No More Learning

Parese set agog, with this discourse, recounted the most minute instances Fitzgerald's liberality him, upon which the deputy replied “And how Parese couldst thou find thy heart betray the castle kind lord? ' then turning
his head. “Had known this,' says Parese, ‘your lordship should the earl Kildare who had died the Tower, and were the
coldest weather, according authorities, quoted by Moore
his officers bids them pay him the money, and then chop of History Ireland. the following spring the five brothers
not have had the castle easily’; whereupon one Mr. Boyce, who was present, cried out Irish n-Antrath, that “too late,’ which occasioned afterwards common saving, “too late quoth Boyce;” thus Parese, after being paid the stipulated sum,
mockery, was immediately afterwards beheaded, he had made no conditions about his life being saved. At the time the castle was surrendered, there were amongst the garrison Donogh O'Do gan, master the ordnance, the dean Kildare, and sir Simon Walsh, priest, and was stated by them that the emperor Germany had promised send lord Thomas ten thousand men May, and that was also receive aid from the king Scot land; few days after the surrender Maynooth, twenty-five
the principal persons the garrison were beheaded, and their heads placed the castle turrets.
the mean time lord Thomas, aided by O'Conor Faily and
uncles lord Thomas, were invited banquet by lord Gray promise protection, but according Leland, were treache
rously made prisoners and sent England, and they were confined the Tower along with their nephew, lord Thomas, al though stated the Four Masters that they opposed him, but according other accounts, two three them joined
his insurrection; his five uncles were sir James and sir John Fitz gerald, knights Rhodes and St. John Jerusalem, and Oliver, Richard, and Walter Fitzgerald. Lord Thomas, together with his five uncles above-mentioned, were all hanged and be headed Tyburn, the 3rd February, 1536, though the event
these Annals. Burnell Bel ecclesiastic, particular friends
Tyburn.
king during his own reign chief head the church God. New laws and statutes were enacted by the king and council, according their own will;
they ruined the religious orders who were entitled hold worldly possessions, namely, Monks, Ca
own security with his lord's ruin, and got letters conveyed the
lord deputy, importing that he would surrender the castle cer Naas, where took seven score Pitzgerald's galloglasses, all
tain conditions, which concerned only his own profit, without men tion his safety. The lord deputy accepted the offer, whereupon Parese, after some advantage gained sally, caused the garrison
rejoice and carouse that degree that they were all dead drunk,
and then upon signal given the English scaled the walls and siderable force, though frequently defeated and slew many entered the castle. Captain Holland, being one the first, hap the English skirmishing parties and ainbushes Meath and pened leap down into hogshead feathers and stuck there, Kildare, particularly Trim and Rathangan, and attacked
and sir William Brereton having got cried out “St. George,” whereat one the garrison awoke and shot captain Holland, but was rescued out the feathers his companions, who killed the soldier. The castle was them taken, and sir William Brereton advanced his standard the top the turret. ” The spoil and plunder this castle, says Cox, were exceeding great and rich, this being accounted the best furnished house belonging
any subject the king's dominions. “The lord deputy entered the afternoon, before whom,” says Cox, “two varlets, James De
Athboy, burned part Trim, besieged Dunboyne, and ravaged much the English Pale. the early part this insurrection, lord Thomas with his forces, accompanied O'Neill, the O'Moores, and O'Conors, &c. , marched Kilkenny, and laid waste much the country the Butlers, and defeated their troops under lord James Butler, son the earl Ossory and the course the insurrection, the O'Tooles and O'Byrnes Wicklow rose out and plundered the English settlements Dublin, and destroyed the great castle Powerscourt, the erection which had cost the
whom put death, oneonly excepted, mainedEdmond Oleme,
who escaped stark naked lord Thomas; there was bog between both parties, but the lord deputy's artillery put Fitzgerald's few
troops flight, and was never after able muster any con
sent England for troops, and returned August, 1533, with
body
parts
O’Briens
horsemen and archers, who were garrisoned different the Paie. Lord Thomas retired Munster amongst the Thomond, endeavouring raise forces, where he was
lord Gray and sir William Brereton; after someskir
followed
mishes Fitzgerald surrendered lord Gray, promise pardon,
and rode with him Dublin the latter end August, and soon
afterwards accompanied lord Gray England, but the king being
enraged and implacable, caused lord Thomas arrested his way Windsor, and he was imprisoned the Tower, where he
suffered the most severe privations, having scarcely any clothes cover him, and forced go bare-footed and bare-legged the
his
stated Cox
also mentioned
griffin, and John Travers,
that year Fitzgerald, were also executed
have taken place February, 1537, and
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REIGN OF HENRY VIII. 407
or discover. They also broke and burned the cele of St. Patrick to that period, and had been in the brated images, shrines, and the relics of the saints hands of Christ while he was among men. They of Ireland and England. They also burned, after made Archbishops, and Sub-Bishops for them that, the image of the illustrious Virgin Mary, selves, and though great was the persecution of
which was at Athtruim (Trim in Meath), which the Roman emperors against the Church, it is wrought wonders and miracles, and healed the doubtful if so great as this ever came from Rome; blind, the deaf, the lame and persons affected with so that it would be impossible to relate or give various diseases; also the Staff of Jesus, which a description of unless told by person who
was in Dublin, and wrought miracles from the time
saw it. ”
The abbots the following monasteries were mitred abbots, and together with the priors here mentioned, making all twenty-four, sat amongst the lords, barons, and bishops, spiritual peers the
3. Suppression of Monasteries. —In the years 1537, 1538, and
1541, various Acts of Parliament were passed for the suppression
of religious houses in Ireland, and during the reigns of Henry VIII. ,
Edward VI. , and Elizabeth, all the abbeys, monasteries, priories, Irish Parliament, according are and others. The abbot the
convents, &c. , were abolished ; their extensive lands and endow
ments were confiscated and seized by the crown, and the abbey
and church lands, and Erenach lands, all of which were denomi
nated Termon lands, were conferred in large grants on laymen,
chiefly the nobility and gentry of the country. Numerous col
leges, seminaries, and schools attached to the abbeys, were also
suppressed, and likewise the hospitals and Biatachs. The Biatachs
were charitable institutions or houses of hospitality, and are fre tercians of Tracton
quently mentioned in the course of these Annals; the name in the Irish is Biadhtach, derived from Biadh food, and teach a house, hence signifying houses of entertainment, and the lands appropri
ated for their maintenance were termed Baile Biadhtach, angli
cised Ballybetaghs, that is, the townland of the Biatach, and the Mary's Abbey Dublin. The abbot the Augustinians St.
name Biatach or Betagh, was likewise applied to the keepers of
those houses, who were sometimes laymen, and sometimes eccle
siastics, and many of them are recorded in the course of these
Annals. These Biatachs were amply endowed with grants of
lands, cattle, sheep, &c. , by the Irish princes and chiefs, for the
public entertainment of all travellers and strangers; the sick, the Newtown, near Trim Meath. The prior the Augustinian poor, and indigent. These houses of hospitality were extremely monastery the Virgin Mary Louth. The prior the Bene
numerous in all parts of the country in ancient times, and it is estinated that there were at least two thousand of then through out Ireland, one or more generally in every parish. These houses were generally erected at cross-roads, always well supplied with provisions and meat boiled in large cauldrons, and supplies of va
rious kinds were always kept ready cooked for all comers.
