James Wills' Lives of Illus-
trious and Uislinguished Irishmen," vol.
trious and Uislinguished Irishmen," vol.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v4
341
thiskingescortedhim,totheprincipalityofTyrone. Represented,also,"'*tothe King of Tyrone, for which this king entertained him for a month, at his palace
of Aileach,^5 or Oiligh, and the local ruler thence conveyed him to Tulach-og. "'®
He gave the King of Tulach-og his own special presentment,'? in return for which, that dynast treated him and his suite for twelve days, at Drumchla,'*
and thence, the chief escorted him to the principality of Orgialla. 's He pre- sented y the King of Orgialla a token of favour, in gratitude for which that prince was to entertain him and his nobility for one month, at his palace of Eamhain ;3' and, afterwards, that dynast was bound to escort him to the king- dom of Uladh. 3" To the King of Uladh, the King of Munster presented 33 several valuables, in consideration of which royal present, that prince regaled him and his retinue, for two months, at his palace of Boirche, or at Tulach Chearnaigh. 34 Then, the King of Uladh waited upon him, with the princes andnoblesofhiscourt,untilhewenttothekingdomofMeath. Hepre- sented a gift 35 to the King of Meath, for which that ruler treated him and his court during one month, in his palace of Taamhair, or Tara; and, afterwards, this king escorted him, with 100 of his own chiefs, to the kingdom of Leinster. He presented a bounty 3* to the potentate of Leinster, called King of the en- trenched Ath Cliath,37 in return for which gift, the Munster king was entertained for two months, by the two kings, ruling the northern and southern parts of Leinster. Then, the said kings, together with their nobles, were to accom- pany him, to the principality of Ossory, or as it is sometimes called Gabhran. 3* Heroyallypresented39 totheKingofOssory,forwhichthiskingwastoen- tertain him, at his palace of Gowran,*" for one month, and then the local dynast was bound to escort him, —on to the territories of his own kingdom.
TheKingofMunster whowasalsocalledtheKingofCashel,because
" It was probably near the mouth of the River Erne.
'< His presents were 50 steeds, with the usual trappings, 50 swords, and 50 cups, or drinking horns.
'5 The celebrated fort, near Londonderry,
and over Lough Swilly.
* Now a village, in the parish of Desert-
creight, barony of Dungannon, and county
"
^s His presents were lOO steeds, 30 com- plete armours, 30 corslets, and 30 cloaks. Thirty rings and thirty chess-boards are sub- stituted for the last, in the Book of Rights, See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, at pp. 38, 39.
^ His gifts were 30 bond-women, 30 steeds,30cups,and30richbedcovers; ten ships with beds, are substituted for the last, See Dr. O'Donovan's edition,
^^ The Irish name for Dublin,
3» Yox an enquiry into the origin and terri- torial extent of the country, anciently called Laighin deas Gabhair, i. e. Laghain, south of
Gabhair, or Gowran, the reader is referred, to the " Proceedings and Papers of the Kil- kenny and South-east of Ireland Archselogi- cal Society, for the year 1863, vol. iv. , part ii. New Series. There, a paper by Mr. John Hogan, "Topographical and Histori-
cal Illustrations ol the Suburbs of Kil- "
"
regarding the
Ancient Kingdom of Ossory," pp. 252 to 267. The subject is continued, in succeed- ing volumes.
» His gifts were 30 horses, 30 corslets, or coats of mail, and 30 swords.
«> Probably, in the town of that name, and in the barony so-called, county of Kil-
"
CoUec- tanea De Rebus Ililjemicis," vol. i. , No. iii. Critico-Historical Dissert. ition, concerning the Ancient Irish Laws, &c. Part i. , chap.
ii. , pp. 374 to 389.
of Tyrone. See
of Ireland," vol. iii. , p. 414.
Parliamentary Gazetteer
'' His gifts were 30 sorrel steeds, 30 swords, and 30 cups.
^ Thii! place has not been identified.
'' Theextentofthisgreatnorthernterritory hasbecn already pointed out, in the Life of St. Fanchea, chap, i. , n. 19, at the 1st ofjanuary.
3° His presents were 70 steeds, 70 suits of military apparel, and eight corslets.
3' Near the city of Armagh.
'* This name was formerly applied to the entire province of Ulster ; but, after the year 332, it was restricted to a portion of Down and Antrim, bounded on the west by Lough Neagh and the Lower Bann, and by Gleann Righe, through which an artificial tjoundary was formed, now called the Dane's Cast.
'^ His gifts were 100 bay steeds, 100
swords, 100 cloaks, 100 cups, and lOO bed
covers or counterpoints, curiously wrought. Ten ships are said to have been an additional
present. . ^ Or Cearnach's Hill, near TuUycamey,
in the county of Down.
kenny, contains some interesting notices,
kenny. See General Vallancey's
Origin and I-xtent of the
342 LTVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
ofhisusuallyresidingatthatplace—presentedbywayofsubsidyeveryyear,ten golden cups, thirty golden-hilted swords, and thirty horses, in rich furniture,'*" to the Dal-Cassian king, whenever he was not the sovereign of all Munster, to which he had an alternate right, according to the will of Olliol Olum. To
theKingof EoganachtCaisil, when the Dal-CassianchiefbecameKingof Mun- ster according to his alternative, he presented ten men slaves, ten women slaves, ten golden cups, and ten horses, in full furniturct^ He gave presents to the KingofOssoryj^sotherwisecalledtheKingofGabhran; totheKingofAra,'**
probably Eoghanacht-Aradh j'ts to the King of Eile,'** which derived name from Eile,*7 the seventh in descent from Cian, son to Oilioll Olum ; to the King of Uaithe ;*^ to the Kmg of the Deise,<9 or Deisies ;5o to the King of Cairbre Aodhbha,5' whose principal seat was Brughrigh ; to the King of Conall Gabhra ;5^ to the King of Aine Cliach -p to the King of Fearmuighe;5< or Gleanamhain;5s to the KingofAiobhLiathainjs* to the KingofMusgruidhe,? ?
<' In some copies of the Book of Rights, General Vallancey found added to the above presents, ten coats of mail, two cloaks richly adorned, and two pair of chess-boards, with
curious workmanship.
<^ThisdetaiIof the Public Rights, regarding
part of Waterford county, with a part of
Tipperary. They had also a large territory in Meath, and its name is still retained, in the two baronies of Deece.
5° His tribute was a ship well rigged, a golden-hilted sword, and a horse, in rich furniture. The prose has eight ships, eight men slaves, eight women slaves, eight coats
both the King of Munster and the subordi-
nate princes and states of the same province,
is extracted from General Vallancey's of mail, eight shields, eight swords, and
" Collectanea de Rebus Hibernicis," vol. i. .
and two cloaks, with gold clasps, and rich embroidery. The prose tract mentions ten horses, ten shields, ten cloaks, and two suits of military array.
+• His tribute was six swords, six shields of curious workmanship, and six scarlet cloaks. The prose adds, seven shields, seven swords, and seven horses.
« Thought, by Dr. O'Donovan, to be the same as Eoghanacht-Caille-na-manach, the present barony of Kilnamanagh, in the
"
county of Tipperary. See
phical Poems of John O'Dubhagain and
GioUa na naomh O'Huidhrin," n. 684, p. Ixxvii.
*' His tribute was six men slaves, six women slaves, six shields, and six swords ; according to the prose, eight coats of mail, eight shields, eight swords, eight horses, and eight cups.
*' This founder gave name to the territory,
which anciently comprised the whole of Ely O'Carroll.
•" He ruled over the present baronies of
Owney, in the counties of Limerick and Tip-
perary. His tribute was six shields, six one sword. According to the prose, seven
d
p. 374, seq.
eight horses.
5' His tribute was ten slaves made
No. III. ,
<3 His tribute was ten shields, ten swords,
captive in a foreign country, as appears from the plain text of the verse, viz. : DeithGaiil gan
swords, richly mounted, and six horses, mag- nificently accoutred, and particularly with
golden-bitted bridles. According to the
prose, seven horses, eight swords, and eight
cups, together with particular marks of honour and distinction shown him, at the court of Cashel.
