Know your Townland – Cahercalla/Cathair Cheallaigh

Were it not for the prominence and high status of the fort within this small townland, it surely would be known today as Ballynihill or Ballyneylon, dominated as it is by these two family names! The anglised name Caher Kelly is first recorded in 1661 in the ‘Books of Survey & Distribution’ and in all subsequent English records. The original name has been speculatively translated by James Frost as meaning the ‘Fort of the Kellys’ and translated by John O’Donovan as Cathair Cheallaigh. Given that the townland names of only one third of our counties have been officially researched and signed off on, we are left to rely on this provisional interpretation, a direct translation of the family name. One would have to wonder why such an important fort in the possession of the MacNamara clan would be associated with Kelly’s! Perhaps, it could be argued, like its neighbouring feature, Magh Adhair, the name pre-dates the later arrival of the Celtic people, but this in historically unlikely.

The townland was in the possession of John and Conor MacNamara up to 1641 but was disposed after that date to a Dr Edmond Mara, Donough O’Callaghan and John MacNamara. The O’Callaghan’s had been dispossessed of their lands in Cork and offered lands in Clare by way of compensation.

1855 Griffiths Valuation of Cahercalla property holders

Charles Haneen Thomas Neylan

Michael Nihill Patrick Nihill

Michael Brassill James Nihill

Patrick Neylan William Moylan

Charles G O’Callaghan

Census details 1851-1891

1851 Census: 17 houses, population 93

1861 Census: 10 houses, population 43

1871 Census: 9 houses, population 42

1881 Census: 9 houses, population 51

1891 Census: 10 houses, population 42

1911 Census Information of 7 families

James Nihill (widower), son Michael, daughter Agnes.

James Nihill and wife Catherine.

James McNamara and wife Margaret, daughter Mary, son Michael.

Anne Neylon and son Thomas

Margaret Neylon and sons Michael, Thomas, Patrick

John Nihill, wife Brigid and sons Michael, Patrick, daughter Mary, niece Agnes Hickie.

Martin and Margaret Kennedy.

Cahercalla Triple-walled fort

The proximity of Cahercalla to Magh Adhair and its triple ringed structure gives this particular fort a status above those surrounding it.

Inaugurations at Magh Adhair began in the 9th century and included that of Ireland’s most famous High King, Brian Boru. The inauguration ceremony is thought to have begun at the fort of Cahercalla, progressing to Magh Adhair along a route marked by standing stones. Historian T.J. Westropp described the ceremony as having the soon-to-be king standing atop the mound, while a gateway was formed below, guarded by three chiefs. A fourth chief had the honour of presenting the candidate with the sacred white wand, or Slat na Rige, cut from the sacred tree known as the bile, associated with Magh Adhair. Other chiefs would tend to the candidate’s belongings and assist him in robing and mounting his horse after descending from the mound.

Above: Recent aerial image by Richard Maxtet

Below: 1902 photo taken by TJ Westropp

1896 sketches of Cahercalla by TJ Westropp

TJ Westropp undertook a series of survey and studies of Clare antiquities and reported to the Royal Irish Academy. Despite his urgings to the ‘power that be’, no substantial investment or protections have ever been offered to these exceptional state assets. We are very lucky, as Westropp himself recognised, that folk tales surrounding these sites have offered some protection against destruction of the years. Here he recounts a story from Cahercalla while visiting this area:

“Nevertheless the son of a farmer named Nihill told me in 1892 that, after some days wreckage and removal of the outer wall of the fine triple stone fort of Cahercalla, near Quin, his father was stricken with acute pain, and only recovered from his illness when the work was stopped,—whence this interesting ruin has been preserved to the present day”

A Folklore Survey of County Clare by Thomas Johnson Westropp

Small multiple enclosure positioned E facing sloping ground with excellent views to NW to SE. Likely to
have been bivalalte for the entire circuit, although the outer enclosing elements at the W have been
levelled. Possible Early Medieval ringfort at the centre of the hillfort. Four breaks in the possible Early
medieval ringfort. A 5m wide break in the inner enclosing element of the hillfort is likely to be an original
entrance. Interior in pasture. Tree cover over enclosing elements.

Archaeological Survey of Ireland SMR Database CL034-150002

Tobar Breasail

The best preserved of three well’s, this lies on the north-east side of the Cahercalla road, about half a kilometer from Corbally Cross. There is a stile leading to the field. The well lies approximately 150metres in from the road. The well is old and rustic, with a few stone steps leading to the water. A drystone moss-covered wall protects it. Apparently, Breasail is the old name for Breackan. Saint Breasail’s/Breackan’s feast day is 29th April. A second Saint Breackan’s Well is found in Doora, across the fields from St. Brecan’s parish Church. As can be seen from the 1855 Griffiths Valuation above, there was property in the ownership of a ‘Michael Brassill’ in Cahercalla. Is it possible that the name derives from it’s location in this property?

Tobar Neachtain

The well lies two fields from the Toonagh road, on the west edge of Hell River and not too far from The Hell River bridge. There is not a lot known of Neachtain, whether he was a local saint or other.

Closing Comments

The importance of the two adjoining sites of Cahercalla and Magh Adhair will someday, hopefully, be recognised for the their important historical and cultural significance. This may well be extended to include forts at Creevagh and Cragataska. The potential for developing a ‘Heritage Park’, similar to Rathcroghan in Roscommon, is obvious. Without investment which would offer protection and access, at the very least, these historical assets will continue to be lost to those to which they belong.

Other references:

In Clare, at the very least, the forts of Bealboru, Magh Adhair, Cahercalla, Cahershaughnessy and Moghane in the eastern half; Cahercommaun, Glenquin, Cahermacnaughten, Lismacsheedy, Doonaunmore, Cahercottine, and, above all, Ballykinvarga in the north-western, and Doonegal, Lisnaleagaun, Liscroneen, and Dundahlin in the south-western part should be vested. It is not a question of spending money, for any ‘restoration’ is greatly to be deprecated, but only to secure each structure from further injury. Were the above bare list, by any good fortune, accepted, and others ordered to be preserved, it could be easily extended. Ballydonohan Caher, Lugalassa, Lisnagree, Langough, the double forts of Drumbawn and Creevagh near Quin, and the square fort of Culleen in the east, Caherdoonerish, Turlough Hill, Cahercloggaun, Caheranardurrish near Glensleade, Cahercashlaun, Cashlaungar, Caherconnell, Lisnastoolery with Cahernabihoonach and Creevagh near Glencurraun, with their enclosed dolmens, Cahergrillaun and Doon in Burren and its borders, Mullach in Inchiquin, Cahermurphy Castle earthworks, Dundoillroe, Doonaghbwee, Lisduff near Moveens, and others, in any country save Ireland, would be held worthy of conservation. If this is not soon undertaken, the vandalism of country gentry, farmers, rabbit-hunters, road-menders, and treasure-seekers must soon reduce the well-preserved and remarkable remains of Clare to the condition in which antiquities are found in county Limerick.

Prehistoric Forts and Dolmens in North Clare by Thomas Johnson Westropp

Note:

James Frost (1819-1907) was born at Ballymorris, Cratloe, Co. Clare. He was a scholar and linguist and served as High Sheriff for the county in 1879. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Irish Academy and served two terms as vice-president of the Royal Society of Antiquaries. The History and Topography of the County of Clare was published in 1893 and provides a history of Clare, up to 1700.

Historical references to its name

Taken from Logainm.ie/Cahercalla