Ireland

Sources from old books

1630. Relations of the most famous kingdomes. London. by Giovanni Botero.

Ireland.

THis kingdome, by the English, Spanish, and French, is tearmed Irland, or Ireland; by the Brittish Yuerdhon, by the Inhabitants Eryn. According to the Celestiall Globe, it is situated betweene the Artike Circle, and the Tropike of Cancer, but neerer the Artike, containing in Latitude foure degrees and an halfe, and according to the computation of our late Writers, betweene the twentie and the 25. Paralels. In the South parts, their longest day is of sixteene houres, with three fourths: In the Northerne, of almost eighteene. According to the Terrestriall, it stands between the greater Brittanie and Spaine: on the East, disjoyned from England wich a tempestuous sea, termed Hibernicum, not above one dayes sailing: upon the West beateth the vast Ocean: upon the North (where the Deucalidon Ocean disgorgeth) it hath Island, disjoyned no further than a ship in one day may saile unto: upon the South, it beholdeth Spaine (distant three dayes sailing) and the Vergivian Sea: From South to North it representeth an Ovall forme, and by halfe is lesse than Brittanie. Amongst many writers Camden, whom a man may best relie upon, reporteth that it containeth 400. miles in length, and in breadth 200.

The aire hereof is most wholsome, the situation milde, the weather temperate, but not altogether good to ripen fruit: For neither in Summer season, the heat is so parching that it driveth the Inhabitant to seeke the shade, neither the cold in Winter so rigorous, but that he may well live from the fire side: By the influence of the aire, all parts of the yeare are tolerably warme. It bringeth forth no venomous creature, neither nourisheth any brought from other places. The quality of the soile and constellation of the Heavens is moist with the most; whereupon it commeth to passe, that both inhabitants and strangers are troubled with the flix and Rheumes, and holpen or prevented with drinking Aqua-vitae. The Land is of divers Natures, in some place rough and mountainous, in others, boggie and waterish; shadowed with huge woods, and exposed to the winds, with intermixture of many great Lakes. Yea, in the ridge of their highest hils (mountaines indeed I cannot terme them) you shall find pooles & marishes. It hath goodly havens, and delectable plaines, but neither comparable to the woods for largenesse, nor greennesse. It is generally fertile except Vlster, (which in some parts is fertile, in othersome barren;) And Conaght, which (in times past) through idlenesse hath beene lesse manured than any other Country, is fuller of hils and bogges, and for the greatest portion woody. The hils swarme with cattell and sheepe, from whence they reape plenty of butter, cheese, and milke. The wheat thereof is small and short, and those vines which they cherish, serve rather for shade than profit. For in those countries the sunne entring into Virgo, causeth cold gales to blow, and in Autumne the' after-noones heat is so faint and short, that it cannot ripen the clusters of the vine. It bringeth forth a race of excellent horse, fit for journies in regard of their ambling paces, but not commendable for indurance. It breedeth the injurious Wolfe, and the Fox, as also all other creatures tame and gentle, necessary for life, but of lesser growth except the Grey-hound. Almost all the woods are replenished with Deere, (and those so fat, that they can frant runne for fatnesse,) with Bores, Hares, in great abundance, Goats, Fallow-Deere: Hedg-Hogges, and Moales, are seldome seene, but Mice infinite. it aboundeth also with Falcons, Merlins, Eagles, Cranes, and in the Northerly parts with Swannes. Storks are very rarely heard of thorow the whole Island, but such as are there found are blacke. Pies and Nightingales are altogether wanting. By reason of the Sea, their famous Rivers, and spacious Lakes, it is served with most excellent Fish, and that peculiar to this Island onely. For to let passe many other, in Vlster, the Ban being a most faire and cleare water, and arising out of the Lake of Eaugh, is the most plentifull River for Salmon that is to be found thorowout all Europe. For plenty and varietie, the like is to be reported of Sineus and Erno, a Lake by Camdens report, thirty miles long, and fifteene broad: Report saith, that this was once a delicate plot of ground, and well inhabited, but for the bestiall abuse of the people, it was suddenly swallowed in the waters. And to prove this true, men say that in faire seasons, the Turrets and tops of houses, are in the bottome to bee discerned.

The Island became subject to the Crowne of England, about the yeare of our Lord 1175. Henry the second then reigning. At what time Roderic, King of Conaght, intituling himselfe King of Ireland, inforced the residue of those petty Roytelets, to crave assistance of the King of England, under whose protection they voluntarily yeelded their obeysance.

It hath fifty Bishopricks, whereof Armach is a Primacy, and Metropolitan of the whole Island. Cassils is another Archbishopricke, authorized by Pope Eugenius, and hath under it nine suffragan Bishops: Dublin is another, and Toam another.

It is divided into foure Provinces, (viz.) Leynster, which Eastward respecteth Englād. Mounster, which lieth towards France Southward. Conaght, exposed to the West. And Vlster, situated in the Northerly part of the Island. Some adde a fifth, placed in the middest, and terme it Meath.

Every one now is subdivided into Counties, and each Countie into Baronies, and hundreds; and every Barony into Parishes, consisting of Manors, Townes, and Villages, after the manner of England. • That parcell of territorie which anciently was termed the Pale, is about the quantity of Yorke-shire in England, and is a Country at this day inhabited by Noblemen and Gentlemen, descended of English race, being civill men, and have continued their obedience to the Crowne of England, and retained their English language since the first conquest. This people doe commonly marry within themselves, and not with the meere Irish, who could never in their sundry rebellions, draw the said inhabitants to joyne with them by flattery, or expell them by force. The first Colonies planted therein, were composed of worthy and noble Englishmen, and especially seated in Dublin, and other Cities, and borough townes thorowout the Realme: whose progeny having the mannagement of the affaires of the kingdome, subdued by degrees the greatest part of the Irish, and brought them under subjection to the Crowne of England. And so long as they and their posterity were imployed, as principall Officers in time of warre and peace, (being men throughly informed of all passages within the Kingdome, and acquainted with the dispositions of the people) the Realme was worthily governed, and duly increased in civility, and yeelded some profit to the crowne without charge. Other English Colonies at sundry times have there beene since planted, and especially by our late and moderne Soveraignes, in the Provinces of Mounster and Vlster, by the name of Vndertakers: whereupon it groweth, that the Realme is now inhabited with English, and Irish descended of English race; and with the meere and ancient Irishmen, unto whose Nobilitie and Gentry, the sir-names of Mac or O are commonly added. Vpon the Conquest, Henry the second established the lawes of England, then being divided into kinds, viz. the Common law, (as that the elder should inherit his fathers lands) and Custome law, that (by the particular custome of Manors and Townes,) lands should be divided by the custome of Gavelkinde, amongst all his sonnes; or that the youngest sonne onely should inherit the same, by the custome of Borough-English: whereunto is to bee added a third, viz. the Statute law.

He and his successors held the possession thereof, with 〈◊〉 soveraigne royalty, and kingly prerogatives, by the n•me of Lords of Ireland; untill the day of king Henry the eighth, who by act of Parliament was acknowledged, intituled, and entred King of the said kingdome, and so continueth it unto this day, being governed as a distinct kingdome by a Lieutenant, for Authority (Traine, Furniture, Provision, &c. farre surpassing any Deputation thorowout Christendome) wherein Courts of Parliament are & have there beene held, con••sting of the three Estates of the kingdome, in the same forme as is used in England, by commission from the King under the great seale of England, authorizing the Viceroy, or Deputie, to summon a parliament there, and to give the Royall assent unto such acts, as are agreed upon in that Parliament: wherein the King and his Councell of Estate of England, are to bee informed by certificate under the great seale of Ireland, by force of a Statute made in Ireland, in the tenth yeare of Henry the seventh. And after the kings allowance, the bils to be enacted and propounded in the Parliament there; So the Lord Deputy by force of the said Commission, gives the Kings royall assent, to such acts as are agreed upon in the said Parliament there.

