Glascarrig
Priory: an interim history
Niall
C.E.J. O’Brien
Introduction
The site of Glascarrig
priory lies in the townland of Glascarrig North in County Wexford, near the
Irish Sea. The priory was originally sited in the civil parish of Donaghmore
but after 1835 was located in the perpetual curacy of Glascarrig which included
lands formerly in the parishes of Donaghmore, Kiltrisk and Leskinfere.[1] The
priory ruins were, after the dissolution of the monasteries, incorporated into
farm buildings and their past life as a religious house is difficult to see. In
more recent times the priory site has become blocked off from the public road
by new housing developments. It seems the priory doesn’t like to tell its
history. This article is an attempt at an interim history of the only
Benedictine house of the Order of Tiron in medieval Ireland.
The
Order of Tiron
The priory of
Glascarrig was the only religious house in Ireland of the Order of St. Bernard
of Tiron.[2]
The order was founded by St. Bernard of Tiron who is also referred to as
Bernard of Ponthieu and Bernard of Abbeyville. He was born in 1046 near Abbeville.
At the age of 19 he was accepted into the monastery of Saint-Cyprien, near
Poitiers. After ten years Bernard was transferred to Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe
to fill the position of prior. In 1100, Bernard was elected Abbott of
Saint-Cyprien. In about 1105 Bernard and some followers left the abbey to seek
a stricter life.
Bernard and his
followers built a small community in the Forest of Savigny where they were
joined by St. Vital of Mortain. But Savigny was not good enough for Bernard and
he moved on to Tiron in the Diocese of Chartres. In 1109 he began to build
Tiron Abbey. In the early days Savigny and other places recognised Tiron as the
head order of a new religious order. But in 1147-8 many houses, including
Savigny, joined the Cistercian order. Tiron and a few houses stayed
independent.[3]
Foundation
The foundation date of
the priory St. Mary at Glascarrig is unknown but most sources suggest it was
founded about 1190 as a dependent house of St. Dogmael’s Abbey in
Pembrokeshire. At the visitation of the Bishop of Ferns in 1501 the then prior
of Glascarrig, Charles MacMurrough showed a foundation charter with a date of
1172 but Emily M. Pritchard considered this date a bit too early as Pill Priory
was founded by Adam de Roche a few years before David de Roche went to Ireland.
Pill priory was founded between 1161 and 1170.[4] William
Grattan Flood said it was founded about 1182 or 1193. Certainly the priory was
in existence by 1210.[5]
Part of the few remaining priory structure walls
Sometime
after 1363 Thomas de Dene, Bishop of Ferns, held an inspeximus of the
foundation charter. This named the founders of Glascarrig as Griffith Condon,
Cecilia Barry, his wife, Roderic Bourke, her father, David Roche, Richard Carrin
and John Fytte of Areolin. They granted the priory various lands along with
fourteen churches and seven chapels in the Dioceses of Ferns, Cloyne, Leighlin
and Glendalough.[6]
Some of these lands were the woods, meadows, pastures, with a mill in their lands
of Consinquilos and Trahir, with the long marsh, fisheries, and salvage of
wrecks on the sea near the priory site.[7]
According to William
Grattan Flood some of these churches and parishes were: Glascarrig, Donaghmore,
Ardamine, Killnenor, Killenagh, Kilmuckridge, Kilanierin, Killincooly,
Kilpatrick, Kilnahue and Templeudigan in the Diocese of Ferns; Kellistown,
Ballycroane, Lorum and Clonegoose in the Diocese of Leighlin; Clondulane,
Litter and Liscleary in the Diocese of Cloyne.[8]
Emily M. Pritchard, in her book, The
History of St. Dogmael’s Abbey, records the grant of churches from Raymond,
Lord Barry, who gave the Church of St. Patrick at Dormaghyn, with the Chapel of
St. Mary Magdalen, along with the Church of St. Barburga of Leytmagh; Lord
Griffin Condon and his wife gave the Church of Temple Landecan, and the free
chapel of Templeboyne; Lord Barry and Lord Robert Burgh gave the Church of
Inleyn, with the Chapel of Joram, otherwise called Lagen; Lord David Roche gave
the Church of St. Leatrina de Nayt along with the Church of St. Patrick, by the
marsh near Clonenan, in his own lordship; the sons of Lord Condon, William and
Raymond, gave in the diocese of Cloyne, Co. Cork, the Church of St. Mary, in Magnomia
(Macroney), in Clonendon the Church of Letrom (Leitrim), and the Church of an
unknown location; Richard Carryn and his brothers gave the Church of Laceria
Delturaon, with the Chapel of St. Brigid, the Church of St. Mary of Clongossy
with the Chapel of St. Mary, the Church of St. Synell with the chapel of St.
Peter, the Church of St. Leyre of Baston with the Chapel of St. Mary in the
diocese of Leighlin, Co. Carlow. In the Diocese of Glendalough John Fynelte
gave the Church of St. Brigitte of Tinagh with all the tithes belonging.[9]
Glascarrig
and Wales
St. Dogmael’s Abbey
near Cardigan in Pembrokeshire was founded in 1115 and was raised to abbey
status in 1120.[10]
It remained the only house of the Order of Tiron in Wales or England. St.
Dogmael’s had two other dependent houses at Pill and Caldey. By the foundation
charter the abbot of St. Dogmael’s had the right to nominate the prior at
Glascarrig.[11]
Initially the priory community was made up of Welsh and Flemish monks but when
the English influence declined, North Wexford came under the Irish sphere of
influence. After the fourteenth century priors at Glascarrig came from local
Irish families and by papal provision.
Yet the connection with
Wales was maintained over the years and in 1445 was repeated in a major
document of Pope Eugenius IV. On 23rd January 1445 Pope Eugenius IV
confirmed the possessions and judicial rights of the Benedictine abbey of St.
Mary the Virgin and St. Dogmael in Kemmeys in the County of Pembrokeshire in
the Diocese of St. David. These possessions were granted to the abbey in frank
almoin by various lords in the Barony of Kemmeys, the abbey’s founders and
especial mention was made of William Caunton, Lord of Fyschgart (Fishguard) and
his donations.[12]
The said papal grant
went on to mention many of these possessions such as the lordship, barony or
franchise of the town of St. Dogmael and of Cassa Abbatis, within the bounds of
the parish of St. Dogmael; the town and lordship of Fyschgart (Fishguard),
Treveiordan (Trewrdan), Maynclochog (Maenclochog), Moylgrove, Langtot
(Llantood), Lesbrawst (Newton), Nantgwynt (Llanfair Nant Gwyn), Monachlogddu,
Comkerwyn (Cwm Cerwyn), Menthtergch (Foel Dyrch), Prisscle (Prescelly), the
priory or cell of Pill which was dependent of St. Dogmael and Eglowyse Vroo in
the Diocese of St. David.[13]
Within the lordship of
Casa Abbatis, the abbot exercised the power of life and death through his
stewards, bailiffs and other officers. Within the lands of St. Dogmael, and
especially within the precincts of the abbey, the abbey exercised the immunity
where fugitives could dwell in safety. Anyone who violated that immunity could
be declared excommunicated.[14]
Outside Pembrokeshire,
the abbey of St. Dogmael held the parish church of Rattery in Devonshire and
the lordship and temporal jurisdiction associated with it and the chapel of
Cokynton (Cockington) in the Diocese of Exeter. In Ireland, the abbey of St.
