The Irish Chieftains; or a Struggle for the Crown: with ... notes and ... appendix

Front matter

CHI EFTAI N S; OR, A STRUGGLE FOR THE CROWN. BY THE SAME AUTHOR. The Annals of Galway : with copies of original Charters and Deeds, Notes, &c. A Topographical Description of the County of Clare, its Castles, Abbeys, and Round Towers. General Forster's Rebellion, or the Rising of 1715. The Lady Adeliza Dillon : a Story of the Penal Laws. The Genealogies of the pRiSfiEfR^ Families in the Counties of Galway and Clare. . LSDE 72 I A Collection of the Oldest an^^iost Popular Legends of the Peasantry of Clare and Galway. CHIEFTAINS; OR, A STRUGGLE FOR THE CROWN: WITH flumevous slates anil a souious BY CHARLES FFRENCH BLAKE-FORSTER, AUTHOR OF A HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OP MAJOR-GENERAL DON HUGH EALLDEARG o'DONNELL J A HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE DE EERMINGHAMS, LORDS OF ATHENRT ; THE ANNALS OF ATIIENRY, OR, YE CTTIE OF THE BARONS; THE ANNALS OF COECOMROE ABBEY ; LEMEN.

GH CASTLE, OR A LEGEND OF THE WILD HORSE THE ANNALS OF KILFENORA J THE ANNALS OF KNOCKMOY ABBEY; AND A HISTORICAL ESSAY ENTITLED WHAT ARE THE ARMS OF GALWAY? etc. etc. Oh ! could we from death but recover Those hearts, as they bounded before, In the face of high Heaven to fight over That combat for freedom once more ; Could the chain for an instant be riven "Which Tyranny flung round us then, Oh ! 't is not in Man nor in Heaven To let Tyranny bind it again ! Moon*. DUBLIN: MCGLASHAN AND GILL, 50, UPPER SACKVILLE-STREET. LONDON: WHITTAKER AND CO.; SIJfPKIN, MARSHAU,, AND CO. EDINBURGH: JOHN 1IEXZIES AND CO. 1872. [Copyright and right of Translation reserved by the Author.] DUBLIN : printed at the university press, by m. h. gill. TO THE DESCENDANTS OF THOSE DISINTERESTED PATRIOTS WHO FOUGHT AT THE BOYNE, AUGHRIM, ATHLONE, GALWAY, LIMERICK, AND ON THE CONTINENT, IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR RELIGION AND COUNTRY, Ois Sctorb & i — OF THE VALOUR AND PATRIOTISM OF THEIR HEROIC ANCESTORS IS INSCRIBED, BY THE AUTHOR.

Preface

IT is now one hundred and eighty-three years since Ireland was devastated by the unfortunate war, the principal actors in which were the characters introduced in the following pages. The man dies, but his memory lives : and though they have so long ago passed away, oblivion has not covered the recollections of their time; and story, song, and tradition record the memorable events of that melancholy period in the history of our country. No man who feels proud of his native land could read the soul-stirring lines of Caledonia's gifted bard without being struck with the patriotic feelings they express : — " Breathes there the man, with soul so dead, Who never to himself hath said, This is my own, my native land ! Whose heart hath ne'er within him burned, As home his footsteps he hath turned, From wandering on a foreign strand !

If such there breathe, go mark him well ; For him no minstrel raptures swell ; High though his titles, proud his name, Boundless his wealth as wish can claim ; Despite those titles, power and pelf, The wretch, concentred all in self, Living, shall forfeit fair renown, And, doubly dying, shall go down To the vile dust, from whence he sprung, FJnwept, unhonoured, and unsung."

PREFACE.

