It
comprised
that
Called Eoghanacht of Caisil, other-
Eoghanacht Ui Donnchadha, anglicised Onaght-
O'Donoghue.
Called Eoghanacht of Caisil, other-
Eoghanacht Ui Donnchadha, anglicised Onaght-
O'Donoghue.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v9
] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
34?
arch, is shortened to meet the difficulty. In the south wall there is a corre- sponding door leading to the south tower ; it is of small size, plain and unornamented. 7^ The chancel is a very interesting feature. It measures 12 feet 8 inches in length, and n feet 6 inches in breadth, clear of walls. It is groined by diagonal ribs, moulded, their intersection being covered by a group of four human heads. The north and south walls have arcades, supported on three-quarter columns, with bases and carved capitals. This chancel is lighted by small semicircular-headed windows in the north and south walls, having large inward splays. There was no east window, consequently it was badly lighted. ? 8 The east end shows a double recess, the external one nearly the full breadth of the chancel, and having a moulded arch springing from
St. Cormac's Chapel, Rock of Cashel, Interior.
double columns at each side. The key-stone is a grotesque human head, and immediately over it there is a line of five presenting the same character. The inner recess is 5 feet wide and 3 reet 3 inches in depth ; it has a feature in the character of areredos, being an arcade of three small arched recesses. The arch members are moulded and spring from three-quarter shafts, having scalloped capitals and curiously-moulded bases. Over this arcade there is a string-course enriched with the billet, and supported at intervals by human heads ; this arcade is continued on the sides of the recess, and on to the north and south walls of chancel. The shafts of the pillars in the recess are enriched with the chevron and other ornaments. The nave and chancel are not placed symmetrically with each other, the former being much wider than the
" The imaginative antiquary, Marcus were manifestly an effort o—f after times to Keane, who absurdly considers Cormac's adapt it to Christian uses. " " Towers and
"
the only specimen of a Cuthite structure of the temple class in Ireland," also remarks that it seems to have been built without windows suitable for glass, as " the lights now appearing in it
Chapel to be
Temples of Ancient Ireland," p. 12.
78 The accompanying interior illustration,
from an approved engraving, has been drawn on the wood and engraved by
Gregor Grey.
348 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September14.
latter ;? 9 nor is the chancel arch in the centre, as it abuts more to the side wall. 80 At the head of a newel stairs, there is a door-ope leading to a chamber over the nave in the interior of the southern tower. This is a lofty apartment, being in length 27 feet and in breadth 16 feet 6 inches, clear of walls ; its height to the soffit of its acutely-pointed vaulting is 2 1 feet. At the west end, there is a large recess for a fireplace, with a flue in the thickness Of the gable. At each side, and nearly on a level with the hearth, there is a rectangular flue, which runs through the gable and along the flank wall, and opening into the towers ; they are nearly on a level with the present floors. The object for which these air-passages were constructed has been variously surmised. 8 ' This chamber was originally lighted by two well-constructed rectangular opes in the stone roof, at the south side, the weatherings of which were con- trived with skill and judgment. There were also two narrow semicircular- headed slits, in east gable. In the upper parts of both east and west gables, there are two rude opes but of recent date. At a height of 7 feet 2 inches from the floor, there were ranges of corbels projecting internally from the stone roof. Four of these at one and two at the other, are still 82
that over the nave ; this ope is 2 feet 7 inches wide, it is semicircular-headed, and has a flight of six steps descending to the floor of the former, the difference of level being 5 feet. The wall is no less than 5 feet 4 inches thick. The chamber is 12 feet 3 inches square, and has a pointed vault84 of similar construction and materials to that over the nave ; it is 14 feet 6 inches
in height. The provision for lighting was very limited.
After those occurrences, already related, Lorcan the Dynast of Thomond
returned the visit of Cormac. 8- The king is said to have assigned the northern half of his place at Cashel for the accommodation of his dis- tinguished guest, and of the many retainers accompanying him. 86 The
object of those visits undoubtedly comprised political motives ; for, at this time, Domhnal, son to Cathil, and King of Connaght, was preparing a large army for the invasion of Thomond. This incursion took place, in the
8
following year, but it proved unsuccessful. ? Fortune seemed to favour all
King Cormac's attempts, after he had obtained possession of the throne ;
while his glory and prosperity might have remained unclouded, to the closing scenes of his life, were it not for the evil and fatal advice of those in whose
side, remaining. The chamber^ over the chancel is entered by a door-ope in the east gable of
counsels he reposed too much confidence.
88
Hitherto his days appear mostly
H. Parker's Notes on the Architecture of Ireland, No. viii. , Cashel,
p. 409.
80 From a thorough examination of the
79 See
J.
Architecture of Ireland to the close of the Twelfth Century," chap, vii. , p[>. 95 to 98.
8z
The angles of the southern tower being filled up with masonry to the height of the steps of the newel stairs, it is circular so far,
building, Mr. Brash has failed to ascertain
the reason of this strange proceeding ; he but from that upwards it is square. The
can only conjecture that, when this edifice was erecting, a more ancient church or oratory had been in existence, and that the chancel of the new church was pushed on one side to avoid the removal of what may have then been an object of great reverence, though subsequently taken down to make room for the Cathedral.
81
Dr. Petrie considers them to have been flues for warming the apartment by heated air passing through them ; but, as there is about 12 inches of solid masonry between them and the chamber, their effect as a
heating agent would be very trifling, in the
steps are much worn and damaged.
83 See J. H. Parker's article for a wood -cut of section across nave and upper chamber,
p. 410.
8* It is fourteen feet, six incites, in height. 8s By some of our historians, this visit has
been assigned to a. d. 903.
opinion of Mr. -Brash. See
"
Ecclesiastical
^See Dr. Keating's "General History of Ireland," book ii. , part i. , chap, i. , pp. 523, 524. John O'Mahonys edition.
86
See Ferdinando Warner's "History of
Ireland," vol. i. , book ix. , p. 367.
87 See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's
"General History of Ireland," vol. ii. , book x. , chap, v. , p. 184.
September 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 349
to have passed, in the tranquil pursuits of literature. Almost seventy years had elapsed, after his birth and these flowed on like a long and bright
unclouded sunshine. Such a term was spent in contemplation, repose and exercises of devotion. 89 But, as calm days will sometimes terminate in the din and confusion of gathering tempests ;'] thus likewise went down the obscured sun of the good monarch's closing years. His long and honourable career as a student and an ecclesiastic leave few traces on our annals ; yet certain results of his studies and varied abilities remain in those literary relics, which have survived his more obscured years.
