The Hearth Money Rolls in the half-barony of Arra

 

We nearly all know the story about the Fourcourts being burned down during the Civil War in 1922 and the priceless loss of records.

However in Tipperary we are extremely fortunate in that in 1911 Dr. Thomas Laffan made a copy of one such record that was destroyed in 1922 - known now as the Hearth Money Records - 1665-6-7.

It records a tax that was imposed on every fireplace in the country and was "payable by practically all the householders in the country. The exemptions, applicable only to the poorest of the people, were granted too freely which led to amending the Act of 1665. Copies of the rolls have been wholly or partially preserved for eleven counties in the north and east of the country and for Co. Sligo, but for the rest of Ireland there are none extant except those for Co. Tipperary". ( MacLysaght, North Munster Studies, 533).

So this record will include a far larger number of people in it than the Civil Survey circa 1654 or the Pender Census of 1659.

It is difficult to get your head around, some of the townlands are in older forms, others don't make sense at all. Some townlands are included under the wrong parish.

Then when you look at the surnames, some are likely to have been transcribed incorrectly by either the original person writing it down in the 1600s or by Laffan.

However what is there is literally priceless and with a bit of work could be an invaluable research tool for genealogy and history from that period.

One example of this is researcher Mary Fitzgerald's book that tracks every McKeogh mentioned in the Hearth Money Rolls in North Tipperary and has descendant trees for the majority of them.

https://lettertecbookstore.com/.../the-mckeogh-family.../

I've started to do a bit of work on the ones in the barony of Owney & Arra. Initially I had hoped to do an article on the Hearth Money Rolls but it seems like the article would be defunct as soon as I figured the location of a townland that I couldn’t at the time of publication or what a particular surname is that was recorded.

So to start I will put the relevant areas up on a spreadsheet online and maybe look at it in posts on a townland by townland basis.

I have created this map based on the townlands that we DO have information from in the Hearth Money Rolls in the half-barony of Arra.

Personally, I didn't realise it covered such an extensive area. Also there are at least 10 townlands that I haven't been able to figure out but are likely to relate to the area.

For the half-barony of Arra by my analysis currently it features 520 individuals.

Not surprisingly O'Brien (or variants) is the most populous name recorded with over 10% of those recorded being O'Briens. Hogan is next with about 9% and then Maloney, McDonagh, Hickey, Tuohy, Minogue, Flannery, Cormican, Ryan & Casey are on much smaller numbers.

I would also be glad to help people that are looking at other areas around the County with my limited understanding of how the rolls work and how something similar could be done.

A copy of Laffan’s work on the rolls is available here

https://askaboutireland.ie/.../laffan-tipperarys-familie/

For a detailed look at the Hearth Money Rolls in the half-barony of Arra in a spreadsheet

click HERE 

Sidh Buidbh, near Portumna & the Children of Lir

 

Where is the Sidh or Fairy Palace of Bove Derg near Lough Derg?

The Sidh of Bove Derg connects Lough Derg to the well known story of the Children of Lir. Sidh Buidhbh being a location where part of the story takes place and also one of the residences of Bove Derg, one of the Tuath De Danann.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodb_Derg

I have looked for references to its exact location a number of times and discussed it with a number of fellow researchers.

One of the earliest clear mentions that I could find is in PW Joyce's 1869 "Irish Names of Places" vol. 1 (p. 182), where he refers to the "Tale of Curchóg" It says, "Sidh Buidhbh [Boov], with Bove Derg for its chief, was on the shore of Lough Derg, somewhere near Portumna." It seems to get this reference from the Book of Fermoy.

Hogan's Onomasticon Goedelicum records the following - p2523

"Síd boidb *síd buidb* 2 on brink of Loch Derg, above Killaloe, Atlantis, iv 116; Síd

Buidb, at Loch Deirgert, S of Portumna, c. Galway, Atlantis, iii 385, MacFirbis,

Genealogies, 182; Síd Buidhbh Dheirg, over Lough Derg, nr Killaloe, !?Lir. 7; in

Munster, BLis 222; Síd Buidb Deirg meic in Dagda, in S of Ireland., Acallam (ed.

Stokes) 3350"

These are all references to mentions of it in other literature.

Scholar Ronald Hicks has researched these references and the one that he didn't have access to at the time was in MacFirbis's Book of Genealogies. So if anyone happens to have access to a copy it would be interesting to see what it says / does it give any further information that might help identify its location?

However all in all it seems that there was some kind of Sidh or Fairy Palace in the vicinity of Lough Derg (maybe near Portumna) of which the location is no longer known. It is unusual for such a location to completely fall out of local knowledge, so perhaps someone will have some record of it.

So if anyone knows of any other references to the location of Sidh Buidbh, it would be exciting to find it.

