User:Jnestorius/Ileagh

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

Extent
Openstreetmap:
 * Glenkeen p
 * Glenkeen p + Barracurragh t
 * Glenkeen p + Barracurragh t + Dovea U+L t
 * Glenkeen p + Inch p (incl Dovea t) + Barracurragh t

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

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

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

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

Name
The name Ileagh is an anglicisation of Uí Luighdheach, originally a Gaelic túath whose name was also anglicised "Tuath O'Leyath" or "Hy Luighdheach". The Irish name comes from the sept Uí Luighdheach Éile "descendants of Lugaid of Éile". The dynast "Lugaid of Éile" was supposedly the brother of Corc mac Luigthig; their father, also named Lugaid, was son of Ailill Flann Bec. Éile was a Gaelic kingdom which gives its name to Eliogarty barony. Lugaid was a common personal name; the qualification "of Éile" distinguishes the Ileagh sept from other Uí Luighdheach septs, including:
 * the Dalcassians (called clanna Luighdech in Cogadh Gaedhel re Gallaibh ) descended from Lughaidh Menn son of Óengus Tuirmech Temrach. Thomond, their homeland, is called Gairbh-fhearann Luighdheach ("the rough land of Lughaidh") in Foras Feasa ar Éireann.
 * Cenél Luighdech in Donegal (descended from Lugaid mac Sétnai, brother of Ainmuire mac Sétnai)
 * "Ui Luigdech in Lifi, and the Ui Luigdech in Fotharta Airbrech in Leinster"

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


 * Ileigh from dúchas.ie
 * Placenames branch notes 12C to 1654 1657-1759
 * Borrisoleigh notes posits Lug connections, cites Ó Riaian twice, quoting former:
 * If serious disruption of the Irish system of succession to religious office and property was to be avoided, there was no immediate alternative to the adaptation of pre-christian local cults to meet the requirements of the new creed. It follows that those pagan deities who continued to inform the Irish church as érlama in exceptionally large numbers were retained for essentially legal reasons. Sometimes, as in the case of Brigit of Kildare, no discernible effort is made, onomastically speaking, to disguise the transition from deity to saint. Assuming, however, that the preponderance of saints' names among the attested forms of hypocorism in early Irish accurately reflects what happened, then deity names were mostly transformed along hypocoristic lines. An instructive case in point is Molagga of Labbamolagga in north-east Cork whose typically hypocoristic name is said to derive from Lóichín, diminutive of Lóch, an umlaut variant of the form Lug.

Ui-Luigdech
Giolla na Naomh Ó hUidhrín's Tuilleadh feasa ar Éirinn óigh: The lord of Ui Lughdhach, of ancient swords, / Is O’Spealain of white spurs.
 * Ui Lughdhach, otherwise called Ui-Luighdheach, or Ileagh, formerly a separate barony, and shown as such in the Down Survey, but now included in the barony of Eliogarty.
 * 782 O’Spealain — This name is now anglicised Spillan and Spollan, without the prefix O’.

Caithréim Chellacháin Chaisil includes references to:
 * {|class="wikitable"

! Section !! Text !! Notes
 * valign=top| 20
 * When they were passing the corner of Sliab Crot, the men of Fermoy, and the Ui Cuanach, and the billetted soldiers of the Lochlannachs assembled against them, and gave them battle. And the battle was gained by the men of Munster, and 400 were killed of the billetted soldiers and their host. And of the ten hundred, who were of Clan Eogan at the battle of Limerick, no more than three hundred were alive on this day. They march on plundering each district, until they reached Thurles. The northern and the southern Eile assembled at Thurles to meet them to give them battle, and the Danes of the fortress along with them. When the Ui Luigdech and the Eoganachts heard this, they assembled to join Cellachan, with Cuilen, son of Aindiaraid, son of Dunadach, the lord of their country, and these two tribes with their champions with spears and swords, 500 in number, reached Cellachan. A battle is fought between them and the people of Ely.
 * Ui Luigdech now Ileagh, formerly a separate barony, but now included in the barony of Eliogarty in the county of Tipperary.
 * valign=top| 42
 * Then he saw another man coming towards him, and he asked him the same question. »This is the head of Donnchad, son of Muirchertach «, said he, »even the son of the king of the Eoganachts, and the descendants of Cairbre the Pict will lament that head. And that other head is the head of Y'mn son of Eterscel, and the descendants of Lugaid will lament that head. But do not show them to me henceforward, for I cannot endure to look at them. And although I have not been wounded by you, I am killed through the wounds of yonder men. And it is a pity that I have not found death in their company. « And he recited lay:
 * valign=top| 42
 * Then he saw another man coming towards him, and he asked him the same question. »This is the head of Donnchad, son of Muirchertach «, said he, »even the son of the king of the Eoganachts, and the descendants of Cairbre the Pict will lament that head. And that other head is the head of Y'mn son of Eterscel, and the descendants of Lugaid will lament that head. But do not show them to me henceforward, for I cannot endure to look at them. And although I have not been wounded by you, I am killed through the wounds of yonder men. And it is a pity that I have not found death in their company. « And he recited lay:

Alas for the heads without bodies, For whom dark tears will be shed. It was no folly, although the men were valiant, The horsemen of the race of Eogan will fall.

Aed, son of Donnchad is without a head, Alas for the blood upon his slender side! The fair descendant of wound-dealing Ua Cathail, Of the bright-weaponed champion ot the rough spears.

The head of Suibhne you have brought with you, host of the Foreigners, [The head of] the son of Suilleban, who reddens spears. Alas for the descendant of Maelughra!

Sad to me the head with the braided hair Of Muirchertach, son of Muirchertach, That the fair and valiant one, Is plainly in the power of the Lochlannachs.

1 repent that he came with me, the champion whom I see without head. He was a gentle hero of a royal race, Aengus the Young, son of Assid. I am grieved for the fall of the chiefs Of the children of Lugaidh of the bright shields. From the southern part of Munster in the south. By the host of Lochlann of the swift feats. I grieve for the noble Eiderscel, The brave, red-sworded hero. Though throug-h him by force was slain riao Norseman of the full-sharp blades. I ;mi sorry that Flann, the descendant of Lugaidh of Luan (?), Should be in famous Traigh Baile, Though he cut off — without treachery — in the battle The licad of the handsome (?) Lochlannach. Sorrowful the fall of the son of great Mac Niadh, Of the descendants of Ith of the noble host, I grieve for Cobthach with the ruddy face, The descendant of Lugaidh, a hero without deceit. Ten ships and twenty in truth Of the Clan Luigdech, with full force, Of them did not reach home — it is know^n — The crew of a ship of his garrison of heroes. I am grieved.
 * Clanna Luigdech, otherwise called Ui Luigdech, or Ileagh, formerly a separate barony, but now included in the barony of Eliogarthy, county of Tipporary. The Dalcassians wore also sometimes called Clanna Luigdech (Cogadh Gaedhil, p. CVI).
 * valign=top| 69
 * Then the three fiercely active kings of Ui Luigdech, namely Flann, and Cobthach, and Eiderscel reached the southern angle of the brave ho.sts. They and the three guardians of Cork, namely Lochlannach of the blades, and the handsome (?) Lochlannach, and Old Amlaib, the senior of the army, went at each other and encountered each other in the battle. However, neither the great size of their shields, nor the excessive strength of their spears, nor the whistling shots of their arrows, nor the smiting of swords upon the heroes were of any use to the Norse heroes. For those chiefs leapt into the Norse ships and singled them out under the masts of the galleys till they met in the middle of each ship. And those six fell together along with their hosts, as the poet has said:
 * valign=top| 70
 * valign=top| 70
 * valign=top| 70
 * Lugaidh Luain, i. e. Lugaidh of Luan? Is Ath Luain (Athlone) meant? Cf. Cogadh, p. 112, 1. 51, dream Danar luahi (Luain?). Flann is called Ua Luigdech on account of his descent from Lugaidh Mac Ithu, the uncle of Milesius of Spain. His race were the O'Driscolls, whose territory was also called »the land of Ith« (Topogr. Poems,
 * }

