Nor can we feel assured, that the dates and serial occur-
rences, —for
—
cause we know not Maelseachlainn
year 984
special
plundered
found in annalistic entries, are always consecutively placed.
rences, —for
—
cause we know not Maelseachlainn
year 984
special
plundered
found in annalistic entries, are always consecutively placed.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v4
Paul O'Brien's
"
Focaloir
Second Period, pp. 201, 202.
'"The name is rendered "of the iron
knee," and as Dr, O'Donovan supposes, be- cause his legs were cased in iron mail, to protect them Irom the strokes of Irish battle- axes.
Gaoidhilge-Sax-Bheaila, or an Irish English Dictionary," at the word Bile, which means
" a tree. "
99 See Rev. James Wills'
"
trious and Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i.
Lives of lUus-
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 347
andbykilling. AmongthevictimswereGilla-Phadraig,andmanyothersofdis- tinction along with hira. While Leinster was spoiled and ravaged, as far as
the sea, Glean-da-Loch was plundered likewise, by the foreigners of Ath- Cliath. As a counter demonstration, the forces of Munster were placed on
a war footing. Gilla-Phadraig, the son of Donnchadh, and that progenitor,
from whom the Giolla-Phadraigs or Fitzpatricks of Ossory derived their
name, had sacrilegiously plundered Leighlin this year, for which act he was ob-
liged to do penance. Against him, Bryan led ahosting,probably to avengesome
real or fancied wrong. Seizing on the chief of Ossory, he was made a prisoner,
while hostages were exacted from the people of that territory. '"' Among the
extorted contributions, due to the King of Munster, are to be classed espe-
cially,thosefromLeinster. Thepeopleofthisprovincewereamongthechief
sufferers, owing to the manner, in which those tributes were levied. The
triennial Boromean Tribute,'" at first imposed by Tuathal, monarch of Ire-
land, on the people of Leinster, had been a fruitful source of periodical and
sanguinary conflicts, between the chief monarch of Erin, and the people of that
province, to the time of Finnachta the Festive, who abolished it, about 680,
owing to the persuasion of St. Moling, '°3 abbot of Tech Moling. However,
as a punishment for the adherence of Leinster to the Danish cause, about the
beginning of the eleventh century, Bryan, the son of Cinneadigh, again revived and levied it. '"'* The Leinster province was stimulated to oppose
the King of Thomond. The chief of the Northmen ofDesies had joined, also,inastrongconfederacy. WiththeseweretheforeignersofCorkandof Waterford, together with the chief of Ossory, all bent on opposing his claim.
Notwithstanding, Bryan's resolute spirit and masterly tactics did not fail him. He came promptly upon the disunited forces of his enemies. He met some of these, at a place, called the Circle of the Sons of Conrad, and he burst upon them, with an overwhelming force. This onset quickly scattered them, and they fell into irretrievable confusion. With prodigious slaughter, he drove them from the field. That league was thus effectively dissipated. Bryan followed up his victory. '"' He then proceeded to ravage the territories of Leinster, and to indemnify himself for that tribute, which had been withheld. He advanced to Magh Ailbe, or the White Plain, near Leighlin. There, he de- manded from Domhnall Claen, King of South Leinster,and from Tuathal, King of Western Liphi, who came into his house, hostages for their future sub- mission. His progress could not be resisted, and he received their homage; while the conqueror took measures to enforce their submission, returning homewardstheacknowledgedKingofLeathMogha. '°* Assovereignoverthis great principality, the revenues of Bryan became more considerable, than were hisreturns,asKingofMunster. TheLeinstertributetohim,intheformer
""See at a. d. 982, Dr. O'Donovan's to satisfy the monarch's claims.
"Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 714, 715, with nn. (c, d).
'"' His feast occurs, at the 17th of June.
'°< It is thought to have been from this circumstance, he obtained tl]e surname of Boroimhe, or, of the Tribute. According Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran and to M'Curtin, Bijroimhe signifies a tribute of cows or of
"" It was fixeil, Ijy Tuathal, to consist of
five thousand ounces of silver, five tliousnnd
cloaks, five thousand fat cows, five thousand
fat hogs, five thousand fat wethers, and five
thousand large vessels of brass or bronze. cattle, as it was usually the case, that sub- Owing to the great number of cows paid in
Bo the Gaedhlic for a emu it is it— being —
sidles were levied in this fashion, from Irish districts.
saidtohavebeennamedBoromean; and, prol)abIy, that species of cattle hatl been most largely received, as a commutation for the want of other assessments, since cows could be more ri-adily procurable, on the fer- tile pastures of Ireland, and be driven away
'"5 See Rev. James Wills' " Lives of lUus-
trious and Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i. Second Period, p. 201.
"* See Coga-oh JacDhel Ue Sattiibh, edited by Rev. James Henthorn Todd, pp. 106 to 109.
348 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
capacity, consisted, it is stated, of 300 gold-handled swords, 300 cows with brass yokes, 300 steeds, and 300 purple cloaks. '°'
Devastating inroads on Leinster, Connaught, and Munster, signalized the reign of Maelseachlainn II. over Ireland. '"^ These were continued for several
years ; and, they served to foster the hostility, while weakening the resources, of two great rivals. Various encroachments on established rights had led
to anarchical contests, among the provincial rulers, in different parts of Ire- land ; while the Munster Kings were implicated in such quarrels, regarding the balance of power. As in England, under the Saxon Heptarchy,'"? and in
Italy, during the Middle Ages,"° a narrow and local spirit usurped the large and generous sentiment of national patriotism. Existing customs and family or clan alliances too frequently stimulated divisions, fatal to the peace, pros- perity and honour of the nation, especially when acted upon by selfish and false motives. The struggles for supremacy, between the northern, southern, and western princes, in the kingdom of Ireland, until the arrival of the English,
especially when the princes of Thomond became powerful, dissipated the notion of a stable monarchy, under any single head of the native fami- lies. The power of Irish monarchical institutions had been weakened greatly, duringtheDanishinroads. However,theinvadershadthemultipleformof royalty, in the kingdoms of the north ; for, no less than twelve of these petty kings were in Norway, alone, at one time. '" In Ireland, too, the Ostmen had colonized distinct and detached places, under several independent chiefs, so that it was often difficult for them to act with speed and decision, in concert. "" By position, the Leinster people were necessarily most exposed to the power and influence of the Norwegians and Danes, whose armaments were usually conductedtotheeasternshoresofIreland. Thoseinvaderswereneverslow, to strengthen their posts and settlements, by bringing over reinforcements, to protect themselves against the Irish. Besides, they were enabled, when taking advantage of domestic feuds, to find allies serviceable
for their immeditate purposes. Wherever those invaders met with a powerful enemy, they formed alliances among the tribes, naturally hostile
to some provincial ruler, and they instigated resistance to his supremacy. Sel- dom did they miss an opportunity, to excite discontent and opposition among histributaries. Therecurrenceofthoseopportunitieswasunhappilyfrequent, while the results, indeed, were too fatal and durable, for public and private welfare. Such intrigues and policy formed some of those obstacles, with which the genius and valour of Bryan had to contend. "3
As we have already seen. More is stated to have been mother to Murrough, the eldest son of Bryan ;"•• and, therefore, we may fairly assume, that she was
'°' See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's "Gene-
ral History of Ireland," vol. ii. , Book xi. ,
chap, vi. , p. 245.
