Pictures from Harry's April '99 Trip to Ireland
The following are a few of the photos taken by Harry Dunn(e) on his recent 3 week trip to Ireland to visit Hy Riagain (Tinnehinch) territory and a few other places in Ireland. Some of the notes will be updated when more information is found.
1. Arms from Gen Office, #433, of one Josias Dunne. Note motto "Vigilans et Audax" (signifies watching and listening ?)
2. Arms from G.O. of Lawrence Dunne, with a two headed Eagle, and motto of "Mallimore quam Federi" ( success in victory thru teamwork?)
3. Arms for Margaret Plunkett Dunne, (the daughter and co-heiress of Nicholas Plunkett), who married Francis Dunne of Brittas, on August 10th, 1760. Note the Arms depict the Dunne Eagle with the Plunkett Arms of Dunsoghly Castle, overlaid on the Eagle's chest. This castle was built in the 15th century at St. Margarets in Co. Dublin by Thomas Plunkett, Chief Justice of the Kings Bench. It passed into the Dunnes following the death of Nicholas Plunket, and was featured in the 1995 movie "Braveheart".
4. This fairly new set of Arms was granted to Thomas Dunne of Co Wexford on 6 Jan 1939.
5. This sketch of Brittas Castle was probably made in the late 1800's or early 1900's, and reflects the actual appearance after its construction (as opposed to the somewhat - but not much - more elaborate original plans which we now have copies of).
6. This current photo shows the main (carriage) entrance gate and tower of Brittas Castle, looking from the East side.
7. This view taken from about 75-100 yards North of Brittas Castle, shows an overview of the main house and tower.
8. This fairly close view, shows Brittas Castle and Carriage entrance from the West.
9. A view of the famous St Patrick's Rock of Cashel in Co Tipperary, the history of which begins at least as early as 370 AD, when King Corc, descendant of Oilioll Olum, and King of Munster used it as his capital. From this time until the beginning of the 12th Cent, "Cashel of the Kings" remained a chief residence of the Munster monarchs. St Patrick first visited here around the year 450, after which times the 'rock' served as the site for the bishops of the See of Cashel. The current churches which we now see, replaced earlier ones; with construction of Cormac's Chapel - consecrated in 1134, and the Cathedral - founded in 1169, replacing those which had served both Bishops and Kings since the coming of St Patrick.
10. The old Castlebrack Church and graveyard shown here are the only remnants of the Castle built here by Tadhg macLaighnigh O'Duinn in 1475, which at that time was second in size and importance to "Baun Riagain" - the O'Duinn Chiefs' Castle near the head waters of the Barrow River, part way up the Slieve Bloom Mountains. Castlebrack was in ruins in 1838-86 time frame, and only a small few pieces in the graveyard suggest the the size and importance of the Castle.
11. For those of you who have read Joe Dunnes book, or other histories of Queen's County, you will recognize this as the famous (infamous) Sir Charle Coote, who built the castle on O'Duinn lands, which were 'granted' to him by Queen Elizabeth (1558-1603). The castle was set on fire and destroyed in 1641 during the Catholic Confederate Wars of 1641-1649, by Capt Daniel Dunne (Donal Oge of Tinnahinch) - who had a 400 Pound price on his head. The castle -with Sir Charles Coote inside- was put under seige by Daniel - using a large half burned log - disguised as a cannon and drawn by a team of 8 oxen or (horses)!
12. Those of you raised with Donald Duck and Mickey, should enjoy knowing that you are related (at least in some way) to the famous Walt Disney. About 1824-5, Major Laurence Esmond Dunne, b. 1782, son of Laurence Dunne of Ards, married Sophia Disney, daughter of one James Disney. They had a son Arthur Disney, Barrister -at -law in 1826, etc.,etc. The Dep Chief Herald of Ireland told me that the Disney's had had some work done by the Gen. Office, and that we (Dunnes) are related. (23rd cousins?)