•J This tribe was descended from Fiacha Suidhe, son to Feilimidh Reachtmar, who was monarch of Ireland, in tlie second cen-
horses, seven shields, and seven cups, con-
stituted the presentation.
5' His tribute was a sword and a shield of
the king's own wearing;, one horse richly ac- coutred, and one embroidered cloak ; accord- ing to the prose, five horses, five swords, five cloaks, and five cups, formed the presenta- tion.
The Topogra-
Gacdhilga. the prose has seven bond-slaves, seven free servants, seven swords, and seven
cups.
5* The following were his privileges and
presents, viz. : while the King of Conal Gabhra remained at the court of Cashel, he had the honour to sit near the king at table, and at his departure from court, he was pre- sented with a horse in rich furniture, as also a military suit ofarray, all his attendants re- ceived similar presents, proportiontd to their respective ranks. According to the prose, the whole gift was only ten shields, ten swords, ten horses, and ten cups.
53 His tribute was a sword and a shield of
the king's own wearing, and thirty cloaks, which were given him in the month of May
precisely, according to the verse. Is triocad brat gach Beiltine. The prose has eight
swords, eight horses, eight cups, two coats of mail, and two cloaks.
'
• 57 His tribute was one of the king's own swords, one of his horses, and one of his tury. Their territory comprised the greater hounds; the prose allows seven horses,
Anglicised, Fermoy.
55 His tribute was one horse, richly ac-
coutred, one shield, curiously wrought, and
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 343
or Muskerry; to the King of Raithleann;58 to the King of Dairinne ;59 to the King of Leim-con -^ to the King of Loch-Lein ;* to the King of Dairbre f"*
and to the King of Ciaruidhe,'^ or Kerry. *'* Other petty chiefs and states, too tedious to be mentioned, were considered deserving of recompense, in
like manner; and, everyone of these he complimented, with a proportionate present, by way of an annual subsidy.
The fiscal Tributes, and the manner of paying them, in kind, agreeably to
the primitive usages, will be sufficiently exemplified, through the following entries,^s which are on record. Those tributes, which were imposed for pro- tective purposes were willingly paid, by the confederated tribes ; while those, which implied subjection, were contested, when favourable opportunities were afforded. Theideaofenforcedservitudeonahigh-spiritedandwarlikepeople could not be expected to pass away from remembrance, and the protest was often manifested in stem resistance to a grievance, that was popularly and sensitively felt.
The King of Cashel, or of Munster, received a yearly tribute,^ from the inhabitants! of Burren ; from the inhabitants of Corcamruadh f^ from the people of Corcabhaiscinn f^ from the inhabitants of Corcaduibhne /' from those of Ciaruidhe ;'° from the people of Seactmadh -p from the people of Corcaluighe ;'' from the people of Musgruidhe ;73 from the inhabitants ? < of that part of Fearmuighe, which belonged to O'Dugain, of the race ofir, son toMileadh; fromthepeopleofDesies;'' fromthoseofUaithne;'^fromthe inhabitants " of Ara ; while from the people of Ossory,'* their own special
seven coats of mail, and seven suits of com- plete armour.
5' His tribute was ten swords, ten scarlet and ten blue cloaks, with ten cups ; accord- ing to the prose, ten horses, ten coats of mail, and ten shields.
cows, 1,000 wethers, and i,ooo cloaks.
"^ This tribute consisted of I, coo bul-
locks, 1,000 cows, 1,000 sheep, and 1,000 cloaks.
'^ This tribute was 1,000 bullocks, 1,000 wethers, i,ooo hogs, and 1,000 cloaks.
5' His tribute was seven ships, seven coats
of mail, and seven swords ; according to the
prose, seven ships, seven coats of mail,
seven horses, seven swords, and seven Caisil Accuabbhair," it is added, 30 scarlet
"
cloaks, 30 bullocks, and 30 milch cows.
'° Their tribute was 1,000 bullocks, 1,000
'' His tribute was ten ships, ten dun 60 cows, and 60 black wethers.
cups.
*° His tribute was a ship fully rigged, one
horse in rich furniture, one cup curiously
wrought, and one sword ; in the prose, {ire
found seven ships, seven horses, seven coats cows, and 100 hogs ; but, according to the of mail, seven shields, and seven swords. poem, they were to pay only, 60 bullocks,
horses, and ten 'coats of mail ; the prose states, seven ships, seven horses, seven coats of mail, seven shields, and seven swords.
" His tribute was three ships, well rig- ged, and three 'swords ; according to the prose, seven horses, seven hounds, and seven
cups.
'i,His tribute was ten horses, well accou-
tred, and a silk cloak : according to the
prose, he gave seven cloaks, with gold clasps, seven horses, and seven cups.
'< In Latin Kerrigia. It olitained the name
from Ciar, son ol Fergus Mac Roy and of
Meava, the celebrated Queen of Connaught. He flouriahed a short time before the Chris-
tian era.
'5 These are translated, out of the ancient
record, called Leabhar na g-Ceart, or the
Book of Rights.
" It consisted of 1,000 bullocks, 1,000
'' Their assessment comprised 100 bul- locks, 100 cows, and 100 hogs.
" 'Their tribute was 1,000 cows, and 1,000 hogs ; although other accounts add, 300 beeves, 300 hogs, 100 milch cows, and 100 cloaks.
'* These returned 40 bullocks, 40 beeves, and 40 milch cows.
'5 These were assessed, in 1,000 bullocks, 1,000 milch cows, 2,000 hogs, 1,000 sheep, and 1. 000 cloaks.
''Tliey presented 300 milch cows, 30O hogs, 100 bullocks, and 300 cloaks.
" These returned 100 cows, lOO hogs, 200 wethers, and too green cloaks.
'* These were obliged to pay "JCO cows, and 700 cloaks; besides that obligation, in- cumbent on the King of Ossory, it was re- quireil, viz. : to supply the King of Munster with his contingent of armed men, when de- manded upon any necessary occasion. And,
'^ This tribute comprised 1,000 bullocks and 1,000 cows ; but, according to the
poem beginning with the words,
Cios
cows, and 1,000 hogs.
' Their tribute was 100 bullocks, 100
344 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
tributetoMunsterwasdemanded. ? ' Someofthosetributeshadnohigher claims, than what had been afforded, by successful usurpation f° while the manner, in which they had been exacted and enforced, were fruitful causes, for many of those tribal leuds, which are recorded in our Annals.
Among the distinguished heroes of Ireland, in the tenth century, was Maelseachlainn, the son of Domhnall,^' afterwards surnamed Mor. His name
hasbeenotherwiseAnglicised,asMalachy. Intheyear978,^^or979,^3hehad won universal honour, throughout the land, by a splendid victory, obtained
at Tara. The King of the Galls, or foreigners, Aulaf, residing at Dublin,
appears to have called together the forces, established in the Islands north
and west of Scotland, and from Man, to unite with his own soldiers, who
marched under the leadership of his sons, to attack the monarch of Ireland,
attheseatofhispower. HissonRaghnall,LatinizedReginaldus,orRanul-
phus, held chief command, over the foreigners. Conamhaill,^'* son to Gilla-
Arri, the orator of Ath-Cliath, and son to its deputy king, was one of his lead-
ing chiefs, in this expedition. A desperate battle ensued, and both of these
Scandinavian heroes fell, while the forces of Meath and their allies were
commandedbyMaelseachlainn. Afteracontestofmemorablefierceness,
victory declared for the Irish forces. With great slaughter, on both sides,
Maelseachlainn routed the Danes. Several thousand of their forces are stated
to have fallen, in this engagement f^ and, among the rest, Reginald, their chiefcommander. ^* IntheheatofthisengagementfellBraen,sonofMur-
chadh, royal heir of Leinster, Conghalach, son to Flann, lord of Gaileanga, with his son Maelan, Fiachna and Cuduilich, two sons of Dubhlaech, and
lordsofFearaTulach,asalsoLachtnan,lordofMughdhornMaighen. We are not informed, by our annalists, on what side some of the foregoing fought. This battle broke the foreigners' strength and confidence, for a time. After the result was known, Aulaf went across the sea, and he died at I-Coluim- Cille. *7 The great probability is, he had abandoned worldly ambition for re- ligiousretirement. Thatvaliantproofofhiswarlikeability,onthepartofMala-
chy, was the surewayto arrive at power, in Ireland; for,havingattained strength and renown, over the stranger hosts, the Irish people trusted in the valour of a protector, whose sword was best able to carve its way to success, when the foreigners were most formidable in numbers, and in organization. ^* Shortly after that great victory, at Tara, the monarch Domhnall, in 979,^' or 980,9° was removed, by death. He had retired to Armagh,? ' where he piously engaged in penitential exercises, for a long time previous, to prepare well for his approaching dissolution.
in like manner, from different other coun- tries, and petty states, were assessments re- quired : all of which supplies were to be paid in, by those people, at stated times, and at certain seasons of the year. SeeDr. Sylves-
nor of Dublin," who fell in this encounter, according to Rev. Dr. Lanigan. See "Eccle- siastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xxiii. , sect, vii. , p. 415.