To Cormac Mac Cullenan is ascribed an Irish Glossary or Dictionary of Etymologies, called Sanas Chormaic. 9° Some Manuscript copies have
2
been preserved,** and Dr. Whitley Stokes 9
has ably edited this learned
compilation,underthetitle"ThreeIrishGlossaries,viz. : Cormac'sGlossary,
Codex A. (from a MS. in the Library of the Royal Irish Academy) ;
O'Davoren's Glossary, (from a MS. in the Library of the British Museum) ; and a Glossary to the Calendar of Oingus the Culdee (from a MS. in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin) ; with an Introduction 93 and
Index. "94 TheManuscriptofCormac'sGlossary95thereprintedbelongsto the fourteenth century. It is the oldest complete copy known to exist, and now it is preserved in the Library of the Royal Irish Academy. 96 This is
followed by two fragments of the same Glossary found in the Book of Leinster, a Manuscript of the thirteenth century, now preserved in the
Library of Trinity College, Dublin. Afterwards was published the supple- mentary "Sanas Chormaic or Cormac's Glossary," translated and annotated
89 See Wills' " Lives of Illustrious and 93 In the preface, which extends to 75
Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i. , second pages, the editor gives a full description of
period, p. 185.
90 See O'Reilly's "Chronological Account
of nearly Four Hundred Irish Writers," vol. i. ,part i. , p. 60. See Harris' Ware, vol. ii. ,
"
Writers of Ireland," at Cormac Mac Culinan. Book i. , chap, vii. , p. 64
91 General Vallancey had a copy of it, which he often quotes under the name of
Cormac Mac Culinan, and Lhuyd had one, which he copied from an old Irish Manu- script. The Rev. Dr. O'Brien makes mention of it in his Irish Dictionary, at Bealtinne, where he calls it simply an old Glossary, copied by Mr. Lhuyd.
92 Happily through him, the great desire of Rev. Dr. Lanigan has been accomplished, in having the work published, as a reply to
the MSS. from which the three Vocabularies have been printed ; he also considers the
arguments for and against Cormac having been the author of the Glossary ascribed to
him ; again, he points out its value, first, from the linguistic, secondly, from the mythological, and lastly, from the historical point of view. In considering its linguistic value, he cites and comments on almost every word of interest which it contains, and makes numerous comparisons, not only with cognate words in the British, but with those in the Sanskrit, Greek, Latin and Gothic languages.
94 These three Vocabularies are followed by a general Index Verborum, which contains upwards of three thousand articles.
95 The notes relating to Celtic mythology, legends and superstitions, which occur in Cormac's Glossary, are of very great inte- rest. These the editor has translated a;i I illustrated.
96 After noticing the statements in the
Glossary which bear on the political history of Ireland, the editor then collects the words more or less illustrative of her social condition ; such as the names of animals, which may throw light on what has been called the pre-historic history of the Indo-
the foolish query of Dr. Ledwich.
"
posing the glossary genuine, would it now
be intelligible ? " To which Dr. Lanigan
"
Strange that a man, who sets up as an Irish antiquary, should ask such a question, as if the Irish of the ninth or tenth century could not be understood by our Irish scholars at present. Surely, although the Doctor could not understand it, he must have known that those, who are really versed in the language, find scarcely any difficulty in translating Irish documents stili more ancient than the ninth century, as may be seen in Colgan's works, &c. —" Ecclesi- astical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap,
xxii. , sect, vi. , n, 60, pp. 357, 358.
subjoins :
Sup-
relate to the material civilization of Ireland ; and lastly, those connected with her literature and laws.
European races ;
words that
35o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 14.
by the late John O'Donovan, LL. D. , edited, with Notes and Indices, by Whitley Stokes, LL. D. 97 The bulk of its text is printed in the volume entitled Three Irish Glossaries,^ with additional Articles then for the first time published, and printed from a transcript made by the editor some seven years before from the Yellow Book of Lecan. 99 This work explains many difficult words in our language. There is an imperfect copy of Cormac's Glossary, among the Messrs. Hodges' and Smith's Collection of Irish Manuscripts, in the Royal Irish Academy. 100 Some antiquaries
02
than can generally be supposed. 103
During one of those years while he reigned, Cormac had resolved
on celebrating the Easter Festival at Cashel, with extraordinary state and magnificence. A short time previous to this Festival, he despatched a
to
messenger Eoganacht,
10* a district which was not far distant from Cashel,105
in the
and designated A.
lt>3 See Edward "Chronolo- O'Reilly's
of the Irish
Library Royal Academy,
99 A manuscript belonging to the Library
of Trinity College, Dublin, containing the
copy of Cormac's Glossary, and designated B.
100
In the vellum folio, classed No. 224. 101 His reign extended from a. d. 227 to a. d. 266, according to the "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. no to 119, Dr.
O' Donovan's edition.
gical Account of nearly Four Hundred Irish Writers," vol. i. , part i. , p. 60.
102
pices
the kingdom was entered upon ; and the national records, which, since the days of the illustrious Ollamh, had been kept regu- larly, it is said, in the Psalter of Taia, re- ceived such corrections and improvements as the growth of knowledge since that remote
periodmust have suggested. Itisevenalleged that, in the course of this reign, was Intro- duced that mole of ascertaining the dates
of regal successions, called synchronism, which consists in collating the times of the
portion of Tipperary County, which belongs to the diocese of Lismore.
,os The O'Donoghues were the original possessors, but they were driven from it
shortly after the English Invasion, when they settled in th« present barony of Magunihy, in the County of Kerry, to
\ye are informed, that under his aus-
" a revision of the annals of general
which the name of they gave
to Cormac Mac 101 a learned monarch of Ireland Art,
attribute this
in the middle of the third century. '
and which are explained by, or derived from, the Latin, Greek and Hebrew languages, afford presumptive evidence that this cannot have been an effusion of Cormac Mac Art. Otherwise, we should admit, that learning had been cultivated in Ireland, at that remote period, and to a much greater extent,
production
to request the inhabitants to send a quantity of provisions as a supply for the
guests expected at the royal table, during such celebration, as likewise for the retinue and attendants, that should of necessity flock to the regal city. The
106
messenger was dismissed with a refusal. But, the Dalgais tribe,
having
heard about this rude denial, despatched with all speed provisions necessary 10
to supply the King of Cashel's wants. ? Notwithstanding that ungracious
refusal, Cormac resolved to try once more the effects of an application to the
108 He sent to
some of their best arms and horses, which he intended to bestow on strangers, who should visit his court, and in proportion to their respective merits. He
9? This volume was printed for the Irish
Archseological and Celtic Society, at Calcutta, 1868, 410.
98 At pp. I to 45, taken from a manuscript
Eoganacht people.
request,
that would furnish him with they
Yet numbers of words in this treatise
respective reigns with those of—contem- porary Princes in other countries. " Thomas Moore's " History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap. vii. , pp. 130, 131.
I04
wise Magh Feimhin.
It comprised that
Called Eoghanacht of Caisil, other-
Eoghanacht Ui Donnchadha, anglicised Onaght-
O'Donoghue.
