1065
Durcan, son of Maelmhiadhaigh Ua hEolusa, chef of Muintir-Eoluis, was slain
by Aedh Ua Conchobair (kg of Connaught)[1]
1085
Muireadhach son of Dudh, chief of
Muintir-Eoluis was taken prisoner by Toitdhealbhach Ua Briain; and all
Muintir-Eoluis was plundered by him[2]
1087
A battle was fought between Ruaidhri
Ua Conchobair, kg of Connaught, and Aedh, son of Ua Ruairc, Lord of Conmhaicne
and Breifne, at Conachail (now Cunghill, a townland in the parish of Achonry,
Co. Sligo), in Corannwhere Ua Ruairs was defeated and killed. There was also
slain in this battle of Corann by Ruaidhri, Muireadhach Mac Dubh, chief of
Muintir-Eoluis; the son of Geoffry Ua Siriden; the son of Custleibhe
O’Feargall; and distinguished men of the Conmaicni; both noble and plebian.[3]
1139
Fearghal, son of Ragnall, son of
Muireadhach, chief of Muintir-Eoluis was killed by Tighearan Ua Ruairc, while
under the protection of Ua Briain and the men of Briefne, both laity and
clergy, relics and shrines[4]
1140
Tighrarnan Ua Ruairc with the forces
of the men of Breifne, came to attack the camp of the Connaughtmen and
Conmhaicni. These left the camp to them; and the southern party burned it and
slew Ragnall, the grandson of Dubhdara, chief of Muintir-Eoluis, with many
others[5]
1146
Gillabrighde, son of Dudhdara,
chief of muintir-Eoluis was wounded and he afterwards died at his house having
plundered Cluain Coirpthe (now Kilbarry, in the parish of Termonbarry, Co.
Roscommon)[6]
1150
Conchabhar Mag Raghnaill,
Lord of Muinter-Eoluis was killed by Aedh, son of Tighearnan Ua Ruairc.[7]
1167
Conn Ua Maelmhiadhaigh, chief
of Muintir-Eoluis, died[8]
1169
Raghnall Ua Maelmhiadhaigh,
chief of Muintir-Eoluis, died after penance[9]
1179
Melaghlin O’Mulvey, chief of
Muintir-Eoluis, died[10]
1184
Flourit MacRaghnaill chief
of Muinter Eolus[11]
Auliffe, the son of Farrell
O’Rourke, Lord of Breifny, was treacherously slain by Mac Rannell[12]
1187
Hugh, the son of Melaghlin
O’Rourke, Lord of Breifny, was slain by the sons of Con Mag Rannal[13]
1196
The chiefs of Muintir-Eoluis
were treacherously slain by the sons of Cathal O’Rourke. Murray Mac Rannall,
surnamed the Gillaroe, chief of Muintir-Eoluis was slain by the sons of Manus
O’Conner, at the instigation of the son of Cathal O’Rourke, who had procured
the deaths of the above mentioned chiefs. [14]
1197
Donnell, son of Randall Mac
Rannall, was treacherously slain by the sons of MacDuvdara[15]
1237
An army led by Felim, the son
of Cathal Crovderg (O’Conner) and his brothers, into Connaught, being joined by
Cuconnaught O’Reilly and by Cathal Mac Randal with the Conmaicni, against the
descendants of Roderic, namely, Briain, son of Turlough, Murlough and Donnell,
son of Dermot, who was son of Roderic and Conor, son of Cormac who was son of
Dermot.
