Kennedys into Upper Ormond

Contrary to what its name might suggest the barony of Upper Ormond lies south of Lower Ormond  and  includes  mountainous areas to which some Kennedys repaired having been dispossessed of their lands by the Cromwellian plantation.

The Kennedys first entered Upper Ormond by invitation and occupied the large Iron Age ringfort at Rathurles . From there they spread out around Upper Ormond  and farmed the lands to cultivate crops and develop herds of livestock.Like their kinsmen in Lower Ormond they built or occupied castles in places like Ballintotty and Cloghenane.

By 1652 sixty two Kennedy landholders are listed in the Civil Survey to be holding 8,926 plantation acres in 13 parishes across Upper Ormond. All Kennedys are listed as having acquired their lands by descent from their ancestors.