,o6
The people of Thomond.
'°7 This proved to be a very seasonable
relief. It was gratefully received by
Cormac, and with the kindest acknowledg-
ments. See John O'Mahony's Keating's
"
History of Ireland," chap, vii. , p. 520.
Io8 See Ferdinando Warner's •' History
of Ireland," vol. i. , book ix. , pp. 364, 365.
September 14] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 351
desired the messenger to state, the King had no doubt of their compliance, since they had not as yet paid him their usual complements of tribute, nor
had they convinced him by one single proof of their respect and affection, for the many obligations, under which he had placed them. The inhabitants of that country did not absolutely refuse a compliance with his demand. However, a return, which they made in the shape of presents, was anything but creditable to themselves and to the monarch. Having selected the most useless and disabled horses they could find, and having collected their most worthless arms, these were despatched to Cormac's court at Cashel. Soon the Dalgais tribe heard of this renewed affront. To make atonement for the insolence or meanness of the Eoganachts, a number of strong and suitable
wr ith well
horses,
tion of valuable jewellery, were generously presented for the King's acceptance. Cormac received these presents with sincere expressions of
about two years previous to his death. In the year 90 1,
T gratitude.
appointed gear
and their best arms, and a collec- equipage,
°9
The peaceful career of Cormac Mac Cullman was brought to a close,
110
Sinna, son to Maelseachlainn, and monarch of all Ireland, with Cearbhall,
son to Muireagan, King of Leinster, conducted an army towards the terri-
tories ot Munster. They plundered this country from Gobhran to
111
Luimneach. II2
According to some accounts, these events are referred to the
the following year, under the united command of King Cormac Mac Cullinan, and the warlike Abbot of Iniscathy, who was named Flathertach Mac- Ionmunain. This Munster army advanced to Magh Lena, now Moylena or Kilbride, a parish comprising the present town of Tullamore, 113 in the King's County. "4 Here they gave battle to Flann and his forces of Leath Cuinn, which constituted the Northern half of Ireland. Flann was defeated, with great loss, particularly of the Nialls ; and among these Maolchraobha, son to Cathalan, King of Kinel-Eogain or Tyrone, was slain. Flann was forced to submit, and to give hostages. Cormac's Munster army then advanced towardsCaighe-na-Ceurradh. 1IS HeretheycompelledtheConnaughtpeopleand someoftheSouthernHy-Nialls,togivehostages. Afterwards,theyplundered the Islands on Lough Ree, and destroyed a fleet that lay there; so that, as we are told, Leath-Cuinn afterwards became tributary to Cormac Mac Cullenan. 1 ' 6 The Annals of the Four Masters refer those events to a. d.
It would
of
aggression from the same quarter, that the Munster forces were marshalled
year 905.
appear by way
reprisal,
or to further prevent
I09 Being gifted with poetical powers of a superior order, he is said to have composed
ITI The modern names of these places are
Gowran and Limerick,
"2 "
See the Chronicum Scotorum,"
some verses on the occasion. been thus rendered into English
T—he<e have :
edited William M. by
Hennessy, pp.
1 80,
*' MayHeavenprotectthemostillustrious tribe
181. "'Itisshownonthe"OrdnanceSurvey
Townland Maps for the King's County," Of Dailgais, and convey its choicest Sheet 17,
blessings
On their posterity. This renowned clan, Though meek and merciful as are the
Saints,
Yet are of courage not to be subdued.
Long may they live in glory and renown, And raise a stock of heroes for the world. "
—Dr. Geoffry Keating's " General History ot Ireland. " Duffy's edition.
1,0
See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 562, 563.
"4 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i , n. (a), p. 5O4.
"s In the opinion of Dr. Lanigan, it is the
same as the Kierrigia of Roscommon.
Il6
Such is the account given of these transactions by Dr. Lanigan, who quotes the Annals of Innisfallen as authority for his statement. See " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xxii. , sect, v. , p. 351, and nn. 44, 45, p. 352. However, the Doctor was not aware, that what he quotes throughout his work, as the Annals of
Flann, surnamed
352 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September14.
902. "7 They state, also, that Flaithbeartach was united with Cormac Mac Cullenan, in the invasion of Connaught. However, these events, recorded
by the Four Masters, as occurring in the year 901 and 902 respectively, are
referred by the Ulster Annals, to the years 905, and 906, or 907. These
latter dates most the truer 8 probably comprise chronology. "
CHAPTER III.
CONTESTS BETWEEN EOGHAN MOR, KING OF MUNSTER, AND CONN OF THE HUNDRED BATTLES, MONARCH OF IRELAND—DIVISION OF THE ISLAND INTO I. EATH CUINN OR CONN'S HALF AND LEATH MODHA OR MODHA'S HALF—A COUNCIL OF THE MUNSTER CHIEFS CONVENED BY KING CORMAC AT MUNGRET—RESOLUTION TO DECLARE WAR AGAINST LE1NSTER—HIS WILL AND PRESENTIMENT OF A FATAL RESULT—THE BATTLE OF BALLAGHMOON—DEFEAT AND DEATH OF KING CORMAC—PLACE OF INTERMENT—FESTIVALS—ERECTION OF CASHEL INTO A SEE—MEMORIALS— CONCLUSION.
So far as we can learn, in conjunction with the monarch of Ireland, the
Leinster king had been an unjust aggressor, on the territories of Munster ;
and hence, we may be furnished with a clue and a justification for the subse-
quent reprisal of the Munster forces against him. An antiquated conquest,
on the part of a former celebrated Munster prince, was destined to furnish
an immediate pretext for the war in which Cormac Mac Cullinan was now
2
about to the of Conn Cead-chathach x or Conn of —the
engage. During reign —
Hundred Battles, which lasted for twenty years from a. d. 125 to 145 a rival appeared in the person of Modha Nuagat or Eoghan More. Conn commenced his reign in the year of our Lord, 123, and ended his rule and
life, in the year 157, according to the Annals of the Four Masters,3 when he was slain by Tibraide Tireach, at Tuath-Amrois—. He enjoyed the sovereignty
Mor the name
known successfully established himself on the Munster throne, having
expelled Aongus, who fled for protection and assistance to Conn, supreme monarch of Ireland. These events led to a series of obstinate contests between Conn of the Hundred Battles and Modha Nuagat, in which the latter most frequently was victorious. After some time, the Munster ruler obtained possession of one-half the kingdom by conquest j and while the northern part of Ireland was held by Conn, the southern part became
of Irel
which he is best
—and for
thirty-five years. Eoghan
by
Innisfallen, is only a compilation made at
Paris, A. D. 1760, from old Irish stories, and
authorities, such as Caithreim Thoirdheal-
bhaigh, Giraldus Cambrensis, Pembridge's
Annals, and Ware's Annals, by John that terminated Cormac's previous happy
Conry and Dr. O'Brien, author of the Irish
ing the wars between Flann Sionna and Cormac Mac Cullinan ; for without allu- sion to them, we are introduced to a description of the unfortunate expedition,
reign, and whic—h closed his earthly career.
