Losnado,
ubicecidit
A^nga?
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
, p.
3.
This seems to be confounded with
sonofLaoighaire,tooyoungatthetimeof
his father's death to contest the succession,
seems to have obtained the crown by form-
ing a strong confederacy of provincial kings
and See ' ' of toparclis. Haverty's History
Ireland," chap, ix. , p. 75.
77 See the " Annals of Inisfallen. " Dr.
O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemicarum Scrip- tores," tomus ii. , pp. 3, 4.
"
7^ In the
this battle of Ocha is entered, under A. D. 482, and again under A. D. 483, in that old translation, found in the Clarendon MS. , tom. 49. There we read: "482. Bellum Oche, in quo cecidit Ailill Molt manu Lugh mic Laogaire, et Muritrti mic Erca. A
Concobarofilib Nessa usque ad Cormacfilium Artanni208. ACormacusqueadhocbellum 206, «/Cuana scripsit. '' And again : "483. Ju^ulatio Crimthain, mac Enna Censelaich,
^s See Dr. O'Donovan's
"
Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 146, 147. ^According to the "Annals of Ulster," ^ See Dr. O'Conor's ** Rerum Hiberni-
carum Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. 3.
'" In English, Aichir's or Heber's Mount : this place has not been identified. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Mas-
ters," vol i. , n. (1), p. 146.
^See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibemi-
"
Annales Ultonienses" p. 5. The " Annals of Ul- ster" have an entry at A. D. 474, and again at A. D. 476, as if the true date for this battle of Duma Achir were a matter of
doubt. See ibid. , p. 6. 7°"TheAnnalsofInisfallen. " Ibid. ,
tomus ii. , p. 3.
7' According to Dr. O'Donovan's " An-
Annals of Ulster," a notice of
carum Scriptores," tomus iv.
nals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. Regis Lagenie, mic Bressail Bealaich, mic
148, 149, and nn. (u, w), ibid. Cathair moir, Et hoc anno the battle [called] "
7=^ The Annals -of Ulster" have it en- Cath Ocha, secundum alios, by Lugad and
tered at each of these three years, as if
there were different authorities for each
statement. See Dr. Charles O'Conor's
••
Rerum Hibemicarum Scriptores," tomus iv. , p. 6.
73 The "Annals of Boyle" enter it at this
date. See ibid. , tomus ii. , p. 3.
7* MacCurtin states, that his reign com-
menced A. D. 453 and ended 473. See " A
Brief Discourse in Vindication of the Anti-
quity of Ireland," part ii. , pp. 155, 156.
75 See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hiber-
nicarum Scriptores," tomus i. Prologo- mina, pars i. , pp. cxlix. , clxvii.
7^ This is supposed to have been fought in Meath, and not iar from Tara. Lughaidh,
by Murtagh mac Erca, and by Fergus Cer- vail, mac (vonnell Crimthain, and by Fi- achra Lon, the King of Dal-Araide. "
79 According to the "Annals of Inisfal- len,"whichhavethisstatement. A. D. 478. The war of Granaird. Finchad, King of Leinster fell. According to some, Meice Eirce was the conqueror, but others state Coirpre was the victor. See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. 4.
^° This is the year assigned by O'FIa-
herty for the accession of Lugad, the son of
Laogaire, to the sovereignty of Ireland. "
See Ogygia," pars iii. , cap. xciii. , p>430* Other accounts differ as to date.