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

Ruaidhrí Ó Flaithbheartaigh's Ogygia (1685; possibly citing John Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae [1645]): Ailill Flann Bec, King of Munster, had four sone, of whom Eoghan was ancestor [father, says Cooke, quoting Colgan] of six saints, one of whom was of Cullan of Glenkeen in Hy-Lughaidh. All six:
 * 1) St. Cormac, whose life is given in the Book of Lecan, and published in a Latin translation by Colgan at 26th March
 * 2) St. Bécán of Cill-Becain at the foot of Sliabh gCrot in Muscraighe-Chuirc
 * 3) St. Culan of Glenkeen, in the territory of Ui-Luigheach [Ileagh], in the present county of Tipperary, whose bell, called Bearnan-Culain, is still preserved
 * 4) St. Evin/Abbán of Ros-glas, now Monasterevin, in the county of Kildare
 * 5) St. Dermot of Kilmacnowen, near the hill of Knocknarea, in the county of Sligo
 * 6) Boetan of Cill-Boetain, in the territory of Dalaradia, in the east of Ulster (presumably not Baithéne mac Brénaind)

Book of Lecan translated by W. M. Hennessy:
 * The four sons of Eogan, son of Murchad, son of Muiredach, son of Diarmaid, son of Eogan, son of Ailill Fland-bec, son of Fiacha Muillethain, son of Eogan mor, son of Ailill Olium, son of Mog Nuadad, were, viz. :-Cormac and Beccan (Evin) and Culan and Diarmaid.


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

John O'Hanlon 1875: "[Possibly in the Seventh Century.] At this date, Colgan has a few notices, regarding St. Culanus or Dacualenus, a bishop. He thinks, however, that the name of this holy man should be written Cuculanus. In the anonymous list of Irish saints, published by O'Sullevan Beare, as also in the Catalogue of Henry Fitzsimon, at this day, we have a St. Cuculanus. On the authority of Florarius, the latter writer styles him bishop. The Bollandists have short Acts of this Saint Culan, in their great compilation. Yet, what Godefrid Henschenn adds there, to Colgan's remarks, are not worthy of much consideration. Many foreign writers, amongst others Ferrarius, and Canisius, make mention of St. Culanus, as having been venerated in Ireland, on this day. By Florarius, he is called Cuculanus. But, Colgan tells us, he was unable to discover a saint, bearing either name, and whose festival had been kept on the 18th of February, according to our domestic Hagiographers. Yet, Usuard auctus, or the Carthusian Martyrology, and Hermann Greuan, have accounts of St. Culan, Bishop and Confessor, as having been venerated in Ireland, on this day. In one instance, Colgan has classed St. Culenus or Culan, Bishop, among the disciples of St. Patrick, following Tirechan's list. We know, thatin the Irish Calendars, there are many saints, having the name Colan or Coelon. However, Culanus, Cuilen, or Cualen, was the same as Cuien or Dachualen, whose com- memoration occurs, at the 12th of March, in the Martyrologies of Maiianus O'Gorman and of Cathald Maguire. If he be the same person, his descent is traced, in the Genealogy of the Saints of Ireland, by Cormac, Bishop of Cashel, from the Hy-Niall family. The father of this saint was Guaire, son to Columba, son to Crimthann, son of Eochad Binnigh, son to Eugene, son to Niall of the Nine Hostages.' Notwithstanding his assertion, Colgan omits any mention of a saint, bearing this name, at the 12 th of March. According to the foregoing pedigree, this holy man should naturally belong to about the beginning of the seventh century. It is likely, St. Culan had his habitation, not far removed from Borrisoleigh, and Killcuilawn derived its name from a church he had there founded. His period is not well known, for, the accuracy of that information, furnished to the compilers of a modern topographical work, hardly falls within the range of probability. It is more likely he belonged to the seventh century. At Glankeen, it is said, an abbey had been founded, so early as the time of St. Patrick. In a Life of St. Cormach, it is stated, that he was descended from Oilum Olum. It relates, that he had five brothers, by the same father, and that Culanus was one of these. Again, it is asserted, that this St. Culan built a church in a valley of the region, known as Hi Luigdlicach, where he remained among his kindred and acquaintances. His pedigree is thus traced; he was the son of Eugene, son to Murchad, son of Muredac, son to Diermit, son of Eugene, son to Alild Flanbeg, son of Fianch Muillethain, son to Eugene the Great, son of Ailild Olum.9 His church was called Glean-chaoin, "the beautiful glen," and it lies at the foot of Knockanura mountain, and at the bounds of Killaloe See. In reality, two buildings raised at different periods present themselves in the ruins of Glean-choin or Gleankeen Church. There was an old building formerly at Killcuilawn; but, towards the close of the last century, its stones were removed for the purpose of building a house. The Church of Culan was benefited by the piety and generosity of his relatives, and these considered themselves as more than recompensed by the saint's prayers for their welfare. What particular reason there was for supposing, that Irish Apostolic men brought the relics of St. Culan to Germany, or even a veneration for him, Godefrid Henschenn has not explained. From what we have already seen, his relics appear always to have remained in Ireland; and probably, he belonged to that part of it, where the "Barnane Cuilawn" had been so long preserved."