*5 Some writers have enumerated 5,000.
terO'Halloran's"GeneralHistoryofIrelaiid," See vol. ii. , Book xi. , chap, v. , pp. 238 to 246.
1'
Abbe Ma-Geoghegan's
Ilisloire de
" See Dermod O'Conor's
Keating's
" Ge-
Seconde
^ See Gratianus Lucius' " Cambrensis
Eversus," edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, vol. ii. , cap. ix. , pp. 32, 33.
^^ See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 708, 709.
neral History of Ireland," part ii. , pp. 487
to 492.
*° "
See Rev.
James Wills' Lives of Illus-
trious and Uislinguished Irishmen," vol. i. Second Period, p. 201.
« He was not the later monarch, but rather the son of Donnchadh, son to Flann.
8^ According to the Annals of Ulster.
^3 According to Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 708, 709.
«« See Elias
" Histoire de
^ he is the " Perhaps,
the
"
s" According to Roderick O'Flaherty's Ogygia," pars, iii. , cap. xciii. , p. 435.
Irlavra,
gover-
"
I'Irlande, Ancienne et Moderne," tome i.
Partie, chap, vi. , p. 407.
Regnault's I'Irlande," liv. i. , chap, vi. , p. 75.
^ According to Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of tlie Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 708, 709.
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 345
He was immediately succeeded, by the brave prince Malachy,— known as Maelseachlainn II. , King of Ireland,—and whose reputa-
tion was so highly extolled, as a consequence of his recent victory. The year of his accession to the sovereignty was 980. 9" While his valour and wisdom were such, as to shed permanent glory on his memory ; yet, his advent was rather late, to redeem that weakness, which a succession offeeblemonarchshadentailedonthesceptreofTara. Acontinuouswar- fare against the Danes was waged by Malachy, after his accession to the throne,whenheissaidtohaveattainedthethirtiethyearofhisage. 93 That
in with of heleda — very year, conjunction Eochaidh,94 King Ulidia, great army
agamst the foreigners of Ath-Cliath; and, marching into the parts of Fingall then the place of greatest strength for the Northmen—he besieged Dublin, for
three
days
and three
This blockade ended in a — nights. capitulation
and
;
the
Dubliners — agreed
to surrender the Irish
twothousand whichtheyheld,andtogivehostagesinreturn,forthefulfil- ment of certain conditions imposed on them. Among the prisoners was Domh- nall Claen, King of South Leinster, with many of the Ui-Neill. All of these captives, that lived in servitude to the Scandinavians, were liberated, without ransom. Theywerepermittedtoreturn,andtoliveintheirrespectivecoun- tries,freefromtributeorexaction,fromth—eShannontothesea. Then,Mael-
hostages
" seachlain issued his famous proclamation Every
:
captives numbering
is in the territory of the foreigners, in servitude and bondage, let him go to his
own territory, in peace and happiness. " Besides, the victors were bought off, by
asubsidy,consistingofvaluablegoodsandjewels. 95 Thatstrenuouswarfare, 'which he prosecuted with almost unvarying success, and which he continued for so many successive years, against the Danes, kept them in a wholesome state of fear, from attempting inroads on any part of liis dominions. The
aspiring spirit of Malachy is manifested, by the activity and vigour of his open- ing career ; while the vitality and strength of his monarchy are proved, by the resources which guided his enterprises. Nor do we consider, that his con-
ducting of public affairs, relating to the whole kingdom of Ireland, deserves those reproaches of indolence and apathy, directed against his character, by depreciators, or by eulogists, of the King ofMunster.
An expedition into the Dalcasian territory took place, a. d. 976, according to the Annals of Clonmacnoise, or following the chronology of the Four Mas- ters, A. D. 981. 9* Doubtless, what the monarch deemed a political necessity required this display of power ; for, he was jealous, regarding the ability and supposed ambitious designs of his rival in renown, and of his subordinate in station. The monarch of Ireland was every inch a hero ; and yet, he wanted magnanimity to sustain such eminence, and the control of temper, to conceal his personal resentment. A rash and splenetic action showed how impolitic hemightbehave. Hiscalmrecollectionanddignityofmindmusthavecon-
demned, as a truly unworthy and mean proceeding, that predatory expedi- tion, which he conducted. It could only serve, however, to awaken the vigi-
lance and suspicion of Brian, but his feelings might have been more guardedly respected. Passing through Aenaah-Maigh-Adhair,'' the monarch's troops
'' Hence, he was called Donnell of Ard- mach, according to the Annals of Clon- macnoise, which place his death, at a. d. 973.
*" According to Sir James Ware's " Anti- quitates Ilibemica:," cap. xxiv. , p. 113,
»5 See Tigernaci Annales, in Rev. Charles
"
O'Conor's Reriim Hibernicarum Scripto-
res," pp. 261, 262.
^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 714, 715, and n. (a),
*' This place has been identified, by Dr.
O'Donovan, with near in Moyre, Tullagh,
and Roderick O'Flaherty s iii. , cap. xciii. , p. 435.
"
" See Thomas Moore's "
of Ire-
History land," vol. ii. , chap. XX. , p 90.
" ' " ~'
the county of Clare. That name signifies,
»• He is called tlie son of
Ardgar.
" the of meeting-place Magh
Adhair.
Ogygia," pars.
one of the Gaeidhil, who
346 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
came to an ancient and a venerable tree. It was an object, almost sacred in the memory of the people, for that immemorial usage, whereby the Dalcassian
princes were inaugurated, with all the attendant rites, and under its spreading shades. This was a proud memorial of a high-spirited clan, and it grew at a place called Bile Magii Adhair. 9* Irritated by a swarm of humiliating and woundingassociations,Malachygavewaytoanungovernabletemper; and, impulsively,heorderedthetreeofinaugurationtobecutdown. Thisorder was promptly obeyed. Not alone the venerable tree was left prostrate on the ground ; but, after having been dug from the earth, with its roots, it was dis- gracefully hacked to pieces. This action must have rankled in the breast of the brave king, who had received his honours, with such a laudable pride, on the part of his loyal clansmen, and under its shelter. A hallowed character was given to his resentment, for what was regarded as little less than a sacri- lege. Bryan's suffering spirit was regulated, however, by a patient and a long- sighted comprehension, that the moment had not yet arrived, for the vindi- cation of his interests and of his puissance. The dictates of calculation or ambition mastered the sense of insult, in his firm and capacious judgment; for, hasty, incomplete, and vain, efforts, only argue imbecility of purpose and ofmind. Heknewthetimemightcomeforaction,andhewasobligedto submit, for the present, asjthe supreme monarch of Ireland was over-confident in his power and resources. Therefore was Malachy rendered more proud
and presumptuous, in consequence of this impunity. 99
Having levied a hosting for the purpose, in the following year, the monarch of
Ireland entered part of an inheritance, then under the dominion of theMunster king. Forecast and secrecy enabled the latter, notwithstanding, to forestall the invader. He could not be allowed to pass unresisted, unless absolute humi- liation and injustice were to be borne ; and, the superior ability of Bryan is shown, by the course he adopted. Without being obliged to risk a battle, and only by the mere demonstration of a very imposing force, Bryan compelled the monarch to pause in his meditated career. He obhged the King of Ireland,
also, to confirm, by a binding treaty, those claims, which were originally founded only in usurpation. The Leinster tribute, formerly ceded to Bryan, on this occasion, proved a trophy more honourable to himself, and more mor- tifying to his rival. It was most profitable and permanent, because it gave prestige and material power to the Dalcassian kings. However, the monarch
naturally desired to establish his supremacy beyond question, and he could notacquiesceintheenforceddismembermentofalargeprovince. Hewatched
the sagacious and active administration, while he distrusted the growing
power, of an aspiring nominal subordinate, but, in reality, of an able rival. Matured in Bryan's thought were the various chances, that time and tide
bring to the grasp of men. The monarchy itself, he began to consider, might be the prize reserved for him, awaiting the seasonable opportunity for preferring his claim, and while biding the moment for execution of his
plans. Tothepromptingsofself-interestandofnecessitymayweattributeanalliance,
between the chief monarch, and Gluiniarm,'°° son of Amhlaeibh, when, in the year 982, or 98 3, they obtained a victory over Domhnall Claen, King of South Leinster, and over Imhar of Port-Lairge, where many perished, both by drowning
9' See Rev. Dr. Paul O'Brien's
"
Focaloir
Second Period, pp. 201, 202.
