Note 91 — Chapter XXIII · 1565.

The official correspondence about this affray is among the S.P., Ireland, Eliz., vol. xii. It is printed in the Irish Arch. Journal, 3rd series, i. 394. Russell, the Four Masters, O’Daly, and O’Sullivan Beare all say Desmond was outnumbered, and Ormonde treacherous. I see no reason to believe either statement. Desmond’s own account is certainly incorrect. Lord Power’s is unfortunately missing. The best is Sir George Stanley’s, who took the trouble to visit the place, and to make a sketch or plan; he is perhaps rather partial to Ormonde. The ‘ford’ of Affane was perhaps that over the tributary river Finisk. I have inspected the ground carefully. The Blackwater itself is mentioned by Desmond as being passable only by swimming or in boats. It is, on the other hand, generally believed that the ford in question was over the great river, and arms and spurs have been found near the bank. The Finisk, however, was on Ormonde’s direct road to Dromana, and the Blackwater was not.