Gregory
presided
over the see Dublin forty years, from 1121 his death 1161; was the last Danish bishop Dublin, and was succeeded the celebrated St.
Four Masters - Annals of Ireland
wealth for his ransom, he could
redeemed; was wounded and drowned O'Donnell’s people, who were greatly rejoiced and
to
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REIGN OF ELIZABETH. 541
A. D. 1584.
was profitable service for him, for received suitable good payment from the queen, viz. , the constableship the town Athlone, the govern orship the province Connaught for seven years before his death, with Roscommon and Beal
Atha-na-Sluaigheadh (Ballinasloe,
Sir Nicholas Mal
by, governor of the
province of Con
naught, died in Ath
lone about Shrove las, until the arrival Sir Richard Bingham
ERALD,
and heir of the earl
of Kildare, died in England.
the son
tide; he was a man
learned in languag
es and inthetongues
of the islands of wes
tern Europe, a va O'Loghlin, (lord Burren, Clare), was taken liant and battle-tri prisoner the beginning the month March
umphant man, throughout Ireland, Scotland, and this year, Muic-Inis (Hog Island), Tor France, in the service of his sovereign, and that logh, the son Donal O'Brien, and was after
the bays of Cork, Waterford, Wexford, Dublin, Drogheda, and Normanic Antiquities, and the Chronicle the Kings the Isle Dundalk. They had also numerous strong fortresses in the cities Mann, and the Norwegian Earls the Orkney Islands, the
perpetuity but, however,
himself and his heirs, was from the sons
Galway), succession;
the earl
Ireland, high commissioner the province
first procured Ballinasloe. Cap
Clanrickard
tain Brabazon succeeded the place Sir Nicho
Connaught, the month June the following Summer.
Torlogh, the son Anthony, son Malachy
and towns along the sea coasts, and near the great lakes, and is number Danish kings Dublin each name given, and chro suing forth from their ships and strongholds, they repeatedly ra nologically arranged, and accounts are also given the Irish
vagedthe entire country, plundering, laying waste, and burning the abbeys, churches, colleges, and towns, carrying away or des troying the crops, corn, and cattle, committing many massacres on the monks, clergy, and people, and carrying off many thousands into captivity, dispersing the Bards, Brehons, and learned men, burning their books, and destroying various works of art, the entire of Ireland thus presenting, during their time, a continued sceneof rapine and slaughter. The amount of property destroyed during the devastations of these ruthless robbers, for many centu ries, must have been enormous, and the inroads of these fierce and semi-barbarous invaders reduced the country to a complete state of anarchy, and retarded all civilization. In the various battles which have been described, accounts are given of four of the mo narchs of Ireland, about twenty of the provincial kings, and a vast number of princes and chiefs, who were slain; and also of about ten of the Danish kings, and an immense number of their earls and chiefs, who were killed. In the incessant warfare and sanguinary
contests with the Northmen throughout all parts of the country, for a period of 377 years, it is probable that in the almost innume rable fierce battles, conflicts, and massacres recorded by the histo rians, and in many other engagements, the accounts of which are lost, there fell three hundred thousand of the invaders, and two hundred thousand of the Irish, making in all half a million of men slain in Ireland during the Danish wars.
The Danish Kings of Dublin. -Im the preceding articles on the Danish wars, an account has beengiven of the various kings and Iarls who ruled over the Northmen, or Danes and Norwegians in Dublin ; and in the notes, from p. 481 to 487, and also pp. 508,500, 535, an account has been given of the Danish kings and lords of Waterford and Limerick. This is the first attempt to give a full catalogue and accurate chronology of the Danish kings of Dublin. Ware has given an account of them, but it is very imperfect, many of them being altogether omitted, while it is difficult to distinguish between the different kings of the same name, there being men tioned three or four Aulass, three or four Sitrics, and several God freys, but no distinction made, such as Aulaf I, and II. , Sitric I.
kings who occasionally ruled over the Northmen Dublin, the Mac Murroghs, kings Leinster, the O'Briens, kings Munster, and the O'Conors, kings Connaught. The Danish kings ruled over the city Dublin, and considerable part the country called Fingall, extending along the sea-coast between Dublin and Drogheda, far Balbriggan, and comprising the greater part
the baronies Coolock, Nethercross, and Balrothery, and they also possessed the places along the coast south the Liffey,
and II, and so the present catalogue, partly collected from
Ivar I. , lord succeeded king
the Danes Dublin for
Limerick, and brother Aulaf, years, and died 872.
W*are, but chiefly from the Annals the four Masters, and Innisfallen, and also from the ancient histories Norway, and from Johnstone's celto-scandinavian
Ulster, Denmark, and celto:
Ostin, son Aulaf, succeeded king Dublin for
years, and was treacherously slain 875 by some his own people.
the county fortresses
Clondalkin, power into Kildare, far
had fortress
and appear have extended their Athy. The Irish kings frequently subjection, and often had oppor
Dublin, with some parts Wicklow, and they had Dunleary, Dalkey, Bray, and Delgany; they also
reduced the Danes Dublin
tunities altogether expelling them from the country, but does
not appear they were anxious do so, but rather permitted them reside Dublin for purposes commerce, and they often ob tained tributes from them, and many the kings Meath and Leinster formed alliances and intermarriages with the Danish kings Dublin; and may observed that many the Irish chiefs,
adopted Danish names, such Aulaf, Sitric, Ivar, Godfrey, Regi nald Ranall, Lochlin, &c. , they afterwards took the English names Henry, William, Edward, Edmond, Richard, Charles, George, &c. The kings the Danes Northmen Dublin were mostly Norwegians, and many them were also kings over the Danes and Norwegians Northumbria, the Isle Mann, the Hebrides, and Orkney Islands. As shewn the notes 467, the North men first took possession Dublin, A. D. 836, and Asculph Mac Thorkil, the last Danish king Dublin, was slain A. D. 1171; thus they ruled over Dublin for 335 years, appears from the following chronological catalogue their kings:
Turgesius,
from A. D. 896 Meath—(see note
Norwegian, ruled over Dublin about years,
Aulaf years, from 853
846, when 467).