'"The name is rendered "of the iron
knee," and as Dr, O'Donovan supposes, be- cause his legs were cased in iron mail, to protect them Irom the strokes of Irish battle- axes.
Gaoidhilge-Sax-Bheaila, or an Irish English Dictionary," at the word Bile, which means
" a tree. "
99 See Rev. James Wills'
"
trious and Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i.
Lives of lUus-
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 347
andbykilling. AmongthevictimswereGilla-Phadraig,andmanyothersofdis- tinction along with hira. While Leinster was spoiled and ravaged, as far as
the sea, Glean-da-Loch was plundered likewise, by the foreigners of Ath- Cliath. As a counter demonstration, the forces of Munster were placed on
a war footing. Gilla-Phadraig, the son of Donnchadh, and that progenitor,
from whom the Giolla-Phadraigs or Fitzpatricks of Ossory derived their
name, had sacrilegiously plundered Leighlin this year, for which act he was ob-
liged to do penance. Against him, Bryan led ahosting,probably to avengesome
real or fancied wrong. Seizing on the chief of Ossory, he was made a prisoner,
while hostages were exacted from the people of that territory. '"' Among the
extorted contributions, due to the King of Munster, are to be classed espe-
cially,thosefromLeinster. Thepeopleofthisprovincewereamongthechief
sufferers, owing to the manner, in which those tributes were levied. The
triennial Boromean Tribute,'" at first imposed by Tuathal, monarch of Ire-
land, on the people of Leinster, had been a fruitful source of periodical and
sanguinary conflicts, between the chief monarch of Erin, and the people of that
province, to the time of Finnachta the Festive, who abolished it, about 680,
owing to the persuasion of St. Moling, '°3 abbot of Tech Moling. However,
as a punishment for the adherence of Leinster to the Danish cause, about the
beginning of the eleventh century, Bryan, the son of Cinneadigh, again revived and levied it. '"'* The Leinster province was stimulated to oppose
the King of Thomond. The chief of the Northmen ofDesies had joined, also,inastrongconfederacy. WiththeseweretheforeignersofCorkandof Waterford, together with the chief of Ossory, all bent on opposing his claim.
Notwithstanding, Bryan's resolute spirit and masterly tactics did not fail him. He came promptly upon the disunited forces of his enemies. He met some of these, at a place, called the Circle of the Sons of Conrad, and he burst upon them, with an overwhelming force. This onset quickly scattered them, and they fell into irretrievable confusion. With prodigious slaughter, he drove them from the field. That league was thus effectively dissipated. Bryan followed up his victory. '"' He then proceeded to ravage the territories of Leinster, and to indemnify himself for that tribute, which had been withheld. He advanced to Magh Ailbe, or the White Plain, near Leighlin. There, he de- manded from Domhnall Claen, King of South Leinster,and from Tuathal, King of Western Liphi, who came into his house, hostages for their future sub- mission. His progress could not be resisted, and he received their homage; while the conqueror took measures to enforce their submission, returning homewardstheacknowledgedKingofLeathMogha. '°* Assovereignoverthis great principality, the revenues of Bryan became more considerable, than were hisreturns,asKingofMunster. TheLeinstertributetohim,intheformer
""See at a. d. 982, Dr. O'Donovan's to satisfy the monarch's claims.
"Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 714, 715, with nn. (c, d).
'"' His feast occurs, at the 17th of June.
'°< It is thought to have been from this circumstance, he obtained tl]e surname of Boroimhe, or, of the Tribute. According Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran and to M'Curtin, Bijroimhe signifies a tribute of cows or of
"" It was fixeil, Ijy Tuathal, to consist of
five thousand ounces of silver, five tliousnnd
cloaks, five thousand fat cows, five thousand
fat hogs, five thousand fat wethers, and five
thousand large vessels of brass or bronze. cattle, as it was usually the case, that sub- Owing to the great number of cows paid in
Bo the Gaedhlic for a emu it is it— being —
sidles were levied in this fashion, from Irish districts.
saidtohavebeennamedBoromean; and, prol)abIy, that species of cattle hatl been most largely received, as a commutation for the want of other assessments, since cows could be more ri-adily procurable, on the fer- tile pastures of Ireland, and be driven away
'"5 See Rev. James Wills' " Lives of lUus-
trious and Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i. Second Period, p. 201.
"* See Coga-oh JacDhel Ue Sattiibh, edited by Rev. James Henthorn Todd, pp. 106 to 109.
348 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
capacity, consisted, it is stated, of 300 gold-handled swords, 300 cows with brass yokes, 300 steeds, and 300 purple cloaks. '°'
Devastating inroads on Leinster, Connaught, and Munster, signalized the reign of Maelseachlainn II. over Ireland. '"^ These were continued for several
years ; and, they served to foster the hostility, while weakening the resources, of two great rivals. Various encroachments on established rights had led
to anarchical contests, among the provincial rulers, in different parts of Ire- land ; while the Munster Kings were implicated in such quarrels, regarding the balance of power. As in England, under the Saxon Heptarchy,'"? and in
Italy, during the Middle Ages,"° a narrow and local spirit usurped the large and generous sentiment of national patriotism. Existing customs and family or clan alliances too frequently stimulated divisions, fatal to the peace, pros- perity and honour of the nation, especially when acted upon by selfish and false motives. The struggles for supremacy, between the northern, southern, and western princes, in the kingdom of Ireland, until the arrival of the English,
especially when the princes of Thomond became powerful, dissipated the notion of a stable monarchy, under any single head of the native fami- lies. The power of Irish monarchical institutions had been weakened greatly, duringtheDanishinroads. However,theinvadershadthemultipleformof royalty, in the kingdoms of the north ; for, no less than twelve of these petty kings were in Norway, alone, at one time. '" In Ireland, too, the Ostmen had colonized distinct and detached places, under several independent chiefs, so that it was often difficult for them to act with speed and decision, in concert. "" By position, the Leinster people were necessarily most exposed to the power and influence of the Norwegians and Danes, whose armaments were usually conductedtotheeasternshoresofIreland. Thoseinvaderswereneverslow, to strengthen their posts and settlements, by bringing over reinforcements, to protect themselves against the Irish. Besides, they were enabled, when taking advantage of domestic feuds, to find allies serviceable
for their immeditate purposes. Wherever those invaders met with a powerful enemy, they formed alliances among the tribes, naturally hostile
to some provincial ruler, and they instigated resistance to his supremacy. Sel- dom did they miss an opportunity, to excite discontent and opposition among histributaries. Therecurrenceofthoseopportunitieswasunhappilyfrequent, while the results, indeed, were too fatal and durable, for public and private welfare. Such intrigues and policy formed some of those obstacles, with which the genius and valour of Bryan had to contend. "3
As we have already seen. More is stated to have been mother to Murrough, the eldest son of Bryan ;"•• and, therefore, we may fairly assume, that she was
'°' See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's "Gene-
ral History of Ireland," vol. ii. , Book xi. ,
chap, vi. , p. 245.
