'»'
According
to the Anuals of Clonraac- noise.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v4
143 to 188.
_
'5J Most probably, this is a term used, be-
cause he died, praying to the gods and
exercising mayic.
's^ These lived, in the great plain surround-
ing Cashel.
'55 This territory is in the east ofLimerick
Annals, this notice is to be found.
's? See James . Stuart's " Historical Me-
moirs of tile City of Armagh," chap, iii. ,
p. 112.
'S^See William F. Skene's Celtic Scot-
County,
'i* In the " Three
O'JJoiiovaii, LL. D. , pp. 158 to 163.
'^ See William F. Skene's " Celtic Scot- land: a History of Ancient Alban," vol. i. ,
Fragments
" of Irish Book
i. , chap, vi. , pp. 323
to
325.
"
land : a History of Ancient Alban," vol. i. ,
Boole i. , chap, vi. , p. 332. '5» This is related, in the
"
Three Frag- ments" of Irish Annals, collected by Dub- haltach Mac Firbi^igh, and edited by John
310 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
foreign aggression ; yet, sometimes from the Norse settlements at Dublin,
Limerick, Lough Foyle, Lough Neagh, and elsewhere, churches were plun-
dered and districts ravaged. '*' By a combined attack of Cearbhall, King of
Leinster, and of Maelfinnia, King of Bregia, the foreigners were expelled
from Dublin, a. d. 900, when they left many of their vessels behind them.
Their leader was Sichfrith, son oflmhar. '*^ During this period, the Northmen
committed extensive depredations, not only in Great Britain, but even on the
Rhine, in France, in Normandy, in Italy, and in other European countries. "*3
In 910, the Northmen took possession of Loch Dachaech,"''' or Port Lairge,
now Waterfordj'^s and, in the year 912, a still greater number of their vessels
arrived in its harbour. '** Great and frequent reinforcements followed them,
in913 sothattheplacebecameoneoftheirstrongestsouthernpositions. '*' ;
Those forces were under the command ofRagnall—grandson to Ivar—and also
under Earl Ottir. In 916, died Flann Sionna, and he was succeeded, in the
sovereignty of Ireland, by Niall Glandubh. '*^ The foreigners, especially in the
south, east and west of Ireland, were very aggressive, during his reign. The Irish gained some victories over the Norwegians and Danes ; but, the mon-
arch of Ireland, leading a large northern force against those in Dublin, lost a battle and his life, at Kilmashogue, near Rathfarnham, September 15th, A. D. 919. Several Irish kings and chiefs perished in this engagement, among the rest Hugh Mac Eochagain, King of Ultonia. '*'
The native Irish continued to maintain their prestige in arms, when they were assailed by their enemies, while the greater part of their country was occupied by a population of fighting men, in vastly superior numbers to their inva- ders;'7° but,theyhadneglectedtheobviousprecautionofestablishingstrong-
holds and of fortifying defensive positions, throughout the more exposed parts of the island. Their ports and harbours for the most part were unfurnished with vessels, except those small craft used for fishing ; nor were their sailors accustomed to the art of naval warfare, as their ships, at that time, had not been constructed for such a purpose. On the contrary, unopposed on their wild and accustomed element, the Northmen were enabled to select the less defensive creeks and coasts, for sudden and secure descent ; while, in case of reverses by land, the line of retreat to their ships was well guarded, and, in any case, it was a ready resource to hoist sail, and to convey a large number ofwarriorsaroundtheIrishshores,fromonepointtoanother. Donnchadh, son to Flann Sionna, succeeded as monarch, and he won a great victory over the Northmen. Gotfrid, or Godfrey, grandson of Imhar, after the death of his brother Ragnall,'? ' took possession of Dublin, and plundered Armagh, with a great part of the north of Ireland, in 921. '7' Soon afterwards appeared
''' An account of such depredations will be found, in the "Three Fragments" of Irish Annals, by Dubhaltach Mac. Firbisigh.
584, 585.
"''See Miss M. F. Cusack's "Popular
History of Ireland," chap, xii. , p. 195.
"'' See Jienliel Re CogA'oh
"'^ See Martin " of Haverty's History
JaIIatoIi, edited by Rev. James Henthorn Todd. In-
Ireland," chap, xiii. , p. 130.
" His-
troduction, p. Ixxxiii.
"i^ An account of these expeditions will be
"
Historie des Expedi- tions des Normands et leur Etablisement en
France," liv. iii. Paris, 1843.
''« The oldest name, according to the
Dinnseanchus.
"^5 There is no record of a Scandinavian
King of Waterford, before A. D. 903. See Charles Haliday's "Scandinavian Kingdom
*» See L'Abbe
Ma-Geoghegan's
found, in Deppiiig's
toire de I'lrlande Ancienne et Moderne,"
tome i. Seconde Partie, chap, v. , p. 400.
'? ° See J. J. A. Worsae's " Account of the
Danes and Norwegians in Engl. ind, Scot- land and Ireland. " The Norwegians in Ire- land. sect, i. , p. 297.
'? ' He was King of the Finngall and
Dubhgall, showing that the Norwegians and Danes were then united, or, at least, allies—,
of Dublin," Book '»
'7= See " Annales
Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernicarum tores," tomus iv.
21.
See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 580, 581, and pp.
Ultonienses," p. 253. Scrip-
i. ,
chap, ii. , p.
