THE

IRISH CHIEFTAINS;

OR,

A STRUGGLE FOR THE CROWN.

CHAPTER I.

THE CHIEF OF CINEAL AODH.

HE Castle of Fidane is situated on the confines of the counties of

THE

Galway and Clare, and was formerly a fortification of great strength, and one of the most secure strongholds of the ancient O'Shaughnessy sept. It was a frontier castle, and well calculated to guard the western portion of their territory against any invasion of their warlike neighbours, the fiery Dalcassians. History does not record exactly the date of its erection, but its style of architecture shows that in all probability it was built during the fourteenth century. The architect, most undoubtedly, must have had the eye and head of an able engineer, having chosen a site difficult of access, and admirably fortified against an enemy at a time when the bow, the sword, and the spear were the principal weapons used in warfare. The castle stood between two lakes; the one to the north was the smaller. The lake to the south was a picturesque sheet of water. Large trees bound the margin on the castle side, and bulrushes growing in great profusion rose high above the surface, lending to the scene an air of romantic beauty not easily described. These lakes were supplied by a river which derived its source in the lofty mountains known as Slieve Boughta (11), and, descending, passed through the ornamental waters of Loughoutra. From this lake a river took its course to the west, and formed a confluence with other streams which flowed from the lake of Inchiquin, in the county of Clare.

It was a beautiful sight to behold, of a fine summer's evening, thousands of the red trout peculiar to the latter lake sporting in the calm waters of Fidane, and forming circles on its placid bosom.

B

At the commencement of winter, a spectator, on the top of this ancient castle, by night, could enjoy a most picturesque view of several of the clansmen of O'Shaughnessy pursuing, with lighted torches and fishing spears, the speckled trout along the flooded lands, and the rivers and neighbouring streams. The south lake was deep, and bore the curious name of Lough-an-airgiod, from a tradition that a Chief of the O'Shaughnessys had, during a period of civil war, thrown his money and plate into it. The castle parks contained about fifteen acres of land between the two lakes, and were guarded by fortifications extending from one lake to the other. Those to the west consisted of a broad and deep canal, extending from Lough Dubh, and meeting a strong wall full of port-holes, in which was a gateway strongly fortified. From this gate the wall was continued to Lough-an-airgiod. On the east side a canal extended from Lough Dubh, also meeting the waters of Lough-an-airgiod, and thus completing the outer fortifications of the Castle of Fidane. Midway between the two lakes, on this fosse, stood the principal entrance, which was erected in the form of a small castle. It was called, in Irish, Caislain-beg, or the little castle, and was three stories in height. The gateway was vaulted, and protected by a strong drawbridge, which, when not in use, was drawn up by chains into a groove in the castle wall, and formed an outer defence to the strong gate of iron. Another gate, strongly plated with the same material, stood opposite to this, forming the grand approach to this great castle. To the right of the entrance, on the drawbridge side, was a low, vaulted, dungeon-like room, where the warder in charge of the gate had his lodging. The immense iron bar that secured the gate passed through a groove of cut stone into this apartment, and could be easily pushed forward or drawn back at the pleasure of the warder. The stairs leading to the upper guardroom were very narrow, and furnished with a thickly-plated iron door. The first guard-room extended along the whole length of the building, and its walls were full of port-holes towards every direction, in order to afford an opportunity of annoying the foe from whatever quarter they approached. The third story was not vaulted, but a battlement surmounted its upper walls. The roof was thatched, in accordance with the peculiar style of Irish castles for a long time previously. The guards of this castle were chosen from amongst those of the retainers who were the bravest, and most distinguished for their skill in arms and valour as soldiers. The way from the barbacan to the castle lay through an avenue studded with venerable old trees, of the oak and ash species, and the ground on which the castle stood was slightly elevated. This massive pile was surrounded by a wall, surmounted by strong battle

