as a deserted medieval village perhaps overlying earlier settlement. Kilcolgan, like Ardrahan, would appear to have been a substantial settlement of the rural borough type with burgesses. A burgess population of some 730, calculated on the same basis as above, again seems

unlikely and a lower figure is probable, Kilcolgan may have owed its prosperity to its location on the sea and access to trade.




It is likely that there were other nucleated settlements within the manor.

Traces of many house foundations exist between the medieval church and the site of the castle at Dunkellin (36). Another possible deserted medieval village is at Isertkelly North (O.S. 114) again in close proximity to a medieval parish church. There are also earthworks around Killogilleen parish church. It seems as if there were several other smaller and subordinate settlements situated some distance from the two boroughs and probably associated with larger tenements.

Moated sites can be shown to be associated with free tenants but there are far more free tenants than surviving moated sites and some tenants may not have

lived in moated sites. The placename 'Keppachnecurt' may indicate an

unenclosed hall (MacNiocaill 1964, 60,54). The 1289 extent was made because of the division of the cantred between

Maurice FitzGerald's two daughters, Juliana and Amabilia. Amabilia received the

Kilcolgan portion of the manor which then passed to John FitzThomas. In 1299 the

long conflict between the FitzGeralds and the de Burghs was resolved when all

FitzGerald lands in Connacht were transferred to the Earl. He settled Kilcolgan on

his son John who died in 1313. Kilcolgan was then part of the dower of John's wife,

Elizabeth, and does not appear in the 1333 LP.M.. Juliana, Maurice FitzGerald's other daughter, received the Ardrahan section of the cantred and it passed firstly to

her son Thomas de Clare and then to a grandson, another Thomas, on whose death

in 1321 an inquisition was taken (Knox and Redington 1911-12, 81-2) which, in

comparison to the 1289 extent, provides interesting information.

While, unfortunately, the tenement names are not given, it is clear that many of the 1289 tenants were still present in 1321 (table 2) including nearly all those

tentatively identified as major tenants. Many of the lesser tenants are missing. The de Burghs seem to be achieving a position of power within the manor as at

least five are named as tenants and/or jurors, perhaps replacing the missing tenants. A greater or more noticeable Gaelic Irish presence can be seen. One of

the jurors was a MacGillakelly and several others with Gaelic Irish names held

land including some of the O Heynes. A element of assimilation can probably be

seen in the fact that a Joy, who was known as Simon Cog or 6g held lands at

Craughwell. A butchers' shambles, a bakery, a worthless market and a neglected

park are all mentioned and the impact of war is clear. The castle (4) contained

only the walls of a tower, the stone hall presumably, which would suggest that

any other buildings there were of wood. By 1335/6 the cadet de Burghs were in

possession of the manor (Knox and Redington 1911-12, 79-80).

Muintermailfinnain

The cantred of Muintermailfinnain has been identified by Walton (1980,132) as

the barony of Leitrim and the southern part of the barony of Longford. It

appears to have been composed of three areas, Cineal Fheicin,

Muintermailfinnain itself and Ui Lomain. These three areas appear to have



178 HOLLAND

mainly been held by the de Cogan family while Richard de Burgh retained large areas of land within the cantred for his own use. The caput of his lands and of the

cantred in general was at Portumna while there was an important demesne

centre at Kilcorban with buildings, free tenants, gavillers, a borough and tenants

(Curtis 1940, 288-9, ix-xii). Cineal Fheicin was held by John de Cogan in 1242,

according to Ware (Walton 1980, 13) and he received a grant of free warren in

October 1245 (Charter Rolls 1226-57, 289 in Gray 1959,43). He must have occupied his lands by then at least. In 1252 he was granted a weekly market and annual

fair at his manor of 'Maysketh' (Sweetman and Handcock, 1252-84,121) a

location which Walton suggests was close to the present village of Abbey where

de Cogan founded a Carthusian chapter house in 1252. The foundation charter

specifies that the monks had the right to draw a water supply through his

demesne lands if they wished and it seems likely that the monastery was

situated close to the manorial caput. Gray has examined the foundation charter

and concludes 'The general picture is of lands in the immediate vicinity of

Abbey, with fishing rights on a small lake called Cullenan as well as on John de

Cogan's share of Lough Derg and other lands more vague in the neighbourhood of Claregalway' (Gray 1959,55). Richard de la Rochelle appears to have held a

manor about Duniry from de Cogan.

