Chapter 1 Footnotes | Hardiman's History of Galway

Footnotes

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In a curious MS. collection of genealogies, written principally in Irish, but, in some instances in English, transcribed in Irish character, and now in the possession of the author, there are a few interesting details of some of the Galway names, which have been abstracted for this work.—Of the Bodkin family, it appears, that the name was originally Poiticin; but no clue is given, which might lead to its meaning or derivation. They are then stated to have descended, "from the true stock of Maurice FitzGerald, who was lineally descended from Otho, a noble prince of Italy.—That Leo, the first who took the surname of Poiticin, (which he did in consequence of a misunderstanding with his nephew, Maurice FitzGerald, who intermarried with Agnes, the daughter of Richard Mor, Prince of Wales, then Governor of the castle of Pembroke,) was son of Walter, who was great grandson of Otho, an Italian nobleman, from whom descended the the most honorable family of the FitzGeralds of Desmond and Kildare, and the FitzGeralds of Ireland in general, as our ancient and authentic annals give account."—Augustinus Poiticin, the son of Leo, intermarried with Anne, daughter and co-heiress of Sir Robert Lawellin, alias Dewellin; (which family is originally descended from Diwillin, who was proprietor of Kiltullach, Doughase and medan, anno 1270,) whose son, John Poiticin, or Bodikin, intermarried with Caitilin, daughter of Maurice Lynch, the son of John, from whom descended, Sir Henry Lynch, and many other noblemen of that name.—Andrew Mor Bodkin, intermarried with Margaret, daughter of Sir William Burc of Anach-caoin, whose son, John Mor Bodkin, intermarried with Caitilin, daughter of John Mor Darcy of Partry, by Anne, daughter of O'Flaherty, whose son, Austin Bodkin, intermarried with Celia, daughter of Sir Geoffry Browne of Galway, whose son, John Mor Bodkin, intermarried with Mary, daughter of Gregory French, whose son, Leo Bodkin, intermarried with Caitilin, daughter of Thomas Lynche, Lord of Ballygarrain, whose son, Marcus Bodkin, intermarried with Caitilin, daughter of Robert Mor Blake of Ardfry, whose son, Andrew Bodkin, intermarried with Elis, daughter and co-heiress of John

Dathi, (Athy,) lineally descended of the true stock of Daithi mac Fiochrach, from whom are also sprung O'Seachnasy of Gort, and many other nobles, not here mentioned. John Mor Bodkin, his son, had by Anna French, daughter of Geoffry French, Andrew Bodkin, who married Anastasia, daughter of John Mor Mearick, whose son, Leo Bodkin, intermarried with Caitilin, daughter of Richard Martin, whose son, Marcus Bodkin, intermarried with Celia, daughter of Peter French, whose son, Austin Bodkin, intermarried with Mary Blake, daughter of John, son of Walter Blake, whose son, James Bodkin, intermarried with Caitilin, daughter of Thomas reabhack Darcy, whose son, Marcus, intermarried with Sheela, daughter of James Lynch, Mayor of Galway in 1493, by whom he had issue, Leo, Marcus, John, Austin and Andrew Bodkin, with whom the account of the family closes.

The MS. from which the foregoing extract was taken, appears to have been written, at intervals, from some time previous to 1500, down to 1671, by the family of O'Luinin, Lynegar, or Linacre, who are frequently styled throughout, hereditary Ard-Ollamhs, chief doctors, or antiquaries of Ulster and of Ireland. In a certificate signed Patrick O'Luinin, alias Lynegar, and dated from his residence, at Ard O'Luinin, in Inismore, or the great Island, in Lough-Erne, 2d Oct. 1632, he states that he received, "these genealogies, from his ancestors, chief antiquaries of Ireland." The Irish descents, contained in this collection, have been found correct; but the authenticity of the Anglo-Norman pedigrees, (amongst which are those abstracted for this work,) is questioned by the present Deputy Ulster King of Arms, whose opinion is entitled to every attention, from his extensive knowledge on these subjects.

"A grant to "Walter, son and heir of Richard, Clerk of Galvy, otherwise called Richard Bawdekyn of Galvy, of the custody of the Islands called Bushe-yland and Gote-yland of the town of Galvy." Dated at Drogheda, 11th September, 1421.—Rot. 9 Hen. v.

