We couldn’t fit all the information we learnt about Muckross into the App. So for anyone interested in finding out a bit more about the secret wedding at Muckross here’s what we found out.

On a moonlit night in 1590 a wedding party left MacCarthy Mór’s castle at the northern end of Lock Lein, escorted by armed foot soldiers, their battle axes gleaming in the moonlight. The party made their way to the boat that would take them to the abbey.

Silently they rowed passed the ruins of Innisfallen Monastery, Ross Castle and out into the lake. Through the trees the old abbey could be seen mournful in its silence and decay.

In 1590, Elizabeth I was on the throne of England. The Irish clans were a thorn in the side of the queen and every step was taken to subdue them. The MacCarthy Mórs of Munster were particularly troublesome.  Florence MacCarty Reagh was Chief of Carberry, the leader of a powerful clan. Donal MacCarthy Mór, his uncle was chief of Clancarty. The Queen wished that his daughter Lady Eileen marry a man chosen by her. A great pressure was brought to bear on the lady but her heart was given to her cousin Florence and he came quickly to her side. Not wanting to unite the clans of Munster the queen made it clear that if they married it would be treason. Ignoring the warning of their council the two lovers eloped.

As the moonlight shone through the empty windows of the ruined abbey on the shores of Loch Lein, the bridal party and the friar took their places at the altar and the wedding ceremony began. In happier times this would have been a great wedding, princes and chieftains from the four provinces would have come to Munster to celebrate this union. But on that night, no music or song was heard, no joyous cheers rang out. Florence MacCarthy Reagh and Lady Eileen daughter of Donal MacCarthy Mór were married in secret against the expressed wishes of Elizabeth I, Queen of England.

Shortly, after the wedding Florence McCarthy Mór was arrested and spent many long years in the Towel of London.