Murder in Kyllmallock

There is a reason that the Fants leave Fantstown Limerick, which we find in the Desmond Surveys and quoting from that document : “James ffant of ffantstowne was attainted of murder and executed at Kyllmallock, at the times the murder was perpetrated and he was attainted he was similarly seised of the vills and lands following viz Fantstowne 2 carucates near Kyllmallock; the villate of Ballecollen now in the possession of Rory (Roric') McShehy 1 carucate; amounting in all to 3½ quarters as was found by inquisition taken before Thomas Wyseman, James Golde, Attorney {MS folio 73} for the province of Munster, Robert Rosier and Arthur Robins, esquires, commissioners, at Kyllmallock on 26 Oct. 1584 a.r. xxvj Eliz. inter alia as follows:— the jurors say on their oath that James ffant formerly of ffantstowne gent, assaulted Patrick ffant and murdered him at Glassaie gate in Kyllmallock, for which murder he was attainted and executed at Kyllmallock; at the times the murder was perpetrated and of his attainder he was seised of the vill and land of Fantstowne 2 carucates, but they know not from whom he held them; that at the time of his attainder he was seised of Ballecollen one carucate now in possession of Rory (Roric) McShehy but they know not its value.”

  The Desmond Rebellion fought in the very streets of Kilmallock left the area ravished and barren. The bulk of the family seem to move a few miles north in Tipperary and likewise south into Cork, all these areas, or the roads leading there are arrayed around the Glen of Aherlow or the Golden Vale. 

Important discoveries are two documents which happily became available about 2009 and 2012 title “ Who Was Who in Medieval Limerick” and “Who Was Who in Early Modern Limerick” mostly researched by Alan o’Driscoll. These documents shows the family in and around Kilmallock but also holding lands in Kildare. This coincides with birth that are available from Kildare, Louth and Meath for Fants who later are found in the South of Ireland.