No More Learning

O'Conor Faily, i. e. Bryan, was imprisoned by the English.
Siol Anmcha, died, and John, the son of Breasal O'Madden, succeeded in his place.
Teige, the son of Hugh O’Coffey, chief profes sor of Ireland and Scotland in poetry, died.
Cormac, the son of Ferdorcha Mac Coghlan,
chief of his own branch, and heir to the lordship Hugh, the son of Anmchadh O'Madden, lord of of Delvin Eathra, died at Clonlonan.
V. The Kingdom of Ulster. —In this article is continued from p. 418 the ancient history of Ulster, which, in the annotations to the preceeding numbers, had been brought down to the fourth century, with an account of the princes and chiefs of the race of Clan Colla, who conquered the old race of the Irian kings of Emania, and became the chief rulers of Ulster.
Foreign invasions— Battle of Derry. —In Hanmer's Chronicle, which was compiled in the reign of Elizabeth chiefly from the ancient record called the Book of Howth, an account is given of various foreign invaders, composed of Danes, Germans, Gauls, Spaniards, and Britons, who came to Ireland in vast numbers in the beginning of the fourth century, in the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine, who reigned from A. D. 312 to 337. The Franks, Saxons, and other German tribes at this time, invaded Gaul, and fierce battles were fought between them and the Ro man legions under Constantine, who treated the vanquished with dreadful severity. Constantine and his generals also made mili tary expeditions in Britain against the revolted Britons, Picts, and Caledonians, and it is probable that some of those various tribes of Franks, Saxons, Britons, Picts, and Caledonians, who were subdued by Constantine, fled from the Roman arms to seek new settlements in other countries, and invaded Ireland at this period, being likewise joined by Danes and Norwegians. Accord ing to Hanmer the first body of those invaders, to the number of thirty thousand, “landed at the Derrie, where Conkedagh, oneof the princes of the north, being prepared for them, by a sleight set their shipping on fire, and met with them in a place where they were overthrown, that with their arms those among the Irish that formerly wanted some, were furnished, and made
for the wars. ” This invasion appears have taken place be tween the years 320 and 330; and the Irish king, mentioned Conkedagh, who defeated the foreigners Derry, might have been Colla Uais, who, according the Ogygia, was monarch Ireland from 327 331, and afterwards king Ulster, and his name, the mistake some transcriber, might have been
made Conkedagh, there might have been prince that name
Meath, the river Delvin, which separates the counties Meath and Dublin; from this great battle the place got its name Cnoc-na-goeann, signifying the Hill Heads, and there there still the sea shore large sepulchral mound, like green hil lock, which, described D'Alton's History Drogheda, when opened the year 1840, George Alexander Hamilton, Esq. Balbriggan, were found vast quantities fragments
human bones, which had been burned calcined according the customs those ancient days, and near the same place along the shore, between that and Balbriggan, are some other mounds, and no doubt these mounds were the sepulchres the warriors slain that battle. More those invaders, with immense for ces, about the same time, landed Munster, and fought many terrific battles with the natives about the bay Wentry, but were
Ulster
the time; others suppose was Conn-Cead-Cathach,
Loire,
that his having brought Ireland from Gaul,
military expeditions, along with many other captives, boy, who was sold slave chief named Milcho Dalaradia, where
remained seven years tending the flocks his master Slieve Mis mountain, Antrim, and, escaping from his captivity, re
turned Gaul, and afterwards became the illustrious apostle Ireland, St. Patrick. From Niall the Hostages were descended many the royal houses, and most illustrious families the Mi lesian race; they were named Hy Niall, signifying the posterity
Niall, and are mentioned the Latin writers under the names Hy-Nielli and Nielli, and sometimes Nielidani, anglicised Hy
Niall, and sometimes Niellians. As already shown the notes Meath, Moy-Liffey, and Bregia, the Hy-Niall were divided into
two great branches, namely, the Southern and Northern.
The South Hy-Niall were the posterity Laoghaire, Maine, Conall Crimthan, and Fiacha, four sons king Niall, and they and their posterity ruled kings Meath over the territories
Conn chronism,
ana the
Leinster, with whom had former feuds. circumstance connected with the history Niall
remarkable the Hostages,
the Hundred Battles, but this opinion involves
row king
Conn was monarch Ireland second century.
the latter end
The Battle of Knockingen. —According
great body the invaders came Lambay, off the coast Dublin, landed their forces the Follesse Skerries, and hav ing set their men battle array, marched place now called Knock-na-Gean, that the hill dead men's heads, where Dermod Lamhdearg, king Leinster, met them and fought cruel battle with equal fortune for the space four days; the Irish, reason the spoil and victory got the former battle (at Derry), were mightily encouraged, and also the milk and fresh meat which the country yielded them, and the strangers wanted, made them the more able fight; short, the strangers were overthrown, and thirty-size thousand them slain, whose arms furnished Ireland thoroughly encounter with the rest the combination. ” appears from this account that those for reigners must have had immense forces, the enormous number
36,000 them were slain this tremendous battle; and also appears that the Ultonians, who had defeated army the
one his
Hanmer, another
now forming the counties Meath and Westmeath, with parts same invaders Derry, followed them the borders Meath, Longford, Dublin, Kildare, and King's county, from the fifth
and fought this engagement, assisting the men Meath and the Lagenians under Dermod Lamhdearg, Dermod the Red Handed, king Leinster. The place where this battle was fought
now known Knockingen, near Balbriggan, the sea shore
century the English invasion the latter end the twelfth, period nearly eight hundred years. The heads the Southern Hy-Niall took the name Clan Colman, and their chief families were the O’Melaghlins, kings Meath, and the Mac Geoghegans,
one which, while reclining the banks the Armoric Gaul, was slain with shot poisoned ar
Irish prince named Eochy, the son Eana Cinsealach,
-
length vanquished, with prodigious slaughter, by the men Munster, which battles account has been given 173, the note Desmond, and they are celebrated under the title Cath-Fionn-Tragha, signifying the battle Ventry, some ancient Irish M. S. compositions, copies which still remain.
