No More Learning

The Burkes were which could not easily taken avoided, where encamped opposite them the western side, and they lay ambush for the Irish forces; they conferences were held between them, during found Teige O'Flaherty advancing towards them, fortnight, but they could not pacified during
the front the force, and his people close rank that time. At the end that period the go about him; the soldiers having fired volleys balls vernor and the earl proceeded, with ten twelve the van the Irish force,Teige O'Flaherty, toge companies, across Beilgibh inwards, visit
ther with Urun O'Flaherty, Teige Oge, the son Tyrawley and Erris; the Burkes marched Teige O'Flaherty, and great number his sup parallel direction with them, and contemplated
son Dermod, son
Limerick (Cornelius
Conor, i. e. the bishop O'Dea, bishop Limerick
1426, see Ware's Bishops), son
from 1400
Murrogh-an-Dana O'Dea, died, and was buried
Disert-Tola (Dysert O'Dea, the barony Inch iquin, county Clare), his own town Triochad
Cead Kinel Fermaic, the south Dalgais.
A. D. 1590
The Burcaigh Iochtaracha (the Lower Burkes
Iorras, and Umhal (the baronies Erris, Bur rishoole, and Murrisk, Mayo), that did not join
that alliance.
The governor, Sir Richard Bingham, and the
Conor, son Donogh O’Brien, marched with all
their forces, the first month this year, i. e. the month January, attack the Burkes, and they
porters the chiefs Joyce’s Country, and the
Clan Donogh, who were about him, were killed
that discharge, and such the Irish forces were
not slain the first volley, returned, without run ning being alarmed,and were not followed beyond
that place. Edmond, the son Murrogh the Battle-axes O'Flaherty, who was imprisoned Galway, was hanged three days after Teige had been killed; and those sons Murrogh the Battle-axes O'Flaherty had not fallen, conse quence their plundering and insurrection against the sovereign England, their death after that
encounter them Bearnaigh-na-Gaoithe (the Windy Gap, the parish Addergoole, barony Tyrawley, county Mayo); but, however, they did not so, and the pass was let free the go
vernor and the earl; was that expedition that the foot, out from the joint, was taken off Mac
William Burke. The governor returned back Cong, and himself, the Burkes, and Clan Don
nell, made peace with each other; and they de
livered their hostages into the hands the gover nor, and the governor went the town Athlone,
and the men Connaught returned their homes. The governor marched with very great force,
the month March, attack O’Rourke; that army was great, that the governor sent im
mense number his captains, and his companies, Slieve Cairpre, the upper end Muintir Eo
luis (in Leitrim), and another portion the officers his army proceeded the bridge Sligo,
the western side, towards Brefney, and those forces began burn and devastate, kill, and destroy
before them the country general, until they met each other. O’Rourke was expelled that expedition, and received neither shelternor
manner would have been Dermod Oge, the son
great loss.
Dermod, son Denis,
4 D
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570 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1590.
protection until he arrived in the Tuatha to Mac Tirconnell opposition her son, Hugh Roe, Sweeney-na-dTuath (of the Districts, in Donegal), who was then imprisoned Dublin, whenever
namely Owen Oge, the son of Owen, son of Owen, God might allow him return from his incarcera
son of Donal, and he remained with him to the end tion, that was on that account she mustered
of this year; and such of his people as did not go those the Tirconnallians who were faithfully into banishment came in and submitted to the obedient her, namely O’Dogherty and his forces;
governor. Donal, the son of Teige, son of Bryan Mac Sweeney the Districts, Owen Oge, with O’Rourke, and Hugh Oge, the son of Hugh Gall his force; Mac Sweeney Fanat and his forces, da, were aiding the English to expel and banish together with great number the Scots. O'Rourke. The country, both waste and inha When Donal O’Donnell received intelligence bited, was under the controul of the governor, to those forces being mustered march against him, the following festival of St. Michael, until Tiarnan he collected his force meet them those who
Baun, the son of Bryan, son of Owen O’Rourke, and Bryan Oge-na-Samthach, the son of that O'Rourke, who had been expelled, came to the country about Michaelmas; these, and the tribes of Brefney and Muintir Eoluis (the Mac Rannalls of Leitrim), and the O’Rourkes, who were before them in the country, went in opposition to the governor, and they continued spoiling that was
under the power the English, every direction they went, the end this year. great fortress, the like of which had not been constructed for long time, was made the governor, between Loch-Ce and Loch-Arbhach (Loch Kea, Ros common, and Loch Arrow Sligo).
The son O’Neill, i. e. Hugh Geimhleach, the son John Dongaileach, son Con Bacach, son Con, son Henry, son Owen, was hanged the earl Tyrone, namely, by Hugh, the son
Feardorcha, son Con Bacach; there was not man his age for long time, the race
joined with him were Mac Sweeney Banagh, namely Donogh, the son Maolmurry, and party the Clan Sweeney Munster, together with the three sons Owen, the son Maol murry, son Donogh, son Torlogh, (Mac Sweeney), with their forces, and O'Boyle, i. e. Teige Oge, the son Teige, son Torlogh, with
fighting, that was slain there Doire Lea Eogan, son Niall, who was more lamented than than (Derrylaghan), near the harbour Teiliond
that Hugh. The son
(Telen Harbour, Donegal). Seldom ever, before that time, had his enemies been victorious, al though the persons by whom was slain had not been actually his enemies until they encountered
Donal, the son Hugh Duv, son
Bundrowes, Leitrim), the people Boylagh together with two hundred the side Donal. and Banagh (the O'Boyles Boylagh, and Mac Walter Ciotach Burke, the son John, son Sweeneys Banagh). was great tribulation Oliver, died, after having made peace with the
O’Donnell, Manus, son
Hugh, son
Hugh Roe, son Niall Garv, son Torlogh the
Wine, began supersede his father, after had on that occasion; and although that Donal was become feeble and helpless, and after his other son
had been imprisoned Dublin, that Donal
brought those from the mountain westward,
Tirconnell, under his power and controul, viz. from
Barnus Drowis (from Barnusmore mountain Owen, the son Maolmurry, son Donogh,
and torment mind the daughter James Mac Donnell, that Donal should have made that declaration, lest might assume the government
English.
Mac Coghlan (of King's county), i. e. John, the
son Art, son Cormac, died; and there was
his forces.
happened
(Banagh),
The place where the son O’Donnell
was the west the eastern side
Tir Boghaine
Gleann. Banagh), with
(Glencolumkille, the barony
those chiefs along with him. The other party did
not halt until they came oppose them that
place, and fierce battle was fought between them;
the Scots shot forth shower of arrows from their
flexible bows, with which immense
pierced and wounded them, the
tember, and those was the son
himself, which was disabled from using arms
not the rightful heir the patrimony, would dishonour for Tirconnell appoint him over
had been ceded him. There were slain that conflict, along with Donal, those three sons
number was 14th Sep O’Donnell
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not a man of his estate, of the race of Cormac Cas, whose mansions, castles, and good dwelling houses,
were better arranged, or more comfortable than
his ; and his son, John Oge, was appointed his Successor.
Maolroona, the son of Calvach, son of Donogh, son of John O'Carroll, died.
Fitz-Maurice of Kerry," i. e. Thomas, the son of Edmond, son of Thomas, son of Edmond, died ;
goods, of any man of his rank and patrimony in the most part of Leath-Mogha at that time; and Pa trick, his heir, was then in imprisonment in Dublin.
O'Loghlin (of Burren, in Clare), i. e. Anthony, the son of Malachy, son of Roderick, son of Ana, died; and his son Rossa, and his grandson An thony, were in contention with each other about succeeding him.
