people Gallaeci in Spaine a chiefe town and little inferiour to any in Ireland built round like a Tower a Bishops See much frequented by Merchants invited by a commodious haven and safe roade Foure miles from hence stands Knoc-toe that is the hill of Axes and not farre off Aterith having a large wall but poorely inhabited the Birminghams are Barons of English race but of Irish disposition The better sort of Irish are O Kelleis O Maiden O Flairles mac Dervis c. The country of clan Richard lyeth at the entrance of this County and is annexed to it it tooke the name from Richard de Burgh out of which stock Henry the eight made an Earle of Clan Rich whose eldest sonne hath the title of Baron of Dun Kellis In this territory is the Archbishops See of Toam unto which many Bishopricks were formerly subject but now only three The County of Maio limited on the West by the Ocean South by Gollway East by the County of Roscoman and North by the county of Slige very rich and fruitfull abounding with cattle Deere Hawks and honey taking its name from a little city which had a Bishops See but now laid to Toam as I said but the inhabitants are under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Killaly Lord Bourgh is Vicount Maio There is a remarkable lake at the West side of this called Loghmesk full of fish and two small Ilands this County is inhabited with a valiant kind of people stout and hardie most of which were invited by the rebels out of the Scottish Ilands the Hebrides to aid mac William and mac Conell who were defeated by Captain Bingham Governor of Conagh The County of Slego lying along the Westerne Sea betweene it and Ulster Northward runneth the River Tâ—obis issuing from the lake Erne it is parted from the bordering Counties Le Trim and Roscoman by the vast Curlew hills and cut in twaine by the River Suc it is very fit and convenient for the breeding and rearing of cattle Sligo is the principall place of this county where there stands a castle under which is the Bay of Slego a road full of good harbours for shipping the chiefe names besides the O Conors are O Don O Harris O Ghar and mac Donagh There is an honourable Family in Herefordshire now dignified with the title of Baron Scudamore of Dromore and Vicount of Sligo The County of le Trim formerly called Breany which incloseth the county of Sligo on the East and was the possessions of that ancient Family of the Rorck untill Brion O Rorck rebelled in queen Elizabeths dayes who was chased into Scotland and sent thence into England and there hanged so that his lands fell unto the Crown the Sherards are Barons of le Trim after it was made a county by the Lord Deputy and called le Trim from the chiefe towne This county is full of rising hills and very fat ranke pastures so that one saith of it but how true I know not that it is so full of forrage that unlesse cattle were kept sometimes from grazing their fulnesse would endanger them but so fruitfull and fertile it is that in a small circuit of ground it was able at once to shew one hundred and twenty thousand head of beasts here is the See of the Bishop of Achonry united to the See of Elphin The head of the long and large river Shannon first sheweth it selfe here The Families of note O Rorck O Murreis mac Lochleims mac Glancheis and mac Granelles all meere Irish The County of Roscoman lieth Southwest from le Trim made a county likewise by Henry Sidney Lord Deputy being long but narrow and bound with the Rivers Suc Eastward and Shannon Westward and on the North with Curlew mountaines which are high and impassible untill a cut was made thorow them It is a plain fertile countrey much abounding with cattle because tillage is too painfull for the inhabitants There are foure Baronies in this county lying under Curlew hils by the River Shannon 1 That of Boyle where mac Dermot is chiefe 2 That of Balin Tober by the River Suc where O Coner Dun is of greatest power and upon it joyneth Elphen the Bishops See Somewhat lower lyeth Roscomon the Barony of O Coner Roo but the Dillons since have been Earls of Roscommon in which place is feated the chiefe town but now poore and meane More Southward lyeth Athlone the Barony of the O Kellies so named of the head town which hath a castle in it and a most beautifull bridge of hewen stone built by queen Elizabeth and thought it the most convenient place for the Lord Deputies to reside the better to suppresse seditions The fifth part or Province is Ulster the North part of Ireland hath ten Counties THe County of Louth in Irish Iriel or Uriel situated beyond Meth and the River Boyn runneth out with a shore bending towards the North A fruitfull and pleasant soyle if well imployed neere Boyns mouth is seated Drogheda or in English Tredagh a fine town well peopled and frequented so called of the Bridge Boyne cutting it thorow it hath both a Market