No More Learning

Saighir Ciarain the parish Saiger
Seirkiaran, King's county. Kilcormaic now called Frank
Butlers Ormond), marched
with force
the English.
one the
O'Moore, Gillpatrick, died suddenly
ford, town the King's county, the ancient territory Fer call, the principality the O'Mulloys, and this church was their chief burial place. Bel-Atha-an-Fhothair, probably the townland between Birr and Banagher, called Ballaghanogher. Tochar, p posed the parish Lusmagh, King's county. Baile-Mic
Uallachain, also two miles west district possessed Baile-na-Cloiche
the parish Lusmagh, near the Shannon, abou Banagher, barony Garrycastle, ancient the O'Hoolaghans, now called Coolaghans. townland Lusmagh, known the name
Coolclough and Ballynacloughe, adjoining Ballymaccoolahan. Clochan-na-goeapach, now Cloghan, the King's county. At 1546, Tochar Cruachain, mentioned the text, the place now called Togher, near Croaghan Hill, about four miles from Philipstown, the King’s county derived its name from the great Togher, bog-pass, through which road led former times towards Meath. For the accurate topographical accounts these places the translator indebted the information kindly communicated that learned antiquary, Thomas Cooke, Esq. ,
Parsonstown, the King's county, author the History Parsonstown or Birr.
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REIGN OF EDWARD VI. 431
revenge of the treachery of the Delvinians, and O'Sullivan, Dermod, warlike, valiant, they encamped that might at Leacach Amadlain. friendly, and pious man, was burned by powder
John, the son of O’Neill, marched with a force his own castle (at Dunboy, the county Cork), against the Clanaboy, and Bryan Fogartach and his brother, Awlave O’Sullivan, who succeeded O’Neill, the son of Niall Oge, son of Con, son of him, was afterwards slain.
Hugh Buighe, a prosperous and warlike man, and
a man distinguished for benevolence and hospi tality, and the resplendent luminary of his own
tribe, was slain by John O'Neill on that expe dition.
A. D. 1549.
O'Boyle, i. e. Donal, the son of Niall, son of Torlogh, died on the 4th of August.
Eveleen, the daughter of O’Donnell, and wife of O'Boyle, died.
A. D. 1550.
Roderick, the son Donogh, son
O’Donnell, bishop Derry, and
Hugh Roe friar the
terms of peace for himself and for those of the
Irish in alliance with him, namely, Mac Murrogh,
O'Kelly, O’Melaghlin, and several others who are not recorded.
Rickard Saxanagh, the son Ulick the Heads, was nominated earl (of Clanrickard).
A. D. 1551.
and the O'Carrolls were reinstated in which was The archbishop Cashel, Edmond Butler, the
Bally Mac Adam was taken from Edmond Fahy,
source great joy and gladness the people Ely.
Donogh O'Ferrall, tanist the O'Ferralls (of
Longford), was treacherously slain his own English and the king, but always O’Brien accord
brother. ing
unrestricted order (of Franciscans), died the
8th October, and was interred Donegal,
the habit of St. Francis.
The abbot Easroe (Ballyshannon), John, the
son Donal Roe O'Gallagher, died on the 29th April.
Mac Sweeney Banagh, Torlogh Meir
Malachy Gott O'Madden, tanist of Siol Anm geach, was slain the town Mac Sweeney, by cha, was slain by Malachy Modardha O'Madden, the Clan Coilin, namely, William, Teige, and and his kinsmen, in revenge of his father and John, and the Clan Coinaigean (probably Cun brother. - ninghams from Scotland), the 8th January.
Niall O’Melaghlin attacked the house in which Roderick Ballach, the son Owen Roe Mac O’Melaghlin, i. e. Teige Roe, and his kinsman Sweeney, having gone obtain the lordship Murrogh were, in the town of Newcastle (proba Tir Banagh from O’Donnell, and not having suc
bly Newtown in Fertullagh, in Westmeath). The ceeded, proceeded
house was burned over them, and upwards of plundered the town, but
twenty persons in it were either killed or wounded, after that was slain
nine of them were slain on the spot, and O’Me Hugh, the 31st day March.
laghlin and his kinsman escaped, but Murrogh was wounded on that occasion.
The lord justice, Edward Bellingham, went to England, and William Brabazon, i. e. the treasurer, was appointed in his place, and a great court was held in Limerick by that lord justice. O'Carroll
went to that court under the guarantee of the earl
of Desmond, the mayor of Limerick, and the
English court, and Irish nobles who attended that
Maolmurry, the son
Mac Ward Tirconnell, i. e. Fergal, the son Donal Roe, man truly learned poetry, and professor schools, man distinguished for fame and excellence throughout Ireland his time, and who kept house general hospitality, died.
Anthony St. Leger, who was lord justice
Ireland before, came again lord justice, and
great - repaired number the Irish chieftains
and he returned back safe, after having gained meet him the great court Dublin.
Killybegs, and completely quarter year
son Pierce, earl Ormond, died.
Murrogh, the son Torlogh, son Teige, son
the Irish usage, victorious man battle,
Torlogh O'Brien, earl Thomond, the
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432 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1551-52.
valiant in combat, respected, rich and of great each other, fierce and desperate battle ensued, affluence, the first man of the race of the O’Briens which the English were defeated, and two hundred who was called earl, died, and his brother's son, the Saxons, and their Irish allies, were slain, Donogh, the son of Conor, was appointed his suc and such them escaped returned disgrace ceSSOr.
Cathbhar, the son of Manus, son of Hugh Duv,
son of Hugh Roe (O’Donnell); the son of O'Boyle,
and the son of Mac Sweeney of Banagh, together
with a long ship's crew, were slain by the Scots (barony Garrycastle, King's county), was at Toraigh (Tory Island, off the coast of Donegal), put under rent for the king.
on the 16th of September. O’Conor Faily, Graine (Grace), the daughter of Manus, son of rated since the time
Hugh, son of Hugh Roe (O’Donnell), the wife of England, having made
O’Rourke, i. e. of Bryan, the son of Owen, died taken; his life was however again spared, but
-
on the 29th of September.