. VI At least this was the opinion I entertained on my return from England, where I had been educated; and therefore one of the first places I visited in my native county was that portion of it which anciently comprised the historic territory of Cineal Aodh. For me its various hallowed and long deserted ruins, like the rest of that locality, possessed pleasing, though somewhat melancholy associations. Yes — Land of my sires ! what mortal hand Can e'er untie the filial band, That knits me to thy rugged strand ! Still, as I view each well-known scene, Think what is now, and what hath been Seems, as to me, of all bereft, Sole friends thy woods and streams were left ; And thus I love them better still, Even in extremity of ill." Therefore I resolved to ascertain all I possibly could, con cerning the past history of those now silent and deso late memorials of the past.

While I gazed on the ruins of Fidane Castle in particular, and pondered on the many festive scenes which had been here enacted, they recalled to my mind those beautiful and expressive lines, so suitable to the occasion : — " Time-hallowed pile ! no more, no more Thou hearest the hostile cannon roar ; No more bold chiefs thy drawbridge pace, To battle, tournament or chase ; No more the valiant man thy towers. No more the lovely grace thy bowers. Nor bright eyes smile o'er the guitar, Nor the trump stirs bold hearts to war. The falling meteor o'er thee shoots. The dull owl in thy chamber hoots ; Now doth the creeping ivy twine, Where once bloomed rose and eglantine ;

PREFACE.

. VII And there, where once in rich array Met lords and knights, and ladies gay, The bat is clinging to those walls, And the fox nestles in those halls." Accordingly I read, searched, and collected : not, however, without being apprehensive of the great responsibility of such an undertaking; and being aware of the magnitude of the subject, I was for a long time reluctant to publish the result of my researches, principally on account of the prominent position which members of my own family occupied in this locality during the past days of tyranny and confiscation. But, on consideration, I concluded that many of the facts narrated in the following pages would be for ever lost to pos terity, should any of the private and authentic MSS., which I had occasion to consult, and which I was kindly permitted to inspect, be destroyed.

This was a matter which of course I naturally wished to prevent, taking as I did such a lively interest in the pathetic story of the misfortunes of the Chiefs of Cineal Aodh, whose extensive possessions were confiscated in consequence of their adherence to the great principle of religious liberty — a principle which, for venturing to maintain, England, which prides herself on being the most civilized of nations, drove one of her most, if not the most courageous and frugal of her sovereigns into exile : and from this circum stance sprung the various incidents which transpired within the period embraced in the story of ' The Irish Chieftains ; or, a Struggle for the Crown' — 1689 to 1770. It is there fore one hundred and two years since an alien and arbitrary Government unscrupulously accomplished the total ruin and subsequent extinction of one of the noblest aboriginal families of Ireland. These considerations, together with the solicita-

PREFACE.

. VIII tion of some friends who examined the MS., have induced me to lay before the public the result of my inquiries, having first abridged (as much as was consistent with the work) all that related to the Blake -Forster sept. Although I was, moreover, convinced that it was no easy matter to compile a work which treats of so many different subjects, I was, however, encouraged to persevere in the undertaking by the example of Josephus, the historian of the Fall of Jerusalem, who relates how he ' grew weary' and ' went on slowly,' and how many persons ' are induced to draw historical facts out of darkness into light, and to produce them for the benefit of the public, on account of the great importance of the facts themselves with what they have been concerned.' In con clusion, I have to thank the many friends and strangers who so kindly offered to subscribe liberally towards the publication of this work.

However, I felt myself bound to refuse subscrip tions, as I wrote entirely at my own suggestion, and therefore wished, when the work would be completed, to give the public an opportunity of using its own discretion with regard to my self-imposed labour. To all those friends of literature who take an interest in the history of their country, I have also to return my most sincere thanks for the valuable assistance they gave me while compiling the work. I trust that no Irishman, whatever be his creed or politics, will imagine that I wrote of this unfortunate period in the chequered history of our country, for party purposes, as no one could be more anxious than I am to have all Irishmen united, and see them live in harmony with each other, as the sons of our common Fatherland should, and following the example of two of our illustrious countrymen, the gallant Earl of Lucan, and the learned Sir Toby Butler, who, though differing widely in

PREFACE.

