Westropp — Ancient Cadles of the County of Limerick. 145 



marched to a very strong C. called Carekogunyel," "in English, 

 Candell Eock," which was surrendered next day by Mat. (Mahon) 

 O'Bryne, on condition that the Government should hold it themselves. 

 " It stands on a high rock, and ... is the key of all the County," 

 with the manor, which belongs to the King as part of Lord Clerres 

 lands. Orey, despite his pledge, was about to entrust it to Donoth 

 O'Brien, but *'by crafty policy and a former letter of my Lord it 

 was given back to Matthew. On August 22 the Lord Deputy besieged 

 it. The ordnance was " bent" on the gate of the base court, which 

 was soon taken. The guns were then "bent on the dungeon of the 

 great Castle." That night a tower in the upper ward was taken, and 

 at dawn the keep surrendered. As the Deputy had first summoned it 

 on pain of death, he hanged Edm. Cahill and all its defenders 

 after trial in Limerick (Carew MS., i., pp. 104-5 ; C.S.P.I., 56, 65 ; 

 Inq. Exch., 1). 1539 It was taken from Donough O'Brien for extor- 

 tion (C. S.P.I. ). 1541 Mahon O'Brien used to claim a penny for each 

 barrel of wine, and two pence on other barrels imported to Limerick 

 (Inq. Exch.). 1580 Called "Carrig Gunning " C. (Hardiman Map, 63). 

 1584 It was held by Donough's son, Brian Duff, who was confirmed 

 in nearly all Pubblebrian (Fi. 4486, 4615). 1615 He died, leaving a 

 son Donat (Inq. Chan., 15b). 1638 Daniel O'Brien held the manor 

 and C. with other lands. This Donough, or Daniel, was " of Downe," 

 and third cousin of Brien, whose son Donough he succeeded, 1632. 

 (Inq. Chan., 215). He married Margaret, daughter of Eic. Stephenson 

 and his wife, Margaret, daughter of said Brien Duff. The C. does 

 not seem to have played any part in the wars. In 1651 Capt. Wilson 

 paid Morris King £7 for building a stable there (Hartwell's Accounts, 

 P.E.O.I.). 1655 It had been sold by Donough to Michael Boyle, 

 Archbishop of Dublin (B.D., p. 63), and had a C, bawn, a few 

 thatched huts, and a salmon fishery (C.S., xxxii., p. 29). 1666 Con- 

 firmed to Boyle (Act. Sett.). 1691 Held by garrison of 150 men. 



^ If this be Eichard de Clare, we can only suppose that the English Govern- 

 ment regarded all the O'Brieas as holding their lands under him, for neither Esclon 

 nor any other place in that part of County Limerick is named among the records of 

 the de Clares: see Trans. R.I. A., xxxii. (c), p. 191. 



- The Inq. Exch., No. 1, lays the blame of this transaction on E. Sexten and 

 his wife ; but the Government seems to have attached little weight to the finding 

 of the jury, who were possibly jealous of the large grants of Church lands and 

 other favours heaped on Sexten. The Inquisition is unusually vivid, and full 

 of information. 



[15*] 



