claims passed ultimately to the Crown. But, in spite of vicissitudes of fortune, for two centuries Lysaght's descendants ruled from the rock of Dunamaise.
Irish Offaly, as it is sometimes called to distinguish it from that part of the ancient territory now included in Kildare, was held by the 0' Conors and their subject clans the O'Dempseys and the O'Dunnes. The latter held the barony of Tinnahinch, in Queen's County, the O'Dempseys held Portnahinch in Queen's County and Upper Philipstown, in King's County; the lands directly under O'Conor comprised the remainder of the eastern part of the modern King's County.[1]
The O' Conors had been close allies of Silken Thomas in his rebellion. Vigorous campaigns and family quarrels greatly reduced their power, and during the later days of Henry VIII. we find alternate hostilities and negotiations going on between them and the Government.[2] At one time it seemed likely that the chief would be made a baron, and that his brothers and all other possessors of lands should obtain legal titles for themelves, and their heirs.[3] Unluckily for the O'Conors this was never brought about. Renewed hostilities under Edward VI. led to the complete overrunning of their lands, and the exile of both O'Conor and O'More, who finally surrendered to
- ↑ The rest of King's County was held by O'Molloy, MacCoghlan, O' Carroll, and the Shinnagh or Fox.
- ↑ See the accounts of the capture of O'Conor's new and splendid castle of Dangean. The Irish had just begun to build elaborate castles when the introduction of moveable artillery rendered them useless.
- ↑ State Papers, Henry VIII.', Vol. II., pt. 3, pp. 328 and 560.
