496, or
after a very sanguinary engagement.
after a very sanguinary engagement.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
421.
—** Chronicum Scotorum. " "William M.
Hennessy's translation, p. 31.
'°7 The ancient writer of the Life of St.
Kieran, whose acts will be found at the 5th of March, tells us that ^ngus and his queen
were killed, in consequence of a prophecy of St. Kieran, fulfilled at the battle of Ceall-Osnaidh.
^^8 See William M. " Chro- Hennessy's
^°°
His daughter Uctdelb or Ughdelve was
bemise," V. Martii. Vita S. Kierani, cap. xix. , p. 460.
"° While Dr. O'Donovan states, that in Meath and Ulster, the word j-leAtriAin
"
O'Mahony's Xeating's
Scotorum," pp. 30, 31.
the wife of Oilild Molt, supreme Monarch
of Ireland.
^°'
The reader is referred to a statement in a previous note, as also to the account given by the ancient writer of St. Kieran's
"
History
of nicum
^°9See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hi-
slippery," and "land bearing elms ;" Dr. Joyce seems to derive Acts. See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum it from sleibhin (slayveen), the diminutive HibemisB," V. Martii. Vita S. Kierani, of sliabh, and applied to a little hill. See cap. xix. , p. 460. Brogan, the Devout, has "The Origin and History of Irish Names
given a similar narrative in his tract " On of Places," part iv. , chap, i. , p. 367.
the heroic Actions of the Leinster Kings. "
"^
Such is the account of Dubtach O'Lu- gair.
^°3 Johannes Dubaganus, and two other
"^
Sleamhain, modernized, Slewen, or Slane, is now represented by the townlands, Slanelieg and Slanemore, in the parish of Dysart, baronies of Moycashel and Maghera- dernon. See "Ordnance Survey Town- land Maps for the County of Westmeath," Sheet 18.
"" See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 154, 155 and n.
(q).
"3 See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemi-
carum Scriptores. " The " Annals of Tiger- nach" have at AD. 497, CAch SteAmnA mi-oe. Tomus ii. , p. 125.
anonymous authors, in a Kings of Munster. "
^°'*
"
Catalogue of the
Colgan says, that all these varying ac- counts can be reconciled, in the account of iEngus's death, noticed under A. D. 489, in the "Annals of the Four Masters;" as those persons there named were partici- pators in the battle fought against the King of Munster.
^°5The old writer of St. Kieran's Acts al-
ludes to this event in the words :
"4 See tomus ibid. ,
nienses," p. 9.
" Annales Ulto-
**
following et haec cedes maxima abusio erat. "
iv. ,
means "slimy" or
124
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[February i.
Again, Eocha, son of Cairbre, was victorious"^ over Fiach Mac Finnchada, a king of Leinster, who fell in the second battle of Granairet, or Graine,"^ A. D. 494,or496. "7 ThebattleofInnimore,orIndeMor,intheterritory of Congabhla, was fought against the Leinstermen,. and their leader Illann, son of Dunlaing. Murcheartach Mac Earc was victorious. This engage- ment took place, according to some accounts, in 492"^ or 497,"9 while certain writers have it entered at a. d. 499,"° and others at a. d. 500. "*
"^^
Tigernach records the battle of Innimor at a. d. 503.
Lugaidh, Ard-Righ,"3 the war of Saegre or Saeghais was carried on a. d.
"
Annals of Inisfallen,""4 while those of Tigernach^s placethateventattheyear500. The"AnnalsoftheFourMasters"register this battle of Seaghais, at a. d. 499, which is said to correspond with a. d. 504. "^ Muircheartach Mac Erca became a guarantee between Duach Teangumha,"7 KingofConnaught,andhisbrotherEochaidhTirmcharna. Thelatterwas foster-father and uncle to Duiseach. She was wife to Muircheartach, and daughter to Duach Teangumha. "^ She is said to have instigated her husband to avenge a wrong done by her father, who had taken Eochaidh a prisoner, and contrary to his agreement with Muircheartach. Accordingly, four en- gagements seem to have been fought between the Hy-Nialls and the Con-
naughtmen, in all of which the latter were defeated. "9 The battles of Dealga, of Mucramha and Tuaim Drubha were followed up by the battle of
494, according to the
" Duach of the Brass
ceeded Oilill Molt, after the battle of Ocha, fell. ^31
Here who suc- Duach,
The " Annals of Ulster''
Segsa against
Tongue. "'3o
*'S This is probably, what the "Annals of "^ See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. , Tigernach" call at a. d. 495, the CAch pp. 160 to 163.