The lord justice, Anthony St. Leger, was re
called, and James Crofts was sent to Ireland to succeed him as lord justice.
The lord justice marched with a force in the beginning of harvest into Ulster, and despatched
bells the Cloicteach (the steeple belfry), and James and Colla Maol Duv, the sons Mac left neither large nor small bell, image, altar, book,
Donnell Scotland, were on the island defend gem, nor even glass window the walls the the place; engagement ensued, which the church, that they did not carry away with them; Saxons were overthrown, and not one them and that truly was lamentable deed, plunder escaped tell the tale excepting the lieutenant the city Kiaran, the patron saint.
who commanded them, whom the Scots kept Teige O'Rourke, the son Owen, tanist prisoner until they got his stead their own Brefney, was hanged by his own people. Some brother, namely, Somhairle Buidhe Mac Donnell have asserted that Bryan O’Rourke, his father's
and discomfiture from that expedition.
great court was held Athlone, and Mac
Coghlan having repaired thither, obtained his par don, and patent for his estate, and Delvin Eathra
Bryan, who was incarce had been conveyed
was condemned lasting imprisonment. Donal Mac Congal died.
A. D. 1552.
Clonmacnois was plundered and devastated by
effort escape, was re
the crews of four ships to Reachrann (the Island the
English Athlone; they large took the
of Rathlin, off the coast of Antrin), to plunder
out
(commonly called Sorley Boy Mac Donnell), who had been imprisoned the English Dublin,
that execution. Roderick; Niall,
the son Edmond,
year before that time, besides along with him.
another great ransom
Mainister.
great court was held
return the lord justice.
son Con, earl Tyrone, was taken prisoner that time, through the accusations and complaints
Dublin upon the O’Neill, i. e. Con, the
his own son, Ferdorcha, i. e. the baron, where the son Murrogh, son Torlogh, died on the
upon the young sons O’Neill waged great war against the English and the baron, revenge the imprisonment their father, and much des truction was committed between them.
The English marched with force again into few, and the Scots the other side, and many
meet them, and after they had encountered Clanaboy), andthe Scots. party the English
Ulster avenge their enmity upon the sons
Mac Donnell, the sons O’Neill, and the son The lord justice (sir James Crofts), marched Niall Oge, son Niall, son Conn, son Hugh again with army into Ulster against the son Buighe. The Ultonians and Scots were prepared Niall Oge, namely, Hugh O’Neill (O'Neill
brother, was concerned Mac Sweeney, Fanat, his kinsman; and Bryan,
were treacherously slain
Mahon, the son Bryan, son Teige, son
Torlogh O’Brien, was slain the people Do
nogh, the son Conor O'Brien.
The son O’Brien Thomond, Dermod,
night the festival St. Bridget, and was inter red the monastery Ennis.
great war arose this year, between the Eng lish one side and the Ultonians, excepting
evils were committed between them.
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REIGN OF QUEEN MARY.
-
headed by the son of Savadge, proceeded before namely Hugh, carried on the war against the them with a preying force, but were met at Bel baron and the English, to revenge his incarcera fast by the son of Niall Oge, who vigorously at tion.
tacked them, put them to flight, and killed the The lord justice marched with another army son of Savadge, together with two or three score into Ulster in harvest, and only succeeded in de of his men. The other forces, however, advanced,
and commenced to build a castle at Belfast, but they gained no victory, took no spoils or hostages,
A great war arose between O'Reilly and the occasion. Ferdorcha, i. e. the baron, the son of Saxons, and O’Reilly committed many depreda
and their pride was very much humbled on that
O’Neill, marched with a great force to aid the lord justice and the English, but not being able to
come up to them that night, he encamped in their
neighbourhood. John Donngaileach O’Neill, his
brother, pursued him with another party, made a
nocturnal attack upon the camp of the baron's
forces, and defeated and slew an immense number
of his men. William Brabazon, the king's treasurer
in Ireland for a long period, and who was for some
time lord justice, and by whom a court was erected in Athlone, died on the same expedition; his body
was conveyed in a ship to Dublin, and his heart
was afterwards sent to the king as a token of his
tions on them.
O'Conor Faily being in England, no person
expected his return.
The baron of Delvin (Nugent of Westmeath),
having gone to England, returned back after
having transacted his affairs to his satisfaction.
The lord justice, James Croft, having gone to England, the chancellor, Thomas Cusack, i. e. Cusack of Ballycuisin (in Meath), was appointed
lord justice in his place.
A. D. 1553.
stroying the crops; some of his people were slain,
and he returned without gaining submission or peace.
433
Mary O’Neill being still in imprisonment, his son 6th of July. "
services and loyalty towards him. was
proclaimed queen
of
on the
John Donngaileach, and the son of Niall Oge,
A. D. 1553.
1. Queen Mary. —On the death of Edward VI. , on the 6th of
July, 1553, his sister Mary, then in the 37th year of her age, suc ceeded as queen of England; she was daughter of Henry VIII. by
his first wife Catherine of Arragon, who was daughter of Ferdinand
and Isabella, king and queen of Spain, and widow of prince Ar defenders of the faith, arch-duke and arch-duchess of Austria,
thur, brother of king Henry VIII. Mary was created princess of
Wales, but after the divorce of her mother she was deprived of that title, which was conferred on the princess Elizabeth, daughter
of king Henry by Anne Boleyn. Edward VI. was induced to alter by his will the succession to the crown in favour of lady Jane
Grey, and exclude his sister Mary, she being a Roman Catholic. Lady Jane Grey was daughter of Henry Grey, marquess of Dor set and duke of Suffolk, and being maternally descended from king Henry VII. of England, and from Louis XII. , king of France, was therefore of the blood royal, and considered to have some claim to the crown; she was married to lord Guildford Dudley, soa of John Dudley, earl of Warwick and duke of Northumber land, who conspired to exclude Mary from the throne, and had his daughter-in-law, lady Jane, proclaimed queen of England, but she reigned only ten or twelve days. The duke of Northumberland headed an insurrection in support of lady Jane, but was defeated by queen Mary's forces, taken prisoner, and executed on Tower Hill, in August, 1553, and in February 1554, lady Jane Grey and her husband lord Dudley, who were imprisoned in the Tower, were likewise beheaded for high treason. In July 1554, Mary
duke and duchess of Milan, Burgundy, and Brabant, count and countess of Hapsburgh, Flanders, and Tyrol. ” The king resided sometimesin England, and occasionally in Spain, during the life of his queen, and Mary died on the 17th of November, 1558, in the 43rd year of her age, and the 6th of her reign.