"* See Gratianus Lucius' " Cambrensis
Eversus," edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, vol. ii. ,
"^ See Rev. James Wills' " Lives of Illus-
trious and Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i. , Second Period, p. 200.
"• See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's "Gene-
ral History of Ireland," vol. ii. , Book xi. ,
chap, v. , p. 235.
"5 The royal connexions of Aulaf were
further extended and complicated, by the marriage of his daughter Radnalt with Conghalach, King of Ireland, according to
cap. ix , pp. 32to 35. " '°9 See John Speed's
Historic of Great Britaine," Book vii. The Original Invasions, and Heptarchie of the Saxons, &c. , chap. i.
to xlv. , pp. 281 to 402.
"° See " Historical Class-Book, of the the Book of Leinster. Conghalach was the
Christian Brothers. " Outlines of Modem
His"tory, p. 337.
According to the Herverar Saga. See
son of Maelmithigh, by Ligach, daughter of Flann Sinna, and step-sister of Niall Glun- dubh and Gormflaith. Now Ligach died A. D. 921, according to the Annals of the Four Masters. The Nialls Saga states, that she was first married to Bryan, and then to
Aulaf Cuaran, chap, civ. , p. 590.
Sharon Turner's " Saxons," Book iii. , chap. i.
of the
Anglo- of Ire-
'" See Thomas Moore's •' land," vol. ii. , chap, xix. , p. 77.
History
History
April 23. ] LIVES'OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 349
thefirstwifeofthegreatKingofMunster. Wedonotfindarecordofher death ; but, other accounts relate to his partner in wedlock, and who bears quite a different name. The celebrated Scandinavian King of Dublin, Aulaf Cuaran, had married Gormflaith,"5 who was daughter to Murchadh,"* son of Finn, King of Leinster. By her he had Sitric"? She then married Bryan Borumha,bywhomshehadDonnchadh. Gormflaithappearsfromherhis- tory, to have been an unprincipled woman, and she could hardly have been an additiontothedomestichappinessofBryan,whorepudiatedher. "^ After-
wards, he married Dubhchobhlaig, daughter to the Kingof Connaught. Gorm- fiiaith married Maelseachlainn, by whom she became the mother of Conchob-
har. "9 Itseemsmorethanprobable,thatthenatureofherrelationshipto the monarch of Ireland, and to the king of Munster, seriously complicated the political strain, which subsequently existed, between the two rival sovereigns. The date for Bryan's marriage to Duvchovlaigh has not trans- pired ; yet, it seems to be referable, not to the earlier years of his life. The Munster monarch had six sons,'^°and these are named Murchadhach, or Mo- rough, Tadhg, or Teige, Donnchadh, orDonogh, Domhnall, or Donnall, Conor, and Flann. Two of these left issue, namely Tadhg,"' the eldest son after Murough, and Donogh. "^ At present, it seems difficult to resolve exactly the order and connexion, relating to the various members of the great Munster sovereign'sdomesticcircle; but,wehaveendeavouredtoplaceaccounts,in that sequence, we deem best calculated to elucidate the succeeding events,
which marked his distinguished career.
CHAPTER IV.
MAELSEACHLAINN ASCENDS THE THRONE OF IRELAND—HIS ACHIEVEMENTS AND THE COUNTER MOVEMENTS OK BRYAN —GROWING POWER OF THE LATTER—HIS RESIDENCE AND MANNER OF LIVING AT KINCORA—WAR DECLARED BETWEEN MALACHY AND BRYAN—PEACE AGAIN ESTABLISHED, WHEN THEIR FORCES WERE UNITED AGAINST THE NORTHMEN—VICTORY OBTAINED AT GLENMAMA—RIVAL AMBITION OF MALACHY AND BRYAN.
The accession of Maelseachlainn, to the throne of Ireland, influenced very materially the march of events. The commencement of his reign has been placed, at a. d. 980, by Tigernach. ' However, the usually short annalistic announcements, even of incidents having an important bearing on the general
""
Murchadh, the father of Gormflaith, died A. D. 928. If she were bom that year and died a. d. 1030, she was then 102 years old. It is not improbable, that she was first married to Bryan, and that divorced by him, she then married Aulaf.
78, 79, and nn. 3 to 7.
""See Eugene O'Curry's "Lectures on
the Manuscript Materials of Ancient Irish History," Lect. x. , p. 211.
.
"' He was father of Turlough, who had two sons Muircheartach, or Mortogh, and "' He is said to have married the daughter Diarmaid, or Dermod. From Tadhg
of Brian Borumha ; the latter monarch sub- sequently marrying Sitric's mother.
descend the great family of the Thomond O'Brians.
""The O'Briens of Cuanach and of Eatheriagh, in the present counties of Lime- rick and Tipperary, descend from him. Do-
nogh, brother to Tadhg or Teige, is said, likewise, to have been ancestor to
the family of Plunkett. See John O'Hart's " Irish Pedigrees : or, the Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation," part iv. , chap, i. , sect. 41, pp. 103, 104.
"' In Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , at A. D. 1030, there are some Irish verses, which describe the threc marriages of Gormflaith as three leaps or jumps, that a woman should never take. This seems to hint, that the three leaps were not legitimate marriages. These were " a leap at Athcliath, or Dublin," when she married Olaf Cuaran "a at
at Cashel," when she »(nrrz>(/ Brian.
leap Tara," when shemarr/VrfMalachy II. , and "aleap
—
naci," in Rev. Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum
"' See Charles
Kingdom of Dublin," Book i. , chap, ix. , pp.
Hibemicarum tomus Scriptores,"
261.
Halida/s
;
" Scandinavian
Chapter iv.
See "Annales of
Tiger- ii. , p.
