Mathadan, prince of Ulidia, having joined the Danes under Aulaf, son of Godfrey, they laid waste and plun dered the
province
of Ulster as far as Slieve Beatha to the west, and Muchamha to the east, that Slieve Beagha moun tain and Mucknoe, both the county Monaghan, but they were pursued by Murtogh Mac Neill, prince Aileach, who gained great victory over them, and carried off 200 their heads, toge ther with many captives and great booty; and stated the Annals of Ulster that 1200 of the Danes and their allies were slain.
Four Masters - Annals of Ireland
Patrick, Galway,
those who were under the queen's authority, from Limerick Sligo. At that citation came the earl
and Gort his father's brother, namely, Der
account which they dreaded the president, and privately fled from the town; when the president
was informed that, he took the chiefs Clan rickard and imprisoned them the town, and having arrested the earl, their father, took him with him Athlone, and from thence Dublin, where he left the earl, and he himself returned back to Athlone. When the earl’s sons received intel ligence that affair, they called upon the retained soldiers and mercenary forces the neighbouring districts come them without delay; that call
mod Riavach, the son
Dermod, for seniority.
was en
titled
right
A. D. 1572.
The archbishop Tuam, i. e. Christopher Boid
icin (Bodkin) died, and was interred Galway. The bishop Kilfenora, John Oge, the son
John, son Auliff O’Niallain, preacher
the word God, died, and was interred Kil was promptly attended the Mac Sweeneys
femora.
Margaret, the daughter Conor, son Tor Donnells, the galloglasses, with many hundreds
logh, son Teige O'Brien, woman full hos Scots along with them. Before these were able
pitality, integrity, wisdom, piety, purity, and chastity, died.
assemble one place, the president took his troops and soldiers with him Galway, and having brought the ordnance and forces Gal way along with him, proceeded Achaidh-ma
The lord Gerald, son
Decies, John, son
Maurice, the son Gerald, son James,
Upper and Lower Connaught, and the Mac
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480 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1572.
nIubhar, viz. : the town of the sons of Donal dated the town, that was not easy matter O'Flaherty, and it was Murrogh of the Battle-axes, rebuild for long time after. They went
the son of Teige O'Flaherty, that induced him to cond time into West Connaught, despite the
go on that expedition. Having left two of the tribe of Donal O'Flaherty about the castle, the
Clanrickard and Hy Maine, without opposition pass and from but through Ath-Tire-Hoilein battle, and arrived Athlone. After the foremen alone, and each occasion they committed im tioned force had collected from quarters the mense depredations and plunders Murrogh earl’s sons, they and Mac William Burke, namely, O'Flaherty. The earl’s sons were thus engaged John, the son Oliver, bound themselves co from the end spring the middle harvest, operate with each other, and the first thing they plundering the merchants and every thing they did after that was commence demolishing the could belonging the English, and also the
president afterwards half demolished and took the
castle, and left that remained the posses
sion Murrogh the Battle-axes O'Flaherty; the O'Flahertys that they had gone those two the presidentafterwards returned Galway, through occasions the country, and they had way
white-walled towers, and the strong castles Clanrickard, that they destroyed the castles
the country from the Shannon Burren (in Clare) excepting few. After that they plundered the
country between the rivers Suck and Shannon, and the woody districts, and those who were alliance league with the English, far the gates Athlone. The direction they afterwards took was the right hand along the Shannon eastward, directly Slieve Baghna-na-dTuath (Slieve Bane mountains, Roscommon), and having proceeded over the ferry Annaly, they burned Athleague (now Lanesborough, partly Longford and partly Roscommon), and continued
burn, devastate, plunder and spoil every town before them, until they went far West Meath; those towns was Mullingar, and from thence they
Irish. The resolution the council of Dublin and
the nobles the English finally came was,
set the earl liberty peace and amity, over his territory and lands, that might pacify his sons;
and having returned his country the har vest this year, pacified his sons, who disbanded their soldiers after having paid them their stipend and wages. James Mac Maurice, the son the earl (of Desmond), was along with the sons the earl Clanrickard those expeditions, waiting for the purpose bringing the Scots with him into the country the Geraldines, and impossible
relate that James encountered perils and great dangers, want food, and sleep, and
with only few forces and adherents, from the
English and Irish the two provinces Munster during that year.
The president (Sir John Perrott), the two pro vinces Munster, laid siege Castlemaine the they proceeded the other side Delvin Mac summer this year, and had with him the
went the gates Athlone, and burned the town from the bridge outwards. From thence
Coghlan, (in the King's county), from whence they returned back Siol Anmcha Galway),
and they did not leave chief district from
Eachtge Droos (from the borders Galway and Clare Bundrowes, Leitrim), but they com
pelled join them their warfare that expe dition. They demolished the walls the town Athenry, stone houses and castle, and dilapi
forccs the two provinces Munster, both the English and Irish, and the large towns, with their ordnance, powder, and lead. The troops the entire race Eogan More (the Mac Carthys, and other chiefs Desmond), were that camp, and there were also there Fitzmaurice Kerry, namely, Thomas, the son Edmond; the Barrys, and the Roches. The entire of those forces be
naught, Connemara, and situated near Oughterard, Lough
Corrib, Galway, where some remains are still be seen this old castle, which was immense strength and great antiquity.
A. D. 1572. Aughanure, Irish Achaidh-na-niubhar,
signifying the field old yew trees formerly there, was the chief fortress the O'Flahertys, lords West Con
the yews, and called from the number
people Galway, and the English soldiers whom the president had left aid guarding the town, and slew the captain those Saxon soldiers
the western gate the town. was despite
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REIGN OF ELIZABETH. 481 sieged the castle for the space of three months, along with the sons the earl (of Clanrickard),
and they at length took
provisions, and not indeed
and was for the purpose
relieve the castle that James Mac Maurice had been
VII. Danish Wars the tenth century. —In the preceding article account has been given the Danes, Norwegians, and Normans, and the Danish invasions and battles the eighth and ninth centuries; and this article continued, from page 469, account the Danish wars the tenth century. As stated 469, Aulaf II. became Danish king
before stated.
great mortality prevailed this year among men and cattle.
through the want
for want defence;
bringing the Scots
Dublin, A. D. 892, and was slain shortly after, great
battle with the men Ulster Tirconnell and A. 897 the
Northmen were expelled from Dublin the Irish princes and
chiefs Leinster and Meath, but about 900, the Northmen
again returned Dublin with large fleet and powerful forces,
and fought battle with the Lagenians, which they were de day. The Irish forces attacked them three o'clock the after feated with great slaughter.
A. D. 900 the Danes had fleet the celebrated fortress Aileach
Lough Swilly, and they took Donegal, the ancient residence
noon, and fierce battle was fought, which the Danes were defeated, and both sides 1100 men, together with many chiefs, were slain. Fresh battalions rushed from the fortress of the Foreigners the aid their people, and the Irish pursued them
916, according the Annals Ivar, with his fleet, was taken
Leinster, which was the name
Ulster, Sitric, the grandson
Ceannfuaith, the east
promontory apparently the
coast Wicklow Dublin, where the Danes had fortress; Re
ginald, grandson Ivar, came with another fleet Foreigners
the bay Waterford, but they were slaughtered the men
Munster. The forces the northern and southern Hy Niall were led Niall Glundubh, monarch Ireland, and having joined the
men Munster attack the Foreigners, Gletrach, Magh Femhin, near Clonmel 22nd August, and the Foreigners came
encamped Tipperary,
Tobar the the same
that place
the Kings Ulster for many ages.
the fortress where Reginald, king the Dubh Ghalls Danes, was with his forces, and king Niall having attacked them, many his menwere wounded Niall after that remained twenty nights the rere the Fortress against the foreigners. the same year Sitric, the grandson Ivar, the head the Danish
About 903, according the Saga Snorro, given
Johnstone's Celto-Scandinavian Antiquities, Thorgils and Frotho,
sons Harold Harfager, Harold the Fair-haired, the famous
king Norway, with powerful fleet attacked the coasts Scot
land and Ireland, and coming Dyflinni Dublin, took that city,
where Frotho was put death poison, and Thorgils became forces, fought battle Ceann Fuaith above mentioned, against king the Northmen Dublin, over whom ruled for some years, the Lagenians, whom defeated, and 600 them were slain, to but was length slain the Irish. About 907, according gether with Ugaire, king Leinster, and many chiefs, amongst
the Saga, Aulaf the Fair, descendant Harold Harfager and son others Maolmora, son Muiregan, prince East Liffey Mu
Halfdan king Upland Sweden, famous pirate king, came
Ireland, took the city Dublin, and becameruler the North men, but fell battle with the Irish, therefore, according this ac
count, was Aulaf III. About the same time Eyvinder, another Swedish prince, came Ireland and married daughter Kiarval Irish king (probably Carroll, who was that time king
Leinster), and had her son named Helge, who was brought Ireland and became famous warrior. About A. D. 905 or 907, according the British Chronicle quoted Hanmer, 176, the Danes came Ireland with great forces, laid waste great part the country, and slew Cormac and Kyrval, Irish kings, but Keating considers that this account confounded with the battle
Bealach-Mughna Leinster, fought about this time between
the monarch Flann Sionna and Cormac Mac Cuilionain, archbishop Cashel and king Munster, which Cormac, and also Carroll,
gron, lord the Three Comans, &c. ; and Maolmaedhog, archbishop Leinster, and abbot Glen Uissenn, man celebrated for his
wisdom and learning. 916 Oitir and Reginald, lords the Danes Waterford, invaded Albany Scotland, and fought
great battle with the Scots, who were aided the Saxons, and commanded Constantine, king Scotland; the Danish forces
four great bodies commanded Godfrey, grandson Ivar, Reginald, Oitir, and Gragaban, after fierce battle were defeated with great slaughter, and Oitir with many other chiefs were slain.
this year the Danes Dublin devastated Kildare, Leighlin,
the 17th October great battle which they gained the victory, and Ireland, together with vast number the Four Masters, and landed Port Lairge Waterford, and, his forces were slain. King Niall was joined the princes and chiefs Meath, Ulster, and Connaught, and there were great
king Leinster, were slain; but been Danish auxiliaries that battle.
probable there might have
Sitric the valiant, fought with the Irish, near Dublin, Niall Glundubh, monarch
A. 910 the Northmen came with
great fleet, according
according the Annals Ulster, the place called Loch-da Caech, which was the ancient name the Bay Waterford. Ac
cording Ware and the Annals Ulster, Baridh Barredo, the
son Octir, and Ragnal Reginald, the son Ivar, became
about 910, rulers the Northmen Dublin, but having
contended for the supremacy, they fought 913 fierce naval
battle the Isle Mann, which the forces Batredo were
totally defeated, and himself slain, and Reginald became Danish
king Dublin. 913 and 914, the Northmen are men
tioned the Four Masters having come twice Waterford
with great fleet, and laid waste great part Leinster and Munster. 914, according Ware and others, great Da
nish fleet arrived Dublin under the command Godfrey Mac ful
Ivar, who attacked the city with great fury, took, and put the gar rison the sword. This fleet probably came from Northumbria,
the Irish. This great battle was fought the northern side Dublin, near the sea shore, probably between Dublin and Clon tarf. The following passages have been literally translated from
the verses this battle quoted by the Four Masters, which have also been translated into Latin by Dr. O'Conor.