Bell
St. Cualan's Bell (Bearnán Chúláin) was found in a tree in the townland of Coolaun "some centuries" prior to 1822. A "Mrs Dunn" until 1797 had it as "an heirloom" from her Spellane ancestors. Thomas Lalor Cooke in 1825 article calls area "Sleigh" [I suspect an error of the typesetter not reading Cooke's handwriting; the cited Beafort says "Ileagh" ] and conflates it with Dál gCais (Luighuidh Mean):
 * After much search made for any Irish Saint of that or a similar name, I have succeeded in discovering, that Culanus (in Irish called Cuilen or Cualen); is the name of the Saint who built the church in the parish of Glankeen, where this curiosity was found. This proves how correct the common tradition in this instance is ; and shews, as I conceive, that the word Cuilawn arises from the name of a Saint, as that tradition would have it. In Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hibernia, fo. 751. in the life of Cormach, King and Archbishop of Cashel, taken from the old M. S. book of Lecan, I find the following account of that Archbishop. Cormach lived in Munster, and was descended in the manner therein mentioned from Oilum Olum. It then states that he had five brothers by the same father, viz. Becanus, Culanus, Eminus, who was also called Euinus, Diermitius and Boedanus or Baitanus. Of these the three latter emigrated into the provinces of Connaught, Leinster and Ulster, and the two former remained in their native province, Munster, and of them the book gives the following account : –
 * “Sanctus manuque Becanus remaneus in Mumonià Monasterium de Killbecani, alias Cluainaud Mobhecocerexit et sanctissime et rerit: Sanctus vero Culamus in valle quádam regionis de Hi Luigdheach, Glean-chaoin nuncupata, Ecclesiam extruens, inter suos cognatos et notos remansit; quos beneficiis et piā devotione erga se propense affectos, divite almae suae benedictionis tandem locupletavit hareditate.”
 * Thus we have Culanus, or as he was called in Irish, Cuilen, clearly ascertained to have been the founder of the parish church of Glankeen or Glean-chaoin, in the county Hi Luigdheacht

