Of IRELAND in General. CHAP. I.

IRELAND is called by the La­tins, Name. Hibernia; by Orpheus, Ari­stotle, Strabo, Stephanus and Clau­dian, Ierna; by Pomponius Me­ [...] Iuvenal and Solinus, Iuverna; by Pto­ [...]omy, Iuernia, and sometimes Britannia [Page 2] Minor; by Martian of Heraclia, Ioyep­nia; by Diodorus Siculus, Irim; by Eusta [...]hus, Oyernia or Overnia, and Ver­nia; by some called Bernia; Plutarch called it by the Name of Ogygia. The Irish Bards or Poets have mentioned the Names of Tivolas, Totdanan, and Banno, as the most ancient Names. In later times it went by the Name of Scotia, and Scotia Min [...]r, to distin­guish it from the other Scotland. It is now called by the Inhabitants Eryn, and sometimes Gwydhill; by the Welch, Yverdon and Ywerdhou; by the Ger­mans, Irlandi; by the Italians, Irlan­da [...]; and by the French, Irlande.

It is environed on all sides with the Ocean; bounded on the East with a Bou [...]ds. violent and unruly Sea, called the Irish Sea, or St. George's Channel, which se­parates it from England and Wales, and on the North-East from Scotland; on the West with that vast Ocean called th [...] Western or Atlantick Ocean, which parts it from the main Continent of America; on the North with the Nor­thern Ocean, called the Ducalidonian Ocean; and on the South and South-West with that which is called the Vergirian Ocean.

[Page 3] If we consider it in respect of Hea­venly Situa­tion. Bodies, it is situated between the 5th Degree and 58th Minute, and the 10th Degree and 45th Minute of Lon­gitude that is from London; but rec­koning from Tenneriffe, it lies between the 8th and the 12th Degree, and 55 Minutes of Longitude, equal with the greatest part of Gallicia and Asturia in Spain: And between the 51st De­gree and 15th Minute, and the 55th Degree and 15th Minute of Northern Latitude, equal with Wales, and the greatest part of England.

By this account we may see that it lies wholly under the Ninth and Clim. Tenth Climes, with a little of the Eighth; so that the longest Day on the most Southern parts is 16 Hours, and about 25 Minutes, and the longest Day on the most Northern parts is 17 Hours, and about 12 Minutes, that is almost an Hour longer. It lies in one of the temperate Zones toward the Northern parts of it, about five De­grees from the middle; so that for its Situation it cannot be very intem­perate either in Summer or Winter.

As for the Form and Shape of this Form. Island, it is oblong (nigh as long again [Page 4] as broad) somewhat (though but little indeed) resembling an Egg, to which form many have likened it to. Speed compares it rather to the shape of the Fore-Leg of a Bear, which is as diffi­cult to imagine as the other; and if we consider all the variety of Windings and Turnings, scarce any thing can be imagined to have a more irregular Form.

It is for bigness an Island of the third Rank, reckoned to be about Dimen­tions. half as big as England: In length, from Fairhead, the Northern Point of Antrim in Ulster, to Missen-Head, the South Point of Cork in Munster, about 285 Miles: In breadth, in the widest place, that is, from the East-parts of Down in Ulster, to the West-parts of Mayo in Connaught, 160 Miles: From the East of Wexford in Leinster, to the West of Kerry in Munster, 152 Miles: But in the middle, from the East of Dublin, to the West of Galloway, 146 Miles. The whole Circuit (reckon­ing all the Windings and Turnings) is above 1400 Miles.

It lies distant from Scotland, North-East Distan­ces. and South-West, (from Cape Red-boy in Antrim, to the South-parts of [Page 5] Cantire) 15 Miles: From England, East and West, (from the East-parts of Down, to St. Bees-Head in Cumber­land) 84 Miles: From Wales East and West, (from the East-parts of Wex­ford to St. Davids) 45 Miles: From France, North-West and South-East, 220 Miles: From Spain, North and South, 440 Miles: And from New-France the nighest part of America, (from which it lies exactly West) a­bout 1440 Miles.

The Air is most mild and tempe­rate in respect of Hot and Cold; so Air. that it is cooler in Summer and warm­er in Winter than in England, but no­thing so clear and subtile as here, there­fore not so good in Summer for ripen­ing of Corn and Fruits: In the Win­ter it is more subject to Wind, Clouds and Rain, than Frost and Snow. It is so excessive moist, that many there are sore troubled with Loosenesses and Rheumes, more especially Stran­gers, who seldom escape those Distem­pers; for the staying of which they have a Liquor called Usque-bah, or an Aqua: Vitae, which is esteemed of as stronger and better than ours.

[Page 6] As for its Soil, it is of it self abun­dantly Soil. fruitful, but naturally rather fitter for Grass and Pasturage. In some places the rankness of the Soil is so great, the Grass so long, and withal so sweet, that the Cattel in those pla­ces would soon graze to a surfeit, if they were not sometimes hindred. This Country, in many places, is in­cumbred with vast Bogs, and unwhol­some Marshes, being full of great Lakes and Sands, and is also over-grown with many large Woods: But of late Years these Inconveniencies have been very much corrected by drying and draining up many of the Marshes, and by cutting down several of the Woods.

It produces a vast number of good­ly Flocks of Sheep, which they share Products. twice a year. Here are likewise ex­cellent good Horses, (which we call Hobies) which have not the same pace with others, but a soft and round Am­ble, setting one Leg before another very finely. As for Cattle, here are infinite numbers, being indeed the prin­cipal Wealth of the Inhabitants; (it is said, they will give no Milk if their Calves be not by them, or their Skins [Page 7] stuffed with Straw or Hay.) For Bees, they have such Numbers, that they are found not only in Hives, but also in the Bodies of Trees, and holes of the Earth. It is very much troubled with Wolves, but has no Snake, or Vene­mous Creature whatsoever, neither will any live here. It has variety of all sorts of wild and tame Fowls; and vast quantities of Fish, especially Sal­mons and Herrings. All living Crea­tures, besides Men, Women and Grey­hounds, are smaller than ours in Eng­land.

The Principal Riches and Commo­dities Commo­dities. of this Kingdom are Cattel, Hides, Tallow, Suet, great Store of Butter and Cheese, Wood, Salt, Honey, Wax, Furs, Hemp, Linnen Cloth, Pipe Staves, great quantities of Wool, of which they make Cloth and Freezes, with those course Rugs, or shag Man­tles, which are vented into Foreign Countries: Variety of Fish and Fowl, and also several Metals, as Lead, Tin and Iron; in a word, there is nothing wanting either for Pleasure and Profit, every thing being extraordinary cheap and plentiful; and of late times the Industry of the Inhabitants have not [Page 8] been so much wanting, and by reason of the great Converse with the English are more Civilized then formerly both Trade and Learning flourishing i [...] such a measure, that were it not fo [...] these unhappy Broils, it well might have been counted as Beautiful an [...] Sweet a Country as any under Heave [...].

