With all the bristling and numerous entries of those periodic events, recorded in our annals, we are often at a loss, to trace their origin and sequence, or the influences those incidents must have
exercised
on cotem- poraneous character and history.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v4
Sylvester O'Halloran's "Gene-
Black Foreigners. " It is stated, in the Dub- lin copy of the Annals of Innisfallen, at the year 1016, that this was the name of an island in the Shannon, but it has not been yet identified. It was probably another name for the King's Island, limerick.
"3 The Island of Loch Saiglenn. Its situation was unknown to Dr. O'Donovan.
"* Identical with Rosnaree Ford, on the River Boyne, where, it is said, the Monarch of Ireland, Cormac Mac Art, lies interred. See Sir William R. Wilde's " Beauties of the Boyne, and its Tributary, the Blackwater," chap, viii. , pp. 187, 188.
"5 It is also call Cathair-Cinn-Coradh, or the stone fort of Kincora.
"' See Dr. " General JeoflTrey Keating's
ral of History
vol.
Book
Ireland," chap, vii. , pp. 256.
ii. ,
xi. ,
'"* Sometimes called Cenn Abrat.
History of Ireland," translated by Dermod O'Connor, Second Book, p. 485.
'°5AlsocalledLochCend. Dr. O'Dono-
van is doubtful, if this be Lough Cre, near Roscrea.
"^ Now Lough Gur, county of Lime- rick.
"^ Now Bruree, county of Limerick. "* Now Cahir.
'°' Now Duntryleague.
"" Dungrod, in Aherlow Glen, in the
county of Tipperary.
" Called, likewise, Dun Cliath, on the top
of Knockany Hill.
"' The signification is " the Island of the
"'Alsocalled"RosachoftheKings. "
"' See Co5AT)h JaeDhet He jAlUiVibh, chap. Ixxx. , pp. 140, 141.
"» See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , n. (w), p. 770.
'TM See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's " Gene-
ral History of Ireland," vol. ii. . Book xi. , chap, vii. , p. 255.
'"" That attributed to his secretary Mac
Liag.
" According to an Irish poet, named
Gilla Mududa O'Cassidy, Abbot of Ardbrec- can, fifteen years are assigned him, in the
Fortresses and
the necessity for
38o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
Erinn, Bryan was powerful, and also secured in the affections of liis subjects, while they held him in great honour. "3 He laid out good roads in different directions throughout the island ; while these served to promote ready access, between various posts and stations, before almost inaccessible. He con- structed bridges over deep waters and rivers, that had previously been impassable ; and thus, the facilities for travel and commerce were materially improved. Those public works made him very popular, among his sub- jects. "* He hanged or put to death robbers and thieves, who were the plun- derers of Erinn. The instigators of war, of murder, and of trespass, were finedandimprisoned. "' Favouritesandsycophantswerebanished,fromthe court of Bryan. Such was his sense of inflexible justice, that he would not suffer the meanest of his subjects to be oppressed or injured, by any of the nobles, even although these were his own relatives. "*
The closing years of Bryan's life, however, were clouded with some domes- tic bereavements. The monarch's wife, Duvchovlaigh, who was daughter to the King of Connaught, died a,d. 1008;"' while, the void she occasioned in Bryan's home was soon widened, by the removal of other prized friends and relations. This wife is called Dubhchabhla, in the Annals of Ulster, which place her death, at this same year. "* Under the date of 1009,"? in the Annals of the Four Masters,'3° we find the death of Maelsuthain O'Cearb- liaill recorded, with a high encomium, and after he had led a good life. This year, also, Byran is said to have conducted an army to Cleanloch,'3i orClonen- loch, a region of the mountain Fuath,'3" where he received the hostages of the northern half of Ireland. '33 In a. d. ioio, the monarch's own brother, Marcan, head of the clergy of Munster, departed this life. '3« His exact posi- tion in the Irish Church, we have not been able to ascertain.