REIGN OF ELIZABETH. 57. 1
Sorley Buighe, the son of Alexander, son of John he was the best purchaser of wine, horses, and Cathanach Mac Donnell, died. *
A. D. 1590.
1. Fitzmaurice of Kerry. —An account has been given at pp. 180, 528 of the Fitzmaurices, earls of Kerry, who were descended from Raymond le Gros, the celebrated Anglo-Norman warrior who came to Ireland with Strongbow. Thomas Fitzmaurice, above mentioned, according to Lodge's Peerage, was son of Ed mond, the 10th baron of Lixnaw, in Kerry, by Una, or Winnifred, daughter of Teige or Torlogh Mac Mahon, lord of Corcabascin in Clare. After several of his brothers and relatives had beenbarons, he succeeded as the 16th lord of Lixnaw. When a young man he served at Milan, and other parts of Italy, under the emperors of Germany; on the death of his brother Gerald, the 15th baron, another Gerald Fitzmaurice, supposed to be the next heir male, took possession of the lordship, and held it about a year, when Joan Harman, who had been nurse to the lord Thomas, though then very old, resolved to go in search of him, and, accompanied by her daughter, took ship at Dingle, sailed to France, and, pro ceeding to Milan, she acquainted lord Thomas of her errand, and died on her return home. Lord Thomas came to Ireland, and after some opposition, succeeded to his title and estates in 1552, and was styled lord of Kerry, and captain of his nation. In 1581, he for some time was joined with Gerald, earl of Desmond, in the war against Elizabeth, but afterwards became reconciled to the government; he died at Lixnaw, on the 16th of December, 1500, in the 80th year of his age, and was buried in the toinb of bishop Philip Stack, in the cathedral of Ardfert, as governor John Zouch, who then kept a garrison in the abbey, refused him burial in the tomb of his ancestors. This Thomas Fitzmaurice was a man of great valour and accomplishments, and, according to Lodge, he was the handsomest man of that age, and of such great strength, that not three men could be found in Kerry able to bend his bow. His son, Patrick Fitzmaurice, by a daughter of James, earl of Desmond, succeeded as baron of Lixnaw, and joined the Munster chiefs in the war against Elizabeth ; he died in 1600, and was succeeded by his son Thomas, by Jane, daughter of David Itoche, lord of Fermoy. This Thomas, baron of Lixnaw, and lord of Kerry, was a commander of note in Munster in the war against Elizabeth, and joined the forces of Red Hugh O'Donnell, who came to assist the Spaniards at the siege of Kinsale.
2. The Mac Donnells of Antrim. —An account has beengiven at pp. 22, 417, in these notes, of the Mac Donnells of Antrim and the Hebrides, who were originally descended from the Irish race in Ulster, called Clan Colla; some of their ancestors, of the tribe of Clan Colla, having gone from Ulster in remote times, settled in Scotland, chiefly in Argyle, and the Hebrides, and, according to Lodge's Peerage on the Mac Donnells earls of Antrim, they became the most numerous and powerful clan in the Highlands of Scotland, where they were generally called Mac Donalds. In the reign of Malcolm IV. , king of Scotland, in the 12th century, Somerled, Samhairle, or Sorley Mac Donnell, was Thane of Argyle, and his descendants were styled lords of the Isles or Hebrides, and lords of Cantyre, and were allied by intermarriages with the Norwegian earls of the Orkneys, Hebrides, and Isle of Man. The Mac Don nells continued for many centuries to make a conspicuous figure in the history of Scotland, as one of the most valiant and powerful clans in that country. Some chiefs of these Mac Donnells came to Ireland, in the beginning of the 13th century; the first of them mentioned in these Annals being the sons of Randal, sonof Somer
led, the Thane of Argyle above mentioned, and they, accompanied
by Thomas Mac Uchtry, a chief from Galloway, came, in A. D. 1211, with 76 ships and powerful forces, to Derry; they plun
dered several parts of Derry and Donegal, and fresh forces of these Scots having arrived at various periods, they made some settle ments in Antrim, and continued their piratical expeditions along the coasts of Ulster. The Mac Donnells settled chiefly in those districts called the Routes and Glynnes, in the territory of ancient Dalriada, in Antrim, and they had their chief fortress at Dunluce. They became very powerful, and formed alliances by marriage with the Irish princes and chiefs of Ulster, as the O’Neills of Tyrone and Clannaboy, the O'Donnells of Donegal, the O’Kanes of Derry, the Mac Mahons of Monaghan, &c. The Mac Dounells carried on long and fierce contests with the Mac Quillans, power ful chiefs in Antrim, whom they at length totally vanquished in
the 16th century, and seized on their lands, and their chief fortress of Dunseverick, near the Giant's Causeway Many distinguished chieftains of the Mac Donnells are mentioned in the course of these Annals; they were celebrated commanders of galloglasses in Ulster and Connaught, and make a remarkable figure in Irish history, in the various wars and battles, from the 13th to the 17th century, and particularly in the reign of Elizabeth ; they are some times called Clan Donnells, and by some of the English writers Mac Connells. The Mac Alustrums, or Mac Allisters, of Scotland and Ireland, were a branch of the Mac Donnells, and took their name from one of their chiefs named Alastrum, or Alexander; and as the name Sandy, or Saunders, is a contraction of Alexan der, some of them have anglicised their names to Saunderson. The Mac Sheehys, according to Lodge, were also a branch of the Mac Donnells, who came from Scotland to Ireland, and they also were ceiebrated commanders of galloglasses, particularly in Mun ster, under the Fitzgeralds, earls of Desmond. The Mac Don nells generally fought in alliance with the Irish, as the O'Neills, O'Donnells, &c. , and also along with the Burkes of Connaught, against the English, but very frequently there were fierce contests between the Mac Donnells and the Irish chiefs. The Sorley Buighe, above mentioned, was son of Alexander Mac Donnell, by a daugh ter of O’Kane, and Sorley makes a remarkable figure in Ulster for a period of about 20 years; he was mostly joined with the Irish chiefs in the war against Elizabeth, but he afterwards became re conciled to the government, and his son, sir Randal, was created earl of Antrim by king James I. , and that title has been since held by the family of Mac Donnell. The following passage is taken from a document which has beenkindly furnished by W. D. Ferguson, Esq. , barrister, Dublin, a learned gentleman; it is en titled A Discourse made by Mr. Tremayne, in the reign of king James touching grants lands made by queen Elizabeth the
Scots the Glynnes and Routes Antrim :—“It very dangerous matter, for granted that
the Scots the head and maintenance rebellion
what can more perilous than plant them that place along the sea coast that most apt and the very receptacle receive them thither. If, therefore, they must needs placed thcre, were good they were divided sundry septs, and not too much granted any one; that there were many freeholders and strait
covenants devised against the receiving any number Scots into that territory. ”
thought
all the access that realm,
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572 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1590.
Owen Mac Andeaganaigh (a family name an that they began call them the people who
glicised to Dean), died.
Hugh Roe O'Donnell, having been incarcerated
in Dublin for three years and three months, was greatly grieved in mind at being in cruel captivity
lived the houses opposite the door the other side the street, and when those came that call, they took out the piece wood which was the chain, and let open the door the people the
after that manner; and it was not on his own ac castle, who, along with great party the citizens, count, but on account of the dire bondage in which went pursuit those persons who had escaped his country and native land, his friends and rela from them; but that was avail them, for tives, were placed, in every quarter throughout they had been outside the walls the town before
Ireland; he was also meditating in his mind on they were missed,
the gates the regal city
what means of escape he could find, but that was
not an easy matter for him, for he was put every
night into a gloomy cell in the castle, to be secured
until the following morning. That castle was so
situated, that it was completely surrounded with a
broad and very deep trench full of water, over
which was a narrow wooden bridge, directly before
the door of the fortress, and a stern party of the journey and flight. As they were wearied and
English inside and outside about the door, strictly
guarding that none could come out
without permission; but, however, there
guarding that advantage may not ultimately did not think safe stop the wood, they
obtained
panions, were,
the beginning
Hugh, with number his com were dread being pursued; but, however,
tached them
wood,
the door, for persons pull out shutting and they thrust strong piece thick filled the hand, through the
the protect
the end winter precisely, night, together, before they had
Hugh was not able proceed with his companions, for his fair and tender feet were torn by the furze
the mountain, his shoes had fallen off, after they were completely ripped the wet, which
they did not receive till then. was great grief his companions that they could not bring him
been put into the strong cells which they were
every night, and they took with them very long
rope, the window which was accessible them,
by which the fugitives descended, until they
alighted the bridge which was before the door
any further with them, and they bade him farewell, and left their blessings with him. He sent his servant certain gentleman the clans the province Leinster, who lived castle neighbourhood, try would defend
the fortress. There was thick iron chain at
chain prevent them from coming out the for tress, pursue them suddenly. There was
him his name was Felim O'Toole, and
was thought, young man Hugh’s faithful people waiting for had gone visit him one time the
for their escape, who met them when they came out,
prison which was Dublin, and they res
pectively confirmed their friendship with each other. The messenger proceeded Felim’s place,
and was experienced battle, and subduer would every good his power for Hugh conflict. As the guards, they did not the but, however, his friends and relatives did not re time notice the escape, but when they discovered commend him conceal him, being dread
they immediately rushed fast they possibly the punishment the English. was afterwards could the door the castle, for they hoped discovered those who had gone pursuit encounter them conflict; after they had come him, we have before stated, that was the the door, they found impossible open wood, and those pursuers having heard that, went
and had two well tempered swords under his gar
ment, which delivered into the hands Hugh,
who gave one these swords brave warrior
the Lagenians, Art Cavenagh, who was near, received him friendly manner, and promised
friend Hugh previous that,
that time, and they had ar the mountain which lay before
were open them
rived the foot
them, viz. , the Slieve Roe (the Red Mountain,
the borders Dublin and Wicklow); fear did not permit them proceed the common road, and they did not stop their course until they crossed the forementioned Slieve Roe, after fatiguing
tired, they proceeded thick sequestered wood,
which lay before them, which they remained till morning, when they prepared depart, for they
and related him the cause his coming, and
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YI. , afterwards James England, who then appeared be on friendly terms with the Irish, violation the rights hospi tality, says Mac Geoghegan, ordered O'Rourke seized, and had him. sent prisoner England, conciliate the favour Queen Elizabeth. O'Rourke, after being confined some time
REIGN OF ELIZABETH.
