User:Jnestorius/Ileagh

Ileagh ("Illeagh") and Kilnelongurty ("Killnelongurty") and surrounding parts of County Tipperary. Detail from a 1794 map of Ireland.

Ileagh, also Illeagh, Ileigh, or Isleagh (Uí Luigheach) was a territory and barony in County Tipperary in Ireland. Corresponding approximately to the modern civil parish of Glenkeen, Ileagh was bounded by Upper Ormond to the northwest, Ikerrin to the north east, Eliogarty to the east, and the territory of Kilnelongurty to the south. In the 19th century Ileagh and Kilnelongurty were absorbed into Kilnamanagh Upper barony. The name is preserved in Borrisoleigh (Buiríos Ó Luigheach "borough of Ileagh"), a village in the area, and Ileigh, a hamlet and former Catholic parish. Dúchas story says rulers were the O'Spillanes, then the O'Dwyers, then the Norman Mac William Burkes, and after Cromwell one White.

Extent

Openstreetmap:

• Glenkeen p
• Glenkeen p + Barracurragh t
• Glenkeen p + Barracurragh t + Dovea U+L t
• Glenkeen p + Inch p (incl Dovea t) + Barracurragh t

In the Civil Survey, Ileagh is described as containing the whole parish of Glenkeen and the townland of Barracurragh [Down Survey "Burycorogh"/"Barracurry"] in the parish of Ballycahill, separated from Glenkeen by a limb of the parish of Inch [Down Survey "Inchyfogerty"] in barony of Eliogarty.

In the Down Survey terrier, Ileagh is said to consist of "twenty plowlands", though map numbering goes up to 24 [Garncranagh]. As well as the 24 there are subdenominations eg Borreshlegh (4) has named appurtencances 4.2 to 4.13; plus "arable"/"wood"/"mountain" sections 4:a, 4:w, 4²:w, 4:m; plus named using letter indexes, 4.c, 4.s. Most of these subdenominations correspond to modern townlands.

The former parish of Dovea, now included in Inch parish as townlands of Dovea [Down Survey "Deueagh"] Upper and Lower is called Irish: Duibhfeth-Ua-Luighdheach "Dovea of Ileagh" in the Annals of the Four Masters and John O'Donovan thus places it in Ileagh. In 1585 Sir Charles O'Carroll included "Dow o-Loyagh, called McWalter is contre" in a list of territories which he alleged had been usurped from his O'Carroll family by the Butlers of Ormond. The Civil Survey calls it "The Territory ... of Ileagh alias Duholeagh".

"peaty podzols, brown earths, and gleys which are characteristic of mainly upland areas ... cover the major part of Upper Ormond, Ileagh, and Kilnamanagh"

Gaelic

Name

The name Ileagh is an anglicisation of Uí Luighdheach, originally a Gaelic túath whose name was also anglicised "Tuath O'Leyath" or "Hy Luighdheach". The Irish name comes from the sept Uí Luighdheach Éile "descendants of Lugaid of Éile". The dynast "Lugaid of Éile" was supposedly the brother of Corc mac Luigthig; their father, also named Lugaid, was son of Ailill Flann Bec. Éile was a Gaelic kingdom which gives its name to Eliogarty barony. Lugaid was a common personal name; the qualification "of Éile" distinguishes the Ileagh sept from other Uí Luighdheach septs, including:

• the Dalcassians (called clanna Luighdech in Cogadh Gaedhel re Gallaibh) descended from Lughaidh Menn son of Óengus Tuirmech Temrach. Thomond, their homeland, is called Gairbh-fhearann Luighdheach ("the rough land of Lughaidh") in Foras Feasa ar Éireann.
• Cenél Luighdech in Donegal (descended from Lugaid mac Sétnai, brother of Ainmuire mac Sétnai)
• "Ui Luigdech in Lifi, and the Ui Luigdech in Fotharta Airbrech in Leinster"

Sometimes Ileagh/Borrisoleigh is confused with Leigh/Borrisleigh. Also Ileagh might be confused with Imleagh = Emly

• Ileigh from dúchas.ie
• Placenames branch notes 12C to 1654 1657-1759
• Borrisoleigh notes posits Lug connections, cites Ó Riaian twice, quoting former:

  If serious disruption of the Irish system of succession to religious office and property was to be avoided, there was no immediate alternative to the adaptation of pre-christian local cults to meet the requirements of the new creed. It follows that those pagan deities who continued to inform the Irish church as érlama in exceptionally large numbers were retained for essentially legal reasons. Sometimes, as in the case of Brigit of Kildare, no discernible effort is made, onomastically speaking, to disguise the transition from deity to saint. Assuming, however, that the preponderance of saints' names among the attested forms of hypocorism in early Irish accurately reflects what happened, then deity names were mostly transformed along hypocoristic lines. An instructive case in point is Molagga of Labbamolagga in north-east Cork whose typically hypocoristic name is said to derive from Lóichín, diminutive of Lóch, an umlaut variant of the form Lug.

Ui-Luigdech

Giolla na Naomh Ó hUidhrín's Tuilleadh feasa ar Éirinn óigh: The lord of Ui Lughdhach, of ancient swords, / Is O’Spealain of white spurs.

Ui Lughdhach, otherwise called Ui-Luighdheach, or Ileagh, formerly a separate barony, and shown as such in the Down Survey, but now included in the barony of Eliogarty.

