] tarn causarum quod elemoisinarum
deferendum esse apostolicae urbi que Scotice
nominatur Ardd Macha.
deferendum esse apostolicae urbi que Scotice
nominatur Ardd Macha.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v4
294.
51 The accounts of this place are very fully
given,inVeryRev. ArchdeaconT. O'Rorke's
" History, Antiquities, and present State of the Parishes of Ballysadare and Kilvamet, in the County of Sligo," &c. Dublin, no date.
368 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
might carry too far the license of historical scepticism, sliould we refuse to Malachy that praise, wliich his subsequent course of conduct, so far as known, will fairly support. If his motives were not of the highest order, his actions will yet bear the noblest interpretation ; and, although he could not, with safety or prudent policy, have acted otherwise, than in alliance with Bryan, which, while it preserved his substantial power, kept open the succession, yet, we must admit, that the most heroic patriotism could not have selected higher
ground,thanthecourseactuallypursued,bythedeposedmonarch. Ahigh standard of conduct, in whatever motives it may begin, seldom fails to call into action those ennobling characteristics, from which it should have arisen. Such is generally the mixed character of human virtue. Setting aside the philosophy of motives, Malachy's acquiescence in his rival's supremacy was followed by a sincere and a manly, as well as by a judicious, adoption of the best means and measures, to give firmness and security, as well as a beneficial direction, to Bryan's government. Aware that a struggle for the monarchy must prove the certain sacrifice of the Irish nation to the common enemy, he wisely and nobly exerted his influence, as it appears, to preserve the peace of the country. 57
It was agreed, by both, that a great convention 5' of the men of all Ireland
shouldassembleatUun-Dealgan,nowDundalk,inConaille-Muirtheimhne. Not alone the Meathmen, the Connaughtmen, the Leinstermen, and the Munster- men, but, likewise, the foreigners, the UUdians, the Cinel-Conaill,59 the Cinel- Eoghain,*° and the Airghiaila,^' there assembled. With these were Aedh, son of Domhnall Ua Neill, heir apparent to the sovereignty of Ireland, and Eochaidh, son to Ardghar, King of Ulidia. This was a very important and imposing convocation of kings, princes, and chiefs, who were ready to deli- berate,ontliechangedconditionofaffairs,intheircommoncountry. Their dehberations appear to have been harmoniously conducted, and their deci- sion was unanimous, to accept Bryan Borumha as the supreme monarch of
for the future. '^ We are told, that all in " without Ireland, separated peace,
hostages or booty, spoils or pledges. "^3
The royal progresses of Bryan Boroimha for some years were conspicuous
features of his reign, while they greatly served to uphold his policy and his able management of affairs. They must have combined many important advantages. Admirablyadaptedtocaptivateandtoexciteadmiration,inthe multitude ; they produced deep impressions and moral effects, which were
not intended to be invidious, nor insulting. They procured, likewise, sub- mission from, and a necessary surveillance over, the subordinate chiefs. *'* These most exalted in rank had gifts and honours bestowed on them, with no
5' It is strange, this great national assem- bly is not even noticed, in " The History of Dundalk, and its Environs," &c. , by John D'Alton, and by J. R. O'Flanagan.
5' The race of Conall, inhabiting Done-
gal.
'"= The race of Eoghan, inhabiting Ty-
rone.
" These were a people, inhabiting that
district reaching from Louth to Fermanagh, and taking in some of the adjoining counties of Ulster.
" In order to give Bryan's usurpation some semblance of concert and deliberation, we are told, according to Thomas Moore, that a convention of the princes of the kingdom, held at Dundalk, was preUminary to the as-
sumption of the monarchy, and that it was convoked, i—n contemplation of that step. He
of
tion is there the slightest authority in any of our records ; and the convention held at Dundealga, or Dundalk, so far from being a preliminary measure, did not take place till after the " first rebellion," as it is styled by our annalists, o—f the King of Munster against
of vol. the monarch. " "History Ireland,"
ii. , chap, xxi. , pp. 120, 121.
'^ See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 744 to 747.
"
then adds
for none
"But, the truth is,
these supposed preparatives of his usurpa-
;
** See Rev. James Wills' Second Period, p. 205.
Lives of lUus- trious and Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i. ,
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 369
sparing hand ; and, such favours were judiciously distributed. The deepest and most lasting friendships were created, by these ceremonious and magni-
ficent displays of power, courtesy, and m^nanimity combined. Personal ambition, it would seem, was subordinate to the sense ofduty, which actuated thenewmonarch; and,hisactionssufficientlyevincealoveofgoodness,pre- dominating over his aims to live great and glorious.
CHAPTER VI.
THE NORTHERN EXPEDITION OF BRYAN BOROIMHA—HIS VISIT TO ARMAGH—RETURN TO THE SOUTH, AND DISBANDING OF HIS ARMY—HIS NAVAL EXPEDITION TO ENGLAND, WALES AND SCOTLAND—CONVENTION AT TARA—HIS REGULATIONS CONCERNING FAMILY SURNAMES AND THE INHERITANCE OF PROPERTT—EMBASSIES TO EUROPEAN KINGS—HIS PATRONAGE OF RELIGIOUS AND OF LEARNED MEN— PIOUS FOUNDATIONS—HIS STATE AND MANNER OF LIVING—HIS PUBLIC AND PRI- VATE CHARACTER AS A MONARCH—DEATH OF HIS WIFE, DUVCHOVLAIGH, AND OF HIS BROTHER MARCAN.
Soon after the great convention at Dundalk, the newly-acknowledged Sovereign of Ireland found it necessary to make a levy of his lieges, both Gaels and Galls, who were stationed from Silabh Fuaid," to the southern parts of the kingdom. His march was now directed, against the men of Hy-Niall andofUlaidh. ' Theforeigners,whowerehissubjects,furnishedaverycon- siderable contingent of Brian Borumha's allies, during his northern progress. They had assisted him, likewise, in deposing Maelseachlainn II. , as also in weakening the power of the Northern Ui Neill, on this occasion. The hosting of Bryan was now led against the young and heroic Aedh O'Neill,' who aspired to the throne of Ireland, and who watched with great jealousy
the usurped jurisdiction of the new monarch. Again, we are informed, that a hosting was led by Brian, son of Ceinneidigh, with the men of the south of
Ireland, into Cinel-Eoghain and Ulidia, to demand hostages, about the year 1004,*or1005. Theaccountofthisexpedition,asfurnishedfromtheBook
of Ciuain-mic-nois,s and froin the Book *,of the^Island,' relates, that the forces
Chapter vi. — The present FewsMoun-
tains, in the county of Armagh. They seem to have been so called, from the chieftain Fuad, who fell there in a victory obtained overtheTuatha-De-Dananns, A. M. 3500. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 26, 27.
' See Cogatjh 5AeT)hel Ue SalUvibh, edited by the Rev. James Henthorn Todd, chap. Ixxvii. , pp. 134,135.
3 ile gained a victory, in the year 1004, against Uladh, but in that battle fought at Craove Tulcha, he lost hislife, in the twenty-
ninthyearofhisage. andin thefifteenth ofhis government over Tyrone. "There are hardly any instances in Irish history, of a prince being vested so early in life with the dignity of government ; and tliis circumstance alone must raise our idea of the talents of this young hero. "—Charles O'Conor's "Disser- tations on the History of Ireland," sect. xviii. , p. 248, and note.
