The forest there extended into the three
territories
of the Ui railghe,37oftheUiFaelain.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v4
VST BRYAN's SUPREMACY—HIS EXPEDITION TO MAGH CORRAN—HE AND MAELSEACHLAINN MARCH ON MUIRTHEMNE—THE KINO OF LEINS—TER ORGANIZES A GREAT CONFEDERACY TO OPPOSE THE MONARCH OF IRE- LAND WAR IN I0I2—MAELSEACHLAINN AND BRYAN ARE OBLIGED TO ACT AGAINST THE CONFEDERATED IRISH AND THE SCANDINAVIANS—UNSUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN OF MAELSEACHLAINN—BRYAN BOROIMHA INVADES LEINSTER, AND ADVANCES VICTORIOUSLY TO DUBLIN—THE FOREIGNERS ARE DEFEATED AT CORK— THEIR POWER AND RESOURCES.
The state of unrest, prevailing among the native kings and chiefs, no less than that agitating the foreign element in Ireland, seldom allowed the mon-
3» See Co5aT)h jaeDhet He JalLAibh, chap. Ixxxvi. ,pp. 150,151.
p. 74.
*NowthecityofCork. Godimmedia-
'"> See
D'Alton s "
of the
took on them for that vengeance
John
County of Dublin," p. 605.
History
tely
deed, is an expression, used by the Four '"See Charles Smith's "Ancient and Masters.
Present State of the County and City of Cork," vol. i. . Book ii. , chap, ix. , pp. 362, 363.
'*' See Miss M. F. Cusack's "History of the City and County of Cork," chap, v. ,
'<' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 768, 769.
« See Rrv. James Wills' "Lives of lUus- trious and Distinguished Irishmen. " vol. i. ,
Second Period, p. 206.
382 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [April 23.
arch sufficient leisure to reform or consolidate the framework of his govern- mental policy. With all the bristling and numerous entries of those periodic events, recorded in our annals, we are often at a loss, to trace their origin and sequence, or the influences those incidents must have exercised on cotem- poraneous character and history. Especially, in the northern parts of Ireland, the supremacy of Bryan had not been acknowledged ;' nay more, his power had been resisted and baffled, by the Hy Nialls. This sufficiently appears, from their almost unrestrained inroads among themselves, about this period
of his reign, when something like anarchy prevailed in that special quarter. Flaithbheartach, or Flaherty, the brother of Aodh O'Neill, had succeeded on his throne ;= and, his turbulent disposition must have caused very considerable
anxiety to the sovereign. He made an irruption into Ulidia, when he slew the chief of Leath-Chathail, who was named Cuuladh, son of Aengus, in 1006. He then took away seven hostages from the Ulidians. 3 The same ruthless King of Tyrone barbarously blinded Donnchada O'Kelly, at Inishowen, and killed him afterwards ;* while he led an army against the men of Bregh, from whom he carried away a great cattle-spoil. His rancour, manifested towards Maelseachlainn, seems to have exceeded that entertained against Bryan him- self ; but, it is probable, that having extorted sureties by force, Flahertach had learned to fear and respect the military dictator. ' He appears to have acted, sometimes, in concert with the Ard Righ.
During the year ion, the monarch Brian invaded Magh-Corran,* probably the plain of Corran,' in Sligo. Here are to be seen the remarkable Kesh Caves. * These are lofty and magnificent, presenting
themselves like gigantic doorways, on the western side, and leading to the innermost recesses of the mountain. If the local accounts are
to be trusted, the caves contain lakes of unfathomable depth and spars of unimaginable beauty, while they are said to reach even to the eastern part of the mountain. ' They are about half-way up the side of Kish-Corran. '° On this occasion, having arrived at the plain of Corran, the monarch of Ireland succeeded in bringing Maelruany O'Maeldorad, King of Tyrconnell, bound to the citadel of Cincora. " Here he was detained as a captive. For some time, this chieftain had been closely confined, in the
custody of Bryan, at his royal seat of power, but afterwards he was generously
Chapter vii. — ' The Rev. Matthew
Kelly, D. D. , remarks, that until three or four years, before the battle of Clontarf, the races of Eoghan and of Conall paid no tri- bute to Bryan. See Gratianus Lucius' Cambrensis Eversus," vol. ii. , cap. ix. , n. (o), p. 36.
" See Charles O'Conor's " Dissertations on the History of Ireland," sect, xviii. , p. 248.
3 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 758, 759.
• The Annals of Ulster have these inci-
of Ire-
'This locality has not been sufficiently identified, at present.
' See Major W. G. Wood-Martin's " His-
tory of Sligo, County and Town, from the Earliest Ages to the Close of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth," with Illustrations from
' This place, according to the ancient topo- graphical tract, the Dinnseanchus, was so called from the gentle harper Corann, who, for his skill in playing, received it from that magical race, called the Tuatlia De Danaan. Popular tradition still points to the cave of Kish-Corran, as his residence.
' See tlie graceful sketch, with pen and
pencil, by George Petrie, in the "Irish
Penny Journal," vol. i. , No. 2, pp. 9, 10. '"They are south-east of Ballymote. These
caves are described, by Edward J. Ilardman, H. M. G. S. , in Appendix A, to Major Wood-
"
Martin's
"See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiberni-
carum Scriptores," tomus iv. Annales
Ultonien. ses, p. 300.
"See Charles O'Conor's "Dissertations
on the History of Ireland," sect, xviii. , p. 24S.
''>See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 764,765.
'• Kdmacrenan, in the county of Donegal, was the principal church and residence of
dents placed, at A. D. 1008.
5 See Thomas Moore's "
Hisiory of Sligo," p. 376.
History land," vol. ii. , chap, xxi. , p. loi.