“Mournful was that day, that direful Wednesday,
When fell the hosts under the feet the shield bearers,
the Battle Dublin, for ever detestable, Where by wicked men fell the illustrious Niall.
Godfrey, grandson Northumbria. devastated the Island
Ivar, was then the Norwegian king 916 the Danes Dublin invaded Wales, and
Anglesey and other parts.
Battles Cinnfuaith and Tobar Gletrach. -A. 915 the
Danes Dublin plundered and burned the famous monastery Kildare and the same year, according the Four Masters,
other churches Leinster, and slew many clergy.
Battle Dublin. —In 917, according ters, the Danes Dublin, and other parts
the monks and
the Four Mas Ireland, having
collected their forces under the command Ivar and Sitric Gale,
forces collected, and the battle long contested with great bravery, considered there were five or six thousand men slain on both
sides. There fell the side the Irish, together with their king Niall, and vast number common soldiers, Conor O'Melaghlin, prince Tara, and heir apparent the throne Ireland; Ceal lach, son Fogartach, prince South Bregia; Hugh, son Eochagan, king Ulidia; Maolcraoibhe O’Duibhsionach, prince
Orgiall; Maolcraoibhe, prince Tortan, and many other chiefs. Several curious verses this battle are quoted from the Bards the Four Masters, which mentioned that was fought Wednesday, and that that direful day was long mourn
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482 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1573.
A. D. 1573. year; the Annunciation happened after Easter,
Shrove Sunday, and the festival of St. Bridget and the Ascension in Spring, which was considered (the 1st of February), fell on the same day this by persons extraordinary.
“And Concovar, the hero of noble deeds,
Hugh, the munificent son of Eathach of Ulidia, Maolmithy, the noble leader of battalions,
With numbers of brave soldiers and valiant warriors.
“The sons of kings and of queens
Did that mournful fight of Dublin destroy, Guarded were the captives and led in chains, Miserably dragged along after the army.
“There was none to mourn them on the sea shore, Lamentable was that Wednesday, a direful day ; Woeful this day, as a sepulchre is Erin,
For the victory gained by the Red King of the Danes.
“The heavens are seen without a sun,
For the plains of Hy-Niall have lost Niall; There is now no equal strength of warriors, No peace or joy for the armies.
“No pleasing intercourse of man with man, Since the lamented chief has fallen ; Mournful is that, O yellow plain of Bregia, Thou delightful region of prosperity.
“The king of heroes is separated from thee, And long shall be remembered in song, Niall the warrior who gave many wounds; Vanished are the champions of after times. ”
It is stated that Niall recited the following verse as a war-song the day before the battle :
“He who wishes to seethe various-coloured banners, And the swords of the hosts of heroes,
And the green spears of direful wounds,
Let him repair to Ath Cliath at early morn. ”
This Niall Glundubh, monarch of Ireland, was a valiant warrior, and head of the Northern Hy-Niall of the race of Eogan, and from him the princes of Tir Eogain or Tyrone took the name of O'Neill.
Battle of Kianaght. —In A. D. 918, Donogh, monarch of Ire land, successor of Niall Glundubh, collected his forces and fought a great battle at Ciannachta in Bregia, in Meath, at a place called Tigh Mic Eochaidh, or Mic Nechtain, against the 1)anesof Dublin, in which a vast number of the Foreigners were slain ; and in that battle it is stated the Irish were avenged for the defeat of Dublin, for the Four Masters say there fell as many nobles of the North men as had been slain of the chiefs of the Irish at the Battle of Dublin. Many of the Irish chiefs were also slain at Ciannachta, amongst others Murtogh, son of Tiarnan, prince or heir presumptive of Brefney. In this year the stone church of Kells in Meath was demolished by the Danes, and many persons martyred.
In A. D. 919 the Danes of Dublin, under Godfrey, the grandson of Ivar, settled in Dublin, and Armagh was laid waste by his forces on the Saturday before the festival of St. Martin, but he spared the churches, the Culdees, and the sick; he devastated the coun try as far as Inis Labhradh, in the east, as far as the river Bann, and to the north as far as Magh Uillsen, but the Ultonians under Murtogh, prince of Ulster, son of king Niall Glundubh, defeated the Foreigners, and slew a vast number of them, and the remnant escaped through the darkness of the night. In the same year Olbho, a chief of the Danes, had a fleet of forty ships on Lough Foyle, and plundered Inisowen; Fergal, prince of Fochla, attacked them, killed the crew of one vessel, which he destroyed, and car ried off its spoils and treasures. The Danes, with another fleet of
ships, came Ceann Maghair, cape the east Tirconnell,
under the command Uathmaran, the son Barith. this year the Danes plundered Ferns St. Moeg, Wexford, and various other churches Leinster. In A. D. 920 the Danes of Limerick, cominanded by the son Ailgi, came with fleet the Shannon far Athlone and Lough Ree, laid waste and plun dered Clonmacnois, and all the islands the lake, and carried off immense spoils gold, silver, and precious articles. the same
year the Danes laid waste the islands Fothart, and slew 1200 the Irish, and Abel, scribe, was martyred them.
921, according Ware, Reginald, son
men, died Dublin, and was succeeded Godfrey, who plundered Armagh; this
Ivar, king the North
the above mentioned Godfrey II. , Danish
king
berland,
fleet
the lake and the country all sides, and they remained the lake until the summer following. the same year the Danes had fleet Lough Cuan, now Strangford Lough, the county
Down, and they slew Maolduin, heir presumptive the king dom Ulster; the Four Masters record the same year that 1200 the Danes Lough Cuan were drowned Lough Ruidh re, probably Lough Ree the Shannon. At this time contentions arose between the Danes Dublin and Limerick, and Godfrey led his forces from Dublin, but immense number them were slain the Danes Limerick, under the son Ailgi. the same year Colla, the son Barith, lord the Danes Limerick, came with fleet Lough ee, and plundered the country. D. 924 the Danes Lough Cuan took the fortress Dunseverick near the Giant's Causeway, and great numbers were slain and many made prisoners.
Battle of Cluan Cruimther. —In 924 the Danes Dub lin and Ulster were defeated Thursday, the 28th December, great battle the bridge Cluan Cruimther, by the Ulto nians under Murtogh Mac Neill, prince Aileach, which 800
them were slain, together with Albúann Halfdan, the son Godfrey; Aufer; Roilt Rolf, and other chiefs. the same year the Foreigners were defeated the Bay Belfast, Mur
Dublin, and was also king over the Dames Northum hereafter shown. 922 the Danes had large
Lough Erne, and laid waste the islands and peninsulas
togh Mac Neill, who cut off the heads 200 them. About the same time mentioned that another force the Danes, who were stationed Ath Cruithne, the Ford the Picts Uister, were nearly cut off famine, till Godfrey, lord the Danes Dublin, came their relief.
925 Sitric II. , grandson Ivar, lord the Duhb Ghaill and Fionn Ghaill, that the Danes and Norwegians Dublin,
died, and Godfrey, with his Danish forces, left Dublin and went beyond the sea, but returned six months, and the same year stated that the Danes Linn Duachaill, that Magher
alinn, the county Down, left Ireland. A. D. 926, Kildare was laid waste the Danes Waterford, under the son God frey, and carried off inany captives and great spoils. D.
927 Loch Oirbsen, now Lough Corrib Galway, was taken pos session the Danes Limerick, who with great fleet plun dered the adjoining country, and the same year Kildare was laid waste Godfrey
Godfrey, grandson
plundered the abbey
Danes Lough Corrib were slaughtered the same year the Danes, commanded
Lough Neagh, and fixed their camp
Iarl the Danes, with great multitude Leinster the people Hy Kinsellagh.
the Conacians, and Torolbh, took possession Rubla Mlena. Accolb, his men, were slain
A. 929 the Danes Godfrey went Ossory
the festival St. Bridget. 928 Ivar, with the Danes Dublin, took and Ferns, and slew one thousand people. The
Limerick were defeated Lough Ree.
expel the grandson Ivar. About this time Faolan, king
Leinster, and his son Lorcan, were taken prisoners the Danes Dublin. 930 Torolb, earl the Danes, was defeated
and slain by Murtogh Mac Neill and the men Dalaradia. Battles Mucknoe and of Lough Neagh. -In A. 931,
Conang, the son king Niall Glundubh, having entered into
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Mac Ailin, i. e. Gillespy, the son of Gillespy, the most humane of the Gael in Scotland, died.
Magrath, i. e. William, the son of Aengus, the chief professor of the Dalcassians in poetry, a man
alliance with the Danes of Ulster, defeated the Ultonians in a great battle at Ruba, near Lough Neagh, in which upwards of 1000 of them were slain. In the same year Armagh was laid waste about the festival of St. Martin, by Aulaf, the son of Godfrey, and the Danes of Strangford Lough, and the Danes also took possession of Lough Erne, and plundered and laid waste the country and churches as far as Loch Gamhna or Lough Gawna, on the borders of Cavan and Longford.
Mathadan, prince of Ulidia, having joined the Danes under Aulaf, son of Godfrey, they laid waste and plun dered the province of Ulster as far as Slieve Beatha to the west, and Muchamha to the east, that Slieve Beagha moun tain and Mucknoe, both the county Monaghan, but they were pursued by Murtogh Mac Neill, prince Aileach, who gained great victory over them, and carried off 200 their heads, toge ther with many captives and great booty; and stated the Annals of Ulster that 1200 of the Danes and their allies were slain.
The Danes Waterford and Limerick. -In the ninth and tenth centuries the Danes and Norwegians are mentioned the Annals the Four Masters, Innisfallen, and Ulster, having frequently arrived with great fleets and powerful forces Loch da-Chaoch Desies, now the Bay Waterford, and fought many
fierce battles with the Irish various parts Munster, which accounts have been given the preceding parts these articles, from the years 800 900. The Danes and Norwegians held the cities Waterford and Limerick, and likewise Cork and Wex ford, well Dublin, from the ninth century down the English invasion, towards the latter end the twelfth century,
eminently learned in arts and skilled in husbandry, died.
