286 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



On the uplands, and at the angle of a young plantation near Mr- 

 Cassan's mansion, known as Ballyknockan House, the foundations of a 

 new farm house* and out offices were excavated, over forty years 

 ago. At the time, cart-loads of human remains are said to have 

 been exhumed.f This was a dangerous defile for an army encumbered 

 with artillery and baggage to pass, especially in the face of an oppos- 

 ing force well posted. Before reaching this point, the downward 

 road from Croshy Duff sinks into a small valley, and then ascends a 

 rather steep elevation. Here, according to the country tradition, com- 

 menced this well-known engagement. It is probable that the bones 

 turned up quite near the old road indicated the spot where many 

 among the slain had been buried. If, as we may suppose, the attack 

 and surprise were first attempted at this spot, most who fell there 

 belonged to the van-guard of the English army. 0' Sullivan's 

 account of this battle, however, would serve to convey the notion 

 that the van-guard had been allowed to advance without much 

 molestation ; while Rory O'More chiefly directed his attack against 

 the rear-guard. It seems probable, the O'Moores had occupied in 

 advance the ridges over the road which lay southwards, near 

 Kilvahan, and that this was the post " where the rebell Ony Mac 

 Bury O'More shewed himselfe with 500 foote and about 40 horse 

 two myles " from the English camp. Yet the meaning of Sir John 

 Harrington's statement may be, that Owny's position was on Croshy 

 Duff the evening of May 16th, before Essex's forces occupied 

 that commanding site. The intended movement of the Earl was 

 now apparent to the wily Irish chieftain, who, with consummate 

 judgment, must have selected on that very night the quarters for his 

 men, and the places for a sudden or simultaneous onset, when the 

 English battalions had advanced sufficiently on the road, leading in 

 the direction of Ballyroan. 



After passing the sloped ridge, the road sunk into a level plain, 

 which yet shows marshy ground — although partially reclaimed — on 

 either side of the highway at the present time. Towards the close of 

 the sixteenth century, the morasses around must have been almost in 

 a state of nature, and very impracticable for the movements of cavalry 

 or baggage off the travelled route. % Yet those marshes, covered pro- 



* This is a slated dwelling, called Ned Duff's House by the country people. It 

 is on the verge of the old road. 



O'Huidhrin states, regarding this district (Topographical Poems, p. 87) : — 

 " Under Dun Masc of smooth land, 

 O'Duibh is over Cinel Criomthann, 

 Land of the territory which is under fruit, 

 Land of smoothest mast-fruit." 

 t To this circumstance, the writer drew attention in " Legend Lays of Ireland,"" 

 No. v. n. 3, p. 32. There he could only vaguely remark, that " tradition had pre- 

 viously pointed out this place as the site of a former battle-field." This statement 

 previously appeared in the Dublin University Magazine," July, 1861. "A Legend 

 of Cullenagh." 



% A togher or causeway probably brought the road over the marshes at this par- 

 ticular place. It was as dangerous most likely for the English march, as had been 

 the hollow road cut through the upper hill declivity. 





