Enniskillen Castle also know as Maguire Castle.It is located in Enniskillen built by Maguires.
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Well it has been a while and I haven't been to Ireland to visit this place.
What follows is an excerpt from the internet on MaGuires. I think it is interesting because I have only recently learned of my Gr-Gr- Grandmother Katherine MaGuire.
.McGuire ("Mag-Uidhir")
A distinguished and truly Irish Gaelic clan that ruled over the county of Fermanagh in Ireland for over 350 years, the Maguires were known for their courage, great leadership and for their resistance during attacks. And thus the Maguire clan was particularly targeted during the English conquest for Ireland.
Some early Irish genealogists believe the first origins of the Maguire clan may have started out in the province of Leinster in Westmeath County. From Leinster the Maguire clan is believed to have moved to the county of Fermanagh in the province of Ulster. In Fermanagh their stronghold (Maguire’s castle) was in Enniskillen, located in the middle of the county. The present-day town of Enniskillen developed around the castle, which dates back to the 15th century.
The strategic location of Maguire’s castle on an island between the upper and lower Erne allowed the Maguires to control the passage of all ships between the lakes and the flow of goods into the surrounding areas. The Maguire chieftains’ navy of 1,500 boats patrolled the waterways of the lake system that extended for forty miles.
The first Maguire to become prince of Fermanagh was Donn Carragh Maguire, who died in the year 1302. By the end of the 16th Century, the Maguires controlled almost all of the land within the present day boundaries of Fermanagh, and the territory was known as “McGuire’s Country”.
The seat of the senior branch was the original stronghold at Lisnaskea, and that of the junior branch was at Enniskillen Castle. The kingship was by election agreement and they alternated regularly between both branches. Many of the Maguire chieftains were buried at the Franciscan Friary in Donegal while others were interred at the monastery at Cavan. During the English conquest of Ireland most of the land was confiscated, resulting in many of the Maguire families moving into other neighboring counties. Some McGuire families fled Ireland to other countries during the “Flight of the Earls” in 1607. One McGuire family went to France, while others made their way to the colonies in the “New World”.
Today, those with the spelling Maguire are chiefly associated with County Fermanagh, in Northern Ireland, and those who use the spelling MacGuire or McGuire may have their origins from Mayo or Roscommon. Maguire is still a common name not only in Fermanagh, but also in Donegal, Tyrone, Sligo, Leitrim, Derry, Cavan, Monaghan, and even Mayo; it's now found everywhere in Ireland, and indeed throughout the entire world.
A distinguished and truly Irish Gaelic clan that ruled over the county of Fermanagh in Ireland for over 350 years, the Maguires were known for their courage, great leadership and for their resistance during attacks. And thus the Maguire clan was particularly targeted during the English conquest for Ireland.
Some early Irish genealogists believe the first origins of the Maguire clan may have started out in the province of Leinster in Westmeath County. From Leinster the Maguire clan is believed to have moved to the county of Fermanagh in the province of Ulster. In Fermanagh their stronghold (Maguire’s castle) was in Enniskillen, located in the middle of the county. The present-day town of Enniskillen developed around the castle, which dates back to the 15th century.
The strategic location of Maguire’s castle on an island between the upper and lower Erne allowed the Maguires to control the passage of all ships between the lakes and the flow of goods into the surrounding areas. The Maguire chieftains’ navy of 1,500 boats patrolled the waterways of the lake system that extended for forty miles.
The first Maguire to become prince of Fermanagh was Donn Carragh Maguire, who died in the year 1302. By the end of the 16th Century, the Maguires controlled almost all of the land within the present day boundaries of Fermanagh, and the territory was known as “McGuire’s Country”.
The seat of the senior branch was the original stronghold at Lisnaskea, and that of the junior branch was at Enniskillen Castle. The kingship was by election agreement and they alternated regularly between both branches. Many of the Maguire chieftains were buried at the Franciscan Friary in Donegal while others were interred at the monastery at Cavan. During the English conquest of Ireland most of the land was confiscated, resulting in many of the Maguire families moving into other neighboring counties. Some McGuire families fled Ireland to other countries during the “Flight of the Earls” in 1607. One McGuire family went to France, while others made their way to the colonies in the “New World”.
Today, those with the spelling Maguire are chiefly associated with County Fermanagh, in Northern Ireland, and those who use the spelling MacGuire or McGuire may have their origins from Mayo or Roscommon. Maguire is still a common name not only in Fermanagh, but also in Donegal, Tyrone, Sligo, Leitrim, Derry, Cavan, Monaghan, and even Mayo; it's now found everywhere in Ireland, and indeed throughout the entire world.
Samuel McGinnes born in Tyrone, Ireland is a g-g-great grandfather on the Cutler side. I am learning more there. You can also clic on Castle to see last years post
What the "flights of the earls" part?
ReplyDeleteNobility/Earls running from English enemies is how i understand it.
ReplyDelete