. IX their political opinions from the Duke de Schonberg and Baron de Ginckell, maintained the most friendly relations towards them. Indeed Sarsfield, though not recognising the authority of William III., whom he viewed as a usurper, addressed Baron de Ginckell as the Earl of Athlone, while the Dutch nobleman, who viewed James II. as an arbitrary tyrant, justly dethroned by his indignant subjects, addressed the Irish patriot as the Earl of Lucan. C. Ff. B-F. FORSTER-STREET HOUSE, GALWAY, \zth of July, 1872. b CONTE NTS. chapter. page I. THE CHIEF OF CINEAL AODH, 1 II. CLOONEENE, 14 III. THE LORD OF THE MANOR AND HIS GUESTS, 23 IV. LOUGHCUTRA, • . . 44 V. THE CHEVALIER DE TOURVILLE, 51 VI. RATHORPE, 64 VII. THE KING LANDS AT KINSALE, AND ENTERS DUBLIN, . . 70 VIII. ENNIS, 75 IX. LORD CLARE, 81 X. MARCH OF THE YELLOW DRAGOONS, 91 XI.

THE FAREWELL BANQUET, 101 XII. THE ENROLMENT, 106 XIII. THE RAPPAREES, 113 XIV. OPENING OF THE CAMPAIGN, 117 XV. ARRIVAL OF THE PRINCE OF ORANGE IN IRELAND, . . . 126 XVI. THE KING'S LAST DRAWING-ROOM IN DUBLIN CASTLE, . 137 XVII. THE MARCH FROM DUBLIN, 147 XVIII. THE BATTLE OF THE BOYNE 151 XIX. ADVANCE OF THE INVADER, 157 XX. AFTER A STORM COMES A CALM, 160 XXI. LIEUTENANT-GENERAL DOUGLAS BESIEGES ATHLONE, . . 166 XXII. THE PRINCE OF ORANGE BESIEGES LIMERICK 168 XXIII. SARSFIELD INTERCEPTS THE WILLIAMITE CONVOY, . . . CONTENTS. XII CHAPTER. PAGE. XXIV. THE PRINCE OF ORANGE IS COMPELLED TO RAISE THE SIEGE, 173 XXV. THE CITIZENS OF GALWAY CLOSE THEIR GATES AGAINST DE LAUZUN, 178 XXVI. DISAFFECTION AMONG THE WILLIAMITES, 188 XXVII. THE EARL OF MARLBOROUGH ARRIVES IN CORK, . . . 192 XXVIII. ACTIVITY OF THE RAPPAREES, 199 XXIX.

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL DE ST. RUTH LANDS WITH THE PROMISED AID, 201 XXX. BARON DE GINCKELL BESIEGES ATHLONE, 208 XXXI. THE PASSAGE OF THE SHANNON, 215 XXXII. LIEUTENANT-GENERAL DE ST. RUTH MARCHES TO BALLINA- SLOE, 220 xxxiii. the battle of aughrim, 229 xxxiv. the retreat under the earl of lucan, 253 xxxv. the clooneene foresters — galway in 1 69 i, . . . . 262 xxxvi. the siege of galway, 269 xxxvii. menlough castle, 276 xxxviii. baron de ginckell besieges limerick, 303 xxxix. the treaty of limerick, 312 xl. disturbances in galway, 321 xli. an irish wedding, 324 xlii. persecution at home — the irish brigade abroad, . 328 xliii. death of king james ii., 339 xliv. death of king william iii 346 xlv. penal enactments, 352 xlvi. retribution, 359 xlvii. father moylan in danger, 368 xlviii. the prophecy, 373 xlix. rebellion of the rapparees, 376 l. the lykewake 381 li . a romantic royal marriage 385 lii. one by one they pass away 395 liii. the earl of roscommon's tent on the eve of battle, 404 liv. the battle of fontenoy, 4u lv. the last chief of cineal aodh 421 Notes, CONTENTS. xiii