Dictionary.
"We are indebted to the
Chapter hi "
See an account of him Irish Archaeological Society for this dis- in the Irish Penny Magazine," vol. i. ,
— " Leabhar na covery. " JohnO'Donovan's
No. Ancient Irish 10,
No.
g-ceart, or the Book of Rights. "
tion, p. v. , n. (d).
Introduc-
1. 7 "
The Chronicum Scotorum"
" of book to History Ireland," i. , pp. 243
has the
date for these transactions, at A. D. 906. See 247. Dublin edition, 1854.
William M. Hennessy's edition.
1. 8
Keating appears to have altogether overlooked the foregoing accounts, regard-
3 See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. , pp. 102 to 105, and notes (i. , m. , n. , p. , q. , r. ,s. ).
Biography, Conn Ceadcathac, pp. 75, 76.
ix. ,
2
See Dermod O'Connor's Keating's
'
September 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 353
subjectedtoEoghanMore. Theboundaryline,drawnbetweenbothprinci- palities, was known by a ridge of gravel hills, denominated the Eiskir Reada. 4 Hence, while the northern part of this Island retained the name of Leath Cuinn, or Conn's half; the southern part obtained the denomination of Leath Modha, or Modha's half. This latter was recognized as the prin- cipality of the victorious Eoghan More. s Moreover, the principality of Munster had been divided into Thomond, which lay north of the River Shannon, and it belonged to the Dalcassians ; while the southern districts, known as the Eoganaught, was under the sway of the Eugenians.
6
Before the death of Oilioll Olum, son to Mogh Nuadhat, and King of
Munster, took place in a. d. 234,7 that prince had been elevated to the throne of two great divisions, into which the Kingdom of Munster had been divided. He is said to have had nine sons, by his queen, Sadhbh. Seven of these werekilledinthebattleofMaghMuchruime. Oftheseninesons,threeonly left posterity ; viz. , Eoghan More, the eldest, who was killed in the battle already mentioned, Cormac Cas and Cian, his sons, who survived that engagement. Eoghan More left behind him a son named Fiachadh Muilleathan, who was born after his father's death. Previous to the birth of this child, Oilioll Olum had demised the perpetual govern- ment of the whole Munster province after his own decease to his son, Cormac Cas. But, on receiving intelligence about the birth of Fiachadh Muilleathan, he resolved on making an alteration in his will. He decreed, that his son Cormac Cas should wear the Munster crown, during his natural life, and after the demise of his father. After the death of Cormac Cas, he provided, that the sovereignty of the principality should devolve on Fiachadh
Muilleathan, son to Eoghan More, in case he survived. He decreed, that the crown afterwards should revert to the family of Cormac Cas, and again to Fiachadh Muilleathan's line. Thus he intended it should be transmitted alternately to the heirs of these chiefs, over the Eoganacht and Dalcassian tribes. The former were so named because Eoghan More had been their ancestor. The latter received the etymon from Cormac Cas their progenitor. We are told, moreover, the will of Oilioll Olum was held in such veneration by his posterity, that for many ages, there were no contests for the Munster sovereignty, between the representatives of the two families and tribes. 8
We cannot doubt, however, but that previous hostile demonstrations of the Leinster King against the Southern province, some short time before, was in reality the strong cause of provocations From an ancient historical Tract, intituled Cath Bealaigh Mughna,10 we are there informed by the Rev.
4 It is said to be yet traceable, and run- ning from east to west, at irregular distances from the neighbourhood of Dublin to the town of Galway.
5 See Dermod O'Connor's Keating's "History of Ireland," book i. , pp. 244,
"
245, and Dr. O'Donovan's
Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (r. ) pp. 104, 105.
6 See an account of him in "The Irish Penny Magazine," vol. i. , No. II, Ancient Irish Biography, No. x. , Olliol Ollum, pp. 83, 84.
7 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 112, 113.
8 See Dermod O'Connor's Keating's
" History of Ireland," book L, pp. 249 to 251. "It is remarkable, however, that
though greatly
and his family, his will did not take effect, for no less than forty-four of the descen- dants of his eldest son held the throne successively, without interruption, during a period of six hundred years ; while the family of his youngest son were merely chiefs of a small territory, principally in the Coanty Clare. "—" Irish Penny Magazine," vol. i. , No. II, Ancient Irish Biography, No. x. , p. 83.
9 Martin Haverty writes of this war : " Others assert that it was only intended to protect the abbey of Monasterevan, founded by Evinus, a Munster saint, on the confines of Leinster, and which the King of Leinster
venerated
by
his
subjects
,0 In
English,
The Battle of
Ballagh Z
Annals of the
had now seized for his own people. "—
"
History of Ireland," chap, xiii. , p. 128.
354 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September14.
Dr. Keating," that towards the close of Cormac's prosperous reign of seven
some Munster chiefs— whom was — Flath- years, among especially distinguished
bhertach Mac Jonmuinein, Abbot of Ini6cathy urged him to demand a
tribute from the Leinstermen, as an acknowledgment of Munster sovereignty. These counsels appeared adverse to the pacific disposition and calm judg- ment of the prince-prelate ; yet, he seems to have been unduly influenced to a course of action, which unavoidably compromised his unresisting and unenergetic character. At first, he refused to adopt the line of policy proposed but, at length, he agreed to submit this matter to a grand convocation of provincial chiefs. When the magnates invited to this council had assembled at the place appointed, Cormac entered into a statement of that object, for which they had been convoked. He promised at the same time, that he would submit to their decision on the question. The opinion of those Munster chiefs was embodied in a hasty resolution, that the tribute, which the people of Leinster had so long neglected to pay, should be demanded. In case of refusal, the matter, it was decided, should be submitted to an arbitrament of the sword. At the same time, those Munster chiefs pledged themselves to stake their lives and fortunes on the prosecution of what they conceived to be identical with their sovereign rights and the honour oftheir pro- vince. The Abbot of Iniscathy more especially insisted, that the King of Southern Munster had a just claim upon tribute from the Leinster province, as it formed part of that division of Ireland, known as Leath Modha, and in virtue of a compact, said to have been formerly contracted, between Modha Nuadhat and Conn of the Hundred Battles. 12 This convention of the Munster
chiefs was assembled at now known as Mungairide,
county of Limerick, where a celebrated religious establishment then existed. *
Cormac felt secretly grieved, that such a resolution should have been
taken ; but, he was unwilling to oppose the expedition resolved on, lest he might appear to violate the promise he had made. Filled with a prophetic spirit, it is stated, lie had an intimation from Heaven, that he must perish in thiswar,andthatitshouldbeattendedwithanunfortunateissue.