Original Drawings and Plans, Book chap, iv. , p. 165.
ii. ,
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 383
enlarged. '^ Domhnall, son to the Irish monarch, died, a. d. ion ;'3 for this year, as we learn, the lord of Cinel-Luighdheach,'* who is named Mael- ruanaidh Ua Domhnaill,'5 was slain by the men of Magh-Ithe. '^ Again, Murchadh, son of Bryan, with the men of Munster, the Leinstermen, with the southern Ui Neill, and Flaithbheartach, son of Muircheartach, lord of Oileach,'7 witii the soldiers of the North, plundered Cinel Luighdheach,'' while they carried off three hundred and a great prey of cattle. Flaithb- heartach Ua Neill led his forces to Dun-Eathach,'' when he burned the for- tress and demolished the town, while he carried off pledges from Niall, son of Dubhthuinne. "" An army was led by Bryan into the plain of Muirthemne, in loii, and it effected the full liberation of the Churches of St. Patrick. '' This year, also, it is recorded, that Bryan and Maelseachlainn were encamped, at Anaghduiv. " St. Patrick's Cross-staff—called the Pastoral Staff—had been broken by the Northerns, in some contention that ensued-''^ This action
was regarded as a great profanation, and it furnished the occasion for organ-
an — the men of
izing expedition,'* against Cucuailgne. 's
We cannot
discover,
if the Fionnfai
also written Fionnfaidheach
—was an
object
distinct
from
the Bachall-Phatraic, or crozier of St. Patrick ; but, it appears to have been
profaned by some people, in this partof the country. '^ Maelseachlainn had
conducted his forces, likewise, into Conaill Muirtlievni,'? to demand satisfac-
tion for this outrage, and to avenge the violence offered to that reliquary.
It was brought, most probably, from Armagh by the Primate, during some
visitation, in that part of his jurisdiction, when his claims seem to have been disputed.
So far as we can presage from the history of this era, the supreme mon- arch Bryan Borimha had faithful and firm alliance with the King of Meath ;
for, their enterprises were usually planned in conjunction, and designed to accomplish some common object. '^ A convention had been arranged, but where we are not told, between Bryan and Maelmury,'^ most probably the King of Leinster. It has not transpired, for what purpose their conference
tliii cantred. Tlie tribe name was derived from Lughaidh, son of Sedna, son to Fear-
ghus Ceannfoda, or Fergus the Long-headed, son of Conall Gulban, son to Niall of the
Nine Hostages.
'5 This is the earliest notice of the
O'Donnell surname, in Irish history. It is derived from Domhnal, son of Eigneachan, who died a. d. 901. At first, only chiefs over the Cinel-Luighdheach, after the Anglo- Norman invasion, they became supreme kings of Tyrconnell.
'"
This was the name of a plain, along the River Finn, in the barony of Raphoe, and county of Don^al.
'' The celebrated Fort of Ailech, near the
of
city Derry.
'"
This territory extended from the Dobhar stream, to the River Suilige, or Swilly, in
duff, in the barony of Upper Lotightee, re- presented on the "Ordnance Suivey Town-
land Maps for the County of Cavan," sheet 15. But, it may be doubted, that tliis was the actual site, alluded to in the text.
'^ See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum HibemicarumScriptores,"tomusiv. Anna- les Ultonienses, p. 302.
"• According to the Annals of Ulster,
'5 Now Cooly, a mountainous district, in
the northern part of Louth county. Ori-
ginally, it was a portion of Uladh, although now in the province of Leinster. See "The
Topographical Poems of John Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh O'Huidhrin," edited
the prevent county of Donegal. See of M. igh Rath," n. (u), pp. 157, 158.
"
Battle
troductory to the early History of the Pri- macy of Arm,agh," p. 77.
'' This is the correct reading, although the Clarendon Codex, tome 49, of the Ulster Annals, translates the Irish text into Tir- connell.
»• "
See Thomas Moore's History of Ire-
land," vol. ii. , chap, xxi. , pp. toi, 102.
'' See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemicarum Scriptores," tomus iv. Anna-
les Ultonienses, p. 302.
^o ggg Dermod O'Conor's Keating's
" Now Duneight, near the River Lagan. *" "
See Dr. O'Donovan's Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 764, 765.
"' See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernica-
rum Scriptores," tomus iv. Annales Ulto-
nienses, p. 301.
"'' "
This may be interpreted
the black marsh. " There is a townland, called Annagh-
by Dr. O'Donovan, p. xxviii. , n. 183.
=* See Rev. Robert " Memoir In- King's
384
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[April 23.
was held ; but, it is more than likely, that the monarch's policy aimed at the
establishmentofaleaguebetweenthem. Thefoundationonwhichhistory
should rest must be sought in ascertained facts ; yet, failing these, busy con-
jecture too often has alone supplied matter for narrative to tlie chronicler.
No cordial understanding seems to have been arrived at, although motives of
self-interest averted any open rupture, at that time ; nor could the faith of
Maelmuraidh be trusted, since he was treacherous and wily in disposition.
Having establislied his revenues, and by his munificence and other virtues re-
habilitated the ancient character of the Irish, that had been declining for
some ages, the monarch Bryan resolved to built some shipping and to
become formidable to his foes by sea, or on the inland lakes. s" He sent to
Maolmordha Mac Murchuda, desiring that three of the longest and largest
masts, that could be found in his territories, should be sent to him. This
request,asconveyed,wasimmediatelygrantedbytheprovincialprince. Mael- mordha ordered his woods to be surveyed. The fairest and tallest trees were
marked out, to be cut down; they were hewed by shipwrights, moreover, before they were sent to tlie dock-yards of Bryan, at Ceann Coradh. The trees were pine,3' and taken from Fidh Gaibhli. 3= Although the woods have disappeared, a river there is yet called Fidh Gaibhle. 33 Now it is known as Figili, or Feegile,^* a denomination yet existing, in the parish of Clonsast,35 barony of Cooles- town,intheKing'sCounty. Here,thereisanoldchurch,3*ontlievergeof a very extensive bog ; and, doubtless, it was formerly a district covered with pine-woods.
The forest there extended into the three territories of the Ui railghe,37oftheUiFaelain. s^andoftheUiMuiredhaigh. 39 Itwasatthe point, where the present county of Kildare unites with the King's and the Queen's County. '*" Maelmordha had resolved to come himself, and to pre- sent the masts in person to the King of Ireland. The first of these was car- ried by the inhabitants of Jobh Failge, or Ui Failge. The second mast was borne by the people of Jobh Faolain, or Ui Faelain. The tliird of these
"General p. 489.
History
of Irefand," Book
3' St. Bearchain is as its regarded
3' See CosAt)! ! 5Aet>liet He jAl/lAibli.
pp. 142, 143.