Donogh Riavach, the son of Teige O'Kelly, died. A Saxon earl, namely, the earl of Essex, came
and were ruled over kings and Iarls. gian chief, planted
came their king.
but the Danes and Norwegians gave the name Vedra-Fiord, which, according some, signified the Port Harbour the Father, being called honour Odin, their god and father, or, according Johnstone, the name was derived from the Danish
Cashel, and Brian Boru.
932 Godfrey II. , Danish king Dublin, died;
Vedr, storm, and Fiord, harbour, hencesignifying the Port Harbour storms; and from Vedra-Fiord came the English
Waterford, was
Waterford, but were
Idrone. 915
and again the same year plundered Ceallachan, king
Cashel, and the same year Donogh, monarch Ireland, at
tacked the Danes Dublin and burned the city, and 935
the Danes Dublin, under Aulaf, left their fortress and went
England, but Aulaf returned Dublin 936 with fresh forces, as hereafter mentioned.
The Battle of Brunanburgh. -An account the Danes and Norwegians who conquered Northumbria, and other parts Eng
1036 Reginald mentioned Dublin Sitric, Danish king manus, son Raban, king
his successor, and was slain that city. 1038 Com the Danes Waterford, was slain,
has been given 460 462, invaded England with great fleet and powerful forces Danes and Norwegians, and having slain battle York, Osbert and Ella, the Saxon kings Nor thumbria, together with
Several kings the Northmen Waterford the Irish Annals and by Ware. 893
name Waterford.
are mentioned
Patrick, son
slain.
defeatedwith great slaughter the prince
Ivar, king the Northmen 914 the Northmen landed
Waterford plundered and burned the famous abbey
the Danes
and city
country.
tric and Oittir, are frequently mentioned lords the Northmen
Waterford. 1000, Ivar, the Danish king Water ford, died, and was succeeded his son Reginald, who
1003 erected the strong stone fortress called Reginald's Tower, which still standing, and known the name Ring Tower; Reginald died 1020, and was succeeded his brother Sitric, who 1023 was killed the people Ossory; and
Lismore, marched into Meath, and laid waste the
From the year 915 930, Reginald, son Ivar, Si
land, the ninth century, given
Anglo-Saxons, and the article Cyclopedia. 867 Hingvar
Speed's Annals, and Turner's
Northumberland the Penny Ivar, Hubba, and Halfdan,
and the city was burned by Dermod Mac Maol-na-m Bo, king Leinster, and the same year the Danes Dublin marched Waterford, which they plundered and burned. 1089 the Dames Dublin, Waterford, Wexford, and Wicklow, with their
combined forces, marched attack Cork, but were defeated by the Irish with great slaughter. An account the battles the Danes Cork, Waterford, and Wexford, with the English under Strongbow and his followers, hereafter given.
In Limerick, the Northmen, before stated, settled,
colony under Ivar, brother Sitric, the Danish king
the Heptarchy, according Speed and others, contained the provinces Deira and Bernicia, and comprised the territories which now form the counties Nor
REIGN OF ELIZABETIH. 483 |
Waterford, and Aulaf, another these Norwegian princes, who was brother Ivar and Sitric, settled colony Dublin. The Northmen for more than two hundred years ruled over Limerick,
and many their lords and leaders are mentioned these articles, the accounts the various battles.
the course From about
Limerick, 930, the Danes Limerick, having fleet the Shannon, and plundering the adjoining parts Munster and Connaught, and proceeding far Athlone and Lough Ree Meath, plundering the abbeys and churches, Clonmacnois, Clonfert, &c. , and carrying off great
spoils gold, silver, and precious articles; and Keating mentions
that the Danes Limerick were defeated about this time the people Connaught, and many their forces slaughtered, toge ther with Harold, son Ivar, lord the Danes Limerick.
931, according the Four Masters, chief the Danes
Limerick, who was called Aulaf Cenn Carrach, defeated the chiefs Hy Maine Galway, with great slaughter; and 932
the Danes Limerick devastated Connaught far Moylurg Roscommon; and 934 Aulaf Ceann Carrach again ravaged the country, and came from Lough Erne across Brefney, and far Lough Ree the Shannon, and laid waste the
country Christmas night, and remained for the space seven months spoiling and plundering Magh Aoi Roscommon, and other parts Connaught. 935 Aulaf, the son Godfrey, lord the Danes Dublin, came with his forces Lough Ree, and carried off captive Aulaf Ceann Carrach, and the Danes who were with him, and destroyed their ships. sub sequent part this article an account given various battles fought with the Danes Limerick, Waterford, and Cork, and great victories gained over them the celebrated Ceallachan, king
900 950 Tomar, and other Iarls the Danes are frequently mentioned. From 920 about Keating, O'Halloran, and others, mentionTomar, lord
their own lords and chiefs, sometimescalled 853, before stated, Sitric, Norwe colony Northmen Waterford, and be This place was called the Irish Port Lairge,
called men;
the Annals Ulster the most cruel king the North
was succeeded his son Aulaf, who was Aulaf IV.
934 Clonmacnois was devastated the Danes Dublin,
men incredible strength, says Speed, and who were sons the famous Ragnar Lodbrog, king Denmark, whom account
they became masters Northumbria, the time
immense number the Anglo-Saxons, the country. The ancient kingdom
thumberland, Cumberland, Westmoreland, Yorkshire, Lanca shire, and Durham. Hingvar and Hubba also conquered parts Mercia the present county Nottingham their extensive pos sessions the north England were termed the Danelagh, and Halfdan became their first king, and divided these great territo ries amongst his followers. On the death Halfdan, A. D 883, Godred, or, according others, Gormo, succeeded king, and after him Eric, who about 902 was slain battle by the
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484 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1573.
in the harvest of this year to preside over the pro Bacach O’Neill, Codhnach, ruled over Trian vince of Ulster, and went to reside at Carrickfergus Congail and Clannaboy that time, and many
and in Clannaboy. Bryan, the son of Felim depredations and conflicts took place between
Saxon king Edward the Elder. Soon after another invasion of the Northmen took place under Reginald, Sitric, and Niel or Nigel,
the two latter being sons of Hingvar or Ivar ; they defeated the Northumbrians and Scots, and seized the kingdom of Northumbria. Nigel was killed by his brother Sitric, who became very powerful, and married the sister of Athelstan, king of England; and this Sitric also became Danish king of Dublin, and his death is recorded at A. D. 925 in the Four Masters. On the death of Sitric, his son Godefrid or Godfrey succeeded, but was defeated and expelled from Northumbria by Athelstan; this Godfrey became Danish king of Dublin as before mentioned, and on his death A. D. 932, was succeeded by his son Aulaf, as Danish king of Dublin; he is called in the Saga Olafr Raudi, or Aulaf the Red, and stated to have been born in Ireland; he was a warrior of great strength and valour, and married a daughter of Constantine, king of Scotland; he ruled not only over Dublin, but extended his power over the Orkneys, the Hebrides, and Isle of Mann, and was styled king of Ireland and the Isles. Aulaf determined to make an attempt to recover the kingdom of Northumbria, collected all the Danish forces he could in Ireland, and was joined by a great number of Irish kerns as auxiliaries; he sailed from Dublin with all his ships, and having collected many other vessels from the Scottish isles, he entered the Humber in Northumberland with a mighty fleet, consisting of no less than 615 ships, according to Turner and others. Aulaf was joined in Northumbria by all the Danes and Norwegians in England, and by many of the British princes of Wales and Cumbria, and likewise by the Scots under his father in-law, king Constantine. Athelstan, king of England, mustered a powerful army of the Anglo-Saxons, commanded by himself in person, his brother Edmond, and many famous champions. An account of the various celebrated chiefs who fought at Brunan burgh, is given by Turner, and in the Icelandic Saga, and amongst others is mentioned a famous Norwegian warrior named Thorolf, who fought on the side of Athelstan; he was a man of immense strength and gigantic stature, and his spear is thus described in the Saga:-He held in his hand a spear, the iron head of which was two cubits in length (more than three feet), terminated in a four-sided sharp point flattened on both sides; the shank which entered the handle was long and thick, and the shaft, to the length of a cubit above the shank, was of great thickness and covered with iron; the shaft or handle was ten feet long, making the en tire spear about fourteen feet in length, and this formidable wea pon was called Brinthuarar, that the Piercer Coats Mail. Aulaf the day before the battle made the exceeding bold experi ment entering the camp Athelstan, disguised harper, and played before the king the royal tent; he laid plan sur prising the English camp that night, and would have succeeded had not the intention been accidentally discovered soon after his departure, consequence his having been seen, when be yond the precincts the camp, indignantly throwing away the gold had received from king Athelstan, for his musical per formance, and this circumstance having led the discovery, the English were guarded against surprise. Both armies encountered
place called Brunan-Burgh, signifying the Town the Foun tains Northumbria, and fought one the most tremendous bat tles recorded those ages. Milton his History Britain calls
“the bloodiest fight that ever this Island saw. ” After furious and long contested conflict, and the most heroic valour displayed the champions both sides, Aulaf and his allies were length
vanquished with prodigious slaughter, and he fled his ships the Humber with small remnant his forces; five kings and twelve earls are recorded have fallen the side Aulaf, and king Constantine narrowly escaped with his life, and fled with few followers to Scotland. There were at least one hundred thou sand men engaged that battle, and both sides there were not less than fifty thousand slain. There difference chronology
the time this battle; Turner and Thierry place the year 934, but was fought 937, according various other
authorities. This battle mentioned the Annals of Ulster at A. 936, which stated, that terrible, lamentable, and horrible war was fiercely carried between the Saxons and Northmen, which unnumbered thousands the Northmen fell, and king Aulaf with few escaped; and the other side im mensemultitude the Saxons were slain, but king Athelstan gained great victory. There ancient poem the battle Brunanburgh the Saxon chronicle, and version Danish
and Latin, given Johnstone's Celto-Scandinavian Antiquities, from which has been literally translated follows:—
“Athelstan the king,
The giver collars
And his brother Edmond Etheling,
lasting glory won By the edges swords
battle Brunanburgh.
earth the lord, the brave,
“The wall shields they cleaved, And hewed the warriors' banners; As for the sons Edward, them
was natural from their ancestors, Often the field against every foe,
To defend their land, their treasure, and homes.
“Pursuing, they destroyed the Scottish people (the Irish and Scots),
And their fleet ships while the slaughtered fell; The field resounded with the strife warriors, From the rising the sun morning hour,
Till the noble creature hastened her setting, The greatest star rejoicing above the earth,
The candle God, the Eternal Lord.
“There lay many mighty chiefs,
The strong Northmen were cut down, Pierced with darts over their shields,
And the Scots were weary the red battle.