CAtiAifce 5]\eirie. See Dr. O'Conor's
"7HewasotherwisecalledDuachGalach, i. e. y the Valourous.
**
Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus
ii. , p. 125. They also state, that. Fraoch was killed here by Eochiis.
"^'^^
In Irish his name is written "OuAcli
"^ See rAbbe Ma-Geoghegan's "Histoire
de rirlande, Ancienne et Moderne," tome de rirlande, Ancienne et Modeme. " Se- i. , part ii. , chap, ii. , p. 271. Ma-Geoghegan conde Partie, chap, ii. , p. 271.
calls this king "Fraoch, fils de Fionchad. " "7 According to the "Annals of Ulster. " See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernicarum
'3° Dr. O'Conor thinks he was so called because of his using the warlike trumpet—
tomus
"8 The " Annals of Inisfallen" assign it
to A. D. 492.
"'See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hiberni-
"
Scriptores,"
iv,, p. 9.
carum Scriptores," tomus ii. Inisfalenses," p. 4. Also, tomus iv. ,
nales Ultonienses," p. 9. give the latter date.
"° Thus a manuscript copy of the " Annals of Clonmacnoise," cod. cl. , according to O'Flaherty.
"'See "Chronicum Scotorum," edited
by William M. Hennessy, pp. 34, 35, and n. 8.
"=« See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiberni-
carum Scriptores," tomus ii. Tigernachi Annales, p. 127.
"
The battle of Seaghais ; a certain woman
"3See " O'Mahony's Keating's
caused it red blood was over History ;
lances.
Annales
'3^ Regarding this battle, Cenfaelad, an ancient poet, sang :
CAch Se^hfA beAn -oo tritiAib iTo'o^tiAi^,
lAO boi C]\U OCApS DAIA CpUipgVl,
La Duipch, ingin "OuaicVi
CAcVi DeAlcCA, CACh mtl6|\AmA ACUf CAch
UUATriA X)|\ubA,
La cAch SeA^i^A, hi cco|\cai^ "OuAch UeAii-
gutnhA.
Thus—rendered into English by Dr. O'Dono- van
"
An-
of Ireland," book ii. , part ii. , chap, i. , p. By Duiseach, daughter of Duach.
422.
"*• See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiberni-
carum Scriptores," tomus ii. Annales Inis- falenses, p. 4.
The battle of Dealga, the battle of Mu-
cramha, and the battle of Tuaim-
"5 See ibid. 125, 126.
Tigernachi Annales, pp.
Duach Teangumha. "—See " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 162, 163.
"
yEre ciere viros, Martemque accendere cantu,"
During the reign of
CenjAumA.
"9 See I'Abb^ Ma-Geoghegan's "Histoire
Drubha,
With the battle of Seaghais, wherein fell
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 125
enter the battle of Seaga—as they write it—at a. d. 501. ^32 Seghais was an old name for the Curlieu Hills, '33 near Boyle, on the confines of the counties of Sligo and Roscommon. '34
It would seem, that soon after the death of St. Patrick, about A. D. 493,^25
the great fort at Dun-da-leathghlas,^36 or Downpatrick, had been assaulted
by some hostile force. Tighernach places this siege at a. d. 496. ^37 Cairbre,
the son of Niall, fought at Ceann-Ailbhe or Cnoc-Ailbhe, against the
Leinsterman, a. d. 494. '3^ This was probably the name of a hill in Magh-
Ailbhe, in the north of Kildare county. '39 Tighernach has this engagement
of Cindailbe at a. d. 499. "*° The batde of " the White Hill" is noted in the
"
the "Annals of Clonmacnoise," and it is entered, under the year 501. '** The battle at Droma Loch Muidhe, or " the hill of Loughbuy,"'43 was fought againsttheO'NeillsbytheLeinstermen. '44 Thelatterwereherevictorious,'*5
"
5oo,'48 Qj. ^Q2, according to the
nominated Magh-Muirthemne,'5o situated in the territory of Conaille, the level portion of Louth county. ^si in 503,^52 or 504,^53 the battle of Mannen'54
*32 See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemi- difficult to ascertain its locality in Louth
Annals of Ulster," at A. D. 500. '4^ It is called the batde of Kinailbe, in
"
of Druim-Lough-maighe," by the Four Masters,'^? took place, a. d.