So (as I said before) Ireland is not onely governed by the Common lawes of England, by certaine ancient customes of that realme and this; and by divers statutes here and there also, upon occasion enacted; but also the like Courts and formes of Iustice are there (according to the said lawes) used and administred: And also the Iudiciall records are made in Latine, and the Iudges and Lawyers doe plead in English, as is accustomed in England.

For the studying of which Lawes, the Irish Gentlemen doe send their sonnes to the Innes of Court in England, being alwayes such as are descended of English race, and not of meere Irish: who are allowed to practise in England, after they are called to the Barre, as Englishmen are also allowed to practise in Ireland.

Neither the Nobility nor Commons of Ireland have any suffrage in the election of the Viceroy, or blazing of Soveraigne Magistrates, but all is done by the King, and such as are especially authorized. And the inhabitants of Cities, and Borough-townes in Ireland, by their charters, (which they have from the Kings of England) doe elect their Magistrates and Officers, as the Cities and townes of England doe.

In England, the ancientest Earles of Ireland do give precedency to the Earle• of England, for that they have no voice in the Parliament of England: neither hath the Nobility of England any voyce or prerogative in the Parliaments of Ireland. so Irishmen borne, are denizens by birth in England, and may beare Office, and inherit lands in England, (as experience teacheth) without charters of denization, as Englishmen are, and doe in Ireland. And so Irishmen pay onely such customes and duties in England, as Englishmen doe, and ought.

The Wards of the Nobilitie are disposed of by the King; and of inferiour persons, by the Viceroy, and certaine of the Councell there, according to their Commission. Even so titles of honours, lands and offices are usually granted by the Kings of England, under the great seale of England, or Ireland, according to pleasure.

The incivility (wherewith this so goodly a kingdome hath beene much branded) hath chiefly arisen from want of education and learning: And secondly, for that the Country aboundeth with idle men, having no trade whereupon to live: which onely abuse hath incouraged rebellion, the Ring-leaders not doubting to bee followed by these swarmes of dissolute persons, ready to take armes upon any occasion for desire of spoile.

But verily, sithence that now of late the King of Peace and Pietic, hath wiped away all distrust of former neglects, by his continuall industry to plant Religion and Arts, to re-people the wasted Provinces, and to extirpate the innated idlenesse of the worst bred Irish; there is no question (under God) to be made, but that this beautifull Island, being so neere a neighbour, so fruitfull in soile, so rich in pasture (more than credible) beset with so many woods, inriched with so many Minerals, watred with so many Rivers, invironed with so many Havens, lying fit and commodious for Navigation into most wealthy Countries, will in time prove profitable to the Church, advantag•ous to the Prince, pleasing to the Inhabitants, and comparable to any the best and civillest kingdomes of the Christian Common-weale.

1635. Historia mundi: or Mercator's atlas. London. by Gerhard Mercator.

THE KINGDOME OF IRELAND. (Book Ireland) THE Island of Ireland followeth, which Orpheus, Aristotle,and Claudi•n doe call Ierna, Iuvenal and Mela Iuvernia, Diodorus Siculus Iris, Eustatius Vernia and Bernia, the Inhabitants Erin, the Brittains Yverdhon, and the English call it Ireland. Divers opinions (as in obscure matters) doe arise concerning the originall of these names. Some would have it called Hibernia from Hiberus, a Spanish Captaine, who first possessed it, and peopled it: some say from the River Iberus, because the Inhabitants thereof did first inhabite this Island: some ab hiberno tempore, from the winter season, because it enclines towards the West: the Author of the Eulogue, from Irnalphus, a Captaine. It was called without doubt Hibernia and Iuverna, from Ierna, which Orpheus and Aristotle mention; but that Ierna, together with Iris, Yverdhon, and Ireland, did proceede from the word Erin, used by the Inhabitants; therefore the Etymologie is to bee drawne from the word Erin. Here Camden affirmes, that hee knowes not what to conjecture, unlesse, saith hee, it bee derived from Hiere an Irish word, which with them signifies the West, whence Erin seemes to bee drawne, being as much to say as the Westerne Countrie. This Island is stretched forth from the South Northward in an ovall forme, not twenty dayes sayle, as Philemon in Ptolemie delivers, but onely 400. miles; and is scarce 200. miles broad. On the East it hath Brittaine, from which it is parted by the Irish Sea, which is one dayes sayle: On the North, where the Deucaledon Ocean, which Ptolemie cals the Northern, breakes in, it hath Iseland: On the South it looketh towards Spaine. The Ayre of this Island is very wholsome, the Climate very gentle, warme and temperate; for the Inhabitants neither by the heate of Summer are enforced to seeke shadie places, nor yet by cold to sit by the fire: yet the seedes in regard of the moistnesse of Autumne doe seldome come to maturitie and ripenesse. Hence Mela writeth, that it hath no good Ayre for ripening of seedes: yet in the wholsomnesse and cleernesse of the Ayre it doth farre exceede Brittaine. Here are never any Earthquakes, and you shall scarce heare thunder once in a yeare. The Countrie is a fat soyle, and hath great plentie of fruits, yet it hath greater plenty of pasturage than fruits, and of grasse than graine. For here their wheate is very small, so that it can hardly bee winnowed or cleansed with a fanne. What the Spring produceth, the Summer cherisheth, but it can hardly bee gathered, in regard they have too much raine in Harvest time; for this Island hath windes and raine very often. But (as Mela saith) it is so full of pleasant sweete grasse, that when the Cattell have fed some part of the day, if they bee not restrained and kept from grazing, they will endanger the bursting of themselves. Which also Solinus witnesseth concerning this Island. Hence it proceedes, that there are infinite numbers of Cattell, which are the Inhabitants chiefe riches, and many flocks of Sheepe, which they sheare twice a yeare. They have excellent Horses (called Hobbies) which are not pac'd like others, but doe amble very gently. No creeping thing nor Serpent liveth here, nor also in Crete: and Serpents being often brought hither out of Brittaine, as soone as they came neere the Land, and smell'd the Ayre, they died. Beda witnesseth, that he hath seene some, who have beene stung with Serpents, that have drunk the leaves of Bookes (brought out of Ireland) in a Potion, and straight-way the force of the poyson was allayde, and the swelling of the body went downe againe. Ireland hath greater store of Faulcons and Hawkes, than other Countries. And here Eagles are as common as Kites in some places. Besides, here is so great a number of Cranes, that you shall often see a hundred in a company together. In the North part also there are abundance of Swannes, but there are few Storkes through the whole Island, and those black. There are few Partriges and Pheasants, but no Pies, nor Nightingales. Here is such great store of Bees, that they doe not onely breede in hives, but also in hollow trees, and in the cavernes of the earth. Giraldus also writeth a strange thing concerning a kinde of Birde, commonly called a Barnacle, that out of certain pieces of wood, floating up and down in the Sea, there comes out first a kinde of Gumme, which afterward growes into a hard substance, within which little Creatures are generated, which first have life, and afterward have bils, feathers and wings, with which they doe flye in the Ayre, or swim in the water, and in this manner and no other this Creature is generated. This Giraldus doth testifie, that hee hath seene some of them halfe formed, which as soone as they came to perfection did flie as well as the rest. There are also many birds of a twofold shape, (as he witnesseth) which they call Aurifrisij, lesser than an Eagle, and bigger than a Hawke; whom Nature, to delight her selfe, hath framed with one foote armed with tallents sharpe and open, the other smoothe with a plaine webbe. There are other Birdes which they call Marinetae, lesse than a Blackbird, being short like a Starling, yet differing from him by the whitenesse of the belly, and the blacknesse of the back. It is a wonderfull thing which was reported concerning these Birdes, for if when they are dead they be kept in a dry place, they will not putrifie or corrupt: and being placed among garments and other things, it will preserve them from moathes. That which is more worthy of admiration is that, if being dead, they be hanged up in some drie place, they will every yeare renew and change their feathers, as if they were alive. Ireland contayneth all kindes of wilde beasts. It hath Harts that are so fat, that they can hardly runne, and by how much they are lesser in body, by so much the larger are their hornes. There are great store of Bores, many Hares, &c. but the bodies of all the wilde beasts and birds are lesser here than in other places. It hath many Badgers, and Weesils. It hath few or no Goates, fallow Deere, Hedghogs, Moles; but infinite store of Mice. It hath also Wolves and Foxes. But enough of these things, I returne to other matters. Heretofore Ireland was ruled by many Earles, now it is subject to England, and is governed by the Kings Substitute, who is called the Lord Deputie. It came to be under the dominion of the Kings of England about the yeare 1175, at which time Roderick King of Connaught stiled himselfe King of all Ireland; and striving to subject the whole Kingdome to himselfe, waged continuall warre with the other Earles; by whose sedition it came to passe, that the other Earles of their owne accord, and without any effusion of blood, did put themselves under the obedience of Henry the second, King of England, from whom all the Kings of England were called Lords of Ireland, untill the time of Henry the eigth, who by the Nobles of Ireland was declared King of Ireland, because the name of Lord grew hatefull to some seditious people. There are foure speciall Cities in this Island: First Dublin, the Metropolis or Mother-Citie of Ireland, being the royall Archiepiscopall Seat, giving name to a County. The next in dignity is Waterford, the third Limbrick, the fourth Corke. There are many other very great Townes, of which wee will speake more largely in the particular Descriptions of Ireland. This Country hath many Lakes and standing waters, among which there is a Lake in Vlster, twenty miles distant from the Lake Erne, of which wee will speake more largely hereafter. There is a little Lake beyond the Citie Armack, in which if you stick a Speare up some moneths, that part which stuck in the mudde will bee iron, that which is in the water stony, and that which is out of the water will remaine wood. There is also the Lake Erne, which is thirty miles long, and fifteene miles broad, being compassed about with thick woods, and so full of Fish, that the Fisher-men often breake their nets, by taking too many at one time. This Island is divided and watered with many faire Rivers, whose names are these: Avenliffe, running through Dublin; Boandus through Methe, Banna through Vltonia, Linu• through Connack, and Moadus through Kenel. cunillia, Slicheia, and Samaira: Besides Modarnus and Furnus through Keneleonia, and many other. But of all the Rivers of Ireland, the Rivero Synnenus is the chiefe both for the breadth and length of its course, and for the plenty of Fish which is in it. But in generall, the Rivers and Lakes are full of fish bred in them. This Countrie is unequall and mountainous, soft and waterish: you shall finde Lakes and standing waters on the top of the Mountaines. The Mountaines abound with Cattell, & the woods with wilde beasts. Solinus writeth thus concerning the Sea, which floweth between Ireland and England:

The Sea betweene Ireland and England is rough and unquiet all the yeare, and is scarce navigable but in some part of the Summer.

But hee erres, for it is quiet enough, unlesse it bee stirred up with windes. And not onely in Summer, but also in Winter passengers doe sayle to and fro. All the Sea shores doe abound sufficiently with Fish. Ireland hath in all three and thirty Counties, and foure Archbishops. The Bishop of Armach, Primate of all Ireland: the Bishop of Dublin: the Bishops of Cassil and Toam: and these foure have nine and twenty Suffragans or Vicegorents. Ireland (from the manners of the Inhabitants) is divided into two parts. For those who refuse to obey the Lawes, and live more uncivilly, are called Irishrie, and commonly Wild Irish. But those who are willing to obey the Lawes, and appeare before the Judges, are called the English-Irish, and their Country the English Pale. they speake English naturally and uncorruptly, yet they understand Irish, in regard of their daily commerce with the Irish-men. The Irish-men have some certaine Lords, under whose command the most of them are: but they live under the jurisdiction of the English, but counterfeitly, and as long as the English Souldiers doe waste their Territories: yet they appoint Sessions to be kept at certaine times and places, to restraine and punish robberies and theft, committed by night. There those that are accused, if they be convicted, have certaine Arbitratours to judge of the cause, whom they call Brehoni: these are all of one familie, and although they have no knowledge in the Law, yet for their wisdome & honestie of life they are accounted divine. Their warre is partly on horsback, and partly on foote. The Gentrie have horses well managed, so that without any advantage they will mount them in their armour, and taking a Javelin or dart of great weight by the middle, they will throw or brandish it against their enemie with much ease. Among the footmen, some are Souldiers in Cassocks very strong, whom they call Galeglacii, having Cuttle-axes as sharpe as razors, and they are the chiefe strength of the Irish warres. The next are Footmen wearing a light armour, with swords in their hands, and these are called Karnes, and they thinke a man is not dead, untill they have cut off his head. In the third place are footmen, whom they call Daltines, who going unarmed, attend upon the horsmen. The footmen as well as horsmen, as oft as they come to fight with their enemies, doe crie with a great voyce Pharro, Pharro: and they use a Bagpipe in stead of a Trumpet. The Irish doe fare sumptuously and magnificently: for though they have no delicate dishes, nor great service in their banquets, yet their Tables according to the season of the yeare are well furnished with Beefe and Porke, and other meate. In their Feasts they lye upon Beds: the first place at the Table belongs to the Mother of the Family, who weares a long Gowne or Mantell reaching to her ancles, often dyed, and also sleeved.

