Notes

1. The author wishes to acknowledge the useful assistance in the preparation of this article by Brian Ó Dálaigh, Stuart Wrathmell and Martin Breen and assistance given regarding Petworth House manuscripts by Alison McCann at West Sussex Record Office, Chichester.

2. Mac an Oirchinnigh (son of the erenagh). The surname is numerous in County Clare where the lineage were a sept of the ruling Mac Conmara, with related branches in North Tipperary and Limerick. The name was recorded by Gaelic ecclesiasts in fifteenth century Papal correspondence in its compact form ‘Macmeyrcheyn’ (Mac an Oirchinn) and in the fuller form ‘Macanaerehynyg’. Early spellings give full expression to the internal guttural ‘ch’ phonetic and suggest a hard syllabalistic ending. The former was retained in the nineteenth century spelling ‘McInerheny’ which prevailed in Irish speaking districts in Clare. In this article I use the spelling ‘McEnerhiny’ as it approximates the general sixteenth century spelling of McInerney. On spellings in the Papal Letters see Luke McInerney “Clerics and Clansmen: The Vicarages and Rectories of Tradraighe in the Fifteenth Century”, North Munster Antiquarian Journal, Vol.48, 2008, pp.1-21.

3. Kenneth W. Nicholls, “Genealogy”, The Heritage of Ireland, Neil Buttimer, Colin Rynne, Helen Guerin (eds), The Collin Press, Cork, 2000, pp.156-160, p.157.

4. See, for example, N.C. McNamara, The Story of an Irish Sept: Their Character & Struggle to Maintain Their Lands in Clare, 1896, republished by Martin Breen, Ruan, 1999 and John O’Donoghue, Historical Memoir of the O’Brien’s, Hodges, Smith & Co., Dublin, 1860, republished by Martin Breen, Ruan, 2002. On more specific studies see Aoife Nic Ghiollamhaith, “Kings and Vassals in Later Medieval Ireland: The Uí Bhriain and the MicConmara in the Fourteenth Century”, Colony and Frontier in Medieval Ireland, Essays Presented to J. F. Lydon, eds., Terry Barry, Robin Frame & Katherine Simms, Hambledon Press, London, 1995, pp.201-216; Andrew J. O’Regan, Thomond and the Tudor Crown: Enforced Change in a Gaelic Lordship, unpublished PhD thesis, University College Dublin, 1987 and Brian Ó Dálaigh, “From Gaelic Warlords to English Country Gentlemen: the O’Briens of Thomond 1543-1741, The Other Clare, Vol.25, 2001, pp.40-42.

5. Notable examples include Patrick Nugent, The Gaelic clans of Co. Clare and their territories 1100-1700 A.D, Geography Publications, Dublin, 2007 and Patrick Nugent, “The Dynamics of the Clan System in Fourteenth Century Clare”, County Clare Studies, Ciarán Ó Murchadha (ed), Clare Archaeological and Historical Society, Ennis, 2000, pp.55-71. Also see the author’s article on the lordship of West Clann Chuiléin in Luke McInerney, “The West Clann Chuiléin Lordship in 1586: Evidence from a Forgotten Inquisition”, North Munster Antiquarian Journal, Vol. 48, 2008, pp.33-62.

6. Mary O’Dowd (ed), Calendar of State Papers, Ireland, Tudor Period 1571-1575, Kew Public Record Office, Irish Manuscript Commission, 2000.

7. The Irish Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns: During the Reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Phillip & Mary, and Elizabeth I, Éamonn de Búrca Publisher, Dublin, 1994.

8. Mary O’Dowd, Power, Politics and Land: Early Modern Sligo 1568-1688, Institute of Irish Studies, Belfast, 1991, p.86.

9. James Frost, A History and Topography of the County of Clare, 1893, (reprint), Dublin, 1973.

10. Patrick Nugent, “The interface between the Gaelic clan system of Co. Clare and the emerging centralising English nation-state in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century”, Irish Geography, Vol.40, No.1, 207, pp.79-98, p.82.

11. R.W. Twigge, Materials for a History of Clann Cuilein, Add Ms 39260, Twigge Collection, British Library, pp.180-186.

12. See Luke McInerney, “The West Clann Chuiléin Lordship in 1586: Evidence from a Forgotten Inquisition”.

13. Martin Breen, “A 1570 List of Castles in County Clare”, North Munster Antiquarian Journal, Vol. XXXVI, 1995, pp.130-138 and R.W. Twigge, “Edward White’s Description of Thomond in 1574”, North Munster Antiquarian Journal, Vol. 1. No.2. 1910, pp.75-85.

14. A. Martin Freeman (ed), The Compossicion Booke of Conought, Irish Manuscripts Commission, Dublin, 1936.

15. John Ainsworth (ed), The Inchiquin Manuscripts, Irish Manuscripts Commission, Dublin, 1961.

16. Mary O’Dowd, “Gaelic Economy and Society” in Ciaran Brady & Raymond Gillespie, Natives and Newcomers: Essays on the Making of Irish Colonial Society 1534:1641, Irish Academic Press, Dublin, 1986, pp.120-147, p.142.

17. J.A Twemlow, Calendar of Entries in the Papal Register Relating to Great Britain an Ireland, Vols. V-XIV, London; Michael J. Haren Vols. XV, XVIII-XIX, Dublin, & Anne P. Fuller, Vols. XVI-XVII and XX, Dublin.

18. ASV Regestum Supplicationum, [microfilm record], National Library of Ireland.

19. Ms 1777, Typescript copy of a survey of lands in the diocese of Killaloe made for Bishop Worth, 1661, transcribed by (Rev) James B. Leslie, National Library of Ireland, 1936. The original manuscript can be accessed at the library of the Representative Church Body, Dublin [Ms D.14/1].