122 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
the following entry. At the year 485, we find a record concerning the first war of Granearad, in which Cairpre Mac Neill—the ninth hostage—was victor. There fell Finchat, the son of Ere, according to some writers, while he was a victor, in the opinion of others. ^' Again, this same first war of Graine is entered a third time, at a. d. 486,^^ in the Ulster Annals. During
said to have slain Echadh. Notwithstanding, the Annals of Inisfallen," while recording such events at 478, still defer, to the year 480, the death of CrimthanCenselach. ^* Heprobablylingeredtwoyears,andasaneffectof his wounds death then ensued. ^s in a. d. 485, the war of Sratha-Conaill waswaged. FiachMacFinchada,KingofLeinster,fellinthisengagement,
^^
Yet, this historical episode is deferred toA. D. 494,bytheannalistTigernach. ^y ThePaganbrotherofKingLea- ghaire, who is called Cairbre, son to Niall of the Nine Hostages, fought and wonthebattleofTailteen,^^inEastMeath,^9againsttheLagenians. Some accounts have this battle at a. d. 491, while other writers enter it, at a. d. 494^° or 495. In conjunction with his brother Ailill, Eochaidh Guineach,^^ and Muircheartach Mac Earca,92 Illand gave batde to ^ngus, son of Natfraich, and the first Christian King of Munster. 93 This was the religious prince who had been baptized by St. Patrick,94 at Cashel. The locality of this
decisive engagement was in the plain of Magh-Fea, four miles east of Leighlin,andwithinthecountyofCarlow. Thespot,formerlycalledCell- osnada, or Ceann-Losnada, is now named Kelliston. Mr. O'Donovan says, that there exists among the old natives of the place a most curious and remarkably vivid tradition of this batde, which explains the Irish name of the " church of the groans f and which it
this contest, Crimthan Censalach received a deadly wound. ^3 There he is "
while Eochu Mac Corpri was victor.
place denoting
to this tradition, from the lamentations of the Munster women, after the loss of their husbands and brothers in the battle. 95 On the 8th of the October Ides, A. D. 489,96 the King of Munster97 and his queen, Eithne Huathach,98
8' See the " Annals of Ulster. " Dr.
O'Conor's "Rerum Hibemicarum Scrip-
tores," tomus iv. , p. 7.
^"^
See ibid.
^3 At Granairdor Graine.
^4Seeibid. ytomusii. , p. 4.
^SThe battle of Graine or Granard is said to have been fought among the Leinstermen themselves. See Dr. O'Donovan's '*An- nals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 150, 151.
*^See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hiberni- carum Scriptores," tomus ii. Annales Inis- falenses, p. 4.
^7 Where he enters, CAch Si\Ac'hA. (Prse- lium Srathense. ) See ? i5z^. , p. 124.
®^ A. D. 491, according to the "Chronicum Scotorum," pp. 32, 33, and Dr. O'Dono-
**
edition of the ** Annals of Tigemach," at a. d. 490.
52 He is called ** Alliachensis Rex," or
**
King of Aileach," in Tigernachi Annales,
pp. 123, 124. See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemicarum Scriptores," tomus ii.
93 See Miss M. F. Cusack's " Illustrated
History of Ireland," chap, ix. , p. 130.
^4 This narrative is to be found in IPetrus
de Natalibus, lib. iii. , cap. 204, and in the Life of St. Patrick, byjoceline, cap. Ixxiv. 's This, however, though a very natural turn for tradition to have given it, is not the true form of the name ; folf it appears, from an ancient historical tale, preserved in " Le-
abhar-na-h-Uidhri," that it was first written Ceann-Losnada, which is also the form of the name given in the " Annals of Ulster. " In the latter annals, a notice of this battle
Annals of the Four Masters," vol.
van's
i. , pp. 154, 155. The "Annals of Ulster" is thus entered, "a. d. 489. Belluni Cinn
place it at A. d. 494, or 495.
^ See ibid. , n. (p).
5«'The "Annals of Tigemach," at A. D.
Losnado, ubicecidit A^nga? ,, Jilius Natfraich, righ Mumhan, ut Guana scripsit. " See Dr. O'Donovan's work, vol. i,, n. (n), p. 152.
494, enter CAch CAillcen. See Dr.
O'Conor's "Rerum Hibemicarum Scrip-
tores," tomus ii. Tigernachi Annales, p. have the Battle of Killosnat, at a. d.
125.