350
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
history of our country, leaves us very frequently at a loss, to account for various movements, which are recorded. The motives for action are still more concealed.
Nor can we feel assured, that the dates and serial occur-
rences, —for
—
cause we know not Maelseachlainn
year 984
special
plundered
found in annalistic entries, are always consecutively placed. In the
what
Connaught, destroyed its islands, killed its chieftains, and reduced Mayo to ashes. In retaliation for these injuries, the Connaughtmen made an incur- sion, so far as Lough-Aininn. They burned Feara-Ceall, and slew its chief. ' The year for these transactions was 985, according to the Annals of Tiger- nach. 3 Asanadditionalmeans,forsustaininghispowerandinterest,Bryan hadequippedalargefleetofvessels,onLoughDerg;< for,itwouldseem,he desired, in this manner, to provide for defending the line of the River Shan- non, and, as appears probable, to use it, likewise, for offensive purposes. The opportunity was soon sought or presented. We may well believe, that a mutual mistrust of each other's intentions, about this period, actuated the monarch of Ireland and himself. Perhaps, those events, we are about im- mediately to narrate, may have influenced the campaign, for which Bryan had been preparing, and which came to an issue, when the favourable moment arrived. During the year 986, the Irish monarch forcibly removed the shrine of Patrick from Ath-Fhirdiadh or Ardee, to Ath-Sighe,5in consequence of the rebellionofthesonofCairelan. Apeacewasafterwardsmade,andtoatone for his desecration of the shrine, Maelseachlainn submitted to that award, pro- nounced by the Archbishop of Armagh. * This is specified, to have been the visitation of Meath, both church and state, and a banquet for every fort from
Maelseachlainn himself, besides even Cumhals,' and every other demand in full. A costly and distant expedition had been organized by Malachy, who
shortly afterwards found it necessary to chastise the aggressions of the Ostmen, so strongly posted on the eastern * and southern boundaries of his territories.
He led an army against the Danes of Dublin, as these were troublesome neighbours,ontheMeathianfrontiers,andintheyear989. Inabattle,fought
againstthoseforeigners,manywereslainbyhim. Afterwards,helaidsiege to the Danish Dun, or fortress of the place, and which occupied the site of the present Castle in Dublin. He continued its investment, for twenty nights, cutting off the besieged from a supply of water, and they had nothing to drink during that period, but the brine. 9 After enduring such extremity, the garri- son surrendered, on condition of paying an ounce of gold for every garden, on each Christmas night, for ever, while he should be king. '°
During this campaign on the eastern side of Leinster, Bryan, within his
own dominion, had ordered the levying of his clansmen; and, with an immense army, he was soon in a condition, to march in another direction. " On the
» See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 716 to 719.
3 See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum
Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. jgT
< See CoCd'oVi jAenhet^ He jAllaibVi,
edited by Rev. James Henthorn Todd, pp.
108 109.
5 We find this place, Latinized, "i. t. 'Va. -
dum lemurum," in the Rev. Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. Tigernachi Annales, A. D. 986. See pp. 26t. 264.
"
lent in money, or other property. See n. (l). Ibid.
^ It is thought, that early in the ninth
century, Turgesius had fortified Drogheda, and had made it one of liis strongholds.
"
History of Drogheda, with its Environs," vol. i. , p. 86.
'See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , Tiger- nachi Annales, p. 265,
" See Dr, O'Donovan's "Annah of the Four Masters," pp. 722 to 725.
Annals of the A Cumhal means 21 cows, or an equiva-
" 1 ''^ translator of the Book of Munster directs the present invasion of Bryan, against
' See Dr. O'Donovan's
— the|Lagenians while the Leobhar-Oiris —
Four Masters," pp. 718, 719. 7
;
mentioned by Dr. Syivc ter O'Halloran
»s
See John D' Alton's
April 23. ] LIVES 01' THE IRISH SAINTS. 351 Shannon, he had equipped a fleet, and, in its vessels, amounting to three
hundred—according to one account—he embarked
move under his direction. Propelled by oars and sails, his boats were enabled to ascend that river to Lough Ree. The crews plundered all Breifne, beyond Ath Liag " upwards. The King of Munster appears to have divided his force, when it reached that central position. He sent one detachment into western Connaught. We read, that during this year, the men of Munster came in hosts upon Loch Ribh, and that they were aided by the foreigners of Port Lairge, who, as subjects, had probably been requisitioned, by the KingofMunster. TheConnaughtmenassembledtoopposethem,whena battlewasfoughtbetweenthem. AgreatnumberoftheMunstermenand oftheforeignerswereslaughtered,bytheConnacians. Amongtheslainwas Dunlaing, son to Dubhdabhoireann, royal heir of Munster, and many others along with him. '3 Muirgheas, son to Conchobhar, and the crown prince of Connaught, was slain by his foes, in the heat of that conflict. '* However, the forces of Munster appear to have prevailed. Contributions were required
fromtheinhabitants,whoweresettledinthewholeborderingcountry; and,
as a matter of course, those tributes were given or guaranteed. In the year
984, also, the Kings of Leinster rendered homage to Bryan ; and, subse- quently,heassumedtoact,asthesupremeMonarchofIreland. ' Bryanled another division of his army, into the province of Meath,'' as far as Uisnech. A hosting of this description meant the spreading of plunder, of waste, and of bloodshed, through those important districts of the monarchy. After this campaign, the King of Munster returned to his own principality, and laden
'with the spoils of two large provinces.
In reference to this heroic monarch, the bards and chroniclers have de-
picted in glowing colours, the valour, wisdom, and generosity of his character ; and, no doubt, in their enthusiasm, his panegyrists have drawn largely from their imagination those remaining accounts, which must serve to embellish, if not to supply satisfactorily, the traits of his personal history. The spirit of the times favoured a taste for romance, and frequently, as at present is the fashionofrumour,representedrealtransactionsinafalselight. Toattempt, at this time, a prosaic and rational narrative is more than perplexing ; for, should we remove the brilliant varnish of fiction, we might not only tear away the true colours, but even the forms, and grouping, which are so traditionally combined in the picture.
Romantically situated on the western bank of the Lower Shannon, the town of Killaloe '' is approached by a bridge, consisting of several arches, andwhichspansawide,butcomparativelyshallow,sweepoftheriver. Close tothisspotarosethecelebratedresidenceandfortofKinncora. Theselay below Lough Derg, and a magnificent range of mountains circled them round, towardsthenorth,west,andsouth. '^ Onthesummitofasmallhill,andopposite
gives its destination, as being against Meath Ilibemicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. and Connaught. See "General History 264.
of
vol. Book xi. , ii. ,
in the
'' See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 722, 723.