“The race of the Western Saarons chosen bands, laid prostrate
Their hated foes throughout the long day, Nor did the Mercians fear the strife of arms,
“Then was there safety for the warriors Who came with Aulaf across the sea,
And o'er the ocean's bosom sought the land, To mingle their might this fatal conflict.
“On the field battle pierced with wounds,
Fell five kings, commanders heroes,
With seven Aulaf's valiant earls,
And the Scottish seamen, countless number.
“There the dreaded leader of the Northmen Was put flight, and few his followers; The mournful king wept he returned O'er the deep waves with the remnant
“Constantine the North amongst his kinsmen Did not exult the shock battle,
For there his friends and kindred fell, O'erwhelmed the strife of fierce contest.
“There did leave his valiant son,
Mangled with wounds the field slaughter,
Nor could the yellow-haired race, dauntless war, Glory the fortune that day's fight.
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REIGN OF ELIZABETH. 485
Bryan and the earl, until the following festival of O’Brien, was slain by Ulick Burke, the son of St. Patrick. Rickard, son of Ulick of the Heads, aided by
Murrogh, the son of Dermod, son of Murrogh O'Shaughnessey, namely, Dermod Riavach, the
“Neither could Aulaf, the brave in battle, And old in war, or his surviving heroes,
Boast that they who commanded there Had victory won on that fatal field.
“The fierce blows and piercing of weapons,
And the councils of their chiefs they rue by turns, And they long lamented they had dared to contend On the field of war with the sons of Edward.
* The mournful remnant of the Northmen Fled in their ships o'er the sounding sea,
With Aulaf their king in sorrow,
And o'er the deep ocean returned to Dyflin (Dublin).
“Then did the two valiant brothers, Athelstan the king, and Etheling, Return to the land of the West Saxons, And left behind the bewailers of battle.
“On the field the black ravens feed,
With pointed beaks on the carcasses of foes, The croaking toad, and hungry eagle,
The kite, and wild wolf of the woods.
“Never had there been in this island
A greater slaughter, or more men destroyed, Before this time by the edges of swords,
As recorded in the books of the old sages ;
“Since the Angles and Saxons came from the East Over the broad waves and conquered the Britons, The mighty artificers of war,
The earls excelling in valour,
Subdued the people and obtained the land. ”
In A. D. 936 after the return of Aulaf, and the remnant of his forces to Dublin, from the battle of Brunanburgh, they again com
menced their depredations, and laid waste Kilcullen in Kildare, and carried off, according to the Four Masters, one thousand cap tives, but soon after Donogh, monarch of Ireland, in conjunction with Murtogh Mac Neill, assembled their forces and attacked the Danes of Dublin, and afterwards spoiled and laid waste all their possessionsfrom Dublin to Ath-Trustan, or the Ford of Trustan,
of Ulster, Downpatrick was devastated by the Danes, which was avenged by God and St. Patrick, as other Foreigners came from beyond the sea, and expelled them, and their commander the
son of Reginald, was soon after slain. In the same year Blacar and the Danes of Dublin plundered Clonmacnois, Kildare, and other churches.
The Battle of Ardee. —The Danes of Dublin, under Blacar their king, fought a great battle with the Irish of Ulster, com manded by Muircheartach Mac Neill, in which, after great slaugh ter on both sides, the Ultonians were defeated, and Muircheartach himself was slain. This battle was fought, according to the Four Masters, in A. D. 941, but according to the Annals of Ulster, A. D. 943, which is considered the correct chronology, and the day of the battle was Sunday the 4th of March. The place men tioned as the scene of this battle, according to the Annals of Ul ster, was Glassliathain near Clan Cain of the men of Ross, now Clonkeen, a few miles north of Ardee, in the county of Louth, towards Carrickmacross, on the borders of Monaghan. Some verses to the following effect from one of the bards, are quoted on the death of Muircheartach, by the Four Masters:
“From hence vengeance and death shall prevail Against the race of Conn for ever,
Since the lamented Murkertach has fallen, The Gael henceforth shall continue orphans. ”
This Murkertach Mac Neill was so called being son of the valiant king Niall Glundubh, who, as already stated, was slain at A. D.
917, in a great battle with the Danes of Dublin. Murkertach or Murtogh Mac Neill, was Righ-Damhna or heir apparent to the
throne of Ireland; he resided at the ancient palace of Aileach in Donegal, and was generally styled prince of Aileach. The heroic Murkertach was distinguished for military abilities, and one of the most renowned warriors Ireland has produced ; he was designated Muircertach-na-goochall-geroicenn, signifying Murtogh of the leathern Cloaks or Jackets, from his having invented a particular kind of leathern coverings for his soldiers, which partly served as armour. He kept up a battalion of those warriors perfectly dis ciplined, and at the head of twelve hundred of them, he, in A. D. 941, set out from his fortress of Aileach, made a circuit of Ireland, and compelled all the provincial kings and princes to do him homage and deliver hostages as Roy-Damna or heir apparent to the throne, being the successor elect of Donogh, the then reigning monarch. During his tour Murkertach marched to Dublin, and took with him as a hostage Sitric, a Danish lord of great note, who is called by the Irish writers Sitric-na-Sead, that Sitric the Wealthy, and was son Sitric, the former Danish king
which was situated on the river Greese near Athy, in Kildare. In
A. D. 937 or 939, the Danes took the fortress of Aileach, the cele
brated residence of the kings of Ulster, and having made Murtogh
Mac Neill prince of Aileach, prisoner, they carried him off to their Dublin. Murkertach proceeded Leinster and took with him
ships on Lough Swilly, but he soon after made his escape from them, to the great joy of the Irish. In the same year the Danes under Aulaf, son of Godfrey, left Dublin, through the miracles of
God and St. Mactalius, who was an ancient bishop of Kilcullen in the sixth century, and was a patron saint of Dublin. In A. D. 938 Blacar, son of Godfrey, and brother of Aulaf, came to Dublin, and was king over the Danes there until A. D. 943, when he was driven from Dublin by his brother Aulaf, who returned from Eng land, but Aulaf dying soon after, was again succeeded by Blacar. In A. D. 937 Ceallachan, king of Cashel, with the menof Munster and Danish auxiliaries from Waterford, plundered Meath and car ried off great spoils and many captives. In A. D. 938 Harold, grandson of Ivar, and son of Sitric, lord of the Danes of Limerick, was defeated and slain in Connaught, by the chiefs of Aidhne in Galway.
ter
hostage Lorcan, king that province; from thence marched Munster, made Ceallachan, king Cashel, prisoner, put fet him, and conveyed him away; proceeding thence Con
Battle of Moy Cisi. -In A. D. 939 the Danes of Dublin were
defeated by the men of Offaley, commanded by Amergin their after our time. He had great genius for war any man
prince, and by the people of Kinel Fiachain Westmeath, in a great
battle at Magh Cisi, in which 1000 of the Foreigners with many of their chiefs were slain. In A. D. 940, according to the Annals
that this island has perhaps ever produced. The endowments his heart were still greater; enemies was the most generous, commanders the most affable. Elevated, bene
naught, Concovar, the son Teige, king
him, and having made his submission
With these captive princes Murkertach
that province, came fetter was put him.
returned Aileach,
and they were for nine months feasting there, and then sent
those hostages the monarch Donogh, who then reigned Tara.
Murkertach, mentioned the previous part this article,
fought many fierce battles with the Danish forces during period more than twenty years, and gained many great victories over
them and designated the Four Masters the “Hector Western Europe. ” The character this renowned warrior, equally distinguished for his valour and patriotism, thus elo
quently drawn the Dissertations Charles O'Conor:—“His character lies entombed the history people hardly inquired
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486 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 157
son of Dermod, son of William, son of John Buighe, James Mac Maurice carried on war and conflict and it was by the hand of O'Shaughnessey he was with the English this year, until treaty peace slain; Gort was taken from O’Shaughnessey by was ratified between him and the president the
John Burke, in revenge of the death of his brother.
volent, and captivating, he was unhappily taken off at a time when his character put him in possession of a power which probably would have relieved his country from bondage. ” Cormacan Eigeas, or Cormacan the Learned, who was chief poet of the north of Ire land, and the particular friend and follower of Muircertach, and who died A. D. 948, and is mentioned in O’Reilly's Irish Writers, at A. D. 941, composed a poem on the tour of Muircertach, which is preserved in the Leabhar Gabhala, or Book of Invasions of the O'Clerys, an excellent copy of which is in the library of Sir Wil liam Betham, who has kindly lent it to the translator of theseAnnals for the purpose of making extracts. The poem commences thus:
“A Mhuircheartaigh mheic Neill nair, Roghabhais giallu Innsi Fail. ”
“O Murkertach, son of valiant Niall,
Thou hast taken the hostages of Inis Fail. ”
Faolan, king of Leinster, another celebrated champion distin guished in the battles against the Danes, is mentioned at this time
by the Four Masters, and his death recorded at A. D. 940, in some verses quoted from one of the bards, of which the following is a translation :
“Faolan the terrific, dreaded in war,
Whose mighty voice extinguished the din of battle,
The warlike chieftain of Cualan (Wicklow),
The heroic king of Leinster was slain ;
The strong hand of the Heremonians of Erin,
The champion who conquered the Danish battalions,
A light that shonelike the morning star, Was the valiant warrior Faolan. ”
In A. D. 941 (or 943), the day after Murkertach was slain at the battle of Ardee, Armagh was devastated by the Danes under Bla
car, but in the same year Roderick O'Camannan, prince of Tircon nell, gained a victory over the Danes of Longh Foyle, and in this year also Lorcan, the son of Faolan, king of Leinster, was slain by the Northmen after he had laid waste Dublin, and gained a victory over them in the beginning, for which he is greatly celebrated in verses quoted by the Four Masters.
