Alexander Fitz Hugh

• Preferred Name: Alexander Fitz Hugh
  
• Gender: M
  
• Death: Y
  
• FSID: G7DP-5R4
  
• Notes:

  === Life Sketch ===
  History of Blackwater Castle
  
  Dun Cruadha is described as
  
  “the ancient dun capped the commanding elevation, on west side of the Awbeg, now occupied by a modern mansion and the ruins of Roche’s Castle, associated with the “Book of Fermoy”. The O’Learys (Hi Laeghairi) of this place gave way to the Roches in the second half of the 12th century.”
  
  In fact the O’Learys gave way not to the Roches as suggested by Power but initially to the Fitz-Hugh brothers. Alexander and Raymond Fitz-Hugh, grandsons of Maurice Fitz-Gerald, were initially granted the Western portion of Caoille post 1170 after the first wave of the Anglo Norman Invasion. The daughter of Alexander Fitz-Hugh, Synolda, married David de la Roche which alliance started the period of Roche overlordship which would last from the early 13th Century up to the mid-17th Century.
  
  The Anglo Norman Invasion – Alexander and Raymond Fitz-Hugh
  
  The fortunes of Dún Cruadha were transformed by the arrival of the Anglo Normans in Ireland from 1167. A significant tract of land in the Western Fermoy area was allocated by Robert Fitz-Stephen to the brothers Alexander and Raymond Fitz-Hugh, (grandsons of Maurice Fitz-Gerald the head of the Geraldine Clan), who went on to make Dún Cruadha their principal settlement. In time Dún Cruadha would become the dominant seat of power in the North Cork area becoming the seat of Lord Roche, Viscount of Fermoy who rules over the Barony of Fermoy, an extensive tract of land comprising the towns of Mallow, Fermoy, and Doneraile.
  
  Alexander Fitz-Hugh, who was pre-deceased by Raymond, began to consolidate his power base from the late 12th Century. Work continued on his fortification around this time and the tower remains intact to this day.
  
  In 1202 Alexander endowed the Augustinian Priory of Bridgetown Priory, located over a mile from the Castle where the Awbeg meets the Blackwater, and which had been in existence for some time prior to the Anglo Norman conquest. The endowment enabled the Priory to flourish under the patronage of Alexander and his successors and the ruins of this Priory are still in remarkable condition and open to the public. The Roche tomb and the Roche family crest are still visible at the site. This Youtube link shows you an aerial view of the Priory.