No More Learning

Conaire More, Conary the Great, and Crimthann the Heroic, both monarchs of Ireland about the commencement of the Christian era, made expeditions Britain and Gaul, and assisted the Picts
thann mentioned the Annals the Four Masters having
been slain his fortress,
Binn Eadair, now the Hill
those expeditions, which
amongst other things splendid war chariot, gilded and highly ornamented, and golden-hilted swords, and shields, embossed with silver, table studded with three hundred brilliant gems, pair greyhounds coupled with splendid silver chain, estimated
worth one hundred Cumal, three hundred cows, together with great quantity other precious articles. Tacitus, his
Life Agricola, states, that one the Irish princes who had been expelled from his own country waited Agricola, who was then the Roman general Britain, and stated that the country could
subdued one the Roman legions, with few auxiliaries. This Irish prince was probably Tuathal Teachtmar, who was about that time Albany, Caledonia, having beenexiled from Ireland
called Dun-Crimthainn, which was Howth, after his return from one
brought Ireland various spoils,
the death his father, Fiacha Finnoladh, monarch
who had been slain during the revolt the Firbolg tribes
nanght. Tuathal afterwards became monarch Ireland,
first year his reign placed the Four Masters; and Agricola, with the Roman legions, carried the war against the Caledonians about 75, 80, the period coincides chronolo gically with the time Tuathal was exile North Britain, and might naturally expected apply the Romans for aid recover his sovereignty heir the Irish nonarchy. Amongst
Ireland, Con and the
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466 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1566.
Donal, son of Fingin, son of Donal, died; a man O'Madden, Malachy Modardha, the son who had no regard for the affairs of this world, Malachy, son Breasal, died; was learned and took no thought for wealth substance. Latin and Irish, and the most inoffensive the
married Beara, Spanish princess, who was daughter Heber, Saxons; Thule grew warm with the blood the Picts, and icy
king North Spain, the country afterwards called Castile; Eogan returned Ireland with powerful force Spanish auxi liaries, and fought the great battle Moylena, where was slain,
Ireland wept over the heaps her Scots slain. ”
Foreign invasions from the fourth the eighth century. —An
account has been already given from 436 440, various invasions the Picts, Britons, Anglo-Saxons, and Franks, particularly Ulster, and many great battles fought between those invaders and the natives from the fourth the eighth century. According the Welsh Chronicles, quoted by Hanmer
these notes. The celebrated Red-Branch the first century, and the famous Fenian the second and third centuries, are men tioned have made expeditions Britain, and allies the Picts, Caledonians, and Britons, fought against the Roman legions with great bravery and Cormac, the celebrated monarch Ire land the third century, made descents into Gaul and Britain, and
assisted the natives against the Roman power.
descendant the kings Munster, the race
Ireland the third century, also mentioned
loran, and others, having invaded Gaul and Britain, broken through the Roman Wall, and the head the Irish, Picts, and Britons, fought against the Roman armies. The celebrated Carausius, Menapian, who the third century became Roman emperor Britain, considered by Ussher, Ware, Camden, and other anti quaries, have been Irish chieftain, native Menapia, which was the ancient name Wexford, explained 218 and called by the Roman writers citizen Menapia. He was man extraordinary military abilities and bravery, trained from his youth naval expeditions, and having entered the Ro man army Britain the reign the emperors Diocletian and Maximian, was appointed commander-in-chief their fleets the northern seas, bring under subjection the Franks, Saxons, and Scandinavians, who attacked the Roman settlements Gaul and Britain. Carausius having conquered these pirates, at
described 245 knights Ulster, warriors Leinster,
tained such power and popularity that 288
the Purple, and declared himself Roman emperor
having defeated the forces the emperor Maximian
val engagements, Maximian was forced acknowledge him
his associate the empire; but after reign about seven years, Carausius was slain by Alectus, who became chief commander Britain. There are still extant some coins Carausius empe ror, and from the specimens them given Speed's Annals, the head Carausius shows strongly marked Irish features. The re nowned monarch Niall the Nine Hostages made many military expeditions into Gaul and Britain, the latter end the fourth century, and had many conflicts with the Roman armies; was slain, before stated, Gaul, the banks the Loire, and his nephew, the heroic Dathi, the last Pagan monarch Ireland,
many other curious particulars this subject are mentioned by Hanmer.
Danish Invasions the eighth and ninth centuries. —The Northmen who invaded Ireland were, according the opinions Ussher, Ware, and others, mixture Danes, Norwegians, and Swedes, with Finlanders, Frisians, Livonians, Esthonians, Cour landians and Saxons, from the countries about the Baltic, and from parts Russia, Prussia, Germany, and Holland. The first invasions of the Northmen occurred the latter end of the eighth century, when they also invaded the Orkneys, He brides, and other parts Scotland, and plundered the celebrated monastery St. Columkille Iona, and massacred the monks.
