O'Conor's " Reriim
O'Conor's "Rerum Hibemicarum Scripto- res,", tomus ii.
O'Conor's "Rerum Hibemicarum Scripto- res,", tomus ii.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v4
Ixxxi.
, pp.
382 to 384.
According to this writer, from the former descended the ancient Earls of Marr, tracing their origin to Carbre the Pict ; while from the latter de- sceiid the E iris of Lennox, supposed to be derived from -Manius Levinius.
"' See William F. Skene's " Celtic Scot-
Isnd : A History of Ancient Alban," vol. i. ,
Book i. , chip. , viii, p. 387, n. 4.
"' . Son 01 Maolmuadh, son to Bron. See
Dublin copy of the Annah of Innisfallen, in
Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibemicarum Scrip-
tores," tomus ii. , p. 63
"'SontoDubdaboren. Heelii't/.
"°
See Hid.
430 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
parts of Ireland. Kian is said to have been one of the tallest and most beau- tiful among the Irish chieftains. "" According to another account, Bryan col- lected one very strong and great battalion, formed from the chosen hosts of all Munster, who were stationed as supports, in the rere of his foremost troops. "' At tlie head of those reinforcements, he had two chief leaders. "' These were Mothla, son of Domhnall, son to Faelan,"3 King of the Desies, and Murcertach, or Murtough, in other accounts called Mangnus, son to Amnchadha,KingofHy-Liathain. Amongthesubordinateleadersofnote, in this division, were Scanlan, son to Cathal, chief of the Eoganacht of Lough
Lein j"* Cathal Mac Donabhain or son of Donovan, Righ h Ccairbre, or Lord of Hy-Cairbre Eabha ; Loingseach h Dubliloinn or O'Dowling, chief of
Hy-Connall Gaura ; the son of Beothach,"' King of Kerry-Luachra ; with Geibbionach, son to Dubhagan,"* chief of Fermoy Peine. The troops of Ely O'Carroll, under their chief O'Carroll, were joined by another O'Carroll, the prince of Oriel, in Ulster, together with Maguire, the prince of Fer- managh. "?
That division, which was opposed to the third of their antagonists,"* who were the insular Scandinavians, consisted chiefly of Connacians, commanded by Tadhg, "' or Teigue O'Conor, as their chief. '3° Under him served
Mulroney 0'Heyne,"3> chief of Aidiine -p" Teige 0'Kelly,'33 King of Hy- Maine ; 0'Flaherty,'34 King of Muintir Murchadha ; Connor 0'Mulroney,'35 chief of Moylurg ; Hugh Guineagh 0'Doyle,'3* and Foghartagh,'37 son to Donall, two chiefs of Ely ; Murtogh,'38 son to Core, chief of Muscraighe- Cuirc ; Hugh, "39 son to Loughlin, chief of Hy-Cuanach ; Donall,'''° son to
"' Among others, the Cineal Laoghaire were in this division. See Hid.
"' According to the Rev. Dr. Paul O'Brien's account, the second Irish division was under the command of Teige O'Conor. See Gene- ral Vallancey's "Collectanea de Rebus Hibernicis," vol. i. " Dissertations on the National Customs and State Laws of the Ancient Irish," part ii. , chap, i. , p. 527.
"3 From him, the O'Faelains, or O'Phe- lans, of the Desies, took their hereditary sur- name.
"« See the Dublin copy of the Annals of Innisfallen, in Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. 63.
"5 The Dublin copy of the Annals of Innis- fallen calls him Mac Beotaicc mac Muiredh Righ Ciaruidhe Luachra—the latter territory is Latinized Ciarradiajuncosa. See ibid.
"* From him the family of Ui Dubhagain, now Duggan, derive their origin. This
family formerly belonged to Fermoy, in the county of Cork.
"' According to <)innAl4 tocTiA C^, the
Ulidians, the Airghialla, the Cenel-Eoglfein, the Cenel-Conaill, with the men of Northern
Connaught, were not with Bryan on that day, when the battle of Clontarf had been fought.
See pp. 6, 7.
"' According to Rev. Dr. Paul O'Brien,
the last division of Bryan's army was under the command of Cian and Donal, leading the Eugenians and Desians. See General Vallancey's "Collectanea de Rebus Hiber- nicis," vol. i. Disserlations on theNational Customs and State Laws of the Ancient Irish," part ii. , chap, i. , p. 528.
"' He is called Tadhg mc Cathail mc Con- chubhair Righ Connacht. See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernicarum Scripto- res," tomus ii. , p. 63.
'3» In the Tract Co^Aroh 5deT)heL He S-atl-Aibh, it is stated, that the battalion of Connaught was led by Maelruanaidh Ua-n- Eidhin, and by Tadhg Ua Cellaigh, King of the Ui-Maini, and by Maelruanaidh, son of Murghius, King of Muintir Maelrunaidh, and by Domhnall, grandson of Cuceninn, King of Ui n Diarniada, and by Ualgarg, son of Cerin, having all the nobles of Con- naught with him. See chap, xciv. , xcv. , xcvi. , pp. 162 to 169.
'3' OrMaolruanaO'HeidinnRighAidhne.
See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiberni-
carumScriptores,"tomusii. , p. 63.
'3' From him the chiefs of Hy-Fiachrach-
Aidhne, in the county of Galway, descend. See Dr. O'Donovan's " The Genealogies, Tribes and Customs of Hy-Fiachrach," p. 398.
'350r, O'Cealla Righh Maine. See "Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. 63
'5* Or O'Flaiihbhiorta Righ muintire Mur- chadha. See ibid.
'35 Or Conchubhar O'Maolruana Righ
Muighe-luirg. See ibid.
'3' Also called Aodh-guineach O'Dughall
or Hugli the Wounder. See ibid. , p. 64. 37 Or Fogartach mc Domhnaill da Righ
Eiie. See ibid.
'38 Or Muirchiortach mc Cuirc Righ Mus-
graidhe. See ibid.
39 Or Aedh mc Lochlainn Righ O'Ccuan-
cha. See ibid.
.
*Or Domhnall mc Diannada Righ Cor-
cabaisgin. See Hid.
'*' East Corcobaskin was comprised in the
barony of Clonderalaw, in the county of Clare.
'' Or Donncha mac Caithil Righ Mus- gruidheAedha. Seeibid.
'••' Or Echtiaghain mac Donagain Righ Ararih. See ibid.
'" See, also, tiie Battle of Clontarf, by John O'Donovan, in "The Dublin Penny Journal," vol. i. . No. 17, p. 134.
'« See "Journal of the Royal Historical
and Arch«ological Association of Ireland," vol. v. , Fourih Series, No. 40. "On the Site of the Battle of Clontarf," by Thomas O'Gorman, p. 176.
'*' This agrees also with the account of a
centre and in the " " ac- wings, Njals Saga
count of the baiile. See cap. clviii. , p. 602. '*' See the Dublin copy of the Annals of Innisfallen, in Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , p.
66.