While those events were transpiring, the columns of Bryan's army were ready tomoveinthedirectionofDublin. ThedivisionofhissonMurroughhad already preceded him. '35 Afti r some time had been spent on his march, the monarch reached Kilmainham, which lay a little distance west from DubUn. He encamped there, and remained for some months ;'3' his object being pro- bably to favour the enterprise of Murrough, by preventing the Leinstermen or Ostmen from sending any forces to oppose him. The monarch found no army in Leinster able to withstand his progress ;'37 and, now he attempted to besiege Dublin. His army drew lines about the stronghold, but they seem to have made no progress in its capture, and they found it difficult to obtain
monarchy, although Dr. Keating, and most of our Irish historians, only give him twelve. His stanzas are preserved, in the " Book of Lecan," fol. 312a. , and in the "Leabhar Gabhala," or Book of Conquests, p. 233. Both of those Manuscripts are preserved, in the Royal Irish Academy.
''3 See CogA'oVi JierjheL T\e 5<iLtAibh, chap. Ixxx. , pp. 140, 141.
"< See Dermod O Connor's Keating's "GeneralHistory of Ireland, "Second Book,
p. 485.
"5 See CosAt)! ! jAexihel Re jAltAibli,
chap. Ixxix. , pp. 136, 137.
'"° See Dr. Keating's "General History
"' Recte A. D. loio.
'3° See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol.
ii. ,
olIreland,"translated by Dermod O'Connor, Book ii. , p. 485.
pp. 760, 761.
"' It was situated near Newtown Hamil-
ton, in the county of Armagh.
'^' Anglicised, the Fews.
'33 See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hiberni-
carum Scriptores. " tomus iv. Annales Ultonienses, p. 299.
'3* See John O'Donoghue's "Historical Memoir of the O'Briens," parti. , chap, iii. , p. 25.
'3» See CosatdIi 5<! ieT>liet Re JOittaibVi, chap. Ixxxvi. , pp. 150, 151.
'i^ It is said, he remained here, from the August of that year to Christmas; or as another account lias it, from the festival of Ciaran in harvest to great Christmas.
'37 See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's "Gene-
ral History of Ireland," vol. ii. , Book xi. , chap,viii. ,p. 260.
"^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
FourMasters,"vol. ii. , pp. 760, 76i,andn. (p). "8 Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiber-
nicarumScriptores,"tomusiv. , p. 298.
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 381
provisions from a country already plundered, especially when the bleak winter set in. So far Bryan had succeeded, in blockading the city, which was well fortified, and in keeping the Danes within their walls, although he was unable probably to capture the place, by assault, or by a regular siege. During the time he lay there, neither the foreigners, nor the Leinstermen, would give him
battle, while they refused a single hostage or subsidy. Provisions for his army could no longer be obtained ; while, it is likely, the Dubliners were well supplied by sea. 's^ As more decisive results could not then be obtained, he broke up his encampment, and marched homewards. Bryan returned to Kincora,'39 having obtained some advantages, and enriched with those spoils he had secured ; while the plunder of the Leinster province compensated for his failure, to take possession of Danish Dublin. Although the Danes are said to have enclosed Cork with walls, so early as the middle of the ninth century ;'<° yet, the Irish seem to have had possession of this and of other southern cities in the time of Bryan Boromha. During his encampment before the walls of Dublin, the Danes had effected a most destructive descent on Munster. Agreatfleetoftheforeignersarrivedthere,a. d. ioiz,'^'andthey burned Corcach j^j but, the invaders met with a speedy retribution. Before these could re-embark, they received a severe repulse from the inhabitants. This cost them many lives. Among the slain was Aulaff, or Amhlaeibh, son to Sitrick, the King of Dublin, chief of the foreigners. Besides him, Math- ghamhain, son to Dubhghall, and many others, were slain, by Cathal, son of Domhnall, son to Dubhdabhoireann. '« The restless activity of the Ostmen was not to be subdued, however, by any casual demonstration of military power. Having the strongest fortifications then in tlie island, with superior naval and commercial resources, although inferior in numerical force, they were proba- bly more subjected to military discipline, and better provided with arms than theIrish. '< IntheNorth,intheBritishIsles,andelsewhere,theircountry- men were very powerful ; and, therefore, the Ostmen in Ireland were desirous of establishing their supremacy over the natives. Their ambitious designs soon became manifest ; the opportunity seemed favourable for their enter- prise; then a gigantic struggle was resolved on, the means for which were now prepared, and on a scale of the greatest magnitude.