ments, which formed an oblong, except on the western side, where a triangular projection of the wall was placed, in order to produce an additional mode of defence, should the enemy approach the fortress from that direction. The battlements of this part of the castle were well supplied with port-holes capable of receiving either arrows or the falconet wallguns, so much in use in the middle ages. On this also was a parapet with port-holes, which made it stronger than any other portion of the castle walls, and in it was placed the great gateway to the castle courtyard. It was two stories in height. Over this gate there was a projection, with an aperture through which hot water, molten lead, or any other destructive missile could be cast down on an enemy daring enough to approach this strong castle. Like in the outer barbacan there was a strong iron bar across the gate when closed, and which, when access was required, could be drawn back into the warder's vaulted apartment. Outside the inner entrance was a flight of stone steps leading to the upper apartment, which had its port-holes and a number of wall-guns and other arms were always kept here ready for use, and, by ascending a few stone stairs, the garrison could perambulate the entire of the battlements. The eastern side of the castle had at its angles projecting turrets, with port-holes so placed that the enemy would suffer considerably should he attempt to assail the corner-stones of the wall. The south, which was very near the lake on that side, was the worst protected part of the castle, having only the cross fire of the southern turret, some port-holes, and the advantage of the retainers' fire from the parapets to defend it. A large postern door of iron was placed in the wall, in order to give the inhabitants of the castle ready access to the waters of the lake whenever they required it. Originally there were no buildings in the courtyard of the castle but the Great Keep. At the time we are writing of, however, many other buildings were erected to supply the want of accommodation. During war time, when several families were obliged to seek refuge here and in other strong-holds, in order to save their lives and their valuables, an ample kitchen was added to the south side of the Keep, to suit the developed requirements of the household; smaller buildings to the west, which were used, respectively, as guardhouses, store-rooms, and sleeping apartments; and under its northern wall a large banqueting hall was erected. A view of the Keep presented to the beholder a well-built castle, tall and stately, surmounted by a high, peaked roof, having a lofty but narrow watch-turret, which projected from the eastern angle, from which, upon state occasions, the standard of the O'Shaughnessy sept was displayed. The door of the Keep was of iron, and had port-holes overhead ingeniously contrived in a sort of

double wall, with the usual facilities for giving the assailants a warm reception whenever they appeared. The iron bar, called by the Irish Maide Emun, was used here, as described of the outer gates, and the warder's apartment was small and vaulted. To the front was a large vaulted hall, with a capacious fireplace, and to the left of the door the narrow, winding stone stairs which led to the apartments and galleries of the castle, some of which were small at one side of the building, while at the other two were of rather a large size, and used as the principal rooms by the family while they resided here. Those apartments had also large fireplaces, with heavy chimney-pieces of black marble. All round, the walls were hung with beautifully-worked tapestry, representing various scenes in foreign lands and at home, together with paintings and pictures, some of warriors of the Cineal Aodh, looking grimly down from the castle walls, and others master-pieces from the early Flemish, Italian, and French schools; while from other parts were suspended antique warlike weapons-the sword, the shield, and the helmet of warriors who for ages were passed away.

Although the rooms were pleasant, still the Chief preferred to dine and pass away his time in the large banqueting hall, which was at some distance from the north entrance to the castle, and in front of which was a beautifully-designed garden. Here himself and his family whiled away the time pleasantly, and at night retired to the Keep; while double locked was each door of iron, and the guard kept vigilant watch throughout the night.

Since the return of Sir Dermot O'Shaughnessy, the present Chief's father, from France, on the Restoration of King Charles II., in 1660, the country being in a state of quietude, this castle was uninhabited, the more comfortable mansion of Gortinsiguara being chiefly used as a summer residence; but when the alarms of war again disturbed the peace of the country, Fidane was judged to be the most suitable place to collect together men and arms for the approaching struggle for the crown of Ireland. The report of the expected arrival of the King from France naturally caused great excitement over the island, and while the bold rejoiced at the prospect of measuring swords with the enemy, the aged feared a recurrence of the dreadful scenes which they had witnessed in their youth. Those who possessed goods were afraid of plunder, and the husbandman feared to sow lest he should not reap.

Early in the month of March, 1689, while the retainers of O'Shaughnessy were sitting round the watch-fire in the guard-room of the warder's castle at Fidane, Emun Laider said to his companions

"Listen! I think I hear the sound of horses' hoofs clattering down the road through the rocks."