Thanks to Paul Dillon from Portumna whose blog and Facebook page is where I initially read about Sidh Boidh.

https://beautifulirish.wordpress.com/

Bartholomew Ryan - King of Owney

We are in search of a lost “King” and we are looking for your help!

We have found the grave of a man noted as the “King of Owney” in Tipperary and we are trying to find his living descendants. 

His name was Bartholomew Ryan, he was born about 1750 and died at Carrowkeale near Newport in County Tipperary in 1828. His “title” as “King of Owney” is alluded to in an old parish register recording the birth of his grandson Bartholomew Carey in Birdhill.

We think that it may be a reference to him being descended from the Chiefs of Owney O’Mulryan which roughly encompassed the modern area around Birdhill, Newport and Murroe. We hope to find some of his living Ryan ancestors and encourage them to take part in the Ryan DNA Project. We already have over 50 Ryans that have taken detailed DNA tests and it would be interesting to see how his ancestors compare with these.

Bartholomew Ryan is buried within the ancient church walls of Ballymackeogh outside Newport. To learn more about him and his family we need help to find his living descendants, of whom we know many remained on a small farm in the parish of Carrowkeale in Tipperary well into the turn of the 20th century.

Background.

Bartholomew Ryan was married to Margaret Collopy of Limerick, and we know they had at least one son and four daughters, and we know some of his grandchildren were still living at Carrowkeale in the 1901-1911 era.

Children:

Son PIERCE RYAN, Esquire:  c1792 – 1831, died Carrowkeale possibly unmarried.

Daughter ELIZABETH CAREY / CAREW  of Birdhill, c1794 – 1849, innkeeper and wife of Michael J Carey whose family had owned an inn previously where Elizabeth ran her business. Had a son BARTHOLOMEW CAREY 1827 – 1860 who lived in Birdhill, and married KATE SMITHWICK. Following Bart Carey’s untimely death his widow Kate remarried to JOHN HAYES of Killaloe.

Daughter ELLEN DARTNELL of Ellen St, Limerick, 1796 – 1852, wife of printer JOHN DARTNELL, who had a daughter MARY DARTNELL born 1835 in the parish of St Michael in Limerick.

Daughter BRIDGET CARROLL nee Ryan, 1799 – 1884, wife of PATRICK CARROLL of Kilteely and Carrowkeale. Large family lived on Carrowkeale up until at least 1911-1921 era.

Daughter MARY BOURKE nee Ryan, 1801- ?, wife of WILLIAM BOURKE whose father CAPTAIN ANDREW BOURKE was murdered near Newport, Tipperary in 1839.

So we are particularly looking for the families of the following, known to have lived at Carrowkeale (also spelt Carrickeal, Carhuecaoil etc)

- His grandson: Bartholomew ‘Bart’  Carroll (1840-1920) and wife Kate Young, who had 6 children at Carrowkeale between 1875 – 1889 (Bart Carroll was the son of Patrick Carroll and Bridget Ryan and inherited a farm at Carrowkeale from his uncle Pierce Ryan.)

Carroll children who survived to adulthood and who lived at Carrowkeale:

Margaret Carroll born 1877 and married PATRICK HOURIGAN and lived Carrowkeale

Mary Carroll 1878 – 1963

Katie Carroll born 1881 who married Jeremiah Hartnett

Samuel Carroll born 1882 died 1961 in Shannon Home, Limerick, but lived Carrowkeale

Annie Carroll born 1889 and died 1945 Carrowkeale.

Tobbernikelly or Tobernakilla - links to an inauguration landscape?

 

The Civil Survey mentions a landmark known as Skaghnygon which is some kind of prominent bush in the landscape. It is mentioned in "The Sacred Trees of Ireland" by Lucas as being a potential "sacred tree".

I have only recently discovered a bit more about Lucas he was a president of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland from 1969 to 1973 and director of the National Museum of Ireland (NMI) from 1954 to 1976.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_T._Lucas

One of the landmarks near it mentioned below is Tobbernykelly. I just assumed that it was a name of a well associated with a family. However recently the penny dropped that there was a Tobernakilla marked on the old OS maps to the south-east of Ballinahinch village. It is only recorded as a well rather than a holy well and there is a suggestion that it may have been associated with a Church marked on the Down Survey maps whose exact location is unrecorded.

Now there is really no evidence to say it was "sacred" only that it was well enough known to be a landmark. However putting my antiquarians hat on again, there is a lovely landscape of ring-barrows located to the east of Tobernakilla. Could they along with the Skaghnygon be part of an inauguration landscape?