« The Annals of Ulster, as may be seen in
Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemicarum Scrip- tores," tomus ir. , place the arrival of Bryan's army at Armagh, in the year 1004. See pp. 295, 296.
5 According to Dr. O'Donovan, this is probably the chronicle, translated into English, by Connell Mageoghegan, in 1627 ; but, this passage is not 10 Ik found, in that translation,
'
This was a book of Annals, continued by Augustin Magraidin, to his own time, A. D. 1405. Ware had a part of these Annals, with some additions made, after Magraidin's death. See Harris's edition of Ware's "Writers of Ireland," p. 87; also Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," p. 5, and
'•
Monasticon Hibemicura," p.
Archdall's
442. TheseAnnalshavenotbeenyetiden-
tified ; and, it is not known, if they are ex- tant.
' The I-iland of AH Saints, in Loch Ribh, or Ree, Upper Shannon.
' See the CogAch jAcohel He jAllAibh, AI
370 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
of Bryan proceeded tlirough Meath, where they remained anight, at Tailltin. * Afterwards, they marched northwards ; but, they appear to have failed in the great object had in view ; for, they did not obtain the hostages of the races of Conall, under the rule of Maelruany O'Maldory, or of Eoglian, under the sway of Aodh O'Neill. It seems to us, that our historians have somewhat confused the order of narrative, in reference to Bryan Boromha's northern expeditions, soon after he had attained the sovereij^nty. He took a route, however, through the middle of Connaught,' and into Magh-n-Ai,'° over the Coirr Shliabh," into TirAilella. '^ HewentthenceintothecountryofCairpre,'3andbeyondSligech;'* he kept his left hand to the sea, and his right to the land, on towards Ben Gul- ban,'5 he crossed over Dubh,'*and over Drobhaois,'7and into Magh-n-Kine. '^ He then passed over Ath-Seanaigh, at Eas-Ruaidh,'9 into Tir-Aedha,'° and on through Bearnas M6r. =' He next marched overFearsad,^" and went into Tir Eoghan. '3 Itseemsprobable,however,thatthechieftainsandclansmenof Tyrconnell and of Tirowen were able to baffle the movements of Bryan's in- vadingarmy; for,intheirnativewildsandfastnesses,theyrefusedtogivehim pledges of submission. =•»
While in those northern parts, we can hardly doubt, that the mon-
arch should desire to visit the great metropolitan city, and to become the
welcome guest of its primate, Maelmury. 's His stay was somewhat prolonged there, since, by our chroniclers we are told, that Bryan remained a week at Ard-Macha. He was accompanied, by a considerable retinue of Irish kings. There, he left twenty ounces of gold,''* as an offering, upon the altar of St. Patrick,atArd-Macha. '' Whileinthatcity,themonarchlikewiseexpresseda desire, his body should repose there after death, although the holy sancturary of Ireland's patron saint was far removed from Killaloe, the place of entomb- mentforBryan'sancestors. ThisreligiouskinghadforhisAnmchara,orCoun- sellor, Maelsuthain 0'Cearbhaill,°^ to whom allusion has been already made ; and, while Bryan was in Armagh, we find, Maelsuthain accompanied the monarch
chap, Ixxvii. , pp. 134, 135.
' Such is the account, as found in the
CojA-oli 5&eT)lieL 1\e jAllAibh, edited by Rev. James Henthorn Todd, chap. Ixxviii. , pp. 134 to 137. These events are placed by the editor, at A. D. 1005.
tween the present towns of Donegal and of Stranorlar.
" Also called Fearsat-Suilighe, or " the crossing of the Swilly," now Farsetmore, about two miles east of Letterkenny, in the
county of Donegal.
'"^ The territory of the Northern
Hy-
Nialls.
'* Two years, afterwards, Aedh and Eoc'>
haidh, the great chiefs of the North, fought the battle of Craebh Tulcha, in which both
were killed, and where, also, the principal nobles of Ulaidh were slain.
°5 Also called Mnrian, the son of Eocha, who succeeded in this see, A. D. 1001, and who sat for nineteen years. He died A. D. 1021. See Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Arch- bishops of Armagh," p. 49.
'° Also called
a plain in the county of Roscommon.
Magh n-Aoi-mhic-Allguba,
" Also called Coirrshliabh-na-Seaghsa, or the Curlieu Hills.
'' A
territory, present county of Sligo,
of the
in the eastern
part
'3 Now the barony of Caibury, in the
northern part of Sligo County.
Sligo.
"5 Now known as Benbulban, a towering
range of steep mountains, rising over the deep valley of Glenlough, in the county of
'•• Now
Sligo.
t "> Still known as the Duff or Bunduff of that weight. See "Limerick; its His-
River.
' This river rises in Lough Melvin, and it
fallsintothesea,notfarfromBundoran.
'" Now the Moy, a (lain lying between the Rivers Erne and Drowes, near Bally-
shannon.
»» Now Assaroe waterfall, on the Erne
River.
=" Now Tirhugh Barony, in the county of
Donegal.
" The romantic pass of Barnesmore, be-
tory and Antiquities," chap, ii. , p. 13.
''' See Dr. Charles O'Conor's " Rerum HibernicarumScriptores,"tomusiv. Anua-
les Ullonienses, pp. 295, 296.
°* A curious old legend regarding him is
"
to be found in the
runi," part i. , fol. I lir. This Manuscript is on vellum, and contained in two 4to vols. ,
written in the year 1434. It belonged to James Marianus Kennedy, Esq. , of 47 Glou- cester-street, Dublin. A catalogue of its
"MauriceI. eiiilsancallsit "a collar" gold
Liber Flavus Fcrguso-
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 371
thither, from a curious entry, in his own handwriting, and traced in the pre- sence of Bryan. This autograph is yet extant, and, it may be seen, in the
celebrated Book of Armagh. ^' Bryan Boroimhe has been called Imperator Scotorum,3° and this seems to have been his title, even before that time, when hehadvisitedtheholycityofArmagh. Acuriousnotice,incorroborationof such fact, is to be found in the ancient Book of Armagh, which is thought to be asoldastheeighthcentury. 3' Duringthistimeofhisstay,themonarchappears to have acknowledged that Primatial Seat, as having supreme jurisdiction over all the other Irish Sees. Having left Armagh, he traversed the territories of Dal Riada, and of Dal Araidhe, and he went into Ulaidh. 3" From these places, he carried off their hostages. 33 The expeditionary army of Bryan next moved into Conaille-Muirthumhne, and they arrived about Lammas, at Bealach-duin. 34 TheLeinstermenthenproceededsouthwards,acrossBreagha, or Bregia, to their territory, and the foreigners 35 by sea went round to their respectivefortresses. 3* TheMunstermenalso,andtheOsraighiwentthrough Meath,37 to their several countries.
Subsequently, we find it stated, that the monarch Bryan planned a great
contents has been furnished, by Professor
O'Curry.
"s See Eugene O'Curry's
3' We are told, that while Bi-yan was at Craebh Tulcha, the Ulaiiih supplied him with twelve hundred beeves, twelve hundred hogs, and twelve hundred wethers. In re- turn, the monarch bestowed twelve hundred horses to them, besides gold, silver and
"
Manuscript Materials of Ancient Irish His-
tory," Lect. iv. , p. 76. And Appendix xl. , xli. , pp. 529 to 533.
