1895, Vol. III (1)
Ennis Abbey.
[From T.J. Westropp, Esq.]
|
The interesting canopied tomb of
the Creaghs of Dangan, shown in the accompanying illustration, stands
to the right of the high altar against the north wall of the chancel.
The canopy and pillars are modern, put up after 1842, from designs
by Mr. Payne, who at that time was engaged on the Castle of Dromoland,
in that county. The sculptures are, however, four centuries older,
and belonged to the noble tomb erected before 1474 by More ni Brien,
daughter of one of the Kings of Thomond, and wife of MacMahon of
Corcovaskin. It was used as a burial place by several of the later
Kings, the Earls of Inchiquin having a smaller canopied tomb in
the south wall, over the grave of King Torlough More O’Brien,
1306. The slabs in the plinth represent various scenes from Our
Lord’s Passion, and are illustrated and described, along with
the ancient canopy, &c., of the tomb, in the R.S.A.I. Journal
for 1895. To the west are two panels—a bishop in pontificals,
and the arrest of Christ. Along the front, as seen in the view,
are three panels representing the flagellation, crucifixion, and
entombment; while to the east are the resurrection and a female
figure probably More ni Brien, the foundress. The figures under
the canopy are those of our Lord enthroned with the twelve apostles
(including St. Paul), six to each side. |
 Tomb of the Creaghs of Dangan, in Ennis Abbey, Co. Clare. |
Above is a large shield of the Creagh arms—Argent three branches proper, on a chief azure 3 bezants. Crest—A horse’s head and neck bridled and with a leafy spray. Motto—“Virtute et numine.” The inscription runs:—
“A tempore cum finibus extorres et hereditas sua Adarensis, Limiricensem juxta ad alienos injustè translata fuit. Hie humati sunt nepotes O’NIEL CREAGHE. — CREAGHE filia MATTHAEI MACNAMARA de Crattalough obt. 1641. PIERS CREAGH marts ejus et nobilis Franciæ obiit Castello suo Dangan 1667. SIMON CREAGH filius eorum obt circiter 1700. MARIA MACMAHON de CREAGH uxor ejus obiit eodem tempore. PIERS CREAGH filius eorum obiit 1743. Uxor ejus domina ELIZABETHA MATTHEW de Thomastown de domo Shandaff et soror uterina Ormondæ ducis magni obiit 1745. ELIZABETHA CREAGH alias DAVORAN filia PERCH et ELIZABETHÆ MATTHEW obt 1760. PIERS CREAGH filius primus ejusdem PIERS CREAGH et ELIZABETH MATTHEW obt 1779. CATHERINA QUIN de Adarensi uxor prima ejus obt 1753. GERTRUDA MAGHLIN, uxor secunda ejus obt 1757. LAVINIA PENNEFATHER, Newpark, uxor tertia ejus obt 1806. ROBERTUS CREAGH filius supradict PERCH et GERTRUDE 1842 sine prole. RICHD filius primus PERCH et LAVINIÆ obt 1836. Uxor RICARDI ejusdem CHRISTINA O’CALLAGHAN obt 1812. SIMON PIERCE CREAGHE filius junior PERCH et LAVINIÆ PENNEFATHER obt 1814.”
[Inscription from Canon Dwyer’s “Diocese of Killaloe.”]
In the floor of the south transept:—
“Sacred to the memory of Lieu | tenant HENRY STRAFFORD of the | 47th Regiment whose Remains Lie Interred here, a youth | distinguished in early life in | the service of his country through | the whole course of the late | American Warr. in him were united | the humane brave officer & the | sincere friend, He Died on the | 12th of September 1765 in the 23 | Year of his Age an ornament | to his profession. This monument | was Erected by the officers | of the Regiment as A Testmo (sic) | of their gratitude & Affection | to the Memory of their Worth . . | Friend.”
Near the last:—
“Beneath this flag lyeth the remains | of SAUMAURIEZ DUBOURDIEU ESQ. M.D., late Surgeon to his Majestys Royal Long | ford Regiment of Militia died | at Ennis Aug 21st 1801 of a bilious | fever after an illness of only twelve | days in the 36 year of his age | If knowledge in his own profession | Temperance or the wishes of his | many friends could have ensured | Length of years his brother officers | would not now have had the | melancholy task of Erecting | This stone to his memory.”