496, or
after a very sanguinary engagement. ''s This encounter, called
the battle
carum Scriptores," tomus iv. Annales Ul-
tonienses, p. 10.
^33 These are partly situated in the Barony
of Boyle, county of Roscommon, and partly in the baronies of Corran and Coolavin,
county of Sligo. These mountains appear from the town of Boyle, "rising from the opposite side of a valley at the distance of about a mile ; their height is not consider- able ; and, as every part of their surface is applicable to tillage, pasturage, or planting, houses may be observed gathering far up their sides. " D'Alton's " of
under cither denomination.
^^5 The "Chronicum Scotorum" places
the battle of Druim Lochmaighe at A. D.
499, PP- 34, 35-
'46 See I'Abbe Ma-Geoghegan's "His-
toire de I'lrlande," tome i. Seconde Partie,
chap, ii. , p. 271.
'47 See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. ,
pp. 160, 161.
'4^ See **
'49 See Dr. O'Conor's ** Rerum Hibemi-
carum Scriptores," tomus iv. , p. lO.
'50 It is stated, that the forests of this dis- trict were cut down a. m. 2859, before pes- tilence destroyed the adventurers, whom Nemedius had led to invade Ireland. This
is " the Plain of the etymon Anglicized
John History Ireland and Annals of Boyle," vol. i. , p. 9.
O'Mahony's Keating's
of Ireland," book ii. , part i. , chap, i. , n. 68, p. 422.
^34 See " O'Mahony's Keating's
of
422, n. 67.
book
History ii. , part i. , chap, i. , p.
Ireland,"
^35 See William M, Hennessy's "Chroni- cum Scotorum," pp. 32, 33.
^36 The Anglicized form of this name is
stated to be "the dun or fort of the two
broken locks or fetters. " See Dr. O'Dono- ""
van's Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (e), p. 158.
'37
It is entered as Expugnatio 'Oiiin- leAch-gUife. See Dr. O'Conor's "Re- rum Hihemicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. Tigemachi Annales, p. 125.
'38 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 158, 159
'39 See z^/^. , n. (g)
Sea. " See The History of Dundalk, and
its Environs," by John D'Alton and J. R.
O'Flanagan, chap, i. , p. I.
'5' This territory was also called Machaire
Oirghiall, and the ancient inhabitants were designated Conaille Muirtheimhne. See Dr. O'Donovan's " Leabhar na g-Ceart, or the Book of Rights," n. (s), p. 22.
'5^ See "Annales Ultonienses. " Dr.
'*° See Dr. O'Conor's ** Rerum Hibemi-
carum Scriptores. " "Tigemachi Annales," tores," tomus iv. , p. II.
Scrip-
p. 125, tomus ii.
'4' Ibid. , tomus iv.
Annales Ultonieuses,
p. 10.
'^ At A. D. 496, it is entered in William
M. Hennessy's "Chronicum Scotorum,"
PP- 34, 35-
Annals of Ulster. "'49 This place was de-
'43 "
Anglicized, the yellow lake. " It is Costello Barony, in the county of Mayo,
''*'* See Dr. O'Conor's
"
carum Scriptores, tonienses, pp. 9, lO.
Rerum Hibemi-
"
tomus iv. Annales Ul-
O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum
'S3 See "Tigemachi Annales," ibid. , p. 127. This writer has it CAch mAnAnt).