IRELAND being described in generall, I thinke it worth my labour, before I come to a particular description of the severall parts: first to make a division thereof, Ireland is divided into five Parts or Provinces. Into Lagenia, which being Eastward is next to England: Connacia, or Connachtia, which lyeth toward the West: Vltonia on the North side: & Momonia which is situate in the Southerne part. The fift part is called Media, which being placed in the midst, is enclosed with the rest. In these five Provinces there are many notable Territories. As Lagenia doth include Fingal, Offal, Leis, Ossir, and Ormund. Media containeth Slani, Four, and Delvin. In Connacia is contained Clar: in Vltonia is contained Vril, Antrimen, Lecal, and Treconch. In Momonia are included Trippitate, Kerie, Cosmay, Desmond, Tomond, and some others. There is another division of Ireland, which wee have touched in our generall Table, which is diligently to be considered if any one desire to know the state of this Countrie, wherefore hee must observe that Ireland is divided into two parts: the English part, and the Irish part. The latter the native Irish do inhabit, the former the Englishmen, and that part in common speech is called the English Province, because it is as it were empaled and environed with the Territories of the English. For after that the English having supprest the Irish Rebells, had restored Dermicius to his Countrie and Kingdome, they seated themselves and built themselves seats in the chiefest places of Ireland. Afterward seeing that as it were certaine Islands did part them from the subdued Irish, they called that part in which they placed a Colonie, the English Province. In this is contained the greater part of Lagenia, and Media, and that part of Vltonia which is called Vril: but the chiefest part of Lagenia, which is called Fingal, neere to Dublin on the North, hath the chiefe place, and Media is next to that. But Mercator useth the same division which wee made of it in the former Tables, describing it in foure Tables, beginning with Vltonia, Connacia, Media, and part of Lagenia. I will make a briefe description of all these parts, in the same order as our Author placeth them. Vltonia offers it selfe in the first place. This part of Ireland was first called by the Welch Vltun, by the Irish Cui-Guilli, by the Latines Vltonia, and by the English Vlster: toward the North it is parted with the Narrow Sea: toward the South it stretcheth it selfe to Connaught and Lagenia; the East part is bounded with the Irish Sea, and the West part is beaten with the great Westerne Ocean. This Countrie beeing neere to Scotland, is reckoned one of the Scotch Islands, which are called the Hebrides, and lye scatterd in the Sea betweene both Kingdomes: which Islands the Irish-Scots, the successours of the Ancient Scythians, do inhabit. It is round in forme, and in length from the Haven Coldagh in the North, to Kilmore in the South, it is about an hundred miles; and it is in breadth from Black-Abbey in the East to Calebegh, a Westerne Promontorie, an hundred and thirtie miles and more. The whole circumference or compasse of it is about foure hundred and twentie miles. This Country hath seldome any intemperate weather, for the suddaine and fresh gales of winde do refrigerate and coole the heat of Summer, and soft and gentle raines do mitigate the cold of Winter. Briefly, it is neither in the Cold nor Torrid Zone. The clouds are faire and cleare, and when they are most impure, yet the winde continually driving them about doth make the aire wholsome, and at length quite dispelleth them. The equall temper of the Clime is the cause that the soyle doth plentifully bring forth divers kindes of trees, some bearing fruit, and others for building. The Countrie is full of grasse and fit for pasturing: very rich in horse, and sheepe, and Oxen. The Rivers are, as I may say, doubly commodious, being navigable to bring up Vessels, and Barques, and also being full of fish and very convenient for the inhabitants in other uses. Among these the first is Vinderius, which is now called the Bay of Knocfergus, from the Town seated on it, & from the safety of the Haven, which the English call Knocfergus, the Irish Caregfergus, that is Fergus his rock, which name it received from Fergusius who was drownd there: There is also Banna which (as Giraldus saith) is a very faire River as the name witnesseth, it runneth out of the Lake Eaugh, and dischargeth it selfe into the Ocean with a double Channell; it is fuller of Salmons than any River in Europe, because (as some thinke) the water is so cleare, in which Salmons do chiefly delight. And there is the River Logia, which Ptolemie mentioneth, and now is called Lough Foile, which falleth into the Sea with a great streame. There are many great Lakes in it, in which is the Lake Eaugh which spreadeth it selfe abroad from Armaugh: and on the East side are the woods Kilulto, Kilwarney, and Dyffrim, into which the Lake doth so insinuate and winde in it selfe, that it maketh two Peninsula's, Lecale toward the South, & Ard toward the North: Lecale runneth out farthest toward the East of any part of Ireland, & the farthest Promontorie therof Marriners do now call Saint Iohns Foreland, Ptolomie calls it Isanius, perhaps from the Brittish word Isa, which signifies Lowermost. In the Isthmus therof stands Dunam, which Ptolemie mentions, now called Down, being an ancient Towne, and the Seat of a Bishop. Ard lyeth over against it being divided frō it by a little slip of land. There are also Lakes, of which we have made mention in our generall Table. The Countrie is shadowed with great woods. To speake in a word, although it be barren in some places by reason of Lakes, Bogs, & thicke Woods, yet it is every where full of Cattell, & Grasse, & at all times it abundantly requiteth the labour of the husbandman. Nature is so little beholding here to Art or Industrie, that the flourishing bankes of Rivers embrodered with flowers, the shadie Woods, greene Medowes, bending Hills, and Fields fit to beare corne if they were tilled, do seeme to be angrie with the Inhabitants, because by their carelesnesse and negligence they suffer them to be rude and wilde. The Voluntii, Darni, Robogdii, and Erdini in Ptolemies time held all this Countrie, who also dispersed themselves into other parts of Ireland. The speciall place in this Countrie is Armach, neere the River Kalis, which although it be not very faire, yet it is the seat of an Archbishop, & the Metropolis of the whole Island. The Irish-men do fabulously report that it was called so from Queene Armacha, but Camden thinkes it to be the same which Beda calleth Dearmach, which signifies in the Scotch and Irish language, the field of Redmen. There is one Archbishop in Vltonia, who hath his Seat at Armach, & hath these Suffraganes and substitutes under him, with the Bishop of Maeth and Deren, Ardach or Apde, Kilmore, Clogher, Doune, Coner, Klancknos, Raboo, or Ropo, and Dromoore. For the keeping of the Inhabitants of this Country and Province in order, it was fortified with six and fiftie Castles, there are also nine Market Townes in it. And it is divided into the Hithermost and Furthermost. The Hithermost hath three Counties, Louth, Downe, and Antrimme. The Farthermost hath seven, Monahon, Tiroen, Armack, Colrane, Donergall, Fermanagh, and Cavon. Connacia is the second part of Ireland, some call it Connachtia, the English call it Connagh, and the Irish Connaghti: it is bounded on the East with part of Lagenia, on the North with part of Vltonia, on the West it is beaten with the Westerne Ocean, and on the South it is environed with part of Momonia or Munster, which is inclosed with the River Sineo or Shennin, and lyeth over against the Kingdome of Spaine. The Figure of it is long, and at either end both Northward and Southward it is very narrow, but towards the middle it growes longer on either side. It is an hundred and sixe and twentie miles long, from the River Shennin in the South, to Engi Kelling in the North, the greatest breadth is about foure-score miles, from Tromer the Easterne bound, to Barrag-Bay the Westerne limit. The whole circuit and compasse of it is about foure hundred miles. The Aire in this Region is not so pure and cleare as in the other Provinces of Ireland, by reason of some wet places bearing grasse, which are called in regard of their softnesse Bogges, being dangerous, and sending out many thicke vapours. The chiefe Citie of this Province, being the third Citie of note in Ireland, is Galway, in Irish Gallive. Built in the forme of a Towre, having a Bishops See in it, and being famous for the frequent resort of merchants thither, and also profitable to the Inhabitants by the conveniencie of the Haven which is beneath it, and by the easie exportation of Merchandise: not far from hence on the Westerne sidely the Islands which are called Arran, of which many things are fabled, as if they were the Isles of the living, in which no man could either die or be subject to death. The Province of Connaught at this time is fortified with foureteen Castles, it hath nine Market Towns, & it is divided into sixe Counties or Shires in this manner: the Countie of Clare, of Galway, of Mago, of Slego, of Letrimme, and of Roscomen. Media is the third part of Ireland, which in their Countrie speech they call Mijh, the English Methe, Giraldus Midia and Media, perhaps because it is in the very middle of the Island. For the Castle Killaire in these parts, which Ptolemie seemes to call Laberus, is in the middle of Ireland, as the name Killair doth denote. The Countrie reacheth from the Irish Sea, even to the River Shennin, which river parts it from Connacia. It hath a wholsome and delightfull aire. It is fruitfull in corne, pasturage, and flocks, abounding with Fleshmeate, Butter, Cheese, Milke, and the like: and in regard of the multitude of people, the strength of faire Castles and Townes, and the peace arising from thence, it is commonly called the Chamber of Ireland. Here is the Towne Pontana, which is commonly called Drogheda, a faire Town, and having a convenient Haven for Ships to ride in. But there are some who thinke that the middle part of this Towne, on the other side the River, is in Vltonia. There are also these Townes in Media, Molingar, Four, Delvyn, Trimme, Kelle•, Navan, Aboy, Dulek, and Scrin.