Near the last:—
“To the memory of | THEOPHILIUS COOPER | Late of the Clare Regt of Militia who spent a great part | of his long & irreproachable life | in the 16th Regt. of foot. This humble tribute of Affection | is raised at the desire of his deeply afflicted widow | and eight children | obiit Anno Domini (sic) ætatis 58 | Died December 22nd 1814.”
Near last:—
“Here lies the Body of WILLIAM RYAN who dep. this life March 1st 1798 aged 67 years | Also PATRICK MACMAHON & his wife CATHERINE MACMAHON | Alias Fox who departed this life | March 7th 1793 aged 64 yrs | Erected by WILLIAM RYAN jun for himself & his familye.”
Ennis—Franciscan Priory
Nave, north wall:—
“QUISQUIS ERIS QUI TRANSIERIS | STA PERLEGE PLORA
SUM QUOD | ERIS FUERAMQUE QUOD ES PRO ME PRECOR | ORA . QUOD CINIS ET
PULVIS QUOD SO | RDIDA TERRA SUPERTAS QUOD REDIS | IN CINERES
39
NON MENINISSES NOCET GEN | ORATE PRO ANIMA LAURENTII O’HEHIR DE
| DROMKARHIN QUI HUNC . . . UMULU FIERI | FECIT PRO SE ET SUIS
SU. . .CESSOR IBUS | ANNO DNI 16 . . . (apparently 21).
“HERE LIES THE BODY OF TIEGE O | KERIN OF GLEAN WHO DYED THE | 26 OF JANUARY IN THE YEARE | 1685. THIS STONE WAS SET UP BY THADY KERIN SON TO THE SAID TIEGE | VIXISTI FÆLIX MORIERE BEATIOR | NUNC SPES TIBI VITA FUIT MORS TIBI MUNUS ERAT.”
Recently set in an ancient sedile:—
“1761 | underneath | is the opening of the vault belonging to the | family of the DAVENPORTS | this was erected by the successor | WILLIAM HUNT.”
South wall:—
“EUGENIUS CONSIDIN CELEBR | IS STIRPS NOMINIS HUJUS PRO | SE PROQUE SUIS HANC OLIM | STRUXERAT URNAM POST | DESTRUCTA FUIT CROMVELLI MA | RTE FURENTIS SED REPARATA | PRO JACOBE REGE SECONDO AL | TERO AB EUGENIO STIPIS EJUSDEM HIS PROFUNDE PRECES LECTOR MORTISQUE MEMENTO ANNO DOMINI 1686.”
This inscription is given in Dwyer’s “Killaloe” page 289, but varies in several respects from the above.—[ED.]
“DIERMITIUS CONSIDIN PRO | SE ET SUIS POSTERIS
HUNC TUMU | LUM FIERI FECIT ANNO 1631 | EST COMMUNE MON MORS MILLI PARCIT
HO | NORI DEBILIS UT FORTIS VENIVNT AD FUNERA MORTIS.”
This was removed from S. wall and re-set in a sedile on N. side, 1893.
Removed from outer face of S. wall in recent repairs. A “classic” design, the crest being appropriately a cock.
“This tomb was | erected by Mr. ROBERT | CROWE of Ennis for | himself & his family | Dec 4th 1772.”
There were formerly two modern tablets—now removed
to the modern Protestant church—of the Gores of Derrymore, fixed
to the belfry pier. FRANCIS GORE died in Dublin 1845, aged 84, and JOSEPH
GORE died 1847, aged 43.
Another tablet to Rev. WM. YOUNG fell from the S. wall, and was broken;
its fragments lie in the sacristy.
Rev. ANTHONY BRUODIN, describing the convent as it stood in 1641, mentions
in the nave a series of tombs of the CLANCYS, NELLANES, GILRIAGHS, HEHIRS,
and CONSIDINS; the latter two alone exist. He also describes a magnificent
canopied monument of the Earls of Thomond, apparently in the transept,
and a tomb of his own family in the chancel, both of which have disappeared.
I hope, in a forthcoming number of the Journal of the R.S.A.I.,
to fully describe the canopied, tombs in the chancel. The following fragment
was unearthed in the transept, also a block with the O’Brien crest—a
dexter arm and hand holding a dagger:—
“TEIG O’B (rien). . . . . | (Da) NIEL C |
. . . . . . . . . . E. . . . . . . . . . C. . . . . . . . . . Mc. . .
. . . . . . . | H Mc M. . . . . . . . . . | VELLYN. . . . . . . . . .
| RO GG.”