'5* There was a Mannin- Lough, otherwise
called Loch-na-n Aireadh, in the ancient
territory of Ciarraighe-Locha-na-naimeadh, which comprised about the southern half of
History
i26 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[February i.
wasfoughtbyAedan,sonofGauran. Thiswasprobablysomeinvasionof the Isle of Man,'55 with the particulars of which we are now uninformed. 'ss
The war of Ardacorann or Ardacoraind's? is noticed at a. d. 497,^^8 go^^
507, and 510. ^59 Tighernach notes it at a. d. 508. '^ Next, according to the " Annals of Inisfallen/' the war of Fremaind Midi took place a. d. 499. ^^^
The " Chronicum Scotorum," has a. d. 505. ^^=*
But—the "Annals of Tigher-
Midi more Fream- correctly
ntion it as the battle of nach" me—
Femmaigh
hainn^^3 fought against the Berradian Offelians/^4 a. d. 508. ^^5 At the year "
509, however, the Annals of Ulster" notice it, in the following manner. Failgi Berraide or Falgeus Berradensis was conqueror in the war of Fremonn,
nowFrewin,^^^foughtagainstFiach,sonofNeill. '^7 Yet,thetideofvictory soon turned against the Offalians. '^^ The "Annals of Inisfallen" refer to a. d. 504,^^9 the battle of Dromderg, or the " Red Hill,"^7o which was fought against them. The "Chronicum Scotorum" enters it at a. d. 512. Fiach Mac Neill was the conqueror, in this engagement, over the Hy-failge. At
"
A. D. 515, or 516, the date for this encounter has been entered in the
Annals
of Ulster. "^7i The plains of Meath were harrassed by the Lagenians, after
this battle,'72 according to one account ; although, others state, '73 the result
of this conflict enabled Fiach to wrest the plains of Midhe from the La-
genians,'74 whose champion Faibge Berraide appears to have been.
The foregoing accounts are sufficient to satisfy us, that the land of Eire
"
was a trembling sod;"'75 during the lifetime of St. Brigid. It is said, that
See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four guished families, after the establishment of Masters," vol. ii. , n. (1), p. 1115, and Index surnames. See Dr. O'Donovan's **Leab-
Locorum, pp. 81, 90.
^55 The Manann of our Annals is the pre-
har na g-Ceart, or Book of Rights," n. (b), p. 193-
^^5 CAch ITIi'oi in Called, pe^niriAisTii
"Tigernachi Annales. " Dr. O'Conor's
sent Isle of Man. See
ibid. ,
vol. n. ii. ,
(m), p. 878.
^56 See this battle noted in Revi James
**
Rerum Hibemicarum Scriptores," tomus
"
Johnstone's Antiquitates Celto-Norman- ii. , p. 127.
16& " nicse," p. 57. The
^57 Not identified.
»58 See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibemi-
p. 5,
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Westmeath" do not give this historic site, where it ought to be
carum Scriptores. "
noted, on Sheet 11.
'''^ See Dr. O'Conor's Rer. Hib.
Annales Inisfalenses, ^ss» In the usual doubtful style, the ** An-
tomus ii.
Scrip. , *' Annales Ultonienses," p. II.
"
nals of Ulster" enter
under each of the
^^8
In Sir Charles Coote's
Statistical
it,
three foregoing dates, tomus iv. , p. ii,
Survey of the King's County," we have the following ridiculous account about the deriva-
ibid.
^^ He styles it CAch ^^•DA-co|\Ain'o. tion of their territory : "Hy Falgia is derived
Ibid. , tomus ii. , p. 127.
*^^
See ibid. , tomus ii. , p. 5«
**' See William M. Hennessy's edition,
pp. 36, 37.
^^3 In Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," this battle in Meath is no-
ticed at a. d. 501. Keating places the site
of it in the ancient territory of Teabtha.
It is now known as Frewin, a lofty hill
rising over the western shore of Lough
Owel, in the townland of Wattstown, Caennfael said, the battle in the red hills parish of Portomon, barony of Corkaree, was a vindictive revenge of the heart after and county of Westmeath. See vol. i. , n. seven years. See ibid. , tomus iv. , p. 12.