They went northwards across
Coirr Shliabh-na-Seaghsa (Curlew mountains) until thay arrived at Drumraitte
(Drumrat, aparish in the barony of Corran) in pursuit of the [ ] of Roderic. The descendants of Roderic
sent the soldiers of the Lord Justice, who were along with them, to give battle
to Felim and his forces. Felim however ordered his troops not to shoot at them
at all, but to come to a close fight without delay. This was done according to
his order; and the soldiers did not long sustain the charge, when they were
routed towards their people. A great number were slain and among the rest
Mibric[16]
1238
Donough, son of Murlough
(MacDermot) went into Breifny to O’Reilly and brought a great force with him
into Connaught, and plundered the people of Cluain-Coirpthi; and many of the
chiefs of Muintir-Eolais were slain in pursuit of prey which had been taken in
the country, as were also a great number of the Tuathas.[17]
1247
Miles Mac Costello took
possession of Feadha Conmaicne (a district in Mac Rannals country), and
expelled Cathal Mac Rannall from thence; the crannóg of Cleanlough (proberly , now called Behavel
lough, called Clen Lough in the Down Survey) was also taken for him, and he
left those who had taken it to guard it for him. Hereupon Cathal and Turlough,
two sons of Hugh O’Connor rose up to
assist Mac Rannall in expelling Mac Costello from Feadha Conmaicne. They retook
the crannóg and the lake, and demolished the castle of Leckderg on the Saturday
before Whit-Sunday; and Turlough went to Trinity Island to Clarus Mac Matin,
the erenagh, for the English were not willing to come out of the castle, except
on condition that the erenagh would protect and escort them westwards across
the Shannon to Tuaim-mna (Tumna, Co. Roscommon). Soon afterwards they went away
with Clarus, and the Clann-Costello were all expelled from that country,[18]
1265
Cathal MacRaghnaill chief
of Muinter Eolais died[19]
Teige Mag-Finnvor (chief of
Muintir-Geren) was slain by Conor Mac Ranall and his son Donnel O’Farrell[20]
1305
Fergal MacRaghnaill chief
of Muinter Eolus slain
1315
Mahon MacRaghnaill chief
of Muinter Eolus slain
1317
Raghnail MacRaghnaill chief
of Muinter Eolus deposed
1324
Raighnail Oge MacRaghnaill
chief of Muinter Eolus slain
1326
Ivar MacRaghnaill chief
of Muinter Eolus slain
1328
Ivar MacRaghnaill chief
of Muinter Eolus slain
1337
Cathal MacRaghnaill chief
of Muinter Eolus slain
1353
Cathal M’Ivar MacRaghnaill
chief of Muinter Eolus slain
1355
1366
Malachy MacRaghnaill chief
of Muinter Eolus died
1384
Dermot MacRaghnaill Dubh
chief of Muinter Eolus died[22]
1401
Cathal Roe MacRaghnaill chief
of Muinter Eolus slain
1405
Richard MacRannell died[23]
1410
Raghnail MacRaghnaill chief
of Muinter Eolus died
Cumascragh MacRaghnaill chief
of Muinter Eolus died
1412
Murianus Magranyll clerk of
the diocese of Ardagh
1433
Donald Magranill, clerk of
the diocese of Ardagh[24]
1461
Cormac Magranyll canon of
Ardagh, later Bishop of Ardagh
1465
Robert and Rory Magranayl
clerks of Ardagh
1468
Tadg MacRaghnaill chief
of Muinter Eolus died
Fitz Murragh and Malachy fl.
1473
Tadg MacRaghnaill chief
of Muinter Eolus slain
Fergal MacRaghnaill chief
of Muinter Eolus slain
1492
William MacRaghnaill chief
of Muinter Eolus fl.