The race Hy Niall. —The great families Hy Niall, name signifying the race Niall, took their designation from their renowned ancestor Niall Naoigiallaidh, who was monarch Ire land for twenty-seven years, the latter end the fourth and beginning the fifth century, and ruled from 379 406, according O'Flaherty's Ogygia. Niall was son Eochy Muighneadhoin, monarch Ireland, the race Heremon, and descended from long line illustrious kings, including the celebrated monarchs Cormac and Conn the Hundred Battles;
was famous warrior, and surnamed Naoi Giallaidh, signifying the Nine Hostages, consequence his having taken hostages from nine different nations during his expeditions, and there
fore named Latin writers Niallus Novi-Obsidum, signifying Niall the Nine Hostages, and also Niallus Magnus, Niall the Great. He made many military expeditions into Gaul and Britain,
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gave neither submis
sion nor obedience to any of the Irish, and Bryan.
a man who gave many defeats to the English and Irish in defending his territory against them, was
other force oppose him, with which marched into Hy Regan (Oregan, Queen's county), meet the lord justice; they there made peace with
sessed Eogan and his descendants was named Tir-Eogain, that the country Eogan, Owen, from which came the name Tir-Qwen, Tyrone, and his posterity was called Cineal-Eogain,
Kinel-Owen, that the race Eogan, Owen, Eugene;
slain by the Scots with the shot of a ball.
princes Kinel Fiacha Westmeath. full account and all the other chiefs the southern Hy-Niall, will
these,
found and p. p. 292, 314 the notes Meath and Bregia. Of the southern Hy-Niall, besides being kings Meath, twenty
three also became supreme monarchs Ireland, from the fifth the eleventh century.
hence this tribe-name has beenanglicised Eugenians. The territory
REIGN OF QUEEN MARY.
437
A. D. 1555.
ODH (Hugh), the
son of Niall Oge, son of Niall, son of Con,
son of Hugh Buighe son of Bryan Ballach, O'Neill, lordof Clan naboy, an opulent,
Tomas Susig (Thomas Sussex), a new lord jus tice, came to Ireland, and Anthony St. Leger, the
old lord justice, was recalled.
That lord justice immediately after marched with an army, at the instigation of O’Neill,
to expel the Mac Donnells and the Scots
who were taking possession and making settle
ments the Routes the north Antrim), and Clannaboy. The lord justice, with his forces,
remained for six weeks making devastations generous, benevolent the Scots, and committed many depre
and very hospitable dations on them, and slew one
man, a royal prince, excellingotherchiefs,
two hun returned with
submission
Bryan, the son Cahir Roe O'Conor Faily, was killed Donogh, the son O'Conor, i. e.
fence, a man who
dred the Scots, and afterwards
his forces, without receiving a lord in powerfulde hostages.
who did not permit hostages or prisoners to The lord justice Ireland collected army leave his country, and who always kept hostages; march into Munster, and O’Brien mustered an
possessedby Conall Gulban and his descendants was named Tir. The North Hy-Niall were divided into two great branches, Conaill, Tir-Connell, now the county Donegal, and his pos namely, the descendants Eogan, and Conall Gulban, two terity were named Cineal-Conaill, Kinel-Conell, anglicised:
the sons Niall the Hostages. Conall Gulban was cele brated warrior, and called thebards Conall-na-go'leas-cruaidh, signifying Conall the Hardy Deeds, and got the name Gulban from being nurtured near the mountain Ben-Gulban, now called Benbulben, and situated near the shore the Athlantic,
bay Sligo. Conall was slain battle with the men
Brefney Magh-Sleacht, 464, according the Annals
Four Masters, and was buried St. Cailin Fenagh, the
woody solitudes Moyrein; Magh-Sleacht was the ancient name sixteen the monarchs Ireland, and during the same period,
Fenagh Moyrein.
grief for his loss 465, and was buried place called Uisge-Chaoin, the Calm water, now known Iskeaheen, the barony Inisowen, county Donegal, and within few
ters, died
Leitrim, and the surrounding territory was called
Eogan, brother Conall, according the Four Mas
nine the Connallians likewise became monarchs, thus making twenty-five sovereigns the Northern Hy Niall, and, explained
292 those notes, twenty-three the Southern Hy Niall were monarchs, thus making forty-eight kings the Hy Niall race, who exclusively ruled over Ireland for period
miles Derry, where was ancient church, which some 600 years, from the fifth the eleventh century, when king
ruins still remain; from Eogan the Peninsula Inisowen got
name, Irish Inis-Eogain, signifying the island Eogan,
Owen. These two celebrated sons Niall the Hostages are
remarkable Irish history the founders the chief principa monians the race Heber. The Eugenians and Connallians
lities Ulster, and the progenitors the renowned race the Northern Hy Niall, and particularly the ancestors the two most illustrious the Milesian families, the O'Neills and O'Don nells. the fifth century these two brothers and their posterity conquered part Ulster, from the old chieftains the Irian race, Clanna Rory, and also took possession great part the territories the Clan Colla the same province. The country conquered by Eogan and his descendants comprised the present
were the chief rulers Ulster, from the fifth the latter end the sixteenth century, period more than thousand years, and their head chiefs, who, hereafter explained, took the names
O'Neill and O’Donnell, make the most remarkable figure Irish history.
The Palace Aileach. -The chief residence the kings Ulster, and monarchs Ireland the Northern Hy Niall race, including Eugenians and Connallians, was the royal fortress
counties Tyrone and Derry, with Inisowen, Donegal, and Aileach, Tirconnell, which was situated high hill the remainder Donegal was possessed the posterity Conall, mountain, called Grianan, the eastern shore Lough Swilly,
explained p. p. 49, 51, these notes. The territory pos south Inch Island, the parish Burt, Fahan, barony
Connallians.
The Hy Niall Kings. -In the preceding part
article, Hy Niall, monarchs
account has beengiven the kings great number whom were kings
the present
the Southern
Ireland, and many the Northern Hy Niall were
kings Ulster, and also monarchs Ireland. The Eugenians,
according the accounts Keating, O'Flaherty, and various other authorities, furnished, from the fifth the tenth century,
Malachy II. was deposed, 1002, Brian Boroimhe, king Munster, and head the Dalcassians, who assumed the sover reignty Ireland, and thus transferred the sceptre from the Here
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438 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1555.
each other, O’Brien in behalf of the Irish, from the Barrow to the Shannon, and the lord justice on behalf of the English of Munster.
Inisowen, and county of Donegal. This fortress was called Grian : an Ailich, from Grianan, which signifies a palace or royal residence, and Aileach, or Oileach, a stone fortress, derived from Ail or Oil, a rock; it was likewise named Aileach Neid, or the stonefortress of Neid, according to O'Flaherty's Ogygia, from its having been first erected by Neid, one of the Tuath De Danan
princes, and it was used as a residence in very remote ages by the Danan kings. According to Colgan's Tripartite Life of St.