Norwegian 870, when
was slain Malachy, king
prince, became king Dublin died Dublin.
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542 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1584.
wards put to death by captain Brabazon, at the Clam-Quilein (in Clare), namely, Donogh, the son following summer sessions in Ennis. of Teige, son of Cumeadha, son of Cumara, son of The son of Mac Namara of the western part of John, died; he was a man most dreaded by his
5. Godfrey, or Godefrid I. , son of Ivar, succeeded for 13 years, and was slain in 888, by the contrivance of his brother Sitric.
6. Sitric I. , son of Ivar and brother of Godfrey, succeeded 4 years, and was slain by the Danish people in 892.
19. Gluniarn, son of Aulaf W. , succeeded 7 years, and was slain, A. D. 988, by one of his own people; he was called by the Irish Glun-Iarain, which signifies Iron-knee, probably from his
wearing iron armour on his limbs.
20. Sitric III. , brother of Gluniarn, and son of Aulaf V.
and Gormfaith, succeeded as king of Dublin 40 years, to A. D. 1028, when, having set out on a pilgrimage to Rome, he died on
7. Geoffrey Merle, a Danish lord of Dublin in 892, had great contentions with Sitric, and they divided the city between them, Sitric ruling over one half, and Geoffrey over the other.
his way. He is called by the Danish writers Sitric of the Silken Beard, and he was also called Sitric of Clontarf, having com manded in that celebrated battle, and conspired with his mother, Gormfaith, and her brother, Maolmora Mac Murrogh, king of Leinster, to dethrone Brian Boru, who had been married to Gorm flaith after the death of Aulaf.
8. Aulaf II. , son of Ivar, and brother of Sitric, succeeded about one year, and was slain in 893, in a battle in Ulster with the men of Tirconnell.
9. Thorkil, son of Harold Harfager, king of Norway, became king of the Northmen in Dublin, about 3 years, from 903 to 906, when he was slain by the Irish (see note p. 481). -
21. Aulaf VI. , son of Sitric III. , succeeded as king of Dublin about 6 years, and having, in the year 1034, set out on a pil grimage to Rome, was slain in England.
10. Aulaf III. , called Aulaf the Fair in the Icelandic Saga, a
son or grandson of Harold Harfager, king of Norway, became king
of the Northmen in Dublin for two or three years, but was slain in battle with the Irish about A. D. 909.
11. Reginald I. succeeded as king of Dublin A. D. 910; he was son of Hingvar or Ivar, the Danish king of Northumbria, and this
Ivar was son of Ragnar Lodbrog, the famous king of Denmark, of
whose exploits an account has been given at pp. 460, 462, in these notes.
12. Barith, or Barredo, the son of Oittir, a Norwegian chief of the Isle of Mann, became, along with Reginald, joint ruler over the Northmen of Dublin, but in A. D. 913, having contended for the supremacy, they fought a fierce naval battle at the Isle of Mann, in which the forces of Barredo were totally defeated, and himself slain. Reginald ruled about 10 years, and died at Dub lin, A. D. 921.
22. Sitric IV. , son of Aulaf VI. , succeeded 7 years; in 1038 he founded the Cathedral of Christ Church, in Dublin, and died A. D. 1042.
13. Sitric II. , brother of Reginald, and son of Ivar, Danish
king of Northumbria, succeeded as king over the Northmen of
Dublin, and was at the same time Danish king of Northumbria.
Sitric was a powerful prince, and was married to a sister of in 1070.
Athelstan, king of England; he is called by the Four Masters 27. Godred Crovan, king of the Isle of Mann and the He Sitric Gale, that is Sitric the Valiant, and he commanded in the brides, and son of Harold the Black of Iceland, a descendant of great battle near Dublin, A. D. 917, in which the Irish were de the kings of Norway, in the year 1068 took Dublin, and con feated, and the monarch, Niall Glundubh, was slain. Sitric ruled
over Dublin about 5 years, and died A. D. 926.
14. Godfrey II. , son of Sitric II. , succeeded as Danish king of Dublin, and also of Northumbria; he ruled over Dublin 6 years, to his death, A. D. 932, and is called by the annalists “ the most cruel king of the Northmen. ”
quered part of Leinster, and he ruled as king of Dublin about 8 years, from 1068 to 1076; he chiefly resided in the Isle of Mann, and died in 1076, at the Island of Ila, in the Hebrides.
15. Aulaf IV. , son of Godfrey II. succeeded; he was called Aulaf the Red, and Aulaf of Brunanburgh, having fought that great
28. Donal Mac Murrogh, king of Leinster, assumed authority for a few years over the Danes, and was styled king of Dublin; he died in 1075.
battle against the Anglo-Saxons, as described in the notes at p. 483; Aulaf was married to a daughter of Constantine, king of
29. Murtogh O'Brien, prince of Thomond, son of Torlogh
O'Brien, king of Munster, was appointed by his father king of
Dublin, and he ruled over the Danes for about 10 years, to A. D. 1085.
30. Godfrey Merenagh, who was Godfrey IV. , and a relative of Godred Crovan, king of Dublin, on the death of Godred in 1076 was appointed by the Danes of Dublin as their king, and he ruled over them for about 18 years to A. D. 1094, but his authority was much diminished by Mac Murrogh, king of Leinster, and O’Brien, king of Munster, who assumed power over the Danes, and called themselves kings of Dublin. In A. D. 1094, Murtogh O'Brien, king of Munster, expelled from Dublin Godfrey Merenagh, who soon after died, and he appointed his own son Donal as king of Dublin.