'7» According to Caennfael. See ibid.
—** Chronicum Scotorum. " "William M.
Hennessy's translation, p. 31.
'°7 The ancient writer of the Life of St.
Kieran, whose acts will be found at the 5th of March, tells us that ^ngus and his queen
were killed, in consequence of a prophecy of St. Kieran, fulfilled at the battle of Ceall-Osnaidh.
^^8 See William M. " Chro- Hennessy's
^°°
His daughter Uctdelb or Ughdelve was
bemise," V. Martii. Vita S. Kierani, cap. xix. , p. 460.
"° While Dr. O'Donovan states, that in Meath and Ulster, the word j-leAtriAin
"
O'Mahony's Xeating's
Scotorum," pp. 30, 31.
the wife of Oilild Molt, supreme Monarch
of Ireland.
^°'
The reader is referred to a statement in a previous note, as also to the account given by the ancient writer of St. Kieran's
"
History
of nicum
^°9See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hi-
slippery," and "land bearing elms ;" Dr. Joyce seems to derive Acts. See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum it from sleibhin (slayveen), the diminutive HibemisB," V. Martii. Vita S. Kierani, of sliabh, and applied to a little hill. See cap. xix. , p. 460. Brogan, the Devout, has "The Origin and History of Irish Names
given a similar narrative in his tract " On of Places," part iv. , chap, i. , p. 367.
the heroic Actions of the Leinster Kings. "
"^
Such is the account of Dubtach O'Lu- gair.
^°3 Johannes Dubaganus, and two other
"^
Sleamhain, modernized, Slewen, or Slane, is now represented by the townlands, Slanelieg and Slanemore, in the parish of Dysart, baronies of Moycashel and Maghera- dernon. See "Ordnance Survey Town- land Maps for the County of Westmeath," Sheet 18.
"" See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 154, 155 and n.
(q).
"3 See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemi-
carum Scriptores. " The " Annals of Tiger- nach" have at AD. 497, CAch SteAmnA mi-oe. Tomus ii. , p. 125.
anonymous authors, in a Kings of Munster. "
^°'*
"
Catalogue of the
Colgan says, that all these varying ac- counts can be reconciled, in the account of iEngus's death, noticed under A. D. 489, in the "Annals of the Four Masters;" as those persons there named were partici- pators in the battle fought against the King of Munster.
^°5The old writer of St. Kieran's Acts al-
ludes to this event in the words :
"4 See tomus ibid. ,
nienses," p. 9.
" Annales Ulto-
**
following et haec cedes maxima abusio erat. "
iv. ,
means "slimy" or
124
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[February i.
Again, Eocha, son of Cairbre, was victorious"^ over Fiach Mac Finnchada, a king of Leinster, who fell in the second battle of Granairet, or Graine,"^ A. D. 494,or496. "7 ThebattleofInnimore,orIndeMor,intheterritory of Congabhla, was fought against the Leinstermen,. and their leader Illann, son of Dunlaing. Murcheartach Mac Earc was victorious. This engage- ment took place, according to some accounts, in 492"^ or 497,"9 while certain writers have it entered at a. d. 499,"° and others at a. d. 500. "*
"^^
Tigernach records the battle of Innimor at a. d. 503.
Lugaidh, Ard-Righ,"3 the war of Saegre or Saeghais was carried on a. d.
"
Annals of Inisfallen,""4 while those of Tigernach^s placethateventattheyear500. The"AnnalsoftheFourMasters"register this battle of Seaghais, at a. d. 499, which is said to correspond with a. d. 504. "^ Muircheartach Mac Erca became a guarantee between Duach Teangumha,"7 KingofConnaught,andhisbrotherEochaidhTirmcharna. Thelatterwas foster-father and uncle to Duiseach. She was wife to Muircheartach, and daughter to Duach Teangumha. "^ She is said to have instigated her husband to avenge a wrong done by her father, who had taken Eochaidh a prisoner, and contrary to his agreement with Muircheartach. Accordingly, four en- gagements seem to have been fought between the Hy-Nialls and the Con-
naughtmen, in all of which the latter were defeated. "9 The battles of Dealga, of Mucramha and Tuaim Drubha were followed up by the battle of
494, according to the
" Duach of the Brass
ceeded Oilill Molt, after the battle of Ocha, fell. ^31
Here who suc- Duach,
The " Annals of Ulster''
Segsa against
Tongue. "'3o
*'S This is probably, what the "Annals of "^ See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. , Tigernach" call at a. d. 495, the CAch pp. 160 to 163.
