Rev W Holland

With regard to the O'Hurley, this family had their origin in knocklong in the Co Limerick. They were undoubtedly of Royal descent being descended from the line of Oiloll Olum from whom were also descended as we have seen, the O'Briens O'Mahonys, McCarthys, O'Donovans and the other families of that time. The genealogies of these families is given in the Book of Lecan and the Book of Ballymote viz. Cormac Cas (whence the Dalcassians or O'Briens) had 13 sons of whom one had the name Blod, the progenitor of the O'Hurley family. Following up the line of Blod, we reach the name Urthuile, the more immediate progenitor from whom the family takes its name. The O'Hurleys were not only of Royal descent, but reached high distinction in their native territory.the distinguished Bishop and Martyr. Archbishop Dermod O'Hurley of Cashel was of this family. He was born in 1519 appointed to the See of Cashel in 1581 for two years the Government's plan to arrest him were frustrated by the fidelity of his co-religionists. At length, however, he was arrested and put to the torture. His feet and calves were placed in tin boots with oil and heated with. The boiling oil so penetrated the feet and legs that the skin and even flesh came off and left the bones bare. Nevertheless the Bishop refused to purchase a cessation of his torments by acknowledging the Queen's supremacy in matters of religion. Eventually an end was put to his sufferings by being hanged upon a tree on June 15th 1583. When or how the O'Hurleys came to West Cork, does not appear very clear. Randal Hurley, the son of Thomas O'Hurley, who attended Sir John Perrott's Parliament, and who built the Castles of Ballinacarriga. And Ballinward, is generally supposed to have been the frist come to West Cork, but the O'Hurleys in one way or another appear to have been known in West Cork at an earlier date. In the year 1517, Edmund de Courcey, Bishop of Ross resigned the Diocese in favour of John O'Murrilly (or Hurley), Abbot of de Fonte Vivo in the Diocess of Ross (in regard to which we shall have a discussion later on in the course of this sketch) in the year 1577 a pardon is granted to three Hurleys of Clonecuile (Clonakilty?) and to one of Scart. Be that as it may, the tradition of the Clan is that Randal the son of Thomas of Perrott's Parliament, was the first who came to West Cork. This Randal received, according to the pedigree given by O'Hart, lands from Florence McCarthy Reagh, built on these lands the Castle of Ballinacarriga in 1585, married Catherine, daughter of o'Cullinane, hereditary physician of McCarthy Reagh. The Castle, by the way, shows today in the panel of one of its windows the carving RM.C.C and the date 1585, which is Interpreted to signify the initials of Randal and his wife. Randal was succeeded by his son, Randal II,or Randal Og Dubh, who married a daughter (ellen) of John de Courcey, 18th Baron of Kinsale. This Randal was frequently found in opposition to the English, as a pardon in 1584 testifies, for being one Florence McCarthy's men, and again in January and August, 1601. He was succeeded by Randal III (or Randal Og Beag). He also was found in rebellion together with his father and he was pardoned in 1601 and 1602. Finally he suffered attainder on account of his part in the rebellion of 1641. He was married twice, first, to Ellen, daughter of Tadgan- Fhorsa McCarthy, the Chieftain of Glenachroim. Second, of Helen, daughter of Sir John Fitzgerald of Drmane and he bad three sons, one of whom (Randal IV)succeeded him and who was attainted with his father in 1641. the down Survey shows some 4.000 acres or thereabonts heid by various families of the O'Hurley in the parishes of Keinneigh. Fanlobbus Ballymoney and Kilmeen. They possessed property also around Kilbrittain or Kinsale supposed to have been alienated to them by Gerald de Courcey 17th Baron of Kinsale. The down Survey also shows to whom the lands of the O'Hurley passed after 1659 (Vide Cork Arch Journal 1905 and 1906. at the Sessions held in Youghal in August, 1642, the following O'Hurleys suffered attainder for high treason and had their land forfeited. Randal Hurley of ballinacarriga, and his son , Randal, William Hurley of Ballinarde (Ballinward), James Hurley of same place, William Hurley of Lisgubly (Lisgubba?), Donagh M. Donal Hurley of Bunanumera, Daniel Oge Hurley of Kilbrittain, Ellen Hurley of Grillagh. Ardcahan was granted to Captain Peacock. The three ploghlands of Eadincurra were granted to John Sicklemore and William Blackmore. Ardea, Kilcaskin and Buddremeen was granted to William Crofts.