Boetius Clancy
Encyclopedia
Boetius Clancy or MacClancy (died April 1598) was a 16th century Irish landowner, MP and High Sheriff.
He was born in Co Clare, the son of Hugh Clancy, and was the great-grandson of Murtagh MacClancy of Cnoc-Finn (Knockfinn). He was well educated and fluent in Latin and English. He inherited and lived at the family seat, the castle at Knockfinn in the parish of Killeilagh in County Clare.
In 1585 he was the representative of the newly formed County Clare in the Parliament of Ireland
and in 1588 appointed High Sheriff of Clare
.
In that year (1588) the Spanish Armada was trying to make its way home through severe storms off the west coast of Ireland and many ships were wrecked or abandoned. Clancy had been advised by William Fitzwilliam
, the Lord Deputy that "… we authorise you to make inquiry by all good means, both by oath and otherwise, to take all the hulls of ships, stores, treasures, etc. into your hands and to apprehend and execute all Spaniards found there of what quality so ever. Torture may be used in prosecuting this inquiry". In September two large galleons, the San Marcos and the San Esteban, were wrecked on the Clare coast. Some 60 Spanish crew managed to struggle ashore but were promptly rounded up and imprisoned in Clancy's castle. They were subsequently tortured and hung on a nearby hill now known as Cnoc na Crocaire, or Hangman's Hill and the bodies buried in a mass grave nearby. Clancy also managed to salvage from the wreck an elaborately carved table, now known as the Armada table and kept on show at Bunratty Castle
.
He died April, 1598, leaving a son, Murtough Clancy.
He was born in Co Clare, the son of Hugh Clancy, and was the great-grandson of Murtagh MacClancy of Cnoc-Finn (Knockfinn). He was well educated and fluent in Latin and English. He inherited and lived at the family seat, the castle at Knockfinn in the parish of Killeilagh in County Clare.
In 1585 he was the representative of the newly formed County Clare in the Parliament of Ireland
Parliament of Ireland
The Parliament of Ireland was a legislature that existed in Dublin from 1297 until 1800. In its early mediaeval period during the Lordship of Ireland it consisted of either two or three chambers: the House of Commons, elected by a very restricted suffrage, the House of Lords in which the lords...
and in 1588 appointed High Sheriff of Clare
High Sheriff of Clare
The High Sheriff of Clare was a High Sheriff title. Records show that the title was in existence from at least the late 16th century, though it is not used today in the modern Republic of Ireland...
.
In that year (1588) the Spanish Armada was trying to make its way home through severe storms off the west coast of Ireland and many ships were wrecked or abandoned. Clancy had been advised by William Fitzwilliam
William Fitzwilliam
William FitzWilliam may refer to:*William FitzWilliam, 1st Earl of Southampton , English courtier*William FitzWilliam , Lord Deputy of Ireland...
, the Lord Deputy that "… we authorise you to make inquiry by all good means, both by oath and otherwise, to take all the hulls of ships, stores, treasures, etc. into your hands and to apprehend and execute all Spaniards found there of what quality so ever. Torture may be used in prosecuting this inquiry". In September two large galleons, the San Marcos and the San Esteban, were wrecked on the Clare coast. Some 60 Spanish crew managed to struggle ashore but were promptly rounded up and imprisoned in Clancy's castle. They were subsequently tortured and hung on a nearby hill now known as Cnoc na Crocaire, or Hangman's Hill and the bodies buried in a mass grave nearby. Clancy also managed to salvage from the wreck an elaborately carved table, now known as the Armada table and kept on show at Bunratty Castle
Bunratty Castle
Bunratty Castle is a large tower house in County Clare, Ireland. It lies in the centre of Bunratty village , by the N18 road between Limerick and Ennis, near Shannon Town and its airport. The name Bunratty, Bun Raite in Irish, means the 'bottom' or end of the 'Ratty' river. This river, alongside...
.
He died April, 1598, leaving a son, Murtough Clancy.