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
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
set all with shady woods Such plenty of fish Pikes Trouts and Salmons that the nets are broken a peeces often with the great draughts At Bal Tarbet a little towne first it stretcheth six miles in length from South to North then for the space of six miles it narroweth in which space standeth Inis Killin a faire Castle from which Brian mac Guir takes his Barony Then it greatly inlargeth it selfe towards the Sea as far as to Belek neere unto which is a great down-fall of water that most renowned Salmons leape Mac Guir was chiefe untill his rebellion many of that Family dwel on both sides and those beyond the Lake are counted of Ulster and they on this side of Conagh The County Monaghan lyeth on the West side of the former great Lake having many hills and much wood not having any towne but Monaghan which imparts its name to the County which is divided into five Baronies Iriel Dartre Ferey Loughty with the little territory Donemain The mac Mahons that is the sons of Ursus or the Bear were powerfull but through dissention among themselves and their rebellious practises are rooted out the Blanys are Barons of this place The County of Armagh lieth towards the east in length compassed with the River Neury by East with the County of Louth by South and with the Blackwater by North So fruitfull and fat a soyle that if any compos or dung be laid on it in scorne of it it becomes barren The first place is Fewes a small territory belonging to Turlogh mac Henry one of the Family of Oneal thick set with wood and by reason of the lakes and bogs impassible Next is Orry in want of wood where dwelt O Hanlon and where stands Mont Norris built by the Lord Montjoy and Ansley are Barons of Mont-norris eight miles off neere the River Kalin lyeth Armagh a poore town yet an Archbishops See and Metropolitan the first Archbishop was Saint Malachie much commended by Saint Bernard yet nevermore happy than in the enjoying of that learned and right reverend Prelate Doct. Usher now Archbishop whose learning and piety is well known and shews that an Archbishop and religious though not always convertible yet sometimes compatible This towne in the last Rebellion was ruinated by Tyrone The chiefe men are mac Genis O Hanlan and many of the Sept of O Neal which assume unto themselves severall by-names The Blackwater Eastward runneth betweene this Shire and Tiroen the Chaworths have the dignity of Vicount from this place The County of Down lyeth Eastward on the Irish Sea long and broad on the North to the Lake Eaugh and on the South to the County of Louth from which it is severed by the river Newry upon which standeth a town called Bagnall in remembrance of that noble Marshall of Ireland Sir Richard Bagnall Neere which town the River Banthelesse ariseth out of the mountains of Mourne passing thorow the country of Eaugh which pertains to mac Genis it hath a Bishops See at Dromore above which are the tracts of Kilwalto Kilwarny much incumbred with woods and bogs and lye inwardly But by the shore the Sea doth winde in and incroach upon the land and makes many creeks and the Lake spreadeth it selfe neere Dyffrin a valley full of woods anciently the Mandavils afterward the Whits so that it makes two Bilands Lecall Southward and Ardes Northward Lecall very rich and battle ground runneth farthest into the East of any part of Ireland and is the out-most Promontory called S. Johns Foreland the Cromwels are intitled Vicount Lecall In the very streight hereof lyeth Down a very famous town and a Bishops See where Saint Patricks Tombe is said to be By the Sea side stands Arglâ—s where S. Patrick founded a Church and Strangford formerly called Strandford where there is a safe harbour at which the River Coyn with a violent course breaketh into the Sea from an honourable Family of the Smiths in Kent have the dignity of Vicount Strangford Aâ—des the other Biland called Audes lyeth over against Lecall to the North parted with a small channell out of the Lake Coyn which on the West side incloseth it as the sea doth on the East and the Bay of Knocfergus on the North the soyle is good and fruitfull save only in the middest where it is moist and waterish plain the shore is replenished with many small Villages Vicount Mountgomery hath his title from Ardes At the Bay of Knocfergus there was an ancient Monastery of the same Order and name with that neere Chester to wit Banchor More inward neer the Lake is the Bishops See of Conereth or Coner whose Pastor was devout but his flock wicked as Saint Bernard describes them Ardes was large in the possession of the Savages one of whom was perswaded to build a Fort for his safeguard made answer that he would not trust to a Castle of stones but of bones meaning himselfe and men Above Ardes to the South-west lyeth Clanbay that iâ— the yellow nation a County full of woods reaching to Knocfergus the farthest part of Down inhabited by the Family of the Oneals the Popes are Earles of Down and Barons