CASTLE BALLYLARKIN and ABBEY, Kilkenny
The family spread into Kilkenny, where the town and Parish of Ballylarkin near Freshford in Kildare is named for the O'LORCAIN family [septs]. They were ousted by the Normans.
About 6000 BC the Pretini or Cruithin pushed out or conquered the Neo-lithic peoples of Ireland. 600-150 BC Milesians from the Iberian Peninsula [Spain]. They did not conquer the Pretini, but just pushed them around the island. Most of them moved up into the mountains of Ireland. Then the Erann This ancient Celtic family had been force to relocate all over Ireland by various invading groups, from the Milesians, Vikings, Romans,
After the Norman invasion of Ireland and the Anglo take over of the English throne. The indiginous O'Loricain Forced into upper Ballylarkin Parish, in the Provience of Leinster, near Killaloe. They built a 13th century Abbey. There is some controversy about who built the abbey. Some archeologist believe it was built by the Shortalls. The Abbey, was a small, but massively fortified military style church which consisted of a single small side door and decorative windows, was located across the field from Castle Ballylarkin.
,By 1326 the O'Lorcain's had lost possession of the Castle and lands to the family Shortall. Who by 1635 renamed the Castle to Dwogh.
Through the generousity of David Larkin, Hon. Clan Chief of the Larkin Assoc. of Australia, we will be recieving copies of the original photos of the castle and abbey. Which I will be posting shortly. David also sent copies of many of the Assoc. Journal's and other pamplet's of very significant genealogical importance, in researching the LARKIN surname.