'5 See Alexander G. " Lectures Richey's,
on the History of Ireland, down to A. D.
1534," Lect. iii. , p. 66.
'" See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's "Gene-
ral History of Ireland," vol. ii. , Book xi. , chap, vi. , p. 244.
' A beautiful Aquatinta view of thisplace was published, by Jonathan Fisher, at Dub- lin, in 1792, oblong folio,
'* See Plates 7 and 15 of "The TraveUers'
Ireland," p. 245.
" Now
chap, vi. ,
and
Lanesborough,
barony of Kathcline, county of Longford, at the head of Lough Ree, and on the left bank of the River Shannon. Formerly, it was a
parliamentary borough, and a very excellent description and history of the place will be
"
found, in the
Ireland," vol. ii. , pp. 589, 590.
Parliamentary Gazetteer of
'3 TheAnnalsof Tigernach havelhisevent, at A. D. 988. See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum
parish
those which were to forces,
353 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 33.
the Bridge of Killaloe's—now consisting of nineteen arches'"—stood Bryan Boroimha's palace of Kincora; and, it has been supposed, that this was erected, by the monarch himself. '^" AH traces of that celebrated fortress have now vanished ; but, according to one conjecture,^^ it must have extended from the verge of an eminence, over the River Shannon, and on to where the Catholic Cliurch now stands. =3 Not far from that site arises the cruciform Cathedral building, surmounted in the centre by a low and
Cathedral and Bridge at Killaloe, on the River Shannon.
massive square tower. '* Portions of this structure within the nave are said to have been erected, by the monarch, Brian Boromha, who is thought to have re-edified or repaired the first built Cathedral. It was reconstructed, once more, by Donald O'Brian, King of Thomond, in 1160. The portions of this building, which are Romanesque in character,
"
Map of the River Shannon, arranged as a Masters
Guide to its Lakes," &c. , from the survey tresses were erected by Biyan, and among made by John Grantham, Esq. , C. E. On the rest, the Caher of Ceann Coradh, of Inis Plate 15 is shown a wooded I^noU, with Gaill dubh, and of Inis Loch Saighleann, some ornamental grounds, and it is called &c. See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. ii. , the Fort of Bel Boru.
'9 See the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Clare," sheet 45.
'" Formerly this bridge had a still greater number ; and, while some of the arches are ancient, three or four in the centre and of ample span, were built in 1825, when the canal works, to connect Limerick with
pp. 768 10771.
" That of the celebrated Irish scholar,
were constructed. See "Par- liamentary Gazetteer of Ireland," vol. ii. ,
p. 449.
" At A,D. 1012, the " Annals of the Four
-'' The
Millard, is after a drawing, taken on the spot,
by William F. Wakeman, and by him trans- ferred to the wood.
Lough Derg,
accompanying engraving, by
Mrs.
state, that many Dangans or for-
John O'Donovan.
°3 See" Letters containing Information re-
lative to the Antiquities of the County of Clare, collected during the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1839," vol. ii. Letter of John O'Donovan, pp. 346, 347.
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 353
furnish evidence of greater antiquity, than the mediaeval Gothic, predomina- ting in its chief features and style. ^5 Long lancet windows, splayed inwards, lightthechancelandnave. Thewholelengthofthiscathedralisabout200 feet. The name Ceann-Coradh signifies, the Head of the Weir, and, it was Anglicised to Kincora. '* It is identical with the site of the present town of Killaloe. Even, at this time, several eel weirs are there, on the River Shan- non. We find it called Cathair-Cinn-coradh, or the Stone Fort of Kincora, which gives us a correct idea, regarding the chief building material of which ithadbeencomposed. Itmaybeassumed,thatthefortificationhadbeena stronghold, and that quarters had been provided for the monarch and its
guards, about the grounds adjoining. In the southern part of Craglea, in the parish of Killaloe, is Park-na-neagh, a field in which Bryan Boroimha is said to have kept his horses. ^7 Throughout his whole lifetime, the monarch loved to dwell in this seat of his power. Yet, notwithstanding the renown of the monarch, who had so long dwelt in it, Ceann-Coradh was destroyed after his death; nordoesitseemtohavebeenoccupied,byhissuccessors,formore than a century afterwards. '* In 11 18, Turlough O'Conorand the Connacians marched to the palace of Ceann Coradh. He then hurled the stones and timber, of which it was composed, into the River Shannon. '? From Corrigen,3° aboveBirdhill3' station,ontheLimerickRailroad,amagnificentviewofthe River Shannon, flowing through its valley from Killaloe on towards Castle Connell,maybeobtained. ThelowerwatersofLoughDeargappearbeyond the old Cathedral Church and town. The site of Brian Boroimha's former fortalice at Kincora is seen beneath a sublimely varied prospect of over- -topping mountain scenery, spreading along and behind the Clare side of the Shannon, while no prospect can be finer or more picturesque, than the rich cultivated and extensive pastoral lands, that swell on every side. Vales, plains, hills and mountain ranges, are seen in most charming combination.
As the royal habitation of Tara had been deserted, after the sixth century,3'
the monarch of Ireland fixed his residence, wherever he pleased ; but, it was
generally, if not invariably, within his immediate provincial territory. How- ever, it would appear, that if Tara had ceased to be a city of importance, in the tenth and eleventh centuries, Maelseachlainn lived on or near that historic hill, while he ruled as chief monarch, or as subordinate to Bryan Boromha, who, in turn, arrived at supreme dominion.
The bards of Ireland received entertainment and
hospitality,
in the court
'5 By William F. Wakeman, these are This was avenged, in 1 loi, by Murtough considered as referable to the thirteenth O'Brien. See ibU. , pp. 966 to 969. A century. Poem on this subject, by Malmuriy Magrath,
" This name is still retained, in Kincora has been composed. In 1107, Ceann
Lodge, near the site of Bryan's palace.
Coradh and Cashel were burned by light-
the first week after Easter, when
vats of Metheglin and Brogaid, or Beer, were
destroyed.
'» See Dr. O' Donovan's "Annals of
theFourMasters,"vol. ii. , pp. 984,985, " In 1061, Aedh an Gha-bearnaigh Ua and pp. 1006, 1007.
'' See "Letters
lative to the Antiquities of the County of Clare, collected during the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1839," vol. ii. Letter ofJohnO'Donovan,p. 356.
containing
Information re-
ning,
sixty
Conchobhair, or Hugh O'Conor of the broken spear, demolished the Dun or fortress of
Ceann Coradh, destroying the enclosing wall of its well, while he burned Cill-Dalua.