and Faire granted by King Edward the second as also a Mint once there The Moores now beare the honour of Vicount Drogheda Not farre off stands Mellifont Abbey much praised by Saint Bernard given by queene Elizabeth to Sir Edward Moore of Kent Seven miles off standeth Ardeth an inland town and above it Dundakle having a commodious haven and formerly a wall which Edward Brâ—â— the King of Scots brother did burne but after both himselfe and forces slain and defeated by Sir John Birmingham the Lord Gorges are Barons of it Eight miles from hence stands Carlingford a port of good use and frequencie the Swifts are honoured with the title of Vicounts of this place the names of note are Verdons Tates Clintons Bellewes Donedalls Wottons and some others Sir John Birmingham before named was formerly Earle of Louth But Henry the eight honoured Sir Oliver plunket with the Barony of Louth The County of Cavan lying to the West of Louth and formerly called East Brieny the habitation of O Kellies who have been powerfull in horsemen for the suppressing of whom Sir Henry Sidney divided it into seven severall Baronies to hold in fee from the Crown of England they have no townes but dwell scattered here and there in forts and piles they have a poore Bishop of their owne whose See is at Kilmore yet somewhat better than those Irish Bishops who had no other rents and revenues than three milch kine which being dry the Parishioners did change for a new milch one the L. Lambert or Barons of Cavan The County of Fermanagh lyeth to the West and nore of Cavan full of woods and many boggs in the middest whereof is the greatest lake in Ireland called logh Erne reaching out forty miles very full of inhabited Hands some containing three hundred others foure hundred acres of land and the banks of the lake are
A Geographicall DESCRIPTION Of the Kingdom of IRELAND According to the 5 Provinces and 32 Counties together with the Stations Creeks and Harbours belonging thereto fit for Gentlemen Souldiers and Sea-men to acquaint themselves withall As also Declaring the Right and Titles of the Kings of England unto that Kingdom Likewise Setting down a brief Relation of the former Rebellions and of their suppression especially that in Q. Elizabeths time by Tyrone whence many matters worth observing may be collected usefull for this present Service By a Well-willer to the peace of both Kingdoms London Printed by I. R. for Godfrey Emerson and are to be sold at his Shop at the sign of the Swan in Little-Britain 1642. To the Reader Courteous Reader MAny have lately cast their Treasure do thou cast thine Eye upon distressed Ireland 't will be a way to shew thy Charity without any great venture Or if thou be in the number of Adventurers when thou shalt have read this thou wilt count thy part ensur'd The Advantage Knowledge and Delight thou mayst reap by it I referre to thine own apprehension and judgement Assuring thâ—e thou need'st not fear to engage thy purse in the survey of that Countrey where so good a King was willing to engage His Person Such is the engagement of Thy Friend and Well-wisher G. N. A Geographicall DESCRIPTION Of the Kingdom of IRELAND BEing in the North of England and desirous to passe into the Kingdom of Ireland and not willing to go more Northward although from Galloway in Scotland which Bede terms Candida casa the Vulgar White-herne there be but a short cut yet more willing to go the nearest way to Westchester but not finding the winde fair at my coming I travell'd along to Saint Davis in Pembroke-shire whence I had a speedy passage into Ireland but somewhat dangerous by reason of the sands and shelves which lye off into the sea but our putting into harbour worse because of the continuall mists that hang over the low flat land so that our Pilot could hardly discern his marks There are many fair Ports and Harbours for Ships on the East and South sides of what I shall speak in the Description of the particular Counties Concerning the names of severall Nations and Men they have their severall conceits it is known by the name Ireland to us It is an ancient Iland and not of little esteem in regard of the greatnesse of it being accounted the third Iland anciently known in the habitable world by good Geographers who say That of all Ilands for greatnesse the Indian Taprobane is chief the next after it is Britain and in a third degree another British Iland called Hibernia that is Ireland so that Ptolomie called it Little-Britain The situation is under the 10 and 12 Climats in Longitude extending 4 Degrees from the Meridian of 11 Degrees and half And the Latitude reacheth 4 Degrees from the paralel of 54 to that of 58 Degrees The Inhabitants are divided by the name of Wilde-Irish and the English Irish living in the English Pale where the English at their first going over did inclose themselves Formerly it