All the country from Sliabh Eachtighe to Limerick, belonged originally to the province of Conacht, till Luighuidh Mean, who descended from Conac Cas, made a conquest of it by the sword, and added it to the province of Munster. This tract was called Grabh Fhearon Luigheadh, that is, the lands of Luigheadh. Keating's Tr. Harris' Ed. of Ware's Bishops, fo. 36. n-says, that Hy signifies the lands possessed by families, so that Hi Luidgheach means Luigheach's country also. I do not know whether the tract of land described by Keating be, that known at present by the name of Sleigh, as I believe Sleib Eachtighe to be on the confines of the counties of Galway and Clare. Whether these tracts of country be the same or not, it is evident that the place mentioned in Colgan is the parish in which the Barnaan Cuilawn was found. Archd. Monas. Hiber. p. 46, which mentions Gleanchaoin amongst the Abbies of the county Clare, says, “This valley is in Hi Luigdheach in Munster, at the bounds of the See of “ Killaloe.—Saint Patrick built an Abbey here.” It then adds “This place is now unknown." In the first part of this statement the Monas. Hiber. quotes Acta SS. 207; but, although I have searched there, I have not found any thing to warrant it. As Archdall, placing Gleanchaoin in the county Clare, admits that it is unknown, or, in other words, that such a place cannot be found there, it is reasonable to conclude that there is no such place as Gleanchaoin in that county, and that it is to Gleanchaoin in Sleigh in the county Tipperary Archdall alludes. This latter place corresponds with that mentioned in the Monas. Hiber. in every particular except the county. Thus that book describes Gleanchaoin as situate at the bounds of the See of Killaloe and Glankeen, where the Barnaan Cuilawn was found, is in point of fact one of those parishes in the Archbishoprick of Cashel, which are nert adjoining to the Diocess of Killaloe. The Monas. Hiber, says, that Saint Patrick built an Abbey at Gleanchaoin, and Colgan (ubi supra) giving the same topographical description of the place, writes that Culanus or Cuilen erected a church there. In reality, the remains of two buildings raised in different periods still present themselves in the ruins of Gleanchaoin or Gleankeen church. Besides, both Colgan and the Monas. Hiber. agree in describing the place as a valley, and Glankeen church lies in a glen near the foot of Knockanura mountain. Add to this the coincidence of the name of Saint Cuilen with that of the place near Glankeen church called Killcuilawn, and also with the Barnaan Cuilawn, which has certainly been for many centuries in that parish. I think I have heard, that there was an old building formerly at Killcuilawn, the stones of which were carried away about 30 or 40 years since by the Rev. Thomas Ryan, who was then R. C. Vicar of the parish. He made use of them, as well as I remember, in building a house. Perhaps, as Kilcuilawn is not above a quarter of a mile from Glankeen church, this was the building of which Colgan speaks. in Munster, which appears to me to be the precise parish in which the Barnaan Cuilawn was found; for this parish was part of the ancient territory of Sliegh, as that territory, which is now united with Kilnamana and Kilmalougurty, under the common appellation of the barony of Kilnamana, comprehended the entire parish of Glankeen and of Bamacurra, being part of the adjoining parish of Ballycahill