Dogmael held the cell or priory of Glascarrig in the Diocese of Ferns.[15]
When the connection
between Glascarrig and the parent house of St. Dogmael was strong Glascarrig
was to pay an annual contribution to S. Dogmael’s of £3 6s 8d but for a good
few years before the dissolution no such contribution was made. In 1539 this
contribution was not paid for forty years and more.[16]
Early
land transactions
In about 1223 John St.
John, Bishop of Ferns, witnessed a deed relating two carucates land in Bantry
which was previously granted to the priory of Glascarrig by Adam de Caunteton,
Lord of Glascarrig. This land was sold about 1223 to Duiske Abbey at
Graiguenamanagh. In 1260-1 the prior and monks of Glascarrig still owed a half
mark for the enrolment of this deed.[17]
This deed was written up by Andrew, Abbot of St. Dogmael’s in Wales for the
Glascarrig community.[18]
In about 1307
Glascarrig priory had land around Cahore and the long marsh of Inch with the fishery
and wrecks of the nearby sea.[19] A
few years later in about 1309 the lands around Glascarrig were devastated by
the raiding MacMurrough army. The lord of Glascarrig, Maurice de Caunteton had
gone into rebellion against the king after the murder of Richard Talon in June
1309. A royal army was sent against de Caunteton who was killed in battle yet
his followers continued the rebellion for some time. MacMurrough took advantage
of this war to raid and devastate the area around Glascarrig.[20]
Location map for the priory near
Glascarrig motte and Glascarrig Point
Glascarrig motte and Glascarrig Point
Appointing
the priors of Glascarrig
The early priors of
Glascarrig are not yet known. The foundation charter said that the abbot of St.
Dogmael’s had the right to appoint the prior of Glascarrig.[21] It
is presumed that Welsh and Anglo-Norman Wexford people served as prior at
Glascarrig in the two centuries after its foundation. By 1395 Art MacMurrough
and his Irish followers had come to dominate north Wexford and thus we see an
increase in Irish people becoming prior at Glascarrig.
In 1401 Imarus O’Dowd
was made prior of Glascarrig or so it is suggested.[22]
He had previously served as a Benedictine monk at the Irish monastery in Vienne
before being appointed in 1396 as abbot of the Cistercian monastery at Bective
in Co. Meath. As part of the appointment to Bective abbey Imar O’Dowd had to
adopt the Cistercian habit.[23]
On 16th
February 1401 a papal mandate was issued to the bishops of Tuy and Clonfert,
along with Eugene Omaenachayn, a canon of Killaloe, to collate and assign to Imarus
O’Dowd, then supposed Cistercian abbot of Bective, to Glascarrig priory. It
would seem from the papal letter that Imarus O’Dowd was provided to Bective in
1396 but had not got possession of the abbey. The papal letter declared that
Imarus was to resign any claim to Bective on obtaining the priorship of
Glascarrig. In 1401 Glascarrig was valued not exceeding 40 marks, and conventual,
with cure and elective.[24]
Other documents say that Glascarrig was not conventual and the abbot of St.
Dogmael’s in Wales had the right to appointment.
It is not known for
sure if Imarus O’Dowd ever succeeded in becoming prior of Glascarrig. The papal
letter only recommended that he should be prior. There is not later document to
show he got the position. Sometime after 1401 St. Dogmael’s re-established its
right to appoint the prior of Glascarrig when Henry of Wales became prior and
was in position in 1408. This return of the old order was made possible by the
re-conquest of north Wexford by Thomas of Lancaster, Viceroy of Ireland,
against the MacMurrough occupiers.[25]
But this victory of the Welsh interest was only short lived as Henry of Wales
was dead by 1411 and an Irishman was again prior of Glascarrig.
A reference book records
that in 1411 Ymarus Oduyud, Abbot of Kilbeggan, was appointed prior of
Glascarrig. The priory at the time was described as a non-conventual monastery.[26] Rev.
James Leslie contradicts this by saying that in 1411 Andrew Occurryn, a monk of
St. Stephen’s at Bologna, was appointed prior of Glascarrig to fill the vacancy
caused by the death of Henry of Wales.[27]
Rev. Leslie’s account
of the appointment is confirmed by a papal mandate issued on 30th
January 1411 to the bishop of Civitaten, the abbot of St. Mary's, Ferns, and
the archdeacon of Leighlin to collate and assign to Andrew Occurryn, priest,
monk of St. Stephen's, Bologna, of the order of St. Benedict, to the priory of
Glascarrig to succession to Henry of Wales who was deceased. Andrew Occurryn
was described as a secular clerk, who had recently received papal dispensation,
as the son of a priest and an unmarried woman, to be promoted to all holy
orders. Glascarrig was described as having cure of souls and was not
conventual, and was dependent on the monastery of St. Dogmael of the order of
Tiron in Wales. Glascarrig was then worth 40 marks.[28]
On 27th
February 1439 a papal mandate was issued to abbot of the Augustinian abbey of
St. Mary’s, Ferns, and the dean and treasurer of Ferns to collate and assign
the Benedictine priory of St. Mary, Glascarrig, to Patrick Occurryn (O’Curran),
monk of the Benedictine monastery of St. Mary de Elfiolo in the Diocese of
Gubbio (northeast corner of the Italian province of Perugia). The family name
of O’Curran often appears in the records of Glascarrig in the fifteenth
century.
The vacancy at
Glascarrig was caused by the death of Prior Andrew Occurryn. But Thady O’Byrne,
a secular clerk, occupied the priory for the previous two years. As soon as
Patrick obtained possession of the priory, the three papal judges were to
transfer him to Glascarrig and have him received as a monk there. The mandate
mentioned that Glascarrig was non-conventual and dependent upon the abbey of
St. Dogmael of the order of Tiron, in the Diocese of St. David. Glascarrig was
valued at 40 marks sterling in 1439.[29]
Rev. James Leslie mentioned that Glascarrig was conventual in 1439 but this is
not correct according to the Papal Registers.[30]
Subsequently to this
papal letter, Patrick Occurryn had Thady O’Byrne presented before the abbot of
St. Mary’s, Ferns, and the dean of Ferns, which two, by a definite sentence,
granted Glascarrig to Patrick Occurryn. Thady O’Byrne appealed the sentence to
Rome but did not prosecute the appeal for four years. Yet Thady O’Byrne’s claims
that he had been professed into the Benedictine order carried weight in Rome
and was still recognised as prior of Glascarrig. Thady also claimed that the
abbot of Ferns and the dean of Ferns were not in peaceful possession of their
positions and so there was doubt as to their competence as papal judges. On 8th
August 1444 Rome declared that the abbot and dean were competent judges and
their decision to give Glascarrig to Patrick Occurryn should remain in force as
if Thady had not made his profession.[31]
According to the above
information it would seem that Andrew Occurryn was succeeded by Patrick
Occurryn and he was succeeded by Thady O’Byrne. Yet a papal document of 1448
mentions Donatus Ylaissi as a former prior of Glascarrig and by the death of
Donatus the priory became vacant and this vacancy was occupied by Thady O’Byrne.[32]
There is not enough evidence available to square this seemingly conflicting
information.