Duniry was burned in 1256 (AC) and later it is recorded that it had been laid

waste by the Irish (Walton 1980, 32). Cineal Fheicin was probably centred on

Abbey, with Duniry being a subordinate manor, and extended to Lough Derg on

the south-east. There does not appear to be any surviving moated sites or castles

in this area. Edmund Huskard, John de Burgh, Thomas Fitzjordan and

Dondovenald (an Irish tenant ?) are listed (Hardiman 1820, 51) as holding land

in Cineal Fheicin before 1251 (Knox 1901, 368). William Liath de Burgh seems to

have held the area in 1305-7 (Walton 1980, 336). Muintermailfinnain was, according to Ware (Walton 1980, 336) held by

William de Cogan but there is no evidence of settlement until the 1250's when Innocent IV confirmed a grant of the patronage of the churches of Portumna and

Lickmolassy and of the tithes of Muintermailfinnain to the abbey of Dunbrody (Charts. St. Mary's 11, 19-20 August 1254 in Walton 1980, 133). Both Portumna and Lickmolassy are situated on, or close to, the northern shore of Lough Derg.

David and John de Cogan granted back land in Muintermailfinnain to Richard de Burgh in 1312 (Curtis 1940, 289, xxiii-xxv). There is a moated site at Lecarrow

(53), between Kilcorban and Portumna. There is little information regarding Ui Lomain, its position or settlement. It

was held by John, son of Robert de Cogan between 1272 and 1280 (36.Rep, D. K. 63.

Pipe Roll 10 Ed. 1 in Walton 1980,133). This area seems to have passed back into de

Burgh hands by 1333 as the Inquisition of that year records that the area was held in freehold by various tenants (Knox 1902, 396). Gilbert de Nagle appears to have

held both Ui Lomain and Muintermailfinnain before the conquest (Knox 1902,




284) Walton believes that Ui Lomain included Kilcorban. Ui Lomain was probably to the east of Duniry, near Kilcorban. There is a small moated site at Ballyhanry (6) close to Kilcorban. There is a motte and bailey, damaged by later gravel digging, at

Moat (62) and two other moated sites, at Cappacur (12) and Lecarrow (53). While the motte and bailey might pre-date the settlement of the area, the three moated sites are almost certainly part of the subinfeudation of Muintermailfinnain. None of the moated sites are situated close to a known manorial village and they appear to occupy the space between the settlement about Abbey and Duniry and that about Portumna. If Kilcorban was within Ui Lomain, it could be that the moated sites are located within the de Burgh demesne lands and belonged to de Burgh's tenants They also appear to be located close to O Madden's presumed position. At

any rate they have a peripheral distribution. Anglo-Norman settlement in Muintermailfinnain in general occupied an area extending between Loughrea and Portumna along the river valley and between the area of bogs and O Madden

territory to the north and the Sliabh Aughty mountains to the south.

Clann Cosraigh

Richard de Burgh granted Clann Cosraigh to his son John and Elizabeth, his

wife, m 1310 (P R. O.L. C49/10/22, M2, Chan. Misc in Walton 1980,130). Walton

notes that the accounts rendered by Elizabeth's bailiffs show that there were a

few settlers there. She believes that this area was to the east of Galway while

Knox (1915-16b, 170) thought that it was in the barony of Clare, 'perhaps

adjoining Brunrath'.

Sil Maelruain

Sil Maelruain has been identified by Knox (1902, 66) as lying mostly in County Roscommon, m the barony of Castlereagh. It appears to have been held by de

Rochford who was killed in 1254 (A.C.) and later by Henry de Rupe (Hardiman

1820, 51). There is little evidence of settlement and what was there may have

started after 1241 when the Justiciar attacked the area's chieftain (A.C). In 1333

the area was a de Burgh manor with a castle at Ballintober and some tenants

(Knox 1902, 59-60). It is possible that Sil Maelruain extended into the barony of

Ballymoe, in the north-eastern corner of Co. Galway. The town of 'Burges Beoil in

Tachair', attacked and burnt in 1266 (AC), has been identified as Ballintogher, Co. Sligo Walton (1980,135-6) points out however that the barony of Tirerrill was

never settled as it was one of the King's Cantreds and so it is possible that it could

be identified with Templetogher in Ballymoe. O'Donovan noted a castle there

(A.F.M., III, 354, note x) and scanty remains there today seem to be those of an

early hall. There are also the remains of an unusual earthwork, perhaps a moated

site, at Moat (61) to the south-east of the castle. The scanty and unconfirmed

archaeological evidence would appear to confirm the evidence gained from

historical sources of an attempt at settlement ended by successful Irish attacks.