"* See Gratianus Lucius' " Cambrensis
Eversus," edited by Rev.
thiskingescortedhim,totheprincipalityofTyrone. Represented,also,"'*tothe King of Tyrone, for which this king entertained him for a month, at his palace
of Aileach,^5 or Oiligh, and the local ruler thence conveyed him to Tulach-og. "'®
He gave the King of Tulach-og his own special presentment,'? in return for which, that dynast treated him and his suite for twelve days, at Drumchla,'*
and thence, the chief escorted him to the principality of Orgialla. 's He pre- sented y the King of Orgialla a token of favour, in gratitude for which that prince was to entertain him and his nobility for one month, at his palace of Eamhain ;3' and, afterwards, that dynast was bound to escort him to the king- dom of Uladh. 3" To the King of Uladh, the King of Munster presented 33 several valuables, in consideration of which royal present, that prince regaled him and his retinue, for two months, at his palace of Boirche, or at Tulach Chearnaigh. 34 Then, the King of Uladh waited upon him, with the princes andnoblesofhiscourt,untilhewenttothekingdomofMeath. Hepre- sented a gift 35 to the King of Meath, for which that ruler treated him and his court during one month, in his palace of Taamhair, or Tara; and, afterwards, this king escorted him, with 100 of his own chiefs, to the kingdom of Leinster. He presented a bounty 3* to the potentate of Leinster, called King of the en- trenched Ath Cliath,37 in return for which gift, the Munster king was entertained for two months, by the two kings, ruling the northern and southern parts of Leinster. Then, the said kings, together with their nobles, were to accom- pany him, to the principality of Ossory, or as it is sometimes called Gabhran. 3* Heroyallypresented39 totheKingofOssory,forwhichthiskingwastoen- tertain him, at his palace of Gowran,*" for one month, and then the local dynast was bound to escort him, —on to the territories of his own kingdom.
TheKingofMunster whowasalsocalledtheKingofCashel,because
" It was probably near the mouth of the River Erne.
'< His presents were 50 steeds, with the usual trappings, 50 swords, and 50 cups, or drinking horns.
'5 The celebrated fort, near Londonderry,
and over Lough Swilly.
* Now a village, in the parish of Desert-
creight, barony of Dungannon, and county
"
^s His presents were lOO steeds, 30 com- plete armours, 30 corslets, and 30 cloaks. Thirty rings and thirty chess-boards are sub- stituted for the last, in the Book of Rights, See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, at pp. 38, 39.
^ His gifts were 30 bond-women, 30 steeds,30cups,and30richbedcovers; ten ships with beds, are substituted for the last, See Dr. O'Donovan's edition,
^^ The Irish name for Dublin,
3» Yox an enquiry into the origin and terri- torial extent of the country, anciently called Laighin deas Gabhair, i. e. Laghain, south of
Gabhair, or Gowran, the reader is referred, to the " Proceedings and Papers of the Kil- kenny and South-east of Ireland Archselogi- cal Society, for the year 1863, vol. iv. , part ii. New Series. There, a paper by Mr. John Hogan, "Topographical and Histori-
cal Illustrations ol the Suburbs of Kil- "
"
regarding the
Ancient Kingdom of Ossory," pp. 252 to 267. The subject is continued, in succeed- ing volumes.
» His gifts were 30 horses, 30 corslets, or coats of mail, and 30 swords.
«> Probably, in the town of that name, and in the barony so-called, county of Kil-
"
CoUec- tanea De Rebus Ililjemicis," vol. i. , No. iii. Critico-Historical Dissert. ition, concerning the Ancient Irish Laws, &c. Part i. , chap.
ii. , pp. 374 to 389.
of Tyrone. See
of Ireland," vol. iii. , p. 414.
Parliamentary Gazetteer
'' His gifts were 30 sorrel steeds, 30 swords, and 30 cups.
^ Thii! place has not been identified.
'' Theextentofthisgreatnorthernterritory hasbecn already pointed out, in the Life of St. Fanchea, chap, i. , n. 19, at the 1st ofjanuary.
3° His presents were 70 steeds, 70 suits of military apparel, and eight corslets.
3' Near the city of Armagh.
'* This name was formerly applied to the entire province of Ulster ; but, after the year 332, it was restricted to a portion of Down and Antrim, bounded on the west by Lough Neagh and the Lower Bann, and by Gleann Righe, through which an artificial tjoundary was formed, now called the Dane's Cast.
'^ His gifts were 100 bay steeds, 100
swords, 100 cloaks, 100 cups, and lOO bed
covers or counterpoints, curiously wrought. Ten ships are said to have been an additional
present. . ^ Or Cearnach's Hill, near TuUycamey,
in the county of Down.
kenny, contains some interesting notices,
kenny. See General Vallancey's
Origin and I-xtent of the
342 LTVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
ofhisusuallyresidingatthatplace—presentedbywayofsubsidyeveryyear,ten golden cups, thirty golden-hilted swords, and thirty horses, in rich furniture,'*" to the Dal-Cassian king, whenever he was not the sovereign of all Munster, to which he had an alternate right, according to the will of Olliol Olum. To
theKingof EoganachtCaisil, when the Dal-CassianchiefbecameKingof Mun- ster according to his alternative, he presented ten men slaves, ten women slaves, ten golden cups, and ten horses, in full furniturct^ He gave presents to the KingofOssoryj^sotherwisecalledtheKingofGabhran; totheKingofAra,'**
probably Eoghanacht-Aradh j'ts to the King of Eile,'** which derived name from Eile,*7 the seventh in descent from Cian, son to Oilioll Olum ; to the King of Uaithe ;*^ to the Kmg of the Deise,<9 or Deisies ;5o to the King of Cairbre Aodhbha,5' whose principal seat was Brughrigh ; to the King of Conall Gabhra ;5^ to the King of Aine Cliach -p to the King of Fearmuighe;5< or Gleanamhain;5s to the KingofAiobhLiathainjs* to the KingofMusgruidhe,? ?
<' In some copies of the Book of Rights, General Vallancey found added to the above presents, ten coats of mail, two cloaks richly adorned, and two pair of chess-boards, with
curious workmanship.
<^ThisdetaiIof the Public Rights, regarding
part of Waterford county, with a part of
Tipperary. They had also a large territory in Meath, and its name is still retained, in the two baronies of Deece.
5° His tribute was a ship well rigged, a golden-hilted sword, and a horse, in rich furniture. The prose has eight ships, eight men slaves, eight women slaves, eight coats
both the King of Munster and the subordi-
nate princes and states of the same province,
is extracted from General Vallancey's of mail, eight shields, eight swords, and
" Collectanea de Rebus Hibernicis," vol. i. .
and two cloaks, with gold clasps, and rich embroidery. The prose tract mentions ten horses, ten shields, ten cloaks, and two suits of military array.
+• His tribute was six swords, six shields of curious workmanship, and six scarlet cloaks. The prose adds, seven shields, seven swords, and seven horses.
« Thought, by Dr. O'Donovan, to be the same as Eoghanacht-Caille-na-manach, the present barony of Kilnamanagh, in the
"
county of Tipperary. See
phical Poems of John O'Dubhagain and
GioUa na naomh O'Huidhrin," n. 684, p. Ixxvii.
*' His tribute was six men slaves, six women slaves, six shields, and six swords ; according to the prose, eight coats of mail, eight shields, eight swords, eight horses, and eight cups.
*' This founder gave name to the territory,
which anciently comprised the whole of Ely O'Carroll.
•" He ruled over the present baronies of
Owney, in the counties of Limerick and Tip-
perary. His tribute was six shields, six one sword. According to the prose, seven
d
p. 374, seq.
eight horses.
5' His tribute was ten slaves made
No. III. ,
<3 His tribute was ten shields, ten swords,
captive in a foreign country, as appears from the plain text of the verse, viz. : DeithGaiil gan
swords, richly mounted, and six horses, mag- nificently accoutred, and particularly with
golden-bitted bridles. According to the
prose, seven horses, eight swords, and eight
cups, together with particular marks of honour and distinction shown him, at the court of Cashel.
•J This tribe was descended from Fiacha Suidhe, son to Feilimidh Reachtmar, who was monarch of Ireland, in tlie second cen-
horses, seven shields, and seven cups, con-
stituted the presentation.