573
in pursuit of him with their troops. As Felim was conveyed him to England, and to London, where sure that he would be found, the resolution that he remained imprisoned for some time till the fol he and his kinsmen came to was, that they them lowing November Term ; having been tried by selves should take him prisoner, and bring him law, he was condemned to death, and was back to the council in the city; they accordingly hanged beheaded, and quartered. The death
did so, and when they came to Dublin, the council of that Bryan was one of the greatest losses the
were rejoiced at their coming to them, and they Irish sustained, for there had not lived of his family considered it of little avail and consequence that the for a long time a person more eminent for bounty,
other hostages and prisonershadescaped from them; good hospitality, excellence, giving rewards for he was put into the same prison again, and iron laudatory poems, liberality, conviviality, mildness, fetters were bound on him as tightly as possible, circumspection, maintaining the field of battle, and they watched and guarded him as closely as defending his patrimony, and protecting strangers, they could. His escape, after that manner, and till his death on that occasion. "
his recapture, was generally heard of throughout the entire land of Ireland, and a great gloom came over the Irish on account of that event (See notes at A. D. 1587 and 1592).
Murrogh, the son of Conor, son of Torlogh, son of Teige, son of Torlogh, son of Bryan of the Bat
Nenagh O’Brien, died Cathair Miomain, the 25th February, and was buried Kilfe
nora (in Clare).
Margaret, the daughter Donal, the son
A. D. 1591.
O’Rourke, i. e. Bryan-na-Murtha, the son of Conor, son Torlogh, son Teige, son Tor
Bryan Ballach, son of Owen, son of Tiarnan, son logh, son Bryan the Battle
of Teige, son of Tiarnan More, had been expelled, the wife Torlogh, the son
as before stated, into Tirconnell, to the Tuatha, Donogh Mac Mahon, died
(Districts), where he remained upwards of a year (Kilmacduane, Clare), and was buried Inis with Mac Sweeny, i. e. Owen Oge. He went cathaidh (Inniscattery Island, near the mouth after that to Scotland, in the hope of receiving the Shannon); and her sister Aine, the wife protection or relief from the king of Scotland; a Torlogh Roe, the son Teige, son Murrogh, party of the queen's people, having taken him, son Teige Roe Mac Mahon, died.
A. D. 1591.
Death O'Rourke—The above mentioned Bryan O'Rourke, lord West Brefney Leitrim, was called the Irish Brian na-Murtha, signifying Bryan the Bulwarks, from some fortresses
had erected during his battles with the English. He was celebrated chieftain, distinguished for his fine person, valour, mu nificence, and hospitality; during period many years maintained his independence, and fought various battles with the English forces, under Nicholas Malby and Richard Bing han, governors Connaught. He was particularly remarkable
his protection the Spaniards, who had been wrecked the
Armada, before mentioned, the year 1588, and this drew
him the vengeance the governor Bingham, who made many
charges impeachment against him, amongst others that had
caused the picture queen Elizabeth tied horse's tail,
and dragged derision through his territory. After many con
flicts with the English under Bingham, who was assisted the
earl Clanrickard, O'Rourke's forces, and those ally Mac
Sweeney Donegal, were length defeated, and, unable main
tain his position, O'Rourke went Scotland, with the hope
Faising some auxiliaries recover territory; but king James ferred British settlers; Williers, duke Buckingham, and the
Scottish family Hamilton, got the principal part O’Rourke's
lands. the great insurrection 1641, sir Owen O'Rourke, at tempting recover the estates his ancestors, had many engage
ments with the English settlers, and seized several their castles; but the Cromwellian confiscations, the ancient race O'Rourke lost the remaining portion the lands their ancestors. At 76, the note Brefney, account has beengiven several
the Tower, was tried Westminster, 1591, and being con
demned for treason, was hanged and beheaded Tyburn,
displaying his execution the most undaunted courage, firmness, the Counts O'Rourke, distinguished the military service and magnanimity. Bryan O'Rourke was the last prince Brefney, France, Austria, Russia and Poland.
for though other chiefs note came after him, none them was able exercise power and authority ancient times; lived his castle Dromahaire, style great munifi
cence, and hospitality, and his memory was long celebrated the
Irish Bards. Many distinguished chiefs the O'Rourkes, princes
and lords West Brefney, Leitrim, are mentioned the course
these Annals. Teige O'Rourke, son the above Bryan, was
commander note the war against Elizabeth, and, 1599,
fought with great bravery conjunction with Red Hugh O'Don
nell, and other chiefs, the battle the Curlew Mountains,
Roscommon, where the English forces were defeated with great loss, and their commander, sir Conyers Clifford, slain. Teige died
about the year 1606, and was succeeded his son Bryan, who, about the year 1615, being summoned appear before the privy
council submit
Hampton Court, the duke Buckingham required him the plantation his estates, that have them British settlers; O'Rourke refused so, which
colonised was sent
the Tower, where was confined upwards 30 years, during which time his estates were confiscated, and trans
Nenagh O'Brien, Bryan, son Kill-Mec-Dubhain
at
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F
| 574 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1592.
Donogh, the son of Murrogh Roe, son of Bryan, son of Teige, son of Torlogh, son of Bryan of the Battle of Nenagh, died on the 8th of February.
William Burke, the son of John, son of Oliver, son of John, was killed by a gentleman of his own
month, namely, John-na-nSeimhleadh (of the Chains), Mac Namara, the son of Mahon, son of Hugh.
More, the daughter of Donogh, the son of John, son of Maolroona-na-Fesoige (of the Beard), son adherents, namely, by Alexander, the son of Hugh of Teige O'Carroll, the wife of Mac I-Brien of
Buighe Mac Donnell.
The son of Mac William Burke, namely, Wal
ter of the Blows, the son of Rickard, son of John
of the Termon, son of Myler, was killed in a noc
turnal attack by a party of his own near relatives
Ara (in Tipperary), died; she was a woman who spent her time well, and departed the world with out reproach or rebuke.
Cathaleen, the daughter of Donal, the son of Fingin, son of Dermod-an-Dunaidh Mac Carthy,
and kindred, aided by some of the Clan Don the wife of Teige, the son of Cormac Oge, son of
nells.
O'Boyle, i. e. Torlogh Roe, the son of Niall,
son of Torlogh, the most eminent of any that lived of his tribe for a long time, the supporting pillar of
Cormac, son of Teige Mac Carthy, a sensible,
pious, charitable and hospitable woman, died after
having gained the victory over the world and the devil.