'' A modern poet, William Kenealy, has
rendered this address into English verse. It is ""
Desecrated all things holy—as they
soon may do again, — If their power to-day we smite not
if to-day we be not men !
" On this day the God-man suffered— look upon the sacred sign—
May we conquer neatli its shadow, as of old did Constantine !
May the heathen tribe of Odin fade before it like a dream,
And the triumph of this glorious day in future annals gleam !
"— God of Heaven, bless our banner
April 23'. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 4SI
Dermad, chief of Corca-Baisgin ;'*' Donough,'*' son to Cathal, chief of Mus-
craighe Aedha ; and Ectigerna,"3 son to Donegan, King of Ara. ''*'* These leaders and their clansmen now waited the signal for action.
When the order for battle had been arranged on the Irish side, Bryan issued from his tent, to review his troops, and to raise their courage for the desperatestruggle,whichwassoontocommence. Wearenottosuppose, as might be inferred from descriptions of tlie array on both sides, tiiat either of the armies had been massed in three divisions, one drawn up before or after another column. '5 Rather it may be considered as altogether pro- bable, that from their respective positions, the battalions formed into open and lengthened lines, '' with supporting reserves, to relieve or fill up the fore- most ranks, as need required ; and, it was only in such order their weapons could be wielded with effect, while no considerable part of either army could remain inactive, after the onset had been fairly commenced. Holding a crucifix in his left hand, the aged monarch had his sword in the right. With
his son Murchadh, Bryan rode through the ranks,'*' and addressed them, in words, calculated to animate,'*' and to inspire them with a determination to
to be found in The Hallads of Ireland col- lected and edited by Edward Hayes, vol. i. , pp. 81, 83. —Some stanzas of this poem we
"
"
For red vengeance on the spoiler, whom the blazing temples trace—
For the honour of our maidens and the glory of our race I
Should I fall before the foeman, 't is the death I seek to-day ;
Should ten thousand daggers pierce me, bear my body not awa—y,
till the
Then the holy Mass be chaunted, and the funeral rites be done.
here quote
" Chiefs and Kernes of Dalcassia !
thers of my past career. Oft we've trodden on the
Till this of be day days
:
pirate-flag that flaunts before us here ;
You remember Inniscattery, how we bounded on tlie (oe,
As the torrent of the mountain burst upon the plain below !
"
They proudest
Men of Erin
— ha—ve razed our castles
Chase these Northern wolves before you, like a herd ol frifjhtened deer! Burst their ranks, like bolts from heathen
!
spo Lord
— —
crew, For the
the
iled Temples
of the
heaven
Down on the
Burnt to dust the sacred relics
put
of the Crucified, and Erin's glory too ! "
the peaceful to the sword
Bro-
nerve our sinews for the strife—?
we now for all lh. it's for holy
Fight
our altars, land, and life—
ov—er field is fought and won
men of Erin battle-axe and s|)ear I
1
grasp
the
glory
!
42 2 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
strain every effort, throughout the fierce contest, which was now impending. ''"
" Be not dismayed, because son Donogh, with the tliird part of the Momonian forces, is absent from you, for they are plundering Leinster, and the Danish territories. Long have the men of Ireland groaned under the tyranny of these seafaring pirates ! the murderers of your kings and chieftains ! plunderers of your fortresses! profane destroyers of the churches and monasteries of God ! who have trampled upon and committed to the flames, the relics of his saints! " Then, raising his
"
His words of exhortation are thus rei)orted :
'9 See a brief report of this speech, in the Dublin copy of the Innisfallen Annals. Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , pp. 64, 65.
'S" See John O'Donovan, on "The Battle of Clontarf," in " The Dublin Penny Jour- nal," vol. i. . No. 17, p. 134.
this latter, in the opinion of Dr. O'Donovan, seems correct.
'35 The monarch does not appear to have been more actively engaged, in this battle ; although, in the Dublin copy o( the Annals of Innisfallen, it is stated, that Bri. m and Murchad, with the army of the Dalcassians, rushed against the thousand warriors in shirts
my
May the Almighty God, through his great mercy, give
voice, he cried out :
you strength and courage this day, to put an end for ever to the Lochlannan
in Ireland, and to them their — and their tyranny revenge upon many perfidies,
profanations of those sacred edifices, dedicated to his worship this day on which Jesus Christ himself suffered death for your redemption. "'5° So saying,
he showed them the symbol of the bloody sacrifice,'^' in his left hand, and taking his golden-hilted sword in the right,'s' the Monarch 'declared that he was willing to lose his life in so just and honourable a cause. Then he pro- ceeded towards the centre, to lead his troops into action ; but, the chiefs of his army, with one voice, requested their great monarch would retire from the field of battle, on account of his great age. They also requested, that he should leave to his eldest son, Morogh, the chief command, on this eventful day. '53 The monarch was now unable to lend much greater aid, than the moral weight of his presence, to the combatants arrayed on his side. 'S4 We may rest assured, however, that he anxiously watched the vicissitudes of this battle, by directing or counselling the movements of his subordinate chiefs. 'ss Wherefore, at the entreaty of his friends, after this review and exhortation of the troops, he retired to his tent, which stood at some distance, and which was guarded by three of his aids. '5* Here, alternately prostrating himself before the crucifix, or looking out from his tent door upon the dread scene that lay beyond, the Monarch most earnestly awaited the result. 's?
'5' See the "Annals of Innisfallen," at A. D.
1014. Dublin copy, in Rev. Dr. Charles of mail. See Rev. Dr.
O'Conor's " Reriim
O'Conor's "Rerum Hibemicarum Scripto- res,", tomus ii. , p. 65.
'5= in such situation, we may well apply to him these lines of the Irish-American poet,
—
" Out of its scabbard ! Never hand Waved swonl from stain as free,
Nor purer sword led braver liand, Nor braver bled for a l)righter land ; Nor brighter band had a cause as
grand. "
'53 See "The Dul>lin Penny Journal," vol. i. No. 17, p. 134. John O'Donovan, on "The Battle of Clonta'rf. "
'54 According to the Annals of Clonmac- noise, of Iimisfallen, and 01 the Four M. is- ters, he was then in the eighty-eighth year of his age; however, the Annds of Ulster have him only in his seventy-third year, and
Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. 65.
'5' to the Danish a According account,
shieldburg, or a ring of men holding their shieid-i locked together, was thrown round King Bryan, while Iris host was drawn up in array before tliem. See George Webbe Dasent's "Story of Burnt Njal," vol. ii. . chap, clvi. , p. 334.
Rev. Abraham J. Ryan
:
'=' " See Thomas D'Arcy McGee's
Popu- lar History of Ireland," vol. i. . Book ii. .
chap, vi. , ]>. loi.