was divided into 5 Kingdoms now Provinces namely Mounster lying Southward Lemster Eastward Connagh in the West Ulster in the North and Meth in the midst almost From North to South in length 400 miles in bredth 200 miles MOunster in Latine Mamonia the Irish Mown containeth 6 Counties besides the County of Holy crosse in Typperary the first is Kirry which lyeth near the mouth of the River Shannon and runneth out narrow at the entrance but towards the Sea with a broader promontory imbraced by the Sea on both sides A Countrey mountanous woody and wild loftily looking into the Ocean in which are many fruitfull fields and pleasant vallyes beset thick with woods A County Palatine granted to the Earle of Desmond by the speciall favour of Edward the third but being often ingratefull in their rebellious treasons and rebellions lost it Towards the Sea there is a territory called Clanmorris not farre off standeth Ardart a See of a poor Bishop called Ardfert Towards the South of this runneth a faire River named Dingle a commondious Port on the other side named Smirwick-sound or St. Marywick where the Spanyards to ayde the rebellious Earle of Desmond 1583. set footing Desmond Desmonia in Irish Deswown lyeth largely stretched out towards the South in which are three high promontories over-topping the Sea and contemning his proud waves running out into the South-west called west-Mounster The first promontory lyeth between Dingle-bay and the River Maire and is called Clan-car and hath a Castle built at Dunkeran by the Carews of England in it dwelt Donel mac Carty more a L of the Irish bloud The second lyeth inclosed within two bayes Maire and Bantre named Bear-haven This for the most part is a leane barren hungry soyle in which lived O Swillivant Beare and O Swillivant Bantre both of the same stock and high bloud in their Countrey The third called Eraugh situate between Bantre and Balatamore or Baltamore a bay or creeke famous for the multitude of Herrings that are taken there in this the O Mahouns by the gift of the Carews have large possessions the Calverts Lord Baltimort the South promontory called of the ancients Notium is at this day called Missen-head the Feildings are Earls of Desmond and Vicounts Callon The County of Corke anciently reputed a Kingdome contayning the whole space a long the Sea from Lismore unto St. Brend where it headeth Desmond westward in the bowells whereof lyeth Muskery a wild Forrest where Cormac mac xeg it is a great name and towards the Sea coast lyeth Carkray in which the mac Curties have the greatest power There lyeth towards the South Sea a Port and road anciently of good safegard for Shipps but by reason of a barre in the mouth of it it falls dry at the ebb and is now of little use it lyeth four leagues westward from the out-point of Kinsale Betweene Rosse and Kinsale there lyeth a small Iland in the Sea called Roem which may be fayled about having ten fathome water between that and the mayne three leagues from hence lieth cape de velho or Old-head from whence to England end is 46 leagues it is a high point reaching forth into the Sea from whence about a quarter of a league South-west lieth the mouth of the Haven of Kinsale a very commodious Port 10 and 15. fathome going in and 4 or 5 to the very towne which lieth up in the mouth of the river Bany in a fruitfull Soyle furnished with wood and other commodities Lord Courâ—y is Baron of Kinsale On the other side of Kinsale lyeth Kerry wherry a small territory once belonging to the E. of Desmond right before which lyeth the river Sauranus or Severanus which fetcheth its first originall from the mountaine of Muskerry and going along by the head city of the county Corke by the Irish Corcach honoured with a
Castle then holding his course by Clomel a frequented Market-towne as also by Carick-mac-Griffin situate upon a rock it then leaveth Tipperary behind it and is instead of a banke to confine the countries of Waterford and Kilkenny The Botelers or Butlers are great Families in this Countie and were neere of alliance unto Thomas A Becket for whose sake Henry the second did honour and enrich them For the government of which Province that it might be kept from rebellion and seditious tumults queene Elizabeth out of her Princely care and wisdome first ordained Sir Warham Sellenger or Saint Leger a man well seene in Irish affaires to be Lord President with one Assistant two Lawyers and a Secretary THe second part or Province is Leinster which hath seven Counties it is called by the Irish Leighnigh by the Britaines Lein lying all towards the Sea Eastward a fertile healthfull and beautifull place The first County is Kilkenny bounded West with Tipperary East with the Counties of Weisford and Caterlogh South with the County of Waterford North with queenes County and Norwest with upper Ossery a County surpassing the rest