School: An Ráth Mhór (Clochar) (roll number 13742)

On this page

1. Description of Cathair Crobh Dearg (continued)

   

   Share Share Post

   (continued from previous page)

   name was connected with Nuadh Chongbháil because probably the monastery at ______ was an offshoot from one of his foundations or possibly founded by himself. But the actual foundation at Nuadh Chongbháil is much more likely to have been done by somebody in 690 A.D and not in 440 A.D. as was the case with St Finian Fionn.
   (7) Human sacrifice probably formed part of Irish paganism as it did of paganism elsewhere. The execution is with us today a species of human sacrifices. These persons are sacrificed for the good of society and hence for the glory of God. The execution of criminals, prisoners and others was much more common in pagan times. At the City probably many persons were thus sacrificed. Naturally enough the Christians fostered on this unpopular aspect of paganism. Hence possibly the name of the townland on which it stands Gort na gCeann means the "field of the heads." (About four miles to the west is Lios na gCeann at Headford Railway Station) The name of the cathair itself is also rather sinister - Cathair Crobh Dearg or Red Claw's Mansion. this too loks like a slur cast by the Christians on place of human sacrifice.
   Of course there is no reference to this man in the name of the city. But as it was probably the O'Connor's of Iraghticonnor who owned the city the last pagan die-hard of the name may have got this nickname from the Christians and later he may have found it better for his health to migrate to Connaught. Crobh Dearg was a _______ of a branch of O'Connor's in Connaught.
   Cathair Crobh Dearg saw the coming of the landlords as it saw their departure. It saw O'Connor Mac Carthy, O'Keeffe and Browne succeeding one another as owners of the soil, the enactment of the penal laws as well as their relaxation, the marshalling before it of the fores of Elizabeth and Cromwell as well

   (continues on next page)

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Language

   English

   Location

   Gortnagane, Co. Kerry

   Informant

   Eugene O' Curry

   Gender

   Male