5' His tribute was a sword and a shield of
the king's own wearing;, one horse richly ac- coutred, and one embroidered cloak ; accord- ing to the prose, five horses, five swords, five cloaks, and five cups, formed the presenta- tion.
The Topogra-
Gacdhilga. the prose has seven bond-slaves, seven free servants, seven swords, and seven
cups.
5* The following were his privileges and
presents, viz. : while the King of Conal Gabhra remained at the court of Cashel, he had the honour to sit near the king at table, and at his departure from court, he was pre- sented with a horse in rich furniture, as also a military suit ofarray, all his attendants re- ceived similar presents, proportiontd to their respective ranks. According to the prose, the whole gift was only ten shields, ten swords, ten horses, and ten cups.
53 His tribute was a sword and a shield of
the king's own wearing, and thirty cloaks, which were given him in the month of May
precisely, according to the verse. Is triocad brat gach Beiltine. The prose has eight
swords, eight horses, eight cups, two coats of mail, and two cloaks.
'
• 57 His tribute was one of the king's own swords, one of his horses, and one of his tury. Their territory comprised the greater hounds; the prose allows seven horses,
Anglicised, Fermoy.
55 His tribute was one horse, richly ac-
coutred, one shield, curiously wrought, and
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 343
or Muskerry; to the King of Raithleann;58 to the King of Dairinne ;59 to the King of Leim-con -^ to the King of Loch-Lein ;* to the King of Dairbre f"*
and to the King of Ciaruidhe,'^ or Kerry. *'* Other petty chiefs and states, too tedious to be mentioned, were considered deserving of recompense, in
like manner; and, everyone of these he complimented, with a proportionate present, by way of an annual subsidy.
The fiscal Tributes, and the manner of paying them, in kind, agreeably to
the primitive usages, will be sufficiently exemplified, through the following entries,^s which are on record. Those tributes, which were imposed for pro- tective purposes were willingly paid, by the confederated tribes ; while those, which implied subjection, were contested, when favourable opportunities were afforded. Theideaofenforcedservitudeonahigh-spiritedandwarlikepeople could not be expected to pass away from remembrance, and the protest was often manifested in stem resistance to a grievance, that was popularly and sensitively felt.
The King of Cashel, or of Munster, received a yearly tribute,^ from the inhabitants! of Burren ; from the inhabitants of Corcamruadh f^ from the people of Corcabhaiscinn f^ from the inhabitants of Corcaduibhne /' from those of Ciaruidhe ;'° from the people of Seactmadh -p from the people of Corcaluighe ;'' from the people of Musgruidhe ;73 from the inhabitants ? < of that part of Fearmuighe, which belonged to O'Dugain, of the race ofir, son toMileadh; fromthepeopleofDesies;'' fromthoseofUaithne;'^fromthe inhabitants " of Ara ; while from the people of Ossory,'* their own special
seven coats of mail, and seven suits of com- plete armour.
5' His tribute was ten swords, ten scarlet and ten blue cloaks, with ten cups ; accord- ing to the prose, ten horses, ten coats of mail, and ten shields.
cows, 1,000 wethers, and i,ooo cloaks.
"^ This tribute consisted of I, coo bul-
locks, 1,000 cows, 1,000 sheep, and 1,000 cloaks.
'^ This tribute was 1,000 bullocks, 1,000 wethers, i,ooo hogs, and 1,000 cloaks.
5' His tribute was seven ships, seven coats
of mail, and seven swords ; according to the
prose, seven ships, seven coats of mail,
seven horses, seven swords, and seven Caisil Accuabbhair," it is added, 30 scarlet
"
cloaks, 30 bullocks, and 30 milch cows.
'° Their tribute was 1,000 bullocks, 1,000
'' His tribute was ten ships, ten dun 60 cows, and 60 black wethers.
cups.
*° His tribute was a ship fully rigged, one
horse in rich furniture, one cup curiously
wrought, and one sword ; in the prose, {ire
found seven ships, seven horses, seven coats cows, and 100 hogs ; but, according to the of mail, seven shields, and seven swords. poem, they were to pay only, 60 bullocks,
horses, and ten 'coats of mail ; the prose states, seven ships, seven horses, seven coats of mail, seven shields, and seven swords.
" His tribute was three ships, well rig- ged, and three 'swords ; according to the prose, seven horses, seven hounds, and seven
cups.
'i,His tribute was ten horses, well accou-
tred, and a silk cloak : according to the
prose, he gave seven cloaks, with gold clasps, seven horses, and seven cups.
'< In Latin Kerrigia. It olitained the name
from Ciar, son ol Fergus Mac Roy and of
Meava, the celebrated Queen of Connaught. He flouriahed a short time before the Chris-
tian era.
'5 These are translated, out of the ancient
record, called Leabhar na g-Ceart, or the
Book of Rights.
" It consisted of 1,000 bullocks, 1,000
'' Their assessment comprised 100 bul- locks, 100 cows, and 100 hogs.
" 'Their tribute was 1,000 cows, and 1,000 hogs ; although other accounts add, 300 beeves, 300 hogs, 100 milch cows, and 100 cloaks.
'* These returned 40 bullocks, 40 beeves, and 40 milch cows.
'5 These were assessed, in 1,000 bullocks, 1,000 milch cows, 2,000 hogs, 1,000 sheep, and 1. 000 cloaks.
''Tliey presented 300 milch cows, 30O hogs, 100 bullocks, and 300 cloaks.
" These returned 100 cows, lOO hogs, 200 wethers, and too green cloaks.
'* These were obliged to pay "JCO cows, and 700 cloaks; besides that obligation, in- cumbent on the King of Ossory, it was re- quireil, viz. : to supply the King of Munster with his contingent of armed men, when de- manded upon any necessary occasion. And,
'^ This tribute comprised 1,000 bullocks and 1,000 cows ; but, according to the
poem beginning with the words,
Cios
cows, and 1,000 hogs.
' Their tribute was 100 bullocks, 100
344 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
tributetoMunsterwasdemanded. ? ' Someofthosetributeshadnohigher claims, than what had been afforded, by successful usurpation f° while the manner, in which they had been exacted and enforced, were fruitful causes, for many of those tribal leuds, which are recorded in our Annals.
Among the distinguished heroes of Ireland, in the tenth century, was Maelseachlainn, the son of Domhnall,^' afterwards surnamed Mor. His name
hasbeenotherwiseAnglicised,asMalachy. Intheyear978,^^or979,^3hehad won universal honour, throughout the land, by a splendid victory, obtained
at Tara. The King of the Galls, or foreigners, Aulaf, residing at Dublin,
appears to have called together the forces, established in the Islands north
and west of Scotland, and from Man, to unite with his own soldiers, who
marched under the leadership of his sons, to attack the monarch of Ireland,
attheseatofhispower. HissonRaghnall,LatinizedReginaldus,orRanul-
phus, held chief command, over the foreigners. Conamhaill,^'* son to Gilla-
Arri, the orator of Ath-Cliath, and son to its deputy king, was one of his lead-
ing chiefs, in this expedition. A desperate battle ensued, and both of these
Scandinavian heroes fell, while the forces of Meath and their allies were
commandedbyMaelseachlainn. Afteracontestofmemorablefierceness,
victory declared for the Irish forces. With great slaughter, on both sides,
Maelseachlainn routed the Danes. Several thousand of their forces are stated
to have fallen, in this engagement f^ and, among the rest, Reginald, their chiefcommander. ^* IntheheatofthisengagementfellBraen,sonofMur-
chadh, royal heir of Leinster, Conghalach, son to Flann, lord of Gaileanga, with his son Maelan, Fiachna and Cuduilich, two sons of Dubhlaech, and
lordsofFearaTulach,asalsoLachtnan,lordofMughdhornMaighen. We are not informed, by our annalists, on what side some of the foregoing fought. This battle broke the foreigners' strength and confidence, for a time. After the result was known, Aulaf went across the sea, and he died at I-Coluim- Cille. *7 The great probability is, he had abandoned worldly ambition for re- ligiousretirement. Thatvaliantproofofhiswarlikeability,onthepartofMala-
chy, was the surewayto arrive at power, in Ireland; for,havingattained strength and renown, over the stranger hosts, the Irish people trusted in the valour of a protector, whose sword was best able to carve its way to success, when the foreigners were most formidable in numbers, and in organization. ^* Shortly after that great victory, at Tara, the monarch Domhnall, in 979,^' or 980,9° was removed, by death. He had retired to Armagh,? ' where he piously engaged in penitential exercises, for a long time previous, to prepare well for his approaching dissolution.
in like manner, from different other coun- tries, and petty states, were assessments re- quired : all of which supplies were to be paid in, by those people, at stated times, and at certain seasons of the year. SeeDr. Sylves-
nor of Dublin," who fell in this encounter, according to Rev. Dr. Lanigan. See "Eccle- siastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xxiii. , sect, vii. , p. 415.