in faire buildings strong Forts and exceeding plentifull in all manner of provision Neere unto Ossery there standeth a very great mountain called Sleiew Bloemy towring very high out of whose wombe issue these Rivers Shour Neor and Barrow running in several streames againe joyne before they enter the Ocean and called of old the three Sisters This River Neor commonly called Neure runneth as it were thorow Kilkenny County and when it is passed the upper Ossery and hath watered many fortresses on both sides it floweth besides Kilkenny which is a rich and beautifull Towne farre exceeding any inland Burrough in Ireland Parted into the English towne and Irish towne the Irish towne being as it were the Suburbs and hath in it S. Canicks Church where the Bishop of Ossery hath his See But the English towne is nothing so ancient builded by Ranulph third Earle of Chester walled on the West-side by Robert Talbot and fortified with a castle by the Butlers Below Neore somewhat standeth a little walled towne called Thomas towne in Irish Bala mac Anda that is the towne of Antonies sonne Below this the River Callan emptieth it self into Neore on whose bankes standeth the towne Callan the third incorporate towne of this County as likewise Inise Yeog which is the fourth Many Families of the Butlers in this County of good account and some other Gentry as the Graces Walshes Lovels Forresters Shortels Blanch-feilds or Blanch-velstors Drilands Comeâ—fords c. The County of Caterlogh called by contraction Carlogh Eastward joyneth to Kilkenny lying almost betweene the Rivers Barrow and Slane fruitfull and well furnished with woods the two principall townes stand on the westbanke of Barrow Carlogh walled and fortified with a Castle Also Leighlin once a Bishops See now joyned to that of Fernes Both of them of good force and Constables over them From hence Barrow runneth thorow the Lordship of Ydron Upon the River Slane is seated Tullo a Butler being honoured by King Iames with the title of Vicount Tullo The Cavanaghs are a name much spread valiant and excellent horsemen From Carterlogh Neore and Barrow run hand in hand some few miles and after fall into the lap of their eldest sister the Shour who all are swallowed up presently of the devouring Ocean The County of Leaz or queenes County so called from queene Mary who first made it a County lying above Caterlogh towards the Norwest a small County full of woods and bogs the chiefe towne is Mary-burgh there was used watch and ward to defend themselves from the insolencies of the Irish O Moores against Mac Gilpatrick the O Dempsies who were very turbulent and seditious Many Castles and Forts in this County one at Tahmelio another at Obowy a third on the River Barrow and a fourth at Norrach little else of moment in this County Amulenux is Vicount of Mary-burgh the principall towne in this County Kings County called formerly Offaly but for the honour of King Philip made a County the chiefe towne is Philips town the Dempsies Vicount Glenmare and Baron of Philips town Many English Families seated here as the Warrens Herberts Colbeis Moris Leicesters Some Families of the Irish which suppose they have had hard measure in being dispossessed of their ancient inheritances seeke all occasion to do the English a displeasure and wil omit no opportunity to revenge so that it ever did and now more especially it behoveth the English to be circumspect and wary The County of Kildare lying eastward from the former Counties a pleasant healthfull and fertile countrey full of springs and pastures the chiefe town an Episcopall See beares the name of the County Kildare the noble Families of the Fitz-Geralds hold the Earldome granted by Edward the second This County was first inhabited by the Earle of Pembroke and his heires untill Edward the first The Geraldines continued loyall untill Henry the 8. and then one of them unadvisedly rebelled but was punished and his confederates howbeit queene Mary restored bloud and lands The places of note above the rest is Naas a Market town Athie placed on the River Barrow Mainoth a Castle belonging to the Earle of Kildare and a Market-town Castle-martin the chiefe seat of the Family of Fitz-Eustace which descended from the Poers who had the title of Vicount Baltinglas added by Henry the eighth But having lost that title by attainder the Ropers beare the honour of Vicount Baltinglas The chiefe Families derive from the English there are the Ougans de la Hides Ailmers Walshes Boisels Whites Suttons c. Now we have done with the midland Countries of Lymster we goe now to the Sea-side The County of Weisford or Wexford being a small circuit of land lying on the Sea side against Beneath the mouth of the three former sister Rivers eastward in a promontory where the shore fetcheth a compasse round is placed the County of Wexford in Irish Reogh here