Origin and History of the O'Brien Clan.

PART    I.

CHAPTER I.

A.D. 166-428...Contest between Con Ceadcaha (of the Hundred Battles) and Mogha Nuadhat for the sovereignty of Ireland...Division of the island. Leathouin and Leathmogha...01ioll 01um....His descendants...Law of alternate succession to the crown of Munster...Battle of Gabhra...The three
Collas...Destruction of the royal palace of Emania, and dismemberment of the kingdom of Ulster...Eochy Muighmheadhoin...Crimhthan, king of Ire­land, poisoned by his sister...Niall of the Nine Hostages...Northern and Southern Hy-Niall....Dathi,                      .....       Page 1

CHAPTER II.

A D. 428-1002...Conversion of Ireland to Christianity...Palladius...St Patrick ...Aengus, king of Munster...Dalgais, tribes of...Cormac MacCuillenan... Lorcan, grandfather of Brian oromha...Flahertach, abbot of Iniscathy (Scattery Island)...Mahon, brother of Brian, murder of...Avenged by Brian ...Invasion of Thomond by Maelseachlain, monarch of Ireland...Cutting
down the tree of Maghadhair...Outrages of the Danes...Invasion of Thomond
avenged by that of Meath...Connection between the Danes and Irish... Danes defeated at Wicklow by Brian and Maelseachlain...Deposition of Maelseachlain by Brian.            ......        9

CHAPTER III.

A.D. 1002-1014...Accession of Brian...Advance to compel the submission of the northern princes...His retreat ..Again invades the north... Halts at Armagh ...Offering to the Church...Obtains the hostages of the Cinel-eoghan and Ulidians...Is acknowledged monarch of Ireland " without opposition"...Pro­gress of Maelseachlain...Union of Maelmordha, king of Leinster, and Sitric,

CONTENTS.

king of the Danes of Dublin, against Brian... Appearance of the Danes at Cork... Repulsed... Invasion of Meath by the Danes and Leinstermen... Preparations for the battle of Clontarf...Parties engaged therein...Causes of the battle, according to the Irish and Danish writers...Loss of the Danes... Irish chieftains slain...Danish leaders slain...Assumption of the Irish throne by Maelseachlain... Erroneous view of his conduct... Funeral of Brian...His
character,    .......      Page 24

CHAPTER IV.

A.D. 1014-1064...Dissension among the sons of Brian...Invasion of Thomond by the Desmonians .. Their defeat...Invasion of Thomond by the army of Connaught... Kincora plundered and demolished...Murder of Teige, elder brother of Donogh ..Invasion of the Cock O'Ruarc...His defeat...Donogh opposed by his son-in-law, Diarmid...Plunder of Clonmacnoise by the men
of Thomond...Satisfaction for the outrage...Condition of the kingdom...
Synod of Killaloe ...Decline of the power of Donogh...Progress of Torlogh O'Brien, son of Teige...Advance of the king of Connaughtto Kincora... Destruction of the town and churchof Killaloe.. .Deposition and retirement to Rome of Donogh,                                 ......       40

CHAPTER V.

A.D. 1064-1142... Accession of Torlogh O'Brien...Visitation of Munster by the Bishop of Ardmagh...Torlogh O'Brien prepares to invade the north... Ab­duction of the head of Conor O'Melaghlin from the monks of Clonmacnoise ...Curious incident, and its consequences...Invasion of the north by Torlogh, and his defeat...Second invasion and engagement with the Ulidians...Head of the Cock, O'Ruarc, brought to Limerick..Invasion of Thomond by the northerns...Death of Torlogh O'Brien...His issue...Accession of Mortogh-more...Invasion of Thomond by Rury 0'Conor...Also invaded by Donald Macloughlin, prince of Aileach...Demolition of Kincora, and retaking of the head of the Cock, O'Ruarc...Progress of Mortogh O'Brien on the Upper Shannon...Its failure...Congress of the Irish princes, and their submission to Macloughlin...War between Mortogh O'Brien and Donald O'Melaghlin... Victory of O'Melaghlin, and invasion of Munster...Advance of the army of Munsterto Dublin...Expulsion of Godfrey Meranach...And of O'Melaghlin ...Re-edification of Kincora...Advance of Mortogh O'Brien to the north... Demolition of the royal palace of Aileach...The circuitous hosting...Grant of the royal palace of Cashel to the Church...Invasion of Ireland by Magnus, king of Norway...His alliance with Mortogh O'Brien...Defeat of Mortogh at Moycobha...Synod of Uisneach...Invasion of Thomond by Donald Mac-loghlin...Sickness of Mortogh O'Brien...Assumption of the power by his
brother Dermod... Death of Dermod... Of Mortogh... His character... His issue
...Accession of Conor-na-Cathrach... Invasion of Minister by Torlogh O'Conor
... Defeat of the King of Desmond.. Supported by Conor O'Brien... Opposes
Conor ...Dermot Macmorrogh assists Conor O'Brien...Assassination of Cor-
mac, king of Desmond, the founder of the chapel on the Rock of Cashel...
Death of Conor-na-Cathrach...His issue,          .           .           .           Page 47