CHAPTER VII.
DISTURBANCES RAISED AGAI. VST BRYAN's SUPREMACY—HIS EXPEDITION TO MAGH CORRAN—HE AND MAELSEACHLAINN MARCH ON MUIRTHEMNE—THE KINO OF LEINS—TER ORGANIZES A GREAT CONFEDERACY TO OPPOSE THE MONARCH OF IRE- LAND WAR IN I0I2—MAELSEACHLAINN AND BRYAN ARE OBLIGED TO ACT AGAINST THE CONFEDERATED IRISH AND THE SCANDINAVIANS—UNSUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN OF MAELSEACHLAINN—BRYAN BOROIMHA INVADES LEINSTER, AND ADVANCES VICTORIOUSLY TO DUBLIN—THE FOREIGNERS ARE DEFEATED AT CORK— THEIR POWER AND RESOURCES.
The state of unrest, prevailing among the native kings and chiefs, no less than that agitating the foreign element in Ireland, seldom allowed the mon-
3» See Co5aT)h jaeDhet He JalLAibh, chap. Ixxxvi. ,pp. 150,151.
p. 74.
*NowthecityofCork. Godimmedia-
'"> See
D'Alton s "
of the
took on them for that vengeance
John
County of Dublin," p. 605.
History
tely
deed, is an expression, used by the Four '"See Charles Smith's "Ancient and Masters.
Present State of the County and City of Cork," vol. i. . Book ii. , chap, ix. , pp. 362, 363.
'*' See Miss M. F. Cusack's "History of the City and County of Cork," chap, v. ,
'<' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 768, 769.
« See Rrv. James Wills' "Lives of lUus- trious and Distinguished Irishmen. " vol. i. ,
Second Period, p. 206.
382 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [April 23.
arch sufficient leisure to reform or consolidate the framework of his govern- mental policy.
With all the bristling and numerous entries of those periodic events, recorded in our annals, we are often at a loss, to trace their origin and sequence, or the influences those incidents must have exercised on cotem- poraneous character and history. Especially, in the northern parts of Ireland, the supremacy of Bryan had not been acknowledged ;' nay more, his power had been resisted and baffled, by the Hy Nialls. This sufficiently appears, from their almost unrestrained inroads among themselves, about this period
of his reign, when something like anarchy prevailed in that special quarter. Flaithbheartach, or Flaherty, the brother of Aodh O'Neill, had succeeded on his throne ;= and, his turbulent disposition must have caused very considerable
anxiety to the sovereign. He made an irruption into Ulidia, when he slew the chief of Leath-Chathail, who was named Cuuladh, son of Aengus, in 1006. He then took away seven hostages from the Ulidians. 3 The same ruthless King of Tyrone barbarously blinded Donnchada O'Kelly, at Inishowen, and killed him afterwards ;* while he led an army against the men of Bregh, from whom he carried away a great cattle-spoil. His rancour, manifested towards Maelseachlainn, seems to have exceeded that entertained against Bryan him- self ; but, it is probable, that having extorted sureties by force, Flahertach had learned to fear and respect the military dictator. ' He appears to have acted, sometimes, in concert with the Ard Righ.