The Principal Rivers of this Coun­try Rivers. are; 1. Shannon, or Shennon, which ariseth in the County of Letrim in Connaught: It divides for the most part of the way, Connaught from Leinster and Munster, and makes many Lakes, (particularly Lough-Ree, and Lough-Derg) passing by the Towns of Letrim, Iames Town, Lanesburrough, Athlone, Clonefert, Killalow and Limrick, after a Course of 200 Miles, (of which 60 Navigable) falls into the Western Ocean with a Mouth above seven Miles wide. Others are, 2. Swift Awiduff, or Blackwater. 3. Baleful-Shure. 4. Woody-Barrow. 5. Rolling-Liffe. 6. Pleasant-Boyne. 7. Spreeding Lee, &c, These shall be all more particularly Treated of in the Provincss. The Havens are many and Commodious, those of chief Note are, 1. Waterford, at the Mouth of the River Shure. [Page 9] 2. Cork, at the Mouth of the River Lee. 3. Youghill, at the Mouth of the River Awiduff, or Blackwater.

The principal Lakes of this King­dom Lakes. are; 1. Lough-Erne, in the County of Fermanack in Ulster, nigh 30 Miles long, and 10 broad, borde­ring about with shady Woods, and full of inhabited Islands, some con­taining 2 or 300 Acres of Land, ha­ving vast store of Trouts, Pikes, and Salmons. 2. Lough-Neagh, or Sidney, between the Counties of Antrim and Tyrone, 20 Miles long, and 12 broad, beset and shadowed along with thick Woods, and unpassable Bogs, yet ex­treamly Pleasant. 3. Lough-Ree, made by the River Shannon, between the Counties of Roscommon, Longford, and West-Meath, 15 Miles long, and five broad. Louth-Derg, another made by the Shannon, between Tipperary, Tho­mond and Gallway, 18 Miles long; and four broad. 5. Lough-Corrib in the County of Gallway, having in it several Isles abounding with Pine Trees. 6. Lough-Conn in the County of Mayo. 7. Lough-Cara, &c. 8. Lough-Cilly in the County of Slego. 9. Lough-Allyn in the County of Letrim. 10. L [...]gh-Dercuereagh. [Page] 11. Lough-Hannel in West-Meath, with several others.

The most considerable Bays of this Bays. Country may be reckoned, 1. The Bay of Gallway, a very large and safe Harbour, capable of a vast Fleet of Ships, and defended on the West, with the South Isles of Arran: It lies be­tween the Counties of Gallway and Tho­mond. 2. Dingle-Bay, a large and spacious Harbour in the County of Kerry in M [...]nster. 3. Bantry-Bay in the County of Corke in Munster, full of small Islands. 4. Dunnagal-Bay, between the Counties of Dunnagal, Slego and Letrim, at the entrance of Lough-Earne. 5. Bay of London-derry, a kind of a Lake between the Cou [...] ties of Dunnagal and Londonderry; call­ed also by the Name of Lough-Foyle. 6. Ca [...]rickfergus-Bay, between the Counties of A [...]trim and D [...]wn. 7. Car­lingford-Bay, between the Counties of Down and Louth. 8. Bay of Dublin in the County of Dublin. 9. Wex­ford-Bay in the County of Wexford. 10. Kin [...]sale-Bay in the County of Corke, with many other of less Note.

Mountains of chiefest Note are [...] [...]. reckoned, 1. Kn [...]ck-Patrick, or St. Pa­trick's [Page 11] Hill, in the West parts of the County of Limrick, mounted up a mighty height, and yielding a pleasent prospect into the Sea, beholding a far off, the River Shannon, falling with a vast Mouth in the Ocean. 2. Sliew-Bloemy in Queen's County, with their rising tops mounted up a wonderful height from whence arise the Rivers Shure, Nuer and Barrow. 3. The Mountains of Evagh and Moourne, a ridge of Hills not far off the Sea in the County of Down. 4. Sliew-Gallen, certain Hills in the County of Tyrone, dividing it into two parts. 5. Curlew-Hills in the County of R [...]scommon in Connaught. 6. The Gualty Mountains in the County of Tipperary, nigh the Counties of Limrick and Cork.

The most considerable Capes or Promontories are, 1. Fair-head in the Capes. County of Antrim, the mok Northern Point in this Kingdom, about 17 Miles off Scotland. 2. St. Iohn's Point in the County of Down, about 8 Miles South of Down. 3. Old-head in the County of Cork, about seven Miles South of Kingsale. 4. Missenhead in Cork. the most Southern Point in this Country. 5. Leane, a very long Point in the [Page 12] County of Thomond, at the Mouth of the River Shannon. 6. St. Iohns Cape, in the County of Dunnagal, about 13 Miles West of Dunnagal. 7. North Cape in the Northern parts of the same County. 8. Dog-head, in the Western parts of the County of Gall­way. I could here mention several of the Bogs, as Allin, Red-Boy, &c. but these will be of no great use.

In the Province of Ulster and Coun­ty of Dunnagal, upon an Island in a lit­tle St. Pa­tricks Purga­tory. Lake, called Derg, there is an old little Monastery, in which is a very narrow Vault within the Ground, so small that a Man can scarce stand up right in it, not containing above 6 or 7 Persons at once: This they call St. Patrick's Purgatory, very much talked of by the Ignorant for walking Spirits, and dreadful Apparitions; which they say was occasioned by St. Patrick's earnest Prayers to God, that the Torments which the wicked are to suffer after this life might be presented to the Eye, that he might the more easily Root out the Sins of his Coun­try Men. They Foolishly imagine, that this Cave was digged first by Ulisses, when he went to Parlee with [Page 13] those in Hell. This place was very much resorted to by Pilgrims, till the later end of King Iames the First Reign, this hole was laid open, and the Friers caused to depart.

There are seven places in Ireland, Remarks. which are more properly called by the Name of Cities, viz. Dublin, VVater­ford, Gallway, Limrick, Cork, London­derry, and Kilkenny, to which we may add, Athlone, Kingsale and Drogheda; four Archbishopricks, viz. Armagh, Dublin, Cashell, and Tuam; 19 Bi­shopricks, and one University, viz. Dublin. Here are also about 39 Mar­ket Towns; 119 Places that return Parliament Men, which commonly go by the Name of Burroughs; 93 Towns of Commerce and Trade; 222 Castles of old Erection, besides several new Fortresses built in the later times; and 1586 Parishes. The chief City of the whole Kingdom, is, Dublin, the Vice-Roys Seat.

CHAP. II.

THE Inhabitants descend origi­nally from the Britains, according Inhabi­tants. to the best Authors: since then inter­mixed with Danes, Swedes, and Nor­mans; but at present they are both English and Irish. As for the English; I shall need to say nothing of, nor the more civilized sort of Irish, who are very conformable to the Customs and Laws of our Nation. But the Kernes, Rapperies, &c. (those meer Irish, who as yet have not been throughly con­quered or civilized) are those that I do intend particularly to treat of; therefore I would not have our Irish Schollars take it amiss, or think ill of that Character which no ways belongs to them; but before I go any further I shall here (as the most fit place) [Page 15] mention some of the most eminent Persons this Nation has produced.

The most Famous Men of this Coun­try Famous Men. may be reckoned 1. St. Patrick, a Person of eminent Piety, who converted this Nation to Christianity between the fourth and fifth Centurys. 2. Pal­ladius, another Person who helped to convert this Kingdom about the same time. 3. Columbus a Religious Monk some few ages after, who would by: no preferments be induced to leave his Country. 4. Richard Fitz-Rase, a Learned Bishop of Armagh, who flo­rished Anno 1350. a declared Enemy to the Errors and Corruptions of the Romish Church. In later times were 5. Iames Usher, Arch-Bishop of Ar­magh, so eminent for his Piety and Learning. 6. Ieremiah Taylor, the Eloquent Bishop of Down and Connor; with several others in our times.