20. On Clare genealogies faithfully republished from manuscripts see Seán Ó hÓgáin, Conntae an Cláir: A Triocha Agus A Tuatha, Oifig an tSolátair, Baile Átha Cliath, 1938.

21. K.V. Kelleher, “The Pre-Norman Irish Genealogies”, Irish Historical Studies, Vol.XVI, No.62, 1968-9, pp.138-141, p.138.

22. Kenneth Nicholls, “The Irish Genealogies: Their Value and Defects”, The Irish Genealogist, Vol.5, No.2, 1975, pp.256- 261 and T. Whitely Moran, “The Medieval Gaelic Genealogies III, The Irish Genealogist, Vol.5, No.1, 1974, pp.5-20.

23. Sean Mac Ruaidhri Mac Craith, Caithréim Thoirdhealbhaigh: The Triumphs of Turlough, Standish Hayes O’Grady (ed), Irish Texts Society, London, 1929, Vol I & II.

24. R.W Twigge, Materials for a History of Clann Cuilein, Add Ms 39266, Twigge Collection, p.315 & p.317. Twigge records that RIA Ms 23.H.22, p.11 was “transcribed in 1803 by Peter O’Conell from the Roll written by Maolin og Mac Bruaideadha in the year A.D. 1588”.

25. See RIA Ms 23 G. 4, pp.400-401. I thank Kenneth W. Nicholls for identifying the link between these genealogies.

26. Kenneth Nicholls, “The Irish Genealogies: Their Value and Defects”, p.258.

27. Kathleen Mulchrone (ed), The Book of Lecan: Leabhar Mór Mhic Fhir Bhisigh Leacain, The Irish Manuscripts Commission, Dublin, 1937, p.434.

28. Bernadette Cuningham & Raymond Gillespie, Stories from Gaelic Ireland: Microhistories from the sixteenth-century Irish annals, Four Courts Press, Dublin, 2003, p.13.

29. Luke McInerney, “The West Clann Chuiléin Lordship in 1586: Evidence from a Forgotten Inquisition”, p.43.

30. On descriptions of the McEnerhinys as a noble sept-lineage see Nollaig Ó Muraíle (ed) The Great Book of Irish Genealogies, Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh, Vol. III, De Búrca Publishing, Dublin, 2003, p.693. This traditional account cites Clann an Oirchinnigh (McEnerhinys) as among the nobles who descended from Caisín. Also see Anthony Bruodin’s Propugnaculum Catholicae Veritatis Libris x Constructum, in Duasque Partes Divisum. Pars Prima Historica in Quinque Libros, Prague, 1669 where he refers to the lineage of Br Jeremias de Nerihiny (Jeremy McEnerhiny) who was killed by Cromwellian soldiers at Quin Friary in 1651 as “Tradrie in Tuomonia antiquae nobilitatis, magnarum que divitiarum (mihi probè notos) consecutus eft parentes” (Jeremias de Nerihiny of Tradree in Thomond was of a great ancient noble family [well known to me] of wealthy parentage).

31. Luke McInerney, “Survey of the McInerney Sept of Thomond: Part I”, The Other Clare, vol. 31 (2007) pp.67-72 (and Part II in The Other Clare, vol. 32, 2008, pp.27-35.)

32. RIA Ms 23 L.37, pp.172-173.

33. Printed in Seán Ó hÓgáin, Conntae an Cláir: A Triocha Agus A Tuatha, p.40 [footnote].

34. Kathleen Mulchrone (ed), The Book of Lecan: Leabhar Mór Mhic Fhir Bhisigh Leacain, p.434.

35. For other genealogies that cite the origins of the Mac an Oirchinnigh see RIA Ms 23.N.12, pp.186-187; RIA Ms 23 H. 25 p.84; RIA Ms D i 3, f.74v; RIA Ms E iv. 4(a) f. 28. Also in published form see Analecta Hibernica: No.18, O’Clery Book of Genealogies, (ed) Seamus Pender, Irish Manuscripts Commission, Dublin Stationery Office, 1951, p.153.

36. RIA Ms 23.H 22, p.11. This claim is repeated in an early nineteenth century scribal note and pedigree by Conchubhar Mac In Oirchinne of Ballybaun in County Clare: RIA Ms 24.M.40 96i.

37. Annals of the Four Masters, sub anno, 1151.

38. Sean Mac Ruaidhri Mac Craith, Caithréim Thoirdhealbhaigh, pp.40-41 & p.138. The McEnerhiny lineage is variously written in this text as ‘Clann an Oirchinnicc’ and ‘Clann àghmhar an Airchinne’ (warlike Clann an Airchinne).

39. RIA Ms 23. H.22 p.11 (nineteenth century copy), reputedly compiled by Maoilín Óg Mac Bruaideadha in c.1588. The name “Mathg[h]amain” at the top of the pedigree is Mahon (c.1548-1617) who features in the Chancery Bill in this article, the son of Seán (John, d.1565). The junior lineage is represented by Lochlainn who was killed at Carrigoran in 1573 and who heads up the second list.

40. That the c.1588 genealogy (RIA Ms 23.H 22, p.11) record him not as the son of Seán but the son of Mathgamain, a margin of error must be considered. Tomás mac Sheaán Mhic an Oirchinnigh was recorded in two lists: one an unreliable eighteenth century list by William O’Lionain in Standish Hayes O’Grady’s Catalogue of Irish Manuscripts in the British Museum, and another eighteenth century list in the O’Gorman papers. See R.W Twigge, Materials for a History of Clann Cuilein, Add Ms 39262, Twigge Collection Vol II (ff.326), p.225 and (referenced by Twigge) RIA Ms 24.D.10 (O’Gorman Papers, 18th century Ms). See Standish Hayes O’Grady, Catalogue of Irish Manuscripts in the British Museum, Vol.1, Oxford University Press, London, 1926, pp.68-75, pp.69-71.

