Decline of the Norman Colony

Annals of Ireland - Friar John Clyn

Title page of 'Annals of Ireland' by Friar John Clyn

Annals of Ireland - Friar John Clyn

Annals of Ireland - Friar John Clyn

Title page of 'Annals of Ireland' by Friar John Clyn

Enlarge image

By the mid fourteenth century, the Norman colony in the south-east of Ireland was in decline. In 1348 the Black Death arrived in Ireland. By 1349 it was in Kilkenny City, as described by the Franciscan Monk John Clyn in his Annals. The more urbanised Norman settlers suffered more than the native Irish. Infighting among the various Norman Lords and general economic decline allowed resurgence in the fortunes of the native Irish.

In Castlecomer, these changes are reflected in an increase in the power of the native Brennans. The next three hundred years were marked by both frequent insurrections by the Brennans and also accommodation with local Anglo-Irish families. Increasingly this was with the Butlers, who had become dominant not just in Kilkenny but much of the South-East.

By the early seventeenth century four separate Brennan Septs were recognised in the area.

(1) Lands of Clanmorriertagh in the west of the plateau and in the Dinin River Valley.

(2) Lands of Clanvickelowe in upland areas of the north of the plateau.

(3) Lands of Clanualey in the north west.

(4) Lands of Clanvickconaill in the west.

At this stage they controlled over a quarter of the Barony of Fassidinan. However, their tenure was based on Irish Brehon Law rather than English. How tenuous this was, was soon to become apparent.