Patrick, he visited the fortress of Aileach, where he was well re ceived by Eogan, son of Niall of the Hostages, who then resided there. In the Four Masters, and other annalists, accounts are given of various kings and princes of the Northern Hy Niall, who resided at the palace of Aileach, a name which has been latinised Alichia, and hence these kings of Ulster are frequently styled kings and princes of Alichia. The Eugenians, and their descend ants the O'Neills, and also the Mac Loghlins, or O'Loghlins, who were a branch of the O'Neills, appear to have chiefly resided at Aileach in early times. According to the Four Masters, Aileach was often attacked by the Danes in the ninth and tenth century, particularly in A. D. 900, when it was taken by them; and again it was taken and plundered in A. D. 937 by the Danish forces, who came up with a fleet into Lough Swilly, on which occasion they took prisoner Murkertach O'Neill, the celebrated prince of Aileach, who, however, was soon after liberated. Murtogh O’Brien, king of Munster in the year 1101, with a powerful force invaded Ulster, marched to Easroe, now Ballyshannon, proceeded to Inisowen, and took the fortress of Aileach, which he demolished, in revenge of the destruction of the palace of Kincora, the royal seat of the kings of Munster, near Killaloe in Clare, which had been burned in the year 1088 by Donal Mac Loghlin, king of Ulster. After the destruction of Aileach, the O'Neills, princes of Ulster, had their chief fortress and residence at Dungannon, in Tyrone. The celebrated fortress of Aileach was of a circular form, built of large stones well fitted together, and of great strength, constructed in the style of Cyclopean architecture. There are still considerable remains of the stone fortress, and the wall varies from ten to fifteen feet in thickness, and is of immense strength; the circumference of the building is about 100 yards, and it was surrounded with three great earthen ramparts, of which there are still some remains along the top of the mountain, and also traces of the ancient road which led between rocks to the fortress. In the ancient work called Dinseanchus, which gives an account of palaces and remarkable places in Ireland, and an excellent copy of which is in the library of Sir William Be tham, made from the books of Leacan and Ballymote, an ac count is given of this fortress, which is denominated Aileach Fririn, from which the following psssages have been literally translated:—
“Aileach Fririn the level platform,
The noblest royal fortress in the world, To which strong-hold led
Horse-roads through five ramparts.
“Many its houses, rare its stones, And just were its tributes;
Lofty castle is Aileach Fririn, The rath of the worthy man.
“Pleasant stone fortress—
Protecting house of heroes— Here the Dagda slept
On this hill—red are its flowers.
“Delightful seat is Aileach Gabran, Greenly-blooming are bushes:
Ground under which the Dagda placed The burial mound of Aedh.
The son O’Donnell, the Calvach, wen
Scotland, attended few chiefs, and obtained some forces from Mac Cailin, namely, Giollaes
“I now relate each cause,
From which Aileach received its name; Together with noble chiefs,
The house of armed warriors.
“Eochy Ollathair divided Erin,
Greyer than the mist on the plain
Was the grey aspect the man;
Three were the sons Eochy,
The good man who was free from envy, Aengus, Aedh, and Kermad
“To Ailench the Dagda, Above every abode Ulster,
Belonged the government As recorded to us in books.
“Of all the works Erin,
The oldest Aileach Fririn; will not confer on
More praise than
Erin,
deserves.
fierce conflicts.
“Twice twenty years, except year, As was exactly computed,
This work of the hands of heroes Passed to the sons of Milesius.
“Neid, Indai, high king; son
the north, the country flocks, Was the first brave man by whom Obach was forsaken for Aileach.
“Nine kings Adam's race,
All one name, ruled Aileach
Eochy was the name each man Appointed there power.
“Eochy
Who governed there with order; Eochy Edgothach who felt
The persecution fierce battles.
“Eochy Opthach, and Eochy Feidleach, man swords, whose life,
Terminated natural end, Eochy Airim and Eochy Buadhach.
“Eochy More, who slaughtered cattle Eochy Doimlen the fair,
Ollathair was the first man
Who was well proved the thick And Eochy Moyvone, high king
“Son this man was Niall,
The bulwark troops—a man Who met no defeat battle—
battle, Inis-Enaigh.
Who subdued many nations
The fair Cruthnean Carinna
Was his renownedand lovely mother; The descendants the great Niall Were kings Aileach valiant arms.
Large-sized and fair-handed
Were those youths heroic race; Eogan, son Niall, from child
Was possessed the strength hero.
the world.
_—-T
its
*“
A
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“An aspect glowing with hospitality
Had this fair man of Feval;
Ineacht, the fair daughter
Of king Monach, was mother of Eogan.
“He had the disposition of a king,
The courage of a hero, and agility of a lion; The race of Eogan—fair chieftains—
The noble warriors of Tenor.
“Their fingers were adorned With bright and brilliant rings; The noblest host in all Erin
Is the assembly of Aileach.
“Sixteen chief kings ruled
Of Eogan's race over Erin;
They defended the birth-right
And received hostages from every country. ”
Tir-Connell on the other, commanded by the princes Fergus and Donal, sons of Murtogh Mac Earca, former monarch of Ireland, and aided by the forces of Aodh, or Hugh, king of Connaught ; in this battle the army of the monarch Dermod was totally de feated, three thousand of his men being slain, and he himself having hardly saved his life by flight. In A. D. 558, after he had reigned twenty years, according to the Four Masters, Dermod Mac Carroll was slain by Aodh Dubh, or Black Hugh, the son of Suibhne, king of Dalaradia, at Rath Beg in Moyline, now Moylinne, near the town of Antrim; this Black Hugh is called by other writers king of the Picts of Dalaradia. The head of king Dermod was carried to Clonmacnois, and interred there, but his body was buried in the abbey of Connor, in Antrim.
The Battle of Monadoire. —In A. D. 557, according to the Four Masters, was fought the great battle of Monadoire Lothair, by the forces of the northern Hy Niall, both Connallians and Eugenians, against the Picts of Alban, in which their forces were totally overthrown, and seven princes of the Picts, to gether with Aodh Breac, were slain. The place where this battle was fought was situated somewhere in the Highlands of Scotland and it is mentioned that the country of Lea and Carn Eolaig,” the fortresses of the Picts, were laid waste.
The National Convention of Dromceat. —In the latter end of the sixth century, A. D. 590, a great national council or conven tion was held in Ulster, of which an account is given by Keating and O'Flaherty. This assembly was convened by Aodh, or Hugh, son of Ainmireach, then monarch of Ireland, of the race of the
REIGN OF QUEEN MARY.