9' This word is "
cccCLXXXiv. See tomus ii. , p. 4. The Four Masters and the Annals of Ulster—the latter quote Guana as authority—place "Bel-
or the
"
interpreted vulnerator," wounder," by Dr. O'Conor, in his
received, according
9^ In Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hiberai- carum Scriptores," the Annals of Inisfallen
February i. ] LIVES OI' THE IRISH SAINTS. 123
fell in this engagement. 99 According to one account, the chief enemy of iEngus'°° is said to have been Illand. '°' A different narrative has it, that
^°^ while some other statements aver,'°3 that Muirchertach Mac Earca, afterwards monarch of Ireland, slew . ^ngus
Ailill was the cause of this
at this battle of Kill-0snaidh. ^°4 His death appears to have excited much
slaughter,
^°* Suchdoesnotseemtohavebeenthecase,inreferencetohiswife; who, probably, was over-haughty, and revengeful or ambitious,'°7 as she is re- presented to have been intriguing and unscrupulous. She thus obtained
sympathy and sorrow ;^°5 for, personally, he was amiable and respected.
an undesirable surname,
"
''^°2
St. Kieran, the patron saint of
the hateful.
Ossory, is said to have predicted the untimely death of both herself and her
husband on the same day. '°9
The battle of Sleamhain,"° in Westmeath,"^ was fought a. d. 492, by Cairbre,
alreadymentioned, against the Lagenians. "''The "ChronicumScotorum'' states, however, that Eochaidh, son of Coirpre, was here the victor. Tighernach dates this event at a. d. 49 7, "^ while the " Ulster Annals" have it a. d. 498. "*
lum Cinnlosnado at 489, or according to "
*°'
translation of an Irish poem states :
others at 490. See Annales Ultonienses,"
Regarding his death, the following —
**
Annals of Tighernach" place the battle of Cillosnad at A. D. 490. See ibid. , tomus ii. , pp. 123,
124.
57 According to the " Annals of the Four
tomus iv. , p. 8, ibid. Again, the
" A branch of the great spreading tree died—
iEngus the praiseworthy, son of Nath- fraeich ;
His head was left with lollann,
Masters," of this celebrated battle it was
: said —
In the battle of foul
Cill-Osnaigh. "
" Died the branch, the spreading tree of
gold,
Aenghus the laudable, son of Nadfraech, His prosperity was cut off by Illann,
In the battle of Cell-Osnadha the foul,"
—O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. , pp. 152, I53- ^ She was sister of Crimthann, King of
Hy-Kinsellagh.
**
99See
Ireland," book ii. , part ii. , chap, i. , p. 421.
—** Chronicum Scotorum. " "William M.
Hennessy's translation, p. 31.
'°7 The ancient writer of the Life of St.
Kieran, whose acts will be found at the 5th of March, tells us that ^ngus and his queen
were killed, in consequence of a prophecy of St. Kieran, fulfilled at the battle of Ceall-Osnaidh.
^^8 See William M. " Chro- Hennessy's
^°°
His daughter Uctdelb or Ughdelve was
bemise," V. Martii. Vita S. Kierani, cap. xix. , p. 460.
"° While Dr. O'Donovan states, that in Meath and Ulster, the word j-leAtriAin
"
O'Mahony's Xeating's
Scotorum," pp. 30, 31.
the wife of Oilild Molt, supreme Monarch
of Ireland.
^°'
The reader is referred to a statement in a previous note, as also to the account given by the ancient writer of St. Kieran's
"
History
of nicum
^°9See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hi-
slippery," and "land bearing elms ;" Dr. Joyce seems to derive Acts. See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum it from sleibhin (slayveen), the diminutive HibemisB," V. Martii. Vita S. Kierani, of sliabh, and applied to a little hill. See cap. xix. , p. 460. Brogan, the Devout, has "The Origin and History of Irish Names
given a similar narrative in his tract " On of Places," part iv. , chap, i. , p. 367.
the heroic Actions of the Leinster Kings. "
"^
Such is the account of Dubtach O'Lu- gair.
^°3 Johannes Dubaganus, and two other
"^
Sleamhain, modernized, Slewen, or Slane, is now represented by the townlands, Slanelieg and Slanemore, in the parish of Dysart, baronies of Moycashel and Maghera- dernon. See "Ordnance Survey Town- land Maps for the County of Westmeath," Sheet 18.