Bealterâ—erts The County of Antrim lyeth next in order unto Louth Northward taking its name from a poore despicable town so called and is seated in an out-corner of Ireland towards Scotland within three hours saile and is limited with Knocferguâ— Logh Eaugh and the river Ban the mac Donels are Earls of Antrim Knocfergus in Irish Cangfergus that is the rock of Fergus where a famous man of that name was drowned that place is well inhabited and more frequented than the rest of that country by reason of a good and commodious harbour well fortified and strong Vicount Chichester hath his title from it Hard by lyeth the nether Clanboy possessed by the O Neals untill their rebellion in the queens time now the Hamiltons are stiled Vic Clanbâ—y from this or the like place neer Knocfergus there is a little Biland which runs out into the sea is called the Ile Magie four miles in length and one in bredth where was a Monastery of that name highly praised by venerable Bede Then begins the Glins that is the Vallies at Olderfleet which is a bad road and run out far into the sea this place was formerly much annoyed with the Ilander Scots under the leading of James mac Conel Lord of Cantire in Scotland but Shan O Neale slew him and chased away his army About this place as far as the river Ban is called the Rowt the seat of the mac Guillies a well esteemed Family Dunluse castle a strong one seated on a rock that hangeth over the sea the possessions of Surley Boy that is Charles the Yellow who rebelled and was so chased by captain Meriman his son slain his cattell taken away of which he had a great stock of 50000 Cows So that he made his submission and was received into the queens favour and had a fair
estate given unto him again upon some articles of agreement The county of Colran is beyond the Glinns westward and lyeth between the river Ban and Lough Foyle and confineth South on the county of Tir-Oen This Ban is a passing fair river riseth out of the Mountains of Mourn in the county Down carrying himself and his name into Lough Eaugh or Lough Sidney a great lake and for the space of 30 miles name and river are both drowned in the Lake but after at Tome Castle he resumeth it again then by Glaucolkein a great receptacle of robbers and rebels carrying a proud stream he tumbleth into the Sea More abounding in Salmons this than any river in Europe it being exceeding water in which such fish much delight The principall Family is O Cahan a subject of O Neal who in that vain ceremony of O Neals election flings an old shoe over O Neals head It is much molested by the Iland Scots being poor so that in Summer they seek for booty here Towards the west of this lies Derry a waste uncivil place but through the great care charge and industry of the City of London so well planted civilized and built that it is scarce inferior to any place of Ireland and have rightly named it London Derry the Ridgways being Earles thereof as Huâ—h Hare was Lord Colrane of Colrane There is likewise a Bishop of Derry The County of Tir-Oen lyeth Southwest from the former country it is upland from the sea divided westward from Tir Conell by the river Liffer from Antrim Eastward by Lough Eaugh bounded with the Blackwater at South from the county Armagh a rough rugged uneven country 60 miles in length and at some places 30 in bredth severed by the Mountains called Sliew Gallen into the upper Tir-Oen Northward and the nether Southward there is first a poor Bishops See called Cloghar then Dungannon the chief habitation of the Earls also Uhlogahel where O Neal the Tyrant of Ulstor was usually installed with his vain ceremonies there was a Fort at Blackwater which hath been much assaulted by the Rebels which resort thither to a refuge but having found another passage over below that is of such use therfore the Lord Montjoy built Sconces on both sides of that passage and at the Lake Eaugh raised another Garrison Fort and called it by his own name Mountjoy This Lake incloseth the west-side of Tir-Oea and is much supplyed by the River Ban a large lake 30 miles in length and very plentifull in fish And Nature hath shewed her skill in bestowing variety upon the banks of it as the shady groveâ— the medows alwayes green the fertile corn-fields if tilled the bending and hanging hills the warbling Brook gliding along it nothing wanting for delight or profit and by that condemns the lazy lithernesse of the inhabitants who suffer much of it to lye waste In the upper Tir-Oen lyes Strahan a Castle well known as being the seat of the O Neals there are many more fortresses and towers with narrow loop-hooles unto which are adjoyned houses of turf and thetch with hedges and ditches round about to keep their Cows from robbers The County of Donegall or Tir-Conell it lyeth in the norwest corner of Ireland a champion country full of Havens bounded with the sea North and West and parted on the East from Tir-Oen with the river Liffer and from Conagh with the Lake Erne Liffer at his very rising maketh a large stream and spreadeth into a Lake wherin is an Iland in which