The son of O’Meagher, i. e John of the Glen,
learned men and strangers, a man who increased
the lands of the church and professors, the Guaire the son of Thomas, died.
of his tribe in generosity and hospitality, the maintainer of the indigent and helpless, died in his
own fortress, about the festival of St. Bridget, and was buried with solemnity at Donegal, in the burial place of his ancestors.
A. D. 1592. - O'Conor Roe, i. e. Teige Oge, the son of Teige Buighe, son of Cathal Roe, was hanged at the
session of Roscommon, in the month of January, on account of the crimes of his sons, who were engaged in plundering and insurrection against the crown of England; and he was at that time in an aged, feeble, and blind condition, although he got his death after that manner.
Mac Dermott of Moylurg, namely Bryan, the son of Roderick, son of Teige, son of Dermod, died in the month of November, and the death of that man was the more to be lamented, as there was not
the like of him of the Clan Maolroona (the tribe name of the Mac Dermotts, princes of Moylurg, in Roscommon), to assume the government as his
SuccessOr.
All the Burkes in alliance with Mac William,
and their adherents, went on their guard, and the governor, Sir Richard Bingham, having received intelligence of proceeded into the county Mayo, that the castles the country, both perfect and dismantled, were under his controul, viz. , Dun-na-Mona (Dunnamone, the barony Carra), Cuil-na-gs'aisiol (in the barony Kil maine), An-Ghaoisideacht (in Carra), and Cluain in. The Burkes attacked the governor Cuil na-goaisiol, but they, their return, sustained more loss than the governor. The governor after that sent large forces companies English and Irish search those Burkes, who were insur rection and plundering, along the rugged-topped hills, and the bushy, close, and intricate woods; they had not been long that search, when they returned the governor with great booty, and capture prisoners, women and men, and great number cows and horses. The Burkes, after that, came and surrendered the governor, excepting Mac-Deamhain-an-Chorrain, namely, Richard, the son Rickard. The governor took possession the castles the country for him
Mac Namara Riavach, lord of the eastern part
of Clan Cuilein, namely, Donal Riavach, the son self, authority the sovereign, and left of Cumeadha, son of Donogh, son of Roderick, son John Bingham, and companies his own
of Mac Conchean More, died on the 11th of guard them.
February ; and he was a warlike, commanding, Red Hugh, the son Hugh, son Manus bountiful, humane man. O’Donnell, remained imprisonment and
A gentleman of Siol Aodha (the tribe name of chains Dublin, after his former escape, till the the Mac Namaras of Clare), died in the same winter this year. He and his fellow prisoners,
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REIGN OF ELIZABETH.
-
Henry and Art, the sons of O'Neill, i. e. of John,
having been together in the early part of the night,
got an opportunity of the guards before they had
been brought to the dining-room, and having taken
off their fetters, they afterwards went to the privy, there, they sent the servant with word to Glenma having with them a very long rope, by which the lure (in Wicklow), where dwelt Fiacha Mac Hugh fugitives descended through the privy, until they (O'Byrne), who was then at war with the English; reached the deep trench which surrounded the that glen was an impregnable stronghold, and a castle; they afterwards gained the opposite side,
and mounted the side of the trench. There was
a trusty servant, who was in the habit of visiting
them, to whom they disclosed their intention, and
he met them at that time to direct them; they
then proceeded through the streets of the city in to him his message, and the condition he left the
discriminately with others, and no one took notice persons in, who had fled from the city, and that they
of them more than of any other persons, for the would not be overtaken alive unless they came to
people of the town did not stop to make their ac relieve them at once. Fiacha immediately com quaintance that time, and the gates of the city manded a number of his friends whom he could
were open. They afterwards passed through every rely on to go to them, one man bearing food, ano intricate and difficult place, until they arrived on ther ale and mead. They accordingly proceeded, the open plain of Slieve Roe (the Red Mountain, and arrived at the place where the men were; but, on the borders of Dublin and Wicklow), by which alas, unhappy and uncomfortable were they on Hugh, in his first escape, had passed. The their arrival, for the manner in which they were
not bring Art farther with them; and since they could not convey him with them, they stopped there,
and stayed under the shelter of a high projecting rock, which stood before them. Having remained
great number of the prisoners of Dublin, when they made their escape, were in the habit of proceeding to that glen, for they considered themselves secure there until they returned to their countries. When the servant arrived at the place of Fiacha, he related
575
darkness of the night, and the swiftness of their flight, through dread of being pursued, separated
the oldest of them from the others, namely, Henry
was that their bodies were covered, as it were, in beds of white hail-stone, like blankets, which were frozen about them, and congealed their thin light dresses, and their thin shirts of fine linen, to their
O'Neill. Hugh was the youngest of them in
age, although he was not so in noble deeds. skins and their moistened shoes and leathern cover
They were much grieved at Henry’s separation from
them, but, however, they continued their progress,
led on by their own man. The night was dropping
snow, so that it was not easy for them to walk,
ings to their legs and feet, so that they appeared
to the people who came as if they were not actually human beings, having been completely covered
with the snow, for they found no life in their mem
for they were without clothes, or outside coats, bers, but they were as if dead; they took them up
having left their upper garments in the privy from where they lay, and requested them to take through which they had come. Art (O’Neill), some of the food and ale, but they were not able to
became more exhausted by the hasty journey than Hugh, for it was a long time since he had been incarcerated, and he became very corpulent from
do so, for every drink they took they cast it up im mediately, so that Art at length died, and was buried in that place. As to Hugh, he afterwards took some of the mead, and his faculties were restored
the length of his residence in the prison; it was
not so with Hugh, he did not exceed the age of after drinking except the use his feet alone, boyhood, neither did he cease in growth, or be for they became dead members, without feeling, come corpulent, and his pace and progress were having been swelled and blistered by the frost and quick and active. When he perceived that Art snow. The men then carried him the glen which became exhausted, and that his pace was slow and we have mentioned, and remained private tardy, he requested him to put his hand on his house, the hidden recesses wood, under cure,
own shoulder, and the other hand on the shoulder
of the servant, and they proceeded in that manner
until they crossed the Red mountain; after which they were fatigued, and wearied, and they could
until messengercameprivately inquire after him from his brother-in-law, the earl O’Neill.
After the messenger had come him, prepared de
part, and was difficult for him that jour
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576 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1592.
ney, feet could not cured, that another person should raise him his horse, and take him between his two hands again when alighting. Fiacha sent large troop horse with him night, until should cross the river Liffey, defend him against the guards who were looking out for him;
for the English Dublin received intelligence that Hugh was Glenmalure, that was therefore
very great foss, were strongly fenced
garden; there was fine residence belonging excellent gentleman the English near the wood,
and was trusty friend Hugh O'Neill. When they had arrived the ramparts, they left their horses, and went into the wood within the foss, for Hugh’s faithful guide was well acquainted with that place; having left Hugh there, went
they placed sentinels the shallow fords the into the fortress, and was well received; having river, prevent Hugh and the prisoners who had obtained private apartment for Hugh O’Donnell,
fled along with him from crossing thence into the brought him with him, and was served and province Ulster. The men who were along entertained his satisfaction. They remained with Hugh were obliged cross difficult deep there until the night the following day, and ford the river Liffey, near the city Dublin,
which they passed unnoticed the English, until they arrived the plain the fortress. He was accompanied by the persons who had former
their horses having been got ready for them the beginning the night, they proceeded across
and they ratified their good faith and friendship proceeded through their horses until they with each other; after bidding him farewell, and arrived the other side; and they were cheerful
giving him their blessing, they then parted with him there. As Hugh O’Donnell, had none
along with him but the one young man the peo ple Hugh O’Neill who went for him the celebrated glen, and who spoke the language the foreigners (the English), and who was also the habit accompanying the earl, i. e. , Hugh O’Neill, whenever went among the English, that knew, and was familiar with every place through which they passed. They proceeded their two very swift steeds, along the direct course the roads Meath, until they arrived the banks
the Boyne, before morning, short dis
and rejoiced for having got over the dangers which lay before them ’till then. They then pro ceeded the Fiodh (the Wood), where lived Torlogh, the son Henry, son Felim Roe O'Neill, rest themselves, and there they were
secure, for Torlogh was friend and connexion his, and and the earl O’Neill were born the same mother; they remained there’till the follow ing day, and then proceeded across Slieve Fuaid (the Fews Mountains, Armagh), and arrived Armagh, where they remained privately that night; they went the following day Dungannon, where the earl, Hugh O’Neill, lived, and was rejoiced their arrival, and they were led retired apartment, without the knowledge any excepting few his trusty people who were attending them, and Hugh remained there for the space four nights, recovering himself from the fatigue his journey and troubles, after which prepared depart, and took leave the earl,
tance
dread was,
the west Drogheda but they were that city, that what they did
along the bank the river place
where poor fisherman usually waited, and who
had small ferrying Curach (Cot, small boat);
Hugh having gone into the Curach, the ferryman
left him the opposite bank, after had given
him his full payment; Hugh's servant having re
turned, took the horses with him through the city,
and brought them Hugh, the other side the
river. They then mounted their horses, and pro
ceeded until they were two miles from the river,
where they saw thick bushy grove before them, nus O’Donnell, was his mother. Maguire was
Sliabh Breagh and through Machaire Conaill (both the county Louth), until they arrived Traigh
occasion forsaken him after his first escape, namely,
Felim O’Toole and his brother, conjunction with
the troops who were escorting him that place, early, they resolved pass through and they
Baile-Mic-Buain (Dundalk), before morning;
the gates the town were opened the morning
the way which they went, surrounded rejoiced his coming, and boat having been
troop horse with him until the eastern side Lough Erne. the country was friend his,
who sent
arrived
The lord
and kinsman by the mother's side, namely, Hugh Maguire, for Nualadh, the daughter Ma
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REIGN OF ELIZABETH. 577
brought to them, into which they went, they order that they might march across Barnus More, then rowed from thence until they arrived at a prey and plunder the country the eastern
narrow creek of the lake, where they landed. A side the mountain, number of his faithful people having gone to meet quarter which they were.