Appendix

. PAGE. THE CLORAN PAPERS — DERMOT OGE's WILL, 577 DERMOT OGE'S ADVICE TO HIS SON, 578 DERMOT OGE'S NOTES FOR o'SHAUGHNESSY — MAY 1 698, 580 THE TREATY OF GALWAY IN I 69 1, 584 THE TREATY MADE WITH SIR THOMAS SOUTHWELL 588 THE TREATY OF LIMERICK, 590 THE CIVIL ARTICLES OF LIMERICK, 594 SIR THEOBALD BUTLER'S SPEECH, 599 A LIST OF THE OFFICERS WHO SERVED IN THE IRISH ARMY OF KING JAMES II., 612 A LIST OF THOSE WHO ACCOMPANIED KING JAMES FROM FRANCE, . . 684 KING JAMES'S IRISH PARLIAMENT, 685 A LIST OF THE CIVIL OFFICERS AND THE DATES OF THEIR ENTERING UPON OFFICE '. . . 692 THE PRIVY COUNCILLORS IN THE REIGN OF KING JAMES, 695 LORD LIEUTENANTS AND DEPUTY-LIEUTENANTS OF THE DIFFERENT COUNTIES IN IRELAND DURING KING JAMES'S REIGN, 697 THE COLLECTORS OF THE WAR TAX, 699 A LIST OF THE PRINCIPAL OFFICERS EMPLOYED IN THE REVENUE, 24.TH june, 1690, 703 THE SEPT OF o'SHAUGHNESSY, 705 THE SEPT OF PRENDERGAST 724 C OR, A STRUGGLE FOR THE CROWN.

Chapter I. The Chief Of Cineal Aodh

THE Castle of Fidane is situated on the confines of the counties of Galway and Clare, and was formerly a fortification of great strength, and one of the most secure strongholds of the ancient O'Shaughnessy sept. It was a frontier castle, and well calculated to guard the western portion of their territory against any invasion of their warlike neigh bours, the fiery Dalcassians. History does not record exactly the date of its erection, but its style of architecture shows that in all probability it was built during the fourteenth century. The architect, most un doubtedly, must have had the eye and head of an able engineer, having chosen a site difficult of access, and admirably fortified against an enemy at a time when the bow, the sword, and the spear were the principal weapons used in warfare.

The castle stood between two lakes ; the one to the north was the smaller. The lake to the south was a picturesque sheet of water. Large trees bound the margin on the castle side, and bul rushes growing in great profusion rose high above the surface, lending to the scene an air of romantic beauty not easily described. These lakes were supplied by a river which derived its source in the lofty mountains known as Slieve Boughta (11), and, descending, passed through the ornamental waters of Loughcutra. From this lake a river took its course to the west, and formed a confluence with other streams which flowed from the lake of Inchiquin, in the county of Clare. It was a beautiful sight to behold, of a fine summer's evening, thousands of the red trout peculiar to the latter lake sporting in the calm waters of Fidane, and forming circles on its placid bosom.

B ; OR, 2 At the commencement of winter, a spectator, on the top of this an cient castle, by night, could enjoy a most picturesque view of several of the clansmen of O'Shaughnessy pursuing, with lighted torches and fishing spears, the speckled trout along the flooded lands, and the rivers and neighbouring streams. The south lake was deep, and bore the curious name of Lough-an- airgiod, from a tradition that a Chief of the O'Shaugh nessys had, during a period of civil war, thrown his money and plate into it. The castle parks contained about fifteen acres of land between the two lakes, and were guarded by fortifications extending from one lake to the other. Those to the west consisted of a broad and deep canal, extending from Lough Dubh, and meeting a strong wall full of port-holes, in which was a gateway strongly fortified.

