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1585 agreement with Queen Elizabeth
There was an agreement dated August 6, 1585 between
the ruling O'Kelley's or Irish Gentry O'Kelleys of Hy-Many and the
English Queen Elizabeth where as the ruling O'Kelleys gave up their
Irish claim to Hy-Many and then received it back as English Baronies in
exchange for behaving themselves and bringing up their children in the
English tongue and ways. This is an explanation how some of the Irish Gentry
may have became protestant before 1600. Below is the agreement which in 1843 was
housed in the Auditor General's Office in Dublin. All of the O'Kelleys listed are spelled with a single "e" and they may
have used that English spelling in 1585 but it is the English who
are recording these agreements so the spelling is likely going to be
determined by the creator of the document with little regard for how
these Irish O'Kelleys actually may have spelled their names in English.
It has been said that Hugh, THE O'Kelley
and the Cheif of Hy-Many could not speak
English well so Teige Mac William O'Kelley one of
the Tanist spoke on his behalf.
It is certain that the O'Kelleys mentioned did not
enter into this agreement willingly. The Irish would have
preferred the English leave their lands and allow them to live as they
had for more than a thousand years before. This agreement was
forced upon these Irish Chiefs and it was an agreement that abolished
clan ownership and use of the lands and recognizing the English Royal
family claims of ownership of all lands within their control and it
turned the landed Irish Gentries into an impoverish class that continues
today.
" Agreement between the Irish chieftains and
inhabitants of Imany, called the O'Kellie's country, on both sides of
the river of Suck, in Connaught, and the Queen's Majesty, viz.
Hugh
O'Kelly of Lisecalhone, otherwise called O'Kelly, Teige Mac William
O'Kelly, of Mullaghmore, and Connor Oge O'Kelly, of Killiane,
competitors for the name of Tanestshippe of O'Kelly;"
Connor ne Garroghe O'Kelly, of Gallaghe, and
Shane ne Move O'Kelly, of
the Criaghe, Generosus ; William O'Mannine, of Mynlogheb, otherwise
called O'mannine ; Moriartagh O'Concannon, of Kiltullagh', otherwise
called O'ConCannon ; Shane O'Naghten, of Moynure1, otherwise called
O'naghten ; Edmond Mac Kcoghe, of Owenaghk, otherwise called Mac Keoghe
; Donogh O'Murry, of Ballymurry, otherwise called O'murry ; Covaghe
O'Fallone, of the Milltowne", otherwise called O'Fallone ; and Connor
Mac Geraghte, otherwise called Mac Gerraghte".
" The territory of Imany, called O'Kelly's country, is divided into five
principal barronyes, that is to wytte, Athlone, Killconnell, Teaquine,
Killyane, and Maycarnane, all which contain 665 1/2 quarters of land, each
at 120 acres.
" It is agreed by all the forenamed parties that the captainshippe and
tanistshippe of the said country, heretofore used by the said O'Kellies,
and all ellections and Irish customary division of lands shall be
utterly abolished and extinct for ever: that
Hugh, otherwise called O'kelly, shall possess these four quarters of land, viz. Lisennoke,
Ferranbreaghe, Lysdallen, and Moydowe, now in his possession, and which
are situated in Eraght-O'Murry and Mac Edmond's country, in the barony
of Athlone, with a chief rent out of various other lands within the said
country, which amount in the whole to £56 19.S. 6d. during his natural
life, and after his death the said lands to be freed and discharged of
the aforesaid rents."
"That Teige Mac William O'Kelly shall have and possess the quarters of Mullaghmore, Corncgallaghe, Carrownesire, and Carrowncboe. And
Connor Oge O'Kelly shall have four quarters in and about the town of Killiane,
but upon this special condition, which they bind themselves to, that
they and their heirs shall henceforth behave themselves like good
subjects ; shall put no ymposition or chardge upon the inhabyters of the
lands, and shall bring uppe their children after the English fashions,
and in the use of the Englishe tounge."
Source: The Tribes and Customs of Hy-Many
published 1843, Dr John O'Donovan, Page 18, 19, 20
Expanded and more complete version of the
agreement.
