Black Francis Corrigan
Encyclopedia
Black Francis Corrigan also known as Black Francis McHugh or "Proinsias Dubh" was a notorious Rapparee
who "robbed the rich to give to the poor" at the end of the 18th century. His origins lay in Meencloghore (Scraghy) which borders on the (Northern) Irish counties of Tyrone
, Fermanagh
and Donegal
.
who did not go to the Continent after the Williamite War but rather took to the hills and were known as Rapparees, robbing the rich and giving to the poor.
The gang included Supple Dick Corrigan, Tom Acheson, Tarlach Mhuiris (Richard Monkham), James Mc Quaid (McCabe?), Brian Mc Alynn and Alex Wright. They operated from their base in the Tievemore Mountains (Scraghy) around 1770-1780.
It is almost certain that Proinsias Dubh's last name was McHugh, however other oral historians call him Corrigan. This may refer to another member of the gang, Supple Corrigan.
s) of 70,000 gold sovereigns. This booty was disposed of by hiding it in a foal's skin (which he had come across on the road from Killeter to Killen over Leitrim Hill) and burying it. It is thought that the treasure is still there at a place which is "in line with the 3 spires during the last rays of the setting sun on the 22nd of June".
In another brush with the Red Coats, Proinsias Dubh took cover in a house in Segronan. In those days houses only had a front door but in this case Proinsias Dubh slipped out a back door before the soldiers had surrounded it.
and as a measure to reimburse their fellow countrymen for punishing burdens of debt, Black Francis's gang raided the abbey.
It is unclear who owned Lisgoole Abbey at the time. Sources say it was a Major Armstrong, who informed the authorities, the so-called Militia
men, of the raid. Other sources state that the abbey at this time belonged to Sir Joseph Davies, an English lawyer.
After the raid, the soldiers pursued Black Francis to the Sillees River
from Enniskillen. When it looked as though the Militiamen would successfully cut off the highwayman's escape route, he leaped the Sillees River in a single bound with his horse, a jump of 20 feet. The Captain of the guards remarked ”Corrigan, that’s a good jump” and the Highwayman
retorted "the Divil thank ye, I had a long race for it".
Both parties continued their chase until Black Francis came to a hill called Druminiskill and there he threw the money he had looted in a bog hole declaring that "some man or woman that came by after him would be rich".
Other accounts of this story say that it was actually Black Francis's companion Supple Corrigan that leaped the Sillees. After his jump, it is said that Supple made his escape to America.
The trial of Proinsias Dubh took place at the prison in Enniskillen
where the Technical School is now situated. It was thought that Supple Corrigan escaped capture by disguised himself as a woman and hiding in the crowd of onlookers at the public trial.
During the trial of Black Francis, the daughter of general Armstrong asked for clemency due to Black Francis's gentlemanly behavior but this was rejected by the jury and he was sentenced to be hanged.
Proinsias Dubh's final oratory from the gallows was quite lengthy and when told to speed it up retorted that although the hangman's day was very long, his day would be without a doubt quite short. His body was transported by boat through Lough Erne
to the water-foot near Pettigo
from whence it was borne through the village to Carn Graveyard, on the road to Lough Derg
. There lies the final resting place of the rapparee Proinsias Dubh in 1782, although other sources state it was May 1780
Another ballad is
Rapparee
Rapparees were Irish guerrilla fighters who operated on the Jacobite side during the 1690s Williamite war in Ireland. Subsequently the name was also given to bandits and highwaymen in Ireland - many former guerrillas having turned to crime after the war was over...
who "robbed the rich to give to the poor" at the end of the 18th century. His origins lay in Meencloghore (Scraghy) which borders on the (Northern) Irish counties of Tyrone
County Tyrone
Historically Tyrone stretched as far north as Lough Foyle, and comprised part of modern day County Londonderry east of the River Foyle. The majority of County Londonderry was carved out of Tyrone between 1610-1620 when that land went to the Guilds of London to set up profit making schemes based on...
, Fermanagh
County Fermanagh
Fermanagh District Council is the only one of the 26 district councils in Northern Ireland that contains all of the county it is named after. The district council also contains a small section of County Tyrone in the Dromore and Kilskeery road areas....
and Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
.
Black Francis and his gang
Black Francis and his gang were essentially JacobitesJacobitism
Jacobitism was the political movement in Britain dedicated to the restoration of the Stuart kings to the thrones of England, Scotland, later the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Kingdom of Ireland...
who did not go to the Continent after the Williamite War but rather took to the hills and were known as Rapparees, robbing the rich and giving to the poor.
The gang included Supple Dick Corrigan, Tom Acheson, Tarlach Mhuiris (Richard Monkham), James Mc Quaid (McCabe?), Brian Mc Alynn and Alex Wright. They operated from their base in the Tievemore Mountains (Scraghy) around 1770-1780.
It is almost certain that Proinsias Dubh's last name was McHugh, however other oral historians call him Corrigan. This may refer to another member of the gang, Supple Corrigan.
Daring Deeds
In one tale, the outlaw relieved the regular army(Red CoatRed coat (British army)
Red coat or Redcoat is a historical term used to refer to soldiers of the British Army because of the red uniforms formerly worn by the majority of regiments. From the late 17th century to the early 20th century, the uniform of most British soldiers, , included a madder red coat or coatee...
s) of 70,000 gold sovereigns. This booty was disposed of by hiding it in a foal's skin (which he had come across on the road from Killeter to Killen over Leitrim Hill) and burying it. It is thought that the treasure is still there at a place which is "in line with the 3 spires during the last rays of the setting sun on the 22nd of June".
