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Kerry, in the middle of harvest, and they were same route had marched thither, and he was
greater by name than in effect, for their fame was met Hy Comall Gavra (barony Connello,
so great at first, that it was supposed that if Limerick), the lord justice, whom the earl could
they should have come to Limerick, Galway or not persuade from going see Dun-an-Oir, and
Cork, the gates of those cities should be thrown proceeded onward regular marches through
open to them. The place which they landed at Clanmaurice and Kerry, until arrived the
was the island which James Mac Maurice had the year before begun to fortify, namely, Dun-an-Oir, and the cause which induced that fleet to come to
Ireland was to aid the Geraldines, when they (the Italians), had received intelligence that they had
vicinity the island, near which, however, did
not bring his camp. select party his forces went every day reconnoitre the island, during which several messages were interchanged both sides, and friendship was promised between them.
been put to great extremities in defending the Their captains came the lord justice, for the
Catholic faith. The earl of Ormond, i. e. Thomas, the son of James, son of Pierce Roe, collected a force on his own account, and also on behalf of the
purpose entering upon terms peace with him, upon which the lord justice’s people passed onward unawares the island, and began kill and slaughter the Italians, that not one the seven hundred Italians escaped from destruction the
sovereign (the queen), with which he marched to
attack the Italians at Dun-an Oir, and he did not
halt until he arrived in Kerry. The brave forces spot. The lord justice seized much gold, trea
of the Geraldines were assembled there to oppose them, but neither party attacked the other; at length the earl was permitted to proceed, until he arrived on the hill over the fortress, from which he
took a view of the deep trenches and the impreg nable ramparts which the Italians had raised round the island, and having contemplated in his mind
that it would be a fruitless undertaking to attack them in their stronghold, he returned back by the
4. Massacre of the Italians and Spaniards. --An account of the landing of a party of Italians and Spaniards at Smerwick, in
sure, and every other valuable property which the Italians had with them, and afterwards levelled
and demolished the fortifications the island, that might not rock defence, place refuge thenceforth for insurgents and that
transaction took place the month November. The lord justice then returned back Limerick, and from thence the English Pale. "
O’Rourke, i. e. , Bryan, the son Bryan, son
the governor, who was the garrison, not enter into any terms, but the governor decided otherwise, and, accompanied by Plun kett an interpreter, went the deputy's camp treat ca pitulation, which was agreed upon, though Plunkett was strongly opposed and also the captain the Cantabrians and Hercu les Pise; but San Joseph and the soldiers, tired the siege, and fearing they could not defend the fort much longer, agreed surrender conditions safety sworn deputy Grey, according
Kerry, under the command of James Mac Maurice Fitzgerald, has
been given in a note under the year 1579; in the latter end of
September, 1580, another body of about 800 Italians and Spa
niards, under the command of Sebastian de St. Joseph, landed at
Smerwick, being sent, says Cox, in his Hibernia Anglicana, “by
the Pope, and king Philip II. of Spain, to propagate the Catholic
religion in Ireland;” they built a fort on the small rocky island in
the harbour, which they called the Fort del Or, and they fortified
and furnished having brought with them much money and am
munition, and arms enough supply four five thousand men.
The earl Ormond encamped Tralee, and marched attack
the garrison, some whom, said, retired the woods being saved and Plunkett was mutilated and put death with Glanigalt, but afterwards returned the fort, and successful great torture; and from this massacre, says Mac Geoghegan, sally forced Ormond retreat Rathkeale, where awaited
the arrival the deputy, lord Arthur Grey, who led 800 men from Dublin, under captains Zouch, Raleigh, Mackworth, Denny,
&c. , and these forces were joined some the troops left Munster the lord deputy Pelham these formed force far su perior that the Irish, and their Spanish and Italian allies, besides, admiral Winter was stationed with some ships off the coast co-operate with the deputy. They invested the fort by land and sea, and the garrison was summoned surrender but they inade vigorous sortie, which they were repulsed, and the
fides Greia, the faith Grey, became proverb which any act signal treachery was designated. This massacre took place
next night, Winter having landed the artillery from his ships, and
the cannon Grey being brought forward, and batteries formed,
the siege commenced, and, according Mac Geoghegan, lasted
. . forty days, the place being well provided and bravely defended.
The deputy having displayed flag truce, gentleman the found they were reserved for execution by martial law. The name Plunkett, who was the garrison, advised San Joseph, Italian general and someofficers were made prisoners war, but
Mac Geoghegan and others; but Cox and Leland say the gar rison surrendered unconditionally mercy, discretion. As soon the garrison surrendered, they were immediately ordered
lay down their arms, and were all cruelly slaughtered, says Mac Geoghegan, the barbarous English, the governor alone
November, 1580, and, according authorities quoted Curry's Civil Wars, ch. iii. “All the Spaniards and Italians, with the ex ception eleven officers, were slaughtered cold blood, and their
bodies cast over the cliffs into the sea, for the fort stood mighty rock over the ocean, though the lord deputy had pledged his word and faith for their lives, liberty, goods, and safe conduct into Spain;” all the Irish the garrison were hanged. Leland,
his History Ireland (book iv. ch. 2), says: “the garrison, their distress and terror, fatally surrendered discretion, but that mercy for which they sued was rigidly denied them. Wingfield was commissioned disarm them, and when this service was per formed, English company was sent into the fort; the Irish
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Owen, having resisted the English in the harvest
of this year, Sir Nicholas Malby mustered a force, and marched eastward across the Shannon to at
who was able make resistance, except alone the constable, whom gave quarter, and then
conference with his brother Ulick, requesting him forsake the English, and that himself
REIGN OF ELIZABETH. 507
tack O’Rourke, who, having sent his women and
people over the mountain Slieve-an-Iarain (in
Leitrim), demolished the castle Leitrim be
fore the arrival Sir Nicholas; the castle was would yield him obedience, was the duty
rebuilt Sir Nicholas, and having then put guards
and provisions into himself returned back without committing any depredation slaughter
junior yield submission his senior, and
promised him liberate and send him his son, whom had imprisonment; also promised
worth notice. O’Rourke laid siege the castle, give him Leitrim, the island Ballinlough, and
and did not permit one the garrison go
out gates, that Sir Nicholas was obliged come their relief and take them away. O'Rourke marched with force, the month
Roscommon). After that Donogh, the son Murrogh, son Torlogh, son Teige O'Brien, and Mahon, the son Torlogh, son Mahon, son the bishop O’Brien, joined the sons the earl in this contention. Mahon was the first who
rose that contest, and who called gathering the insurgents the neighbouring districts, and
engaged plunder and devastate from Burren Limerick; but short the greater portion the people the entire province Connaught joined
that commotion, except alone the earl Tho mond, namely Donogh, the son Conor, son Donogh, son Torlogh, son Donal, son Conor O’Brien, who was that time sheriff the county Clare.