At the Reformation, according to the accounts in Ware's works,
Abbeys and Priories of Augustinians, Canons, and Canons regular, Aroasians, and Victorines, - - Convents of Canonesses or Augustinian Nuns, -
Priories of Premonstratensians or White Canons, a branch of the Augustinians, who were also called Norbertimes,
Houses of Hermits of St. Augustine, called Austin friars, Commanderies, Preceptories, and Priories of Knights Hos
pitalers, or of St. John of Jerusalem, under the rule of St. Augustine, someof which institutions had previously belonged to the Knights Templars, - -
Hospitals and Priories of Trinitarians under the rule of St.
Augustine, established for the redemption of captives in
the Holy Land, and also of Cruciferi or Crouched Friars called Cross-bearers, - - -
Abbeys and Priories of Benedictines, called Black Monks, Convents of Benedictime Nuns, called Black Nuns, .
Abbeys and Priories of Cistercian Monks or Bernardines, Cistercian Nunneries,
Abbeys and Priories of Dominican Friars, called Black
Friars and Friars Preachers, - - - Abbeys and Priories of Franciscans or Grey friars, inclu ding the Friars Minors, Observantines, and Conventuals
Convents of Carmelites or White Friars, - - A Priory of Culdees at Armagh, - - -
dictines Downpatrick Down. The prior the Augustinians
Inonasteries
the ruins which
:-
Galway, which was ancient times
and Archdall's Monasticon, there were in Ireland the following
gion,
still remain, and the island was called
signifying Aran the Saints. The Iccian Sea mentioned the text under the name Muir Niocht, the sea between Great Britain and France, particularly that part the English Channel called the Straits Dover, and got that name from the Portus Iccius, which, according the old geographers, was either the harbour Boulogne Calais France; hence the sea was called Mare Iccium.
Destruction Images. —Sir Richard Cox, his Hibernia Anglicana, reign Henry VIII. , says, that the month May,
1538, “the lord deputy Leonard Gray, marched from Trim pursue O'Reilly Cavan, who made his submission, and the deputy then proceeded against Savage, degenerate Englishman, into Ardes and Lecale (in the county Down), and there also took Magennis's castle Dundrum, and seven other castles, and wasted and preyed that country, and which was worse, burned the cathedral church Downe (Downpatrick), and defaced the monuments the saints Patrick, Bridget, and Columbus, and committed many other sacrileges; and about the same time the images saints were every where defaced taken away, and particularly the famous image the Blessed Virgin Trim, was burned, and the oblations and treasures which votaries had offered
there, were also taken and carried away. ”
St. Patrick's Crozier—This reimarkable relic, which was also
223 38
8 24
22
14 9 5 42 2
41
114 20 l
called St. Patrick's Staff, frequently mentioned St. Patrick, particularly the Tripartite Life, Trias Thaumaturga, p. 263, and Lanigan, (vol.
the Lives Colgan, his 178), and
Cistercian monastery
Mellifont Louth, the first that order the twelfth century. The abbot the Cis
founded tercians Baltinglass
Ireland, Bective
Meath. The abbot of the Cistercians of
Wexford. The abbot
The abbot the Cistercians The abbot of the Cistercians of Tintern the Cistercians Jerpoint Kilkenny.
the Cis
the Cistercians
Douske Kilkenny. The abbot
Cork. The abbot of the Cistercians of
Wicklow.
Dunbrody Wexford. The abbot
Monaster-Nenay
Abington Wotheney Limerick. The abbot the Cistercians
Limerick. The abbot the Cistercians
Holy-Cross Tipperary. The abbot the Cistercians Monaster-Evin Kildare. The abbot the Cistercians of St.
Thomas the Martyr, Dublin. The prior the Knights St. John Jerusalein, Kilmainliam Dublin. The prior the Augustinians the Holy Trinity Christ Church, Dublin. The prior the Augustinians All Saints Dublin, now Trinity Col lege. The prior the Augustinians SS. Peter and Paul
Great Comuall Kildare. The prior the Augustinians Kells Kilkenny. The prior the Augustinians Athassel
Tipperary. The prior stated the text
the Augustinians Rattoo Kerry.
the Annals, that the monasteries were
all demolished from Aran the Saints was the Island
the Saints Aran,
the Iccian Sea; Aran
the Atlantic, off the coast
celebrated seat reli
and several churches were erected
there,
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408 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1538.
A. D. 1538.
Hugh Buighe O’Donnell, the son of Hugh
Duv, son of Hugh Roe, heir to the lordship of Tirconnell, a man skilled and learned in all the arts, the most distinguished man for benevolence,
hospitality, feats of arms, fierce conflicts and in
the pass of danger, and who was expected to be
nefit most the lordship of his own country, accord ing to promise and appearances, died at Kilodom
rair (Killymard, in Donegal), after communion and sacraments, on the 22nd of March.
Niall, the son of Con, son of Art O’Neill, a
summa dignitatis venerationis gente illa. Nempe notissima sunt celeberrimaque populis, atque reverentia, apud omnes qui illa habere visus fuerit, ipsum habeat episcopum populus stultus insipiens. ” “Nigel, however, seeing that his flight was
likewise in St. Patrick's Life, by Joceline the Monk, in the twelfth century. Numerous miracles are said to have been performed by
this staff, which was compared with the rod of Moses; St. Pa trick is said to have received it from a hermit who lived in an is
land of the Etruscan sea, supposed to have been Lerins, near
Antibes, off the coast of France, where there was a celebrated
monastery in ancient times, in which St. Patrick studied some belonged St. Patrick, and staff covered with gold, and
years, and, as before stated, he was considered to have been a
native of Gaul; according to Joceline the name of the hermit was
Justus, and he had brought the staff from the Holy Land, and it
was said to have been possessed by our Saviour, hence called in
Irish Bachall Iosa, latinised Baculus Jesu, signifying the Staff of remarkable and celebrated amongst the people, and held such Jesus; by the Irish writers it was generally called Bachall Pha reverence all, that whoever was seen possess them, the draig, that the Staff Patrick, the word Bachall Irish sig
Rath-Airthir) apud Nundinas. ” “A sacrilegious carrying off
first who ornamented the staff Jesus with his church Rath-Colptha, near Downpatrick,
precious covering; the east. ” This mentioned the
Jesus, and relics St. Patrick, Donogh, the son the eastern rath, called Rath Airthir, the Fair As
the Staff
Donal,
sembly. ”
probably situated near Armagh. At 1027, the Annals
the fifth century, and
St. Thassach lived
Lives St. Patrick, art goldsmith.
