The Lords of Conaght.
IT appears by the Irish
Histories, that Turlogh O-Mor O-Conor formerly reign’d over this Country, and divided it between his two sons
Cahel and Brien. But when the English invaded Ireland, it was govern’d by Rotheric, under the
title of Monarch of Ireland; who being apprehensive of the English Power, submitted himself to King Henry the
second, without the hazard of a battle. Soon after he revolted, and thereupon Conaght was first invaded by
Milo-Cogan an Englishman, but without success. However, the King of Conaght was reduced to such straits, that he
was fain to acknowledge himselfRog. Hov. an.1175. p.312. a liege-man of the
King of England, so as to serve him faithfully as his man, and pay him yearly for every ten head of cattle, one saleable
hide, &c. Claus.7 Joannis. Yet, by the grant of King John, he was to have and
to hold the third part of Conaght to him and his heirs by the payment of one hundred marks. However, this County
was first subdu’d and civiliz’d by William Fitz-Adelme, (whose posterity are the De Burgo’s in Latin,
or, as the Irish call them, the Burks and Bourks,) Robert Muscegros, Gilbert Clare Earl of
Glocester, and William de Bermingham. William de Burgo or Bourks and his posterity, under the
title of Lords of Conaght, govern’d this and the Province of Ulster, for a long time, in
peace; and enjoy’d considerable Revenues therein: till it went out of the family by the only daughter of William de
Burgo, sole heir to Conaght and Ulster, who was married to Leonel Duke of Clarence, son of King
Edward the third. But he generally residing in England, as well as his successors the Mortimers; this Estate in
Ireland was neglected: so that the Bourks,The Bourks. their relations and
stewards here, finding their Lords absent, and England embroiled at that time, grew into a defiance of the Laws,
confederated with the Irish by leagues and marriages, seiz’d almost all Conaght as their own, and by little and little
degenerated into the Irish barbarity. Those of them who are descended from Richard de Burgo, are called
Clan-Richard; others Mac William Oughter, i.e. Upper; others Mac William Eughter,
i.e. Lower. So, those of greatest interest and authority in the County of Maio, chose to be call’d
Mac William (as a title of very great honour;) being descended from William de Burgo, already
mention’d. ⌈Another branch of the same ancient and noble Family hath been call’d to Parliament, by Writ, under the title
of Baron of Dunkellin.⌉Baron Dunkellin.
