O'Sullivan Beare march in Lorrha this weekend

Lorrha and Dorrha Historical Society are delighted to announce that ‘The last Prince – Donal Cam O’Sullivan Beare’ Group are coming to Lorrha. This is a two-day event from Saturday, August 20, to Sunday, August 21, and is based at the Tua Campsite (behind The Friars Tavern, E45 V651), Lorrha. This will be a free event.

Programme: Saturday, August 20, 1pm – 6pm: The Living History Group led by Conchobhar Ó Súilleabhán will be camped at the Tua Campsite, Lorrha. The group will be dressed in early 17th century replicated clothing and will have replicated weapons on display. The group will talk about every aspect of life then, and the hardships of O’Sullivan Beare’s journey over 400 years ago. Conchobhar is particularly interested in collecting local folklore, so people are invited to tell their local story. This interactive display is suitable for all.

Then at 6pm the group will march from Lorrha to Redwood Castle, home of the Macegans, who were ancient hereditary Brehons. People are invited to join in this walk, but booking is essential as a bus is organized to bring people back to Lorrha and places may be limited. Arriving at Redwood at approximately 7.15pm, the group will be greeted by Coleesa Egan, who will give a brief history of Redwood castle. Bus will then depart for Lorrha (walking distance: 3.5 miles on road).

Sunday, August 21, 10am: The group will march to Ballymacegan, where O’Sullivan Beare and his party crossed the River Shannon in 1603. Again, people are invited to participate in this walk. For safety reasons a bus will take people from Lorrha to Ballymacegan Cross where participants will disembark and make the journey to the banks of the River Shannon. Again, booking is required for this as places may be limited (walking 2 ¼ miles on road).

From 1pm – 5pm on Sunday the group will be back at camp at Tua Campsite with their displays and again people can engage with them.

Historical Background: After the Battle of Kinsale, Donal Cam O'Sullivan Beare left the Beare Peninsula on December 31, 1602 with a thousand of his remaining people, making this arduous journey through Munster, fighting their way for much of the march. At Ballymacegan they faced a great challenge, the mighty River Shannon in full winter flood. The only means to cross the Shannon was to make their own vessels. They fashioned currachs from hazel and the skins of horses, which they slew. They were nearly across the river, when the rear guard was attacked by Donnchadh MacEgan, the Queen’s sheriff. Captain Thomas Burke and 20 of his pikemen and as many musketeers retaliated, killing Donnchadh MacEgan and 15 others. After more skirmishes in Connaught, O’Sullivan Beare arrived to his destination, the territory of Breifne with only 28 people.

This is a free event, but walks need to be pre-booked due to bus seating availability; contact 087 2031798.

We are grateful to Tipperary County Council Heritage Office for funding this event.