's^ A cnrious circumstance, with a remark-
able coincidence, has. to be related, in con- nection with the narraiive given by the writer of the Tract, Co5a-oh 5. \et)heL He SoiliAibh ; v:z. , th. d the fnll ti. le happened at sunrise, when tlie battle commenced. See chap, cix. , pp. 190,191. Tliis is tiionyht to prove, that tlie writi-r himsol;, if not an eye- witness 10 the scene lie describe , must have derived his information from those, wlio
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS 423
After sunrise,'58 and when their men had formed into line, on both sides, the signal for battle was given, 's' and the Irish forces prepared to advance from their positions. While arranging the battalions of Thomond and of
wards, before the men of Erinn, and why, therefore, should anyone ask him to retreat, in the presence of the Gaill and of the Gaedhil. '^' Instantly, the nobles of Desmumhan pressed forward to follow Murchadh, wishing to sur- round the Danmarkians and foreigners ; but, this intemperate onset was re- ceived by the latter with a firm front, and a great number of the Munster chiefs were killed on tliat spot
When the battle commenced at a very early hour in the morning,
the full tide had already set in, on the shore at Clontarf;'*' while the sun
shone with unusual brightness,'*3 As if indicating the tempest of war, in which both armies were now involved, on this celebrated battle-field, and the furious passions of the combatants on earth ; a great storm of the elements arose, and the winds blew with unusual violence, the waves surging along the strand,insprayandfoam,whilethecombatraged. '*• TheNorthmenhadcer- tain superstitious notions, and perhaps, some hopes or fears awakened by those circumstances ; for, the pagans among them heard the voices of departed heroes, or of mythologic spirits,''5 in the rush of wind over their heads, each •man interpreting those omens, as his fancy or feeling was awakened, by the solemnwarningsthenconveyedtohisthoughts. TheChristiansoldiersamong the Irish and Scanians had other recollections, recurring to their minds, on
Murchad went forward " a hand's cast " the rest, to attack beyond
Desmond,
the foreigners. Then, Bryan sent Domhnall, son of Emin, that his son should fallback,untilhemovedinalinewiththeDalCais. TothismessageMur- chadhreplied,thattheadvicewastimidandcowardly; headded,thatifhe were alone in the midst of Fidh Gaibhle,'^ he would. not retreat one step back-
communicated the truth. Without intimating his object to Rev. Samuel Haughton, M. D. , and tile learned an i scientific Fellow of
'''
It was estimated, that on the date men-
Trinity College, the Rev. Dr. Todd requested
tioned, April 23rd, AD. 1014, the highest tide along the Clomarfshore could not have differed
many minutes, from five hours and thirty minutes a. m. ; while, in tlie evening, the tide was full in, at the same place, and at five hours, fifty-five minutes. In the month of April, the sun rises at from five hours, thirty minu'es, to four hours, thirty minutes, so that the full titie in the morning nearly cor- resiiondcd with sunri-. e. . See the Rev. James Henthorn Todd's Introduction to the CogAuh 5Aex>liel Re JaLlaibh pp. xxv to xxvii, and chap, cix. , pp. 190, 191.
"^ The of Easter came morning Friday
with its full brightness. See <\iin<ilAtoclia C6, vol. i. , pp. 10, 11.
'°« Tliis description is inferred, on the faith of that atliibuted to Maelseachlainn, and addressed to the Clan Colman.
''s Even the Irish account bears strange testimony to the belief in fantastic agencies at work, on this remarkable day. "And there arose a wild, impetuous, precipitate, furious, dark, frightful, voracious, merciless, combative, contentious vulture, screaming and fluitering over their heads. And there al^o arose the satyrs, and the idiots, and the maniacs, of the valleys, and the witches, and the gobins, and the ancient birds, and the destroying demons ol the air, and of the firmament, and the feeble demoniac phan-
torn host, and they were screaming and com-
" What was the hour of high water, at the shore of Clontarf, in Dublin Bay, on the 23rJ of . April, 1014? " This was accordingly done by Dr. Haughton, who communicated the particulars of his calculation to the Royal Itiih Academy, irt May, 1861. See "Proceedings of the Royal
Irish Academy," vol. vii. , p. 496.
'» According to Dr. Sylvester O'Hallo- ran, the battle commenced "at eight in the
him to solve this problem :
morning. "—"General History
of
Ireland," vol. ii. , Book xi. , chap, viii. , p. 263.
'" It is probable, that this wood, near
Portarlington, was one ol the disputed border frontiers. It will be seen, moreover, that the trees home from this wood are said to have immediately occasoned that breach between Bryan lloroimba and Maclmordha, the King of Leiiistcr.
'" When his counsel was rejected, Domh- nail, son of Emm, said to Murcha'l, "thy countenance is bad, O royal champion, although thy courage is great. " Murchad answeied, he h. id cause for that, because many a false heio would leave his share of the battle to him, at the onl of the day. The son of Emin s. ii I, tliat his own share ot it should not lie le;t to Murchad, and he truly fulliUed that promise.
424 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINIS. [April 23.
this great solemnity of Good Friday, when the dread sacrifice and atonement of Christ should have been reHgiously celebrated in the churches, and, when the din of arms was least in unison, with the commemoration of his death. So com- pact were the battalions on both sides, and in such regular order, that we are told, a four horse chariot could run over the heads of the soldiers standing in line. '*'
In all previous engagements, he had fought with fewer forces than in this battle, which was destined to crown Bryan with a glory, which only then cul- minated. '' All depended on force of action and unity of effort, for either side, while courage was signally manifested, by the opposing leaders and by their warriors. At tliis very critical moment, if we are to credit the account con- tained in the Cath-Chluana-Tarbh, and followed by the Munster writers, finding favourable opportunity for being revenged on Bryan, who had humbled him in so many previous contests, Maelseachlain retired suddenly from the scene of action, and withdrew his thousand Meathians to a distance from the field of battle. There he remained, as is stated, an inactive and inglorious spectator, while waiting the long deferred issue, during the whole time of the engage- ment, without desiring to join either of the contending armies. Were this a real defection from the national cause, it must have greatly disconcerted the Irish monarch's army, and their men should be very much disheartened, with
a fear of treachery towards their commander-in-chief; as probably, Bryan's soldiers were unequal in numbers, when compared with thoseof the enemy. '*^ The Munster narratives will have it, th;;t Morough showed great courage,
notwithstanding, under the depressing circumstance, and at a juncture least expected. With singular presence of mind, he inflamed the ardour of his troops, and appealed to those brave spirits, who waited the onset. Crying out
to his brave Dalcassians, that this was the time to distinguish themselves, as they should have the unrivalled glory of vanquishing that formidable body of the enemy opposed to them, the illustrious Irish leader placed himself in the van, and marched forward to begin the encounter. However, these pre- judiced statements, so derogatory to the honour and fame of Maelseachlainn, are not deserving just credence, since they rest on no trustworthy historic re- ference ; while, it is positively stated, that the King of Meath signally distin- guished himself by hard fighting, and especially, towards the close of this most obstinate battle. '*' The truth seems to be, that Maelseachlainn and his forces had been placed as a reserve, near the field, so that their services might be available, to support any weakened or disordered column, to guard the rear of Murrough's active combatants, or to secure a safe retreat, in case of
disaster. Thisarrangementwasnotonlyconsistentwithsoundgeneralship; but, it seems to have been a matter, commending itself especially to the mili-
tary discretion and experience of Morough. We are told, '7° moreover, that " a tall man of armes,"''' in the beginning of the battle fled away, fearing the hardiness of the Danes and Norwegians, and that he went to Donogli Mac Brian,thebrotherofMorough,whowascomingwithforcestothefield. That
paring the valour and combat of both par- ties. "
'"^See CojA'oli Jie-oheL Re jAllAtbh, chap, xcix. , pp. 172, 173.
the Danes and Leinsternien. If any suspi- cion of treacheiy or misconduct on the part
of Maelseachlainn prevailed among the Irish, after the battle of Clontarf, it is not at all
likely,
the supreme monarch of Ireland, consequent on the deaths of Brian Boroimhe, and of his
heir-apparent Morough, both of whom fell gloriously on the field.