arch, is shortened to meet the difficulty. In the south wall there is a corre- sponding door leading to the south tower ; it is of small size, plain and unornamented. 7^ The chancel is a very interesting feature. It measures 12 feet 8 inches in length, and n feet 6 inches in breadth, clear of walls. It is groined by diagonal ribs, moulded, their intersection being covered by a group of four human heads. The north and south walls have arcades, supported on three-quarter columns, with bases and carved capitals. This chancel is lighted by small semicircular-headed windows in the north and south walls, having large inward splays. There was no east window, consequently it was badly lighted. ? 8 The east end shows a double recess, the external one nearly the full breadth of the chancel, and having a moulded arch springing from
St. Cormac's Chapel, Rock of Cashel, Interior.
double columns at each side. The key-stone is a grotesque human head, and immediately over it there is a line of five presenting the same character. The inner recess is 5 feet wide and 3 reet 3 inches in depth ; it has a feature in the character of areredos, being an arcade of three small arched recesses. The arch members are moulded and spring from three-quarter shafts, having scalloped capitals and curiously-moulded bases. Over this arcade there is a string-course enriched with the billet, and supported at intervals by human heads ; this arcade is continued on the sides of the recess, and on to the north and south walls of chancel. The shafts of the pillars in the recess are enriched with the chevron and other ornaments. The nave and chancel are not placed symmetrically with each other, the former being much wider than the
" The imaginative antiquary, Marcus were manifestly an effort o—f after times to Keane, who absurdly considers Cormac's adapt it to Christian uses. " " Towers and
"
the only specimen of a Cuthite structure of the temple class in Ireland," also remarks that it seems to have been built without windows suitable for glass, as " the lights now appearing in it
Chapel to be
Temples of Ancient Ireland," p. 12.
78 The accompanying interior illustration,
from an approved engraving, has been drawn on the wood and engraved by
Gregor Grey.
348 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September14.
latter ;? 9 nor is the chancel arch in the centre, as it abuts more to the side wall. 80 At the head of a newel stairs, there is a door-ope leading to a chamber over the nave in the interior of the southern tower. This is a lofty apartment, being in length 27 feet and in breadth 16 feet 6 inches, clear of walls ; its height to the soffit of its acutely-pointed vaulting is 2 1 feet. At the west end, there is a large recess for a fireplace, with a flue in the thickness Of the gable. At each side, and nearly on a level with the hearth, there is a rectangular flue, which runs through the gable and along the flank wall, and opening into the towers ; they are nearly on a level with the present floors. The object for which these air-passages were constructed has been variously surmised. 8 ' This chamber was originally lighted by two well-constructed rectangular opes in the stone roof, at the south side, the weatherings of which were con- trived with skill and judgment. There were also two narrow semicircular- headed slits, in east gable. In the upper parts of both east and west gables, there are two rude opes but of recent date. At a height of 7 feet 2 inches from the floor, there were ranges of corbels projecting internally from the stone roof. Four of these at one and two at the other, are still 82
that over the nave ; this ope is 2 feet 7 inches wide, it is semicircular-headed, and has a flight of six steps descending to the floor of the former, the difference of level being 5 feet. The wall is no less than 5 feet 4 inches thick. The chamber is 12 feet 3 inches square, and has a pointed vault84 of similar construction and materials to that over the nave ; it is 14 feet 6 inches
in height. The provision for lighting was very limited.
After those occurrences, already related, Lorcan the Dynast of Thomond
returned the visit of Cormac. 8- The king is said to have assigned the northern half of his place at Cashel for the accommodation of his dis- tinguished guest, and of the many retainers accompanying him. 86 The
object of those visits undoubtedly comprised political motives ; for, at this time, Domhnal, son to Cathil, and King of Connaght, was preparing a large army for the invasion of Thomond. This incursion took place, in the
8
following year, but it proved unsuccessful. ? Fortune seemed to favour all
King Cormac's attempts, after he had obtained possession of the throne ;
while his glory and prosperity might have remained unclouded, to the closing scenes of his life, were it not for the evil and fatal advice of those in whose
side, remaining. The chamber^ over the chancel is entered by a door-ope in the east gable of
counsels he reposed too much confidence.
88
Hitherto his days appear mostly
H. Parker's Notes on the Architecture of Ireland, No. viii. , Cashel,
p. 409.
80 From a thorough examination of the
79 See
J.
Architecture of Ireland to the close of the Twelfth Century," chap, vii. , p[>. 95 to 98.
8z
The angles of the southern tower being filled up with masonry to the height of the steps of the newel stairs, it is circular so far,
building, Mr. Brash has failed to ascertain
the reason of this strange proceeding ; he but from that upwards it is square. The
can only conjecture that, when this edifice was erecting, a more ancient church or oratory had been in existence, and that the chancel of the new church was pushed on one side to avoid the removal of what may have then been an object of great reverence, though subsequently taken down to make room for the Cathedral.
81
Dr. Petrie considers them to have been flues for warming the apartment by heated air passing through them ; but, as there is about 12 inches of solid masonry between them and the chamber, their effect as a
heating agent would be very trifling, in the
steps are much worn and damaged.
83 See J. H. Parker's article for a wood -cut of section across nave and upper chamber,
p. 410.
8* It is fourteen feet, six incites, in height. 8s By some of our historians, this visit has
been assigned to a. d. 903.
opinion of Mr. -Brash. See
"
Ecclesiastical
^See Dr. Keating's "General History of Ireland," book ii. , part i. , chap, i. , pp. 523, 524. John O'Mahonys edition.
86
See Ferdinando Warner's "History of
Ireland," vol. i. , book ix. , p. 367.
87 See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's
"General History of Ireland," vol. ii. , book x. , chap, v. , p. 184.
September 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 349
to have passed, in the tranquil pursuits of literature. Almost seventy years had elapsed, after his birth and these flowed on like a long and bright
unclouded sunshine. Such a term was spent in contemplation, repose and exercises of devotion. 89 But, as calm days will sometimes terminate in the din and confusion of gathering tempests ;'] thus likewise went down the obscured sun of the good monarch's closing years. His long and honourable career as a student and an ecclesiastic leave few traces on our annals ; yet certain results of his studies and varied abilities remain in those literary relics, which have survived his more obscured years.