Lords Lieutenant. —In 1553, sir Thomas Cusack, lord chan
cellor, and sir Gerald Aylmer, chief justice of the King's Bench,
were lords justices, and in the same year on the 11th of Novem ber, sir Anthony St. Leger landed at Dalkey, being a fifth time
appointed lord deputy, and was sworn and received the sword in Trinity Church, Dublin, on the 19th of the same month ; he con tinued till 1556, when he returned to England. In 1556 Thomas Ratcliffe, viscount Fitz-Walter, and afterwards earl of Sussex, was appointed lord deputy, and arrived in Dublin on Whit Sunday, and was sworn in Christ Church. The earl of Sussex, says Cox, brought over with him twenty-five thousand pounds in money to provide against the Scots Islanders, and Irish rebels; he made an expedition into Ulster against the Scots, who in great numbers came from Argyleshire and the Hebrides, under the Mac Donnells, Mac Dougalls, and other Scottish chiefs at this period, and made . frequent incursions into Ulster, particularly in Down and Antrim,
was married in the cathedral of Winchester to Philip, prince of
Spain, son of Charles W. , emperor of Germany; Philip became against the English settlers there; the Scots were generally in
king of Spain as Philip II. in 1556, so that he was at the same time king of Spain and king-consort of England ; for by an act of
the English Parliament Philip was permitted to take the title of king of England during the life of queen Mary; hence this reign is designated “the reign of Philip and Mary,” and their coins
alliance with the O'Neills, O'Donnells, and other chiefs of Ulster, against the English government, and it appears that their chief
place of rendezvous was the island of Rathlin, off the coast of Antrim. The Scots Islanders besiegedCarrickfergus at this time, but they were defeated by the lord deputy in July, and two hun
England
Donal and Torlogh, the sons of Conor O’Brien,
were struck as those of Philip and Mary. As Philip becameking of Spain, Naples, and Sicily, and was a prince of the German em
pire, the titles borne by him and his queen in all public documents were “Philip and Mary, by the grace of God, king and queen of England, Ireland, France, Spain, Naples, Sicily, and Jerusalem,
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434 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1553.
made a nocturnal attack on their brother Donogh More, the son of Conor, lord of Thomond, at
Clonroad (at Ennis in Clare); they plundered and
burned the town, and slew some people, and
O’Brien, i. e. Donogh, betook himself to the tower
which was in the town for protection; that trans Niall, the son of Felim.
action took place in the beginning of Lent, and the Mac William Burke, i. e. Richard-an-Iarainn cause of that contention among the O’Briens (of the Iron), was defeated by the sons of Thomas was, that Donogh had obtained from the king the
right of succession for his own son, on whom the title of baron was conferred in opposition to his senior, therefore these brothers became incensed, and perpetrated the forementioned attack, although
some have asserted that they were not justified in the act they committed. In consequence of this, disturbances arose in Thomond, but this contention did not long continue, for Donogh More O’Brien,
the earl of Thomond, having died on Passion
Bacach Burke, and the people of Gallen (in Mayo), and Richard himself was taken prisoner, and one hundred and fifty of his forces slain.
Saturday following, Donal succeeded in his place. went to England on the strength of her friends Judith, the daughter of Manus O’Donnell, the and relatives there, and also of her knowledge of
wife of O'Conor Sligo, died on the 16th of June. Donogh, the son of Torlogh, son of Murrogh
O’Brien, died.
the English language, to ask the release of her father of Queen Mary, and having appealed to her mercy, she obtained the release of her father, whom
Niall, the son of Felim O’Melaghlin, tanist of she brought with her to Ireland; other hos Cian Colman, a prosperous and warlike man, and tages were, however, given in his stead to the lord the best man of his age belonging to his tribe, justice and the council, namely Roderick O'Conor, was treacherously slain by O’Melaghlin, namely,
Moy Corran (in Westmeath) was plundered, and its castles taken, viz. , Clonlonan and Cais lean Nua (Newcastle), and O’Melaghlin was ex
pelled therefrom by the baron of Delvin, and the English of Athlone, in revenge of the death of
O’Brien, i. e. Donal, marched with a force into Leinster, and held a conference with the English in Leix at the Port (probably Portnehinch or Portarlington, in Queen's county), and they sepa rated in peace; they took hostages from O'Car roll as guarantees for keeping the peace.
The daughter of O'Conor Faily, i. e. Margaret,
Teige Roe, at Bel-an-Atha, while returning from the court of Mullingar.
dred of them slain, and Henry Sydney, who accompanied the deputy, slew with his own hand James Mac Connell Mac Don
nell; the earl Ormond and John Stanley likewise behaved with great bravery. The lord deputy having placed garrison and supplies Carrickfergus, returned Dublin, and left Stanley as governor of Ulster. These invasions of the Scots were fre quent and fierce, that act was passed this time the Irish Parliament, and, according Cox and Campion, was made treason introduce receive any the Scots into Ireland, and
was made felony for the Irish English intermarry with the Scots without license under the great seal. The lord deputy then marched Leinster and Munster, and received the submis sion many chiefs. 1557, the months June and July,
the eldest of his own sons, and others along with him.