794, according the Annals Ulster, the churches Rachrain, now the Island Raghlinn, off the coast Antrim, were burned, and horribly devastated, and reduced desolation by the Gentiles; and 797 they destroyed the monastery Holm Patrick, St. Patrick's Island, near Skerries, off the coast
Dublin; they also took preys cattle from the country, and the sacred shrine St. Dochonna was broken them, and they carried off great spoils along the sea coasts Ireland and Albany. The Danes and Norwegians, these notices, are called Geinte,
Roman legions; having carried his victorious arms through Gaul,
tioned 793, the Four Masters. appears that the Norwegians were the chief pirates who committed these depreda tions, but they were also accompanied by some Danes. A. D. 801, according the Annals Ulster, Iona the Hebrides was burned the Gentiles Northmen, which mentioned by the Four Masters the year 797. Various other accounts the in vasions the Northmen, the beginning the ninth century, are given Keating, O'Halloran, Ware, the Four Masters, the Annals
Ulster and Innisfallen, from which works the following no tices are taken 807 the Northmen invaded West Mun ster, but were defeated near Lough Lene, Kerry, Art, son Cathal, king Munster; and about the same time they also landed Connaught, and laid waste Inis Murray and Roscom mon. these incursions they laid waste the country, and des troyed the abbeys and churches. 813 they again invaded Munster, but were defeated with great slaughter, and pursued their ships Feiim, son Crimthan, king Munster. A. D. 811 the Northmen Gentiles, according the Annals Ulster, were slaughtered several parts Ireland, and 812, according
Ware, the Damesinvaded Ireland with great fleet. A. D. 815, according some accounts, Thorgis Turgesius, called king Norway, first invaded Ireland with powerful forces, and ravaged many parts the country; and 819 the Gaill Foreign
Picts and the Scots Ireland, the latter end century, says,
“Totam cum Scotus Iernem,
Movit infesto spumavit remige Tethys. ”
the fourth
“Maduerunt Saxone fuso Orcades, Incaluit Pictorum sanguine Thule, Scotorum cumulos flewit glacialis Ierne. ”
“The Orkney islands were moistened with the gore
slaughtered
the foot the Alps. An account the notes the Irish colonies called
was killed by lightning
has been given 415,
Dalriedians, who settled
the sixth century, and having conquered the Picts and Caledo nians, became kings Scotland. Various passages from the Roman poets refer the invasions Britain the Irish Scots, and their contests with the Roman legions. Claudian, speaking
the battles the Roman general Stilico with the Britons and
Albany Scotland from the third
“When the Scot moved all Ireland against us, and the ocean foamed with his hostile oars. ” Claudian also, when celebrating the victories the Roman general Theodosius against the Picts, Britons, and Irish, the fourth century, has the following pas sage
Crimthan III. , Heber, monarch
pp. 99, 101, the renowned Arthur, king Britain, and Uther Pendragon, with fifteen thousand warriors, invaded Ireland the beginning the sixth century, and fought various battles with the king Leinster, named Giolla More; this was Colman More,
Keating, O'Hal
king Leinster, who, according
vince for 30 years the beginning
More, his turn, invaded Britain,
men, and fought several battles with the forces king Arthur and Uther Pendragon. the latter end the sixth century, about
assumed Britain, and several na
the beginning the fifth century led his forces into Britain, broke
through the wall Severus, and fought many battles with the that Gentiles Pagans, and the same attacks are also men
586, according Hanmer's Chronicle (p. 134), wherein quotes Dowling's Annals Ireland, Grace's Annals Kil
Keating, governed that pro the sixth century. Giolla said, with fifteen thousand
kenny, and other works, Gurmund Norway, the head fleet
Gurmundus, son the king
pirates, Danes, Norwegians, Britain and Ireland, and having
Saxons, &c. , ravaged the coasts
overrun Leinster, he made his son, Burchard, duke of Leinster;
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REIGN OF ELIZABETH. 467
chiefs of Ireland in his time, the defender of his poor, of the weak and destitute; and he was suc land and territory against the invasion of neigh ceeded by Donal, the son of John O'Madden.
bours, the pillar of protection of women, of the
ers, according to the Four Masters, laid waste Edair, now Howth,
Pierce Butler, the son of Edmond, lord of the
Brefney. All the churches, monasteries, and colleges Ireland
and carried off captives many women, and they also devastated
were repeatedly ravaged during many years by these Foreigners Beg Erin in Wexford. In A. D. 823, the famous monastery of under Turgesius. 840 the Northmen also erected
Bangor was destroyed by the Northmen, who scattered the relics of St. Congal, carried off his shrine, and massacred 900 monks; but Muredach, king of Ulster, attacked and defeated them in a great battle, in which 1200 were slain, and the remnant of them fled to their ships. In A. D. 827 the Northmen landed at Newry, but were defeated in a fierce battle by Lethlobar, son of Loingseach, prince of Dalaradia, now the county of Down, and part of Antrim ; and the Annals of Ulster record a remarkable circumstance in the
same year, namely, the slaughter of an immense number of large swine by these Foreigners at Ard-Cianachta, which formed part of the present county of Derry.
The Battle of Tailtean. —About A. D. 826, the tribe called Gailonaghs, who were probably of Firbolg origin, and very nume
rous in Leinster and Meath, leagued with the Danes; but Conco var, or Conor, then monarch of Ireland, and Murtogh, son of
Eogan, king of Ulster, collected their forces, and defeated the Gailonaghs and their allies, in a great battle fought on the plains of Tailtean in Meath.
strong fortress Linduachaill, now Magheralin, near Moira,
the county Down. 844 Turgesius plundered Armagh,
and expelled the primate Forannan, and all the ecclesiastics and students, then amounting several thousands, and the primate
was afterwards taken prisoner, and carried offin their ships Limerick, together with all his relics and attendants.
Battle Casan Line. —About 844 the Northmen were defeated by the Ultonians, under king Niall Caille, and 700 them slain Casan Line, near Lough Neagh, and the river La gan, the borders Down and Antrim.
Battle of Carn Brammit. —In 845, according the
Battle of Dromconia. -About A. D. 830 the Lagenians, under
Lorean their king, defeated the Northmen in a great battle at
Drom Conla, in Leinster. A. D. 831 the Northmen landed with bishop Emly, and Lorcan king Leinster, which 1200 the
great forces at Waterford, and laid waste many parts of Munster, Cork, Limerick, &c. , and also the city of Lismore, and its famous college, abbey, and churches. In the Four Masters, at A. D. 829, the first devastation of Armagh by the Northmen is mentioned to
have taken place.