"" See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 154, 155 and n.
(q).
"3 See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemi-
carum Scriptores. " The " Annals of Tiger- nach" have at AD. 497, CAch SteAmnA mi-oe. Tomus ii. , p. 125.
anonymous authors, in a Kings of Munster. "
^°'*
"
Catalogue of the
Colgan says, that all these varying ac- counts can be reconciled, in the account of iEngus's death, noticed under A. D. 489, in the "Annals of the Four Masters;" as those persons there named were partici- pators in the battle fought against the King of Munster.
^°5The old writer of St. Kieran's Acts al-
ludes to this event in the words :
"4 See tomus ibid. ,
nienses," p. 9.
" Annales Ulto-
**
following et haec cedes maxima abusio erat. "
iv. ,
means "slimy" or
124
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[February i.
Again, Eocha, son of Cairbre, was victorious"^ over Fiach Mac Finnchada, a king of Leinster, who fell in the second battle of Granairet, or Graine,"^ A. D. 494,or496. "7 ThebattleofInnimore,orIndeMor,intheterritory of Congabhla, was fought against the Leinstermen,. and their leader Illann, son of Dunlaing. Murcheartach Mac Earc was victorious. This engage- ment took place, according to some accounts, in 492"^ or 497,"9 while certain writers have it entered at a. d. 499,"° and others at a. d. 500. "*
"^^
Tigernach records the battle of Innimor at a. d. 503.
Lugaidh, Ard-Righ,"3 the war of Saegre or Saeghais was carried on a. d.
"
Annals of Inisfallen,""4 while those of Tigernach^s placethateventattheyear500. The"AnnalsoftheFourMasters"register this battle of Seaghais, at a. d. 499, which is said to correspond with a. d. 504. "^ Muircheartach Mac Erca became a guarantee between Duach Teangumha,"7 KingofConnaught,andhisbrotherEochaidhTirmcharna. Thelatterwas foster-father and uncle to Duiseach. She was wife to Muircheartach, and daughter to Duach Teangumha. "^ She is said to have instigated her husband to avenge a wrong done by her father, who had taken Eochaidh a prisoner, and contrary to his agreement with Muircheartach. Accordingly, four en- gagements seem to have been fought between the Hy-Nialls and the Con-
naughtmen, in all of which the latter were defeated. "9 The battles of Dealga, of Mucramha and Tuaim Drubha were followed up by the battle of
494, according to the
" Duach of the Brass
ceeded Oilill Molt, after the battle of Ocha, fell. ^31
Here who suc- Duach,
The " Annals of Ulster''
Segsa against
Tongue. "'3o
*'S This is probably, what the "Annals of "^ See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. , Tigernach" call at a. d. 495, the CAch pp. 160 to 163.
CAtiAifce 5]\eirie. See Dr. O'Conor's
"7HewasotherwisecalledDuachGalach, i. e. y the Valourous.
**
Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus
ii. , p. 125. They also state, that. Fraoch was killed here by Eochiis.
"^'^^
In Irish his name is written "OuAcli
"^ See rAbbe Ma-Geoghegan's "Histoire
de rirlande, Ancienne et Moderne," tome de rirlande, Ancienne et Modeme. " Se- i. , part ii. , chap, ii. , p. 271. Ma-Geoghegan conde Partie, chap, ii. , p. 271.
calls this king "Fraoch, fils de Fionchad. " "7 According to the "Annals of Ulster. " See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernicarum
'3° Dr. O'Conor thinks he was so called because of his using the warlike trumpet—
tomus
"8 The " Annals of Inisfallen" assign it
to A. D. 492.
"'See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hiberni-
"
Scriptores,"
iv,, p. 9.
carum Scriptores," tomus ii. Inisfalenses," p. 4. Also, tomus iv. ,
nales Ultonienses," p. 9. give the latter date.
"° Thus a manuscript copy of the " Annals of Clonmacnoise," cod. cl. , according to O'Flaherty.
"'See "Chronicum Scotorum," edited
by William M. Hennessy, pp.
