Part III. History of the County of Clare
Chapter 20. Depositions of Protestant Settlers, 1642

Depositions relating to Sixmilebridge

Sixmilebridge and its vicinity was another centre of the Protestant colonists. One of these, named Edward Mainwaring, who resided at Killanena, deposed that he was deprived of property worth £240, and turned out of his farms by his landlord, Patk. Morgan of Snaty, assisted by Daniel McNamara of Doon, Patrick Chockson of Kilagurteen, Teige McNamara of Ballywire, Conor O’Daly of Fahy, Conor O’Brien of Ballymulcashel, and Richard White of Ibrickan. He was robbed of what he calls his writings, on his way from Limerick to Bunratty, by Dermot O’Brien of Dromore, aided by Donogh M‘Namara of Cratloe. He was turned out of his house by James Lynch, a popish priest. His sheep were driven away by Donogh M‘Namara of Ballykelly, and by Conor Clune of Kilagurteen. He declares that, in the beginning of the rebellion, the Earl of Thomond, for the good of the country, as he pretended, appointed some of his own kindred, to wit, Dermot O’Brien of Dromore, Conor O’Brien of Ballymacoada, Donogh M‘Namara of Cratloe, Teige, son of Daniel Reagh M‘Namara of Tyredagh, and others, all Irish papists, to be captains, authorized to levy men in the county, and to raise a tax of seven shillings off each ploughland on English and Irish equally. Subsequently, the captains and their soldiers went into open rebellion, and deprived most of the English of their goods, their arms, and eighteen of their castles. Although the Earl was permitted to retain his means of defence, in course of time the rebels appeared to care nothing for him. When the troubles began, an offer was made by about four hundred English and Dutchmen to defend themselves by taking up arms, but the Earl would not permit it, alleging that such a course would excite the wrath of the Irish against them. Another inhabitant of Sixmilebridge, who seems from his name of John Comyn to be an Irishman, fled to Limerick for protection, and enumerates the various gentlemen of the county of Clare who were among the besiegers of the castle of that city, acting under the authority of the Confederation of Kilkenny. The Depositions of Maurice Hickey of Rossmanagher, gent., and John Hinchey of Rossmanagher, husbandman, are given. Hickey says that, in August 1642, he lived at Ballycar, in the employment of George Colpoys. Being in a field of wheat with the reapers, he was assaulted, deprived of his dagger, and made a prisoner by Mahone M‘Namara of Smithstown, and Teige Oge M‘Namara, Ensign to Captain Sheeda M‘Namara. He was informed by these that servants of Mr. Colpoys named John Shaw, and a man nick-named Spinola, had been imprisoned in Ennis jail. Hinchey testifies that, after they were liberated from prison, being on their way home, they were set upon and badly wounded by Daniel, son of Fineen M‘Namara of Kilmurry, and by John, son of Teige, son of Sheeda M‘Namara, now living at Ballymorris. Shaw died immediately after on the road side, and was buried before life had wholly left his body. ^[7]