CAtiAifce 5]\eirie. See Dr. O'Conor's
"7HewasotherwisecalledDuachGalach, i. e. y the Valourous.
**
Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus
ii. , p. 125. They also state, that. Fraoch was killed here by Eochiis.
"^'^^
In Irish his name is written "OuAcli
"^ See rAbbe Ma-Geoghegan's "Histoire
de rirlande, Ancienne et Moderne," tome de rirlande, Ancienne et Modeme. " Se- i. , part ii. , chap, ii. , p. 271. Ma-Geoghegan conde Partie, chap, ii. , p. 271.
calls this king "Fraoch, fils de Fionchad. " "7 According to the "Annals of Ulster. " See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernicarum
'3° Dr. O'Conor thinks he was so called because of his using the warlike trumpet—
tomus
"8 The " Annals of Inisfallen" assign it
to A. D. 492.
"'See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hiberni-
"
Scriptores,"
iv,, p. 9.
carum Scriptores," tomus ii. Inisfalenses," p. 4. Also, tomus iv. ,
nales Ultonienses," p. 9. give the latter date.
"° Thus a manuscript copy of the " Annals of Clonmacnoise," cod. cl. , according to O'Flaherty.
"'See "Chronicum Scotorum," edited
by William M. Hennessy, pp. 34, 35, and n. 8.
"=« See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiberni-
carum Scriptores," tomus ii. Tigernachi Annales, p. 127.
"
The battle of Seaghais ; a certain woman
"3See " O'Mahony's Keating's
caused it red blood was over History ;
lances.
Annales
'3^ Regarding this battle, Cenfaelad, an ancient poet, sang :
CAch Se^hfA beAn -oo tritiAib iTo'o^tiAi^,
lAO boi C]\U OCApS DAIA CpUipgVl,
La Duipch, ingin "OuaicVi
CAcVi DeAlcCA, CACh mtl6|\AmA ACUf CAch
UUATriA X)|\ubA,
La cAch SeA^i^A, hi cco|\cai^ "OuAch UeAii-
gutnhA.
Thus—rendered into English by Dr. O'Dono- van
"
An-
of Ireland," book ii. , part ii. , chap, i. , p. By Duiseach, daughter of Duach.
422.
"*• See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiberni-
carum Scriptores," tomus ii. Annales Inis- falenses, p. 4.
The battle of Dealga, the battle of Mu-
cramha, and the battle of Tuaim-
"5 See ibid. 125, 126.
Tigernachi Annales, pp.
Duach Teangumha. "—See " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 162, 163.
"
yEre ciere viros, Martemque accendere cantu,"
During the reign of
CenjAumA.
"9 See I'Abb^ Ma-Geoghegan's "Histoire
Drubha,
With the battle of Seaghais, wherein fell
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 125
enter the battle of Seaga—as they write it—at a. d. 501. ^32 Seghais was an old name for the Curlieu Hills, '33 near Boyle, on the confines of the counties of Sligo and Roscommon. '34
It would seem, that soon after the death of St. Patrick, about A. D. 493,^25
the great fort at Dun-da-leathghlas,^36 or Downpatrick, had been assaulted
by some hostile force. Tighernach places this siege at a. d. 496. ^37 Cairbre,
the son of Niall, fought at Ceann-Ailbhe or Cnoc-Ailbhe, against the
Leinsterman, a. d. 494. '3^ This was probably the name of a hill in Magh-
Ailbhe, in the north of Kildare county. '39 Tighernach has this engagement
of Cindailbe at a. d. 499. "*° The batde of " the White Hill" is noted in the
"
the "Annals of Clonmacnoise," and it is entered, under the year 501. '** The battle at Droma Loch Muidhe, or " the hill of Loughbuy,"'43 was fought againsttheO'NeillsbytheLeinstermen. '44 Thelatterwereherevictorious,'*5
"
5oo,'48 Qj. ^Q2, according to the
nominated Magh-Muirthemne,'5o situated in the territory of Conaille, the level portion of Louth county. ^si in 503,^52 or 504,^53 the battle of Mannen'54
*32 See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemi- difficult to ascertain its locality in Louth
Annals of Ulster," at A. D. 500. '4^ It is called the batde of Kinailbe, in
"
of Druim-Lough-maighe," by the Four Masters,'^? took place, a. d.