—
township purveyor—departed from Bryan,
*" A Latin entry, but in Irish characters, remains in the Book of Armagh, at fol. xvi.
clothing. No Biatach
the Irish title for a
: b. b. , of which the following is the text —
or some
The duty of
those Biatachs in Eimn was to supply pro-
visions to all chieftains and persons of rank,
travelling withattendants through the country. '3 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
"Sdncrurpac^M[ct] urlenj*,aocoelum lYiAntxiuic cocum i^pucciim l^bopif fui circiim b<ipci4m [? ] CAm CAUfApum <]U0T3 eletnoipniiAum'oef&penoum effe ^pofrro lioae Scocice
Lectures on the
upbi que
macha. Sic |\epeiM in bibtiochicij- Sco-
coputn. ego j-cpipp 10 e^x Caluuf pepen-
tiif in conppeccu DpiAni impepxicoiMj" Sco-
copum ec que fcpipp pniguit ppoBmni-
buf pegibuf macepiae. "
" Sanctus Patri [ci] us iens ad caelum man-
davit totum fructum laboris sui tarn baptis-
tiam [?
] tarn causarum quod elemoisinarum
deferendum esse apostolicae urbi que Scotice
nominatur Ardd Macha. Sic reperi in biblio-
thicis Scotorum. Ego scripsi id est Calvus
Perennis in conspectu Bnani imperatoris O'Donovan.
Scotorum et que scripsi finiguil pro omnibus 3! These belonged chiefly to Ath Cliath, regibus Macerix. " ["St. P. -itrick, going up to Port Lairge, and to Luimnech. The old
writer in the Annals is not very accurate here, in describing the points of the com- pass ; for, he states, that the foreigners went eastwards, although their course in reality
nominAcup <\]\ut)
to heaven, commanded that all the fruit of
his labour as well of baptisms as of causes
and ofalms, should be carried to the Apostolic
City, which is called Scotice \i. e. the Gaed-
helic] Ardd Macha. So I have found it in was southwards.
the book-collections of the Scots
\i. e.
the
3' Most this refers not to Dublin. likely,
3' Tlie old annalist remarks, that went they
westwards ; but south-westwanily probably describes much better, their line of march. Westwards will apply to the men of Con- naught, who belonged to the host, but not to those of Ossory, who dwelt southwards of the point, where their dispersion took place. In the Co5«T)h jAeoheL He SatLAibli, their course, when disbanded, is correctly given.
3^ Those living in England.
Gaedhii].
Calvus Perennis [lit.
[this],
Bald for ever," i. e.
I have written that is
Mael-suthain] in the sight [under the eyes] of Brian Emperor of the Scots, and what I have written he determined for all the kings of Macerlae {i. e. , Cashel or Munster"]. See ibid. Explanation of the Fac-Similes. R. pp. 653. 654-
3' See Professor Eugene O'Curry's "Lec- tures on the Manuscript Materials of Ancient Lrish History," Lect. xvi. , p. 343.
"
[I]
a
gift, that deserved his thanks.
without receiving
horse,
other
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 752, 753.
3* The place of this name, referred to by
the Four Masters, at the years 770, 778, 868, 969, is the present Castle Kieran, near Kells, in the county of Meath. But, from references to the sea and to the plain of Bre-
gia, in this passage, it would appear, that the Belach-duin, here mentioned, was in the present county of Louth. It is probably in- tended for Belach-Duna-Dealgan, i. e. , the road or pass of Dundalk, according to Dr.
372 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
naval expedition ; and, it is said, he summoned the Gaill of Ath-Cliath and of Port Lairge, as likewise, the mariners of Ui Ceinnselaigh and of the Ui Eathach ofMumhain,totakepartinit. Thisexpeditionappearstohavebeenthreatened,
againsttheSaxons,^^theBritons,39andtheScotsofAlban/" Inthehistory of these people, we find no records, regarding that maritime invasion. How- ever, about this period, the Saxons suffered greatly under tlie Scandinavian oppressions ;<' and, they were obliged to purchase their temporary safety, by paying large tributes to the conquerors. •'' We are at a loss to know, whether Bryan's ships were sent against the Northmen, settled in Saxonland, or against the Saxons themselves. Again, the people of Wales had to sustain repeated attacks from the Danes and from the Irish. ''3 In Scotland, that invasion must have occurred, during the reign of Malcolm II. , an able prince and a renowned leader ;'>'> but, it seems most probable, that he was in friendly alliance with Bryan, who only waged war with his enemies, the Norsemen in Scotland. The chiefs, commanding the Irish fleet, demanded and levied a heavy tribute from the people, whose shores they invaded. Hostages and pledges more- over were demanded and. taken for its exact payment. •ts
After his coronation at Tara, a Feis or national assembly was then convened, by Bryan. In it, many new and wholesome laws and regulations were framed. '*^ Here, too, the national history and records were revised, by his orders. One of thegreatsocialchanges,thatmarkedhisreign,mustbenoticed. Hegavesur- names as a distinction, to all the leading families of his time, and this was a well- considered measure of convenience and of policy. Knowing the great advan- tages to be derived from the preservation of pedigrees and genealogies, as also, in order to avoid probable confusion and mistake, in recording them, to Bryan Boiroimhe is attributed the idea of establishing surnames for the principal tribal chiefs and families of Ireland,^? so as thus to distinguish the several stocks
or branches of Milesian descent. ''^ Evidences, furnished by our authentic annals and pedigrees, are very strong, to support this belief. It is a fact, that the greater number of the more distinguished Irish family names were assumed from ancestors, who were cotemporary with this monarch,49 and who flourished in the tenth or in the beginning of the eleventh century. Each chief, according to Bryan's regulations, was to be called after some certain an- cestor, whose particular virtues should remind him regarding the family origin ; nor were titles to be imposed arbitrarily, as in other countries, according to the direction. Although such a custom had been introduced into Munster, in the days of Ceallachan, and into other provinces, it had been confined to
39 Or the inhabitants of W. nles.
<° These are specified as the Lemhnaigh (Lennox people) of Alba, and the Airer- Gaedhil, or people of Argyle.
* See John Speed's "History of GreatBri-
taine," Book vii. , chap, xliiii. , pp. 393 to
395.
•" See Matthew of Westminster's " Flores
and of arts, as also to every one, v/ho was most in need of it. See CogA'oh JdeDhet He jALliibh, chap, xxviii. , pp. 136, 137.
** According to the Bruodin Chronicle, cited by Dr. Sj'lve. ster O'Halloran. The Bruodins were hereditary historians of North Munster.
" Such is the statement found, in an ori-
gmal Latin MS. , as quoted by John O'Dono- van.
•' In the "Irish Penny Journal," vol, i. , John O'Donovan has written a series of very
Historiarum," pp. 386, 387. "
<3 See Charles Wilkins' Wales, Past and
Present," chap, xiii. , p. 80.
** He ruled from a. D. 1003 to 1033. See
"
Rev. James Taylor's Pictorial History of interesting articles, on the "Origin and
Scotland," vol. i. , chap, iv. , pp. 37, 38.
