The last of the O’Sgingins to be chief historian to O’Donnell in the fourteenth century had no son, and only one beautiful daughter, with whom Cormac O’Cleary, who was on a visit to the Abbey of Assaroe, from Galway, fell in love. [Illustration: KILBARRON CASTLE] O’Sgingin gave his consent to the marriage, and instead of the wedding gift which it was usual for the bridegroom to present to his wife’s father, O’Sgingin asked that if a son were born of the marriage he should be brought up with a knowledge of literature and history. Hence Kilbarron passed into the O’Cleary family, and this great race of historians occupied it for several centuries. It is likely Cormac O’Cleary re-edified it, but the “stone houses,” of which the building is recorded, were erected by Diarmaid, one of the celebrated sons of Tadhg Cam (or The Stooped) O’Cleary. The fortunes of the Ollaves of Tirconnell began to wane with that of their patrons, the O’Donnells, although the last O’Cleary to hold lands was not dispossessed until 1632, yet many of their possessions were lost to them at the flight of the Northern Earls in 1607. Most of the estate passed to Lord Folliott and the Bishop of Raphoe. AUTHORITIES CONSULTED. Donovan, “Annals of the Four Masters.” Allingham, “History of Ballyshannon.” P., “Kilbarron Castle,” in _Irish Penny Journal_. Donovan, “Genealogies, Tribes and Customs of Hy-Fiachrach.” Parliamentary Gazetteer. Proceedings of Royal Society of Antiquaries, Ireland. _KILBRITTAIN CASTLE_ The castle is situated about five miles south of Bandon, at the Kilbrittain inlet from Courtmacsherry Bay, in the County of Cork. Smith says the castle before being rebuilt “was a stately building environed with a large bawn, fortified with six turrets on the walls.” Mr. Jones Stawell erected the present mansion, with which a portion of the ancient castle is incorporated. The kitchen, servants’ hall, and housekeeper’s room have vaulted roofs, and date from the twelfth century or earlier. There is also a tower and adjoining wall which belonged to the former fortress, as well as the steps leading from the old courtyard. There are supposed to be vaults underneath the building, which are not now accessible, as well as an underground passage leading to the sea.