‘Dreadfully slaughtered by the Irish party’

Above: Nineteenth-century lithograph of ‘the rough and rugged recesses’ of Glenmalure. (G. Rowe)
Above: Nineteenth-century lithograph of ‘the rough and rugged recesses’ of Glenmalure. (G. Rowe)

‘A hosting was made by the Lord Justice and Captain Malby, to scatter and disperse these warlike plunderers. When the insurgents had heard of the approach of such an overwhelming force, they retreated into their fastnesses in the rough and rugged recesses of Glenmalure. The Lord Justice then selected the most trustworthy and best tried captains of his army, and despatched them, at the head of eight or nine companies of soldiers, to search and explore Glenmalure; but they were responded to without delay by the parties that guarded the valley, so that very few of these returned without being cut off and dreadfully slaughtered by the Irish party. On this occasion were slain Peter Carew, Master Moor (John), and Master Frans, with many other gentlemen who had come from England in the retinue of the Lord Justice. When this news reached the Lord Justice, he left his camp.’
(Annals of the Four Masters)