In 1448 it is recorded
that Thady O’Byrne was recognised as the prior. He was at that time succeeded
by Fergal Occurryn, a monk of Millau in the Diocese of Rodez.[33] In
1448 Fergal Occurryn, a monk of the Benedictine monastery of Millau in the
diocese of Rodez, accused Thady O’Byrne, the prior of St. Mary's, Glascarrig,
at the papal court as publicly keeping a concubine and dilapidating the
possessions of the priory, and committed simony. Fergal Occurryn was not
without blemish as the son of a priest (a professed Benedictine monk), and an
unmarried woman, and after making his profession at Millau, had himself made a
clerk). On 14th September 1448 a papal mandate was issued to the
dean and archdeacon of Ferns, and David Odruyn, canon of Ferns to summon Thady
O’Byrne, and if they found the charges to be true, to remove him, and assign
the priory Fergal Occurryn.[34]
But it would seem that
Thady O’Byrne was not finished with Glascarrig. In 1453 he was still recognised
as prior of Glascarrig by papal officials in Rome. In May 1453 Thady O’Byrne,
as prior of Glascarrig, told that Pope that the see of Ferns was vacant by the
death of Bishop Robert and the Pope nominated Thady O’Byrne to fill the
vacancy. But others told the Pope that the see was not vacant and although
Robert was Bishop of Ferns for more than thirty years, Robert was very much
alive and that Thady O’Byrne knew well that Bishop Robert was alive.
On 18 May 1453 a mandate
was issued to the Bishops of Lismore and Ossory that the provision of Ferns to
Thady O’Byrne was null and void, and, that if Thady O’Byrne had been
consecrated in virtue of any letters, they were to forbid him the episcopal
office. The two bishops were also to investigate if Thady O’Byrne was aware
that Bishop Robert was still bishop, and if he was the author of the false
witness, to punish him as guilty of forgery. If Thady O’Byrne had been consecrated,
they were to report to the Pope, and keep him in decent custody until they
received further orders from the Pope.[35]
In about May 1508
Charles Kavanagh, Abbot of Duiske Abbey at Graiguenamanagh, informed the Pope
that the priory of Glascarrig was vacant as was the chancellorship of Leighlin
and four vicarages in the Diocese of Leighlin. Charles Kavanagh went on to
report that Charles MacMurrough occupied the priorship of Glascarrig without
title. Although Charles Kavanagh admitted past crimes against the Church he
went on to say it would be advantageous to him to have the priory of Glascarrig
united to his abbot position at Duiske for life. Charles Kavanagh said that
Glascarrig was valued at 24 marks while the papal clerk said it was not
conventual and dependent on St. Dogmael’s in Wales. Pope Julius had little
knowledge of Kavanagh’s past offences and asked the abbot of St. Mary’s at
Baltinglass to judge the petition and rehabilitate Charles Kavanagh of his past
crimes.[36]
It would seem that
Charles Kavanagh was unsuccessful in the long term at getting Glascarrig
priory. Charles MacMurrough held the position of prior in 1501 when the then
Bishop of Ferns confirmed the foundation charter of Glascarrig and was still
prior at the dissolution of the priory.[37]
The
wealth of Glascarrig
Glascarrig priory was described as one of the
wealthiest religious houses in County Wexford.[38]
How accurate a description of the priory was this statement? In the absence of
a cartulary or other documents from the priory we must rely on other sources.
The Calendar of Papal Registers relating to Great Britain and Ireland provides
values for the priorship over the decades.
In 1401 and 1439
Glascarrig was valued at less than 40 marks. By 1508 the value of the priory had
fallen to less than 24 marks.[39] At
the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539/40 Glascarrig was worth 30s 8d but
the real value before deductions for waste was 96s 8d.[40]
In a recent study of the twenty religious houses involved in County Wexford Glascarrig ranks in ninth position out of the twenty based on the value of the houses given at the dissolution. Among the twelve Wexford base houses Glascarrig rank fifth after Selsker, Tintern, Dunbrody, and Ferns. If the value of Glascarrig given in 1439 was used then Glascarrig would be the fourth wealthiest house among the houses based in County Wexford, i.e, excluding houses based outside the county than had substantial property in Wexford such as the Knight's Hospitallers.
See http://celtic2realms-medievalnews.blogspot.ie/2015/10/the-value-of-wexford-medieval_30.html
Papal
mandates to the prior of Glascarrig
From about 1400 onwards
the prior of Glascarrig at various times received a commission to become a
papal judge in some dispute over a benefice. This was about the same time that
Irish people began to occupy the prior’s chair at Glascarrig and the two events
are not without connection. Before 1400, while Glascarrig had priors from the
Welsh and Anglo-Norman community it followed the custom of the English church
in having as little to do with Rome as possible and certainty not let the pope
think he had any authority to direct the affairs of the national churches. The
Irish community, after the Norman invasion and the displacement of Irish
clerics from church positions, looked to Rome as an alternative source of
authority to London.
On 9th
November 1400 or 8th November 1401 a papal mandate was issued to the
priors of Glascarrig and Ryllytlug (Diocese of Kildare), and Eugene Omaenachayn,
canon of Killaloe, to collate and assign to Odo Obecayn, clerk, of the diocese
of Kildare, who had previously got papal dispensation as the son of a priest
and an unmarried woman, to have the rectory of Lega, in the Diocese of Kildare,
void by the death of Cornelius Omurchuay, although John Blacg, priest, of the
same diocese, unduly detained it.[41]
On 5th March
1401 another papal mandate was issued to the priors of Glascarrig and Kyllytlug
(Diocese of Kildare), and Eugene Omacnachayn, canon of Killaloe relating to Odo
Obecayn. This mandate repeats the above mandate but included the statement that
the rectory of Lega was valued at less than 12 marks.[42] A
papal mandate which omitted critical information such as the value of the
benefice could be challenged as invalid by others at a later date and thus this
second mandate was obtained by Odo Obecayn.
On 12th
February 1401 a papal mandate was issued to the abbot of Abbeyleix and the
prior of Glascarrig and Eugene Omaenachayn, canon of Killaloe to collate and
assign to John Oleachloir, priest, of the diocese of Leighlin, the vicarage,
value not exceeding 12 marks, of Killabbayn, in the said diocese, void by the
death of Richard Corbed.[43]
Four days later, on 16th February 1401, another papal mandate was
issued to the abbot of Abbeyleix and the prior of Glascarrig and Eugene
Omaenachayn, canon of Killaloe. This time they were to remove Thomas Yung from
the rectory of Kilabbayn (value 16 marks) and assign it John Omorra, clerk, of
the diocese of Leighlin. In this case the rectory was void due to the death of
Cutagrinus Omorra.[44]
These two mandates are another example of the left hand not knowing what the
right hand was doing at the Papacy in Rome.