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 311
Tamar,'" or Tomar, son of Elgi, who landed at Inis-Sibhtonn, now King's Island, Limerick,'"^ with an immense fleet, while Lorean, son of Conligan, was KingofCashel. ThatinvaderplunderedthegreaterpartofMunster"both churchesandchieftainries. "'75 Duringthetenthcentury,theNorthernadven- turers had numerous ships in Ireland. A fleet appears to have been sent
from Limerick, or rather equipped on Lough Derg, as the intervening rapids on the Shannon could hardly allow an ascent of the river from the for-
mer place. Even so far north as Lough Ree, the Norsemen went. They plundered churches and shrines on the islands, or along the shores, committing
other outrages, also, and with little opposition, they returned safely to Lime- rick. In 925, Edward's eldest son, Athelstan, succeeded as the first monarch
of all England, and he was signally successful, against the Normans and Danes. The Norwegians had colonized the kingdom of Nortlmmbria, and the Britons
of Cumbria were leagued with them, to preserve their national independence, during the reign of Athelstan's brother, King Edmund. After expelling the foreign forces from the northern parts of England, heattacked the Cumbrians,
and having captured two sons of their King Dimmail, these were barbarously deprived of sight, while their country was placed under Malcolm, King of the Scots, on condition that he should become vassal to the King of England,
and unite with Edmund in withstanding the attempts of the sea-kings. In 946, his brother Edred succeeded to the crown, and his efforts to repress the
power of the Norwegians were successful, to the end of his reign, which hap-
pened in 955.
The Earl Oiter Dubh landed, with one hundred ships, at Waterford.
The fleets of pirates and Danes began to multiply, and hordes of foreigners spread over Munster. ''^ Among the fleets are enumerated ^^^ those of Oiberd, of Oduinn,'? * of Griffin, '" of Snuatgar,'*" of Lagmann, of Erolf, of Sitriuc,"'' of Buidnin,'^' of Liagrislach, of Toirberdach,''^ of Eoan Barun, of Milid
Buu,'"'* of Suimin. '^s of Suainin,'** and lastly, of Inghen Ruaidh. '^' Everywhere, around the coasts of Erinn, they established ports, and on the land, fortresses were erected. Those furious and ferocious gentiles ravaged lands and houses ; they destroyed churches and monas- tries; they killed kings and chiefs, with their warriors; they inflicted
''' He is said to have been the Scandina-
vian chieftain, Gormo Gamlc, or "the aged. " ''* There is no record of any Scandinavian
King in Limerick, until 940. See Charles
"' He is called Buidin, by Duald Mac Firbis.
"^ He is probably the Torberd Roe, enumerated by Duald Mac Firbis.
''* Mileadh Tua is Duald mentioned, by
Mac Firbis.
'*5 So is he called, by Duald Mac Firbis.
'** Duald Mac he is called By Firbis,
Suairnin.
'*' The Red-haired maiden. She seems
to have been a Northern Amazon, whose turn for piracy was long afterwards emulated, by the celebrated Graine-uile, ol Clare Island, off the Mayo coast. By Duald Mac Firbis, the present heroine is called the Ing- hean Roe. His account of the ships seems to have been largely borrowed from the Co5<st)h 5<seT)het tie Jalbaibh. Yet, he enumerates the following, which can with difficulty be applied to any of the foregoing names,viz. : theshipsofBim,ofSgmann,of
" Scandinavian Un," Book i. , chap, ii. , p. 21.
of Dub- ''5 See Cogioh 5<iex)heL Re SAtt&lbli,
Haliday's
Kingdom
edited Rev. by
Henthom
Todd, chap.
James xxxiii. , pp. 38, 39.
''' In his unpublished treatise, repecting " The Fomorians and Lochlanns,' written, by Duald Mac Firbis, about A. D. 1650, we read, that Erinn was filled, in the tenth cen- tury, with ships and adventurers. These are enumerated.
'" In the Co5-ST>h jAc^heL Tie JdlUvibh, edited by Rev. James Hcnlhorn Todd, chap.
xxxvi. , pp. 40, 41.
'* Called Odvin, by Duald Mac Firbis. '" He is called Grifin, or Grisin, by Duald
MacFirbis.
"•^ He is called Suatgar, by Duald Mac Earbadh, of Bernin, of the Crioslachs, and
Firbis. ofBaruh. SeeJ. J. Wnrsae's"Accountof '•' He is called Sitric, by Duald Mac the Danes and Norwegians in England, Firbis. ScotlandandIreland. " TheNorwegiansin
312
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
every kind of outrage and indignity on clerics and laics, on men, women, and children ; they enslaved freemen as well as serfs, imposing heavy tributes and servitude on them ; they carried youths and maidens on board their ships, and treated them as captives. '^^ These injuries and outrages are referred, chiefly to the first half of the tenth century. '^s The Annals of Ireland afford us deplorable proofs of the frequency and horrible nature of tiiose invasions ; and, the foreigners settled at Limerick were not the least active, in deeds of bloodshed and plunder. Among these, Amhlaeibh Ceanncairech '9° was notorious. HeravagedLoughRee,but,in937,Amhlaeibh,sonofGodfrey, and lord of the foreigners, came from Dublin, making him a prisoner,
with several of his foreigners. Then, Aulaf, the son of Godfrey, left Dublin for
With a fleet of six hundred and fifteen sail, he cast anchor in the Humber. Thiswasasignal,fortheassemblingofalargeconfederateforce, consisting of Norwegians, Danes, Irish, Scots and Britons, summoned to his standard. Tiie monarch of England, Athelstan, besides his own forces, pur- chased the aid of several sea-kings, and a desperate battle ensued. The Eng- Hsh were victorious, while five confederate sea-kings, seven jarls, and several thousandmen,fellinthatengagement,onthesideofAulaf. Havingsustained thisgreatreverse,in thebattle fought against King Athelstane andtheSaxons,on the plain ofOthlyn,'? ' by others called Brumby,"'^ the King of Dublin, with his followers, fled to their ships. "93 However, he went back again to Northumber- land, and restored the Danish sway, in 941 ;'? so that England was more or less harassed by the tyrant invaders, until the accession ofCanute, surnamed the Great. The Scandinavian King of Dublin did not long survive his good for- tune, for his death is recorded, at a. d. 942. To stem the tide of those North- men inroads, Donnchadh, monarch of Ireland, and Muircheartach, son to Niall Glandubh, united their forces, and then marched to Ath-cliath. Thence, they advanced to Ath-Truiston, a ford on the river Greece, near Mullagh- niast, in tlie southern part of Kildare County. The Irish army plundered and, devastated all the Danish settlements. The Annals of the Four Masters place these events, at a. d. 936,'95 while those of Ulster have 937, alias 938, as the year for their occurrence.