neer to a Monastery is a narrow vault made by Ulisses as some fabulously report when he descended to hel the inhabitants call it Ellan a frugadory that is the I le of Purgatory and Saint Patricks Purgatory So in that place there is Saint Brendans Purgatory of which much superstition is invented this river Liffer neerer the sea it maketh another Lake called Logh-foile or Logh Der and Derry of which I spake before bounds on it From this river the fitz-Williams take their Barony Here is the fair foreland a promontory Robogh with a small town having a Bâ—â— See From hence Westward runs a cragged shore unto the mouth of Swilly lake so to the utmost promontory which they cal the Rams-head to another promontory cald S. Helens-head More Southward on the shore is that good and commodious Haven Calebig whence you may see the ruines of Sligah castle A little lower not far from the mouth of Logh Erne is Donegall that is the town of the Gallirians in Spain the Earldoms have been to the O Donels who held it untill their rebellious hearts cast off all true obedience Thus hast thou seene courteous Reader the limbs and parts of the Kingdom of Ireland laid open unto thee rich and plentious as appears by those large revenews it hath yeelded unto the English Crown when as in King Edward the third his dayes some say forty thousand pounds yearly the Custome-house at this time duly payd into the Exchequer is thirty thousand pound per annum And great was that improvidence if I may say it both in civill government and Church discipline that have suffered those firebrands of the Christian world the Jesuites to raise there so sudden and great flame of Rebellion which wee hope by Gods providence working with the wisdom and prudence of this present State now assembled to see extinct to the utter ruine and overthrow of that bloudy religion of Popery and by this means so to root out and disperse those unconstant and various dispositions that all hope of ayde and assistance from others and opposition in themselves shall be quite taken away And further by this description mayest thou observe how to entertaine the present profer made by the honourable Houses of Parliament to thy best contentment and advantage how to get sure footing in an Iland so great so neere a neighbour to England so fruitfull in soil so rich in pasture more than credible beset with shady pleasant profitable woods inriched with many minerals if sought after watered with so many Rivers invironed with so many commodious Havens lying so fit and open for sailing into the most wealthy Countreys so that he will seeme short witted whose wealth will bear it that embraces not the present opportunity to inrich himselfe in a plantation of his posterity in the middest of such worldly felicity The end of the first part The second Part treating of the naturall Disposition Apparell and Dyet of the Irish and of their severall Rebellions THe Irish for the most part are proud haughty cruell and barbarous variable and inconstant in disposition apt and forward to Tumults rebellious to Government false and hollow-hearted more ready in promise then performance the meaner lazie idle and sluggish especially the wild Irish and the English Irish much degenerated Saint Bernard in the life of Malla Ehy Bishop of Coner who reports that when he undertook his charge there perceived that he was not come unto men but unto
called it to answer all alarmes and were exempted from other duties The Horse 857. The Castle Niparke upon a breach made by our cannon yeelded only on condition of saving their lives sixteen being only left in it It stood in an Island beyond the water The Lord President returned with foure Regiments two he carryed out and two met him and comming to the Campe they quartered by themselves on the West side of Kinsale and were commanded by the Earle of Thomand for the Lord President went to the Lord Deputy The Towne with a Demi-Cannon played upon our Admirall and Vice-Admirall in the the harbour of Kinsale And shot them throughout But our Shippe peeces presently dismounted the Demi-cannon and hurt their chiefe Gunner Our battery lay so continually upon the Towne on all sides that did it much offend the enemy within who impatient that we built a fort close to the towne West gate Made a brave sally with 2000 men on our Ordinance on the East side and made most furious assault having brought with them tooles to cloy the Peeces and to dismount them if possible And indevoured to pull downe the Gabions in our trenches and baskets filled with earth for the safegard of our Gunners and Cannoneeres But they found such resistance by the great courage of our men that they were driven to retreate into the Towne leaving above 120 dead in the place and many slaine neere the towne some others taken prisoners But on our side not many hurt two Captaines and one Lievtenant killed Among the Spaniards at their shipping many of them were found to have Spells Characters and hallowed Medalls as preservatives against death A Drumme was sent to offer Don Jean to bury his slaine who returned