Catalogue description SIR HENRY SYDNEY, LORD DEPUTY, to the PRIVY COUNCIL.

I crave pardon that I have not with more diligence addressed this my fourth and last provincial discourse, namely of Connaught. By this and the other three before sent, you may perceive how I have occupied myself these six months since I arrived here, in which I have viewed and almost circled this whole realm on every side. The cause of my deferring was, that I expected the arrival of Mr. Agard, whose miss hath been no small maim to me in this my travail; and also for that I looked to have received somewhat by Gifford, but by letters which arrived here the 24th inst., I understood of his death.

In my last discourse of Munster, I omitted to write of my being at Kinsale, where I continued three days, and went to the Old Head, six miles beyond the town, which is one of the forticablest places that ever I came in. The town is much decayed, by the great and long unquietness of the country, yet through the continuance of justice and English government near them it holds its own well enough, and is on the mending hand. A castle they had upon the pier, which was all ruined, and the pier itself greatly decayed. I granted them some aid towards re-edifying the same. They are to find stuff, victuals, and labour, and the money which I gave them is to be expended only in defraying the wages of artificers. I trust the work will be finished this summer.

"After my last dispatch made at Limerick and sent to your Lps. by Gifford, I departed thence the 27th of February, and so entered into Thomond, attended on by the Earl of Thomond, Sir Daniel O'Brien, Teg McMorogho, Teg McConnohor, Tirloghe, the Earl's brother, and Donnoghe McMorrogho;-- all these gentlemen of one surname, called O'Briens, and yet no one of them friend to another, and sometime have been named kings of Limerick. These are the great doers and undoers of their own country and neighbours, yet so near kinsmen as they descended of one grandfather. I had also with me the two McNemarrowes, by us called the East and West McNemarrowes, chief gentlemen of that country, which if it were in quiet, they might live like principal knights in England. There was also with me in company the two landlords of the McMaghons of Thomond, and O'Laghlan. These are captains and lords of large territory."

There were many others of meaner sort, but amongst them all I could not find one descended of English race, although that country was once the Lord Clare's of England, and most part of it possessed by Englishmen. All these and many more complained upon the O'Briens and each other for the ruin of their country. "If they were not a people of more spare diet than others are, both of flesh and bread and drink made of corn, it were not possible that a soil so wasted could sustain them; and yet many they are not in number."

I lodged, the first night after I left Limerick, in a dissolved friary of the Queen's, called Coyne, where by the Earl and country I was well provided for. The night following I rather encamped, than lodged, in the ruined see of Kilmakoagh, where I and my company had bad fare and worse harbour. Here the Earl of Clanricard met me, in very comely and civil manner, but immediately departed from me. The next day again he met me, and so passing into O'Shagne's country, "where Thomond (being of Munster) confineth with Connaught," I came the same day to Galway, where I was honourably entertained.

As soon as I could get all them of Thomond to me I entered into consideration of their griefs and losses; the spoil of goods and cattle was infinite, and the whole country not able to answer a quarter of that which was affirmed to be lost among them; though Sir Lucas Dillon, who examined every particular matter as it was booked, reduced the same to a reasonable and certain quantity. Commissioners were appointed to take the proofs and the goods restored to the losers.

The mutual hurts and revenges done betwixt the Earl and Teg McMorrogho were one great cause of the ruin of the country. I bound them by bonds in great sums to abandon their country during my pleasure, as well to restrain them, as to bind them to perform such orders as I took with them, which they have observed. I took the Earl's brother, and still detain him in iron; and Teg McConnoghor I detained likewise, until he had delivered a sufficient hostage for his good behaviour. I made Sir Daniel O'Brien sheriff of the shire, and appointed others of the country birth to be serjeants, cessers, and other mean officers. The country consented to be at the charge of a provost marshal, and to give him wages and food, for himself, 12 horsemen, and 24 footmen, for that the country swarmed of idle men, and by this means they thought best to suppress them.

During my abode at Galway, divers notorious malefactors were brought in and executed. According to their desire I sent them commissioners. Lastly, for that the origin of their ruin was the uncertain grant and unstable possession of their lands, (whereupon grew their wars,) I brought them to agree to surrender all their lands into the Queen's hands for forfeited, and take them of her again, and yield both rent and service.

"Thus much for Thomond, a limb of Munster, but in my last government here annexed to the President of Connaught by the name of the county of Clare."

I divided Connaught (besides the East Brenye or O'Reilie's country, and the Annalye or O'Ferrall's country) into four counties, namely Sligo, which was a part of Nether Connaught; Mayo, another part of the same; Galway, which was called Upper Connaught; and Roscommen, called the Plains of Connaught.

"Out of the county of Sligo I had nothing but letters, but those humbly written, from O'Connoghor, affirming that he durst not come for fear of the wars happened between O'Donnell and Con his nephew, but lewd and malicious tales rather made him afraid, as I take it. He hath under his tyranny O'Dowde, two McDonoughes, two O'Hares, and Agare, and yet he himself tributary to O'Donnell. They be all men of great lands, and they shall not choose but yield both rent and service to the crown. All but O'Conner himself have offered it, and he, to be discharged of O'Donnell, will most willingly do it. I look daily for O'Rwrke (whose country, called West Brenye, is also a portion of this county), with whom I doubt not to conclude for a good rent and service for the Queen. This county, or these countries, are well inhabited and rich, and more haunted with strangers than I wish it were, unless the Queen were better answered of her custom."