*5 Some writers have enumerated 5,000.
terO'Halloran's"GeneralHistoryofIrelaiid," See vol. ii. , Book xi. , chap, v. , pp. 238 to 246.
1'
Abbe Ma-Geoghegan's
Ilisloire de
" See Dermod O'Conor's
Keating's
" Ge-
Seconde
^ See Gratianus Lucius' " Cambrensis
Eversus," edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, vol. ii. , cap. ix. , pp. 32, 33.
^^ See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 708, 709.
neral History of Ireland," part ii. , pp. 487
to 492.
*° "
See Rev.
James Wills' Lives of Illus-
trious and Uislinguished Irishmen," vol. i. Second Period, p. 201.
« He was not the later monarch, but rather the son of Donnchadh, son to Flann.
8^ According to the Annals of Ulster.
^3 According to Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 708, 709.
«« See Elias
" Histoire de
^ he is the " Perhaps,
the
"
s" According to Roderick O'Flaherty's Ogygia," pars, iii. , cap. xciii. , p. 435.
Irlavra,
gover-
"
I'Irlande, Ancienne et Moderne," tome i.
Partie, chap, vi. , p. 407.
Regnault's I'Irlande," liv. i. , chap, vi. , p. 75.
^ According to Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of tlie Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 708, 709.
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 345
He was immediately succeeded, by the brave prince Malachy,— known as Maelseachlainn II. , King of Ireland,—and whose reputa-
tion was so highly extolled, as a consequence of his recent victory. The year of his accession to the sovereignty was 980. 9" While his valour and wisdom were such, as to shed permanent glory on his memory ; yet, his advent was rather late, to redeem that weakness, which a succession offeeblemonarchshadentailedonthesceptreofTara. Acontinuouswar- fare against the Danes was waged by Malachy, after his accession to the throne,whenheissaidtohaveattainedthethirtiethyearofhisage. 93 That
in with of heleda — very year, conjunction Eochaidh,94 King Ulidia, great army
agamst the foreigners of Ath-Cliath; and, marching into the parts of Fingall then the place of greatest strength for the Northmen—he besieged Dublin, for
three
days
and three
This blockade ended in a — nights. capitulation
and
;
the
Dubliners — agreed
to surrender the Irish
twothousand whichtheyheld,andtogivehostagesinreturn,forthefulfil- ment of certain conditions imposed on them. Among the prisoners was Domh- nall Claen, King of South Leinster, with many of the Ui-Neill. All of these captives, that lived in servitude to the Scandinavians, were liberated, without ransom. Theywerepermittedtoreturn,andtoliveintheirrespectivecoun- tries,freefromtributeorexaction,fromth—eShannontothesea. Then,Mael-
hostages
" seachlain issued his famous proclamation Every
:
captives numbering
is in the territory of the foreigners, in servitude and bondage, let him go to his
own territory, in peace and happiness. " Besides, the victors were bought off, by
asubsidy,consistingofvaluablegoodsandjewels. 95 Thatstrenuouswarfare, 'which he prosecuted with almost unvarying success, and which he continued for so many successive years, against the Danes, kept them in a wholesome state of fear, from attempting inroads on any part of liis dominions. The
aspiring spirit of Malachy is manifested, by the activity and vigour of his open- ing career ; while the vitality and strength of his monarchy are proved, by the resources which guided his enterprises. Nor do we consider, that his con-
ducting of public affairs, relating to the whole kingdom of Ireland, deserves those reproaches of indolence and apathy, directed against his character, by depreciators, or by eulogists, of the King ofMunster.
An expedition into the Dalcasian territory took place, a. d. 976, according to the Annals of Clonmacnoise, or following the chronology of the Four Mas- ters, A. D. 981. 9* Doubtless, what the monarch deemed a political necessity required this display of power ; for, he was jealous, regarding the ability and supposed ambitious designs of his rival in renown, and of his subordinate in station. The monarch of Ireland was every inch a hero ; and yet, he wanted magnanimity to sustain such eminence, and the control of temper, to conceal his personal resentment. A rash and splenetic action showed how impolitic hemightbehave. Hiscalmrecollectionanddignityofmindmusthavecon-
demned, as a truly unworthy and mean proceeding, that predatory expedi- tion, which he conducted. It could only serve, however, to awaken the vigi-
lance and suspicion of Brian, but his feelings might have been more guardedly respected. Passing through Aenaah-Maigh-Adhair,'' the monarch's troops
'' Hence, he was called Donnell of Ard- mach, according to the Annals of Clon- macnoise, which place his death, at a. d. 973.
*" According to Sir James Ware's " Anti- quitates Ilibemica:," cap. xxiv. , p. 113,
»5 See Tigernaci Annales, in Rev. Charles
"
O'Conor's Reriim Hibernicarum Scripto-
res," pp. 261, 262.
^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 714, 715, and n. (a),
*' This place has been identified, by Dr.
O'Donovan, with near in Moyre, Tullagh,
and Roderick O'Flaherty s iii. , cap. xciii. , p. 435.
"
" See Thomas Moore's "
of Ire-
History land," vol. ii. , chap. XX. , p 90.
" ' " ~'
the county of Clare. That name signifies,
»• He is called tlie son of
Ardgar.
" the of meeting-place Magh
Adhair.
Ogygia," pars.
one of the Gaeidhil, who
346 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
came to an ancient and a venerable tree. It was an object, almost sacred in the memory of the people, for that immemorial usage, whereby the Dalcassian
princes were inaugurated, with all the attendant rites, and under its spreading shades. This was a proud memorial of a high-spirited clan, and it grew at a place called Bile Magii Adhair. 9* Irritated by a swarm of humiliating and woundingassociations,Malachygavewaytoanungovernabletemper; and, impulsively,heorderedthetreeofinaugurationtobecutdown. Thisorder was promptly obeyed. Not alone the venerable tree was left prostrate on the ground ; but, after having been dug from the earth, with its roots, it was dis- gracefully hacked to pieces. This action must have rankled in the breast of the brave king, who had received his honours, with such a laudable pride, on the part of his loyal clansmen, and under its shelter. A hallowed character was given to his resentment, for what was regarded as little less than a sacri- lege. Bryan's suffering spirit was regulated, however, by a patient and a long- sighted comprehension, that the moment had not yet arrived, for the vindi- cation of his interests and of his puissance. The dictates of calculation or ambition mastered the sense of insult, in his firm and capacious judgment; for, hasty, incomplete, and vain, efforts, only argue imbecility of purpose and ofmind. Heknewthetimemightcomeforaction,andhewasobligedto submit, for the present, asjthe supreme monarch of Ireland was over-confident in his power and resources. Therefore was Malachy rendered more proud
and presumptuous, in consequence of this impunity. 99
Having levied a hosting for the purpose, in the following year, the monarch of
Ireland entered part of an inheritance, then under the dominion of theMunster king. Forecast and secrecy enabled the latter, notwithstanding, to forestall the invader. He could not be allowed to pass unresisted, unless absolute humi- liation and injustice were to be borne ; and, the superior ability of Bryan is shown, by the course he adopted. Without being obliged to risk a battle, and only by the mere demonstration of a very imposing force, Bryan compelled the monarch to pause in his meditated career. He obhged the King of Ireland,
also, to confirm, by a binding treaty, those claims, which were originally founded only in usurpation. The Leinster tribute, formerly ceded to Bryan, on this occasion, proved a trophy more honourable to himself, and more mor- tifying to his rival. It was most profitable and permanent, because it gave prestige and material power to the Dalcassian kings. However, the monarch
naturally desired to establish his supremacy beyond question, and he could notacquiesceintheenforceddismembermentofalargeprovince. Hewatched
the sagacious and active administration, while he distrusted the growing
power, of an aspiring nominal subordinate, but, in reality, of an able rival. Matured in Bryan's thought were the various chances, that time and tide
bring to the grasp of men. The monarchy itself, he began to consider, might be the prize reserved for him, awaiting the seasonable opportunity for preferring his claim, and while biding the moment for execution of his
plans. Tothepromptingsofself-interestandofnecessitymayweattributeanalliance,
between the chief monarch, and Gluiniarm,'°° son of Amhlaeibh, when, in the year 982, or 98 3, they obtained a victory over Domhnall Claen, King of South Leinster, and over Imhar of Port-Lairge, where many perished, both by drowning
9' See Rev. Dr. Paul O'Brien's
"
Focaloir
Second Period, pp. 201, 202.
