Earlier this year, I started gathering a collection of citations from online issues of the Journal of the Co. Kildare Archaeological Society and Surround Districts. Lots of gems in here on Keatings in the Co. Kildare area, and I’d like to do the same with other available journals (as well as find a good source for issues not readily available online). I ordered the entries in my notes by the earliest year referenced in each article. I’ve some ideas for a searchable database containing these entries, but for now, here they are in article form.
In 1591, we hear of John Lye in a new role — that of Land Leaguer — complaining that the rent is too high. At this date the Queen again writes to the Lord Deputy and Council of Ireland. She refers to her letter of 1586, granting John Lye, “our good and faithful subject, a lease of 60 years, without fine, of Rathbride, Morristownbiller, and Croatanstown,” and she says :– “Lye complains that the rent charged for them is too high, so that he can’t live on them, much less defend them against evil disposed persons, which, he says, are in that part very numerous.” The Queen now, therefore, orders that these lands be resurveyed, so that the same may be reasonably rented; and that he may reap the benefit she graciously means to him, in order to make up the full value of £50 sterling, such other lands that may come to the Crown by attainder, escheat, ontrusion, or concealment, whereof he shall give notice, are to be set to him and to his assigns for 60 years, without fine. This was a most important document for John Lye. He is the state servant, and he is promised all the forfeited lands of his unfortunate neighbours, of which he shall give notice. Mark the result. A few miles to the south of Clonaugh, and on to the road to Rathbride, we find a whole colony of Ketons, or Keatings. Ticknevin belonged to Gerald FitzGerald Keaton, Kilpatrick to Gerald FitzEdmond Keton, and Ballinakill to Thomas Keton. All these unfortunate people are attainted of high treason, and lose their lands, which at once slip quietly into the possession of John Lye. There is an old laneway, blotted out in many places, but still quite traceable, which passes Clonaugh, and goes its winding way south to Kilpatrick, Ticknevin, then via Lullymore, across the bog of Allen, and on the open country towards Rathbride. Most likely this laneway was constructed by John Lye. Another windfall comes to John at this time also — Kilmorebranagh. It is only half a mile north-east from Clonaugh, and belonged to James Walshe, brother and heir to John FitzPhilip Walshe. This James Walshe was attainted of high treason, and Kilmorebranagh is enfeoffed to John Lye, of Clonaugh, gent. There are many respected descendants of this old Irish family still living in the same neighborhood, the present representative being the Rev. Edward Walshe, P.P., Clonbullogue, Kings Co.
O’Leary, E. “John Lye, of Clonaugh, Co. Kildare.” Journal of the Co. Kildare Archaeological Society and Surrounding Districts II, No. 2 (1896): 133-150. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Journal_of_the_Co_Kildare_Archaeological/CCQvAAAAMAAJ (accessed February 23, 2021).