31. Donal O'Brien ruled as king over Dublin for about 24 years, from 1094 to 1118, when he became a monk and retired to the monastery of Lismore, where he died A. D. 1185, at a very
advanced age.
32. Torlogh O'Conor, son of Roderick, king of Connaught, re
duced the Danes of Dublin to subjection, and ruled over them nominally as king for 7 years from 1118 to 1125.
33. Conor O'Conor. —In 1126 Torlogh O'Conor marched to Dublin and appointed his son Conor as king over the Danes, but he ruled there only about one year, as the Danes revolted and deposed him in 1127.
Scotland; he was a very valiant warrior, and ruled over Dublin about 11 years, to his death, A. D. 943, and he was some time Danish king of Northumbria.
16. Blacar, brother of Aulaf IV. , succeeded, and having ruled over Dublin about 3 years, was slain in a great battle with the Irish, near Dublin. A. D. 946.
17. Godfrey III. , son of Sitric, and grandson of Sitric II. ,
succeeded 5 years, and was slain in battle with the Irish in 951.
This Godfrey and many of his people were converted to the Chris
tian faith, and he was the first Christian king of the Danes of Dublin.
18. Aulaf V. , brother of Godfrey III. , succeeded, and ruled over the Danes of Dublin 30 years; in A. D. 981, he retired to the abbey of St. Columkille, at Iona, in the Hebrides, where he soon after died in penitence and pilgrimage. He was a powerful
and valiant prince, and is often mentioned by the Irish writers, under the name of Aulaf Cuaran, and he was called by the Danish writers, Aulaf Quaran; he was married to Gormfaith, sister of Maolmora Mac Murrogh, king of Leinster, and this Gorm flaith, called by the Danish writers Kormloda, was, after the death of Aulaf, married to Brian Boru.
23. Aulaf VII. , son of Aulaf VI. , succeeded about 2 or 3 years to A. D. 1045.
24. Ivar II. , son of Harold, is mentioned in the Annals at this time as king of Dublin.
25. Emeric, called by the Irish writers Eachmarcach, son of Reginald, was also king of the Danes of Dublin for some years at this time. The period of Ivar II. and Emeric, was from about A. D. 1045 to 1060, but they were partly in subjection to the Mac Murroghs, kings of Leinster.
26. Murrogh Mac Murrogh, son of Dermod Mac Maolnambo, king of Leinster, and his father, assumed at this time authority over the Danes, and were the first Irish kings over the Dames of Dublin. The Mac Murroghs partly ruled over the Danes of Dub lin for about 20 years, and Murrogh Mac Murrogh died at Dublin
enemies in the field of action, of any other of the Clan Cuilein.
Roderick Carrach, the son Maolmurry, son
Donogh son Torlogh Mac Sweeny, was put death Cork.
general peace was proclaimed over Ireland,
Connaught.
35. Murrogh Mac Murrogh, king Leinster, about
1128, assumed the authority king over the Danes Dublin, but having ruled tyrannically, they sent for Godred, king Mann, son Aulaf, and grandson Godred Crovan, who 1134 came
In Dublin, the following were the Danish bishops:—Donatus
37. Conor O'Brien, king 1141, reduced the Danes
Munster, having marched subjection, and ruled
Dub king
names, and many them prefixed and Mac Samuel O'Haingly, nephew Donatus, native Benedictine monk the abbey St. Alban's,
their names.
over them for about years.
partly Danish king Dublin for years, from
Dublin, over which he presided from 1095 his death 1121. Gregory, who was the first archbishop Dublin, was Ostman, and consecrated Lambeth, Ralph, archbishop Canterbury.
Gregory presided over the see Dublin forty years, from 1121 his death 1161; was the last Danish bishop Dublin, and was succeeded the celebrated St. Laurence O’Toole.
In Waterford, Malchus, Dane, who had been Benedictine
136
Dub the
40. Brodar, brother Reginald II. , became Danish king Dublin about years, from 1150 1160, when was slain battle by the men South Bregia Fingal.
41. Dermod Mac Murrogh, king Leinster, assumed autho
1146, when 39. Oittir,
was slain battle by the men Meath. Danish earl the Hebrides, becameking
years, from 1146 1148, when was slain
REIGN OF ELIZABETH. 543
34. Thorfinn, son Thorkil Torcal, Norwegian earl the Limerick, Waterford, and Cork, and some small parts the ad Orkneys, was this time about years acknowledged their joining territory. The following account taken from Ware's king the Danes Dublin, his death 1124, but his antho Bishops Harris, Lanigan's Ecclesiastical History, D'Alton's rity was great extent superseded the O'Conors, kings - Archbishops Dublin, &c.
Dublin with great forces and defeated Mac Murrogh.
36. Godred II. , was only about year two king Dublin, Ostman, according Ware, studied Ireland, and became
and returned the Isle Mann Mac Murrogh again succeeded but was treacherously slain the Danes Dublin about
1136, after he had ruled over them for about years; was father Dermod Mac Murrogh, king Leinster, who brought overthe English.
Benedictine monk Canterbury; was appointed bishop Dublin, and sat from 1085 his death 1095. The three fore mentioned bishops were all consecrated Lanfranc, archbishop
Canterbury, and appears this bishop O'Haingly was
Dane, that some the Danish familes this time took Irish sur
was the first bishop the Danes
his death 1074, and he, the aid
Dublin, founded the Cathedral
Danish bishop, succeeded from 1074 1084, when was drowned his passage England. Donatus O'Haingly,
Dublin, from 1038, Sitric, the Danish king Christ Church. Patrick,
Ireland, and England, was
-
38. Reginald II. , son Thorkil, and brother Thorfinn, ruled consecrated by Anselm, archbishop Canterbury, bishop
for about
sonsof Mac Thorkil.
rity over the Danes Dublin to 1160.
