Catalogue description The LORD DEPUTY'S JOURNEY into the QUEEN'S COUNTY.

Before his departure from Dublin, on 11 August 1600, the Lord Deputy left order with the Treasurer (Carey) and the Council "to expedite all things in his absence for the Northern journey, to despatch all victuals and munition, as they should arrive, to the Newry, and to send unto all parts letters for the general hostings and for beoves." The Northern borders were left well guarded against any incursion.

The 12th, Thursday, he went to the Nas, having given order for the victuals and munition to meet him at Castledermode.

The 13th to Moone, where the forces met--800 foot and 100 horse. His Lordship wrote to the Earl of Ormond that his and Sir Chr. St. Lawrence's companies should fall into Leixe by Idough on the Saturday night following, and on Sunday night meet him at Culinagh.

The 14th he marched towards Donill Spaniagh's country, and in the evening turned to Catherlogh. By the way he left Sir James FitzPeirs and Sir Henry Folliott, with 400 men, " to fall into Leix another way (that night) for some prey."

The 15th, FitzPeirs and Follyott returned without any prey, having fallen upon Keating's house in the midst of his fastness, where Wony McRory with 100 kerne skirmished with us. " The Lord Deputy removed from Carlogh to the foot of the mountain into Keating's country, burned and spoiled both it and the corn thereabouts."

The 16th he sent 600 foot under Sir Oliver Lambert, " who marched through all the fastness of Slemarge, spoiling their plots of corn within the woods, and burning their towns, with some skirmish in the passes." His Lordship coasted along the plains, spoiling and burning likewise, " passing quietly over a ford between two woods, where the Earl of Ormond, entering into Leixe heretofore with 1,500 men, was soundly fought with." At evening the forces met at the camp, where a boy came from Wony with a letter desiring some gentleman might be sent to him for conference. His Lordship would not receive it, but caused it to be delivered to Neale Moore, his Irish fool, to answer. At the river, where the army was to water, there were some skirmishes, because the river was near a wood.

The 17th the army encamped at Ferny Abbey. In the way, the army marching along the valley, the rebels coasted along the mountains. His Lordship having sent the Marshal before to make the encampment, and waiting for the rest of the army, " divers of the rebels came from the hill, waving us to them with their swords and calling us, as their manner is, with railing speeches." Our men fired certain houses, beat back the rebels who came to the rescue, " and fell into their greatest fastness with them." In this skirmish Wony McRory was mortally wounded, and died that night. Callogh McWalter, the most bloody rebel in Leinster, " was killed in helping of Owny, who for the time was in a sound, and left till night hidden in a bush." Callogh's head was brought in. " This man, besides the killing of Capt. Bozwell and Sir Henry Dockwray's lieutenant last year, and divers famous murders in these parts, was, as it is reported, the first man that laid hand on the Earl of Ormond when he was taken prisoner by Owny." The next day we heard that Wony, "fearing his head should come into the Lord Deputy's hands, had willed it to be cut off after his death, and buried, and appointed Owny McShane, a man of no spirit or courage, to be O'Moore." Upon Owny's death the Moores dispersed by six and ten in a company, every man seeking to save his own.

Two parties were sent out to search the woods for cattle. They returned the next day, the 18th, with six or seven score cows and great store of sheep and goats. The rebels having driven most of their cattle into Ossery, the prey could not be very great. A base son of the Earl of Ormond's took 400 head of cattle. This day the Earl and Sir Christopher came with 300 foot and 120 horse.

The 19th the army passed the pass of Cashell to Ballyroane ; and the 20th to Kilgighy in Ossery, by way of the castle of Gortende, where the Earl had been kept during his imprisonment. Ormond received letters from Donill Spaniagh and Redmond Keating, craving safeconduct to come to the Lord Deputy. " All the way we burned all their houses in their fastnesses and woods. In one of them was found the Queen's picture behind the door, and the King of Spain's at the upper end of the table." Sir Christopher took a prey of 700 cows, besides sheep and goats, of which few came to the camp. " The rest, as it is said, were shifted into Kilkenny and the counties near adjoining." His Lordship was persuaded to draw down into Ossery, the nursery of the rebellion in Leix, to burn their corn ; the Earl being of opinion that the chief rebels there would give in their pledges.

"The 21st we encamped by Teig FitzPatrick's castle, the Lord of Upper Osserie's son, but in rebellion," who on our approach set his own town on fire. Here Redmond Keatinge submitted, with condition to deliver the Earl of Ormond's pledges remaining in his hands.

The 22nd the army, having spoiled the corn about the castle, crossed the Nore, which it could hardly have done afterwards by reason of 28 hours' rain. The Kellies and Lalors were protected for a month, upon condition to bring in the Earl's pledges in their custody within 10 days. Redmond Bourk made complaint by letter of wrong done to him, and was willing to do service.

"The 23rd the Lord Mountgarrett's sons, Richard and Edward, took their oath to be true subjects, as by the act thereof may appear.

"The 24th recognizance of 2,000l. was signed by the Lord Mountgarrett and his sureties for the redelivery of Ballyraggott upon 20 days' warning," The pass of Cashell was said to be possessed by 2,560 rebels, according to a list delivered to the Earl of Ormond by one that affirmed on oath he had seen so many mustered. A little before the entrance of the pass Donnill Spaniagh, who was to have maintained the fight on the right hand, came and fell down on his knees before the Lord Deputy, and desired protection for 12 days till he might come to Dublin, which was granted, for at that time his Lordship could do him no harm. Thereupon his men drew up to the mountain to see the event of the fight. We turned with our carriage through an upper pass, in the midst whereof they charged us, with a great cry, but our men beat them into the lower pass and into the bog beyond, and from thence into their woods. Captain William Tyrrell was shot into the reins, and is said to be dead. The army then marched to Stradbally. His Lordship with 20 horse went to see the fort of Leix, and came that night to the camp. The 25th the companies were sent to their garrisons. His Lordship came to the Naas, where he found 700 of the new men placed ; and the 26th to Dublin.

Copy.

Calendar of the Carew Manuscripts preserved in the Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth, ed. J. S. Brewer & W. Bullen (6 vols., 1867-73), vol. III, document 442.