496, or
after a very sanguinary engagement. ''s This encounter, called
the battle
carum Scriptores," tomus iv. Annales Ul-
tonienses, p. 10.
^33 These are partly situated in the Barony
of Boyle, county of Roscommon, and partly in the baronies of Corran and Coolavin,
county of Sligo. These mountains appear from the town of Boyle, "rising from the opposite side of a valley at the distance of about a mile ; their height is not consider- able ; and, as every part of their surface is applicable to tillage, pasturage, or planting, houses may be observed gathering far up their sides. " D'Alton's " of
under cither denomination.
^^5 The "Chronicum Scotorum" places
the battle of Druim Lochmaighe at A. D.
499, PP- 34, 35-
'46 See I'Abbe Ma-Geoghegan's "His-
toire de I'lrlande," tome i. Seconde Partie,
chap, ii. , p. 271.
'47 See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. ,
pp. 160, 161.
'4^ See **
'49 See Dr. O'Conor's ** Rerum Hibemi-
carum Scriptores," tomus iv. , p. lO.
'50 It is stated, that the forests of this dis- trict were cut down a. m. 2859, before pes- tilence destroyed the adventurers, whom Nemedius had led to invade Ireland. This
is " the Plain of the etymon Anglicized
John History Ireland and Annals of Boyle," vol. i. , p. 9.
O'Mahony's Keating's
of Ireland," book ii. , part i. , chap, i. , n. 68, p. 422.
^34 See " O'Mahony's Keating's
of
422, n. 67.
book
History ii. , part i. , chap, i. , p.
Ireland,"
^35 See William M, Hennessy's "Chroni- cum Scotorum," pp. 32, 33.
^36 The Anglicized form of this name is
stated to be "the dun or fort of the two
broken locks or fetters. " See Dr. O'Dono- ""
van's Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (e), p. 158.
'37
It is entered as Expugnatio 'Oiiin- leAch-gUife. See Dr. O'Conor's "Re- rum Hihemicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. Tigemachi Annales, p. 125.
'38 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 158, 159
'39 See z^/^. , n. (g)
Sea. " See The History of Dundalk, and
its Environs," by John D'Alton and J. R.
O'Flanagan, chap, i. , p. I.
'5' This territory was also called Machaire
Oirghiall, and the ancient inhabitants were designated Conaille Muirtheimhne. See Dr. O'Donovan's " Leabhar na g-Ceart, or the Book of Rights," n. (s), p. 22.
'5^ See "Annales Ultonienses. " Dr.
'*° See Dr. O'Conor's ** Rerum Hibemi-
carum Scriptores. " "Tigemachi Annales," tores," tomus iv. , p. II.
Scrip-
p. 125, tomus ii.
'4' Ibid. , tomus iv.
Annales Ultonieuses,
p. 10.
'^ At A. D. 496, it is entered in William
M. Hennessy's "Chronicum Scotorum,"
PP- 34, 35-
Annals of Ulster. "'49 This place was de-
'43 "
Anglicized, the yellow lake. " It is Costello Barony, in the county of Mayo,
''*'* See Dr. O'Conor's
"
carum Scriptores, tonienses, pp. 9, lO.
Rerum Hibemi-
"
tomus iv. Annales Ul-
O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum
'S3 See "Tigemachi Annales," ibid. , p. 127. This writer has it CAch mAnAnt).