180 HOLLAND

The King's Cantreds

The river Shannon formed the frontier between the kingdom of Connacht and the Anglo-Norman settlements in Meath. The areas close to Athlone, on the

western side of the Shannon, were subject to Anglo-Norman expansion and

aggrandisement from an early date as they were an important bridgehead. Richard de Burgh finally had his long-standing grant of Connacht made effective in May, 1227. A condition of this grant was that the cross lands and five cantreds

near the castle of Athlone were to be reserved for the king. The probable intentions were firstly to ensure a measure of direct control over Connacht and de Burgh and secondly to retain an area of land for the king's own profit. The five cantreds retained were Ui Maine, Tir Maine, Magh Ai, Tir Tuatha and Magh

Lurg-Tirerrill and these were composed of, in general terms, the barony of Clonmacowen and the eastern parts of the baronies of Kilconnell, Killian and

Ballymoe, all in Co. Galway as well as the barony of Tirerrill in Co. Sligo and all

of Co. Roscommon excluding the baronies of Frenchpark and Castlereagh. A castle was build at Rindown in 1227 to protect Anglo-Norman settlements

in the southern King's Cantreds. This attempt to settle resulted in an Irish revolt and the Annals record that settlers in Tir Maine were attacked in 1230 (A. C). Richard de Burgh recommenced his conquest in 1235, after a pause due to his

having fallen foul of English politics, and Felim O Connor made peace and

agreed to rent the King's Cantreds. However he attacked Meelick castle (40) and Rindown later that year, Onagh castle was built, probably to guard the route

from Athlone to Galway as well as to guard the settlements. Felim made peace

again in 1237 (A. C), accepting the King's Cantreds. Suicin castle (84) was built in 1245 (A. C.) and can be seen as a further attempt to

gain control over the southern King's Cantreds which had yet to be extensively settled. A large scale attempt to create settlements in the King's Cantreds commenced in 1252. Oliver de Aspreville was granted land about Aughrim in Ui

Maine, identified as the baronies of Moycarn (Roscommon), Kilconnell and

Clonmacowen (Galway) (Sweetman and Handcock 1875-86,1252-84,35, Knox 1902,

285). In the following year Richard de la Rochelle, who held land near Duniry to the

south, was given 20 librates of land close to de Aspreville's which he seems to have

acquired (Sweetman and Handcock 1875-86,1252-84,223). At the same time he was

given a licence for a gallows and assizes at his manor of Aughrim (Sweetman and

Handcock 1875-86, 1252-84, 224,226). The day after, Roger de Lokington was

granted two villates of land, 'Slef and 'Muinassan' in Tir Maine (Sweetman and

Handcock 1875-86,1252-84, 225) and finally on the 8th of July Jordan de Exeter was

given four villates of land in Ui Maine. An ambitious plan to give the King's half

brother and favourite a large area of land was eventually dropped probably because, as Walton suggests (1980, 464) granting an absentee such a large area of

land would have been potentially weakening. It is unclear as to whether many, if

any, of these grants were made effective in the unsettled conditions of the time.




In 1257 the new Justiciar, Alan de la Zuche, seems to have introduced a new

policy whereby Felim O Connor was given a secure grant of the three most

northerly cantreds, presumably in the hope that it would deter him from

attacking settlements. He does appear to have retained some land in the southern King's Cantreds, Tir Maine and Ui Maine. In 1258 Richard de la

Rochelle was granted all of Ui Maine, excluding what was already granted, with

permission to build a castle and to hold markets and fairs (Walton 1980,467). He was probably granted at least part, if not all, of Tir Maine at the same time since a later grant of 1267 confirmed his tenure of Clann Uadach in Tir Maine (Walton 1980, 473, n.163). Felim and his son Aedh resented these grants and a castle was built at Roscommon in 1269 to resist their attacks.

Richard de la Rochelle chose Aughrim as his caput and appears to have entered his lands by 1270 when he granted land at Tristaun to John de Fyfide (Cal Ormonde Deeds 1, 247 in Walton 1980,468, n.140) and at Carragh to John de

Farewell and his wife Amicie as well as two other unidentified locations (Walton 1980, 468). He also made grants of land in Tir Maine, the baronies of Athlone,

Co. Roscommon and parts of the baronies to the north and west in Galway and Roscommon. He granted land in Clann Uadach, (identified by Walton (1980, 473) as being in the parishes of Cam and Dysert in Athlone South), at

'Fynchmahe' (? Feevagh td.), at 'Macsyemenan' and at 'Kilkarch' (Kilcor td.) to

the abbot and convent of St. Mary's of Dysert. He gave the villates of 'Athnebeg' and 'Hervelan' in Clann Uadach to John Fyfide and he also gave land in the same area to Roger de la Rochelle and Nicholas de Chauspee (Walton 1980,473).