In the earlier part of the tenth century, were distinguished in Ireland two
potentates, who, although celebrated for prowess and valour, had however only occupied stations, in subordination to the supreme Monarch. These were, in
England.
Ireland, sect. ii. . p. 308.
'^ During the last century, in particular,
and at the beginning of the present one, Irish literati attributed to the Danes, or rather
to the Norwegians, mucli of which, strictly speaking, they could have no valid claim. Not long ago, it was a firm belief among many educated men in Ireland, that there were still families in Denmark, who could not forget the dominion they had fo)merly exercised in Ireland, and who bore a title de- rived from the large estates, which their fpre- fathers there had once conquered and \m%- sessed. It was likewise commonly supposed, that the Danes had carried with them from Ireland a great number of manuscripts, which were said to be preserved in one of the large collections of books in Copenhagen ; as if, forsooth, it had been one of the chief aims of the bold and dangerous expeditions of the ancient Norwegians, at that remote period,
to carry oft scientific treasures, and, above
all, manuscripts written in Irish, and conse- quently, in a language that was for the most
part entirely incompieliensible to them. '''See Coga'oh Jie-ohel Re JdllAibh, edited by Rev. James Henthorn Todd, chap,
xxxvi. , pp. 40 to 43.
"S" Translated Aulaf, of the Scabbed-
head. See Charles Haliday's "Scandinavian
Kingdom of Dublin," Book i. , chap, viii. , p. 69, n. 2.
'»' According to the Anuals of Clonraac- noise.
'5= See the " Anglo-Saxon Chronicle," at
A. D. 937.
"'? See Rev. Dr. Lingard's
"
History of England," vol. i. , chap, iv. , pp. 199 to 201.
"'"'See Miss M. F. Cusack's "Popular
History of Ireland," chap, xiii. , p. 201.
''S See Dr. O'Donovaii's edition, vol. ii. ,
pp. 63410637, and n. (p). Jbid.
"
land," vol. ii. , chap, xix. , pp. 69 to 71.
''' See Thomas Moore's
History oflre-
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 313
the North, the famous Muircheartach, son to Niall Glundubh, and Cealla- chan, King of Cashel, who flourished in the southern parts of the Island. To neither, can the meed of true historic fame, or of personal heroism, be accorded ; since, respect for too many of their motives and actions should justly be withdrawn. 'sS Muirchertach distinguished himself, by victories obtained over the foreigners, in the years 921, 926, 932, and 933. He had some differences with Donnchadh, the Monarch of Ireland, whose daughter, Flanna,washisfirstwife; but,thesewereafterwardsadjusted. Hewasmarried a second time to Dubhdara, daughter to Kellach, chief of Ossory, after the death of his former spouse, and which occurred, a. d. 940. In the year 937, '9' the foreigners planned an expedition against Aileath, which was held by Muir- cheartach. He was taken prisoner by them, and carried off to their ships ; but, afterwards, he was providentially redeemed from them. '9^ In 938, he accompanied Donnchadh, the chief Monarch, throughLeinster andMunster,to take their hostages. ''? That very same year, Muircheartach mortally wounded and drowned Niall, son to Fearghal, the heir of Aileach, or of Northern Ire- land. Again, Muircheartach, with the Northerns, made a victorious progress around Ireland,=°° bringing Sitric,'°' lord of Ath-cliath, with him, as a liostage, and also, Lorcan, King of Leinster, and Ceallaclian, King of Cashel. In Con- naught, Conchobhar, son of Tadhg, submitted to him ; and, afterwards, he returnedtoAilech,bringingthehostageswithhim. Hekeptthemthere,for nine months ; and, then, he sent them to Donnchadh, who lived at Teamhair. That brave but unscrupulous prince, who aspired to the sovereignty of Ire- land, was killed,'"^ by Blacar, the son of Godfrey, lord of the foreigners, a. d. 943 ;'°3 and, the year following was the last of Donnchadh's reign, over Ire- land. At this time, likewise, Dublin was destroyed by the Irish.
Ceallachan,=°' King of Cashel, gained a victory over Ceinneidigh, son of Lorcan, at Moydown, or Moyadown. "°5 That very celebrated prince of south Munster, the son of Buadhachain, was renowned for his warlike exploits, in the south of Ireland. At first, his claim was contested by Cinneadaig, father of Bryan Borumha, who came with a numerous retinue, so far as Gleanamhuin, to treat with the chiefs of Munster, for its throne was then vacant. However, the mother of Ceallachan, greatly reputed for her pru- dence and energy of character, made such an eloquent appeal to Cinneadigh, and to the chieftains assembled, that it was resolved, Ceallachan should be accepted and elected. ="' He had been called to the sovereignty of Munster,
about A. D. 920,'°? when he was inaugurated with great state and ceremony,""'
" The Annals of Ulster have it, a. d.
938, alias 939.
'i* See Rev. James Wills' "Lives of Illus-
trious and Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i. . part i. . Second Period, pp. 164, 165.
'" See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 636, 637.
""' These proceedings are set forth in the
Poem of Cormacan Eigeas, written A. D. M. ic Carthys, and O'Keefes. See Dr. 942, and known as the " Circuit of Ireland O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters," by Muircheartach Mac Neill, Prince of vol. ii. , n. (j;), p. 631.
Aileach," translated and edited by John ""^ See Dr. JeolTrey Keating's "General O'Donovan, and published among the Tracts History of Ireland," Second Book, pp. 454, relating to Ireland, printed for the Irish 455.
Archaeological Society, vol. i. , Dublin A. D. 1841, 4to.
''Mr. Charles Haliday t—hinks, "more probably the son of Sitric. " "The Scan- dinavian Kingdom of Dublin," Book i. , chap, viii. , p. 72.
"^ Accordingto some accounts, he reigned King of Cashel, only from 934 to 953. See Rev. John Francis Shearman's "Loca Patriciana," No. xii. , p. 361.