^ This was the celebrated wood of Lein-
ster, yet locally called Fee-Goille, or Fee-
Poem of his is quoted, at fol. 112a.
37 Also Anglicised Offaly, or Ophaly, a large territory of Leinster, now represented by the Baronies of East and West Offaly, in the King's County, with those of Portnahinch and Tinnahincli, in the Queen's County, as also, that portion of the King's County, comprised within the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin. See " The Topographical Poems of John Dubhagain and GiuUa na Naomh
ii. ,
patron and founder. In the " Book of Leinster " a
guile. It was situated, near Portarlington,
and on the north side of the River Barrow.
An ancient Poem in "The Book of Lein-
ster" celebrates the wood of Fid-n-Gaible
as surpassing all other woods. This poem is
attributed to Broccan Craibdech, and it
begin, Lechu Coi\m<sic. See pp. 43, 44. O'Huidhain," edited by John O'Donovan, Edited by Robert Atkinson, M. A. , LL. D.
Dublin, 1880, roy. fol.
33 The word derived its name from the
River Gabhal, meaning "fork," which it forms, at the junction of Clu. iin Sasta and
CluainMor. SeeDr. O'Donovan'sledbliAp riA 5-CeAi\c, or Book of Rights, n. (o), p. 214.
34 It is a very considerable tributary of the River Barrow, which it joins a little to the northof Monasterevan.
p. l. ,n. 406.
38 Their territory comprised, about the
vious to the Anglo-Norman Invasion. See 35 It is represented on the "Ordnance jWo". , p. xlvii. , 367.
Survey Townland Maps for the King's " See Rev. James Henthorn Todd's Intro-
County," sheets 19, 20, 27, 28, 34. Tlie duction to tlie CogA-oh 5det>hel Ue JaI- townlands of Upper and Lower Clonsast are iAibli, pp. clxi, clxii.
on sheet 27. •' This form Jobh is found in Dermod
northern half of the present county ofKil- dare. The Mac Eochaids, or Keoghs, and the O'Byrnes, were settled there, previous lo the Anglo-Norman Invasion. See ibid. , p. xlvii. , n. 368.
39Xheir territory embraced, about the southern half of the present county of ICil-
dare, and it belonged to the O'Tooles, pre-
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 385
masts was carried by the Jobh •' Muireadhuig, or people known as the Ui Muireadhaigh. Other accounts have it, that the people of Laighis, and of the Commainns, were contributories on this occasion. -*^ A violent contest took place between the three tribes, that were appointed to carry the masts, while on the way, and engaged in conveying them. 'tJ This quarrel occurred, at places not known, but called Sliabh • and Bhoguig,*' according to the Rev. Jeoffrey Keating ; while other authors assert, that at a remarkable bog,''* near the wood where the trees grew, this controversy was carried on, with great heat and animosity, on all sides. The tribes contended as to which of them should belong the point of precedence, and to go foremost with their burden, so as to, be the first admitted, into the presence of the Irish mon- arch. At length, it came to the ears of Maolmordha, the King of Leinster, who seems to have accompanied the carriers. If true, this furnishes a very curious picture, exhibiting the manners of those times. Instead of behaving as a neutral in that quarrel, among his clansmen, Maelmordha immediately got down from his horse, and declared himself, in favour of the tribe of Jobh Faolain. <7 He rushed into the midst of the throng, and coming to the mast, he clapped his shoulders under it, as a common bearer, and he took a share of the burden with his favoured clansmen. But, in the struggle he made, to distinguish himself on this occasion, a silver button that kept together his rich tunic flew off and was lost. This mantle had been presented to the prince, by Bryan Boiroimha,'*^ King of Ireland, some short time before, and it had been worn by the King of Leinster, no doubt, as an intended compliment, on his coming visit. It was made of the richest silk, embroidered in a splendid rhanner, with gold and silver, while the borders were fringed about, with a gold lace of inestimable value. The King of Leinster, having thus interposed by his authority in this dispute, the tribes were obedient, and they proceeded leisurely on their journey. By slow movements, they arrived at Ceann Co- radh. There they were courteously received, and the clansmen were gene- rously rewarded by the Irish monarch. This visit took place, subsequent to A. D. 1009. ^9 The King of Leinster received all due respect at the court, where he was welcomed by his sister,5o \^qix supposed to preside over its hospitalities. The name was Gormghlath, or Gormlaith. s' By her marriage withBryanBoiroimhe,shewasacknowledgedasQueenofIreland. '' How-
ther implied vassalage on the part of the re- cipient.
« . See Cojat)! ! jACDliel-ne ^Allaibli, or The War of the Gaedhil with the Gaill, edited by Rev. James Henthorn Todd. In- troduction, n. i. , p. clxi.
*" They were both the children of Mur- chad, who was slain A. D. 970, so that they *3 One account has it, that the tribes were must have been forty years old—if not more—at this time. Their grandfather was Finn, chief of the Ui Failyhe. He was slain, A. D. 928, and his father who died A. D. 921, <* Probably the present SUeve Bloom was Maelmordha, the son of Conchobliar, chief of Offaly. Sir Charles Coote, without
O'Connor's Keating's "General History of
Ireland," Second Book, p. 489.
* Rev. Dr. Todd deems this an interpola-
tion, ill his text, though found in two of the
copies, from which it was prepared ; for, if it were to be admitted, there must have been more than the three masts, to which allusion had been previously made by his author.
obliged to proceed in single file, at a particu- lar place, and they were respectively too proud to yield precedence.
Mountains, which seem to have lain on their way to Killaloe.
" Falgia is derived from Hy Bealgia, that —is
*3 This place has not been identified.
" The CojAoh Jieohet Re SAlUvibVi has it, ascending a boggy mountain.
the country of the worsliippers of Beal. " "General View of the Agriculture and Manufactures of the King's County," &c. Introduction, p. 1.
5' His death is recorded, at A. D. 1020.
5» it is said, she was the most beautiful woman of her day in Ireland. See Alfred
bi
"
" See Dermod O'Connor's Keating's General History of Ireland," Second Book,
p, 490.
