Documents from the Thomond Papers at Petworth House Archive1 ...

Archivium Hibernicum
Johan McNemarra de Danganbrack 45
Mauris O Milcounry de Shandangan 46
The inquisition also is of interest due to its physical characteristics;
the parchment is emboldened with a decorative heading complete with a
well-preserved great seal.
Other important documents found amongst the Thomond papers
include the 1626 rental of Henry O’Brien, fifth earl of Thomond (PHA
Ms C27/A 39) 47 which details castles, lands and tenants on the Thomond
estates in Co. Clare. The value of the 1626 rental lies in comparing the 1570
and 1574 castle lists 48 for Co. Clare with the 1626 rental to track proprietorial
changes. The 1615 survey of the Thomond estate (PHA Ms C.27.A.60) 49
in the Barony of Ibrickan records the chief tenants and rents due and
provides information that can be adduced regarding local toponymy: all
sixty three quarters of Tuath Uí Bhracáin are accounted for and their proprietors
recorded. A number of petitions and papers collectively throw
light on land title and settlement of disputes in seventeenth century Co.
Clare. 50
45 John was the son of Seán Mac Conmara Fionn, Lord of west Clann Chuiléin (d. 1602). R.W.
Twigge, ‘Materials’, (BL, Twigge Collection, Add Ms 39260), p. 208.
46 This is Muiris Ó Maolchonaire, the professional poet-chronicler (filíocht and seanchas), who
received as part of the ‘forced exchange’ of lands by the fourth Earl of Thomond, Shandangan
in Kilmurry parish for Ardkyle in 1618 (PHA, Ms 5402).
47 Petworth House Archive, ‘An abstract of such rents and renenewes as doe belonge to the
right Hon. Henrye Earle of Thomond [1626]’, (PHA, Ms No. C27/A 39).
48 Martin Breen, ‘A 1570 List of Castles in County Clare’ in North Munster Antiquarian Journal,
xxxvi (1995), pp 130–138 and R.W. Twigge, ‘Edward White’s Description of Thomond in 1574’
in North Munster Antiquarian Journal, i, 2 (1910), pp 75–85.
49 1615 Survey of the Barony of Ibrickan, (PHA, Ms C.27.A.60).
50 Examples to point to here include: ‘Abstract of Patents granted to ye Earl of Thomond,
reciting from 1 July 1543 to 7 March 1621/2’ (PHA Ms 3081); ‘Answers of the Earl of Thomond
or Lord Inchiquin’s claim to advowsons in Co. Clare’ (PHA Ms 3181, 3182); ‘Draft answer
of Henry, Earl of Thomond to the bill of complaint of Thomas Comnyne alleging theft of
wines’ (PHA Ms 3200); ‘Bill of complaint, answer and replication in suit, William Turvin v.
Donnogh McMorrogh concerning right to operate ferries across the River Shannon between
Limerick and Clare’, post 1623 (PHA Ms 3195–3197); ‘Petition of Samuel Mosely, vicar of
Catherlogh, in suit, v. Sir Barnaby O’Brien, arising out of land alleged to be glebe, with
writ, 18 July 1625’ (PHA Ms 3902–3904); ‘Papers in suit, Robert Sibthorpe v. Sir Richard
Southwell, Sir Rowland Delahoyde and Nathaniel Lodge concerning the advowson of Tradery,
Co. Clare’, c.1630–35 (PHA Ms 1207); ‘Papers concerning alleged unlawful seizure by Sir
Daniel O’Brien, High Sheriff of Co. Clare, and Donnell O’Mulconery, sub-Sheriff, of the
property of the murderers of James Morris which was claimed by Henry, Earl of Thomond’,
c. 1636–7 (PHA Ms 3917); ‘Petition of Conell O Hehir of Rahmary, co. Clare, to the Earl of
Thomond seeking restoration to him of lands held in wardship, during petitioner’s minority
by William Brikdall’ (PHA, Ms 3959).
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