""'
See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's "Gene- ral History of Ireland," vol. ii,. Book xi. ,
*" At Alh-Fhirdia, now Ardee, in the county of Louth.
"°J See Miss M. F. Cusack's "Popular
History of Ireland," chap, xii. , p. 197.
TM< See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 646 to 655, with notes.
'"' He was ancestor to the O'Callaghans,
314 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
by the seventeen tribes of the Eugenians. '°9 His first great battle with the
Danes of Limerick was fought, at Singland ; when, after an obstinate resist-
ance, the enemy was utterly routed, and driven into the city, where numbers
of them were slain. However, instead of keeping possession of that strong-
hold, Ceallachan was satisfied with exacting large contributions, paid down
in gold and merchandise, while hostages were taken as a security for the re-
mainder. Afterwards, Ceallachan returned to Cashel, which was the city,
where his royal fortress had been built. ^'° It may well be doubted, that this
provincial king deserves the reputation of disinterested patriotism, which has
been too readily accorded him, especially by some of the Munster writers ;
since his acts, as recorded in our authentic Annals, are hardly reconcilable
with love, either ofcountry or of religion. Thus, we read, that after Clon-
macnoise had been plundered, by the foreigners of Ath-cliath, in 934,°" it was
again sacrilegiously plundered, by Ceallachan Caisil. =" Soon, afterwards, we
find him in alliance with the foreigners, for, this same Ceallachan, King of
Caiseal, with the men of Munster, and Macca Cuinn, with the foreigners of
Port Lairge, went into Meath, a. d. 937 ; and, they seized upon a great prey,
taking the spoils and prisoners of Cill-eidhneach and Cill-achaidh. "3 The con-
federates, who made this foray, also seized upon their two abbots, namely,
Muireadhach Ua Conchobhair, and Coibhdeanach, son of Beargdha ; but,
they left behind Oilill, son of Aenghus, lord of Ui Fothaidh, with many others,
in the hands of Aimhergin, lord of Ui-Failghe. The men of Munster, under
their King Ceallachan, who had the foreigners along with him, besides plun-
dering the churches of Cluain-eidhneach and Cill-achaidh, also ravaged the
territory of Meath, so far as Cluain-lraird. The foreigners deserted Ath-
cliath about this time, owing to the help of God, and the intercession of Mac-
tail,^''* who was the patron of Kilcullen, in the county of Kildare, and most
probably, also, the patron of St. Michael le Pole's Church, near Ship-street,
in the city of Dublin. ='5 In 938, the turbulent King of Caiseal ="* took up
arms, and a great slaughter was made of the Osraighi by him, the justifying causes for which are not mentioned. In the year 939, Ceallachan, with his
forces, slaughtered the Deisi, because they had submitted to Muircheartach, son of Niall ;^"' and, he slew two thousand of tliem, together with Ceilachair, son to Cormac, Maelgorm, son to Gibhleaclian, Seghdha, son to Noebelan, Cleireach, son of Sesta, &c. Another battle was gained, however, by the Deisi, and by the Osraighi, over the King of Caiseal ; when many were slain, inthatencounter. ^'^ Thissameyear,weread,thatwhenMuircheartachmarched into Munster, he found the people there ready to give him battle. We are told,='9 likewise, that Ceallachan requested the men of Munster, not to oppose
chap,ii. , pp. 206,207.
""^ This account is taken from the tract,
called the Wars of Callachan, in the Old Book of Lismore.
"sSee! . }/(/. ,n. (y). Forahistoryandillus- trationof this mediaeval church, the reader is referred to Sir WilliamR. Wilde's Memoir of GabrielBeranger,andhisLaboursintheCause of Irish Art, Literature and Antiquities, from
"° See Maurice Lenihan's "Limerick; its
History and Antiquities, Ecclesiastical, 1760 to 1780. See "Journal of the Royal Civil, and Military," chap, i. , p. 9. liistorical and Archieological Association of
=" See Dr. Donovan's "Annals of the Four Ireland," for 1870, vol. i. , part i. . Fourth
Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 630. 631, and n. (h).
p. 632, ibid.
'" The date is corrected, by Dr. O'Dono-
van, to A. D. 936.
"3 See Thomas Moore's "
Series, pp. 421049.
°''See Dr. O'lJonovan's "Annals of the
of Ire- "'<See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
land," chap, xix. , p, 71.
Four Masters," 638, pp.
639.
land," vol. ii. , chap, xix. , p. 71.
"=' Cormacan Eigeas. By
History
^"'
"
See Thom. is Moore's History of Ire-
Four Masters," pp. 640, 641.
"'' " See Martin Haverty's
land," chap, xiii. , p. 131.
History of Ire-
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 3^5
the race of Eoghan ; while he consented to become a hostage,''" and a fetter
was put upon him, by Muircheartach. "' We are informed, that a formidable
confederacywasorganizedagainstthegenerousKennedy; and,itisthought,
that Ceallachan, with the Eoghanac'nts, was leader in this confederacy. The troopsofMunsterwerealliedwiththoseofConnaught,inthatmovement. How-
ever, this pact was soon terminated, as peace seems to have been proclaimed between them : one of its conditions being the delivery of Duineachan, son to
Kennedy,asahostage. Afterwards,NorthandSouthMunsterbecameunited, and the power of Ceallachan, thus strengthened, was then very formidable to the Scandinavians. '^'
This provincial prince, and his hardy Momonians, engaged those foreigners in many battles. "^ The King of Cashel fought them with such success, that they found it necessary to abandon the province of Munster, and to look out for new settlements. But, the Scandinavians still retained an affection for their old possessions. Finding themselves too weak to be re-instated, by force of arms, they projected a design, which was base and treacherous. At this time, the Northmen were under the command ofSitric, son to Turge- sius,"* whose name alone was a terror to the Irish. Having first taken the advice of his counsel, that leader sent a messenger to Ceallachan, to notify his sincere inclination to establish peace, with a good understanding and corres- pondence between them.
