Note 13 — PREFACE.
Reading edition
O’Sullivan Beare, one of the bravest and noblest chiefs of Kerry, and Lord of part of the paradise of Killarney, in writing to the Spanish minister an account of his sufferings at this period, urges him “to the speedy sending of a ship to receive him, his wife, and children, to save them from the hands of his most merciless enemies: Making choice (he pathetically adds) rather to forsake my ancient inheritance, friends, followers, and goods, than any way trust to their graceless pardon or promise.”—Pacata Hibernia. Here was absenteeship in the sixteenth century!!