782 O’Spealain — This name is now anglicised Spillan and Spollan, without the prefix O’.

Caithréim Chellacháin Chaisil includes references to:

Section	Text	Notes
20	When they were passing the corner of Sliab Crot, the men of Fermoy, and the Ui Cuanach, and the billetted soldiers of the Lochlannachs assembled against them, and gave them battle. And the battle was gained by the men of Munster, and 400 were killed of the billetted soldiers and their host. And of the ten hundred, who were of Clan Eogan at the battle of Limerick, no more than three hundred were alive on this day. They march on plundering each district, until they reached Thurles. The northern and the southern Eile assembled at Thurles to meet them to give them battle, and the Danes of the fortress along with them. When the Ui Luigdech and the Eoganachts heard this, they assembled to join Cellachan, with Cuilen, son of Aindiaraid, son of Dunadach, the lord of their country, and these two tribes with their champions with spears and swords, 500 in number, reached Cellachan. A battle is fought between them and the people of Ely.	Ui Luigdech now Ileagh, formerly a separate barony, but now included in the barony of Eliogarty in the county of Tipperary.
42	Then he saw another man coming towards him, and he asked him the same question. »This is the head of Donnchad, son of Muirchertach «, said he, »even the son of the king of the Eoganachts, and the descendants of Cairbre the Pict will lament that head. And that other head is the head of Y'mn son of Eterscel, and the descendants of Lugaid will lament that head. But do not show them to me henceforward, for I cannot endure to look at them. And although I have not been wounded by you, I am killed through the wounds of yonder men. And it is a pity that I have not found death in their company. « And he recited lay: Alas for the heads without bodies, For whom dark tears will be shed. It was no folly, although the men were valiant, The horsemen of the race of Eogan will fall. Aed, son of Donnchad is without a head, Alas for the blood upon his slender side! The fair descendant of wound-dealing Ua Cathail, Of the bright-weaponed champion ot the rough spears. The head of Suibhne you have brought with you, host of the Foreigners, [The head of] the son of Suilleban, who reddens spears. Alas for the descendant of Maelughra! Sad to me the head with the braided hair Of Muirchertach, son of Muirchertach, That the fair and valiant one, Is plainly in the power of the Lochlannachs. 1 repent that he came with me, the champion whom I see without head. He was a gentle hero of a royal race, Aengus the Young, son of Assid.	Clanna Luigdech, otherwise called Ui Luigdech, or Ileagh, formerly a separate barony, but now included in the barony of Eliogarthy, county of Tipporary. The Dalcassians wore also sometimes called Clanna Luigdech (Cogadh Gaedhil, p. CVI).
69	Then the three fiercely active kings of Ui Luigdech, namely Flann, and Cobthach, and Eiderscel reached the southern angle of the brave ho.sts. They and the three guardians of Cork, namely Lochlannach of the blades, and the handsome (?) Lochlannach, and Old Amlaib, the senior of the army, went at each other and encountered each other in the battle. However, neither the great size of their shields, nor the excessive strength of their spears, nor the whistling shots of their arrows, nor the smiting of swords upon the heroes were of any use to the Norse heroes. For those chiefs leapt into the Norse ships and singled them out under the masts of the galleys till they met in the middle of each ship. And those six fell together along with their hosts, as the poet has said:
70	I am grieved for the fall of the chiefs Of the children of Lugaidh of the bright shields. From the southern part of Munster in the south. By the host of Lochlann of the swift feats. I grieve for the noble Eiderscel, The brave, red-sworded hero. Though throug-h him by force was slain riao Norseman of the full-sharp blades. I ;mi sorry that Flann, the descendant of Lugaidh of Luan (?), Should be in famous Traigh Baile, Though he cut off — without treachery — in the battle The licad of the handsome (?) Lochlannach. Sorrowful the fall of the son of great Mac Niadh, Of the descendants of Ith of the noble host, I grieve for Cobthach with the ruddy face, The descendant of Lugaidh, a hero without deceit. Ten ships and twenty in truth Of the Clan Luigdech, with full force, Of them did not reach home — it is know^n — The crew of a ship of his garrison of heroes. I am grieved.	Lugaidh Luain, i. e. Lugaidh of Luan? Is Ath Luain (Athlone) meant? Cf. Cogadh, p. 112, 1. 51, dream Danar luahi (Luain?). Flann is called Ua Luigdech on account of his descent from Lugaidh Mac Ithu, the uncle of Milesius of Spain. His race were the O'Driscolls, whose territory was also called »the land of Ith« (Topogr. Poems,

Saints Ruadhán and Cualan

According to some hagiographies of Ruadhán of Lorrha, he raised a youth from the dead in Ileagh.

Ruaidhrí Ó Flaithbheartaigh's Ogygia (1685; possibly citing John Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae [1645]): Ailill Flann Bec, King of Munster, had four sone, of whom Eoghan was ancestor [father, says Cooke, quoting Colgan] of six saints, one of whom was of Cullan of Glenkeen in Hy-Lughaidh. All six:

1. St. Cormac, whose life is given in the Book of Lecan, and published in a Latin translation by Colgan at 26th March
2. St. Bécán of Cill-Becain at the foot of Sliabh gCrot in Muscraighe-Chuirc
3. St. Culan of Glenkeen, in the territory of Ui-Luigheach [Ileagh], in the present county of Tipperary, whose bell, called Bearnan-Culain, is still preserved
4. St. Evin/Abbán of Ros-glas, now Monasterevin, in the county of Kildare
5. St. Dermot of Kilmacnowen, near the hill of Knocknarea, in the county of Sligo
6. Boetan of Cill-Boetain, in the territory of Dalaradia, in the east of Ulster (presumably not Baithéne mac Brénaind)

Book of Lecan translated by W. M. Hennessy:

The four sons of Eogan, son of Murchad, son of Muiredach, son of Diarmaid, son of Eogan, son of Ailill Fland-bec, son of Fiacha Muillethain, son of Eogan mor, son of Ailill Olium, son of Mog Nuadad, were, viz. :-Cormac and Beccan (Evin) and Culan and Diarmaid.