Battle in Dublin. —In A. D. 942 Congalach, who was after wards monarch of Ireland, with Brann, son of Maolmorda, king of Leinster, and Ceallach, son of Faolan, Roydamna of Leinster, led their forces to Dublin, took its houses, its granaries, ships, and fortifications, all of which they burned, and carried off its women, sons, and common people captives; its warriors and soldiers were slain, youths dispersed through the cities and fortresses Ire land; many people were wounded, some them were drowned, others burned made captives, and only small portion escaped few ships, who went Delganny Wicklow, where
appears the Danes had stronghold. There are verses quoted the Four Masters this battle, from which the following pas
two provinces Munster, precisely Spring;
grandson king Niall Glundubh, and was himself afterwards mo narch Ireland; and the first the northern Hy Niall who took the name O'Neill. this year Blacar, king the Danes, was expelled from Dublin, and his brother Aulaf ruled there after him. Ceallachan, King Cashel, the race the Eugenians Desmond, flourished this time, and makes remarkable figure
the history Munster for period
Battle Desies. —In 941, according the Annals In misfallen, the Danes Waterford and their allies were defeated two battles Desies Waterford, and Ferns Wexford, by the
men Munster, under Ceallachan Cashel, and 2000 reigners were slain. 943 the Danes Limerick, encamped Cloch Beathach, Ossory, now Rathbeagh
kenny, plundered Ferns second time.
those who were under the queen's authority, from Limerick Sligo. At that citation came the earl
and Gort his father's brother, namely, Der
account which they dreaded the president, and privately fled from the town; when the president
was informed that, he took the chiefs Clan rickard and imprisoned them the town, and having arrested the earl, their father, took him with him Athlone, and from thence Dublin, where he left the earl, and he himself returned back to Athlone. When the earl’s sons received intel ligence that affair, they called upon the retained soldiers and mercenary forces the neighbouring districts come them without delay; that call
mod Riavach, the son
Dermod, for seniority.
was en
titled
right
A. D. 1572.
The archbishop Tuam, i. e. Christopher Boid
icin (Bodkin) died, and was interred Galway. The bishop Kilfenora, John Oge, the son
John, son Auliff O’Niallain, preacher
the word God, died, and was interred Kil was promptly attended the Mac Sweeneys
femora.
Margaret, the daughter Conor, son Tor Donnells, the galloglasses, with many hundreds
logh, son Teige O'Brien, woman full hos Scots along with them. Before these were able
pitality, integrity, wisdom, piety, purity, and chastity, died.
assemble one place, the president took his troops and soldiers with him Galway, and having brought the ordnance and forces Gal way along with him, proceeded Achaidh-ma
The lord Gerald, son
Decies, John, son
Maurice, the son Gerald, son James,
Upper and Lower Connaught, and the Mac
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480 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1572.
nIubhar, viz. : the town of the sons of Donal dated the town, that was not easy matter O'Flaherty, and it was Murrogh of the Battle-axes, rebuild for long time after. They went
the son of Teige O'Flaherty, that induced him to cond time into West Connaught, despite the
go on that expedition. Having left two of the tribe of Donal O'Flaherty about the castle, the
Clanrickard and Hy Maine, without opposition pass and from but through Ath-Tire-Hoilein battle, and arrived Athlone. After the foremen alone, and each occasion they committed im tioned force had collected from quarters the mense depredations and plunders Murrogh earl’s sons, they and Mac William Burke, namely, O'Flaherty. The earl’s sons were thus engaged John, the son Oliver, bound themselves co from the end spring the middle harvest, operate with each other, and the first thing they plundering the merchants and every thing they did after that was commence demolishing the could belonging the English, and also the
president afterwards half demolished and took the
castle, and left that remained the posses
sion Murrogh the Battle-axes O'Flaherty; the O'Flahertys that they had gone those two the presidentafterwards returned Galway, through occasions the country, and they had way
white-walled towers, and the strong castles Clanrickard, that they destroyed the castles
the country from the Shannon Burren (in Clare) excepting few. After that they plundered the
country between the rivers Suck and Shannon, and the woody districts, and those who were alliance league with the English, far the gates Athlone. The direction they afterwards took was the right hand along the Shannon eastward, directly Slieve Baghna-na-dTuath (Slieve Bane mountains, Roscommon), and having proceeded over the ferry Annaly, they burned Athleague (now Lanesborough, partly Longford and partly Roscommon), and continued
burn, devastate, plunder and spoil every town before them, until they went far West Meath; those towns was Mullingar, and from thence they
Irish. The resolution the council of Dublin and
the nobles the English finally came was,
set the earl liberty peace and amity, over his territory and lands, that might pacify his sons;
and having returned his country the har vest this year, pacified his sons, who disbanded their soldiers after having paid them their stipend and wages. James Mac Maurice, the son the earl (of Desmond), was along with the sons the earl Clanrickard those expeditions, waiting for the purpose bringing the Scots with him into the country the Geraldines, and impossible
relate that James encountered perils and great dangers, want food, and sleep, and
with only few forces and adherents, from the
English and Irish the two provinces Munster during that year.
The president (Sir John Perrott), the two pro vinces Munster, laid siege Castlemaine the they proceeded the other side Delvin Mac summer this year, and had with him the
went the gates Athlone, and burned the town from the bridge outwards. From thence
Coghlan, (in the King's county), from whence they returned back Siol Anmcha Galway),
and they did not leave chief district from
Eachtge Droos (from the borders Galway and Clare Bundrowes, Leitrim), but they com
pelled join them their warfare that expe dition. They demolished the walls the town Athenry, stone houses and castle, and dilapi
forccs the two provinces Munster, both the English and Irish, and the large towns, with their ordnance, powder, and lead. The troops the entire race Eogan More (the Mac Carthys, and other chiefs Desmond), were that camp, and there were also there Fitzmaurice Kerry, namely, Thomas, the son Edmond; the Barrys, and the Roches. The entire of those forces be
naught, Connemara, and situated near Oughterard, Lough
Corrib, Galway, where some remains are still be seen this old castle, which was immense strength and great antiquity.
A. D. 1572. Aughanure, Irish Achaidh-na-niubhar,
signifying the field old yew trees formerly there, was the chief fortress the O'Flahertys, lords West Con
the yews, and called from the number
people Galway, and the English soldiers whom the president had left aid guarding the town, and slew the captain those Saxon soldiers
the western gate the town. was despite
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REIGN OF ELIZABETH. 481 sieged the castle for the space of three months, along with the sons the earl (of Clanrickard),
and they at length took
provisions, and not indeed
and was for the purpose
relieve the castle that James Mac Maurice had been
VII. Danish Wars the tenth century. —In the preceding article account has been given the Danes, Norwegians, and Normans, and the Danish invasions and battles the eighth and ninth centuries; and this article continued, from page 469, account the Danish wars the tenth century. As stated 469, Aulaf II. became Danish king
before stated.
great mortality prevailed this year among men and cattle.
through the want
for want defence;
bringing the Scots
Dublin, A. D. 892, and was slain shortly after, great
battle with the men Ulster Tirconnell and A. 897 the
Northmen were expelled from Dublin the Irish princes and
chiefs Leinster and Meath, but about 900, the Northmen
again returned Dublin with large fleet and powerful forces,
and fought battle with the Lagenians, which they were de day. The Irish forces attacked them three o'clock the after feated with great slaughter.
A. D. 900 the Danes had fleet the celebrated fortress Aileach
Lough Swilly, and they took Donegal, the ancient residence
noon, and fierce battle was fought, which the Danes were defeated, and both sides 1100 men, together with many chiefs, were slain. Fresh battalions rushed from the fortress of the Foreigners the aid their people, and the Irish pursued them
916, according the Annals Ivar, with his fleet, was taken
Leinster, which was the name
Ulster, Sitric, the grandson
Ceannfuaith, the east
promontory apparently the
coast Wicklow Dublin, where the Danes had fortress; Re
ginald, grandson Ivar, came with another fleet Foreigners
the bay Waterford, but they were slaughtered the men
Munster. The forces the northern and southern Hy Niall were led Niall Glundubh, monarch Ireland, and having joined the
men Munster attack the Foreigners, Gletrach, Magh Femhin, near Clonmel 22nd August, and the Foreigners came
encamped Tipperary,
Tobar the the same
that place
the Kings Ulster for many ages.
the fortress where Reginald, king the Dubh Ghalls Danes, was with his forces, and king Niall having attacked them, many his menwere wounded Niall after that remained twenty nights the rere the Fortress against the foreigners. the same year Sitric, the grandson Ivar, the head the Danish
About 903, according the Saga Snorro, given
Johnstone's Celto-Scandinavian Antiquities, Thorgils and Frotho,
sons Harold Harfager, Harold the Fair-haired, the famous
king Norway, with powerful fleet attacked the coasts Scot
land and Ireland, and coming Dyflinni Dublin, took that city,
where Frotho was put death poison, and Thorgils became forces, fought battle Ceann Fuaith above mentioned, against king the Northmen Dublin, over whom ruled for some years, the Lagenians, whom defeated, and 600 them were slain, to but was length slain the Irish. About 907, according gether with Ugaire, king Leinster, and many chiefs, amongst
the Saga, Aulaf the Fair, descendant Harold Harfager and son others Maolmora, son Muiregan, prince East Liffey Mu
Halfdan king Upland Sweden, famous pirate king, came
Ireland, took the city Dublin, and becameruler the North men, but fell battle with the Irish, therefore, according this ac
count, was Aulaf III. About the same time Eyvinder, another Swedish prince, came Ireland and married daughter Kiarval Irish king (probably Carroll, who was that time king
Leinster), and had her son named Helge, who was brought Ireland and became famous warrior. About A. D. 905 or 907, according the British Chronicle quoted Hanmer, 176, the Danes came Ireland with great forces, laid waste great part the country, and slew Cormac and Kyrval, Irish kings, but Keating considers that this account confounded with the battle
Bealach-Mughna Leinster, fought about this time between
the monarch Flann Sionna and Cormac Mac Cuilionain, archbishop Cashel and king Munster, which Cormac, and also Carroll,
gron, lord the Three Comans, &c. ; and Maolmaedhog, archbishop Leinster, and abbot Glen Uissenn, man celebrated for his
wisdom and learning. 916 Oitir and Reginald, lords the Danes Waterford, invaded Albany Scotland, and fought
great battle with the Scots, who were aided the Saxons, and commanded Constantine, king Scotland; the Danish forces
four great bodies commanded Godfrey, grandson Ivar, Reginald, Oitir, and Gragaban, after fierce battle were defeated with great slaughter, and Oitir with many other chiefs were slain.
this year the Danes Dublin devastated Kildare, Leighlin,
the 17th October great battle which they gained the victory, and Ireland, together with vast number the Four Masters, and landed Port Lairge Waterford, and, his forces were slain. King Niall was joined the princes and chiefs Meath, Ulster, and Connaught, and there were great
king Leinster, were slain; but been Danish auxiliaries that battle.
probable there might have
Sitric the valiant, fought with the Irish, near Dublin, Niall Glundubh, monarch
A. 910 the Northmen came with
great fleet, according
according the Annals Ulster, the place called Loch-da Caech, which was the ancient name the Bay Waterford. Ac
cording Ware and the Annals Ulster, Baridh Barredo, the
son Octir, and Ragnal Reginald, the son Ivar, became
about 910, rulers the Northmen Dublin, but having
contended for the supremacy, they fought 913 fierce naval
battle the Isle Mann, which the forces Batredo were
totally defeated, and himself slain, and Reginald became Danish
king Dublin. 913 and 914, the Northmen are men
tioned the Four Masters having come twice Waterford
with great fleet, and laid waste great part Leinster and Munster. 914, according Ware and others, great Da
nish fleet arrived Dublin under the command Godfrey Mac ful
Ivar, who attacked the city with great fury, took, and put the gar rison the sword. This fleet probably came from Northumbria,
the Irish. This great battle was fought the northern side Dublin, near the sea shore, probably between Dublin and Clon tarf. The following passages have been literally translated from
the verses this battle quoted by the Four Masters, which have also been translated into Latin by Dr. O'Conor.