This seems to be confounded with
sonofLaoighaire,tooyoungatthetimeof
his father's death to contest the succession,
seems to have obtained the crown by form-
ing a strong confederacy of provincial kings
and See ' ' of toparclis. Haverty's History
Ireland," chap, ix. , p. 75.
77 See the " Annals of Inisfallen. " Dr.
O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemicarum Scrip- tores," tomus ii. , pp. 3, 4.
"
7^ In the
this battle of Ocha is entered, under A. D. 482, and again under A. D. 483, in that old translation, found in the Clarendon MS. , tom. 49. There we read: "482. Bellum Oche, in quo cecidit Ailill Molt manu Lugh mic Laogaire, et Muritrti mic Erca. A
Concobarofilib Nessa usque ad Cormacfilium Artanni208. ACormacusqueadhocbellum 206, «/Cuana scripsit. '' And again : "483. Ju^ulatio Crimthain, mac Enna Censelaich,
^s See Dr. O'Donovan's
"
Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 146, 147. ^According to the "Annals of Ulster," ^ See Dr. O'Conor's ** Rerum Hiberni-
carum Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. 3.
'" In English, Aichir's or Heber's Mount : this place has not been identified. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Mas-
ters," vol i. , n. (1), p. 146.
^See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibemi-
"
Annales Ultonienses" p. 5. The " Annals of Ul- ster" have an entry at A. D. 474, and again at A. D. 476, as if the true date for this battle of Duma Achir were a matter of
doubt. See ibid. , p. 6. 7°"TheAnnalsofInisfallen. " Ibid. ,
tomus ii. , p. 3.
7' According to Dr. O'Donovan's " An-
Annals of Ulster," a notice of
carum Scriptores," tomus iv.
nals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. Regis Lagenie, mic Bressail Bealaich, mic
148, 149, and nn. (u, w), ibid. Cathair moir, Et hoc anno the battle [called] "
7=^ The Annals -of Ulster" have it en- Cath Ocha, secundum alios, by Lugad and
tered at each of these three years, as if
there were different authorities for each
statement. See Dr. Charles O'Conor's
••
Rerum Hibemicarum Scriptores," tomus iv. , p. 6.
73 The "Annals of Boyle" enter it at this
date. See ibid. , tomus ii. , p. 3.
7* MacCurtin states, that his reign com-
menced A. D. 453 and ended 473. See " A
Brief Discourse in Vindication of the Anti-
quity of Ireland," part ii. , pp. 155, 156.
75 See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hiber-
nicarum Scriptores," tomus i. Prologo- mina, pars i. , pp. cxlix. , clxvii.
7^ This is supposed to have been fought in Meath, and not iar from Tara. Lughaidh,
by Murtagh mac Erca, and by Fergus Cer- vail, mac (vonnell Crimthain, and by Fi- achra Lon, the King of Dal-Araide. "
79 According to the "Annals of Inisfal- len,"whichhavethisstatement. A. D. 478. The war of Granaird. Finchad, King of Leinster fell. According to some, Meice Eirce was the conqueror, but others state Coirpre was the victor. See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. 4.
^° This is the year assigned by O'FIa-
herty for the accession of Lugad, the son of
Laogaire, to the sovereignty of Ireland. "
See Ogygia," pars iii. , cap. xciii. , p>430* Other accounts differ as to date.