• Diarmaid was the senior of those Saints; and he it was that set up at Ros-reided, in the territory of the Cairpri of Drumcliff, among the descendants of Fiachra, son of Eochaidh Muidhmedhoin. And Fland dubh, son of Muiredach, son of Lugaid, son of Aengus, gave him land there, to wit:-from Droched-Martra to Brag-chind-slebi, westwards, and from the Muirbech of Ros-birnd to Aill Claidib Lugdach ("the rock of Lugaid’s sword.") And Diarmaid son of Eogan set up there, and blessed the seed of Dubland, for the sake of that land which they gave him; and he left them the palm of women and hounds and horses, and the triumph of battle and conflict; and luck of cattle and corn and crops-provided they should not go against Diarmaid. Kilmacnowen is the place where he was wont to be.
• Culan, son of Eogan, set up his abode in Glend-chain (Glankeen) in Ui-Luigdech, among the race of Eogan [? is that Eogan his father, his ggggrfather, or Eóganachta?]; and he blessed the children of [his grf] Murchad, son of Muiredach, son of Diarmaid, son of Eogan, son of Ailille Fland-bec, in that manner; and he blessed the Ui-Luigdech [his gggguncle], and declared to them that they should not be preyed or manacled by the Kings of Cashel; and if they were, that they (the Kings of Cashel) perish and die out.

John O'Hanlon 1875:

[Possibly in the Seventh Century.] At this date, Colgan has a few notices, regarding St. Culanus or Dacualenus, a bishop. He thinks, however, that the name of this holy man should be written Cuculanus. In the anonymous list of Irish saints, published by O'Sullevan Beare, as also in the Catalogue of Henry Fitzsimon, at this day, we have a St. Cuculanus. On the authority of Florarius, the latter writer styles him bishop. The Bollandists have short Acts of this Saint Culan, in their great compilation. Yet, what Godefrid Henschenn adds there, to Colgan's remarks, are not worthy of much consideration. Many foreign writers, amongst others Ferrarius, and Canisius, make mention of St. Culanus, as having been venerated in Ireland, on this day. By Florarius, he is called Cuculanus. But, Colgan tells us, he was unable to discover a saint, bearing either name, and whose festival had been kept on the 18th of February, according to our domestic Hagiographers. Yet, Usuard auctus, or the Carthusian Martyrology, and Hermann Greuan, have accounts of St. Culan, Bishop and Confessor, as having been venerated in Ireland, on this day. In one instance, Colgan has classed St. Culenus or Culan, Bishop, among the disciples of St. Patrick, following Tirechan's list. We know, thatin the Irish Calendars, there are many saints, having the name Colan or Coelon. However, Culanus, Cuilen, or Cualen, was the same as Cuien or Dachualen, whose com- memoration occurs, at the 12th of March, in the Martyrologies of Maiianus O'Gorman and of Cathald Maguire. If he be the same person, his descent is traced, in the Genealogy of the Saints of Ireland, by Cormac, Bishop of Cashel, from the Hy-Niall family. The father of this saint was Guaire, son to Columba, son to Crimthann, son of Eochad Binnigh, son to Eugene, son to Niall of the Nine Hostages.' Notwithstanding his assertion, Colgan omits any mention of a saint, bearing this name, at the 12 th of March. According to the foregoing pedigree, this holy man should naturally belong to about the beginning of the seventh century. It is likely, St. Culan had his habitation, not far removed from Borrisoleigh, and Killcuilawn derived its name from a church he had there founded. His period is not well known, for, the accuracy of that information, furnished to the compilers of a modern topographical work, hardly falls within the range of probability. It is more likely he belonged to the seventh century. At Glankeen, it is said, an abbey had been founded, so early as the time of St. Patrick. In a Life of St. Cormach, it is stated, that he was descended from Oilum Olum. It relates, that he had five brothers, by the same father, and that Culanus was one of these. Again, it is asserted, that this St. Culan built a church in a valley of the region, known as Hi Luigdlicach, where he remained among his kindred and acquaintances. His pedigree is thus traced; he was the son of Eugene, son to Murchad, son of Muredac, son to Diermit, son of Eugene, son to Alild Flanbeg, son of Fianch Muillethain, son to Eugene the Great, son of Ailild Olum.9 His church was called Glean-chaoin, "the beautiful glen," and it lies at the foot of Knockanura mountain, and at the bounds of Killaloe See. In reality, two buildings raised at different periods present themselves in the ruins of Glean-choin or Gleankeen Church. There was an old building formerly at Killcuilawn; but, towards the close of the last century, its stones were removed for the purpose of building a house. The Church of Culan was benefited by the piety and generosity of his relatives, and these considered themselves as more than recompensed by the saint's prayers for their welfare. What particular reason there was for supposing, that Irish Apostolic men brought the relics of St. Culan to Germany, or even a veneration for him, Godefrid Henschenn has not explained. From what we have already seen, his relics appear always to have remained in Ireland; and probably, he belonged to that part of it, where the "Barnane Cuilawn" had been so long preserved.

Bell

St. Cualan's Bell (Bearnán Chúláin) was found in a tree in the townland of Coolaun "some centuries" prior to 1822. A "Mrs Dunn" until 1797 had it as "an heirloom" from her Spellane ancestors. Thomas Lalor Cooke in 1825 article calls area "Sleigh" [I suspect an error of the typesetter not reading Cooke's handwriting; the cited Beafort says "Ileagh"] and conflates it with Dál gCais (Luighuidh Mean):

After much search made for any Irish Saint of that or a similar name, I have succeeded in discovering, that Culanus (in Irish called Cuilen or Cualen); is the name of the Saint who built the church in the parish of Glankeen, where this curiosity was found. This proves how correct the common tradition in this instance is ; and shews, as I conceive, that the word Cuilawn arises from the name of a Saint, as that tradition would have it. In Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hibernia, fo. 751. in the life of Cormach, King and Archbishop of Cashel, taken from the old M. S. book of Lecan, I find the following account of that Archbishop. Cormach lived in Munster, and was descended in the manner therein mentioned from Oilum Olum. It then states that he had five brothers by the same father, viz. Becanus, Culanus, Eminus, who was also called Euinus, Diermitius and Boedanus or Baitanus. Of these the three latter emigrated into the provinces of Connaught, Leinster and Ulster, and the two former remained in their native province, Munster, and of them the book gives the following account : –

“Sanctus manuque Becanus remaneus in Mumonià Monasterium de Killbecani, alias Cluainaud Mobhecocerexit et sanctissime et rerit: Sanctus vero Culamus in valle quádam regionis de Hi Luigdheach, Glean-chaoin nuncupata, Ecclesiam extruens, inter suos cognatos et notos remansit; quos beneficiis et piā devotione erga se propense affectos, divite almae suae benedictionis tandem locupletavit hareditate.”