* According to the Irish customs of Tanis-
try, a gift presented from one king to ano- Vol. IV. —No. 7.
quoting his authority, tells us, that
Hy
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
386
ever, a considerable difficulty is here raised, to account for the truth of such a statement. No doubt, our historians assert, that Gormflaith had been mar- ried to Bryan Boromha ; but, it may be questioned, if this marriage took
place after 1009, when his wife Dubhcobhlaigh, daughter to Cathal O'Conor, King of Connaught, died. Gormflaith's character has been subjected to much obloquy. She is said to have been the mother of Bryan's son Donn- chadh, who fought in the battle at Clontarf ; so that, her marriage with the monarch must have been an earlier one. It has been suggested, that after Dubhcobhlaigh's death, Gormflaith, who was probably divorced from the monarch, might have visited Kincora, in the hope of recovering her position ; but, finding herself coldly received, she became "grim" against Bryan. ss and resolved on a deadly revenge. 54 After the usual greetings and ceremonies had past, between the brother and sister, the King of Leinster desired the queen, that she would be pleased to fix a button upon his mantle, in place of the one he had lost. He then related, how a dispute had arisen between those tribes, that were appointed to carry the masts, which he was proud of the honour of bearing upon his shoulders, as a testimony of his subjection and obedience to her husband, the King of Ireland. Reflecting upon the independence and renown of her ancestors, who never paid homage to any prince, the queen was so incensed, at this servile disposition of her brother, that she upbraided him severely, for his cowardice and meanness of spirit. She declared, that he had degenerated from the courage and bravery of his family, in submitting to a yoke, that never had been worn by any of her illus- trious house, and so, by such means, entailing bondage and slavery upon all his posterity. Then violently pulling the mantle from his shoulders, with indignation, she threw it into the fire. ss
Her words and action naturally irritated her brother, and prepared him to resent every insult offered by the Dalcassians. An occasion was soon
presented, for a private quarrel, while Maelmordha, the King of Leinster, was their guest, at the castle of Brian Boroimhe and of Gormflaith. Being at an
entertainment, held in Kincora, a game of chess s* or tables was played, the next morning, between Murrougb, the son of Bryan, and Conning,? ? the son of Dunchuain ; or, as other accounts have it, the confessor s^ of St. Caomhgin,
of Glendalough, was the person then engaged, playing against the heir appa- rent of Ireland. The King of Leinster was a mere spectator of the tourna-
ment. But, when Morrough was at a point of this game, Maolmordha observed a critical position, and advised the antagonist to a movement, which caused the Munster prince to lose the game. This conduct netded Morough, who observed to the King of Leinster with a sneer, that if he had given as good advice to the Danes, when they fought at the batde of Glen-mama, they should not have received so great an overthrow. This allusion awakened
unpleasant recollections, and it provoked a retort. Maolmordha answered indignantly, that if the Danes had been defeated, owing to his advice, he
Webb's " Compendium of Irish Biography," p. 35.
53 This is an expression used, by the Njal-
Saga,
5< See CosATah SAeohel tie SAlliibh,
or the Wars of the Gaedhil with the Gaill,
edited by the Rev. James Henthorn Todd.
Introduction, p. clxi,, n. I.
55 See Dermod O'Connor's Keating's
"GeneralHistoryoflreland," Second Book,
pp. 489 to 491.
5' This was a favourite game in Ireland,
especially in the castles of the kings and nobles.
s? He was the nephew of Bryan, and, after- wards killed, in the Battle ofClontarf.
"
ss Conaing O'Carroll,
head of the charity
and piety of the Gaeidhil," and erenach of
Glendalough, died a. d. 1031, according to
Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Mas-
ters," vol. ii. , pp. 822, 823.
S9 " Have the yew-tree made ready for
them by yourself," is said to have been the reply of Murchadh, according to the account
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
387
should soon put them in a way to retrieve their loss ;59 while, he intended to take full revenge, not alone on Murrough, but on his father Bryan, the mon-
arch of Ireland.
Whereupon, Murrough replied, that those foreigners had
been so frequently chastised by the Irish army, that he stood in no fear of
any attempt they could make, even if the King of Leinster were at their head.
Instantly, Maelmordha became violently enraged, and he retired to a bed-
chamber. ^ So great was his indignation, that the Leinster dynast refused to
appear at the public banquet. He passed the whole night in restless anger,
andin to his —
devising means, indulge schemes for revenge. To avoid being
— morninghearose,andsetoutinthedirectionforLeinster. Withouttaking
arrested by Morough
a course the of King
Leinster feared early the
next
leave of his host, the high-souled monarch, or any of his household,*' Maol- mordha was already on the road. His conduct affected the good monarch,
when hearing of the royal guest's departure. Bryan sent one of his servants, named Cocaran,*' after the King of Leinster, to request his return and recon- ciliationwithMorough. TheservantofBryanovertookMaelmordha,while
given, in the CogAt)! ! jAeoViet Re 5<iL- Ln-oh. pp. 144, 145. This was an allusion to Maolmordha having concealed himself in a yew-tree, after the battle ofGlenmama. See n. 3, ibid.
*" The Book of Howth has probably con-
structed quite a different version of the occur-
rences, from this story, as generally told by
our Irish shanachies, and which may be re-
garded as al together romantic ; for, that
chronicle, | disregarding good authority or
consistency, too frequently abounds in the marvellous. An incident of family intrigue
and dishonour, reflecting on Murrough
O'Brien's character, is there related to have
stirred up the great war, between the Irish
and the and which was re- • Danes, finally
solved at Clontarf. Thus it is abridged from Hanmer, and it is only ofany worth, because
relating incidently some details, that serve to illustrate the Anglo-Norman traditions about Clontarf. A Danish merchant of Dublin, and said to have been fourth son to the King of Denmark, was jealous of his fair and Irish- born wife. Having occasion to absent him- self on a mercantile travelling excursion in
far countries, the White Merchant—
forsohe
to
Hanmer,
he Iwillbe
added, " revenged
is called
left his wife as a in
lady waiting, upon
partakers
—
him and his
cidents quite as credible.
"See L'Abbe "His- Ma-Geoghegan's
toire de I'lrlande Ancienne ct Moderne," tome i. , chap, vi. , p. 410.