English and Irish race now became alarmed,” says Leland, “and Grey was represented man blood, who had not only disho noured his nation and sovereign among foreigners, but alienated the
November, between the rivers Suck and Shannon,
and burned and plundered the woody districts,
and great portion Hy Maine; marched Loughrea, the chief family residence the second time with his forces into Hy Maine, the
month December, and with quick movements
devastated the country, and slew half company
released the prisoners. After John haddone this, sent his professors and trusty friends hold
the town Loughrea, mark security.
Ulick accepted these presents, and and his brotherjoined with one accord against the English; the first place they proceeded destroy and
demolish the fair-walled castles Clanrickard, and the first instance they demolished the castle
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country; and doubtful they left castle un demolished from Clonfert St. Brendan, the east
\
the garrison was butchered cold blood, nor without pain that we find service so horrid and detestable committed Sir
Walter Raleigh. ” Leland says “that Elizabeth expressed the ut most concern and displeasure this barbarous execution, but such pretences and such professions could not effacethe odiousness
this action, and the Continent was received with horror. ” A. D. 1581, some rumour conspiracy against the go
Hy Anmchadha (in Galway), Kilmacduagh, the north Kinel Aodha Eachtge, and from dalon (in Roscommon); and party the O’Co Oran (in Galway), Cluain-da-dhamh (Cloonaff
soldiers the men Sir Nicholas Malby Lis
nors were along with O’Rourke that expedition. The sons the earl Clanrickard, namely Ulick and John, were war with each other, and both were peace with the English. number the gentlemen Clanrickard were dire imprison ment, the keeping the constable the town Loughrea, whose name was Master Jones, and who had the command the garrison the town, from the time the earl had been taken prisoner till them. was source great affliction John Burke that his town, and these prisoners, should
long determined
the hands the English, and
his mind make attack by night Loughrea, which accordingly
the town
did; took the town, and slew every one
vernment, Lord Grey seized upon John Nugent, one the Exchequer, and had him executed, according
weary his present charge, and earnestly petitioned
led. “Repeated complaints,” says Leland, “were made the inhuman rigour practised Grey and his officers, and the queen was assured that tyrannised with such barbarity, that little was left Ireland for her majesty reign over but carcases and ashes. ”—Leland, book ch. Cox says “Grey was repre sented the court England bloody man, that regarded not the lives the subjects any more than the lives dogs. ” The lord deputy Grey was recalled from Ireland 1582.
the barons Mac Geo singular good life and reputation. ” Gerald Fitzgerald, earl Kildare, and his
ghegan; though Leland says “Nugent was man
son-in-law, Christopher Nugent, baron Delvin, were seized
lord Grey, and committed the custody marshal Wingfield, and afterwards sent the Tower London. “All persons
hearts all the Irish subjects repeated barbarities. ” his government, and severely censured England,
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508 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1580.
O'Byrne (of Wicklow), namely, Dumlang, son country and estates were in possession of the Eng of Edmond, died; his kindred were in insurrection lish, so that no person was nominated in his against and plundering the English, while their place.
VIII. Danish Wars in the tenth and eleventh centuries. —In
the preceding articles an account has been given of the Danish wars in the ninth and tenth centuries, and in this is continued from p. 488, an account of these wars in the tenth and eleventh centuries.
according to the Annals of the Four Masters and Innisfallen. Cineidi, son of Lorcan, who was king of Thomond, from about
A. D. 940 to 950, defeated the Danes of Limerick and Waterford in several engagements; Cineide was succeeded as king of Mun
ster by his son Mahon, who reigned for a few years and was slain A. D. 976, and was succeeded, as king of Munster, by his bro
Battle of Tighgioran. -In A. D. 954, Congalach, monarch of
Ireland, led his army to Leinster, plundered that province, and
assembled the conventions of the Liffey for the space of three Brian also gained many great victories over the Danes. In A. D.
days; he was attacked by the Lagenians and Danes of Dublin, under Aulaf, the son of Godfrey, and a fierce battle was fought between them at Tighgioran, in Leinster, a place probably in Kil
959, Dubhdaboireann, king of Cashel, according to the Annals of Inisfallen, defeated the Danes with great slaughter, at the Rath of Moin More, or the great hog, and was himself slain the same
dare; the forces of king Congalach were defeated with great year. In A. D. 961, the Danes of Waterford having come to
Lough Gur, in Limerick, were defeated there with great slaughter by Mahon, king of Thomond, and Donogh, the son of Ceallachan, former king of Cashel.
Battle of Sulcoid. —In A. D. 968, according to the Annals of Inisfallen, O'Halloran and others, the Danes of Limerick, with
says Roderick was killed by the Irish, who invaded Wales. About
this time, according to Hanmer, or about A. D. 962, according to
Ware, Edgar, king of England, invaded Ireland, and subdued a great
part of the country, particularly Dublin, and a charter of king
Edgar is quoted by Ware and Ussher, relating to the regulation of
ecclesiastical matters in Ireland, but these accounts about king
Edgar are considered doubtful by other historians. In A. D. 960, spoils of gold, silver, and merchandize, clothing, and various the sons of Aulaf and Lagmann came with their ships to Ireland,
slaughter, and he himself, with many chiefs of note, were slain.
In A. D. 959, according to Ware, Aulaf, at the head of the Danes of Dublin, sailed to Holyhead, and ravaged the island of
Anglesey; and about this time, according to Keating, Roderick, king of Wales, invaded Ireland, and was slain there, but Hammer
powerful forces, were defeated in a great battle at Sulcoid by the Dalcassians, and other troops of Munster, commanded by Mahon,
ther, the celebrated Brian Boroimhe ; Mahon and his brother
and laid waste Conaille, probably in Louth, and also Howth and
Inis Mic Nechtain, now Ireland's Eye ; and after that Lagmann
went to Munster to bring away his brother Oin, and he plundered
Inis Doimhle and Hy Liathan, in Cork, and they attacked Lismore
and Cork, and committed great depredations; the men of Hy
Liathan and other parts of Cork attacked and defeated them with
great slaughter, and 365 of them were slain, so that only the
crews of three ships escaped. A great booty was carried off by
the son of Aulaf from Ireland's Eye to Britain and the Isle of
Mann. In this year a great spoil was taken by Sitric Cam, or the
Crooked, to the sea, as far as Hy Colgan, but he was attacked by
Aulaf, with the Danes of Dublin and the Lagenians, and they gained
a great victory over Sitric Cam, who fled in his ships after his
people were slaughtered. In A. D. 962, a victory was gained over
Aulaf, grandson of Sitric, at Inis Tiogue, by the men of Ossory,
in which many of the Danes were slain, together with Batbar, son
of Irai. In A D. 965, Muiredach, abbot of Kildare, and heir to
the throne of Leinster, was slain by Aulaf, lord of the Danes, and
Carroll, the son of Lorcan, prince of Leinster. In the same year,
a great victory was gained over the Danes of Limerick, by Mahon,
the son of Cineidi, in which great numbers of them were slaugh
tered, and their ships burned. In the same year the Danes of
Dublin and of Leinster ravaged Bregia. In A. D. 966, Donal where the Danes of Limerick had a strong fortress, was attacked
O'Neill, monarch of Ireland, marched with his forces to Leinster, and spoiled the country from the river Barrow, in the west, as far as the sea, and took with him immense preys of cattle, and he had various contests, for the space of two months, with the Danes and Lagenians. In A. D. 967, Kells was laid waste by Sitric, son of Aulaf, lord of the Danes of Dublin, and Murrogh, the son of Finn, king of Leinster; but they were attacked by king Donal O’Neill, who gained a great victory over them. In A. D. 968, Kells was again devastated by Aulaf Cuaran, at the head of the Danes and Lagenians, and he carried off a great prey of cattle, slew a great many people, and gained a victory over the Hy Niall at Ardmul chan. In the same year, Artgal, prince of Ulidia, led his forces against the Danes of Connor, which place he plundered, and slew many of the Danes; and in the same year, Louth and Drumiskin were laid waste by Murtogh, son of Donal O'Neill, king of Ireland, against the Danes, and he slew many of them ; and Monaster boice was also laid waste by king Donal O’Neill, against the Danes, and 350 of them were burned by him in one house.