42. Torlogh O'Brien, king
different times, from
Munster, came king for about
1150
Dublin year
1110, and founded the cathedral church city. Melisa O’Hanmire, Danish bishop
the Trinity that
1150,and the Danes received him two.
1136. Tostius, Ostman, was bishop
1152.
In Limerick, Gille, Gilbert, supposed
Waterford, died Waterford
Ostman, was 43. Murtogh O'Loghlin, king Ulster, marched with his for bishop Limerick from A. 1110 1140, and was also Apos
ces Dublin 1154, and assumed the authority Danes for few years, and gave them services 1200 cows.
king over the reward for their
tolic Legate Ireland. Patrick succeeded Danish bishop Limerick, and was consecrated Theobald, archbishop Can terbury. Harold, Dane, succeeded bishop Limerick, and
44. Roderick O'Conor, king Connaught and monarch died 1151. Torgesius, Dane, succeeded, and Brictius, ano Ireland, marched Dublin 1166, and was acknowledged ther Dane, was after him bishop Limerick; and 1179,at king the Danes, and received with greater honours than any tended the Council of Lateran.
their kings ever had been before, and for their military services In Cork, Gregory and Reginald, considered be Danes, were ikin. g Roderick gave them, reward, four thousand oxen. bishops from about 1170 1190.
45. Dermod O’Melaghlin, king Meath, about 1167 became Danish Families. —Many families Danish origin took Irish
surnames, prefixing and Mac, that their descent cannot now
ascertained,
names, particularly that Patrick, honour the patron saint Ireland. The Danes and Norwegians being possession Dub lin, and some other parts the country, and having maintained their colonies there for more than 300 years, there consequently, much the Danish blood the counties Dublin and Meath,
Dublin, and died 1169, having ruled two years over the nes.
a
46. Asculph Mac Thorkil, son Reginald II. , nephew
and several their chiefs took Irish Christian
Brodar, and grandson Thorkil, hence called Mac Thorkil,
Mac Torcal, descendant the Norwegian earls Orkneys, was
acknowledged king Dublin, the Danes, for about years,
from 1161 1171, but was partly subjection the
Irish kings above-mentioned. Reginald, another Danish lord, particularly Fingall, and there are many families Danish de
was authority Dublin this time, and 1167 attended with one thousand horsemen the great national convention assembled Athboy by king Roderick O'Conor. 1170, Dublin was
taken the Anglo-Normans, under Strongbow and Dermod Mac Murrogh, king Leinster, and 1171, Asculph Mac Thorkil, the last Danish king Dublin, attempting recover the city, was
slain the Anglo-Normans.
The Danish Bishops. -There were many Danish bishops the
sees Dublin, Limerick, Waterford, and Cork, the eleventh and twelfth centuries, and remarkable that those Danish
scent mixed intermarriages with the old Milesian Irish. The Plunkets, earls Fingall, and barons Louth and Dunsany, are Danish descent; the name very numerous and there are still
many respectable families the Plunketts the counties Dublin, Meath, Louth, Longford, and Cavan. The Palmers, Sweetmans, Gilberts, Cruises, Dowdalls, and Everards, Dub lin and Meath; the Dromgooles and Blackers Louth, and the Betaghs Moynalty, Meath, all families note former times were Danish descent; the Fagans O’Fagans, formerly
family mote Feltrim, Fingall, are said have been Danish descent, but others consider the O'Fagans were Irish, and the name still numerous Dublin, Meath, and Westmeath. In Cork, the Coppingers, Goulds, Galways, Skiddys, and Terrys, all families note, and many them former times lord mayors
that city, were Danish descent. The Harolds, Godfreys, Stacks, and Trants, families Limerick and Kerry, are also con
bishops all went for consecration nonical obedience the archbishops bishops were under the jurisdiction
Canterbury, and promised ca that see,while all the Irish
the see Armagh, and were consecrated mostly Ireland, but many also Rome. The
jurisdiction the Danish bishops did not extend over each diocese present constituted, but was confined the cities Dublin,
monk, Winchester, was consecrated
Canterbury, bishop Waterford, where
Anselm, archbishop sat from 1096
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544 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1584.
and particularly in the two provinces of Munster, came along with him Sir John Norris, president after the beheading of the earl of Desmond, as we over the two provinces Munster, and Sir Richard
have before stated. It resulted from that procla mation, that people from the neighbouring districts
Bingham, governor over the province Con naught. The lord justice did not spend month entirely Dublin when proceeded Athlone,
flocked in to reside in Connello, Kerry, and in the
county of Limerick. and there was not a man who
bore arms of the race of Maurice Fitzgerald in Ire
land, who had been engaged in plunder and insur welcome and acknowledge him their governor
rection, that did not come under the law, except
alone Maurice, the son of John Oge, son of John,
son of Thomas the earl (of Desmond), and he even
came under peace, on the word of the earl of
Ormond, and having after that separated from his
people, he fled, accompanied by five persons, across
the Shannon of blue streams, northward through
Thomond, and from one territory to another, until ceived him there, such them had not
he arrived in the Routes of MacQuillan Antrim), with Sorley Buighe, the son Mac Donnell; from
thence went Scotland, and afterwards
Spain, where died the course time.