It is unlikely that there was much, if any, actual and lasting settlement as

Aedh O Connor launched a massive anti-settler attack in 1272. After much

warfare and royal expenditure, the O Connors were restricted to the two and a

half most northerly King's Cantreds. Richard de la Rochelle died in 1277 and in

1282 his son Philip said that when the escheator had taken Ui Maine into the

king's hand it was 'all waste and no man inhabited it' (Walton 1980, 469). In

1281 Philip granted John de Fyfide the land granted to him by Richard de la

Rochelle which would suggest that de Fyfide had not taken possession of it

after the first grant. War with the O Connors continued until 1281 and the

constant fighting probably prevented any successful attempt at settlement. It

appears that Philip de la Rochelle eventually gave up on the attempt to hold

his lands as he granted all his lands in both Tir Maine and Ui Maine to

Theobald Butler, his cousin, in 1282 (Sweetman and Handcock 1875-86, 1302

7,198, Curtis 1930-33, 122-3). At least one of Philip's tenants also granted land

to Theobald Butler (Curtis 1930-3,122-3). The wars continued and the southern

King's Cantreds remainded disturbed until the 1290's. Butler died in 1285 and

his lands in Tir Maine and Ui Maine, including the manor of Suicin in Creagh

parish on the east of the river Suck at Ballinasloe (Curtis 1930-33, 123) came

into the king's hand until 1290. The escheator's accounts for 1287-9 include



182 HOLLAND

THE ANGLO-NORMANS IN COUNTY GALWAY.

This map is an attempt at a reconstruction of the Anglo-Norman presence in Co. Galway. The references to

landholdings are from the 1333 de Burgh Inquisition Post Mortem, the 1281 and 1284 valuations of the manor of Muinter Murchadha and the 1289 extent of the manor of Kilcolgan in Ui Fiachrach Aidhne. This list of 85 sites is

equivalent to the 80 in Holland 1994 (not 81 as noted on p. 204) when one takes account of sites listed there under two headings (Townparks, Ardrahan North and Park) giving a total of 77 sites to which is added here eight reported, unusual or destroyed sites (Armagh Hill, Doon, Graigue, Millpark (see Gosling 1993,171 for this site),

Moneen, Petersburgh, Portumna and Racoona). Other sites will, no doubt, be noted but, in the meanwhile, as with Glasscock's map of moated sites (Holland 1994) this map will serve as a 'preliminary to further study'.

The sites noted on the map are: 1. Armagh Hill, moated site (possible), not visited,

report from Galway Archaeological Survey. 2. Annaghkeen, early castle. 3. Ardour, moated site. 4. Ardrahan North, early castle and perhaps a

moated site. 5. Athenry, early castle. 6. Ballyhanry, moated site. 7. Headford (Balrickard td.), early castle. 8. Ben Beg, moated site. 9. Brusk, moated site. 10. Cahermore, moated site. 11. Cahernamuck West, moated site with tower

house and earlier structure. 12. Cappacur, moated site. 13. Cargin, early castle. 14. Carheeny, moated site. 15. Carnaun, ring-castle. 16. Carnaun, moated site with internal stone

structures. 17. Ballinacourty Court (Carrowmore td.), early

first floor hall. 18. Carrowmunniagh, moated site. 19. Castlebin East, moated site. 20. Castleboy, early castle, destroyed since survey. 21. Dunmore (Castlefarm td.), early castle. 22. Castlekirke, early castle. 23. Castletogher, possible early castle. 24. Kiltartan or Ballinamantam castle (Castletown

td.), early castle. 25. Cloonascragh, possible moated site, destroyed. 26. Cloonigny, moated site. 27. Cloonsheen, possible moated site. 28. Coolaran, moated site. 29. Aughrim castle (Coololla td.), possible early

castle. 30. Cuilmore, moated site. 31. Curraghmore, moated site. 32. Darrary North, moated site. 33. Doon, motte, reported by Galway

Archaeological Survey, not visited. 34. Doonbeg, moated site. 35. Drumharsna South, moated site. 36. Dunkellin, possible early castle, destroyed. 37. Foxhall, moated site. 38. Foxhall, moated site. 39. Frenchfort, moated site. 40. Meelick (Friarsland td.), possible motte, early

castle. 41. Galboley, moated site. 42. Galboley, moated site. 43. Garraun North, moated site. 44. Glenaslat, moated site. 45. Graddoge, moated site.

46. Graigue, unusual site, possibly a moated site. 47. Doonbally, motte and bailey. 48. Grange Beg, site destroyed before survey,

possible moated site. 49. Hillswood, site destroyed before survey,

possible moated site. 50. Killogilleen, moated site. 51. Kilmacduagh, early first-floor hall. 52. Kilskeagh, very small early first-floor hall. 53. Lecarrow, moated site. 54. Lenareagh, moated site. 55. Loughrea, early castle, destroyed. 56. Lispheasty, moated site. 57. Lissareaghaun, moated site. 58. Manninard, unusual site, possibly a moated

site. 59. Millpark, moated site, not visited, reported by

Galway Archaeological Survey. (Gosling 1993, 171).