Sussex held Parliament adjourned Limerick, and Amongst other acts passed
Dublin, which November was June the following March Drogheda. ceeded
statutes were enacted, says Cox, punish heresies and repeal acts against the Pope the reign Henry VIII. , also for forming into counties the territories
castles earl
sion
Qialey and Leix, which belonged the O'Conors, O'Mulloys,
O'Carrolls, Mac Coghlans, O'Moores, O'Dempseys, O'Dunns, &c. ,
and they were accordingly formed into the King's and Queen's counties, the chief town the former, anciently named Dangan, being called Philipstown, honour king Philip, and the chief town the latter Maryborough, from queen Mary. The lord de puty July went expedition against the O'Maddens Gal way, and took from them the castle Meelick; August again marched into Ulster with his forces, accompanied the earls Kildare and Orinond, and the barons Baltinglass, Del
coast Antrim, and, though lost one his ships storm, took the island from the Scots, placed garrison and having sailed the coast Scotland, plundered and laid waste Can tire and other parts Argyleshire and the Hebrides; then re turned Carrickfergus, burned the possessions the Scots Antrim, and came Dublin November.
Gerald Oge and Edward, the sons of the earl of
vin, Dunboyne, and Dunsaney; attacked the Scots and Irish, but only succeeded taking some preys; October came Dundalk, spoiled the country and burned Armagh, except the cathedral; thencemarched Newry, returned Dublin, and
went England. 1557 Hugh Curwin,
bishop Dublin, and lord chancellor, with
treasurer, were appointed lords justices, and
Sydney was appointed lord deputy, and made some expeditions against the O'Mulloys Fercall, and other chiefs King's county.
1558 Thomas, earl Sussex, returned lord deputy, and was sworn Christ Church, the 1st May; brought over with him five hundred soldiers, and, says Cox, “had order coin brass money and make current proclamation, which he did. ”
marched into Munster against Donal O'Brien, he pro Limerick and Thomond, dispersed their forces, took the Bunratty and Clare, and restored the country the Thomond. In June the earl Desmond made his submis the deputy next proceeded Galway, and was well received the bishops and clergy Tuam, Clonfert, and Cion macnoise, who went meet him procession. September the deputy shipped his forces Dalkey, and sailed Ulster at tack the Scots; proceeded the island Raghlin, off the
Englishman, arch Henry Sydney, the same year
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REIGN OF QUEEN MARY. 435 Kildare, returned to Ireland after having been in evil deed was well retaliated on him, for he him
exile at Rome, in Italy, and in France, for the
space of sixteen years, and they obtained the res toration of their estates and of the earldom from
the queen. The son of the earl of Ossory, i. e. Thomas, the son of James, son of Pierce Butler,
also returned, and was appointed earlin his father’s
place. The heir of the Mac Gillpatrick, i. e. against Conor Groibhleach, the son Donogh
Bryan Oge, the son of Bryan, also returned along with the sons of the earl of Kildare, and the earl
of Ossory. The greater portion of the inhabitants of the southern half of Ireland were greatly re joiced at their return, and no one thought that any of the race of the earl of Kildare or of O'Conor
would ever return to Ireland.
The baron of Delvin marched with a force into
Delvin Eathra (in King's county), at the instiga tion of Cormac Caoch and the race of Fergal Mac
Coghlan, a fortnight after November. He re mained encamped two nights in the country, and
plundered and burned from Bealach-an-Fothair to Tochar-Cinn-Mona, and great was the destruction committed by that force, although they did not effect any considerable prey or slaughter.
A retaliatory contention arose between Mac Coghlan and the race of Fergal and O’Mulloy, and
excessive damages were committed between them. In that contest a surprising act was perpetrated at Cluan Nona (Clononey, in King’s county), viz.
, a rustic of the people of the town acted treacherously on the guards of the town, slew three eminent men of them with a wood-cleaver, bound a woman who was inside, and took the castle, which was a bold act for any one common man to perform.
O’Brien, take the castle from him; the earl
Ormond came with his forces expel O’Brien from the castle.
O’Brien marched with force week after
that into Clanrickard, and committed great depre
dations part the country; from thence proceeded Dun Lathrach, and the tribe
Rickard Oge, and the tribe Myler Burke came
him and entered his service for pay and support. The battle of Ceannsalach Cloch-Chinnfao
ladh (Cloghaneely, Donegal), was fought be tween the Mac Sweeneys the Districts the first November precisely, and the principal persons this engagement were Mac Sweeney,
Owen Oge, the son Owen, his brother Tor logh Carrach, and Niall, the son Maolmurry,
the one side, and the sons Donagh Mac
Sweeney the other side, namely, Hugh Buighe,
Edmond, Conor, and Donal. Mac Sweeney, his
brother Torlogh Carrach, and Niall, the son
Maolmurry, fell the one side, and Edmond
and Conor, the sons Donogh, the other side,
and many chiefs along with those were also slain on both sides.
The earl Kildare, with large force, joined
by the baron Delvin, and great body the
O’Brien, i. e. Donal, expelled from Beann Mor Irish, marched into Ulster against Felim Roe, the
the earl of Clanrickard, who was besieging John son Art, son Hugh O’Neill, the instiga
tion John Dongaileach, the son O’Neill;
they committed great depredations, and upwards
fifty their men were slain that occasion. O'Neill, i. e. Con, the son Con (earl Tyrone)
son of Dermod Lamh marched with force attack the Clannaboy, and dearg (of the Red Hand) Mac Murrogh, a man after entering the territory, Hugh, the son Niall distinguished for his prosperity and valour, and a Oge O'Neill, and the sons Mac Donnell, col worthy heir to the lordship of Leinster, were it lected the forces they had oppose them, and not for the invasion of the English, died. engagement ensued, which O’Neill was de O'Carroll, i. e. Calvach, was slain by William feated with great slaughter, three hundred his
Odhar and the tribe of Maolroona O'Carroll, and forces being slain.
by Conal Oge O'Moore, in revenge of his trea great Boroimhe (cattle tribute), viz: three chery to Teige Caoch before that time, and that hundred and forty cows, was allotted and levied
*
Burke.
Cahir, Art, the son of
A. D. 1554.
self, and Teige, the son of Donogh, his brother,
were expelled for that crime in the space of a year; William O'Carroll was nominated the O'Carroll in
his place.