439
puic Donn, commanded by Master Arsibel (Ar the Scots, and spoiled and laid waste Tirconnell, chibald); he then returned with a great force of and it was on that expedition he brought
of those in exile,
-
It appears from the foregoing passages of the poem, that the
Tuath De Danan were the first who founded the fortress of Ail
each; and it is stated by Mac Firbis and others, that it was
erected by Garbhan and Frighrin, two celebrated builders of the
Fomorians; and several of the Danan kings are mentioned as having resided there ; amongst others, Dagda the Great; several kings of the Milesian race, mentioned in the poem,
likewise resided there, and lastly the princes of the Hy Connallians, or Tirconnell branch of the Hy Niall, and it was
Niall race, or descendants of the celebrated monarch, Niall of the Nine Hostages. *
Introduction of Christianity. —In the early part of the fifth century, during the reign of Laoghaire, son of Niall of the Hos tages, Palladius and St. Patrick preached the gospel in Ireland; but it is considered by Usher, Lanigan, and other ecclesiastical writers, that Christianity was partially introduced into Ireland in the third and fourth centuries. The old annalists record three remarkable persons who became converts to the Christian faith before the missions of Palladius and St. Patrick, namely, Con covar Mac Nessa, the celebrated king of Ulster in the first cen tury; Moran, the famousjudge, or chief Brehon of Ireland, son of king Cairbre Ceann-Cait, in the beginning of the second cen tury, and the renowned Cormac, monarch of Ireland about the middle of the third century. An account of the missions of Pal ladius and St. Patrick, with a sketch of their lives, has been given at p. 270 in these notes. The mission of St. Patrick is placed by Lanigan from A. D. 432 to 465, but extended to A. D. 493 by Usher and others. The mission of the great Irish apostle is particularly connected with Ulster, as the scene of his early
of Ulster amongst themselves, and with the other provincial kings, the foundation of the see of Armagh, the seat of the Primacy of and several also with the Albanian Scots, Picts, and North Bri
captivity, and afterwards of his first preaching of the gospel, and
attended by the provincial kings, princes, chiefs, bishops, abbots,
and clergy. St. Columkille, abbot of I-Columkille, or Iona in
the Hebrides, who was of the Connallian race, of Tirconnell, and
is celebrated as the apostle of the Picts and Caledonians, came to this convention, accompanied by Aidan, king of the Albanian
Scots, who was likewise of Milesian Irish descent. This national council was held at Dromceat, in Kianachta, near Glengiven, in
that part of Tir-Eogain, now called Derry, and was convened by the monarch Hugh, to settle a great contention that arose be tween himself and the bards, whose order the king considered too numerous, powerful, and dangerous to the state, and therefore had resolved to suppress ; but St. Columkille opposed their abolition, and advocated their continuance under proper regula tions as a useful national institution, and through his influence, the bards, under due restraints, were continued, and all disputes between them and the monarch amicably arranged.
The Battle of Moy-Rath. --During the sixth, seventh, and eighth centuries, various great battles were fought in Ulster, as recorded in the Four Masters, the Annals of Ulster, Keating, &c.
Many of those conflicts took place between the princes and chiefs
Ireland, the cathedral church of which was founded by him A. D. 455, according to Lanigan, all of which events are amongst
tons, who frequently made hostile incursions with powerful forces into Ulster, and had fierce contests with the Ultonians. The most remarkable of the battles fought in those ages was that of
the most important connected with the introduction of Christianity
into Ireland. The era of the Hy Niall race of kings is remark Moy-Rath, which was celebrated by the Irish bards and an
able as commencing with the introduction of Christianity, king Niall of the Hostages, as before stated, having brought St. Pa trick, then a youth in the sixteenth year of his age, to Ireland, amongst other captives he had taken in his military expeditions to Gaul and Britain.
The Battle of Cula-Dreimhne. —According to the Four Mas ters and other authorities, Curman,son of Eochy Tiormearna, king of Connaught, was put to death by Dermod Mac Carroll, monarch of Ireland, though Curnan had been under the protec tion of St. Columkille, from whose hands he had been violently forced away. This circumstance led to the great battle of Culao Dreimhne, fought in the territory of Carbury, near Sligo, A. D. 555, between the forces of Meath and Leinster, under the mo. narch Dermod on oneside, and the people Tir-Eogain and
nalists under the designation of Cath-Muighe-Rath, or the Bat
tle of the Plain of the Rath, and was fought at a place called Magh-Rath, in Dalaradia, now Moira, in the county of Down; some difference as to its chronology occurs in the Irish annalists; the Four Masters mention it at A. D. 634, and the Chronicon Scotorum, and Annals of Ulster, at A. D. 636; but the Annals of Tigearmach give it at A. D. 637, which is considered most correct. Accounts of this battle are given in Charles O'Conor's Disserta tions on the History of Ireland, in O'Flaherty's Ogygia, in Keat ing, and in Colgan's Life of St. Columkille, by St. Adamnan, but chiefly in an ancient Irish M. S. , a copy of which is in the library of Sir William Betham. In the beginning of the seventh century, Congal Claon, a valiant prince of the Irian, or Rudrician race, and according O'Conor, man extraordinary abilities and
the
of
to
a
of
440 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1555,
with him a cannon called the crooked gun, by which he demolished the new castle of Inisowen,
great ambition, was king of Uladh, or Ulidia, and ruled over the
and also the castle of Eanagh. When he first arrived in the country he took O’Donnell,
territory which now forms the county of Down and part of An trim, but attempted to recover the sovereignty of Ulster, which had been wrested from his ancestors by the Heremonians, the race Clan Colla and Hy Niall. This Congal was son Scan lan Sciath-Leathan, Scanlan the Broad Shield, king Ulidia, and having collected powerful force, gave assistance Donal, prince the Connallian branch Hy Niall, who was
radia, now Bangor, the county Down, and massacred dispersed one thousand monks.
competitor for the monarchy, and great battle Traigh brena Ulster, according the Four Masters, they defeated and slew, 623, Suibhne Meann, monarch Ireland, the race Hy Niall, and Donal then became monarch. Congal Claon again collected powerful force depose his former ally, Donal, with whom fought Dun-Ceithirn, Ulster, great battle, A. 624, according the Four Masters; after immense slaugh ter both sides, Congal was vanquished, and forced fly for refuge North Britain, where
battle fought Rath Mor Moy-Linny, which was situated near Lough Neagh, the parish Antrim. Cathasach and Ultan, prin ces the Cruthneans, Picts Dalaradia, having leagued with the North Britons and Saxons, brought over immense number
those foreigners, but their combined forces were defeated by the chiefs the northern Hy Niall, with great slaughter, and both Ca thasach and Ultan were amongst the slain. This battle was fought
the reign Fionnachta Fleadhach, Finnachta the Banqueter, name which has been latinised O'Flaherty, Finnacta Epu laris, and Dr. O'Conor, Finnacta Convivator; this king was designated the Banqueter from his great hospitality and magnifi
cent feasts. He was the southern Hy Niall, and resided his palace Dun-na-Sciath, the Fortress the Shields, which
was situated the banks Lough Ennell, near Mullingar, Westmeath. This monarch, after reign twenty years, was
during which time formed princes for the recovery Ulster.