On 11th October 1411 a
papal mandate was issued to the bishop of Lucera, the prior of St. Mary's,
Glascarrig, and John Occurryn, canon of Leighlin in which they were to assign
to Patrick Macdubgayll, clerk of the diocese of Ferns, the rectory of Arculo in
the diocese of Dublin.[45]
On 22nd
March 1411 the prior of Glascarrig along with the archdeacon and John Occurryn,
canon, of Leighlin were mandated to assign to Donald Mackatmail, clerk of the
diocese of Dublin, the rectory of Gilldelgni (worth 28 marks) in the Diocese of
Dublin. The occupier of the rectory, Henry Fuytby, didn’t live in the parish
and couldn’t speak the language of the parishioners.[46] Donald
Mackatmail was skilled in canon law and for more than fourteen years, by no
fault of his own, was an exile from his own diocese. He had previously got
papal dispensation to be promoted to all, even holy orders, on being the son of
unmarried parents. The papal mandate of 22nd March was the first of
many acquired by Donald Mackatmail which involved the prior of Glascarrig as
one of the judges to decide the case.
One of the few structural remains of Glascarrig priory
On 24th
December 1411 a papal mandate was issued to the prior of Glascarrig, and the
archdeacon and John Occurryn, canon, of Leighlin, to assign to Donald
Mackatmail the archdeaconry of Glendalough, a non-major dignity with cure of
souls and valued at less than 40 marks. The archdeaconry of Glendalough was
then void by the simoniacal resignation of Maurice O’Byrne before certain
priests and other witnesses, but Maurice still detained possession. Donald Mackatmail
feared the power of Maurice and other adversaries in the Diocese of Dublin, and
thus nominated the above three judges to obtain justice.[47]
On 22nd
March 1412 another papal mandate was issued to the prior of Glascarrig along
with John Occurryn, canon of Leighlin and the bishop of Volterra on behalf of
Donald Mackatmail. This time Donald wanted to have the canonry and prebend of
Nurnuy in Leighlin, and the precentorship (said to be annexed thereto), value
not exceeding 10 marks. The prebend was void by the resignation of William de
Nuys to Bishop Richard of Leighlin. The three judges were to assign the canonry
and prebend to Donald Mackatmail notwithstanding that the pope had lately
ordered provision to be made to him of the archdeaconry of Glendalough in
Dublin, along with the rectory of Gildigni in the said diocese, neither of
which he had yet got possession of, and dispensed him to hold both together for
life.[48]
These two mandates show that sometimes it was possible for officials at the
Papacy to know what each department was doing.
On 28th
December 1412 John Macdubayll, clerk of the Diocese of Dublin got a papal
mandate for a canonry of Leighlin with reservation of a prebend, (worth 15
marks), in the gift of the bishop and the dean and chapter. The three judges
nominated to implement this mandate were the bishop of Todi, the abbot of St.
Mary's, Ferns, and the prior of St. Mary's, Glascarrig. John Macdubayll had
previously got papal provision for the rectory of Ynnsemocholmog (worth 12
marks) in the Diocese of Dublin. We further learn that John Macdubayll had studied
canon law in a place which was not a university for three years, and had
received papal dispensation, as the son of a priest and an unmarried woman, related
in the fourth and fourth degrees of kindred, to be promoted to all, even holy
orders.[49]
But it seems that John
Macdubayll had difficulties getting possession of Ynnsemocholmog as on 17th
November 1413 another papal mandate was issued to the bishop of Todi, the prior
of St. Mary's, Glascarrig, and John Occurryn, canon of Leighlin, to assign to John
Macdubayll the rectory Ynnsemocholmog (worth 12 marks), of the patronage of
laymen.[50]
About October/September
1412 a papal mandate was issued to the bishops of Todi and Cloyne and the prior
of Glascarrig, to assign to Augustine Macbradaich, perpetual vicar of the
parish church of Dreng and Leachtrach (worth 10 marks) in the diocese of
Kilmore, the treasurership of Ferns (worth 20 marks). The petition for the
treasurership was made by Landulph, cardinal deacon of St. Nicholas's in
Carcere Tuliano, of whose household Augustine was a member. Augustine had
lately got papal provision for the archdeaconry of Elphin (worth 60 marks), but
this provision was challenged in the papal courts. Augustine could, if the
three judges agreed to it, hold the treasurership with the vicarage and
archdeaconry for three years, and resign one of them during that time, retain
the other two for life.[51]
Sometimes the prior of
Glascarrig did not always give a favourable judgement to a petitioner for a
benefice. On 4th May 1413 the prior of Glascarrig along with the
bishop of Volterra and the archdeacon of Leighlin received a papal mandate to
assign to Thomas O’Nolan, priest of the diocese of Leighlin, the perpetual
vicarage of Magdacond in the diocese of Ferns.[52]
But matters did not go straight forward as the occupier of the vicarage, Odo
Ofergail held on. Therefore on 24th July 1413 another papal mandate
was issued on the matter. In this second mandate the three judges were the
bishop of Volterra and the archdeacon of Leighlin and John Occurryn, canon, of
Leighlin.[53]
As it was the custom of the petitioner to suggest what three judges he wanted,
it seems that Thomas O’Nolan didn’t get favourable help from the prior of
Glascarrig.
On 11th May
1418 the prior of Glascarrig got a papal mandate to assign to John Macmurhuga,
perpetual vicar of Kylltynille in the diocese of Leighlin, the deanery of Leighlin,
which was vacant by the death of Thomas Staffyn; John Macmurhuga could hold the
deanery for three years while retaining the vicarage.[54]
On 19th
January 1423 the prior of the Glascarrig received a papal mandate to assign to
Odo Okyrruayn, priest of the Diocese of Ferns, the rectory of Kyllehmil in the
same diocese, value not exceeding 12 marks. The rectory was formerly of the patronage
of laymen, but in 1423 without patrons. In that state of affairs Robert Edward
had occupied the rectory for more than a year without proper title. The prior
of Glascarrig was to give the rectory to Odo Okyrruayn but had first to
discover who the true patron of the rectory was.[55]
On 9th May
1424 the prior of Glascarrig along with the bishop of Alet and the archdeacon
of Dublin got a mandate assign to Odo Magillaghe, priest, of the diocese of
Elphin (who had about the same time received of the rectory of Bealachchy in
the diocese of Leighlin), the canonry and prebend of Tulachmochima in Leighlin.
