A Brief History of ClareGalway Castle.
Two de Burgo Septs: McWilliam Uachtar(Galway) and Iochtar( Mayo) – the former more prominent in latter centuries as the Earls of Clanrickarde - remain bitter enemies and contribute much to conflict in Connacht throughout much of 15th and 16th Centuries.
1469 Annals of the Four Masters mentions Claregalway as mansion residence of McWilliam Uachtar de Burgo (Clanrickard Burke).
1470 In retaliation for earlier defeat of Mayo Burkes (McWilliam Iochtar) near Athenry , O’Donnell of Tir Conall with the Mayo Burkes “encamped for a night in Claregalway and then burned it and continued for a while laying waste the country around it” The Clanrickardes pursue and suffer another defeat at Kilcoona and subsequently at Carigin.
1495 Clanrickard wreaks revenge – Lower Connacht (Mayo) “was entirely destroyed by him”
1504 Battle of Knockdoe – a pitched battle on an unprecedented scale – takes place on a low hill 2 miles east of castle……
Earl of Kildare concerned by Clanrickard growing strength and independence (not tempered by Clanrickards marriage to Kildares’s sister Eustacia). Kildare also receives appeals from Galway Townsfolk, from Mayo Burkes (weakening after succession dispute) and from O’Kellys (who have 3 of their Castles destroyed by De Burgo).
1538 Lord Deputy Grey takes the part of Ulick na gCeann (of the Heads) - one of the claimants in a Clanrickard succession struggle. Aided by 250 regular troops combined with Ulicks followers and Artillery ( a half culverin, a saker and double falcons) brought by sea to Galway from Limerick, the castle surrenders and is received by Ulick , it is said, for cash,.
1543 Ulick created 1st Earl of Clanrickard by Henry VIII.  He returns to Connacht with gifts including The Irish Harp which Henry himself had been gifted by the Pope some years earlier when elevated to the title Defender of the Faith. Ulick contracts a fever and dies.
1544 Lord Deputy receives complaint from citizens of Athenry (presumably abuse of strategic position of CGC controlling road to Galway city) takes CGC from Clanrickard. (subsequently resored to him).
1570 The new President of Connacht Sir Edward Fitton aided by Clanrickarde takes Shrule in an encounter against O’Flaherty and Mayo Burkes.
1571 Fitton, camped outside Claregalway reports that “we are refused at the Earl’s castle by the Earl’s son where the rebel is the constable of the castle and upon hearing of our coming to pass by it to Galway, he burned the town, uncovered the castle and offered plain resistance”. It is captured by Fitton and the garrison of 16 men are put to death.
1603-25 Clanrickard granted licence for weekly Wednesday market at Claregalway.
1642 Castle strongly garrisoned by Clanrickard – Kings Governor of Connacht but later reluctant
rebel- and used as a base for overcoming city of Galway and there receives the proposals for
surrender signed by Mayor Walter Lynch from Dominic Daly.
1643 Captain Thomas Burke of Anbally (aided by Burke of Derrymaclachnyn) is prominent in attack on Galway Fort and went on to take CG Castle for the Confederation – through the “treachery of a tenant, the carelessness of the wardens and the management of a Franciscan friar”.
1648 Papal Nuncio in Galway intercedes for the release of a Franciscan Thomas McKiernan from Claregalway Castle
1651 Sir Charles Coote seizes Claregalway castle for the Cromwellians.
|