him, they conveyed him to the castle of Ath nell, after had called
they had done the As Hugh O’Don
his country oppose Seanaigh (Ballyshannon), in which were the guards them, when heard the great oppression exer
of O’Donnell,his father; he remained there until all
those in their neighbourhood in the country came
thither to pay their respects to him. His faithful
people were rejoiced at the arrival of the heir to the immediate vicinity the English; the country the chieftancy, and although they owed him sin did not delay coming his call twos and cere affection on account of his family, they had companies, expeditiously they could, inas motives which made him no less welcome to them, much every person esteemed him. He then sent for the country up to that time had been plundered messages the English, desiring them not re
a hundred times over between the English and the
Irish. " There were two distinguished captains,
namely, captain Willis and captain Conwell, who
had previous to this time come from Connaught, should leave after them the plunder and pro with two hundred soldiers, who were spoiling and perty they had belonging the country. They plundering the country in general, so that Tircon were much dread and terrified, that they did nell, from the mountain westward, was under their accordingly they were ordered, and they were control, except the castle of Ballyshannon, and the thankful for escaping with their lives; and they castle of Donegal, in which O’Donnell, with a few again returned into the province Connaught, and people, resided, against which, however, they could the friars afterwards came the monastery. Hugh
cised over the Tirconnallians, and the spoiling and desecrating the monastery, did not, however, wait their gathering, but proceeded Donegal,
main dwell any longer the church, destroy
and that would not prevent them depart any way they pleased, except alone that they
effect nothing, neither was it in their power to take which they might spoil the country. The
place where the English took their quarters and residence was, the monastery the friars Donegal, after those orders and ecclesias
tics had retired the wilds and sequestered places the country, having fled from through fear
being slain and destroyed. After they had been
for some time the monastery, with the few forces
we have mentioned, party them went the
borders the harbour, two thousand paces west obedient his father on the eastern side of the
Donegal, the town O'Boyle, for they con magnificent mountain, viz. , Barnus More Tir sidered themselves secure there, “they had the Hugh, and also mustered those the western hostages the country under their controul. side the same mountain, namely, O'Boyle and They were the habit going twos and threes Mac Sweeney Banagh; was also joined
carry off property and cattle, treasure, and O'Donnell, his father, i. e. Hugh, the son Manus,
booty, from the neighbouring districts the country, their place that town; they were
also sending for additional troops and forces,
A. D. 1592.
The escape O'Donnell. —An account the capture
Red Hugh O'Donnell has beengiven the year 1587, and his
escapeand recapture the year 1590; his final escape took place Philip O’Reilly, who was one the chiefs Cavan. Mac
above related, and Cox states that four considerable prisoners
escapedout the castle Dublin about December, not without the privity great man, who was well bribed; and Leland
Geoghegan mentions that Fiach Mac Hugh O'Byrne Wicklow,
and Edward Eustace Baltinglass, chiefly contributed their escape.
O’Donnell returned again Ballyshannon, and procured doctors cure his feet, but they could not cure him until he lost his toes, and he was not perfectly well the end the year; was laid up that manner with the sores his feet, from the festival St. Bridget the month April. When that oppressive period melancholy time terminated, considered
confined his ailment, and tering and assembling
too long had been called for the mus
son Hugh Duv, accompanied his spouse, namely, the daughter James Mac Donnell, his mother. The appointed place where these chiefs
mentions that the lord deputy Fitz-William favoured the escape the prisoners. Cox states that, together with Red Hugh
O'Donnell, two sons Shane O'Neill made their escape, and also
those who were
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578 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1592.
met was at Cill-Mic-Nenain (Kilmakrennan, in to which place he likewise came. Hugh O'Don Donegal), and it was there O’Donnell was usually nell was accompanied thither by Mac Sweeny of inaugurated in the lordship over the Tirconnallians, Fanat, namely, Donal, the son of Torlogh, son of
XI. The Bards and Brehons. —As many Bards and Brehons ruins their castle still remain Kilbarron, near Ballyshannon
have been mentioned in the course of these Annals, it will be ne cessary to give some account of them. Bards and poets flourished in every country, from the earliest ages, and Homer, Pindar, and Anacreon, amongst the Greeks, were designated Bards, their chief
Donegal, the shore the Atlantic. The word Bard also the Irish Bard; Ollamh, pronounced Ollav, was the name applied by the Irish professor, sage, learned man, poet, and Ard Ol lamh High Poet, was, according O'Brien, the designation the chief Bard the king, Poet Laureate. The name Ollamh re
themes being love and war, but the term Bard was more particularly
applied to the poets of the Celtic Nations, as the Gauls, Britons, Dan was applied designate poet professor poetry, the Irish, &c. , though some of the Teutonic Nations, as the Germans, word Dan signifies poem; the term Ollamh-re-Seanchas was Saxons, and Scandinavians, also had their Bards. The office of
the Bard was chiefly to compose war songs and poems in praise of
men distinguished for their valour, patriotism, hospitality and
other virtues, and to satirize bad men, and denounce their vices.
The Roman poet Lucan thus describes the office of the Bard:—
“Vos quoque, qui fortes animas belloque peremptas
Laudibus in longum vates dimittitis oevum, Plurima securi fudistis carmina Bardi. ”
Thus translated by Rowe:–
“You too, ye Bards ! whom sacred raptures fire, To chaunt your heroes to your country's lyre; Who consecrate, in your immortal strain, Brave patriot souls in righteous battle slain. ”
Tacitus, in his Germania, gives an interesting account of the Bards of the German nations, and says, that by the recital of their battle
songs, which he calls Barditus, they greatly excited the valour of their warriors, the songs being recited with furious vociferation, and a wild chorus, interrupted at intervals by the application of their bucklers to their mouths, which made the sound burst out with redoubled force. The Bards of the Scandinavians, called Skalds, were highly celebrated amongst the northern nations, Danes, Swedes, and Norwegians; and an account of them has been given at p. 459 in these notes. Amongst the Gauls the Bards were highly honoured, and accounts of them are given by Diodo rus Siculus, and Strabo, who designate them Bardoi in the Greek. The Bards were highly celebrated amongst the ancient Britons, particularly in Wales; and in the works of Warton, Gray, Jones, Pennant, Evans, Owen, Davies, &c. , and in Turner's Anglo-Sax ons, copious accounts are given of the great Cambrian Bards, Aneurin, Taliessin, Myrgin, Meigant, Modred, Golyzan, Llywarch, Llewellyn, Hoel, &c. , who sung the praises of the renowned Arthur, king of Britain, and other heroes,as Ossian, the Irish Orpheus, did the mighty deeds and fame of the Fenian warriors of Ireland at an earlier time. In Ireland the Bards were a famous order from the earliest ages amongst the Milesians, and Amergin, one of the sons of Milesius, was appointed chief Bard of the kingdom ; in subsequent times, many even of the kings and princes compos ed poems, and attained the high honour of being enrolled amongst the Bards. In the institutions of the country the Bards held a rank equal to the princes and chief nobility ; the Bards and Brehons were permitted to wear six colours in their garments, the kings wearing seven, while military commanders and various other public officers, according to their rank and dignities, wore only five, four, three, and two colours, and the common people were allowed to wear only one colour. The Bards and Brehons assisted at the inauguration of kings and princes, and had some of the highest seats appropriated to them at the banquet. The Bards attended on battle-fields, recited their war songs, and ani mated the champions to the contest, and they recorded the heroic actions of the warriors who fell in the conflict. They were held in high esteem, had many privileges, and extensive lands were allotted to their own use. In Sir John Davis's account of Ferma nagh, in the reign of James says the lands that county were made into three great divisions, one part being the Mensal land Maguire, another the Termons, church lands, and the third division belonged the chroniclers, rhymers and gallogiasses.