Thus we have Culanus, or as he was called in Irish, Cuilen, clearly ascertained to have been the founder of the parish church of Glankeen or Glean-chaoin, in the county Hi Luigdheacht in Munster, which appears to me to be the precise parish in which the Barnaan Cuilawn was found; for this parish was part of the ancient territory of Sliegh, as that territory, which is now united with Kilnamana and Kilmalougurty, under the common appellation of the barony of Kilnamana, comprehended the entire parish of Glankeen and of Bamacurra, being part of the adjoining parish of Ballycahill

John O'Hanlon 1875:

In the parish of Borrisoleigh," also called lUeagh, in the county of Tipperary, there was formerly a church dedicated to a St. Coulane'^ — identical with the present saint — and here was long preserved a singularly ancient and curiously wrought bronze shrine or bell, called the " Barnane Cuilawn," which was formerly in the possession of the Dwyer family, living at Ballinaruan, near Borrisoleigh, and afterwards it became the property of the late Thomas L. Cooke of Birr,^3 who got it from the Dwyers.'^ It passed from Mr. Cooke to a public institution,'5 and it is said, that the " Barnaan Cuilawn" was found many years since, in the hollow of a tree,^^ at a place named Killcuilawn,*7 situate in the mountains, and about two miles distant from Borrisoleigh, in the parish of Glankeen/^ and county of Tipperary. This curious , reUc, of a remote age, is Hkewise called in the Irish language " Obair na naoim  ;" — that is " the Saint's work." In shape, it resembles a mitre, and internally it is made of wrought iron ; the internal part, now nearly eaten away by rust, appears to have been originally about three-tenths of an inch thick, having in its summit two round holes, about three-tenths of an inch in diameter, which do not seem to have been ever intended for receiving any kind of screws or rivets. ^9 It is about eleven inches and a half high, and the bottom — in the shape of a parallelogram — is about eight inches long, by four inches broad, whence its length and breadth gradually diminish, it being at the top only six inches and a half long, and about two inches broad. Around the bottom is a kind of bronze'° frame or base, about one-eighth of an inch thick and two inches in height, having at each corner a round bronze pedestal, about three inches high, and half-an-inch thick. These pillars extend about three-eighths of an inch lower than the bronze frame, so as to form a kind of feet. In the bronze frame or base, on the front side of the Barnaan Cuilawn, is a small semicircular opening, about one inch in diameter, and somewhat resembling the aperture of a beehive, through which the bees pass in and out. The iron or internal part of the Barnaan Cuilawn appears to have been originally all covered with bronze highly ornamented. There is bronze still adhering to parts of the iron, and which has the appearance of having been united to it, by the effects of fire. The top, which is the most curious part now extant, is of cast metal Hke bronze, of a whitish yellow colour, and of exquisite workmanship. It has several apertures and it is beautifully ornamented in runic knots, with gold, silver, copper, and some dark bluish granular metal, which Mr. T. L. Cooke at first took to resemble cobalt, having on each of its sides four representations of an eye, and on the ends two bald antique heads — much like those of stone which are met with in the walls of ancient monasteries in Ireland — and two other representations of eyes. In the top are laid three pieces of yellow stone or composition, intersected by other narrow red stones, both in appearance like jasper.^^ The opinion of Mr. Cooke, that the Barnaan Cuilawn was the top of an ecclesiastical censer is quite incorrect, and could only occur to one, who had not a thorough knowledge of ecclesiastical antiquities. The back and sides of the Cuilawn are still covered with thin bronze plates, on the former of which is visible the outlines of a cross. This cross, in shape and outline, is said to be similar to that on the tomb of O'Toole in Glendalough. Several credible and respectable inhabitants of the parish in which it was found affirmed, that since 1782, there was a cross on the front side of the Barnaan Cuilawn, enriched with various coloured precious stones. But, although much pains have been taken to procure this cross, rewards and inquiries have hitherto proved ineffectual.'* It has been asserted,^^ that these bronze articles are of a very remote antiquity, and were the work of the " Cuthites." But, we may well consider this opinion as one going far into the dreaminess of mere speculation.

Norman

Theobald Fitz Walter, in 1200 got 'five cantreds and a-half in Munster' including "the Borough of Kildelo, with the half cantred called Truoghed, in which the said borough lyeth", which JOD said:

he 'Borough of Kildelo' has long been and is still a puzzle to me, but I am of opinion that it is Borris O'Leagh in the County of Tipperary, and that the Truoghed or Cantred belonging to it was the old barony of Hy-Lughhaidh or Ileagh, now included in the barony of Eliogarty.

Ileagh was in the manor of Ardmayle or cantred of Ounachcassel (core of the former Eóganacht Chaisil kingdom), which was granted to Walter de Lacy in 1207 and passed to Richard Mór de Burgh, 1st Baron of Connaught by 1225 via Egidia, Walter's daughter and Richard's wife. When the rest of Ardmayle went to the Butlers, the de Burghs retained Imleagh. Clanwilliam (County Tipperary) was the main Burke land in Tipperary. Athassel Priory was founded by William de Burgh and later Lorrha Friary by Walter de Burgh, 1st Earl of Ulster. With the 1328 liberty grant, the Butlers became tenants-in-chief but the de Burghs remained undertenants. A 1301–2 report shows land of the archbishop of Cashel in Glankeen, probably a small fraction of the parish.

