John Mág Tighearnán (died 1657) facts for kids

John Mág Tighearnán, the Second (also known as John McKiernan) was an important leader of the McKiernan Clan. His family lived in the area of Tullyhunco in County Cavan, Ireland. John was a chief during a very difficult time in Irish history, from about 1641 to 1657.

A Clan Chief's Home

After a period called the Ulster Plantation, much land in Ireland was given to new settlers from Britain. The McKiernan family's castle at Croaghan, which is now in a place called Coolnashinny, was given to Sir James Craig. Because of this, John Mág Tighearnán then lived in a different townland called Anaigh.

The 1641 Rebellion

John Mág Tighearnán joined the Irish Rebellion of 1641. This rebellion was a fight against British rule in Ireland. He became a leader for the McKiernan forces during the wars that followed.

Statements from Settlers

After the rebellion, some British settlers who survived made official statements, called "depositions." These statements described what the rebels did. Some of these records mentioned John and other McKiernans.

For example, Thomas Jones and William Jones from Cornacrum said that John Kernan of Anaigh was one of the people they knew who had taken goods from British settlers in County Cavan.

Attacks on Castles: Croaghan and Keelagh

When the 1641 rebellion began, the McKiernans, along with their allies the McGoverns and O'Reillys, attacked the castles of Croaghan and Keelagh. These castles belonged to Sir James Craig and Sir Francis Hamilton near Killeshandra. The people inside the castles defended them for a long time. They finally gave up on June 15, 1642, and left for Drogheda.

Eyewitness Account of the Siege

John Simpson, who was a lieutenant to Sir Francis Hamilton, gave a statement about the siege of Keelagh Castle. He said that he was in the castle with Sir Francis Hamilton from the start of the rebellion until they surrendered in June 1642.

Simpson remembered that important agreements were made and sworn to by several rebel leaders. These leaders included John Kernon, along with members of the O'Reilly and MacGauran families. The agreement stated that the castles of Sir Francis Hamilton and Sir James Craig, including their gardens, would not be destroyed or burned. Instead, the rebels would protect them.

Signing the Surrender Agreement

When the castles of Croaghan and Keelagh surrendered, John McKiernan was one of the leaders who signed the agreement. This agreement was made on June 4, 1642.

The agreement stated that Sir Francis Hamilton, Lady Mary Craig, and all the people in both castles (Kylagh and Crohan) would be allowed to leave safely. They could take their belongings and would be escorted to Drogheda. Many leaders from both sides, including John Mac Kernan, agreed to this and signed the document.

The Siege of Clonmel

Later, during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland, the town of Clonmel faced a big attack. In November 1649, the town's leader asked for military help. Experienced soldiers from Ulster, led by Hugh Dubh O'Neill, came to defend the town. O'Neill was a very skilled military leader.

His forces included about 1,500 soldiers, many from County Tyrone and County Cavan. Among these soldiers was a group led by Colonel Philip O'Reilly. One of O'Reilly's companies was led by Captain Cú Connacht Mág Tighearnán. A record from January 1650 shows that Captain Coochonaght McKearnan's company had 35 pikemen and 13 musketeers, among others.

In April 1650, Oliver Cromwell attacked Clonmel. O'Neill's soldiers were running out of supplies. So, they secretly left the town at night and went to Waterford. Clonmel then surrendered to Cromwell.