CHAPTER VI.

A.D. 1142-1172...Accession of Torlogh O'Brien...Confines his brother, Teige Gle...Deposition of Torlogh...Fatal battle of Moinmor...Chiefs of the Dal-gais killed there.. Torlogh O'Conor divides Munsterbetween the O'Briens and Macarthys...Synod of Kells...Elopement of Dervorghal, wife of Ternan O'Ruarc..Restoration of Torlogh O'Brien...Campaign of Mortogh Mac-loughlin...Teige Gle deprived of sight...Death of Torlogh O'Conor, and ac­cession of Roderick ..Thomond invaded by Mortogh Macloughlin, and Torlogh O'Brien deposed... Division of Munsterby Macloughlin... Altered by Roderick O'Conor...Deposition of Torlogh by his own son...His death and issue...Invasion of Ireland by the Anglo-Normans...Disregarded by the Irish princes...Arrival of Strongbow...His progress... Execution of the Leinsterhostages...Defection of Donald O'Brien from Roderick ..Death of Dermod MacMorrogh...His character...Landing of Henry the Second,                                                             68

CHAPTER VII.

AD 1172-1194...Submission of the Irish princes to Henry...He proceeds to
Cashel...Submission of Donald O'Brien...Synod of Cashel—The five bloods... Dublingranted to the citizens of Bristol...Arrangements of Henry... His departure...Death of Tiernan O'Ruarc...Defeat of the English atThurles by Donald O'Brien...Siege and capture of Limerickby Raymond le Gros...Sub­ mission of Roderick O'Conor, and treaty of Windsor...Irish view of it... Cruelty of Donald O'Brien...Driven out of Thomond by Roderick O'Conor
...Raymond le Gros in Kerry—Death of Strongbow... Burning of Limerickby Donald O'Brien...William Fitzadelm de Burgo appointed to succeed Strongbow...Arrival of Cardinal Vivian...Rebellion of the son of Roderick ..His punishment...Settlement of the Anglo-Normans in the south and west of Ireland...Resistance of Donald O'Brien and the Dal-gais...Repulse
of the English from Thomond...Erection of the castles of Lismore, Tibroghney, Ardfinnan, Kilfeacle, and Knockgraffon—Death of Donaldmore O'Brien ..... 81

CHAPTER VIII.

A.D. 1194-1267...Accession of Mortogh Dall...William de Burgo and the O'Briens enter Desmond...They invade Connaught...Desecration of the abbey of Boyle...Disputes of the O'Briens for the chieftaincy...Murder of Conor Roe...Landing of King John in Ireland...Submission of Donogh Cairbreach O'Brien ..Building of the castle of Killaloe by the English...Donogh
Cairbreach establishes his residence at Clonroad...Erection of the Franciscan
abbey of Ennis...Death of Donogh Cairbreach O'Brien...Accession of Conor-
na -Siudaine...Uprising of the Macarthys, and victory of Callan...Congress of Caeluisce...Conor O'Brien defeats the English at Kilbarron...Brian Roe demolishes Castleconnell...Death of Conor O'Brien at Siudan, in Burren... Accession of Brian Roe,                                   .....       Page 101

CHAPTER IX.