“Mournful was that day, that direful Wednesday,
When fell the hosts under the feet the shield bearers,
the Battle Dublin, for ever detestable, Where by wicked men fell the illustrious Niall.
Godfrey, grandson Northumbria. devastated the Island
Ivar, was then the Norwegian king 916 the Danes Dublin invaded Wales, and
Anglesey and other parts.
Battles Cinnfuaith and Tobar Gletrach. -A. 915 the
Danes Dublin plundered and burned the famous monastery Kildare and the same year, according the Four Masters,
other churches Leinster, and slew many clergy.
Battle Dublin. —In 917, according ters, the Danes Dublin, and other parts
the monks and
the Four Mas Ireland, having
collected their forces under the command Ivar and Sitric Gale,
forces collected, and the battle long contested with great bravery, considered there were five or six thousand men slain on both
sides. There fell the side the Irish, together with their king Niall, and vast number common soldiers, Conor O'Melaghlin, prince Tara, and heir apparent the throne Ireland; Ceal lach, son Fogartach, prince South Bregia; Hugh, son Eochagan, king Ulidia; Maolcraoibhe O’Duibhsionach, prince
Orgiall; Maolcraoibhe, prince Tortan, and many other chiefs. Several curious verses this battle are quoted from the Bards the Four Masters, which mentioned that was fought Wednesday, and that that direful day was long mourn
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482 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1573.
A. D. 1573. year; the Annunciation happened after Easter,
Shrove Sunday, and the festival of St. Bridget and the Ascension in Spring, which was considered (the 1st of February), fell on the same day this by persons extraordinary.
“And Concovar, the hero of noble deeds,
Hugh, the munificent son of Eathach of Ulidia, Maolmithy, the noble leader of battalions,
With numbers of brave soldiers and valiant warriors.
“The sons of kings and of queens
Did that mournful fight of Dublin destroy, Guarded were the captives and led in chains, Miserably dragged along after the army.
“There was none to mourn them on the sea shore, Lamentable was that Wednesday, a direful day ; Woeful this day, as a sepulchre is Erin,
For the victory gained by the Red King of the Danes.
“The heavens are seen without a sun,
For the plains of Hy-Niall have lost Niall; There is now no equal strength of warriors, No peace or joy for the armies.
“No pleasing intercourse of man with man, Since the lamented chief has fallen ; Mournful is that, O yellow plain of Bregia, Thou delightful region of prosperity.
“The king of heroes is separated from thee, And long shall be remembered in song, Niall the warrior who gave many wounds; Vanished are the champions of after times. ”
It is stated that Niall recited the following verse as a war-song the day before the battle :
“He who wishes to seethe various-coloured banners, And the swords of the hosts of heroes,
And the green spears of direful wounds,
Let him repair to Ath Cliath at early morn. ”
This Niall Glundubh, monarch of Ireland, was a valiant warrior, and head of the Northern Hy-Niall of the race of Eogan, and from him the princes of Tir Eogain or Tyrone took the name of O'Neill.
Battle of Kianaght. —In A. D. 918, Donogh, monarch of Ire land, successor of Niall Glundubh, collected his forces and fought a great battle at Ciannachta in Bregia, in Meath, at a place called Tigh Mic Eochaidh, or Mic Nechtain, against the 1)anesof Dublin, in which a vast number of the Foreigners were slain ; and in that battle it is stated the Irish were avenged for the defeat of Dublin, for the Four Masters say there fell as many nobles of the North men as had been slain of the chiefs of the Irish at the Battle of Dublin. Many of the Irish chiefs were also slain at Ciannachta, amongst others Murtogh, son of Tiarnan, prince or heir presumptive of Brefney. In this year the stone church of Kells in Meath was demolished by the Danes, and many persons martyred.
In A. D. 919 the Danes of Dublin, under Godfrey, the grandson of Ivar, settled in Dublin, and Armagh was laid waste by his forces on the Saturday before the festival of St. Martin, but he spared the churches, the Culdees, and the sick; he devastated the coun try as far as Inis Labhradh, in the east, as far as the river Bann, and to the north as far as Magh Uillsen, but the Ultonians under Murtogh, prince of Ulster, son of king Niall Glundubh, defeated the Foreigners, and slew a vast number of them, and the remnant escaped through the darkness of the night. In the same year Olbho, a chief of the Danes, had a fleet of forty ships on Lough Foyle, and plundered Inisowen; Fergal, prince of Fochla, attacked them, killed the crew of one vessel, which he destroyed, and car ried off its spoils and treasures. The Danes, with another fleet of
ships, came Ceann Maghair, cape the east Tirconnell,
under the command Uathmaran, the son Barith. this year the Danes plundered Ferns St. Moeg, Wexford, and various other churches Leinster. In A. D. 920 the Danes of Limerick, cominanded by the son Ailgi, came with fleet the Shannon far Athlone and Lough Ree, laid waste and plun dered Clonmacnois, and all the islands the lake, and carried off immense spoils gold, silver, and precious articles. the same
year the Danes laid waste the islands Fothart, and slew 1200 the Irish, and Abel, scribe, was martyred them.
921, according Ware, Reginald, son
men, died Dublin, and was succeeded Godfrey, who plundered Armagh; this
Ivar, king the North
the above mentioned Godfrey II. , Danish
king
berland,
fleet
the lake and the country all sides, and they remained the lake until the summer following. the same year the Danes had fleet Lough Cuan, now Strangford Lough, the county
Down, and they slew Maolduin, heir presumptive the king dom Ulster; the Four Masters record the same year that 1200 the Danes Lough Cuan were drowned Lough Ruidh re, probably Lough Ree the Shannon. At this time contentions arose between the Danes Dublin and Limerick, and Godfrey led his forces from Dublin, but immense number them were slain the Danes Limerick, under the son Ailgi. the same year Colla, the son Barith, lord the Danes Limerick, came with fleet Lough ee, and plundered the country. D. 924 the Danes Lough Cuan took the fortress Dunseverick near the Giant's Causeway, and great numbers were slain and many made prisoners.
Battle of Cluan Cruimther. —In 924 the Danes Dub lin and Ulster were defeated Thursday, the 28th December, great battle the bridge Cluan Cruimther, by the Ulto nians under Murtogh Mac Neill, prince Aileach, which 800
them were slain, together with Albúann Halfdan, the son Godfrey; Aufer; Roilt Rolf, and other chiefs. the same year the Foreigners were defeated the Bay Belfast, Mur
Dublin, and was also king over the Dames Northum hereafter shown. 922 the Danes had large
Lough Erne, and laid waste the islands and peninsulas
togh Mac Neill, who cut off the heads 200 them. About the same time mentioned that another force the Danes, who were stationed Ath Cruithne, the Ford the Picts Uister, were nearly cut off famine, till Godfrey, lord the Danes Dublin, came their relief.
925 Sitric II. , grandson Ivar, lord the Duhb Ghaill and Fionn Ghaill, that the Danes and Norwegians Dublin,
died, and Godfrey, with his Danish forces, left Dublin and went beyond the sea, but returned six months, and the same year stated that the Danes Linn Duachaill, that Magher
alinn, the county Down, left Ireland. A. D. 926, Kildare was laid waste the Danes Waterford, under the son God frey, and carried off inany captives and great spoils. D.
927 Loch Oirbsen, now Lough Corrib Galway, was taken pos session the Danes Limerick, who with great fleet plun dered the adjoining country, and the same year Kildare was laid waste Godfrey
Godfrey, grandson
plundered the abbey
Danes Lough Corrib were slaughtered the same year the Danes, commanded
Lough Neagh, and fixed their camp
Iarl the Danes, with great multitude Leinster the people Hy Kinsellagh.
the Conacians, and Torolbh, took possession Rubla Mlena. Accolb, his men, were slain
A. 929 the Danes Godfrey went Ossory
the festival St. Bridget. 928 Ivar, with the Danes Dublin, took and Ferns, and slew one thousand people. The
Limerick were defeated Lough Ree.
expel the grandson Ivar. About this time Faolan, king
Leinster, and his son Lorcan, were taken prisoners the Danes Dublin. 930 Torolb, earl the Danes, was defeated
and slain by Murtogh Mac Neill and the men Dalaradia. Battles Mucknoe and of Lough Neagh. -In A. 931,
Conang, the son king Niall Glundubh, having entered into
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Mac Ailin, i. e. Gillespy, the son of Gillespy, the most humane of the Gael in Scotland, died.
Magrath, i. e. William, the son of Aengus, the chief professor of the Dalcassians in poetry, a man
alliance with the Danes of Ulster, defeated the Ultonians in a great battle at Ruba, near Lough Neagh, in which upwards of 1000 of them were slain. In the same year Armagh was laid waste about the festival of St. Martin, by Aulaf, the son of Godfrey, and the Danes of Strangford Lough, and the Danes also took possession of Lough Erne, and plundered and laid waste the country and churches as far as Loch Gamhna or Lough Gawna, on the borders of Cavan and Longford.
Mathadan, prince of Ulidia, having joined the Danes under Aulaf, son of Godfrey, they laid waste and plun dered the province of Ulster as far as Slieve Beatha to the west, and Muchamha to the east, that Slieve Beagha moun tain and Mucknoe, both the county Monaghan, but they were pursued by Murtogh Mac Neill, prince Aileach, who gained great victory over them, and carried off 200 their heads, toge ther with many captives and great booty; and stated the Annals of Ulster that 1200 of the Danes and their allies were slain.
The Danes Waterford and Limerick. -In the ninth and tenth centuries the Danes and Norwegians are mentioned the Annals the Four Masters, Innisfallen, and Ulster, having frequently arrived with great fleets and powerful forces Loch da-Chaoch Desies, now the Bay Waterford, and fought many
fierce battles with the Irish various parts Munster, which accounts have been given the preceding parts these articles, from the years 800 900. The Danes and Norwegians held the cities Waterford and Limerick, and likewise Cork and Wex ford, well Dublin, from the ninth century down the English invasion, towards the latter end the twelfth century,
eminently learned in arts and skilled in husbandry, died.
Donogh Riavach, the son of Teige O'Kelly, died. A Saxon earl, namely, the earl of Essex, came
and were ruled over kings and Iarls. gian chief, planted
came their king.
but the Danes and Norwegians gave the name Vedra-Fiord, which, according some, signified the Port Harbour the Father, being called honour Odin, their god and father, or, according Johnstone, the name was derived from the Danish
Cashel, and Brian Boru.