'' From this Cogaran, the Jobh Cogaran, in the province of Munster, received its tribe
andundertheprotection of Bryan's wife. The King of Ireland assumed duty of her guar- dianship, during that merchant's absence. However, distrustful of the result, his journey was made unhappy, by doubts about her fidelity. The remainder of this romantic story savours of invention, and that tasteless flavour of improbability, which served to amuse the frivolous minds of that age, when it had been composed. Hastening his return, the merchant came, early in the morning, and having a private key, by surprise he en-
tered into his wife's
found her in company with Morough, the monarch's eldest son. We need only observe here, the unblushing inconsistencies of this unsavoury narrative, so redolent of a filthy
apartment.
There he
imagination, which catered for the lords, who ruled in castles.
The state of unrest, prevailing among the native kings and chiefs, no less than that agitating the foreign element in Ireland, seldom allowed the mon-
3» See Co5aT)h jaeDhet He JalLAibh, chap. Ixxxvi. ,pp. 150,151.
p. 74.
*NowthecityofCork. Godimmedia-
'"> See
D'Alton s "
of the
took on them for that vengeance
John
County of Dublin," p. 605.
History
tely
deed, is an expression, used by the Four '"See Charles Smith's "Ancient and Masters.
Present State of the County and City of Cork," vol. i. . Book ii. , chap, ix. , pp. 362, 363.
'*' See Miss M. F. Cusack's "History of the City and County of Cork," chap, v. ,
'<' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 768, 769.
« See Rrv. James Wills' "Lives of lUus- trious and Distinguished Irishmen. " vol. i. ,
Second Period, p. 206.
382 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [April 23.
arch sufficient leisure to reform or consolidate the framework of his govern- mental policy. With all the bristling and numerous entries of those periodic events, recorded in our annals, we are often at a loss, to trace their origin and sequence, or the influences those incidents must have exercised on cotem- poraneous character and history. Especially, in the northern parts of Ireland, the supremacy of Bryan had not been acknowledged ;' nay more, his power had been resisted and baffled, by the Hy Nialls. This sufficiently appears, from their almost unrestrained inroads among themselves, about this period
of his reign, when something like anarchy prevailed in that special quarter. Flaithbheartach, or Flaherty, the brother of Aodh O'Neill, had succeeded on his throne ;= and, his turbulent disposition must have caused very considerable
anxiety to the sovereign. He made an irruption into Ulidia, when he slew the chief of Leath-Chathail, who was named Cuuladh, son of Aengus, in 1006. He then took away seven hostages from the Ulidians. 3 The same ruthless King of Tyrone barbarously blinded Donnchada O'Kelly, at Inishowen, and killed him afterwards ;* while he led an army against the men of Bregh, from whom he carried away a great cattle-spoil. His rancour, manifested towards Maelseachlainn, seems to have exceeded that entertained against Bryan him- self ; but, it is probable, that having extorted sureties by force, Flahertach had learned to fear and respect the military dictator. ' He appears to have acted, sometimes, in concert with the Ard Righ.
During the year ion, the monarch Brian invaded Magh-Corran,* probably the plain of Corran,' in Sligo. Here are to be seen the remarkable Kesh Caves. * These are lofty and magnificent, presenting
themselves like gigantic doorways, on the western side, and leading to the innermost recesses of the mountain. If the local accounts are
to be trusted, the caves contain lakes of unfathomable depth and spars of unimaginable beauty, while they are said to reach even to the eastern part of the mountain. ' They are about half-way up the side of Kish-Corran. '° On this occasion, having arrived at the plain of Corran, the monarch of Ireland succeeded in bringing Maelruany O'Maeldorad, King of Tyrconnell, bound to the citadel of Cincora. " Here he was detained as a captive. For some time, this chieftain had been closely confined, in the
custody of Bryan, at his royal seat of power, but afterwards he was generously
Chapter vii. — ' The Rev. Matthew
Kelly, D. D. , remarks, that until three or four years, before the battle of Clontarf, the races of Eoghan and of Conall paid no tri- bute to Bryan. See Gratianus Lucius' Cambrensis Eversus," vol. ii. , cap. ix. , n. (o), p. 36.
" See Charles O'Conor's " Dissertations on the History of Ireland," sect, xviii. , p. 248.
3 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 758, 759.
• The Annals of Ulster have these inci-
of Ire-
'This locality has not been sufficiently identified, at present.
' See Major W. G. Wood-Martin's " His-
tory of Sligo, County and Town, from the Earliest Ages to the Close of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth," with Illustrations from
' This place, according to the ancient topo- graphical tract, the Dinnseanchus, was so called from the gentle harper Corann, who, for his skill in playing, received it from that magical race, called the Tuatlia De Danaan. Popular tradition still points to the cave of Kish-Corran, as his residence.
' See tlie graceful sketch, with pen and
pencil, by George Petrie, in the "Irish
Penny Journal," vol. i. , No. 2, pp. 9, 10. '"They are south-east of Ballymote. These
caves are described, by Edward J. Ilardman, H. M. G. S. , in Appendix A, to Major Wood-
"
Martin's
"See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiberni-
carum Scriptores," tomus iv. Annales
Ultonien. ses, p. 300.
"See Charles O'Conor's "Dissertations
on the History of Ireland," sect, xviii. , p. 24S.
''>See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 764,765.
'• Kdmacrenan, in the county of Donegal, was the principal church and residence of
dents placed, at A. D. 1008.
5 See Thomas Moore's "
Hisiory of Sligo," p. 376.
History land," vol. ii. , chap, xxi. , p. loi.
Original Drawings and Plans, Book chap, iv. , p. 165.
ii. ,
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 383
enlarged. '^ Domhnall, son to the Irish monarch, died, a. d. ion ;'3 for this year, as we learn, the lord of Cinel-Luighdheach,'* who is named Mael- ruanaidh Ua Domhnaill,'5 was slain by the men of Magh-Ithe. '^ Again, Murchadh, son of Bryan, with the men of Munster, the Leinstermen, with the southern Ui Neill, and Flaithbheartach, son of Muircheartach, lord of Oileach,'7 witii the soldiers of the North, plundered Cinel Luighdheach,'' while they carried off three hundred and a great prey of cattle. Flaithb- heartach Ua Neill led his forces to Dun-Eathach,'' when he burned the for- tress and demolished the town, while he carried off pledges from Niall, son of Dubhthuinne. "" An army was led by Bryan into the plain of Muirthemne, in loii, and it effected the full liberation of the Churches of St. Patrick. '' This year, also, it is recorded, that Bryan and Maelseachlainn were encamped, at Anaghduiv. " St. Patrick's Cross-staff—called the Pastoral Staff—had been broken by the Northerns, in some contention that ensued-''^ This action
was regarded as a great profanation, and it furnished the occasion for organ-
an — the men of
izing expedition,'* against Cucuailgne. 's
We cannot
discover,
if the Fionnfai
also written Fionnfaidheach
—was an
object
distinct
from
the Bachall-Phatraic, or crozier of St. Patrick ; but, it appears to have been
profaned by some people, in this partof the country. '^ Maelseachlainn had
conducted his forces, likewise, into Conaill Muirtlievni,'? to demand satisfac-
tion for this outrage, and to avenge the violence offered to that reliquary.