122 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
the following entry. At the year 485, we find a record concerning the first war of Granearad, in which Cairpre Mac Neill—the ninth hostage—was victor. There fell Finchat, the son of Ere, according to some writers, while he was a victor, in the opinion of others. ^' Again, this same first war of Graine is entered a third time, at a. d. 486,^^ in the Ulster Annals. During
said to have slain Echadh. Notwithstanding, the Annals of Inisfallen," while recording such events at 478, still defer, to the year 480, the death of CrimthanCenselach. ^* Heprobablylingeredtwoyears,andasaneffectof his wounds death then ensued. ^s in a. d. 485, the war of Sratha-Conaill waswaged. FiachMacFinchada,KingofLeinster,fellinthisengagement,
^^
Yet, this historical episode is deferred toA. D. 494,bytheannalistTigernach. ^y ThePaganbrotherofKingLea- ghaire, who is called Cairbre, son to Niall of the Nine Hostages, fought and wonthebattleofTailteen,^^inEastMeath,^9againsttheLagenians. Some accounts have this battle at a. d. 491, while other writers enter it, at a. d. 494^° or 495. In conjunction with his brother Ailill, Eochaidh Guineach,^^ and Muircheartach Mac Earca,92 Illand gave batde to ^ngus, son of Natfraich, and the first Christian King of Munster. 93 This was the religious prince who had been baptized by St. Patrick,94 at Cashel. The locality of this
decisive engagement was in the plain of Magh-Fea, four miles east of Leighlin,andwithinthecountyofCarlow. Thespot,formerlycalledCell- osnada, or Ceann-Losnada, is now named Kelliston. Mr. O'Donovan says, that there exists among the old natives of the place a most curious and remarkably vivid tradition of this batde, which explains the Irish name of the " church of the groans f and which it
this contest, Crimthan Censalach received a deadly wound. ^3 There he is "
while Eochu Mac Corpri was victor.
place denoting
to this tradition, from the lamentations of the Munster women, after the loss of their husbands and brothers in the battle. 95 On the 8th of the October Ides, A. D. 489,96 the King of Munster97 and his queen, Eithne Huathach,98
8' See the " Annals of Ulster. " Dr.
O'Conor's "Rerum Hibemicarum Scrip-
tores," tomus iv. , p. 7.
^"^
See ibid.
^3 At Granairdor Graine.
^4Seeibid. ytomusii. , p. 4.
^SThe battle of Graine or Granard is said to have been fought among the Leinstermen themselves. See Dr. O'Donovan's '*An- nals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 150, 151.
*^See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hiberni- carum Scriptores," tomus ii. Annales Inis- falenses, p. 4.
^7 Where he enters, CAch Si\Ac'hA. (Prse- lium Srathense. ) See ? i5z^. , p. 124.
®^ A. D. 491, according to the "Chronicum Scotorum," pp. 32, 33, and Dr. O'Dono-
**
edition of the ** Annals of Tigemach," at a. d. 490.
52 He is called ** Alliachensis Rex," or
**
King of Aileach," in Tigernachi Annales,
pp. 123, 124. See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemicarum Scriptores," tomus ii.
93 See Miss M. F. Cusack's " Illustrated
History of Ireland," chap, ix. , p. 130.
^4 This narrative is to be found in IPetrus
de Natalibus, lib. iii. , cap. 204, and in the Life of St. Patrick, byjoceline, cap. Ixxiv. 's This, however, though a very natural turn for tradition to have given it, is not the true form of the name ; folf it appears, from an ancient historical tale, preserved in " Le-
abhar-na-h-Uidhri," that it was first written Ceann-Losnada, which is also the form of the name given in the " Annals of Ulster. " In the latter annals, a notice of this battle
Annals of the Four Masters," vol.
van's
i. , pp. 154, 155. The "Annals of Ulster" is thus entered, "a. d. 489. Belluni Cinn
place it at A. d. 494, or 495.
^ See ibid. , n. (p).
5«'The "Annals of Tigemach," at A. D.
Losnado, ubicecidit A^nga? ,, Jilius Natfraich, righ Mumhan, ut Guana scripsit. " See Dr. O'Donovan's work, vol. i,, n. (n), p. 152.
494, enter CAch CAillcen. See Dr.
O'Conor's "Rerum Hibemicarum Scrip-
tores," tomus ii. Tigernachi Annales, p. have the Battle of Killosnat, at a. d.
125.