« We are told, tliat Bryan distributed all this tribute according to established right, viz. : athirdpartofit totheKingof. \th- Cliath ; a tliird to the warriors of Laighin and of the Ui Eathach, of Mumhain; with
another third to the of sciences professors
Meaning of Irish Family Names. " See No. 41, pp. 326 to 328; No. 42, pp. 330 to
332 ; No. 46, pp. 365 to 366 ; No. 48, pp. 381to384; No. 50,pp. 396to398; No. 51, pp. 405 to 407; No. 52, pp. 413 to 415.
*' See itdd. , No. 46, p.
365.
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 373
veryfewfamilies; however,fromthebeginningofBryanBoroimha'sreign, it came into very general use. Thus, from the sovereign of that day, his descendants assumed the name O'Brian, or the descendants of Bryan. From his renowned brother Mahon, the issue of this latter prince retained the title ofMacMahon,orsonsofMahon. Thechiefofeachfamily,althoughbear- ing another name, were distinguished only by a surname, the other brandies and families having their particular name prefixed to it. 5° Territories were allotted to the surnames,5' and such distribution seems to have been desira-
ble, in the interests of prevailing clanship.
This monarch conceived an enlightened idea, applicable to the state of
Ireland, in his time. He found a hierarchy of distinction already existent, and he instituted the degrees of chief, of poet, and of ecclesiastic, 5= with i)ro- bably some special prerogatives allotted to each class. The commons of the kingdom, who were lords of lands, the farmers, and the lowest degree of the people, were endowed with immunities, through the munificence of this prince. He bestowed upon the native Irish, whatever territories he had conquered from the Danes ; and, if those who were the original proprietors happened to be alive, and could give evidence of their right, they were settled and confirmed, in their former possessions. 53 This monarch fixed the boundaries of every
lordship or cantred ; and, such registration, with a title-deed, was a necessary
safeguard, to preserve tlie rights of property.
Bishops and pastors, who had been driven from their places, in conse-
quence of the public disorders prevailing, were restored, through the pious monarch's solicitude and influence. His vigorous, prudent, and Christian
- policy,soonplacedBryanonabasisofpowerandofright,whichlefthimpre- eminentamongthegreatestmenofhisage. Whenhehadwiselyregulatedthe national system, he despatched ambassadors to the different princes of Europe, announcing his election to the Irish monarchy. '* With the embas-
sies were sent fine horses, wolf-dogs and hawks, as presents for the respective kings, for such were the courtesies of that time in Ireland.
Much of the romance and exaggeration in praise of this popular hero must be distrusted, however, and our historians have often exceeded that legiti- mate line of narrative, which alone should interest the candid enquirer. Thus, when it is stated, that Bryan never refused science from the night of his birth to the night of his death,55 we may fairly infer, that when he had the oppor- tunity, he loved to encourage learning and learned men, everywhere through- out his dominions. 5^ Weare even told, that as the Northmen had wantonly destroyed books and writings, in every church and sanctuary, from the begin-
ningtotheendoftheirswayinIreland; hesentlearnedmen,withmoney furnished by himself, to buy books beyond the sea, so that the losses effected,
through fire and water, might thus be replaced, by learned works which they werecommissionedtopurcliase. s? Enoughisknowntoconvinceus,thatacon- siderable improvement in the state of Ireland distinguished the reign of Bryan.
5« " Certain it that the few Irish who 53 0r. " General His- is, Jeoffrey Keating's
have still preserved their family honours, tory of Ireland," translated by Dermod
should, in justice, take precedence of the pre- sent nobilily of Europe, as being allodial, or titles from the most remote antiquity, wher—e- as these lost are at best of modern date. "
"
O'Connor, Book ii. , p. 485.
5* According to the Bruodin Chronicle, cited by O'Halloran.
General His- tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , Book xi. , chap, vii. ,
eulogistic fragment, supposed to have been written by Mac Liag.
^^ See Joseph Cooper Walker's " Histori- cal Memoirs of the Irish Bards," sect, iv. ,
p. 59.
s' See Cos^voh 5<iet)liel Tie 5AlLAibJi,
ctap- lJ»3t-, pp. 138, 139,
Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's
p, 255.
5' According to Mac Liag's supposed frag-
ment, relating to Bryan's Life.
5' Accordin to Mac Liag's attributed
fragment.
5S
These are expressions, found in the
374 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
Besides the constant revenue, which arose from the two provinces of Mun- ster, and which was paid yearly into his exchequer,5' other large subsidies
were contributed, when Bryan \yas acknowledged as supreme monarch over Ireland. Schools and colleges 59 arose, wherever they were most required ; while those that had been destroyed by the foreigners, or that had fallen into decay, were revived, in several parts of the kingdom. He appointed pro- fessors and masters, to teach wisdom and knowlege. *° In their nurseries of learning, the liberal sciences with the various branches of sacred and of human knowledge were taught ; public hospices and libraries were built for poor stu- dents, and a provision was made for youth of promising hopes, who were unabletosupportthemselves. Bryananimatedtimidmerit,bywell-grounded hopes. *' Thus were the universities and monasteries enriched, while they were governed by regular discipline, which effected the training of persons having excellent abilities in all professions. The Irish schools revived, and the decayed state of learning no longer existed. The professors not only con- cerned tliemselves, by instructing the youth of their own kingdom, but they were also of excellent use, in polishing and enlightening the rude and illiter- ate of neighbouring nations. '"
The offerings of Bryan, at the shrines of various holy places, are recorded. This generosity affords an additional proof of his zeal for the interests of reli- gion, and of that earnest spirit of piety, which specially marked his grand cha- racter. Many great works and repairs were made by him. 's Religious houses and hospitals were endowed or aided by Bryan, who always delighted in the com- panionship of bishops, priests, and monks ; while this conduct procured for him the zealous support of the secular clergy, and from the regular houses the gratitude of their highly influential inmates. During his reign, the exam- ple and exhortations of the Irish clergy wonderfully facilitated the conversion and civilization of the foreigners. ** The monarch delighted to spend a con- siderable portion of his revenues in founding, building, or repairing sanctua- ries, cathedrals and churches ; while his general and generous alms,*5 towards several religious establishments throughout Ireland, filled the minds of all his subjects with admiration for that munificence, which did not subordinate the spiritual needs both of clergy and laity, to even the exigencies of his civil administration. In addition to the church of Cell Dalua,*' he erected dam- iiacs^'! and diiirtheachs^^ throughout Ireland ; besides seven monasteries and various cells. *? Several of these special erections are noticed. The church on Holy Island,? " Lough Derg, is said to have been restored or remodelled,
by Bryan Boroimhe, when monarch of Ireland, in the early part of the eleventh century, It consisted of a nave, measuring thirty feet internally, and having a breadth of twenty-one feet, the chancel being a square of about
*5 Lands, cattle and furniture were in- eluded among these gifts, as we find them re- corded.
'*' Or Killaloe. See Co5at)1i 5<iet)hel lie jAlliibli, chap. Ixxx. , pp. 138, 139.
'? Interpreted to mean, churches built with stone.
5' See Rev. Dr.
" Gene-
Jeoffrey Keating's
ral History of Ireland, Book ii. , p. 486.
Dermod O'Connor's translation.
59 Called
and Filean
Theological by Joseph Cooper Walker.
