Carrigadrohid Castle.

Boetius of Ross was born in Duhallow and went to Spain at a fairly early age, probably to complete his education. He returned to Ireland about the 1630's, ministered to the spiritual needs of the people around his native Munster and was promoted in turn to many positions of importance in his order. For instance, we find him guardian of the Franciscan friary of Buttevant around 1641 and 1642 and provincial definitor from August 1644 till June 1645, when he attended a general chapter of the Franciscans in Toledo and was elected definitor general of the Cismontane family of the order.

 He was an enthusiastic supporter of the war of the Confederation of Kilkenny and from beginning to end remained a loyal friend and supporter of the Nuncio. The Nuncio on his side held him in high esteem and appointed him chaplain general of the Ulster forces with wide spiritual powers. In this capacity he accompanied the army on many of its campaigns. He was present at the battle of Benburb, 5 June 1646.

He was proposed as bishop for the see of Ross by the Nuncio himself in 1646 and was consecrated at Waterford in March 1648. He was back once more in his native Munster by the early part of 1649, but still evidently denied entry into his diocese. Around March we find him around Carrick-on-Suir and Waterford.

            Cromwell landed at Ringsend 15 August 1649 and Boetius threw himself with his accustomed vigour into a campaign to unite the country and its warring factions against him and to put into immediate execution some practical measures for its defence. He assisted at the congregation of the Catholic clergy at Clonmacnoise 13 December 1649.

            Soon afterwards he went to Kerry where he assisted Colonel David Roche in rallying an army of young men to go to the relief of Clonmel, then being besieged by Cromwell. This army consisted of about four or five thousand men, badly trained and badly equipped. At Macroom it was intercepted by enemy forces under Lord Broghill 

            Roche at this stage did not dare to risk an open encounter between his raw recruits and the seasoned veterans of the enemy, so he ordered his men to retreat westwards into the woods. The Irish were scattered in all directions, about six hundred being killed and about twenty taken prisoner. Among the latter was the Bishop of Ross. The castle of Carrigadrohid was garrisoned by Irish troops but had been by-passed by Broghill the previous day.  After the battle he sent Major Nelson with some horse and foot soldiers to summon the garrison to surrender and threatened that if that were not done the bishop should be hanged in front of it. Boetius was promised his life if he would prevail on the garrison to surrender, but he called them to hold out to the end, for their religion and their country, though he realised that this was to sign his own death warrant. He was immediately set upon by the soldiers, who hanged him with the reins of his own horse from a nearby tree in full sight of the Castle. He was then cut down and beheaded.

Soon afterwards the garrison surrendered. The castle was a strong one and Broghill's men had no artillery, but they caused two or three teams of oxen dragging large pieces of timber to be driven up within a certain distance of the castle, though not near enough to be seen distinctly by the soldiers inside. These, peering out at the preparations being made by the attackers, presumed they were heavy guns and feeling they no longer had any hope of holding out, surrendered the castle on practically the same conditions which they had previously refused.  Boetius MacEgan's is an outstanding name in a century of outstanding names. He was a trusted friend and councillor, self-sacrificing and indefatigable, fearless to the end and unswerving in his devotion to his religion and his country. His cause is at present before the Sacred Congregation of Rites in Rome as one who was martyred.