ALL that part of the Country
to the north, beyond the mouth of the river Boyn, and the County of Meath and Longford, and
the mouth of the river Ravie, makes the fifth part of Ireland, call’d in Latin Ultonia and Ulidia,
in English Ulster, in Irish Cui Guilly, i.e. the Province of Guilly, and in Welsh
Ultw. In Ptolemy’s time, it was peopl’d by the Voluntii, Darni, Robogdii, and the Erdini. This is a
large Province, and is water’d with many considerable loughs, and shelter’d with huge woods. It is fruitful in
some places, and barren in others; yet very green and sightly in all parts, and well stock’d with Cattle. *
* Ann. 1607.But as the Soil for want of culture is rough and barren, so the Inhabitants, for
want of Education and Learning are very wild and barbarous. To keep them in subjection and order (for neither
the bonds of justice, modesty, nor duty could restrain them) this hither-part was divided into three Counties,
Louth, Down, and Antrimme; and † † Now, the rest is, C.since, the rest was
divided into these seven Counties, Cavon, Fermanagh, Monaghan, Armagh, Colran, Tir-Oen, and Donegall
or Tirconell, by the wise contrivance ofJo. Perot, Lord Deputy. John
Perott Lord Deputy, a person truly great and famous, and thoroughly acquainted with the temper of this Province.
For being sensible, that nothing would more effectually appease the tumults of Ireland, than the regulation and
settlement of these parts of Ulster,1585. he went thither in person, in that troublesome and
dangerous juncture, when a Spanish descent was daily expected there and in England; and by his gravity and authority,
while he took care to punish Oppressions (the great causes of Rebellion) he gain’d so much upon the * *
Dynastas.petty Kings here, that they willingly suffer’d their Seigniories to be divided into Counties,
and admitted Sheriffs to govern them. But he being quickly recall’d, and aspiring to greater honours, some
envious persons, who were too powerful for him, together with the licentiousness of his own tongue (for he had thrown out
some words against his Sovereign, whose Majesty may not be violated by word or thought,) brought him unawares to
ruin.
⌈But when we speak of the wildness and barbarity of the Inhabitants of Ulster, this is to be understood of the Irish Inhabitants only, who are now so routed out and destroyed by their many Rebellions, and by the accession of Scots (who for the most part inhabit this Province,) that there are not supposed to be left ten thousand Irish, able and fit to bear Arms in all Ulster.⌉