60. Moat, moated site. 61. Moat, moated site. 62. Moat, motte and bailey. 63. Moat, moated site. 64. Moaty, moated site, almost totally destroyed. 65. Moaty, motte and bailey. 66. Moneen, moated site, not visited, reported by

Galway Archaeological Survey. 67. Moylough, early castle. 68. Newtown, moated site. 69. Oldcastle, motte and bailey. 70. Pallas, moated site. 71. Palmerstown, unusual site, possibly a small

moated site. 72. Park, possible early castle in moated site. 73. Petersburgh, early reference to castle but only

late and/or undiagnostic remains. 74. Portumna, possible early castle, but no definite

traces and only a modern reference (Orpen 1968, Vol.3, 192.) which does not seem to be corroborated in the 13331.PM.

75. Racoona, moated site, not visited, Galway Archaeological Survey report.

76. Rahereen, moated site. 77. Raruddy West, moated site. 78. Rathgorgin, early castle. 79. Rooaunmore, moated site. 80. Seafield, site destroyed, possible moated site. 81. Srah, perhaps an incomplete moated site. 82. Tiaquin Demesne, early castle references but

little remains. 83. Tooloobaun, early castle. 84. Ballinasioe: Dun Leodha, possible pre-Norman

fortification, Suicin, early castle of which no trace survives.

85. Galway castle, early references, no traces.



I

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references to 'Antrim', identified by Walton (1980, 292) as Aughrim, the

principal manor in Ui Maine as well as expenditure on the castle there. In 1304

jurors said that the Irish had 'prostrated his castles and burned and wasted his lands' (Sweetman and Handcock 1875-86, 1302-7,198). Aughrim was burnt in 1307 (AC.) and both the castle and the settlement were burnt in 1315 (A.C.). O

Kelly took over the area shortly afterwards. Walton (1980, 472) concludes that 'what English settlement there (Ui Maine) would seem to have taken place in and around Aughrim and Suicin'. It is likely that the settlement took place after 1252 when many grants were made and probably by 1270 when Richard de la Rochelle seems to have taken control of his lands. There could have been some attempts at settlement following the Butler acquisition of the area in 1282.

Two cantreds of the King's Cantreds, Tir Maine and Ui Maine, extended into

present-day Co. Galway, between the Williamstown-Kilreekil ridge and the river

Suck. Ui Maine was in the baronies of Clonmacowen, Moycarn and parts of

Longford and Kilconnell. There are several moated sites on the higher land to

the west and north-west of Aughrim, the caput. They would include those at

Pallas (70), Cloonigny (26) (a very fine site with traces of internal structures), Moat (60), Castlebin East (19) and possible sites at Moneen (66) and Hillwood

(49). There are historical references to early castles at both Aughrim (29) and

Suicin (84) though only late or undiagnostic remains are to be found there. A

motte has been reported at Doon (33) to the north-west of Aughrim and it is

more likely to belong to the pre-conquest phase of warfare or the earliest

settlements of the late 1250's. Suicin castle (84) guarded the crossing point into

Connacht and the routeway which led, via the Eiscir Riada to the west (O Lochlainn 1940,471). Aughrim is sited on a long ridge 'which forms the western

skyline for the traveller who, with Ballinasloe and Garbally behind him, moves

on towards Loughrea and Galway' (Hayes-McCoy 1969, 246) a position which

would later see a major battle. The archaeological evidence agrees with the

historical in showing a relatively restricted settlement with caput, castle and free

tenants. Many of the sites are likely to have had very short lives as this area was

recovered by O Kelly early in the fourteenth century. Tir Maine was in the barony of Athlone and adjoining baronies. While this

area was outside the scope of this author's survey, Gannon's survey has located

several moated sites in Co. Roscommon. Tir Maine was also along the east-west

routeway which was guarded by Onagh castle. It is likely that Anglo-Norman settlement in this cantred was also short-lived and sparse. Walton (1980,185), in

studying the 1306 Ecclesiastical Taxation notes that 'the English settlement that

took place in the King's Cantreds ... was very light in all but a few places'.



Table 1 The 1333 de Burgh Inquisition

Post Mortem, Named Tenements and Tenants. oo

Tenant Area (Knox

1902)

Identification Source

(named areas only.)

Dl Demesne Manor of Loughrea Loughrea

D2 Demesne, Gavillers. Tolleghowban Tooloobaun Knox, 1902

(henceforth = K.)

D3 Demesne, Lord's carpenter Tollaghwban do. K, 133.