Battle of Derry. —According to the Four Masters, at A. D. 832,
Foreigners were slain, together with Tomar Tomrar, tanist earl the king Lochlann.
Battle of Dun Maeltuile. —In the same year the Eugenians Cashel defeated the Foreigners Dun Mael tuile, and slew 500 them and Olchobar, king Cashel, attacked the fortress Cork, then possession the Foreigners; and about this time the forces the Northmen were defeated with great slaughter Hy Figinte, the borders Limerick and Kerry. has been stated that king Olchobar himself was slain one these battles
Munster, but that mistake, did not die till 850, according Ware and Lanigan the Bishops Euly.
Niall Caille, monarch of Ireland, and Murtogh, gained a great vic tory over the Foreigners at Derry, and great numbersof them were
slain; and in this and the following year, these invaders laid waste Ferns, Glendalough, Slane, and many other churches, and also
Mungret, and many of the churches of Munster.
In A. D. 836 Turgesius, after having gone to Norway and Den
mark, returned to Ireland with powerful forces, and a fleet of 120
ships, 60 of which entered the Boyne, landed their troops near
Drogheda, and laid waste many parts of Meath; the other 60
ships sailed up the Liffey, and landed their forces at Dublin.
With these combined Danes and Norwegians, Turgesius traversed
many parts of Ireland, ravaged and laid waste the country, plun
dered and burned the churches and monasteries, and had various
conflicts with the Irish forces. In this year is recorded a terrific
battle with the Northmen at Invear-na-m Barc, or the Harbour nals Ulster. Turgesius succeeded establishing his power
great extent Ireland for period about thirty years, and exercised over the natives tremendous. tyranny. He had fleets stationed the great lakes throughout Ireland, Loughs Neagh, Strangford, Foyle, Swilly, and Erne, Ulster, Lough Corrib, Connaught, Lough Ree, the Shannon, Meath, and Lough Dearg Thomond and his forces, proceeding from their ships,
ravaged all parts the adjacent territories. He said have erected throughout Ireland vast number those circular earthen ramparts raths, commonly called forts and Danes' raths, where
he kept his troops encamped, and from which they issued out plunder the towns, churches, and country. stated Keating and others that had chiefs stationed all parts the kingdom, and his soldiers quartered the inhabitants, over whom they ex
ercised the greatest insolence and oppression, plundered and con sumed all their property, cattle, corn, provisions, &c. , and
of the ships, against the Hy Niall of Meath, from the Shannon to the sea, in which the Foreigners were victorious.
Battle of Glasgleann. —Malachy, king of Meath, and the La genians, in A. D. 836, defeated the Northmen in a great battle at Glasgleann, in which 1700 of them were slain; and according to the Four Masters the Foreigners were slaughtered in the same year at Easroe, now Ballyshamnon ; and, according to Keating, they were also defeated in a great battle at Moy Ith, near Raphoe, in Donegal. About the same time the Northmen were defeated with great slaughter by the people of Cianachta, and Saxolb their general was slain. In A. D. 837, the Conacians were defeated in a great battle by the Northmen. In A. D. 839 Armagh and its churches, &c. , were burned by the Danes. -
The Northmen in Dublin. —According to the Four Masters the Northmen first took possession of Dublin in A. D. 836; Tur gesius was then their commander; and in A. D. 840 he and his Norwegians erected a strong fortress at Dublin, on the hill where Dublin Castle now stands; they sent out their forces from thence, and plundered various parts of Ireland, and burned many churches and monasteries, as those of Clonmacnoise, Clonard, Ard-braccan, Duleek, Clonfert, Kildare, Glendalough, Ferns, Lismore, Emly,
&c. , and also the churches of Ulster, as Armagh, Downpatrick, Louth, Clones, Devenish, and the churches Lough Erne and
family Ireland yearly tri not punctually paid, had the punishment, and hence this tax
Four Masters, Carroll, son Dunghall, prince the Foreigners Dublin great battle
Ossory, defeated Carn Brammit,
which 1200 them were slain; and Malachy defeated them great battle, were slain.
846 the monarch which 700 them
Battle of Sciathneachtain. —A. D. 846, the Danes and Nor wegians were defeated great battle Sciathneachtan Desies, on the borders Tipperary and Waterford, by the men Munster, and the Lagenians, commanded by Olchobar, king Cashel and
D. 846, the Northmen were defeated Tigernach, prince Loch Gabhair Meath, great battle Daire Disirt Dachon
na, which 240 them were slain, or, according the Annals Ulster, 1200.
Death Turgesius. -This celebrated Norwegian king, who was
called by the Irish writers Tuirghes, was, according the Four Masters, taken prisoner 843, and drowned Loch Uair, through
the miracles God, Kiaran, and other saints. This event re ferred, by Ussher and others, D. 848, and 844 the An
imposed every house head
bute one ounce gold, which
defaulter's nose slit cut off
was termed by the Irish Airgiod Srona, that is, Nose Money. They destroyed the towns, colleges, and monasteries, massacred many thousands the monks and clergy, and introduced their own Pagan priests and idols; they banished killed the Bards and Brehons, burned their books, and destroyed the various works
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468 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1566.
district of Clonmel, died; he was a man who possess or procure one penny of the property of
obtained the title and inheritance of his estate without contention or battle, a person who did not
the church by right of Pope or Prince; and he was succeeded by his son Theobald.