CONNACIA is the second part of Ireland, some call it Connachtia, the English Connach, and the Irish Connachty. It lyeth toward the West, and is bounded with the River Sen, the River Banna, and the Ocean. This, the Auteri and Nagnatae in the time of Ptolomie did inhabite. But there is so neare an affinitie betweene these two wordes, Nagnatae and Connaghty, that they seeme one to bee derived from the other: unlesse we suppose that the word Connaghty did arise from the Haven Nagnatae, which Ptolomy mentions, and from thence the Country got this name. For a Haven is called in their native speech Cuon, to which if you adde Nagnata, it will not bee much different in sound from Connaghty. The Country as it is in some places fruitfull and pleasant, so in some wet places covered o're with grasse, and by reason of their softnesse, called Bogs, it is very dangerous, as other parts of the Island are, and full of darke and thicke woods. But the Coasts having many Bayes, and navigable in-lets, doth as it were invite and stirre up the inhabitants to imploy themselves in navigation, yet sloath is so sweet unto them, that they had rather begge from doore to doore, then seeke to keepe themselves from Poverty by honest labour. It is reported in the Irish Histories that Turlogus O-mor O-conor, was sole Governour of this Country, and that hee divided it betweene his two sonnes, Cabelus and Brienus. But when the English came into Ireland, Rodericke did governe it, and called himselfe King of Ireland, but he being afraid of the English warres, not trying the chance or fortune of the field, put himselfe under obedience to Henry the Second King of England. Who after revolting from his faith given, Miles Cogane was the first English-man who did attempt, but in vaine, to get Connachtia. Afterward, William the sonne of Adelme, whose posterity were called in Irish Bourki, Gilbert de Clare, Earle of Glocester, and William de Bermingham chiefe men in England, did subject this Country, and brought it to civilitie. But Bourke, or de Burgo, and his Posterity were a long time stiled and called Lords of Connach, governing this Province together with Vltonia in great peace and tranquillitie, and did receive great revenewes out of it, untill the onely daughter of Richard de Burgo being sole inheretrix of Connachtia and Vltonia, was married to Lionell Duke of Clarence, the sonne of King Edward the third. But he living for the most part in England, and his successors the Mortimers did neglect their Patrimonie, the Bourks being their kinsemen, to whom they had committed the overseeing of those Lands, making use of the absence of the Lords, and the troublesome times in England, contemned the authority of the Lawes, entring into league with the Irish, and making marriages with them, and got all Connachtia to themselves, and by degrees degenerating, having left off the English habit, they followed the Irish manners It is at this day divided into sixe Counties: Clare, Letrimme, Galwey, Resecomin, Maio, and Sligo. There are in it the Baron of Atterith, the Baron of Clare, and others. Here is also Galloway, a Towne much frequented by forrain Merchants. It is reported that an Outlandish Merchant who did traffique with the Townesmen, did once aske an Irishman, in what part of Galloway Ireland stood? valuing this Towne as the whole Country, and the whole Country as this Towne. There are reckoned to Galloway, Anner, Clare, Sligo, Arctlo, and Alon, Townes of note.

The Auteri, whom I mentioned before, did heretofore possesse the more Southerne part of this Connacia, where is now Twomondia, or Claria, the Country of Clan-Richard, and the Baronie of Atterith, which plainely intimateth whence came the name of the Auteri. Twomond, called by Giraldus Theutmonia (which though it lie beyond the River Senus or Shinnin, may be added to Momonia) is stretched forth into the Sea with a great Promontorie, famous for the Seat of an Archbishop which they call Toam, and for the Earles thereof, namely the O-Brennis, who descending from the ancient Earles of Connack, were honoured by Henry the Seaventh, with the Title of Earles of Twomond. This Country or the most part of it the English call Clare-shire, from Thomas Clare the youngest sonne of Gilbert, the first Earle of Glocester, to whom King Edward the first gave this Country. Clan-Richard, that is, the Land of the sonnes of Richard, is next unto this; it tooke its name, according to the Irish custome, from one Richard an Englishman, called de Burgo, or Burgensis, who afterward in this Country became a man of great note and power; and out of this Family Henry the eighth created Richard de Burgo Earle of Clan-Richard, Atterith, commonly Athenri, doth glory in that warlike Baron, Iohn de Bermingham an Englishman, out of which Family the Earles of Louth are descended: but these Berminghams of Atterith, degenerating into the Irish Wildenesse and incivilitie, will scarce acknowledge that they were once English. In this Atterith Geographers doe place the mouth of the River Ausoba, which is now called the Bay of Galway: for Galway, in Irish called Gallive, is seated on it, being a faire Towne, which through the benefit of the River, is filled with many commodities brought thither, both by Sea and Land. Geographers doe also place the River anciently called Ravius, but now Trowis, in Connack; it is also knowne by the name of Bannus, for the inhabitants do call it Banny: This River comming out of the Lake Ernus is the bounds of Connack, and Vlster.

I returne to the Inhabitants. The rest of Connack toward the North was heretofore possessed by the Nagnatae, even to the River Bannus, which doth part Vltonia and Connack; where O-Conor, O-Rorck, and Mac-Diarmod, being wilde Irish, doe governe and rule. The shoare is backed from Ausoban with the Isles of Arran, Inisceath, knowne heretofore by reason of Colmans Monasterie here seated, and Inis Bovind, which Beda translating out of Scotch, calleth Vitulae albae Insulam, or the Island of the White Calfe. Then the shoare runneth back to the mouth of the River Libinus, which Camden bringeth unto Dublin, but the place which Ptolomie assigneth, is now called the Bay of Slegah. Here Ptolomie placeth the Citie of Nagnata, but Camden saith, hee cannot tell what that Citie should be. There is one Archbishop here who keepes his residence at Toam; under whom are these Suffragan Bishops, the Bishop of Kilmako, Olfine, Bishop Helphen, Avaughdoune, Clonfert, and Moroo.

MEDIA is the third part of Ireland, which in the Country speech is called Mijh, the English call it Methe, Giraldus Midia, and Media, because perhaps it lyeth in the very middle of the Island. For the Castle of Killaire in those parts, which Ptolomie calls Laberus, is held to be in the middle of Ireland, and so much thed name it selfe doth expresse: for Lair in the Irish speech signifies the middle. Richard Stanthurst writeth thus concerning the Etymon or signification of the word Media. In the yeare of the World 2535. five brethren possessing the Islands, they resolved to divide it equally into foure Provinces, that so they might governe in them severally. But least their younger brother whose name was Slanius, might bee without some honour, they consented together to bestow on him a share taken out of all foure partes: Which was received by him chearefully, and hence some suppose that it was called Media. It stretcheth and extendeth it selfe from the Irish Sea, even to the River Shennin, which River doth part it from Connack. It hath a wholesome pleasant Aire and deligthfull Prospect. It aboundeth with corne, pasturage and cattle, having store of Flesh, Butter, Cheese, Milke, and the like, and in regard of the strength of the Townes and Castles, and the peace arising thence it is called the Chamber of Ireland. The Irishmen doe write that this Country heretofore had Kings, and that Slanius afterward became sole Monarch of all Ireland. But when the English had set foote in Ireland, Hugh Lacey did conquer the most part of it, and King Henry the Second King of England granted it unto him to hold in fee, and stiled him Lord of Media. He having his head on a suddaine cut off by an Irishman while he was building the Castle of Derworth, left behinde him Hugh Earle of Vltonia, and Walter Lord of Trim, the Father of Gilbert, who dyed before him. But by the daughters of Gilbert, Margaret, and Matilda, the one part fell by the Ienvills of the House of Lorraine, and the Mortimers, unto the King: for Peter of Ienvill being borne of that Matilda had issue Ioane, who was married to Roger Mortimer, Earle of March: the other came by the Verdons to many Families in England. In our forefathers time by an Act of Parliament it was divided into two parts, namely, into East and West Media. The River Boand or Boyne, which Ptolomie calleth Buvinda, runneth through the East side, and afterward when it hath washed Droghda, a faire and populous Town, called so from the bridge, it divideth that part from Vltonia. The Westerne Media hath nothing worthy of memory or note beside Laberus (which Camden seemes to call Kaillair) and the Towne of Delvin which heretofore did honour Peter Meset, and now the renowned English Familie of the Nogents, with the title of Barons. For Gilbert Nogent (as Richard Stanihurst hath it, who writ eloquently of Irish matters) having a gentlemans estate, was rewarded by Hugh Lacy, for his service performed in the Irish warres, with the Colonies of Delvin and Four; from him are the Barons of Delvin descended. Those Irish Countries of O-Malaghlem, Mac-Coglan, O-Madden, and Mogoghian, whose names have a barbarous sound, we leave unto others. Among the Townes of Media, Pontana is reckoned which is commonly called Droghda, being a faire Towne and having an Haven fit for the receipt of Shippes. But there are some who place the middle part of this Towne in Vltonia, beyond the River. There are also in Media these Townes, Molingar, Four, Delvin, Trimme, Kelles, Navain, Aboy, Dulek, and Scrin. There are also in this Province neare Fonera three Lakes, not farre one from another, whereof every one containeth his severall sorts of fish, which never come one to another, although the way be passable by the River flowing betweene them: and beside if the fish be carried from one Lake to another, they either die, or returne to it againe. Here is the River Boand aforesaid, called so from the swiftnesse of it: for Boan both in Irish and Welch, doth signifie swift, and Nechamus hath sung of it.