John O'Hanlon 1875: "In the parish  of Borrisoleigh,"  also  called  lUeagh,  in  the  county  of  Tipperary,  there  was formerly  a  church  dedicated  to  a  St. Coulane'^ — identical with  the  present saint — and  here  was  long  preserved  a  singularly  ancient  and  curiously wrought  bronze  shrine  or  bell,  called  the  "  Barnane  Cuilawn,"  which  was formerly  in  the  possession  of  the  Dwyer  family,  living  at  Ballinaruan,  near Borrisoleigh,  and  afterwards  it  became  the  property  of  the  late  Thomas  L. Cooke  of  Birr,^3  who  got  it  from  the  Dwyers.'^  It  passed  from  Mr. Cooke to a  public  institution,'5  and  it  is  said,  that  the  "  Barnaan  Cuilawn"  was found  many  years  since,  in  the  hollow  of  a  tree,^^  at  a  place  named  Killcuilawn,*7  situate  in  the  mountains,  and  about  two  miles  distant  from  Borrisoleigh,  in  the  parish  of  Glankeen/^  and  county  of  Tipperary. This curious, reUc,  of  a  remote  age,  is  Hkewise  called  in  the  Irish  language  "  Obair  na naoim  ;" — that  is  "  the  Saint's  work." In shape,  it  resembles  a  mitre,  and internally  it  is  made  of  wrought  iron ;  the  internal  part,  now  nearly  eaten away  by  rust,  appears  to  have  been  originally  about  three-tenths  of  an  inch thick,  having  in  its  summit  two  round  holes,  about  three-tenths  of  an  inch  in diameter,  which  do  not  seem  to  have  been  ever  intended  for  receiving  any kind  of  screws  or  rivets. ^9 It  is  about  eleven  inches  and  a  half  high,  and  the bottom — in  the  shape  of  a  parallelogram — is  about  eight  inches  long,  by four  inches  broad,  whence  its  length  and  breadth  gradually  diminish,  it  being at  the  top  only  six  inches  and  a  half  long,  and  about  two  inches  broad. Around the  bottom  is  a  kind  of  bronze'°  frame  or  base,  about  one-eighth  of an  inch  thick  and  two  inches  in  height,  having  at  each  corner  a  round  bronze pedestal,  about  three  inches  high,  and  half-an-inch  thick. These pillars  extend about  three-eighths  of  an  inch  lower  than  the  bronze  frame,  so  as  to form  a  kind  of  feet. In the  bronze  frame  or  base,  on  the  front  side  of  the Barnaan  Cuilawn,  is  a  small  semicircular  opening,  about  one  inch  in  diameter, and  somewhat  resembling  the  aperture  of  a  beehive,  through  which the  bees  pass  in  and  out. The iron  or  internal  part  of  the  Barnaan  Cuilawn appears  to  have  been  originally  all  covered  with  bronze  highly  ornamented. There is  bronze  still  adhering  to  parts  of  the  iron,  and  which  has  the  appearance of  having  been  united  to  it,  by  the  effects  of  fire. The top,  which  is  the most  curious  part  now  extant,  is  of  cast  metal  Hke  bronze,  of  a  whitish  yellow colour,  and  of  exquisite  workmanship. It has  several  apertures  and  it  is  beautifully ornamented  in  runic  knots,  with  gold,  silver,  copper,  and  some  dark bluish  granular  metal,  which  Mr. T. L.  Cooke  at  first  took  to  resemble cobalt,  having  on  each  of  its  sides  four  representations  of  an  eye,  and  on  the ends  two  bald  antique  heads — much  like  those  of  stone  which  are  met  with  in the  walls  of  ancient  monasteries  in  Ireland — and  two  other  representations  of eyes. In the  top  are  laid  three  pieces  of  yellow  stone  or  composition,  intersected by  other  narrow  red  stones,  both  in  appearance  like  jasper.^^  The  opinion  of Mr. Cooke, that  the  Barnaan  Cuilawn  was  the  top  of  an  ecclesiastical  censer  is quite  incorrect,  and  could  only  occur  to  one,  who  had  not  a  thorough  knowledge  of  ecclesiastical  antiquities. The back  and  sides  of  the  Cuilawn  are  still covered  with  thin  bronze  plates,  on  the  former  of  which  is  visible  the  outlines of  a  cross. This cross,  in  shape  and  outline,  is  said  to  be  similar  to  that  on the  tomb  of  O'Toole  in  Glendalough. Several credible  and  respectable  inhabitants of  the  parish  in  which  it  was  found  affirmed,  that  since  1782,  there was  a  cross  on  the  front  side  of  the  Barnaan  Cuilawn,  enriched  with  various coloured  precious  stones. But, although  much  pains  have  been  taken  to procure  this  cross,  rewards  and  inquiries  have  hitherto  proved  ineffectual.'* It  has  been  asserted,^^  that  these  bronze  articles  are  of  a  very  remote  antiquity, and  were  the  work  of  the  "  Cuthites." But, we  may  well  consider  this opinion  as  one  going  far  into  the  dreaminess  of  mere  speculation."

Norman
Theobald Fitz Walter, in 1200 got 'five cantreds and a-half in Munster' including "the Borough of Kildelo, with the half cantred called Truoghed, in which the said borough lyeth", which JOD said:
 * he 'Borough of Kildelo' has long been and is still a puzzle to me, but I am of opinion that it is Borris O'Leagh in the County of Tipperary, and that the Truoghed or Cantred belonging to it was the old barony of Hy-Lughhaidh or Ileagh, now included in the barony of Eliogarty.