" Many O'Kelle's Country:'
" THIS INDENTURE made betwixte the Right Honorable Sir John Perrotte knt.
lord Deputie generall of Irelaude, for and on the behaulfe of the
Queene's most excellent Majestie, of the one parte, and the lords
spiritual and temporall, cheiftaines gent. ffreeholders, fermors, and
inhabyttants having lands or holdings in IMANY, called the O'KELLIES
COUNTRY, on both sydes of the river of Suck in the province of
Connaught: that is to say, the reverend father in God William,
archbishop of Twemme—Stephen, byshopp of Clonferte—John, byshope of
Elphine—and Edmond, deane of Klonknoyse—Ullicke, erle of Clanrickard—Hugh
O Kelly of Lissecallone, otherwise called O'Kelly—Teige Mc William
O'Kelly of Mullaghmore, and Connor oge O'Kelly of Killiane, compettitors
for the name of tanestshipe of O'Kelly—Connor ne Garroge O'Kelly of
Gallaghe—Shane ne moy O'Kelly of the Criaghe, gen.—William O'Mannyne of
Mynloghe, otherwise called O'Mannine—Morrartaghe O'Concannon of
Killtullaghe, otherwise called O'Concannon—Shane O'Naghten of Moynure,
otherwise called O'Naghten—Edmond McKeoghe of Awenaghe, otherwise called
Mac Keoghe—Donogh O'Murry of Ballymurry, otherwise called
O'Murrye—Couoghe O'Fallone of the Milltowne, otherwise called
O'Fallone—Teige Mc Owen of Gallee, otherwise called Mc Edmond—Collo Mc
Connore of the same, gen.—Ferdorraghe Mc William Carragh of the
same—Connor Mac Gerraght, otherwise called Mc Girraghte—Edmond wony
O'Concannone of Cawlre, freeholder—Sir Thomas Lestrange of Athleague,
knt.—Thomas Dillone of Curraghboy, esquire—John Crofton of Ballymurry,
gen.—Nathaniel Smith of Dromolgagh, gen.—Fraunces Shane of Beallagare,
gen—Edward Mostine of the Graunge, gen Robert Johnsone of the Garbally,
gen.— Richard Beetaghe of the Cregge, gen—John Burke of the Turrocke,
gen William Mostune of the Downe, gen—John Moore of Clonebegnett, and
Richard Dogherty of Ratharrowe, gen—Fimes Claye of Kyncklare, gen Robert
Semper of Newcastell,
gen—George Goodeman and Miles Cavanaghe, ffermores of S' Johns Jerusalem
Sir Henry Wallope Knight, ffermor of S' Peters of Athlone—Dominick Lynch
of Galway, fermor of the abbey of Cnockmoy—and Ullick Derry Linch of
Gurrandarraghe, freeholder, of the other parte.
" WYTNESSETH, that wheare the said country or tcrritorie of Imanay,
called the O'Kellie's Country, is devided into fyve principall baronies,
that is to wytt, Athlone, Kilconnell, Teaquine, Killyane, and Moycarnane,
which contains, as well by auncient devysion, as by late
Inquistion,'665| qTM of lande, everie qr containing 120 acres.—FIRSTE,
in the barrony of Athlone, there is a quantity of land known by the name
name of O'Murrey, and Mac Edmond's eraght (oijjpeaco, inheritance)
called the Heyney, 46 qTM—Mac Keogh's eraght called Moyfinn, 55
qTM—O'Ffallone's eraght called Clonedaghe, 47 qTM—Eraght Hugh, called
Toahaleage (cuac, country) 15^ qTM—Eraght McGerraght, 33 qTM—O'Noghten's
eraght called the Ffaas, 35 qTM—the Slaightines, being dispersed within
the former eraghts, 16 qTM; which in the whole cometh to 287^ qTM. In
the barrony of Kilconnelle there is a quantity of land called Eraght
Carbry, 26 qTM—Toachalla, 30 qTM—Toahbreny, 26 qTM, whereof belongeth to
the earl of Ormond 24 qTM—Pobble-Keowghe, 291 qTM; which in the whole
cometh to 107 qTM. In the barony of Teaquin there is a quantity of land
called Eraght O'Manyne, 24 qTM—Killyboggy, 21 q"—Eraght I. Dermoda, 23
qTM—Sleigt Teighe McDonoghe, 33 qTM—Teagh ne palice 15 qTM—in
Killosallane, 4 qTM, which is conveied over by state of inheritance to
the aforesaid Thomas Dillon of Curraghboy—also Corcomoy, 24 qTM; which
in the whole of that barony cometh to 140 qTM. In the barrony of Killian
there is a quantity of land called Aghyarte, 12 qTM—Sleight Teige
O'Kelly, 8 qTM—Eraght Dermott, 8 qTM—The Slewe 12 qTM ; which in the
whole of that barony cometh to 40 qTM. In the barony of Moy-carnane
there is a quantity of land called Clonmacknoyne, otherwise Shane ne
Moye's country, on both sides of the Succe, 89 qTM; which in the whole
of that barrony cometh to 89 qTM All which being drawn into one totall,
cometh to the aforesaid number of 665 1/2 quarters.