IN our Authors division Lagenia followes Media, being the fourth part of Ireland, which the Inhabitants call Leighnigh, the Brittaines Leyn, the English Leynster, the Latine Writers Lagenia, and the booke called the holy lives of the Saints Lagen. It lyes all toward the Sea on the East side of Ireland, even from Momonia to the River Neorus, which it goes beyond in many places: it is divided from Conack by the River Senus or Shennin, and from Media by the bounds thereof. In Ptolemies time it was the seate of the Brigantes, the Coriondi, the Menapij, the Cauci, and the Blani, and perhaps from these Blani, their names Lein, Leinigh and Leinster were derived. It is a fertile and fruitfull Country, it hath a gentle Aire, and the Inhabitants are of a curteous disposition. It is now divided into these Counties, Weishford, Caterlogh, Kilkenny, Dublin, Kildare, Kings-shire, Queenes-shire, Longford, with which Fernes and Wicklo are now reckoned. These Counties wee will now view in order, with Camden, according to the people which the Geographer writeth did inhabit this part of Ireland. The Brigantes were seated betweene the mouth of the River Suirus, and the two Rivers Neorus and Barrow, which Ptolemie calls Birgus, which flow together under the Citie of Waterford. Because there was an ancient Citie of the Brigantes in Spaine, called Brigantia, therfore Florianus del Campo, striveth to fetch the originall of these Brigantes out of Spaine; though if there were any ground for such a conjecture, they might as probably bee derived from the Brigantes in Brittaine, which is a neighbour Nation and very populous. But if it bee true, as some copies have it, that they were anciently called Brigantes, then the very name doth perswade us that they were so called from the River Birgus, which they inhabited round about. The Coriondi did inhabite between the Rivers Neorus and Birgus, where is now the County of Carleo or Caterlogh, a great part of Kilkenny, and farther even to Ossiria the Higher, beside Ormondia, which the Irish call Vrrown, the English Ormond, and vulgarly Wormewood. In both of these there is nothing memorable, but the Earles thereof. For Ossiria the Higher hath beene renowned by the Earle Barnabie Fitzpatrick, who was dignified by Edward the sixt with that honour. And Ormond hath had, accounting from Iames the first, thirteene Earles of the famous Familie of the Butlers, whom Edward the third advanced to that honour, and whose honourable Ancestors were heretofore the Butlers of Ireland, whence this name Butler was given them. That which some of the Irish, and those that would be thought men of good credit, doe affirme concerning certaine men in this Country that are every yeare turned into Wolves, I thinke it to be fabulous: Although it may be indeed the abundance of melancholy, wherewith they are possessed, (called by the Physitians Lycanthropia) doth stirre up such phantasies, that they imagine themselves to bee transformed into Wolves. Neither dare I imagine any other thing of these Lycaons transformed in Livonia. At the mouth of Surius the Menapij held a Promontorie toward the Southwest, which is now the Countie Weishford, in Irish Countie Reogh. The name it selfe doth seeme to intimate that these Menapij came from the Menapij a Maritime people among the Belgians. But whether that Carausius, who being made King defended Britaine against the Emperour Dioclesian, was descended from the one or the other, let others determine. For Aurelius Victor calleth him a Citizen of Menapia, and the Citie Menapia is placed by Geographers not in Holland, but in Ireland. Ptolemie calls this Promontorie Hieron, that is, holy, and I doubt not but it was called so by the Inhabitants for the same respect. For they called in their Country speech, the farthest Towne hereof, at which the English first landed in this Isle, Banna, which signifies Holy. From this Holy Promontorie the shoare runneth forth in a large tract toward the East and North, neare to which there are shallow sands very dangerous for shipping, which Saylers call The Ground. The Cauci, who were a Maritime people of Germany, did inhabite next to the Menapij. These had that Maritime Country, which the Irish Families of the O-Mores, and O-Brins doe inhabite, together with the County of Kildare. The County of Kildare is very pleasant; concerning the pastures whereof Giraldus useth these verses of Virgill.

Et quantum longis carpunt armenta diebus,Exiguâ tantum gelidus ros nocte reponit.How much the flocks doe eate in the long day,The cold dew in the short night doth repay.

But for the company of Gyants which Giraldus placeth in this Country, I leave it to those who admire fabulous antiquities, for I would not willingly doate too much on fables. Beyond the Cauci liv'd the Eblani, where is now the Countrie of Dublin and Meth, being one of the five parts of Ireland. The County of Dublin towards the Sea is of a fertile soyle, having pleasant Meddowes, but so bare of Wood, that for the most part they use Turfe and Coale digged in England. It is full of Townes and People; where the River Liffe hideth it selfe in the Sea, Houth is almost environed therewith, from whence the Family of the Laurences are called Barons of Houth. On the North side of Dublin lyes Fingall, a faire Country well tilled, and is as it were the store-house or Barne of the Kingdome, in regard it yeeldeth yearely so great a quantitie of corne, that in a manner the earth doth strive with the labour of the husbandmen, which lying in other parts of the Island, neglected and untill'd, doth seeme to complaine of their ignorant sloath. These things being unfolded, let us now passe to the Cities and Townes. Here Kilkenny meetes us in the first place, being neare to the River Neorus, Kilkenny signifies the Cell, or Chappell of Canicus, who formerly in this Country was famous for his Religious solitary life. It is a neate fine Towne, abounding with all things, and the chiefe of the innermost Townes of this Island. The Towne is divided into the English and Irish part, the Irish part is as it were the Suburbs, wherein is the Temple of Canicus, who gave the name to it, and it is the Seat of a Bishop. The English Towne is newer, being built by Ralph the third Earle of Chester, it was fortified as some doe suppose, with walls on the West side by Robert Talbot a Noble man, and strengthned with a Castle by the Butlers. Below this, upon the same River of Neorus, a walled Towne is seated, called in English Thomas Towne, in Irish Bala mac-Andan, that is, the Towne of Antonius his sonne, both names were given unto it by the builder Thomas Fitz▪Antonius an Englishman, whose heires are still acknowledged the Lords thereof. There stood in this Country that ancient City Rheba, mentioned by Ptolemy, which was also called Rheban, but instead of a Citie it is even 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a Citie and no Citie, as he himselfe saith, being a few Cottages with a Forte. It honoureth the Saint-michaells with the title of Baronet. There is Lechlinia, in Irish Leiglyn, a royall Towne, fortified with a Castle by that Noble Deputie Bellingham. The great Citie of Rosse, hath likewise here flourished in times past, as having beene full of Inhabitants, and Merchandise, and fortified with a wall of great circuit, by Isabell the daugher of Richard Strongbow Earle, which walls doe now onely remaine. For discord arising among the Citizens concerning Religion, the Towne is ruinated and fallen to nothing: but enough of these things, I passe to the Mountaines and Rivers. Beneath Ormund the hills Bliew Blemi (which Giraldus calleth the Mountaines of Bladina) doe lift up their heads with their convex tops, out of whose bowels as it were, the Rivers Suirus, Neorus and Birgus, doe arise, and running in severall channels before they come to the Ocean they joyne all in one stream, whence the Ancients did call them Tres Sorores the three Sisters. Neorus hemmeth in many Castles and Townes; Birgus, now called Barrow, flowing out of the Mountaine Bladina, and running along by it selfe with many windings, at last passeth Rheba and other Townes. Afterward Neorus and Birgus do mingle their Waters, and having for some miles runne in one channell, they resigne their name and waters to their elder sister Suirus, which by a rocky mouth dischargeth her selfe into the Ocean, where on the left hand there runneth forth a little Promontorie with a straight necke, which beares a little Tower as a defence or marke for Shippes, built by the Rosses when they flourished that they might safely enter into the Haven. In this part Ptolemie placed the River Modanus aforesaid, and Ovoca neare the Sea, on the back whereof the Castle Arcklo is seated, which River as Giraldus saith, both in the flowing and ebbing of the Sea water, doth still retaine its native sweetnesse, and doth preserve its waters unstained or unmingled with saltnesse a great way in the Sea. Here is the River Liffie, which slideth by Dublin, it is not carried with any violence except after a great storme of raine, but floweth very gently. This River without doubt is mentioned by Ptolemie: but by the carelesnesse of Bookemen, it is banished out of its place. For the River Liffie, is placed in Ptolemies Tables in the same Latitude toward the other part of the Island, where there is no such River. But let us call it backe again to Eblana its proper place, and give these verses of Necham concerning it.