According to Aodh Buí Mac Cruitín, Toirdhealbhach Bóg Ó Briain (died 1459) King of Thomond married Catherine Burke, daughter of the Mac Walter Burke of the day.

• The de Burgos or Bourkes of Ileagh Callanan, M., N. Munster Antiquarian Journal, Vol. II, 1937, pp. 67-77
• Empey, C. A. (1970). The Butler lordship in Ireland (Ph.D.). Dublin, Ireland: Trinity College Dublin Department of History. Retrieved 27 February 2019. Ileagh discussed p.8-9 where surmises part of Eoghanacht Cashel
  • Also The Medieval County of Tipperary (map) shows at north edge of Eoghanacht Cashel

In 1632, when Charles I wanted a plantation in Ormond, the Duke objected that:

King Henry II. graunted unto William de Braosa and his heirs, the cantreds and territories of Upper Ormond and Lower Ormond, Elyogartie, Ikerryn, Owney, Kilnemanagh, Kilnalongarty, Ileagh and Arra, in the County of Tipparie. William de Braosa, 2nd of King John, graunted the premises to Theobald Fitz Walter and his heirs, who graunted them to several English tenants to be held by certain rents and services, as both Ormonds to be held of the manor of Nenagh, and so the rest as of other manors. The premises came by lineal de scent to the heirs of the said Theobald, until that in the tyme of King Henry VI. the O'Kennedies, O'Dwyers, Meaghers, and others of the mere Irish (taking advantage of the earls of Ormond being absent in England) did enter into the premises, and killed and forcibly outed the former tenants, the right, title, and interest descended unto Thomas earl of Ormond, who died leaving two daughters

"It is a great mistake to assert that part of Ely O'Fogarty was in Upper Ormond, which formed part of Muscraithethire, and between which and Ely O'Fogartha the ancient territory of Hy-Luidgheach or Tuath-O'Luigheach nearly formed a barrier"

William O'Hogan was, from 1469 to at least 1471, perpetual vicar of the parish of Ileagh Olaygad, whose church was at Borrisoleigh , residence of the Mac Walter Bourkes, lords of the territory.

Early modern

Cal Orm. Deeds Vol. V Nos 168–9 pp. 186–7:

Deed of William Bourke fitz Theobald of Oleighe, county Tipperary, dated July 13, 1570, and the I2th year of Elizabeth, to the effect that he has granted to Thomas Butler, Earl of Ormond, etc., all his manors, lordships, pastures, etc., in the towns and fields and hamlets of Oleighe, Pallisse Oleighe, Cwolleghill Oleighe, Killkowllayne, Glanekyne, Glanbridie, Knockefallydowe, Garrangreyny, Bellaghevoyma, Gorteyloghe, Graig, Lissynie, Knockenywre, Keappagheneneylighe, Garraneyloghe, Ardebane, Rathbuy, Knockarne, Dromegeyl, Correvally, Killomaayne, Cronynwyne, Knockytanycaslayne, Knockykilly, Cowleine, le Glantane, Curraghbehyn, Curraghliegh and Aghanebehaghe in Yliegh, county Tipperary; to have and to hold to said Earl, his heirs and assigns, said William hereby appoints Oliver Morris of Droghednefarney, county Tipperary, as his attorney.

Witnesses : Oliver Grace, Thomas Grace, parson of Callan, Edmund Butler, Edmund Roo Butler, H. Shethe, Donill O'Meara, Readmond Morres, John Cantwell Fitz Piers, William son of Dermot Ryan.

Letter of attorney of Thomas, Earl of Ormond, to John Aylward of Clonmel, to receive seisin of the above premises.

Signed : Thomas Ormond et Oss. Witnesses as above. Same date.

Sir Thomas Butler, Earl of Ormond, grants to William Bourke fitz Theobald of Burges Olieghe, county Tipperary, all his manors, lordships, castles, lands, etc., in Burges Olieghe, Cowlleghill Olieghe, Kilcullayne, Glanekyne, Knockfallydowe, Garranegrey, Bellaghevoyma, Gortlogha, Grange, Lyssyny, Keappagheneylieghe, Ardbane, Rathbuy, Knockarne, Dromegealla, Corryvalley, Cronnymoyne, Knocketannycaslayne, Knockekilly, Cowlyne, le Glanetayne, Curraghbehy, Curragheliaghe and Aghanebehaghe in Yleaghe, county Tipperary. To have and to hold to said William and his heirs male lawfully begotten, by knight service, viz., 40s. royal service when scutage runs, and by suit at the Earl's court of the Liberty of Tipperary as often as they are summoned ; rendering also an annual rent of 4l. Irish. John Aylward of Clonmel to deliver seisin.

Witnesses : Oliver Grace, Thomas Grace, parson of Callan, Edmund Butler, Edmund Roo Butler, Donill O'Meara. July 20, 1570.

Interrogatories at the suit of Lord Dunboyne [seneschal of Tipperary].

"What and which be the mears, lymits, and bounds of the soyle, ground, or territory belonging to the house of Fymoyn, in the county of Tipperary, and where and how far the same ground, soil, and territory extend? Whether the same house of Fymoyn, and lands belonging thereunto, have been freed and discharged of all exactions, cesses, tollages, and impositions of the county and crossa of Tipperary, and how long?"

Witnesses examined on behalf of Sir Edmond Butler, Baron of Dunboyn, before Sir Thomas Butler, parson of Knockgraffan, and Richard Hally, of Cashell, notary public, the 11th September, 1582.

Diermode McDonald McGilipatrick O'Mulryan, clerk, describes the mears and bounds of the house of Fymoyn, saving that the inhabitants of Ileagh were alleging that Bealagh [= baile, townland] to be their own, “but they did not stick thereto;" he saith that the house and lands were ever free from all cess and impositions, "although Eliogarthy, and the inhabitants thereof, claimed the same to be of the twenty plowlands or earns for which they were charged, but they could not prevail."