To Cormac Mac Cullenan is ascribed an Irish Glossary or Dictionary of Etymologies, called Sanas Chormaic. 9° Some Manuscript copies have
2
been preserved,** and Dr. Whitley Stokes 9
has ably edited this learned
compilation,underthetitle"ThreeIrishGlossaries,viz. : Cormac'sGlossary,
Codex A. (from a MS. in the Library of the Royal Irish Academy) ;
O'Davoren's Glossary, (from a MS. in the Library of the British Museum) ; and a Glossary to the Calendar of Oingus the Culdee (from a MS. in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin) ; with an Introduction 93 and
Index. "94 TheManuscriptofCormac'sGlossary95thereprintedbelongsto the fourteenth century. It is the oldest complete copy known to exist, and now it is preserved in the Library of the Royal Irish Academy. 96 This is
followed by two fragments of the same Glossary found in the Book of Leinster, a Manuscript of the thirteenth century, now preserved in the
Library of Trinity College, Dublin. Afterwards was published the supple- mentary "Sanas Chormaic or Cormac's Glossary," translated and annotated
89 See Wills' " Lives of Illustrious and 93 In the preface, which extends to 75
Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i. , second pages, the editor gives a full description of
period, p. 185.
90 See O'Reilly's "Chronological Account
of nearly Four Hundred Irish Writers," vol. i. ,part i. , p. 60. See Harris' Ware, vol. ii. ,
"
Writers of Ireland," at Cormac Mac Culinan. Book i. , chap, vii. , p. 64
91 General Vallancey had a copy of it, which he often quotes under the name of
Cormac Mac Culinan, and Lhuyd had one, which he copied from an old Irish Manu- script. The Rev. Dr. O'Brien makes mention of it in his Irish Dictionary, at Bealtinne, where he calls it simply an old Glossary, copied by Mr. Lhuyd.
92 Happily through him, the great desire of Rev. Dr. Lanigan has been accomplished, in having the work published, as a reply to
the MSS. from which the three Vocabularies have been printed ; he also considers the
arguments for and against Cormac having been the author of the Glossary ascribed to
him ; again, he points out its value, first, from the linguistic, secondly, from the mythological, and lastly, from the historical point of view. In considering its linguistic value, he cites and comments on almost every word of interest which it contains, and makes numerous comparisons, not only with cognate words in the British, but with those in the Sanskrit, Greek, Latin and Gothic languages.
94 These three Vocabularies are followed by a general Index Verborum, which contains upwards of three thousand articles.
95 The notes relating to Celtic mythology, legends and superstitions, which occur in Cormac's Glossary, are of very great inte- rest. These the editor has translated a;i I illustrated.
96 After noticing the statements in the
Glossary which bear on the political history of Ireland, the editor then collects the words more or less illustrative of her social condition ; such as the names of animals, which may throw light on what has been called the pre-historic history of the Indo-
the foolish query of Dr. Ledwich.
"
posing the glossary genuine, would it now
be intelligible ? " To which Dr. Lanigan
"
Strange that a man, who sets up as an Irish antiquary, should ask such a question, as if the Irish of the ninth or tenth century could not be understood by our Irish scholars at present. Surely, although the Doctor could not understand it, he must have known that those, who are really versed in the language, find scarcely any difficulty in translating Irish documents stili more ancient than the ninth century, as may be seen in Colgan's works, &c. —" Ecclesi- astical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap,
xxii. , sect, vi. , n, 60, pp. 357, 358.
subjoins :
Sup-
relate to the material civilization of Ireland ; and lastly, those connected with her literature and laws.
European races ;
words that
35o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 14.
by the late John O'Donovan, LL. D. , edited, with Notes and Indices, by Whitley Stokes, LL. D. 97 The bulk of its text is printed in the volume entitled Three Irish Glossaries,^ with additional Articles then for the first time published, and printed from a transcript made by the editor some seven years before from the Yellow Book of Lecan. 99 This work explains many difficult words in our language. There is an imperfect copy of Cormac's Glossary, among the Messrs. Hodges' and Smith's Collection of Irish Manuscripts, in the Royal Irish Academy. 100 Some antiquaries
02
than can generally be supposed. 103
During one of those years while he reigned, Cormac had resolved
on celebrating the Easter Festival at Cashel, with extraordinary state and magnificence. A short time previous to this Festival, he despatched a
to
messenger Eoganacht,
10* a district which was not far distant from Cashel,105
in the
and designated A.
lt>3 See Edward "Chronolo- O'Reilly's
of the Irish
Library Royal Academy,
99 A manuscript belonging to the Library
of Trinity College, Dublin, containing the
copy of Cormac's Glossary, and designated B.
100
In the vellum folio, classed No. 224. 101 His reign extended from a. d. 227 to a. d. 266, according to the "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. no to 119, Dr.
O' Donovan's edition.
gical Account of nearly Four Hundred Irish Writers," vol. i. , part i. , p. 60.
102
pices
the kingdom was entered upon ; and the national records, which, since the days of the illustrious Ollamh, had been kept regu- larly, it is said, in the Psalter of Taia, re- ceived such corrections and improvements as the growth of knowledge since that remote
periodmust have suggested. Itisevenalleged that, in the course of this reign, was Intro- duced that mole of ascertaining the dates
of regal successions, called synchronism, which consists in collating the times of the
portion of Tipperary County, which belongs to the diocese of Lismore.
,os The O'Donoghues were the original possessors, but they were driven from it
shortly after the English Invasion, when they settled in th« present barony of Magunihy, in the County of Kerry, to
\ye are informed, that under his aus-
" a revision of the annals of general
which the name of they gave
to Cormac Mac 101 a learned monarch of Ireland Art,
attribute this
in the middle of the third century. '
and which are explained by, or derived from, the Latin, Greek and Hebrew languages, afford presumptive evidence that this cannot have been an effusion of Cormac Mac Art. Otherwise, we should admit, that learning had been cultivated in Ireland, at that remote period, and to a much greater extent,
production
to request the inhabitants to send a quantity of provisions as a supply for the
guests expected at the royal table, during such celebration, as likewise for the retinue and attendants, that should of necessity flock to the regal city. The
106
messenger was dismissed with a refusal. But, the Dalgais tribe,
having
heard about this rude denial, despatched with all speed provisions necessary 10
to supply the King of Cashel's wants. ? Notwithstanding that ungracious
refusal, Cormac resolved to try once more the effects of an application to the
108 He sent to
some of their best arms and horses, which he intended to bestow on strangers, who should visit his court, and in proportion to their respective merits. He
9? This volume was printed for the Irish
Archseological and Celtic Society, at Calcutta, 1868, 410.
98 At pp. I to 45, taken from a manuscript
Eoganacht people.
request,
that would furnish him with they
Yet numbers of words in this treatise
respective reigns with those of—contem- porary Princes in other countries. " Thomas Moore's " History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap. vii. , pp. 130, 131.
I04
wise Magh Feimhin.
It comprised that
Called Eoghanacht of Caisil, other-
Eoghanacht Ui Donnchadha, anglicised Onaght-
O'Donoghue.
,o6
The people of Thomond.
