Redmond (No. 1.) family genealogy

Lords of “The Halle,” and of “Le Hoke,” Barony of Shelburne; and of Killygowan, Barony of Ballaghkeene, County Wexford[1]

Arms: Gules. A castle, with two towers, representing Redmond Hall—Arg. between three wool-packs or. Adopted in allusion to the defence of the “Castle of Redmond Hall” by Alexander Redmond against Cromwell, which was partly accomplished by the use of some wool-packs, to till up the breaches in the walls. Crest: A beacon fired ppr., on a mount vert, ladder or (called sometimes “Cressett,” “Fire Beacon,” “Bael Fire,” or “Light Tower”), adopted from the ancient Tower of Hooke, which stood on the property, at the extreme end of the Promontory of Hooke, and in which a branch of the family resided. This tower is still (1888) standing, though now converted into a modern lighthouse. Motto: Pie vivere et Deum et Patriam diligere.

The “Ancient and Honorable Familie” of De Raymond, De FitzRaymond, FitzRaymond, or Redmond,[2] derives its descent in the direct male line from a common ancestor with the Geraldines—Earls of Desmond (now extinct), and the Earls of Kildare, and Dukes of Leinster; as well as with the families of Grace, Barons Palatine of Courtstown; Carew, MacKenzie, FitzGibbon; FitzMaurice, Earls of Kerry and Lixnaw, and Marquises of Lansdowne; and the Lords Gerard of Bryn, co. Lancaster, viz.:

1. Otterus or Othoer (son of Mathias, son of Cosmus, the great Duke of Florence), an Italian Baron, of the Gherardini of Florence, Lords in Tuscany (which view is confirmed by the Latin form of the name “Geraldini,” assumed by some of his descendants). He passed from Florence into Normandy, and thence into England and Wales, about the time, probably, of King Canute’s marriage with Emma, dau. of Richard, second Duke of Normandy, and widow of King Ethelred, who d. in 1016. He had a son:

2. Otho Fitz-Othoer, who appears by Domesday Book to have been a Baron of England in 1058 (17 King Edward the Confessor), where he is called Dominus. He had lordships in Surrey, Bucks, Berks, and other shires. He left a son:

3. Walter FitzOtho or De Windsor, who is mentioned in the Domesday Book as in possession of his father’s estates. He was castellan or governor of Windsor during the whole reign of William the Conqueror, and was thence denominated “De Windsor.” He was also Warden of the Royal Forests of Berks, in 1080. He mar. Gladys, daughter and heiress of Rywalhon-ap-Convyn, joint Prince of North Wales, second son of Convyn-ap-Gweryston, Prince of Powis, by Anghared, only child of Meredith-ap-Owen, Prince of South Wales, by whom he had three sons:

1. William de Windsor, eldest son, governor of Windsor, from whom descended the extinct Earls of Plymouth, and the family of Windsor. (Harleian MS.)
2. Robert FitzWalter, second son, surnamed De Estaines whose male issue became extinct in his son William, second Baron De Estaines in Essex.
3. Gerald FitzWalter de Windsor, the third son of whom we treat.

4. Gerald FitzWalter de Windsor, third son of Walter FitzOtho. He was Lord of Carew, jure uxoris, and therefore surnamed De Carew; castellan of the Castle, and governor of the county of Pembroke; and chamberlain to King Henry I., who granted to him the manor of “Moulesford,” in Berks. He m. Nesta, daughter of Rhys-ap-Tewdor Mawr, Prince of South Wales, who gave with her in marriage the great lordship of Carew, consisting of seven manors in Pembrokeshire (she was widow of Stephen de Marisco, a Norman (Harleian MS.), and constable of Aberteivy or Cardigan Castle), and by him was mother of Robert FitzStephen, Lord of Cork, the premier invader of Ireland. Nesta, previous to her first marriage with Stephen, had been concubine to Henry I., by whom she had two sons—Robert, Earl of Gloucester; and Henry FitzHenry, father of Robert and Meyler FitzHenry, from whom descend the FitzHenrys of Ireland. Robert and Meyler accompanied their second cousin, Raymond le Gros, to Ireland in 1170. Gerald FitzWalter died in 1135, leaving by Nesta, three sons and a daughter, viz.:

1. William de Carew, of whom presently.
2. Maurice Fitzgerald, second son, one of the invaders of Ireland, Lord of Naas and Wicklow. He was, by Strongbow, granted Offaly, Offelan, and the Castle of Wicklow. He died at Waterford 1176, and was buried in the Grey Friary, Wexford; the Patriarch of all the Irish Geraldines; and the ancestor of the Earls of Desmond, the Earls of Kildare, the Dukes of Leinster, the Fitzgibbons, and MacKenzies.
3. David Fitzgerald, Bishop of St. David’s, from 1147 to 1176. Entertained Dermod MacMurrough on his journey to Henry II., when holding Court at Aquitaine. Died 1177.
1. Anghared, only dau. of Gerald FitzWalter by Nesta, married William de Barri, a Norman knight, then a widower, and had by him three sons, namely—Robert de Barri, Philip de Barri, and Sylvester Giraldus de Barri, known as Giraldus Cambrensis.

5. William (Fitzgerald) De Carew was, according to Giraldus Cambrensis, the eldest son; Lord of Carew and Moulesford; accompanied, in 1170, his third son Raymond, to Ireland, but owing to ill-health returned to Carew Castle in Pembrokeshire, and died there in 1173. He m. Catherine, dau. of Sir Richard de Kingsley, Lord of Kingsley, county of Chester, by whom he had issue four sons and a daughter:

1. Otho or Odo de Carew, eldest son, Lord of Carew and Moulesford; ancestor of the family of Carew.
2. William FitzWilliam, second son; Lord of Kingsley, county Chester, jure matris: ancestor of the family of Gerard, a quo Lord Gerard of Bryn, county Lancaster.
3. Raymond FitzWilliam de Carew, third son, of whom presently.
4. Griffin or Griffyth, accompanied his brother Raymond to Ireland in 1170, where he was actively employed; a quo “Carrick-Mac-Griffin.”
1. A daughter, who m. Philip le Waleys (or Welch), and was mother of David and Philip le Waleys, mentioned in Historical works as being present with their uncle Raymond[3] le Gros, at the siege of Limerick. From Philip le Waleys the family of Walsh, of the Walsh mountains, descend.

6. Raymond FitzWilliam (Fitzgerald) de Carew, third son, surnamed Crassus Le Gros or Le Gras, landed in Ireland in 1170; Lord of Lereton, in Wales (to which he succeeded at his father’s death), and Constable of Leinster, jure uxoris; commander of all the English Forces in Ireland, and in 1176 Viceroy of Ireland. He erected the castles of Enniscorthy and Fethard, in the co. of Wexford, and was a benefactor to the monasteries of Christ Church, and of St. Thomas, Dublin; and of Molana, on the Blackwater, near Youghal, where he was interred in 1184. In Camden’s Britannia, in the Annals of Ireland, Keating’s History of Ireland, Russell’s Relation of the Geraldines, and elsewhere, he is called Redmond le Gros; and it is from this warrior, that the De Raymonds or Redmonds sprung.

Raymond mar. Basilea de Clare, dau. of Gilbert de Clare, and sister of Richard, surnamed Strongbow, first English Invader of Ireland, and Lord (jure uxoris) of the Palatinate of Leinster, in which “Grace’s Country,” “The Tower of Hooke,” “Redmond Hall,” and the other lands he gave with her in marriage, are situated. Basilea m., secondly, Geoffrey FitzRobert de Marisco (son of Robert FitzStephen de Marisco), Baron of Kells, county Kilkenny, and who constituted Wexford a Borough. Geoffrey died, sine prole, in 1211. Raymond le Gros had five sons:

1. William FitzRaymond le Gras, the eldest son, who granted a charter to his burgesses of Sodbury, before 1190; and, assuming the habit of St. Augustine, became prior of Christ Church, Dublin, and died, 1212.
2. William FitzRaymond le Gras, junior; heir to his brother “Willielmus Primogenitus;” Baron of Courtstown (alias Tullaroan), and Lord of “Grace’s Country,” in the co. of Kilkenny: governor of Leinster in 1197 and 1202; built Grace’s Castle, in the co. of Kilkenny, and Courtstown or Tullaroan Castle, in the “Cantred of Grace’s Country;” died ante 1219; ancestor of the family of Grace; Palatine Barons of Courtstown, and Lords of “Grace’s Country,” co. Kilkenny (now represented by Sir Percy Raymond Grace, Baronet, J.P., D.L., of Boley, Monkstown, Dublin). He m. Margaret, dau. of Robert FitzWarren, of Wales.
3. Hamon, Hamo, or Heimond, of whom presently.
4. Maurice FitzRaymond le Gras, Lord of Clanmaurice, in the co. Kerry, and heir to all his father’s lands in Munster. Maurice FitzRaymond had a son Thomas, who assumed the surname of FitzMaurice, and was the first Lord of Kerry and Lixnaw, a quo the Marquis of Lansdowne.
5. Amnar le Gras, a witness with his brothers William and Hamon to the Earl Marshall’s charters.

