Baron of Loughmoe
The title Baron of Loughmoe is an Irish feudal barony located in northern County Tipperary, Ireland.
The feudal title was granted to Richard Purcell in 1328 by James Butler, 1st Earl of Ormond as palatine Lord of Tipperary.
Dyno's son, Ranulf Purcell, took his mother's name, de Broc, and was implicated in the assassination of Thomas Becket.
About 1154, a charter of confirmation of his uncle's lands and office passed attested, among others, by St. Thomas a Beckett, the Chancellor.
Hugh had been left in command of Waterford while the King departed for Dublin, ..."on the morrow, seeking to cross the river in one of the native boats to hold parley with the King, the boatmen rose upon him in the middle of the stream, stabbed him with their long 'skeans' and the threw the body into the river."
Hugh's tomb is described by 17th century sources as having on it, the figure of a man in armour, in high relief, with a shield on his left arm, on which were three lions passant guardant in pale.
"Universis Christi fidelibus presentes litteras inspecturis Hugo Purcel salutem: Noverit universitas vestra me, divine pietatis intuitu, pro salute anime mee, patris mei, et matris mee, et Beatricis, sponse me, et liberorum meorum, consisse et quietum clamasse, Deo et ecclessia de Kildroch.
"[5] The English translation of this is, "All trustworthy Christians salute and examine the present grant of Hugh Purcell: Know that I, divine piety, for the salvation of my soul, my father, my mother, and Beatrix my fiance, and my book, concise and tranquil, God and the Church of Kildroch.
[9] His son, Nicholas Purcell, was the last Baron of Loughmoe,[10] and the maternal nephew of James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde.
However, James Purcell's marriage to the sister of the Duke of Ormonde enabled a powerful contact, which assured allocation of some property.
About this time, Elizabeth Purcell married Colonel John Fitzpatrick at Loughmoe; her children were present at the wedding[citation needed].
It would appear that the majority of work in respect to the recovery and management of the Baron's estate fell to Colonel Fitzpatrick who discharged his duty with scrupulous fidelity.
These lands ran from Holy Cross to Templemore, and included the castles of Loughmoe, Rathelty, Dovea, Ballinahow, Lisheentagirt, Beakstown, Brownestown and Rorodstown.
It is known that Baron Nicholas was tutored privately at Loughmoe and spent a considerable part of his day horse riding.
