Part III. History of the County of Clare
Chapter 15. Inquisitions relating to County of Clare—Reign of Elizabeth

Donogh O’Brien of Dromoland; Turlogh O’Brien of Smithstown; Mahone O’Brien of Clondowan;

Inquisition, taken at Dromoland, on the 6^th of December, 1580, before Nathaniel Smyth, deputy of John Crofton, finds that Donogh, commonly called Donogh MacMurrogh O’Brien, late of Dromoland, was taken in rebellion against the Queen, and executed, on the 6^th of September, 1582, being then owner of the castle and lands of Dromoland, of the ruined castle of Ballyconneely, and eight quarters of land, now wasted, adjoining said castle, namely the quarter of Dromoland, of Ballyconoblin, Ballygirreen, Lattoon, Rathfolane, and Lytlerayne; of the castle and lands of Leamaneigh, consisting of three quarters, now wasted; of the castle of Ballygriffy and four cottages adjoining; of the monastery of Corcomroe, valued at forty shillings; finds that the lands of Donogh were forfeited to the Queen by reason of his rebellion.

Inquisition, taken at Ennis, on the 16^th of January, 1585, before George Bingham, finds that Turlogh O’Brien of Ballygown (Smithstown), died on the 12^th of July, 1584, being owner of the castle, fort, town, and lands of Ballygown; of the monastery of Kilshanny, together with all its tithe, and its five quarters of lands; of the castle and town of Boneill with its lands; of Ballyvaghan castle and lands; of Ballycasheen; of nine quarters of land near the town of O’Brien’s Bridge; of Carrownacloghy, Gurtincraghin, Lislano, and Ballyvechallobeg; finds that the three sisters of the said Turlogh, viz., Honoria, Slaney, and Aney are his co-heiresses; the eldest, Honoria, being now fifteen, Slaney ten, and Aney seven years of age; finds that they are under the guardianship of their mother More.

Inquisition, taken at Leaghfynin, near Derryowen, on the 8^th of August 1586, before John Crofton, finds that in March 1585, Mahone Mac An Aspig O’Brien, late of Clondowan, was killed at the siege of his castle of Clondowan, by the shot of a cannon, discharged by order of Sir Richard Bingham, ^[4] O’Brien being then in rebellion against the Queen; finds that he was owner of the castle of Clondowan, since demolished, with two quarters of land adjoining, one called Clondowan, the other Carrow-mac-Shaned; of the site of a ruined castle named Moneygippaun, with two quarters of land lying contiguous; of the ruined castle of Kilkeedy with its two and a half quarters, and a half-quarter called Carrow-an-poul-ke, and Carrow Geleissal Killean; of a quarter called Kilcoroghfin, of Drumnadeevna, Carrow Dowesse, Killourney, Cloonsilherney, the island of Manahowe: finds that by the composition deed, entered into between the Queen and County, it was settled that the said Mahone O’Brien and his heirs should enjoy the ownership of six quarters of land free from Crown or other rents; finds that Mahone was owner of the Rectory and Vicarage of the parish of Kyllvlanchy (Coill-o-Flanchada), with the tithe thereof, except of the townlands of Monreagh and Carrownagowl, which he held from the see of Killaloe; finds that all these lands were uncultivated and waste, except four acres planted with wheat and oats; finds that the Governor of Connaught, to wit, Sir Richard Bingham, gave this cultivated land to one Roger Bungar for a sum of money; finds that the cattle of George Cusack of Derryowen, and of James Darcy of Galway, had been pastured on O’Brien’s lands; finds that Turlogh O’Brien, now aged fourteen years, is the eldest son, and would be the heir of Mahone, only that his father was killed in rebellion, and his lands confiscated. Another Inquisition, taken on the 24^th of May 1592, finds that Mahone was owner of the following lands in addition to those above recited:—Boulevin, Tulla, Killeenmaccooga, Derrynethloghtan, Poulataggle, all of which were unjustly kept from the Queen by Daniel O’Brien of Bealnafirvarna.