Battles in Munster. —About this period, namely from 950 to 980, various battles were fought against the Danes of Munster,
and plundered by Brian Boru, and Donal, son of the prince of Corcabaiscin, in Clare, and 800 of the Danes, under the command of Ivar, Aulafand Duibhceann were slain, along with Magnus, the son of Harold, and his two sons. Brian was then in the 50th year of his age, according to the Four Masters. In the same year, Brian plundered the islands towards the north of the Shannon, and all the Danish possessions there, and carried off from them great booty; in the same year also Brian marched with his forces into Hy Figeinte, in Limerick, towards the borders of Kerry, where he fought a battle with Donovan, prince of Hy Figeinte, and Aulaf, king of the Danes of Munster, whose combined forces were de feated, and immense numbers of them, together with Donovan and Aulaf, were slain.
Battle of Bealach Leachta. -In A. D. 978, Brian Boru and his son Murrogh, at the head of the Dalcassians, defeated Moal muadh, the son of Brann, of the race of Eogan More, prince of Desmond, together with his allies, the Danes of Munster, in a great battle, at Bealachleachta, in which 1200 of the Danes, and a great number of the Desmonians were slain, and Moalmuadh him self fell by the hand of Murrogh. The place where this battle
king of Cashel, and his brother Brian Boru, in which three thou sand of the Danes were slain, and the remnant being pursued to Limerick, great numbers of them were slaughtered ; the city was
sacked and their fortresses burned, and the victors carried off great
valuable articles. The pass of Sulcoid, where this battle was fought, is situated on a plain between Limerick and Cashel, and guarded by great heights on both sides.
In A. D. 969, the Danes of Limerick were expelled from Inis Ubhdain, by Mahon, king of Munster. In A. D. 970, the Danes of Limerick, under the command of Ivar, together with the Mar tineans of Limerick (tribes of Firholg descent), and the people of Lagmann were defeated by Mahon and his brother Brian. In A. D. 972, a battle was fought between Maolmuaidh, son of Bran, aided by the Danes and Mahon, in which many were slain. In A. D. 973, Magnus, son of Harold, commander of the Danes, having collected great forces from various parts of Ireland, plun dered Inis Catha, now Iniscattery, an island in the Shannon, south of Limerick, where there were a great abbey and many churches, from which he carried off great booty, and many cap tives. The Four Masters state that Magnus was joined by the people of Lagmann of the Isles (the Orkneys and Hebrides), and Ivar, lord of the Danes of Limerick, was carried off by them, and
they sacrilegiously violated the churches of St. Senanus, who was the patron saint of Iniscattery. In A. D. 975, the Danes of Li merick, Cork, and Waterford, were slaughtered in great numbers by Mahon and Brian.
Battle of Inis Cathay. —In A. D. 977, the island of Iniscathay,
REIGN OF ELIZABETH. 509
John, the son of the earl of Desmond, was at James, the son of Maurice, son of the earl, were this time a wandering plunderer and insurgent, valiant in carrying on war and commotion against and although John, the son of Con O'Neill, and the English, yet John was a worthy successor to
was fought, according to some accounts, was situated at a moun
tain called Slieve Caoin, near Fermoy, in Cork, or according to
others, at the hill of Knock Ramhra, south of Mallow, while others state that it was near Macroom.
Battle of Fan Mac Connradh. -In A. D. 979, Donal O’Felan, prince of Desies, and the Danes of Waterford, made war against
Brian Boru, but their united forces were defeated with great slaughter at a place called Fan Mac Connradh, and Brian pursued
them to Waterford, which city he took, and burned their for tresses, and slew Donal O’Felan there. In A. D. 985, the men of Munster and the Danes of Waterford were defeated, with great slaughter, by the Conacians, and Dunlong, the son of Duibh dahoireann, heir apparent of Munster, and Muirgias, the son of Conor, heir apparent of Connaught, fell in the thick of battle.
Battles in Meath and Leinster. —In A. D. 969, Donal O'Neill, monarch of Ireland, being expelled from Meath to Ulster, by the
Clan Colman, he soon after led the forces of Tyrone and Tyrcon nell, and was joined by some of the men of Meath and Danes of Dublin, and he demolished the fortresses of Meath, and as far as Offaley, to be avenged of the Clan Colman.
Battle of Kilmona. -In A. D. 969, according to the Annals of Ulster and others, Donal, the son of Congalach, former monarch of Ireland, having aspired to the monarchy, leagued with the Danes of Dublin, under Aulaf, and with the Lagenians, against
to Aulaf, and was mother of Gluniarn ; and Dunflath, by a former marriage, was likewise the mother of the Irish monarch, Malachy II. ; Gorm flath, sister of Maolmora, king of Leinster, was se
king Donal O'Neill, and a great battle was fought between them
at a place called Cill Mona, in which great numbers were slain on
both sides, and amongst others fell Ardgar, king of Ulidia, and Patrick, the son of Ivar, and many other chiefs. In the same many chiefs; the place where this battle was fought is now pro year Glendalough was devastated by the Danes of Dublin. In bably Kilmoon, near Ashbourne, in Meath. In the same year, A. D. 985, the Danish forces came to the eastern part of Dalriada, Kells, in Meath, was devastated by the Danes, under Aulaf
Cuaran. In A. D. 975, Murtogh, the son of king Donal O'Neill,
and Congalach, the two heirs apparent to the crown of Ireland,
were slain by the Danes under Aulaf, the son of Sitric.
Battle of Biothlainn. —In A. D. 976, the Danes of Dublin de feated the Lagenians in a great battle at Biothlainn, in Lein ster, in which immense numbers were slain, together with Ugaire, king of Leinster, Murtogh, the son of Rian, prince of Hy Kinsel lagh, and Congalach, prince of Leige. In the sameyear, the Danes took Donal Claon, king of Leinster, prisoner. In A. D. 977, Kil dare was devastated by the Danes.