During the year ion, the monarch Brian invaded Magh-Corran,* probably the plain of Corran,' in Sligo. Here are to be seen the remarkable Kesh Caves. * These are lofty and magnificent, presenting
themselves like gigantic doorways, on the western side, and leading to the innermost recesses of the mountain. If the local accounts are
to be trusted, the caves contain lakes of unfathomable depth and spars of unimaginable beauty, while they are said to reach even to the eastern part of the mountain. ' They are about half-way up the side of Kish-Corran. '° On this occasion, having arrived at the plain of Corran, the monarch of Ireland succeeded in bringing Maelruany O'Maeldorad, King of Tyrconnell, bound to the citadel of Cincora. " Here he was detained as a captive. For some time, this chieftain had been closely confined, in the
custody of Bryan, at his royal seat of power, but afterwards he was generously
Chapter vii. — ' The Rev. Matthew
Kelly, D. D. , remarks, that until three or four years, before the battle of Clontarf, the races of Eoghan and of Conall paid no tri- bute to Bryan. See Gratianus Lucius' Cambrensis Eversus," vol. ii. , cap. ix. , n. (o), p. 36.
" See Charles O'Conor's " Dissertations on the History of Ireland," sect, xviii. , p. 248.
3 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 758, 759.
• The Annals of Ulster have these inci-
of Ire-
'This locality has not been sufficiently identified, at present.
' See Major W. G. Wood-Martin's " His-
tory of Sligo, County and Town, from the Earliest Ages to the Close of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth," with Illustrations from
' This place, according to the ancient topo- graphical tract, the Dinnseanchus, was so called from the gentle harper Corann, who, for his skill in playing, received it from that magical race, called the Tuatlia De Danaan. Popular tradition still points to the cave of Kish-Corran, as his residence.
' See tlie graceful sketch, with pen and
pencil, by George Petrie, in the "Irish
Penny Journal," vol. i. , No. 2, pp. 9, 10. '"They are south-east of Ballymote. These
caves are described, by Edward J. Ilardman, H. M. G. S. , in Appendix A, to Major Wood-
"
Martin's
"See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiberni-
carum Scriptores," tomus iv. Annales
Ultonien. ses, p. 300.
"See Charles O'Conor's "Dissertations
on the History of Ireland," sect, xviii. , p. 24S.
''>See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 764,765.
'• Kdmacrenan, in the county of Donegal, was the principal church and residence of
dents placed, at A. D. 1008.
5 See Thomas Moore's "
Hisiory of Sligo," p. 376.
History land," vol. ii. , chap, xxi. , p. loi.
Original Drawings and Plans, Book chap, iv. , p. 165.
ii. ,
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 383
enlarged. '^ Domhnall, son to the Irish monarch, died, a. d. ion ;'3 for this year, as we learn, the lord of Cinel-Luighdheach,'* who is named Mael- ruanaidh Ua Domhnaill,'5 was slain by the men of Magh-Ithe. '^ Again, Murchadh, son of Bryan, with the men of Munster, the Leinstermen, with the southern Ui Neill, and Flaithbheartach, son of Muircheartach, lord of Oileach,'7 witii the soldiers of the North, plundered Cinel Luighdheach,'' while they carried off three hundred and a great prey of cattle. Flaithb- heartach Ua Neill led his forces to Dun-Eathach,'' when he burned the for- tress and demolished the town, while he carried off pledges from Niall, son of Dubhthuinne. "" An army was led by Bryan into the plain of Muirthemne, in loii, and it effected the full liberation of the Churches of St. Patrick. '' This year, also, it is recorded, that Bryan and Maelseachlainn were encamped, at Anaghduiv. " St. Patrick's Cross-staff—called the Pastoral Staff—had been broken by the Northerns, in some contention that ensued-''^ This action
was regarded as a great profanation, and it furnished the occasion for organ-
an — the men of
izing expedition,'* against Cucuailgne. 's
We cannot
discover,
if the Fionnfai
also written Fionnfaidheach
—was an
object
distinct
from
the Bachall-Phatraic, or crozier of St. Patrick ; but, it appears to have been
profaned by some people, in this partof the country. '^ Maelseachlainn had
conducted his forces, likewise, into Conaill Muirtlievni,'? to demand satisfac-
tion for this outrage, and to avenge the violence offered to that reliquary.