remained exile many years, powerful league with foreign the year 637 he invaded
foreign auxiliaries, consisting Albanian Scots, Picts, Britons, Anglo-Saxons, and Franks;
he landed the coast Dalaradia, some part Down, Antrim, where was joined his Irish allies the Irian race Ulster. Amongst the foreign commanders Congal Claon's
army are mentioned Donal Breac, king the Albanian Scots, with his three brothers Aedh, Congal, and Suibhne; the Britons were commanded Conan Rod, Conan the Red, son the king the Britons; the Anglo-Saxons by chief called Garbh, and the Franks prince named Dairbre, supposed Dago bert. The monarch Donal collected the forces Ulster, com posed the Eugenians, Connallians, and Clan Colla, which commanded person, and was assisted by many celebrated chief
slain battle memoration anniversary ages.
693, the 14th November, and com his justice, munificence, and many virtues, the
his death was held festival for many
Ireland with immense force
history Ireland; was continued with unremitting fury for
following year Adamnan, abbot Iona, was sent king Egfrid, Northumberland, complain leges and plunders committed the Saxons, and
embassy those sacri
six successive days, but on the seventh day, which was Tuesday, the 24th June, Congal Claon, after displaying the
most consumate valour and abilities, was slain, together with almost all his Irish forees and foreign allies. Cealleach, who was prince presumptive the throne Ulster, and renowned
warrior, slew single combat, and beheaded Conan Rod the British prince, and likewise Dairbre, commander the Franks. Donal Breac, king the Albanian Scots, having narrowly escaped
with his life, fled from the field battle with small remnant his forces, and sailed Scotland. said that St. Columkille foretold this war, stated his life by St. Adamnan, abbot Iona, passage given O'Flaherty's Ogygia, the year 657,
his account the Scottish kings this prediction was fulfilled our days the war Moy-Rath, when Donal Breac, the grandson Aidan, was depopulating, without any provocation, the provinces Donal, the grandson Ainmireach, and from that
day this the Irish have been reduced the last extremity by foreigners, which gives me the most heartfelt grief. ” There were probably about thirty thousand men engaged Moy-Rath,
and from the obstinacy with which this fierce conflict was cow tinued for seven suecessive days, during which said the war riors each side displayed the most determined bravery, and fought like lions, there could not have been both sides less than ten or twelve thousand men slain.
The Battle of Fiertsi. --In 665, according the Four Masters and others, the reign Seachnusach, monarch Ire land, the Picts North Britain, with powerful army, invaded Ulster, and fought bloody battle with the Irish Fiertsi, but after dreadful carnage both sides, the Ultonians length defeated the invaders, very few whom escaped from the field
succeeded recovering the captives, and reparation was made for the de
battle, and fled their ships; the place where this engagement Congusa, then archbishop Armagh; the monarch collected was fought considered Dr. O'Conor and others have been large army, and assisted the northern Hy Niall, fought great Belfast. About A. 670, the Picts again invaded Ulster, battle Fochart, theplain Muirthemhne, nowFaughart, near
plundered and burned the famous monastery Bennchor Dala Dundalk, which the
to:
were defeated with
great slaughter,
The Battle Moy Linne. —An account given O'Conor's Dissertations, and the Four Masters, A. 680, great
tains the various clans. Both armies having met Moy-Rath, Bert and the remainder his forces effected retreat, and suc
ceeded carrying off the plunder and many captives. the
fought one the most tremendous battles recorded the ancient
683, according the Four Masters and other au thorities, the Anglo-Saxons, under general named Bert, Bertus, invaded Ireland, being sent by Egfrid, king Northum berland; they landed the coast Bregia, Meath, and com mitted great ravages along the territories between Dublin and Drogheda, plundering churches and monasteries, and carrying off many captives and great booty. The monarch Finachta attacked those invaders, and slew many them great battle fought
the month June Rathmore, near Athboy, Meath but
vastations committed. The venerable Bede greatly condemns king Egfrid for these hostile aggressions against the Irish, who
says were “a harmless nation, which had been always most friendly the Anglo-Saxons. ”
The Battle Moy-Cuilinn. —In 702, according the Annals Ulster and other authorities, the reign the mo narch Loingseach, the Picts and North Britons invaded Ulster with great forces, but were defeated the Ultonians with pro digious slaughter, and almost all slain place called Keat ing Magh Cuilinn, and stated the Annals Ulster have
Airdo, the mountains, probably Ardes, the
Cloch-Mionwire. —In the reign the monarch 710, the Picts and North Britons again in vaded Ulster with great forces, but were defeated by the Ulto
been situated county Down.
The Battle Fergal, about
place called Cloch-Mionuir, some part the north
The battle Murbolg. —In
Masters, the Picts were again defeated, and vast numbers them
slain the Dalriedians Murbolg, place situated near the Giant's Causeway, the county Antrim.
The Battle Foghart. —In 732, the reign Aodh, Hugh Allain, monarch Ireland, according the Four Mas
ters and others, Aodh Roin, Hugh the Hairy, king Ulidia, having greatly oppressed the clergy Ulster, and plundered the churches, complaint was made against him the monarch by
nians fierce battle fought
Dalriada, which was situated Antrim.
725, according the Four
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i. e. Manus, his father, prisoner at Ros Racha, and did not permit those Scottish forces to depart from the November in which they arrived, until the following festival of St. Brendan; O'Donnell remained in imprisonment until his death.
A. D. 1556.
Giolla Colaim O'Clabaigh, the coarb of St. Patrick, at Uaran of Magh Aoi', the head of hos pitality and wealth of the coarbs of Connaught, a general entertainer of the rich and poor, died in
art, and some curious verses, composed by the archbishop Con gusa on this circumstance, are given in the Four Masters.