41. While highly corrupted the story records the refusal of Tomás to grant land to St Catherine, supposed patroness of Kilfintinan, Templemartin, Templecatherine and Kilnasoolagh, to erect a chapel. Tomás was cursed and died by chocking on a morsel of chicken. According to Máire Ní Ghruagáin of Kilnasoolagh, the field known as Cowlclogher is derived from Cabhail Clochair or convent ruin. Ms G 990 [Inchiquin Papers], “From a writing by Connor Ryan of Sixmilebridge”, dated May 11, 1825, National Library of Ireland. Also see Máire Ní Ghruagáin, “The Fair Monument” Tradraí, 2008, p.14.

42. RIA Ms 23.H22, p.11.

43. Rev. Patrick Woulfe, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, Dublin, H. Gill & Son, 1923, p.309 and Edward MacLysaght, Irish Families: Their Names, Arms and Origins, Irish Academic Press, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, 1985, p.108.

44. R. Simington, Books of Survey and Distribution, Being Abstracts of Various Surveys and Instruments of Title, 1636-1703, [County of Clare], IMC, Stationery Office, Dublin, 1949, pp.157-160.

45. Ibid., p.169 & p.171. Totaling 457 statute acres.

46. Ibid., p.163. Totaling 40 statute acres.

47. Ibid., p.148. Totaling 601 statute acres with the entire townland under McEnerhiny possession.

48. Ibid., pp.126 & 130. Totaling 211 statute acres.

49. Ibid., p.131. Totaling 222 statute acres.

50. R.W. Twigge, Materials for a History of Clann Cuilein, Add Ms 39260, Twigge Collection, British Library, pp.180-186, pp.185-186. Also see Luke McInerney, “The West Clann Chuiléin Lordship in 1586: Evidence from a Forgotten Inquisition”, pp.49-51.

51. See Séamus Pender (ed) A Census of Ireland Circa 1659, IMC, Stationery Office, Dublin, 1939. The population totals for the following were: Ballysallagh East (23), Ballysallagh West (41), Carrigoran (16), Kilnasoolagh (29), Treanahow (9), Rathfolan (32), Ballykilty (10), Laccaroweightragh (14). These totals represent heads of households and should be multiplied by 4 to ascertain approximate totals. Patrick Nugent argues the interrelationship between settlement and population is closely related to the built environment in the late medieval period, evidenced by nucleation of communities around tower-houses and parish centres. The arable land of Kilnasoolagh parish and the dense network of tower-houses (around seven) resulted in a medium to high population evenly distributed. Patrick Nugent, “The Interrelationship between Population and Settlement in County Clare in the Seventeenth Century: the Evidence from the 1659 ‘Census’”, in Clare: History and Society, Matthew Lynch, Patrick Nugent (eds.) Geography Publications, Dublin, 2008, pp.79-104.

52. On references to the water-mill at Ballykilty see, for the year 1606, James Frost, A History and Topography of the County of Clare”, p.280 and the year 1635 when it was recorded “two ploughlands of Ballykilty, and the two mills thereon standing”, Ibid., p.329. Also see the reference to “two mills” in the Court of Chancery bill: Chancery Bills: Survivals from pre-1922 Collection, B. No.228, National Archives of Ireland. Two mills can be identified at Ballykilty in the 1656-58 Petty Map.

53. Acreage totals from the Books of Survey and Distribution. Only 52 statute acres were classified as unprofitable, mainly identified as bog and waste, while 27 statute acres comprised Carrigoran lough.

54. The Court of Chancery bill estimates the value of Ballykilty, Ballysallagh beg (ie. Ballysallagh East) and Lecaroneighter containing four quarters of land and two mills as £1000 in c.1600. In 1635 Mahon McEnerhiny (son of Mahon mentioned in the Chancery bill) and his two ‘feoffees’ granted Giles Bowdens Ballysallagh East (two quarters) for £600. James Frost, The History and Topography of the County of Clare, p.329.

55. See John Ainsworth (ed), The Inchiquin Manuscripts, No.983, pp.312-313 and No.1481, pp.504-505. Bohir Roger and Bradagh were recorded in 1641 as joint lands comprising 65 plantation acres. In 1711 in a rent roll of Henry O’Brien, Earl of Thomond, the denomination was recorded as “Boherone als [ie alias] Newmarket and Bredagh 52:3:16 acres”, suggesting close proximity to the village of Newmarket-on-Fergus, probably on the Tomfinlough side. See the 1641 Books of Survey and Distribution, p.149 and Petworth House Archives, Chichester, “A rent roll of the estate of the Rt. Hon. Henry Earl of Thomond together with the sub-denominations in each lease and estimation of the value thereof. Delivered to the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Thomond, Anno 1711”, Ms 1707.

56. On the identification of Shanaghcloyne in Ballynacragga see John Ainsworth (ed), The Inchiquin Manuscripts, No.1046, p.338 and also see James McEnerhiny’s claim to Shanaghcloyne as his inheritance in 1619 when it stated “Shanaghcloyne in vill de Beallancraggy”. Petworth House Archives, Chichester, [Inquisition reciting the lands held by Donough O’Brien, fourth Earl of Thomond], B.26.T.16, [last page – five rows from bottom of parchment].