D4 Demesne Camclon D5 Demesne Ardcoman

D6 Demesne Park Earlspark K., 134.

D7 Demesne Camclon

T8 Thomas, son of Eustace Ardcoman

T9 William de Burgh Ardcoman 2

T10 Certain tenants (at will) Ytabrodhwe ?

Til Certain tenants (at will)

Carcray

Cahercrea, Killeenadeema K, 134. >

T12 Certain tenants (at will) Lekdrigk Lickerrig K, 134 o

T13 Certain tenants (at will) Dirdoghyr

T14 Tenants (at will) Carmuck ? Cahernamuck West P.H.

D15 Watermill

and

fishery

Loghry Loughrea

D16 Watermill

Tollahoban

Tooloobaun

T17 John de Burgho Free Tenants Clancorun

T18 Hubert de Burgh Kilvyll

T19 Philip Baron Balysyn

T20 Thomas Dolfyn Rathgorgyn Rathgorgin

T21 Thomas Dolfyn Kilnegolan T22 Thomas Dolfyn Rathnethan

T23 certain tenants Bon ? Binmore, Grange (no such td. ?) K., 135.

T24 (not named) Lathraigh Laragh, Killimordaly.

T25 (not named) Dirclyrry



Table 1 cont.

T26 Walter Hussee Leykyn

T27 Walter Hussee Broska Brusk, Kiltullagh K, 135

T28 Walter Erie Clos/Olus

T29 William de Burgh Castelfydegan T30 William de Burgh Athnogaragh

T31 William de Burgh Rathedicriok H

T32 William de Burgh Tynobeg gj

T33 Walter Broun Ballymcacorthan >

T34 John de Burgh

Ardecoman

see earlier entries. o T35 Cottagers

Tologhoban

Tooloobaun O

I 36 Bakery, stallage

Loghry Loughrea ? 37 Prisage of beer Loghry do. ?

T38 Certain tenants Tollahoban Tooloobaun 2 T39 Certain tenants

Lokdryk Lickerrig K, 136 C

T40 Tenants Clanclyn Z

D41 Demesne Sil Anmchadha

Castle

of Melok Meelick castle $

D42 Demesne Monbally %

D43 Demesne Betaghs Moyfyn _

D44 Demesne Betaghs Balymontroghy

D45 Demesne Betaghs Atthroyk

Athcroca

nr. Shannon Harbour K, 394 0

46 Prisage of beer

Burgage

of Mylok Meelick ?

D47 not named Lyswagh

? Lusmagh,

Co. Offaly K., 394. K D48 not named Croghill Craughwell, Kiltormer K., 349 >

D49 Henry Crok Le Clen.s[or01en..s]

? Clonshease (not a td.) K.,349. 5

D50 not named Lysward ^ D51 not named Lysdougles

T52 O Madden Free Tenants Townsillagh Timsallagh, Kilquain. K., 394

T53 O Madden Killyncathall

T54 Geoffrey de la Vale Leswagh ? Lusmagh P.H.

T55 not named Corbally Corbally, Donanaghta

T56 not named Lysdowan Lisdooaun, Donanaghta K, 394 go



Table 1 cont. ??

T57 Molrighlyn M'Lok.n' Kenkill Cankilly, Clonfert K., 395 B58 Burgesses Burgage of Milock Meelick

T59 not named Bowk

D60 Demesne Muinter Mailfinnain Kywarban ? Kilcorban K, 395

D61 Demesne Tenants

Kylcarbans

Kilcorban K.,395

D62 Demesne Tenants Carnboey D63 Demesne Tenants Corcloske

D64 Demesne Tenants Balymckortan

D65 Demesne Tenants Nentocar D66 Demesne Tenants Kilmocorok

D67 Peter Polay Kilmocorok

D68 Demesne Tenants Dunderi Duniry K, 395

D69 not named Koppaughsalaugh Cappasallagh,Kilmalinoge K, 395

D70 not named T. ^

D71 Tenants Kylgarban Kilcorban P.H. j g

D72 Prisage of beer Portoman Portumna >

D73 Ferry Portoman Portumna ! a

T74 Court Free Tenants Portoman Portumna [

T75 Tenants Kynaloyn Cineal Fheicin K.,396

T76 Tenants Rynhanny

T77 Tenants Crallaugh Grallagh, Leitrim K, 396

T78 Tenants Olamman Ui Lomain K.,396

T79 Richard de Burgh Dromoran

T80 Tenants Kenmey Ceann-Muige, Leitrim par. K, 396

T81 Tenants Mayingghwryl B82 Burgesses Burgage Portumna

T83 Tenants Balymc.lyn

T84 R. de Bermingham Clan Taidhg Clan Taidhg K.,396

T85 Oconeghor (O Connor) Corkmowe Corcamogha K., 396

T86 Oconeghor (O Connor) Odermath Ui Diarmada



Table

1 cont.