_
'5J Most probably, this is a term used, be-
cause he died, praying to the gods and
exercising mayic.
's^ These lived, in the great plain surround-
ing Cashel.
'55 This territory is in the east ofLimerick
Annals, this notice is to be found.
's? See James . Stuart's " Historical Me-
moirs of tile City of Armagh," chap, iii. ,
p. 112.
'S^See William F. Skene's Celtic Scot-
County,
'i* In the " Three
O'JJoiiovaii, LL. D. , pp. 158 to 163.
'^ See William F. Skene's " Celtic Scot- land: a History of Ancient Alban," vol. i. ,
Fragments
" of Irish Book
i. , chap, vi. , pp. 323
to
325.
"
land : a History of Ancient Alban," vol. i. ,
Boole i. , chap, vi. , p. 332. '5» This is related, in the
"
Three Frag- ments" of Irish Annals, collected by Dub- haltach Mac Firbi^igh, and edited by John
310 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
foreign aggression ; yet, sometimes from the Norse settlements at Dublin,
Limerick, Lough Foyle, Lough Neagh, and elsewhere, churches were plun-
dered and districts ravaged. '*' By a combined attack of Cearbhall, King of
Leinster, and of Maelfinnia, King of Bregia, the foreigners were expelled
from Dublin, a. d. 900, when they left many of their vessels behind them.
Their leader was Sichfrith, son oflmhar. '*^ During this period, the Northmen
committed extensive depredations, not only in Great Britain, but even on the
Rhine, in France, in Normandy, in Italy, and in other European countries. "*3
In 910, the Northmen took possession of Loch Dachaech,"''' or Port Lairge,
now Waterfordj'^s and, in the year 912, a still greater number of their vessels
arrived in its harbour. '** Great and frequent reinforcements followed them,
in913 sothattheplacebecameoneoftheirstrongestsouthernpositions. '*' ;
Those forces were under the command ofRagnall—grandson to Ivar—and also
under Earl Ottir. In 916, died Flann Sionna, and he was succeeded, in the
sovereignty of Ireland, by Niall Glandubh. '*^ The foreigners, especially in the
south, east and west of Ireland, were very aggressive, during his reign. The Irish gained some victories over the Norwegians and Danes ; but, the mon-
arch of Ireland, leading a large northern force against those in Dublin, lost a battle and his life, at Kilmashogue, near Rathfarnham, September 15th, A. D. 919. Several Irish kings and chiefs perished in this engagement, among the rest Hugh Mac Eochagain, King of Ultonia. '*'
The native Irish continued to maintain their prestige in arms, when they were assailed by their enemies, while the greater part of their country was occupied by a population of fighting men, in vastly superior numbers to their inva- ders;'7° but,theyhadneglectedtheobviousprecautionofestablishingstrong-
holds and of fortifying defensive positions, throughout the more exposed parts of the island. Their ports and harbours for the most part were unfurnished with vessels, except those small craft used for fishing ; nor were their sailors accustomed to the art of naval warfare, as their ships, at that time, had not been constructed for such a purpose. On the contrary, unopposed on their wild and accustomed element, the Northmen were enabled to select the less defensive creeks and coasts, for sudden and secure descent ; while, in case of reverses by land, the line of retreat to their ships was well guarded, and, in any case, it was a ready resource to hoist sail, and to convey a large number ofwarriorsaroundtheIrishshores,fromonepointtoanother. Donnchadh, son to Flann Sionna, succeeded as monarch, and he won a great victory over the Northmen. Gotfrid, or Godfrey, grandson of Imhar, after the death of his brother Ragnall,'? ' took possession of Dublin, and plundered Armagh, with a great part of the north of Ireland, in 921. '7' Soon afterwards appeared
''' An account of such depredations will be found, in the "Three Fragments" of Irish Annals, by Dubhaltach Mac. Firbisigh.
584, 585.
"''See Miss M. F. Cusack's "Popular
History of Ireland," chap, xii. , p. 195.
"'' See Jienliel Re CogA'oh
"'^ See Martin " of Haverty's History
JaIIatoIi, edited by Rev. James Henthorn Todd. In-
Ireland," chap, xiii. , p. 130.
" His-
troduction, p. Ixxxiii.
"i^ An account of these expeditions will be
"
Historie des Expedi- tions des Normands et leur Etablisement en
France," liv. iii. Paris, 1843.
''« The oldest name, according to the
Dinnseanchus.
"^5 There is no record of a Scandinavian
King of Waterford, before A. D. 903. See Charles Haliday's "Scandinavian Kingdom
*» See L'Abbe
Ma-Geoghegan's
found, in Deppiiig's
toire de I'lrlande Ancienne et Moderne,"
tome i. Seconde Partie, chap, v. , p. 400.
'? ° See J. J. A. Worsae's " Account of the
Danes and Norwegians in Engl. ind, Scot- land and Ireland. " The Norwegians in Ire- land. sect, i. , p. 297.
'? ' He was King of the Finngall and
Dubhgall, showing that the Norwegians and Danes were then united, or, at least, allies—,
of Dublin," Book '»
'7= See " Annales
Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernicarum tores," tomus iv.
21.
See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 580, 581, and pp.
Ultonienses," p. 253. Scrip-
i. ,
chap, ii. , p.