Colleges,
*" See CogdX)! ! 5<ser>Viet fie 5Al,tAibli,
chap. Ixxx.
51 The accounts of this place are very fully
given,inVeryRev. ArchdeaconT. O'Rorke's
" History, Antiquities, and present State of the Parishes of Ballysadare and Kilvamet, in the County of Sligo," &c. Dublin, no date.
368 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
might carry too far the license of historical scepticism, sliould we refuse to Malachy that praise, wliich his subsequent course of conduct, so far as known, will fairly support. If his motives were not of the highest order, his actions will yet bear the noblest interpretation ; and, although he could not, with safety or prudent policy, have acted otherwise, than in alliance with Bryan, which, while it preserved his substantial power, kept open the succession, yet, we must admit, that the most heroic patriotism could not have selected higher
ground,thanthecourseactuallypursued,bythedeposedmonarch. Ahigh standard of conduct, in whatever motives it may begin, seldom fails to call into action those ennobling characteristics, from which it should have arisen. Such is generally the mixed character of human virtue. Setting aside the philosophy of motives, Malachy's acquiescence in his rival's supremacy was followed by a sincere and a manly, as well as by a judicious, adoption of the best means and measures, to give firmness and security, as well as a beneficial direction, to Bryan's government. Aware that a struggle for the monarchy must prove the certain sacrifice of the Irish nation to the common enemy, he wisely and nobly exerted his influence, as it appears, to preserve the peace of the country. 57
It was agreed, by both, that a great convention 5' of the men of all Ireland
shouldassembleatUun-Dealgan,nowDundalk,inConaille-Muirtheimhne. Not alone the Meathmen, the Connaughtmen, the Leinstermen, and the Munster- men, but, likewise, the foreigners, the UUdians, the Cinel-Conaill,59 the Cinel- Eoghain,*° and the Airghiaila,^' there assembled. With these were Aedh, son of Domhnall Ua Neill, heir apparent to the sovereignty of Ireland, and Eochaidh, son to Ardghar, King of Ulidia. This was a very important and imposing convocation of kings, princes, and chiefs, who were ready to deli- berate,ontliechangedconditionofaffairs,intheircommoncountry. Their dehberations appear to have been harmoniously conducted, and their deci- sion was unanimous, to accept Bryan Borumha as the supreme monarch of
for the future. '^ We are told, that all in " without Ireland, separated peace,
hostages or booty, spoils or pledges. "^3
The royal progresses of Bryan Boroimha for some years were conspicuous
features of his reign, while they greatly served to uphold his policy and his able management of affairs. They must have combined many important advantages. Admirablyadaptedtocaptivateandtoexciteadmiration,inthe multitude ; they produced deep impressions and moral effects, which were
not intended to be invidious, nor insulting. They procured, likewise, sub- mission from, and a necessary surveillance over, the subordinate chiefs. *'* These most exalted in rank had gifts and honours bestowed on them, with no
5' It is strange, this great national assem- bly is not even noticed, in " The History of Dundalk, and its Environs," &c. , by John D'Alton, and by J. R. O'Flanagan.
5' The race of Conall, inhabiting Done-
gal.
'"= The race of Eoghan, inhabiting Ty-
rone.
" These were a people, inhabiting that
district reaching from Louth to Fermanagh, and taking in some of the adjoining counties of Ulster.
" In order to give Bryan's usurpation some semblance of concert and deliberation, we are told, according to Thomas Moore, that a convention of the princes of the kingdom, held at Dundalk, was preUminary to the as-
sumption of the monarchy, and that it was convoked, i—n contemplation of that step. He
of
tion is there the slightest authority in any of our records ; and the convention held at Dundealga, or Dundalk, so far from being a preliminary measure, did not take place till after the " first rebellion," as it is styled by our annalists, o—f the King of Munster against
of vol. the monarch. " "History Ireland,"
ii. , chap, xxi. , pp. 120, 121.
'^ See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 744 to 747.
"
then adds
for none
"But, the truth is,
these supposed preparatives of his usurpa-
;
** See Rev. James Wills' Second Period, p. 205.
Lives of lUus- trious and Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i. ,
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 369
sparing hand ; and, such favours were judiciously distributed. The deepest and most lasting friendships were created, by these ceremonious and magni-
ficent displays of power, courtesy, and m^nanimity combined. Personal ambition, it would seem, was subordinate to the sense ofduty, which actuated thenewmonarch; and,hisactionssufficientlyevincealoveofgoodness,pre- dominating over his aims to live great and glorious.
CHAPTER VI.
THE NORTHERN EXPEDITION OF BRYAN BOROIMHA—HIS VISIT TO ARMAGH—RETURN TO THE SOUTH, AND DISBANDING OF HIS ARMY—HIS NAVAL EXPEDITION TO ENGLAND, WALES AND SCOTLAND—CONVENTION AT TARA—HIS REGULATIONS CONCERNING FAMILY SURNAMES AND THE INHERITANCE OF PROPERTT—EMBASSIES TO EUROPEAN KINGS—HIS PATRONAGE OF RELIGIOUS AND OF LEARNED MEN— PIOUS FOUNDATIONS—HIS STATE AND MANNER OF LIVING—HIS PUBLIC AND PRI- VATE CHARACTER AS A MONARCH—DEATH OF HIS WIFE, DUVCHOVLAIGH, AND OF HIS BROTHER MARCAN.
Soon after the great convention at Dundalk, the newly-acknowledged Sovereign of Ireland found it necessary to make a levy of his lieges, both Gaels and Galls, who were stationed from Silabh Fuaid," to the southern parts of the kingdom. His march was now directed, against the men of Hy-Niall andofUlaidh. ' Theforeigners,whowerehissubjects,furnishedaverycon- siderable contingent of Brian Borumha's allies, during his northern progress. They had assisted him, likewise, in deposing Maelseachlainn II. , as also in weakening the power of the Northern Ui Neill, on this occasion. The hosting of Bryan was now led against the young and heroic Aedh O'Neill,' who aspired to the throne of Ireland, and who watched with great jealousy
the usurped jurisdiction of the new monarch. Again, we are informed, that a hosting was led by Brian, son of Ceinneidigh, with the men of the south of
Ireland, into Cinel-Eoghain and Ulidia, to demand hostages, about the year 1004,*or1005. Theaccountofthisexpedition,asfurnishedfromtheBook
of Ciuain-mic-nois,s and froin the Book *,of the^Island,' relates, that the forces
Chapter vi. — The present FewsMoun-
tains, in the county of Armagh. They seem to have been so called, from the chieftain Fuad, who fell there in a victory obtained overtheTuatha-De-Dananns, A. M. 3500. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 26, 27.
' See Cogatjh 5AeT)hel Ue SalUvibh, edited by the Rev. James Henthorn Todd, chap. Ixxvii. , pp. 134,135.
3 ile gained a victory, in the year 1004, against Uladh, but in that battle fought at Craove Tulcha, he lost hislife, in the twenty-
ninthyearofhisage. andin thefifteenth ofhis government over Tyrone. "There are hardly any instances in Irish history, of a prince being vested so early in life with the dignity of government ; and tliis circumstance alone must raise our idea of the talents of this young hero. "—Charles O'Conor's "Disser- tations on the History of Ireland," sect. xviii. , p. 248, and note.