new lord justice, namely, Sir John Perrott,
arrived Ireland on the 21st June and there
gone him Galway the sheriff the county was also there, namely Cruise, and the
sheriff had that time imprisoned Donogh Beag, the son Teige, son Donogh O’Brien,
the high traitor and ringleader the despoilers the province Connaught before that time;
and from thence Galway, which town the nobles Connaught had come meet him, and
and commander from the sovereign. After the lord justice had remained for some time Galway
prepared Limerick and first night after leaving Galway
remained the Kilmacduagh;
the second night arrived Cuilein (Guinn, the barony
Cuinche Clan Bunratty county
Clare); the nobles the county Clare re
sidered Danish origin. traditionally stated that Dublin. Some of those coins are inscribed with the namesof
great numbers the Northmen were red-haired, particularly the Norwegians, who generally had fair redish hair, and florid com plexions, and the present time, red-haired persons Ireland
are considered the common people Danish origin. Danish Remains. —The Northmen erected many fortresses and strongholds for their defence Ireland, one which stone, namely Reginald's Tower, still remains Waterford, and they are considered have constructed many those circular earthen
Sitric, Ivar, and Aulaf, Danish kings Dublin; they are
silver, about the size sixpence, and were silver pennies, and most them being marked with cross, were coined, appears, after the Danes were converted Christianity. There collec tion these Danish coins the Royal Irish Academy, and also
the possession Dr. Aquila Smith Thomas Cooke, Esq. Parsonstown, the King's county, has also large collection coins, ancient and modern, various nations, amongst which are many coins the Danish kings Dublin.
Amongst the notices the Northmen may mentioned, that
the tenth and eleventh centuries they carried off Norway and Denmark vast number Irish MSS. and ancient records, many
which are said have been preserved the Royal Library Copenhagan.
The Danish Wars are now completed, and the account them should read Introduction this part the Annals the Four Masters, which would otherwise incomplete until thefirst part published, the course
wars end where the Anglo-Norman
history dered
ramparts commonly called Forts, they may have constructed many throughout Ireland were erected
Danish Raths, but though those raths, most them
the ancient Irish themselves, fortresses and habitations, many centuries before the Danes came Ireland. The sepulchral Mounds, commonly called Moats, have been attributed the Danes, but these earth works were
chiefly constructed the Irish sepulchres for kings and war riors the Pagan times. Ledwich, and some other antiquarians, have absurdly attributed the erection almost all the ancient stone buildings Ireland before the English invasion the Danes, and amongst other structures they have maintained the absurd theory that the Danes built the Round Towers, and many the
some time. As the Danish wars commence, therefore the
old stone churches, but instead building, the Danes more proba bly destroyed many the Towers, and they demolished many
the Anglo-Norman,
continuation the Danish period, hence the necessity
hundreds they built Michan's,
the churches; but after their conversion Christianity few churches, amongst others Christ Church and St. Dublin, and some Waterford, Limerick, and Cork.
that arose
Danish affairs, for the Anglo-Norman Invasion, and the chain
Some the ancient weapons bronze and iron, bronze pots, and other culinary utensils, war trumpets, &c. found bogs, lakes,
and other places, are supposed some Danish remains, but much more probable that they were mostly Irish some
them, no doubt, may have been Danish, but very difficult now determine whether those remains are Danish Irish antiqui
ties. The Danes are traditionally said have brewed kind strong beer, and have used the tops the heath one the ingredients, probably substitute for hops.
Danish Coins. —There are found various museums, and
the cabinets the curious, numerous coins considered have been struck the Danish kings Dublin, the tenth and eleventh centuries, and accounts them are given Simon's work
Irish Coins, by Mr. Lindsay Cork, and Dr. Aquila Smith
events which preceded could not satisfactorily ex plained without giving account the Danes and Norwegians, the ancestors the Normans France, and the Anglo-Nor mans, who were fact Danes and Norwegians under new name, who conquered England, and make
history Ireland. The accounts
accurately collected from the Annals
fallen, Ulster, &c. and from various other works already quoted; and the history these important events has never before been published, will found extremely interesting the
general reader, and the materials will prove great value the historian.
fo" ERRATUM. —At 530, the Geraldines, for Hibernicis read Hibernis, mistake being made the printer.
English period, may consi
introducing into those annotations account the
most remarkable figure the the Danish wars have been
the Four Masters, Inis
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REIGN OF ELIZABETH. 545
his fate attended him, for was executed on nies) quartered Ulster against Sorley, and
cart (or scaffold), and his bones were dislocated
and smashed pieces with the back weighty
thick large axe, and his body, completely broken
and half dead, was tied with hard tough hempen
ropes, and placed the top the Cloccas (bel Murrogh, the son Bryan Nanoinseach O'Fla fry), Quinn (the church Quinn), under the herty, and the cause that dispute was, that the feet the birds and fowls the air, order tribe Owen, namely, the O'Flaherty, Teige,
that might warning and
doers see him that state. proceeded the following day
son Owen, took the island Baile-na-Hinnse gentlemen about Limerick, until dispatches over (in Galway), from Teige, the son Murrogh-na
took him informing him that Scottish fleet had dTuagh (of the Battle-axes), son Teige, son landed, the north Ireland, the invitation Murrogh O'Flaherty; for the tribe Owen main Sorley Buighe, the son Mac Donnell, and tained that that island was theirs by right, and were plundering and devastating the country that was by trespass against them that Teige
about them; and the cause for which they had was keeping and maintaining but whoever was
come was, that Sorley Buighe, who was pos the right, Teige made attack them, after
session the Routes, (in Antrim), for thirty their taking and did not leave the least head
years before that time, received intelligence that cattle the portion their country that over
resolved spoil and chastise
great number
example evil
The lord justice Limerick, and
the son Teige-Nabuile, son Murrogh, son
Owen, and the sons Donal Anchogaidh (of the War), the son the Giolladuv, son Murrogh,
himself returned Dublin, and disbanded the men Ireland, and sent them their homes.