57. On Kockslattery see Petworth House Archives, Chichester, “Tibbott McRicrard Confession in 1619 – touching my L[or]ds right to Lands out of his possession about Belahinan” [“certain intelligence given by Tibbott mcRicrard of Moihmore the 24 May 1619”] No.122, (unsorted Bundle) C.13/35. There appears to be a series of land dealings by McEnerhiny freeholders in the 1620s that included the ownership of the lands of Cahirduffe in Ballynacraggra, Drominmuckilagh in the barony of Islands, and Caher-i-grady, Corcaghlana, Rinelaheemore, Ranaghan in Ballysallagh West. Also mentioned were Craganepad and Kiltyneskeha in Ballysallagh East and Bernegghy, a residence of Mahon which can be identified in Clareabbey parish. James Frost, The History and Topography of the County of Clare, pp.328-330. On the location of Cahirduffe see James Frost, Ibid., p.294. On the location of Bernegghy see Séamus Pender (ed) A Census of Ireland Circa 1659, Clareabbey parish where it is recorded as “Bernegehy”.

58. Luke McInerney “Clerics and Clansmen: The Vicarages and Rectories of Tradraighe in the Fifteenth Century”, pp.15-16. In nearby Tomfinlough parish, an ancient monastic site, the cómharba—or coarbship—was still remembered in 1622 when its office was recorded by John Rider, Protestant Bishop of Killaloe (ie.“in converbiatu de Tomfinloh”). This suggests that the coarb and erenagh system was not extinguished by the Norman presence in the thirteenth century or that it was reconstituted as part of the ecclesiastical economy after the collapse of the Norman colony. Philip Dwyer, The Diocese of Killaloe from the Reformation to the Close of the Eighteenth Century, Hodges, Foster and Figgis, Dublin, 1878, p.136.

59. See John O’Donovan & Eugene Curry, The Antiquities of County Clare; Standish Hayes O’Grady, Catalogue of Irish Manuscripts in the British Museum; R.W Twigge, Materials for a History of Clann Cuilein, Add Ms 39262, Twigge Collection Vol II (ff.326); W. H. Bliss (ed.), Calendar of Entries in the Papal Registers relating to Britain and Ireland: Papal Letters Vol. I AD.1198-1304, (London, 1893) p.326; R. Simington, Books of Survey and Distribution.

60. In 1655 Cunarra McInerhiny of Ballysallagh (along with Thomas Feild) entered into a lease with Daniel McNamara of Ballynacragga. John Ainsworth (ed), The Inchiquin Manuscripts, No.1080, p.353.

61. James Frost, The History and Topography of the County of Clare, p.182.

62. On a Kilnasoolagh-Killilagh connection concerning McClancys see Papal mandates from 1405 and 1418 linking ‘Donatus Mclanchega’ (Donnchadh Mac Fhlannchadha) with the vicarage of Kilnasoolagh and the rectory of Glae in Killilagh parish. According to Suim Cíosa Ua Briain (‘The Rental of Ó Bhriain’) the Mac Fhlannchadha were located at Tuath Ghlae and held lands free from rent. See James Hardiman (ed.), “Ancient Irish Deeds and Writings Chiefly relating to Landed Property from the Twelfth to Seventeenth Century: With Translation, Notes and a Preliminary Essay”, Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, XV (1826) pp.36-43, p.42. See J.A Twemlow, Papal Letters, Vol.VI AD.1404-1415, p.42 and Vol.VII AD.1417-1431, p.108. On landholding at Ballysallagh West by the McClancy lineage of Killilagh (including Boetius Clancy of Knockfinn) see Chancery Bills: Survivals from pre-1922 Collection, K (undated Bills). No.11, National Archives of Ireland.

63. H.S. Sweetman, Calendar of Documents Relating to Ireland: 1285-1292, Liechtenstein, Kraus Reprint, 1974, p.207. In January 2000 Martin Breen and Ristéard Ua Cróinín surveyed the ruins of Castlekeale at Ballysallagh West that formed part of a late-medieval complex which comprised a large square bawn. The ‘long-house’ structure measured 32m long and 8.4m wide and the ruined vaults suggest that there may have been a central tower. See Martin Breen & Ristéard Ua Cróinín, “Some Recently Located Tower-house Sites”, The Other Clare, Vol.24, 2000, pp.5-9, pp.7-8.

64. W. Twigge, Materials for a History of Clann Cuilein, Add Ms 39260, Twigge Collection, British Library, pp.180-186, p.182.

65. The 1641 Books of Survey and Distribution, p.159 divide Ballysallagh West into four plough-lands, ie. Trincastlan, Ranaghan, Trin McMikle and Chaghre Monghan. The first division refers to one-third of the caisleán - or castle – and refers to the fields around Castlekeale which was then a McClancy fortified residence. Martin Breen, “A 1570 List of Castles in County Clare”, p.133.

66 Mary O’Dowd, “Land Inheritance in Early Modern County Sligo”, Irish Economic and Social History, Vol.10, 1983, pp.5-18, p.14.

67 R.W. Twigge, “Edward White’s Description of Thomond in 1574”, p.80.

68 An inscription above the fireplace in the old kitchen of Ballykilty House reads: “1614 John MacNamara and Onora Clanchi bilded theis cheimnesis in the year of our Lord”. Whilst the fireplace may have come from a different site it is possible that a pre-1600 structure existed on the site of the eighteenth century Ballykilty House. I thank Martin Breen for his advice regarding the fireplace.

69 Ballysallagh West may have been a fortified long-house structure with a tower, as evidence in the c.1675 Edenvale castle survey of County Clare. The local name for the ‘castle’ is Castlekeale or An Caisleán Caol—the narrow castle— suggestive of its long-house structure. The ruins of Castlekeale can be seen today. Brian Ó Dálaigh, Martin Breen & Ristéard Ua Cróinín, “The Edenvale Castle Survey of Co Clare 1671-79”, North Munster Antiquarian Journal, Vol.45, 2005, pp.33-49, p.48.

70 R.W. Twigge, Materials for a History of Clann Cuilein, Add Ms 39260, Twigge Collection, British Library, pp.180-186, p.182.