'J" By Dr. Meredith Hanmer, in his
'? See Elias
" Histoire de
that he should have been elected as
Regnault's I'Irlande," liv. i. , chap, vi. , p. 78.
"^ See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's " Gene- ral History of Ireland," vol. ii. . Book xi. , chap, viii. , p. 263.
'^It must be observed, that before and after the battle of Clontarf, Maelseachlainn was steady and consistent, in his enmity to
" 'He
Chronicle 01 Ireland," pp. 184, 185.
is called "a Priest's
sonne," by
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 425
traitor, it is said, persuaded Donough to retreat, saying further, that there was nohopeofgoodsuccesstobeobtainedinthisfield. "'' Whethersuchastory
has relation or not, with the suspicion of Maelseachlainn's treachery, may
be questioned ; but, it does not seem to rest on any very ancient authority. In their battles of old, mail armour was used by the Irish ;'" and, although
no special allusion is made to it on the day of Clontarf, we can hardly doujjt, that the chiefs, at least, wore it, as a defence, and as a mark of distinction. The
Dal Cais, however, as we are informed, wore long, white, handsome and well-
adjustedshirts,withlongcomfortablevests. Overtheseweremany-coloured
and well-shaped tunics. They carried glittering spears,"'^ well-riveted and
shaped, with handles of white hazel ; as also, sharp darts, thick set with
bright nails, to be cast at the enemy. They bore large, bright and variegated
shields, with bosses of brass, and elegant chains of , bronzes, '75 which were
fastenedtothesidesofclansmen. Besides,theywieldedstrong,broadand
sharp Lochlann axes,''* glittering and gracefully shaped. They had well-
tempered, sharp-pointed, keen-edged, straight and bright-sided swords. "'?
These latter weapons were especially borne by the leaders, as also, by the royal
knights and chiefs; while the men of distinction wore golden-crested helmets,
set with brilliants and precious stones. ''^ The battalions of the Tuadh-
mumhain -'. nd of the Desmumhain appear to have been ranged side by side,
at the first onset, which was made by the Irish, under the leadership of Mur-
chadh. These held the central and advanced position. On his right, Dun-
lang O'Hartugan,'" a young hero of uncommon beauty, impetuous, strong, graceful, active and courageous, drew onwards and towards his leader. The
Dalcassians, deemed to have been the elite of Bryan's forces, closely engaged the division of Northern foes opposed to them, and wielded their battle-axes,
swords and daggers, with astonishing vigour. But, the vi-kings and chieftains of the period, deemed to be champions among their followers and clansmen,
were eager to distinguish themselves, by feats of single combat and with adver- saries, who had the ambition to engage with them. Thus, the night before the
Hanmer, who has very incorrectly related this story, if— as seems probable— he bor- rowed it from " The Book of Howth. " See "Calendar oftheCarew Manuscripts, pre-, served in the Archiepiscopal Library at Laml)eth," edited by J. . S. Brewer, M. A. , ana William Bullen, Esq. , pp. 25, 26. Lon- don, 1871, royal 8vo.
of stones about him,—as it pleased the Com- "
manilers 10 direct. llanmer's "Chronicle
of Ireland," pp. 184, 185.
'" See Dr. John O'LJonovan's Introduc-
"
tion and Notes to the Battle of Magh
Rath," edited for the Irish Archaeological
Society.
'* It is added, that they were "em-
poisoned," which, if true, affords a sad re- flection on the inhumanity of warfare in Ire- land, at the period.
'" . Most probably, to prevent them from falling off the arms of their bearers on the day of battle.
'* These were for cutting and maiming
the close well-fastened coats of mail opposed to them.
'" We are told, moreover, that they were used for hacking and mutilating skulls and bodies.
"''That such was the style of ornament —falsely called barbaric— of that period, and of centuries previous in Irel. nnd, maybe plainly demonstrated, from antique
speci-
mens, still preserved in our Museums,
'" Murchadh recognised him and made three springs to meet him. He kissed Dun-
:
lang, and welcomed him, saying " O
youth ! it was long until ihou earnest to us : great must be the love and attachment of some woman for thee, which has induced thee to abandon me, and to abandon Brian, and Conaing. and Donnchadh, as also the nobles of Dal Cais in like manner, and the deliijhts of Erinn, until this d;iy. " "Alas, O King," s. iid Dunlan;;, " the delight that I have abandoTied for thee is greater, if thou didst but know it, namely, life without death, without cold, without thirst, without hunger, without decay ; beyond any d-light of earth's delights to nie, until the judgment ; and, if I had not pledged my word to thee, I should not have come here : moreover, it is fated
''' Then we are informed
being taken, confessed the whole treason, andforpunshment, was carried to the winde gates, twelve miles from Dublin, set alive standing in the ground with a great heape
:
" This man
426 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
'^
battle, the Northman chief, named Plait, had boasted, that there was not a
man in Erinn, who was able to fight him. This boast had reached the ears of the brave Domhnall, son of Einiin, high steward of Alban, who was ranged
on Bryan's side. It so happened, that both were arrayed in opposing ranks, and each of them remembered the challenge of the eve before, so that when the morning came the opportunity for a duel was afforded. Then, Plait came forth from the battalion of his men in armour, and he called out three different times, " Faras Domhnall," which meant, " Where is Domh- nall? " Domhnall answered and said, "Here thou reptile. " They fought then, in presence of their respective warriors, and each of them endeavoured to slaughter tlie other. After a desperate struggle, a fatal termination of the contest for both chiefs resulted. Their dead bodies fell on tlie plain, with the sword of each champion through the heart of the other ; while the hair of each was grasped in the clenched hand of his adversary. This combat of
was engaged in, at the first opening of the battle. '^'
the
When the wings fell on one another'^'
—
pair
the battle commenced—there was a very hard fight. theIrisharmyfoughtunderthecommandoftheConnaughtKing. Thesebrave soldiershastenedtoengagetheDanesofLeinsterandtheirinsularlevies. Other
accounts state, that the men of Connaught advanced towards the foreigners of Ath-Cliath, and that they attacked each other. The person, stationed on
the flank of the pirates' battalions was Dunnall, or Dunlang, son to Tuathal, of with ten hundred men armed for battle. On the flank of
forme to die on that day thou shall die. "
" Shall I receive deaih this day, then? " said lang,
"
Cornalbliteoc to me ; and, if I can
Murchadh.