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

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


 * The de Burgos or Bourkes of Ileagh Callanan, M., N. Munster Antiquarian Journal, Vol. II, 1937, pp. 67-77
 * Ileagh discussed p.8-9 where surmises part of Eoghanacht Cashel
 * Also The Medieval County of Tipperary (map) shows at north edge of Eoghanacht Cashel

In 1632, when Charles I wanted a plantation in Ormond, the Duke objected that:
 * King Henry II. graunted unto William de Braosa and his heirs, the cantreds and territories of Upper Ormond and Lower Ormond, Elyogartie, Ikerryn, Owney, Kilnemanagh, Kilnalongarty, Ileagh and Arra, in the County of Tipparie. William de Braosa, 2nd of King John, graunted the premises to Theobald Fitz Walter and his heirs, who graunted them to several English tenants to be held by certain rents and services, as both Ormonds to be held of the manor of Nenagh, and so the rest as of other manors. The premises came by lineal de scent to the heirs of the said Theobald, until that in the tyme of King Henry VI. the O'Kennedies, O'Dwyers, Meaghers, and others of the mere Irish (taking advantage of the earls of Ormond being absent in England) did enter into the premises, and killed and forcibly outed the former tenants, the right, title, and interest descended unto Thomas earl of Ormond, who died leaving two daughters

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

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

Early modern
''Cal Orm. Deeds'' Vol. V Nos 168–9 pp. 186–7:
 * Deed of William Bourke fitz Theobald of Oleighe, county Tipperary, dated July 13, 1570, and the I2th year of Elizabeth, to the effect that he has granted to Thomas Butler, Earl of Ormond, etc., all his manors, lordships, pastures, etc., in the towns and fields and hamlets of Oleighe, Pallisse Oleighe, Cwolleghill Oleighe, Killkowllayne, Glanekyne, Glanbridie, Knockefallydowe, Garrangreyny, Bellaghevoyma, Gorteyloghe, Graig, Lissynie, Knockenywre, Keappagheneneylighe, Garraneyloghe, Ardebane, Rathbuy, Knockarne, Dromegeyl, Correvally, Killomaayne, Cronynwyne, Knockytanycaslayne, Knockykilly, Cowleine, le Glantane, Curraghbehyn, Curraghliegh and Aghanebehaghe in Yliegh, county Tipperary; to have and to hold to said Earl, his heirs and assigns, said William hereby appoints Oliver Morris of Droghednefarney, county Tipperary, as his attorney.
 * Witnesses : Oliver Grace, Thomas Grace, parson of Callan, Edmund Butler, Edmund Roo Butler, H. Shethe, Donill O'Meara, Readmond Morres, John Cantwell Fitz Piers, William son of Dermot Ryan.
 * Letter of attorney of Thomas, Earl of Ormond, to John Aylward of Clonmel, to receive seisin of the above premises.
 * Signed : Thomas Ormond et Oss. Witnesses as above. Same date.
 * Sir Thomas Butler, Earl of Ormond, grants to William Bourke fitz Theobald of Burges Olieghe, county Tipperary, all his manors, lordships, castles, lands, etc., in Burges Olieghe, Cowlleghill Olieghe, Kilcullayne, Glanekyne, Knockfallydowe, Garranegrey, Bellaghevoyma, Gortlogha, Grange, Lyssyny, Keappagheneylieghe, Ardbane, Rathbuy, Knockarne, Dromegealla, Corryvalley, Cronnymoyne, Knocketannycaslayne, Knockekilly, Cowlyne, le Glanetayne, Curraghbehy, Curragheliaghe and Aghanebehaghe in Yleaghe, county Tipperary. To have and to hold to said William and his heirs male lawfully begotten, by knight service, viz., 40s. royal service when scutage runs, and by suit at the Earl's court of the Liberty of Tipperary as often as they are summoned ; rendering also an annual rent of 4l. Irish. John Aylward of Clonmel to deliver seisin.
 * Witnesses : Oliver Grace, Thomas Grace, parson of Callan, Edmund Butler, Edmund Roo Butler, Donill O'Meara. July 20, 1570.