The O'Clerys, who were hereditary historians and Bards the O'Donnells, princes Tirconnell, had extensive lands, and the
applied the chroniclers, and historians, the word Seanchas sig nifying history genealogy. The term Seanchuidhe, derived from Sean, old, was also applied historians, antiquaries, and genealogists, hence the name was anglicised Senachies; File, the plural Filidhe, anglicised Filea and Fileas, were also names applied poets Bards. The Bards became numerous body Ireland, very early period, and from their undue power
the state excited the jealousy and enmity some the kings and princes. the reign the monarch Conaire about the com mencement the Christian era, the Bards were proscribed and expelled from Munster and Leinster, and fled Ulster, where they found refuge, and were protected and patronised Concovar Mac Nessa, the celebrated king Emania, which event an ac count given the Dissertations the learned Charles O'Conor.
the latter end the sixth century, remarkable contention arose between the Bards and Aodh, Hugh, son Ainmireach, monarch Ireland, who resolved suppress their order, which had become too powerful and dangerous the state, and this time, according Keating, they were one thousand number. great national convention, described 439, these notes, was held 590 Dromceat Derry, regulate the disputes between the monarch and the Bards, which assembly St. Colum kille came from Iona the Hebrides, and having advocated the cause the Bards, adjusted the contention, thus preventing the order from being abolished, and advising their continuance, under proper regulations, important national institution.
the beginning the 17th century, remarkable literary conten tion arose between the Bards Leath-Cuin, Meath, Ulster and Connaught, and those Leath-Mogha, Leinster and Munster, which full and very interesting account given the year 1600, O’Reilly's Irish Writers. This curious collec tion poems entitled Iomarbhaidh-na-n Eigeas, the Con tention the Learned; there are copies various libraries, and would form interesting work translated and published. The Bards Ireland were for many centuries proscribed and per secuted, and great numbers them put death by the English government, and many penalties were enacted against them the parliaments, the statute Kilkenny, &c. Bardism and Bre honism, like many other offices Ireland, were hereditary certain families, each the kings, princes and chiefs having his own Bards and Brehons. Accounts of the chief Bards from the earliest ages, are found O'Reilly's Irish Writers, and throughout the Annals the Four Masters, great number eminent Bards, historians and Brehons have been recorded. The following were the chief Bardic families Ireland, and many them were eminent historians:—The O'Clerys Donegal, the celebrated authors the Annals the Four Masters, were here ditary Bards and historians the O’Donnells. The Mac Wards were also distinguished Bards and historians Donegal and Ty rome the O'Donnells and O'Neills. The Mac Conmidhes, anglicised Mac Conways and Mac Conveys, and the O'Gnives, were Bards the O'Neills, princes Tyrone and lords Clan naboy. The O'Hoseys were Bards the Maguires Fermanagh, and the Mac Mahons Monaghan. The O'Donnellys were poets
Tyrone and Monaghan. The O'Dalys, O'Mulligans, and O’Far rellys Cavan, were Bards and historians the O'Reillys. The O'Cuirneens were Bards and historiographers Brefney, under the O'Rourkes. The O'Maolconry's O'Conroys, were the here ditary Bards and historians the O'Conors, kings Connaught. The Mac Firbises were famous Bards and historians North
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REIGN OF ELIZABETH. 579
Roderick, and Mac Sweeny of the Districts, i. e. Owen Oge, the son of Owen ; there were some discontented persons of the Tirconnallians who
Connaught. The O’Duigenans of Kilronan, were Bards and his torians to the Mac Dermotts of Roscommon, and Mac Donoghs of
Sligo. The O’Dugans were Bards and historians to the O'Kellys
of Galway and Roscommon. The O'Daly's were celebrated Bardic
families in Connaught, Meath, Leinster and Munster. The O'Hig Writers, accounts are given of many famous Brehons and chief gins and O'Coffeys were eminent Bards in Westmeath and in
Connaught. The O'Dunns, O'Daly's, and Mac Keoghs, were the
chief Bards and historians of Leinster, under the Mac Murroghs,
kings of Leinster, and to various princes and chiefs in that province.
The Mac Craiths, O'Daly's, O'Dineens, and O'Keeffes, were the
chief poets in Desmond, to the Mac Carthys, O'Donoghoes, O'Sul
livans, and other great families, and to the Fitzgeralds, earls of
Desmond. The Mac Craiths, Mac Bruodins, Mac Curtins, and
Mac Gowans, were the Bards and historians of Thomond, to the
O'Briens, Mac Namaras, Mac Mahons, O'Loghlins, and other
great families of Clare and Limerick.
In Music the ancient Irish were highly celebrated, and it is stated in Hanmer's Chronicle, p. 197, that in the latter end of the eleventh century, about A. D. 1098, Griffith ap Conan, prince of Wales, who had resided a long time in Ireland, brought over with him to Wales “divers cunning musicians, who devised in manner all the instrumental music upon the Harp and Crowth that is there used, and made laws of minstrelsy to retain the musicians in due order;” thus it appears that the famous Welsh Bards were indebted for their knowledge of the harp chiefly to the Irish. Gi raldus Cambrensis, a Welshman, and a learned ecclesiastic, who came to Ireland with the English in the latter end of the 12th century, in the reign of king John, extols the skill of the Irish in music, and says, in a passage too long to be here quoted, that in his time they excelled in music and minstrelsy all the European na tions. The Irish, in former ages, were the most famous harpers in Europe, and continued eminent in the art even down to modern times. Torlogh O'Carolan, the last and greatest of the Irish Bards, a celebrated harper and composer, died in the year 1738, in the 68th year of his age, at Alderford, in Roscommon, the residence of his great patron Mac Dermott Roe, and was buried in the old church of Kilronan. There were many other eminent Bards, Harpers, and musical composers in Ireland, in the 18th century, as Cormac Comman, Thomas O'Connellan, and his brother William, Roger and Echlin O’Kane, Cahir Mac Cabe, Miles O'Reilly, Charles Fan ning, Edward Mac Dermott Roe, Hugh Higgin, Patrick Kerr, Patrick Moyne, Arthur O’Neill, and others, all in Ulster and Con naught. In Meath and Leinster, O'Carroll, Cruise, Murphy, and Empson, were distinguished harpers, and Shane Clarach Mac Don nell, in Munster, was an eminent Bard. Interesting accounts of the Irish minstrels and Bards are given in the works of Walker, Beauford, Miss Brooke, Ledwich, Bunting, Hardiman, &c.
