1625/1645 County Waterford, Ireland: A
fortified residence, called Rocketts Castle, was
erected by the Rockett family and stood on the site
of Mayfield and caused that place to be originally
called Rocketts Castle. Rocketts Castle was taken
over by Earl of Ormond, his actions under King
Charles I, destroyed and took possession of property
of Catholics' who did not submit to the King. PIRATE
ROCKETT crossed with this faction and warred the
best he could against such treatment and later began to pirate English ships and distributed the booty among the suppressed people.
Based on part records and part legend, "Rockett the
Pirate" captured an English ship and used her to
prey on English ships only. The booty was divided among the town folks, thus the title "a noted pirate with virtue." This motly crew became such a thorn in the King's side, a bounty was placed on their heads and finally all were captured and first drawn and
quartered. Rockett was then hanged and beheaded, and
his head was placed on a spike and taken to the city
gate of Waterford with a placard reading "Beware, do
not offend your King."
"Crann A Riocoidig" means Rocketts Tree. This
particular portion of Yellow Road was so called from
a famous old blossoming gorse tree which grew there
and was occasionally used as a gallows. Rockett paid
the penalty for his crimes (or virtues)
thereon.