932 Godfrey II. , Danish king Dublin, died;
Vedr, storm, and Fiord, harbour, hencesignifying the Port Harbour storms; and from Vedra-Fiord came the English
Waterford, was
Waterford, but were
Idrone. 915
and again the same year plundered Ceallachan, king
Cashel, and the same year Donogh, monarch Ireland, at
tacked the Danes Dublin and burned the city, and 935
the Danes Dublin, under Aulaf, left their fortress and went
England, but Aulaf returned Dublin 936 with fresh forces, as hereafter mentioned.
The Battle of Brunanburgh. -An account the Danes and Norwegians who conquered Northumbria, and other parts Eng
1036 Reginald mentioned Dublin Sitric, Danish king manus, son Raban, king
his successor, and was slain that city. 1038 Com the Danes Waterford, was slain,
has been given 460 462, invaded England with great fleet and powerful forces Danes and Norwegians, and having slain battle York, Osbert and Ella, the Saxon kings Nor thumbria, together with
Several kings the Northmen Waterford the Irish Annals and by Ware. 893
name Waterford.
are mentioned
Patrick, son
slain.
defeatedwith great slaughter the prince
Ivar, king the Northmen 914 the Northmen landed
Waterford plundered and burned the famous abbey
the Danes
and city
country.
tric and Oittir, are frequently mentioned lords the Northmen
Waterford. 1000, Ivar, the Danish king Water ford, died, and was succeeded his son Reginald, who
1003 erected the strong stone fortress called Reginald's Tower, which still standing, and known the name Ring Tower; Reginald died 1020, and was succeeded his brother Sitric, who 1023 was killed the people Ossory; and
Lismore, marched into Meath, and laid waste the
From the year 915 930, Reginald, son Ivar, Si
land, the ninth century, given
Anglo-Saxons, and the article Cyclopedia. 867 Hingvar
Speed's Annals, and Turner's
Northumberland the Penny Ivar, Hubba, and Halfdan,
and the city was burned by Dermod Mac Maol-na-m Bo, king Leinster, and the same year the Danes Dublin marched Waterford, which they plundered and burned. 1089 the Dames Dublin, Waterford, Wexford, and Wicklow, with their
combined forces, marched attack Cork, but were defeated by the Irish with great slaughter. An account the battles the Danes Cork, Waterford, and Wexford, with the English under Strongbow and his followers, hereafter given.
In Limerick, the Northmen, before stated, settled,
colony under Ivar, brother Sitric, the Danish king
the Heptarchy, according Speed and others, contained the provinces Deira and Bernicia, and comprised the territories which now form the counties Nor
REIGN OF ELIZABETIH. 483 |
Waterford, and Aulaf, another these Norwegian princes, who was brother Ivar and Sitric, settled colony Dublin. The Northmen for more than two hundred years ruled over Limerick,
and many their lords and leaders are mentioned these articles, the accounts the various battles.
the course From about
Limerick, 930, the Danes Limerick, having fleet the Shannon, and plundering the adjoining parts Munster and Connaught, and proceeding far Athlone and Lough Ree Meath, plundering the abbeys and churches, Clonmacnois, Clonfert, &c. , and carrying off great
spoils gold, silver, and precious articles; and Keating mentions
that the Danes Limerick were defeated about this time the people Connaught, and many their forces slaughtered, toge ther with Harold, son Ivar, lord the Danes Limerick.
931, according the Four Masters, chief the Danes
Limerick, who was called Aulaf Cenn Carrach, defeated the chiefs Hy Maine Galway, with great slaughter; and 932
the Danes Limerick devastated Connaught far Moylurg Roscommon; and 934 Aulaf Ceann Carrach again ravaged the country, and came from Lough Erne across Brefney, and far Lough Ree the Shannon, and laid waste the
country Christmas night, and remained for the space seven months spoiling and plundering Magh Aoi Roscommon, and other parts Connaught. 935 Aulaf, the son Godfrey, lord the Danes Dublin, came with his forces Lough Ree, and carried off captive Aulaf Ceann Carrach, and the Danes who were with him, and destroyed their ships. sub sequent part this article an account given various battles fought with the Danes Limerick, Waterford, and Cork, and great victories gained over them the celebrated Ceallachan, king
900 950 Tomar, and other Iarls the Danes are frequently mentioned. From 920 about Keating, O'Halloran, and others, mentionTomar, lord
their own lords and chiefs, sometimescalled 853, before stated, Sitric, Norwe colony Northmen Waterford, and be This place was called the Irish Port Lairge,
called men;
the Annals Ulster the most cruel king the North
was succeeded his son Aulaf, who was Aulaf IV.
934 Clonmacnois was devastated the Danes Dublin,
men incredible strength, says Speed, and who were sons the famous Ragnar Lodbrog, king Denmark, whom account
they became masters Northumbria, the time
immense number the Anglo-Saxons, the country. The ancient kingdom
thumberland, Cumberland, Westmoreland, Yorkshire, Lanca shire, and Durham. Hingvar and Hubba also conquered parts Mercia the present county Nottingham their extensive pos sessions the north England were termed the Danelagh, and Halfdan became their first king, and divided these great territo ries amongst his followers. On the death Halfdan, A. D 883, Godred, or, according others, Gormo, succeeded king, and after him Eric, who about 902 was slain battle by the
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484 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1573.
in the harvest of this year to preside over the pro Bacach O’Neill, Codhnach, ruled over Trian vince of Ulster, and went to reside at Carrickfergus Congail and Clannaboy that time, and many
and in Clannaboy. Bryan, the son of Felim depredations and conflicts took place between
Saxon king Edward the Elder. Soon after another invasion of the Northmen took place under Reginald, Sitric, and Niel or Nigel,
the two latter being sons of Hingvar or Ivar ; they defeated the Northumbrians and Scots, and seized the kingdom of Northumbria. Nigel was killed by his brother Sitric, who became very powerful, and married the sister of Athelstan, king of England; and this Sitric also became Danish king of Dublin, and his death is recorded at A. D. 925 in the Four Masters. On the death of Sitric, his son Godefrid or Godfrey succeeded, but was defeated and expelled from Northumbria by Athelstan; this Godfrey became Danish king of Dublin as before mentioned, and on his death A. D. 932, was succeeded by his son Aulaf, as Danish king of Dublin; he is called in the Saga Olafr Raudi, or Aulaf the Red, and stated to have been born in Ireland; he was a warrior of great strength and valour, and married a daughter of Constantine, king of Scotland; he ruled not only over Dublin, but extended his power over the Orkneys, the Hebrides, and Isle of Mann, and was styled king of Ireland and the Isles. Aulaf determined to make an attempt to recover the kingdom of Northumbria, collected all the Danish forces he could in Ireland, and was joined by a great number of Irish kerns as auxiliaries; he sailed from Dublin with all his ships, and having collected many other vessels from the Scottish isles, he entered the Humber in Northumberland with a mighty fleet, consisting of no less than 615 ships, according to Turner and others. Aulaf was joined in Northumbria by all the Danes and Norwegians in England, and by many of the British princes of Wales and Cumbria, and likewise by the Scots under his father in-law, king Constantine. Athelstan, king of England, mustered a powerful army of the Anglo-Saxons, commanded by himself in person, his brother Edmond, and many famous champions. An account of the various celebrated chiefs who fought at Brunan burgh, is given by Turner, and in the Icelandic Saga, and amongst others is mentioned a famous Norwegian warrior named Thorolf, who fought on the side of Athelstan; he was a man of immense strength and gigantic stature, and his spear is thus described in the Saga:-He held in his hand a spear, the iron head of which was two cubits in length (more than three feet), terminated in a four-sided sharp point flattened on both sides; the shank which entered the handle was long and thick, and the shaft, to the length of a cubit above the shank, was of great thickness and covered with iron; the shaft or handle was ten feet long, making the en tire spear about fourteen feet in length, and this formidable wea pon was called Brinthuarar, that the Piercer Coats Mail. Aulaf the day before the battle made the exceeding bold experi ment entering the camp Athelstan, disguised harper, and played before the king the royal tent; he laid plan sur prising the English camp that night, and would have succeeded had not the intention been accidentally discovered soon after his departure, consequence his having been seen, when be yond the precincts the camp, indignantly throwing away the gold had received from king Athelstan, for his musical per formance, and this circumstance having led the discovery, the English were guarded against surprise. Both armies encountered
place called Brunan-Burgh, signifying the Town the Foun tains Northumbria, and fought one the most tremendous bat tles recorded those ages. Milton his History Britain calls
“the bloodiest fight that ever this Island saw. ” After furious and long contested conflict, and the most heroic valour displayed the champions both sides, Aulaf and his allies were length
vanquished with prodigious slaughter, and he fled his ships the Humber with small remnant his forces; five kings and twelve earls are recorded have fallen the side Aulaf, and king Constantine narrowly escaped with his life, and fled with few followers to Scotland. There were at least one hundred thou sand men engaged that battle, and both sides there were not less than fifty thousand slain. There difference chronology
the time this battle; Turner and Thierry place the year 934, but was fought 937, according various other
authorities. This battle mentioned the Annals of Ulster at A. 936, which stated, that terrible, lamentable, and horrible war was fiercely carried between the Saxons and Northmen, which unnumbered thousands the Northmen fell, and king Aulaf with few escaped; and the other side im mensemultitude the Saxons were slain, but king Athelstan gained great victory. There ancient poem the battle Brunanburgh the Saxon chronicle, and version Danish
and Latin, given Johnstone's Celto-Scandinavian Antiquities, from which has been literally translated follows:—
“Athelstan the king,
The giver collars
And his brother Edmond Etheling,
lasting glory won By the edges swords
battle Brunanburgh.
earth the lord, the brave,
“The wall shields they cleaved, And hewed the warriors' banners; As for the sons Edward, them
was natural from their ancestors, Often the field against every foe,
To defend their land, their treasure, and homes.
“Pursuing, they destroyed the Scottish people (the Irish and Scots),
And their fleet ships while the slaughtered fell; The field resounded with the strife warriors, From the rising the sun morning hour,
Till the noble creature hastened her setting, The greatest star rejoicing above the earth,
The candle God, the Eternal Lord.
“There lay many mighty chiefs,
The strong Northmen were cut down, Pierced with darts over their shields,
And the Scots were weary the red battle.
“The race of the Western Saarons chosen bands, laid prostrate
Their hated foes throughout the long day, Nor did the Mercians fear the strife of arms,
“Then was there safety for the warriors Who came with Aulaf across the sea,
And o'er the ocean's bosom sought the land, To mingle their might this fatal conflict.
“On the field battle pierced with wounds,
Fell five kings, commanders heroes,
With seven Aulaf's valiant earls,
And the Scottish seamen, countless number.