Tigearmach, the Baculus Jesu thus mentioned “Bacal Innisfallen, the Bachall Phadraig, St. Patrick's Staff, was re Iosa da sharugadh” which Dr. O'Conor (Rerum Hiberni moved from Armagh Dublin William Fitz Adelm. Giraldus carum Scrip. 279), thus translates: “Baculum Jesu Cambrensis, the twelfth century, thus mentions this relic: “In sacrilege raptum,” that “The staff Jesus was sacri ter universos Hiberniae Baculos ligneaeque naturae Sanctorum re legiously carried off. ” the Annals the Four Mas liquias, virtuosus ille famosus, quem Baculum Jesu vocant, mon
ters, A. 1030, thus again mentioned “Bachall Iosa sarugadh im thri caiplibh agus marbhadh ría Cion nomhe fear roda saraigh,” which thus translated by Dr. O'Conor: “Baculum Jesu ablatun sacrilege, cum tribus equis, occisusest ante novem dies vir qui sacrilege idtemeravit,” that “The staff Jesus was sacrilegiously carried off, together with three horses, and the man who sacrilegiously dared that deed was slain before nine days. ” observed that all these passages translated Dr. O'Conor, renders the word sarughadh
sacrilegious and forcible carrying off, which the real meaning the word. Again, the Annals the Four Masters, the year 1080, this relic mentioned, where stated that hostile
Rath Airthir signifies the eastern Rath, and was
skilled the working
force was led Torlogh O'Brien, king Thomond, Dublin
and Meath, where Malachy, king Meath, came into his camp
with the Staff Jesus, accompanied by the successor St. Pa sited Christ Church, Dublin, where, from the twelfth the trick and the clergy Munster; and again the same Annals,
the year 1143, mentioned that Muiredach O’Duffy, arch
bishop Tuam the lords and chiefs Connaught; the succes
sor St. Patrick, having the Baculus Jesu with him; the
coarb St. Feichin (the abbot Fore), with the Bell St. Fei Browne, archbishop Dublin, related D'Alton's Arch chin, together with the Bo ban St. Kevin, were all pledges
peace between Torlogh O'Conor, king Connaught, and Mur togh O’Melaghlin, king Meath.
St. Bernard, his Life St. Malachy, archbishop Armagh
the beginning the twelfth century, given the Benedictine edition the Fathers, thus speaks the Baculus Jesu “Porro Nigellus videns sibi imminere fugam, tulit secum insignia quaedam sedis illius, textum scilicet Evangeliorum, qui fuit beati Patricii, Baculumque auro tectum, gemmis pretiosissimis adornatum
quem nominant Baculum Jesu, quod ipse Dominus (ut fert opinio) eum suis manibus tenuerit, atque formaverit. Et haec
bishops Dublin. Ware's Annals the reign Henry VIII. are the following passages: “Also about the same time (A. 1538), among the famous images whereunto pilgrimages
were designed, the statue the Blessed Virgin Mary was burned,
then kept Trim, the abbey the Canons Regular, and the gifts
the pilgrims were taken away from thence. The image Christ crucified, the abbey Ballibogan, and St. Patrick's
Staff, the Cathedral Church the Holy Trinity Dublin, which William, the son Adelm, brought from Armagh, and gave gift that church the year 1180, underwent the like fate.
impending, took with him certain celebrated things belonging that see (Armagh), namely, the Book the Gospels, which had
adorned with the most precious gems, which they named the Staff Jesus, because the Lord himself (as the opinion is), held his own hands, and formed it; and these were held the highest ho nour and veneration that nation. For these things were most
foolish and silly people considered him the real bishop. ” observed that this Nigel, above-mentioned, had that time usurped the see Armagh, and seized upon the Baculus
nifying staff, like the Latin Baculus; hence Bachall, Bachall
Easpuic, that bishop's staff, was the term applied
crozier, therefore by Patrick's staff was meant his crozier. This Jesu, and the Book the Gospels, thereby endeavouring secure staff crozier frequently mentioned by the ancient Irish annal
ists, and the Annals the Four Masters, 784, men
tioned passage thus translated from the Irish Dr. O'Conor,
“Sacrilega direptio Baculi Jesu, Reliquiarum Patricii per Ecclesia ipsius est Rath-Colptha juxta Dunum Orientem. ” Donnchadum filium Donaldi apud Arcem Orientalem (dictum “Tassach was the worker metals St. Patrick, and was the
his succession the see. Colgan, his Trias Thaumaturga,
has the following passage: “Thassachus fuit faber aerarius Pa tricii; fuit primus qui Baculum Jesu pretioso tegumento obcelavit,
metals, and the the year 180, according the Annals
immerito primus precipuus esse videtur; per quem, vulgari opi
mione, Patricius venenosos insula vermes ejecit, cujus siqui dem tam incertus est ortus quam certissima virtus. Nostris autem temporibus nostrorum opera, nobilis thesaurus Armachia Dubliniam est translatus. ” “Amongst all the croziers Ireland, and relics saints made wood, that potent and famous one which they call the Staff Jesus, not undeservedly, seems
the prime and chief, by which, the common opinion, St. Patrick banished poisonous reptiles from the island. The origin
indeed, uncertain, its virtue certain. But our times, and by the assistance our people, this noble treasure was translated from Armagh Dublin. ” William Fitz-Adelm Burgo, lord deputy Ireland, was the person who, either 1179 1180, transferred St. Patrick's crozier from Armagh, and depo
sixteenth century, was preserved with the greatest care, and held the highest veneration; but A. 1538, the gems and golden ornaments being removed, was publicly burned, together with many other religious relics, High-street, order George
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- A. D. 1539.
Magheracloone, the barony Farney, county Monaghan, which place mentioned the text Fearnmaigh, from which came the name Ferney Farney; the place situated the
worthy man, distinguished for noble deeds and excellence, was slain in a nocturnal attack by the son of Niall O'Neill, in the castle of Omagh, after the town had been betrayed by a party who were in the castle; Niall O'Neill then demolished the castle, and his own son was pursued for that slaying.
The son of Mac Clancy, i. e. Cahir, the son of
Feredach, the son of William, heir to the chief
tancy of Dartry, died at Dun Cairbre (the castle of Duncarberry, near the Atlantic, at Bundrowes
in Leitrim).
Ferganainm, the son of Feardorcha (Ferdinand),
Mac Coghlan, tanist of Delvin Eathra King's
county), was slain the sons the prior Mac Coghlan.
O’Donnell, i. e. Manus, marched with force into North Connaught, and fortunately succeeded
taking the castle Sligo, which was well fur mished with guards and ordnance, after had been for considerable time out his possession, being strongly defended against his father, that
could not taken until then. After having taken the castle, and left his guards possession
son Torlogh, son Teige, was inaugurated his successor, just reward his own merits.
O’Donnell, i. e. Manus, marched with force
into North Connaught, between Christmas and
the festival St. Bridget, and having received
from the inhabitants his full tribute and hostages, he returned home safe.