« The Annals of Ulster, as may be seen in
Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemicarum Scrip- tores," tomus ir. , place the arrival of Bryan's army at Armagh, in the year 1004. See pp. 295, 296.
5 According to Dr. O'Donovan, this is probably the chronicle, translated into English, by Connell Mageoghegan, in 1627 ; but, this passage is not 10 Ik found, in that translation,
'
This was a book of Annals, continued by Augustin Magraidin, to his own time, A. D. 1405. Ware had a part of these Annals, with some additions made, after Magraidin's death. See Harris's edition of Ware's "Writers of Ireland," p. 87; also Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," p. 5, and
'•
Monasticon Hibemicura," p.
Archdall's
442. TheseAnnalshavenotbeenyetiden-
tified ; and, it is not known, if they are ex- tant.
' The I-iland of AH Saints, in Loch Ribh, or Ree, Upper Shannon.
' See the CogAch jAcohel He jAllAibh, AI
370 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
of Bryan proceeded tlirough Meath, where they remained anight, at Tailltin. * Afterwards, they marched northwards ; but, they appear to have failed in the great object had in view ; for, they did not obtain the hostages of the races of Conall, under the rule of Maelruany O'Maldory, or of Eoglian, under the sway of Aodh O'Neill. It seems to us, that our historians have somewhat confused the order of narrative, in reference to Bryan Boromha's northern expeditions, soon after he had attained the sovereij^nty. He took a route, however, through the middle of Connaught,' and into Magh-n-Ai,'° over the Coirr Shliabh," into TirAilella. '^ HewentthenceintothecountryofCairpre,'3andbeyondSligech;'* he kept his left hand to the sea, and his right to the land, on towards Ben Gul- ban,'5 he crossed over Dubh,'*and over Drobhaois,'7and into Magh-n-Kine. '^ He then passed over Ath-Seanaigh, at Eas-Ruaidh,'9 into Tir-Aedha,'° and on through Bearnas M6r. =' He next marched overFearsad,^" and went into Tir Eoghan. '3 Itseemsprobable,however,thatthechieftainsandclansmenof Tyrconnell and of Tirowen were able to baffle the movements of Bryan's in- vadingarmy; for,intheirnativewildsandfastnesses,theyrefusedtogivehim pledges of submission. =•»
While in those northern parts, we can hardly doubt, that the mon-
arch should desire to visit the great metropolitan city, and to become the
welcome guest of its primate, Maelmury. 's His stay was somewhat prolonged there, since, by our chroniclers we are told, that Bryan remained a week at Ard-Macha. He was accompanied, by a considerable retinue of Irish kings. There, he left twenty ounces of gold,''* as an offering, upon the altar of St. Patrick,atArd-Macha. '' Whileinthatcity,themonarchlikewiseexpresseda desire, his body should repose there after death, although the holy sancturary of Ireland's patron saint was far removed from Killaloe, the place of entomb- mentforBryan'sancestors. ThisreligiouskinghadforhisAnmchara,orCoun- sellor, Maelsuthain 0'Cearbhaill,°^ to whom allusion has been already made ; and, while Bryan was in Armagh, we find, Maelsuthain accompanied the monarch
chap, Ixxvii. , pp. 134, 135.
' Such is the account, as found in the
CojA-oli 5&eT)lieL 1\e jAllAibh, edited by Rev. James Henthorn Todd, chap. Ixxviii. , pp. 134 to 137. These events are placed by the editor, at A. D. 1005.
tween the present towns of Donegal and of Stranorlar.
" Also called Fearsat-Suilighe, or " the crossing of the Swilly," now Farsetmore, about two miles east of Letterkenny, in the
county of Donegal.
'"^ The territory of the Northern
Hy-
Nialls.
'* Two years, afterwards, Aedh and Eoc'>
haidh, the great chiefs of the North, fought the battle of Craebh Tulcha, in which both
were killed, and where, also, the principal nobles of Ulaidh were slain.
°5 Also called Mnrian, the son of Eocha, who succeeded in this see, A. D. 1001, and who sat for nineteen years. He died A. D. 1021. See Harris' Ware, vol. i. , "Arch- bishops of Armagh," p. 49.
'° Also called
a plain in the county of Roscommon.
Magh n-Aoi-mhic-Allguba,
" Also called Coirrshliabh-na-Seaghsa, or the Curlieu Hills.
'' A
territory, present county of Sligo,
of the
in the eastern
part
'3 Now the barony of Caibury, in the
northern part of Sligo County.
Sligo.
"5 Now known as Benbulban, a towering
range of steep mountains, rising over the deep valley of Glenlough, in the county of
'•• Now
Sligo.
t "> Still known as the Duff or Bunduff of that weight. See "Limerick; its His-
River.
' This river rises in Lough Melvin, and it
fallsintothesea,notfarfromBundoran.
'" Now the Moy, a (lain lying between the Rivers Erne and Drowes, near Bally-
shannon.
»» Now Assaroe waterfall, on the Erne
River.
=" Now Tirhugh Barony, in the county of
Donegal.
" The romantic pass of Barnesmore, be-
tory and Antiquities," chap, ii. , p. 13.
''' See Dr. Charles O'Conor's " Rerum HibernicarumScriptores,"tomusiv. Anua-
les Ullonienses, pp. 295, 296.
°* A curious old legend regarding him is
"
to be found in the
runi," part i. , fol. I lir. This Manuscript is on vellum, and contained in two 4to vols. ,
written in the year 1434. It belonged to James Marianus Kennedy, Esq. , of 47 Glou- cester-street, Dublin. A catalogue of its
"MauriceI. eiiilsancallsit "a collar" gold
Liber Flavus Fcrguso-
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 371
thither, from a curious entry, in his own handwriting, and traced in the pre- sence of Bryan. This autograph is yet extant, and, it may be seen, in the
celebrated Book of Armagh. ^' Bryan Boroimhe has been called Imperator Scotorum,3° and this seems to have been his title, even before that time, when hehadvisitedtheholycityofArmagh. Acuriousnotice,incorroborationof such fact, is to be found in the ancient Book of Armagh, which is thought to be asoldastheeighthcentury. 3' Duringthistimeofhisstay,themonarchappears to have acknowledged that Primatial Seat, as having supreme jurisdiction over all the other Irish Sees. Having left Armagh, he traversed the territories of Dal Riada, and of Dal Araidhe, and he went into Ulaidh. 3" From these places, he carried off their hostages. 33 The expeditionary army of Bryan next moved into Conaille-Muirthumhne, and they arrived about Lammas, at Bealach-duin. 34 TheLeinstermenthenproceededsouthwards,acrossBreagha, or Bregia, to their territory, and the foreigners 35 by sea went round to their respectivefortresses. 3* TheMunstermenalso,andtheOsraighiwentthrough Meath,37 to their several countries.
Subsequently, we find it stated, that the monarch Bryan planned a great
contents has been furnished, by Professor
O'Curry.
"s See Eugene O'Curry's
3' We are told, that while Bi-yan was at Craebh Tulcha, the Ulaiiih supplied him with twelve hundred beeves, twelve hundred hogs, and twelve hundred wethers. In re- turn, the monarch bestowed twelve hundred horses to them, besides gold, silver and
"
Manuscript Materials of Ancient Irish His-
tory," Lect. iv. , p. 76. And Appendix xl. , xli. , pp. 529 to 533.