T87 not named Moyre

Medhraigh

Walton 1980,129

T88 not named Moldone ? in

Tiaquin Bar. K? 400 T89 Peter de Bermingham Montiragh Muinter Fathaigh Walton 1980,126.

T90 Richard Huskard Kylkamyn

Kilcaimin,

Ballinacourty K., 396.

T91 Escheats Galvi. Galway

T92 no name Clann Fhergail

Clannargyl

Clann Fhergail K., 396 H T93 Burgesses Galvy Galway K., 396. ?

T94 not named Borne Barna > T95 not named Balyother p

T96 not named Balymackolvew in Kilcummin parish K., 397. 9

T97 Tolaghkoygan

Tullokyne,

Moycullen K., 397 O

T98 Dromgornagh f

T99 Gommor Gno Mor, Kilcummin parish K., 397 2 T100 Gommor Gno Mor,

Kilcummin

parish K., 397 ? T101 Gonoghbeg Gno Beg,

rest

of Moycullen parish K., 397 g

T102 Com mar Conmaicne Mara n

> m Z n o c o > > i?* QO

_______J ^



,_- n (?*

Table 2 Extents of the Manor of Ardrahan. oo

No.ofarea 1289 Extent 1321 Extent

Rent

and Name of Area Juror? Major Area Source of

on map. landholders landholders Size

(MacNiocaill

Tenant Identification Identification; Knox

(areas not named) 1964,60,53-7)

1915-16 - K, Red Book

(MacNiocaill

1964) = R. B.

1 Demesne ?6.for Turles and Dungory K., 175

2 Demesne Ardlayeth.

3 Demesne

?8.for

Strusand

4 Demesne Ballymacdonkadha.

5 Demesne ?8.for Ardmoranand

6 Demesne

Kensawyr

and 7 Demesne Dyrykennete. 8 Demesne ?2.13.4.for

Carekyn and Carrigeen K., 175

9 Demesne Forwyre O

10 Demesne ?2.13.4

for Keltcowan

Kilquain K, 175 r

11 Demesne ?2.13.4.for

Crechmol

Craughwell K., 175, R.B. ? 12 Demesne ?1.6.8.

Rathessan

Rahasane K., 175 ?

! 13 Demesne ?1.6 8.for

Kynsillagh

and Keamsellagh K., 175 | 14 Demesne

Rathcostry Rathcosgry K., 175

I 15 Demesne ?2.13.4. Rathbergon

| 16 Demesne ?2.0.0 Croscoly

Crossooha K., 175 ' 17 Demesne ?2.0.0 for

Oduffres

and Dooms K., 175

I 18 Demesne Keppachnecurt

? Cappagh K, 175(pace RB)

j 19 Demesne ?2.0.0. for Belfychclanch and

20 Demesne Cacherfordaly

and ?Caherdaly K, 175, R.B.

! 21 Demesne Lothomoyr

\ 22 Demesne ?2

0 0 for Rathalbelyng

and

i 23 Demesne Balykery and ! 24 Demesne Kilflamabrat

; 25 Demesne ?1.0.0 for Kynelmoth and

! 26 Demesne Lysmangan

! 27 Demesne ?0.13.4

Schanganath

i_._._



Table 2 cont.

28 Demesne ?0.10.0. Bnlyloan 29 Demesne

?0.10.0

Reynerkalan 30 Demesne

?1.6.8.

for Colony and

31 Demesne Kildonrys ? in Doorus

32 Two weirs ?0.13.4 Kilgoigyn Kilcolgan

and a mill

33 Advowson Ardrahan Ardrahan h

of church m

34 Peter le Pouer John le Pouer ?0.6.8., Glasleathur * |

1 vill

p

35 ? Peter le Pouer ?0.13.4., Balygody Ballycuddy K., 175, R.B. O

1 vill ?

36 ? Peter le Pouer ?1.7.6., Grena Grannagh K., 175, R.B. g

2vills

Tullachmassil

and 1289 * >

37 Thomas Joy Thomas Joy ?4.4.0., n

4 vills |

38 do. Magseangola

O [+Gortnemanagh

p

(Knox 1915-16b,170)] and Moycola 3

39 do. Catherkethan and Catherskeehaun

K., 175, R.B. g

40 do Lechbalymoldoyn

and ? Lavally R.B. n

41 do. Leychardan

and ? 42 do,

Kelbalath ?

43 Hugh Joy ?3.6.8., Balydoynyn

and 1289 * *<

2 vills ?

