Conchobhar Mac Curtain facts for kids

Cornelius Curtain (also known as Conchobhar Mac Curtain in Irish Gaelic) was an important Irish soldier. He lived from 1660 to 1724. He was a Captain in the Royal Irish Army of King James II. This was a time when there was a big conflict in Ireland.

English records sometimes called him a "gentleman." This meant he owned land. He was present at several important events. These included the Siege of Limerick and the Battle of the Boyne. King James II lost the Battle of the Boyne. Cornelius Mac Curtain was a Captain under Major General Alexandre de Rainier de Droue, Marquis de Boisseleau. This was in 1690.

His home was listed as being in northern County Cork. It might have been the area now known as Mallow. Another record from his great-grandson mentions "Muckrooa, County Cork." However, this place cannot be found today.

After the war, William III and Mary II gave him a pardon in 1690. This meant he was forgiven for fighting against them. He seemed to keep his land for a short time. It's not clear if he asked for this pardon or if it was given to many Irish people. This was a way to try and make peace after the Williamite War.

However, the peace did not last long for Mac Curtain. He left Ireland in 1691 with the Jacobite Army. This army had 19,000 Irish soldiers. They were led by the Earl of Lucan. Mac Curtain seems to have returned to Ireland in 1696. This was during a Jacobite attempt to remove the Williamite government. Because of this, Mac Curtain's property and rights were taken away by the government in 1696. This was called a "royal attaint."

Cornelius Curtain was the son of Phellim Curtain. His father was an ensign, a junior officer, in the army of Charles I. Cornelius also had a brother named William Curtain. His uncle was Fr. Cornelius Curtain. Both his brother and uncle were famous Gaelic poets. He was also the great-great-grandson of Eachmilidh Macartan.

Family Life

Cornelius Curtain was married twice.

First Marriage

His first marriage was to Catherine O’Donovan. She was the daughter of Donal IV O'Donovan and Elizabeth Tonson. They had three children:

• Cornelius Curtain: He married Joanna Coppinger in 1722. They lived in Cork City. He was an ancestor of the MacCurtain family in France. This includes Cornelius MacCurtain, Sieur de Kainlis, Edmond Roche, 1st Baron Fermoy, and Florimond-Benjamin MacCurtain, Baron de Kainlis.
• Mary Curtain
• Gabriel Curtain

Second Marriage

His second marriage was to Joanne Quinn. She was the daughter of Donough Quinn and Judith O'Riordan. They had seven children:

• John: He had children of his own.
• Simon Curtain: He married Catherine Mansfield in 1718 and had children.
• Hanora Curtain: She married James MacMahon and had children.
• Anne Curtain
• Bartholomew Curtain: He had children of his own.
• Catherine Curtain
• William Curtain