In the various wars enumerated in Ulster, and many more bat tles not recorded, from the first to the eighth century, comprising
a period of seven hundred years of almost incessant conflicts of the kings of Ulster, either amongst themselves, or with the other
are constantly mentioned throughout these Annals, and account their territories and other particulars, has been given 49, the note Tir-Eogain. The O'Neills, princes Tir-Eógain,
ruled over the territories which now form the counties Tyrone
and Derry, with Inisowen, Donegal. the eleventh century,
and during the eleventh and twelfth centuries were very power ful, and some them became princes Tir-Eogain, and Ail each, kings Ulster and two them, hereafter shown, became monarchs Ireland. Many celebrated chiefs the Mac Logh lins are mentioned the course these Annals; but appears, that the thirteenth century, they were put down the superior
REIGN OF QUEEN MARY. 441
and Hugh Roin himself slain, and beheaded on the stone of
the Conventions, or oblations, at the door of the church of Fogh of the Pale, and various British settlers. Their celebrated chiefs
provincial kings, and with the monarchs of Ireland, and of fierce
contests with foreign invaders, including the Cualanean war of
seven years duration between the Red-Branch Knights of Ulster,
and the Connaught forces; the conflicts of the Clan Colla chief
tains with the kings of Emania; the contests of the Hy Niall
princes for the sovereignty of Ulster with the Ulidian kings; the
battle of Moy-Rath, and the various other fierce engagements of
the Ultonians with the invading Picts, Britons, Anglo-Saxons power the O'Neills. powerful branch the O'Neills, ex and Franks, no doubt there were, during these seven centuries of
power great extent, amidst incessant wars with the English
branch the O’Neills took the name Mac Loghlin, sometimes mentioned O'Loghlin, from Loghlin O'Neill, one their chiefs,
continued and sanguinary contests, not less than three hundred thousand men slain in Ulster.
In the latter end of the seventh century, Alfred, an Anglo Saxon prince, son of Oswy, king of Northumbria, and who was
himself afterwards king of Northumbria, having been exiled from England, retired to Ireland, where he studied many years in its seminaries, according to the venerable Bede, in his Life of St. Cuth bert. Alfred travelled over all parts of Ireland, and, as mentioned in
page 21, became lords
the note Dalaradia, the fourteenth Clannaboy, and possessed extensive ter
O'Reilly's Irish writers, at A. D. 685, he, under the name of Flann Fionn, or Flann the Fair, composed a poem on Ireland, consisting
the course these Annals. They were called Clann-Aodha
Buidhe, signifying the Clan Hugh the yellow-haired, from
Aodh Buidhe, one their celebrated chiefs; and the tribe and territory were thence designated Clannaboy, sometimes Clane
boy. The territory was divided into North and South Clannaboy, the North comprising the baronies Belfast, Massareene, Antrim, and Upper Toome, the county Antrim; and South Clannaboy contained the baronies Ardes, Castlereagh, Kinealarty, and Lecale, the county Down. the reigns Henry VIII. and Elizabeth, the head chiefs the O'Neills, princes Tyrone, were created earls Tyrone, and barons Dungannon, and modern times branch the O'Neills were created earls O'Neill,
the county Antrim.
The other chiefs and clans the Eugenians, the posterity Eogan, and his five sons, Muiredach, Fergus, Oilioll, Felim, and Eochy, were the O'Cathans, O’Kanes, powerful chiefs Derry, and lords the greater part that territory; the Mac Cagh wells, O'Donnellys, O'Hagans, O’Hamells, O'Horans, O'Hoseys, O'Connellans, all chiefs note Tyrone. The Mac Sweeneys, celebrated chiefs Donegal, and distinguished commanders galloglasses Ulster, and likewise Connaught and Munster; the O'Gormleys; O'Dubhdiarmas; O'Donegans; O'Brolchans; Mac Closkeys; Mac Gilligans; Mac Gill Kellys; O'Freels; O'Quinns; O'Hagartys; O'Mulvihills, all chiefs and clans note various parts Derry and Donegal. The O'Creaghs, who
early times went from Ulster, and settled Munster, and whom there were many highly respectable families Clare, Limerick, Cork, and Tipperary, were branch the O'Neills Tyrone, and likewise the O'Nihells Munster, both which fami lies account has been given 154, the note Thomond. Accounts the O'Neills, and various chiefs the Eugenians, and the territories possessed each, have beengiven pp.
52, the note Tir Eogain and Tir Conaill.
The Connallians. —As before stated, the Connallians were the posterity Conall Gulban, one the sons king Niall the Hostages. The head chiefs this race took the names O'Maol dora and O'Cannanain, from two princes their ancestors, who were
called, and many celebrated chieftains the O'Maoldoras and O'Cannanains are mentioned the Four Masters the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth centuries, and they extended their power not
only over Donegal, but other parts Ulster. the tenth cen
tury some the head chiefs the Connallians took the tribe
of ninety-six
verses, and commencing thus:-
“Rodheat in Inis Finn Fail In Eirin reimarbhaidh”
* I found in the fair Inisfail In Ireland while in exile. ”
A version of this poem into English has been made by the translator of these Annals, from which the following passages are taken relating to Ulster in the seventh century—
“I found in Armagh the splendid,
Meekness, wisdom, circumspection,
Abstinence in obedience to the Son of God, Noble, prosperous learned sages.
“I found in the country of Conall Brave victorious heroes;
Valiant men of fair complexion, The exalted stars of Erin.
“I found in the province of Ulster, Long-blooming beauty, hereditary vigour, Young scions of energy,
Though fair, yet for war, and brave. ”
The Eugenians. —In the preceding part the present article, an account has been given the Eugenians, the chief branch the northern Hy Niall, descended from Eogan, one the sons king Niall the Hostages; the head chiefs the Eugenians the tenth century took the name Ua-Neill, O'Neill, from Niall Glundubh, celebrated king that race, who was monarch Ireland the tenth century, and was slain 919, great battle with the Danes near Dublin. The O'Neills, kings and princes Aileach, kings Ulster, and princes Tir-Eogain, make
very conspicuous figure Irish history, from the eleventh
the seventeenth century, for period five hundred years, during name Clanna Dalaigh, from Dalach, one their chiefs, whose the greater part which they maintained their independence and death recorded the Annals 868, but they afterwards
plained
century,
ritories
teenth century, and many celebrated chiefs them are mentioned
the counties
Down and Antrim, down the seven
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442 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1556.
Clanrickard, after he had been expelled thither O'Moore (of the Queen's county), i. e. Conall from Oran, and after his son Dermod Roe Oge, was taken prisoner by the lord justice.
O’Clabaigh had been slain by the Clan Conway. The castle of Lis-Cluaine, in Delvin, was com
gal, but afterwards got the whole of that country, and also ex tended their power over some of the northern parts of Sligo, and for a long time held the castle of Sligo, for which they often had contests with the English, and also with the O'Conors; the O'Donnells probably claimed Carbury in Sligo, as that territory was originally possessed,and got its name from Cairbre, one of the sons of Niall of the Hostages. The O’Donnells, as princes of Tirconnell, make a conspicuous figure in Irish history, from the thirteenth to the seventeenth century, and their great actions are particularly recorded in the course of these Annals, where it ap pears they frequently extended their power, not only over Done gal, but also over parts of Derry, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Brefney, Sligo, and Roscommon, and frequently exercised a jurisdiction in the inauguration of the princes and chiefs, and levied tributes on those territories. The O'Neills and O’Donnells, from the accounts of all the annalists, appear to have been by far the most powerful, warlike, and valiant of the Irish chieftains, and kept up the most numerous bodies of disciplined troops, and from the twelfth to the seventeenth century, during a period of nearly five hundred years of incessant warfare, maintained their independenceagainst the Anglo-Irish forces of the Pale, and the armies of England. Several of the O'Neills and O’Donnells were distinguished mili tary commanders in the Irish Brigades, in the service of France, Spain, Austria, and other foreign states.
