Luke Kilcoyne Indictment, August 11th 1792
The Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland, a vital resource for reconstructing the Public Record Office destroyed in 1922, has opened new avenues for researchers. While searching for information on the Kilcoyne family, I expected only minor details to share with my research group. Instead, I uncovered a compelling article in the Dublin Gazette from August 11, 1792, indicting Luke Kilcoyne and 26 others for the murders of Thomas Moffit, Owen Frain, and others.
The mention of Luke Kilcoyne caught my attention, as I believe he is the earliest common ancestor of the Kilcoynes from Tubbercurry, Sligo. This hypothesis is supported by naming traditions, DNA connections, and the exclusive use of the name Luke among Tubbercurry Kilcoynes in western Ireland. I had previously found a Luke Kilcoyne on the 1796 Flax Seed Premium List, a record of just over 1,000 Sligo men involved in the region’s modest flax industry.
The 1792 indictment lists typical Sligo surnames (Kilcoyne, Horan, McDonagh, O’Hara, O’Connor, Foy) alongside names of Scottish or English origin (Brother, Williams, Carlton, Carter, Ferguson, Woodlow), suggesting a diverse group. Using resources like Barry Griffin’s maps, I found that these non-Sligo surnames were rare in the region, hinting at Protestant involvement. Historical evidence confirms that some lower-class Protestants in Sligo joined the United Irishmen, drawn by economic grievances like high rents or the group’s call for universal rights.
The indictment offers a glimpse into Sligo’s turbulent 1790s, a period of growing unrest culminating in the 1798 Rebellion and the Battle of Collooney. The rebellion’s suppression led to harsh reprisals, but the 1792 case suggests earlier organized resistance. Notably, six names from the indictment—Thomas Carter, James Johnston, James Barrett, Patrick McDonagh, John O’Connor, and Patrick Mullawny—also appear on the 1796 flax list. While not definitive, this overlap suggests some men may have evaded prosecution.
Though the fate of the 27 indicted men remains unclear, Luke Kilcoyne’s presence on the 1796 list indicates he survived the 1792 charges. This discovery strengthens the case for Luke as the Tubbercurry Kilcoyne progenitor and sheds light on the complex social dynamics of pre-rebellion Sligo.
Summary
The Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland, a vital resource for reconstructing the Public Record Office destroyed in 1922, has opened new avenues for researchers. While searching for information on the Kilcoyne family, I expected only minor details to share with my research group. Instead, I uncovered a compelling article in the Dublin Gazette from August 11, 1792, indicting Luke Kilcoyne and 26 others for the murders of Thomas Moffit, Owen Frain, and others.
The mention of Luke Kilcoyne caught my attention, as I believe he is the earliest common ancestor of the Kilcoynes from Tubbercurry, Sligo. This hypothesis is supported by naming traditions, DNA connections, and the exclusive use of the name Luke among Tubbercurry Kilcoynes in western Ireland. I had previously found a Luke Kilcoyne on the 1796 Flax Seed Premium List, a record of just over 1,000 Sligo men involved in the region’s modest flax industry.
The 1792 indictment lists typical Sligo surnames (Kilcoyne, Horan, McDonagh, O’Hara, O’Connor, Foy) alongside names of Scottish or English origin (Brother, Williams, Carlton, Carter, Ferguson, Woodlow), suggesting a diverse group. Using resources like Barry Griffin’s maps, I found that these non-Sligo surnames were rare in the region, hinting at Protestant involvement. Historical evidence confirms that some lower-class Protestants in Sligo joined the United Irishmen, drawn by economic grievances like high rents or the group’s call for universal rights.
The indictment offers a glimpse into Sligo’s turbulent 1790s, a period of growing unrest culminating in the 1798 Rebellion and the Battle of Collooney. The rebellion’s suppression led to harsh reprisals, but the 1792 case suggests earlier organized resistance. Notably, six names from the indictment—Thomas Carter, James Johnston, James Barrett, Patrick McDonagh, John O’Connor, and Patrick Mullawny—also appear on the 1796 flax list. While not definitive, this overlap suggests some men may have evaded prosecution.
Though the fate of the 27 indicted men remains unclear, Luke Kilcoyne’s presence on the 1796 list indicates he survived the 1792 charges. This discovery strengthens the case for Luke as the Tubbercurry Kilcoyne progenitor and sheds light on the complex social dynamics of pre-rebellion Sligo.
Summary
- The 1792 Indictment as a Snapshot of Tensions: The indictment reflects the volatile social and economic conditions in Sligo during the 1790s. The mix of Catholic and Protestant surnames suggests a cross-community alliance, likely driven by shared economic struggles or opposition to local authorities. The murders of Thomas Moffit and Owen Frain may have been tied to local disputes, possibly over land, rents, or political tensions, given the United Irishmen’s growing influence.
- Luke Kilcoyne’s Role: Luke’s appearance in both the 1792 indictment and the 1796 flax list suggests he was a significant figure in Tubbercurry, possibly a community leader or someone with enough standing to be involved in collective action. His survival (or at least presence) in 1796 implies he may have evaded severe punishment, though the fate of the other men remains unclear.
- Protestant Involvement: The presence of Ulster plantation surnames is notable, as it aligns with historical evidence that some lower-class Protestants in Sligo joined the United Irishmen. This challenges the narrative of the rebellion as purely Catholic-driven and highlights the complexity of local alliances.
- Flax List Overlap: The six names appearing on both the indictment and the 1796 flax list are a critical clue. While you can’t be certain they’re the same individuals, the rarity of some of these names in Sligo (e.g., Carter, Johnston) increases the likelihood. This suggests that some indicted men may have reintegrated into society or avoided prosecution, possibly due to local sympathies, lack of evidence, or leniency.
Conclusion and Speculation
Although we cannot confirm that this Luke Kilcoyne is the definitive ancestor, as multiple Luke's may have lived during this period, the widespread use of the name Luke among 19th-century Kilcoyne families in Sligo suggests they were honoring a grandfather or paying tribute to a prominent, legendary figure.
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