From this gate the wall was continued to Lough-an-airgiod. On the east side a canal extended from Lough Dubh, also meeting the waters of Lough-an-airgiod, and thus completing the outer fortifications of the Castle of Fidane. Midway between the two lakes, on this fosse, stood the principal entrance, which was erected in the form of a small castle. It was called, in Irish, Caislain-beg, or the little castle, and was three stories in height. The gateway was vaulted, and protected by a strong drawbridge, which, when not in use, was drawn up by chains into a groove in the castle wall, and formed an outer defence to the strong gate of iron. Another gate, strongly plated with the same material, stood opposite to this, forming the grand approach to this great castle. To the right of the entrance, on the drawbridge side, was a low, vaulted, dungeon-like room, where the warder in charge of the gate had his lodging.

The immense iron bar that secured the gate passed through a groove of cut stone into this apartment, and could be easily pushed forward or drawn back at the pleasure of the warder. The stairs leading to the upper guard room were very narrow, and furnished with a thickly-plated iron door. The first guard-room extended along the whole length of the building, and its walls were full of port-holes towards every direction, in order to afford an opportunity of annoying the foe from whatever quarter they approached. The third story was not vaulted, but a battlement surmounted its upper walls. The roof was thatched, in accordance with the peculiar style of Irish castles for a long time previously. The guards of this castle were chosen from amongst those of the re tainers who were the bravest, and most distinguished for their skill in arms and valour as soldiers.

The way from the barbacan to the castle lay through an avenue studded with venerable old trees, of the oak and ash species, and the ground on which the castle stood was slightly elevated. This massive pile was surrounded by a wall, surmounted by strong battlements, which formed an oblong, except on the western side, where a triangular projection of the wall was placed, in order to produce an addi tional mode of defence, should the enemy approach the fortress from that direction. The battlements of this part of the castle were well supplied with port-holes capable of receiving either arrows or the falconet wall guns, so much in use in the middle ages. On this also was a parapet with port-holes, which made it stronger than any other portion of the castle walls, and in it was placed the great gateway to the castle court yard.

It was two stories in height. Over this gate there was a pro jection, with an aperture through which hot water, molten lead, or any other destructive missile could be cast down on an enemy daring enough to approach this strong castle. Like in the outer barbacan there was a strong iron bar across the gate when closed, and which, wben access was required, could be drawn back into the warder's vaulted apartment. Outside the inner entrance was a flight of stone steps leading to the upper apartment, which had its port-holes and a num ber of wall-guns and other arms were always kept here ready for use, and, by ascending a few stone stairs, the garrison could perambulate the entire of the battlements. The eastern side of the castle had at its angles projecting turrets, with port-holes so placed that the enemy would suffer considerably should he attempt to assail the corner-stones of the wall.

The south, which was very near the lake on that side, was the worst pro tected part of the castle, having only the cross fire of the southern turret, some port-holes, and the advantage of the retainers' fire from the parapets to defend it. A large postern door of iron was placed in the wall, in order to give the inhabitants of the castle ready access to the waters of the lake whenever they required it. Originally there were no buildings in the courtyard of the castle but the Great Keep. At the time we are writing of, however, many other buildings were erected to supply the want of accommodation. During war time, when several families wei;fi obliged to seek refuge here and in other strong-holds, in order to save their lives and their valuables, an ample kitchen was added to the south side of the Keep, to suit the developed requirements of the household ; smaller buildings to the west, which were used, respectively, as guard houses, store-rooms, and sleeping apartments ; and under its northern wall a large banqueting ball was erected.

A view of the Keep presented to the beholder a well-built castle, tall and stately, surmounted by a high, peaked roof, having a lofty but narrow watch-turret, which projected from the eastern angle, from which, upon state occasions, the standard of the O'Shaughnessy sept was displayed. The door of the Keep was of iron, and had port-holes overhead ingeniously contrived in a sort of b double wall, with the usual facilities for giving the assailants a warm reception whenever they appeared. The iron bar, called by the Irish Maide Emun, was used here, as described of the outer gates, and the warder's apartment was. small and vaulted. To the front was a large vaidted hall, with a capacious fireplace, and to the left of the door the narrow, winding stone stairs which led to the apartments and galleries of the castle, some of which were small at one side of the building, while at the other two were of rather a large size, and used as the principal 100ms by the family while they resided here.

