Of the grievances from which the Irish Catholic laity suffered, they appear to have felt none more acutely than the difficulty, under the existing laws, of obtaining a liberal education for their sons. During the reign of Elizabeth, this had also been complained of, but now that the English authority had extended itself over the whole island, the state of the case had become worse. Investigations were made, and schoolmasters who had not conformed to the State religion were ordered to close ... Read More

Above: Map of Connacht The parts of Ireland affected by the wars of Shane O'Neill had been Ulster, some parts of Connacht, and north Leinster ; now the southern province, which had been flourishing in comparative peace, was to take its turn in misfortune. Of the southern nobility the Earl of Desmond was by far the most powerful. The territory over which his sway or influence extended stretched from Duncaoin (Dunquin W. of Ventry) in Kerry to " the Meeting of the ... Read More