13. This crest is important in that it can help some of you distinguish which lines to follow (or avoid) when you are researching your family. The crest shown does not appear to be related to the Irish of Hy Riagain, partly because of lack of an 'e' at the end Dunn, and partly because of the absence of the Dunne/Dunn eagle. It does indicate a man of the 'cloth', by the use of the clerics' hat, but lacks the use of a Cross -substituting a more British regal lion for the principal figure. Except for the adoption of the British spelling 'Doyne' by one protestant line in the earlier years, most all of the Dunnes -even if those who had to sign on to the Church of Ireland (to save their lands?) - still spelled their name as Dunne. Any questions?
14. Ruins of the Dunamase Castle on top of the Rock of Dunamase, looking West toward the 'Barbican' gate and further past the 'Gate Tower' - slightly to the left, and then on up the Rock to the Castle and Keep (ruins). O'Donovan in the Annals of the 4 Masters describes Dunamase, or Dun Masq, as named for Masg, grandson of Sedna Siothbhaic, King of Munster, meaning Masg's dun or fortress. This hill/rock fortress was marked on the 2nd century map by Ptolemy - called 'Dunum'. From prehistoric times it was the stronghold and chief residence of the rulers of Laois. Over the centuries it changed hands many times. During the 13-16th centuries it was generally in the hands of the O'Mores and their allies - including at times the O'Duinns. Following the Catholic Confederation, it was captured by Cromwell's Generals Hewson and Reynolds, who dismantled it and blew it up. In 1795, Sir John Parnell restored much of it and it was then let fall into permanent ruin by his son, Sir Henry Coote Parnell.
15. This photo is a view of the exhibit room of the Genealogical Office in Dublin, displaying miscellaneous flags, coats of arms and other displays. Note the two flags - one with a Holly (oak?) tree and another with the Dunne eagle - hanging on the wall.
16. This photo, looking West down the main street in Clonaslee, shows Joe Dunne (left, author of Dunne, people and Places) and Mike Dunne(right) of Clonaslee just prior to taking me on a 6-7 hour tour of Brittas and the ruins of other Duinn Castles , churches, graveyards of Hy-Riagain country, and a lot of driving up and down the Slieve Bloom mountains.
17. The old Killeny Church is near the Killone House, where Capt Joseph Dunne resided for some 50 years and whose place John O'Donovan wrote and visited at different times. A gravestone inside the church read: " Here lieth ye body of James Dunne of Kilediher (old name of Killone) who depd March ye 22nd 1782, aged 78 years. Also his son James Dunne, who depd July ye 3rd 1782, aged 23 years. Also Bridget Dunne 1850 -- Walter Dunne died Oct 1883 (different script) Erected by his son Patrick Dunne. James Ramsbottom Died June 11 Aged 60" This James ws possibly the father of the Capt Joseph Dunne mentioned before. The farm and Killone House were sold to Ramsbottom after all the immediate Dunne family died or had left the area.
18. Monica Ann Dunne, Irish Minister for Pensioners and Harry at (Irish) bar plotting the possibility of a Clann Dunne reunion in 1990? - after a couple of Irish 'coffees'.
19. This road sign is on the 'main drag' in Hy-Riagain territory between Rosenallis/Clonaslee and Mountmeelick. Note - virtually ALL road signs in Ireland - it helps left hand drivers - teach you some Gaelic, and a few don't include the English version!
20. This the current church in Rosenallis - a small village today, of about three-four blocks in length.
21. St Bridgets Cathedral in Kildare, Co Kildare looking towards the NorthWest. It was here that St Bridget formed the first womans monastery. She is believed to have been of Ui-Failghe, and possibly, according to one historian, related to the O'Duinns.
22. This photo shows the interior of St Catherine's Catholic Church on Meath St in Dublin, where my Grandparents attended Mass and grew up.
23. A sample of an old brass 'pew plaque' which was installed on each pew of the church in memory of departed parishioners. This one - asking for prayers for the Souls of Matthew and Elizabeth Dunne (and of course - the rest of us Dunnes).