It was brought, most probably, from Armagh by the Primate, during some
visitation, in that part of his jurisdiction, when his claims seem to have been disputed.
So far as we can presage from the history of this era, the supreme mon- arch Bryan Borimha had faithful and firm alliance with the King of Meath ;
for, their enterprises were usually planned in conjunction, and designed to accomplish some common object. '^ A convention had been arranged, but where we are not told, between Bryan and Maelmury,'^ most probably the King of Leinster. It has not transpired, for what purpose their conference
tliii cantred. Tlie tribe name was derived from Lughaidh, son of Sedna, son to Fear-
ghus Ceannfoda, or Fergus the Long-headed, son of Conall Gulban, son to Niall of the
Nine Hostages.
'5 This is the earliest notice of the
O'Donnell surname, in Irish history. It is derived from Domhnal, son of Eigneachan, who died a. d. 901. At first, only chiefs over the Cinel-Luighdheach, after the Anglo- Norman invasion, they became supreme kings of Tyrconnell.
'"
This was the name of a plain, along the River Finn, in the barony of Raphoe, and county of Don^al.
'' The celebrated Fort of Ailech, near the
of
city Derry.
'"
This territory extended from the Dobhar stream, to the River Suilige, or Swilly, in
duff, in the barony of Upper Lotightee, re- presented on the "Ordnance Suivey Town-
land Maps for the County of Cavan," sheet 15. But, it may be doubted, that tliis was the actual site, alluded to in the text.
'^ See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum HibemicarumScriptores,"tomusiv. Anna- les Ultonienses, p. 302.
"• According to the Annals of Ulster,
'5 Now Cooly, a mountainous district, in
the northern part of Louth county. Ori-
ginally, it was a portion of Uladh, although now in the province of Leinster. See "The
Topographical Poems of John Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh O'Huidhrin," edited
the prevent county of Donegal. See of M. igh Rath," n. (u), pp. 157, 158.
"
Battle
troductory to the early History of the Pri- macy of Arm,agh," p. 77.
'' This is the correct reading, although the Clarendon Codex, tome 49, of the Ulster Annals, translates the Irish text into Tir- connell.
»• "
See Thomas Moore's History of Ire-
land," vol. ii. , chap, xxi. , pp. toi, 102.
'' See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemicarum Scriptores," tomus iv. Anna-
les Ultonienses, p. 302.
^o ggg Dermod O'Conor's Keating's
" Now Duneight, near the River Lagan. *" "
See Dr. O'Donovan's Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 764, 765.
"' See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernica-
rum Scriptores," tomus iv. Annales Ulto-
nienses, p. 301.
"'' "
This may be interpreted
the black marsh. " There is a townland, called Annagh-
by Dr. O'Donovan, p. xxviii. , n. 183.
=* See Rev. Robert " Memoir In- King's
384
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[April 23.
was held ; but, it is more than likely, that the monarch's policy aimed at the
establishmentofaleaguebetweenthem. Thefoundationonwhichhistory
should rest must be sought in ascertained facts ; yet, failing these, busy con-
jecture too often has alone supplied matter for narrative to tlie chronicler.
No cordial understanding seems to have been arrived at, although motives of
self-interest averted any open rupture, at that time ; nor could the faith of
Maelmuraidh be trusted, since he was treacherous and wily in disposition.
Having establislied his revenues, and by his munificence and other virtues re-
habilitated the ancient character of the Irish, that had been declining for
some ages, the monarch Bryan resolved to built some shipping and to
become formidable to his foes by sea, or on the inland lakes. s" He sent to
Maolmordha Mac Murchuda, desiring that three of the longest and largest
masts, that could be found in his territories, should be sent to him. This
request,asconveyed,wasimmediatelygrantedbytheprovincialprince. Mael- mordha ordered his woods to be surveyed. The fairest and tallest trees were
marked out, to be cut down; they were hewed by shipwrights, moreover, before they were sent to tlie dock-yards of Bryan, at Ceann Coradh. The trees were pine,3' and taken from Fidh Gaibhli. 3= Although the woods have disappeared, a river there is yet called Fidh Gaibhle. 33 Now it is known as Figili, or Feegile,^* a denomination yet existing, in the parish of Clonsast,35 barony of Cooles- town,intheKing'sCounty. Here,thereisanoldchurch,3*ontlievergeof a very extensive bog ; and, doubtless, it was formerly a district covered with pine-woods.
The forest there extended into the three territories of the Ui railghe,37oftheUiFaelain. s^andoftheUiMuiredhaigh. 39 Itwasatthe point, where the present county of Kildare unites with the King's and the Queen's County. '*" Maelmordha had resolved to come himself, and to pre- sent the masts in person to the King of Ireland. The first of these was car- ried by the inhabitants of Jobh Failge, or Ui Failge. The second mast was borne by the people of Jobh Faolain, or Ui Faelain. The tliird of these
"General p. 489.
History
of Irefand," Book
3' St. Bearchain is as its regarded
3' See CosAt)! ! 5Aet>liet He jAl/lAibli.
pp. 142, 143.
^ This was the celebrated wood of Lein-
ster, yet locally called Fee-Goille, or Fee-
Poem of his is quoted, at fol. 112a.
37 Also Anglicised Offaly, or Ophaly, a large territory of Leinster, now represented by the Baronies of East and West Offaly, in the King's County, with those of Portnahinch and Tinnahincli, in the Queen's County, as also, that portion of the King's County, comprised within the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin. See " The Topographical Poems of John Dubhagain and GiuUa na Naomh
ii. ,
patron and founder. In the " Book of Leinster " a
guile. It was situated, near Portarlington,
and on the north side of the River Barrow.