It was brought, most probably, from Armagh by the Primate, during some
visitation, in that part of his jurisdiction, when his claims seem to have been disputed.
So far as we can presage from the history of this era, the supreme mon- arch Bryan Borimha had faithful and firm alliance with the King of Meath ;
for, their enterprises were usually planned in conjunction, and designed to accomplish some common object. '^ A convention had been arranged, but where we are not told, between Bryan and Maelmury,'^ most probably the King of Leinster. It has not transpired, for what purpose their conference
tliii cantred. Tlie tribe name was derived from Lughaidh, son of Sedna, son to Fear-
ghus Ceannfoda, or Fergus the Long-headed, son of Conall Gulban, son to Niall of the
Nine Hostages.
'5 This is the earliest notice of the
O'Donnell surname, in Irish history. It is derived from Domhnal, son of Eigneachan, who died a. d. 901. At first, only chiefs over the Cinel-Luighdheach, after the Anglo- Norman invasion, they became supreme kings of Tyrconnell.
'"
This was the name of a plain, along the River Finn, in the barony of Raphoe, and county of Don^al.
'' The celebrated Fort of Ailech, near the
of
city Derry.
'"
This territory extended from the Dobhar stream, to the River Suilige, or Swilly, in
duff, in the barony of Upper Lotightee, re- presented on the "Ordnance Suivey Town-
land Maps for the County of Cavan," sheet 15. But, it may be doubted, that tliis was the actual site, alluded to in the text.
'^ See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum HibemicarumScriptores,"tomusiv. Anna- les Ultonienses, p. 302.
"• According to the Annals of Ulster,
'5 Now Cooly, a mountainous district, in
the northern part of Louth county. Ori-
ginally, it was a portion of Uladh, although now in the province of Leinster. See "The
Topographical Poems of John Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh O'Huidhrin," edited
the prevent county of Donegal. See of M. igh Rath," n. (u), pp. 157, 158.
"
Battle
troductory to the early History of the Pri- macy of Arm,agh," p. 77.
'' This is the correct reading, although the Clarendon Codex, tome 49, of the Ulster Annals, translates the Irish text into Tir- connell.
»• "
See Thomas Moore's History of Ire-
land," vol. ii. , chap, xxi. , pp. toi, 102.
'' See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemicarum Scriptores," tomus iv. Anna-
les Ultonienses, p. 302.
^o ggg Dermod O'Conor's Keating's
" Now Duneight, near the River Lagan. *" "
See Dr. O'Donovan's Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 764, 765.
"' See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernica-
rum Scriptores," tomus iv. Annales Ulto-
nienses, p. 301.
"'' "
This may be interpreted
the black marsh. " There is a townland, called Annagh-
by Dr. O'Donovan, p. xxviii. , n. 183.
=* See Rev. Robert " Memoir In- King's
384
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[April 23.
was held ; but, it is more than likely, that the monarch's policy aimed at the
establishmentofaleaguebetweenthem. Thefoundationonwhichhistory
should rest must be sought in ascertained facts ; yet, failing these, busy con-
jecture too often has alone supplied matter for narrative to tlie chronicler.
No cordial understanding seems to have been arrived at, although motives of
self-interest averted any open rupture, at that time ; nor could the faith of
Maelmuraidh be trusted, since he was treacherous and wily in disposition.