Gillipatrick McDonald O'Mulryan agrees with his brother, the last witness, in substance and effect; other witnesses depose to the same effect, "saving that some of them deposed that the Stabultons, dwelling in Pobledromy, were claiming the village or kill of Fithmoyne, on the north of the town, to belong to them."

Signed, Richard Haly. July 5, 20°

I see from OS maps that

• cp Kilfithmone is E of cp Glankeen and comprises 4 tlds, from S to N: Ballinlonty, Fishmoyne (incl Fishmoyne Ho and demense), Kilfithmone, Coolgort (pene-exclave)
• another tld Kilfithmone in cp Glankeen

Elizabethan fiants: (Ileagh -- Ileaghe -- Ilech)

4509	1584-08-14	Pardon to Edm. bwy O Kenedy, of Balintoty, co. Tipperary, gent., Matthew fitz John Mowncke, of same, Neil M‘Grath, of Carnes, gent., Tirrelagh M‘Grath, of same, husbandman, Odo Kenedigh, of Bappallaghe, David fitz Teig O Conyll, of Synone, Donagho fitz David O Conyll, of same, Geoffrey alias Seary O Conyll, Wm. rooth fitz Owen O Kenedy, of Ballygrobane, Rowland Bourke fitz 'Walter, of Ilech, Odo m‘Philip I Kenedigh, of Kloghinst, Piers Purcell fitz Bob., of Cloyne, and Anastace Purcell fitz Patr. in the county Tipperary. “The archbishop of Cashill’s men.”— Provisions as in 4467.
4609	1585-02-05	Pardon to James Walshe, of Kothronan, in co. of the cross of Tipperary. Security as in 897. The pardon not to include intrusion into crown lands or debts to the crown. Pardon also to Salamon Whyte, of Bothronan, Constance Daniell, of same, [ ] Daniell, of same, kern, Arte m'Owen Danyell, of same, horseboy, Denise Daniell, of same, Tho. fitz John Prendegaste, of Rathengalle, kern, Hob. fitz John Prendegaste, of same, kern, Morrice Toben fitz Bich., of same, horseboy, James Toben, of same, horseboy, Jeffrey Prendegast fitz David, of Nue Castle, horseboy, Tho. leygh Prendegast, of same, kern, Rich. Power fitz Edm., of Downaghmore, horseman, Edm. Power, of same, horseboy, Teig O Carran, of Laughkant, kcm, Dennis Carran, of same, kern, John Dowell, of [ ], Derby Magliere, of Cloghemyckody, horseman, Tho. Butler, of Towlacman, gent. Provisions as in 4552.
4659	1585-05-22	Pardon to Wm. fitz Rich. Purcell, of Aghcale, yeoman, "Walter fitz Win. fitz Theobald Bourke, of Ileaghe, gent., Gyles alias Sylye, of same, Donogh O Fogorttie, of the Pallice, gent., Melaughlin m‘Donoghe Senneghan, of Ratliunoy, Tho. O Sennaglian, of Keappaghe na moddaglie, and Edm. Igleanna Bourke, of Ileagh, husbandmen, Wony fitz Connor O Kennydy, of Keill-m'Phillippoig, Feaghy O Ha, of Crulceill, Keadagh O Kennydy, of Bally ni garry, Derby duffe O Mulryan, and Teige O Seaghnasse, yeomen, Redmund Morris, of the Temple move, freeholder, Melaughlin fitz Donell O Spellian, of Kilcowlian, Wony rewagli M‘Padyn, of Thome, and Rorye alias Gilleduffe M'Padyn, of same, husbandmen, JohnKeill O Carroull, of same, yeoman, Katherine fitz Wm. I Dowir, of Keallnymanaghe, widow, Edm. Purcell, of Aghcale, and Wm. m-Garraine I Carroull, of Bally in Loghe, yeomen, Donogh O Broghan, husbandman, John Kearny fitz Wm., of the Ballytrassny, Rich, moore fitz Wm. fitz Redmund Purcell, of Borres, and Tho. Haclcett fitz Peirs, of Blean Hackett, yeomen. Provisions as in 4645.
5085	1587-11-28	Pardon to Richard Keatinge, of Nicholston, co. Tipperary, gent., Edmund Keatinge, of same, and Rory O Hiffernan, of Sroell, yeomen, Bonnogh induffree O Hiffeman, of Ballinecleraghe, Melaghlen fitz Teige en Coule O Hiffernan, Berby O Tyerny, of Ileaghe, and Edmund salaghe O Mulduyn, of Carnes, husbandmen, Bermot O Buir, of Clone Ithorp, gent., Baniel or Bonill O Keinde, of Knockillegenan, gent., Thady M‘Moroghe alias, M‘Morihie, of Aharla, Matthew fitz Wm. M‘Brene, Philip Lopin, of semie, John Ithuaght O BwuU, yeomen, Thomas O Bwire, of Ballinemone, gent., Bermot O Hiffernan, of Gorttroden, husbandman, John O Bwire, of Bonoghle, gent., Thady Euaghe O Keinde, of Belanlogh, Thady fitz Rory O Mulryan, of Cowlin, John O Mulrian, his son, and Wothney fitz Richard I Breine, of Aharla, yeomen, Ulick alias Hugh fitz Wm. Bourk, of Belankiele, gent., Edm. Bourke, of Bericlone, husbandman, John roe O Bwir, of Rathkena, Bermot glasse O Mulryan, of Moneyneclegh, and Wm. fitz Hue O Magher, of same, yeomen, Thomas fitz Wm. Bourk, of Bericlone, husbandman, Tyrlagh dufie M'Oonnygan, horseboy, GildufFe O Eahie. of Ardemaile, Rich, more fitz Davie Bourke, of Pallis, and Matthew fitz Hughe fitz Connor O Mulryan, husbandmen, Bonagh en Collin fitz Teige ny Corky, of Ely, yeoman, Thady O Clery, of Balliaghe, husbandman, and Wm. m'Wothney M‘Breine, yeoman. Provision for security as in 4943, in. co. Tipperary. Pardon not to include intrusion into crown lands or debts to the crown. They are to abide any order by the lord deputy affecting their lands, and who have been in actual rebellion to find £200 English, security, to obey such orders.
[6475]		Pardon to Dermod m'Donogh Ileagh of Cowlishill, Co. Waterford