of art. It seems surprising that Turgesius could for so long a pe
riod have established his power, and maintained his authority in
the heart of the kingdom, but it appears from the many fierce bat
tles fought, and the vast numbers slain on both sides, that during
the time of Turgesius he had powerful forces of Danes and Norwe
gians under his command, probably not less than one hundred thou
sand fighting men; besides, it is to be observed that the Irish
kings and chiefs never made any combined effort, or entered into a
confederacy to expel those foreigners, being continually engaged in
civil war and discord amongst themselves, and many of them also
entered into alliance with the foreign enemies; whereas, if they
had acted in concert, they could have easily annihilated the power
of the Northmen, for the Irish were equal in bravery, and far su
perior in forces to those foreigners, though it must be admitted
that the Danish and Norwegian warriors were not easily vanquished,
for they had from the northern nations, from time to time, very
great and well-disciplined forces; besides, it is to be remarked,
that these valiant and warlike Northmen, in the tenth and eleventh
centuries, subdued the powerful Anglo-Saxon kings of the Hep
tarchy, and became masters of England. Turgesius sometimes
resided in his fortress at Dublin, and, according to some accounts,
also at Tara, but he had his chief fortress and residence, called
Dun Turgheis, or the Fort of Turgesius, situated on a high
hill near Lough Lene and Castlepollard, in Westmeath, within
about two miles of the Ben, or Great Hill of Fore; the hill on
which was erected the fortress of Turgesius, forms on one side a
high precipitous rock, so that his stronghold was almost inaccessi
ble and impregnable; some of the earthen ramparts still remain,
and to this day the story of Turgesius is told in the traditions of
the people. The kings of Meath at that time had their chief resi
dence also in Westmeath, at Dun-na-Sciath, or the Fortress of the
Shields, on the banks of Lough Ainnin, now Lough Ennell, near English made Olave, and latinised Olaus and Aulavus by the Mullingar; and at this time Malachy was king of Meath, a prince
of the Southern Hy Niall, who in A. D. 846, according to Ogygia,
became monarch of Ireland. Turgesius, it is said, in the insolence
of his power, made to king Malachy the dishonorable proposal of
demanding his daughter Melcha as a concubine; the king, indig
nant at the demand, resolved to rid his country of the tyrant, but
pretending to agree to the proposal, he by a well-concerted strata
gem got introduced to Turgesius fifteen valiant and well-armed
youths, disguised as females, who made Turgesius prisoner, and Fochla, the northern part Meath, and vast number them
opened the gates of his fortress to the forces of Malachy, who massacred all the Danish guards, carried off Turgesius himself bound in chains, and drowned him, according to the Four Masters,
were slaughtered.
856, according the Annals
and the Annals of Ulster, in a lake called Loch Uair, now sup
posed to be Lough Hoyle, in Westmeath, or, according to others,
he was drowned in Lough Ainnin, now Lough Ennell, near Mullin Ossory, and Ivar,
gar; on the death of Turgesius the Irish made a general and simul
taneous rising throughout Ireland, and massacred vast numbers of the Northmen.
In A. D. 847, the Danish garrison of Dublin was attacked, and the city plundered, by Malachy, monarch of Ireland, and Tiger
Aradh, over the Kinel the northern part Ire Carroll and Ivar amounted
859, king Malachy de feated the Danes Dublin great battle Drom Damaighe,
year Aulaf, Ivar, and Huailsi, the three chiefs the Danes, and Lorcan, prince Meath, laid waste the country, and the same year there was great slaughter the Foreigners Fert-na-goao
nach, lord of Loch Gabhair, in Meath ; and in the same year a
fleet of 140 ships of the king of the Gaill, or Foreigners, meaning
Danes or Norwegians, came to Ireland, according to the Four
Masters, to attack the Foreigners who were in Ireland before
them, so that between both they disturbed all Erin; or 240 ships
came in A. D. 848, according to the Annals of Ulster. At this pe the eastern Liffey, was slain the Northmen; and the same
riod it appears that the Dubh Ghaill, or black Foreigners, that is the Danes, came with large forces to Dublin, and made great
slaughter on the Fionn Ghaill, or fair-haired Foreigners, that the Norwegians, destroyed their fortress, and carried offmany men
rach Carroll, who cut off and carried away forty 862, Aodh Finnliath, monarch Ireland,
captives, and great wealth and second devastation recorded
A. D. 849, which the Danes took the fortress the Norwe gians Linduachaill, Magheralin, near Moira, the county
their heads. appears conjunction with whom overran the kingdom Meath, then divided into
Down, and slaughtered 1000, according Keating.
vast number them, amounting A. 850, according the Four Masters, the Norwegians with
two principalities; Aodh Hugh put death Lorcan, one
those princes, and the other, named Concovar, was drowned the Boyne, Clonard, his accomplice, Aulaf.
160 ships came battle with the Danes Snamh Eidhneach, now considered Belfast Lough, and having fought with great fury both sides for three days and three nights, the Danes were
length victorious, and the Norwegians were obliged leave
their ships their hands. the same year Armagh was devas tated by the Foreigners Linduachaill, the Sunday after Easter,
but soon after the Northmen were slaughtered eastern Bregia, Fingal, and also Rath Aldain, by the people Cianachta,
and the year following Cathmal, king the half Ulster, was slain by the Foreigners.
853, according Ware and Giraldus Cambrensis, Aulaf, Si tric, and Ivar, three brothers, who were Norwegian princes, came Ireland with great fleet and powerful force Northmen, and
Aulaf becameking all the Danes and Norwegians throughout the country. Aulaf took possession Dublin, Sitric Waterford, and Ivar Limerick; appears according some accounts that
those chiefs came rather peaceable manner, and were per mitted the Irish kings form settlements for the purposes
commerce, but Ware and others are opinion that they took possession those places by force arms. They enlarged and for
tified those cities, and the colonies Danes and Norwegians also afterwards got possession Wexford and Cork, all which mari time cities they held for period more than three hundred years, down the English invasion, towards the latter end the twelfth century, and though the Irish kings frequently reduced the Northmen subjection, appears they were not anxious alto gether expel them from Ireland, but permitted their residence condition their becoming tributaries them. Several
the Danish kings Dublin, whom accounts are hereafter given, were named Aulaf, and the name has been sometimes incorrectly written Anlaf, the Danish Olaf Aulaf, sometimes
Irish writers the name made Amhlaoibh, and latinised Amlafus.