O'Neill, i. e. Con, having gone O’Donnell’s
residence Donegal, about Easter, they formed
entire country. On his return came castle called Moy O'Gara (in the barony avin, county Sligo), which was taken
the Cool
English the latter times, that spoiled much the property Meath, than did these preda tory forces; great indeed was the booty, consist
REIGN OF HENRY VIII. 409
him
happened, however, that Niall Garv, the son of ing gold, silver, brass, iron, treasure, and every
O'Donnell, was unfortunately killed the shot kind property and goods general, they took ball from the castle, the time they attacked from the towns Ath-Firdiadh (Ardee) and Nua the town but O’Donnell pardoned the person Chongbhail (Navan), having completely plundered
whom the deed was committed, who, under them that expedition. On the return those
his protection, was liberty; O'Donnell
turned safe with his forces, except that great loss,
after having spoiled Moylurg, and the plain
Connaught, except such those who paid him his justice, lord Leonard, received intelligence this, tribute.
A. D. 1539.
Thomond, i. e. Conor, the son
collected the English forces Ireland, with those many the great towns Meath, both lay and ecclesiastic, and the fleets the neighbouring coasts, and particularly immense fleet which lay Cuan-Cairlinne (the bay Car lingford); after those forces were brought to
O’Brien
Torlogh, son
the lordship considerable time, during which gether the lord justice, marched pursuit his country flourished great affluence and pros the Irish army Oriel, place called Bel perity. Murrogh, the son O’Brien, i. e. the athahoa, Fearnmaigh'. The Irish forces were
Teige, died, after having been
Bellahoe was fought August 1539, and the
The Battle
place called Bellahoa, Ballyhoe, situated the parish
league peace, amity, and alliance, firmly possible, with each other.
Maguire, i. e. Cormac, the son Cuchonacht, son Cuchonacht, son Bryan, son Philip, tanist Fermanagh, worthy man, distinguished for his nobleness and hospitality,
was treacherously slain the people his own brethren, and even their presence.
O'Neill, i. e. Con, and O’Donnell, i. e.
Manus,
marched, with mutual accord and consent, with their forces into Meath, and such territories did not pay them tribute they devastated and burned before them far Tara. They seized
between them strictly and
The son
immense booty that expedition, and the marched into Moylurg, and spoiled the Irish had not mustered army attack the
forces, there was exultation, boasting, vain-glory,
and pride, about the immense booty they obtained without any opposition. When the Saxon lord
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410 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1540.
not able to form into proper order as they should, slain at Beandchor, (Banagher, in King's county), neither did they obey the commands of their by the sons of O'Madden, namely, Malachy leaders to keep and defend the field of battle, but Godh, after mass on a Sunday, on the second of rather dispersed in a scattered and disorderly the Nones of July.
manner, and left a great deal of their own pro The lordship of Delvin (in King's county), was perty, as well as the booty they had taken from divided by O’Melaghlin, namely, Felim, between the English, in the hands of their enemies at that Art, the son of Cormac Mac Coghlan, Donal, the place, after they were defeated; many of their son of Ferdorcha (Ferdinand), and Malachy, the common soldiers were slain, and not a few of their son of Edmond.
chiefs besides; and of the Tirconallians Maol
murry Meirgeach, son of John Roe Mac Sweeney, - A. D. 1540.
fell on the field of battle. Magennis, i. e. Mur Roderick O'Maoleoin, bishop of Ardagh, and
togh, was taken prisoner by a party of the people of Oriel, after having been separated with a few from his own forces in that defeat of Bellahoe; he was kept privately in imprisonment for a consi derable time, and they afterwards treacherously slew him at the instigation of some of his own tribe, who gave a bribe to those who had him in confinement, for putting him to death.
Niall Oge O'Boyle was killed by Conor, the son of O'Boyle.
O’Melaghlin, i. e. Art, a prosperous, intrepid man, and his son, Cahir O’Melaghlin, dean of Clon macnoise, were slain at Fornocht (Forgney, in Longford, on the borders of Westmeath), by the sons of Felim O’Melaghlin; and Felim assumed the lordship.
Mac Coghlan, i. e. Felim, the son of Myler, was
coadjutor bishop of Clonmacnoise, aprosperous and
man,
affluent
died. (This Roderick O’Malone is
not given in Ware's Bishops; Terence Kerawan,
or Kirwan, was then bishop of Clonmacnois).
The monastery of Clonroad, (at Ennis, in the
county of Clare), was given to the friars de ob servantia, at the request of O’Brien, namely, Mur
rogh, the son of Torlogh, and of the nobles of Thomond, with the permission and consent of the superiors of the order of St. Francis.
The English, in every place throughout Ireland
where they established their power, persecuted
and banished the nine religious orders, and par
ticularly, they destroyed the monastery of Mo
naghan' and beheaded the guardian, and a num ber of the friars.
borders of Cavan, Monaghan, Meath, and Louth, between Kings defeated, and the booty recovered. According to Cox, Magen
court, Carrickmacross, and Ardee; and the large lake of Ballyhoe is situated partly in the parish of Drumcondra, county of Meath, and partly in the parish of Magheracloone, in the county of Mo naghan, and from this lake runs the river Legan, at which the battle was fought. The following particulars of it have been col lected from Cox's Hibernia Anglicana, Campion, Leland, and Mac Geoghegan. Con O'Neill, prince of Tyrone, who was called Con Bacach, or Con the Lame, together with O'Donnell, Magennis, O'Kane, O'Hanlon, Mac William, and others, jointly invaded the Pale with a powerful force, marched to Meath, burned Ardee and Navan, and plundered all the country through which they passed, till they came to the hill of Tara, where they reviewed their forces with great ostentation; and having taken vast booty, they returned towards home. The lord deputy, Leonard Gray, having some time before sent to England for aid, sir William Brereton was imme diately despatched to Ireland with 250 Cheshire men, and, together with these, the lord deputy collected the forces of the Pale, with the mayors and citizens of Dublin and Drogheda, and marched to Bellahoe, where O'Neill was encamped on the other side of the river. The English forces came to the river by break of day; James Fleming, baron of Slane, led the van; but Robert Half penny, his standard bearer, having declined to advance because of the danger, he substituted the valiant Robert Betagh of Moy nalty, in Meath, to carry the standard, and he rushed boldly into the river, being well supported by Mahe of Mabestown, a com mander of great courage. The lord deputy's forces with great diffi culty crossed the river, and after a sharp conflict, at length suc ceeded in routing the Irish galloglasses; Mabe, and many of the
Anglo-Irish forces were slain; but O'Neill's forces were at length
mis, lord of Iveagh, was slain, together with about 400 of O’Neill's men. Mac Geoghegan, in his History of Ireland, says “Les Ir landois perdirent dans cette action pres de quatre cens hommes tues avec Magennis, un de leurs chefs; la perte des Anglois mefut pas moins grande, ayant laisse quelques-uns deleurs chefs, entr'autres le general Mabe, morts sur le champ de bataille. ” “The Irish lost in that engagement nearly four hundred men slain, together
with Magennis, one of their chiefs; the loss of the English was not much less, having left some of their commanders, amongst others general Mabe, dead on the field of battle. ” In some of the English editions of Mac Geoghegan, the number of the Irish slain has, by some typographical error, been made four thousand instead of four hundred, as in the French original, whereas, ac cording to Cox, and all the other accounts of this battle, only about four hundred of the Irish were slain; and as, according to Mac Geoghegan, nearly the same number of the English were killed, therefore about eight hundred fell on both sides in this bat tle. The lord deputy, says Cox, commanded in person with great courage, and after the battle, he knighted on the field, for their services, the chief justice Aylmer, Talbot, of Malahide, James Fitzsimon, mayor of Dublin, and Michael Courcey, mayor of Drogheda. Sir John Davies says of this battle, “that prosperous fight at Bellahoe, on the borders of Meath, the memory whereof is yet famous. ”
A. D. 1540.
1. The Monastery of Monaghan was founded by St. Moelo dius, or Maclodius, about the sixth century, and the place was called Muineachan, signifying the town of the monks; it was an Augustinian abbey of note for several centuries, and many of
its
REIGN OF HENRY VIII. 41 l
The two sons of O'Boyle, namely Niall Roe tains, and then returned home safe, in triumph and and Conor, were in dispute and contention with victory.