Now to give a Character of the na­tural Wild Irish; they are of a middle The Wild Irish. Stature, strong of body, of an hotter and moister nature than many other Nations of wonderful soft Skins, and by reason of the tenderness of their Muscles, they excell in nimbleness and flexibility of all parts of the body; [Page 16] they are reckoned of a quick Wit, (tho' besotted to many follies) prodi­gal and careless of their Lives, endu­ring Travel, Cold, and Hunger; given to fleshly lusts, light of belief, kind and courteous to strangers, con­stant in Love, impatient of abuse and injury, in enmity implacable, and in all affections most vehement and pas­sionate. They are very much deligh­ted with Musick, but especially with the Harp and Bagpipe, at the first many of them are very Skilful.

The Language, that they commonly speak is Originally British, or at least Lan­guage. a Dialect of it, but now very much degenerated from it, by reason of the Intermixture with Norwegians, Danes, Easterlings or Oos [...]-mans and English Saxons; so that at present it has but very little affinity with our Modern Welch, which is the same with the old British. But the names of Wa­ters, Isles, Mountains and places are said to be meerly British. This Tongue is also spoken in the Western parts of Scotland, and the Isles of Hebraides, as Camden says. The En­glish Tongue is very frequently used among 'em, and in some places (par­ticularly [Page 17] in the County of Wexford) they make use of a mungrel sort of speech between English and Irish.

They are vulgarly called by the Names. names of Teague and Dear-Ioy. The greatest men have often the Letter [O] put before their names, as O Neal, O-Rock, O-Donel, &c. some of the bet­ter sort also carry the name of Mac, (which signifies Son) as Mac-Decan, Mac-Cannon, Mac-Carty, &c. When they are babtized, they commonly add some profane name taken from some event, or else some colour as White, Black, Red; else from a disease or Scab, or peeldness; or from some one Vice or other as Thief, Proud, &c. They never give the name the Parent or any of the kindred then Living, for they are persuaded that their death is hastned thereby; but when the Fa­ther is dead the Son commonly assu­meth his name, lest it should be lost.

As for their Diet, they feed very much upon Herbs especially Water-Cresses; Diet. upon Mushromes, Sham­roots and Roots: They delight also in Butter tempered with Oatmeal; also in Milk, Whey, Beef-Broth, and Flesh oft-times without any Bread at [Page 18] all. As for their Corn, they lay it up for their Horses, for whom they are very careful, when they are Hunger­bitten in time of dearth, they dis­dain not to Eat raw flesh, after they have pressed out the blood thereof: and for to concoct it, they will drink down very large quantities of Usquebah or Aqua-Vitae, draught after draught. They also let their Kine blood, which when is grown to a Jelly, and strew­ed over with Butter, they eat with a very good appetite.

As for their Attire, they commonly wear little Jackets of Woollen, and Attire. those very short; Breeches most plain and close to their Thighs; over these they commonly wear a Mantle or shag Rugg deeply fringed, and well set out with many colours, with­in which they often lap themselves, and sleep on the very ground. They go for the most part bare headed, un­less it be when they put on an head­piece. They wear their Hair long, and count it the greatest ornament. The Women also make a great esteem of their Hair, especially if it be gol­den colour and long withal, for they lay it out in a full length plated in a [Page 19] bravery: They rather load then adorn their heads with great quantities of fine Linnen, rolled up in Wreaths.

Their way of Living is after a Way of Living. very odd sort, having no great im­ployments; for they are given to idleness above measure, and count it the greatest riches to take no pains, and the most pleasure to enjoy their Liberty. Their Cows, and Cattle are the chiefest Wealth they have, and in greatest esteem. They count it no shame or infamy to commit Robber­ries, which they very frequently use with great cruelty; when they go to rob they make prayers to God that they may meet with a booty; and they suppose it was sent them from God as a Gift. They also suppose that Violence and Murder are no ways displeasing to God, for if it were a sin, he would not present them with that opportunity; and they count it a sin not to make use of a fair opportunity: further they say that this sort of Life was left to them, and that they only walk in their Fathers steps, that it would be a dis­grace to their Nobility to forbear such Facts and get their living by Labour.

[Page 20] When they go out in a Morning to do any business, they mark him they Customs. met first; if they be prosperous they endeavour to meet him oft, if not they are as careful to avoid them. Before they sow their Corn, the good Wife or Mistress of the house, sendeth Salt to the said Field. In the Towns, when any Magistrate entreth first upon his Office, the Wives and Daughters along the Streets, and ou [...] of the Windows bestrew them and their followers with Wheat and Salt. At every third word it is ordinary with them to rap out an Oath, as by the Trinity, by Christ, by St. Patrick, by St. Brigid, by their Baptism, by their Godfathers hand and such like. When they take never so solemn Oaths they will be forsworn upon every oc­casion, but if they sware by any great Man and be forsworn, they forfeit a great Sum of Money or Cattle to that same person whose name they used.

In matters of Religion they are Roman Catholicks, in some things Religion. very devout, mortifying and keeping under their Bodies, very much, watch­ing and praying, fasting every Wed­nesday and Saturday: some of 'em [Page 21] fast on St. Catharine's Day, and also on Christmas Day, though they be never so sick. In Matters of Divine Service they are very slovenly, the Vestments [...]re so foul and nasty, that they would make one cast up his Stomach: The Altar portable, and by some abuse or other polluted; the Mass-Book all [...]orn, the Chalice of Lead without a Cover to it, and the small Vessels for Wine made of Horn. The Priests [...]hemselves are very poor, and mind nothing but gathering of Goods, and getting of Children. They make a great shew of the Canon-Law, but have never a jot of Learning. They commonly have their Children suc­ceed them in their Churches, for whose Illegitimation they are dispen­sed withal.

When they first see the Moon after Supersti­tions. the Change, commonly they bow the Knee, and say the Lord's Prayer, and then speak to the Moon with a loud Voice, Leave us as whole and as sound as thou hast found us. They use to look through the Shoulder-Blade-Bone of a Sheep, when the Flesh is clean ta­ken from it; if they see any dark or duskish spot in it, when they look [Page 22] through, they say that some Course shall shortly be carried out of the House. They pray for Wolves, and wish them well, and then they are not afraid to be hurt by them. They count it unlawful to rub down, o [...] curry their Horses, or to gather Grass for their Meat on Saturdays. When a [...] Horse is dead, they hang up his Fee [...] and Legs in the House; yea, the very Hoofs are esteemed as a hallowed and sacred Relick. They count her a wicked Woman or a Witch that com­eth to fetch Fire from 'em on May-Day; neither will they give any Fire then, but unto a Sick Body, and that also with a Curse.

