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36-779: The tribe has also been associated with the Aiteach Tuatha, a servile, rent-paying race possibly interchangeable with the Déisi . This could be due to their inclusion in the pedigree of the Dál gCais after about 890AD who may themselves descend from the Déisi Tuisceart . The Corca Oíche have also often been linked as a sept of the Uí Fidgenti , potentially being subject to the Ui Chonaill Gabhra. It seems that there

72-690: A cave, resulting in the Rock's landing in Cashel . Cashel is reputed to be the site of the conversion of the King of Munster by Saint Patrick in the 5th century. The Rock of Cashel was the traditional seat of the kings of Munster for several hundred years prior to the Norman invasion . In 1101 , the King of Munster, Muirchertach Ua Briain , donated his fortress on the Rock to the Church . The picturesque complex has

108-691: A character of its own and is one of the most remarkable collections of Celtic art and medieval architecture to be found anywhere in Europe. Few remnants of the early structures survive; the majority of buildings on the current site date from the 12th and 13th centuries. Cormac's Chapel, the chapel of King Cormac Mac Carthaigh , was begun in 1127 and consecrated in 1134. It is a sophisticated structure, with vaulted ceilings and wide arches, drawing on contemporary European architecture and infusing unique native elements. The Irish Abbot of Regensburg , Dirmicius of Regensburg , sent two of his carpenters to help in

144-486: A confederation of west Munster tribes, including the Corca Oíche, Corco Duibne, Múscraige and others, to free themselves from the over-lordship of the king of Éoghanacht Locha Léin and to transfer their allegiance directly to the king of Cashel. In 546AD the tribe is mentioned in the annals as having been defeated in the battle of Cuilne or Cuilen "through the prayers of" Saint Ita . The exact location of this battle

180-614: A few kilometres south of Newcastle West. There is also a Ballymacasy, County Kerry near Ballylongford, formerly known as Ballymaccassey in tithe records from the 19th Century and a Ballymackesy as far away as County Wexford. St. Molua is also connected with the Corca Oiche, his Gaelic name being Lugaidh Mac h-Ui Oiche. His father was Cartach of the Corca Oiche, and his mother was Sochla who may have been from Osraighe. The Diocese of Limerick note him as being born in Ardagh, considered at

216-625: A large portion of Ulaid territory later known as Airgialla , and forced the Ulaid back to their easternmost territories. This could also have been cause for a migration. Due to numerous spellings of Foga, such as 'Foiche', it could also be that it is merely a corruption of Oiche. If so, Fochae (Foicheadh, Fochadh) Beg (Gaelic for 'small') from whom some sources have the Corca Oiche of Munster descending along with his six sons: Fiodhach, Oineann, Cronan, Caiseadha, Baithe and Iinge., could also be associated with Fergus Foga or his mother. Sometimes, such as in

252-714: A practice which continued until 1836. The restoration of the Hall was undertaken by the Office of Public Works as a project in connection with the European Architectural Heritage Year, 1975. Through it visitors now enter the site. In 1647, during the Irish Confederate Wars , Cashel was sacked by English Parliamentarian troops under Murrough O'Brien, 1st Earl of Inchiquin . The Irish Confederate troops there were massacred, as were

288-543: Is an aisleless building of cruciform plan, having a central tower and terminating westwards in a massive residential castle. The Hall of the Vicars Choral was built in the 15th century. The vicars choral were laymen (sometimes minor canons ) appointed to assist in chanting the cathedral services. At Cashel, there were originally eight vicars choral with their own seal . This was later reduced to five honorary vicars choral who appointed singing-men as their deputies,

324-539: Is not known, but their opponents are believed to have been the ancestors of the O'Cuilens/O’Coilens ( O'Collins ), lords of the Ui Connaill Gabhra, a sept of the Ui Fidgenti, who coincidentally occupied the territory near Killeedy , where Saint Ita had by this time established a monastery. This battle may also mark the point at which the Ui Fidgenti became overlords to the Corca Oiche. St. Ita also became

360-401: Is possibly a form of Maghnus. The name is often connected with the anglicized surname Mackesy, O'Mackesy, O'Mackesey, Mackessy, Macassy, Macasey, Maxey, M'Asey, M'Assie and M'Casey etc. of which there are several notable contemporary members such as Pierse Joseph Mackesy , Thomas L. Mackesy ( Mayor of Waterford 1841–42), and Charles Ernest Randolph Mackesy . The true origin of the Corca Oiche

396-473: Is some consensus that whoever was their common ancestor, they most likely originated on the shores of Lough Neagh, as even their own legend of origin depicts. They may also have had the honor of supplying the court of the King of Cashel with harpers and later entertained the Earls of Desmond until the time of Elizabeth. The chiefs of the Corca Oiche were noted as Ó Macasa, meaning 'descendant of Macus ', which