Battle of Tara. -In A. D. 978, Malachy, king of Meath, who was afterwards the monarch Malachy II. , at the head of the forces of Meath, Ulster, and Connaught, gained a great victory over the Danes of Dublin, and their allies, the Danes and Nor wegians of the Orkneys and Isle of Mann, at Tara. Vast numbers were slaughtered on both sides, and many valiant Irish chiefs fell in the thick of the fight, amongst others Brann, the son of Mur rogh, heir to the crown of Leinster, Congalach, prince of Galeng,
two chiefs of Fertulach, and Lachtan, lord of Mourne. The Danish forces were commanded by their tanist, Reginald, son of Aulaf, and five thousand of them, together with Reginald himself,
laid waste by the Danes on Christmas night, and they slew the abbot and fifteen monks, but in the following year is recorded a great slaughter of the Danes who devastated Iona, and 360 of them were slain, through the miracles of God and St. Columkille. In the same year, the Annals of Ulster record a great battle fought at the Isle of Mann, between the son of Harold and the Danes, in which 1000 men were slain.
Battles at Dublin, &c. —In A. D. 988, king Malachy, with his forces, attacked the Danes, and a great battle was fought between them at Dublin, in which a vast number of the Danes were slain, and he besieged their fortress for the space of twenty days, dur ing which time they had no drink but the sea water; he com pelled them to pay him the full tribute he appointed, together with an annual tax of one ounce of gold from each habitation, to be paid on every Christmas eve, for ever. In the sameyear, God frey, son of Harold, lord of the Danes of the isles in Scotland, was slain by the Dalriedians of Ulster, and in this year also Down patrick was plundered and burned by the Danes. In A. D. 988, Derry was devastated by the Danes, and in the same year the Danish forces and the Lagenians laid waste Meath as far as Lough
Commaol, son of Gilli-Arri, and many other nobles of Dublin were
slain. Aulaf, the Danish king of Dublin, in great grief for the Ennell, near Mullingar. In A. D. 992, Ardbraccan, Muinebro
victory gained over his forces at Tara, and the death of his son Reginald, slain in that battle, retired soon after to the monastery of Columkille, at Iona, in the Hebrides, where he died the follow ing year, A. D. 980, in penitence and pilgrimage. He was Aulaf W.
, and is called by the Annalists Aulaf Cuaran. He was suc ceededas Danish king of Dublin by his son Gluniarn. In A. D. 988, Gluniarn was killed by one of his own common people, named Colvan, while intoxicated, and he was succeeded by his brother Sitric III. It has been mentioned by mistake at p. 487, that
cain, Donaghpatrick, and other churches in Meath were plun dered by the Danes of Dublin, and they carried off great spoils from the country. In this year, Ivar, a Danish chief, was ex pelled from Dublin, through the intercession of the saints, and in the same year Giolla Cele, the son of Carroll, heir to the crown of Leinster, was slain by the son of Aulaf, the Dane. In A. D. 994, Ivar, a Danish chief, came to Dublin after Sitric, the son of Aulaf, and in this year Donaghpatrick, in Meath, was plundered by the Danes of Dublin, and Murtogh O'Connolly, but God was avenged on them, for they died before the end of a month after their re turn. Reginald, a Danish chief, was slain by the Lagenians, and Ivar having again fled from Dublin, was succeeded by Sitric. In this year king Malachy attacked and defeated the Danes of Dub lin, and carried off from them, by force, two trophies of great value, namely, the golden collar of Tomar, and the sword of Caro
Sitric III. was killed at the battle of Dundalk, A. D. 944, but that Sitric was not king of the Danes, being only the commander of the Danish forces. It appears the Danish kings of Dublin formed marriage alliances with the Irish kings at this time, for it is stated by Keating and others, that Dunflath, daughter of the celebratedMurkertach Mac Neill, prince of Aileach, was married
cond wife of the Danish king Aulaf, and after his death she was married to Brian Boru, as hereafter explained.
Battle of Dublin. —In A. D. 979, king Malachy II. and Eochy, king of Ulidia, marched a powerful army to Dublin, and fought a
fierce battle with the Danes for three days and nights. Having vanquished the Danish forces, they liberated Donal Claon, king of Leinster, and Aidire O'Neill, who were kept as hostages by the Danes, and they likewise set at liberty 2000 persons who were kept as hostages or prisoners by the Danes, and they carried off great spoils and riches. All the race of Hy Niall from the Shan non to the sea were exempted by them, for ever, from paying any tributes or hostages to the Danes; and king Malachy issued a noble proclamation, commanding that “all the Irish who were in servitude and bondage with the Danes, would return to their respective countries in gladness and peace;” and the annalists add that the slavery of the Irish was equal to the Babylonian cap tivity, until Malachy set them free.
In A. D. 981, Kildare was plundered by the Danes of Water ford, under Ivar ; and in A. D. 982, king Malachy, joined by the
forces of Gluniarn, Danish king of Dublin, who was his maternal brother, gained a great victory over Donal Claon, king of Lein ster, and his allies, the Danes of Waterford, under Ivar, and great numbers of them were slain and drowned, together with Giolla
in Antrim, with three ships, but were attacked and defeated, and seven score of them were slain and drowned. In the same year the monastery of St. Columkille, at Iona, in the Hebrides, was
510 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1580.
them. On a certain day the forementioned John with which it was not expedient to have gone a
proceeded to the woods of Aharlo (in Tipperary), in the month of July precisely, with a small force,
lus. According to someaccounts, Malachy slew in single combat one of the Danish champions, from whose neck he took the Torque
long distance, for his foot soldiers numbered less than a hundred shields, and he had only thirteen
and the Dalcassians, under Brian Boru, and four thousand ofthem were slain at the river Suck, on the borders of Roscommon and
or golden collar, which he wore ever after as a trophy of Galway. century. —In victory. Moore, in one of his Melodies, thus alludes to this cir Battles with the Danes in the eleventh
cumstance—
A. D. 1001, Sitric, son of Aulaf, king of the Danes, went with his ships
and laid waste Cill Cleithe and Inis Cumscraidh, and carried off many captives. In the same year, Brian Boru, with the men of Munster, joined by the Lagenians and Danes, marched to Athlone
and subdued the southern Hy Niall and Conacians, and obtained
their hostages, and he afterwards, joined by king Malachy, marched
with those forces to Dundalk, to obtain hostages from Hugh O'Neill, king of Ulster, who was heir apparent to the crown of
Ireland, and son of the late king, Donal O'Neill. In A. D. 1005, Dublin was burned by the people of southern Bregia.