—
township purveyor—departed from Bryan,
*" A Latin entry, but in Irish characters, remains in the Book of Armagh, at fol. xvi.
clothing. No Biatach
the Irish title for a
: b. b. , of which the following is the text —
or some
The duty of
those Biatachs in Eimn was to supply pro-
visions to all chieftains and persons of rank,
travelling withattendants through the country. '3 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
"Sdncrurpac^M[ct] urlenj*,aocoelum lYiAntxiuic cocum i^pucciim l^bopif fui circiim b<ipci4m [? ] CAm CAUfApum <]U0T3 eletnoipniiAum'oef&penoum effe ^pofrro lioae Scocice
Lectures on the
upbi que
macha. Sic |\epeiM in bibtiochicij- Sco-
coputn. ego j-cpipp 10 e^x Caluuf pepen-
tiif in conppeccu DpiAni impepxicoiMj" Sco-
copum ec que fcpipp pniguit ppoBmni-
buf pegibuf macepiae. "
" Sanctus Patri [ci] us iens ad caelum man-
davit totum fructum laboris sui tarn baptis-
tiam [?
] tarn causarum quod elemoisinarum
deferendum esse apostolicae urbi que Scotice
nominatur Ardd Macha. Sic reperi in biblio-
thicis Scotorum. Ego scripsi id est Calvus
Perennis in conspectu Bnani imperatoris O'Donovan.
Scotorum et que scripsi finiguil pro omnibus 3! These belonged chiefly to Ath Cliath, regibus Macerix. " ["St. P. -itrick, going up to Port Lairge, and to Luimnech. The old
writer in the Annals is not very accurate here, in describing the points of the com- pass ; for, he states, that the foreigners went eastwards, although their course in reality
nominAcup <\]\ut)
to heaven, commanded that all the fruit of
his labour as well of baptisms as of causes
and ofalms, should be carried to the Apostolic
City, which is called Scotice \i. e. the Gaed-
helic] Ardd Macha. So I have found it in was southwards.
the book-collections of the Scots
\i. e.
the
3' Most this refers not to Dublin. likely,
3' Tlie old annalist remarks, that went they
westwards ; but south-westwanily probably describes much better, their line of march. Westwards will apply to the men of Con- naught, who belonged to the host, but not to those of Ossory, who dwelt southwards of the point, where their dispersion took place. In the Co5«T)h jAeoheL He SatLAibli, their course, when disbanded, is correctly given.
3^ Those living in England.
Gaedhii].
Calvus Perennis [lit.
[this],
Bald for ever," i. e.
I have written that is
Mael-suthain] in the sight [under the eyes] of Brian Emperor of the Scots, and what I have written he determined for all the kings of Macerlae {i. e. , Cashel or Munster"]. See ibid. Explanation of the Fac-Similes. R. pp. 653. 654-
3' See Professor Eugene O'Curry's "Lec- tures on the Manuscript Materials of Ancient Lrish History," Lect. xvi. , p. 343.
"
[I]
a
gift, that deserved his thanks.
without receiving
horse,
other
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 752, 753.
3* The place of this name, referred to by
the Four Masters, at the years 770, 778, 868, 969, is the present Castle Kieran, near Kells, in the county of Meath. But, from references to the sea and to the plain of Bre-
gia, in this passage, it would appear, that the Belach-duin, here mentioned, was in the present county of Louth. It is probably in- tended for Belach-Duna-Dealgan, i. e. , the road or pass of Dundalk, according to Dr.
372 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
naval expedition ; and, it is said, he summoned the Gaill of Ath-Cliath and of Port Lairge, as likewise, the mariners of Ui Ceinnselaigh and of the Ui Eathach ofMumhain,totakepartinit. Thisexpeditionappearstohavebeenthreatened,
againsttheSaxons,^^theBritons,39andtheScotsofAlban/" Inthehistory of these people, we find no records, regarding that maritime invasion. How- ever, about this period, the Saxons suffered greatly under tlie Scandinavian oppressions ;<' and, they were obliged to purchase their temporary safety, by paying large tributes to the conquerors. •'' We are at a loss to know, whether Bryan's ships were sent against the Northmen, settled in Saxonland, or against the Saxons themselves. Again, the people of Wales had to sustain repeated attacks from the Danes and from the Irish. ''3 In Scotland, that invasion must have occurred, during the reign of Malcolm II. , an able prince and a renowned leader ;'>'> but, it seems most probable, that he was in friendly alliance with Bryan, who only waged war with his enemies, the Norsemen in Scotland. The chiefs, commanding the Irish fleet, demanded and levied a heavy tribute from the people, whose shores they invaded. Hostages and pledges more- over were demanded and. taken for its exact payment. •ts
After his coronation at Tara, a Feis or national assembly was then convened, by Bryan. In it, many new and wholesome laws and regulations were framed. '*^ Here, too, the national history and records were revised, by his orders. One of thegreatsocialchanges,thatmarkedhisreign,mustbenoticed. Hegavesur- names as a distinction, to all the leading families of his time, and this was a well- considered measure of convenience and of policy. Knowing the great advan- tages to be derived from the preservation of pedigrees and genealogies, as also, in order to avoid probable confusion and mistake, in recording them, to Bryan Boiroimhe is attributed the idea of establishing surnames for the principal tribal chiefs and families of Ireland,^? so as thus to distinguish the several stocks
or branches of Milesian descent. ''^ Evidences, furnished by our authentic annals and pedigrees, are very strong, to support this belief. It is a fact, that the greater number of the more distinguished Irish family names were assumed from ancestors, who were cotemporary with this monarch,49 and who flourished in the tenth or in the beginning of the eleventh century. Each chief, according to Bryan's regulations, was to be called after some certain an- cestor, whose particular virtues should remind him regarding the family origin ; nor were titles to be imposed arbitrarily, as in other countries, according to the direction. Although such a custom had been introduced into Munster, in the days of Ceallachan, and into other provinces, it had been confined to
39 Or the inhabitants of W. nles.
<° These are specified as the Lemhnaigh (Lennox people) of Alba, and the Airer- Gaedhil, or people of Argyle.
* See John Speed's "History of GreatBri-
taine," Book vii. , chap, xliiii. , pp. 393 to
395.
•" See Matthew of Westminster's " Flores
and of arts, as also to every one, v/ho was most in need of it. See CogA'oh JdeDhet He jALliibh, chap, xxviii. , pp. 136, 137.
** According to the Bruodin Chronicle, cited by Dr. Sj'lve. ster O'Halloran. The Bruodins were hereditary historians of North Munster.
" Such is the statement found, in an ori-
gmal Latin MS. , as quoted by John O'Dono- van.
•' In the "Irish Penny Journal," vol, i. , John O'Donovan has written a series of very
Historiarum," pp. 386, 387. "
<3 See Charles Wilkins' Wales, Past and
Present," chap, xiii. , p. 80.
** He ruled from a. D. 1003 to 1033. See
"
Rev. James Taylor's Pictorial History of interesting articles, on the "Origin and
Scotland," vol. i. , chap, iv. , pp. 37, 38.