7. Hamon, Hamo, or Heimond le Gras, or FitzRaymond, the third son of Raymond le Gras, was witness with his brothers William and Amnar to the Charter of Incorporation given to the city of Kilkenny, by William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke. He also witnessed William Marshall’s charter to the Priory of St. John, Kilkenny; built “Hamon Castell,” in the co. Wexford, now called Clohamon; and, inheriting from his father considerable lands in the north and south of the county Wexford, established his principal residence at “The Hall,” and was succeeded by his son Alexander. Hamon and his brothers were in the Earl Marshall’s train, being first cousins to his wife, Isabella, dau. and heiress of Strongbow and Eva; William Marshall thus succeeding to the Principality of Leinster, and Earldom of Pembroke. Hamon m. the dau. of Torkail or Torcail, the Danish Governor of the Tower of Hooke, by whom he had a son and heir:

8. Sir Alexander FitzHamon FitzRaymond, knight, who assumed, as a surname, the Christian name of his grandfather, and established the family of De Raymond, De FitzRaymond, or Redmond. His estates included lands in North Wexford, as well as the entire parish of Hooke, and extended towards Fethard. Sir Alexander is called “Dominus” in the vellum genealogy of the family, which thus refers to him (See pedigree registered in Ulster’s Office): “Dominus Alexander, primus familiæ hujus cognominatus de Redmond, nominis et Stemmatis fuit ejusdem cum Raymond le Gros qui comitem de Pembroke in Hiberniam comitatus est, A.D. 1170.” The Castle of Redmond’s Hall, which was situated on the Peninsula of Hooke, was probably built by this knight; and stood on or near the site of the Raymond le Gros fortifications on the rock of Dundonolph. Sir Alexander m. Beatrice, niece of Walter de Constance, Bishop of Lincoln, by whom he had two sons: Alexander, his heir, of whom presently; and Walter, a military commander.

9. Sir Alexander de Raymond, the elder son, “Knight of The Hall,” m. Eleanor, dau. of Walter de Poher, Lord of Dunbratyn and Rathgormyck (by Feya, daughter and co-heir of William D’Eincourt, Lord of Incheth and Lisnekill, co. Tipperary), youngest son of Sir Robert de Poher, Knight Marshal to Henry II., and Lord of Waterford, A.D. 1177; an ancestor to the family of DePoher, Poer, or Power of Curraghmore, a quo the Marquesses of Waterford. By this lady, Sir Alexander had three sons: 1. Robert, of whom presently; 2. Henry de Raymond, Esq., a military leader who was slain in battle; 3. Arnold de Raymond, Esq., a military leader, who also perished in battle.

10. Sir Robert de Raymond, the eldest son, “Knight of The Hall,” married Eleanor, dau. of Sir Walter de Synad or Synott, Knight of Ballybrennan, in the barony of Forth, co. Wexford, by whom he had three sons: 1. Alexander, his heir, of whom presently; 2. Walter; 3. Richard; besides several daus. Dying in 1244, he was succeeded by his eldest son:

11. Sir Alexander de Raymond, “Knight of The Hall,” who married Margaret, daughter of Sir Stephen de Evereux or Devereux, Knight of Balmagir, barony of Bargy, county Wexford (of the same family as the Devereuxes of Herefordshire), ancestors to the Earls of Essex. Sir Alexander d. in 1285, leaving, with daus., five sons, viz.: 1. Robert, his heir; 2. Richard, 3. Nicholas, 4. Walter, and 5. James. The eldest son:

12. Sir Robert de Raymond, “Knight of the Hall,” m. Eleanor, daughter of Sir William Estmound, D’Ezmondiis, or Esmonde, Knight of Johnstown Castle, barony of Forth, county Wexford (ancestor to Lord Esmonde of Lymbrick, and of the present Sir Thomas Henry Grattan Esmonde, Bart., M.P.), and died in 1320, having had four sons, viz.:

1. Alexander (Sir), the eldest son, who, having been summoned to the war in Scotland, A.D. 1302, was a leader in King Edward’s army against the Scots. He probably fought at Bannockburn; and at Ardscul (or Ascul), near Athy, in Ireland, anno 1315, at which latter battle his cousin Sir Hamon le Gras, commanding the Anglo-Norman troops opposed to Edward Bruce, was slain. Sir Alexander served also against the Welsh, and probably fell in battle as his younger brother succeeded.
2. Richard, a leader, slain in battle in Wales.
3. John, a military leader also in King Edward’s army.
4. Walter, the youngest son, by whom he was succeeded.

13. Sir Walter de Raymond, “Knight of The Hall,” m. Elizabeth dau. of Sir Robert de Sottoun, or Sutton, of Ballykerock or Ballykeerogue, “Lord of Sutton,” co. Wexford, by whom, with other issue, he had three sons, viz.:

1. Robert, d.s.p.
2. William, his heir.
3. Richard. Dying in 1350, he was succeeded by his second son:

14. Sir William de Raymond, “Knight of The Hall.” He married Joan, dau. of Sir Richard Wise or Wyse, Knight of the Manor of St. John family, whose great-grandson, Maurice Wyse, was Mayor of Waterford in 1452. She died in 1360, leaving, with other issue, three sons:

1. Alexander.
2. Robert.
3. Richard.

Sir William was succeded by his second son:

15. Sir Robert de Raymond, “Knight of The Hall,” who married Anne, daughter of Sir John Poer, Knight, Lord of Kylmydan, or Kilmedan, county Waterford. Her brother Nicholas Poer, Lord of Kylmydan, was Sheriff for county Waterford in 1372, and summoned by writ to Parliament as Baron in 1375-8—1381. Sir Robert, with daughters, left four sons:

1. Alexander.
2. Richard.
3. Robert.
4. George. The eldest:

16. Sir Alexander de Raymond, “Knight of The Hall,” m. Joan, dau. of Sir James de Porceval or Purcell, Knight, and titular Baron of Loughmoe; and dying in 1409 left, besides daus., three sons:

1. Walter.
2. Robert
3. Pierce.

17. Sir Robert de Raymond, “Knight of the Hall,” the second son, mar. Helen, dau. of Sir John de Rowcestre, or de Rochester, or Rossetter, Knight of Rathmacknee, barony of Forth, co. Wexford, by whom, at his death in 1432, he left three sons and two daughters:

1. Walter, of whom presently.
2. Thomas.
3. Richard.
1. Anne.
2. Helen. The eldest son:

18. Walter de Raymond, “of the Hall,” was slain in battle in 1460; leaving by Anne, dau. of Sir John de Scurlog, or Sherlock, Knight of Grace Dieu, co. Waterford, with daughters, four sons, viz.:

1. John (Sir) of Bagenbon, who, dying Vitâ Patris, left an only child Anne, wife of Sir Mathew Browne of Mulranken, county Wexford, living in 1435. (Vide Hardiman’s History of Galway, Vol. I.)
2. Alexander.
3. Richard.
4. George.

19. George de Raymond, of “The Hall,” the third son, who succeeded his father. He m. Honora, dau. of Sir John Fitzgerald, Knight of Rostellan Castle, Cloyne, county Cork (cadet branch of the Fitzgeralds Seneschalls of Imokilly). Dying in 1480, he left three sons:

1. Walter.
2. Robert.
3. Thomas.

And a daughter Mary. He was succeeded by his second son:

20. Robert de Raymond, of “The Hall,” who m. Isabella, dau. of Sir John le Brun or Browne, Knight of Mulranken, barony of Forth, co. Wexford; and, dying in 1503, left six sons, viz.:

1. John, his heir.
2. Alexander.
3. Robert.
4. Michael.
5. Thomas.
6. David.

21. John de Raymond, “of The Hall,” eldest son, called “The Hospitable Knight,” (—) succeeded. He died in 1521, leaving by his wife Mary, dau. of Sir John Morris, Knight of Knockagh Castle, co. Tipperary, several daus., and three sons, viz.:

1. Robert, by whom he was succeeded.
2. Richard.
3. William.

22. Robert de Raymond, “of The Hall,” the eldest son, married Jane, dau. of Sir Nicholas Devereux, of Balmagir, barony of Bargy, county Wexford, Knight (nephew of Alexander Devereux, the last Abbot of Dunbrody Abbey), and by her (who died in 1542), had four sons, viz.:

1. Alexander, his heir, of whom presently.
2. Thomas.
3. Michael.
4. Robert, who was Secretary to the Bishop of Lismore and Waterford. In 1558, he was deputed to go to Cardinal Caraffa, Legate in Flanders, or Brabant (because Cardinal Pole had not, at the time, received his powers), in order to obtain a dispensation for the marriage of MacCarthy Mór, with Onoria, dau. of James FitzJohn Fitzgerald, the 14th Earl of Desmond. His letter to the Earl of Desmond is extant, signed “Robert Remon,” and dated March 24th, 1558. Besides the four sons here named, Robert de Raymond had several daus., one of whom married Nicholas Power, Esq., second son of Edmond Power, Esq., and grandson of the first Lord le Poer of Curraghmore. This Edmond Power was the last Abbot of Mothel; a grant however was made to him in 1545, for his life, of the lands of the late Abbey of Mothel. (See Carew MS., fol. 635.)

23. Alexander Redmond, “of The Hall,” eldest son; seized of the lands of The Hall, Churchtown, The Hooke, Portersgate, Gallgestowne or Gallstown, etc., in the parish of “Le Hoke,” or The Hooke, barony of Shelbourne, co. Wexford, held of the manor of Kilclogan. His ancestors held their estates by feudal service to Kilclogan, co. Wexford, a “commandery” or preceptory of the Knight Templars (Raymond le Gros was a Red Cross Knight), and subsequently of the Knights Hospitallers, whose grand Priory was at Kilmainham. He m. Anne, dau. of Nicholas Meyler of Duncormick, Esq. (descended from “Meyler, a renowned warrior who came in at the Conquest”), and, dying on the 1st April, 1577, left four sons, viz.:

1. Nicholas, born 1570, did not succeed; died young.
2. Alexander, who succeeded his father.
3. Gabriel[4]
4. Thomas.

24. Alexander Redmond, “of The Hall,” second son and heir, succeeded to the paternal estates, born 1574; a minor in 24th Elizabeth (1582) m. Margaret, daughter of Robert Walsh, of Castle Hoyle, or Castle Howel, Esq. (who died 10th Oct., 1557), Lord of the Walsh mountains, hereditary Baron of Shanacher (descended from a sister of Raymond le Gros), now represented by “Walsh” of Fanningstown (Ulster’s Office, Pedigrees, Vol. VIII., p. 46.) This Alexander was one of the two constables of the Barony of Shelburne in 1608. (Carew MS., 600, f. Brit. Mus.) He is described as of the “Tower of Hooke,” in 1610, and of Redmond’s Hall, in 1616—1624, and in 1634, he is “of the Hall and of the Hooke.” In 1616 he is mentioned as possessing lands in the adjoining parish of Templetown. (Inquisitiones Lagenia.) The Castle of The Hall, for so many generations the seat of the Redmond family, sustained three distinct and separate sieges during the chieftainship of Alexander. It was attacked in July, 1642—and in 1649. Alexander Redmond, then 75 years of age, manfully defended his Castle of The Hall, which was twice besieged by Cromwell’s army. At length, having slain Major Aston, with many other officers, he capitulated to Cromwell himself, upon honourable terms. He died before 1651, leaving two sons:

1. Robert, his heir.
2. Nicholas, a Priest, who was Vicar-General of Ferns, and was elected Secretary of the Congregation of the Catholic Clergy at Dublin, 11th June, 1666. (Butler’s Memoirs of the Roman Catholics.)

25. Robert Redmond, “of The Hall,” succeeded his father; served in the army of Charles I., against the Parliament; and subsequently joining with his father against Cromwell, was deprived by forfeiture of the extensive estates of his ancestors, comprising nearly the entire peninsula and parish of Hooke, barony of Shelburne; and of lands in other parts of the co. Wexford, which, along with the “Castle of The Hall,” were granted under the Act of Settlement to a certain “Sir Nicholas Loftus” by letters patent, dated 30th Aug., 1666. (Vide Books of Survey and Distribution, and Sir William Petty’s Down Survey. Robert married Eleanor, fourth daughter of Robert Esmonde of Johnstown Castle, county Wexford (elder brother of Sir Laurence Esmonde, created Baron Esmonde of Lymbrick, co. Wexford), governor of Duncannon Fort, and Major-General of the King’s forces in Ireland. Her brother William Esmonde of Johnstown, was Captain of one hundred men in the Confederate army. (Playfair’s Family Antiquities.) By this lady he had a son:

26. (—) Redmond, whose Christian name is not recorded. He was a Captain in the army of James II.; fought at the Boyne; and under Lord Mountcashel, at the siege of Crom Castle; and at the unlucky affair at Newtown Butler, where Lord Mountcashel was opposed by Colonel Wolseley and the Enniskilliners; and, after a gallant fight, was defeated, and taken prisoner with several officers, including Captain Redmond, upon whose person were found letters from the Jacobite leaders, whereupon he was hanged by Wolseley’s orders. In Thorpe’s large Catalogue, p. 82, or 182, in British Museum, the tragic incident is thus recorded: Papers found about the prisoners taken by Wolseley, discovering the design of the Papists’ meeting at Mullingar. Among them are letters to Captain Redmond, whom Wolseley hanged. With Captain Redmond ended the senior male line of the House of Redmond, of “Redmond Hall.” He d.s.p., 1689 or ’90.

Notes

[1] Redmond: For this pedigree and its compilation we are indebted to the courtesy of Doctor Gabriel O’Connell Redmond, Physician in Practice at Cappoquin, county Waterford.

[2] Redmond: The surname of this ancient family is found variously spelled in Historical Records (such as the “State Papers,” “Inquisitions,” “Close and Patent Rolls,” etc.), viz.— Raymond, Reymond, Reimond, Remainn (in the Irish Annals), F’Emond, F’Remudi, F’Remundi, FitzRemundi, FitzRaymond, De FitzRaymond, De Raymond, Remond, Remound, Remon, Readmonde, Redmonde, and Redmond.

[3] Raymond: Raymond, surnamed Crassus le Gros, or Le Gras, was so called from the fact of his being very stout. In appearance he is thus described by Giraldus Cambrensis: “Raymond was very stout, and a little above the medium in height, and was very active, and lively in habits, despite his corpulency. His hair was yellow, and curly; he had large grey eyes, a somewhat prominent (aquiline) nose, and his countenance was high coloured, and of a cheerful and pleasant expression. He was prudent, temperate, and frugal in his habits, and his first care was ever for the welfare of his troops, often himself passing whole nights without sleep, going the rounds and challenging the sentries to keep them on the alert, and prevent surprise. He was not given to anger, and was insensible to fatigue, always thinking more how he could promote the welfare of his men, than of commanding them—he was ever their servant rather than their master. To sum up his excellencies in a few words, he was a liberal, kind, and circumspect man, and although a daring soldier, and consummate general, even in military affairs prudence was his highest quality.”