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 311
Tamar,'" or Tomar, son of Elgi, who landed at Inis-Sibhtonn, now King's Island, Limerick,'"^ with an immense fleet, while Lorean, son of Conligan, was KingofCashel. ThatinvaderplunderedthegreaterpartofMunster"both churchesandchieftainries. "'75 Duringthetenthcentury,theNorthernadven- turers had numerous ships in Ireland. A fleet appears to have been sent
from Limerick, or rather equipped on Lough Derg, as the intervening rapids on the Shannon could hardly allow an ascent of the river from the for-
mer place. Even so far north as Lough Ree, the Norsemen went. They plundered churches and shrines on the islands, or along the shores, committing
other outrages, also, and with little opposition, they returned safely to Lime- rick. In 925, Edward's eldest son, Athelstan, succeeded as the first monarch
of all England, and he was signally successful, against the Normans and Danes. The Norwegians had colonized the kingdom of Nortlmmbria, and the Britons
of Cumbria were leagued with them, to preserve their national independence, during the reign of Athelstan's brother, King Edmund. After expelling the foreign forces from the northern parts of England, heattacked the Cumbrians,
and having captured two sons of their King Dimmail, these were barbarously deprived of sight, while their country was placed under Malcolm, King of the Scots, on condition that he should become vassal to the King of England,
and unite with Edmund in withstanding the attempts of the sea-kings. In 946, his brother Edred succeeded to the crown, and his efforts to repress the
power of the Norwegians were successful, to the end of his reign, which hap-
pened in 955.
The Earl Oiter Dubh landed, with one hundred ships, at Waterford.
The fleets of pirates and Danes began to multiply, and hordes of foreigners spread over Munster. ''^ Among the fleets are enumerated ^^^ those of Oiberd, of Oduinn,'? * of Griffin, '" of Snuatgar,'*" of Lagmann, of Erolf, of Sitriuc,"'' of Buidnin,'^' of Liagrislach, of Toirberdach,''^ of Eoan Barun, of Milid
Buu,'"'* of Suimin. '^s of Suainin,'** and lastly, of Inghen Ruaidh. '^' Everywhere, around the coasts of Erinn, they established ports, and on the land, fortresses were erected. Those furious and ferocious gentiles ravaged lands and houses ; they destroyed churches and monas- tries; they killed kings and chiefs, with their warriors; they inflicted
''' He is said to have been the Scandina-
vian chieftain, Gormo Gamlc, or "the aged. " ''* There is no record of any Scandinavian
King in Limerick, until 940. See Charles
"' He is called Buidin, by Duald Mac Firbis.
"^ He is probably the Torberd Roe, enumerated by Duald Mac Firbis.
''* Mileadh Tua is Duald mentioned, by
Mac Firbis.
'*5 So is he called, by Duald Mac Firbis.
'** Duald Mac he is called By Firbis,
Suairnin.
'*' The Red-haired maiden. She seems
to have been a Northern Amazon, whose turn for piracy was long afterwards emulated, by the celebrated Graine-uile, ol Clare Island, off the Mayo coast. By Duald Mac Firbis, the present heroine is called the Ing- hean Roe. His account of the ships seems to have been largely borrowed from the Co5<st)h 5<seT)het tie Jalbaibh. Yet, he enumerates the following, which can with difficulty be applied to any of the foregoing names,viz. : theshipsofBim,ofSgmann,of
" Scandinavian Un," Book i. , chap, ii. , p. 21.
of Dub- ''5 See Cogioh 5<iex)heL Re SAtt&lbli,
Haliday's
Kingdom
edited Rev. by
Henthom
Todd, chap.
James xxxiii. , pp. 38, 39.
''' In his unpublished treatise, repecting " The Fomorians and Lochlanns,' written, by Duald Mac Firbis, about A. D. 1650, we read, that Erinn was filled, in the tenth cen- tury, with ships and adventurers. These are enumerated.
'" In the Co5-ST>h jAc^heL Tie JdlUvibh, edited by Rev. James Hcnlhorn Todd, chap.
xxxvi. , pp. 40, 41.
'* Called Odvin, by Duald Mac Firbis. '" He is called Grifin, or Grisin, by Duald
MacFirbis.
"•^ He is called Suatgar, by Duald Mac Earbadh, of Bernin, of the Crioslachs, and
Firbis. ofBaruh. SeeJ. J. Wnrsae's"Accountof '•' He is called Sitric, by Duald Mac the Danes and Norwegians in England, Firbis. ScotlandandIreland. " TheNorwegiansin
312
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
every kind of outrage and indignity on clerics and laics, on men, women, and children ; they enslaved freemen as well as serfs, imposing heavy tributes and servitude on them ; they carried youths and maidens on board their ships, and treated them as captives. '^^ These injuries and outrages are referred, chiefly to the first half of the tenth century. '^s The Annals of Ireland afford us deplorable proofs of the frequency and horrible nature of tiiose invasions ; and, the foreigners settled at Limerick were not the least active, in deeds of bloodshed and plunder. Among these, Amhlaeibh Ceanncairech '9° was notorious. HeravagedLoughRee,but,in937,Amhlaeibh,sonofGodfrey, and lord of the foreigners, came from Dublin, making him a prisoner,
with several of his foreigners. Then, Aulaf, the son of Godfrey, left Dublin for
With a fleet of six hundred and fifteen sail, he cast anchor in the Humber. Thiswasasignal,fortheassemblingofalargeconfederateforce, consisting of Norwegians, Danes, Irish, Scots and Britons, summoned to his standard. Tiie monarch of England, Athelstan, besides his own forces, pur- chased the aid of several sea-kings, and a desperate battle ensued. The Eng- Hsh were victorious, while five confederate sea-kings, seven jarls, and several thousandmen,fellinthatengagement,onthesideofAulaf. Havingsustained thisgreatreverse,in thebattle fought against King Athelstane andtheSaxons,on the plain ofOthlyn,'? ' by others called Brumby,"'^ the King of Dublin, with his followers, fled to their ships. "93 However, he went back again to Northumber- land, and restored the Danish sway, in 941 ;'? so that England was more or less harassed by the tyrant invaders, until the accession ofCanute, surnamed the Great. The Scandinavian King of Dublin did not long survive his good for- tune, for his death is recorded, at a. d. 942. To stem the tide of those North- men inroads, Donnchadh, monarch of Ireland, and Muircheartach, son to Niall Glandubh, united their forces, and then marched to Ath-cliath. Thence, they advanced to Ath-Truiston, a ford on the river Greece, near Mullagh- niast, in tlie southern part of Kildare County. The Irish army plundered and, devastated all the Danish settlements. The Annals of the Four Masters place these events, at a. d. 936,'95 while those of Ulster have 937, alias 938, as the year for their occurrence.