"
See Dr.
"
Focaloir
Second Period, pp. 201, 202.
'"The name is rendered "of the iron
knee," and as Dr, O'Donovan supposes, be- cause his legs were cased in iron mail, to protect them Irom the strokes of Irish battle- axes.
Gaoidhilge-Sax-Bheaila, or an Irish English Dictionary," at the word Bile, which means
" a tree. "
99 See Rev. James Wills'
"
trious and Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i.
Lives of lUus-
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 347
andbykilling. AmongthevictimswereGilla-Phadraig,andmanyothersofdis- tinction along with hira. While Leinster was spoiled and ravaged, as far as
the sea, Glean-da-Loch was plundered likewise, by the foreigners of Ath- Cliath. As a counter demonstration, the forces of Munster were placed on
a war footing. Gilla-Phadraig, the son of Donnchadh, and that progenitor,
from whom the Giolla-Phadraigs or Fitzpatricks of Ossory derived their
name, had sacrilegiously plundered Leighlin this year, for which act he was ob-
liged to do penance. Against him, Bryan led ahosting,probably to avengesome
real or fancied wrong. Seizing on the chief of Ossory, he was made a prisoner,
while hostages were exacted from the people of that territory. '"' Among the
extorted contributions, due to the King of Munster, are to be classed espe-
cially,thosefromLeinster. Thepeopleofthisprovincewereamongthechief
sufferers, owing to the manner, in which those tributes were levied. The
triennial Boromean Tribute,'" at first imposed by Tuathal, monarch of Ire-
land, on the people of Leinster, had been a fruitful source of periodical and
sanguinary conflicts, between the chief monarch of Erin, and the people of that
province, to the time of Finnachta the Festive, who abolished it, about 680,
owing to the persuasion of St. Moling, '°3 abbot of Tech Moling. However,
as a punishment for the adherence of Leinster to the Danish cause, about the
beginning of the eleventh century, Bryan, the son of Cinneadigh, again revived and levied it. '"'* The Leinster province was stimulated to oppose
the King of Thomond. The chief of the Northmen ofDesies had joined, also,inastrongconfederacy. WiththeseweretheforeignersofCorkandof Waterford, together with the chief of Ossory, all bent on opposing his claim.
Notwithstanding, Bryan's resolute spirit and masterly tactics did not fail him. He came promptly upon the disunited forces of his enemies. He met some of these, at a place, called the Circle of the Sons of Conrad, and he burst upon them, with an overwhelming force. This onset quickly scattered them, and they fell into irretrievable confusion. With prodigious slaughter, he drove them from the field. That league was thus effectively dissipated. Bryan followed up his victory. '"' He then proceeded to ravage the territories of Leinster, and to indemnify himself for that tribute, which had been withheld. He advanced to Magh Ailbe, or the White Plain, near Leighlin. There, he de- manded from Domhnall Claen, King of South Leinster,and from Tuathal, King of Western Liphi, who came into his house, hostages for their future sub- mission. His progress could not be resisted, and he received their homage; while the conqueror took measures to enforce their submission, returning homewardstheacknowledgedKingofLeathMogha. '°* Assovereignoverthis great principality, the revenues of Bryan became more considerable, than were hisreturns,asKingofMunster. TheLeinstertributetohim,intheformer
""See at a. d. 982, Dr. O'Donovan's to satisfy the monarch's claims.
"Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 714, 715, with nn. (c, d).
'"' His feast occurs, at the 17th of June.
'°< It is thought to have been from this circumstance, he obtained tl]e surname of Boroimhe, or, of the Tribute. According Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran and to M'Curtin, Bijroimhe signifies a tribute of cows or of
"" It was fixeil, Ijy Tuathal, to consist of
five thousand ounces of silver, five tliousnnd
cloaks, five thousand fat cows, five thousand
fat hogs, five thousand fat wethers, and five
thousand large vessels of brass or bronze. cattle, as it was usually the case, that sub- Owing to the great number of cows paid in
Bo the Gaedhlic for a emu it is it— being —
sidles were levied in this fashion, from Irish districts.
saidtohavebeennamedBoromean; and, prol)abIy, that species of cattle hatl been most largely received, as a commutation for the want of other assessments, since cows could be more ri-adily procurable, on the fer- tile pastures of Ireland, and be driven away
'"5 See Rev. James Wills' " Lives of lUus-
trious and Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i. Second Period, p. 201.
"* See Coga-oh JacDhel Ue Sattiibh, edited by Rev. James Henthorn Todd, pp. 106 to 109.
348 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
capacity, consisted, it is stated, of 300 gold-handled swords, 300 cows with brass yokes, 300 steeds, and 300 purple cloaks. '°'
Devastating inroads on Leinster, Connaught, and Munster, signalized the reign of Maelseachlainn II. over Ireland. '"^ These were continued for several
years ; and, they served to foster the hostility, while weakening the resources, of two great rivals. Various encroachments on established rights had led
to anarchical contests, among the provincial rulers, in different parts of Ire- land ; while the Munster Kings were implicated in such quarrels, regarding the balance of power. As in England, under the Saxon Heptarchy,'"? and in
Italy, during the Middle Ages,"° a narrow and local spirit usurped the large and generous sentiment of national patriotism. Existing customs and family or clan alliances too frequently stimulated divisions, fatal to the peace, pros- perity and honour of the nation, especially when acted upon by selfish and false motives. The struggles for supremacy, between the northern, southern, and western princes, in the kingdom of Ireland, until the arrival of the English,
especially when the princes of Thomond became powerful, dissipated the notion of a stable monarchy, under any single head of the native fami- lies. The power of Irish monarchical institutions had been weakened greatly, duringtheDanishinroads. However,theinvadershadthemultipleformof royalty, in the kingdoms of the north ; for, no less than twelve of these petty kings were in Norway, alone, at one time. '" In Ireland, too, the Ostmen had colonized distinct and detached places, under several independent chiefs, so that it was often difficult for them to act with speed and decision, in concert. "" By position, the Leinster people were necessarily most exposed to the power and influence of the Norwegians and Danes, whose armaments were usually conductedtotheeasternshoresofIreland. Thoseinvaderswereneverslow, to strengthen their posts and settlements, by bringing over reinforcements, to protect themselves against the Irish. Besides, they were enabled, when taking advantage of domestic feuds, to find allies serviceable
for their immeditate purposes. Wherever those invaders met with a powerful enemy, they formed alliances among the tribes, naturally hostile
to some provincial ruler, and they instigated resistance to his supremacy. Sel- dom did they miss an opportunity, to excite discontent and opposition among histributaries. Therecurrenceofthoseopportunitieswasunhappilyfrequent, while the results, indeed, were too fatal and durable, for public and private welfare. Such intrigues and policy formed some of those obstacles, with which the genius and valour of Bryan had to contend. "3
As we have already seen. More is stated to have been mother to Murrough, the eldest son of Bryan ;"•• and, therefore, we may fairly assume, that she was
'°' See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's "Gene-
ral History of Ireland," vol. ii. , Book xi. ,
chap, vi. , p. 245.