851, according Lochlann, came him hostages, and
the Four Masters, Aulaf, son Ireland, and all the Foreigners took tributes from the Gaels,
the king Ireland gave
Irish. Battle of Fochla. —In 854 fierce war was carried
between king Malachy and the Northmen, who appears had
some Danish allies; and the same year great victory was gained Aodh, the son Niall, over the Foreigners Glen
laf, with the Danes Ireland, gained over Cathal, king that province; and
ing the Four Masters,
the territory the Danes
Fiacha, who were joined
land, and stated that the army to 6400 men.
Battle Drom Damaighe. —In
Ulster, Ivar and Au great victory Munster
the same year, accord victory was gained Carroll, prince
which great numbers them were slain the place signifies the Hill the Two Plains, and was situated the southern part Meath. the same year Maolguala, king Desmond, was stoned death the Danes Cork.
861 Muiregan, prince Nais Naas, Kildare, and
had leagued with Aulaf, the Danish king Dublin,
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REIGN OF ELIZABETH. 469
A shower of fish fell in Tirconnell this year. O’Donnell, i. e. Hugh, the son of Manus,
marched with a force into Tyrone, precisely in the winter, and having committed great depredations, he returned home safe.
A. D. 1567.
O'Donnell, i. e. Hugh, marched with a force
883, Kildare was laid waste by the Danes Dublin, and they carried off 90 men captives their ships, together with Suibhne, the abbot, and all the precious articles the place.
A. D. 885, the Danes Dublin, under Godfrey, son Ivar, defeated the forces Flann Sionna, monarch Ireland, great battle, probably fought Meath, which immense numbers were
slain both sides; and amongst the Irish, Hugh, the son Con covar, king Connaught; and Lergus, bishop Kildare, with many other persons note. About this time, Godfrey was treacherously slain by the contrivance his brother Sitric, who became king the Northmen Dublin; and about A. D. 890, powerful Danish chief named Geoffrey Merle, contested the com mand the Northmen, against Sitric, son Ivar the city was torn intestine factions, and divided into two parts between them, Sitric ruling over one, and Geoffrey Merle over the other.
Battle of Lough Foyle. —In A. D. 864, the Foreigners of
Ulster having assembled all their forces at Lough Foyle, near
Derry, the monarch Hugh Finnliath collected his army and pur the Irish forces near the river Bann Boyne, marched through sued them ; a fierce battle was fought, in which the Foreigners
were defeated, and 1200 of them slain ; and, according to the Four
Masters, 240 heads were collected in one place in the presence of
the king. Numerous chiefs besides those were slain in that great
battle, and many of the wounded were carried into the churches
and baptised after their wounds were healed.
In A. D. 865, a victory was gained by Mac Gathan over the
the Four Masters and others, 878, the Dublin destroyed Duleek, and carried off many
precisely in the spring, and having crossed Lough Foyle, proceeded to Slieve Carbatach, and he com pletely plundered and preyed around him, and returned home safe.
O'Neill, i. e. John, the son Con Bacach, son Con, son Henry, son Owen, having mustered very large force for the purpose marching into Tir connell against O'Donnell, namely Hugh, his sis ter's son, the son Manus, son Hugh Oge, son
had various contests with the Irish and Danes Dublin; and the Scots, under their king Gregory, invaded Ireland, defeated
Meath, and took Dublin, but by the intercession Cormac,
then bishop and Scots.
Dublin, peace was concluded between the Irish
According
Foreigners
captives; but Barrith, valiant hero the Northmen, who was their chief counander, was soon after slain and burned Dublin, by the miracles God and St. Kiaran.
Danes of Dublin, in which their chief Odolb Michie was slain. It appears that someof the Danes were converted to Christianity about this time, as it is mentioned in the Four Masters, at A. D. 866, that Commach, abbot of Clonmacnois, who was of the race of the Foreigners, or of Danish descent, died.
Battle of Clondalkin. -Aulaf, the Danish king of Dublin, erected a castle or strong fortress at Cluan Dolcain or Clondalkin, near Dublin; but in A. D. 865, it was set on fire by the Irish, under Mac Gathan, and the son of Ciarnan, and one hundred heads of the chiefs of the Danes were collected in that slaughter; soon after, Aulaf, in revenge, planned an ambuscade, in which were slain or taken prisoners, 2000 of the Irish ; and in A. D. 867, is recorded the death of Maolciaran, the son of Ronan, the most valiant man of eastern Ireland, and a hero terrible to the Foreigners,
Battle of Cill Ua Daighre. —In A. D. 866, a great and celebra
ted battle is recorded by the Four Masters, in which Flann, prince
of Bregia, collected all the warriors of Bregia and Leinster,
together with the Foreigners of Dublin, and marched his army,
amounting to 5000 men, to Cill-ua-Daighre, in Meath, against the
monarch Hugh Finnliath, and they fought a fierce battle, in which A. D. 888, the men North Connaught gained great victory over the monarch was victorious, and vast numbers of the Bregians,
Lagenians, and their allies were slain, together with Carius, the
son of Aulaf, king of the Danes.
In A. D. 867, Aulaf, at the head of the Northmen of Dublin, devastated and burned Armagh, with its churches, &c. , and 1000 persons were either slain or taken prisoners, and he carried off great spoils and treasures.