In another brush with the Red Coats, Proinsias Dubh took cover in a house in Segronan. In those days houses only had a front door but in this case Proinsias Dubh slipped out a back door before the soldiers had surrounded it.
The Raid of Lisgoole Abbey
In way of reparation for the English establishment's seizure of Lisgoole AbbeyLisgoole Abbey
Lisgoole Abbey , or the Abbey Church of Saint Peter, Saint Paul and Saint Mary, was formerly located on the southern banks of upper Lough Erne, County Fermanagh....
and as a measure to reimburse their fellow countrymen for punishing burdens of debt, Black Francis's gang raided the abbey.
It is unclear who owned Lisgoole Abbey at the time. Sources say it was a Major Armstrong, who informed the authorities, the so-called Militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
men, of the raid. Other sources state that the abbey at this time belonged to Sir Joseph Davies, an English lawyer.
After the raid, the soldiers pursued Black Francis to the Sillees River
Sillees River
The Sillees River is located in south west County Fermanagh. Its origins lie in Lough Ahork, which is located in Lough Navar Forest...
from Enniskillen. When it looked as though the Militiamen would successfully cut off the highwayman's escape route, he leaped the Sillees River in a single bound with his horse, a jump of 20 feet. The Captain of the guards remarked ”Corrigan, that’s a good jump” and the Highwayman
Highwayman
A highwayman was a thief and brigand who preyed on travellers. This type of outlaw, usually, travelled and robbed by horse, as compared to a footpad who traveled and robbed on foot. Mounted robbers were widely considered to be socially superior to footpads...
retorted "the Divil thank ye, I had a long race for it".
Both parties continued their chase until Black Francis came to a hill called Druminiskill and there he threw the money he had looted in a bog hole declaring that "some man or woman that came by after him would be rich".
Other accounts of this story say that it was actually Black Francis's companion Supple Corrigan that leaped the Sillees. After his jump, it is said that Supple made his escape to America.
The Last Stand of Proinsias Dubh
When he was captured, Black Francis was reputed to have said that he had 'run too fast to run long'.The trial of Proinsias Dubh took place at the prison in Enniskillen
Enniskillen
Enniskillen is a town in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is located almost exactly in the centre of the county between the Upper and Lower sections of Lough Erne. It had a population of 13,599 in the 2001 Census...
where the Technical School is now situated. It was thought that Supple Corrigan escaped capture by disguised himself as a woman and hiding in the crowd of onlookers at the public trial.
During the trial of Black Francis, the daughter of general Armstrong asked for clemency due to Black Francis's gentlemanly behavior but this was rejected by the jury and he was sentenced to be hanged.
Proinsias Dubh's final oratory from the gallows was quite lengthy and when told to speed it up retorted that although the hangman's day was very long, his day would be without a doubt quite short. His body was transported by boat through Lough Erne
Lough Erne
Lough Erne, sometimes Loch Erne , is the name of two connected lakes in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The lakes are widened sections of the River Erne. The river begins by flowing north, and then curves west into the Atlantic. The southern lake is further up the river and so is named Upper...
to the water-foot near Pettigo
Pettigo
Pettigo is a small village on the border of County Donegal, Republic of Ireland and County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is bisected by the Termon River which is part of the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland...
from whence it was borne through the village to Carn Graveyard, on the road to Lough Derg
Lough Derg
Lough Derg is the name of two lakes in Ireland:* Lough Derg a large lake on the River Shannon, bordering counties Clare, Galway and Tipperary.* Lough Derg a small lake, a place of Christian pilgrimage....
. There lies the final resting place of the rapparee Proinsias Dubh in 1782, although other sources state it was May 1780
Songs and Poems
There is a poem or song devoted to this highwayman
The Ballad Of Proinsias Dubh
My name it is bold Frank Mc Hugh
As game a cock as ever crew.
In Meencloghore I was bred and born,
Free from all disgrace and scorn.
Fal-lal-tee-dee.
It was bad company I was in,
When first this robbery did begin.
The very night I went away,
My wife she cried to this sad day.
Fal-lal-tee-dee.
First we took Donegal and Derry,
Where we drank till we were merry.
When trade in this country it fell low
We then took Connaught and Mayo
Fal-lal-tee-dee.
As I and my comrades marched along
We came to one Mr Armstrong,
But also to our sad fate
We arrived at his house to late.
Fal-lal-tee-dee.
Here is five pounds I will give to you
If you tell me where is Frank Mc Hugh.
Your five pounds will do me no harm ,
Frank Mc Hugh lies in my barn.
Fal-lal-tee-dee.
Then the guards did give me a close pursue;
I gave them all enough to do.
Going up by a place called Irvinestown
Those valiant heros ran me down.
Fal-lal-tee-dee.
On the gallows I am condemned to die
And hope that God will pardon me,
And hope that God will pardon me,
I die all on the gallows tree.
Fal-lal-tee-dee.
Here`s to my wife,my children and friends,
An obligation I leave on them.
An obligation I leave on them,
For to never upcast my dismal end
Fal-lal-tee-dee
Another ballad is
Eva Brown’s Love Story
Come all ye love-lorn damsels who dwell around the town
Till I tell ye the story of lovely Eva Brown
Who loved a bold young highwayman whose name was Francis Dubh
Who robbed the rich and fed the poor and to his friends was true