They are of Opinion, that if their Whim­sies. Butter be Stolen, 'twill soon after be restored again; if they take away any of the Thatch that hang over the Door, and cast it into the Fire. They be­lieve, that the Kite will not take away their Chickens, if they hang up the the Egg-shels, out of which they were Hatched in some place of the Rough of the House. If any praise an Horse, or any other of their Beasts, before they have said, God Save him, or have Spit upon them; if any harm befal [Page 23] that Beast within three days after, they [...]eek out him that praised him, and then mumble the Lords Prayer in his right Ear. They fully beleive, that to set a Green Bough of a Tree before their House on May-day, will cause them to have abundance of Milk all Summer long. They have besides these, many other Follies, which for [...]hortness sake, I shall now forbear to mention.

Those that dwell in Towns seldom Marri­ages. make any Contract of Marriage with them in the Country; they pass their Promise, not for the present, but for the future time; or else give assent without Deliberation, so that for a ve­ry little falling out, they part asunder, the Husband to another Woman, and the Wife to another Husband: Oft it is not known whether the Contract was true or false, till the last Gasp: Hence grow Robberies, Depredations, Murthers, and deadly Hatred. They are very much given to Incest, and no­thing is so common as Divorces under pretence of Conscience. It is grown a common Custom after the Husbands's Death, for the Wife to have a third part of the Goods, the rest is divided [Page 24] by even Portions among the Children; but when they come to Possession, he that is mightiest commonly go away with the best share; sometimes an Unkle, or Nephew, if he be a great Man,, will seize upon the Inheritance, and shut the Children out of all.

When any one lies a Dying, Women hired on purpose stand in Cross-ways, Burials. calling upon him with great out-Crys, and abundance of rediculous Expostu­lations, why he should depart from so many Advantages. After he is Dead, they keep a Mourning with lowd Howlings, and clapping of Hands to­gether. When the Corps go forth they follow it with such a Peal of out-Crys, that a Man would think the quick, as well as the Dead, were past all Recovery. Neither do they Mourn less for those that are Slain in Battel, or by Robbing, though they affirm such to have an easier Death; yet they will Rail on their Enemies with Spite­ful Words, and continue for a long time a deadly Hatred against all of that Kindred. They suppose that the Souls of the Deceased go into the Company of certain Men, famous in those Places, of whom they still retain [Page 25] strange Fables and Songs, as of Giants of great Renown, which they say they oft-times see by Illusion.

Their Warefare consists of Horse­men, Wars. of Soldiers set in the Rereguard, whom they call Galloglasses, who fight with sharp Hatchets; and of light­armed Footmen called Kernes, whose service is with Darts and Skeanes. To give a shout to every Man going out of a Gate, and counted fortunate. They commonly use the Bagpipe in stead of a Trumpet: They carry a­ [...]out them Amulets: They recite cer­tain Prayers, and in joyning Battel, they cry as loud as they can Pharroh, with this perswasion, that he who cryeth not so loud as the rest, shall suddenly be taken from the Ground, and carried along the Air, into certain desart Valleys, where he eateth Grass, [...]appeth Water, hath some use of Rea­son, but not of Speech: But at last [...]y the help of Hounds and Hunters, [...]hall be brought home again.

CHAP. III.

IReland is of very great Antiquity, [...] we may believe the Irish Writers, wh [...] Antiqui­ty. say it was inhabited by one Caesari [...] Noah's Neice, before the Flood: Abou [...] 300 Years after the Flood, Bartholan [...] a Scythian came hither, and fough [...] many famous Battels with Giants. Ma­ny Years after, Nemetheus, a Scythia [...] also, arrived here, and was soon ca [...] out by the Giants. After this, Del [...] with some Grecians, seized on this Isle [...] and soon after Gaothel and Scota hi [...] Wife (Daughter to Pharaoh King o [...] Egypt) landed here, and called this I­sland Scotia, after his Wives Name This was about the time of the Israe­lites departure out of Egypt. Som [...] few Ages after, Hiberus and Hermion, Sons of Milesius King of Spain, by the [Page 27] permission of Gurguntius King of the Britains, planted Colonies here, after [...]t had been dispeopled by Pestilence. These are meer Fables of the Irish's own making, without any Grounds.

The antient Inhabitants were the Old I [...] ­habi­tants. [...]ish, being Originally Britains accor­ding to the best Authors, distinguish­ed then into several lesser People and Names, as shall be afterwards spoken of. These were a rude and barba­ [...]ous People, of whose Actions we know but little of; this Country not being so happy as ever to be Conquer­ed by the Romans, those great Masters of Learning and Civility. Towards the wain of the Roman Empire, we find them called by the Name of Scots, (the reason thereof is uncertain) and this Country Scotland, they sub­dued the Hebraides, or Western Isles, and the Neighbouring Picts and Cali­donians, and gave the Name of Scot­land to the Northern parts of the Bri­ [...]ish Continent: Besides this, we hear but little of them except that of Pal [...]a­dius and St. Patrick's Converting them to the Christian Faith. Not long af­ter they left the Name of Scots, and returned to their first and more wo [...] ­ed [Page 28] Name of Irish, then being under the Government of several small Princes.

The first Conquest, or rather Inva­sion, First Conquest. of this Country, (setting aside Egfrid King of Northumberland's de­stroying several places with Fire and Sword, Anno 694.) was by some of the Saxon Monarchs of England, (par­ticularly by King Edgar) who made themselves Masters of Dublin, and se­veral other considerable Places; but being in a short time so incumbred with Danes at home, that they were well satisfied to leave all that they had gained here, being scarce able to de­fend their own from that Nation: So that these soon recovered their former Liberty, that is, under the Govern­ment of their own Princes.

The next Conquest was made by Second Conquest. the Northern Nations, as Danes, Swedes and Normans, going by the general Name of Norwegians, who first scow­red along the Coasts by way of Py­racy; but afterwards, (finding the weakness of this Isle, (by reason of its several Divisions) they made an abso­lute Conquest of it under one Turge­ [...]ius, whom they elected for their [Page 29] King. They were not Masters of it long before the King of Meath (the only Irish Prince in favour with Tur­getius) found out a Stratagem, by the help of his Daughter Omlag [...]liben, (whom this Tyrant loved) and slew him, and with him all the Norwegians that were his Attendence; and by this means they soon routed the rest, so that the Petty Princes once more en­joyed their former Dominions.

The last Conquest was by King Third Conquest. Henry the Secend of England, Anno 1172. who was called in for the As­sistance of the King of Leinster, who was driven out of his Kingdom by the King of Meath: He restored him, and made a Conquest of these Petty Prin­ces, who submitted themselves to him, and gave him all their Power which was confirmed to him by Pope Ha­drian; and ever since this Country has (for the most part, though with divers Alterations) remained subject to Eng­land. The Kings of England had on­ly the Title of Lords of Ireland, (tho' Kings in Effect and Power) till Anno 1542. Henry the Eighth, in an Irish Parliament, was declared King of Ire­land, as a Name more Sacred and Re­pleat [Page 30] with Majesty, which was con­firmed to Mary his Daughter by Pope Paul IV. Anno 1555.

The Irish have always looked upon Rebelli­ [...]ns. our Conquests as such wrong and in­justice done to 'em, (though indeed no­thing could be more to their Advan­tage) that they would never let slip any Opportunity of Rebellions. The first Rebellion was in the Reign of 1. Edward the First, [...] when that Prince was engaged against the Scots, one Dovenald O Neal rose up and styled himself King of Ulster, and in Right of Inheritance the undoubted Heir of all Ireland, but he was soon quell'd again. The second Rebellion was in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth, 2. Anno 1537. by the Earl of Kildare, who also added the Pretence of Reli­gion: This was soon suppressed, the Earl taken and beheaded with his five Uncles.