The Brehons. —Bardism and Brehonism, as well as Druidism, the religious system of the Celtic nations, Gauls, Britons and Irish,
prevailed in Ireland from the earliest ages. After the introduction of Christianity, the Druids or Pagan priests became extinct, but the Bards and Brehons continued in the Christian as well as in the
Pagan times. It appears probable that Brehonism was the Law system of the other Celtic nations, and that it prevailed amongst
the Gauls and Britons, who were Celts, as well as amongst the Irish. In Caesar's Commentaries it is stated that amongst the Edui, one of the nations of Gaul, the title of the chief magistrate or judge was Vergobretus, and that he was annually chosen, and had the power of life and death. The term Brehon, in Irish Breith eamh, signifies a judge, and O'Brien, in the preface to his Irish Dictionary, showing the analogy between the Irish language and that of the Gauls, both of which were Celtic tongues, considers that the term which Caesar latinised Vergobretus, was in the Gaulish or Celtic Fear-go-Breith, signifying the Man of Judge ment, or a Judge, and it has the same signification in the Irish from Fear, a man, go, of or with, and Breith, judgment, therefore it appears the Vergobretus was the chief Brehon of Gaul. The Brehons were the judges and professors of the law, and in ancient
did not come to that assembly, and of those were Hugh, the son of Hugh Duv, son of Hugh Roe
O'Donnell, and the tribe of Calvach, the son of
times delivered their judgments, and proclaimed the laws to the chiefs and people assembled on the hills and raths on public occa sions, as at the Conventions of Tara, and other great assemblies. In the Dissertations of Charles O'Conor, and in O'Reilly's Irish
judges who flourished from the first to the eighth century, as Sean, Moran, Modan, Conla, Fithil, Fachtma, Sencha, the three
brothers named Burachans or O'Burechans, &c. ; these eminent men formed and perfected a great code of laws, which, from their spirit of equity, were designated Breithe Neimhidh, signifying Ce lestial Judgments. The most renowned of these Brehons for the justice of his judgments was Moran, son of Cairbre-Ceann-Cait,
king of Ireland in the first century, and he is represented in his office
of chief judge of the kingdom, as wearing on his neck a golden or
nament called Iodhan Morain, or Moran's collar, which is described
in Vallancy's Collectanea, and it was fancifully said to press closely
on the neck of the wearer, and almost choke him, if he attempted to
pronounce an unjust judgment. The Brehons, like the Bards, pre
sided at the inauguration of kings, princes, and chiefs, and, as the
judges and expounders of the laws, had great power and privileges
in the State, and extensive lands were allotted for their own use.
Each of the Irish princes and chiefs of note had his own Brehons, and the office, like that of the Bards, as before-mentioned, was
hereditary in certain families. Many celebrated Brehons are re corded in the course of those Annals, and amongst the chief Brehon families were the following: The Mac Egans, hereditary Brehons in Connaught, in Leinster, and in Ormond, The O’Do rans, Brehons to the Mac Murroghs, kings of Leinster; the Mac Clancys of Clare, Brehons to the O'Briens, kings of Thomond, to the Fitzgeralds, earls of Desmond, and other great families in Munster. The O'Hagans of Tullaghoge, in Tyrone, Brehons to the O'Neills, princes of Tyrone. The O’Breslins of Donegal, Brehons to the O'Donnells, and to the Maguires, lords of Ferma nagh. In the Tracts of Sir John Davis an intëresting account is given of O’Breslin, the Brehon to Maguire; Sir John, who was attorney-general to king James I. , having proceeded to various parts of Ulster about the year 1607, together with the judges and chancellor, to hold assizes, on coming to Fermanagh they required to know the tenure by which Maguire held his lands, and having sent for the Brehon O'Breslin, who was a very feeble old man, he came to the camp, and the judges having demanded his Roll, he at first refused to shew but length, the lord chancellor taking an oath that would return safe, the old Brehon drew the roll out his bosom, and gave the chancellor. The Irish MS. was well written, and, having been translated for the judges, was found contain account the rents and tributes paid Maguire, which consisted cattle, corn, provisions, hogs, meal, butter, &c. ; but Davis says lost the copy the roll Dublin. The Irish Pentarchy and Laws Tanistry. —The system Brehon Laws relating the tenure lands, election chiefs, and other regulations, was termed Tanistry; the word Irish Tan aisteacht, and, according O'Brien,
derived from the Irish Celtic Tan, Territory, or, according others, from Tanaiste, the
second command seniority. O'Brien and others derive many names countries terminating tan, from the Celtic, Britan Britain; Aquitain Gaul; Lusitan Lusitania, the ancient
name Portugal
Arabistan, the land
Turks; Kurdistan,
&c. , Persia; Caffristan, and Afghanistan, the land the Caffres and Afghans; Hindoostan, the land the Hindoos, &c.
the name considered one the most ancient was the term applied
have originated from the Sanscrit being languages. Tanist, Irish Tanaiste,
the successor elect, heir apparent
Mauritan Mauritania, the land the Moors; the Arabs; Turkistan, the land the the land the Kurds; Farsistan, Luristan,
great affinity between the Celtic and Sanscrit languages has been shown by many etymologists, and the word Sanscrititself has some been derived from the Celtic Seanscriobhtha, which sig nifies old writings, and has the same signification the Irish and
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580 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1592.
Manus, son of Hugh Duv; O'Doherty, namely, of Inis Owen, and a number of the Mac Sweenys John Oge, the son of John, son of Felim, son of who had left their own country, and dwelt along
Conor Carrach, chief of the Triochad Ced (barony),
prince, lord, or chief, this successor or Tanist being elected during the lifetime of the lord or chief, and succeeded immediately on his death, The word according to some, may be derived from Tanaiste, signifying a second in command, or, according to others, from Tan, a territory, or Tanas, a dominion or lordship ; and it is considered that the Anglo-Saxon term Thane, which meant a lord, was derived from the same source. Rioghdamhna. --With respect totheprovincial kingsandmonarchs,theheirapparent,orpresump tive, was styled Rioghdamhna, a namederived from Righ, a king, and damhna a material, hence Roydamna signified a person eligible king. Righ,
the banks of Lough Foyle; and they were leaders
cession amongst themselves, yet, not fulfilling these terms, they had many fierce contests for the monarchy. The five royal fami
lies afterwards acknowledged heirs the throne were the O'Neills, kings Ulster, the O'Melaghlins, kings Meath, the O'Conors, kings Connaught, the O'Briens, kings Munster, and the Mac Murroghs, kings Leinster. All these provincial kings, during the 11th and 12th centuries, before explained, carried fierce contests for the crown, which were eontinued even long after
the English invasion. On the death king, prince, chief, his
king, was the term applied each Meath, Ulster, Connaught, Leinster High King was the designation the monarch, supreme sovereign. Ths epithet Righ was also
general brother, uncle, clan, sometimes
the five provincial kings and Munster; and Ard-Righ
the deceased the legitimate successor was
applied prince, and these princes there were 30, whom account has beengiven 551 their principalities comprised territory, varying
Ireland about and each
extent from baronies county, and sometimes counties. These
princes composed the first class the Irish nobility, and held rank equal that Princes, Dukes, Marquesses, and Earls,
England and other countries. Tiarna Tighearma. -The second class the Milesian nobility may designated lords, the term
Irish being Tiarna, Tighearna, which O'Brien derives fron Tir, country territory, hence signifying the possessor ter ritory; each these lords possessed territory equal extent
barony, sometimes two baronies, and held rank equal that barons, and there were about 200 them Ireland. Taoi seach or Toiseach. The third class of the old Irish aris
tocracy were called chiefs, and the term Irish was Taois each, derived from Tus, first foremost, hence signifying the chief
son sometimes succeeded, provided he was
age, for minors were some other senior nephew, was chosen,
not eligible, but head the family
and not the son
often set aside by other competitors, and the eandidate who had most influence, popularity, military force support him, car ried his election strong hand, and assumed authority by right the sword. The law alternate succession amongst the different chiefs clan was often adopted, each taking the lordship turn, but when this peaceable compact was not fulfilled, the country was laid waste by contending princes and chiefs, and two
rulers were often elected opposition each other, by the Irish themselves, and rival candidate was frequently set up and sup
ported by the influence the English. These circumstances led endless anarchy, confusion, and conflicts, throughout the country, and the kings, princes and chiefs, being almost always contention with each other their election, the entire country presented scene incessant discord. The election and inauguration kings, princes and chiefs, took place the openair, hills, Raths, and remarkable localities, great assemblies, attended by the chiefs, clans, Clergy, Bards, and Brehons. The senior and worthiest candidate, when there was contest, was generally preferred, and the Tanist, Roydamna, peaceably succeeded, unless disqualified by age, infirmity, some moral physical defect; the choice
their kings the Irish were very exact, for the candidate, lame, blind eye, labouring under any other particular physical defect, was rejected. Eric. —Under the Brehon laws, various
leader head man the clan; these chiefs held each territory, varying extent from parish two parishes,
them more,
thirty thousand acres. These chiefs were number 600 more,
sometimes half barony, and comprising from about ten
heads clans, possessedconsiderable power the state, and held rank equal that the principal gentry and great landed pro prietors modern times, and might considered the same
crimes were compounded for by fine termed. Eirie, and this rank knights and representatives for counties. The terms Tiar mostly consisted cattle reckoned by Cumhals, each Cumhal
na, Flaith, and Triath, were also often applied the Irish writers designate princes, lords, and chiefs note. Ceann, pronounced Kan, signified head chief leader, and the Eastern languages the term Khan, applied head chiefs, probably derived from the Celtic. Brughaidhe, derived from Bruighe, which sig nifies farm, land, was the name applied the head farmers, who held large farms under the chiefs, and these farmers were very numerous and wealthy, possessing great flocks, much cattle and
corn, &c.