"* See Gratianus Lucius' " Cambrensis
Eversus," edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, vol. ii. ,
"^ See Rev. James Wills' " Lives of Illus-
trious and Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i. , Second Period, p. 200.
"• See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's "Gene-
ral History of Ireland," vol. ii. , Book xi. ,
chap, v. , p. 235.
"5 The royal connexions of Aulaf were
further extended and complicated, by the marriage of his daughter Radnalt with Conghalach, King of Ireland, according to
cap. ix , pp. 32to 35. " '°9 See John Speed's
Historic of Great Britaine," Book vii. The Original Invasions, and Heptarchie of the Saxons, &c. , chap. i.
to xlv. , pp. 281 to 402.
"° See " Historical Class-Book, of the the Book of Leinster. Conghalach was the
Christian Brothers. " Outlines of Modem
His"tory, p. 337.
According to the Herverar Saga. See
son of Maelmithigh, by Ligach, daughter of Flann Sinna, and step-sister of Niall Glun- dubh and Gormflaith. Now Ligach died A. D. 921, according to the Annals of the Four Masters. The Nialls Saga states, that she was first married to Bryan, and then to
Aulaf Cuaran, chap, civ. , p. 590.
Sharon Turner's " Saxons," Book iii. , chap. i.
of the
Anglo- of Ire-
'" See Thomas Moore's •' land," vol. ii. , chap, xix. , p. 77.
History
History
April 23. ] LIVES'OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 349
thefirstwifeofthegreatKingofMunster. Wedonotfindarecordofher death ; but, other accounts relate to his partner in wedlock, and who bears quite a different name. The celebrated Scandinavian King of Dublin, Aulaf Cuaran, had married Gormflaith,"5 who was daughter to Murchadh,"* son of Finn, King of Leinster. By her he had Sitric"? She then married Bryan Borumha,bywhomshehadDonnchadh. Gormflaithappearsfromherhis- tory, to have been an unprincipled woman, and she could hardly have been an additiontothedomestichappinessofBryan,whorepudiatedher. "^ After-
wards, he married Dubhchobhlaig, daughter to the Kingof Connaught. Gorm- fiiaith married Maelseachlainn, by whom she became the mother of Conchob-
har. "9 Itseemsmorethanprobable,thatthenatureofherrelationshipto the monarch of Ireland, and to the king of Munster, seriously complicated the political strain, which subsequently existed, between the two rival sovereigns. The date for Bryan's marriage to Duvchovlaigh has not trans- pired ; yet, it seems to be referable, not to the earlier years of his life. The Munster monarch had six sons,'^°and these are named Murchadhach, or Mo- rough, Tadhg, or Teige, Donnchadh, orDonogh, Domhnall, or Donnall, Conor, and Flann. Two of these left issue, namely Tadhg,"' the eldest son after Murough, and Donogh. "^ At present, it seems difficult to resolve exactly the order and connexion, relating to the various members of the great Munster sovereign'sdomesticcircle; but,wehaveendeavouredtoplaceaccounts,in that sequence, we deem best calculated to elucidate the succeeding events,
which marked his distinguished career.
CHAPTER IV.
MAELSEACHLAINN ASCENDS THE THRONE OF IRELAND—HIS ACHIEVEMENTS AND THE COUNTER MOVEMENTS OK BRYAN —GROWING POWER OF THE LATTER—HIS RESIDENCE AND MANNER OF LIVING AT KINCORA—WAR DECLARED BETWEEN MALACHY AND BRYAN—PEACE AGAIN ESTABLISHED, WHEN THEIR FORCES WERE UNITED AGAINST THE NORTHMEN—VICTORY OBTAINED AT GLENMAMA—RIVAL AMBITION OF MALACHY AND BRYAN.
The accession of Maelseachlainn, to the throne of Ireland, influenced very materially the march of events. The commencement of his reign has been placed, at a. d. 980, by Tigernach. ' However, the usually short annalistic announcements, even of incidents having an important bearing on the general
""
Murchadh, the father of Gormflaith, died A. D. 928. If she were bom that year and died a. d. 1030, she was then 102 years old. It is not improbable, that she was first married to Bryan, and that divorced by him, she then married Aulaf.
78, 79, and nn. 3 to 7.
""See Eugene O'Curry's "Lectures on
the Manuscript Materials of Ancient Irish History," Lect. x. , p. 211.
.
"' He was father of Turlough, who had two sons Muircheartach, or Mortogh, and "' He is said to have married the daughter Diarmaid, or Dermod. From Tadhg
of Brian Borumha ; the latter monarch sub- sequently marrying Sitric's mother.
descend the great family of the Thomond O'Brians.
""The O'Briens of Cuanach and of Eatheriagh, in the present counties of Lime- rick and Tipperary, descend from him. Do-
nogh, brother to Tadhg or Teige, is said, likewise, to have been ancestor to
the family of Plunkett. See John O'Hart's " Irish Pedigrees : or, the Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation," part iv. , chap, i. , sect. 41, pp. 103, 104.
"' In Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , at A. D. 1030, there are some Irish verses, which describe the threc marriages of Gormflaith as three leaps or jumps, that a woman should never take. This seems to hint, that the three leaps were not legitimate marriages. These were " a leap at Athcliath, or Dublin," when she married Olaf Cuaran "a at
at Cashel," when she »(nrrz>(/ Brian.
leap Tara," when shemarr/VrfMalachy II. , and "aleap
—
naci," in Rev. Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum
"' See Charles
Kingdom of Dublin," Book i. , chap, ix. , pp.
Hibemicarum tomus Scriptores,"
261.
Halida/s
;
" Scandinavian
Chapter iv.
See "Annales of
Tiger- ii. , p.
350
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
history of our country, leaves us very frequently at a loss, to account for various movements, which are recorded. The motives for action are still more concealed.