each other, and Niall went to make an attack on O’Donnell collected a force, and the following Conor at Luachras (Loughros, near Ardara, persons joined him, namely, Niall Conallach, the county of Donegal), for it was there Conor’s place son of Art Oge, tanist of Tyrone, and the son of of residence was, and he remained for a night in Mac Donnell of Scotland, namely, Colla, the son ambush in the church of Seanchan. On the fol of Alexander, together with a great many of the lowing day Conor appeared on the hill near the
church, when Niall sallied forth with his party
from the church; when Conor beheld them ad
vancing towards him, he retired to avoid comin
in contact with them, as he had only a few of his
men along with him, and who were of no service to him. The direction he took alone was down
across the strand of Loughros; Niall pursued him as quickly as he could, and having outrun his own party, he challenged Conor to a single combat, whereupon they attacked each other actively and fiercely, without regard to friendship or relation
ship; Conor gave a stroke to Niall on the crown
of the head and felled him to the ground, upon
which Conor fled from the place, being wounded.
Niall’s party having come up to him, he told them
to follow Conor, as he was not himself in danger
of death on that occasion; Niall’s people accord
ingly did so, and overtook Conor at the side of a
lake in the neighbourhood; they did not come gal), from which they began to spoil the country. into close combat with him, but knocked him
down with the stones which lay along the margin of the lake, and they then attacked him with their arms; on their return they found Niall quite dead; and there were not of their tribe in their time a greater loss, than those two who were slain by each other.
O'Donnell took them both prisoners, and also Eigneachan O’Donnell, at Baile-na-Congbhala;
of Felim, a man distinguished for nobility and The sons of William Mac-an-Easpuig O'Gal hospitality, died at an advanced age, after having
lagher, namely, William Oge and Hugh Gruama,
were slain by the sons of O'Boyle, namely, Donal
and Torlogh, in revenge for the death of their father.
O'Donnell, i. e. Manus, marched with a force into the province of Connaught, and did not halt until he entered Moylurg, from whence he proceeded to Clan Conway (in Galway); and he devastated and burned the entire of Moylurg, and Clan Conway, after which he took a prey at the Curlew moun
abbots are mentioned by the Four Masters, Colgan, and Archdall, from the eighth the fifteenth century, when, 1462, the monastery was rebuilt and re-founded for Conventual Franciscans, by Felim Mac Mahon, lord Monaghan. Its abbots were chiefly
the family Mac Mahon, and continued flourish the
gained the victory over the world and the devil. Donall, the son of Niall O'Boyle, was nomi
nated the O'Boyle.
John, the son of O’Donnell, was slain by the
sons of Murrogh Mac Sweeney, of the Tuatha (that the Districts Donegal. See 52, note Tirconnell).
The castle Leitrim was erected by O’Rourke, i. e. Bryan, the son Owen, while great war was carried against him every side, viz.
period above mentioned by the Four Masters, when the abbot was beheaded the extensive possessions the monastery were seized by the crown, and, according Archdall, were granted Ed
ward Wythe, and castle afterwards erected on its site by Ed ward, lord Blaney.
Scots. O'Donnell and those forces, in the first place, marched into Fermanagh, and spoiled a large portion of the country in the beginning, until
he received securities and pledges for the payment of his tribute; after that, they marched through
Brefney O’Rourke, and from thence to the Curlew mountains, where they encamped. They cut away
the pass of Bealach Buighe, and cleared every
other difficult pass before them. The entire of the
Clan Maolroona (Mac Dermotts), came to them
after that, and gave hostages to O’Donnell for
whatever he might demand thenceforth, and he then returned home safe.
The sons of O’Donnell, i. e. of Hugh Oge, the son of Hugh Roe, namely, Donogh Cairbreach,
and John of Lurg, rebelled against O’Donnell, namely, Manus, their own brother, and took posses
sion of the Cranoge of Lough Beatha (in the parish of Gartan, barony of Kilmacrenan, county of Done
he hanged John Lurg, and bound Eigneachan
and Donogh in chains; and he broke up and com
pletely demolished the Cranoge of Lough Beatha. O’Dogherty, i. e. Gerald, the son of Donal, son
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412 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1540.
Moylurg, in Muintir Eoluis, and in Brefney of the men of Brefney, also warred against him; O’Reilly, and his own son, supported by a party but he, however, completed the castle in a short
IV. The Ancient Kings of Ulster. —In this article is con Denmark, and wife of the celebrated Tuathal Teachtmar, monarch tinued the ancient history of Ulster, and in the preceding parts of Ireland. Rath More of Moylinne was a residence of the kings accounts have been given of the various colonies that possessed of Dalaradia, or Ulidia; it is situated near Lough Neagh, in the
the country in the earliest ages, as the Partholanians, Nemedians,
Fomorians, Firbolg and Danans. Partholan resided at Inis-Samer,
an island at the bay of Donegal, adjoining the town now called
Ballyshannon; and, as already explained, various great battles Ir, ruled over Ulster for more than a thousand years, and for a
were fought between the Nemedians and Fomorians in the terri tory now called Donegal, and in other parts of Ulster. When the chief, named Ith, the son of Breogain, came from Spain to explore
Ireland, he proceeded to Ulster, where the Tuath-De-Daman
kings then resided, at the fortress of Aileach Neid, near Lough
Swilly, in Donegal; but his forces were defeated, and he himself
was mortally wounded at a place called Magh-Ith, or Moy-Ith,
signifying the plain of Ith, which was situated, as appears by a
passage in the Annals of Inisfallen at the year 1197, on the borders
of Tyrone, Derry, and Donegal, between Ardstraw, in Tyrone,
Raphoe in Donegal, and the city of Derry, but appears to have
been chiefly in Donegal, in the barony of Raphoe, and adjoining
the ancient fortress of Aileach. The Milesians from Spain, and Ireland; she called by the Irish writers Macha Mongruaidh, the Clanna Breogain, soon afterwards invaded Ireland, conquered signifying Macha the red golden tresses, from the colour the Danans, and became masters of the country. The three sons her hair, and her name has been latinised Macha Auri-coma.
of Milesius divided the island amongst them ; Heber and his des cendants, called Heberians, had Munster; Heremon and his pos
nial legislative assemblies, which account has been given 297 these annals. Cimbaoth, Kimbaoth, king Ulster,
his queen, the above-men Aodh Ruadh, Hugh the
terity, named Heremonians, had Leinster and Meath, and the
descendants of Ir, the third son, called Irians, or Clanna Rory,
had Ulster, while Amergin, the fourth son of Milesius, was ap Christian era founded the conventions Tara, great trien
pointed chief bard of the kingdom, with great power and privi
leges. In the division of the kingdom, the Firbolg tribes obtained lands in Leinster, with the greater part of Connaught, which they
held in subjection to the Milesians. These events, according to
the old annalists, took place about a thousand years before the
Christian era. Many places in Ulster in those early ages derived
their names from the chiefs of the Milesians and Clanna Breogain.
