"MacDermot of Moylurg"
"MacDermot of Moylurg" the Story of a Connacht family is perhaps the most comprehensive account of an ancient Gaelic family ever published. Sadly its author did not live to see his work published, so it was left to the members of his family to bring the fruit of his many years of research to the bookshelves. Dermot MacDermot died in 1989, the year his wife Betty published her well-known history of the O'Rourkes of Breifne.
Dermot MacDermot's book opens with a clear,
concise account of the Celtic world with sections on the government, the
social classes, the economy, living conditions, tribal conflict, religion
and culture. Next, the MacDermot story between the 6th and 12th centuries
is thoroughly analysed. The author chronicles the decline of the MacDermot
power with the coming of the Normans and the subsequent recovery up until
the Tudor conquest finally destroyed the Gaelic order. What follows is not
just the story of the MacDermots but the history of the whole county -
dispossession, conquest, colonization and diaspora. The book also contains
a section on religious establishments in Moylurg plus the story of Coolavin
from 1700 to 1847.
The author does not confine his account to one branch only of the MacDermots but expands it to include other families of the name and he reconstructs the marriage alliances which brought the great Gaelic families together. Important events pertaining to the history of the West of Ireland such as The Composition of Connacht, The Sydney Report 1576, and the Battle of the Curlews are all detailed.
The book contains some 36 family trees of branches of the MacDermot family and of leading Connacht families with whom they were connected. Maps of the area and photographs have also been included.
The book is a work of scholarship, beautifully written, concise and stimulating. It is fully indexed and the reader is referred to sources throughout. Running to 540 pages it will remain not only the definitive account of the MacDermots but also one of the most important works on the history of Ireland west of the Shannon.
| Introduction | ................................................................. | Page 11 |
| Chapter 1 |
The Celtic Beginnings |
Page 15 |
| Chapter 2 | MacDermot Origins | Page 33 |
| Chapter 3 | Anglo-Norman Ascendancy | Page 53 |
| Chapter 4 | The Gaelic Revival in Connacht | Page 87 |
| Chapter 5 | The Tudor Reconquest of Ireland | Page 151 |
| Chapter 6 | Religious Establishments in Moylurg | Page 201 |
| Chapter 7 | The Diaspora | Page 213 |
| Chapter 8 | Coolavin | Page 245 |
| Chapter 9 | MacDermot Families | Page 295 |
| Chapter 10 | Other Families | Page 371 |
| Chapter 11 | Topographical Survey | Page 435 |
| Appendix 1 | Inauguration of Cathal Crobhderg as King of Connacht |
Page 473 |
| Appendix 2 | The Bardic Families | Page 479 |
| Appendix 3 | Sir Henry Sidney's Tour of Connacht | Page 489 |
| Appendix 4 | The Composition of Connacht, 1585 | Page 493 |
| Appendix 5 | The Battle of the Curlew Pass, 1599 | Page 501 |
| Appendix 6 | Wardships | Page 512 |
| Appendix 7 | Legend of Una Bhan & Tomas Costello | Page 514 |
| Appendix 8 | Heraldry | Page 521 |
| Appendix 9 | Glossary of Placenames | Page 524 |
| Appendix 10 | Glossary of Given Names | Page 529 |