Nor can we feel assured, that the dates and serial occur-
rences, —for
—
cause we know not Maelseachlainn
year 984
special
plundered
found in annalistic entries, are always consecutively placed. In the
what
Connaught, destroyed its islands, killed its chieftains, and reduced Mayo to ashes. In retaliation for these injuries, the Connaughtmen made an incur- sion, so far as Lough-Aininn. They burned Feara-Ceall, and slew its chief. ' The year for these transactions was 985, according to the Annals of Tiger- nach. 3 Asanadditionalmeans,forsustaininghispowerandinterest,Bryan hadequippedalargefleetofvessels,onLoughDerg;< for,itwouldseem,he desired, in this manner, to provide for defending the line of the River Shan- non, and, as appears probable, to use it, likewise, for offensive purposes. The opportunity was soon sought or presented. We may well believe, that a mutual mistrust of each other's intentions, about this period, actuated the monarch of Ireland and himself. Perhaps, those events, we are about im- mediately to narrate, may have influenced the campaign, for which Bryan had been preparing, and which came to an issue, when the favourable moment arrived. During the year 986, the Irish monarch forcibly removed the shrine of Patrick from Ath-Fhirdiadh or Ardee, to Ath-Sighe,5in consequence of the rebellionofthesonofCairelan. Apeacewasafterwardsmade,andtoatone for his desecration of the shrine, Maelseachlainn submitted to that award, pro- nounced by the Archbishop of Armagh. * This is specified, to have been the visitation of Meath, both church and state, and a banquet for every fort from
Maelseachlainn himself, besides even Cumhals,' and every other demand in full. A costly and distant expedition had been organized by Malachy, who
shortly afterwards found it necessary to chastise the aggressions of the Ostmen, so strongly posted on the eastern * and southern boundaries of his territories.
He led an army against the Danes of Dublin, as these were troublesome neighbours,ontheMeathianfrontiers,andintheyear989. Inabattle,fought
againstthoseforeigners,manywereslainbyhim. Afterwards,helaidsiege to the Danish Dun, or fortress of the place, and which occupied the site of the present Castle in Dublin. He continued its investment, for twenty nights, cutting off the besieged from a supply of water, and they had nothing to drink during that period, but the brine. 9 After enduring such extremity, the garri- son surrendered, on condition of paying an ounce of gold for every garden, on each Christmas night, for ever, while he should be king. '°
During this campaign on the eastern side of Leinster, Bryan, within his
own dominion, had ordered the levying of his clansmen; and, with an immense army, he was soon in a condition, to march in another direction. " On the
» See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 716 to 719.
3 See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum
Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. jgT
< See CoCd'oVi jAenhet^ He jAllaibVi,
edited by Rev. James Henthorn Todd, pp.
108 109.
5 We find this place, Latinized, "i. t. 'Va. -
dum lemurum," in the Rev. Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. Tigernachi Annales, A. D. 986. See pp. 26t. 264.
"
lent in money, or other property. See n. (l). Ibid.
^ It is thought, that early in the ninth
century, Turgesius had fortified Drogheda, and had made it one of liis strongholds.
"
History of Drogheda, with its Environs," vol. i. , p. 86.
'See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , Tiger- nachi Annales, p. 265,
" See Dr, O'Donovan's "Annah of the Four Masters," pp. 722 to 725.
Annals of the A Cumhal means 21 cows, or an equiva-
" 1 ''^ translator of the Book of Munster directs the present invasion of Bryan, against
' See Dr. O'Donovan's
— the|Lagenians while the Leobhar-Oiris —
Four Masters," pp. 718, 719. 7
;
mentioned by Dr. Syivc ter O'Halloran
»s
See John D' Alton's
April 23. ] LIVES 01' THE IRISH SAINTS. 351 Shannon, he had equipped a fleet, and, in its vessels, amounting to three
hundred—according to one account—he embarked
move under his direction. Propelled by oars and sails, his boats were enabled to ascend that river to Lough Ree. The crews plundered all Breifne, beyond Ath Liag " upwards. The King of Munster appears to have divided his force, when it reached that central position. He sent one detachment into western Connaught. We read, that during this year, the men of Munster came in hosts upon Loch Ribh, and that they were aided by the foreigners of Port Lairge, who, as subjects, had probably been requisitioned, by the KingofMunster. TheConnaughtmenassembledtoopposethem,whena battlewasfoughtbetweenthem. AgreatnumberoftheMunstermenand oftheforeignerswereslaughtered,bytheConnacians. Amongtheslainwas Dunlaing, son to Dubhdabhoireann, royal heir of Munster, and many others along with him. '3 Muirgheas, son to Conchobhar, and the crown prince of Connaught, was slain by his foes, in the heat of that conflict. '* However, the forces of Munster appear to have prevailed. Contributions were required
fromtheinhabitants,whoweresettledinthewholeborderingcountry; and,
as a matter of course, those tributes were given or guaranteed. In the year
984, also, the Kings of Leinster rendered homage to Bryan ; and, subse- quently,heassumedtoact,asthesupremeMonarchofIreland. ' Bryanled another division of his army, into the province of Meath,'' as far as Uisnech. A hosting of this description meant the spreading of plunder, of waste, and of bloodshed, through those important districts of the monarchy. After this campaign, the King of Munster returned to his own principality, and laden
'with the spoils of two large provinces.
In reference to this heroic monarch, the bards and chroniclers have de-
picted in glowing colours, the valour, wisdom, and generosity of his character ; and, no doubt, in their enthusiasm, his panegyrists have drawn largely from their imagination those remaining accounts, which must serve to embellish, if not to supply satisfactorily, the traits of his personal history. The spirit of the times favoured a taste for romance, and frequently, as at present is the fashionofrumour,representedrealtransactionsinafalselight. Toattempt, at this time, a prosaic and rational narrative is more than perplexing ; for, should we remove the brilliant varnish of fiction, we might not only tear away the true colours, but even the forms, and grouping, which are so traditionally combined in the picture.
Romantically situated on the western bank of the Lower Shannon, the town of Killaloe '' is approached by a bridge, consisting of several arches, andwhichspansawide,butcomparativelyshallow,sweepoftheriver. Close tothisspotarosethecelebratedresidenceandfortofKinncora. Theselay below Lough Derg, and a magnificent range of mountains circled them round, towardsthenorth,west,andsouth. '^ Onthesummitofasmallhill,andopposite
gives its destination, as being against Meath Ilibemicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. and Connaught. See "General History 264.
of
vol. Book xi. , ii. ,
in the
'' See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 722, 723.