Odo Magillaghe had previously received Tulachmochima by the ordinary authority
of Bishop John of Leighlin. But Odo had doubts to his title and so got the
papal letter to confirm him in Tulachmochima.[56]
On 28th
December 1441 the prior of St. Mary’s, Glascarrig, in the Diocese of Ferns
along with the dean and precentor of Ferns were mandated by Pope Eugenius IV to
judge the petition of David Odrufyn, perpetual vicar of Millenach (Meelnagh) in
the Diocese of Ferns. David Odrufyn had claimed that Maurice Olass, rector of
St. Cormac’s (Kilcormick), had dilapidated the goods of the rectory and
celebrated masses in places that were under interdict. David also claimed that
there was small distance between the rectory (worth 12 marks) and the vicarage
(worth 4 marks) and so both could be served by one man. The Pope granted that
David could hold the rectory and vicarage for life along with the right to hold
six other mutually compatible benefices.[57]
On 24th
August 1456 the abbot of St. Mary’s at Ferns and the priors of St. John the
Evangelist at Enniscorthy and St. Mary at Glascarrig received a papal mandate
in favour of Malachy Ochogly, clerk of the Diocese of Leighlin, to have a
canonry at Leighlin and the prebend of Ullard (worth 8 marks) vacant by the
death of John O’Curran.[58]
On the same 24th
August 1456 the abbot of St. Mary’s, Ferns and the priors of Enniscorthy and
Glascarrig received another papal mandate to collate and assign the rectory of
Kilnamanach (Kilnamanagh) in the Diocese of Ferns (worth 8 marks) in lay
patronage to Patrick Omurchu (O’Murray), clerk of the Diocese of Leighlin. The
rectory was long vacant due to the death of Magonius O’Bolgy.[59]
Rev. James Leslie incorrectly gives the value of the rectory as not exceeding 7
marks.[60]
On 11th
October 1468 a papal mandate was issued to the priors of St. Mary's, Ferns, and
Glascarrig and Enniscorthy, in the diocese of Ferns to judge on the
chancellorship of Leighlin, a non-major dignity, void by the death of Richard
Brun, along a canonry of the same church and the prebend of Gragerusa. Donatus
Omurchi, a clerk of the Diocese of Leighlin, claimed the positions in
opposition to Patrick Ouengal, priest of the diocese of Leighlin, who held them
without proper title. Donatus Omurchi asked for the above three judges because
he feared Patrick Ouengal's power in the city and diocese of Leighlin. The pope
dispensed Donatus Omurchi to be promoted to all holy orders and that of the
priesthood on account of his illegitimacy, and to receive said chancellorship
and canonry and prebend after the investigation by the three judges.[61]
A day later, on 12th
October 1468, another papal mandate was issued to the abbot of St. Mary's,
Ferns, and the priors of Glascarrig and Enniscorthy to settle the claim of
Patrick Omurchi. This time Patrick Omurchi had his eye on the archdeaconry of
Leighlin, so long void by the death of Dermit Ochuertyn, along with the
perpetual vicarage of the parish church of Acha and Rahedyn in the said
diocese, void by the death of John Omorthy. It seems that Miles, Bishop of
Leighlin, had given these church positions to David Ochurryn, dean of Leighlin,
for life and to be united to the Deanery of Leighlin. The three judges were to
summon and remove the said David Ochurryn along with any other unlawful
detainers and give the archdeaconry and vicarage to Patrick Omurchi for life.[62]
On 11th May
1490 the abbot of St. Mary’s at Ferns, the prior of Glascarrig and Gerald
Machdully, canon of Ferns, were mandated by Pope Innocent VIII to decide on the
priorship of St. John the Evangelist at Enniscorthy (worth 16 marks). Philip
Obrayn, a clerk of the monastery of St. Thomas the Martyr outside the New Gate
of Dublin claimed the position against John Layng, a canon of St. Thomas, who
was supposed to detain the job under a false title from the abbot of St.
Thomas. The three judges were to receive Philip Obrayn as a canon and brother
of St. Thomas and then assign him the priorship at Enniscorthy notwithstanding
his defect of birth.[63]
On 24th May
1492 the bishop of Leighlin along with the prior of Glascarrig and James
Hedyan, canon of Ossory were mandated to give the rectory of Castlemakadam in
the Diocese of Glendalough (worth 10 marks) to Charles O’Byrne, cleric of
Glendalough and remove Maurice Obrwyn, the so called unlawful detainer.[64]
On 12th May
1495 the prior of Glascarrig along with the abbot of Ferns and John Ochyn,
canon of the church of Glendalough received a papal mandate to judge on the
petition of Philip O’Byrne, prior of the monastery of St. John the Evangelist,
Enniscorthy for the parish church of the prebend of Toome. The said church,
worth about 14 marks, was occupied by Thomas Hyhn, chancellor of Ferns, by
unlawful means and with no title. Thomas Hyhn does not appear among the
chancellors of Ferns as recorded by Rev. James Leslie but then Leslie had a gap
in his records between 1461 and 1569 and so Thomas Hyhn was possibly a lawful
chancellor without proper title to that office.[65]
Philip O’Byrne had
previously obtained papal letters of dispensation on account of him being the
son of an Augustinian canon and an unmarried woman. By these same letters of
dispensation Philip O’Byrne obtained the priorship of Enniscorthy. The three
judges were to summon Thomas Hyhn and if they found that he held Toome without
title, they were to confer the church upon Philip O’Byrne for life. Philip
O’Byrne was to ensure that religious services were held at Toome and that the
cure of the parishioners was not neglected. He was also not to alienate any
immovable goods or precious movables.[66]
On 27th
April 1511 the priors of Enniscorthy and Glascarrig and an official of Ferns
were mandated in favour of William Sutton, canon of Ferns. Many years before
William Sutton got a papal dispensation from Pope Alexander VI for promotion to
clerical office as the son of unmarried parents in an incestuous union and
received the canonry and prebend of Ferns. Later in the time of Pope Julius the
archdeaconry of Ferns (worth 25 marks) became vacant. William Sutton was to
have this job with a supernumerary prebend worth less than 13 marks. William
Sutton does not appear among the archdeacons of Ferns as recorded by Rev. James
Leslie.[67]
Subsequently the abbot
position in Tintern abbey (worth 38 marks) became vacant and Pope Julius
assigned it to William Sutton. The three papal judges were to effect the
collation and remove any detainers.[68]
Individual
monks at Glascarrig
The records of
individual monks at Glascarrig are few and far between. Most of the time we
learn only the name of the prior and there are many gaps in that record. Yet a
few individual monks of Glascarrig survive in the records.