The third Rebellion was by O Neal, Third R [...]bellion. in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, Anno 1563. (notwithstanding he was par­doned for the beginning of one before) He burnt the Cathedral of Armagh, and besieged Dundalk, but without any success. After two Years Sir Henry [Page 31] Sidney, Lord Lieutenant, went against [...]im; in fight broke his Forces, so that [...]leeing to the Scots, (whom he had [...]ikewise injured) he was assassinated [...]n cold Blood, and soon after attainted [...]n Parliament, and the Title O Neal quite abolished.

The fourth Rebellion in this Coun­ [...]ry Fourth Rebellion. was not above 14 Years after, in Anno 1579. about the middle of Queen Elizabeth. It was begun by the Earl of Desmond, who (not being of suffi­cient power himself) called in the Spaniards, who began to possess them­selves of several Places: But how so­ever this was of no such ill consequence as some others were, for about a Year after, the Spaniards were all dri­ven out, (Sir Oem being a considerable Agent against them) and the Earl him­self was taken and executed Anno 1583.

The fifth Rebellion was in the same Reign, Anno 1595. made by Sir Oem, Fifth Rebellion. (who before had done great Service against the Earl of Desmond.) This was more dangerous than any before, he being a good Soldier. Anno 1598. he defeated the English nigh Black-Water, In 1599. brought the Earl of Essex to [Page 32] condescend to a Treaty with him. In 1601. he brought the Spaniards over to his Assistance, who took and Gari­soned Kinsale. This War lasted eight Years, till Anno 1603. Kinsale was re­taken, and the Spaniards totally dri­ven out; whereupon Sir Oem submit­ted, and was brought over by the Lord Lieutenant to King Iames the First.

The sixth Rebellion was the most Sixth Rebellion. terrible of all, made by a general In­surrection of all the Irish, Anno 1641, in the beginning of our Troubles in England, who assassinated an incredible number of the English, after such a barbarous sort as no Age nor Nation could ever parallel. Our Nation could lend them no Assistance till Anno 1649. and 50. Oliver Cromwel, with Ireton and others, gave them a most bloody Chastisement, erecting many a dread­ful Trophie of the Divine Vengeance against all such perfidious Traitors; so that if Mercy had not been shewn in time, they might with a little more Expence of Time and Treasure, ut­terly extirpated the Irish Name and Nation.

[Page 33] As for these present Troubles, I shall say nothing of, having been treat­ed of by so many good Pens already; and in my Description of the Provin­ces, Counties, Towns, Castles, &c. I shall say but little of these Wars; and knowing by reason of them there have been many Alterations, (which I shall take but little Notice of,) I shall give a Description of every place as they were before the Wars begun. Yet perhaps I may be a little more parti­cular in those Towns which have been most famous in these Wars.

The Government of this Country is Govern­ment. by a Vice-Roy, (though he has not that Name) first called Keepers or Wardens of Ireland, afterwards Justi­ces of Ireland, and now Lord Lieute­nant and Deputy of Ireland. Their Authority is Large, Ample and Royal; having Power to make War, to con­clude Peace, to bestow all Magistracies and Offices, except a very few; to pardon all Crimes, unless they be some of High Treason; to dub Knights, &c. And truly there is not in all Chri­stendom any other Vice Roy that tomes nigher the Majesty of a King [Page 34] for his Jurisdiction, Authority, Train, Furniture, and Provision. There are assistant to him in Council the Lord Chancellor of the Realm, the Trea­surer of the Kingdom, and others of the Earls, Bishops, Barons and Judges, which are of the Privy Council.

When any one entreth upon the Honourable Place of Government, first the Letters Patents are publickly read; after that he takes a solemn Oath in a set Form of Words before the Chancellor; then the Sword is de­livered to him, which is to be born before him; and then he is placed in a Chair of State, having standing by him the Chancellor of the Realm; those of the Privy Council, the Peers and Nobles of the Kingdom, with a King of Arms, a Sergeant of Arms, and other Officers of State.

Besides the Lord Lieutenant him­self, in more remote Provinces, are Inferiour Gover­nours. several Inferiour Governours to admi­nister Justice, as a Principal Commis­sioner in Connaught; and a President in the Province of Munster, who have to assist them certain Gentlemen and Lawyers who are directed by the Lord Lieutenant. As for the several [Page 35] [...] [Page 34] [...] [Page 35] Degrees of States, this Country has the very same as in England, as Earls, Barons, Knights, Esquires, &c.

Here are also the same Courts as in Courts & Laws. England; as the Parliament, (which at the King of England's Pleasure is call­ed by the Deputy, and by him dissol­ved) the Star Chamber, the Chancery, the Kings-Bench, the Common-Pleas, and the Exchequer; likewise four Terms in a Year. Here are also Ju­ces of Assizes, of Nisi Prius, and of Oyer and Terminer, and Justices Peace in every County. Also the King hath his Serjeant at Law, his Sollicitor, &c. As for the Common Laws, Ireland is Governed by the same with Eng­land.

The Strength of this Nation con­sists Strength. partly in the Situation, being be­girt about with difficult and dangerous Seas; and partly in the several Forti­f [...]ations and Castles built by the Eng­lish since they became Masters of it. Their Forces have never been reckon­ed very numerous till of late, and then they have either been so ill Disciplined, or of such Cowardly Dispositions, (es­pecially in their own Country) that an Enemy of no very great Power (were [Page 36] it not for their strong Places) might easily tame 'em.

The Arms of this Kingdom, are Azure, an Harp Or, stringed Argent, Arms. which Arms, King Iames the First (to shew himself absolute King of Ire­land) caused to be Marshalled with the Royal Arms of Great Britain, and have ever since been set upon our Coyns. I should speak of the Re­venues, Coyns, Weights, Measures, and such like of this Kingdom; as for the first, I can have no perfect account of, so that I dare not say any thing of it; as for the rest, they are mostly the same as in England.

The Ecclesiastical Government is Archbi­shopricks, &c. under four Archbishopricks, viz. Ar­magh, Dublin, Cashell and Tuam, under these were at once a great number of Bishopricks, and those but poor ones, (as they are generally now) but since the Reformation, have been reckoned o [...]ly 19, and of some of those I am a little uncertain. Six are under Ar­magh; (the Metropolitan) viz. London­derry, Connor, Dromore, Clogher, Kil­more and Dundalk; three under Dub­lin, viz. Kilkenny, Kildare and Fearnes; five under Cashell, viz. Waterford, [Page 37] Limrick, Cork, Ardfeart and Emly; and fi [...] under Tuam, viz. Gallway, [...]lone, Killala, Clonefert and Killa­low.

This Island was anciently divided The old Division. into many several Peoples and Pro­vinces, as the Robognii, Darnii, Volon­tii, Vennionii, and Erdinii in the North parts now Ulster; the Auteri, Ganganii, and Nagnata in Connaught; the Mena­pii, Cauci, Blanii, and Brigantes in Leinster; and the Luceni, Velabri, Ulterni, Vodii, and Coriondi in Mun­ster. Afterwards it came to be divided into five Parts, which were so many Kingdoms, viz. Ulster, Connaught, Meath, Leinster and Munster.