A. D. 869, according to Ware, the Annals of Ulster, and others, Aulaf and Ivar, with a fleet of 200 ships, and a great force of the Foreigners of Ireland, sailed to England to the assistance of Hingvar, Hubba, and Halfdan, the Danish chiefs, sons of king Ragnar Lodbrog, who at that time invaded England with powerful forces, and conquered Northumbria. Aulaf and Ivar subdued a great part of Scotland, and returned to Dublin in A. D. 870, with their fleet of 200 ships, and an immense booty, together with many captives, Anglo-Saxons, Britons, Scots, and Picts; and in the same year, the Foreigners took the fortress of Dunseverick, in Ulster, which had never been taken before. In A. D. 870, Aulaf died at Dublin, and his brother Ivar became king of the Northmen of all Ireland and of Britain, but died in A. D. 872; and Ostin, the son of Aulaf, became Danish king of Dublin. In A. D. 875, Ostin, with a large fleet, invaded Scotland, and defeated the Scots and Picts with great slaughter, but was himself soon after treacherously slain by his own countrymen; and Godfrid or God frey, son of Ivar, became king of the Northmen in Dublin.
About A. D. ; 880, according to authorities quoted in Hanmer's Chronicle, and also according to Buchanan, the Scots and Picts
A. D. 890, Armagh was laid waste the Danes Dublin, under their chief named Gluniarn, which signifies Ironknee; they
D. 892, Sitric, who had slain his brother Godfrey, was himself killed his own people; and his brother, Aulaf II. , succeeded Danish king. A. D. 885, Heremon, the son Hugh, king
Ulster, was slain by Eloir, chief the Northmen; and
the Foreigners, which their chief Elor, the son Barith, was slain.
burned the cathedral, plundered the churches, and carried off 710 captives. A. D. 891, Flann, prince all Bregia, was slain
Olhha, by the Northmen.
Battle Tirconnell. —In A. D. 891, the Connallians, under
Atdeid, defeated the Foreigners great battle Tirconnell, which 900 them were slain, together with Aulaf, the Danish
king Dublin, grandson Ivar, and Gluntradhna, the son Gluniarn.
A. D. 897, the Northmen Dublin were expelled from their fortress that city, Carroll, the son Muiregan, prince East Liffey, and the men Leinster, aided Maolfinnia, with the men Bregia; and the Foreigners left great number their ships behind them, and half them being slain, the remainder them fled beyond the sea. the same year, famine prevailed amongst the Foreigners Dublin, who were Inis Mac Nechtain, now the island called Ireland's Eye, near Howth. A. D. 898, the death Maolfinna, who was son Flannacan, prince Bregia, recorded the Four Masters; and his memory celebrated one the bards one the most famous heroes that age, who had defeated the Foreigners many battles, and was descendant the renowned warrior Conall Cearnach, chief
the Red-Branch knights Ulster.
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470 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1567.
of Hugh Roe, and to prey and plunder the country
as he had formerly done, when O’Donnell, i. e.
Manus, was not able to defend or protect his prin cipality or country, through infirmity and sickness,
was overjoyed their arrival. Those who came his aid were, the first place, Mac Sweeney the Districts, namely, Murrogh Mall, the son
Owen, son Owen; the sons Mac Sweeney Fanat, Torlogh Oge, and Hugh Buighe, and Mac Sweeney Banagh, Maolmurry, the son Hugh, son Niall; and when these forces had
and the quarrels and conflicts of his own sons with
each other. The place where O’Donnell happened
to be with his few forces, along with Hugh, the
son of Hugh Oge, i. e. Hugh Duv, the son of come together they formed no great force, for they Hugh Roe, and his relatives, was at Ard-an did not number more than four hundred. O’Don Ghaire, on the north side of the bay of Swilly, and nell then complained those chiefs his wrongs having received intelligence that O’Neill had and injuries, and said them that would
marched with his forces to the country, he sent messages calling on those chiefs in his neighbour
hood, while he himself remained in expectation of them, but, however, they did not come his call, was very early the day. Such, how ever, were there along with him, unexpectedly beheld distance, the opposite side the Fearsad (or pass) Swilly, mighty force ad vancing towards them troops and companies; they did not halt, but marched onward battle array, and without stopping crossed the pass,
having perceived that, once drew up order and array his small select force, and sent troop his
better and more agreeable for him die the field, rather than suffer the disgrace and ig
nominious treatment exercised by the people Tyrone against himself, his kindred, and relations, such as none of his ancestors had ever endured or
submitted before, but particularly the insult and ignominy which they had then exercised against him, viz. by forcibly expelling and banishing him from his fortress. All these chiefs coincided the senti
ments delivered by the noble prince, and said that the complaints and opinions had expressed were
true, and that they were willing attack O'Neill and his forces. Intrepidly bold and bravely deter mined was the resolution they came to, viz.
the tide was out the time. O'Donnell
cavalry, commanded the son O’Donnell, encounter great hazard and danger awaited
namely Hugh, the son Hugh, attack the front the enemy, order that himself might bring his foot forces across the open plains some secure place where his foes could not circumvent sur round them. O’Donnell's horsemen having en gaged with the advanced cavalry O’Neill, Niall, the son Donogh Cairbreach, son Hugh Oge,
them, but, however, they regarded more their ho nour and their inheritance than they valued their
lives and bodies. With elated unanimity they then returned back well-arranged small body, and amicably united force, attack O’Neill's camp. When O’Neill beheld them advancing directly towards him, was greatly excited his mind with compassion for them, and said, “I am very much surprised and astonished that those peo
son Hugh Roe; Donal Ultach (Mac Dunlevy),
the son the doctor, chief physician O’Don
nell; and Mac Rabhartaigh, the keeper the ple should not find easier submit us, and ac Cathach Columkille (see note A. D. 1497, quiesce our terms, than come before fight 334), were slain O’Neill’s forces, but some, and forthwith annihilated. ” While engaged with
however, state that was by his own people Niall
O’Donnell fell; the side the Tyronians the son of Mac Mahon and several others were slain.
