Sean Na Sagart www.tourmakeady.com
Sean na Sagart was a notorious "spy" on priests and Catholic teachers in the 18th century. His name was John Mullowney of Ballyheane. He had expensive tastes and began to spy on priests in the Penal Times. His reward was £20 for the knowledge leading to the arrest of a priest (unregistered) and £10 for the arrest of a teacher teaching illegally.
In the State Papers there is a copy of a deposition in which Sean gave evidence of seeing priests being ordained in Laukill Wood, Aughagower. According to tradition Sean arrested and killed priests and brought the heads into the Sheriff in Castlebar. It is also said that the heads were thrown into a little lake in the parish of Ballintubber - Burriscarra and that it is called "Loch na gCeann." (Lake of the heads)
It seems that Sean knew that a priest was in the area of Ballintubber and he wished to "get him." He had a sister living in the area fairly close to the Abbey, who was a good catholic. He visited her and pretended that he was very ill and close to death. He asked her to find a priest for him, as he wanted to repent and confess his sins.
He took to his bed and seemed to be a death's door. His sister at last sent for the priest who was living in disguise in the area and serving the people there.
The priest arrived and went to hear Sean's confessions. He had to lean close, as he seemed to be unable to speak any louder than a whisper. As the priest leaned close Sean grabbed a knife which he had hidden under the bedclothes and tried to stab the priest. However, the priest avoided him and made his escape the house followed closely by Sean. The chase led westward towards the mountains at Derreendfderg and then southward through the townland of Clonee to Newtown in Partry. By this time another man had joined in the chase.
This man, McCann by name, had followed Sean when he had heard what was afoot. As he had a score to settle with him (Sean). It seemed that Sean had informed on a brother of his, a priest, and was the cause of his brother's death.
Sean had almost caught up with the priest at Newtown Hill. He threw a knife, which missed the priest and flew past him. The priest picked up the knife and threw it back at Sean who fell with the knife in his chest. McCann who had at this time caught up ended Sean's life.
He was buried near Ballintubber Abbey but outside consecrated ground. Later this land was also acquired as an addition to the graveyard.
It has been said that the people of Ballintubber at that time dug up Sean's bones and threw them into Lough Carra rather then have the remains of this notorious renegade in their holy ground of Ballintubber.
In the State Papers there is a copy of a deposition in which Sean gave evidence of seeing priests being ordained in Laukill Wood, Aughagower. According to tradition Sean arrested and killed priests and brought the heads into the Sheriff in Castlebar. It is also said that the heads were thrown into a little lake in the parish of Ballintubber - Burriscarra and that it is called "Loch na gCeann." (Lake of the heads)
It seems that Sean knew that a priest was in the area of Ballintubber and he wished to "get him." He had a sister living in the area fairly close to the Abbey, who was a good catholic. He visited her and pretended that he was very ill and close to death. He asked her to find a priest for him, as he wanted to repent and confess his sins.
He took to his bed and seemed to be a death's door. His sister at last sent for the priest who was living in disguise in the area and serving the people there.
The priest arrived and went to hear Sean's confessions. He had to lean close, as he seemed to be unable to speak any louder than a whisper. As the priest leaned close Sean grabbed a knife which he had hidden under the bedclothes and tried to stab the priest. However, the priest avoided him and made his escape the house followed closely by Sean. The chase led westward towards the mountains at Derreendfderg and then southward through the townland of Clonee to Newtown in Partry. By this time another man had joined in the chase.
This man, McCann by name, had followed Sean when he had heard what was afoot. As he had a score to settle with him (Sean). It seemed that Sean had informed on a brother of his, a priest, and was the cause of his brother's death.
Sean had almost caught up with the priest at Newtown Hill. He threw a knife, which missed the priest and flew past him. The priest picked up the knife and threw it back at Sean who fell with the knife in his chest. McCann who had at this time caught up ended Sean's life.
He was buried near Ballintubber Abbey but outside consecrated ground. Later this land was also acquired as an addition to the graveyard.
It has been said that the people of Ballintubber at that time dug up Sean's bones and threw them into Lough Carra rather then have the remains of this notorious renegade in their holy ground of Ballintubber.