(Pg 171 of Civil Survey of Tipperary Vol. 2) "And from thence to Tobbernyropp bounded on the North east wth. the pfd of

Shesiraghnygrough in the Parish of Tample really and from Toburnyropp to the Bush called Skaghnygon bounded on the South wth. the pld of Shesiraghnygrough afforeid on the North, and from Skaghnygon to the Brooke or well called Tobbernykelly bounded on the South east wth. the sd. pId of Shesiraghnygrough and from Tobbenykelly to the Brooke called the Brooke of Dromunbane bounded on the West wth. the lands of Killmcstully afforesd."

 

The Battle of Roscrea

The Battle of Roscrea

St Peter and Pauls or the 29th of June was when a great fair was held in Roscrea. In 942 folklore records that a huge hoard of Vikings attacked the fair in the hopes of making off with the wealth there. However they hadn't bet on just how hardy Tipp and particularly Roscrea people are!

"The Danes, under their commander, Olfinn, attracted by the great wealth, which was gathered together at the Aenach, marched on the town, and were annihilated. A description of this battle is found in O'Halloran's "History of Ireland," which is so vivid, it is here quoted in full :---
A great annual fair was held at Roscrea on the festival of Saints Peter and Paul - June 29th - but which continued during fourteen days. As this was nearly in the centre of the kingdom merchants resorted to it, not only from different parts of Ireland, but from foreign countries, to dispose of their wares ; for the country was even then called by the mercantile world .... An island rich in resources, precious stones, garments and gold.
The Danes of Limerick and Connaught had formed a bold scheme to surprise the merchants at the Fair .... Olfinn, chief of the Connacian Danes, conducted the enterprise, and marched his men in detached parties to the borders of the Shannon, where they were to meet ... forces from about Limerick. As they took different routes, and no considerable bodies appeared anywhere together, their intentions were more secret and less alarming. But no sooner did they appear on the Tipperary side of the Shannon, but notice was given by lighting fires at the different stations in Lower Ormond, by which the country became alarmed. They plunged into their barks as soon as possible. Their landing in Ormond was effected in two hours, and of this notice was also given.
From the place of their landing the object of their destination became suspected and soon known. As everything depended on expedition they formed and marched off as soon as landed. The soldiers who guarded the approaches to the Fair assembled, and were joined by the merchants, their clerks, and numbers of gentlemen and others assembled from all quarters on such occasions. On consultation it was decided not to remove the shops, the stages, the ware-houses or merchandise, but let them remain where erected, by which means those persons immediately interested would acquit themselves better. It was also agreed on to march out, and meet the enemy, and not wait to be attacked by them.

Those resolves inspired the people with confidence ; for troops advancing to the charge must collect more resolution, than those who wait to be attacked. As soon as the Danes appeared they gave them no time to form, but assaulted them on every side with such firmness and resolution, neither of which was expected, that the Danes were very soon broken ; and in this battle, and in the pursuit which followed, about 4,000 Danes were slain, with most of their principal officers, amongst whom was Olfinn himself. The place where this battle occurred was near Carrick Hill, which made this hill so remarkable, that it gave a title afterwards to the house of Butler.

The flight of the Danes after the battle was towards Moneygall, which means the shrubbery or bog of the foreigners and the route followed by the Danes has given names to the intervening places to the present day ; Owris, an Irish word means a delay or hindrance, the Owris is a stream ; Clonegana from Cluan, a retired place or meadow, and geanan a sword ; Clashagad, from Glas, lamentation, and giodad, a wounding ; Fin glas, from fion, troops, and glas, a lamentation ; Loughawn, from locc, a pool, and un, evil. Along the track of the Danes, numerous bones were found at the beginning of the nineteenth century in pits between Clonegana and the high-road, and in the bog between Cullenwaine and Moneygall."

From the History of Ely O'Carroll Territory by Rev John Gleeson pg 378-380

I love how a story from over a 1000 years ago can still be remembered in the placenames today. I have included the locations mentioned above and their supposed meanings. I think some of the translations are a bit fanciful. For example Clashagad is given as "The stream of the thief" on logainm. https://www.logainm.ie/en/41822

Some wonderful sculptures have been erected in the town of Roscrea by Jerry Cahir to commemorate this event.
https://www.nenaghguardian.ie/2023/07/09/62365/

Oisin and the Rock of Cashel

 

Is there an effigy of the great mythological figure Oisin somewhere at the Rock of Cashel?

Or perhaps an imprint where the bull in this story ran into?

I wonder does it have anything to do with the Sheela na Gig on the walls of the Rock? (See comments for a picture).