Donal O’Brien, lord of Thomond, marched with
a force to the castle of Dun Michil Clare),
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436 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1554.
on Delvin Eathra (in King's county), by the earl of Kildare, as an eraic (fine) for his foster brother Robert Nugent, who was killed by Art, the son of Cormac Mac Coghlan.
O'Conor Faily, i. e. Bryan, was imprisoned by the English.
Siol Anmcha, died, and John, the son of Breasal O'Madden, succeeded in his place.
Teige, the son of Hugh O’Coffey, chief profes sor of Ireland and Scotland in poetry, died.
Cormac, the son of Ferdorcha Mac Coghlan,
chief of his own branch, and heir to the lordship Hugh, the son of Anmchadh O'Madden, lord of of Delvin Eathra, died at Clonlonan.
V. The Kingdom of Ulster. —In this article is continued from p. 418 the ancient history of Ulster, which, in the annotations to the preceeding numbers, had been brought down to the fourth century, with an account of the princes and chiefs of the race of Clan Colla, who conquered the old race of the Irian kings of Emania, and became the chief rulers of Ulster.
Foreign invasions— Battle of Derry. —In Hanmer's Chronicle, which was compiled in the reign of Elizabeth chiefly from the ancient record called the Book of Howth, an account is given of various foreign invaders, composed of Danes, Germans, Gauls, Spaniards, and Britons, who came to Ireland in vast numbers in the beginning of the fourth century, in the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine, who reigned from A. D. 312 to 337. The Franks, Saxons, and other German tribes at this time, invaded Gaul, and fierce battles were fought between them and the Ro man legions under Constantine, who treated the vanquished with dreadful severity. Constantine and his generals also made mili tary expeditions in Britain against the revolted Britons, Picts, and Caledonians, and it is probable that some of those various tribes of Franks, Saxons, Britons, Picts, and Caledonians, who were subdued by Constantine, fled from the Roman arms to seek new settlements in other countries, and invaded Ireland at this period, being likewise joined by Danes and Norwegians. Accord ing to Hanmer the first body of those invaders, to the number of thirty thousand, “landed at the Derrie, where Conkedagh, oneof the princes of the north, being prepared for them, by a sleight set their shipping on fire, and met with them in a place where they were overthrown, that with their arms those among the Irish that formerly wanted some, were furnished, and made
for the wars. ” This invasion appears have taken place be tween the years 320 and 330; and the Irish king, mentioned Conkedagh, who defeated the foreigners Derry, might have been Colla Uais, who, according the Ogygia, was monarch Ireland from 327 331, and afterwards king Ulster, and his name, the mistake some transcriber, might have been
made Conkedagh, there might have been prince that name
Meath, the river Delvin, which separates the counties Meath and Dublin; from this great battle the place got its name Cnoc-na-goeann, signifying the Hill Heads, and there there still the sea shore large sepulchral mound, like green hil lock, which, described D'Alton's History Drogheda, when opened the year 1840, George Alexander Hamilton, Esq. Balbriggan, were found vast quantities fragments
human bones, which had been burned calcined according the customs those ancient days, and near the same place along the shore, between that and Balbriggan, are some other mounds, and no doubt these mounds were the sepulchres the warriors slain that battle. More those invaders, with immense for ces, about the same time, landed Munster, and fought many terrific battles with the natives about the bay Wentry, but were
Ulster
the time; others suppose was Conn-Cead-Cathach,
Loire,
that his having brought Ireland from Gaul,
military expeditions, along with many other captives, boy, who was sold slave chief named Milcho Dalaradia, where
remained seven years tending the flocks his master Slieve Mis mountain, Antrim, and, escaping from his captivity, re
turned Gaul, and afterwards became the illustrious apostle Ireland, St. Patrick. From Niall the Hostages were descended many the royal houses, and most illustrious families the Mi lesian race; they were named Hy Niall, signifying the posterity
Niall, and are mentioned the Latin writers under the names Hy-Nielli and Nielli, and sometimes Nielidani, anglicised Hy
Niall, and sometimes Niellians. As already shown the notes Meath, Moy-Liffey, and Bregia, the Hy-Niall were divided into
two great branches, namely, the Southern and Northern.
The South Hy-Niall were the posterity Laoghaire, Maine, Conall Crimthan, and Fiacha, four sons king Niall, and they and their posterity ruled kings Meath over the territories
Conn chronism,
ana the
Leinster, with whom had former feuds. circumstance connected with the history Niall
remarkable the Hostages,
the Hundred Battles, but this opinion involves
row king
Conn was monarch Ireland second century.
the latter end
The Battle of Knockingen. —According
great body the invaders came Lambay, off the coast Dublin, landed their forces the Follesse Skerries, and hav ing set their men battle array, marched place now called Knock-na-Gean, that the hill dead men's heads, where Dermod Lamhdearg, king Leinster, met them and fought cruel battle with equal fortune for the space four days; the Irish, reason the spoil and victory got the former battle (at Derry), were mightily encouraged, and also the milk and fresh meat which the country yielded them, and the strangers wanted, made them the more able fight; short, the strangers were overthrown, and thirty-size thousand them slain, whose arms furnished Ireland thoroughly encounter with the rest the combination. ” appears from this account that those for reigners must have had immense forces, the enormous number
36,000 them were slain this tremendous battle; and also appears that the Ultonians, who had defeated army the
one his
Hanmer, another
now forming the counties Meath and Westmeath, with parts same invaders Derry, followed them the borders Meath, Longford, Dublin, Kildare, and King's county, from the fifth
and fought this engagement, assisting the men Meath and the Lagenians under Dermod Lamhdearg, Dermod the Red Handed, king Leinster. The place where this battle was fought
now known Knockingen, near Balbriggan, the sea shore
century the English invasion the latter end the twelfth, period nearly eight hundred years. The heads the Southern Hy-Niall took the name Clan Colman, and their chief families were the O’Melaghlins, kings Meath, and the Mac Geoghegans,
one which, while reclining the banks the Armoric Gaul, was slain with shot poisoned ar
Irish prince named Eochy, the son Eana Cinsealach,
-
length vanquished, with prodigious slaughter, by the men Munster, which battles account has been given 173, the note Desmond, and they are celebrated under the title Cath-Fionn-Tragha, signifying the battle Ventry, some ancient Irish M. S. compositions, copies which still remain.