When the son O’Donnell, Hugh, the son Hugh, perceived the great numbers opposed
him, and that his lord had retired place security, followed him, and halted there ex pectation receiving reinforcements from his peo ple overtake him. He had not been long that great suspense when beheld companies
his faithful friends advancing towards him, and
those observations, the troops Tirconnell rushed forward with boldness and impetuosity front O'Neill’s forces; that seemed startling sight
O’Neill’s soldiers, for they were accoutring them selves fast possible until they had marched up
them when they came close view, fierce and ill-favoured were the threatening and grim looks they exchanged with each other from their piercing eye-balls, and having raised aloud their united war-cry, which was sufficient put flight un warlike and faint-hearted soldiers, their rushing
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fully destroy, fell and slay one another for a consi derable time, until men were laid prostrate, war riors cut down, youths covered with wounds, and strong heroes hacked in the slaughter. But, how ever, the Tyronians were at length defeated by superior feats of arms, so that they were forced to
from the field battle, and retreat the same way they had come, although was impossible for
fled, unnoticed any one, southward along the river until passed Ath Tairsi, the neighbour hood Sgariff-Sholais, the guidance party
the O'Gallaghers, who were O’Donnell’s own clans and people, and did not stop, but pro ceeded through every private uninhabited place
until arrived Tyrone. Few houses resi dences, from Carlingford the rivers Finn and Foyle, were without copious weeping and general
REIGN OF ELIZABETH. 471
them return that time, for the sea had flowed lamentation; immense and incalculable was the
over the pass which they had come the early
part the day, which rendered impassable; but
the precipitancy the defeat, and the determina
tion and fierceness their pursuers take revenge
their insults, enmity, and injuries, left them
alternative but face They rushed precipi
tately the flowing tide, that not one took heed
for the safety his kinsman, near relative,
though was refuge from peril danger for
them flee the dark deep ocean bay which was
before them that undertaking was not warming
after cold, nor preservation after peril, for vast num
ber them were drowned the deep flowing tide,
although every one was happy place large fleet, and landed Bun-Abhann-Duine
refuge, thought, from the enemy. Vast (Cushendun bay, Antrim), Ulster, where numbers O’Neill’s forces perished that place, they constructed strong camp, with numerous
entrenchments. When O’Neill received intel were Bryan, the son Henry, son John O’Neill, ligence that large force having come his and his brother; Mac Donnell the galloglass, aid, without taking into consideration his former O'Neill's constable, and great number the Mac enmity towards them, incautiously committed
either slain drowned the most eminent these
Donnells along with him; Dudley O’Donnelly, O'Neill’s foster-brother, one he most esteemed and
himself the protection that fierce and revenge ful clan, without pledge security, order that might avenge his enmity and hatred against the Tirconnallians. The reception got from them, after being their company for some time, and after they had detailed their former animosity and
the world, along with many his kindred
valued
and
and
thirteen hundred of O’Neill’s forces were either
slain drowned that battle; and stated
other books that upwards three thousand
O'Neill’s forces were lost that day. As dead the spot. The race Eogan, son Niall, O'Neill, he escaped from that battle, and would
vast number Muintir Choinne (O'Quinns) Muintir Again (O'Hagans). But short
have preferred that had not, for his mind and faculties were affected ever after it; privately
A. D. 1567.
much lamented the death him who was there slain, for that O’Neill, namely, John,' was their Concovar, provincial King, their Lughaidh
John O'Neill was the son
earl Tyrone king Henry VIII.
Shane-an-Dionnais, John the Proud
each,from being fostered O'Dongaileach, Donnelly, chief Ballydonnelly, Tyrone. John was man fine person, great energy, abilities, and bravery, but extremely proud and insolent;
carried frequent and fierce contests with the O'Donnells,
O'Reillys, Maguires, Mac Mahons, Magennises, Mac Donnells, and other chiefs whom reduced subjection, and called him. self King Ulster; had likewise violent contentions with his illegitimate brother Ferdorcha O'Neill, who was created baron Dungannon, and usually called Matthew the English writers. Matthew was the English interest, and supported them successor Con, earl Tyrone, against John, who was recognised
the Irish under the laws Tanistry, the legitimate represen
Con, who had been created was called the Irish, and also, Shane Dongail
booty, consisting
left possession
casion; was
the Pass Swilly was fought.
horses, arms and acoutrements, the Tirconnallians that oc
the 8th May that battle
After O’Neill had gone Tyrone, we
have before stated, took rest recreation,
nor did sleep wink until sent despatches inviting the sons James, the son Alexander, son John Cathanach, the sons Mac Donnell, from Scotland. That was the cause of shortness
life, and death, for him invite the sons the man who had fallen his hands
former occasion. They accordingly came with
injuries, was suddenly attack him, and instantly cleave him with their swords, that they left him
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472 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1567.
entertainment, and was learned in tongues and lan guages; his son James was appointed in his place.
John Burke, the son of John, son of John of the Teeth, the son of Ulick Roe, was slain by some
The earl of Desmond was taken prisoner at Cill son of the earl of Ormond, namely, James junior,
the long hand in valour, their champion in chivalry
and bravery, and it was to record his death that the following was composed:
“Five hundred and sixty seven
And one thousand years exactly, From the time of Christ’s incarnation
To the death of John, the grandson of Con. ”
After the death of John, Torlogh Luineach, the
persons, ill-disposed clowns,
and of the
The son of O’Brien of Thomond, i. e. Teige, the son of Niall Conallach, was nominated the O’Neill. son of Donogh, son of Conor, son of Torlogh; the
the son of James, son of Pierce Roe, and the son of Mac Carthy, i. e. Owen, the son of Cormac Oge, son of Cormac, son of Teige, died this year.