Interrogatories at the suit of Lord Dunboyne [seneschal of Tipperary].
 * "What and which be the mears, lymits, and bounds of the soyle, ground, or territory belonging to the house of Fymoyn, in the county of Tipperary, and where and how far the same ground, soil, and territory extend? Whether the same house of Fymoyn, and lands belonging thereunto, have been freed and discharged of all exactions, cesses, tollages, and impositions of the county and crossa of Tipperary, and how long?"
 * Witnesses examined on behalf of Sir Edmond Butler, Baron of Dunboyn, before Sir Thomas Butler, parson of Knockgraffan, and Richard Hally, of Cashell, notary public, the 11th September, 1582.
 * Diermode McDonald McGilipatrick O'Mulryan, clerk, describes the mears and bounds of the house of Fymoyn, saving that the inhabitants of Ileagh were alleging that Bealagh [= baile, townland] to be their own, “but they did not stick thereto;" he saith that the house and lands were ever free from all cess and impositions, "although Eliogarthy, and the inhabitants thereof, claimed the same to be of the twenty plowlands or earns for which they were charged, but they could not prevail."
 * Gillipatrick McDonald O'Mulryan agrees with his brother, the last witness, in substance and effect; other witnesses depose to the same effect, "saving that some of them deposed that the Stabultons, dwelling in Pobledromy, were claiming the village or kill of Fithmoyne, on the north of the town, to belong to them."
 * Signed, Richard Haly. July 5, 20°

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On 7 February 1661, Lady Clanricarde (Elizabeth, daughter of Walter Butler, 11th Earl of Ormond) to her brother James Butler, Marquess of Ormond:
 * Asks the Marquess' favour and influence in providing the suit of the bearer, son of Mr Mac-Walter Burke of Borres, and now allied to the writer by his marriage, for certain arrangements as to his wife's jointure & otherwise upon the family estate.

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

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

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

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

1752 RC visitation of Ileagh parish there was a chapel, with a chialice dated 1743 "still in use in Ileagh church" in 1975. Bishop notes:
 * said parish of Ileagh in wch. there are old churches, one dedicated to Coulane,[Kilcoulawn chapel dedicated to St Coulaun. In Coolaun in Glenkeen CP.] one calld Killomuon,[Killamoyne in Glenkeen C.P.] one called Killfeinane,[Kilfithmone (Killfetmone, fitzmoy) in Glenkeen C.P.] Killghlacon[Kylenaglacon near Currabaha] without buring places and not known to what Saints th[e]y are dedicated to.

1805 return for Cashel & Emly diocese has "Borresleigh" and "Boythistown, parcel Borresleigh" in one union of parishes (Treasurership) and "Inshyanly otherwise Jushyfogarty" and "Duffith or'wise Durifeith or'wise Dovea" in another (Chancellorship). Neither Glenkeen nor Ballycahill is mentioned; either not in any union or known by different name or not a parish at all. Erck's 1820 list has (p.74 nos 3,4) preceding two groups, plus (p.75 no 32) Glankeen solo; no Ballycahill; and a note as follows (p.79):
 * One general observation may be necessary to account for the omission of some Parishes in this Edition of the Work, which were mentioned in the last, as constituting part of the Corps of Dignities and Unions, they have been omitted because they no longer exist as separate Parishes, their locality is undefinable, nor does there remain any vestage of them but the mere Name. it is therefore to be presumed that they have merged into the adjoining Parish, and are now only known as the Denomination of some Townland in that Parish: to apply this observation to a particular case the reader has only to refer to the Precentorship of Cashell, and to compare the Corps of it as given in this, with the Corps as given in the last Edition ; such cases are not frequent, but even few as they are the Editor conceived some explanation necessary to account for what may otherwise appear inexplicable and capricious. It is much to be regretted, that the Registering of Terriers was not more rigidly adhered to in ancient times, no Record could be more authentic, if a series of them were regularly preserved, in determining the question of Right between the Incumbent and his Parishioners; and in ascertaining the Erection, Extension, or Suppression of Parishes; it is from such causes, combined with the Civil Commotions of this Island, that the Church has almost irretrievably lost many of her Temporal Possessions, her Glebes alienated, her Tithes in some cases withheld, the force of Prescription avoided, and the Suppression or Extension of Parishes unnoticed and unrecorded.

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

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

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

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

Commissioners of Woods, Forests and Land Revenues still used original 1650s names (Patentee-County-Barony-Denomination) in 1850s reports of "Perpetual and Unimprovable Rents payable to the Crown in Ireland, which have been Sold by the Commissioners":
 * 1851 Rpt p.57
 * 1854 Rpt p.94
 * 1857 Rpt pp 115 (2), 125 (2), 126 (12)

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

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

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

To incorporate

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