Contentions arose West Connaught between the tribe Owen O'Flaherty and the tribe
o
the council command Routes Sorley
carry off with Teige, though
England laid injunction and
ran, that did not slaughter
him; they also did great damage
they were not equal power.
son Murrogh, happened one time with the crew boat on nocturnal attack, the month
June, pursuit the tribe Owen O'Flaherty,
Aran (the Island Aran, off the coast Gal
that new lord justice, confer the own rightful inheritors, and expel his own paternal stock Scotland; and
That Teige, the
not that alone, but that would not suffer any
foreigners make settlements Ireland while should the service the sovereign. As
the lord justice, left Limerick with despatch,
and commanded that all men for service, from
the Boyne Beirre (Bear, the county Cork),
should meet him, the expiration twenty-four ship, and unfriendly was the appearance ex days from that, Drogheda. These commands were hibited them on that shore, and the island was obeyed the men Munster, Meath, and Lein not worth all the evil that had been done on that ster, for they came numerously, and fully equipped, day concerning for there was slain there Mur
that place, and they marched for Ulster. rogh, the son Edmond Oge, son Edmond Mac When Sorley received intelligence that the forces Hugh, the chief man Leitir Meallain (Letter
Ireland were marching towards him, left the Routes, and carried off with him his herds cattle, his women, and his people, Gleann-Chon-Cadh
(Glenconkene Derry), and left neither herd ing nor watching the country, guarding
mullen, an island off the coast Galway, the parish Killinan), who had joined the tribe Owen O'Flaherty; there were also slain there the son the seneschal Clan Maurice (in Mayo),
who was along with them the same plundering any town the Routes, except alone Dunlis expedition, and the son O'Flaherty himself, i. e. (Dunluce castle); and although that was the strong Teige, namely, Murrogh Sallach; great num
hold the province, was taken the lord jus ber the people the tribe Owen O'Flaherty tice two days and nights after had laid siege were also slain, besides those chiefs; and they and put the queen's guards into continued after that manner fighting with each After the lord justice had been ten days the other until peace was established between them Routes, he left thirteen Banna (bands compa the English, the following harvest, and the
way), and Teige overtook them early the morning, entirely unprepared, and between asleep
and awake, each side the very stem the
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i. e.
546 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1585.
island was given to the tribe of Owen O'Flaherty. Murtogh Garv, the son of Bryan, son of Teige
O’Brien, died in the first month of harvest, at Craig Corcrain; he was a sensible unassuming young man, who got no reproach, blemish, insult, or abuse, from his birth till his death, and was buried in the monastery of Ennis.
Oliver, son of John, died, and none was appointed
in his place but the blind abbot, who considered himself his successor, despite of the English.
Gormley, the daughter of O’Rourke, namely, the daughter of Bryan Ballach, son of Owen, son of Tiarnan, son of Teige O’Rourke, a woman who was connected with her equals as husbands; a prospe rous, kind hearted woman, who did not incur the provocation or expression of reproof by eccle
The Cosnamhach, son of Perigrine, son of Der
mod, son of Teige Cam O'Clery, a man of respect
and affluence, kept an excellent house of hos siastics or professional men, nor any other reproach
regarding her hospitality or her soul, died.
Bryan, the son of Teige, son of Bryan, son of
nard, with the monks, in the monastery of Easroe of the month of January, and he sent forth scour
(the Cistercian monastery of Ballyshannon, in ing parties into the fastnesses of Dartry, to collect Donegal. ) preys; and they procured immense booty. Mac Clancy, with a powerful force of Scots and Irish,
A. D. 1585. overtook him, and Bryan continued a defensive The earl of Kildare, namely, Gerald, the son of retreat, during which skirmishing conflicts were Gerald, son of Gerald, son of Thomas, son of John carried on between them until they came in col Cam, died in England ; that earl had been five lision with each other at Beanna-Bo, in Brefney
years under an arrest, kept from his patrimonial (Benbo mountain, parish of Drumlease, in Lei
estate, until he died at that time; Henry his son trim). When the men of Brefney and the people
was nominated his successor by the English coun of O’Rourke heard that Bryan had gone into
cil, and was permitted to return to his patrimonial Dartry, they collected to meet him in a certain
pitality for some time in Thomond, and also for
some time in Tirconnell, until he died at Fuarchos
ach in Tirconnell, in the Lent of this year, and was
buried, under the protection of God and St. Ber of Mac Clancy (in Leitrim), in the very beginning
took the surnames Mac Philbin or Mac Philips, others that of
Mae Hugo, Mac Hoberd, Mac David, Mac Gibbon, and Mac
Seoinin or Jennings. Many chiefs, lords, and earls of the Burkes and the earl of Clanrickard possessed a considerable portion of
of Connaught are mentioned in the course of these Annals, and they make a remarkable figure in Irish history. The ancient titles of the Burkes were lords of Connaught, and earls of Ulster,
Galway, or the territory called Clanrickard, which got its name
from Rickard or Richard de Burgo, one of their ancestors, and comprised, according to Ware and others, the baronies of Clare,
Owen O’Rourke, marched with a force into Dartry
inheritance.