Perhaps this is the Teig O’Brien (son of Conor), who died August,
1582, and was buried at Ennis, as recorded (with many of the events of
his warlike career), in the “Annals of the Four Masters.”
Possibly the Daniel may be his brother, the last native Prince of Clare,
whose revolt gave so much trouble to the Governments of Mary and Elizabeth.
Outside the S. wall of the nave:—
Crest—A chained cat.
Arms—Three fleurs-de-lys on a bend.
“This tomb | was erected by Mr. | RICHARD BURKE, of Ennis, for |
him and family | Dec: the 4th, 1772.”
Outside S. wall of chancel:—
Crest—A stag’s head.
Arms—Gules on a chief argent three mullets.
“This tomb | was erected by DOMINICK | POWER for his wife HONORA
| O’BRIEN, deceased Aug. 1st, 1761, | and for himself
and his family.”
On a low vault in middle of chancel is inscribed, “STACPOLE
FAMILY.”
This ancient merchant family, of Dublin and Limerick, were transplanted
to Clare, 1652. The first members buried in Ennis were GEORGE and WILLIAM,
two brothers; the latter died 1745, of the former a square slab with an
inscription in incised capitals remains at Edenvale. It was brought from
his house in Mill-street, Ennis:—
“THIS HOVSE AND | THE FRONT WAS | BILT AND FINISED | BY GEOARGE STACPO | LE MEARCHANT | IN THE YEAR AN | NO DOMINI 1687.”
On the S. wall of the chancel we find the following inscription:—
“ERECTED BY JAS WOULFE FOR THE REMAINS OF HIS | MOTHER MARY FITZGERALD WHO DYED | . . . . . BR 1697 | AND OF HIS BELOVED WIFE ALICE WOULFE WHO | DYED YE 12 OF XBR 1742.”
On the north wall of chancel will be found the Creagh
tomb, fully given by Canon Dwyer; it embodies the slabs of the ancient
O’Brien tomb, erected before 1470 by More ni Brien, wife of MacMahon,
of Corcovaskin.
Arms—A lion rampant in chief, 2 spear-heads impaling arms,
three boars’ heads couped.
Crest—Dexter arm and hand holding lance.
Also the following inscription:—
“HIC JACENT JACOBUS MACNAMARA ET UXOR EJUS HELEN ALEE DE ENNIS QUORUM FILIUS PRIMOGENITUS JOHANNES MACNAMARA DE LIMERICK HOC MONUMENTUM EREXIT ILLIS SIBI ET HEREDIBUS SUIS ANNO DOMINI 1686. VIVE MEMOR MORTIS QUI SEMPER VIVERE POSSIS QUIDQUID ADEST TRANSIT QUOD MANET ECCE VENIT MISEREMINI MEI MISEREMINI MEI SALTEM VOS AMICI, VOS MEI JOB 19.”
A neat “Tuscan” tomb. Crest—A
wolf’s head couped at shoulder.
This monument stood in front of modern east window as set in belfry arch,
and was removed to N. wall, 1893:—
“Deo soli Gloria | This tomb | was erected to the memory of Lieut. HENRY BANKS, late of Ardee, | who departed this life in the year 1728 | By his son PERCIVAL BANKS, of Ennis, for him and the remains of his family | Anno Domini 1773 | Sic transit gloria mundi.”
“March ye 1, 1750 | This tomb was erectd | by ANDW FINUNCANE | for his wife JANE him | selfe and family.”
A canopied tomb in S. wall, no inscription; it marks the graves of King TURLOUGH MORE O’BRIEN, 1306, and the Barons of Inchiquin. I purpose describing it in Journal R.S.A.I.
Ennis Friary—S.E. corner of chancel.
Arms—Per pale indented six roses, for Hickman, impaling. A maunch (sable), for Colpoys.
“HERE LYES THE BODYES | OF THOMAS HICK (man) OF B (ally) | HINNAN ESQ WHO DYED . . . | OF 7 BER 1677 & E (lizabeth) | HIS WIFE WHO DYED . . . | 30TH YE SAME YEARE DAVGHTER | TO GEORGE COLPOVYS O (f) | BALLICARR ESQ.”