71 A. Martin Freeman (ed), The Compossicion Booke of Conought, p.19. The Earl of Thomond and his heirs received five shillings on 344 quarters of land in the barony of Dangan-i-viggan (ie Bunratty) as well as having six quarters of land at the manor of Bunratty free from paying the composition charge to support the President of Connacht’s administrative and military functions.

72 Inquisition Post Mortem of Donogh O’Brien, fourth Earl of Thomond, Petworth House Archives, Chichester, Ms.1141 [large rolled manuscript page five, top third of page).

73 In 1589 Seán Mac Conmara complained to the English administration of the unfair nature of the composition agreement. His grievance was related to the Earl of Thomond’s encroachment upon his lands and the Earl’s connection to the influential houses of Kildare and Ormond. R.W. Twigge, Materials for a History of Clann Cuilein, Add Ms 39260, Twigge Collection, British Library, p.192.

74 J.S Brewer & W. Bullen (eds), Calendar of the Carew Manuscripts Preserved in the Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth, 1867-1873, Carew MS 614, f.25. The preface to the list reads: “In consideration that by this composition not only all the castles and lands belonging to their names; but also such castles and lands as they have of their own inheritance, are to be confirmed by her Maj. Letters patents to them and their heirs in English succession” [spelling modernized].

75 See Luke McInerney “Clerics and Clansmen: The Vicarages and Rectories of Tradraighe in the Fifteenth Century”.

76 Twemlow, Papal Letters Vol. VI AD.1404-1415, London, 1904, pp 256-7. The 1411 mandate states that he was of ‘ducal race’ and in his nineteenth year placing his birth as 1392. Other mandates refer to Matthew’s knowledge of Latin and studies of canon law and his death c.1422 aged thirty. Life expectancy among landed elite in Gaelic Ireland was affected by high morality rates and death through fighting, resulting in a small number of male heirs. The well-fed notables of dominant septs had a strong incentive to vigorously reproduce sub-branches to acquired territories and subinfeud vassals, giving greater reach to the parent lineage. Mahon McEnerhiny ceannfine of the sept died in 1617 aged 69. Life expectancy of notables was short and genealogical material confirms that two or three sons per family was the usual size due to high male mortality. A document from c.1635 shows that the sister of James McEnerhiny, Oona Ny Inheriheny, was married to John McNamara of Rineanna who died during the lifetime of his father Cuvarra and two sons Daniel and Shane, leaving Oona windowed. Given high male mortality rates this picture of a husband dying before his father and wife must have been familiar. Petworth House Archives, Chichester, [on back of a land deed of David O Ruddan] PHA C.13.35; Mary O’Dowd, Power, Politics and Land: Early Modern Sligo 1568-1688, p.71-72. On Matthew the cleric see Luke McInerney “Clerics and Clansmen: The Vicarages and Rectories of Tradraighe in the Fifteenth Century”, pp.10-12.

77 ASV Regestum Supplicationum 129f. 63.

78 Ibid. For a similar petition by the same cleric see ASV Regestum Supplicationum 131, 34-34v. In 1443 Dermit Macinnercheny was described as of “noble race” and in 1483 Laurence Macnoyerhyne was described as “noble birth by both parents”. Belonging to a landed dominant lineage of ‘noble’ status conferred legitimacy on a cleric and the awarding of benefices. See J.A Twemlow, Papal Letters Vol. VIII AD.1471-1484, p.131 Vol. IX AD.1431-1447, pp.353-354.

79 See ASV Regestum Supplicationum 129f. 63. This is also excerpted and published in Special List 43 available at the National Library of Ireland Manuscripts Reading Room. In terms of date, this excerpt appears under the chapter ‘Second Year of the Pontificate of Martin V, 21 Nov 1418 – 20 Nov 1419’.

80 I wish to thank Brian Ó Dálaigh for bringing this reference to my attention. See Charles Burns, “Papal Letters of Clement VII of Avignon (1378-94) relating to Ireland and England”, Collectanea Hibernica, No.24, 1982, pp.7-44, p.29. The holding of Kilnasoolagh vicarage confirms this cleric, despite the mangled surname, as a kinsman of the McEnerhiny sept of Kilnasoolagh.

81 See R.W. Twigge, Materials for a History of Clann Cuilein, Add Ms 39260, Twigge Collection, British Library, pp.180-186, p.185. The Composition Book of Connacht (1585) also mentions the presence of termon lands in Tradraighe — q.v.“Toewoghtragh Tradry consisting of 33 quarters, whereof one quarter beareth Chiefry to the Bishoprick of Killalow”. Toewoghtragh Tradry (Tuath Uachtarach Tradraighe) or upper Tradraighe comprised Kilnasoolagh and Tomfinlough parishes. A. Martin Freeman (ed), The Compossicion Booke of Conought, p.8.

82 See John Ainsworth (ed), The Inchiquin Manuscripts, No.983, pp.312-313 and No.1481, pp.504-505. These references relate to the lands held by Conor O’Brien of Dromoland on his death in 1603 with the latter mentioning “John McEnerhyny, ‘prist’ and James his son, for which they have a quarter of Dromolin in mortgage”. The former reference refers to a grant to James McEnerhine of 4 acres in Rathfolan by Conor O’Brien prior to 1603. In 1619 in an inquisition into the lands of Donough O’Brien, fourth Earl of Thomond, James claimed several lands as his inheritance, including “quatron acr measure hibernor in Rathfoylane” [4 acres of Irish measure at Rathfolan] linking him to the c.1603 grant and therefore son of John McEnerhyny the cleric. In 1619 James, who was residing at Ballysallagh, also claimed 1 cartron of land at Shanaghcloyne (Ballynacragga) as his inheritance. These references link James to John the cleric and it is likely that James was the same James who translated deeds from Irish to English at Limerick 1611 along with the New-English settler Hugh Brickdall. In 1619 James signed his name in legible English on a deed concerning David and Donell O Ruddan and scribed next to William Brickdall, presumably the son of Hugh. See Petworth House Archives, Chichester, [Inquisition reciting the lands held by Donough O’Brien, fourth Earl of Thomond], B.26.T.16, [last page – five rows from bottom of parchment]; Petworth House Archives, Chichester, PHA C.13.35 and James Hardiman (ed), “Ancient Irish Deeds and Writings Chiefly relating to Landed Property from the Twelfth to Seventeenth Century: With Translation, Notes and a Preliminary Essay”, pp.50-51.