Mac William Burke," i. e. Richard, the son of
A. D. 1585.
1. Mac, William Burke and Grace O'Malley. —As explained
at p. 132, in the note on South Connaught, the great Anglo-Nor man families of de Burgo or Burke, sometimes written Bourke, and by others de Burgh, were descendedfrom William Fitz-Adelm de Burgo, who came to Ireland in the time of Strongbow. They were descendedfrom a half brother of William the Conqueror, and were earls of Cornwall and earls of Kent in England. The de scendants of William Fitz-Adelm got extensive possessions in Ire land, and became lords of Connaught and earls of Ulster. In the 14th century, according to Lodge's Peerage on the earls of Clan
rickard and Mayo, the Burkes of Connaught became divided into two great branches, one in Galway and the other in Mayo; the head of the Galway branch was called Mac William Eighter, and was ancestor of the earls of Clanrickard, and the head of the Mayo branch was called Mac William Oughter, and was ancestor of the earls of Mayo, but it appears Lodge translated the Irish word Uachtar, which signifies Upper, into Eighter, and the word Ioch tar, which signifies Lower, into Oughter. They adopted the Irish language, laws, manners, and customs, and hence they took the surname Mae William from their ancestor William de Burgo, and several of them were styled the Lords Mac William, under the laws of Tanistry. Some branches of the Burkes of Connaught
narrow pass, by which they expected his coming towards them, and found him slowly advancing,
and they afterwards became earls and marquesses of Clanrickard, viscounts of Galway, earls and viscounts of Mayo, viscounts of Clanmorris, in Mayo, barons of Naas in Kildare, barons of Dum kellin and of Leitrim in Galway, and barons of Brittas; branches of the Burkes got extensive possessionsin Tipperary and Limerick, and from them the baronies of Clanwilliam in Tipperary and Li merick took their name, and some of them were created barons of Castleconnell in Limerick. The Burkes formed powerful families and had extensive possessions,and the nameis still very numerous in Connaught and in Munster, and is to be found in all parts of Ireland; they were one of the three greatest of the Anglo-Norman families in Ireland, these being the Fitzgeralds of Kildare and Desmond; the Butlers of Ormond, and the Burkes of Connaught. The Burke above mentioned in the Annals, was, according to Lodge, called by the Irish, Risdeard-an-Iarain or Richard of the Iron, and he is also mentioned in the Annals at A. D. 1583, and was sir Richard Burke, ancestor of the earls of Mayo; he was a military commander in Connaught on the side of the English, in the reign of Elizabeth, and a man of note in his time. As mentioned by Lodge, the lord deputy, sir Henry Sydney, in his despatches on the state of affairs in Connaught in 1576, says, that Mac William Oughter came to him, and that he could speak Latin very well, but not English, and Sydney states, that he ruled over a territory three times in extent of the lands of the earls of Clanrickard. Mac William Oughter here mentioned, ruled over a great part of Mayo,
REIGN OF ELIZABETH.
- 547
heavy laden, and bearing the oppressive attacks of point danger, and they carried him off under
his enemies; and although by right his own their protection guard him, and the resolution
followers should aid him, they did not do so, but they came the third day was kill him
rather gave their full support to his enemies, and treacherous and malicious manner, after he had
the valiant hero being attacked on both sides, the been under their clemency and protection, and
brave man was met by shouts before and behind O'Rourke was censured for being implicated him, and was completely surrounded on sides, that bad deed.
that could not move step forward back Edmond Dorcha, the son Donal, son Mur ward. Many were slain around him that con rogh, son Roderick More, and Torlogh, the son flict, and company galloglasses the Mac Edmond Oge, son Edmond, son Torlogh
Sheeheys who were along with Bryan that day Mac Sheehey, were both put death Dublin.
were cut down, and they were the remnant and great quantity residue the galloglasses the Geraldines who the greater portion
rain fell this year, that the corn Ireland was
were bartering their services from one country another after the extermination of the noblemen
whom they had been hitherto employed, and their attack would have been irresistible were
destroyed.
Dermod, the son
given Grace O'Malley;
her father, Owen O'Malley, was noted chief, and had small Irish hospitality, and happening see little boy, with at
bernica for 1793 and 1794, account
fleet with which made many expeditions, partly for commer cial purposes, but chiefly piracy. Grace her youth fre quently accompanied her father these expeditions, and after his death, her brother being minor, she took upon herself the com mand her galleys, and made with her crews many bold expedi tions; her chief rendezvous was Clare Island off the coast Mayo, where she kept her large vesselsmoored, and had fortress, but she had her small craft Carrigahooly castle, which was her
chief residenceand stronghold, and there was hole seen the ruinedwalls through which cable was run from one her ships, the purpose communicating alarm her apartment
any sudden danger. said that her piracies became fre
tendant, near the sea shore, she enquired whose child was, and being answered was the young heir Howth, she had him car ried off her men the ships, and conveyed him Connaught, and said she would not consent restore the young heir till his father, lord Howth, had entered into stipulation that the gates
his castle should never closed dinner time: hence said, that ever since the gates are left open when the family dinner. The abduction the young heir St. Lawrence Grace O'Malley said represented one the paintings Howth castle. Grace endowed monastery on Clare Island off
Quentthat she was proclaimed, and £500 offered her apprehension,and troops were sent from Galway
reward for take the
ley has been long famous
the people, and her name
poetical compositions, both
brated, and these songs Ireland generally personified under the designation Granu Weal. Many these poetical produc
tions have obtained great popular celebrity, and stated the Anthologia Hibernica, that the year 1753, during the political contests the duke Dorset's administration Ireland, very popular song was composed, partly Irish and partly English, the old air Granu Weal; and another very popular song
the same air was composed the celebrated Jacobite Munster Bard, Shane Clarach Mac Donnell.
fortnight Grace and her men. Lodge says that Grace O'Malley was lady much
. *"owned the natives Connaught, who relate many adven “res and remarkable actions which she performed the sea with
the traditions English and Irish, her name cele
oastle Carrigahooly, but after siege more than they wereforced retire, being defeated the valour
**tcourageand undauntedspirit. These exploits wereperform
*by
*r Grace before and after her marriage with O'Flaherty, but
death and her marriage with Richard Burke, she be reconciled the government,and with her followers assisted English forces Connaught, and for her services said that
Elizabeth wrote her letter invitation the court,
con
Donal Mac Congail, (Mac Connell), died on the 14th June.
