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

John MacNamara of Montallon; Teige O’Brien of Smithstown; Edmond O’Bradie of Tomgraney; John M‘Inerney of Ballykilty; Francis Agard of Tomgraney

1577. Nov. 22.—Inquisition, taken at Knockenegan, before John Crofton, General Escheator, and a jury duly sworn, finds that John MacNamara of Montallon died on the 16^th of January, 1570, seized in fee of four stone castles (castri), and the lands following, viz.:—Montallon, Clooncool, Liscullane, Doon, Coolagh, Bally-na-cléithe (Hurdlestown), Castle-an-logha, Caherhurly, Cloongaheen, Killuran, Coolready, and Drummod; that he holds these by letters patent of Henry VIII. to his father Teige MacNamara; that John MacNamara is the son of said John; that he was six years old at the time of the death of his father; that Finola O’Malryber (O’Mulryan?) is his widow; that she now holds Montallon as her jointure; that Sheeda Maccon MacNamara, a relative of said John, holds the remaining denominations, but by what title is not known to the Inquisitors; that the Earl of Thomond and Captain MacNamara receive some rents from these lands, but by what right is not known. ^[1]

1578. July 20^th.—Inquisition, taken at Ennis, before Edward White ^[2] and a jury, finds that Teige O’Brien, son of Murrogh, late of Smithstown, died on the 12^th of December, 1577, being the owner in fee of the castle and town of Smithstown, of a water mill adjoining, of the hamlet of Boneill and of Anaghin; that Turlogh O’Brien is his son and heir, and that More ny Brien is his widow.

1578. July 31^st.—Inquisition, taken at Quin, before Nicholas Finn, deputy of John Crofton, and a jury, finds that Edmund O’Bradie of Tomgraney, died on the 27^th of December, 1567, seized of Tomgraney. Feenagh, Killuchullumore, Seanboicronan, Killokind, Cloom, Kilchonebrain, Knock, near the village of Kiltulla, with mills and church presentations, these lands having been granted to his father Donogh, by Henry VIII., on the 5^th of January, in the 35^th year of his reign; finds that said Edmond died without leaving male issue, and that his brother Donald O’Brady, now aged 38 years, and married, is his heir.

Inquisition, taken at Ennis, on the 16^th of May, 21^st year of Elizabeth, before John Crofton, finds that John M‘Inerney, late of Ballykilty, died on the 5^th of November, 1565, seized in fee of Ballysallagh and Ballykilty; that Mahone M‘Inerney, aged 17, at his father’s death, is the son and heir of said John; finds that Mahone, son of Loghlen, and Mahone’s son, Loghlen the younger, both relations of John, had laid claim to his lands and appropriated them to their own use for thirteen years past.

Inquisition, taken at Windmill, on the 26^th of July, 1580, before Thomas Arthur, deputy of John Crofton, Escheator, finds that Francis Agard, late of Grangegorman, Esquire, was, at his death, on the 11^th October, in the 20^th year of the Queen, owner of Tomgraney and Scariff, together with twenty-one quarters of land in the vicinity of these towns, and that he was succeeded by his three daughters, Mabel, Cecilia, and Mary. ^[3]