Out of the county of Mayo came to me to Galway first seven principal men of the Clandonnells, all by profession mercenary soldiers by name of galloglas; they humbly submitted themselves. I was informed that McWilliam Eughter would not come to me, and therefore I won his chief force from him in getting these Clandonnells; but in the end McWilliam came very willingly, by the good persuasions of the Dean of Christ Church (one of the Council), whom I sent into Connaught, when I went into Munster. I found McWilliam very sensible, though wanting the English tongue, yet understanding the Latin. He desired to suppress Irish extortion, and to expulse the Scots. He bound himself, by oath and indenture, to hold his lands of her Majesty, to pay yearly 250 marks sterling, and to find 200 soldiers, horsemen and footmen, for two months by the year. In one of his petitions he "besought (doubting that I would have taken away the bonaght from the Clandonnells which they held of him and his country) that they might (withdrawing it from him) hold it of the Queen." They accepted this overture. "He received his country at my hands by way of seneschalship, which he thankfully accepted, the order of knighthood I bestowed upon him, whereof he seemed very joyous, and some other little trifles I gave him, as tokens between him and me." He was desirous I should send thither an English sheriff; I sent one with him. He is a great man; his land lies along the west north-west coast of this realm, wherein he has many goodly havens. His territory is three times as large as the Earl of Clanricarde's. "He brought with him all his brethren, McPhillipin, who in surname is a Burke, as he is," and others. O'Mayle came likewise with him, who is an original Irishman, strong in galleys and seamen. He earnestly sued to hold of the Queen.

At that instant were also with me McPhaten, of English surname Barrett, McIvilye, of English surname Stanton, McJordan, of the like, Dexter, McCoshtelo, of the like, Nangle, McMaurice, of English surname Prendergast; and these five show matter of some record and credit, that they have not only been English, which every man confesseth, but also Lords and Barons in Parliament," but now they have not three hackneys to carry them and their train home. There were with me many more of lower degree, as the chief of the Clan Andrews and McThomin, Barrett[s], Cusakes, Linches, and sundry English surnames now degenerate, and all lamenting their devastation, and crying for justice and English government.

Touching the county of Galway; first, I find the town of Galway much decayed, both in number of expert sage men of years and in young men of war, through the horrible spoil done upon them by the sons of the Earl of Clanricard. 50 householders of that town inhabit under McWilliam Eughter. They had almost forgotten that they had received any corporation from the crown, but I trust they are now revived. The Earl of Clanrickard continually attended on me, and so did the Earl of Thomond, the Archbishop of Tweom, the Bishop of Clonfert and Killmakogh, and the Baron of Athenry, by surname Birmingham (a poor baron, though the ancientest in this land), O'Flaherty, O'Kelly, and many of their surnames, which are very great, O'Madden, and all of any account of that surname, O'Naughton, and many other petty lords and captains of countries, craving to hold their lands immediately from her Highness. "These are the principal of this country, saving such as be of my Lord of Clanricard's surname, as O'Heyne, original Irish, and in old time very great, now mean; McOwge, McHubbert, McDavy, McEdmund, McRedmond, all these Burghes and many more, but all holding of the Earl of Clanricard (by due service as he saith), but through oppression say they." Many other there were who durst not show their faces, for that they had been partakers with the Earl's sons in their rebellion.

These two hopeless sons came into the church of Galway on a Sunday at public service, and there craved their pardon. I committed them to my marshal, and have them here prisoners in this castle of Dublin.

I departed from Galway the 22nd of March and passed through Athenry, which was totally burned--college, parish church, and all that was there--by the Earl's sons; yet the mother of one of them was buried in that church. "I took order for the re-edifying of the town, and I have taxed (for the satisfying of the old inhabitants) indifferently upon that country, weighing the ability of each person, and the quality, of the faults, as I thought most reasonable; and the sum of this taxation amounteth unto 2,000l., which shall be confirmed and ratified by order of commissioners authorized under the Great Seal, according to the meaning of her Majesty's letter granted to them; and I doubt not to levy it, and the rather for that the Earl is entered into band of 5,000l., to see as well this performed, as the first order taken at Limericke against his sons in my predecessor's time. I have cut the town almost into equal parts, it being before full as big, with a fair high wall, as the town of Calais. I took from the Earl (the better to answer the expectation of the people) two principal castles and keys of strength, the one called the castle of Ballinesloe, which standeth betwixt Galway and Athenry, and the other called Clare, and seated betwixt Galway and McWilliam Eughter's country." I went from Athenry with the Earl of Clanricard, and was very honourably entertained with him. The next night I lodged in the O'Kellies' country, and the night following in the castle of Roscommon. The county is indifferently manured, by reason of the Earl of Clanricard's force, whose friends and followers fare well, the rest go to wreck. The Bishop of Meath came to me to Galway.