"MacWalter Burke of Ileagh"

• William Burke latter half of the sixteenth century. [e.g. Ormond deeds, 1584-1603, p. 51]
• son Walter
• son Theobald succeeded in January 1624
• son Richard Burke of Borrisoleigh succeeded in 1634; had 6,000 acres in Ileagh in 1640. [Civil Survey, Tipperary, i, 89] In 1651 signed [as "McWalter Bourk of Iliach" and "D. R. Mac Walter Beork de Iliach"] petitions to the Vatican to promote Fabian Ryan as Bishop of Emly in succession to Terence O'Brien. Forfeited his estates under the Commonwealth and was transplanted to Connacht. [Simington, Transplantation, p. 146; Laffan, Hearth Money records, p. 16]

Map of Connaught c. 1635 Strafford Survey also shows Tipperary for some reason, with "Ileagh 1⁄2 Bar" having parish "Glen Keene".

"The Territory of ILEAGH conteining the Parish of Glankeene & Bealacahill Parish part" was surveyed for the Civil Survey (24 July 1654 in Nenagh). "The sayd Territory of Ileagh als Duholeagh hath bene antiently a distant Territory consisting of twenty Plowlands. ... Vizt, Borres & Bellaghwoemoy eight plds, Colloghill two plds, Crononone half a pld, Fauntaine, Brocckesse & Gransagh one pld, Pallice one pld, Curraghnaforrysy, Moncanane, & Garrangrery halfe a pld, Gurteenebarnane, one pld, Garrilish one pld, Glanbrydy & Graige one pld, Cowlyne & Curraghbeghy 1⁄2 a pld Rathmoy & Dromtarsny one pld, Corbally one pld, Gortnagranagh & Toer Ighteragh, Racardane & Curraghliegh one plowland, Barricurry halfe a plowland In all twenty plowlands. Only Barricurry/Barrycurry is in Bealacahill/Bellacahill parish as opposed to Glankeene parish. Borre Leaegh and rest of Ballacahill are in Eliogarty. Note also Ileagh churchlands listed separately ["The sd ten acres [glebeland] are situated close by the Church yard on the south & north lying in the halfe quarter of Glaukeene not fenced but totally wast"].

Mapped in the Down Survey. See William Shaw Mason on what included it and not. See also Hardinge's tables "Geographical arrangement of the Down Survey Baronial and Parochial Maps made 1655 and 1659, and references to the habitats of such of them as now exist" [p.90] and "Table, geographically arranged, exhibiting and distinguishing profitable and unprofitable forfeited Irish plantation acreable barony areas" [p.102].

Down Survey Ileagh Territory Map has very different shape from Ileagh on Tipperary County map (and not just because former has south at top, latter north). Looks like County includes (incorrectly?) not just Ileagh but also parishes to the NE E and SE which are in Eliogarty (Map — Drumspirnane Kilfithmoane Inchyfogurty Bellacahill Holycrosse) and Ikerrin (Map — Templemore Killea Bearnane). Just mistaken border style reinforced by colouring. Also distinguish Bores parish (Borrisokane) in Lower Ormond

John Patrick Prendergast lists all adventurers in Ileagh. Alex Bence (JSTOR 30004758 p.45) adventurer got land in "Iffa and perhaps Ileagh" in 1642, 1647. In 1667 Owen Silver had been granted lands in the barony of Muskerry, county Cork and Ileagh, county Tipperary. Calendar of State Papers cites Prendergast and gives other details.

On 7 February 1661, Lady Clanricarde (Elizabeth, daughter of Walter Butler, 11th Earl of Ormond) to her brother James Butler, Marquess of Ormond:

Asks the Marquess' favour and influence in providing the suit of the bearer, son of Mr Mac-Walter Burke of Borres, and now allied to the writer by his marriage, for certain arrangements as to his wife's jointure & otherwise upon the family estate.

1675 grant to Sir Theophilus Jones of various lands in Westmeath and Tipperary, including in the "Territory of Ileagh" the following denominations and admeasured acres: "Drumgill 27, Corbally 124, Glantane 222, Fountaine 102, Knockakelly 37, Leugh 30 --- 150".

Hearth money

• 1665–6 has [pp.15–16] "Parochia de Borresleigh and Ballyomurrine" under heading [p.14] "Baronia de Elliogurty and Ikyrrin" but totals [p.73] are "Baronia de Kyllnemanagh Kyllnallongurty & Ilyegh"
• 1666–7 has [pp.165–167] "Parish of Clonekeen, Cemge, te whole territory of Illiaght" under [p.141] "Barony of ____" (no totals)

The manor of Ottway erected in the 17th century comprised "a huge tract in Upper Ormond and portions in Kilnamanagh and Illeagh". Presumably related to Castle Otway.

Later

"The extensive Damer estate [Damer family of Damer Hall], for instance, was characterized by the granting of head leases between 1708 and 1750 to thirteen Protestant tenants. Evidence for 1742 indicates that Damer almost exclusively favoured these large Protestant tenants for the better lands. For the less attractive lands in Kilnamanagh and Ileagh to the north he took on Catholics, notably the Burkes and Fogartys, though the presence of Cooke, Middleton, and Richardson reinforces the overall preference for Protestants."