In the earlier part of the tenth century, were distinguished in Ireland two
potentates, who, although celebrated for prowess and valour, had however only occupied stations, in subordination to the supreme Monarch. These were, in
England.
Ireland, sect. ii. . p. 308.
'^ During the last century, in particular,
and at the beginning of the present one, Irish literati attributed to the Danes, or rather
to the Norwegians, mucli of which, strictly speaking, they could have no valid claim. Not long ago, it was a firm belief among many educated men in Ireland, that there were still families in Denmark, who could not forget the dominion they had fo)merly exercised in Ireland, and who bore a title de- rived from the large estates, which their fpre- fathers there had once conquered and \m%- sessed. It was likewise commonly supposed, that the Danes had carried with them from Ireland a great number of manuscripts, which were said to be preserved in one of the large collections of books in Copenhagen ; as if, forsooth, it had been one of the chief aims of the bold and dangerous expeditions of the ancient Norwegians, at that remote period,
to carry oft scientific treasures, and, above
all, manuscripts written in Irish, and conse- quently, in a language that was for the most
part entirely incompieliensible to them. '''See Coga'oh Jie-ohel Re JdllAibh, edited by Rev. James Henthorn Todd, chap,
xxxvi. , pp. 40 to 43.
"S" Translated Aulaf, of the Scabbed-
head. See Charles Haliday's "Scandinavian
Kingdom of Dublin," Book i. , chap, viii. , p. 69, n. 2.
'»' According to the Anuals of Clonraac- noise.
'5= See the " Anglo-Saxon Chronicle," at
A. D. 937.
"'? See Rev. Dr. Lingard's
"
History of England," vol. i. , chap, iv. , pp. 199 to 201.
"'"'See Miss M. F. Cusack's "Popular
History of Ireland," chap, xiii. , p. 201.
''S See Dr. O'Donovaii's edition, vol. ii. ,
pp. 63410637, and n. (p). Jbid.
"
land," vol. ii. , chap, xix. , pp. 69 to 71.
''' See Thomas Moore's
History oflre-
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 313
the North, the famous Muircheartach, son to Niall Glundubh, and Cealla- chan, King of Cashel, who flourished in the southern parts of the Island. To neither, can the meed of true historic fame, or of personal heroism, be accorded ; since, respect for too many of their motives and actions should justly be withdrawn. 'sS Muirchertach distinguished himself, by victories obtained over the foreigners, in the years 921, 926, 932, and 933. He had some differences with Donnchadh, the Monarch of Ireland, whose daughter, Flanna,washisfirstwife; but,thesewereafterwardsadjusted. Hewasmarried a second time to Dubhdara, daughter to Kellach, chief of Ossory, after the death of his former spouse, and which occurred, a. d. 940. In the year 937, '9' the foreigners planned an expedition against Aileath, which was held by Muir- cheartach. He was taken prisoner by them, and carried off to their ships ; but, afterwards, he was providentially redeemed from them. '9^ In 938, he accompanied Donnchadh, the chief Monarch, throughLeinster andMunster,to take their hostages. ''? That very same year, Muircheartach mortally wounded and drowned Niall, son to Fearghal, the heir of Aileach, or of Northern Ire- land. Again, Muircheartach, with the Northerns, made a victorious progress around Ireland,=°° bringing Sitric,'°' lord of Ath-cliath, with him, as a liostage, and also, Lorcan, King of Leinster, and Ceallaclian, King of Cashel. In Con- naught, Conchobhar, son of Tadhg, submitted to him ; and, afterwards, he returnedtoAilech,bringingthehostageswithhim. Hekeptthemthere,for nine months ; and, then, he sent them to Donnchadh, who lived at Teamhair. That brave but unscrupulous prince, who aspired to the sovereignty of Ire- land, was killed,'"^ by Blacar, the son of Godfrey, lord of the foreigners, a. d. 943 ;'°3 and, the year following was the last of Donnchadh's reign, over Ire- land. At this time, likewise, Dublin was destroyed by the Irish.
Ceallachan,=°' King of Cashel, gained a victory over Ceinneidigh, son of Lorcan, at Moydown, or Moyadown. "°5 That very celebrated prince of south Munster, the son of Buadhachain, was renowned for his warlike exploits, in the south of Ireland. At first, his claim was contested by Cinneadaig, father of Bryan Borumha, who came with a numerous retinue, so far as Gleanamhuin, to treat with the chiefs of Munster, for its throne was then vacant. However, the mother of Ceallachan, greatly reputed for her pru- dence and energy of character, made such an eloquent appeal to Cinneadigh, and to the chieftains assembled, that it was resolved, Ceallachan should be accepted and elected. ="' He had been called to the sovereignty of Munster,
about A. D. 920,'°? when he was inaugurated with great state and ceremony,""'
" The Annals of Ulster have it, a. d.
938, alias 939.
'i* See Rev. James Wills' "Lives of Illus-
trious and Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i. . part i. . Second Period, pp. 164, 165.
'" See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 636, 637.
""' These proceedings are set forth in the
Poem of Cormacan Eigeas, written A. D. M. ic Carthys, and O'Keefes. See Dr. 942, and known as the " Circuit of Ireland O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters," by Muircheartach Mac Neill, Prince of vol. ii. , n. (j;), p. 631.
Aileach," translated and edited by John ""^ See Dr. JeolTrey Keating's "General O'Donovan, and published among the Tracts History of Ireland," Second Book, pp. 454, relating to Ireland, printed for the Irish 455.
Archaeological Society, vol. i. , Dublin A. D. 1841, 4to.
''Mr. Charles Haliday t—hinks, "more probably the son of Sitric. " "The Scan- dinavian Kingdom of Dublin," Book i. , chap, viii. , p. 72.
"^ Accordingto some accounts, he reigned King of Cashel, only from 934 to 953. See Rev. John Francis Shearman's "Loca Patriciana," No. xii. , p. 361.