I staid at Roscommon but one night, both for that I had appointed provision at Athlone, as also that I found nothing there laid in, to furnish me withal. During my abode at Roscommon, O'Connor Dun came to me, whose ancestor (they say) was sometimes called King of Connaught. The castle of Roscommon I took from him in my former government. Under his rule there are O'Birne and O'Flin. O'Connor Ro came not at me, for fear I would compel him to make recompence for his hurts done in the rebellion time. Under him is O'Flanagan. "McDermond was with me, and one under him called McManus. These people and some more petty lords inhabit the plains of Connaught, and are all destroyed by the Scots chiefly. The country is large and of excellent soil, the best, and all the rest beggars, desirous to be delivered from the tyranny of their stronger neighbours. They all crave to be subjected to the English government."

At Athlone I remained nine days, in which time was executed a notable rebel of the Burkes.

I daily look for O'Connor Sligo, O'Rwrke, O'Donnell, and Con O'Donnell, his nephew, and doubt not but so to agree with them as the Scots shall be soon banished out of Connaught. As to the Annalye or O'Ferrall's country, and East Brenye or O'Reilie's country, they all attended upon me during my abode in the counties of Roscommon and West Meath. At my being at Athlone I sent commissioners thither to hold sessions. This country was made shire ground by me, by the name of the county of Longford, and the chief lords are bound to pay 400 marks by the year of increase of revenue, whereof albeit they were in arrear for four or five years, yet immediately upon my demand they paid part, and took short days for payment of the rest.

From the East Brenye, or the O'Reillies' country, I received all dutiful offices. The captain of the country is a very honest man, but old, very impotent and bedrid. His death may breed great trouble. The competitors for his place will hazard the destruction of the country. I mean to dissipate it into more captainries than one, if I can.

I left in Connaught Thomas Lestrange and Thomas Dillon, learned in the laws, as commissioners, to determine controversies, and Robert Damport, provost marshal, to apprehend and execute the thieves and destroyers of the country. They of Connaught are willing to bear men of war for the suppression of rebels and outlaws. "The Queen's revenue revived, and that, with casual revenues, will go near to bear the charge of civil magistracy." Connaught may be made to bear its own charges within one year and a half, so as a President and Council be sent thither to reside amongst them.

I am advertised that my Lord of Essex is minded to come again into this realm. He is held of the people of this country both in honourable and dreadful terms. If he be placed as President with a Council in Connaught, it will imprint in their minds the Queen's resolution to reform them. "I will so impart with him, as, without her Majesty's further charge than presently she is contented to be at, he shall be able to live honorably there." While his Lordship and Sir William Druerye join together in the south and west, I will deal with the east and north. If I may not have the Earl of Essex, let me have another.

I departed from Athlone the 2nd of April, and lodged by the way at Mr. Lestrange's, Mollingarre, my Lord of Delvin's, my Lord Bishop of Meath's, and Lawrence Delahide's. On the 14th I arrived in Dublin, being the first entry I made into it since I landed last in Ireland, which was the 12th of September last. By the way as I went, sessions were held in the counties of West Meath, Louth, Longford, Meath, and Kildare. I could not have wished for better service to be done in my absence, and in especial by my Lord Bishop of Meath, [Hugh Brady.] and such as I joined with him in commission for guarding of the borders of the Pale.

"I write not the names of each particular varlet that hath died since I arrived, as well by the ordinary course of the law, the martial law, as flat fighting with them, when they would take food without the good will of the giver." The number of them is great, and some of the best; and the rest tremble. "They fight for their dinner, and many of them lose their heads before they be served with their suppers."

I beseech you to mark these few heads following.

(1.) The church must be reformed, being deformed and overthrown by the ruin of the temples, the dissipation and embezzling of the patrimony, and most of all for want of sufficient ministers. The means to amend it are easy, whereof I have written to the Queen.

(2.) An army must still be maintained. A garrison of 300 horsemen and 700 footmen may continually be kept here, without any great charge to England. "This charge now must be reared by the new rents of the Irishry, and by an alteration of the old burthen of the English Pale."

(3.) "I heartily wish that it might please her Majesty to send hither four personages, whereof one well acquainted with the course of that grave and wise Council, as it might be Mr. Tremayne; two stout and well learned lawyers, as two of these three; viz., the Master of the Rolls, the Attorney General, and Mr. Bell; some one discreet gentleman, as Sir Edward Mountecute, that were able to argue what might be reaped out of a good soil peaceably possessed."

(4.) That it would please her Majesty to send hither three lawyers, to be Chief Justices of three principal and common benches, and one to be Attorney General of this realm. There is none here so meet for those places as is to be wished, Sir Lucas Dillon excepted, who is Chief Baron.

Castle of Dublin, 27 April 1576.

Signed.

Copy.

Collins' Sydney Papers,I., 102-110.

Calendar of the Carew Manuscripts preserved in the Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth, ed. J. S. Brewer & W. Bullen (6 vols., 1867-73), vol. II, document 38.