" The aforesaid lords, chieftaines, &c. graunt to her Ma"c the Queene, a
penny and one third of a penny out of every acre of the aforesaid 665 ^
qTM, which amounteth in every year to 665 marks sterling; and for lack
of money to be paid, the Treasurer or general receiver shall receive
kine to the value of the said rent, or so much thereof as shall remaine
unpaid, at the rate of 13t' 4d' for every good and lauful beofe, or as
kine shall be worthe and solde in the markett of Athlone, the tyme of
payment.
" The said lords, chieftayns, &c. acknowledging the manifold benefitts
and easments they finde, &c . doe covenant to aunswere and beare,
yearlie for ever, 30 good hable horsemen and 220 footmen well armed, to
all hostings, roods and jurneyes within Connaught and Thomond; and 10
good hable horsemen, and 40 footmen well armed and furnished with arms,
garrans and victuals, to all generall hostings proclaymed in this realme.
And they shall further bear, yield and pay yearly, 300 sufficient
labourers with their tooles and victuals, to work 4 daies every year
where the chiefs officer or commissioner of the said province shall
assigne. And that the sleight of the Naghtenes shall answeare and beare
the accustomed duties and service, to her Majestie's house of Athlone.
" It is agreed by the lord Deputy, on behalf of the Queene, and the said
Hugh O'Kelly, otherwise called O'Kelly, Teige and Connor O'Kelly,
compettitors for the name and tanestshippe of O'Kellie, and others of
the Irishry above named, that the captaineshippe captaineshippe &
tanistshippe of the said country, called the O'Kellie's cuntry, which
hath been hertofore used by the said O'Kellies, & all colleccon and
Irish customary devision of lands used amongst them, shall from
henceforthe be utterlye abolished, extinct, renounced, and put backe
within the said country, for ever In respect. whereof, and for that her
Majesty doth graciously meane the maintaininge of such of the Irishry as
willingly submitt, the lord Deputy doth, for the Queen, covenant and
promise that the said Hughe O'Kelly, otherwise called O'Kelly, shall
have and take by letters patent, the 4 quarters of land, now in his
possession, in Eraght O'Murry in Mc Edmond's country in the barony of
Athlone, viz. Lisenuske, Ferrenbreaghe, Lyssdallon and Moydowe, with the
moyety of all the goods of felons, &c. within the same ; to be holden by
knight's service: And, for further augmentacon of his living, that he
shall have, during his naturall life, £56 19*. 6d. out of the several
lands following, viz. upon the eraght of O'Murray and Mc Edmond, one \
qr of Killeaghe, ^ qr of Corragarowe, '£ qr of Carrowmader,
Ferrenbreagye, Shanbally Mc Connor, Moylyterraghe, Lisseneponre,
Killenreoghe, Fyermore, the eraght called Aleage, also Sleight Gillebert,
and eraght Mac Hughe, the qr of Cloghane, Kewne, Funshenaghe,
Clonlostaghe, eraght Mc Hughe 19 qTM, the eraght called Clonodaghe, the
qr of Kilchele, Ardnecolenan, Carowkewle, Gortenduffe, Kilvane, the qr
of Turrock, in eraght Mc Geraght, the qr of Aghgowre, Bunnynibber,
Aghgadd, Clynlergine, the eraght called the Feaies, the cartron of
Tibraghane, Killaghane, a cartron of Carghen, Carronewre, Carronderry,
Moyvennan, Carronlaghane, Carronloghe, the '^. qr of Carronkewen,
Drineka, Clonark, Clongawnaghe, Shanvally-nanty, in the eraght called
Moyfinne, the cartron of Carrowmore, Derndoly, the \ quarter of Tawnaghe,
Knocke-Cowle-ne Caldry, Carrige, Ardmolane, Cornegewre, Dondonyll, in
the barony of Moycarnan, upon the whole country ealled Cloynvicknoyne,
upon the eraght called the Slewe, in the eraght of Toavreny, the eraght
of Aghoarte, and Crohone Sleight Teige O'Kelly, upon the qr of
Bealladryne, the qr called Moyvameon, Corregarrowe, Clondalye,
Carrownegapple, Cregane, Carrowganvy, Carrownefrevy, Carrow-blenglasse,
Carrowmorekillyane, the qr of Moynterdony, Moyrushe, Ballynecorre,
Clonkure, Englyse, upon the eraght called Toecallae, the qr of
Lyssedoulane, the qr of Carrowmenagh, Lisknedane, Barneboy,
Loghanebreane, Carrownenagh, and in the barony of Teaquine, upon the
septs of O'Manyne & O'Concanon, and the septs of the archbishope, which
in the whole cometh to the sum of £56 19*. 6d.
