The priests, though they apparently sided with this party, did not approve of it, as it was chiefly formed of ardent young men, fond of what they termed liberty, and by no means admirers of priestly domination, being mostly Protestants.

Just before the outbreak of this rebellion, it was determined between the priests and the.

.

., that this party should be rendered comparatively innocuous by being deprived of the sinews of war--in other words, certain sums of money which they had raised for their enterprise.

Murtagh was deemed the best qualified person in Ireland to be entrusted with the delicate office of getting their money from them.