AD. 1267-1318...Deposition of Brian Roe by the adherents of Torlogh, son of Teige Caeluisce ...Brian engages the aid of Thomas de Clare...First footing of the English in Thomond ..Cession of part of the territory by Brian to de Clare...Building of Bunratty Castle...Defeat of the Anglo-Thomonian army by Torlogh O'Brien, and death of Fitzmaurice...Perfidious murder of Brian Roe by de Clare...Avenged by the sons of Brian...Contentions be­tween the sons of Brian and Torlogh... Victory of the latter...Building of the castle of Ennis...Fall of de Clare, and other English leaders...Abbey of Ennis enlarged...Death of Torlogh O'Brien, and accession of his son Donogh ...Opposed by the Hy-mbloid...Wars of the O'Briens...Thomondpartitioned
between them by the Earl of Ulster and Richard de Clare...Battle of Tullyodea...Invasion of Ireland by Edward Bruce...Invited to Thomond by Donogh, grandson of Brian Roe...Opposed by Mortogh, son of Torlogh, and the council of Rathlahine...Mortogh acknowledged king of Thomond... Battle of Corcomroe...Battle of Dysertodea, and final overthrow of the English and de Clare...Departure of de Clare's wife from Bunratty, after setting fire to the castle...Migration of Brian Bane O'Brien and the Hymbloid, eastward of the Shannon...Operations of Brian Bane ..His death, ........    113

CHAPTER X.

AD. 1318-1466...Accession of MahonMaonmaighe...Compels the English of North Munster to pay the dubhcios, or black rent...Accession of Torlogh Mael.. .Banished by his nephew Brian Catha an-Eanaign...Obtains an asylum from the Earl of Desmond, in the county of Waterford...Battle of the monastery of Banach, and victory of Brian...Wars of .the Macnamaras and de Burghs ...Alliance between Brian Catha and Ulick de Burgh...Landing of Richard the Second...Submission of Brian and O'Neil to Richard...Deaths of Brian Catha, Torlogh Mael, Garret, Earl of Desmond, and Torlogh, son of Morrogh na-Raithnidhe, of the race of Brian Roe... Accession of Conor, second son of MahonMaenmaighe...Fosters James, son of Garret, Earl of Desmond...Licence from King Richard for that purpose to the Earl...
Banishment of Thomas, grandson of the earl, for having formed a degrading
alliance...The title and estates of the Earl of Desmond transferred by Act
of Parliament to James, uncle of Thomas... Ambition and aggrandisement of
James...Building of the abbey of Quin for Franciscans...Death of Conor
O'Brien and accession of Teige na Glemore, son of Brian Catha an-Eanaigh
...Deposed by Mahon Dall...Who is displaced by the de Burghs, and suc­
ceeded by Torlogh Bog...Decease of Torlogh Bog, and accession of Donogh,
son of Mahon Dall...Donogh dethroned by Teige an-Chomhaid...He exacts
the black rent from the English residents...Receives a subsidy from the
O'Neill (Henry, son of Owen)...His march and campaign beyond the Shan­
non...His death,        ......   Page 132

CHAPTER  XI.

A.D.1466-1528 ...Conor na-Srona, king of Thomond...Relations between the O'Briens and de Burghs of Clanrickard...Origin of the appellations of Mac- William Oughter and Eighter... Conor O'Brien supports Mac William against the O'Kellys of Hy-many...Battle of Crosmoicron...Defeat of Macwilliam and the O'Briens at Glanog...Antagonism of the houses of Ormond and Kildare.. Arrival of Sir James Ormond...Supported by Conor na-Srona
and Macwilliam of Clanrickard...Removal of Kildare...His restoration...
Marches into Thomond, and is defeated ..Death of Conor na-Srona...Acces­sion of Torlogh Oge, or Gilladuv...Of Torlogh l)onn...Who is engaged in hostilities with Piers Butler, Earl of Ormond...Progress of the Earl of Kil­dare in Connaught...His alliances with the Irish...Battle of Knocktow, and defeat of O'Brien and Macwilliam...True character of that engagement...
Expedition of Kildare into Munster...Defeated at Monabraher by Torlogh O'Brien and Macwilliam...Death of Kildare...Affairs of Tirowen and Tirconnell...The princes of Thomond proceed to the north to aid O'Neill...Are obliged to retreat...Kildare superseded by Pierse, Earl of Ormond...Engage­ment between Ormond and the troops of Thomond at Camus, on the Suir... Fall of Teige, prince of Thomond...His troops carry his remains to be in­-
terred in Ennis...Death of Torlogh Donn, and accession of his son Conor...
Sir William Skeffington takes Carrig-Ogunnell, and breaks down the bridge
of Portcrusha,   .        .        .        .        .        .        .        146

CHAPTER XII.