thankes but withall prayed the Lord Deputie to see them buried promising to doe the like for ours when they fell in his power At this time newes came that sixe Spanish ships were put into Castle-haven neere Baltamore and sixe more were scattered from them by foule weather these six brought two thousand men and many Ordnance and Munition and news that 20000 more were comming Sir Richard Levison getting five or sixe ships out of the harbour of Kinsale got in little time into Castle-haven and and sunke one Spanish ship The Admirall of the Spaniard having 9 Foot water in her hould drave on a rocke and the Vice-Admirall and two others run aground most of the Spaniards quitting them And so our Fleet returned to Kinsale Into which harbour came a Scottish Barke laden with 80 Spaniards who were by the Master put all into the hands of the English so were landed and carryed into the Campe upon whose examination divers discoveries were made that great preparations were made for Ireland and that in Spain they doubted not but that it was taken already Now intelligence came to the Campe that O Donnell was joyned with the Spaniards that landed at Castle-haven that he together with all the forces that Tyrone could make would releeve Kinsale Upon which our Campes did more strongly fortifie and intrench themselves for their owne defence And so had not leasure to follow the batteryes as they had done before because the new supplies were much wasted with hard service and great sicknesse Two small Sconces were built at the West side of the Towne betweene the Earle of Thomands quarter and the water and so cast up trenches from place to place to invest the town to the land and hinder the driving in of the cattell into the town O Donnels forces are said to be 4000. and Tyrones 8000. which are all to joyne with the Spaniards and lye not above sixe miles from our Campe A Letter was intercepted sent to Oneale by the Spanish Generall To the Prince Oneale and Lord O Donnell J Thought your Excellencies would have come at Don Ricardos going since he had order from you to say that upon the Spaniards comming to you from Castle-haven you would doe me that favour And so I beseech you now you will do it and come as speedily and as well appointed as may be for I assure you that the enemy are tyred and very few and they cannot guard the third part of their trenches which shall not availe them for resisting their first fury all is ended The manner of your comming your Excellencies know better there then I to give here for I will give them enough to doe this way being alwayes watching to give the blow all that I can and with some resolution that your Excellency fighting as ye doe alwayes I hope in God the victory shall be ours without doubt because the cause is his And I more desire the victory for the interest of your Excellencie then mine owne And so there is nothing to be done but to bring your squadrons come well appointed and close withall that being mingled with the enemies their forts will doe as much harme to themselves as unto us The Lord keepe your Excell Kinsale Decemb. 18. after the old stile Though you be not well fitted I beseech your Excellen to dislodge and come towards the enemy for expedition imports it is needfull that we all be on horseback at once and the greater hast the better Signed by Don Iean de Aquila This newes made us ply our batteryes the more and the like importunitie made Tyrone advance within a mile of us in the way to Corke But some of our Foot drawing out of the Campe towards him for that time he drew himselfe into the wooâ—s Our Army was but weake at this time many sick and some run away in number 6595. Tyrone often shewed his Horse and Foot on a hill not â—aâ—e off and we had intelligence from one of Tyrones Commanders that both he and the Spaniards resolved to aâ—…t our Campe together on all sides in the night But Tyrones guides missing the way happened to be withâ—â— an houre of day when they were discried in a plain not far from our Campe where Tirrill led the vantgard wherin the Spaniards from Castle haven were Tyrone leading their battell and O Donnell their reare intending to force the great Campe But the Lord Deputy with the Lord President having sate in Counsell all that night drew out some regiments The Marshall Sir Richard Wingfield with 400 horse and Sir Henry Fowers regiment advanced within 20 score of the enemy resolving to give them battell two more regiments being come up which the enemy perceiving retyred over a foard somewhat disorderly and the Marshall seeing it desired leave of the Lord Deputy to fight which being granted to take occasion according to his discretion hee presently marched forward over the foard The enemy still retyring further over the bogge into a plaine hoping to find the bogge some safegard from us But the Marshall with some horse and foot went to the bogge side and gave them occasion of skirmish there their Battalians standing firme on the one side of the bogge and our foot on the other In
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