on the river Barrow there was a faire citie called Rosse well traded and peopled but by discord and dissention onely a great wall left as the ruines of a huge pile but the Hervys are dignified with the title of Barons of Rosse Eastward Duncannon Castle standeth over the River and can hinder any ships from passing either to Waterford or Rosse from thence there runs out a little neck of land which is a helpe unto sea-men to saile into the River not farre off standeth Tinterne upon the shore with many windings creeks where once there was a famous Abbey This Promontory is called Holy-head lying over against Saint Davids in Wales at which place the English first set footing into Ireland where there is a towne by the natives called Banna which signifies Holy Along the shore eastward lye many flats which the mariners call the grounds and endanger their ships The River Slane cuts quite thorow this County and in the mouth thereof
where it maketh a poole there lyeth Weisford the chiefe towne it is not of any great bignesse but yet memorable in that being assaulted by Fitz Stephen a valiant Captaine it yeelded it selfe unto his protection and became a Colony of the English so that still it useth the ancient apparrell of the English and their speech but somewhat mingled with Irish Eniscort is seated on the River Slane and Fernes is seated more inward an Episcopal See beyond which River dwelt the Cavenaghs Donels Montaghs and O Moores of Irish race stirring tumultuous-spirits and amongst them the Sinottes Roches and Peppers English Vicount Mount-garretto the Butlers are the men of note on this side Slane many more English of note as most of the common sort English The County of Divelin or Dublin on the East lyeth broad upon the Sea on the west bounded with the County of Kildare on the south on two small territories of Wicklo and Arcklo once the habitation of the O Tools and O Birns and now termed the Glimes and norwest limited with the County of Meth and Nanny a small River It is a very plentifull County both in corne and cattell abounding also with game for pleasure their greatest want is fuell which is a heavie turfe or English sea-coale but in the south side a barren soile hils and woods plenty many hollow valleyes over-run with trees which they call Glinus among which was the Bishoprick of Glandelaw but now annexed to the Archbishop of Dublin All the rest of the County is rich and plentious the people of a stately port and garbe in gentile neatnesse and carriage surpassing all the rest of Ireland and it is divided into five severall Baronies Rath-downe New-castle Castle-knoc Cowloc and Balrodry This whole County is Neptunes neighbor no part thereof being twenty miles distant from the Sea To the south of Dublin Haven standeth Wicklo a narrow Haven over which bends a rocke immured strongly with fortification in stead of a Castle whose command none ought to have but English borne Lord Maynard hath the title of Baron Then from the top of a hill New-castle looketh into the Sea in the sight of the three shelves which they call the south middle and north grounds lying in length yet shall you find betweene them and the shore seven or eight fathome of water A little higher where the River Bray disburdens into the Sea is seene Oldcourt the possessions of the Walshes of Carickmain who are a large and ancient stocke Next are Powers or Poerscourt belonging formerly to a Family of that name since the Wingfeilds have the title of Vicount Powerscourt A little Iland Saint Bennets belonging to the Archbishop of Dublin lyeth in an elbow of land which the River Bray maketh The creeke or bay is called Dublin Haven which is five leagues from Wexford into which Haven the greatest River of this County powreth it selfe called Liffy whose originall being but fifteene miles distance from that place yet through his many windings and turnings he watereth many countries First south by Saint Patricks land then westward after north watering the County of Kildare at length into the east by Castle-knoc and so by Kilmainam Dublin is seated seven miles from the mouth of Liffy it is the most famous towne of all Ireland the Irish call it Bala Cleigh that is the town set upon hurdles for the first foundation thereof was laid upon hurdles by reason of the soft unsetled ground like as Sivil in Spaine is said to bee built on piles Venice on woolsack or such like matter of foundation it is an ancient towne yet was much rent and defaced in the Danish warres after it became subject to Edgar King of England who in his Charter cals it The most noble City of Ireland Then the Norwegians got it in possession and at last it fell to the English who defended it against the Irish and was planted with a Colony of Bristow men on whom King Henry the second bestowed this City and all the liberties and franchises which the men of