On 13th May
1461 Thady Obryen, a monk of the Benedictine monastery of St. Mary and St.
Dogmael (Glascarrig), in the diocese of Ferns, got a papal letter allowing him to
have a portable altar.[69]
On 31st July
1477 a papal mandate was issued to the prior of St. John the Evangelist's,
Enniscorthy, in the diocese of Ferns to judge the petition of Dermit Oduffryn
for the abbot position of St. Mary’s at Ferns. Dermit Oduffryn was a monk of
St. Mary's, Glascarrig, and prior to July 1477 received papal dispensation on
account of his illegitimacy as the son of a clerk and an unmarried woman, and
was promoted to all, even holy orders. In July 1477 the monastery of St. Mary,
Ferns, O.S.A., value not exceeding 16 marks sterling, was void by the death of
abbot Thomas Odriffyn, although Donald Omurchy, a canon of St. Mary’s, occupied
the abbot position without any title for
between thirteen and fifteen years. The Pope granted St. Mary’s to Dermit Oduffryn
to rule the monastery. On assuming the abbot position Dermit Oduffryn was directed
to wear the habit worn in the said monastery of Ferns, i.e. that Dermit would
change from a Benedictine habit to an Augustinian.[70]
Ballon
vicarage, Diocese of Leighlin
In medieval times the
patronage and revenues of many parishes were given to religious houses in
return for perpetual prayers for the grantee or his/her family. One of the
vicarages held by Glascarrig priory in the dioceses of Leighlin was that of
Ballon, on the present Carlow to Bunclody road. A few notices relating to
Ballon appear in the papal records in the fifteenth century.
On 31st
May 1459 Donald Onuallan (O’Nolan), clerk, of the diocese of Leighlin, was
given papal dispensation on account of his illegitimacy as the son of a priest
and an unmarried woman, related in the fourth degree of kindred, along with
appointment to the perpetual vicarage of the parish church of Baland (Ballon) in
the said diocese, value not exceeding 8 marks sterling, void at the apostolic
see by the death there of Patrick Onuallayn. The pope hereby dispenses him to
be promoted to all even holy orders and receive and retain the vicarage, and to
resign it, simply or for exchange, as often as he pleased, notwithstanding the
said defect.[71]
Sometime after 1459
Henry Occurryn obtained the vicarage of Ballon and held it until his death,
which was sometime before 1464. In about 1464/5 William Ocearbhuyll, a priest
of the diocese of Leighlin, entered into an agreement with the prior of St.
Mary's, Glascarrig, to have the vicarage in return for a certain sum of money
to the said prior. Meanwhile Archbishop Michael of Dublin (who was in charge of
the see of Leighlin while it was vacant) by his ordinary authority instituted
Dermit Occurryn to fill the vacancy with the approval of the prior of
Glascarrig.
About the year 1460 Dermit
Occurryn received dispensation by papal authority on account of illegitimacy,
as the son of unmarried parents and had obtained the rectory of Mulyndmacduyb
in the said diocese, by collation of the Bishop of Leighlin, and had held it
for six years.
Later while the see of
Leighlin was vacant, Archbishop Michael of Dublin dissolved the union of the
rectory of Myshall with the perpetual vicarage of Myshall. The then rector, the
presentation to the vicarage belonging by ancient custom to the rector,
presented Dermit Occurryn to the said archbishop, who commissioned David
Onuallayn [perpetual] vicar of Kellasna, a notary public in the diocese of
Leighlin, to institute Dermit. As part of the presentation, Dermit Occurryn was
first resigned the rectory of Mulyndmacduyb before obtaining possession of the vicarage
of Myshall.
After getting Myshall Dermit
Occurryn told the Pope that William Ocearbhuyll had paid a certain sum of money
to the prior of Glascarrig in order to receive the vicarage of Ballon, and as
Dermit Occurryn pointed out, this was simony, and incurred the sentence of
excommunication. Dermit Occurryn further told the Pope that the fruits of the
vicarage of Myshall, value not exceeding 4 marks sterling, were so slight that
he could not be honestly maintained, and that if the vicarage of Ballon, value
not exceeding 5 marks sterling, were united thereto for his lifetime only, he
could be more decently maintained and could serve both vicarages as they were
so near that they can be conveniently served by one man.
Ballon R.C. church near site of older, possibly medieval church
On 7th
February 1466 a papal mandate was issued to the abbot of St.
Mary's, Baltinglass, in the diocese of Leighlin, and the precentor and Patrick
Obrayn, canon, of Leighlin informing them that the pope declared the collation
of William Ocearbhuyll to Ballon to be null and void. The three papal judges
were to remove William Ocearbhuyll from the said vicarage of Ballon if Dermit
Occurryn publicly accused him of simony. The three judges were then to collate
and assign the vicarage of Myshall to Dermit Occurryn and unite it with that of
Ballon for Dermit’s lifetime, or as long as he held Myshall.[72]
On 7th
November 1495 the treasurer of Leighlin cathedral along with two canons of same
received a papal mandate in favour of Thady Occurryn (O’Curran), priest of the
diocese of Leighlin who had previously obtained letters of dispensation as the
son of a deacon and an unmarried woman and acquired the vicarage of Berrac
(Barragh), Co. Carlow. Thady Occurryn informed the Papacy that he could not
live off the fruits of Barragh church alone and needed the income of other
parishes to sustain him.
Thady Occurryn had his
eye on the vicarages of Vmissil (Myshall) and Ballay (Ballon), both in the
Diocese of Leighlin. The vicarage of Myshall was in the alternative patronage
of the rector of Myshall and Thomas Wall, a layman. The vicarage of Myshall was
worth less than 3 marks. The vicarage of Ballon was worth less than 4 marks (the
value of both places had fallen one mark sine 1466) and was under the patronage
of the priory of the Blessed Mary of Glascarrig and was long under the peaceful
possession of the priory. Before 1492 the vicarages of Myshall and Ballon were
mutually united for the lifetime of Dermot Occurryn (O’Curran) as noted above.
After the death of Dermot Vcurrayn, Myshall was detained by Patrick Occurryn
and Henry Omilain (O’Millan) held Ballon.
The three judges were
to summon Patrick and Henry and if they found the title of both to be unlawful,
they were to confer both vicarages on Thady Occurryn for life or for as long as
he held the vicarage of Myshall.[73]
About two weeks later,
on 20th November 1495, Thady Occurryn (said to be son of priest and
not a deacon) obtained a papal mandate for three judges outside of the Diocese
of Leighlin to help him to secure the precentorship of Leighlin cathedral (worth
9 marks) along with the rectories of Caruasuan (unidentified, worth 3 marks),
Templepeter (worth 6 marks) and Myshall (worth 5 marks), all in the Diocese of
Leighlin. The rectory of Myshall was previously held by Donald O’Millan by
proper title but he failed to have himself promoted to the priesthood and so
continued to hold Myshall by unlawful means. The recurrence of the same
surnames of O’Curran and O’Millan connected with these two papal mandates may
suggest some hidden history of rivalry between the families.[74]
A few years later in
1502, Donot Ymillam (O’Nolan), a cleric of the Diocese of Leighlin, petitioned
the Pope for the possessions of the grange at Ballon. The grange was owned by
the priory of Glascarrig and was normally rented out by the prior in return for
an annual pension. Donot Ymillam said he would not only provide the prior of
Glascarrig with the pension and conserve the grange but would improve the
possessions. Pope Alexander VI did not have certain knowledge of the ‘sites,
situations, values, quality, boundaries and name of the possessions’ of the
grange and thus commissioned the treasurer of Leighlin and Gerald Macdil
(Doyle), canon of same, to make the necessary inquiries and judge the matter.