Visere Castle-cnock non dedignatur Aven-liff,Istum Dublini suscipit unda Maris.Aven-liff to see Castle-cnock doth not disdaine,Which the Sea neare Dublin doth receive againe.

I will also adde that which Giraldus hath concerning Wiclo a Porte or Haven neare to Ovoca: which he calleth Winchiligello. There is a Haven at Winchiligello, on that side of Ireland which looketh toward Wales, whose waters doe flow in when the Sea doth ebbe, and when the Sea floweth, it ebbeth. There is also another very notable one, which when the Sea ebbeth, yet still continues salt and brackish in every part and creeke thereof. There is one Archbishop in Lagenia, which hath his seate at Dublin, and Clandelachy, hee is called, Glandeloylong, and Primate of Ireland, having these following Suffragan Bishops under him, the Bishop of Elphine, or Bishop Helphen; of Kildare, of Fernes Ossorie, and of Leighlyn called by some Laghlyn. MOMONIA followes in our propounded method, in Irish called Mown, in English Munster: the fift and last part of Ireland, it lyeth on the South upon the Vergivian Sea, being divided in some places from Connacia by the River Shennin, and from Lagenia by the River Neorus; it was formerly divided into two parts, the Westerne, and the Southerne. The Westerne part the Gangani, Luceni, Velabri, and Vterim did anciently inhabit, the Vdiae or Vodiae the Southerne part. Now it is divided into seven Counties namely Kerry, Limrick, Corck, Tripperary the Countie of the Holy Crosse, the Countie of Waterford, and Desmond. Wee purpose to runne briefly over these Counties with Cambden, according to the severall people which the Cosmographer attributeth to them. The Gangani whom we formerly mentioned in the first place, do seeme by the affinitie of their name to be the same with the Concani of Spaine, whose originall was from the Scythians, and Silius witnesseth that they dranke horses blood, which heretofore the Wild Irish did often use to doe, Kerri (as it is now called) at the mouth of the River Shennin, was Anciently their Seat. A countrie full of inaccessible and wooddy mountains betweene which there are many hollow vallies, having thicke woods in them. The Earles of Desmond were heretofore honoured with the dignitie of Counts Palatine hereof, but by the wickednesse of men, which would have libertie and yet knew not how to use it, it was long since converted into a sinke of impietie, and a refuge for seditious persons. A ridiculous opinion hath invaded and persuaded the mindes of the Wild Irish, that hee that doth not answer the great shouting or warlike crie which the rest make, when they joyne battell, should be suddenly taken up from the earth, and as it were flying be carried into these desart vallies, from any part of Ireland, and there feed on grasse, drinke water, and yet know not what he is, having reason, but not speech, and at last should be taken by hunters, and brought home againe. The middle of this Countrie is cut into two parts by a River which hath now no name, but floweth by a small Towne called Trailes, now almost ruinated, where the Earles of Desmond had their mansion houses. This River, by the situation of it in Ptolemies tables, doth seeme to be Dur, and saith Camden, I would avouch no lesse, if Duris, which at this day is reckoned among the Hauens of this Westerne Coast, be at the mouth of it, as I have understood by some. Not farre from hence is the Haven Smerwick (the word being contracted in stead of S. Mary Wick,) of which, not many yeares agoe, when Girald Earle of Desmond, a man profound in trecherie towards his Prince and Countrie, did daily by severall inrodes waste the Countrie of Momonia, a mixt band or companie of Italians and Spaniards arrived, being sent unto his aide from Pope Gregory, and the Spaniards, who having engarrison'd themselves in a place, called Fort del Ore, seemed not to feare Heaven it selfe. But when that famous and warlike Deputie the Lord Arthur Gray came with his forces, hee did soone decide the matter. For forthwith they yeelded themselves, and most part of them were put to death, because it seemed most safe and fit so to doe, the affaires of the Kingdome requiring it, and the rebells being on every hand. The Earle of Desmond himselfe fled to the woods, and having hid himselfe in a Cottage was wounded by a Souldier or two who rushed in upon him, and afterward being knowne, he was beheaded for his trecherie and wasting of his Countrie. All Desmonia toward the South is subject to the Gangans, which the Irish call Dassown, the English, Desmond; heretofore three sorts of people dwelt in it, namely the Luceni, the Velabri, the Iherni, which are conceived in some Maps to be the Vterini. The Luceni seeme to have drawne both their name and originall from the Lucensii of Spaine, which held the opposite Coast. The Velabri were so called from Aber, which is as much to say as Aestuarii, because they were seated neare the armes of the Sea: hence also the Artabri and Cantabri were so called. Orosius places these at the Promontorie Notium, which Mariners at this day doe call Biar-head: under this Promontorie the River Iernus is received into the Ocean, neare to which stands Dunck-eran a Bishops Seat, this Dunck-eran, which in the Scottish-Irish, is as much as to say, the Towne Eran, doth not onely expresly shew it selfe to be that Citie Ivernis which Ptolemie mentions, but the river to be that Iernus whereof hee speaketh, which hath its appellation together with the whole Island from Hier an Irish word signifying the West. For it is the farthest River of this Country toward the West, as Ireland is the farthest Island Westward of all Europe. The Iberni, who are also called Vterni, (that is according to Camdens interpretation, the High Irish) did inhabit by this River on one side of the Promontorie, where are the Havens Berebavim and Baltimore, well knowne for the plentie of Herring taken therein: neare to which dwelt Mac-Carti More, an Irish Nobleman who in the yeare 1566. did deliver & render his Lands and possessions into the hands of Elizabeth Queene of England, and received thē againe from Her, to hold thē by fealtie after the manner of England. And at the same time he was created Earle at Glencar, and baron of Valentia. A man in this Countrie of great name and power, and an enemy heretofore to the Giralds, who deprived his Ancesters, being heretofore, as he contended, the lawfull Kings of Desmond, of their ancient right. For these Giralds, or Fitz-Giralds, being descended from the house of Kildare: and having conquered the Irish, did here get themselves large possessions, and of these Giralds Maurice Fitz-Thomas was created by Edward the third the first Earle of Desmond in the yeare of Grace 1355, & left so firme & so established an inheritance, that the aforesaid honour in a continued successiō did descend to this wretched rebel, of which I have spoken before, who was the tenth Earle after him. Next to the Iberni dwelt the Vdiae who are also called Vodiae, of which names there remaineth some tokens in the Country of Kilkenni; for the greatest part is called Idou & Idouth. These did inhabit the Counties of Corke, Triperarie, Linrick, Kilkenni, and Waterford. In the Countie of Triperarie, there is nothing worthy of memorie, but that there is a Palatinate in it, and the little Towne called Holy Crosse, that hath great immunities and freedomes granted (as the Monkes have persuaded them) in honour of a piece of our Saviours Crosse which was kept there. The famous River Suirus, which the inhabitants call Showr, is carried out of this Countrie of Triperarie into Kilkenni. This River running out of the Mountain Blada through Ossiria the Lower of which the Butlers are stiled Earles, and afterward Thurles, of which they are stiled Vicounts, first passeth by the Citie Cassilia or Cassel, adorned by Pope Eugenius with an Archbishop, under whom are nine Suffragan Bishops. And from thence growing bigger by the receipt of two other Rivers into it, neere Waterford it dischargeth it selfe into the Ocean. Hitherto I have runne over this part of Ireland with Camden, now it remaines to unfold some things concerning the Cities and Townes in the same. Among them the first that offers it selfe is Waterford, which is the second Citie in Ireland, and alwaies faithfull and obedient to the English governement. For after Richard Earle of Pembroke conquered and tooke it, it alwaies continued in peacable quietnesse and obedience to the English, endeavouring to bring Ireland into subjection; whence the Kings of England did grant them many and divers immunities and freedomes, which Henry the seventh did encrease and confirme, because the Cittizens did behave themselves valiantly and wisely against Perkin VVarbeck, who with the wings of impudence thought to aspire to the royall Throne. This Citie was built by Pyrats of Norway, which although it have a thick aire, a soile not very pleasant, and very narrow streets, yet such is the conveniencie of the Haven, that it is the second Ctity in Ireland for wealth & populousnes, & is filled with many wise & well behaved Citizens. It hath a safe & quiet Haven, & which is often full of outlandish & forraine ships. For there are many Merchants in Waterford, who in trading do so wisely use their stock, & so warily cast up their accoūts, that in a short time they get great store of wealth; they are not for the most part indebted, but have ready money. There are very few usurers, which by fraudulent & intolerable interest live upon the goods & spoile of the Cittizens by taking them to pawne. The Citizens are curteous, bountifull, thriftie, hospitable to strangers, and serviceable both in private and publique affaires. This Citie was anciently called Menapia, as Dublin Eblana: or rather Amellana from Amellanus, who built it, as it is reported that Sitaracus built Waterford, and Ivorus Limrick; They being Cosen-Germans, and heretofore of great authoritie in Ireland. There is also in this Countrie Limrick, which is the third Citie, that excells the rest, for commodious situation, and for the fairenesse of the River, being watered with Shennin the chiefe of all the Irish Rivers; though this Citie bee distant from the Sea sixtie miles, yet the ship-masters doe bring shippes of great burthen even to the walls of the Citie, neither neede they feare any rockes all the way they come up. It is wonderfull to see what store and plentie of fish you shall finde there. Iohn King of England being enamoured with the pleasantnesse of this Cittie, built there a faire Castle, and a Bridge. There is also Corcagia in the Countie of Corke, which the English call Cork, and the natives Korkeach, environed with a wall, not very wide in compasse. It is stretched out so as to make but one street, yet there is a prettie and very faire market place; it hath an excellent safe harbour, but hath heretofore beene so encompassed with seditious neighbours, that they keepe continuall watch and ward, as if they were alwaies besieged, and they scarce marrie their daughters into the countrie, by reason whereof, marrying among themselves, all the Citizens are somewhat allied one to another. The Citizens are strong in Souldiers, they addict themselves to merchandise, and governe their affaires both at home and abroad very frugally. Coenalis writeth, that the holy man Briacus came from hence, from whom the Diocesse of Sanbrioch in Brittaine, commonly called S. Brieu, tooke its name. But in this hee wandereth from the truth, because he placeth the Coriondi of Ireland in this Citie. For Ptolemie doth not mention it at all. Yet the River which floweth by it seemeth to be the same, which Ptolemie calls Daurona, and Giraldus calls Sauranus, and Saverenus by changing one letter. Learned Camden saith, that the affinitie which is betweene these names did intimate so much unto him, and that with greater probalitie, then if hee should call the next River Daurona, which running through the Countie Corke and Triperarie falls into the Ocean by Lysmor, and is called by Historians Avenmor, that is, the Great River, of which Nechamus thus writeth:

Vrbem Lissimor pertransit flumen Avenmor,Ardmor cernit ubi concitus oequor adit.Avenmor runneth by Lissimors wallAnd at Ardmor into the Sea doth fall.

1685. Geographia universalis: the present state of the whole world by Pierre Duval.

Ireland formerly called Ivernia and Hibernia, is on the West of Great Brittain, from which it is separated by a Sea full of Shelves and Rocks, where there is a concourse of several Rivers, which fall in there with great Rapidity. There is little sayling there, but with Ships of a middle Bulk, yet Ireland has the finest Harbours, and the greatest number in the World. The Irish are tall and well proportioned; love Repose and Liberty; most of them are Catholicks. During the usurpation of the Royal Authority in England, by the two Houses, and by Cromwel, most of the Papists were brought to condign Punishment, for their execrable Massacres and Bloudshed, and the Irish Nobility pen'd up in a corner of the Kingdom; between the River of Shennon and the Sea. The Physitians there are received by Succession. The Riches of this Realm consists in Butter, Suet, Wool, Hides, Frizes, Coverlets, Cheeses and Salmon. The English who reside there, drive almost all the Trade. Though this Island be full of Lakes, Ponds, Marshes, Mountains, it is nevertheless very healthful, and is said neither to produce or suffer any thing that's venemous. The Wood or Timber that's cut there engenders neither Worms nor Spiders. Of this Nature is the Timber Work of the Pallace of Westminster, and that of the Town-House of the Hague, in Holland. Of late time several of its Marshes have been drained and dryed up, and the Countrey which was formerly only Forrests is at present so disgarnished of Woods, that they are constrained to make use of Turfe instead of it, for Firing. All along the Coast is great plenty of those Fowl we call Soland-Geese they are produced of the Wood of the Ships which rot in the Sea. There be also Pearls which float in company, as Bees follow their King; but are not of a fine Water.

Ireland is divided according to the Dispositions of the Regions of the World, into four parts; Leinster, Ulster, Cannaught and Munster; formerly Meeth was reckoned for a fifth, but is now accounted a Member of Leinster. There is still another Division which divides all Ireland into two parts, whereof the one is the Province of the English, the other the Country of the true Irish, though the whole Country has been subdued, and there is almost every where English and Scotch Collonies. The Province of the English has in like manner four Countreys, Lease, Meth, Dublin, Kildare-Monmouth is the best Country, with the finest Havens of the Kingdom. Leinster drives the greatest Trade, the two other Ports are not so considerable. Mead passes for the Granary of Ireland, by reason of its Corn.

There be few good Towns. Armagh in Ulster, which was formerly the principal in all the Island, has now nothing more than the Ruines, with the Title of the Primary, and the Archbishops See. London-Derry is much more considerable. Drogday is strong and trading: a Proverb runs that Wexford was in vogue, that Dublin is so, and that Drogdah shall be. The Hole of St. Patrick has Circumstances which have furnished matter to the making of Books. Amongst other Fables which be told thereof, is the descent of Souls into Purgatory, and into Hell through that Strait. Galloway in Connaught, the most considerable after Dublin, trafficks principally into Spain. Altone an important passage upon the Shennon, was fortified by Queen Elizabeth, who intended to have made it the Residence of her Lord Lieutenant. Waterford in Munster is esteemed the third in the Kingdom, near the meeting of the three Rivers, which are called the three Sisters Limerick and Cork are considerable. Dublin: in Leinster is the Capital of all Ireland, the Residence of the Lord Leiutenant and of the principal Officers of Justice, with an University, the only one of the Kingdom. Kilkenni is esteemed the finest of the Cities in the Inlands of the Countrey.