Last weekend author Chris Keane was awarded the Nilsson Local Heritage prize at Listowel Writers Week 2017 for his book ‘From Laois to Kerry’.
The book was originally launched in Vicarstown last autumn. It describes the transplantation to Kerry of many of the leading clans of Laois during the plantation era and the continuing presence of their descendants in Kerry through the centuries to the present time.
The transplantation involved all of the seven Septs of Laois, Moores, Kellys, Lawlors, Dowlings, Deevys, McEvoys and Dolans. In tracing the surnames of Laois origin in Kerry through the centuries, it was interesting to find that, 400 years later, all seven of the original Laois surnames still have a very significant presence in the original parishes in Kerry to which they were initially transplanted.
In Part II of the book the colourful lives of the Crosbies of Crosbie castle, Ballyfin are explored. These include the imposter Patrick Crosbie, the controversial transplanter and landlord of the Laois clans in Kerry. His son Sir Pierce Crosbie, subsequent MP for Laois (Queens County), was both Cupholder and Gentleman of the Kings’ Bedchamber of successive Kings, James I and Charles I.
He was also closely associated with one of the most notorious sex scandals in British history in which his stepson the Earl of Castlehaven was executed for sexual depravity. His remarkable career ended in supporting the Irish Catholic Confederacy in the 1640s.
The book, which is self-published, is available in selected bookshops throughout the county, online at kennys.ie or directly from the author, contact mjagkeane@gmail.com
SEE ALSO – In Pictures: Large crowd hears of historic links between Laois and Kerry