'°7 This proved to be a very seasonable
relief. It was gratefully received by
Cormac, and with the kindest acknowledg-
ments. See John O'Mahony's Keating's
"
History of Ireland," chap, vii. , p. 520.
Io8 See Ferdinando Warner's •' History
of Ireland," vol. i. , book ix. , pp. 364, 365.
September 14] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 351
desired the messenger to state, the King had no doubt of their compliance, since they had not as yet paid him their usual complements of tribute, nor
had they convinced him by one single proof of their respect and affection, for the many obligations, under which he had placed them. The inhabitants of that country did not absolutely refuse a compliance with his demand. However, a return, which they made in the shape of presents, was anything but creditable to themselves and to the monarch. Having selected the most useless and disabled horses they could find, and having collected their most worthless arms, these were despatched to Cormac's court at Cashel. Soon the Dalgais tribe heard of this renewed affront. To make atonement for the insolence or meanness of the Eoganachts, a number of strong and suitable
wr ith well
horses,
tion of valuable jewellery, were generously presented for the King's acceptance. Cormac received these presents with sincere expressions of
about two years previous to his death. In the year 90 1,
T gratitude.
appointed gear
and their best arms, and a collec- equipage,
°9
The peaceful career of Cormac Mac Cullman was brought to a close,
110
Sinna, son to Maelseachlainn, and monarch of all Ireland, with Cearbhall,
son to Muireagan, King of Leinster, conducted an army towards the terri-
tories ot Munster. They plundered this country from Gobhran to
111
Luimneach. II2
According to some accounts, these events are referred to the
the following year, under the united command of King Cormac Mac Cullinan, and the warlike Abbot of Iniscathy, who was named Flathertach Mac- Ionmunain. This Munster army advanced to Magh Lena, now Moylena or Kilbride, a parish comprising the present town of Tullamore, 113 in the King's County. "4 Here they gave battle to Flann and his forces of Leath Cuinn, which constituted the Northern half of Ireland. Flann was defeated, with great loss, particularly of the Nialls ; and among these Maolchraobha, son to Cathalan, King of Kinel-Eogain or Tyrone, was slain. Flann was forced to submit, and to give hostages. Cormac's Munster army then advanced towardsCaighe-na-Ceurradh. 1IS HeretheycompelledtheConnaughtpeopleand someoftheSouthernHy-Nialls,togivehostages. Afterwards,theyplundered the Islands on Lough Ree, and destroyed a fleet that lay there; so that, as we are told, Leath-Cuinn afterwards became tributary to Cormac Mac Cullenan. 1 ' 6 The Annals of the Four Masters refer those events to a. d.
It would
of
aggression from the same quarter, that the Munster forces were marshalled
year 905.
appear by way
reprisal,
or to further prevent
I09 Being gifted with poetical powers of a superior order, he is said to have composed
ITI The modern names of these places are
Gowran and Limerick,
"2 "
See the Chronicum Scotorum,"
some verses on the occasion. been thus rendered into English
T—he<e have :
edited William M. by
Hennessy, pp.
1 80,
*' MayHeavenprotectthemostillustrious tribe
181. "'Itisshownonthe"OrdnanceSurvey
Townland Maps for the King's County," Of Dailgais, and convey its choicest Sheet 17,
blessings
On their posterity. This renowned clan, Though meek and merciful as are the
Saints,
Yet are of courage not to be subdued.
Long may they live in glory and renown, And raise a stock of heroes for the world. "
—Dr. Geoffry Keating's " General History ot Ireland. " Duffy's edition.
1,0
See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 562, 563.
"4 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i , n. (a), p. 5O4.
"s In the opinion of Dr. Lanigan, it is the
same as the Kierrigia of Roscommon.
Il6
Such is the account given of these transactions by Dr. Lanigan, who quotes the Annals of Innisfallen as authority for his statement. See " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xxii. , sect, v. , p. 351, and nn. 44, 45, p. 352. However, the Doctor was not aware, that what he quotes throughout his work, as the Annals of
Flann, surnamed
352 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September14.
902. "7 They state, also, that Flaithbeartach was united with Cormac Mac Cullenan, in the invasion of Connaught. However, these events, recorded
by the Four Masters, as occurring in the year 901 and 902 respectively, are
referred by the Ulster Annals, to the years 905, and 906, or 907. These
latter dates most the truer 8 probably comprise chronology. "
CHAPTER III.
CONTESTS BETWEEN EOGHAN MOR, KING OF MUNSTER, AND CONN OF THE HUNDRED BATTLES, MONARCH OF IRELAND—DIVISION OF THE ISLAND INTO I. EATH CUINN OR CONN'S HALF AND LEATH MODHA OR MODHA'S HALF—A COUNCIL OF THE MUNSTER CHIEFS CONVENED BY KING CORMAC AT MUNGRET—RESOLUTION TO DECLARE WAR AGAINST LE1NSTER—HIS WILL AND PRESENTIMENT OF A FATAL RESULT—THE BATTLE OF BALLAGHMOON—DEFEAT AND DEATH OF KING CORMAC—PLACE OF INTERMENT—FESTIVALS—ERECTION OF CASHEL INTO A SEE—MEMORIALS— CONCLUSION.
So far as we can learn, in conjunction with the monarch of Ireland, the
Leinster king had been an unjust aggressor, on the territories of Munster ;
and hence, we may be furnished with a clue and a justification for the subse-
quent reprisal of the Munster forces against him. An antiquated conquest,
on the part of a former celebrated Munster prince, was destined to furnish
an immediate pretext for the war in which Cormac Mac Cullinan was now
2
about to the of Conn Cead-chathach x or Conn of —the
engage. During reign —
Hundred Battles, which lasted for twenty years from a. d. 125 to 145 a rival appeared in the person of Modha Nuagat or Eoghan More. Conn commenced his reign in the year of our Lord, 123, and ended his rule and
life, in the year 157, according to the Annals of the Four Masters,3 when he was slain by Tibraide Tireach, at Tuath-Amrois—. He enjoyed the sovereignty
Mor the name
known successfully established himself on the Munster throne, having
expelled Aongus, who fled for protection and assistance to Conn, supreme monarch of Ireland. These events led to a series of obstinate contests between Conn of the Hundred Battles and Modha Nuagat, in which the latter most frequently was victorious. After some time, the Munster ruler obtained possession of one-half the kingdom by conquest j and while the northern part of Ireland was held by Conn, the southern part became
of Irel
which he is best
—and for
thirty-five years. Eoghan
by
Innisfallen, is only a compilation made at
Paris, A. D. 1760, from old Irish stories, and
authorities, such as Caithreim Thoirdheal-
bhaigh, Giraldus Cambrensis, Pembridge's
Annals, and Ware's Annals, by John that terminated Cormac's previous happy
Conry and Dr. O'Brien, author of the Irish
ing the wars between Flann Sionna and Cormac Mac Cullinan ; for without allu- sion to them, we are introduced to a description of the unfortunate expedition,
reign, and whic—h closed his earthly career.