We find him taking a distinguished part in the Anglo-Norman Invasion of Ireland in the 12th century. On May 1st, 1170, Raymond having been sent forward by Strongbow, of whose household he was a member, landed with ten knights and seventy archers, at the rock of Dundonolf or Dundrone (a promontory on the Wexford coast, some miles from Waterford), where he threw up hasty fortifications. Soon after, a body of Irish troops attacked them, but were routed by the undaunted bravery of Raymond, and his followers. Possessing the qualities of a military leader, in addition to remarkable personal prowess and chivalrous valour, he was selected by the famous Richard de Clare, Earl of Pembroke, to command the Anglo-Norman troops, and contributed in a very great degree to the invasion of Ireland under that leader. It was Raymond whom Strongbow entrusted with important despatches to Henry II., then holding his court at Aquitaine. At the siege of Dublin, in 1171, which was invested by Roderic O’Connor, King of Ireland, with 30,000 men, and a fleet of vessels from the Isle of Man, a sortie was arranged by the garrison, and Raymond, “ever first amongst the foremost,” commanding the advance division, threw himself upon the enemy long before the others came up, and is said to have pierced two of them through with his lance. A desperate fight ensued, until at length the Irish, taken by surprise, were routed by the knights, led by the three Geraldines— Raymond, his uncle Maurice, and Milo de Cogan. The Sortie of Raymond is commemorated to the present day by the name of “Redmond’s Hill,” a street in Dublin, which, tradition says, is the way Raymond led the Sortie out of the city. In 1173, Raymond and Richard Strongbow were Lords Warden of Ireland; and again in 1175 or 1176, we find Raymond le Gros, Lord Procurator-General. In 1173, hearing that her father was dead, he passed over into Wales; but Regan, the historian, says that the real cause of his voyage was his love for Basilea de Clare, whose hand the Earl had refused him in marriage; and, being accordingly discontented, he retired himself into private life, at his Castle of Carew. Soon after, however, the soldiers, who loved Raymond, clamoured for his return; whereupon the Earl wrote to him, earnestly desiring his presence, and promising him his sister’s hand. Raymond, much rejoiced, acquiesced, and the nuptials were celebrated with great pomp and splendour, in St. Selskar’s Abbey, Wexford, A.D. 1173; after which the Earl made him Seneschal of Leinster. This is said to have been the first marriage on record in Ireland between an English-born couple. He likewise obtained from his brother-in-law extensive territorial grants, comprising the Lordships of Fothert or Fethart, and Glascarrig, in co. Wexford; O’Drone, in Carlow; and others in the counties of Kilkenny and Kerry; upon which he built and fortified strong castles. He died in 1184 (but in what manner historians do not record), and was buried in Molana Abbey, on the small Island of Dairinis, in the river Blackwater, a few miles from Youghal. This fact is thus recorded in the Carew MSS., preserved at Lambeth: “Raymond, surnamed Le Gros, bu. in the Abbeye of Molan, nere unto Yoghall.” Raymond founded a preceptory for Knights Templars at Rhincrew, close to Molana, and richly endowed that Abbey; therefore he may have taken the cowl, and died within its walls. There is a tradition in the locality that he was wounded in an affray, carried across the Blackwater in a boat, at the Ferry, near Temple-Michael, and brought to Molana. This is very probable. Amongst the ruins of the Abbey can be seen a funeral urn, beneath an arched window in one of the side chapels, and over a spot traditionally assigned to the Hero’s grave; and on a slab underneath the urn is this inscription: “Here lie the remains of Raymond le Gros, who died A.D. 1184.” This urn and slab were erected by Richard Smyth, Esq., of Ballinatray. Sheffield Grace, Esq., F.S.A., in his Memoirs of the Grace family, thus describes Raymond le Gros: “The talents and achievements of Raymond were of the most brilliant character. As in Hannibal’s invasion of Italy, Fabius and Marcellus were called ‘the shield and sword of Rome,’ so was this chieftain considered both the one and the other in the Anglo-Norman Expedition to Ireland. Nor was he less distinguished for humanity than for wisdom and courage. History, indeed, scarcely presents, if it does at all present, a more striking instance of that first and most powerful proof of greatness, which lies in an ascendancy over other men’s minds, than was exhibited by this successful leader. The soldiers, who without him were nothing, with him were everything; and Earl Strongbow (says Hollinshed) constrained him to become Joint-Viceroy with himself; an office which he afterwards held singly in 1176. Giraldus Cambrensis calls him ‘the notable and chiefest pillar of Ireland.’”

[4] Gabriel: Gabriel Redmond, the second surviving son of Alexander (No. 23), who died in 1577, m. Ellen, dau. of Richard Keating of Baldwinstown, co. Wexford, Esq., and was father of:

Michael Redmond, who mar. Catherine, dau. of Pierce Sherlock, Esq., of Grace Dieu (by Susanna, dau. of George Sherlock, of Cahir, by Anne, dau. of Dommick Wise, grandson of the Lord of Finglas, and great-grandson of the Earl of Kildare), and by her left (with a younger son James, and a daughter Joan) an elder son:

Sir Peter Redmond, Knight of the Order of Christ, in Portugal; dwelt in Paris. He m. Anne, dau. of Robert Parker, Esq., of Templeogue, son of Robert Parker, Esq. (a commander under Charles I.), by Anne, his wife, dau. of Sir Richard Talbot, of Malahide, by Frances, his wife, niece of the celebrated Richard Talbot, Duke of Tyrconnel. By this lady, Sir Peter had (with daughters who died in infancy) a son and three daughters, viz.:

Sir John Redmond, Knight of the Order of Christ; Knight of the Military Order St. Louis; who held a high rank in the French army. Issue, if any, unknown.

1. Elizabeth, wife of James Nugent, Esq., of Taghmon, an officer in the army.
2. Frances, and III. Anne, both of whom lived in Paris.