An ancient Poem in "The Book of Lein-
ster" celebrates the wood of Fid-n-Gaible
as surpassing all other woods. This poem is
attributed to Broccan Craibdech, and it
begin, Lechu Coi\m<sic. See pp. 43, 44. O'Huidhain," edited by John O'Donovan, Edited by Robert Atkinson, M. A. , LL. D.
Dublin, 1880, roy. fol.
33 The word derived its name from the
River Gabhal, meaning "fork," which it forms, at the junction of Clu. iin Sasta and
CluainMor. SeeDr. O'Donovan'sledbliAp riA 5-CeAi\c, or Book of Rights, n. (o), p. 214.
34 It is a very considerable tributary of the River Barrow, which it joins a little to the northof Monasterevan.
p. l. ,n. 406.
38 Their territory comprised, about the
vious to the Anglo-Norman Invasion. See 35 It is represented on the "Ordnance jWo". , p. xlvii. , 367.
Survey Townland Maps for the King's " See Rev. James Henthorn Todd's Intro-
County," sheets 19, 20, 27, 28, 34. Tlie duction to tlie CogA-oh 5det>hel Ue JaI- townlands of Upper and Lower Clonsast are iAibli, pp. clxi, clxii.
on sheet 27. •' This form Jobh is found in Dermod
northern half of the present county ofKil- dare. The Mac Eochaids, or Keoghs, and the O'Byrnes, were settled there, previous lo the Anglo-Norman Invasion. See ibid. , p. xlvii. , n. 368.
39Xheir territory embraced, about the southern half of the present county of ICil-
dare, and it belonged to the O'Tooles, pre-
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 385
masts was carried by the Jobh •' Muireadhuig, or people known as the Ui Muireadhaigh. Other accounts have it, that the people of Laighis, and of the Commainns, were contributories on this occasion. -*^ A violent contest took place between the three tribes, that were appointed to carry the masts, while on the way, and engaged in conveying them. 'tJ This quarrel occurred, at places not known, but called Sliabh • and Bhoguig,*' according to the Rev. Jeoffrey Keating ; while other authors assert, that at a remarkable bog,''* near the wood where the trees grew, this controversy was carried on, with great heat and animosity, on all sides. The tribes contended as to which of them should belong the point of precedence, and to go foremost with their burden, so as to, be the first admitted, into the presence of the Irish mon- arch. At length, it came to the ears of Maolmordha, the King of Leinster, who seems to have accompanied the carriers. If true, this furnishes a very curious picture, exhibiting the manners of those times. Instead of behaving as a neutral in that quarrel, among his clansmen, Maelmordha immediately got down from his horse, and declared himself, in favour of the tribe of Jobh Faolain. <7 He rushed into the midst of the throng, and coming to the mast, he clapped his shoulders under it, as a common bearer, and he took a share of the burden with his favoured clansmen. But, in the struggle he made, to distinguish himself on this occasion, a silver button that kept together his rich tunic flew off and was lost. This mantle had been presented to the prince, by Bryan Boiroimha,'*^ King of Ireland, some short time before, and it had been worn by the King of Leinster, no doubt, as an intended compliment, on his coming visit. It was made of the richest silk, embroidered in a splendid rhanner, with gold and silver, while the borders were fringed about, with a gold lace of inestimable value. The King of Leinster, having thus interposed by his authority in this dispute, the tribes were obedient, and they proceeded leisurely on their journey. By slow movements, they arrived at Ceann Co- radh. There they were courteously received, and the clansmen were gene- rously rewarded by the Irish monarch. This visit took place, subsequent to A. D. 1009. ^9 The King of Leinster received all due respect at the court, where he was welcomed by his sister,5o \^qix supposed to preside over its hospitalities. The name was Gormghlath, or Gormlaith. s' By her marriage withBryanBoiroimhe,shewasacknowledgedasQueenofIreland. '' How-
ther implied vassalage on the part of the re- cipient.
« . See Cojat)! ! jACDliel-ne ^Allaibli, or The War of the Gaedhil with the Gaill, edited by Rev. James Henthorn Todd. In- troduction, n. i. , p. clxi.
*" They were both the children of Mur- chad, who was slain A. D. 970, so that they *3 One account has it, that the tribes were must have been forty years old—if not more—at this time. Their grandfather was Finn, chief of the Ui Failyhe. He was slain, A. D. 928, and his father who died A. D. 921, <* Probably the present SUeve Bloom was Maelmordha, the son of Conchobliar, chief of Offaly. Sir Charles Coote, without
O'Connor's Keating's "General History of
Ireland," Second Book, p. 489.
* Rev. Dr. Todd deems this an interpola-
tion, ill his text, though found in two of the
copies, from which it was prepared ; for, if it were to be admitted, there must have been more than the three masts, to which allusion had been previously made by his author.
obliged to proceed in single file, at a particu- lar place, and they were respectively too proud to yield precedence.
Mountains, which seem to have lain on their way to Killaloe.
" Falgia is derived from Hy Bealgia, that —is
*3 This place has not been identified.
" The CojAoh Jieohet Re SAlUvibVi has it, ascending a boggy mountain.
the country of the worsliippers of Beal. " "General View of the Agriculture and Manufactures of the King's County," &c. Introduction, p. 1.
5' His death is recorded, at A. D. 1020.
5» it is said, she was the most beautiful woman of her day in Ireland. See Alfred
bi
"
" See Dermod O'Connor's Keating's General History of Ireland," Second Book,
p, 490.