83 See John Ainsworth (ed), The Inchiquin Manuscripts No.950, p.299, No.980, pp.308, No.982, p.311. Petworth House Archives, Chichester, PHA C.13.35; Petworth House Archives, Chichester, “A Register made by the Right Honorable Barnaby Earle of Thomond of all his Evidences and writings att Bunratty [Anno.1640]”, PHA C.13.27, No.56 , No.114 and No.90. Petworth House Archives, Chichester, “John McCloone his relac’on touching Ballimacloone” and “James McEnnerhiny his relac’on touching the above land”, PHA Ms 3911.

84 Ms 1777, Typescript copy of a survey of lands in the diocese of Killaloe made for Bishop Worth, 1661, (Rev) James B. Leslie, pp.11-12.

85 See John Ainsworth (ed), The Inchiquin Manuscripts, No.980, pp.308-309.

86 It would appear James was also alive in 1641 see R.W. Twigge, Materials for a History of Clann Cuilein, “The Names of the Principal Irish Gentry Accused of Crimes Various Crimes in the Depositions of the Protestant Settlers in Co Clare: 1642-1654” Add Ms 39260, Twigge Collection, British Library, Vol. II, f.314 [deposition of William Culliver, 1641]. Also see Court of Chancery Bill Books: 1633-1640, Vol 1, National Archives of Ireland [microfilm], p.75, pp.165-166.

87 See Petworth House Archives, Chichester, [“Information about Land out of my Lords hands, No.32, Wm Brickdall”] no date, C.13.35. The document reads: “The half quarter of Cnock I Slattry with the mill adjoining to the lands of Dromollen and the half quarter of Ballykilty called Leacerrone Iraghteragh are the inheritance of James Mc Inernyny, of which James Mc Innerreny was found guilty of man slaughter for the killing of James Dixon one of Sir Robbert Mcleanan’s company. Sir Rowland Dellahoyde being foreman of the petty Jury that found the said James guilty” [modernized spelling]. In 1641 Leacerrone Iraghteragh (ie.Lecaroneighter) was in the possession of John McNamara of
Moughane while the Earl of Thomond had managed to assert his original ownership rights over part of Kilnahon adjoined to Knockslattery (Knockclatter). R. Simington, Books of Survey and Distribution, p.131 & p.152..

88 On this point see Luke McInerney “Clerics and Clansmen: The Vicarages and Rectories of Tradraighe in the Fifteenth Century”.

89 See RIA Ms 784 (q.v. Ms 23.G.9) and the author’s article in this edition of the North Munster Antiquarian Journal: Luke McInerney, “A sixteenth century bardic poem composed for Seán Mac Conmara, Lord of West Clann Chuiléin”. See this article for a translation of the verses quoted here.

90 See Henry Hewitt’s 1767 map in the National Library of Ireland Ms 21.F.150 Inchiquin Manuscript Maps. Copy reproduced by Mary O’Leary and supplied by Máire Ní Ghruagáin of Kilnasoolagh.

91 RIA Ms 23.H22, p.11.

92 All names have been anglicised and sourced from the 1579, 1606 and 1632 inquisitions post mortem in James Frost, The History and Topography of the County of Clare, p.269 & p.280 and from the c.1588 pedigree of the Mac an Oirchinnigh: RIA Ms 23.H22, p.11.

93 James Frost, The History and Topography of the County of Clare, p.280.

94 See Luke McInerney, “Survey of the McInerney Sept of Thomond: Part II”, The Other Clare, vol. 32, 2008, pp.27-29.

95 James Frost, The History and Topography of the County of Clare, p.269.

96 Ibid., p.280.

97 Ibid.

98 A document dated 14 May 1619 confirms that the half quarter of Knockslattery was the original property of Conor O’Brien, third Earl of Thomond, who mortgaged them to Richard Roe McMolery, the brother of Mahon McEnerhiny’s mother. Presumably Richard Roe passed the land on as a dowry to Mahon’s mother. In 1619 Tibbott, son of Richard Roe, disputed Mahon’s possession of the townland on the basis that it “descended unto him in right of his mother, sister to Riccard Roe”. Petworth House Archives, Chichester, “Tibbott McRicrard Confession in 1619 – touching my Lds right to Lands out of his possession about Belahinan” [“certain intelligence given by Tibbott mcRicrard of Moihmore the 24 May 1619”] No.122, (unsorted Bundle) C.13/35. Mahon remained in possession of Knockslattery until his death in 1617 and possibly settled a grandson Loughlin there. In 1641 Loughlin McEnerhiny held Kilnahon, a townland joined to Knocklatter (sic Knockslattery). Mahon’s claim to the land as inheritance from his mother may have been false as the land probably would have reverted back to his mother’s family after her death. See Mary O’Dowd, Power, Politics and Land: Early Modern Sligo 1568-1688, p.73 also see R. Simington, Books of Survey and Distribution, p.131.

99 James Frost, The History and Topography of the County of Clare, p.280.

100 Donough must have been of full age when he filed suit at the Court of Chancery. This would place the lodgment of the bill between c.1590 to c.1606.

