A book on the story of the Crosbies of North Kerry and beyond, ‘The Crosbies of Cork, Kerry, Laois and Leinster’ by Tarbert author Michael Christopher Keane has recently been launched.
The Crosbies were the big landlords of Ardfert, Ballyheigue Abbeydorney and Ballylongford for around three centuries. The stories include the notoriety of William Talbot-Crosbie of Ardfert or ‘Billy the Leveller’ as he was known, the mystery surrounding the Crosbie involvement in the Danish silver robbery in Ballyheigue and the glamorous Ardfert couple, Lady Diana Sackville and John Crosbie, Earl of Glandore.
The destruction of the Crosbies’ two big Kerry mansions, Ballyheigue Castle and Ardfert Abbey, during the War of Independence and the Civil War is also discussed in detail.
This is Keane’s third book. His first book, ‘From Laois to Kerry’ (2016), tells the story of the forced transplantation to North Kerry of the Laois Septs, Moores, Kellys, Lawlors, Dowlings, Dees, etc. and the continuing presence of their descendants in the county.
His second book ‘The Earls of Castlehaven’ (2018) tells the story of the exotic in-laws of the Crosbies, one of whom, the 2nd Earl of Castlehaven, was sensationally executed for crimes of sexual depravity.
All three books are available in local bookshops in North Kerry and Limerick, online at www.omahonys.ie or directly from the author mjagkeane@gmail.com