Dictionary.
"We are indebted to the
Chapter hi "
See an account of him Irish Archaeological Society for this dis- in the Irish Penny Magazine," vol. i. ,
— " Leabhar na covery. " JohnO'Donovan's
No. Ancient Irish 10,
No.
g-ceart, or the Book of Rights. "
tion, p. v. , n. (d).
Introduc-
1. 7 "
The Chronicum Scotorum"
" of book to History Ireland," i. , pp. 243
has the
date for these transactions, at A. D. 906. See 247. Dublin edition, 1854.
William M. Hennessy's edition.
1. 8
Keating appears to have altogether overlooked the foregoing accounts, regard-
3 See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. , pp. 102 to 105, and notes (i. , m. , n. , p. , q. , r. ,s. ).
Biography, Conn Ceadcathac, pp. 75, 76.
ix. ,
2
See Dermod O'Connor's Keating's
'
September 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 353
subjectedtoEoghanMore. Theboundaryline,drawnbetweenbothprinci- palities, was known by a ridge of gravel hills, denominated the Eiskir Reada. 4 Hence, while the northern part of this Island retained the name of Leath Cuinn, or Conn's half; the southern part obtained the denomination of Leath Modha, or Modha's half. This latter was recognized as the prin- cipality of the victorious Eoghan More. s Moreover, the principality of Munster had been divided into Thomond, which lay north of the River Shannon, and it belonged to the Dalcassians ; while the southern districts, known as the Eoganaught, was under the sway of the Eugenians.
6
Before the death of Oilioll Olum, son to Mogh Nuadhat, and King of
Munster, took place in a. d. 234,7 that prince had been elevated to the throne of two great divisions, into which the Kingdom of Munster had been divided. He is said to have had nine sons, by his queen, Sadhbh. Seven of these werekilledinthebattleofMaghMuchruime. Oftheseninesons,threeonly left posterity ; viz. , Eoghan More, the eldest, who was killed in the battle already mentioned, Cormac Cas and Cian, his sons, who survived that engagement. Eoghan More left behind him a son named Fiachadh Muilleathan, who was born after his father's death. Previous to the birth of this child, Oilioll Olum had demised the perpetual govern- ment of the whole Munster province after his own decease to his son, Cormac Cas. But, on receiving intelligence about the birth of Fiachadh Muilleathan, he resolved on making an alteration in his will. He decreed, that his son Cormac Cas should wear the Munster crown, during his natural life, and after the demise of his father. After the death of Cormac Cas, he provided, that the sovereignty of the principality should devolve on Fiachadh
Muilleathan, son to Eoghan More, in case he survived. He decreed, that the crown afterwards should revert to the family of Cormac Cas, and again to Fiachadh Muilleathan's line. Thus he intended it should be transmitted alternately to the heirs of these chiefs, over the Eoganacht and Dalcassian tribes. The former were so named because Eoghan More had been their ancestor. The latter received the etymon from Cormac Cas their progenitor. We are told, moreover, the will of Oilioll Olum was held in such veneration by his posterity, that for many ages, there were no contests for the Munster sovereignty, between the representatives of the two families and tribes. 8
We cannot doubt, however, but that previous hostile demonstrations of the Leinster King against the Southern province, some short time before, was in reality the strong cause of provocations From an ancient historical Tract, intituled Cath Bealaigh Mughna,10 we are there informed by the Rev.
4 It is said to be yet traceable, and run- ning from east to west, at irregular distances from the neighbourhood of Dublin to the town of Galway.
5 See Dermod O'Connor's Keating's "History of Ireland," book i. , pp. 244,
"
245, and Dr. O'Donovan's
Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (r. ) pp. 104, 105.
6 See an account of him in "The Irish Penny Magazine," vol. i. , No. II, Ancient Irish Biography, No. x. , Olliol Ollum, pp. 83, 84.
7 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 112, 113.
8 See Dermod O'Connor's Keating's
" History of Ireland," book L, pp. 249 to 251. "It is remarkable, however, that
though greatly
and his family, his will did not take effect, for no less than forty-four of the descen- dants of his eldest son held the throne successively, without interruption, during a period of six hundred years ; while the family of his youngest son were merely chiefs of a small territory, principally in the Coanty Clare. "—" Irish Penny Magazine," vol. i. , No. II, Ancient Irish Biography, No. x. , p. 83.
9 Martin Haverty writes of this war : " Others assert that it was only intended to protect the abbey of Monasterevan, founded by Evinus, a Munster saint, on the confines of Leinster, and which the King of Leinster
venerated
by
his
subjects
,0 In
English,
The Battle of
Ballagh Z
Annals of the
had now seized for his own people. "—
"
History of Ireland," chap, xiii. , p. 128.
354 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September14.
Dr. Keating," that towards the close of Cormac's prosperous reign of seven
some Munster chiefs— whom was — Flath- years, among especially distinguished
bhertach Mac Jonmuinein, Abbot of Ini6cathy urged him to demand a
tribute from the Leinstermen, as an acknowledgment of Munster sovereignty. These counsels appeared adverse to the pacific disposition and calm judg- ment of the prince-prelate ; yet, he seems to have been unduly influenced to a course of action, which unavoidably compromised his unresisting and unenergetic character. At first, he refused to adopt the line of policy proposed but, at length, he agreed to submit this matter to a grand convocation of provincial chiefs. When the magnates invited to this council had assembled at the place appointed, Cormac entered into a statement of that object, for which they had been convoked. He promised at the same time, that he would submit to their decision on the question. The opinion of those Munster chiefs was embodied in a hasty resolution, that the tribute, which the people of Leinster had so long neglected to pay, should be demanded. In case of refusal, the matter, it was decided, should be submitted to an arbitrament of the sword. At the same time, those Munster chiefs pledged themselves to stake their lives and fortunes on the prosecution of what they conceived to be identical with their sovereign rights and the honour oftheir pro- vince. The Abbot of Iniscathy more especially insisted, that the King of Southern Munster had a just claim upon tribute from the Leinster province, as it formed part of that division of Ireland, known as Leath Modha, and in virtue of a compact, said to have been formerly contracted, between Modha Nuadhat and Conn of the Hundred Battles. 12 This convention of the Munster
chiefs was assembled at now known as Mungairide,
county of Limerick, where a celebrated religious establishment then existed. *
Cormac felt secretly grieved, that such a resolution should have been
taken ; but, he was unwilling to oppose the expedition resolved on, lest he might appear to violate the promise he had made. Filled with a prophetic spirit, it is stated, lie had an intimation from Heaven, that he must perish in thiswar,andthatitshouldbeattendedwithanunfortunateissue.