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432-432: Is unknown as is much of their history. Being intertwined with legendary, and semi-legendary stories and characters, often differing greatly, their record of descent has likely been altered over the years for political reasons as was common of many Irish tribes, making it difficult to accurately trace their roots. Yet, from the annals, and legends that do exist, one can still obtain an understanding, mythical or otherwise, as to

468-550: The Tuatha Dé Danann , the seven sons of Míl led an invasion in thirty-six ships. They landed in County Kerry and fought their way to Tara . On the way, the wives of the three kings, Ériu , Banba and Fodla , requested that the island be named after them: Ériu is the earlier form of the modern name Éire , and Banba and Fodla were often used as poetic names for Ireland, much as Albion is for Britain . At Tara

504-506: The "Chonall" (probably the Ui Chonaill Gabhra) alongside Collins, Mulholland, MacEniry, O’Bilraidhe, and O’Bearga, and wrote the following poem: "Corco Oiche of the delightful woods, The country of white mantles and clear streams, A fair land of great fertility, Is governed by O'Maolmackessy." Further evidence of the Corca Oiche presence in this area is the township of Ballymackesy (Baile Uí Mhacasa), situated only

540-527: The Catholic clergy, including Theobald Stapleton . Inchiquin's troops looted or destroyed many important religious artefacts. Sometime during or after the mid-1730s, the main cathedral roof was destroyed by Arthur Price , the Anglican Archbishop of Cashel . Today, what remains of the Rock of Cashel has become a tourist attraction. Price's decision to remove the roof on what had been called

576-691: The Kane Ancestral Map of Ireland, the Mackesys are linked to Eber , the eldest son of the mythical king Mil , whom was given the southern half of Ireland after their invasion from Spain supposedly some 2000 years before Christ. This is likely due to the clan's associations with the Ui Fidgenti after settling in the Kingdom of Muhman. However myth aside, if Cruind ba Drui were an ancestor, it would be more likely that they actually descend from

612-453: The Scully family, was destroyed in 1976 when lightning struck a metal rod that ran the length of the cross. The remains of the top of the cross now lie at the base of the cross adjacent to the rock wall. Eber Finn Éber Finn (modern spelling: Éibhear Fionn ), son of Míl Espáine , was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland and one of

648-462: The de Barrys are noted as being active in this area during the late 12th and 13th centuries. The name of this territory arises on several occasions during the Norman period through to the 16th century with slightly different spellings, all most likely corruptions of Tuath Corca Oíche. The historian Giolla na Naomh Ua hUidhrín ( O'Heerin ) who died in 1420, noted 'Macassa' among the principle families of

684-587: The early 10th century the Dál gCais were beginning to openly challenging the Eoghanachta of Cashel, and association with them could therefore have been political. Saint Molua , born of the Corca Oíche, founded a monastery in Killaloe in the heart of Dalcassian territory, therefore it is likely the two tribes were well aware of one another and possibly on friendly terms. Prior to the Norman invasion it seems that

720-537: The fifth son of Mil, Ir, from whom Rawlinson's genealogy has Cruind descend. After leaving their traditional home in the north, some of the Corca Oiche arrived in Munster and are said to have been granted Cluain Baird by Ailill Flann Bec , King of Munster around the beginning of the 4th century AD. Cluain Baird may have been a vale somewhere in 'Mag Feimin', a plain situated between Cashel and Clonmel. Further reinforcing

756-648: The founders of the Milesian lineage, to which medieval genealogists traced all the important Gaelic royal lines. According to the Lebor Gabála Érenn , the ancestors of the Gaels were living in the Iberian Peninsula , ruled by two of the sons of Míl, Éber Donn and Érimón . After Míl's uncle Íth made a voyage to Ireland but was murdered by its three kings, Mac Cuill , Mac Cécht and Mac Gréine of

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792-438: The jewel among Irish church buildings was criticised before and since. Queen Elizabeth II visited the Rock of Cashel during her 2011 visit to Ireland. The oldest and tallest of the structure is the well preserved round tower 28 metres (92 ft) high, dating from c.1100. Its entrance is 3.7 metres (12 ft) from the ground, necessitated by a shallow foundation (about 1 metre (3 feet) typical of round towers. The tower

828-532: The kingship between Érimón, who ruled the northern half, and Éber Finn, the southern. A year after the Battle of Tailtiu, Éber Finn became unhappy with his half, fought a battle his brother at Airgetros, lost and was killed. Érimón became sole ruler of Ireland. The High Kingship would alternate between the descendants of Éber Finn and the descendants of Érimón. Éber's sons included Conmáel , Ér, Orba, Ferón and Fergna . Geoffrey Keating dates his reign to 1287 BC,

864-516: The name of a female ancestor could also indicate matrilineality, a common practice among the Picts. Association with the Cruthin therefore places the roots of the tribe in north-east Ireland, which is compatible with other accounts that state their origin as being on the shores of Lough Neagh. Lough Neagh is said to have burst sometime around 65AD and this flooding or subsequent floods may have forced