9' This word is "
cccCLXXXiv. See tomus ii. , p. 4. The Four Masters and the Annals of Ulster—the latter quote Guana as authority—place "Bel-
or the
"
interpreted vulnerator," wounder," by Dr. O'Conor, in his
received, according
9^ In Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hiberai- carum Scriptores," the Annals of Inisfallen
February i. ] LIVES OI' THE IRISH SAINTS. 123
fell in this engagement. 99 According to one account, the chief enemy of iEngus'°° is said to have been Illand. '°' A different narrative has it, that
^°^ while some other statements aver,'°3 that Muirchertach Mac Earca, afterwards monarch of Ireland, slew . ^ngus
Ailill was the cause of this
at this battle of Kill-0snaidh. ^°4 His death appears to have excited much
slaughter,
^°* Suchdoesnotseemtohavebeenthecase,inreferencetohiswife; who, probably, was over-haughty, and revengeful or ambitious,'°7 as she is re- presented to have been intriguing and unscrupulous. She thus obtained
sympathy and sorrow ;^°5 for, personally, he was amiable and respected.
an undesirable surname,
"
''^°2
St. Kieran, the patron saint of
the hateful.
Ossory, is said to have predicted the untimely death of both herself and her
husband on the same day. '°9
The battle of Sleamhain,"° in Westmeath,"^ was fought a. d. 492, by Cairbre,
alreadymentioned, against the Lagenians. "''The "ChronicumScotorum'' states, however, that Eochaidh, son of Coirpre, was here the victor. Tighernach dates this event at a. d. 49 7, "^ while the " Ulster Annals" have it a. d. 498. "*
lum Cinnlosnado at 489, or according to "
*°'
translation of an Irish poem states :
others at 490. See Annales Ultonienses,"
Regarding his death, the following —
**
Annals of Tighernach" place the battle of Cillosnad at A. D. 490. See ibid. , tomus ii. , pp. 123,
124.
57 According to the " Annals of the Four
tomus iv. , p. 8, ibid. Again, the
" A branch of the great spreading tree died—
iEngus the praiseworthy, son of Nath- fraeich ;
His head was left with lollann,
Masters," of this celebrated battle it was
: said —
In the battle of foul
Cill-Osnaigh. "
" Died the branch, the spreading tree of
gold,
Aenghus the laudable, son of Nadfraech, His prosperity was cut off by Illann,
In the battle of Cell-Osnadha the foul,"
—O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. , pp. 152, I53- ^ She was sister of Crimthann, King of
Hy-Kinsellagh.
**
99See
Ireland," book ii. , part ii. , chap, i. , p. 421.
—** Chronicum Scotorum. " "William M.
Hennessy's translation, p. 31.
'°7 The ancient writer of the Life of St.
Kieran, whose acts will be found at the 5th of March, tells us that ^ngus and his queen
were killed, in consequence of a prophecy of St. Kieran, fulfilled at the battle of Ceall-Osnaidh.
^^8 See William M. " Chro- Hennessy's
^°°
His daughter Uctdelb or Ughdelve was
bemise," V. Martii. Vita S. Kierani, cap. xix. , p. 460.
"° While Dr. O'Donovan states, that in Meath and Ulster, the word j-leAtriAin
"
O'Mahony's Xeating's
Scotorum," pp. 30, 31.
the wife of Oilild Molt, supreme Monarch
of Ireland.
^°'
The reader is referred to a statement in a previous note, as also to the account given by the ancient writer of St. Kieran's
"
History
of nicum
^°9See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hi-
slippery," and "land bearing elms ;" Dr. Joyce seems to derive Acts. See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum it from sleibhin (slayveen), the diminutive HibemisB," V. Martii. Vita S. Kierani, of sliabh, and applied to a little hill. See cap. xix. , p. 460. Brogan, the Devout, has "The Origin and History of Irish Names
given a similar narrative in his tract " On of Places," part iv. , chap, i. , p. 367.
the heroic Actions of the Leinster Kings. "
"^
Such is the account of Dubtach O'Lu- gair.
^°3 Johannes Dubaganus, and two other
"^
Sleamhain, modernized, Slewen, or Slane, is now represented by the townlands, Slanelieg and Slanemore, in the parish of Dysart, baronies of Moycashel and Maghera- dernon. See "Ordnance Survey Town- land Maps for the County of Westmeath," Sheet 18.