1508
April Maurice and Donald Mcgrannyll receive mandate form Pope Paul V
1528
Charles Reynolds Archdeacon
of Kells[25]
1531
Grant of English liberty to Charles Reynolds otherwise Magranyll,
bachelor of laws that he may be free of all Irish service, use and enjoy the
English laws, and aquire lands and possessions[26]
1535
M’Rannell deputised by
Lord Offaly
Charles M’Rannell, Archdeacon
of Kells, in Kilkenny was deputed by Silken Thomas, son of Garald Oge, Earl of
Kildare and Lord Justice of Ireland, to seek from Pope Urban VIII, and from
Charles V, Emperor of Germany, aid in arms, men and money for the expulsion of
the English out of Ireland[27]
13th April John McGranyll of Fynour, fined for
the keeping of hounds
1541
15th November,
Tadg MacRannell, native of the Barony of Leitrim, consecrated Bishop of
Kildare.[28]
Pardon to Thady M’Raynylde alias M’Raynylde, Chaplin, upon surrendering
his bulls of appointment to the bishopric of Kildare[29]
Pardon to Thady M’Raynylde, alias Reynolde[30]
1555
Grant of English liberty to Gerald Reynald otherwise Magranill[31]
1570
“The castle of the island” of
Loughscur was erected by John, son of Humprey Reynolds and about the same time
another castle was built by the MacRannells at Rinn, or Rhynn, in the parish of
Cloon and in the Barony of Carrigallen.[32]
1571
MacRannells of Muinter Eolus
captains under O’Neill (Earl of Tyrone)[33]
1576
14th May Humprey Reynolds (Loughscur) alias
Magrannell died
1585
Surrender by Brian O’Roirck,
of Dromaher in the O’Roircks country, knt; of the whole country of Breny
O’Roirck, and both (i.e. two) Monterolesse,
Kynolowchan, Dartrye, Montercheny, Largye, Clinarwy and Karrye, called
O’Roircks country and the manors and town Dromaher, Leytrym, the Newton alias
Ballennet and Ballintogher, with the intention of their being regranted to him.
Signed Brian O’Ruairc, dated
2 June XXVI[34]
1601
1610
James Grannell of Rosdroit, Co.
Wexford, student at the Irish College Salamanca, Spain[35]
1629
5 Charles 1 - Grant to Humprey
Reynolds[36]
1632
John Reynolds of Loughscur, Governor
of Leitrim, son of Humprey dies[37]
1646
Charles MacRannell of
Jamestown, Co. Leitrim sat amongst the Confederate leaders at Kilkenny
Bryan M’Rannell was chief of
Muinter Eolus
1654
John Óg MacRannell was chief
of that name during the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell[38]
1688
Edmond Reynolds Esq.
Represented Leitrim in King James ‘s parliament
1698
Morgan Grannell of Macmine
Co. Wexford wanted for non payment of Poll Tax[39]
1739
Fr’s Thady and John Grannell
working in Co. Wexford[40]
1741
17th December Fr Thady Grannell died aged 61 years
1761
Memorial registered in the
Registry of Deeds, grantor Moses Grannell of Tinteskin, Co. Wexford
1779
Memorial registered in the
Registry of Deeds, grantor Moses of
Grannell Tinteskin, Co. Wexford
1797
Memorial registered in the
Registry of Deeds, grantor Moses of
Grannell Tinteskin, Co. Wexford
1784
Memorial registered in the
Registry of Deeds, grantor Moses of
Grannell Tinteskin, Co. Wexford[41]
[1] Annals of the Four Masters (AFM)
1065 – Dynastic confusion in Ulster
[2] AFM 1085
[3] AFM 1087
1067-87
Aed Ua Ruairc, kg of Connaught
1087
Ruaidri Ua Conchobair becomes kg of Connaught, also death of William the
Conqueror
[4] AFM 1139
[5] Ibid 1140
[6] Idid 1146
[7] Ibid 1150 - AFM editors note; Mag
Raghnaill – Now Mac Rannell but more usually anglicized Reynolds. This family
were seated in the southern or level part of Leitrim.
[8] AFM 1167 – also in the same year
Diarmait Mac Murchada is in Aquitaine: offers fealty to Henry II and receives
to recruit help in Wales to recover the kingdom of Ui Cennselaig. In 1169 the Normans land at Bannow Bay (Co.
Wexford).
[9] AFM 1169 – Ua Conchobair and
Tigernain Ua Ruairc invade Ui Chennselaig; Mac Murchada submits and delivers
his son Conchobar as hostage.
