Just another day in paradise
In Mauritius, we are once again taught how to live life: to take one’s time, to socialize and mix up with different people, to taste unknown flavours, to admire nature and to appreciate the first light of dawn…
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The noble family of De Synot or Sinnott came into England with William de Conqueror from Normandy, Anno Domini 1066, with the commission of Standard Bearer, and soon after the Battle of Hastings obtained considerable possessions in Counties of Lincoln and Somerset, which they held peaceable possession until the wars between the houses of York and Lancaster.
Sir Walter Sinnott, a son of that noble family of Sinnott of Somersetshire, came over to Ireland with Richard de Clare, commonly called Strongbow, in the year 1170, in the reign of Henry the Second, with the commission of Captain or Knight, and being a gallant officer the said Sir Henry, for his good services, granted the said Sir Walter large estate territory in the County of Wexford, in the Kingdom of Ireland, containing several thousand acres adjoining the town and Harbour of Wexford and river Slaney, extending about eight miles long by about five miles width, now called Sinnottsland or Sinnottstown, after said family, which they held peaceable possession until the reign of King Charles the First, when Ireland was invaded by the Usurper Cromwell, who dispossessed them of their lands and castles, which they had held for five hundred years.
Colonel David Sinnott was then Governor of the Town of Wexford and bravely opposed Cromwell whilst a man stood by his side, but at length, being overpowered by superior numbers, was obliged to surrender, with loss of the town, also his own property, and two of his brothers who nobly fought and fell in the siege, they being betrayed by John De Stafford, who was Governor of one of the Castles outside the Town, and who opened the gates for Cromwell´s Troops to march in.
Ballybrenan Castle built by Sir Richard Sinnott. Sir James Sinnott, brother of Sir Richard, married Miss Lambert of Longstown castle; said castle and lands fell into the possession of said Sir James Sinnott. Artramount Castle built by the Sinnotts. Ballyfarnock Castle built by the Sinnotts. Garrylough Castle built by the Sinnotts.
The name Sinnott has been in Ireland since the thirteenth century and is taken from old English words meaning ‘victory-bold’. Settlers of this name arrived from England and settled in County Wexford in the South-East of the country. It is here that the majority of descendants can still be found today.
Colour: Gules (Red) Warrior, Martyr, Military Strength.
Swan: A musical person, poetry, harmony
In Ireland the Swan was regarded as the bird that bore the spirit of a dead Celtic Chieftain sway to the next life.
Irish History – SINNOTT Family
The Sinnotts were noted for being the most prolific of the Norman families of Wexford and they still maintain their numerical strength in the county. The name appears as Sinod in the 1096 Domesday Book of England. An account of the Barony of Forth, written around 1680, states: ‘There are many distinct families of Sinnott, in number exceeding any other ancient name, whose estates were valuable before the late tyrannical usurpation’ (an allusion to the Cromwellian upheaval).
They are further described as ‘producing men remarkable for school learning and persons endowed with heroic spirits and martially disposed minds, vigorously active in their constantly loyal affections to the Crown of England.’
The Sinnotts first settled at Ballybrennan, close to the present village of Killinick, on the main Wexford-Rosslare road. Here they built their chief castle and remained until dispossessed in the Cromwellian confiscations. The castle is long gone, but part of its walls is incorporated into the present large dwelling house at the site. The early Norman Sinnotts were also granted extensive lands in the Barony of Shelmalier East, including the present parish of Castlebridge, which became known as Sinnottsland.
They also held the manor of Rosegarland in the parish of Clongeen, barony of Shelmalier West, until Marcus Sinnott forfeited it to Robert Leigh in the Cromwellian share-out. Rosegarland is still occupied by a descendant of Robert Leigh.