O'Hanlon— Site of Battle of " Pass of Plumes:' 281 



of the O'Moores of Leix,* to relieve the beleaguered fort of Mary- 

 borough, where Francis Eush, the governor, and his men had been 

 living on horseflesh for nearly twenty days. 



Having left 100 men to guard Athy, 350 soldiers were detached 

 to Carlow, and 750, under the command of Sir Edward Herbert, 

 were despatched to Ophaly. Four days' provisions were issued to 

 every man, and these were to be carried by each one on his back. On 

 the 15th, Essex, with the main body, marched through the pass of 

 Blackford, which had been entrenched by the O'Mores. However, 

 their lines were deserted before the English army approached. That 

 evening Essex arrived in Stradbally ; and it seems probable that Owny 

 Mac Bory O'More retreated thither before him, in an orderly manner, 

 and with his small force keeping at a respectful distance, yet closely 

 observing every movement of the invading forces. 



Early next morning the English line of march was resumed, and 

 on the way Essex must have passed the O'More's great stronghold, 

 "the castled crag" of Dunamase. On the 16th, the Earl reached 

 Maryborough Fort, where he reinforced the garrison, and left a suffi- 

 cient supply of provisions for use of the defenders. Without making 

 any unnecessary delay, he started forward in nearly a direct line for 

 Ballyknockan and the " Park of Cashel,"f as I find it called. 



Meantime, it would appear, that Dunamase was deemed impreg- 

 nable, or not deserving the delay a siege might require, while Owny 

 Mac Eory, securely posted on the Dysart hills, hung menacingly on 

 the flank or rere of Essex's army. From his vantage ground, more- 

 over, the Irish chieftain could well divine the object of his opponents, 

 and from his thorough knowledge of the country fastnesses on the 

 anticipated route towards Kilkenny, an opportunity was afforded to 

 post his small force in the most secure positions, while he had the 

 choice of retreat or attack for a considerable distance along a line of 

 road very inconvenient for a large and well-appointed army to tra- 

 verse, and very favourable for the enterprise of a resolute and daring- 

 leader, with even an insignificant body of courageous and devoted 

 clansmen. Owny O'More's military genius was evinced by his prompt 

 withdrawal from the hastily constructed defences at Blackford, where 

 his crushing defeat and disaster were almost certain, in the front of 



* At the time of Essex' arrival in Ireland, Fynes Moryson states : — " In the 

 County of Leax, called the Queen's County, lately all English, now usurped by the 

 Rebel Owny Mac Howry 6 Moore, and all the sept of 6 Moores, and the chief of the 

 Gallowglasses in that county, of the sept of Mac Donnel, the sept of 6 Dempsies 

 (except Sir Terence 6 Dempsy), the sept of 6 Doynes (except Teague Oge 6 Loyne), 

 were all in Rebellion, and a base son of the Earl of Kildare, a Geralcline, lately 

 came in upon Protection ; the Rebels were in number five hundred seventy Foot, 

 and thirty Horse ; Mr. Hartpole, Mr. Bowen, and Mr. Pygot, were the only English 

 Inhabitants by whom, and some others, certain Castles were kept for the Queen, 

 besides the Fort of Maryborough kept by the Queen's Garrison." — " History of 

 Ireland, from the year 1599 to 1603." Dub. 1735, Vol. i., p. 72. See also ' Calen- 

 dar of the Carew Manuscripts. 1589-1600." By J. S. "Brewer and W. Bullen, 

 p. 298. 



t Bourchier's Devereux, Vol. ii., chap, i., pp. 26-7. 