" That the said Teige Mc William O'Kelly shall have by letters patentts,
soe many quarters of land as he is now justly seized of, in the barronies of
Teaquine & Kilconnell, that is to say, the qr of Mullaghmore, the qr of
Farrenefahye, the qr of Cornegallaghe, the qr of Carrownesire, and the
qr of Carrowneboe. That the said Connor Oge O'Kelly shall have the four
quarters of land in and about the town of Killian; to hold by knights
service. Upon this condition, that the said Hughe, Teige, and Connor oge
and their heirs, shall henceforth behave themselves like good subjects;
shall put no ymposition or chardge upon the inhabytors of the said
lands; shall be obedyent to the Queen's laws; shall not maintain or
succour any of her enemies; and shall bring uppe their children after
the Englishe fashions, and in the use of the Englyshe tounge; and that
after the decease of the said Hughe O'Kelly, otherwise called O'Kelly,
the lands aforesaid be discharged of the aforesaid rents. IN WYTNESSE
whereof, the aforesaid lords, chieftains, &c. have hereunto put their
seales and subscribed their names, the sixth day of August, Anno Domini
1585.
"W. Tuamen S. Clonferten Joh. Elphine.—O'kelly Connor
Oge Con Mc Garet Mc Coffe.—Donoghe O'miorry.—O'nagh
Tine Thom. Le Strange.—Thom. Dillone John Crofton.—
Francis Shane—Rob1. Johnson John Birte—W". Mostin
Miles Cavanaghe.—John Norris—Nehemias Claye Richard
Dohobte.—Robt. Semper.
" J. Perrot.
" Althoghe by this within written Indenture of Composition with the
O'Kellies cuntry, they are charged to her Majesty after the rate of 13*.
4*/. sterling upon every quarter of land, yet, forasmuche as they were
the first that yealded to that Composition in that province, and thereby
occasioned others to do the lyke, and that also the rest of the whole
province of Connaught doth beare by their Composition but 10s. sterling
a quarter, having in some places farre better londe then the O'Kellies
hath, and not borne heretofore soe greate a burden as they have done, I
the Lo. Deputie think it very reasonable, and therefore doe covenant and
agree, that the said O'Kellies country shall beare but as the rest of
the said province doth, (that is to saye) 10*. sterling upon every
quarter of lande chardgeable to Her Majesty, and soe to continue
until her Majesties pleasure be knowne.
"J. Perrot."
Source:
A Chorographical Description of West or H-IAR Connaugh by Roderic
O'Flanerty Esq 1846
Webmaster's comments: This
agreement effectively ended Gaelic Irish rule over Ui Maine Ireland.
Under the Irish system of land ownership, the area of Ui Maine belonged
to the family clan of O'Kelley and each generation was assured a place
in Ui Maine to farm and raise their family but his agreement ended all
claims. The O'Kelleys living at the time of this agreement got to
continue their use of the land until they died but when they died the
land reverted to English authority for the Queen or King to do with as
he wished. This was not something the Gaelic desired, it was
forced upon them by the English. This agreement also blocked any
future rents collected by the Gaelic Irish. The English in Ireland
got to continue to charge rents for their land but that was not so for
the Irish. It was this unreasonable English attitude and behavior
that keep war in continuous state for hundreds of years not just in
Ireland but all over the world and their continued waring eventually
reduced the English to the tiny nation they are today.
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