Magh Muirthemhne, or the plain of Murhevney, now the plains
of the county of Louth, derived its name from Murhevney, son of
Breogain, a chief of the Clanna Breogain, or Brigantes of Spain,
who accompanied the Milesians to Ireland. Sliabh Cuailgne,
now Slieve Guillion, in Armagh, derived its name from Cuailgne,
another son of Breogain, a celebrated commander, who was slain
there in a battle with the Damans; he was buried on the moun
tain, and a cairn, or huge heap of stones, was raised over him as a
sepulchral monument, which remains to this day. Sliabh Fuaidh,
now the Fews mountains in Armagh, obtained their name from
Fuaidh, another son of Breogain, who was slain there by the
Danans. From Colpa the Swordsman, one of the sons of Mile
sius, who was drowned while attempting to land, the place called
Inver Colpa, or the bay of Colpa, derived its name: it is situated
at the month of the Boyne near Drogheda, and the adjoining pa
rish is called Colpe to the present day. Dun Sobairce, or the
fortress of Sobairce, derived its name from Sobairce, king of Ul Irian race; the kings and chiefs his posterity took the name
ster, of the race of Ir, who erected a fortress, and resided there nearly nine centuries before the Christian era; it is now called Dunseverick, and is situated on a bold rock projecting into the sea, near the Giant's Causeway; some of the O'Kanes, chiefs in Derry, and likewise of the Mac Quillans, powerful chiefs in An trim, had their residence in former times at the castle of Dunse verick, of which some ruins still remain. Ard Macha, or the hill of Macha, now Armagh, was so called either from Macha, wife of Nemedius, who, according to the old annalists, was buried there more than a thousand years before the Christian era, or from Macha, queen of Ireland, who had her residence there about four centuries before the Christian era, as hereafter explained. Rath Mor-Muighe-Linne, or the Rath of Mola of Moylinne, an ancient fortress and residence of the kings of Ulster, was so called, ac cording to O'Flaherty, and the Annals of Tigearnach, at A. D. 161, from Mora, wife of Breasal, king of Ulster, and, according to
Clanna Rua-raidhe, Clanna Rory, name which O'Flaherty and O’Connor have latinised Rudricii, anglicised Rudricians. Conchobhar-Mac-Nessa, Concovar, the son Nessa, called
from his mother Nessa, was king the Irian race, who lived Emania, and reigned over Ulster sixty years, and highly cele brated Irish history for his valour, munificence, and patronage
the bards and learned men his age he flourished the commencement the Christian era, and died, according the Ogygia, A. D. 48. Some historians state that became believer
the Christian faith consequence having heard an account
the crucifixion. The reign Concovar very remarkable
the works the Irish bards, connected with an account the famous heroes called the Red-Branch Knights Ulster; the wars between Ulster and Connaught, and many other extremely inte resting events his time. From their first settlement Ulster down the fourth century, the Irian kings ruled over that pro vince for more than thousand years; during the ages before the Christian era, recorded the old annalists, they had many
O'Flaherty's Ogygia, this fortress was erected a short time pre viously in the second century, by Bania, daughter of the king of
present parish of Antrim or Donegore, and the place is still known as the Manor of Moylinny.
Kings of the Irian race. —The Irian kings, of the posterity of
period of nearly seven centuries, namely, from about 350 years
before the Christian era to A. D. 332; they had their chief residence at the palace of Eamhain Macha, or Emania, near Armagh, where about thirty-five kings reigned, the Irian race, except three four the Heremonians Ulster; and these kings Emania, accounts are given the Annals Ulster and Tigear nach, published by Dr. O'Connor the Rer. Hib. Scriptores, and
O'Flaherty's Ogygia. Of the Irian kings Ulster, according
the Ogygia, twenty-four became monarchs Ireland, Ard righthe, and also one queen Ulster the Irian race, namely Macha, became queen Ireland about 350 years before the Chris tian era, and was the only supreme queen that ever reigned over
Amongst the most celebrated the 1rian kings Ulster, who also reigned monarchs Ireland, were Ollamh Fodhla, Ollav Folla, the famous legislator, whose reign placed by Tig
earnach, O'Flaherty, and others, about seven centuries before the
who becamemonarch Ireland from about 350 300 years be fore the Christian era, erected the palace Eamhain Macha,
which was also partly constructed tioned Macha Mongruadh, daughter
Ir, about four centuries
Red, monarch Ireland the race
before the Christian era, who was drowned the place called from him Eas-Aodha-Ruaidh, anglicised Easroe, signifying the cataract Red Hugh, and now known the waterfall called the Salmon-leap, the river Erne, Ballyshannon, Donegal. Macha was married her cousin king Kimbaoth, who died the plague Emania, and she reigned after him seven years su preine queen Ireland. According Keating, Eamhain Macha
derived its name from queen Macha’s having marked out the area the building her breast-pin bodkin, Eo-muin, Ea mhuin, signifies pin for the breast neck: the name Eamhain
Macha pronounced Evan-Macha, and latinised Emania. Rua raidhe Mor, that Rory Roderick the Great, whose name, according the Ogygia, has been latinised Rudricius Magnus,
was seventy years king monarch Ireland; Christian era, and was one
Ulster, and seventeen years supreme flourished about 150 years before the the most celebrated kings the
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REIGN OF HENRY VIII. 413
space of time, and spoiled a great deal in Moylurg A general invitation to an entertainment was on his enemies. given by Roderick, the son of Teige Mac Der
intestine commotions in Ulster among themselves, aud various tury, the 120th year her age; she resided the palace wars with the other provincial kings, and also with the Fomo Cruachan Connaught, which was erected by her father, and rians or African pirates, who had settled in Ulster in remote ages, situated near Elphin, Roscommon. Meva lived there style
and with the Firbolg tribes and Danans. No estimate can now be formed of the unknown thousands who were slain in those san
guinary wars, from the earliest times down to the Christian era, comprising a period of many centuries
The Cualanean War and Red-Branch Knights of Ulster. — The kings of Emania established an order of warriors who were highly celebrated, and known by the name Curaidhe-na-Craoibhe Ruaidhe, that Knights the Red Branch, and they were called, supposed some, from bearing devices red branches
their banners, or, according others, from their chief place
residence, which was called Teach-na-Craoibhe-Ruaidhe, signi
fying the house the Red-Branch—a large building erected
Emania, adjoining the palace which formed part, and here
they had their banqueting halls, where the kings Emania gave
grand entertainments guests and strangers; there was also combat many the best warriors Ulster; but, while carrying another building called Craobh-Dearg, signifying also the Red
Branch, where the knights kept their weapons, standards, and
military trophies, and made preparations for their battles and ex
peditions; adjoining these was third building termed Bron ney, another great champion Connaught. Conall Kearnach
chief commanders the Red-Branch Knights were the celebrated