101 Chancery Bills: Survivals from pre-1922 Collection, B. No.228, National Archives of Ireland.

102 Chancery Bills: Survivals from pre-1922 Collection, B. No.228, National Archives of Ireland. Original Court of Chancery Bill, c.1590-c1606102

103 A search of the sixteenth century Irish Fiants identified one possible individual – “Moylmory mcEdmond McSwyne of Castleton, yeoman” in 1573. This contemporary recording is probably related to rebellion in Desmond (Castleton could be either in Kinalea or Imokilly baronies in Co Cork) rather than rebellion in Thomond. The reference to Moylmory McEdmond McSwyne suggests that this is potentially the same galloglass who aided Mahon in 1573 and Mahon’s pardon in 1577 in connection to rebellion in Desmond further illustrates his (kinship?) links to that lordship and his ability to employ mercenary retainers. See The Irish Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns, Fiant 2254, pp.291-292. A branch of the McSweeneys can also be identified in Kiltoraght parish in Corcomroe barony where a descendant ‘Moylemury McSwyny gent.’ was recorded in the 1659 ‘census’. Séamus Pender (ed) A Census of Ireland Circa 1659, Kiltoraght parish.

104 See The Irish Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns, Fiant 3152 p.430.

105 The State Papers of Ireland record that on 15 February 1574 around 300 Scots (‘redshank’ mercenaries), 700 galloglass, harquebusiers and kern camped at Clann Chuiléin making much commotion and that the local inhabitants fled to Limerick with their cattle. The presence of these mercenaries was on account of the rebellion of the Earl of Desmond for whom they came to aid, indicating the recourse to large scale violence in the late sixteenth century and the ready employment of mercenary soldiers. Calendar of State Papers, Ireland, Tudor Period 1571-1575, p.506. On the discontinued galloglass see J.S Brewer & W. Bullen (eds), Calendar of the Carew Manuscripts Preserved in the Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth, [1575-1588], Carew Manuscripts, Longmans, Green, Reader and Dyer Publishing, London, 1868, p.116.

106 Donough, the son of the murdered Loughlen, may have continued to reside nearby at Carrigoran as the Chancery bill read: “Donnogh Mc Inerinyhein of Carrigauran, gent”. Donough was born around c.1568-c.1570 and was alive at the time of the 1606 inquisition. His sons may have settled on land further south at Caherteige where Donogh mcDonogh and Murtagh mcDonogh McEnerhiny were freeholders in 1641. See Mary O’Dowd (ed), Chancery Bills: Survivals from pre-1922 Collection, B. No.228, National Archives of Ireland; R. Simington, Books of Survey and Distribution, p.171.

107 R.W Twigge, Materials for a History of Clann Cuilein, Add Ms 39266, Twigge Collection, p.315 & p.317. Also see RIA Ms 23.H22, p.11.

108 The Irish Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns, Fiant 3152, p.430 [Mahowne McShane McInErrihine of Ballykilly, gent].

109 Ibid., Fiant 5401, p.96. [Maghowne McInerinn of Ballesolloghe, gent].

110 See R.W. Twigge, Materials for a History of Clann Cuilein, Add Ms 39260, Twigge Collection, British Library, pp.180-186. The list of jurors was headed by the high-status brehon, “Donogh mcClanchy of the Ownlyne” [ie. Urlanmore], followed by “Mahowne mcEnerhin of Ballsallaghe”. Other McEnerhiny jurors included Shane of Carrigerry (Kilconry parish) and Thomas of Kilnasoolagh.

111 On references to James at Ballysallagh see the 1619 document Petworth House Archives, Chichester, [Inquisition reciting the lands held by Donough O’Brien, fourth Earl of Thomond], B.26.T.16; and 1623 Chancery Bills: Survivals from pre-1922 Collection, K (undated Bills). No.11, National Archives of Ireland. In 1641 his son James Óg held the second largest portion of Ballysallagh East. R. Simington, Books of Survey and Distribution, p.159.

112 R.W. Twigge, “Edward White’s Description of Thomond in 1574”, p.80.

113 See the reference in a Chancery bill dated 28 November 1623 to “the castle, town and lands of Castlekeale”. The bill sets out the inheritance of the McClanchys of Ballysallagh West and their sept-land in Kilnasoolagh and Kilmaleery parishes and cites subdivisions of Ballysallagh (ie. Cahirigrady, Treevicknihill, Eangranigh, Umerkigh, Gorteneare, etc). The bill recounts the inheritance of the McClancys which descended from Connor Clancy, the father of Conor Óg Clancy and his heir, Hugh Roe (supplicant in the bill). The bill suggests land transfer was generally amongst brothers with the eldest taking the best portion and the power to redeem mortgaged land. The bill can be checked against a McClancy pedigree by R.W. Twigge which notes Connor Clancy built Urlanmore (early sixteenth century) and his son Connor Óg built Ballysallagh in the mid-sixteenth century. See Chancery Bills: Survivals from pre-1922 Collection, K (undated Bills). No.11, National Archives of Ireland and R.W. Twigge, Materials for a History of Clann Cuilein, Add Ms 39270, EE, Twigge Collection, British Library [genealogical pedigree: large roll].

114 John Ainsworth (ed), The Inchiquin Manuscripts, No.936, p.294. Mahon’s residence was Ballysallagh.

115 Petworth House Archives, Chichester, PHA C.13.36, 22 October 1636.

116 Genealogical Office, Dublin, Ms 220-222 Milesian Pedigrees II, p.40.

117 Petworth House Archives, Chichester, “Tibbott McRicrard Confession in 1619 – touching my Lds right to Lands out of his possession about Belahinan” [“certain intelligence given by Tibbott mcRicrard of Moihmore the 24 May 1619”] No.122, (unsorted Bundle) C.13/35.