"" See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 154, 155 and n.
(q).
"3 See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemi-
carum Scriptores. " The " Annals of Tiger- nach" have at AD. 497, CAch SteAmnA mi-oe. Tomus ii. , p. 125.
anonymous authors, in a Kings of Munster. "
^°'*
"
Catalogue of the
Colgan says, that all these varying ac- counts can be reconciled, in the account of iEngus's death, noticed under A. D. 489, in the "Annals of the Four Masters;" as those persons there named were partici- pators in the battle fought against the King of Munster.
^°5The old writer of St. Kieran's Acts al-
ludes to this event in the words :
"4 See tomus ibid. ,
nienses," p. 9.
" Annales Ulto-
**
following et haec cedes maxima abusio erat. "
iv. ,
means "slimy" or
124
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[February i.
Again, Eocha, son of Cairbre, was victorious"^ over Fiach Mac Finnchada, a king of Leinster, who fell in the second battle of Granairet, or Graine,"^ A. D. 494,or496. "7 ThebattleofInnimore,orIndeMor,intheterritory of Congabhla, was fought against the Leinstermen,. and their leader Illann, son of Dunlaing. Murcheartach Mac Earc was victorious. This engage- ment took place, according to some accounts, in 492"^ or 497,"9 while certain writers have it entered at a. d. 499,"° and others at a. d. 500. "*
"^^
Tigernach records the battle of Innimor at a. d. 503.
Lugaidh, Ard-Righ,"3 the war of Saegre or Saeghais was carried on a. d.
"
Annals of Inisfallen,""4 while those of Tigernach^s placethateventattheyear500. The"AnnalsoftheFourMasters"register this battle of Seaghais, at a. d. 499, which is said to correspond with a. d. 504. "^ Muircheartach Mac Erca became a guarantee between Duach Teangumha,"7 KingofConnaught,andhisbrotherEochaidhTirmcharna. Thelatterwas foster-father and uncle to Duiseach. She was wife to Muircheartach, and daughter to Duach Teangumha. "^ She is said to have instigated her husband to avenge a wrong done by her father, who had taken Eochaidh a prisoner, and contrary to his agreement with Muircheartach. Accordingly, four en- gagements seem to have been fought between the Hy-Nialls and the Con-
naughtmen, in all of which the latter were defeated. "9 The battles of Dealga, of Mucramha and Tuaim Drubha were followed up by the battle of
494, according to the
" Duach of the Brass
ceeded Oilill Molt, after the battle of Ocha, fell. ^31
Here who suc- Duach,
The " Annals of Ulster''
Segsa against
Tongue. "'3o
*'S This is probably, what the "Annals of "^ See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. , Tigernach" call at a. d. 495, the CAch pp. 160 to 163.
CAtiAifce 5]\eirie. See Dr. O'Conor's
"7HewasotherwisecalledDuachGalach, i. e. y the Valourous.
**
Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus
ii. , p. 125. They also state, that. Fraoch was killed here by Eochiis.
"^'^^
In Irish his name is written "OuAcli
"^ See rAbbe Ma-Geoghegan's "Histoire
de rirlande, Ancienne et Moderne," tome de rirlande, Ancienne et Modeme. " Se- i. , part ii. , chap, ii. , p. 271. Ma-Geoghegan conde Partie, chap, ii. , p. 271.
calls this king "Fraoch, fils de Fionchad. " "7 According to the "Annals of Ulster. " See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernicarum
'3° Dr. O'Conor thinks he was so called because of his using the warlike trumpet—
tomus
"8 The " Annals of Inisfallen" assign it
to A. D. 492.
"'See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hiberni-
"
Scriptores,"
iv,, p. 9.
carum Scriptores," tomus ii. Inisfalenses," p. 4. Also, tomus iv. ,
nales Ultonienses," p. 9. give the latter date.
"° Thus a manuscript copy of the " Annals of Clonmacnoise," cod. cl. , according to O'Flaherty.
"'See "Chronicum Scotorum," edited
by William M. Hennessy, pp.