A.D 1528-1539 ..Rivalries of the houses of Kildare and Ormond...Their con­nection with the O'Briens...Rebellion of Silken Thomas Fitzgerald...He takes refuge in Thomond ... Surrenders to lord Leonard Grey, whom he charges with encouraging him to rebellion...Letters of lord Leonard Grey and king Henry relative to Fitzgerald's surrender...The king's anxiety to get the young Gerald into his power...The child protected by Conor O'Brien who refuses to give him up, and favours his escape with his mother to Tyrconnel...James the fifth of Scotland desires to have the young Geraldine
sent to him...Escape of the latter into France...Lord Leonard Grey ordered
to proceed to Thomond to punish O'Brien... His operations... Peace concluded
for one year between Conor O'Brien and the king...Death of the prince of
Thomond, and accession of Morrogh the tanist,        ..            Page 162

CHAPTER XIII.

A.D. 1540-1559...Accession of Morrogh O'Brien...Revival of the statutes of Kilkenny odious to the native princes, who combine and invade the Pale... Defeat of O'Neill at Ballahoe...League of O'Brien, O'Neill, O'Donnell, and O'Conor.-.They meet at Fore, and are dispersed by Brereton...Increase of the English power...Parliament confers the title of king of Ireland on Henry...Submission of O'Neill followed by that of Morrogh O'Brien, who is created earl of Thomond and baron of Inchiquin.;. Submission and elevation to the peerage of Macwilliam of Clanricard...Death of Morrogh O'Brien... Donogh O'Brien, second earl of Thomond, attacked by his brothers at Clon-road...His death...Donald O'Brien named king of Thomond by the Dal-gais...Conor O'Brien, third earl of Thomond, appeals to the Council...Donald O'Brien takes the hostages of Ely, and confers with the English at Mary­borough... Besieges his nephew Conor in the castle of Doon...Obliged to raise the siege by the earl of Ormond...The earl of Sussex ordered to reduce O'Brien is met half way, when the Deputy proposes a truce...Settlement of Leix and Offaly, and expulsion of Donald O'Brien from Thomond...Conor O'Brien renounces the name of O'Brien, and swears fidelity to queen Mary ., .The O'Briens invite the earl of Desmond to their aid.. .His operations, 179

CHAPTER XIV.

A.D.   1559-1577-..Conor, earl of   Thomond,  invades west  Connaught...Teige O'Brien imprisoned  .. State of society at the close of the sixteenth century ...Chieftain's  expedition ... Return of Donald O'Brien and Teige to Thomond….Civil wars resumed. ..Corcomroe taken from O'Conor and given to Donald O'Brien...Affairs of Desmond...Progress of the lord Deputy from Corkto Galway...Sir Edward Fitton president of Connaughtand Thomond...Holds a court in the monastery of Ennis.. The President's troops attacked by the earl of Thomond...Who is chastised by the earl of Ormond...Thomond
obliged to retire to Prance...Reconciled to the court...Co-operates with
Fitton...Proceedings of Sir John Perrot, president of Munster...Renewal of civil war among the Dal-gais...Donald O'Brien appointed governor of the county of Clare...Which is separated from Connaught and annexed to Munster ..Sir William Drury, president, holds a court in Ennis...The Dal- gais obliged to become tributary to the Queen...Petition of the earl Conor to her majesty...Concessions made by Elizabeth to the Earl,   .         Page 194

CHAPTER XV.

A.D. 1577-1585...Recall of Sir Henry Sidney...Sir William Drury Lord Justice
...Dies at Waterford...Death of Donald O'Brien...Of Conor, third earl of
Thomond.. Annexation of Thomond to Connaught...Sir Nicholas Malby
ordered to divide it into baronies...His proceedings...Rebellion of the sons
of the earl of Clanrickard...The O'Briens involved...Execution of the uncle
of the earl of Thomond, and of Donogh, ancestor of the O'Briens of Dromo-
land...Sir John Perrot appointed lord Deputy...His progress to Athlone,
Galway, and Limerick...Parliament of 1585...Settlement of Thomond...In­
denture of composition between the crown and the chieftains of Thomond...
Enumeration of the leading families,                                ....   212

CHAPTER XVI.

