Another blog post prompted by the graveyard at Aghinagh. I spotted this headstone a short distance inside the gate of the cemetery and was intrigued on a few fronts – is it the original headstone from 1650? Why the mixed numerals – so was it second or eleventh of May; who was baolac mac aodagáin? I knew of Bishop McEgan College in the Castle Grounds in Macroom and always assumed it was the Bishop at the time or just prior to the opening of the school. I was wrong – so wrong. It was only when I came home and also looked at the photograph taken at Carrigadrohid did I spot the connection. Boetius MacEgan was made Bishop of Ross in 1648. Oliver Cromwell arrived in Ireland the following year. Bishop MacEgan rallied armies to fight against Cromwell but was captured at Macroom. The following day, he was brought to Carrigadrohid Castle which was occupied by Irish forces. He was told that his life would be spared if he persuaded the Irish to surrender but he encouraged them to fight on and so he was hanged using the reins from his horse. I have learnt some but still am unaware as to whether it is a replacement headstone and why only partially Roman Numerals. |
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BAOṪĠALAC MAC AOḊAGÁIN BOETIUS MacEGAN |