Territories of the Ancient Irish Families in Ormond and Desies

Or Tipperary and Waterford

THE territories which formed ancient Ormond and Desies have been already mentioned. As this territory is closely associated with the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland, the following observations may not here be out of place:

Waterford is celebrated as the chief landing-place of the Anglo-Norman invaders, under Strongbow and his followers; and is also remarkable as the chief place where several kings of England landed on their expedition to Ireland. In May, A.D. 1169, Robert Fitzstephen, Maurice Fitzgerald, David Barry, Hervey de Monte Marisco, Myler Fitzhenry, Maurice Prendergast, and other chiefs from Wales (being the first of the Anglo-Normans who invaded Ireland) landed at the bay of Bag-an-bun or Bannow, in the county Wexford, near the bay of Waterford; where they were joined by their ally Dermod MacMurrough, King of Leinster. In May, 1170, Raymond le Gros and other Anglo-Norman chiefs landed near the rock of Dundonnel, about four miles from Waterford, near the river Suir. In August, 1170, Strongbow landed near Waterford, and was there married to Eva, daughter of Dermod MacMurrough, who then conferred on his son-in-law the title of "heir presumptive" to the kingdom of Leinster.

A.D. 1171, King Henry the Second embarked at Milford Haven, landed at Croch, now Crook, near Waterford, on the 18th of October; and was attended by Strongbow, William FitzAdelm, Hugh de Lacy, Humphrey de Bohun, and other lords and barons. The day after Henry's arrival, Dermot MacCarthy, king of Desmond, waited on him at Waterford; delivered to him the keys of the city of Cork; and did him homage. Henry, at the head of his army, marched to Lismore, and thence to Cashel; near which, on the banks of the Suir, Donal O'Brien, King of Thomond, came to meet him, delivered to him the keys of the city of Limerick, and did him homage as Dermot MacCarthy had done. MacGillpatrick, Prince of Ossory; O'Felan, Prince of Desies; and other chiefs, submitted soon after. From Cashel, Henry returned through Tipperary to Waterford, and shortly afterwards proceeded to Dublin; where he remained during the winter, and in a style of great magnificence entertained the Irish kings and princes who had submitted to him.

In February, 1172, Henry returned to Waterford, and held a council or parliament at Lismore; and also convened a synod of bishops and clergy at Cashel. After remaining in Ireland about six months, King Henry embarked at Wexford, on Easter Monday, the 17th of April. 1172; set sail for England, and arrived the same day at Port Finnain in Wales. A.D. 1174, Raymond le Gros landed at Waterford, with a large force from Wales, to relieve Strongbow, then besieged by the Irish in that city; and succeeded in rescuing him. A.D. 1175, according to Lanigan, King Henry sent Nicholas, abbot of Malmesbury, and William FitzAdelm to Ireland, with the Bull of Pope Adrian IV., and the brief of Pope Alexander III., conferring on King Henry the Second the kingdom of Ireland; when a meeting of bishops was convened at Waterford, where these documents were publicly read; it being the first time they were ever published. A.D. 1185, Prince John, Earl of Morton, son of King Henry the Second, landed at Waterford, accompanied by Ralph Glunville, Chief Justice of England, and by Giraldus Cambrensis, his secretary and tutor. A.D. 1210, King John landed at Waterford, and soon after proceeded to Dublin, and from thence through various parts of Meath and Ulster.

Waterford is also celebrated as the place of landing and embarkation of other kings of England: namely, of Richard the Second, in the years 1394 aud 1399. On the 2nd of September, A.D. 1689, King William the Third embarked at Waterford for England; and, being again in Ireland, at the siege of Limerick, A.D. 1690, he came to Waterford and embarked for England on the 5th of September. On the 2nd of July, 1690, King James the Second, after the battle of the Boyne, arrived at Waterford, whence he set sail for France.

Amongst the ancient notices of Waterford. it may be mentioned that, A.D. 1497, in consequence of the loyalty of the citizens of Waterford, against the mock princes and pretenders to the crown of England—namely, Lambert Simnel, and Perkins Warbeck, King Henry the Seventh granted, with other honours, to the city the motto—

hence, it is designated the "Urbs Intacta." In 1536, Henry the Eighth sent by Sir William Wyse to the citizens of Waterford a gilt sword, to be always borne before the Mayors, in remembrance of their renowned fidelity.