Manus, the son of Edmond, son of Manus Mac Sheehy, was slain by MacMaurice of Kerry, namely, Thomas, the son of Edmond, son of Thomas; and there was not a man of his tribe in his time more distinguished for hospitality and feats of arms.
Mac Pierce (Butler), namely, Edmond, the son
of James, son of Edmond, died; he was a man of justice of Ireland, Henry Sydney, namely, general hospitality, and who kept an open house of Henri Mor-na-Beorach (big Henry the Ale).
Mocheallog (Killmallock in the county of Limerick), by the lord justice, who conveyed him to Limerick, from thence to Galway, to Athlone, and finally to Dublin. This capture was made after the festival of St. Patrick, and in November following his kinsman John, the son of James, came to the English to inquire after the earl, but he was immediately made prisoner, and both were afterwards sent to England.
tative of the illustrious race of O'Neill. John lived in a style of
great magnificence and hospitality, resembling that of the ancient
kings; he kept, says Cox, two hundred tuns of wine in his cellar,
at Dundrum, but Cox probably meant Dungannon, in Tyrone,
which was the chief seat of the O'Neills, and not Dundrum,
which is situated in the county of Down. He had a body guard
of six hundred galloglasses, and kept ready for the field a force
of four thousand foot and a thousand horse. O'Neill fought
various battles against the English forces, under the earl of Sussex,
and other deputies, gained some victories over them, and was, in
his turn, frequently defeated ; in 1560, he marched into Meath,
and laid waste various parts of the English pale. In 1561, by
the advice of his kinsman, the earl of Kildare, he made his
submission to the deputy, and went to England to effect a recon
ciliation with the queen; he was attended by his body guard of Alexander Oge Mac Donnell was encamped with six hundred several hundred galloglasses, consisting of picked men of great
strength and stature, armed with swords and battle-axes, their
long curling locks flowing down their shoulders, their linen vests dyed of a yellow colour with saffron, and wearing woolly cloaks
almost all his attendants revenge the death James Mac their country, they astonished the citizens as they marched Donnell, who had beenslain O'Neill, before stated. William
and short tunics, and thus arrayed in the military costume of
together, but altercation having arisen, Alexander Oge, with Mac Gillespie and many others, furiously attacked O'Neili with
their drawn swords and hewed him pieces, and likewise slew
through the streets of London; Camden says, in his Life of Piers, English officer and agent the court, stated Elizabeth, that the Londoners marvelled much at the strange Stuart's Armagh have excited the Scots assassinate O'Neill;
sight; O'Neill was attended by Mac Sweeney, commander of his
galloglasses; Mac Caffry, his standard bearer; O'Gallagher, his
marshal; O'Gnive, his hereditary bard, and several other officers.
O'Neill was well received by Elizabeth, and entered into a treaty
with her in presence of the ambassadors of Sweden and Savoy; on the top Dublin Castle. “Piero,” says Stuart, “received the queen gave him, at his departure, valuable presents, and lent
him £2500; for some time after his return to Ireland, he sided
with the queen's forces, attacked the Scots, and in 1564 slew,
with his own hand, their commander, James Mac Donnell, and
drove them out of Ulster. O'Neill afterwards resisted the English
rule, and ravaged their settlements; and in 1565, according to
Cox, he resided at his mansion about six miles from Dundalk, and
having mustered his forces, attacked Dundalk, made incursions
into the Pale, and spoiled the English settlements; he afterwards
attacked the English garrison at Derry, and many were slain on
both sides, including colonel Randolph, the governor; in the with the greater part the county Tyrone, were confiscated following April, the ammunition took fire, and blew up the town and seized the crown, and various parts were planted with and fort of Derry, and killed twenty men. In 1566, O'Neill British settlers.
attacked Armagh, and burned the town and cathedral to be
common
earl of Clanrickard’s people.
The bridge of Athlone was built by the lord
revenged, said, his enemy primate Loftus, and prevent the English from lodging within walls, for which archbishop Loftus, according Ware, solemnly cursed, and had sentence
excommunication pronounced against him Dublin. English commissioners were sent treat with him, but he refused the title earl Tyrone, and called himself O'Neill, saying, “that his blood and power were better than the mean title earl, that his ancestors were kings Ulster, that won the province the sword, and would keep by the sword. ”
1567, the Irish chiefs Ulster revolted against O’Neill, and his forces were defeated O'Donnell, stated these Annals; was also attacked the lord deputy, sir Henry Sydney. O'Neill endeavoured form an alliance with the Scots, and for that purpose, proceeded Clannaboy, where
Scots; they received him with apparent friendship, and caroused
and, according Ware and Stuart, after O'Neill had been buried four days, Piers raised the body, cut off his head, and carried pickled pipkin Drogheda, the 21st June, the lord deputy, Sir Henry Sydney, who ordered placed pole
reward one thousand marks for the part had taken stimu lating the Scots this base murder. ” The place where O'Neill was killed was near Cushendun, Antrim, and was buried
ruined church, where his grave said still pointed out.
According Stuart and other authorities, the war with John
O'Neill cost Elizabeth about one hundred and fifty thousand pounds, independent many cesses; and the various con
flicts, 3500 British soldiers and great numbers Irish auxiliaries
were slain. February, 1569, act Attainder was passed against the late John O'Neill, and all his extensive estates, together
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REIGN OF ELIZABETH. 473
A. D. 1568. followers along with him, probably not exceeding The countess of Clanrickard, namely, Margaret, fifty men, who had fulfilled their period service;
the daughter of Donogh, son of Conor, son of Tor
logh (O'Brien), a woman of great fame among the
Irish, and the supporter of her friends and rela tives, died.
but, however, they did not deem honourable depart from Fitz-Maurice while that predicament.