A.D. 1586-1599...Sir Richard Bingham governor of Connaught...Takes Clonoon castle in Thomond...Rise of Hugh Roe O'Donnell...Assumes the command of the northern insurgents . Hugh O'Neill, earl of Tyrone, revolts from the Queen...Overtures of peace made by the lord Deputy to Tyrone and O'Don­nell are refused...Sir Conyers Clifford, governor of Connaught, ordered to attack O'Donnell.. .The earl of Thomond and baron of Inchiquin join Clifford ...Passage of the Erne, and death of Inchiquin...Contest between the monks of Assaroe and the Franciscans of Donegal for the right to his obsequies... Siege of Ballyshannon... Raised by O'Donnell, who obliges Clifford to retreat ...Defeat of the lord Deputy by Tyrone...Interview of the earls of Thomond and Ormond with Tyrone... Victory of the Yellow Ford gained by Tyrone... Obtains from the Pope a crown of phoenix feathers...Confers the earldom of Desmond on James, nephew of the late earl...Progress of the insurrection in Thomond...Teige MacMahon joins the earl of Desmond...Donald O'Brien, brother of the earl of Thomond, made a prisoner in the castle of Kilmurry.. Invasion of Thomond by O'Donnell...Troops ordered into the country by Sir Conyers Clifford, are attacked by the O'Briens...The earl of Tho­mond chastises Teige MacMahon...Arrival and progress of the earl of Essex,      .....         Page 223

CHAPTER XVII.

A.D. 1599-1603...Arrival of lord Mountjoy...Conference between the earls of
Thomond and Ormond and O'Moore of Leix...Ormond made prisoner by
0'Moore...Plot to deliver up the sugane earl of Desmond to Thomond and
Sir George Carew...He is rescued by the three knights, his relatives...Pro­
gress of the president and the earl of Thomond against the Geraldines and
O'Conor Kerry...Second incursion of O'Donnell into Thomond...Projected
third incursion frustrated by the defection of O'Donnell's cousin, Niall
Garv, who joins the English...The rebellious Burkes and Teige O'Brien of
Ennistymond ravage the county from the borders of Galway to Clonroad...
Capture of the sugane earl of Desmond and Fineen Macarthy...The earl of
Thomond holds a session of jail delivery in Ennis...His severities...Proceeds
to the court of Elizabeth to present his youngest brother, Donald...Is de­
spatched with reinforcements to Mountjoy, at Kinsale...Conclusion of the
war...Death of Teige Caech MacMahon...       .        .        .      239

PART  II.

CHAPTER XVIII.

A. D. 1603-1641 ...Accession of James the First to the crown of England... Parlia­
ment in Ireland...Its violent proceedings...Struggle for the election of
speaker...Conduct of Sir Daniel O'Brien...Western plantation in Ireland
proposed by the crown the principal cause of the rebellion of 1641 in the
west and south.. .Measures of Strafford to procure a surrender of their estates
by the Irish proprietors, and an acknowledgment of the title of the crown
to the lands... His letters to the court... Fall and execution of Strafford... Pro­
ceedings of the Irish parliament...Evasion of the royal graces by the Irish
lords Justices...Breaking out of the Irish insurrection of 1641,     .         250

CHAPTER XIX.

A.D. 1641-1646...Proceedings of Morrogh O'Brien, baron of Inchiquin...Con­
federation of Kilkenny...Inchiquin joins the English parliament, who ap­
point him president of Munster...Arrival of the Nuncio Rinuccini...The
castle of Bunratty surrendered to the parliamentary troops by the earl of
Thomond...Betaken by the confederate forces under the command of the
Nuncio and lord Muskerry...The Nuncio's letter to his court detailing the
victorious progress of the confederates,     .             .        .      265

CHAPTER XX.