Battle of Draighnein. —In A. D. 1012, the Danes of Dublin plundered Meath and Termon Fechin, but king Malachy led a
great force of the men of Meath into the Danish territories, in Fingall, and burned their possessions as far as the Hill of Howth. Sitric, king of Dublin, and Maolmora, king of Leinster, marched against them, and slew 200 of them, together with Flann, the son
Malachy, and other chiefs. In the same year, Giolla Mochonna, the son of Fogartach, lord of South Bregia, a champion who was the terror of the Danes, died, and it is stated in the Annals of Ulster, by Dr. O'Connor, that he compelled the Danes to draw ploughs and harrows after them, yoked like horses. In this year also a great fleet of the Foreigners came to Munster, and they
burned Cork, but God avenged that wicked deed soon after, for Aulaf, the son of Sitric, lord of the Danes, and other chiefs, with many of their men, were slain by the men of Munster. In the same year, the Four Masters record that there was great warbe tween the Danes and Irish, and king Brian led his forces to Ath Car thinn, and for the space of three months attacked the fortresses of the Danes, and obtained victories over them, and Brian erected many fortresses, as those of Kincora, and others. The Danes and Lagenians made war on Brian, who proceeded with his forces as far as Slieve Margy, in Leix, and he laid waste Leinster as far as Dublin. In A. D. 1013, according to the Annals of Inisfallen, Malachy, king of Meath, having complained to Brian of the devas tations of the Danes and Lagenians, Brian, with a great force, marched against them, and plundered Ossory, and his son, Mur rogh, ravaged Leinster, as far as Glendalough, and the Termon of St. Kevin—took many hostages, and carried off great preys, which he brought to Brian, at Kilmainham, near Dublin, where Brian, with the men of Munster and of Connaught, remained en camped from Lammas to Christmas, without receiving battle from the Danes or Lagenians during that period.
*
“Let Erin remember the days of old
Ere her faithless sons betrayed her, When Malachy wore the collar of gold Which he won from the proud invader. ”
In the year 1810, on digging near the earthen ramparts of the ancient palace at Tara, there were accidentally discovered two of the splendid Torques, or golden collars, worn by the kings and chiefs, which are now deposited in the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy; they are of the purest gold, and of exquisite workman ship, spiral or twisted, of a circular form, and open on one side.
One of these Torques is five feet seven inches in length, and some thing more than twenty-seven ounces in weight, and the other weighs more than twelve ounces. In A. D. 996, Clonard and Kells, in Meath, were devastated by the Danes. In A. D. 997, king Malachy, with the men of Meath, and Brian Boru, with the -men of Munster, led their forces to Dublin, and carried off from the Danes many hostages and great riches. In the same year the Danes plundered Derry, and Ivar, with the Danes, and joined by the Ossorians, devastated Hy Kinsellagh, or Wexford. In A. D. 998, Kildare was plundered by the Danes of Dublin.
Battle of Glenn Mama. - In A. D. 998, the Lagenians having refused to pay the tributes imposed on them by Brian Boru, king of Munster, confederated with the Danes of Dublin, and collected their combined forces under the Danish king, Sitric, Harold, and other chiefs, and the men of Leinster under their king Maolmora Mac Murrogh, and other leaders. Brian Boru, with his son Mur rogh, collected the Dalcassians and other forces of Munster, and aided by the men of Meath, under king Malachy, both armies met and fought a furious battle, in which the Danes and their allies were totally defeated, and, according to Keating and others, no less than five thousand of them were slain, and amongst the Danish chiefs who fell were Harold, the son of Aulaf, and Coilen, the son of Eitigen. The place where this battle was fought, called Glenn Mama, signifying the glen of the mountain pass, was in a valley situated near Dunlavin, on the borders of Wicklow and Dublin. The Four Masters quote, from an ancient bard, a passage on this battle, to the following effect:
“They came to the valley of Mama,
And having no water convenient,
They were forced to drink of the unhealthy pools,
And fought with stones towards the close of the conflict. That victory was obtained by the kings,
Triumphantly, as far as the northern woods;
Dublin, the beautiful, they burned,
And devastated the plain of Leinster. ”
After the victory, Brian and Malachy marched to Dublin, where they remained a week, and took from the Danes great quantities
The Battle of Clontarf–Brian Boroimhe, commonly called
of gold, silver, and other spoils, with many captives. They A. D. 950; he was succeeded by his son Mahon, a celebrated
burned the fortress, and expelled the Danish king, Sitric, the son of Aulaf, but it appears the Danes were permitted again to possess Dublin in the following year, on giving hostages and paying tribute to Brian Boru. In 999, Brian led his forces to the plain of Bregia, towards Tara, joined by the Lagenians, the men of south Connaught, and the Danes of Dublin, whose predatory cavalry marched in the front ranks, but king Malachy attacked them, and they were almost all slain, and Brian was forced to retreat without battle or booty.
Battle of the Suck-In A. D. 999, according to O'Halloran, and others, the Danes were defeated by the men of Connaught,
warrior, who gained many great victories over the Danes of Mun ster. Mahon was slain A. D. 976, according to the Annals of Inisfallen, and his brother Brian then became king of Munster, over which he ruled with great power and prosperity for a long period. About A. D. 1000, Brian entered into a contest for the sovereignty of Ireland, with the monarch Malachy II. whom he ultimately conquered and deposed in A. D. 1002, and marching his victorious forces to Meath, had himself proclaimed monarch of Ireland, at Tara, the residence of the ancient kings, thus trans ferring the sceptre from the race of Hy Niall to the House of Heber. According to the Four Masters, Brian was then in the
Brian Boru, got the surname Boroimhe, or Borumha, which sig
nifies of the Tribute, as the Irish word Boroimhe means tribute of
cows or other cattle, and he derived this appellation of Brian of
the Tributes, from his having compelled the kings of Leinster and
of Tara, and also the Danes, to pay him tributes. Brian was son
of Cinneide, king of Thomond, of the tribe of the Dalcassians, and
race of Heber. Lorcan, king of Munster, died A. D. 942, and Cinneide, son of Lorcan, succeeded as king of Thomond, and died
i
REIGN OF ELIZABETH.
