Sweeneys- What is a Scottish Gallowglass??

Margaret Sweeney was born about 1805, presumably in County Meath, Ireland.
She married Richard Allen in Summerhill, Meath, on the 10th of July, 1825. They had 10 children, most of whom came to America, and most of whom settled in Jerseyville. She was my 2nd great grandmother.

I decided to look into the Sweeney's in Meath. First- a name search and a surprise! The name "Sweeney" comes from the Scottish galloglasses. What in the world is a galloglass? Sounds ominous! Indeed, it was!

This term derives from the "Galloglaich" who were an elite class of warriors of Norse and Scottish origin, who were hired as mercenaries by the Irish Kings to fight the English (they also fought for Robert Bruce in Scotland.) They were an aristocratic infantry, wearing heavy armor, and were much in demand as warriors. They were known for their skill with a broad sword or claymore, and a two handed axe. They wore mail, and an iron helmet. Each warrior was accompanied by two young squires who carried their spears and provisions.

1521 drawing by Albrecht Durer (Wikipedia Commons)

Many settled in Ireland after losing their lands in Scotland after they fought for the losing side in the wars of Scottish Independence. In return for their service, the Irish nobility granted them lands, and paid them an annual tribute of cattle and grain. The warriors fought in units of about 100 men.

Queen Elizabeth I so feared this group that in 1571 she had 700 of them executed after the first of the Desmonde (Fitzgerald) rebellions in Ireland.

The first and most famous Gallowglass families was the MacSweeneys.

An Irish Chieftan- 1581 John Derricke

MacSweeney chief at dinner being entertained by a bard and a harper by John Derricke 1581

http://www.irishorigenes.com/content/gallowglass-do-you-belong-warrior-clan

The World of the Galloglass: Kings, Warlords, and Warriors in Ireland and Scotland 1200-1600 by Sean Duffy

The Twilight Lords: Elizabeth I and the First Irish Holocaust

By Richard Berleth

Margaret Sweeny's relatives- Catharine Sweeney Fitzsimons

Catharine Sweeney

Catharine "Kitty" Sweeney married Andrew Fitzsimons in February, 1819, at the church in Dangan.

Ireland, Select Catholic Marriage Registers, Meath, Summerhill, 1812-1854, p. 9

Andrew leased 12 acres of land in Clonmahon - a townland about 2  1/2 miles south of Dangan. Clonmahon was just outside of the village of Summerhill. His landlord was the Honorable Hercules Rowley- the owner of Summerhill Demesne. Unlike the ruins at Dangan, Summerhill house was a magnificent structure- one of the finest country estates in all of Ireland.

Ireland, Griffiths Valuation 1847-1864, Meath, Laracor p 3

Clonmahon (top left), the Village of Summerhill, and the Summerhill Demesne- Ireland Ordnance Survey 1824-1846 p 44

A visit to Margaret's sister Catharine and the Fitzsimon's cousins would have likely meant an exciting visit to the village of Summerhill, which sat in the shadow of the great house and estate at Summerhill.

The children of Catharine Sweeney and Andrew Fitzsimons were:
1-Christian baptized December 1819- sponsors Ratican and Gallaher
2-Catharine baptized February 1824- sponsors Michael Dunn and Alicia ?
3-Mary baptized May 1826- sponsors Pat Keeman and Mary Blake
4-Edward baptized February 1828- sponsors John Duff and Margaret Kennan
5-Margaret baptized April 1833- sponsors Richard Allen and Margaret White
6-James baptized February 1837- sponsors White and Kiernan