""'
See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's "Gene- ral History of Ireland," vol. ii,. Book xi. ,
*" At Alh-Fhirdia, now Ardee, in the county of Louth.
"°J See Miss M. F. Cusack's "Popular
History of Ireland," chap, xii. , p. 197.
TM< See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 646 to 655, with notes.
'"' He was ancestor to the O'Callaghans,
314 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
by the seventeen tribes of the Eugenians. '°9 His first great battle with the
Danes of Limerick was fought, at Singland ; when, after an obstinate resist-
ance, the enemy was utterly routed, and driven into the city, where numbers
of them were slain. However, instead of keeping possession of that strong-
hold, Ceallachan was satisfied with exacting large contributions, paid down
in gold and merchandise, while hostages were taken as a security for the re-
mainder. Afterwards, Ceallachan returned to Cashel, which was the city,
where his royal fortress had been built. ^'° It may well be doubted, that this
provincial king deserves the reputation of disinterested patriotism, which has
been too readily accorded him, especially by some of the Munster writers ;
since his acts, as recorded in our authentic Annals, are hardly reconcilable
with love, either ofcountry or of religion. Thus, we read, that after Clon-
macnoise had been plundered, by the foreigners of Ath-cliath, in 934,°" it was
again sacrilegiously plundered, by Ceallachan Caisil. =" Soon, afterwards, we
find him in alliance with the foreigners, for, this same Ceallachan, King of
Caiseal, with the men of Munster, and Macca Cuinn, with the foreigners of
Port Lairge, went into Meath, a. d. 937 ; and, they seized upon a great prey,
taking the spoils and prisoners of Cill-eidhneach and Cill-achaidh. "3 The con-
federates, who made this foray, also seized upon their two abbots, namely,
Muireadhach Ua Conchobhair, and Coibhdeanach, son of Beargdha ; but,
they left behind Oilill, son of Aenghus, lord of Ui Fothaidh, with many others,
in the hands of Aimhergin, lord of Ui-Failghe. The men of Munster, under
their King Ceallachan, who had the foreigners along with him, besides plun-
dering the churches of Cluain-eidhneach and Cill-achaidh, also ravaged the
territory of Meath, so far as Cluain-lraird. The foreigners deserted Ath-
cliath about this time, owing to the help of God, and the intercession of Mac-
tail,^''* who was the patron of Kilcullen, in the county of Kildare, and most
probably, also, the patron of St. Michael le Pole's Church, near Ship-street,
in the city of Dublin. ='5 In 938, the turbulent King of Caiseal ="* took up
arms, and a great slaughter was made of the Osraighi by him, the justifying causes for which are not mentioned. In the year 939, Ceallachan, with his
forces, slaughtered the Deisi, because they had submitted to Muircheartach, son of Niall ;^"' and, he slew two thousand of tliem, together with Ceilachair, son to Cormac, Maelgorm, son to Gibhleaclian, Seghdha, son to Noebelan, Cleireach, son of Sesta, &c. Another battle was gained, however, by the Deisi, and by the Osraighi, over the King of Caiseal ; when many were slain, inthatencounter. ^'^ Thissameyear,weread,thatwhenMuircheartachmarched into Munster, he found the people there ready to give him battle. We are told,='9 likewise, that Ceallachan requested the men of Munster, not to oppose
chap,ii. , pp. 206,207.
""^ This account is taken from the tract,
called the Wars of Callachan, in the Old Book of Lismore.
"sSee! . }/(/. ,n. (y). Forahistoryandillus- trationof this mediaeval church, the reader is referred to Sir WilliamR. Wilde's Memoir of GabrielBeranger,andhisLaboursintheCause of Irish Art, Literature and Antiquities, from
"° See Maurice Lenihan's "Limerick; its
History and Antiquities, Ecclesiastical, 1760 to 1780. See "Journal of the Royal Civil, and Military," chap, i. , p. 9. liistorical and Archieological Association of
=" See Dr. Donovan's "Annals of the Four Ireland," for 1870, vol. i. , part i. . Fourth
Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 630. 631, and n. (h).
p. 632, ibid.
'" The date is corrected, by Dr. O'Dono-
van, to A. D. 936.
"3 See Thomas Moore's "
Series, pp. 421049.
°''See Dr. O'lJonovan's "Annals of the
of Ire- "'<See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
land," chap, xix. , p, 71.
Four Masters," 638, pp.
639.
land," vol. ii. , chap, xix. , p. 71.
"=' Cormacan Eigeas. By
History
^"'
"
See Thom. is Moore's History of Ire-
Four Masters," pp. 640, 641.
"'' " See Martin Haverty's
land," chap, xiii. , p. 131.
History of Ire-
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 3^5
the race of Eoghan ; while he consented to become a hostage,''" and a fetter
was put upon him, by Muircheartach. "' We are informed, that a formidable
confederacywasorganizedagainstthegenerousKennedy; and,itisthought,
that Ceallachan, with the Eoghanac'nts, was leader in this confederacy. The troopsofMunsterwerealliedwiththoseofConnaught,inthatmovement. How-
ever, this pact was soon terminated, as peace seems to have been proclaimed between them : one of its conditions being the delivery of Duineachan, son to
Kennedy,asahostage. Afterwards,NorthandSouthMunsterbecameunited, and the power of Ceallachan, thus strengthened, was then very formidable to the Scandinavians. '^'
This provincial prince, and his hardy Momonians, engaged those foreigners in many battles. "^ The King of Cashel fought them with such success, that they found it necessary to abandon the province of Munster, and to look out for new settlements. But, the Scandinavians still retained an affection for their old possessions. Finding themselves too weak to be re-instated, by force of arms, they projected a design, which was base and treacherous. At this time, the Northmen were under the command ofSitric, son to Turge- sius,"* whose name alone was a terror to the Irish. Having first taken the advice of his counsel, that leader sent a messenger to Ceallachan, to notify his sincere inclination to establish peace, with a good understanding and corres- pondence between them.
