Battle

Situated on a low-lying landscape. In 1564-5 Garret or Gerald Fitzjames, the 15th Earl of Desmond, plundered the estates of his cousin, Sir Maurice Fitzgerald of Dromana castle (WA029-021001-) in an attempt to collect arrears of feudal dues. Fitzgerald called on Thomas Butler, the 10th Earl of Ormond, and the stepson of an old enemy of Desmond, to rescue him. Ormond, with his superior forces, proceeded from Clonmel and encountered the retreating Desmond army at Affane. Against advice from Sir John Power of Curraghmore (WA008-005001-) Desmond gave battle. It is thought that over 300 people died here in one of the most famous battles of medieval Ireland, and Desmond himself was wounded and captured. The battlefield is commemorated in the name 'Bohernavogheragh crossroad' (the 'road of the battle'). Returning as a prisoner to Clonmel, Desmond is thought to have rested at 'Cloch an Iarla' (WA021-009----) c. 2km to the N. Desmond was imprisoned in the Tower of London for twelve years and his estates were temporarily confiscated. His experiences led him to join the Desmond Rebellion (1579-83) which was initially led by his cousin James Fitzmaurice. During the Rebellion he was killed and his estates of over 500,000 acres, mainly in Kerry, Waterford, Limerick and Cork, were confiscated, which led in part to the Plantation of Munster. (Barleth 1978) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Waterford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 December 2008