Bristow have of which City many write in praise and commendation one thus A City in regard of the people noble of the site most pleasant by reason of the Sea and River meeting together rich and plentifull in fish for traffick famous for the green plaines delightfull and lovely beset with woods of mastbearing-trees incompassed about with Parkes of Deere So another Develin a maritine towne is the mother City of all Ireland having to it an Haven passing well frequented for traffick and enter course of Merchants matchable with our London There are many Keyes and Wharfs along the River jetting out to stop the violence of the water A very strong wall of rough building stone reacheth along by the sides of it which openeth at six gates from whence there runne forth suburbs of great length Towards the east is Dammes gate and neere it the Kings Castle very strong both by art and nature and an Armory or storehouse built by Henry Lounders Archb. 1220. Saint Andrews Church stands in the east suburbs not farre from which is Trinity Colledge which queene Elizabeth honoured with the title and priviledges of an University The north gate openeth at the Bridge built by King John of Arch-worke and this uniteth Oustmans towne to the City for here the Easterlings that came out of Norway placed themselves about 1050. In the south quarter of the City stand two gates Ormonds and Newgate the common prison These lead into Saint Thomas street being large and long where there stands a great Abbey of that name founded by Henry the second for the expiation of the murder of Thomas A Becket as some say Into the south openeth Pauls gate and Saint Nicholas which maketh a way into Saint Patricks suburbs wherein standeth the Archbishops Palace called Saint Sepulchers and a stately Church dedicated unto Saint Patrick having an arched roofe of stone and a tall steeple It maintaines a Deane a Chaunter a Chauncellor a Treasurer two Archdeacons and 22 Prebendaries the only light and lampe as the Parliament of that Kingdome said of it of all godly and Ecclesiasticall discipline and order in Ireland There is another Cathedrall Church standing in the very heart of the city called Christ-church neere the south side of which standeth the towne Hall built of square stone and called the Tolestall where the Sessions of the city are kept The chiefe Officer was a Provost but Henry the fourth gave them liberty to choose a Major and two Bayliefes after King Edward the sixth changed the two Bayliefes into two Sheriffes No inconvenience save only that the ebbing and flowing of the Sea doth much choake the mouth of Liffy that hinder great vessels from going up and makes them to observe the high water for transporting of goods Where Liffy dyeth in the Ocean Houth standeth compassed in a manner round with the Sea of which those nobles Saint Lawrence hold the Barony Not farre off is Malehide or
Molachid belonging to the Talbots More within the countrey is Fingall a little place but very well husbanded even the garner and store-house of this Kingdome so great store of corne it yeeldeth every yeare This place discovers the idlenesse of the other Counties which would equally answer the industry of the labourer if it were imployed Divers worshipfull Families are placed here and there of English in this County as namely the Plunkets who are still Earle of Fingall and Lord of Kellene Barnwels Russels Talbots Dillons Netâ—orvils Lutterels Burnels Fitzwilliams Gouldings Ushers Cadlyes Finglasses Sarfeilds Blackneys Crucyes Baths c. NOw we come to the Province of Meth because it lyeth in the middle for strength and safety called the Chamber of Ireland peaceable likewise in the 38. yeare of Henry the eight divided into east Meth and west Meth. The County of east Meth is compassed with Kildare on the south with the County of Dublin and the Sea east on the north with the territory of Louth and with the County of west-Meth on the west The whole is divided into eighteene Baronies viz. Dueleke Scrine Slane Margallen Navan Kenlis halfe the Barony of Fower neere Kenlis Killalou Clove Moylagh Logherne Old-castle Luyn Moyfeuraragh Deese Rath-touth and Dunboyne Boyne a faire River springs out of the north side of the Kings County runneth thorow this country In the remotest places on this side Boyne are these memorable places Galtrim Killin Castle and Dunsany On the further side of Boyne are Trimletstown Gormanston and Slane the Fleming Lord of it of the next before Vicount Preston Barnwell Baron of the other Plunket Lord of Dunsany Among these last stands a Market-towne called Aboy upon the River Boyn which passing Glan Jores that is the Land of George runneth under Trim a fine towne of trade having a Castle erected by William Pepard So it flowes besides Navan the Barony of the Lamberts where the Bishops house is who having no Cathedrall Church doth