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Ryan
of "Haroldstown" |
The following information has been taken from "History and Antiquities of the County of Carlow", by John Ryan published in 1833, page 372.
RYAN, or O'RYAN. --- Keating traces the descent of this family form Milesius, king of Spain, and Heremon, king of Ireland, A.M. 2738, through nineteen kings of Ireland and princes, to Cathaoir More (Charles the Great) who was monarch of the island, A.D. 122. Thence he conducts us to Nathai, "from whom," he says, "the O'Ryans descended, a sept most free and hospitable."*
At the period of the English invasion of the twelfth century the O'Ryans were lords of the district of Idrone, in the county of Carlow, as is related by Regan, and received by Leland, Harris, and other modern historians, Having, however, resisted the invaders by force of arms, and being unsuccessful, they were dispossessed (according to the right of conquest, justly), of their territory ; which was subsequently disposed of as is related in the preceding parts of this work. The O'Ryans continued afterwards to reside in the county in a subordinate station, an soon acquired some property, as may be seen p. 152, and elsewhere. Like most of the old Irish and Romanists, they seem to have engaged freely in the almost perpetual rebellions of which this unfortunate country was formerly the scene. The name of O'Ryan frequently occurs in the "General pardons" granted by James I. We cannot say what part they took in the rebellion of 1641. Since that period, the members of the family of the author, having become Protestants, have been undeviating loyal.
In 1700, Anthony Ryan Esq., was allowed, by the court of claims, an estate for lives of Haroldstown, barony of Rathvilly, containing 250 acres. See p. 243. This is the best proof of his loyalty to king William's government. Two members of the family were killed at the Boyne, fighting under the banners of William.
In 1700, Anthony Ryan, Esq., was allowed, by the court of claims, an estate for lives of Haroldstown, barony of Rathvilly, containing 250 acres. See p. 243. This is the best proof of his loyalty to king William's government. Two members of the family were killed at the Boyne, fighting under the banners of William. David Ryan, Esq., of Haroldstown, married --- --- daughter of --- --- Pole, Esq., of the city of Dublin, by whom he had an infant, who died young. He married, secondly, --- ---,** sister of Nicholas Roche, Esq., of Coolmanagh. Issue : John, David, and Sarah. Mrs Ryan survived her husband, and was afterwards married to the Rev. Richard Brough, curate of the parish of Rathvilly : who was of the family of the late Captain Brough of the Carlow militia and lieut.-colonel Brough***, now of the royal artillery.
John settled at Broghill's-town, about the year 1760. He possessed an este of lives, renewable for ever, of the lands of Tombay, (barony of Rathvilly,) and others, in all 800 acres, subject to a rent of 2s. 6d. per acre ; which estate, with the common improvidence of those days, he sold to a person named Pilsworth for £1500! somewhat less than two years' purchase. Pilsworth, however, did not long enjoy his bargain ; for, having neglect to renew the lives, the property reverted to the Howard family, who possess the fee. The name of this John Ryan frequently occurs in the registry book of the union of Rathvilly, (as does that of his brother David,) as may be seen in the appendix. He married, firstly, Mary, daughter of --- --- Mulligan, Esq., of Rathvilly. Issue : 1, David. 2, Robert. The losses of the said David, (born 1752, died 14 Dec. 1802) of Baron-hill, by the rebels of 1798, amounted to 238l. 2s. 3d. as appears by the published list of claims. He married, firstly, Mary, daughter of --- --- Pilsworth, Esq., of Graney, by whom he had one son, who died young ; married, secondly, on 4th March, 1787, Anne, (died 22nd Jan. 1814), daughter of Nathaniel Evans, Esq., of Ballywilliamroe, and grand-daughter of Edward Eustace, Esq., of Castlemore. Issue : John Christmas, born 25th Dec. 1789, died on the 16th Oct. 1807 ; a lieutenant in the 8th West India regt. --- Richard, a lieutenant in the Carlow militia, married Anne, daughter of the Rev. Charles Seymour, Rector of Kilronan, county of Roscommon, by whom he had six children. He died on 29th January, 1830. --- John, above named, married, secondly, Anne, daughter of Beaumont Astle, Esq., of Beaumont in this county. Issue : 1, Beaumont. 2, Elinor. Said Beaumont (died 1810) of Broghill'-town, married, by special license, on 22nd January, 1802, Mary, daughter of James Shepard, Esq., of Paulville, in this county. Issue : John, (the author of this work), and four others.
David, son of the first named David, settled at Leighlin-bridge. He was more prudent than his brother in regard to his property. He married Susanna, daughter of James Poe, of Harley Park, in the county of Tipperary, Esq. Issue : James, who died young. David, settled at Castlecomer, county of Kilkenny. He married Anne, relict of --- --- Younge, Esq., by whom he has nine children.
Mr Brewer, alluding to Dunleckny, states in his "Beauties of Ireland", as follows : "The late proprietor, Beauchamp Bagenal, Esq., M.P., bequeathed this demesne to --- --- Ryan, Esq., the present (1826) owner of the estate, who, as we are informed, is the lineal male representative of the chief of the O'Ryans, toparchs of Idrone (in which Dunleckny is situated) at the period of the Anglo Norman invasion." There is much incorrectness in this. The truth is, that Mr. Bagenal presented the house and demesne of Dunleckny to his step-son, Bagenal Ryan, Esq., who speedily alienated or relinquished it and settled in England. The owner of the estate in 1826, and for many years previously, was Phillip Newton, Esq. With regard to the lineal descent of Mr. B. Ryan from the O'Ryan, we cannot say more, that that we believe Mt. Ryan was of a county Kildare family ; certainly be and his father were strangers in the county of Carlow. It is further indubitable, that in 1826, when Mr. Brewer was conferring the existing honour, the existence of Mr. Ryan had terminated, and he was quiet in his grave.--- Indeed, we regret to say, that we have discovered many inaccuracies in Mr. Brewer's book ; the inevitable result, probably, of the speedy production of an extensive work. Nor can we say, we admire the political tone of the production, which is not merely ultra Irish but ultra "liberal." It is not by flattering the passions, or espousing the cause of the Romish agitators, that the country will be benefited, or the integrity of the empire preserved.
| * | History of Ireland by Jeoffry Keating, D.D. |
| ** | Mrs Ryan's is named in deeds as Elinor Ryan. |
| *** | Lieut.-colonel Brough was later to become General Richard Secker Brough. |
I have tried to reproduce the information in the exact form in which it appeared in the book. I have endeavoured to be accurate, however it is possible that errors may have occurred in transcription. Data should be verified against original sources. A copy of this book can be found in the Carlow Library, County Carlow and at the LDS Library Film # 1441050.
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