"' See William F. Skene's " Celtic Scot-
Isnd : A History of Ancient Alban," vol. i. ,
Book i. , chip. , viii, p. 387, n. 4.
"' . Son 01 Maolmuadh, son to Bron. See
Dublin copy of the Annah of Innisfallen, in
Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibemicarum Scrip-
tores," tomus ii. , p. 63
"'SontoDubdaboren. Heelii't/.
"°
See Hid.
430 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
parts of Ireland. Kian is said to have been one of the tallest and most beau- tiful among the Irish chieftains. "" According to another account, Bryan col- lected one very strong and great battalion, formed from the chosen hosts of all Munster, who were stationed as supports, in the rere of his foremost troops. "' At tlie head of those reinforcements, he had two chief leaders. "' These were Mothla, son of Domhnall, son to Faelan,"3 King of the Desies, and Murcertach, or Murtough, in other accounts called Mangnus, son to Amnchadha,KingofHy-Liathain. Amongthesubordinateleadersofnote, in this division, were Scanlan, son to Cathal, chief of the Eoganacht of Lough
Lein j"* Cathal Mac Donabhain or son of Donovan, Righ h Ccairbre, or Lord of Hy-Cairbre Eabha ; Loingseach h Dubliloinn or O'Dowling, chief of
Hy-Connall Gaura ; the son of Beothach,"' King of Kerry-Luachra ; with Geibbionach, son to Dubhagan,"* chief of Fermoy Peine. The troops of Ely O'Carroll, under their chief O'Carroll, were joined by another O'Carroll, the prince of Oriel, in Ulster, together with Maguire, the prince of Fer- managh. "?
That division, which was opposed to the third of their antagonists,"* who were the insular Scandinavians, consisted chiefly of Connacians, commanded by Tadhg, "' or Teigue O'Conor, as their chief. '3° Under him served
Mulroney 0'Heyne,"3> chief of Aidiine -p" Teige 0'Kelly,'33 King of Hy- Maine ; 0'Flaherty,'34 King of Muintir Murchadha ; Connor 0'Mulroney,'35 chief of Moylurg ; Hugh Guineagh 0'Doyle,'3* and Foghartagh,'37 son to Donall, two chiefs of Ely ; Murtogh,'38 son to Core, chief of Muscraighe- Cuirc ; Hugh, "39 son to Loughlin, chief of Hy-Cuanach ; Donall,'''° son to
"' Among others, the Cineal Laoghaire were in this division. See Hid.
"' According to the Rev. Dr. Paul O'Brien's account, the second Irish division was under the command of Teige O'Conor. See Gene- ral Vallancey's "Collectanea de Rebus Hibernicis," vol. i. " Dissertations on the National Customs and State Laws of the Ancient Irish," part ii. , chap, i. , p. 527.
"3 From him, the O'Faelains, or O'Phe- lans, of the Desies, took their hereditary sur- name.
"« See the Dublin copy of the Annals of Innisfallen, in Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. 63.
"5 The Dublin copy of the Annals of Innis- fallen calls him Mac Beotaicc mac Muiredh Righ Ciaruidhe Luachra—the latter territory is Latinized Ciarradiajuncosa. See ibid.
"* From him the family of Ui Dubhagain, now Duggan, derive their origin. This
family formerly belonged to Fermoy, in the county of Cork.
"' According to <)innAl4 tocTiA C^, the
Ulidians, the Airghialla, the Cenel-Eoglfein, the Cenel-Conaill, with the men of Northern
Connaught, were not with Bryan on that day, when the battle of Clontarf had been fought.
See pp. 6, 7.
"' According to Rev. Dr. Paul O'Brien,
the last division of Bryan's army was under the command of Cian and Donal, leading the Eugenians and Desians. See General Vallancey's "Collectanea de Rebus Hiber- nicis," vol. i. Disserlations on theNational Customs and State Laws of the Ancient Irish," part ii. , chap, i. , p. 528.
"' He is called Tadhg mc Cathail mc Con- chubhair Righ Connacht. See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernicarum Scripto- res," tomus ii. , p. 63.
'3» In the Tract Co^Aroh 5deT)heL He S-atl-Aibh, it is stated, that the battalion of Connaught was led by Maelruanaidh Ua-n- Eidhin, and by Tadhg Ua Cellaigh, King of the Ui-Maini, and by Maelruanaidh, son of Murghius, King of Muintir Maelrunaidh, and by Domhnall, grandson of Cuceninn, King of Ui n Diarniada, and by Ualgarg, son of Cerin, having all the nobles of Con- naught with him. See chap, xciv. , xcv. , xcvi. , pp. 162 to 169.
'3' OrMaolruanaO'HeidinnRighAidhne.
See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiberni-
carumScriptores,"tomusii. , p. 63.
'3' From him the chiefs of Hy-Fiachrach-
Aidhne, in the county of Galway, descend. See Dr. O'Donovan's " The Genealogies, Tribes and Customs of Hy-Fiachrach," p. 398.
'350r, O'Cealla Righh Maine. See "Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. 63
'5* Or O'Flaiihbhiorta Righ muintire Mur- chadha. See ibid.
'35 Or Conchubhar O'Maolruana Righ
Muighe-luirg. See ibid.
'3' Also called Aodh-guineach O'Dughall
or Hugli the Wounder. See ibid. , p. 64. 37 Or Fogartach mc Domhnaill da Righ
Eiie. See ibid.
'38 Or Muirchiortach mc Cuirc Righ Mus-
graidhe. See ibid.
39 Or Aedh mc Lochlainn Righ O'Ccuan-
cha. See ibid.
.
*Or Domhnall mc Diannada Righ Cor-
cabaisgin. See Hid.
'*' East Corcobaskin was comprised in the
barony of Clonderalaw, in the county of Clare.
'' Or Donncha mac Caithil Righ Mus- gruidheAedha. Seeibid.
'••' Or Echtiaghain mac Donagain Righ Ararih. See ibid.
'" See, also, tiie Battle of Clontarf, by John O'Donovan, in "The Dublin Penny Journal," vol. i. . No. 17, p. 134.
'« See "Journal of the Royal Historical
and Arch«ological Association of Ireland," vol. v. , Fourih Series, No. 40. "On the Site of the Battle of Clontarf," by Thomas O'Gorman, p. 176.
'*' This agrees also with the account of a
centre and in the " " ac- wings, Njals Saga
count of the baiile. See cap. clviii. , p. 602. '*' See the Dublin copy of the Annals of Innisfallen, in Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , p.
66.
'' A modern poet, William Kenealy, has
rendered this address into English verse. It is ""
Desecrated all things holy—as they
soon may do again, — If their power to-day we smite not
if to-day we be not men !
" On this day the God-man suffered— look upon the sacred sign—
May we conquer neatli its shadow, as of old did Constantine !