Those apartments had also large fireplaces, with heavy chimney-pieces of black marble. All round, the walls were hung with beautifullyworked tapestry, represent ing various scenes in foreign lands and at home, together with paintings and pictures, some of warriors of the Cineal Aodh, looking grimly down from the castle walls, and others master-pieces from the early Flemish, Italian, and French schools ; while from other parts were suspended antique warlike weapons — the sword, the shield, and the helmet of warriors who for ages were passed away. Although the rooms were pleasant, still the Chief preferred to dine and pass away his time in the large banqueting hall, which was at some distance from the north entrance to the castle, and in front of which was a beautifully-designed garden. Here himself and his family whiled away the time pleasantly, and at night retired to the Keep ; while double locked was each door of iron, and the guard kept vigilant watch throughout the night.

Since the return of Sir Dermot O'Shaughnessy, the present Chief's father, from France, on the Restoration of King Charles II., in 1660, the country being in a state of quietude, this castle was uninhabited, the more comfortable mansion of Gortinsiguara being chiefly used as a summer residence ; but when the alarms of war again disturbed the peace of the country, Fidane was judged to be the most suitable place to collect together men and arms for the approaching struggle for the crown of •Ireland. The report of the expected arrival of the King from France naturally caused great excitement over the island, and while the bold rejoiced at the prospect of measuring swords with the enemy, the aged feared a recurrence of the dreadful scenes which they had witnessed in their youth. Those who possessed goods were afraid of plunder, and the husbandman feared to sow lest he should not reap.

Early in the month of March, 1689, while the retainers of O'Shaugh nessy were sitting round the watch-fire in the guard-room of the warder's castle at Fidane, Emun Laider said to his companions— " Listen ! I think I hear the sound of horses' hoofs clattering down the road through the rocks." "Your ears never deceive you," said Shane Oge Killerna. " But, hark ! the sentinel calls us to our posts." " Taggert," said Emun Laider, " you, as our commander, had better question the horseman on his arrival — not that there is any danger that he could take the castle by storm, but merely to show him how m ach we have improved of late on the points of war and parley." Taggert was of that class who, like the Mac Sweeneys and Mao Sheeheys, made it his profession to engage in the service of Irish chieftains, for the purpose of training their retainers in military tactics.

His family were for a long time in the service of the Chiefs of Cineal Aodh, and, in consequence of their faithfulness and skill, were rewarded with a grant of land, as were also the descendants of a gentleman named Clay ton, who likewise served under O'Shaughnessy, and had at this time a residence adjacent to the Castle of Gortinsiguara. The tribes of Taggert and Clayton had increased since their settlement in Cineal Aodh, so that now their fighting men amounted to more than seventy, and were in the full possession of manly strength and courage, and well versed in all the military manœuvres of the time. Taggert was about forty years of age, but still he could easily bound over every wall and ditch that came before him, and with his long-barrelled Spanish gun in his hand he seldom failed to bring down any object that he fired at.

In his habits, though kind and affectionate to his family and friends, he was, nevertheless, a strict dis ciplinarian, and insisted on all occasions that the soldiers under his com mand should perform even the most trivial movements of their drill with regularity and exactness. He now seized the opportunity of putting his men through the military evolutions of the day, having more facility for doing so than before the entire body were concentrated. On reaching the battlements, Taggert ordered Emun Laider to tell some of the men to be prepared to raise the portcullis and let down the drawbridge, while himself ascended to the parapet. From thence he observed that the horseman had oheoked his speed ; but, notwithstanding this, was still stoutly approaching. When he arrived at the gateway, taking in his hand a small bugle which was suspended at his side, he blew loudly the first few notes of an old Irish air, called " Tha me ma culla," or " I am asleep."