[10] AFM 1179 – AFM editors note:
Muintir-Eoluis – The territory which afterwards became the principality of Mac Rannell, comprised the southern half of
the present Co. of Leitrim. It extended from Slieve-in-ierin and lough Allen to
Slieve Carbry, and west of Ballinamuck, in the Co. of Longford, and contained
the castles of Rinn, Loughscur and Leitrim, and the monasteries of Fiodhnacha
Muighe Rein, now Fenagh, Maothail, now Mohill, and Cluain Conmaicne, now
Cloone. The mountains of Slieve-in-ierin are placed in this territory by the
ancient writers.
[11] Cronelly, Irish Family History NLI
IR9262 c 11
[12] AFM 1184
[13] Ibid 1187
[14] Ibid 1196 – note Gillaroe, an
Giolla Rua or red haired youth.
[15] Ibid 1197
[16] AFM 1327 – Fedlimid O Conchobair
defeats Brian, son of Toirrdelbach O Conchobair at Drumrat.
[17] AFM 1238
[18] AFM 1247 – Mac Costello is a Norman
family, their correct name being Nangle.
[19] Cathal Mór i.e. Charles the Great
the first of his sept that assumed the surname MacRannell, which the chiefs of
the family and such as were Lords of the territory used after him, He married
Graman Grace, daughter of Cathal Crobh Dhearg O’Conner, King of Connaught and
after 63 years Governor of his country he died (Linea Antiqua, sect 4
“Reynolds” 101-126).
1189
Conchabar Máenmaige Ua Conchobhair, kg of Connacht, killed by his own
retainers; the sucession was contested between
his two sons Cathal Carrach and Cathal Crobderg.
1192
Cathal Crobderg Ua Conchabhair kg of Connaught.
1224
Cathal Crobderg, kg of Connaught dies and is succedded by his son Áed.
[20] AFM 1265 – note, Felim O’Connor
died and was buried in the monastery of the Dominican friars at Roscommon. Hugh
O’Conner his son was inaugurated King over the Connacions.
[21] AFM, editor note, a mistake of the
Four masters. Public records show that Richard FitzRalph, Dean of Lichfield ,
Richard of Dundalk, was Primate of Armagh 1346-1360. However R. F. Cronelly,
Irish Family History, IR 9292 c11 says that
Ware and others incorrectly called
the Archbishop at this time Richard Fitz Ralph.
[22] Rory O’Conner, kg of Connaught died
of the plague on the night of St. Catherines festival after reining 16 years
and 3 months as King of all Connaught. In consequence of this a great war
afterwards broke out through all Connaught.
MacRanall
Duv Dermot, son of Melaghlin, the excellent chief of Muinter Eolus for
hospitality and prowess, was treacherously slain by the sons of Randall
MacRannell in the doorway of the house of
Richard MacRannell (AFM, 1384).
[23] “AD 1405 Richard Magrannell,
Chieftain of Moytryeolas, died at
Christmas, by taking a surfeit of aqua vitae. Mine author sayeth that it was
not aqua vitae to him, but aqua mortis” This is the first notice of aqua vite,
uisce beagh, or whiskey in the Irish Annals. (Annals of Clonmacnoise, 1405)
[24] ARDAGH – Bishop of Conmaicne, that
is the bishop of the see of Ardagh,which comprises the the country of the
eastern Conmaicne, that is Annaly, the territory of O’Farrell, in the county of
Longford; and Muinter Eolus that of MacRannell, in the Co. of Leitrim. These
two familiesdescend from Cormac, the illegitimate son of Fergus, the dethroned King
of Ulster, by Meave, Queen of Connaught, in the first century. The diocese of
Ardagh was extended beyond the territory of these tribes at the Synod of Rath
Breasil, about the year 1118 (AFM)
[25] Charles Reynolds, Archdeacon of
Kells, RC, 1528-1535, he was the first in a long line of diplomatic clerics.
Lord Offaly sent Reynolds to Pope Paul III to seek absolution from
excommunication.
[26] Henry VIII, membrane1, 1531-1532,
Oct 9
[27] AFM 1531, Henry becomes supreme
head of the Church of England.