* According to the Irish customs of Tanis-
try, a gift presented from one king to ano- Vol. IV. —No. 7.
quoting his authority, tells us, that
Hy
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
386
ever, a considerable difficulty is here raised, to account for the truth of such a statement. No doubt, our historians assert, that Gormflaith had been mar- ried to Bryan Boromha ; but, it may be questioned, if this marriage took
place after 1009, when his wife Dubhcobhlaigh, daughter to Cathal O'Conor, King of Connaught, died. Gormflaith's character has been subjected to much obloquy. She is said to have been the mother of Bryan's son Donn- chadh, who fought in the battle at Clontarf ; so that, her marriage with the monarch must have been an earlier one. It has been suggested, that after Dubhcobhlaigh's death, Gormflaith, who was probably divorced from the monarch, might have visited Kincora, in the hope of recovering her position ; but, finding herself coldly received, she became "grim" against Bryan. ss and resolved on a deadly revenge. 54 After the usual greetings and ceremonies had past, between the brother and sister, the King of Leinster desired the queen, that she would be pleased to fix a button upon his mantle, in place of the one he had lost. He then related, how a dispute had arisen between those tribes, that were appointed to carry the masts, which he was proud of the honour of bearing upon his shoulders, as a testimony of his subjection and obedience to her husband, the King of Ireland. Reflecting upon the independence and renown of her ancestors, who never paid homage to any prince, the queen was so incensed, at this servile disposition of her brother, that she upbraided him severely, for his cowardice and meanness of spirit. She declared, that he had degenerated from the courage and bravery of his family, in submitting to a yoke, that never had been worn by any of her illus- trious house, and so, by such means, entailing bondage and slavery upon all his posterity. Then violently pulling the mantle from his shoulders, with indignation, she threw it into the fire. ss
Her words and action naturally irritated her brother, and prepared him to resent every insult offered by the Dalcassians. An occasion was soon
presented, for a private quarrel, while Maelmordha, the King of Leinster, was their guest, at the castle of Brian Boroimhe and of Gormflaith. Being at an
entertainment, held in Kincora, a game of chess s* or tables was played, the next morning, between Murrougb, the son of Bryan, and Conning,? ? the son of Dunchuain ; or, as other accounts have it, the confessor s^ of St. Caomhgin,
of Glendalough, was the person then engaged, playing against the heir appa- rent of Ireland. The King of Leinster was a mere spectator of the tourna-
ment. But, when Morrough was at a point of this game, Maolmordha observed a critical position, and advised the antagonist to a movement, which caused the Munster prince to lose the game. This conduct netded Morough, who observed to the King of Leinster with a sneer, that if he had given as good advice to the Danes, when they fought at the batde of Glen-mama, they should not have received so great an overthrow. This allusion awakened
unpleasant recollections, and it provoked a retort. Maolmordha answered indignantly, that if the Danes had been defeated, owing to his advice, he
Webb's " Compendium of Irish Biography," p. 35.
53 This is an expression used, by the Njal-
Saga,
5< See CosATah SAeohel tie SAlliibh,
or the Wars of the Gaedhil with the Gaill,
edited by the Rev. James Henthorn Todd.
Introduction, p. clxi,, n. I.
55 See Dermod O'Connor's Keating's
"GeneralHistoryoflreland," Second Book,
pp. 489 to 491.
5' This was a favourite game in Ireland,
especially in the castles of the kings and nobles.
s? He was the nephew of Bryan, and, after- wards killed, in the Battle ofClontarf.
"
ss Conaing O'Carroll,
head of the charity
and piety of the Gaeidhil," and erenach of
Glendalough, died a. d. 1031, according to
Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Mas-
ters," vol. ii. , pp. 822, 823.
S9 " Have the yew-tree made ready for
them by yourself," is said to have been the reply of Murchadh, according to the account
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
387
should soon put them in a way to retrieve their loss ;59 while, he intended to take full revenge, not alone on Murrough, but on his father Bryan, the mon-
arch of Ireland.
Whereupon, Murrough replied, that those foreigners had
been so frequently chastised by the Irish army, that he stood in no fear of
any attempt they could make, even if the King of Leinster were at their head.
Instantly, Maelmordha became violently enraged, and he retired to a bed-
chamber. ^ So great was his indignation, that the Leinster dynast refused to
appear at the public banquet. He passed the whole night in restless anger,
andin to his —
devising means, indulge schemes for revenge. To avoid being
— morninghearose,andsetoutinthedirectionforLeinster. Withouttaking
arrested by Morough
a course the of King
Leinster feared early the
next
leave of his host, the high-souled monarch, or any of his household,*' Maol- mordha was already on the road. His conduct affected the good monarch,
when hearing of the royal guest's departure. Bryan sent one of his servants, named Cocaran,*' after the King of Leinster, to request his return and recon- ciliationwithMorough. TheservantofBryanovertookMaelmordha,while
given, in the CogAt)! ! jAeoViet Re 5<iL- Ln-oh. pp. 144, 145. This was an allusion to Maolmordha having concealed himself in a yew-tree, after the battle ofGlenmama. See n. 3, ibid.
*" The Book of Howth has probably con-
structed quite a different version of the occur-
rences, from this story, as generally told by
our Irish shanachies, and which may be re-
garded as al together romantic ; for, that
chronicle, | disregarding good authority or
consistency, too frequently abounds in the marvellous. An incident of family intrigue
and dishonour, reflecting on Murrough
O'Brien's character, is there related to have
stirred up the great war, between the Irish
and the and which was re- • Danes, finally
solved at Clontarf. Thus it is abridged from Hanmer, and it is only ofany worth, because
relating incidently some details, that serve to illustrate the Anglo-Norman traditions about Clontarf. A Danish merchant of Dublin, and said to have been fourth son to the King of Denmark, was jealous of his fair and Irish- born wife. Having occasion to absent him- self on a mercantile travelling excursion in
far countries, the White Merchant—
forsohe
to
Hanmer,
he Iwillbe
added, " revenged
is called
left his wife as a in
lady waiting, upon
partakers
—
him and his
cidents quite as credible.
"See L'Abbe "His- Ma-Geoghegan's
toire de I'lrlande Ancienne ct Moderne," tome i. , chap, vi. , p. 410.
'' From this Cogaran, the Jobh Cogaran, in the province of Munster, received its tribe
andundertheprotection of Bryan's wife. The King of Ireland assumed duty of her guar- dianship, during that merchant's absence. However, distrustful of the result, his journey was made unhappy, by doubts about her fidelity. The remainder of this romantic story savours of invention, and that tasteless flavour of improbability, which served to amuse the frivolous minds of that age, when it had been composed. Hastening his return, the merchant came, early in the morning, and having a private key, by surprise he en-
tered into his wife's
found her in company with Morough, the monarch's eldest son. We need only observe here, the unblushing inconsistencies of this unsavoury narrative, so redolent of a filthy
apartment.
There he
imagination, which catered for the lords, who ruled in castles.
