User:AlexanderHovanec/Connor MacGeoghegan (Lord of Kenaleagh)

Connla, Lord of Kenaleagh, who made the celebrated agreement with An Sionnach (Fox) of Muintir Tadhain by which the latter put himself, his people and his territory under Geoghegan protection. This agreement was drawn up on 20th August 1566 in MacGeoghegan's castle of Syonan and the original document is now in the library of Trinity College Dublin. Geoghegan's overlordship was freely agreed to by Fox and his people and there was no question of pressure. The tokens of overlordship consisted of a gniomh (about ten acres) of land free from every impost and a hog out of every other gniomh which paid "chiefry" to Fox. Whatever cess Geoghegan might have to pay to the King's deputy, the Fox was to pay his share for his territory and likewise in the case of the deputy cessing Fox, Geoghegan was to pay his proportion. The Fox and his chiefs were to attend the All Hallows or May meeting held by Geoghegan in Ardnurcher or Corrnasgean. In return Geoghegan undertook to protect Fox and his people, but they were to submit to the judgements of Murtagh Mac Egan, the Chief of Geoghegan's judges in all litigation. Geoghegan was to try to ensure that Fox's territory would not be infringed upon and if he failed to do this (after not trying his best endeavour) the agreement ceased to be binding. The witnesses included: Mageoghegan himself; his wife, Marcella (daughter of Christopher Nugent); Thomas Buí O'Brennan of Creeve (near Streamstown); the parson Cuchrichi O Seanchain; Eoghan O Cionga (King) and Murtagh O Cionga (the chief poet of both areas). On behalf of Fox: Fox himself (Breasal Mac Eoghain Mac Cairbre); Murtagh and Felim sons of Edmond Fox; Breasal and Cuchrichi sons of Brian Fox and Murtagh O Noire (chief poet to Fox). The document was drafted by James O Cionga (King). Despite all the fuss over the agreement, Connla submitted to the English government the very next year and took a lordship from the Crown. This in effect was a step down from Irish Chieftain to mere gentleman. He represented Kenaleagh in Perrot's parliament in 1585 and died, much lamented, in 1588. He married three times and doubtless had many children. Three important sons were Ross, Brian and Aedh Buí, each of whom had a different mother.