Since then the Kingdom of Meath have been joyned to that of Leinster, New Di­vision. the rest remaining as before, so that is divided at present into four distinct Provinces, viz. 1. Ulster, 2. Connaught, 3. Leinster, and 4. Munster. The first of these lie on the North, the second on the West, the third on the East, and the fourth on the South. These Provin­ces are divided into 32 Counties, and those subdivided into 253 Baronies or Hundreds, and those have in them 1586 Parishes. These shall be every one treated of in their Order.

CHAP. IV.

THE Province of Ulster, is called by the Latins, Ultoni [...], and some­times Name. Ulidia; by the Irish, Cui Guilly, or Province of Guilly; by the Welch, Ultw [...]; and by the English Ulster.

It is Bounded on the East with St. George's Channel; on the West with Bounds. the main Atlantick, or W [...]stern Ocean; on the North, with the Ducalidonian, or Northern Ocean; on the South with the Province of Leinster; and on the South-West, with the Province of Connaught: So it is encompassed on 3 sides with Sea, being almost of a round Form.

It is in length, from the most West Dimensi­ [...]ns. Point in the County of Dunnagal, to the East parts of the County of Down, about 116 Miles: In breadth, from Fair-head, the most North Point in Antrim, to the Borders of Longford in [Page]

[Page]

[Page] [Page 39] the Province of Leinster, nigh 100 Miles. The whole Circuit (counting all the Windings and Turnings) is a­bout 460 Miles.

The chief Rivers of this Province R [...]vers. are; 1. B [...]nne, rising in the County of Down, in Armagh; it receives the River Tanwagee, and then passes through the great Lake Neagh, then divides the County of Antrim from that of Londonderry, and falls into the Ducalidonian Ocean, a little below Colerain. 2. Lough-Foyle, which washes St. Iohn's Town and Londonderry, then falls into the Ducalidonian Ocean, ma­king a great Bay, or Lake of the same Name. 3. Swilly, in the County of Dunnaga [...], falling into the Ducalidonian Ocean, with a kind of a Lake. 4. Lagen-Water in Down, washing Dro­more, Lisburn, and Belfast, falls into the Bay of Carrickfergus. 5. Newry-Water, parting Down from Armag [...], and falls into Ca [...]ngford-Bay. 6. Main in Antrim, &c.

This Country abounds with large Products. Lakes, shaded with many and thick Woods; the Soil is fruitfull in Corn and Grass, but in some places a little Barren; howbeit, fresh and Green to [Page 40] see in every place; well furnished with Horses, Sheep and Oxen; and it affords great plenty of Timber, and Fruit-Trees. The Waters are deep, and fit for Vessels, very well repleni­shed with Fish; and as for Salmons, here are more in some Rivers of this Country, than in any other River in Europe.

In this Province is one Archbisho­prick, viz. Armagh; Six Bishopricks, Remarks. (besides Raphoe, united to Londonderry) viz. Londonderry, Connor, Dromore, Clogher, Kilmore and Dundalk; Ten Market Towns, viz. Athordee, Ar­magh, Carrickfergus, Carlingford, Drog­heda, Dundalk, Dunnagal, Londonderry, Louth and Newry; 14 Towns of Com­merce and Trade; 34 places that re­turn Parliament Men, or Boroughs; 30 Castles for the Defence of the Country; and 214 Parishes in the whole. The chief City of all is Lon­donderry.

The Boroughs are are as following, Boroughs. viz. four in Antrim; Antrim, Belfast, Carrickfergus and Lisburn: Three in Londonderry; Colerain, Lamnevaddy and Londonderry: Six in Dunnagal; Balli­shannon, Dunnagal, St. Iohn's Town, [Page 41] Kilberg, Lifford and Raphoe: Four in Tyrone; Agher, Dungannon, Omagh and Strabane: One in Fermenagh, viz. E­niskilling: Two in Cavan; Belturbet and Cavan: One in Monoghan, viz. Monoghan: Two in Armagh; Armagh, and Charlemont: Six in Down; Bangor, Down, Hilsburrough, Killileagh, Newry and New-Town: And Four in Louth; Atherdee, Carlingford, Drogheda and Dundalk.

The Religious Places in this Pro­vince, Religious Places. were once the Abbey of Dun­nagal; the Monastery of Derry; the Monastery near the River Liffer; that famous one at the Bay of Carrickfer­gus; also Millifont Abbey; and lastly, the most Renowned Monastery at Armagh, out of which many others were propagated in Britain and Ire­land. These Places, when standing, were very much frequented by Pil­grims.

This Province, before the English History. Conquered it, was a Kingdom of it self, under its own Kings: First Con­quered by Iohn Curcy, a valiant Eng­lish-Man, in the Reign of King Henry the Second: Soon after it was so neg­lected by the English, that it was cau­sioned [Page 42] into many Estates and Princi­palities by the Natural Irish. In this Estate it continued (the Kings of Eng­land having but little Profit of it) till Tir-Oens Rebellion; the Conquest of whom, brought this Province in full Subjection to the Kings of England, and has ever since continued so, but not without some considerable Distur­bances.

It was Anciently divided among the Old Di­vision. Erdini, in and about Fermanagh; the Venicnii, in part of Dunnagal; the Robognii, in Londonderry, Antrim [...], and part of Tyrone; the Volontii about Ar­magh; and the Darni about Down and the Western parts. Afterwards by the English divided into three Counties, viz. Down, Louth and Antrim.

It stands now divided into Ten New Di­vision. Counties, viz. 1. Antrim, 2. London­derry, 3. Dunnagal, 4. Tyrone, 5. Fer­managh, 6. Cavan, 7. Monoghan, 8. Armagh, 9. Down, and 10. Louth, of these, Five Borders on the Sea, viz. Louth, Down, Antrim, Londonderry, and Dunnagal: Tyrone, Armagh, Fer­managh, Monoghan and Cavan [...], are Midland Counties. These Counties are Subdivided into 60 Barronies.

CHAP. V.

THe Province of Connaught, or Co­naught, sometimes Connagh, by Name. the Latines Conacia, and sometimes Conachtia, by the Irish Connaughty and Connaughly, and sometimes called the County of Clare.

It is bounded on the East with the Bounds. Province of Leinster, from which se­parated by the River Shannon; on the West, with the Main Western Ocean; on the North and North-East, with some part of the Ocean; and the Pro­vince of Ulster; and on the South and South-East, with the Province of Munster, from which parted by the River Shannon. The Form of it is long, and towards the North and South ends narrow.

It is in length from the North parts of the County of Letrim, to Cape Dimensi­ons. Leane, the most South Point in Tho­mond [Page 59]

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[Page 58] [Page 59] County, about 130 Miles: In breadth, from the East parts of Letrim, [...]o Black-Harbour in the West parts of Mayo, about 84 Miles: The Circuit, (reckoning all the little Windings and Turnings) may be about 500 Miles.

As for the Rivers, here are few of Rivers. considerable Note besides that great one of Shannon, spoken of before. The chief are, 1. Moy, in the County of Mayo, which for a little way divides [...]hat County from Slego, and falls into [...]he Ocean by Mayo and Killala. [...]. Suck, which divides the County of Roscommon from Gallway, and falls into [...]he River Shannon, not far off Clonefert. [...]. Droses, a little River in the Coun­ [...]y of Thomond, which falls into the [...]hannon, a little East of Clare. 4. Gyll, [...] small River in the County of Gall­ [...]ay, which falls into the Bay of Gall­ [...]ay.