1752 RC visitation of Ileagh parish there was a chapel, with a chialice dated 1743 "still in use in Ileagh church" in 1975. Bishop notes:

said parish of Ileagh in wch. there are old churches, one dedicated to Coulane,[Kilcoulawn chapel dedicated to St Coulaun. In Coolaun in Glenkeen CP.] one calld Killomuon,[Killamoyne in Glenkeen C.P.] one called Killfeinane,[Kilfithmone (Killfetmone, fitzmoy) in Glenkeen C.P.] Killghlacon[Kylenaglacon near Currabaha] without buring places and not known to what Saints th[e]y are dedicated to.

1805 return for Cashel & Emly diocese has "Borresleigh" and "Boythistown, parcel Borresleigh" in one union of parishes (Treasurership) and "Inshyanly otherwise Jushyfogarty" and "Duffith or'wise Durifeith or'wise Dovea" in another (Chancellorship). Neither Glenkeen nor Ballycahill is mentioned; either not in any union or known by different name or not a parish at all. Erck's 1820 list has (p.74 nos 3,4) preceding two groups, plus (p.75 no 32) Glankeen solo; no Ballycahill; and a note as follows (p.79):

One general observation may be necessary to account for the omission of some Parishes in this Edition of the Work, which were mentioned in the last, as constituting part of the Corps of Dignities and Unions, they have been omitted because they no longer exist as separate Parishes, their locality is undefinable, nor does there remain any vestage of them but the mere Name. it is therefore to be presumed that they have merged into the adjoining Parish, and are now only known as the Denomination of some Townland in that Parish: to apply this observation to a particular case the reader has only to refer to the Precentorship of Cashell, and to compare the Corps of it as given in this, with the Corps as given in the last Edition ; such cases are not frequent, but even few as they are the Editor conceived some explanation necessary to account for what may otherwise appear inexplicable and capricious. It is much to be regretted, that the Registering of Terriers was not more rigidly adhered to in ancient times, no Record could be more authentic, if a series of them were regularly preserved, in determining the question of Right between the Incumbent and his Parishioners; and in ascertaining the Erection, Extension, or Suppression of Parishes; it is from such causes, combined with the Civil Commotions of this Island, that the Church has almost irretrievably lost many of her Temporal Possessions, her Glebes alienated, her Tithes in some cases withheld, the force of Prescription avoided, and the Suppression or Extension of Parishes unnoticed and unrecorded.

Lewis sv Ballycahill says "The church is in ruins; the Protestant inhabitants attend divine service at the churches of Holycross and Moyaliffe. In the R. C. divisions it is united with Holycross". Erck's 1820 has Holycross and Moyaliffe at p.75 nos 36 and 25 resp. Erck 1827 lists Ballycahill. Can I find a pre-1820 edition? Apparently it was 1817 and not known to WorldCat to be online.

"Richard Howley (the third) and his brother Michael married respectively Catherine and Bridget daughters of Mac Walter Burke of Curranaboola, cadet branch of the Clanricarde family." This Richard was father of Richard Howly, American revolutionary, and grandfather of Sir John Howley, first Catholic serjeant-at-law since before the Penal Laws.

In 1818 James Hennessy of Ballymacmoy House at Killavullen, County Cork, married Eliza, "daughter of Mac-Walter Burke, Esq., of Curraghnabouly [ie Curraghnaboola, Glenkeen], Co. Tipperary". James' great-grandfather's younger brother founded Hennessy cognac.

In the 1830s the Catholic parish priest built a national school opposite Ileigh church.

Commissioners of Woods, Forests and Land Revenues still used original 1650s names (Patentee-County-Barony-Denomination) in 1850s reports of "Perpetual and Unimprovable Rents payable to the Crown in Ireland, which have been Sold by the Commissioners":

• 1851 Rpt p.57
• 1854 Rpt p.94
• 1857 Rpt pp 115 (2), 125 (2), 126 (12)

Glenkeen civil parish in coterminous with Borrisoleigh and Ileigh Catholic parish, which gives itns name to Borris-Ileigh GAA club.

1832 Feb 6, Tithe War proclamation enumerates baronies, including "Isleagh" https://books.google.com/books?id=Ni0NAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA72

Tithe Applotment Books (1823–37) Glenkeen parish 11 Burke, 59 Bourke

Surname Burke/Bourke in Census

DED	1901	1911
Glenkeen	Burke 12 Bourke 41	Burke 24 Bourke 23
Borrisoleigh	Burke 10 Bourke 40	Burke 13 Bourke 25

To incorporate

• Ordnance Survey of Ireland: Letters (archived PDF scans; 3 vols for Tipp)
  • Ordnance-Survey-Parish-of-Glenkeen-1840 extracted from preceding
• the Looney map of County Tipperary c.1800-1815, merged into Kilnamana

Refs

Sources

• Cooke, Thomas Lalor (1825). "Description of the Barnaan Cuilawn". Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy. 14: 31–45. JSTOR i30079107. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
• Kenny, Michael; Quinlan, John (1944). Glankeen of Borrisoleigh; A Tipperary Parish. James Duffy. OCLC 1078967126.
• Murphy, Denis (October 1885). "Among the Graves; III: Glankeen". The Irish Ecclesiastical Record. ser 3, vol 6 (10). Dublin: Browne and Nolan: 646–651.
• O'Dwyer, Sir Michael (1933). "Feud with Bourkes of Ileagh". The O'Dwyers of Kilnamanagh: The History of an Irish Sept. J. Murray.
• Power, T. P. (Thomas P. ) (1993). Land, politics, and society in eighteenth-century Tipperary. Oxford: Clarendon Press. ISBN 978-0-19-820316-2.
• Simington, Robert C. (10 October 2011) [1931]. The civil survey A.D. 1654-1656 (PDF). Vol. County of Tipperary. Volume 1. Dublin: Stationery Office. pp. i, 85–95.
• "Books of Survey and Distribution: County Tipperary: Ileagh Territory". Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland. NAI QRO 1/1/3/19/3. Retrieved 27 February 2023.