The race Hy Niall. —The great families Hy Niall, name signifying the race Niall, took their designation from their renowned ancestor Niall Naoigiallaidh, who was monarch Ire land for twenty-seven years, the latter end the fourth and beginning the fifth century, and ruled from 379 406, according O'Flaherty's Ogygia. Niall was son Eochy Muighneadhoin, monarch Ireland, the race Heremon, and descended from long line illustrious kings, including the celebrated monarchs Cormac and Conn the Hundred Battles;
was famous warrior, and surnamed Naoi Giallaidh, signifying the Nine Hostages, consequence his having taken hostages from nine different nations during his expeditions, and there
fore named Latin writers Niallus Novi-Obsidum, signifying Niall the Nine Hostages, and also Niallus Magnus, Niall the Great. He made many military expeditions into Gaul and Britain,
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gave neither submis
sion nor obedience to any of the Irish, and Bryan.
a man who gave many defeats to the English and Irish in defending his territory against them, was
other force oppose him, with which marched into Hy Regan (Oregan, Queen's county), meet the lord justice; they there made peace with
sessed Eogan and his descendants was named Tir-Eogain, that the country Eogan, Owen, from which came the name Tir-Qwen, Tyrone, and his posterity was called Cineal-Eogain,
Kinel-Owen, that the race Eogan, Owen, Eugene;
slain by the Scots with the shot of a ball.
princes Kinel Fiacha Westmeath. full account and all the other chiefs the southern Hy-Niall, will
these,
found and p. p. 292, 314 the notes Meath and Bregia. Of the southern Hy-Niall, besides being kings Meath, twenty
three also became supreme monarchs Ireland, from the fifth the eleventh century.
hence this tribe-name has beenanglicised Eugenians. The territory
REIGN OF QUEEN MARY.
437
A. D. 1555.
ODH (Hugh), the
son of Niall Oge, son of Niall, son of Con,
son of Hugh Buighe son of Bryan Ballach, O'Neill, lordof Clan naboy, an opulent,
Tomas Susig (Thomas Sussex), a new lord jus tice, came to Ireland, and Anthony St. Leger, the
old lord justice, was recalled.
That lord justice immediately after marched with an army, at the instigation of O’Neill,
to expel the Mac Donnells and the Scots
who were taking possession and making settle
ments the Routes the north Antrim), and Clannaboy. The lord justice, with his forces,
remained for six weeks making devastations generous, benevolent the Scots, and committed many depre
and very hospitable dations on them, and slew one
man, a royal prince, excellingotherchiefs,
two hun returned with
submission
Bryan, the son Cahir Roe O'Conor Faily, was killed Donogh, the son O'Conor, i. e.
fence, a man who
dred the Scots, and afterwards
his forces, without receiving a lord in powerfulde hostages.
who did not permit hostages or prisoners to The lord justice Ireland collected army leave his country, and who always kept hostages; march into Munster, and O’Brien mustered an
possessedby Conall Gulban and his descendants was named Tir. The North Hy-Niall were divided into two great branches, Conaill, Tir-Connell, now the county Donegal, and his pos namely, the descendants Eogan, and Conall Gulban, two terity were named Cineal-Conaill, Kinel-Conell, anglicised:
the sons Niall the Hostages. Conall Gulban was cele brated warrior, and called thebards Conall-na-go'leas-cruaidh, signifying Conall the Hardy Deeds, and got the name Gulban from being nurtured near the mountain Ben-Gulban, now called Benbulben, and situated near the shore the Athlantic,
bay Sligo. Conall was slain battle with the men
Brefney Magh-Sleacht, 464, according the Annals
Four Masters, and was buried St. Cailin Fenagh, the
woody solitudes Moyrein; Magh-Sleacht was the ancient name sixteen the monarchs Ireland, and during the same period,
Fenagh Moyrein.
grief for his loss 465, and was buried place called Uisge-Chaoin, the Calm water, now known Iskeaheen, the barony Inisowen, county Donegal, and within few
ters, died
Leitrim, and the surrounding territory was called
Eogan, brother Conall, according the Four Mas
nine the Connallians likewise became monarchs, thus making twenty-five sovereigns the Northern Hy Niall, and, explained
292 those notes, twenty-three the Southern Hy Niall were monarchs, thus making forty-eight kings the Hy Niall race, who exclusively ruled over Ireland for period
miles Derry, where was ancient church, which some 600 years, from the fifth the eleventh century, when king
ruins still remain; from Eogan the Peninsula Inisowen got
name, Irish Inis-Eogain, signifying the island Eogan,
Owen. These two celebrated sons Niall the Hostages are
remarkable Irish history the founders the chief principa monians the race Heber. The Eugenians and Connallians
lities Ulster, and the progenitors the renowned race the Northern Hy Niall, and particularly the ancestors the two most illustrious the Milesian families, the O'Neills and O'Don nells. the fifth century these two brothers and their posterity conquered part Ulster, from the old chieftains the Irian race, Clanna Rory, and also took possession great part the territories the Clan Colla the same province. The country conquered by Eogan and his descendants comprised the present
were the chief rulers Ulster, from the fifth the latter end the sixteenth century, period more than thousand years, and their head chiefs, who, hereafter explained, took the names
O'Neill and O’Donnell, make the most remarkable figure Irish history.
The Palace Aileach. -The chief residence the kings Ulster, and monarchs Ireland the Northern Hy Niall race, including Eugenians and Connallians, was the royal fortress
counties Tyrone and Derry, with Inisowen, Donegal, and Aileach, Tirconnell, which was situated high hill the remainder Donegal was possessed the posterity Conall, mountain, called Grianan, the eastern shore Lough Swilly,
explained p. p. 49, 51, these notes. The territory pos south Inch Island, the parish Burt, Fahan, barony
Connallians.