This Province abounds with many Products. [...]onvenient Bays and Creeks fit for Navigation: In some places it is fresh [...]d fruitful, in some places dangerous, [...] reason of the many Bogs, and thick [...] with Woods, (though of late much [...]eared of both) the Air not so clear as [...] some places, by reason of the va­pourous [Page 60] and foggy Mists. The Soi [...] sufficiently fruitful, were not the In­habitants so much wanting, producing abundance of Cattel, good store o [...] Deer and Hawks, and plenty of Ho­ney. It is the meanest of the fou [...] Provinces in general.

In this Province is one Archbishop­rick, viz. Tuam; five Bishopricks Remarks. besides Angchony and Mayo united t [...] Tuam, and Achonry united to Elphin▪ viz. Gallway, Atblone, Killala, Clonefert and Killalow; seven Market-Towns viz. Athlone, Clare, Gallway, Kingstown Roscommon and Slego; eight Place [...] of Commerce and Trade; 12 Place [...] that return Parliament-Men, or Bo­roughs; 24 Castles of old Erection besides Fortresses raised in later Trou­bles; and 366 Parishes. The princi­pal Town of the whole is Gallway.

Those that go by the Name of Bo­roughs, are as follow; viz. two i [...] [...]oroughs. Letrim, Iames-town and Carrickdrum­rush: One in Slego, viz. Slego: On [...] in Mayo, viz. Castlebar: Four in Ros­common; Elphin, Tulsk, Athlone an [...] Roscommon: Three in Gallway; Athen­ry, Gallway and Tuam: And one i [...] Thomond, viz. Enistown.

[Page 61] The Religious Places of this Pro­vince Religious Places. were once the Monastery of Col­man (a devout Saint) at Inisleath; the Monastery of Mayo, built by thirty Men of the English Nation; a famous Abby in the Barony of Boil, under Curlew Hills, together with the Abby of Beatitude. These Places are now become the Ruines of Time.

This Province was, before the En­glish History. Conquest of it, a Kingdom of it self. First Conquered by several En­glish Adventurers in the Reign of King Henry the Second; not long after, so neglected by the English, that it was cantoned again among the Irish and degenerate English till Tir Oen's Re­bellion, by whose Conquest the Pro­vince was also reduced to the English Government, but never so throughly Conquered as the rest; Governed by a principal Commissioner under the Lord Lieutenant. It is now the only Province that remains unreduced.

It was anciently divided (that is, in Old Di vision. Ptolemy's time) among the Gangani, said to dwell about the Counties of Thomond and Gallway; the Auteri, in and about the County of Mayo; and the Nagnati in Roscommon, and the [Page 62] North-Eastern parts. After it became one Province, here is to be noted that Thomond was for a long time counted a part of Munster.

It is at present divided into six Coun­ties, New Di­ [...]ision. viz. 1. Letrim, 2. Slego, 3. Mayo, 4. Roscommon, 5. Gallway, and 6. Tho­mond, or Clare County. Of these, four border on the Sea, (besides Letrim) viz. Slego, Mayo, Gallway and Thomond. Roscommon is a Midland County, so may also Letrim be counted so. These Counties are subdivided into 51 Ba­ronies.

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CHAP. VI.

THE Province of Leinster, some­times Name. called Lemster, by the La­tins Lagenia, and in more Ancient Times Lagen; it is called by the na­tural Irish Leighnigh and Leighingh; and by the Welsh Lein.

It is bounded on the East with the Bounds. [...]rish Ocean or St. George's Channel; [...]n the West with the Province of [...]onnaught, from which separated by [...]he River Shannon; on the North with [...]he Province of Ulster; on the South [...]ith the Ocean; and on the South-West with the Province of Munster, a little way parted by the River Shure: In form it may be said somewhat to re­semble a Triangle.

[Page 72] It is in length from the most North parts of the County of East- Meath, to Hooke-Tower, the Southern Point in the County of Wexford, about 112 Miles; in breadth from the Town of Wicklow, to the most West part of King's County, about 70 Miles. The Circuit (reckoning the Windings and Turnings) may be about 360 Miles.

The chief Rivers are; 1. Barrow, which arises in Queen's County, running Rivers. East, and then South, washes Caterlagh and Lughlin, then takes the Shure nigh Waterford, and together with it falls into the Ocean. 2. Boyne, which a­rises in King's County, and run to­wards the North East, washes Trim, Navan, Slaine, and Drogheda, and immediately after looses it self in the Ocean. 3. Liffe, or Leffy, arising in the County of Wicklow, about 15 Miles from its fall into the Sea, and takes a large compass, and falls into the Sea at Dublin. 4. Nuer, beginning in Queen's County, washes Kilkenny and Thomas-Town, and falls into the River Barrow, a little above Ross. 5. Urrin, or Slane, beginning in Wicklow, washes Ballinglass and Inishcorthy, and falls in­to the Sea at Wexford. 6. Inny in [Page 73] Kings-County, falling into the Shannon at Lough-Ree.

This Province is very fertile and Products. fruitful in Corn and Pasture-Ground, and well watered with Rivers; the Air clear and gentle, mixt with a tem­perate Disposition, yielding neither ex­ [...]remity of Heat nor Cold. It is plen­tiful both in Fish and Flesh, and in o­ther Victuals, as Butter, Cheese, and Milk. The Commodities chiefly con­sists in Cattel, Sea-Fowl and Fish, and breeds excellent good Horses. The Inhabitants come nearest the Civil Dis­position of the English, from whom they are for the most part descended; so that I look upon this to be the most considerable Province in Ireland.

In this Province is one Archbishop­rick, Remarks. viz. Dublin; three Bishopricks, (besides Loughlin united to Fearnes, and Glenelach united to Dublin,) viz. Fearnes, Kildare and Kilkenny: 16 Market-Towns, viz. Athboy, Arcklo, Ardragh, Carbre, Dublin, Kildare, Kil­kenny, Longford, Loughlin, Mariburrough, Molingar, Philips-town, Ross, Trim, Wex­ford and Wicklow: 47 Places of Com­merce, and as many that return Par­ [...]iament-Men, or Boroughs: 102 Ca­stles [Page 74] well fortified by the English, and 926 Parishes. The chief place i [...] Dublin, also chief of the Kingdom.

The Boroughs are; Three in Long­ford; Boroughs St. Iohns-Town, Lanesburroug [...] and Longford: Three in West-Meath▪ Foore, Killbegan and Molingar: Six i [...] East-Meath; Athboy, Duleck, Kells, Na­van, Ratooth and Trim: Three in Dub­lin; Dublin, Newcastle and Swords. Four in Wicklow; Arcklo, Ballinglass Blessen and Wicklow: Three in Kil­dare; Arthy, Kildare and Naas: Thre [...] in Kings-County; Bir, Bunalin an [...] Philips-town: Three in Queens-County Ballinekill, Mariburrough and Port-Ar­lington: Eight in Kilkenny; Callen, St▪ Canice, Gowran, Inis-teige, Kells, Kil­kenny, Knocktopher and Thomas-Town. Two in Catherlagh; Catherlagh an [...] Loughlin: And eight in Wexfor [...]; Ban­nae, Clamine, Clonegeen, Feathard, Inis­corthy, Rosse, Taghmon and Wexford.