all with the assent of the Clergie of Meth. Boyn then running higher and swifter neere unto Drodagh the Moores being intitled Vicount of it loseth himselfe in the Ocean Many chief Families of English blood are in this countie the Brabazens being Earles of east Meth. The county of west Meth so called in regard of the situation in relation to the former and reacheth to the River Shanon and lyeth betweene the Kings county south and Longford county north to which it is not much inferiour in any thing if answerable in civility Molingar is the chiefe towne as lying in the midst compassed with many bogges It is parted into twelve Baronies viz. Fertulogh Ferbile Delvin of which the Nugents were Barons and now Earls of west Meth Fourry as also Corkery Moyassell where the Tuts inhabited Moygoisy Rathcomire Magirquirke all propagated from English blood Clonlalon Moycassell meere Irish beare sway And others of more harsh and unpleasant names yet better liked of the Irish than our English names so that one of them said he would not learne English lest it should make him have a wry mouth Hugh Lacy subdued this county and had it given unto him by Henry the second who intending to build a Castle and bowing downe his head to shew the carpenter how hee would have a peece of timber squared had his head cut off by the same carpenter with an axe which hee held in his hand The county of Longford lyeth on the north side of west Meth made a county not long since called Anale before inhabited most by Irish and those potent and turbulent Shannon runneth along this county on the side of it and ariseth out of Therne hils in the county of le Trim and flowing along makes many open pools and after contracts himselfe againe and then runneth into a large broad mere called Lough Regith but after findes his bankes againe on which stands the towne Athlon from thence Shannon having passed the water-fall at Killoloe being very large and deepe six or seven fathome water disjoynes running with open armes to the imbracement of the city Limrick from whence speeding about sixty miles in length making here and there an Iland and where he grew shallow and passible there formerly stood forts and bulwarkes to hinder the inrode of the pilfering Irish and at last running with open mouth beyond knoc Patrick is devoured by the westerne Ocean two Irish Septs most powerfull and eminent in this county O-Pharoll Boy and O-Pharoll Ban the Lord Aungiers are dignified with the title of Baron of Longford Another Province is Conaght wherein are six Counties 1 Twomond or the county Clare which the Irish call Twowoun that is north-Mounster for so formerly was the name untill Sir Henry Sydâ—y laid it unto Connaught shooting out with a narrow promontory into the Sea westward and on the east and south side inclosed with the large streame of the River Shannon and to the west with the maine on the north barred with the county Galloway so that there is no entring of it by land The territories of Clan Richard are very fruitfull and commodious both for sea and land onely vexed with bad and idle creatures lazie inhabitants O fortunati si sua norint Did they but truly consider the benefit that would acrew by industry how would they indeavour As hath appeared by the care and paines of some English of note and esteem as the Muscegros and Clares who have built many forts and townes from whom Clare the chiefe towne takes name Other places of note Kilfennerag and Killalloe Orlaon the Bishops seat where there stands a Rock in the middest of the channell of Shannon from which the water maketh a great noyse in the fall thereof and which is a great barre and hinderance that no vessels can passe any further Not farre from this banke stands Bunraty made a Market towne by Henry 3. and is fortified with a Castle Seven miles off appeareth Clare the principall towne at a creek flowing from Shannon full of Ilands the chiefe Families are Irish the English being degenerated wholly mac Nemors mac Mahon O-Loughton the O Brians the chiefe of all and of ancient descent and now Earls of Thomond and who did good service against the Irish in Queen Elizabeth's time The County of Galloway boundeth South on Clare West on the Sea North on County Maio and East on Shannon abounding both in corne and cattle The West-shore is very craggy and rugged with a long border of greene Ilands foure of which called Aran make a Barony also Inis Ceath where the Monastery of Colman is a devout Saint founded for Scots and English but their continuall discord made the English quite forsake it More within lyeth a lake called logh Corbes spreading twenty miles in length and three or foure in breadth being navigable furnished with three hundred small Ilands full of grasse and Pine-trees but towards the Sea this lake is more streightned and runnes under Gallway Irish Gallive called so from the