The Hy Niall Kings. -In the preceding part
article, Hy Niall, monarchs
account has beengiven the kings great number whom were kings
the present
the Southern
Ireland, and many the Northern Hy Niall were
kings Ulster, and also monarchs Ireland. The Eugenians,
according the accounts Keating, O'Flaherty, and various other authorities, furnished, from the fifth the tenth century,
Malachy II. was deposed, 1002, Brian Boroimhe, king Munster, and head the Dalcassians, who assumed the sover reignty Ireland, and thus transferred the sceptre from the Here
Meath and
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438 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1555.
each other, O’Brien in behalf of the Irish, from the Barrow to the Shannon, and the lord justice on behalf of the English of Munster.
Inisowen, and county of Donegal. This fortress was called Grian : an Ailich, from Grianan, which signifies a palace or royal residence, and Aileach, or Oileach, a stone fortress, derived from Ail or Oil, a rock; it was likewise named Aileach Neid, or the stonefortress of Neid, according to O'Flaherty's Ogygia, from its having been first erected by Neid, one of the Tuath De Danan
princes, and it was used as a residence in very remote ages by the Danan kings. According to Colgan's Tripartite Life of St.
Patrick, he visited the fortress of Aileach, where he was well re ceived by Eogan, son of Niall of the Hostages, who then resided there. In the Four Masters, and other annalists, accounts are given of various kings and princes of the Northern Hy Niall, who resided at the palace of Aileach, a name which has been latinised Alichia, and hence these kings of Ulster are frequently styled kings and princes of Alichia. The Eugenians, and their descend ants the O'Neills, and also the Mac Loghlins, or O'Loghlins, who were a branch of the O'Neills, appear to have chiefly resided at Aileach in early times. According to the Four Masters, Aileach was often attacked by the Danes in the ninth and tenth century, particularly in A. D. 900, when it was taken by them; and again it was taken and plundered in A. D. 937 by the Danish forces, who came up with a fleet into Lough Swilly, on which occasion they took prisoner Murkertach O'Neill, the celebrated prince of Aileach, who, however, was soon after liberated. Murtogh O’Brien, king of Munster in the year 1101, with a powerful force invaded Ulster, marched to Easroe, now Ballyshannon, proceeded to Inisowen, and took the fortress of Aileach, which he demolished, in revenge of the destruction of the palace of Kincora, the royal seat of the kings of Munster, near Killaloe in Clare, which had been burned in the year 1088 by Donal Mac Loghlin, king of Ulster. After the destruction of Aileach, the O'Neills, princes of Ulster, had their chief fortress and residence at Dungannon, in Tyrone. The celebrated fortress of Aileach was of a circular form, built of large stones well fitted together, and of great strength, constructed in the style of Cyclopean architecture. There are still considerable remains of the stone fortress, and the wall varies from ten to fifteen feet in thickness, and is of immense strength; the circumference of the building is about 100 yards, and it was surrounded with three great earthen ramparts, of which there are still some remains along the top of the mountain, and also traces of the ancient road which led between rocks to the fortress. In the ancient work called Dinseanchus, which gives an account of palaces and remarkable places in Ireland, and an excellent copy of which is in the library of Sir William Be tham, made from the books of Leacan and Ballymote, an ac count is given of this fortress, which is denominated Aileach Fririn, from which the following psssages have been literally translated:—
“Aileach Fririn the level platform,
The noblest royal fortress in the world, To which strong-hold led
Horse-roads through five ramparts.
“Many its houses, rare its stones, And just were its tributes;
Lofty castle is Aileach Fririn, The rath of the worthy man.
“Pleasant stone fortress—
Protecting house of heroes— Here the Dagda slept
On this hill—red are its flowers.
“Delightful seat is Aileach Gabran, Greenly-blooming are bushes:
Ground under which the Dagda placed The burial mound of Aedh.
The son O’Donnell, the Calvach, wen
Scotland, attended few chiefs, and obtained some forces from Mac Cailin, namely, Giollaes
“I now relate each cause,
From which Aileach received its name; Together with noble chiefs,
The house of armed warriors.
“Eochy Ollathair divided Erin,
Greyer than the mist on the plain
Was the grey aspect the man;
Three were the sons Eochy,
The good man who was free from envy, Aengus, Aedh, and Kermad
“To Ailench the Dagda, Above every abode Ulster,
Belonged the government As recorded to us in books.
“Of all the works Erin,
The oldest Aileach Fririn; will not confer on
More praise than
Erin,
deserves.
fierce conflicts.
“Twice twenty years, except year, As was exactly computed,
This work of the hands of heroes Passed to the sons of Milesius.
“Neid, Indai, high king; son
the north, the country flocks, Was the first brave man by whom Obach was forsaken for Aileach.
“Nine kings Adam's race,
All one name, ruled Aileach
Eochy was the name each man Appointed there power.
“Eochy
Who governed there with order; Eochy Edgothach who felt
The persecution fierce battles.
“Eochy Opthach, and Eochy Feidleach, man swords, whose life,
Terminated natural end, Eochy Airim and Eochy Buadhach.
“Eochy More, who slaughtered cattle Eochy Doimlen the fair,
Ollathair was the first man
Who was well proved the thick And Eochy Moyvone, high king
“Son this man was Niall,
The bulwark troops—a man Who met no defeat battle—
battle, Inis-Enaigh.
Who subdued many nations
The fair Cruthnean Carinna
Was his renownedand lovely mother; The descendants the great Niall Were kings Aileach valiant arms.
Large-sized and fair-handed
Were those youths heroic race; Eogan, son Niall, from child
Was possessed the strength hero.
the world.
_—-T
its
*“
A
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“An aspect glowing with hospitality
Had this fair man of Feval;
Ineacht, the fair daughter
Of king Monach, was mother of Eogan.
“He had the disposition of a king,
The courage of a hero, and agility of a lion; The race of Eogan—fair chieftains—
The noble warriors of Tenor.
“Their fingers were adorned With bright and brilliant rings; The noblest host in all Erin
Is the assembly of Aileach.