May the heathen tribe of Odin fade before it like a dream,
And the triumph of this glorious day in future annals gleam !
"— God of Heaven, bless our banner
April 23'. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 4SI
Dermad, chief of Corca-Baisgin ;'*' Donough,'*' son to Cathal, chief of Mus-
craighe Aedha ; and Ectigerna,"3 son to Donegan, King of Ara. ''*'* These leaders and their clansmen now waited the signal for action.
When the order for battle had been arranged on the Irish side, Bryan issued from his tent, to review his troops, and to raise their courage for the desperatestruggle,whichwassoontocommence. Wearenottosuppose, as might be inferred from descriptions of tlie array on both sides, tiiat either of the armies had been massed in three divisions, one drawn up before or after another column. '5 Rather it may be considered as altogether pro- bable, that from their respective positions, the battalions formed into open and lengthened lines, '' with supporting reserves, to relieve or fill up the fore- most ranks, as need required ; and, it was only in such order their weapons could be wielded with effect, while no considerable part of either army could remain inactive, after the onset had been fairly commenced. Holding a crucifix in his left hand, the aged monarch had his sword in the right. With
his son Murchadh, Bryan rode through the ranks,'*' and addressed them, in words, calculated to animate,'*' and to inspire them with a determination to
to be found in The Hallads of Ireland col- lected and edited by Edward Hayes, vol. i. , pp. 81, 83. —Some stanzas of this poem we
"
"
For red vengeance on the spoiler, whom the blazing temples trace—
For the honour of our maidens and the glory of our race I
Should I fall before the foeman, 't is the death I seek to-day ;
Should ten thousand daggers pierce me, bear my body not awa—y,
till the
Then the holy Mass be chaunted, and the funeral rites be done.
here quote
" Chiefs and Kernes of Dalcassia !
thers of my past career. Oft we've trodden on the
Till this of be day days
:
pirate-flag that flaunts before us here ;
You remember Inniscattery, how we bounded on tlie (oe,
As the torrent of the mountain burst upon the plain below !
"
They proudest
Men of Erin
— ha—ve razed our castles
Chase these Northern wolves before you, like a herd ol frifjhtened deer! Burst their ranks, like bolts from heathen
!
spo Lord
— —
crew, For the
the
iled Temples
of the
heaven
Down on the
Burnt to dust the sacred relics
put
of the Crucified, and Erin's glory too ! "
the peaceful to the sword
Bro-
nerve our sinews for the strife—?
we now for all lh. it's for holy
Fight
our altars, land, and life—
ov—er field is fought and won
men of Erin battle-axe and s|)ear I
1
grasp
the
glory
!
42 2 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
strain every effort, throughout the fierce contest, which was now impending. ''"
" Be not dismayed, because son Donogh, with the tliird part of the Momonian forces, is absent from you, for they are plundering Leinster, and the Danish territories. Long have the men of Ireland groaned under the tyranny of these seafaring pirates ! the murderers of your kings and chieftains ! plunderers of your fortresses! profane destroyers of the churches and monasteries of God ! who have trampled upon and committed to the flames, the relics of his saints! " Then, raising his
"
His words of exhortation are thus rei)orted :
'9 See a brief report of this speech, in the Dublin copy of the Innisfallen Annals. Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , pp. 64, 65.
'S" See John O'Donovan, on "The Battle of Clontarf," in " The Dublin Penny Jour- nal," vol. i. . No. 17, p. 134.
this latter, in the opinion of Dr. O'Donovan, seems correct.
'35 The monarch does not appear to have been more actively engaged, in this battle ; although, in the Dublin copy o( the Annals of Innisfallen, it is stated, that Bri. m and Murchad, with the army of the Dalcassians, rushed against the thousand warriors in shirts
my
May the Almighty God, through his great mercy, give
voice, he cried out :
you strength and courage this day, to put an end for ever to the Lochlannan
in Ireland, and to them their — and their tyranny revenge upon many perfidies,
profanations of those sacred edifices, dedicated to his worship this day on which Jesus Christ himself suffered death for your redemption. "'5° So saying,
he showed them the symbol of the bloody sacrifice,'^' in his left hand, and taking his golden-hilted sword in the right,'s' the Monarch 'declared that he was willing to lose his life in so just and honourable a cause. Then he pro- ceeded towards the centre, to lead his troops into action ; but, the chiefs of his army, with one voice, requested their great monarch would retire from the field of battle, on account of his great age. They also requested, that he should leave to his eldest son, Morogh, the chief command, on this eventful day. '53 The monarch was now unable to lend much greater aid, than the moral weight of his presence, to the combatants arrayed on his side. 'S4 We may rest assured, however, that he anxiously watched the vicissitudes of this battle, by directing or counselling the movements of his subordinate chiefs. 'ss Wherefore, at the entreaty of his friends, after this review and exhortation of the troops, he retired to his tent, which stood at some distance, and which was guarded by three of his aids. '5* Here, alternately prostrating himself before the crucifix, or looking out from his tent door upon the dread scene that lay beyond, the Monarch most earnestly awaited the result. 's?
'5' See the "Annals of Innisfallen," at A. D.
1014. Dublin copy, in Rev. Dr. Charles of mail. See Rev. Dr.
O'Conor's " Reriim
O'Conor's "Rerum Hibemicarum Scripto- res,", tomus ii. , p. 65.
'5= in such situation, we may well apply to him these lines of the Irish-American poet,
—
" Out of its scabbard ! Never hand Waved swonl from stain as free,
Nor purer sword led braver liand, Nor braver bled for a l)righter land ; Nor brighter band had a cause as
grand. "
'53 See "The Dul>lin Penny Journal," vol. i. No. 17, p. 134. John O'Donovan, on "The Battle of Clonta'rf. "
'54 According to the Annals of Clonmac- noise, of Iimisfallen, and 01 the Four M. is- ters, he was then in the eighty-eighth year of his age; however, the Annds of Ulster have him only in his seventy-third year, and
Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. 65.
'5' to the Danish a According account,
shieldburg, or a ring of men holding their shieid-i locked together, was thrown round King Bryan, while Iris host was drawn up in array before tliem. See George Webbe Dasent's "Story of Burnt Njal," vol. ii. . chap, clvi. , p. 334.
Rev. Abraham J. Ryan
:
'=' " See Thomas D'Arcy McGee's
Popu- lar History of Ireland," vol. i. . Book ii. .
chap, vi. , ]>. loi.