On 2nd November 1502 a papal mandate was issued to both judges.[75]
Glascarrig
parishes in the Diocese of Cloyne
Glascarrig priory held
an unknown number of parishes in the north-east region of present-day County
Cork. In medieval times this region was controlled by the Condon family, of the
same Condon stock that founded Glascarrig priory. Various sources give between
one and five as the number of parishes held by the priory in County Cork. These
so called Glascarrig parishes were Litter, Kilcrumper, Clondulane, Leitrim, and
Macroney. The latter three parishes formed part of the foundation grant to
Glascarrig.[76]
One of the parishes documented by contemporary sources as belonging to
Glascarrig was the rectory of Leitrim in the Diocese of Cloyne. This parish was
located on the north bank of the River Blackwater, east of modern day Fermoy.
In the years up to 1462
we are told that the prior of Glascarrig let the rectory of Leitrim on farm or
for a yearly pension, to various persons. But these people allowed the church
to fall into ruin and took the fruits for their own use. In 1462 William
Condon, clerk of the Diocese of Cloyne, petitioned the Pope to have the rectory
and fruits of Leitrim parish for life on a yearly pension from Glascarrig. As a
member of the Condon family, an ancestor of whom founded Glascarrig, William
Condon would better care for Leitrim than other people would and that he would
add to the profitability of the parish. On 17th August 1462 the
abbot of Fermoy and John Roche, canon of Cloyne, were mandated by the Pope to
establish the facts and enquire if the prior would grant Leitrim rectory to
William Condon.[77]
On 14th
October 1467 a papal mandate was issued to the abbot of St. Mary's, Middleton
and Dermit Oleyn and Dermit Okym, canons of Cloyne concerning the perpetual
vicarages of the parish churches of Killchru(m)pyr (Kilcrumper) and Muchrony (Macroney)
in the diocese of Cloyne. The vicarages were occupied by William O’Hennessy without
any canonical title. Nicholas, Abbot of the Cistercian monastery of St. Mary,
Fermoy told the Pope that the fruits of the abbey were so slight that the abbot
could not maintain hospitality while also trying to provide for the repair of
the church, cloister, dormitory and refectory without being threatened with
ruin. The abbot said the value of the monastery and vicarages of Kilcrumper and
Macroney did not exceed 30, 8 and 4 marks sterling respectively and were
located near the monastery. The pope directed the three judges to summon
William O’Hennessy and unite the vicarages to the monastery in perpetuity.[78]
This union appears to ignore the rights of Glascarrig priory to the two
vicarages as noted in another papal mandate issued a few days later.
On 20th
October 1467 a papal mandate was issued to the abbot of St. Mary's Fermoy along
with Dermit Oleyn and Dermit Okym, canons of Cloyne concerning the recent
petition of David Canton, clerk of the diocese of Cloyne. David Canton (a
variant of Condon) said the rectories of the parish churches of Cloyndalayn (Clondulane),
Kilcrumper) and Macroney, belonging to the monastery of St. Mary, Glascarrig, of
the order of Tiron, in the Diocese of Ferns. Glascarrig had granted the
rectories to farm to secular clerks since time immoral. Prior to 1467 David
Canton held the rectories for more than ten years at a yearly cess, by grants
made to him for five years at a time by the said prior.
Early 19th century Clondulane church built near medieval church site
During that time David
Canton repaired and restored at his own expense the church of Macroney, then in
ruin, and brought into better condition the church of Clondulane. Having spent
all this money David Canton feared that in future he might be harassed by the
prior of Glascarrig for increased rents. He therefore petitioned the Pope for
the three Cloyne judges (as he feared the power of Glascarrig them within the
city and diocese of Ferns), to examine the foregoing and grant the rectories to
David Canton, as he was of the stock of the founder of Glascarrig and of noble
birth, for life at the said farm, without prejudice to Glascarrig, provided
that he paid the said cess.[79]
These two papal
mandates of 14th October 1467 and 20th October 1467
clearly show how the left hand in Rome had no idea what the right hand was
doing and didn’t really care. Sure if two conflicting papal mandates were
issued, the parties concerned would be back in Rome to get a fresh mandate and
pay more fees to the various officials in the Papacy.
Concerning the parish
of Litter a contemporary document had this to say. On 7th October
1467 a papal mandate was issued to the abbot of St. Mary's Middleton in the
diocese of Cloyne, along with Dermit Oleyn and Dermit Okym, canons of Cloyne
concerning the rectory and perpetual vicarage of Letyr (Litter) in the diocese
of Cloyne, which are of the patronage of laymen. William Canton the yellow
(Flavus) held possession of them, canonically collated to him, for more than a
year without being ordained priest and without papal dispensation, and so their
collation lapsed to the apostolic see. But William Canton continued to detain
the vicarage for three more years after the said year, also without being
promoted to any holy orders. At the same time, Maurice Roche, clerk of the said
diocese, detained the rectory for about eight years without any title. The
abbot of the Cistercian monastery of St. Mary Fermoy, in the Diocese of Cloyne,
then petitioned the Pope that the fruits of the monastery were so slender that
they could not repair of the cloister and other places of the monastery which,
because of wars and other misfortunes were in great part threatened with ruin
and thus the abbot asked to incorporate and unite in perpetuity the said
rectory and vicarage, value not exceeding 8 and 10 marks sterling respectively,
to the said monastery, value not exceeding 30 marks.[80]
Dissolution
of Glascarrig
On 27th
January 1541 the royal jurors founded that the priory church of Glascarrig was
parochial and that three thatched buildings in the precinct were necessary for
the farmer and were worth nothing above repairs. The jurors further record 170
acres of land with five rectories in County Wexford and two rectories in Co.
Cork. The economic value of this property was £5 19s 8d but was reduced to 30s
8d because much of the property was waste due to the attacks by the Kavanaghs.[81]
The 170 acres were
located at Kilmyghell (120 acres and worth 1 mark 6s and 24 gallons of beer
with 4s) and Kilmayster (50 acres and worth a half ox plus 3s). The Wexford
rectories were Ardamine (20s but in waste), Killenagh (6s 8d but in waste),
Lorome (two thirds of tithes worth 13s 4d), Kilmuckridge (valued at 26s 8d but
worth 13s 4d) and Kilpatrick (valued at 26s 8d but worth 4s). The two Cork
rectories were unnamed and were valued at 13s 4d if sown with crops but in 1541
worth nothing as in waste.[82]
The 1541 inquisition makes no mention of the rectories held by Glascarrig in
the Diocese of Leighlin such as Ballon.