* Richard Bodkin, Burgess of Galway, was Provost of Athenry, in 1454.

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married Catherine, daughter and co-heiress of Sir John FitzGerald, knight of the Glen.4, Edward Browne, who settled at Killeneaden near Waterford, and married Anne Power, daughter and heiress of John Power. 5, Sir David Browne, who settled near Galway, and married Bevann ny Flahertie, daughter of Morough O'Flahertie, of West Connaught, "from whom is descended Sir Dominick Browne, whose issue now inherit a considerable estate, in and about Galway and in the County of Mayo."—Then follows, "the true lineal descent, with an exact account of the genealogy of Sir Mathew Browne's ancestors, with all the intermarriages, since the first of the family came to Ireland, in 1169, all which was rescued from oblivion, by the Rev. Father in God, by Divine Providence, John Browne, bishop of Ferns, and sent by him to Sir Patrick Linegar, to be inserted in his books of antiquity, amongst the rest of the nobility of Ireland." Notwithstanding all this parade, it is certain that the account given of John, the second son of Sir Matthew Browne, is incorrect. The many noble and distinguished houses of the name in Mayo, viz. Westport, the Neale, Brownestown, Brownehall, Breafy, and Turin-Castle, (whose progenitors settled there in the reign of Queen Elizabeth) are of English descent, and no way connected in their origin, with the Brownes of Galway.

* The Crest on the map, two eagle's heads, addorsed.

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John, the elder son, took to wife Elizabeth, daughter of Edmond, Lord of Killeen, ancestor to the Earl of Fingal, and was father of Sir William Darcy of Platten, who in 1523 was appointed vice-treasurer of Ireland. Nicholas, the youngest son, was a captain of horse, and being stationed in the county of Mayo, married Jane, daughter and heir to O'Duraghy, of Partry in that county, who brought him the large estate of that family, and by her he had Thomas, the father of Conyers, whose son Nicholas had James (Riveagh, the swarthy,) and Richard, whose only daughter being married to Robert Blake of Ardfry in the county of Galway, Esq. was mother of Sir Richard Blake, who was speaker or chairman of the supreme council of the confederate Catholics at Kilkenny in 1648.

James (Riveagh) Darcy was a person of such interest and power in Connaught, that he was appointed vicepresident of that province in the reign of Elizabeth, and was chief magistrate of the town of Galway, as his monu-

Patrick Darcy of Kiltolla in the County of Galway, Esq. the seventh son of James (Riveagh) Darcy, was born in 1598, and was educated in the profession of the law, he was an active member of the parliament assembled at Dublin, in 1640, and published, "an argument delivered by Patrick Darcy, Esq. by express order of the House of Commons, in the parliament of Ireland, 9th of June, 1641," he died at Dublin in 1668, and was interred at Kilconnell, in the County of Galway, leaving issue by Elizabeth, one of the four daughters of Sir Peter

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which he was driven for subsistance during the seige, and the latter, to his foresight and vigilance, and, as a testimonial of his fidelity, he also received the motto, semper fidelis, which arms, crest and motto, are borne by the Lynch family to this day. Their mansion-house occupied the extensive square on which the present lower citadel or shamble barrack stands.

2 The memorable act, 8 Ann, chap. 3, for explaining and amending the act, to prevent the further growth of popery, after reciting that Oliver Martin of Tulliry, County Galway, Esq. was, during the rebellion, a person who behaved himself with great moderation, and was remarkably kind to numbers of protestants in distress, many of which he supported in his family, and by his charity and goodness, saved their lives, &c. enacted that he might enjoy his estate, to him and his heirs, and settle

and dispose of the same on his eldest son, and his heirs, males, &c.—sect. 39. This solitary instance of then legislative justice is particularly conspicuous, because it stands alone, and surrounded by the most unjust and "ferocious" enactments, that ever disgraced the code of any civilized country.

Four miles west of Galway, near Barna, are the remains of an old castle, which formerly belonged to the O'Hallorans, the Lynch family acquired this ancient inheritance, by marriage, with an heiress of that old Irish sept.

7 Francis Martin, of Galway, merchant, died 6th September, 1615, seized of the four quarters of Ballyglasse, the cartron of Roskbegg, the quarter of Corrowreagh, the cartron of Kilcornan, in the County of Mayo. Robert Martin, died 20th April, 1622, seized of several

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