900-496: The only surviving Romanesque frescoes in Ireland. The chapel was constructed primarily of sandstone which has become waterlogged over the centuries, significantly damaging the interior frescoes. Restoration and preservation required the chapel be completely enclosed in a rain-proof structure with interior dehumidifiers to dry out the stone. It is now open for limited tours to the public. The cathedral, built between 1235 and 1270,

936-420: The patron saint of the Corca Oíche. Relations, however, may have continued to be tense with Ui Fidgenti, for if we are to believe some sources, around the end of the 9th century they are included in the pedigree of the Dál gCais, traditional enemies of the Ui Fidgenti and Eoghanachta. As a result, the Corca Oíche have been associated with the Aiteach Tuatha, or Deisi from whom the Dál gCais are said to descend. By

972-598: The potential origin and history of this tribe. The Corca Oiche are said to have taken their name from Óchae, or Oiche, daughter of Cruind ba Drui. As Cruind ba Drui was a member of the Dál nAraidi , the Corco Oiche are possibly descended from Cruthin, a people often, but arguably, associated as being one and the same as the Picts , who competed with the Dál Fiatach for the kingship of the over-kingdom of Ulaid. Taking

1008-492: The sons of Míl met the three kings, and it was decreed that the invaders return to their ships and sail a distance of nine waves from Ireland, and if they were able to land again, Ireland would be theirs. They set sail, but the Tuatha Dé used magic to brew up a storm, in which five of the sons were drowned, leaving only Eber Finn, Érimón and Amergin the poet, to land and take the island in the Battle of Tailtiu . Amergin divided

1044-712: The territory of Corca Oíche included most of the Norman cantred of Killeedy, equivalent to today's barony of Glenquin and the parish of Ardagh (now in Shanid Barony) in south-west county Limerick. One source suggests that at the time of Saint Ita, they dwelled "on the banks of the Maigue " and refers to their chieftain as carrying the surname O'Macassy. By the 12th century however, it appears their control had shrunk to an area covering parts of Abbeyfeale , Killeedy and Monagea parishes. The Normans William de Burgh , William le Petit, Thomas Fitzmaurice , Geoffrey de Marisco , and

1080-582: The time to be part of the territory held by the tribe. Rock of Cashel The Rock of Cashel ( Irish : Carraig Phádraig [ˈkaɾˠəɟ ˈfˠaːd̪ˠɾˠəɟ] ), also known as Cashel of the Kings and St. Patrick's Rock , is a historical site located at Cashel , County Tipperary , Ireland . According to local legends, the Rock of Cashel originated in the Devil's Bit , a mountain 20 miles (30 km) north of Cashel when St. Patrick banished Satan from

1116-524: The tribe's connection with Ailill Flann Bec, his grandson Conal Corc is also mentioned as having been fostered by a witch, Fidelm (possibly also known as Lair Derg), daughter of Moethaire son of Clithaire of the Corca Oíche. By the 6th century the Corca Oíche appear to have moved further west and allied themselves, at least for a time, with the Ciarraige Luachra , a tribe that occupied parts of present-day County Kerry . The Ciarriage Luachra led

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1152-440: The tribes in the area to migrate. The Corca Oiche were one of these tribes and are believed to have settled in present-day County Monaghan (Corcreeghy near Monaghan , and Corcreaghy near Carickmacross ), and eventually as far south as Munster . However, their apparent relation to Fergus Foga, could also indicate that it may not have been floods which forced the tribe to migrate, but war. Fergus Foga (Foga, Fogha, Foiche, Foche),

1188-524: The word for ‘small spear’, due to legend being that Fergus invented, or at least was the first to use, the small spear in Ireland. However, perhaps for what he is the most famous, is becoming the last king of the Ulaid to reside at Emain Macha, when he was slain at the battle of Achaidh Leithdeircc , fighting against the three Collas . Afterwards, the Collas burned Emain Macha to the ground effectively annexing

1224-427: The work and the twin towers on either side of the junction of the nave and chancel are strongly suggestive of their Germanic influence, as this feature is otherwise unknown in Ireland. Other notable features of the building include interior and exterior arcading, a barrel-vaulted roof, a carved tympanum over both doorways, the magnificent north doorway and chancel arch and the oldest stairs in Ireland. It contains

1260-416: Was built using the dry stone method. Modern conservationists have filled in some of the tower with mortar for safety reasons. The entire plateau on which the buildings and graveyard lie is walled. In the grounds around the buildings an extensive graveyard includes a number of high crosses . Scully's Cross, one of the largest and most famous high crosses here, originally constructed in 1860 to commemorate

1296-485: Was the son of Oiche by incest with her brother Fróecher Furtre (Fraechar Foirtriun). Fraechar is said to have forced himself onto his sister out of drunkenness, and as a result is how Magheramesk ( Machaire Ráth Meisce: 'The plain of the fort of drunkenness' ), County Antrim , was named. Fergus has been associated with Fergus mac Roich a character of the Ulster Cycle , and one source claims that 'Foga' could refer to

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