A.D. 1646-1651...Petition of the catholics of Irelandto the king...Their de­mands—Successful progress of Inchiquin... Capture of Dungarvan, Fethard, and Cahir, and storm of Cashel...Rout of Taaffe at Knocknoness...Lord Lisle appointed by the parliament lord-lieutenant of Irelandfor one year... Inchiquin suspected by the parliament, is sought to be deprived of his com­mand—He refuses to comply ...Narrative of the proceedings to that effect, and failure and departure of lord Lisle...Inchiquin abandons the parliament and urges the return of the marquis of Ormond...Execution of the king in London, and proclamation of Charles the second at Carrickon-Suir by Ormond...Operations of Inchiquin against the republicans at Drogheda and Dundalk .. Landing of Cromwell... Failure of Ormond and Inchiquin to induce the confederate leaders of Limerickto receive a garrison of royal troops... Departure of those lords from the kingdom... Limericktaken by Ireton.. .Exe­cution of four and twenty persons, including two bishops, by order of
Ireton,        .......       Page 277

CHAPTER XXI.

A.D. 1651-1660...Proceedings of Ludlow in the countyof Clare... Fall of Conor
O'Brien of Lemeneagh in opposing Ludlow...Operations of the parliament­
ary troops in Burren, and opinion of that country...Lemeneagh, the seat of
the Dromoland O'Briens, occupied by Ludlow's troops...Incident of the lady
Honora O'Brien...Death of Ireton at Limerick...Cromwell permits the Irish
troops to enter into foreign service...Their indifferent reception in Spain...
Charles the second obliged to retire from Franceinto Germany...Lord
Inchiquin created an earl.. Death of Cromwell...Capture of the earl of
Inchiquin by an Algerine corsair, and his release...Death of Inchiquin, his
will and character...Notice of his descendants,     -   .        296

CHAPTER XXII.

A.D. 1653-1667...Proceedings of the English parliament in the settlement of Ire­land, and disposal of the forfeited lands...Transplantation of the natives into Connaught and Clare...Cromwell declared lord protector...Relaxation of the orders of transplantation...Letter of Henry Cromwell to Thurloe, and from Fleetwood to the same on this subject...Visit of Inchiquin's son to Henry Cromwell...Letter of the latter to Thurloe...Lord Thomond solicits favours from the protector's government...Measures adopted on the restoration of the monarchy to adjust the claims of the royalists and republicans in
Ireland...The royal declaration the basis of the act of settlement... Sir Daniel
O'Brien created viscount Clare...The earl of Inchiquin and the viscount Clare
restored to their estates...Like favour conferred on Daniel O'Brien of Duagh,
ancestor of the O'Briens of Ennistymond... Restoration to their properties of
the Dromoland O'Briens in the person of Donogh, subsequently the first
baronet...War declared between England and Holland, and between the
former and France...Descent on the Irish coast apprehended...Measures of
defence adopted by the earl of Orrery, lord president of Munster...Tender
of service by the earl of Inchiquin...Rich prize taken by Charles O'Brien,
second son of lord Inchiquin...Peace of Breda,.           .           Page 310

CHAPTER XXIII.

A.D. 1667-1692... Accession of James the second...Recal of the duke of Ormond,
and appointment of the earl of Clarendon as lord-lieutenant of Ireland...
Alarm of the Irish protestants at the apprehended repeal of the acts of set­
tlement, and explanation...Clarendon superseded by Tyrconnel...Protestant
exodus...Dismissal of protestant officers by Tyrconnel...Irish army embodied
...Lord Clare's three regiments...Landing of king James at Kinsale, who
appoints lord Clare governor of Cork...Irish parliament of James, their pro­
ceedings...Numerous attainders.. Connection of the Dromoland O'Briens
with the royal family...Surrender of Limerick, and departure of Irish troops
to Prance...Third confiscation of Irish properties...Disposal and amount of
the forfeited estates...Commissioners of claims...Particulars of lord Clare's
forfeitures,  ........  329

CHAPTER XXIV.

AD. 1692-1761...Irish troops in foreign services anterior to the revolution of 1688...League of Augsburg...Louis the fourteenth exchanges French for Irish troops...Operations of the Irish brigades...Battle of Marsaglia, and death of Daniel, fourth lord Clare...Peace of Ryswick...Partition treaty... Commencement of the war of the Spanish succession... Surprise of Cremona, and repulse of the imperialists, owing to the gallantry of two Irish regiments...Charles, lord Clare, at the first battle of Blenheim, when the imperialists were defeated...Second battle of Blenheim, and defeat of the French... Brilliant retreat of Clare's brigade...Battleof Ramilies...Lord Clare mortally wounded...Progress of the war in Spain...Career of O'Mahony... Peace of Utrecht...Accession of George the first...The earl of Thomond created a British peer...Lord Clare visits England, and is presented to thesovereign...Breaking out of war between France and the emperor of Ger­many... Lord Clare employed under his uncle, the duke of Berwick...Battle of Dettingen...Battle of Fontenoy...Its consequences...Peace of Aix-la- Chapelle...Letter of lord Clare to one of his officers in Ireland...Memorable reply of Clare to the French king...His decease, and extinction of the Thomond, or elder branch of the O'Briens,       .           .           .Page 348

CHAPTER XXV.