'5 See Alexander G. " Lectures Richey's,
on the History of Ireland, down to A. D.
1534," Lect. iii. , p. 66.
'" See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's "Gene-
ral History of Ireland," vol. ii. , Book xi. , chap, vi. , p. 244.
' A beautiful Aquatinta view of thisplace was published, by Jonathan Fisher, at Dub- lin, in 1792, oblong folio,
'* See Plates 7 and 15 of "The TraveUers'
Ireland," p. 245.
" Now
chap, vi. ,
and
Lanesborough,
barony of Kathcline, county of Longford, at the head of Lough Ree, and on the left bank of the River Shannon. Formerly, it was a
parliamentary borough, and a very excellent description and history of the place will be
"
found, in the
Ireland," vol. ii. , pp. 589, 590.
Parliamentary Gazetteer of
'3 TheAnnalsof Tigernach havelhisevent, at A. D. 988. See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum
parish
those which were to forces,
353 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 33.
the Bridge of Killaloe's—now consisting of nineteen arches'"—stood Bryan Boroimha's palace of Kincora; and, it has been supposed, that this was erected, by the monarch himself. '^" AH traces of that celebrated fortress have now vanished ; but, according to one conjecture,^^ it must have extended from the verge of an eminence, over the River Shannon, and on to where the Catholic Cliurch now stands. =3 Not far from that site arises the cruciform Cathedral building, surmounted in the centre by a low and
Cathedral and Bridge at Killaloe, on the River Shannon.
massive square tower. '* Portions of this structure within the nave are said to have been erected, by the monarch, Brian Boromha, who is thought to have re-edified or repaired the first built Cathedral. It was reconstructed, once more, by Donald O'Brian, King of Thomond, in 1160. The portions of this building, which are Romanesque in character,
"
Map of the River Shannon, arranged as a Masters
Guide to its Lakes," &c. , from the survey tresses were erected by Biyan, and among made by John Grantham, Esq. , C. E. On the rest, the Caher of Ceann Coradh, of Inis Plate 15 is shown a wooded I^noU, with Gaill dubh, and of Inis Loch Saighleann, some ornamental grounds, and it is called &c. See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. ii. , the Fort of Bel Boru.
'9 See the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Clare," sheet 45.
'" Formerly this bridge had a still greater number ; and, while some of the arches are ancient, three or four in the centre and of ample span, were built in 1825, when the canal works, to connect Limerick with
pp. 768 10771.
" That of the celebrated Irish scholar,
were constructed. See "Par- liamentary Gazetteer of Ireland," vol. ii. ,
p. 449.
" At A,D. 1012, the " Annals of the Four
-'' The
Millard, is after a drawing, taken on the spot,
by William F. Wakeman, and by him trans- ferred to the wood.
Lough Derg,
accompanying engraving, by
Mrs.
state, that many Dangans or for-
John O'Donovan.
°3 See" Letters containing Information re-
lative to the Antiquities of the County of Clare, collected during the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1839," vol. ii. Letter of John O'Donovan, pp. 346, 347.
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 353
furnish evidence of greater antiquity, than the mediaeval Gothic, predomina- ting in its chief features and style. ^5 Long lancet windows, splayed inwards, lightthechancelandnave. Thewholelengthofthiscathedralisabout200 feet. The name Ceann-Coradh signifies, the Head of the Weir, and, it was Anglicised to Kincora. '* It is identical with the site of the present town of Killaloe. Even, at this time, several eel weirs are there, on the River Shan- non. We find it called Cathair-Cinn-coradh, or the Stone Fort of Kincora, which gives us a correct idea, regarding the chief building material of which ithadbeencomposed. Itmaybeassumed,thatthefortificationhadbeena stronghold, and that quarters had been provided for the monarch and its
guards, about the grounds adjoining. In the southern part of Craglea, in the parish of Killaloe, is Park-na-neagh, a field in which Bryan Boroimha is said to have kept his horses. ^7 Throughout his whole lifetime, the monarch loved to dwell in this seat of his power. Yet, notwithstanding the renown of the monarch, who had so long dwelt in it, Ceann-Coradh was destroyed after his death; nordoesitseemtohavebeenoccupied,byhissuccessors,formore than a century afterwards. '* In 11 18, Turlough O'Conorand the Connacians marched to the palace of Ceann Coradh. He then hurled the stones and timber, of which it was composed, into the River Shannon. '? From Corrigen,3° aboveBirdhill3' station,ontheLimerickRailroad,amagnificentviewofthe River Shannon, flowing through its valley from Killaloe on towards Castle Connell,maybeobtained. ThelowerwatersofLoughDeargappearbeyond the old Cathedral Church and town. The site of Brian Boroimha's former fortalice at Kincora is seen beneath a sublimely varied prospect of over- -topping mountain scenery, spreading along and behind the Clare side of the Shannon, while no prospect can be finer or more picturesque, than the rich cultivated and extensive pastoral lands, that swell on every side. Vales, plains, hills and mountain ranges, are seen in most charming combination.
As the royal habitation of Tara had been deserted, after the sixth century,3'
the monarch of Ireland fixed his residence, wherever he pleased ; but, it was
generally, if not invariably, within his immediate provincial territory. How- ever, it would appear, that if Tara had ceased to be a city of importance, in the tenth and eleventh centuries, Maelseachlainn lived on or near that historic hill, while he ruled as chief monarch, or as subordinate to Bryan Boromha, who, in turn, arrived at supreme dominion.
The bards of Ireland received entertainment and
hospitality,
in the court
'5 By William F. Wakeman, these are This was avenged, in 1 loi, by Murtough considered as referable to the thirteenth O'Brien. See ibU. , pp. 966 to 969. A century. Poem on this subject, by Malmuriy Magrath,
" This name is still retained, in Kincora has been composed. In 1107, Ceann
Lodge, near the site of Bryan's palace.
Coradh and Cashel were burned by light-
the first week after Easter, when
vats of Metheglin and Brogaid, or Beer, were
destroyed.
'» See Dr. O' Donovan's "Annals of
theFourMasters,"vol. ii. , pp. 984,985, " In 1061, Aedh an Gha-bearnaigh Ua and pp. 1006, 1007.
'' See "Letters
lative to the Antiquities of the County of Clare, collected during the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1839," vol. ii. Letter ofJohnO'Donovan,p. 356.
containing
Information re-
ning,
sixty
Conchobhair, or Hugh O'Conor of the broken spear, demolished the Dun or fortress of
Ceann Coradh, destroying the enclosing wall of its well, while he burned Cill-Dalua.
"
See Dr.