'5* There was a Mannin- Lough, otherwise
called Loch-na-n Aireadh, in the ancient
territory of Ciarraighe-Locha-na-naimeadh, which comprised about the southern half of
History
i26 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[February i.
wasfoughtbyAedan,sonofGauran. Thiswasprobablysomeinvasionof the Isle of Man,'55 with the particulars of which we are now uninformed. 'ss
The war of Ardacorann or Ardacoraind's? is noticed at a. d. 497,^^8 go^^
507, and 510. ^59 Tighernach notes it at a. d. 508. '^ Next, according to the " Annals of Inisfallen/' the war of Fremaind Midi took place a. d. 499. ^^^
The " Chronicum Scotorum," has a. d. 505. ^^=*
But—the "Annals of Tigher-
Midi more Fream- correctly
ntion it as the battle of nach" me—
Femmaigh
hainn^^3 fought against the Berradian Offelians/^4 a. d. 508. ^^5 At the year "
509, however, the Annals of Ulster" notice it, in the following manner. Failgi Berraide or Falgeus Berradensis was conqueror in the war of Fremonn,
nowFrewin,^^^foughtagainstFiach,sonofNeill. '^7 Yet,thetideofvictory soon turned against the Offalians. '^^ The "Annals of Inisfallen" refer to a. d. 504,^^9 the battle of Dromderg, or the " Red Hill,"^7o which was fought against them. The "Chronicum Scotorum" enters it at a. d. 512. Fiach Mac Neill was the conqueror, in this engagement, over the Hy-failge. At
"
A. D. 515, or 516, the date for this encounter has been entered in the
Annals
of Ulster. "^7i The plains of Meath were harrassed by the Lagenians, after
this battle,'72 according to one account ; although, others state, '73 the result
of this conflict enabled Fiach to wrest the plains of Midhe from the La-
genians,'74 whose champion Faibge Berraide appears to have been.
The foregoing accounts are sufficient to satisfy us, that the land of Eire
"
was a trembling sod;"'75 during the lifetime of St. Brigid. It is said, that
See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four guished families, after the establishment of Masters," vol. ii. , n. (1), p. 1115, and Index surnames. See Dr. O'Donovan's **Leab-
Locorum, pp. 81, 90.
^55 The Manann of our Annals is the pre-
har na g-Ceart, or Book of Rights," n. (b), p. 193-
^^5 CAch ITIi'oi in Called, pe^niriAisTii
"Tigernachi Annales. " Dr. O'Conor's
sent Isle of Man. See
ibid. ,
vol. n. ii. ,
(m), p. 878.
^56 See this battle noted in Revi James
**
Rerum Hibemicarum Scriptores," tomus
"
Johnstone's Antiquitates Celto-Norman- ii. , p. 127.
16& " nicse," p. 57. The
^57 Not identified.
»58 See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibemi-
p. 5,
Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Westmeath" do not give this historic site, where it ought to be
carum Scriptores. "
noted, on Sheet 11.
'''^ See Dr. O'Conor's Rer. Hib.
Annales Inisfalenses, ^ss» In the usual doubtful style, the ** An-
tomus ii.
Scrip. , *' Annales Ultonienses," p. II.
"
nals of Ulster" enter
under each of the
^^8
In Sir Charles Coote's
Statistical
it,
three foregoing dates, tomus iv. , p. ii,
Survey of the King's County," we have the following ridiculous account about the deriva-
ibid.
^^ He styles it CAch ^^•DA-co|\Ain'o. tion of their territory : "Hy Falgia is derived
Ibid. , tomus ii. , p. 127.
*^^
See ibid. , tomus ii. , p. 5«
**' See William M. Hennessy's edition,
pp. 36, 37.
^^3 In Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," this battle in Meath is no-
ticed at a. d. 501. Keating places the site
of it in the ancient territory of Teabtha.
It is now known as Frewin, a lofty hill
rising over the western shore of Lough
Owel, in the townland of Wattstown, Caennfael said, the battle in the red hills parish of Portomon, barony of Corkaree, was a vindictive revenge of the heart after and county of Westmeath. See vol. i. , n. seven years. See ibid. , tomus iv. , p. 12.
'7» According to Caennfael. See ibid.
