It is always nice to discover a Prendergast family member when researching a particular period in History.
This year after an unfortunate bout of Covid developing into long covid and eventually 15 days stay in hospital, I am grateful to be recovering well and have continued with my BA at UTAS majoring in History.
I have cut back on my workload due to ill health and instead of picking and choosing third year units as I previously did, have gone back to catching up on first year units instead. I am currently studying HTA 101: European History: Renaissance to revolution. This unit gives a broad study of various global events.
Being the curious person that I am, I love nothing better than bringing history metaphorically to life. So, the minute we are assigned a topic during a particular era, I google our Prendergast name and see who pops up. This has revealed some surprising results involving our Prendergast family.
Whilst studying the English revolution, it was revealed that on 30 January 1649 Charles 1 was executed. He was beheaded and condemned as a traitor for crimes against the people. Now you might wonder how Charles 1 has a connection with our Prendergast family. Well, let me elaborate.
In 1066 William, duke of Normandy invaded and conquered England. One of the Warriors who accompanied William in the battle was Robert de Quincy who was the grandfather of Maud de Quincy. You may recall that Maud married Philip de Prendergast builder of Enniscorthy castle in Ireland. Philip was also son of Maurice de Prendergast, one of the knights to accompany Strongbow on his invasion of Ireland. I have also discovered a Preudirlegast (sounds like one of the 30 variant spelling of the Prendergast family) who accompanied King William to England in the Norman invasion but have yet to verify his involvement. The Epic adventure of King William is depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry – Visit of the Bayeux Tapestry – Bayeux Museum
Moving forward, the next Prendergast hero was Thomas Prendergast, Viscount Gort who was awarded land and a title by King William 111, grandson of Charles 1. William was son of Mary, the daughter of Charles 1. The land and title were presented in recognition of Thomas’s involvement in the prevention of the murder of King William 111 by the Jacobite’s. At the time the O’Shaugnessy’s owned the land. They were not happy to have their land confiscated and given to Thomas and fought back. Thomas Prendergast built Lough Cutra Castle on the land which is situated near Galway and later paid the O’Shaugnessy’s for their land. Lough Cutra Castle | History of the Estate | Castle Rental for Corporate Events, Location Shoots and Weddings
Now my third Prendergast hero. Back in 2015 on my way to Ireland to study at UCC, I made a detour to Bowood House where the ‘Antiques Roadshow’ was being filmed. I was staying in London at the time. Little did I know that Bowood House held an important primary document called “Pender’s census” A copy is held at the Irish Manuscripts Commission. A Census of Ireland circa 1659 – Irish Manuscripts This census was commissioned by Cromwell as part of the Downs Survey of Ireland 1656-58. You might remember that Cromwell enlisted in the Parliamentary New army and fought against the Royalists. He was also one of the 59 Regicides who signed the death warrant of King Charles 1. In 1653 Cromwell was made Lord Protector.
Families of Ireland 
Hi Shanon,
I am so sorry that it has taken me this long to get back to you. I have just finished studying my BA this semester and it was very study intensive. It was exciting though because I studied medieval history and discovered 14 knights that were either Prendergasts or related to Prendergast family members. Keep an eye out for my next blog ‘Murder and mayhem’ that I intend to post about these knights in the next couple of days.
Thank you for your interest in my blog. Perhaps we could ask Michael James Prendergast to share the info his wonderful grandfather gave him in the 1970’s, especially the heraldry. I am sure we would all love to see it.
Warmest Whitsunday wishes,
Jennifer.
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Hi! I am doing some family research and happened upon your page, my maiden name is Pendergist. Would Michael James Prendergast be willing to upload the info his grandfather gave him in the 1970’s? I personally would love to see it, especially the heraldry! God bless you and yours.
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Hi Michael,
Thank you for reading my blog and leaving such a lovely comment.
It is interesting to learn that you were attending the Valley Forge Military Academy in Philadelphia in the 1970s, as throughout history so many of our Prendergast family has been involved in the military.
Wishing you all the very best,
Jennifer
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Wow!!! This is so cool!!! My paternal grandfather had researched our surname Prendergast back in the early 1970’s and sent it all to me when I was around nine years old…It was quite extensive, with all the heraldic information including the Prendergast coat of arms….It really had a wonderful effect upon me, as at this time I was attending Valley Forge Military Academy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania…You have provided a wonderful site!!! Thank you so very much for all the effort you have put into this. May God bless all of you, and all of our incredibly fascinating family.
Sincerely,
Michael James Prendergast
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Update to Jennifer – I found the 2015 radio interview.
Thank you.
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Hi Catherine,
Thank you for your interest and kind comments. If you would like to listen to the 2014 Radio Interview, please type in Radio in the search box on the home page. We are constantly updating my posts and appreciate the feedback. Best wishes, Jennifer.
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Just listened to your radio interview on the 14th April, 2017.
Fascinating.
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Thank you for this wonderful information. I am also a Descendant of John Pendergast through his daughter Sarah. Through the Tunney’s down to the Mannix’s and onto the McMahons of which I was born. This information has helped me greatly with my family tree. Thank you again
Karen Rumble (nee McMahon)
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Hi Catherine,
Thank you for leaving a comment and your appreciation of the Prendergast research that I am enjoying undertaking.
I am feeling much better but it has taken a while.
Best wishes,
Jennifer.
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Thank you Jennifer for your amazing work on the Prendergast heritage.
This interests me greatly as John Pendergast, the Irish Rebelis is my great great great grandfather, directly down the line through his Son James.
I am glad to hear you are feeling a little better.
Catherine Denise Prendergast
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