A.D. 1692-1778...First parliament of William abruptly terminated on the re-­
jection of a money bill by the Irish commons...Second parliament of Wil-­
liam. ..Penalties on the intermarriage of protestants and Roman catholics...
Molyneux's book burnt at the instance of the English house of commons...
Death of William, and accession of Anne...Commencement of the penal laws
...Death of the queen, and accession of the house of Hanover...Curious pro-­
ceedings at the Clare election of October, 1715... Arbitrary character of the
Irish house of commons...Act of 6 Geo. I. declaratory of the right of the
English parliament to bind Ireland...Swift...Death of George the first and
accession of George the second...Roman catholics deprived of the elective
franchise...Declaration against the tithe of agistment a discouragement to
agriculture, and productive of agrarian outrages...Doctor Lucas banished...
Doctor Johnson's tribute to his character...Death of George the second, and
return of Lucas to Ireland...Zeal of the country party...Tottenham and his
boots...Arrival of lord Chesterfield as viceroy...His high character...Re-­
called for being too favourable to the views of the Irish...Victory of the
popular leaders in parliament...Origin of the undertakers...Agitation to
shorten the duration of parliaments...Bill for limiting the duration of par-­
liament returned from the English council, and orders issued for the election
of a new parliament...Death of Sir Edward O'Brien, and accession of Sir
Lucius to the baronetcy...His parliamentary talents conspicuous...Rejection
of money bills which had not originated in the Irish commons...Protest of
the lord-lieutenant entered on the journals...Inquiry into the state of the
pension list...Conduct of the court party severely censured...Great depres-­
sion and distress in Ireland...Relaxation of the penal laws...Alteration of
the oath of allegiance...Jealousy evinced by the Irish commons at the alter­
ation of their money bills by the authorities in England...Ogle moves that
an altered bill certified under the great seal of England should be burnt by
the common hangman...Origin of the Irish volunteers,     .  .      374

CHAPTER XXVI.

A. D. 1778-1800...Distressed condition of Ireland. ..Demand for free trade.. .Exer­tions of Sir Lucius O'Brien to accomplish that object... Further relaxation of the penal laws ..Repeal of the gavelling act of Anne...Letter of Sir Lucius O'Brien on the condition of the landed interest, and the effect of embargoes
.. .Popular movement for free trade... Distress and disturbance in Dublin...
Proceedings of the Irish parliament...Debate on the address...Amendment
unanimously carried in favour of free trade...The volunteers...Resignation
of members of the government who had voted for free trade...Rejection of
the money bill...Lord North concedes free trade...His propositions,„Fears
of invasion...Spirited answer of the Armagh volunteers to lord Charlemont
...Grattan's declaration for a free parliament...Irish goods seized by the
authorities in Lisbon...Debate thereon in the Irish parliament...Spirited
speech of Sir Lucius O'Brien...Character of Sir Lucius as a senator...Pro­
ceedings for the repeal of the law of Poynings...The volunteers...Ministry
of lord North succeeded by that of the marquis of Rockingham...the duke
of Portland lord lieutenant...Freedom of the Irish parliament...Difference
between Grattan and Flood as to the simple repeal of the 6th of George the
first...Flood's view eventually acted on, and its soundness acknowledged by
an act of the British parliament...Letter of the duke of Richmond on the
connection between Great Britain and Ireland... Commercial relations be-­
tween Great Britainand Ireland...Secretary Orde moves for leave to bring
in a bill...Opposed by the country party...Speech of Sir Lucius O'Brien in
its favour...Carried on the first reading, but subsequently abandoned ..Re­-
gency question.. .Divergence in views between the parliaments of Great
Britainand Ireland...Legislative union,        .    .           .           Page 404

Notes      .......       449

Appendix             -          -           -          -           -           -       507

Genealogical Tables      .....       543