[28] Thady Reynolds accepted Royal
Supremacy and was recognized by Henry VIII as a suffragan of Archbishop Browne,
of Dublin, Thady died c.1577
[29] Fiants Henry 187, 1541
[30] Fiants Henry 276, 1541
[31] Fiants Philip and Mary, 89, 1555
[32] “The castle of the island” was the
scene of a dreadful massacre of the leading chiefs of Muinter Eolus, in the
reign of Queen Elizabeth 1. The principal members of the sept were invited to
an entertainment by John M’Rannell, but they had no sooner laid aside their
arms, but they were set upon by a band of ruffians commissioned to assassinate
them and inhumanely butchered. This John was a captain in the Elizabethan army
and the first of the chieftains of Muinter Eolus to conform to the Established
Church.
Irish
Family History, R. F. Cronelly, IR9292 c11
[33] Calendar of State Papers (CSP)
Ireland 1571-75
[34] FE 1585 (4683)
[35] In 1610, James Grannell of Rosdroit, swore an oath to serve In the Irish
missions. This event took place in the Irish College of Salamanca, Spain. “El
Real Colegio de San Patrico de Nobles Irlandeses” at Salamanca was founded by
three Irish priests in 1592. James Grannell was a student at this college. From
the oath taken we know that he was born in
Rossdroit, Co, Wexford and that his fathers name was Richard Grannell.
On the 24th of April 1610 James swore to the following oath;
‘Ego Jacobus Gromel
Hybernus literatum studiosus in oppido Responte (Rossdroit) oriundus in
Provinca Laginia parentes Richardum Gromellum et Catherinam Molganum in
diaecesi Fernensi operam dedi humanioribus literis annis sex praecaptoribus
Matheo Roch, Dominca Johanne Power, Jacoba Clery, Nicholao Shea et Johanne Wale
apputi in hoc collejum detatis meae 25 mensis vero martiu 16° (year not given)’.
[36] Grant to Humprey Reynolds, his
heirs forever also Conner McMurogh M’Graneil, Tirlough McGranell, Thady Owen
M’Granell, Geoffry M’Rowry M’Granell, FerdaghM’Melaghlin Modero M’Granell,
Gerrett Tirlough M’Granell, Hubert Boy M’Granell, Thady Brian McGranell. All of
which lands are situate in the Co. of Leitrim, are to be held of his Majesty,
as of his castle of Dublin, in fee and common soccage, subject to the
conditions of plantation –May 18th 1629, Calendar of Patent Rolls
(CPR) 5 Charles 1
[37] Humprey Reynolds also called
MacRannell Galda was Governor of Muinter Eolus and the whole of the County of
Leitrim under Queen Elizabeth. His father was Thomas who was the first in his
family to leave out the addition of Mac and instead of Rannell called himself Reynolds, presuant to
an Act of Parliament made in Queen Elizabeths reign for which and for civilizing his family and bringing
his country to the obedience of the crown of England, and introducing the
English customs and fashions amongst them he was called MacRannell Galda, or
the English Magrannell. He married Amelia daughter of Sir Oliver Welshe of
Moyvalley in the county of Kildare, knt, by his wife the Earl of Kildares
daughter by whome he had issue. Besides Humprey, Thomas had another son called
Owen, father of John, who had a son Thomas. (Linea Antiqua, sect 4
“Reynolds” 120-121)
John
Reynolds captain in the Elizabethian army and the first of his family to join
the established church, died in 1632 and had a son called Henry .
This John
was known as ‘Seaghan na gCeann’ (John of the Heads) on account of a dreadful
massacre he instigated of the leading chiefs of his tribe at his castle of
Loughscur . (O’Harts pedigrees Reynolds genealogy)
[38] St. Columcille foretold of an
Irish-Englishman would destroy the monastery of Fenagh. The comarbship of
Fenagh was the heredity right of the O’Rody family, and Tadg O’Rody the chief
representative of the sept in the beginning of the 18th century felt
satisfied that John Oge M’Rannell was the person to fulfill the prophesy. He
informs us that John’s father was a true Gael (FiorGaedhal) and that his
mother, Russel was an English Lady (BeanGalda) and that he John was the first
to send the English to Fenagh during the Cromwellian Wars, that it was at his
invitation and advice that they came hither, and that he afterwards regretted
having invited them to settle in Muinter Eolus. (marginal note by Tadg O’Rody
in the Book of Fenegh IR89162 G10 and Cronellys Irish Family histories IR9292
c11).