The other chiefs of the Comnallians, who were collateral bran
took the name O'Domhnaill, or O'Donnell, from Domhnall, O'Melaghlin in the eleventh century, and were celebrated as kings another of their celebrated chiefs in the beginning of the tenth of Meath, kings and princes of Tara, princes of Bregia, and lords of century. The elder chieftains of Tirconnell, the O'Cannanains, Clan Colinan, an extensive territory in Westmeath. The desig and O'Maoldoras, were put down by the superior power of the
i O'Donnells, who, in the latter end of the twelfth and beginning of the thirteenth century, becamethe chief rulers of the territory, and as princes of Tirconnell, possessedthe greater part of Done
nation Clan Colman, or Colmanians, was mostly confined to the family of O’Melaghlin, but sometimes also applied to the chiefs the southern Hy Niall. The other principal chiefs the
southern Hy Niall were the Mac Geoghegans, princes Kinel Fiacha, extensive territory Westmeath, about Mullingar, &c. The O'Mulloys, princes Fercall, King's county; the O'Harts; the O'Connolys, O'Kellys, and O'Regans, princes Tara; the O'Coindealbhains, O'Kindellans, name changed O'Conlivan, and O'Connellan, princes Hy Laoghaire, Meath and Westmeath; the O'Sionachs, name anglicised Fox, lords
Teffia, Westmeath the O'Carys, lords Carberry, Kil dare; the O’Rorys, Rogers; O'Carrolls and O'Duvans, chiefs
Meath; the O'Fallons; O'Breens; O'Hughes, O'Heas; O'Hanveys O'Henneseys O'Hanrahans O'Kearneys O'Caseys; O'Coffeys; Mac Conways; O'Dooleys; O'Mulledys; O'Scullys; O'Shiels; O'Tolargs; Mac Ruares; O'Fagans; O'Currys; O'Corrigans, and O'Murrys, all chiefs note va rious parts Westmeath. The O'Quinns, chiefs Muinter Gil gain, and lords Rathcline, had the barony Rathcline, An maly, Longford; the O'Ronans; O'Dalys; O'Sleivins; Mac Cor macs; Mac Gilligans, and Mac Gavans, chiefs Annaly. Of the southern Hy Niall, were also the following chiefs, the O'Maol conrys Roscommon, celebrated bards and historians the O'Conors, kings Connaught; the O'Higgins Westmeath and
Connaught, eminent bards and historians; and also the O’Duignans, Kilronan, Roscommon, distinguished literary men, and hereditary historians the Mac Dermotts, princes Moylurg. Many eminent men these literary families are re corded the course of these Annals.
The Hy-Briunians. —An account the chiefs the race
ches of the same stock as the O'Donnells, were the O’Doghertys,
lords of Inisowen, in Donegal; the O'Boyles, lords of Boylagh, Hy-Briune has been given p. p. 75, 125, the notes Bref
and the O'Gallaghers, powerful and warlike chiefs in Tirhugh, in
Donegal ; the O’Breslens, chiefs of Fanat, and eminent Brehons in Donegal and Fermanagh; the O'Hughes, and several other
chiefs in 1)onegal, an account of whom, and the territories posses sed by each, has been given at page 52, in the note on Tirconnell. The O'Daly's were the elder branch of the O'Donnells, and many families of note of the name were located in Connaught, Meath, and Munster, and several of them are recorded in the course of these Annals as bards, historians, and eminent literary men.
ney and South Connaught. These Hy-Briunians, who were the Heremonians Connaught, were descended from Bryan, king
Connaught, the latter end the fourth century, and who was brother king Niall the Hostages, and therefore they were
collateral branch the same stock the race Hy Niall. The chief families the Hy-Briunians were the O'Conors, Kings Connaught the O'Rourkes, princes West Brefney, Leitrim; the O'Reillys, princes East Brefney, Cavan; the Mac Der motts, princes Moylurg, Roscommon; the O'Flahertys, lords West Connaught; the O'Malleys, chiefs Mayo; the
The Colmanians. —An account of the kings, princes, chiefs,
and clans of the southern Hy Niall, and the territories possessed Mac Oireaghtys, chiefs Roscommon; the Mac Gaurans; Mac
by each, has been given at p. p. 6 to 8, and also at p. p. 248, 314,
315, in the notes on Meath, Teffia, Annaly, Offaly, Moy Liffey,
and Bregia. The South Hy Niallians were descended from four
Tiernans, Mlac Kermans; and Mac Bradys, chiefs many other chiefs note Connaught and Ulster, counts have beengiven the above mentionednotes
Cavan, and
whom ac the Hy
of the sons of king Niall of the Hostages, namely, Laoghaire, Briunians and Brefnians. Thus appears that the kings, prin
Fiacha, Maine, and Conall Crimthan, powerful princes, who in the
fifth century got possession of the territories which formed the ancient kingdom of Meath, comprising the present counties of Meath and Westmeath, with part of Longford, and parts of Dublin, Kildare, and King's county. The posterity of these four princes possessed the territories of the ancient kingdom of Meath, from the fifth to the twelfth century, but from the latter end of the twelfth to the beginning of the seventeenth century, amidst in cessant warfare and fierce contests with the Anglo-Normans and English settlers, the southern Hy Niall lost all their hereditary possessions, and of this powerful race there are no descendants of any note, or large landed proprietors, to be found on the terri tories of ancient Meath at the present day. The head families of the southern Hy Niall took the name of Clan Colman from one of their ancestors, a celebrated chief named Colman More, in the sixth century, who was son of Dermod Mac Carroll, monarch of
Ireland, and whose death is recorded at A. D. 552 in the Four Masters. The head chiefs of the Clan Colman took the name of
ces, and chiefs the Hy Niall race, descended from king Niall the Hostages, ruled over Ulster and Meath, and the kings, prin ces, and chiefs the Hy Briune race, the posterity Bryan, king Connaught, brother the monarch Niall, ruled over Con naught, therefore these two great branches the Heremonians, were the rulers Leath-Cuinn, the northern half Ireland, comprising the kingdoms Meath, Ulster, and Connaught; and the Hy Niall kings likewise reigned exclusively monarchs
Ireland for period six hundred years, from the fifth the eleventh century, and two the Hy Briune race, kings Con naught the twelfth century, were likewise supreme sovereigns, namely, Torlogh O'Conor, and his son Roderick, the last Mile sian monarch of Ireland.