Election of Kings, Princes, and Chiefs. -Under the laws Tanistry the kings, princes, lords, and chiefs, were elective, and
originated from the words Gave-all-kinde, but the Celtic, Irish, clans, prevailed amongst all the Celtic nations, the Gauls, Bri according O'Briem, Gabhail-Cine, pronunced Gavalkine, and
appears that the elective system, and government by chiefs and
tons, Irish, &c. , while the principle hereditary succession, and law primogeniture prevailed anongst the Teutonic nations, the Germans, Franks, Saxons, Scandinavians, &c. ; and the death their kings and nobles, the eldest son heir generally succeeded, and thus preserving the crown, and honours nobility,
one direct line, gave greater permanency their institutions.
Some the Slavonic nations, as, for instance, the Poles, adopted,
like the Celts, the elective principle the choice their kings, which led ruinous contests for the crown on the death of each
sovereign, and ultinately caused the downfall Poland. Ireland, before stated, was divided into five kingdoms, and each the kings this Pentarchy was considered eligible the crown, and become Ardrigh, monarch, and though the throne was occu
pied exclusively for period 600 years, from the 5th the I1th century, the different branches the race Hy Niall,
namely, the ancestors the O'Neills and O’Donnells Ulster, and the O’Melaghlins Meath, who agreed alternate suc
appears be derived from Gabhail, taking, share, and cine, kindred trihe, thus signifying the share kindred. This ancient tenure, by which lands were equally divided amongst the different members family, prevailed amongst the Celts Britain and Ireland, and was also adopted amongst the Anglo-Saxons, and still continued Kent. The English Gavelkind differedfrom the Irish, for Ireland the lands were divided only amongst the sons
family, and the illegitimate well legitimate got share,
while all the females were excluded, and got lands but dowry, marriage portion, cattle, goods, money, &c. On the deficiency
sons, the lands the Irish chiefs were gavelled amongst the males next kin, but the chiefs themselves, and the Tanists, had certain Mensal lands, which were hereditary, and appropriated for their support, and were never subject Gavelkind. With re gard the rights property, the tribe clan had allodial and original right the tribe lands, and could not deprived them; but different persons held them turns, and paid tribute rents
being three cows, and these Erics varied from
times even thousand cows, more, exacted
homicides, robberies, and other crimes. The practice
certain fine for murder, manslanghter, and other crimes, also prevail
amongst various ancient nations, the Greeks, Romans, Gauls, Germans, Franks, Saxons, and ancient Britons, well amongst
Erie, for instancesare recorded various parts these
malefactors being mutilated, hanged, and beheaded the Irish chiefs, for murders, sacrilege, and other crimes. Gavelkind and ancient Tenures. —This term, according Coke,
the Irish; and appears that criminals did not always get off
paying Annals order
300, and some an Eric for
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REIGN OF ELIZABETH. 581
in battle to Calvach O'Donnell and to his tribe enmity and malice like the others. O’Donnell, i. e.
after him; there were also great numbers of the Hugh, the son of Manus, and those chiefs who O'Gallaghers, who did not come there, through came to meet him, held a council, and the resolution
the chief. Sir John Davis states, in his Tracts, “that by the law of Tanistry the chieftains of every country, and the chief of every sept, had no hereditary estate in their lands, but merely held them for life, and that the inheritance rested in no man ; and when the chieftains died, their sons, or next heirs, did not succeed them, but their Tanists, who were elective, and mostly purchased their election by strong hand; when any one of the septor tribe died, his portion was not divided among his sons, but the chief of the sept made a new partition of all the lands belonging to the sept, and gave every one a share according to his seniority. ” Davis ascribes the violent contentions of the Irish chiefs to this uncertainty of tenure, and the constant changes and partition of lands. In Ware's Antiquities an account is given of the laws of Tanistry, and the following in stance affords an illustration of the mode of tenure. The chiefs mentioned were the O'Callaghans of Cork, who had extensive possessions in that county, and an account of them has beenaiready given in the note on Desmond. By an Inquisition taken at Mallow, on the 25th of October, 1594, before sir Thomas Norris, Vice-Pre sident of Munster, William Saxey, and James Gould, Esqrs. , chief and secondjustices of the said province, under a commission from the lord deputy and council, it was found, among other things, “that Conoghor (Conor, or Cornelius), O'Callaghan, alias the O'Callaghan, was and is seized of several large territories in the Inquisition recited, in his Demesne, as lord and chieftain of Poble Callaghan, by the Irish custom time out of mind used ; that as O'Callaghan, aforesaid, is Lord of the said country, so there is a Tanist, by the custom of the said country, who is Teige O'Cal laghan, and the said Teige is seized as Tanist by the said custom of several Plough-lands in the Inquisition mentioned; which also finds that the custom further, that every kinsman the O'Cal laghan had parcel land live upon, and yet that Estate passed thereby, but that the Lord, who was then Conor O'Cal laghan, and the O'Callaghan for the time being, custom time out mind, may remove the said kinsman other lands; and the Inquisition further finds that O'Callaghan, the son Dermod, Torlogh O'Callaghan, Teige Mac Cahir O’Callaghan, Donogh Mac Thomas O'Callaghan, Conor Genkagh O'Calleghan, Dermod Bane
O'Callaghan, and Shane Mac Teige O'Callaghan, were seized several Plough-lands according the said custom, subject never theless certain seigniories and duties, payable the O'Callaghan, and that they were removable him other lands his pleasure. ” From this appears that those who held lands under the tenure Tanistry were sort tenants will; but the chief removed any them, was bound provide for them other lands
the tribe territory, which must always continue possession the clan. Many the great Anglo-Irish families, particularly the Fitzgeralds Munster, and the Burkes Connaught, adopted the Irish language, manners, and customs, and the laws Tanis try; but the Statute Kilkenny and other Acts, such practices were punished treason felony. The laws Tanistry and Gavelkind, notwithstanding many penal enactments, continued
equity, and might prove advantageous properly administered. The learned Charles O'Conor, his Dissertations, says the laws administered Ireland during the English period, “during these times desolation, from Henry II. Elizabeth, the manners, customs, and condition the Irish proceeded from bad worse their own ancient laws were for the most part useless, hurtful, impracticable, and they were thrown out the protection those
used Ireland down the reign James when they were abolished Act Parliament. may stated that the Eric, fine for homicide, &c. , under the Brehon laws, was paid the
Edward O'Reilly, the Ware and Wallancy, sir John Davis, Spenser's
father, brother, wife, other relatives the person killed in jured; and, according Ware, the Brehon had for his fee the eleventh part the fine. Amongst the Anglo-Saxons, by the laws
king Athelstan, according Blackstone, fine denominated Weregild was paid for homicide, and this fine varied according
thirty thousand Thrysmas, each Thrysma being shilling modern times; the Weregild for sub the relatives the person slain, but that for the
death king was payable, one half the public, and the other the royal family. appears the Brehon laws, though very
defective many points, were founded spirit mildness and
the rank the person slain, from king peasant. The
Weregild for killing Ceorl, that churl peasant, was 266
Thrysmas, and even the killing king might compounded these notes, pp.