Book
of Fenagh
An
Abbot will be born in Fidnacha,
Who
will collect thy tributes,
In
the time of Domhnall of Findross
And
of Conchobar of Cruachan,
Then
will come a Gall-Gaidhel,
By
whom thy place will be destroyed,
Therafter
thou shalt have great luck
And
thy relics shall be powerful.
[39] In 1698, a Morgan Grannell is listed in a Poll Tax return for the
Corporation of Enniscorty. On a small slip of vellum the following was
recorded; ‘list of the inhabitants of Macmine of what are not to be found
distresses for ye 2nd Quarterly Poll Tax, 1698 - Morgan Grannell, Runn away 6d.’.
[40] A manuscript found in the Franciscan Convent in Wexford lists the clergy
of the Diocese who in 1739 subscribed £1-2s-6d each for a purpose not stated in
the document. Amongst the 17 Pastores mentioned we find a John and Thady
Grannell.
Father Thady Grannell,
buried in Templeshanbo graveyard. He died on the 17th December 1741
aged 61.
Bishop Nicholas Sweetman
(1745-1786) recorded the following on a visit to the diocese of Ferns in 1753;
‘July ye 8th.
1753 – I confirmed and visited at Bowly-Philip (Newtownbarry) with Rev,
John Grannell, where things were well,
and Rev. Martin Redmond gives a good Irish sermon’
This was one off the
more favorable comments made by the Bishop. It is interesting to note that in
1753 a good part of the diocese of Ferns was Irish speaking and evidently
Bishop Sweetman was himself an Irish speaker.
[41] Between 1761 and 1784 four Memorials were registered in the Registry Of
Deeds Office, in Heinretta St. Dublin. They all concern Moses Grannell of
Tinteskin, Kilmuckridge.
The 1761 Memorial
records a land grant from Mogue Grannell to Pierce Laffan.
‘A memorial of Articles of
Agreement……whereby Moses Grannel by the name described Mogue Grannel of Tinekeniny,
Co. of Wexford, farmer demised lett unto Pierce Laffan of Tineskena
…witnessed by ? Dempsey of
Killmuckridge , Co Wexford’.
The 1779 memorial is from Moses to
Garret Grannell, with rent due to Lord Viscount Valentia and the grant witnessed
by Daniel McAuly of Littermore and John Bolger of Ballygarran, all in the Co,
Of Wexford.
The 1797 Memorial is from Grannell to Murphy and reads
as follows;
‘A Memorial of Indentured Articles
of Agreement bearing date the ninth day of October 1797 made between Moses
Grannell of Tonteskeen in the co. of Wexford farmer and Patrick Murphy of Tenkskin aforesaid farmer whereby the
said Moses Grannell did demise grant lett
and to farm let unto the said Patrick Murphy that part of the town and lands of
Teneskin…. containing be estimation sixacres be the same more or less which
said lands are situate in the barony of Ballaghkeene and co. Wexford to hold
from 25 day of September last for 24
years at a yearly rent of four pounds sterling which said articles of agreement
is witnessed by John Murphy of Garrybran and Michael Lacy of Ballyshagh both in
the Co. Wexford etc etc…..’.
The 1784
memorial was from Grannell to Murphy, for all his lands in Tenteskin. After his
death his farm was to pass to Patrick Murphy and James Grannell, Moses or Mogue
owed title to these lands by virtue of the lease granted to him by Lord
Valentia, these lands are situated in the Barony of Ballaghkeen, Co. Wexford.
Registry of Deeds,
1779, vol. 330/63/220152
Registry of Deeds, 1797,
vol. 324/437/217419
Registry of Deeds,
1777-1785, Vol. 365/1/24274