A. D. 1556.
Uaran Maighe Haoi, now the parish Oran, the half
barony Ballymoe, county Roscommon. The term Uaran signifies fountain pure spring water, and may have been some celebrated well which, stated the text, lay Maighe Haoi,
of as
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pleted by Malachy O'Dalachain, on the festival
of St. Matthew the Evangelist.
O'Brien, i. e. Donal, defeated Teige, the son of
and oppose them, and they treacherously seized him in the council-house.
The castle of Fadden, in Delvin Eathra (in King’s county), was taken by a prisoner who was
REIGN OF QUEEN MARY. 443
Murrogh O’Brien, at the castle of Dysart(in Clare),
in an engagement, in which thirty or upwards confined in and he delivered into the hands were slain. Mac Coghlan, who expelled the tribe Fergal,
Donogh, the son of O'Conor Faily, i. e. Bryan, and hanged the hostages Shrove Monday, which who had been under the guarantee and protection happened the 1st March.
of the earl of Kildare, was taken prisoner by the The castle Racra (on the townland Roughra, lord justice at Druim-da-Maighe. The lord jus near Shannon Bridge, the barony Garrycastle, tice and the earl sent despatches, respectively, to King’s county), was demolished by O’Melaghlin the queen of England, to learn what she would and the English Athlone; and after that com say should be done with those prisoners, for the motion arose between Mac Coghlan and O’Me lord justice had at the time in imprisonment laghlin.
O'Conor and Donogh, with several others.
O'Moore and Donogh O'Conor were set at liberty
on the responsibility of their guarantees, namely,
the earl of Kildare and the earl of Ormond, a cir
cumstance little expected.
Offaly was plundered, and the O'Conors were again expelled from their country, and hostages
taken from them the lord justice; the following were the hostages: O'Conor Failey, his brother's son, Rossa, the son Murrogh, with many others;
and those hostages were put death the English, except O’Conor alone.
O'Moore, Conall, was taken prisoner by the English, and was put death by them Leighlin.
was source great sorrow among the Irish namely, Breasal Duv and Malachy Modardha. behold their chiefs and nobles destined that end,
Anthony, the son of William O'Coffey, chief pro although they could not help them.
fessorof Ireland in poetry, was treacherously killed The lord justice marched with army expel by night at Ballinluig, in Moybachla, and it was the Siol Conchobhair (O'Conors Offaley), from not discovered by whom he had been slain. Meelick (in Galway), after having learned that
O’Dogherty, i. e. Felim, son of Conor Carrach, they were that place; prepared and took
O'Ferrall Baun, i. e. Teige, the son of Conmac, died at a fine old age.
O’Madden, i. e. John, the son of Breasal, lord of Siol Anmcha,was slain by Breasal Duv O’Madden,
and two lords were appointed over Siol Anmcha,
died on the 6th of December.
A. D. 1557.
Armagh was twice plundered in one month by
the lord justice, Thomas Sussex.
Mac Murrogh," i. e. Murrogh, son of Maurice
with him some cannon Athlone, and had them
conveyed from thence boats Meelick, and his forces went through Bealach-an-Fhothair(Ballagh anogher), Lurgan Lusmagh (parish Lus magh, barony Garrycastle, King's county), com manded himself; took Meelick and Breach
Cavenagh, was put to death in Leighlin by the luain after that, and Donogh, the son Colla
English, for he had been preparing to gain power
(O'Madden), and several others the guards, were
A. D. 1557.
Mac Murrogh. -The Mac Murroghs Cavenaghs and their
allies, according Mac Geoghegan, made some incursions this
time into the southern parts the county Dublin, but they were surprised and dispersed by the garrison the city, and several
them were slain; body one hundred and forty them with drew the fortress Powerscourt Wicklow, where they deter mined defend themselves; they were besieged by the troops
under the command sir George Stanley from Dublin, and being unable withstand the great number their besiegers, were obliged surrender, and being brought Dublin seventy-four
them were put death.
Moy Aoi, an ancient territory mon, and was thus designated
the present county Roscom distinguish from Uaran Mor, the county Galway. This Uaran-ui-Chlabaigh, proba bly called from O'Clabaigh the coarb St. Patrick, mentioned
the text, who was then abbot Oran. St. Patrick founded church here the fifth century, and Cethecus, called Cetgen the book Armagh, one his disciples, was appointed bishop
whose remains lie here interred. The ruins the old church are still seen, near which the remnant one the ancient Round Towers, about twelve feet high, and eleven feet three inches internal diameter; the walls are four feet six inches
thick, and the stones,which are two different kinds limestone, are extremely well cut, and closely together.
the great spring, now Oranmore, place was also known by the name
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444 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1557.
slain by him. The country was completely spoiled but expelled and banished him, and proclaimed and plundered on that occasion, and the sons of him traitor; conferred the lordship Theo Malachy Balbh (O'Madden), and the insurgents bald O'Mulloy, after having left his son hos along with them, were expelled from the country. tage with him his stead.
The lord justice left a Saxon constable, namely Mr. An awful war arose between the English and all Francis, in possession of Meelick, and he took hos the Irish who were opposed them, viz. the
tages from the two O'Maddens, namely, Malachy
O'Conors, O'Moores, O’Mulloys and O'Carrolls, and impossible relate how many depreda tions, slaughters and plunders were committed
Modardha and Breasal; and he also took hostages
from Mac Coghlan, namely, his own son, and some
others. So that it was after that manner that them, from the Shannon Sliabh Ruadh, from Siol Anmcha was taken, and it is impossible to re Bladhma Cliodhna, and from the Eoir the
late or reckon how much damage had been done on that expedition, which took place exactly three weeks before Lammas.
same Cliodhna (Slieve Roe mountains, on the bor ders Dublin and Wicklow Bladhma the Slievebloom mountains, on the borders the
O'Ferrall Bane, i. e. Donal, was killed by King's and Queen’s counties; Cliodhna was near
Fachtna, the son of Teige O'Ferrall; and Fachtna
himself was for that act afterwards expelled by the English.
Donal, the son of Lisagh O'Moore, lord of Slieve Margy Queen's county), was hanged the English, viz. by Mr. Sili.
Cork, and Eoir was the river Nore, Kilkenny).