"When St. Patrick was building the great church on the Rock of Cashel, the workmen used to be terribly annoyed, for whatever they put up by day was always found knocked down next morning. So one man watched and another man watched, but about one o'clock in the night every watcher fell asleep as sure as the hearth-money. At last St. Patrick himself sat up, and just as the clock struck one, what did he see but a terrible bull, with fire flashing from his nostrils, charging full drive up the hill, and pucking down every stone, stick, and bit of mortar that was put together the day before. "Oh, ho ! " says the Saint, "Til soon find one that will settle you, my brave bull"

Now, who was this but Usheen (Oisin) that St. Patrick was striving to make a good Christian. Usheen was a very crooked disciple. When he was listening to pious reading or talk, his thoughts would be among the hunters and warriors of his youth, but he loved the good Saint for his charity to himself. The day after St. Patrick saw the bull, he up and told Usheen all about what was going on. "Put me on a rock or in a tree," says Usheen, " just by the way the bull ran, and we'll see what we can do." So in the evening he was settled comfortably in the bough of a tree on the hill side, and when the bull was firing away up the steep like a thunderbolt, and was nearly under him, he dropped down on his back, took a horn in each hand, tore him asunder, and dashed one of the sides so hard against the face of the wall, that it may be seen there this day, hardened into stone. There was no further stoppage of the work; and in gratitude they cut out the effigy of Usheen riding on his pony, and it may be seen inside the old ruins this very day."

"A person pretending to have been on the rock, says there is a rude mark, as of the side of an ox, on the outside of one of the walls, and a knight mounted on a diminutive quadruped in bas-relief within."

From The Fireside Stories of Ireland (1870), 153-4 - Patrick Kennedy.

Galloping Hogan's House near Puckane

Is the remains of the famous rapparee Galloping Hogan's house? (Original photo is in the link).
The folklore (below) suggests that it is in the townland of Johnstown near Puckane in North Tipp. There is another map associated with the same school and it gives it in an eastern area of Johnstown near the road.
I took a look around that area recently but there was no sign of it. Luckily I met with a local man while there, he doesn't recall any folklore linking Galloping Hogan to the area. He recalls his father telling him a story that when Hogan was being executed, that Hogan asked the crowd, "was there anyone there from Hogan's Pass?". However he didn't recall any stories in the local area about Hogan.
This is a story that I have seen mentioned before in relation to rapparee's or highwaymen and generally the idea is that he wanted to tell someone where his treasure was buried.
There is another story in the School's Manuscripts that records this event but it is at a place called Clash near Toomevara that the treasure is said that been located.
Unfortunately after nearly 100 years I would be surprised if the walls photographed are still standing.
I'd love to hear if anyone knows any stories linking O'Hogan to Johnstown? If you see my storymap below of Sarsfield's Ride, I reference two of O'Hogan's hideouts in the Arra mountains. One in particular at Labadiha.
There are a number of different birthplaces given for O'Hogan - one being Ballycahill near Holycross but considering his surname I would think he was a descendent of the Arra Hogans.
"Ruins of Hogan's house in Johnstown
'Galloping Hogan' was a famous raparee who lived in the time of King Jas. II. Hogan lived in Johnstown. He owned a very quick-footed steed. If Galloping Hogan was being pursued by the English he could change the shoes on his horse. When the English saw the mark of the shoes they thought Hogan was gone in the opposite way to that in which he was really gone.
One night Galloping Hogan gave a feast in his house. During the night he saddled his horse and set out to rob the mail car at Hogan's Pass. When the news of the robbery of the mail- car reached Johnstown everyone said that Hogan had not robbed it because he did not leave the house that night.
Galloping Hogan was a well educated man and was popular with Sarsfield. He knew every pass and defile and was familiar with every rock and roadway; with every road and bog.
When Sarsfield was going to Ballyneety Hogan was the best man that could be obtained to give effectual assistance to the grand exploit of the dashing dauntless Irish General.
Some of the party, which went to Ballyneety, were conducted by Galloping Hogan. They went on well until they came to Labadhy Bridge, near Boher. Here Hogan's party was startled by a curious incident. Sarsfield discovered, near the Bridge, a number of men, on his left, who alarmed him. He ordered his horse to halt apprehensive that he had been betrayed by Hogan.
The delusion was dispelled in an instant. The men who caused the alarm were a body of raparee who had a den here in which htey were accustomed to conceal whatever provisions they had taken in their excursions throughout the district. Whey the Irish reached the hill overlooking Ballyneety Sarsfield and Galloping Hogan were the first two to approach the English Camp. After the destruction of the siege train Hogan presumably returned to Limerick with Sarsfield.
The amnesty that followed the Treaty of Limerick was proclaimed in a short time after the signing of the treaty. According to Stoney, the Williamite historian, Galloping Hogan took advantage of the amnesty and was murdered soon afterwards near Roscrea by certain raparees who had not submitted."

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/b128277d99d04d7fa5e5d6b1bc03179b?fbclid=IwAR0l8f4vl20HUak08kXPoQni5wgAio5kdp3ztBPE1hohr3PtSajop73hq3I

https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4922134/4855180/5012190