Map of Kennedys into Lower Ormond

Kennedys of Lower Ormond

Brian Boru’s older brother Marcan Mac Cinneidi took over as abbott of the large Monastic settlement of Terryglass on the shores of Lough Derg in North West Tipperary in 1008. On his death in 1010 it is believed that other Cinneidis crossed Lough Derg from the Killaloe side to secure their hold on the lands of this great monastery.

The early Kennedy inhabitants of Lower Ormond  gradually established themselves as cow-lords in order  to make use of the territory and build the wealth that enabled them to  become the Lords of Ormond.

By the time of the Civil Survey of 1641 we find that Kennedys held over 21,000 acres in Lower Ormond and had either built or gained possession of up to 20 castles – Nenagh, Knigh, Dromineer, Ballycolliton, Ballinfinboy Tombricane, Castletown, Tullaun, Drominagh, Dromnehane, Ballyhaugh, Ballyquirke, Lackeen, Ballingarry, Ballycapple, Ballyartella.