« We are told, tliat Bryan distributed all this tribute according to established right, viz. : athirdpartofit totheKingof. \th- Cliath ; a tliird to the warriors of Laighin and of the Ui Eathach, of Mumhain; with
another third to the of sciences professors
Meaning of Irish Family Names. " See No. 41, pp. 326 to 328; No. 42, pp. 330 to
332 ; No. 46, pp. 365 to 366 ; No. 48, pp. 381to384; No. 50,pp. 396to398; No. 51, pp. 405 to 407; No. 52, pp. 413 to 415.
*' See itdd. , No. 46, p.
365.
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 373
veryfewfamilies; however,fromthebeginningofBryanBoroimha'sreign, it came into very general use. Thus, from the sovereign of that day, his descendants assumed the name O'Brian, or the descendants of Bryan. From his renowned brother Mahon, the issue of this latter prince retained the title ofMacMahon,orsonsofMahon. Thechiefofeachfamily,althoughbear- ing another name, were distinguished only by a surname, the other brandies and families having their particular name prefixed to it. 5° Territories were allotted to the surnames,5' and such distribution seems to have been desira-
ble, in the interests of prevailing clanship.
This monarch conceived an enlightened idea, applicable to the state of
Ireland, in his time. He found a hierarchy of distinction already existent, and he instituted the degrees of chief, of poet, and of ecclesiastic, 5= with i)ro- bably some special prerogatives allotted to each class. The commons of the kingdom, who were lords of lands, the farmers, and the lowest degree of the people, were endowed with immunities, through the munificence of this prince. He bestowed upon the native Irish, whatever territories he had conquered from the Danes ; and, if those who were the original proprietors happened to be alive, and could give evidence of their right, they were settled and confirmed, in their former possessions. 53 This monarch fixed the boundaries of every
lordship or cantred ; and, such registration, with a title-deed, was a necessary
safeguard, to preserve tlie rights of property.
Bishops and pastors, who had been driven from their places, in conse-
quence of the public disorders prevailing, were restored, through the pious monarch's solicitude and influence. His vigorous, prudent, and Christian
- policy,soonplacedBryanonabasisofpowerandofright,whichlefthimpre- eminentamongthegreatestmenofhisage. Whenhehadwiselyregulatedthe national system, he despatched ambassadors to the different princes of Europe, announcing his election to the Irish monarchy. '* With the embas-
sies were sent fine horses, wolf-dogs and hawks, as presents for the respective kings, for such were the courtesies of that time in Ireland.
Much of the romance and exaggeration in praise of this popular hero must be distrusted, however, and our historians have often exceeded that legiti- mate line of narrative, which alone should interest the candid enquirer. Thus, when it is stated, that Bryan never refused science from the night of his birth to the night of his death,55 we may fairly infer, that when he had the oppor- tunity, he loved to encourage learning and learned men, everywhere through- out his dominions. 5^ Weare even told, that as the Northmen had wantonly destroyed books and writings, in every church and sanctuary, from the begin-
ningtotheendoftheirswayinIreland; hesentlearnedmen,withmoney furnished by himself, to buy books beyond the sea, so that the losses effected,
through fire and water, might thus be replaced, by learned works which they werecommissionedtopurcliase. s? Enoughisknowntoconvinceus,thatacon- siderable improvement in the state of Ireland distinguished the reign of Bryan.
5« " Certain it that the few Irish who 53 0r. " General His- is, Jeoffrey Keating's
have still preserved their family honours, tory of Ireland," translated by Dermod
should, in justice, take precedence of the pre- sent nobilily of Europe, as being allodial, or titles from the most remote antiquity, wher—e- as these lost are at best of modern date. "
"
O'Connor, Book ii. , p. 485.
5* According to the Bruodin Chronicle, cited by O'Halloran.
General His- tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , Book xi. , chap, vii. ,
eulogistic fragment, supposed to have been written by Mac Liag.
^^ See Joseph Cooper Walker's " Histori- cal Memoirs of the Irish Bards," sect, iv. ,
p. 59.
s' See Cos^voh 5<iet)liel Tie 5AlLAibJi,
ctap- lJ»3t-, pp. 138, 139,
Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's
p, 255.
5' According to Mac Liag's supposed frag-
ment, relating to Bryan's Life.
5' Accordin to Mac Liag's attributed
fragment.
5S
These are expressions, found in the
374 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
Besides the constant revenue, which arose from the two provinces of Mun- ster, and which was paid yearly into his exchequer,5' other large subsidies
were contributed, when Bryan \yas acknowledged as supreme monarch over Ireland. Schools and colleges 59 arose, wherever they were most required ; while those that had been destroyed by the foreigners, or that had fallen into decay, were revived, in several parts of the kingdom. He appointed pro- fessors and masters, to teach wisdom and knowlege. *° In their nurseries of learning, the liberal sciences with the various branches of sacred and of human knowledge were taught ; public hospices and libraries were built for poor stu- dents, and a provision was made for youth of promising hopes, who were unabletosupportthemselves. Bryananimatedtimidmerit,bywell-grounded hopes. *' Thus were the universities and monasteries enriched, while they were governed by regular discipline, which effected the training of persons having excellent abilities in all professions. The Irish schools revived, and the decayed state of learning no longer existed. The professors not only con- cerned tliemselves, by instructing the youth of their own kingdom, but they were also of excellent use, in polishing and enlightening the rude and illiter- ate of neighbouring nations. '"
The offerings of Bryan, at the shrines of various holy places, are recorded. This generosity affords an additional proof of his zeal for the interests of reli- gion, and of that earnest spirit of piety, which specially marked his grand cha- racter. Many great works and repairs were made by him. 's Religious houses and hospitals were endowed or aided by Bryan, who always delighted in the com- panionship of bishops, priests, and monks ; while this conduct procured for him the zealous support of the secular clergy, and from the regular houses the gratitude of their highly influential inmates. During his reign, the exam- ple and exhortations of the Irish clergy wonderfully facilitated the conversion and civilization of the foreigners. ** The monarch delighted to spend a con- siderable portion of his revenues in founding, building, or repairing sanctua- ries, cathedrals and churches ; while his general and generous alms,*5 towards several religious establishments throughout Ireland, filled the minds of all his subjects with admiration for that munificence, which did not subordinate the spiritual needs both of clergy and laity, to even the exigencies of his civil administration. In addition to the church of Cell Dalua,*' he erected dam- iiacs^'! and diiirtheachs^^ throughout Ireland ; besides seven monasteries and various cells. *? Several of these special erections are noticed. The church on Holy Island,? " Lough Derg, is said to have been restored or remodelled,
by Bryan Boroimhe, when monarch of Ireland, in the early part of the eleventh century, It consisted of a nave, measuring thirty feet internally, and having a breadth of twenty-one feet, the chancel being a square of about
*5 Lands, cattle and furniture were in- eluded among these gifts, as we find them re- corded.
'*' Or Killaloe. See Co5at)1i 5<iet)hel lie jAlliibli, chap. Ixxx. , pp. 138, 139.
'? Interpreted to mean, churches built with stone.
5' See Rev. Dr.
" Gene-
Jeoffrey Keating's
ral History of Ireland, Book ii. , p. 486.
Dermod O'Connor's translation.
59 Called
and Filean
Theological by Joseph Cooper Walker.
Colleges,
*" See CogdX)! ! 5<ser>Viet fie 5Al,tAibli,
chap. Ixxx.