Taggert then called aloud — " Who comes there ?" To which the horseman replied — " I am an express from Athlone, with despatches, and am one of Colonel Clifford's dragoons, of Captain Forster of Rathorpe's troop" (12). " Cead mille failthe !" said Taggert., "If I mistake not, you are Nicholas Power, who joined that regiment about two years ago ; but you have grown so much that I did not recognise you at first. Lig sios !." he continued, and in a moment the chains were unloosed that held up the drawbridge, which fell with a loud report. The portcullis was then raised, and the massive iron doors flew back, revolving on their tremendous hinges, with a dull and heavy sound against the inner walls of the vaulted apartment, and Power, dismounting from his horse, entered the archway. Two large torches of bog-dale were now lighted, which, emitting a bright glare, illuminated all around, and revealed the guard drawn up in order, who were furnished with long-barrelled muskets, and having in their belts daggers of highly-polished steel, which were made to fit their guns when required (13).

Their ammunition was contained in bandoleers suspended from the shoulder, and their heads were covered by the Barred, a conical cap worn by the Irish. A trousers and tight-fitting jacket, with a large, loose frieze cloak, completed their dress. Taggert now put them through several military manœuvres, until he was fully satisfied Power had formed a high opinion of his skill as a disciplinarian. The young dragoon, having assured him that his men were as well dis ciplined as the regular troops in Athlone — which, of course, reflected great credit on their commander — he desired them to leave by their arms and greet their friend. This they did not fail to do in the warmest manner, and Shane Oge produced a large bottle of usquebaugh, or poteen, which he requested him to partake of. Power, however, declined, saying — " I must first take care of my good charger."

" Give yourself no trouble about your horse," said Conor Buighe ; " I will bring him to the stables, and take good care to provide the best provender the place affords for him." " In that case, Conor," said Power, " I will resign my horse to your care, and proceed with you, Taggert, to the castle, in order to deliver my dispatch to O'Shaughnessy, your Chief." He then wished the guard good-night, and, accompanied by the warder, proceeded to the Keep. When they arrived at the door, Power sent one of the retainers to acquaint the Chief of Cineal Aodh of his arrival. The result of this message was that he was immediately ad mitted. On entering the room he beheld O'Shaughnessy, sitting at a round table near the fireplace. He was middle-aged, of fair complexion, and his long brown hair fell loosely over his shoulders.

He wore a moustache, and his beard was slightly trimmed ; while his look, thouo-b calm, betokened a great deal of anxiety. He wore a green coat, with a standing collar and large silver buttons. His waistcoat was long, and furnished with ample pockets. His smallclothes were of buckskin,' and his large French boots were ornamented with gold spurs. The ruffles of his shirt sleeves covered his wrists, and on his fingers were several rings inlaid with precious stones. His broadsword, which he had previously taken off, was placed alongside the chimney-piece ; whilst his holster pistols, adorned with silver mounting and the family arms, were suspended from the wall, beneath the portrait of Rory More Dearg O'Shaughnessy (14), and his three-cornered cocked hat lay on a chair, near the door. On the table were placed some large account-books and other papers, which he threw aside when the courier entered.

On the opposite side of the table sat Dermot Oge Cloran, Esquire, his secretary and confidential friend, with a pen in his hand, and apparently busily engaged over some accounts. Cloran's family were for a long time previously in the confidence of the Chiefs of Cineal Aodh, and anciently held considerable property in their extensive territory. Power, after saluting the Chieftain, said — " Sir, I received at Athlone a letter for you from my officer, Captain Forster." So saying, he unbuckled his sabertache, and took from it the epistle, which he presented to O'Shaughnessy, who, having read it, laid it on the table, and, turning to Dermot Oge, said — " Cloran, please leave by your papers until we hear what news the courier brings from Athlone. I hope my young friend Captain For ster," he continued, addressing the dragoon, "is well?"