'"The name is rendered "of the iron
knee," and as Dr, O'Donovan supposes, be- cause his legs were cased in iron mail, to protect them Irom the strokes of Irish battle- axes.
Gaoidhilge-Sax-Bheaila, or an Irish English Dictionary," at the word Bile, which means
" a tree. "
99 See Rev. James Wills'
"
trious and Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i.
Lives of lUus-
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 347
andbykilling. AmongthevictimswereGilla-Phadraig,andmanyothersofdis- tinction along with hira. While Leinster was spoiled and ravaged, as far as
the sea, Glean-da-Loch was plundered likewise, by the foreigners of Ath- Cliath. As a counter demonstration, the forces of Munster were placed on
a war footing. Gilla-Phadraig, the son of Donnchadh, and that progenitor,
from whom the Giolla-Phadraigs or Fitzpatricks of Ossory derived their
name, had sacrilegiously plundered Leighlin this year, for which act he was ob-
liged to do penance. Against him, Bryan led ahosting,probably to avengesome
real or fancied wrong. Seizing on the chief of Ossory, he was made a prisoner,
while hostages were exacted from the people of that territory. '"' Among the
extorted contributions, due to the King of Munster, are to be classed espe-
cially,thosefromLeinster. Thepeopleofthisprovincewereamongthechief
sufferers, owing to the manner, in which those tributes were levied. The
triennial Boromean Tribute,'" at first imposed by Tuathal, monarch of Ire-
land, on the people of Leinster, had been a fruitful source of periodical and
sanguinary conflicts, between the chief monarch of Erin, and the people of that
province, to the time of Finnachta the Festive, who abolished it, about 680,
owing to the persuasion of St. Moling, '°3 abbot of Tech Moling. However,
as a punishment for the adherence of Leinster to the Danish cause, about the
beginning of the eleventh century, Bryan, the son of Cinneadigh, again revived and levied it. '"'* The Leinster province was stimulated to oppose
the King of Thomond. The chief of the Northmen ofDesies had joined, also,inastrongconfederacy. WiththeseweretheforeignersofCorkandof Waterford, together with the chief of Ossory, all bent on opposing his claim.
Notwithstanding, Bryan's resolute spirit and masterly tactics did not fail him. He came promptly upon the disunited forces of his enemies. He met some of these, at a place, called the Circle of the Sons of Conrad, and he burst upon them, with an overwhelming force. This onset quickly scattered them, and they fell into irretrievable confusion. With prodigious slaughter, he drove them from the field. That league was thus effectively dissipated. Bryan followed up his victory. '"' He then proceeded to ravage the territories of Leinster, and to indemnify himself for that tribute, which had been withheld. He advanced to Magh Ailbe, or the White Plain, near Leighlin. There, he de- manded from Domhnall Claen, King of South Leinster,and from Tuathal, King of Western Liphi, who came into his house, hostages for their future sub- mission. His progress could not be resisted, and he received their homage; while the conqueror took measures to enforce their submission, returning homewardstheacknowledgedKingofLeathMogha. '°* Assovereignoverthis great principality, the revenues of Bryan became more considerable, than were hisreturns,asKingofMunster. TheLeinstertributetohim,intheformer
""See at a. d. 982, Dr. O'Donovan's to satisfy the monarch's claims.
"Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 714, 715, with nn. (c, d).
'"' His feast occurs, at the 17th of June.
'°< It is thought to have been from this circumstance, he obtained tl]e surname of Boroimhe, or, of the Tribute. According Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran and to M'Curtin, Bijroimhe signifies a tribute of cows or of
"" It was fixeil, Ijy Tuathal, to consist of
five thousand ounces of silver, five tliousnnd
cloaks, five thousand fat cows, five thousand
fat hogs, five thousand fat wethers, and five
thousand large vessels of brass or bronze. cattle, as it was usually the case, that sub- Owing to the great number of cows paid in
Bo the Gaedhlic for a emu it is it— being —
sidles were levied in this fashion, from Irish districts.
saidtohavebeennamedBoromean; and, prol)abIy, that species of cattle hatl been most largely received, as a commutation for the want of other assessments, since cows could be more ri-adily procurable, on the fer- tile pastures of Ireland, and be driven away
'"5 See Rev. James Wills' " Lives of lUus-
trious and Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i. Second Period, p. 201.
"* See Coga-oh JacDhel Ue Sattiibh, edited by Rev. James Henthorn Todd, pp. 106 to 109.
348 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
capacity, consisted, it is stated, of 300 gold-handled swords, 300 cows with brass yokes, 300 steeds, and 300 purple cloaks. '°'
Devastating inroads on Leinster, Connaught, and Munster, signalized the reign of Maelseachlainn II. over Ireland. '"^ These were continued for several
years ; and, they served to foster the hostility, while weakening the resources, of two great rivals. Various encroachments on established rights had led
to anarchical contests, among the provincial rulers, in different parts of Ire- land ; while the Munster Kings were implicated in such quarrels, regarding the balance of power. As in England, under the Saxon Heptarchy,'"? and in
Italy, during the Middle Ages,"° a narrow and local spirit usurped the large and generous sentiment of national patriotism. Existing customs and family or clan alliances too frequently stimulated divisions, fatal to the peace, pros- perity and honour of the nation, especially when acted upon by selfish and false motives. The struggles for supremacy, between the northern, southern, and western princes, in the kingdom of Ireland, until the arrival of the English,
especially when the princes of Thomond became powerful, dissipated the notion of a stable monarchy, under any single head of the native fami- lies. The power of Irish monarchical institutions had been weakened greatly, duringtheDanishinroads. However,theinvadershadthemultipleformof royalty, in the kingdoms of the north ; for, no less than twelve of these petty kings were in Norway, alone, at one time. '" In Ireland, too, the Ostmen had colonized distinct and detached places, under several independent chiefs, so that it was often difficult for them to act with speed and decision, in concert. "" By position, the Leinster people were necessarily most exposed to the power and influence of the Norwegians and Danes, whose armaments were usually conductedtotheeasternshoresofIreland. Thoseinvaderswereneverslow, to strengthen their posts and settlements, by bringing over reinforcements, to protect themselves against the Irish. Besides, they were enabled, when taking advantage of domestic feuds, to find allies serviceable
for their immeditate purposes. Wherever those invaders met with a powerful enemy, they formed alliances among the tribes, naturally hostile
to some provincial ruler, and they instigated resistance to his supremacy. Sel- dom did they miss an opportunity, to excite discontent and opposition among histributaries. Therecurrenceofthoseopportunitieswasunhappilyfrequent, while the results, indeed, were too fatal and durable, for public and private welfare. Such intrigues and policy formed some of those obstacles, with which the genius and valour of Bryan had to contend. "3
As we have already seen. More is stated to have been mother to Murrough, the eldest son of Bryan ;"•• and, therefore, we may fairly assume, that she was
'°' See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's "Gene-
ral History of Ireland," vol. ii. , Book xi. ,
chap, vi. , p. 245.
"* See Gratianus Lucius' " Cambrensis
Eversus," edited by Rev.