horsemen; the direction he took towards the end rary), and he made a prey in Dubhfhed-Ua-Luig of the day was along the clear stream of the Shan deach (Borrisoleigh) early on the following morning, non, through Moy Ailbhe (Moyaliffe, in Tippe with which he proceeded directly eastward to Cor
76th year of his age, and he reigned as monarch of Ireland twelve years, to his death at Clontarf, A. D. 1014. A sketch of the life of Brian has been already given at p. 147, in the note on Thomond, Brian, for a period of about forty years, waged incessant war with the Danes and their allies, particularly in Leinster and Munster, and, according to the various annalists and historians, he defeated them in more than forty battles, and having reduced the Danes of Leinster and Munster to subjection, he permitted them to reside in the cities of Dublin, Waterford, Limerick, and Cork, for pur poses of commerce, but compelled them to pay him tributes, and it is stated by Keating, O'Halloran, and others, that he levied
annually on the Dames of Limerick 365 pipes of red wine, and 150 pipes of wine, yearly, on the Danes of Dublin. The following account of the Battle of Clontarf has been collected from the
collected from Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary, were commanded by himself in person, and his eldest son Murrogh, aided by his five other sons, Teige, Donogh, Donal, Conor, and Flann; Toriogh, the son of Murrogh, and grandson of Brian Boru, together with
fifteen other valiant young chiefs, nephews and relations of Brian, also fought in this battle. Murrogh, the eldest son of Brian, had the chief command, and though beyond the period of middle life, being in the 63d year of his age, yet he displayed uncommon en ergy, being a man of great bodily strength and distinguished valour, and he slew several of the Danish chieftains in single combat. The Eugenians, or troops of Desmond and Desies, collected from those parts of South Munster, which now form Cork, Kerry and Waterford, were commanded by Cian, or Kian, prince of Desmond, ancestor of the O’Mahonys, who is stated by the Annalists to have exceeded all the men of Erin in stature and beauty. Various other chieftains are mentioned as commanders of the Dalcassians, of the Eugenians, or Desmonians, Desians, &c. , as Mothla O’Felan, prince of Desies, or Waterford; Mac Beotach, prince of Kerry Luachra, ancestor of the O'Conors, lords of Kerry; Scanlan, prince of Lough Lein, or Killarney; Hugh, son of Loughlin, prince of Conagh; Donal, prince of Corcabaiscin, in Clare ; Hugh the Wounder, prince of Ely; Loinseach, prince of Conall Gabhra, in Limerick; Mac Dona gan, prince of Ara, in Tipperary; Cathal, the son of Donnabhain, prince of Carberry, in Cork; Murtogh, prince of Hy Liathain, in Cork; Geibhionach O’Dubhgain, prince of Fermoy, in Cork. The
various Munster clans were led to Clontarf by those chiefs and others, the ancestors of the O'Briens, Mac Carthys, O'Mahonys, O'Conors, O'Carrolls, O'Connells, O'Donoghoes, O'Donovans, Mac Namaras, O’Felans, O'Keeffes, &c. The Connaught forces who came to the aid of Brian, were commanded by Teige O'Conor, king of Connaught ; Maolroona O'Heyne, prince of Aidhne, in Galway, who was brother-in-law of Brian; Teige O'Kelly, prince of Hy Maine, in Galway ; O'Flaherty, ancestor of the lords of West Connaught of that name; Murtogh O'Cadhla, prince of Connamara, and Conor, son of Maolroona, prince of Moylurg, an cestor of the Mac Dermotts of Roscommon; Malachy, king of Meath, came with 1000 men, and according to Keating and O'Halloran, the king of Ulster made an offer of his troops and services, which was declined by Brian, in consequence of some former feuds between them. Flaherty O'Neill was at that time king of Ulster, and though he did not come, some of the Ulster chiefs joined the standard of Brian at Clontarf. O'Carroll, prince of Oirgiall, and Maguire, prince of Fermanagh, who are mentioned as two of the most illustrious of the men of Erin, came with their Ultonian forces, and also Felim O'Neill, a famous warrior, who killed a Danish champion in single combat, and carried off his shield, which was ornamented with silver, and hence he was called Felim of the Silver Shield. Sitric, a prince of Ulster, and a valiant warrior, is mentioned by O'Halloran as having fought on
Annals of Inisfallen, of Ulster, and of the Four Masters; from the
histories of Keating, O'Halloran, &c. , and from some ancient
Irish MSS. in the library of Sir William Betham, and also from the
Icelandic Saga in Johnstone's Celto-Scandinavian, and Celto
Normanic Antiquities, and various other sources. Sitric III.
Danish king of Dublin, having leagued with his relative, Maol
mora Mac Murrogh, king of Leinster, to avenge the various de
feats and disasters they had sustained in their battles with Brian
Boru and king Malachy, and determined, if possible, to acquire
the entire sovereignty of Ireland, they, for this purpose, secretly
dispatched emissaries to collect and combine all the forces they
possibly could, for the invasion of Ireland, amongst the Danes and
Norwegians of Northumberland, and of the Orkney Islands, the
Hebrides, and Isle of Mann, together with auxiliaries from Den
mark, Norway, and Sweden, and also, it is said, from the Nor
mans of France, and some Belgians, with some Britons from Wales
and Cornwall. The Annals of Inisfallen state that Danish forces
came from all the places above-mentioned, and from all parts of
the world where the Danes resided, and the Four Masters men
tion that all the Foreigners of eastern Europe came against Brian
and Malachy. A powerful fleet, with those combined forces of
foreigners, arrived at the bay of Dublin on Palm Sunday, the 18th
of April, A. D. 1014, under the command of Brodar, the Danish
admiral. The entire of these combined foreign forces, together
with the Danes of Dublin, and other parts of Ireland, amounted to
twelve thousand men, and their Irish allies, the Lagenians, under
Maolmora Mac Murrogh, king of Leinster, numbered nine thou
sand, thus making in all 21,000 men, and according to the Annals of
Inisfallen,they amounted to seven Catha or battalions, and each Cath
or battalion, according to the Irish writers, consisted of 3000 men.
The forces from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, were under the
command of two princes, named Carolus Knutus and Andreas,
sons of Sueno, king of Denmark, and a body of 1000 Norwegian
warriors, completely covered with coats of mail, of brass and
iron, was commanded by Carolus and Anrud, two sons of Eric,
king of Norway. The Northmen, from the Orkneys, Hebrides, the side of Brian; he was probably some chief of Danish descent, Isle of Mann, and Northumberland, were commanded by Sigurd,
earl of Orkneys, the son of Lodar, assisted by Brodar, the Danish admiral, Oittir the Black, and other chiefs. The Danes of Dublin and other parts of Ireland, were commanded by Sitric, the Danish king, and two valiant chiefs, named Dolat and Commaol. Their Irish allies, the Lagenians, were commanded by their king, Maol mora; Boadan, prince of West Leinster; the son of Tuathal,
prince of Moy Liffey; the son of Brogarvan, prince of Offaly, and
other chiefs. It is stated by Keating and others, that when Maol mora, king of Leinster, found all his foreign allies assembled, he
sent a herald to Brian Boru, challenging him to battle on the Plains of Clontarf. This custom prevailed amongst the ancient Irish, of selecting a time and place, according to mutual consent,
or the name Sitric might have been taken by some Irish chief from intermarriage with the Danes. The Mormaors, or Great Stewards of Lennox and Marr, came with their forces from Scot land to assist the Irish, as hereafter explained.