The inquisition by the
1541 jury seems to be incomplete. In 1543 another enquiry found that the priory
had an additional 360 acres. Later in 1551 another enquiry in Wexford and
Carlow found that the priory had six rectories in Wexford but five of these
rectories differed from those mentioned in previous enquiries.[83]
The full list of churches was Lorome, Clonygosse, Ballane, (all in Carlow)
along with Killmalapoke, Kilreny Kilerat, Cormore, Templebodigane, Kiltenen,
Castelgrace, Balledyne, and Keppoghe.[84]
Unlike many other
religious houses in the area of English influence, religious life at Glascarrig
seems to have continued beyond the dissolution. In 1543 Charles MacMurrough was
mentioned as prior. In 1550 the priory site was leased to Walter Peppard of
Kilea, Co. Kildare, with the five rectories of Ardamine, Killenagh, Lorum,
Kilmuckridge and Kilpatrick for twenty-one years.[85]
Yet religious life still continued in the area. In 1551 Dermit MacMurrough was
named as the prior and he continued as prior until 1558 when religious life at
Glascarrig seems to have ended.[86]
In 1560 an inquisition
into the property of Glascarrig priory stated that the site of the priory
consisted of half an acre along with the church, one hall, two chambers, one
small close and one chantry all worth 6s 8d. There was one watermill and water
course worth £2; two messuages worth £1 16s 8d; and nine cottages with 60 acres
of arable and 40 acres of pasture and moor (worth £5). Away from Glascarrig
there were four cottages with 40 acres of arable land and 24 acres of pasture
and moor at Gorey worth £2 4s; six cottages with 66 acres of arable land and 30
acres of pasture, underwood and moor at Kilmaster and Ballymoney worth £1 7s.
There was at Templederry and Smithstown 16 aces of arable land and 6 acres of
pasture worth 6s 4d. The value of rectories, churches and chapels was £3 13s 4d
which gave a grand total value of the priory as £16 14s.[87]
Walter Peppard died in
1565 and was succeeded at Glascarrig by his son Anthony Peppard.[88] Many
years’ later the ruins of Glascarrig priory were granted to Sir Richard Boyle,
1st Earl of Cork according to Rev. James Leslie.[89]
Other sources ignore this and say that June 1605 the site and property of
Glascarrig was granted to Donagh O’Brien, Earl of Thomond. Sir Walsingham Cooke
held Glascarrig in the 1640s and was restored to Glascarrig after 1660. Around
1700 Edmund Bray acquired Glascarrig and held it until about 1750 when sold to
Francis Harvey of Bargy Castle.[90]
Over time the remains
were turned into farm buildings. In the early twenty-first century the site of
Glascarrig priory has become blocked off from the public road by housing
developments. In a way this reflects the history of Glascarrig. Somehow the
priory seemed to have avoided the historical record and only comes out from the
shadows from 1411 onwards.
Even at the end days of
the priory the jurors sent to record the property of the priory came up with a different
result every time. Today only a few walls in a farm yard remain of Glascarrig
and part of the land near the priory is falling into the sea. It is as if
Glascarrig doesn’t want to expose its story and falls into the sea to avoid
future research. This article is therefore very much an interim report, to use
a phrase of A.J. Otway-Ruthven, and cries out for a future appraisal before the
sea says ‘no more’.
The
priors of Glascarrig
Imarus O’Dowd = c.1401
was recommended as prior but it is not clear if he ever became prior
Prior Henry of Wales =
unknown date up to 1411
Prior Andrew Occurryn =
1411 to pre 1437
Thady O’Brien =
supposed prior 1437 to February 1439
Prior Patrick Occurryn
= February 1439 to unknown date
Prior Thady O’Brien =
up to 1448
Fergal Occurryn = 1448
to unknown date
Charles MacMurrough =
c.1500 to 1544
Dermit MacMurrough =
about 1551 until 1558
===============
End of post
===============
[1]
Rev. James B. Leslie, Ferns Clergy and
Parishes (Author, 1936), p. 163
[2]
Audrey Gwynn and R. Neville Hadcock, Medieval
Religious Houses Ireland (Irish Academic Press, Dublin, 1970), p. 112
[3]
Audrey Gwynn and R. Neville Hadcock, Medieval
Religious Houses Ireland, p. 112
[4] Emily
M. Pritchard, The History of St.
Dogmael’s Abbey (London, 1907), pp. 126, 161
[5]
William H. Grattan Flood, ‘Glascarrig Priory, County Wexford’, in Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries
of Ireland, Vol. 35, No. 2 (1905), p. 164
[6]
Audrey Gwynn and R. Neville Hadcock, Medieval
Religious Houses Ireland, p. 112
[7] Emily
M. Pritchard, The History of St.
Dogmael’s Abbey, p. 159
[8]
William H. Grattan Flood, ‘Glascarrig Priory, County Wexford’, in J.R.S.A.I., Vol. 35, No. 2, p. 167
[9] Emily
M. Pritchard, The History of St.
Dogmael’s Abbey, pp. 159, 160
[11]
William H. Grattan Flood, ‘Glascarrig Priory, County Wexford’, in J.R.S.A.I., Vol. 35, No. 2, p. 166
[12]
J.A. Twemlow (ed.), Calendar of entries
in the Papal Registers relating to Great Britain and Ireland: Papal Letters (Stationery
Office, London, 1912), Vol. IX (1431-1447), p. 454
[13]
J.A. Twemlow (ed.), Calendar Papal
Registers Great Britain & Ireland, Vol. IX (1431-1447), p. 454
[14]
J.A. Twemlow (ed.), Calendar Papal
Registers Great Britain & Ireland, Vol. IX (1431-1447), p. 455
[15]
J.A. Twemlow (ed.), Calendar Papal
Registers Great Britain & Ireland, Vol. IX (1431-1447), pp. 454, 455
[16] Emily
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Audrey Gwynn and R. Neville Hadcock, Medieval
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[37] Emily
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W.H. Bliss & J.A. Twemlow (eds.), Calendar
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[76] Emily
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J.A. Twemlow (ed.), Calendar Papal
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[78]
J.A. Twemlow (ed.), Calendar Papal
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[79]
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J.A. Twemlow (ed.), Calendar Papal
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[81]
Audrey Gwynn and R. Neville Hadcock, Medieval
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[82]
Newport B. White (ed.), Extents of Irish
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Audrey Gwynn and R. Neville Hadcock, Medieval
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[84] Emily
M. Pritchard, The History of St.
Dogmael’s Abbey, p. 160
[85]
William H. Grattan Flood, ‘Glascarrig Priory, County Wexford’, in J.R.S.A.I., Vol. 35, No. 2, p. 168
[86]
Audrey Gwynn and R. Neville Hadcock, Medieval
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[87]
William H. Grattan Flood, ‘Glascarrig Priory, County Wexford’, in J.R.S.A.I., Vol. 35, No. 2, p. 168
[88]
William H. Grattan Flood, ‘Glascarrig Priory, County Wexford’, in J.R.S.A.I., Vol. 35, No. 2, p. 168
[89]
Rev. James B. Leslie, Ferns Clergy and
Parishes, p. 164
[90]
William H. Grattan Flood, ‘Glascarrig Priory, County Wexford’, in J.R.S.A.I., Vol. 35, No. 2, p. 170
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