In the will of THOMAS HICKMAN, of Ballyhinan, in the County of Clare, Esq., 12th Sept., 1677, proved 28th Nov., 1677, at Dublin, we read:—
“My bodie to be interred in the chancell of the church of Innish where my late dear wife and Mother are interred or as conveniently near them as may be, and it is my will that my eldest sonne THOMAS HICKMAN, junr., doe cause the stone now at Ballyhinan near the waterside for that purpose to be polished & layed over the tomb of mee and my wife, and my armes and name to be thereon ingraven.”
The same Hickman arms with crest, a talbot’s head erased (on other ancient seals, a Talbot passant) appears on seal. Also on the funeral entry of his son-in-law, HUGH PERCIVAL, of Gortnadrome, County Clare.
Near last:—
“Hic jacet MARIA SIMS alias | DWOOGAN quæ vita excelsit [sic] | Decimo octavo die Mens | junii A.D. 1793, nata 78 annos | Hunc Tumulum fieri fecit | ejus filius SAML SIMS sibi | suisque—Deus Miscreatur | animæ ejus Amen.”
1897, Vol. III (3)
Ennis Friary
Kindly contributed by Thomas J. Westropp, Esq.
BANKS— 1728-1773. PERCIVAL, son of Lieut. H. BANKS, of Ardee. Crest—A wolf’s head couped, issuant from wreath.
BURKE— 1772. RICHARD, outer wall of the nave of Ennis Friary. Arms—On a bend three fleurs-de-lys. Crest—A chained cat sejant.
COLPOYS— 1677. ELIZABETH, dau. of GEORGE C., and wife of T. HICKMAN. Arms—A maunch. Seal—1757. JAMES, of Crusheen. Arms—A maunch. Crest—A dexter hand couped at wrist. Seal—1771. GEORGE, of Ballycarr. Arms—A maunch ermine. Crest—As above.
CROWE—1772. ROBERT, of Ennis. Crest—A cock crowing.
|
HICKMAN—Chancel 1677. THOMAS,
of Ballyhennan (Castle Fergus); High Sheriff, 1678, and his wife
COLPOYS, of Ballycarr. HICKMAN—Funeral Entry, 1683.—RHODA,
wife of H. PERCIVAL. Arms—Per pale indented arg.
and az. on first 3 roses in pale, gules; on 2nd, three
roses in pale argent. Seal—1731. POOLE, of Kilmore.
Arms—Indented arg. and az. Crest—A
Talbot passant. Seal—1760. HENRY, of Kilmore. Arms
and Crest—Same as last. MACNAMARA— 1686. JAMES. Arms—A lion rampant, in chief two spear heads and a crescent. Crest—A hand and arm holding a spear. |
 Hickman Seal |
POWER—Chancel. 1761. DOMINICK. Arms—Glues on a chief arg. 3 stars of the field.
“This tomb | was erected by DOMINICK | POWER for his wife HONORA | O’BRIEN deceased Aug. 1st 1761 | and for himself and his | family.”
Monuments in Drumcliff Graveyard.
From T.J. Westropp, Esq.
Monument—At the top of the hill near the north side:—
Arms—Argent 2 bears sable.
Crest—A bear’s head.
“In memory of RALPH WESTROPP BRERETON, Esq., formerly
of Limerick, who died at Clonroad House, Ennis, on the 23rd of March,
1858, aged 60 years.
He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness.”
1900, Vol. IV (2) part 2
Ennis Abbey.
From Lord Walter Fitzgerald, 1899.
On p. 35, Vol. III [1895, Vol. III (1), above], of the Report, in the inscription on the O’Neill Creagh Monument, after the line—
“junior Percii et Laviniæ Pennefather, obt 1814”
—there should be added:—
“Dora Macnamara uxor ejus,
& Neptis Elizabetha Creagh alias
Davoren supradieta,
ob 1834.
Piers Creagh nepos Simonis Piercii
& filius Piercii Creagh et Belindæ
Butler uxoris. ob. an. æt. 2nd
A. D. 1841.
On page 37 [1895, Vol. III (1), above], the name DIERMITIVS CONSIDIN should read DIERMITIVS. MAC CONSIDIN.
On the same page the letters (which are in relief) on the fragment of the O’Brien slab should be placed as follows:—
“TEIG . OBR ……………………………………………………….
NIEL . C …………………………………………………………...
EIG . McT …………………………………………………………
H . Mc . M ………………………………………………………….
VELLY Mc………………………………………………………..
ROGG ……………………………………………………………...