champions Cuchullin; Conall Cearnach, Kearnach, that
Conall the victorious; Celtcair-na-g-Cath, that Keltcar the
battles, from whom Rath-Celtcair derived name, afterwards mentioned descendants Conall Kearnach, the Magennises, called Dun-da-leath-glas, now Downpatrick, and Laoghaire Buadh
ach, Laoghaire the valiant. The Cualanean war, celebrated the bards under the name Tain-Bo-Cuailgne, signifying the spoil the cattle Cualaney, had origin from the taking great prey cattle the people Connaught, commanded one their champions namedCeat, the son Magach, from the neighbourhood Cuailgne, now Slieve Gullion mountain, near Armagh, and also from the plain Muirthemne, now the county consequence this great cattle-spoil, arose the war between Ulster and Connaught, which commenced,
lords Iveagh the county Down; the O'Moores, princes
Louth. Cualgnean according
Clanna Deagha, and ma the seventeenth year
O'Flaherty's Ogygia, eight years before the Christian era, and continued for period seven years; its course many
bloody battles were fought, and the various fierce conflicts, proba
bly not less than fifty thousand men were slain both sides. The many battles and single combats with celebrated warriors;
Ulster forces were commanded their king, Concovar Mac Nessa, Conall Kearnach, Cuchullin, and the other chiefs the Red Branch Knights above mentioned; the Connaught troops were commanded Ceat Keat, the son Magach, together with Fergus Mac Roigh, nephew king Concovar, who was Riogh
the plains second year the Annals
Tigearnach, mentioned the most renowned damhna, prince presumptive Ulster, but having revolted hero of the Milesians. Cuchulain made the hero of some of
against Concovar, was expelled from Emania, and took refuge the court Cruachan Connaught, where was received
into the favour Oilioll Mor and Meiva, then king and queen that province and being very valiant warrior, was placed command over the Connaught forces. Meadhbh, Meva,
queen Connaught, was daughter Eochy Feiloch, monarch Ireland, the race Heremon, and the most celebrated the heroines Ireland, conspicuous her valour, abilities, and beauty; she reigned over Connaught for ninety-eight years, and died, according the Ogygia, about the middle the first cen
Mac Pherson's Poems Ossian, but these productions, though containing many beautiful passages,are not the genuine Ossianic poems, and abound anachronisms; Cuchulain, who flourished about the commencement the Christian era, being placed by him the third century, and made cotemporary with Fionn Mac Cumhaill and the Fenian warriors. Various Irish M. S. compo sitions the Cualanean war and Red-Branch Knights Ulster, are mentioned by Keating and O'Flaherty, by Dr. O'Connor,
his notes on the Four Masters, and O'Reilly's Irish writers: the chief them are Tain-Bo-Cuailgne, the spoil the cattle
great splendour, and highly celebrated the Irish bards; during the war with Ulster, this heroine, like one the Amazons
old, often commanded her own troops person, and repre sented the historians wearing an Aision, golden crown, her head, seated her war-chariot, proceeding battle, and
surrounded retinue war-chariots and champions. During this war the palace Emania was taken and plundered by the Connaught troops; and various battles took place, one which Firdia Mac Damhain, Firdia, the son Damhain, who was one
the famous Damnonian Firbolg champions Connaught, was slain single combat the hero Cuchulain, ford
river Muirthemhne, which was called after him Ath-Firdia, the ford Firdia, now Ardee Louth. Keat, the son Ma gach, another celebrated champion Connaught, slew single
off their herds Connaught, and slain Conall Kearnach, Ath-Ceit, the ford Keat
trophies victory, was pursued place called from his death
Conall also slew Bealchu Bref
Bearg, signifying the house sorrow, where the sick and wound warriors received medical attendance, and were provided with
all things necessary for their recovery. further account the
having proceeded with his forces
Connaught, killed, with thrust
band queen Meva, and king
the spoils the palace, was pursued by the Connaught warriors, overtaken, and slain ford great river Brefney, and the place was called from him Beal-Atha-Chonaill, and now known
Ballyconnell the county Cavan. This Conall Kearnach was one of the most valiant and renowned of all the Irish war
riors, and famous swordsman and wrestler; he was descend from the Irian kings Ulster, called Clanna Rory, and his son Irial-Glummhar, was king Ulster, for forty years about the
given the subsequent part this article. Knights flourished Emania chiefly about the the Christian era and the early part the first
his spear, Oilioll More, hus Connaught, and returning with
palace Emania
The Red-Branch
commencement
century, the reign the celebrated Concovar Mac Nessa, king
Ulster; indeed the period from the first the fourth century would appear have been the most heroic era Ireland, for during that time flourished the renowned Red-Branch Knights
Ulster; the famous Fiana Eirionn, Fenians Ireland, who
were the chief warriors Meath and Leinster; the Munster middle the first century. The posterity Conall Kearmach heroes, designated Clanna Deagha, and the Damnonian possessed great part Dalaradia, now the county Down and Firbolg champions Connaught called Clanna Morna. The part Antrim, and also Muirthemhne, now the county
Louth, which was called from him Conall Muirthemhne, and Machaire Chonaill, the plain Conall. the genealogies Keating and O’Brien many eminent families Ireland are
Leix, the Queen's county and Kildare, and many other chiefs,
whom accounts are given the subsequent part this article
under the head Irians. Cuchulain, the other great chief the
Red-Branch Knights, was, like Conall Kearnach, his relative and
cotemporary, one the most renowned the Irish warriors for strength and valour, and celebrated for many ages the compo
sitions the hards; was paternally descended from the Here
monian chiefs Ulster called Ernans, ternally from the Irian kings Ulster.
had his chief fortress and residence Dundealgan, now Dundalk, and was slain, according some accounts, great battle
Muirthemhne, and, according the Ogygia, the the Christian era, the 27th year his age
his age distinguished himself
pursuing and attacking the Connaught troops who had carried off the cattle spoils Cualgney afterwards became famous
the palace Cruachan,
his undaunted valour
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414 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1540.
mott and his wife, the daughter of Mac William all those who were in the habit of receiving pre of Clanrickard, to the schools of Ireland, and to sents, to come to them at the Rock, (of Lough
Cuailgne; Brisleach-Muighe-Muirthemme, or the battle of Moy Murthemney; Dearg Ruathar-Chonaill-Cearnaigh, or the san guinary conflicts of Conall Kearnach, and Oidheadh-na-gour raidhe, or the death of the heroes ; a poem by Congal, a famous bard, brother of queen Meva, on the death of the seven Maines, princes so called, who were sons of Oilioll and Meva, and were all slain in the Cualgnean war: this poem is quoted by O'Reilly. Copies of these various compositions are in the collections of Sir William Betham and other libraries, and if properly translated and published, would be found to contain much curious and inte resting information on these remote periods of Irish history.