proclamation
not that they were outnumbered and overpowered the men Ireland, commanding their chiefs
their opponents. The men Brefney and the people O’Rourke gave quarter Bryan, the
Dunkellin, Loughrea, Kiltartan, Athenry, and Leitrim, the county Galway. Amongst other chiefs who attended along with Mac William Burke, Sydney says, “O’Malley came likewise, who original Irishman, strong galleys and seamen. ” This Richard Burke was married Grace O’Malley, daughter Owen O'Malley, chief Umaile, now the baronies Burrishoole and Murrisk, the county Mayo, over which territory the O'Malleys were the ancient chiefs and celebrated mariners. Grace O'Malley, called Irish Graine-ni-Mhaile, commonlypronounced Granu Weal, celebrated Irish history; she was first married
attend Dublin precisely May, for most the men Ireland were obedient their sovereign,
sequence which Grace, with some her galleys, set sail for Lon don about the year 1575, and she was received court with great
honours by the queen, who offered create her countess, which honour Grace declined, answering with great spirit and dignity,
that both them being Princesses they were equal rank, and they could, therefore, confer honours each other, but Grace said her majesty might confer any title she pleased her young son, child which was born ship-board during her voyage England, and said the queen knighted the child, who was called the Irish Tioboid-na-Lung, signifying Theobald the ships, from the circumstance his being born ship-board, and this sir Theobald Burke was created viscount Mayo by Charles
On her return from England curious circumstance men tioned have taken place her landing Howth for some provisions; proceeding the castle she found the gates closed, the family being dinner; Grace was indignant this dereliction
O'Flaherty, chief West Connaught, and secondly
Richard Burke, whom she had son Theobald, who was mander note on the side the English Connaught, reign Elizabeth was called
created viscount Mayo Charles
sir com the Theobald Burke, and was the Anthologia Hi
the coast Mayo, where she was buried, and mains her monument are still be seen there.
said some re Grace O’Mal
for Parliament was issued
Irish heroine
still remembered song; various
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ANNALs of THE FOUR MASTERs, A. D. 1585.
so that they came meet each other Dublin that command. Thither came the chiefs Tir
Annaly, the county Longford), both sides, namely, O'Ferrall Baun (the Fair), i. e. William, the son Donal, son Cormac O'Ferrall Buidhe
connell and Tyrone, namely, O'Neill (prince
Tyrone), Torlogh Luineach, the son Niall (the Yellow), i. e. Fachtna, the son Bryan, son
Conallach, son Art, son Conn, son Henry,
son Owen; and Hugh, the son Ferdorcha,
son Conn Bacach, son Conn, son Henry,
son Owen, namely, the young baron O'Neill, O'Conor Don, Hugh, the son Dermod, son who was nominated earl Tyrone that Parli Carbry, son Owen Caoch, son Felim
ment; and O’Donnell (prince Tirconnell), Hugh, the son Manus, son Hugh Duv, son Hugh Roe, son Niall Garv, son Torlogh
the Wine; Maguire (prince Fermanagh), i. e.
Cuchonacht, the son Cuchonacht, son Cu son Murtogh; the deputy Mac Dermott,
chonacht, son Bryan, son Philip, son Tho mas; O’Dogherty (lord Inisowen, Donegal),
Moylurg (prince Moylurg, the barony Boyle, Roscommon), namely, Bryan, the son Roderick, son Teige, son Roderick Oge (Mac Dermott), for Mac Dermott himself, i. e.
i. e. John Oge, the son John, son Conor Carrach; O'Boyle (chief
Donegal), Torlogh, the son
Felim, son Boylagh
Niall, son
Teige, the son Owen, was
old man far ad Hy Briuin
Roscommon),
Roderick, son Cathal. Thither went the
Siol Murray (the O'Conors Roscommon), with the chiefs their tribes, namely, the son
Geangach; O'Conor Roe, Teige Buighe, son
Sligo, i. e. Donal, the son
Teige Oge, the son Cathal Roe; O'Conor
Teige, son Cathal Oge, son Donal, son Owen, son Donal,
Torlogh Oge, son Torlogh More; and O'Gal vanced age; O’Beirne (chief
lagher chief Tirhugh Donegal), John, the son Tuathal, son John, son Roderick,
son Hugh. To this convention went Mac Ma hon (prince Oirgiall, the counties Louth and Monaghan), namely, Rossa, the son Art, son Bryan-na-moicheirghe (of the Early Rising),
son Redmond, son Glaisne; O’Kane (lord Oireacht-I-Chathain, O’Kane's country,
the county Derry), namely Roderick, the son Manus, son Donogh the Hospitable, son John,
son Avney; Conn, the son Niall Oge, son Niall, son Conn, son Hugh Buighe, the
O'Neills Clannaboy (O'Neill, lord Clannaboy, the counties Down and Antrim); Mac Gen nis (lord Iveagh, the county Down),
the Shannon, the county
namely, Hugh, the son Donal Oge, son
Donal Ciar (of the Dark Brown Hair). Thither
went the chiefs Gairbhthrian (the Rough dis
tricts), Connaught, namely, O’Rourke (prince herty. Thither went the earl Thomond, namely,
West Brefney,
Bryan, the son O'Reilly (prince
the county Leitrim), Bryan, son Owen O’Rourke;
East Brefney, the county
Donogh, the son Conor, son Donogh, son Conor, son Torlogh, son Teige O’Brien, and
son Donal, son Conor, son Teige O'Brien, having been
elected knight
Clare. There went thither Torlogh, the son Teige, son Conor O’Brien, and the lord the
western part Clan Cuilein the county
Clare), namely, Mac Namara, i.