Built into a house adjoining the abbey burial-ground, and facing the street, is a mural tablet with the following inscription in raised Roman capitals:—
“THIS HOVSE | W—AS . BILT . IN | THE YEARE | OF . OVR . LORD | GOD . 1658 . BY | IOHN . CRVCE.”
Hall of the County Infirmary.
From T. J. Westropp, Esq., 1899.
“This tablet was erected by public subscription | in honour of the memory of | THOMAS MAHON Esqre | who was for many years actively and zealously engaged | in the management of all the Public Charitable Institutions | of the County of Clare. As Chairman of the Relief Commissioners | of the Town of Ennis he assiduously laboured to mitigate | the suffering which pestilence & famine | had produced around him. His valuable life was terminated by typhus fever | on the 3rd day of June 1847. In the 58th year of his age. Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.”
1905, Vol. VI (2)
Dromcliffe (near Ennis) Churchyard.
From Alfred Molony, Esq.
In the ruined Church, under the east window, on a tablet let into the wall over a box-tomb:—
The Revd Dean Barretts | Tomb. He died Feby 15th | 1808.—Aged 85 Years— | Erected by his parishionrs | A D 1811.
On upright stone, a few feet north-west of above:—
Here lies the body of Mrs | Alice Brew | Wife of Richard Brew of | Tullycrine Esqr & Daughter to | Charles Adams of Killoe Esq | who died ye 30th of August 1789 | Aged 20 yrs
Richard Brew of Tullycrine and his second wife were buried at Corofin Churchyard. Charles Adams of Killoe died 9th February, 1799 and Alice, his wife (née Adams), died 12th February, 1799; ride “Ennis Chronicle.”
Ennis Abbey—Franciscan Friary.
In the choir, near the east window:
Here lies the Body | of Mrs Anne Butler | who Depd this life | March 17th 1817 | This Tomb was Erectd | to her memory by her | Affectionate Daughters | Mrs Mary Green & Miss | Butler. |
Mrs. Anne Butler was widow of William Butler, of Ennis.
Their daughter Mary married, 14th April, 1814, Benjamin Greene, Solicitor, of Ennis (see “Limerick Gazette,” 19th April, 1814) and had issue John Butler Greene, B.L., and a daughter who died young. Mrs. Butler’s second daughter, Margaret, died unmarried.
Here lies the body of | James Butler who Depd | this life Octbr 18th 1790 | Aged 38 Years | May his soul Rest in | peace Amen. |
The age may be 58 years.
In the cloister garth:—
This Tomb was Erected by | John Robt McGrath
of Ennis | in memory of his Beloved Wife | Anne McGrath for
himself | and Family Anno Domini 1821.
He was a member of the ancient family of McGrath, of Kilbarron, Co. Clare.
Corrovorron Churchyard (near Ennis.)
Heare lies the bo [*] ys of Wil | liam Connell and Maudl
| in his wife who died | the 15 day of March | 1633 Erected by his | son
Danniell.
* A small piece has been cut out of the stone where the
asterisk is printed.
1907, Vol. VII (1)
Dromcliffe Churchyard, near Ennis.
From Alfred Molony.
On a tombstone a little to the north-west of the ruined church:—
Sacred
to the Memory of
Michael Greene Esq of Ennis
Solicitor
who departed this life
on the 19th day of November 1837
Also to the memory of his Widow
Jane Greene
who died on the 17th day of June 1854
Henry Greene
Died 9th November 1869
Michael Greene was a younger brother of William Greene, Solicitor, of Ennis (“Bumbo”), about whom, and his witty sayings, so many droll stories are still told in Clare. Mrs. Jane Greene was daughter of Chartres Brew, of Applevale. Henry Greene (only surviving son of Michael and Jane Greene) lived at Brookville, near Ennis, and was Sub-Sheriff of Clare for several years.
On a tombstone adjoining the foregoing one:—
Sacred
to the memory of
John Trousdell Esqr Solicitor
Bindon Street Ennis died 24 April 1848
Aged 39 Years
This tomb is erected by his bereaved widow
as a trifling monument of her affection for him
And for her Dearly loved Child
William Greene Trousdell
who died 3rd May 1861
Aged 20 years
Whatsoever ye do in word or deed do all in the
name of the Lord Jesus. 3rd Collossians 17th Verse
Neither is there Salvation in any other for there is none
other name under Heaven given among men whereby
we must be saved. 4th Acts 12th Verse
John Trousdell was a nephew of the above-mentioned Michael and William Greene, and was in partnership with the latter.