Brian's entire army is considered to have amounted to about twenty thousand men, and the combined forces of the Danes and their allies amounted to 21,000, thus making in all nore than 40,000 men engaged on both sides at Clontarf. The Danish forces all assembled at Clontarf, and were formed into three great divi sions; the first, composed of the Danes of Dublin and other parts of Ireland, joined by the 1000 Norwegian warriors clad in coats of mail, was commanded by Sitric, king of Dublin, and the Iarls Dolat, Conmaol, Anrud, and Carolus; the second, composed of the Lagenians, and a battalion of Danes, were under Maolmora, king of Leinster, and his chiefs; and the third body, composed of the foreign auxiliaries from Denmark, from the Orkneys, &c. , was under the command of Brodar, the Danish admiral, and Si gurd, earl of Orkneys. Brian's army was likewise formed into
to decide their contests in a pitched battle. Brian had been some time making preparations to meet this powerful confederacy of foreign and donestic enemies, and having collected his forces, he
was some time encamped, as before stated, on the plains of Kil mainham,near Dublin. The Dalcassians, or troops of Thomond,
512 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1580.
catenadh, and to Ikerrin (in Tipperary). The those Ely O’Fogarty, Hy Luigdeach, Pobal forces of the country in every direction through Droma and Pobal Purcell (all districts Tipperary); which he passed, collected in pursuit of him, viz. , the people those territories deemed great
three divisions, the first composed of the Dalcassians, commanded
mail; the spears were shivered the shock; shields and buck lers were rent asunder, the champions were cloven down, heroes were hacked and hewed pieces, and heaps carnage lay the
by himself in person, his son Murrogh, and other chiefs; the
second body composed of the Conacians under king Teige O'Conor,
and the other chiefs above mentioned; the third division was slain. The brave Murrogh, son Brian, led the van, and the
formed by the Desmonians and Desians, under Kian, and the other chieftains of Desmond. Malachy, king of Meath, with his forces, was appointed to assist the Dalcassians in the first division; and the Ultonians co-operated with the Desmonians in the third divi vision, as did likewise the great Stewards of Lennox and Marr. It does not appear there were any Cavalry engaged on either side at Clontarf; the armies of the ancient Irish were chiefly composed of foot forces, and the Kerns or light infantry of those days were armed with spears, javelins, darts, slings, bows and arrows, and they sometimes flung showers of stones when in want of other weapons; they were extremely swift of foot, active in attacking, and rapid in retreating, and made fierce and irregular onsets into the ranks of their opponents. The Galloglasses or heavy infantry, were select men of great strength and stature, armed with swords and battle-axes, and being more steady and disciplined than the Kerns, stood firmly in their ranks, and bore the brunt of battle. The chief weapons of the Danish warriors were the sword, spear, and battle-axe, and they also had bodies of archers and slingers. A great body of the Danish and Norwegian warriors were, as above stated, clad in armour or coats of mail of brass and iron, and wore iron helmets and breast-plates, and they used large round or oval shields made of wood, bound with hoops of iron, and coloured red. The Standards of the Danes, asbefore described at p. 458, bore
the figure of a Raven, which was the chiefensign on their banners. The Standards of the ancient Irish bore representations of various
trees and animals, as the yew, the mountain ash, the oak, &c. ; of wolf dogs or grey hounds, lions, leopards, deer, &c. ; of weapons, as shields, swords, spears,and battle-axes; of musical instruments, as the Harp, Pipes, &c. Accounts of these banners are given in some of the Ossianic poems, and the bards also mention that the ancient warriors used a banner called Gal-Greine, signifying a Sun-Burst or Sun-Beam, and it bore a representation of the Sun and its rays. The banners were of various colours, green, blue, white, and red, but it appears red was a favourite colour, as Ire land is frequently designated Banba-na-m Bratach Ruadh, that Ireland the Red Banners. O’Brien's Irish Dictionary
the word Concobar, stated that three Lions Rampant were the figures always borne the banners Brian Boru his various battles. few days before the battle Brian detached his son Donogh the head battalion the Munster troops into Lein ster lay waste the territory his enemy Maolmora, but ex pecting that Donogh would back time for the conflict Clontarf, however, Donogh did not return till the day after the battle, which was considered great loss. At sun-rise the morning Good Friday, the 23rd April, Brian, the head his forces, marched from the camp Kilmainham Clontarf, and made animating harangue encouraging his men the encounter against these fierce pirates and Pagans, who had frequently laid waste the country, and ravaged their towns, cities, and churches, with ruthless fury, and holding sword his right hand, and his left crucifix, exhorted them the symbol
the Cross, and reminding them that the day was the anniversary
Christ's Passion, he assured them victory. The royal tent being pitched, Brian's standard was advanced, and the Raven bearing banner the Danes unfurled, fierce battle cries, and shouts
defiance arose either side. The Irish bards raised the Rosg
Catha war-song, and the Scandinavian Skalds recited their
battle odes, and animated their champions the contest. The
brazen-tongued war-trumpets were blown with terrific blasts; the
warriors rushed the eneounter, and the conflict raged on all vanquished. By the Four Masters the conflict thus designated sides with surpassing fury showers arrows and darts darkened Cath Coradh Cluana Tairbh, that is, The Battle Cloutarf
the air, and volleys stones from the slings whizzed through the the Heroes, and they describe “a sanguinary, violent, most ranks; the swords and battle-axes rang the helmets and coats fierce, furious, and unparalleled battle, the like which was not
various Irish chiefs performed prodigies valour, and amongst those Torlogh, son Murrogh, then only the 16th year his age, was particularly distinguished for his prowess and deeds heroism. The battalion 1000 Northmen coats mail, did great execution amongst the Irish during the early part the battle, but being attacked Murrogh, the head his chosen battalions, those steel-clad champions were cloven down, and hewed through their iron helmets and armour the heavy battle axes and strong arms the dauntless and well disciplined Dal cassians, and scarcely one
the fortunes that day. slew single combat Sigurd,
the foreign warriors escaped tell Of the Danish commanders, Murrogh
earl Orkneys, whose scull clove
with one blow
some writers
Sigurd, earl
at Clontarf.