's^ A cnrious circumstance, with a remark-
able coincidence, has. to be related, in con- nection with the narraiive given by the writer of the Tract, Co5a-oh 5. \et)heL He SoiliAibh ; v:z. , th. d the fnll ti. le happened at sunrise, when tlie battle commenced. See chap, cix. , pp. 190,191. Tliis is tiionyht to prove, that tlie writi-r himsol;, if not an eye- witness 10 the scene lie describe , must have derived his information from those, wlio
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS 423
After sunrise,'58 and when their men had formed into line, on both sides, the signal for battle was given, 's' and the Irish forces prepared to advance from their positions. While arranging the battalions of Thomond and of
wards, before the men of Erinn, and why, therefore, should anyone ask him to retreat, in the presence of the Gaill and of the Gaedhil. '^' Instantly, the nobles of Desmumhan pressed forward to follow Murchadh, wishing to sur- round the Danmarkians and foreigners ; but, this intemperate onset was re- ceived by the latter with a firm front, and a great number of the Munster chiefs were killed on tliat spot
When the battle commenced at a very early hour in the morning,
the full tide had already set in, on the shore at Clontarf;'*' while the sun
shone with unusual brightness,'*3 As if indicating the tempest of war, in which both armies were now involved, on this celebrated battle-field, and the furious passions of the combatants on earth ; a great storm of the elements arose, and the winds blew with unusual violence, the waves surging along the strand,insprayandfoam,whilethecombatraged. '*• TheNorthmenhadcer- tain superstitious notions, and perhaps, some hopes or fears awakened by those circumstances ; for, the pagans among them heard the voices of departed heroes, or of mythologic spirits,''5 in the rush of wind over their heads, each •man interpreting those omens, as his fancy or feeling was awakened, by the solemnwarningsthenconveyedtohisthoughts. TheChristiansoldiersamong the Irish and Scanians had other recollections, recurring to their minds, on
Murchad went forward " a hand's cast " the rest, to attack beyond
Desmond,
the foreigners. Then, Bryan sent Domhnall, son of Emin, that his son should fallback,untilhemovedinalinewiththeDalCais. TothismessageMur- chadhreplied,thattheadvicewastimidandcowardly; headded,thatifhe were alone in the midst of Fidh Gaibhle,'^ he would. not retreat one step back-
communicated the truth. Without intimating his object to Rev. Samuel Haughton, M. D. , and tile learned an i scientific Fellow of
'''
It was estimated, that on the date men-
Trinity College, the Rev. Dr. Todd requested
tioned, April 23rd, AD. 1014, the highest tide along the Clomarfshore could not have differed
many minutes, from five hours and thirty minutes a. m. ; while, in tlie evening, the tide was full in, at the same place, and at five hours, fifty-five minutes. In the month of April, the sun rises at from five hours, thirty minu'es, to four hours, thirty minutes, so that the full titie in the morning nearly cor- resiiondcd with sunri-. e. . See the Rev. James Henthorn Todd's Introduction to the CogAuh 5Aex>liel Re JaLlaibh pp. xxv to xxvii, and chap, cix. , pp. 190, 191.
"^ The of Easter came morning Friday
with its full brightness. See <\iin<ilAtoclia C6, vol. i. , pp. 10, 11.
'°« Tliis description is inferred, on the faith of that atliibuted to Maelseachlainn, and addressed to the Clan Colman.
''s Even the Irish account bears strange testimony to the belief in fantastic agencies at work, on this remarkable day. "And there arose a wild, impetuous, precipitate, furious, dark, frightful, voracious, merciless, combative, contentious vulture, screaming and fluitering over their heads. And there al^o arose the satyrs, and the idiots, and the maniacs, of the valleys, and the witches, and the gobins, and the ancient birds, and the destroying demons ol the air, and of the firmament, and the feeble demoniac phan-
torn host, and they were screaming and com-
" What was the hour of high water, at the shore of Clontarf, in Dublin Bay, on the 23rJ of . April, 1014? " This was accordingly done by Dr. Haughton, who communicated the particulars of his calculation to the Royal Itiih Academy, irt May, 1861. See "Proceedings of the Royal
Irish Academy," vol. vii. , p. 496.
'» According to Dr. Sylvester O'Hallo- ran, the battle commenced "at eight in the
him to solve this problem :
morning. "—"General History
of
Ireland," vol. ii. , Book xi. , chap, viii. , p. 263.
'" It is probable, that this wood, near
Portarlington, was one ol the disputed border frontiers. It will be seen, moreover, that the trees home from this wood are said to have immediately occasoned that breach between Bryan lloroimba and Maclmordha, the King of Leiiistcr.
'" When his counsel was rejected, Domh- nail, son of Emm, said to Murcha'l, "thy countenance is bad, O royal champion, although thy courage is great. " Murchad answeied, he h. id cause for that, because many a false heio would leave his share of the battle to him, at the onl of the day. The son of Emin s. ii I, tliat his own share ot it should not lie le;t to Murchad, and he truly fulliUed that promise.
424 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINIS. [April 23.
this great solemnity of Good Friday, when the dread sacrifice and atonement of Christ should have been reHgiously celebrated in the churches, and, when the din of arms was least in unison, with the commemoration of his death. So com- pact were the battalions on both sides, and in such regular order, that we are told, a four horse chariot could run over the heads of the soldiers standing in line. '*'
In all previous engagements, he had fought with fewer forces than in this battle, which was destined to crown Bryan with a glory, which only then cul- minated. '' All depended on force of action and unity of effort, for either side, while courage was signally manifested, by the opposing leaders and by their warriors. At tliis very critical moment, if we are to credit the account con- tained in the Cath-Chluana-Tarbh, and followed by the Munster writers, finding favourable opportunity for being revenged on Bryan, who had humbled him in so many previous contests, Maelseachlain retired suddenly from the scene of action, and withdrew his thousand Meathians to a distance from the field of battle. There he remained, as is stated, an inactive and inglorious spectator, while waiting the long deferred issue, during the whole time of the engage- ment, without desiring to join either of the contending armies. Were this a real defection from the national cause, it must have greatly disconcerted the Irish monarch's army, and their men should be very much disheartened, with
a fear of treachery towards their commander-in-chief; as probably, Bryan's soldiers were unequal in numbers, when compared with thoseof the enemy. '*^ The Munster narratives will have it, th;;t Morough showed great courage,
notwithstanding, under the depressing circumstance, and at a juncture least expected. With singular presence of mind, he inflamed the ardour of his troops, and appealed to those brave spirits, who waited the onset. Crying out
to his brave Dalcassians, that this was the time to distinguish themselves, as they should have the unrivalled glory of vanquishing that formidable body of the enemy opposed to them, the illustrious Irish leader placed himself in the van, and marched forward to begin the encounter. However, these pre- judiced statements, so derogatory to the honour and fame of Maelseachlainn, are not deserving just credence, since they rest on no trustworthy historic re- ference ; while, it is positively stated, that the King of Meath signally distin- guished himself by hard fighting, and especially, towards the close of this most obstinate battle. '*' The truth seems to be, that Maelseachlainn and his forces had been placed as a reserve, near the field, so that their services might be available, to support any weakened or disordered column, to guard the rear of Murrough's active combatants, or to secure a safe retreat, in case of
disaster. Thisarrangementwasnotonlyconsistentwithsoundgeneralship; but, it seems to have been a matter, commending itself especially to the mili-
tary discretion and experience of Morough. We are told, '7° moreover, that " a tall man of armes,"''' in the beginning of the battle fled away, fearing the hardiness of the Danes and Norwegians, and that he went to Donogli Mac Brian,thebrotherofMorough,whowascomingwithforcestothefield. That
paring the valour and combat of both par- ties. "
'"^See CojA'oli Jie-oheL Re jAllAtbh, chap, xcix. , pp. 172, 173.
the Danes and Leinsternien. If any suspi- cion of treacheiy or misconduct on the part
of Maelseachlainn prevailed among the Irish, after the battle of Clontarf, it is not at all
likely,
the supreme monarch of Ireland, consequent on the deaths of Brian Boroimhe, and of his
heir-apparent Morough, both of whom fell gloriously on the field.