married to Alechia, daughter of Updar, king of Alba, or Scotland,
by whom he had three sons called the three Collas, namely, Colla Uais, or Colla the Noble; Colla-da-Chrioch, or Colla of the two
Territories, and Colla Meann, or Colla the Famous. The three Collas being very valiant, warlike, and ambitious princes, com
bined against their uncle king Fiacha, and aspired to the monar chy; they collected powerful forces, and being joined by seven
Catha or legions of the Damnonions or Firbolg tribes of Con naught, they fought A. D. 327, according to the Ogygia, a fierce
battle against the army of the monarch Fiacha at Crioch Rois, south of Tailtean in Bregia, in which the royal army was defeated, and many thousands on both sides, together with king Fiacha himself, were slain. This was called the battle of Dubhcomair from Dubhcomar, the chief Druid of king Fiacha, who was slain there, and the place where the battle was fought was near Tel town, in a direction between Kells and Navan, near the river Blackwater in Meath. After gaining the battle, Colla Uais usurped the monarchy, and reigned four years, when he was com pelled to abdicate the throne by Muiredach Tireach, or Muire dach the Patriot, son of king Fiacha, who then became monarch
Kings of Ulster, from the first to the fourth century. —The
following were the kings of Ulster who reigned at Emania during
that period according to O'Flaherty’s Ogygia, the Annals of the
Four Masters, Tigearnach, and other authorities. Concovar Mac
Nessa, king of Ulster, died A. D. 48, and was succeeded by his
son Cumusgach, who reigned three years. Glaisne, another son
of Concovar, succeeded, and reigned nine years. Irial Glunmhar,
son of Conall Kearnach, succeeded as king of Ulster, and reigned
forty years, from A. D. 60 to A. D. 100. Fiacha, son of Irial, suc
ceeded, and after him Fiatach Fionn, of the race of Heremon, be of Ireland. The three Collas and their principal chiefs, to
came king of Ulster, and was also monarch of Ireland three years, and died A. D. 119. Elim, who was of the Irian race, succeeded as king of Ulster, and in his reign, in the beginning of the second century, the Firbolg tribes of Connaught revolted against the monarchy, and being joined by Elim and the Irians of Ulster, de
feated and slew the monarch Fiacha Finoladh, in a great battle fought at Moybologue in Brefney, as related at page 345, and
the number of three hundred, were expelled from Ireland, and forced to take refuge amongst their relatives in Albany; but they soon afterwards returned, and were pardoned by their cousin king Muiredach.
The Battle of the Three Collas. —The three Collas, assisted by king Muiredach, collected a powerful army, and joined by nu
merous auxiliaries, and seven legions of the Firbolg tribes of Con
Elin then became monarch of Ireland for four years, but was
defeated and slain, A. D 130, at the Battle of Aichle or Acoill, province from the Irian kings. Fergus Fogha, king of Emania,
near Tara, by Tuathal Teachtmar, son of the former monarch Fiacha Finoladh; Tuathal then became monarch, and was one of the most celebrated of the Irish kings of the race of Heremon.
assembled his forces to oppose them; and both armies having met, fought a tremendous battle, which continued for six successive days; but the Collas were at length victorious, the forces of Fer gus Fogha being vanquished, and himself slain; but Colla Meann fell on the side of the victors. This engagement was called by the Irish writers Cath-ma-ttri-goolla, or the battle of the three Collas, and also Cath-Cairn-Eachalethalearg, being fought at a place so called in Fernmoy, in Dalaradia, and the place is now known as the parish of Aghaderg, in the barony of Iveagh, county
The battle of Moylinny. — Mal, a descendant of Conall Kear
nach, became king of Ulster after Elim, and in A. D. 160 the for
ces of the monarch Tuathal, and those of the Irians of Ulster,
fought a great battle at Magh-Linne, in which king Tuathal was
defeated and slain by Mal, after he had reigned over Ireland thirty
years, and Mal then became monarch. The place where this
battle was fought in Dalaradia was called Moin-an-Catha, or the of Down, on the borders of Antrim and Armagh; and there is still
Bog of the Battle, and likewise Ceann-Guba, or the Hill of Grief, in the Four Masters, and the place was situated where the river Ollar and Ollarba have their source, and is considered to have been near the town of Antrim, or, according to others, in the vicinity of Olderfleet, near Larne. Mal, after he had reigned as monarch of Ireland four years, was slain, A. D. 164 by Feidhlim Reachtmar, or Felim the Lawgiver, son of king Tuathal, and Felim became monarch. Breasal succeeded his uncle Mal as king of Ulster for nineteen years, and Tibradh Tireach, son of Breasal, succeeded for thirty years, and he slew Conn-Cead-Cathach, or Con of the Hundred Battles, the celebrated monarch of Ireland. Ogaman, son of king Fiatach Fionn, of the race of Heremon, succeeded as king of Ulster twelve years, and Aongus Gaibnion, grandson of
Tibradh, succeeded fifteen years. Fiacha Araidhe, son of Aon
there a great heap of stones or carn at Drummillar, near Lough brickland. This battle was fought A. D. 332, and as there were powerful forces collected on both sides, and the fierce contest continued for six days, immense numbers must have been slain ; probably not less than ten thousand men fell on both sides, and the historians state that the slaughter was so great that the earth was covered with dead bodies, from Carn Eochy to Glenrighe, now the vale of the Newry river, a distance of about ten miles. The victory of the three Collas transferred the sovereignty of Ulster from the Irian kings, who reigned at Emania nearly seven hundred years, to the Clan Colla, who were of the race of Here mon. Immediately after their victory, the Collas proceeded to the palace of Emania, which they plundered and burned to the
ground, so that it never after became the habitation of any of the gus, succeeded for ten years, and Fergus, surnamed Dubhdeadach, Ultonian kings. The period assigned by O'Flaherty in his
or black teeth, a descendant of Ogaman, succeeded as king of Ulster four years, and usurped the monarchy for one year, having
expelled king Cormac from Tara; but Cormac having collected his army, the forces of Fergus were defeated, and he himself was slain A. D. 254 at the great battle of Crionna in Meath. Rossa, of the Rudrician race, or Clanna Rory, succeeded Fergus as king of Ulster for one year, and Aongus Fionn, son of king Fergus, succeeded for two years. Fergus Fogha, of the Irian race, suc ceeded and reigned as king of Ulster seventy-five years; he was slain, as hereafter explained, A. D. 332, and was the last of the Ultonian kings of Emania.
The Battle of Dubhcomar. —Fiacha Sraibhtine, son of Cairbre Liffeachair, and grandson of Corinac, both monarchs of Ireland, of the race of Heremon, succeeded to the monarchy A. D 296, and reigned thirty-one years. Eochy Doimhlein, brother of king Fiacha, was
Ogygia for the duration of Emania, from its first foundation by king Kimbaoth, 352 years before the Christian era, to its destruc tion by thé three Collas A. D.