“There the dreaded leader of the Northmen Was put flight, and few his followers; The mournful king wept he returned O'er the deep waves with the remnant
“Constantine the North amongst his kinsmen Did not exult the shock battle,
For there his friends and kindred fell, O'erwhelmed the strife of fierce contest.
“There did leave his valiant son,
Mangled with wounds the field slaughter,
Nor could the yellow-haired race, dauntless war, Glory the fortune that day's fight.
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REIGN OF ELIZABETH. 485
Bryan and the earl, until the following festival of O’Brien, was slain by Ulick Burke, the son of St. Patrick. Rickard, son of Ulick of the Heads, aided by
Murrogh, the son of Dermod, son of Murrogh O'Shaughnessey, namely, Dermod Riavach, the
“Neither could Aulaf, the brave in battle, And old in war, or his surviving heroes,
Boast that they who commanded there Had victory won on that fatal field.
“The fierce blows and piercing of weapons,
And the councils of their chiefs they rue by turns, And they long lamented they had dared to contend On the field of war with the sons of Edward.
* The mournful remnant of the Northmen Fled in their ships o'er the sounding sea,
With Aulaf their king in sorrow,
And o'er the deep ocean returned to Dyflin (Dublin).
“Then did the two valiant brothers, Athelstan the king, and Etheling, Return to the land of the West Saxons, And left behind the bewailers of battle.
“On the field the black ravens feed,
With pointed beaks on the carcasses of foes, The croaking toad, and hungry eagle,
The kite, and wild wolf of the woods.
“Never had there been in this island
A greater slaughter, or more men destroyed, Before this time by the edges of swords,
As recorded in the books of the old sages ;
“Since the Angles and Saxons came from the East Over the broad waves and conquered the Britons, The mighty artificers of war,
The earls excelling in valour,
Subdued the people and obtained the land. ”
In A. D. 936 after the return of Aulaf, and the remnant of his forces to Dublin, from the battle of Brunanburgh, they again com
menced their depredations, and laid waste Kilcullen in Kildare, and carried off, according to the Four Masters, one thousand cap tives, but soon after Donogh, monarch of Ireland, in conjunction with Murtogh Mac Neill, assembled their forces and attacked the Danes of Dublin, and afterwards spoiled and laid waste all their possessionsfrom Dublin to Ath-Trustan, or the Ford of Trustan,
of Ulster, Downpatrick was devastated by the Danes, which was avenged by God and St. Patrick, as other Foreigners came from beyond the sea, and expelled them, and their commander the
son of Reginald, was soon after slain. In the same year Blacar and the Danes of Dublin plundered Clonmacnois, Kildare, and other churches.
The Battle of Ardee. —The Danes of Dublin, under Blacar their king, fought a great battle with the Irish of Ulster, com manded by Muircheartach Mac Neill, in which, after great slaugh ter on both sides, the Ultonians were defeated, and Muircheartach himself was slain. This battle was fought, according to the Four Masters, in A. D. 941, but according to the Annals of Ulster, A. D. 943, which is considered the correct chronology, and the day of the battle was Sunday the 4th of March. The place men tioned as the scene of this battle, according to the Annals of Ul ster, was Glassliathain near Clan Cain of the men of Ross, now Clonkeen, a few miles north of Ardee, in the county of Louth, towards Carrickmacross, on the borders of Monaghan. Some verses to the following effect from one of the bards, are quoted on the death of Muircheartach, by the Four Masters:
“From hence vengeance and death shall prevail Against the race of Conn for ever,
Since the lamented Murkertach has fallen, The Gael henceforth shall continue orphans. ”
This Murkertach Mac Neill was so called being son of the valiant king Niall Glundubh, who, as already stated, was slain at A. D.
917, in a great battle with the Danes of Dublin. Murkertach or Murtogh Mac Neill, was Righ-Damhna or heir apparent to the
throne of Ireland; he resided at the ancient palace of Aileach in Donegal, and was generally styled prince of Aileach. The heroic Murkertach was distinguished for military abilities, and one of the most renowned warriors Ireland has produced ; he was designated Muircertach-na-goochall-geroicenn, signifying Murtogh of the leathern Cloaks or Jackets, from his having invented a particular kind of leathern coverings for his soldiers, which partly served as armour. He kept up a battalion of those warriors perfectly dis ciplined, and at the head of twelve hundred of them, he, in A. D. 941, set out from his fortress of Aileach, made a circuit of Ireland, and compelled all the provincial kings and princes to do him homage and deliver hostages as Roy-Damna or heir apparent to the throne, being the successor elect of Donogh, the then reigning monarch. During his tour Murkertach marched to Dublin, and took with him as a hostage Sitric, a Danish lord of great note, who is called by the Irish writers Sitric-na-Sead, that Sitric the Wealthy, and was son Sitric, the former Danish king
which was situated on the river Greese near Athy, in Kildare. In
A. D. 937 or 939, the Danes took the fortress of Aileach, the cele
brated residence of the kings of Ulster, and having made Murtogh
Mac Neill prince of Aileach, prisoner, they carried him off to their Dublin. Murkertach proceeded Leinster and took with him
ships on Lough Swilly, but he soon after made his escape from them, to the great joy of the Irish. In the same year the Danes under Aulaf, son of Godfrey, left Dublin, through the miracles of
God and St. Mactalius, who was an ancient bishop of Kilcullen in the sixth century, and was a patron saint of Dublin. In A. D. 938 Blacar, son of Godfrey, and brother of Aulaf, came to Dublin, and was king over the Danes there until A. D. 943, when he was driven from Dublin by his brother Aulaf, who returned from Eng land, but Aulaf dying soon after, was again succeeded by Blacar. In A. D. 937 Ceallachan, king of Cashel, with the menof Munster and Danish auxiliaries from Waterford, plundered Meath and car ried off great spoils and many captives. In A. D. 938 Harold, grandson of Ivar, and son of Sitric, lord of the Danes of Limerick, was defeated and slain in Connaught, by the chiefs of Aidhne in Galway.
ter
hostage Lorcan, king that province; from thence marched Munster, made Ceallachan, king Cashel, prisoner, put fet him, and conveyed him away; proceeding thence Con
Battle of Moy Cisi. -In A. D. 939 the Danes of Dublin were
defeated by the men of Offaley, commanded by Amergin their after our time. He had great genius for war any man
prince, and by the people of Kinel Fiachain Westmeath, in a great
battle at Magh Cisi, in which 1000 of the Foreigners with many of their chiefs were slain. In A. D. 940, according to the Annals
that this island has perhaps ever produced. The endowments his heart were still greater; enemies was the most generous, commanders the most affable. Elevated, bene
naught, Concovar, the son Teige, king
him, and having made his submission
With these captive princes Murkertach
that province, came fetter was put him.
returned Aileach,
and they were for nine months feasting there, and then sent
those hostages the monarch Donogh, who then reigned Tara.
Murkertach, mentioned the previous part this article,
fought many fierce battles with the Danish forces during period more than twenty years, and gained many great victories over
them and designated the Four Masters the “Hector Western Europe. ” The character this renowned warrior, equally distinguished for his valour and patriotism, thus elo
quently drawn the Dissertations Charles O'Conor:—“His character lies entombed the history people hardly inquired
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486 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 157
son of Dermod, son of William, son of John Buighe, James Mac Maurice carried on war and conflict and it was by the hand of O'Shaughnessey he was with the English this year, until treaty peace slain; Gort was taken from O’Shaughnessey by was ratified between him and the president the
John Burke, in revenge of the death of his brother.
volent, and captivating, he was unhappily taken off at a time when his character put him in possession of a power which probably would have relieved his country from bondage. ” Cormacan Eigeas, or Cormacan the Learned, who was chief poet of the north of Ire land, and the particular friend and follower of Muircertach, and who died A. D. 948, and is mentioned in O’Reilly's Irish Writers, at A. D. 941, composed a poem on the tour of Muircertach, which is preserved in the Leabhar Gabhala, or Book of Invasions of the O'Clerys, an excellent copy of which is in the library of Sir Wil liam Betham, who has kindly lent it to the translator of theseAnnals for the purpose of making extracts. The poem commences thus:
“A Mhuircheartaigh mheic Neill nair, Roghabhais giallu Innsi Fail. ”
“O Murkertach, son of valiant Niall,
Thou hast taken the hostages of Inis Fail. ”
Faolan, king of Leinster, another celebrated champion distin guished in the battles against the Danes, is mentioned at this time
by the Four Masters, and his death recorded at A. D. 940, in some verses quoted from one of the bards, of which the following is a translation :
“Faolan the terrific, dreaded in war,
Whose mighty voice extinguished the din of battle,
The warlike chieftain of Cualan (Wicklow),
The heroic king of Leinster was slain ;
The strong hand of the Heremonians of Erin,
The champion who conquered the Danish battalions,
A light that shonelike the morning star, Was the valiant warrior Faolan. ”
In A. D. 941 (or 943), the day after Murkertach was slain at the battle of Ardee, Armagh was devastated by the Danes under Bla
car, but in the same year Roderick O'Camannan, prince of Tircon nell, gained a victory over the Danes of Longh Foyle, and in this year also Lorcan, the son of Faolan, king of Leinster, was slain by the Northmen after he had laid waste Dublin, and gained a victory over them in the beginning, for which he is greatly celebrated in verses quoted by the Four Masters.
Battle in Dublin. —In A. D. 942 Congalach, who was after wards monarch of Ireland, with Brann, son of Maolmorda, king of Leinster, and Ceallach, son of Faolan, Roydamna of Leinster, led their forces to Dublin, took its houses, its granaries, ships, and fortifications, all of which they burned, and carried off its women, sons, and common people captives; its warriors and soldiers were slain, youths dispersed through the cities and fortresses Ire land; many people were wounded, some them were drowned, others burned made captives, and only small portion escaped few ships, who went Delganny Wicklow, where
appears the Danes had stronghold. There are verses quoted the Four Masters this battle, from which the following pas
two provinces Munster, precisely Spring;
grandson king Niall Glundubh, and was himself afterwards mo narch Ireland; and the first the northern Hy Niall who took the name O'Neill. this year Blacar, king the Danes, was expelled from Dublin, and his brother Aulaf ruled there after him. Ceallachan, King Cashel, the race the Eugenians Desmond, flourished this time, and makes remarkable figure
the history Munster for period
Battle Desies. —In 941, according the Annals In misfallen, the Danes Waterford and their allies were defeated two battles Desies Waterford, and Ferns Wexford, by the
men Munster, under Ceallachan Cashel, and 2000 reigners were slain. 943 the Danes Limerick, encamped Cloch Beathach, Ossory, now Rathbeagh
kenny, plundered Ferns second time.