'J" By Dr. Meredith Hanmer, in his
'? See Elias
" Histoire de
that he should have been elected as
Regnault's I'Irlande," liv. i. , chap, vi. , p. 78.
"^ See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's " Gene- ral History of Ireland," vol. ii. . Book xi. , chap, viii. , p. 263.
'^It must be observed, that before and after the battle of Clontarf, Maelseachlainn was steady and consistent, in his enmity to
" 'He
Chronicle 01 Ireland," pp. 184, 185.
is called "a Priest's
sonne," by
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 425
traitor, it is said, persuaded Donough to retreat, saying further, that there was nohopeofgoodsuccesstobeobtainedinthisfield. "'' Whethersuchastory
has relation or not, with the suspicion of Maelseachlainn's treachery, may
be questioned ; but, it does not seem to rest on any very ancient authority. In their battles of old, mail armour was used by the Irish ;'" and, although
no special allusion is made to it on the day of Clontarf, we can hardly doujjt, that the chiefs, at least, wore it, as a defence, and as a mark of distinction. The
Dal Cais, however, as we are informed, wore long, white, handsome and well-
adjustedshirts,withlongcomfortablevests. Overtheseweremany-coloured
and well-shaped tunics. They carried glittering spears,"'^ well-riveted and
shaped, with handles of white hazel ; as also, sharp darts, thick set with
bright nails, to be cast at the enemy. They bore large, bright and variegated
shields, with bosses of brass, and elegant chains of , bronzes, '75 which were
fastenedtothesidesofclansmen. Besides,theywieldedstrong,broadand
sharp Lochlann axes,''* glittering and gracefully shaped. They had well-
tempered, sharp-pointed, keen-edged, straight and bright-sided swords. "'?
These latter weapons were especially borne by the leaders, as also, by the royal
knights and chiefs; while the men of distinction wore golden-crested helmets,
set with brilliants and precious stones. ''^ The battalions of the Tuadh-
mumhain -'. nd of the Desmumhain appear to have been ranged side by side,
at the first onset, which was made by the Irish, under the leadership of Mur-
chadh. These held the central and advanced position. On his right, Dun-
lang O'Hartugan,'" a young hero of uncommon beauty, impetuous, strong, graceful, active and courageous, drew onwards and towards his leader. The
Dalcassians, deemed to have been the elite of Bryan's forces, closely engaged the division of Northern foes opposed to them, and wielded their battle-axes,
swords and daggers, with astonishing vigour. But, the vi-kings and chieftains of the period, deemed to be champions among their followers and clansmen,
were eager to distinguish themselves, by feats of single combat and with adver- saries, who had the ambition to engage with them. Thus, the night before the
Hanmer, who has very incorrectly related this story, if— as seems probable— he bor- rowed it from " The Book of Howth. " See "Calendar oftheCarew Manuscripts, pre-, served in the Archiepiscopal Library at Laml)eth," edited by J. . S. Brewer, M. A. , ana William Bullen, Esq. , pp. 25, 26. Lon- don, 1871, royal 8vo.
of stones about him,—as it pleased the Com- "
manilers 10 direct. llanmer's "Chronicle
of Ireland," pp. 184, 185.
'" See Dr. John O'LJonovan's Introduc-
"
tion and Notes to the Battle of Magh
Rath," edited for the Irish Archaeological
Society.
'* It is added, that they were "em-
poisoned," which, if true, affords a sad re- flection on the inhumanity of warfare in Ire- land, at the period.
'" . Most probably, to prevent them from falling off the arms of their bearers on the day of battle.
'* These were for cutting and maiming
the close well-fastened coats of mail opposed to them.
'" We are told, moreover, that they were used for hacking and mutilating skulls and bodies.
"''That such was the style of ornament —falsely called barbaric— of that period, and of centuries previous in Irel. nnd, maybe plainly demonstrated, from antique
speci-
mens, still preserved in our Museums,
'" Murchadh recognised him and made three springs to meet him. He kissed Dun-
:
lang, and welcomed him, saying " O
youth ! it was long until ihou earnest to us : great must be the love and attachment of some woman for thee, which has induced thee to abandon me, and to abandon Brian, and Conaing. and Donnchadh, as also the nobles of Dal Cais in like manner, and the deliijhts of Erinn, until this d;iy. " "Alas, O King," s. iid Dunlan;;, " the delight that I have abandoTied for thee is greater, if thou didst but know it, namely, life without death, without cold, without thirst, without hunger, without decay ; beyond any d-light of earth's delights to nie, until the judgment ; and, if I had not pledged my word to thee, I should not have come here : moreover, it is fated
''' Then we are informed
being taken, confessed the whole treason, andforpunshment, was carried to the winde gates, twelve miles from Dublin, set alive standing in the ground with a great heape
:
" This man
426 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
'^
battle, the Northman chief, named Plait, had boasted, that there was not a
man in Erinn, who was able to fight him. This boast had reached the ears of the brave Domhnall, son of Einiin, high steward of Alban, who was ranged
on Bryan's side. It so happened, that both were arrayed in opposing ranks, and each of them remembered the challenge of the eve before, so that when the morning came the opportunity for a duel was afforded. Then, Plait came forth from the battalion of his men in armour, and he called out three different times, " Faras Domhnall," which meant, " Where is Domh- nall? " Domhnall answered and said, "Here thou reptile. " They fought then, in presence of their respective warriors, and each of them endeavoured to slaughter tlie other. After a desperate struggle, a fatal termination of the contest for both chiefs resulted. Their dead bodies fell on tlie plain, with the sword of each champion through the heart of the other ; while the hair of each was grasped in the clenched hand of his adversary. This combat of
was engaged in, at the first opening of the battle. '^'
the
When the wings fell on one another'^'
—
pair
the battle commenced—there was a very hard fight. theIrisharmyfoughtunderthecommandoftheConnaughtKing. Thesebrave soldiershastenedtoengagetheDanesofLeinsterandtheirinsularlevies. Other
accounts state, that the men of Connaught advanced towards the foreigners of Ath-Cliath, and that they attacked each other. The person, stationed on
the flank of the pirates' battalions was Dunnall, or Dunlang, son to Tuathal, of with ten hundred men armed for battle. On the flank of
forme to die on that day thou shall die. "
" Shall I receive deaih this day, then? " said lang,
"
Cornalbliteoc to me ; and, if I can
Murchadh.