44 do. Rathastrath

and ^ 45 do.

Clochan Corrach j> 46 Hugh Joy ?2.0.0..

Syndfynand Seafin K., 175, R.B.

75 vill

47 do. Lysbiogan

48 Norman Norman

?1.6.6.,

Womdedit and 1289

FitzWilliam Fitz William 2.5 vills

49 do. Balyblohach

and 50 do. Grenath and oo

__] ^o



I-_- 1 (-A

Table2cont. g

51 do. Ysachanand

i

52 do. Inelathibrenan Emlagh R.B.

I 53 William William ?0.9.0. Grellach 1289 * j Hackett Hackett 1.5 vills Maylathan

! 54 Maurice Maurice ?0.13,4 Kylkennys and

I deCanteton deCanteton 2 vills

: 55 Maurice de Maurice de Balylahan Ballylin R.B., pace Kv 175,

I Canteton Canteton

1 56 William le ?8.13.4,

Balytachmotha 1289 *

Oisillour 1 vill

57 William David ?0.18.3., Lysloyn 1289 * ? BaUymariscal K, 175

Marscall le Mareschal

.25 vills j

58 Walter Brun ? Tancard Brun ?1.0.0.,

Balyduf 1289 Adam Brun I

.5 vills 1321 Tancard Brun

59 Adam ?0.13.4

Balychery j

deWal 1 vill ?

60 Geoffrey ?1.6.8, Rathyn ?Raheen K., 176 P

de Rochfort 1 vill Demesne _%

61 Gilbert Gilbert ?013.4

Caherglassaun

and * Caherglassaun K.,176RB. \ a

Valens le Waleys 2 vills

62 do. do. Cahermyng and ? Caherawoneen R.B.

I or ?

Cahermore

P.H.

! 63 do.

do.

Domarsene

64 Roger Roger

?0.11.0

Balydondehyny

Francys Franceys 1 vill

65 Geoffrey Geoffrey ?0.11.0 Cropan

Purcell Purcell 1 vill

66 Adam ?0.6.8 Mcblockand

Molwog RB

de St Albin 1 vill

67 Adam de St Achadleadord

Albin



Table 2 cont.

68 Jordan ?0.13.4

Donncolyn and

? absentee Dunkellin K., 176

de Exeter

2 vills

69 do. Rochbethach Roevagh R.B.

70 Thomas ?0.6.8 Cloltan Olayan .25 vill

71 John FitzHenry ?0.6.8 Molwog

le botiller 24 acres h

72 Walter ?0.6.8 Doryylygen

Hardly Pace R.B. m

Clement 1 vill Derryloughan in Moycullen ?

73 William ?0.6.8. Leyskenyn Liskevin K., 176 p

Mayllard

1 vill O

74 Walter Hackett ?0.3.4. Balymacagrey ? .5

vills |

75 Thomas Nicholas ?0.13.4. Coychill 1321 Nicholas Crok >

Crok Crok

1 vill n

76 Richard Hackett ?0.6.8 Balylon Ballylin K., 176, R.B. >

1 vill O

77 Philip FitzThomas. 5 vill Rowa Roo K., 176 ?

78 Burgesses ?4.1.0 Ardrahan Jg 2 vills ^

79 Burgesses ?7.6.8 Kylgolgy n

2 vills

O

H

1321 Additional Freeholders 1289

Other

Jurors 1321 Other Jurors John de Rossathy *

William de Burgh Richard de Letto Donough MacGillakelly William f. Hubert de >

John Clon Philip f. Presbiter Hugh f. Hubert de Burgh Burgh ^ Imolagh Richard f. Nicholas Henry son of the Parson ^

William f. Hubert de Burgh

Peter Clerk John Aubrey

The Smith Henry de Burgh ? Rusclan Donough O'Heyne

John de Capella Richard f. Norman

Nicholas le Porter William le Waleys

^o i?i



192 HOLLAND

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NOTES

1 Most of the historical evidence noted here is derived from Knox (1901 and 1902) and especially Walton (1980).

2 The numbers after site names refer to the map accompanying this article. Only those site

references that are of direct relevance or assistance will be quoted. References published after

1987 are not noted except for some such as Lynn 1985-6 and Gosling 1993. The numbers

preceded by D or T on the map or in the tables refer to the relevant manorial extent or

Inquisition Post Mortem (7.P.M.) for that area. These are discussed in the text.

3 This site is in the barony of Athenry and I am grateful to Mr. Eamonn Cody for having informed me about it and other sites, especially the ring-castle at Carnaun.

4 This site was first identified as a moated site by Dr J.A. Claffey who has published a description of it in his History of Moylough-Mountbellew (1983,156).