118 Chancery Bills: Survivals from pre-1922 Collection, B. No.228, National Archives of Ireland.

119 See John Ainsworth (ed), The Inchiquin Manuscripts, No.1845, p.625. In the will of Máire Rua in 1686 it notes how her goods were disposed at the time of her death: “To my nephew Mahon McInerhenyes daughter 3 cows”. For Mahon to be the nephew of Máire Rua (born c.1615) then Mahon was a generation later than the Mahon recorded in the 1659 ‘census’ and who held Ballysallagh East in 1641. On Máire Rua’s birth date see Máire MacNeill, Máire Rua: Lady of Leamaneh, p.2.

120 Robert Simington, The Transplantation to Connacht 1654-1658, Irish Manuscripts Commission, Dublin, 1970, p.38.

121 Morris Crossle, Index of Irish Wills 1485-1856, National Archives of Ireland, ref.5/168, Will No.84.

122 John Ainsworth (ed), The Inchiquin Manuscripts No.1359, pp.448-449.

123 Genealogical Office, Dublin, Ms 220-222 Milesian Pedigrees II, p.40.

124 R. Simington, Books of Survey and Distribution, p.131. Loughlen held Kilnahon (part of Knockslattery) in joint with the Earl of Thomond. This is evidence that the Earl had, after 1619, re-asserted his ownership to part of the lands which were originally mortagaged to Richard Roe McMolery by the third Earl of Thomond. See Petworth House Archives, Chichester, “Tibbott McRicrard Confession in 1619 – touching my Lds right to Lands out of his possession about Belahinan” [“certain intelligence given by Tibbott mcRicrard of Moihmore the 24 May 1619”] No.122, (unsorted Bundle) C.13/35.

125 James Frost, The History and Topography of the County of Clare, pp.328-331.

126 See, for example, the annual division that prevailed on the Mac Mathghamhna estate in County Clare prior to 1576. Gearóid Mac Niocaill, “Seven Irish Documents from the Inchiquin Archives”, Analecta Hibernica, No.26, Dublin, pp.47-69, p.49.

127 According to Katherine Simms, if a lord or ruling family had the opportunity of preserving inheritance within a small family unit, then they did so. This view illustrates the pragmatic nature of inheritance in Gaelic regions, despite the arcane rules of lineage-based inheritance set out in canons of authoritative law texts dating from the eight century. Katherine Simms cited in Mary O’Dowd, Power, Politics and Land: Early Modern Sligo 1568-1688, p.71.

128 Kenneth W. Nicholls, “Land, Law and Society in Sixteenth Century Ireland”, O’Donnell Lecture Series, National University of Ireland, 1976, pp.3-26, p.18. See the answer to a Chancery pleading from 1589 relating to King’s County (Offaly). On Thomond see Kenneth Nicholls, “Some Doucuments on Irish Law and Custom in the Sixteenth Century”, Analecta Hibernica, No.26, pp.105-129, p.113.

129 Nicholls, “Land, Law and Society in Sixteenth Century Ireland”, p.6.

130 Gearóid Mac Niocaill, “Seven Irish Documents in the Inchiquin Archives”, p.49.

131 Mary O’Dowd, “Gaelic Economy and Society”, p.126.

132 An annual division each Mayday appears to have occurred on the O’Kelly lands in Galway. Kenneth W. Nicholls, “Some Documents on Irish Law and Customs in the Sixteenth Century, Analecta Hibernica, No.26, Irish Manuscripts Commission, Dublin, 1970, pp.105-129, p.106. The redemption of land on Mayday was also practiced at a late date in Thomond. See the 1614 deed in Irish of the Mac Mathghamhna family of Clonderalaw in Co Clare in Gearóid Mac Niocaill, “Seven Irish Documents from the Inchiquin Archives”, p.59.

133 Martin Breen, “A 1570 List of Castles in County Clare”, pp.131-133.

134 Chancery Bills: Survivals from pre-1922 Collection, J (undated Bills). No.55, National Archives of Ireland.

135 Chancery Bills: Survivals from pre-1922 Collection, K (undated Bills) No.11, National Archives of Ireland.

136 The adoption of common law primogeniture inheritance was often an English veneer on Gaelic arrangements and freeholders used alternative methods such as conveying land in trust to ensure minor heirs had an interest in the septestate. Patrick Nugent, “The interface between the Gaelic clan system of Co. Clare and the emerging centralising English nation-state in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century”, p.90.

137 James Frost, The History and Topography of the County of Clare, p.280.

138 Genealogical Office, Dublin, Ms 220-222, Milesian Pedigrees II, p.40. It is noteworthy that only Ballykilty is mentioned here perhaps indicating Ballykilty was the principal residence and mensal estate of the head of the sept. In 1641 Ballysallagh East was jointly held by five McEnerhiny kinsmen. Two of whom, Mahon and Edmond, were probably the younger son’s of Mahon (d.1617) as in the 1620s they had land dealings with Dutch settler James Martin along with (their brother?) John McEnerhiny of Ballykilty. Also resident at Ballysallagh East in 1641 was James Óg, Conerra and Conor McMahon McEnerhiny. James Óg held the second largest share of Ballysallagh East and held Carrigoran and the attached ploughland Corkanaknockaun – inheritance, no doubt, from his father James (son of a cleric) identified above. R. Simington, Books of Survey and Distribution, pp.158-160. James Frost, A History and Topography of the County of Clare, pp.328-330.

139 This does not presuppose that similar arrangements operated at the level of small nucleated families.

140 Elements of late medieval Ireland have been compared to the Anglo-Scottish marches. Notably, the recourse to violent conflict in the absence of strong governance. Centrifugal tendencies amongst local magnates allowed a state of low level anarchy to prevail resulting in the widespread construction of tower-houses and fortified homesteads. Norman J. G. Pounds, The Medieval Castles of England and Wales: A Social and Political History, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1993, p.286.