The Religious Places of this Pro­vince Religious Places. were once the Monastery of S [...] Mary of Oustmanby; the Magnificen [...] Abby called St. Thomas-Court at Dubli [...] built by King Henry the Second o [...] England: Likewise Tintern Monaste­ry, that notable Abby founded b [...] [Page 75] William Marshall Earl of Pembrook, who called it de Voto, because of a Vow that he made. These Places have now little remaining.

This Province was, before the En­glish Conquest of it, divided into two History. Kingdoms, viz. Leinster and Meath, both under their own Kings; till a falling out hapned between the King of Meath and he of Leinster, which caused King Henry the Second of Eng­land to make a Conquest of it. Lein­ster has been inseparably annexed to England ever since, but Meath was granted in Fee-Farm to Hugh Lacy, a Noble English-man. Since which it came wholly under the King of Eng­land, and now the Province of Meath is united to Leinster.

It was anciently divided among the Old Di­vision. Brigantes, inhabiting Kilkenny, Cater­lagh, Kings and Queens Counties; the Menapii, in and about Wexford; the Cauci, in and about Wicklow; and the Blanii or Elbanii in Dublin, East-Meath and West-Meath. Afterwards divided into Meath and Leinster, (as before was said;) Meath contained the Coun­ties of East-Meath, West-Meath, and Longford.

[Page 76] It is now divided into 11 Countie [...] New Di­vision. viz. 1. Longford, 2. West-Meath, 3. Eas [...] Meath, 4. Dublin, 5. Wicklow, 6. Ki [...] dare, 7. Kings-County, 8. Queens-Count [...] 9. Kilkenny, 10. Catherlagh, and 11. Wex­ford. Of these, four borders on th [...] Sea, viz. East-Meath, Dublin, Wicklo [...] and Wexford; the seven others ar [...] Midland Counties. These Countie [...] are again divided into 90 Baronies.

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CHAP. VII.

THE Province of Munster, many Name. times called Mounster; it is called by the Latines Momonia, and by the natural Irish Mown, and in common construction of Speech Wown.

I is bounded on the East and South-East with the Province of Leinster Bounds. (from which partly separated by the River Shure,) and the Ocean; on the West with the Atlantick or Western Ocean; on the North with the Pro­vince of Connaught, from which sepe­rated by the River Shannon; and on the South and South-West with the Virgivian Ocean: The form thereof is a kind of a long Square.

It is in length from Waterford Ha­ven Dimensi­ons. to the Western-point in the County of Kerry, not far off Dingle, about 135 miles; in breadth, from the North parts of Tipperary to Baltimore, in Corke, [Page 92] 120 miles; but from Baltimore to the North parts of Kerry, (which is more natural,) is but 68 miles. The circuit, (by reason of the great Windings and Turnings,) is above 600 miles.

The chief Rivers of this Province Rivers. are, 1. Shure, Sewer, or Shower, which begins in Tipperary, runs South, and washes Thurles, and passes by Cashell, then runs East and washes Clonmell, Ca­rick, and Waterford, then it takes in the Barrow, with which it falls into the Ocean. 2. Black Water, Awiduffe or Avenmore, which begins in Kerry, runs East, and washes Mallo and Lismore, then runs South, and falls into the Sea at Youghill. 3. Lee, in the County of Corke, runs East and washes Corke, and soon after falls into the Sea, making several small Isles. 4. Bande, likewise in Corke, runs East, and washes Bandon-Bridge, and falls into the Sea at King­sale. 5. Leane, in Kerry, runs West, and falls into Dingle-Bay. 6. Cashen, in Kerry, which falls into Shannon­mouth.

This Province abounds with many Products. e [...]cellent Bays and Havens, with many rich Towns; the Air mild and tem­perate, neither too hot nor too cold; [Page 93] the Sol in some places is hilly, looking aloft with woody wild and solitary Mountains; yet the Vallies below are garnished with Corn Fields, all both pleasant for Sight and fertile for Soil. The most general Commodities of this Province are Corn, Cattel, Wood, Wool, and Fish, the last whereof it affords abundance of all sorts, especially Herrings.

In this Province is one Archbishop­rick, Remarks. viz. Cashell; Five Bishopricks (besides Ross and Cloyne united to Corke, and Lismore united to Waterford,) viz. Waterford, Limerick, Corke, Ard­feart, and Emly: Seven Market-Towns, viz. Carrick, Clonmell, Corke, Dingle, Kingsale, Limrick, and Wa­terford: Twenty Five places that re­turn Parliament Men, called Boroughs; Sixty Six Castles of old Erection, and (according to Morden,) 80 Parishes in the whole. Chief City of the whole is commonly reckoned Waterford, but Limerick at present deserves the Pre­heminence.

The Boroughs are as following, viz. Boroughs Five in Tipperary; Cashell, Clonmell, Fe­therd, Tipperary and Thurles: Four in Waterford; Dungarvan, Lismore, Tal­lagh [Page 94] and Waterford: Three in Lim­rick; Askeaton, Kilmalock, and Lim­rick: Three in Kerry; Ardfeart, Ding­le, and Trally: And 10 in Corke; Bal­timore, Bandon-Bridge, Caraby, Charle­ville, Clone, Corke, Kingsale, Cloyne, Mal­lo and Younghill.

The Religious Places in this Pro­vince Religious Places. were once the two Abbies a [...] Youghill, one called North-Abby, an [...] the other South-Abby: The two Ab­bies at Limerick, St. Francis-Abby, an [...] Dominick-Abby: The two Abbies a [...] Corke, St. Francis-Abby, and the Abb [...] of the Isles. And lastly, that famou [...] Abby of the Holy-Cross in Tipperary▪ These are now quite ruined, and whol­ly out of use.

This Province, before the Englis [...] Conquest of it, was a Kingdom of i [...] History. self, and ruled by its own King. I [...] then contained some part of Connaugh [...] (that is, the County of Thomond;) sinc [...] the English became Masters of it, i [...] has been kept close to that Crown▪ only the Spaniards at one time be­came Masters of a little of it, bu [...] were soon driven out. It is now Go­verned by a Lord President, who ha [...] one Assistant, two Learned Lawyers [Page 95] and a Secretary to keep it in Obe­ [...]ience.

It was anciently divided among the Old Di­vision. [...]lterni in Tipperary; the Coriandi, in [...]imerick, Waterford, and part of Tip­ [...]erary and Corke; the Luceni in Kerry; [...]he Velibori in Desmond in Corke; and [...]he Vodii in some part of Corke. After­wards divided into Deswown, Hierwown, Meanwown, and Urwown. Of later [...]imes it was divided into two parts, viz. West-Mounster, and South-Mun­ [...]ter.

It stands at present divided into five Counties, (by some into six,) viz. New Di­vision. 1. Tipperary, 2. Waterford, 3. Corke, to which is joyned the County of Des­mond, 4. Limerick, and 5. Kerry. Of these, three border on the Sea, viz. Waterford, Corke and Kerry; Tippera­ry and Limerick are Midland Counties. These Counties are again divided in­to 52 Baronies.