slain Murrogh and Anrud, son the king Norway, seeing
his brother Carolus slain, furiously encountered Murrogh, whose right hand said was swollen, and unable wield the battle axe from incessant exertion during the day, but with his left hand seized Amrud, and shaking him out his coat mail, prostrated and pierced him through the body with his sword, but the Norwegian fell grasped Murrogh's skian dagger, and
his battle-axe Sitric, son
this commander mentioned Lodar, but this mistake, for
some followers into king was guarded only
the opportunity,
wood near Brian's tent, perceived that the few attendants, and taking advantage and his followers rushed into the royal tent;
Orkneys, son
The valiant chiefs Carolus and Commaolwere also
stooped over him plunged heroic Murrogh mortal wound,
morning. curious incident
pions the heat battle, order quench their thirst, and cool their hands swollen from the violent use of the sword and battle axe, frequently retired adjoining spring, and always returned
the conflict with fresh vigour, which the Danes observing, at tacked the guards placed there, and destroyed the fountain
the well still shown Clontarf. The combat Murrogh with Anrud happened the evening, and the Danish forces were that time nearly vanquished, and were soon after put flight
all directions. Brodar, the Danish commander, having fled with
he slew the king with his sword, and the same time cut down youth who attended Brian, and valiantly interposed save the life his royal master; the aged hero, though taken surprise, seized his battle-axe, made brave resistance, and wounded some
his assailants. The assassin, raising his bloody sword aloft ex
claimed, “Let proclaimed from man man, that Brian has
fallen the hand Brodar. ” The Danish chieftain thus endea voured rally his flying forces and renew the contest, but Brian's guards having heard the king's death, returned and rushed Brodar and his followers with great fury, cut them pieces, and having seized Brodar himself, put him death with excruciating torments. The battle had now raged with great fury from morn ing till near sunset, but the Foreigners and their allies were dis comfited and routed on all sides—their ranks broken—their batta lions scattered—their champions cut down—their standard bearers slain, and their Raven-bearing banners trampled the dust; the remnant their forces fled from the field all directions, some
Dublin, and some their ships; the Irish warriors like rush ing torrent pursued the flying Foreigners, and terrific was the uproar and clamour the combatants, amidst the clashing arms, the fierce shouts the victors, and the wild shrieks the
Lodar, was the chieftain slain
his breast, and gave the which died the following
mentioned, that the Irish cham
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REIGN OF ELIZABETH.
prize for them to find John with so small a force, their chiefs, the heads clans and towns, and they boldly and fiercely attacked him ; but, were slain that engagement; and John carried
however, the pursuers were defeated, and eighteen
fought before that time. ” The Chronicon Scotorum, says, that “no battle equal to this had been fought in Ireland for many ages. ” After the Danish forces were put to flight, they were pursued, some to Dublin, and others to their ships at Howth, with dreadful carnage, and great numbers of them were drowned, and some hun dreds of the women who accompanied the Danish army were likewise slain and drowned ; king Sitric, with the remnant of his Danish forces and their Leinster allies, fled to Dublin. In the well-contested and sanguinary conflict of Clontarf, many thousands fell on each side, but the accounts of the numbers slain are dif ferent. According to accounts given by Keating, O'Halloran, and others, the Danes and their allies lost about thirteen thousand men; namely, 4000 of the Danes of Dublin and other parts of
off his prey into the dense and solitary woods
latives, the Clan Colman, give account the battle Clon tarf, described follows:—“It impossible for human lan guage describe that battle, nor could less than an angel from heaven adequately relate the terrors that day. We were se parated from the combatants, spectators, greater distance than the breadth ditch and fallow field, the high wind the spring blowing towards where we stood. Not longer than half hour after they commenced the conflict could the com batants distinguished from each other; not even father brother could recognize each other, except their voices, closely were they mingled together. When the warriors engaged and grappled close combat, was dreadful behold how their weapons glittered over their heads, the sun, giving them the
Ireland; 6000 of the Danes, Norwegians, and other foreign auxi appearance numerous flock white seagulls, flying the
liaries; and 3000 of the men of Leinster. The accounts of the
number of Hrian's forces slain, are also various, some making the
number 4000, others 7000, and some state that no less than 11,000
of the Irish were slain. According to the Annals of Ulster 6000
of the Danish forces were slain, but, according to the Annals of
Innisfallen, which are considered the best authority on this sub before they recovered their former brightness. To those who be
air. Our bodies and clothes were all covered over as were with red rain blood, borne from the battle field the wings the
wind; the swords, spears, and battle-axes the combatants were cemented and entangled with clotted blood and locks hair, that they could with difficulty use them, and was long time
ject, there were 13,000 of the Danish forces slain, thus mentioned in the Irish “Torchar tri mile deag do Ghallaibh,” which, in Dr. O'Connor's edition of the Annals, is by some mistake in the figures, made 3012. From a consideration of the different accounts, it appears that at least 10,000 of the Danish forces, and 3000 of their allies, the Lagenians, both making 13,000, and about 7000 of the Irish, under Brian Boru, &c. , fell at Clontarf, the whole thus amounting to 20,000 men slain in that tremendous battle. Maolmora, king of Leinster, with 3000 of his forces, and many of his chiefs, fell in the battle, and almost the Danish commanders were slain, many whom have been above mentioned, and together with these also fell Gilla Cuaran, son Gluniarn, and Dubhgall, son Aulaf, both whom were heirs presumptive the kingship Dublin; Oittir the Black, Suart gar, Grisene, and Aulaf, the son Lagman, were also slain. On the side the Irish fell king Brian, and his heroic son Mur rogh, together with Torlogh, the son Murrogh, and Co nang, nephew Brian, one the heirs the throne Mun ster; and, according some accounts, two three other sons Brian, and many his nephews and relatives were slain. Many the chieftains Munster already mentioned
held the slaughter, spectators, the sight was more terrific than those engaged the battle, which continued from sunrise until the shades evening, when the full tide carried the ships away. ”
The following passages from Mac Pherson's Ossian, his poem Fingal, may quoted descriptive fierce battle, similar that Clontarf:—“As autumn's dark storms, pouring from two echoing hills, towards each other, approach the heroes. As two deep streams from high rocks meet, mix, and roar the plains loud, rough and dark battle met Lochlin and Inisfail; chief mixed his strokes with chief, and man with man—steel clanging
sounded steel—helmets are cleft high—blood bursts and smokes around—strings murmur the polished yew--darts rush along the sky—spears fall like the circles light, which brighten the face night. As the noise the troubled ocean, when roll the waves high—as the last peal the thunder heaven, such
the din of battle—as rushes stream of foam from the dark shady steep Cromla, when the thunder travelling above, and dark-brown night sits half the hill fierce, vast, terrible, rushed the sons Erin. As roll thousand waves against the rocks, Lochlin's host came meets rock thousand waves, Inisfail met Lochlin's spears. ” The royal tent, and
commanders fell, O'Felan, prince Desies the son Brian's head-quarters, are traditionally said have been the
Beatach, prince Kerry Luachra; Scanlan, prince Lough Lein; Geibhionach, prince Fermoy Donal, prince Corca Baisgin; Niall O'Quinn, intimate friend Brian, and many
place now pointed out by the name Conquer Hill, near the sea shore, short distance beyond the present village Clontarf, but
the battle-field extended widely over the adjoining plains, and the pursuing and retreating parties had fierce conflicts along the shore towards Raheny, Baldoyle, and Howth, one side, and the other far the river Tolka, and the place now called Bally bough Bridge, towards Dublin. There are the plains Clon tarf still some remains large earthen mounds, no doubt the sepulchres warriors slain there, and ancient weapons, swords, battle-axes, spear-heads, &c. , have been frequently dug up about the neighbourhood Clontarf. After the battle, the remnant the Danish forces, under Sitric, returned their garrison Dub lin; and though the attempt establish Danish supremacy
Of the Connaught commanders fell Mulroona O'Heyne, Aidhne, and Teige O'Kelly, prince Hy Maine, both
others.
prince
Galway.
recorded.