“Sixteen chief kings ruled
Of Eogan's race over Erin;
They defended the birth-right
And received hostages from every country. ”
Tir-Connell on the other, commanded by the princes Fergus and Donal, sons of Murtogh Mac Earca, former monarch of Ireland, and aided by the forces of Aodh, or Hugh, king of Connaught ; in this battle the army of the monarch Dermod was totally de feated, three thousand of his men being slain, and he himself having hardly saved his life by flight. In A. D. 558, after he had reigned twenty years, according to the Four Masters, Dermod Mac Carroll was slain by Aodh Dubh, or Black Hugh, the son of Suibhne, king of Dalaradia, at Rath Beg in Moyline, now Moylinne, near the town of Antrim; this Black Hugh is called by other writers king of the Picts of Dalaradia. The head of king Dermod was carried to Clonmacnois, and interred there, but his body was buried in the abbey of Connor, in Antrim.
The Battle of Monadoire. —In A. D. 557, according to the Four Masters, was fought the great battle of Monadoire Lothair, by the forces of the northern Hy Niall, both Connallians and Eugenians, against the Picts of Alban, in which their forces were totally overthrown, and seven princes of the Picts, to gether with Aodh Breac, were slain. The place where this battle was fought was situated somewhere in the Highlands of Scotland and it is mentioned that the country of Lea and Carn Eolaig,” the fortresses of the Picts, were laid waste.
The National Convention of Dromceat. —In the latter end of the sixth century, A. D. 590, a great national council or conven tion was held in Ulster, of which an account is given by Keating and O'Flaherty. This assembly was convened by Aodh, or Hugh, son of Ainmireach, then monarch of Ireland, of the race of the
REIGN OF QUEEN MARY.
439
puic Donn, commanded by Master Arsibel (Ar the Scots, and spoiled and laid waste Tirconnell, chibald); he then returned with a great force of and it was on that expedition he brought
of those in exile,
-
It appears from the foregoing passages of the poem, that the
Tuath De Danan were the first who founded the fortress of Ail
each; and it is stated by Mac Firbis and others, that it was
erected by Garbhan and Frighrin, two celebrated builders of the
Fomorians; and several of the Danan kings are mentioned as having resided there ; amongst others, Dagda the Great; several kings of the Milesian race, mentioned in the poem,
likewise resided there, and lastly the princes of the Hy Connallians, or Tirconnell branch of the Hy Niall, and it was
Niall race, or descendants of the celebrated monarch, Niall of the Nine Hostages. *
Introduction of Christianity. —In the early part of the fifth century, during the reign of Laoghaire, son of Niall of the Hos tages, Palladius and St. Patrick preached the gospel in Ireland; but it is considered by Usher, Lanigan, and other ecclesiastical writers, that Christianity was partially introduced into Ireland in the third and fourth centuries. The old annalists record three remarkable persons who became converts to the Christian faith before the missions of Palladius and St. Patrick, namely, Con covar Mac Nessa, the celebrated king of Ulster in the first cen tury; Moran, the famousjudge, or chief Brehon of Ireland, son of king Cairbre Ceann-Cait, in the beginning of the second cen tury, and the renowned Cormac, monarch of Ireland about the middle of the third century. An account of the missions of Pal ladius and St. Patrick, with a sketch of their lives, has been given at p. 270 in these notes. The mission of St. Patrick is placed by Lanigan from A. D. 432 to 465, but extended to A. D. 493 by Usher and others. The mission of the great Irish apostle is particularly connected with Ulster, as the scene of his early
of Ulster amongst themselves, and with the other provincial kings, the foundation of the see of Armagh, the seat of the Primacy of and several also with the Albanian Scots, Picts, and North Bri
captivity, and afterwards of his first preaching of the gospel, and
attended by the provincial kings, princes, chiefs, bishops, abbots,
and clergy. St. Columkille, abbot of I-Columkille, or Iona in
the Hebrides, who was of the Connallian race, of Tirconnell, and
is celebrated as the apostle of the Picts and Caledonians, came to this convention, accompanied by Aidan, king of the Albanian
Scots, who was likewise of Milesian Irish descent. This national council was held at Dromceat, in Kianachta, near Glengiven, in
that part of Tir-Eogain, now called Derry, and was convened by the monarch Hugh, to settle a great contention that arose be tween himself and the bards, whose order the king considered too numerous, powerful, and dangerous to the state, and therefore had resolved to suppress ; but St. Columkille opposed their abolition, and advocated their continuance under proper regula tions as a useful national institution, and through his influence, the bards, under due restraints, were continued, and all disputes between them and the monarch amicably arranged.
The Battle of Moy-Rath. --During the sixth, seventh, and eighth centuries, various great battles were fought in Ulster, as recorded in the Four Masters, the Annals of Ulster, Keating, &c.
Many of those conflicts took place between the princes and chiefs
Ireland, the cathedral church of which was founded by him A. D. 455, according to Lanigan, all of which events are amongst
tons, who frequently made hostile incursions with powerful forces into Ulster, and had fierce contests with the Ultonians. The most remarkable of the battles fought in those ages was that of
the most important connected with the introduction of Christianity
into Ireland. The era of the Hy Niall race of kings is remark Moy-Rath, which was celebrated by the Irish bards and an
able as commencing with the introduction of Christianity, king Niall of the Hostages, as before stated, having brought St. Pa trick, then a youth in the sixteenth year of his age, to Ireland, amongst other captives he had taken in his military expeditions to Gaul and Britain.
The Battle of Cula-Dreimhne. —According to the Four Mas ters and other authorities, Curman,son of Eochy Tiormearna, king of Connaught, was put to death by Dermod Mac Carroll, monarch of Ireland, though Curnan had been under the protec tion of St. Columkille, from whose hands he had been violently forced away. This circumstance led to the great battle of Culao Dreimhne, fought in the territory of Carbury, near Sligo, A. D. 555, between the forces of Meath and Leinster, under the mo. narch Dermod on oneside, and the people Tir-Eogain and
nalists under the designation of Cath-Muighe-Rath, or the Bat
tle of the Plain of the Rath, and was fought at a place called Magh-Rath, in Dalaradia, now Moira, in the county of Down; some difference as to its chronology occurs in the Irish annalists; the Four Masters mention it at A.