Having establislied his revenues, and by his munificence and other virtues re-
habilitated the ancient character of the Irish, that had been declining for
some ages, the monarch Bryan resolved to built some shipping and to
become formidable to his foes by sea, or on the inland lakes. s" He sent to
Maolmordha Mac Murchuda, desiring that three of the longest and largest
masts, that could be found in his territories, should be sent to him. This
request,asconveyed,wasimmediatelygrantedbytheprovincialprince. Mael- mordha ordered his woods to be surveyed. The fairest and tallest trees were
marked out, to be cut down; they were hewed by shipwrights, moreover, before they were sent to tlie dock-yards of Bryan, at Ceann Coradh. The trees were pine,3' and taken from Fidh Gaibhli. 3= Although the woods have disappeared, a river there is yet called Fidh Gaibhle. 33 Now it is known as Figili, or Feegile,^* a denomination yet existing, in the parish of Clonsast,35 barony of Cooles- town,intheKing'sCounty. Here,thereisanoldchurch,3*ontlievergeof a very extensive bog ; and, doubtless, it was formerly a district covered with pine-woods. The forest there extended into the three territories of the Ui railghe,37oftheUiFaelain. s^andoftheUiMuiredhaigh. 39 Itwasatthe point, where the present county of Kildare unites with the King's and the Queen's County. '*" Maelmordha had resolved to come himself, and to pre- sent the masts in person to the King of Ireland. The first of these was car- ried by the inhabitants of Jobh Failge, or Ui Failge. The second mast was borne by the people of Jobh Faolain, or Ui Faelain. The tliird of these
"General p. 489.
History
of Irefand," Book
3' St. Bearchain is as its regarded
3' See CosAt)! ! 5Aet>liet He jAl/lAibli.
pp. 142, 143.
^ This was the celebrated wood of Lein-
ster, yet locally called Fee-Goille, or Fee-
Poem of his is quoted, at fol. 112a.
37 Also Anglicised Offaly, or Ophaly, a large territory of Leinster, now represented by the Baronies of East and West Offaly, in the King's County, with those of Portnahinch and Tinnahincli, in the Queen's County, as also, that portion of the King's County, comprised within the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin. See " The Topographical Poems of John Dubhagain and GiuUa na Naomh
ii. ,
patron and founder. In the " Book of Leinster " a
guile. It was situated, near Portarlington,
and on the north side of the River Barrow.
An ancient Poem in "The Book of Lein-
ster" celebrates the wood of Fid-n-Gaible
as surpassing all other woods. This poem is
attributed to Broccan Craibdech, and it
begin, Lechu Coi\m<sic. See pp. 43, 44. O'Huidhain," edited by John O'Donovan, Edited by Robert Atkinson, M. A. , LL. D.
Dublin, 1880, roy. fol.
33 The word derived its name from the
River Gabhal, meaning "fork," which it forms, at the junction of Clu. iin Sasta and
CluainMor. SeeDr. O'Donovan'sledbliAp riA 5-CeAi\c, or Book of Rights, n.
Black Foreigners. " It is stated, in the Dub- lin copy of the Annals of Innisfallen, at the year 1016, that this was the name of an island in the Shannon, but it has not been yet identified. It was probably another name for the King's Island, limerick.
"3 The Island of Loch Saiglenn. Its situation was unknown to Dr. O'Donovan.
"* Identical with Rosnaree Ford, on the River Boyne, where, it is said, the Monarch of Ireland, Cormac Mac Art, lies interred. See Sir William R. Wilde's " Beauties of the Boyne, and its Tributary, the Blackwater," chap, viii. , pp. 187, 188.
"5 It is also call Cathair-Cinn-Coradh, or the stone fort of Kincora.
"' See Dr. " General JeoflTrey Keating's
ral of History
vol.
Book
Ireland," chap, vii. , pp. 256.
ii. ,
xi. ,
'"* Sometimes called Cenn Abrat.
History of Ireland," translated by Dermod O'Connor, Second Book, p. 485.
'°5AlsocalledLochCend. Dr. O'Dono-
van is doubtful, if this be Lough Cre, near Roscrea.
"^ Now Lough Gur, county of Lime- rick.
"^ Now Bruree, county of Limerick. "* Now Cahir.
'°' Now Duntryleague.
"" Dungrod, in Aherlow Glen, in the
county of Tipperary.
" Called, likewise, Dun Cliath, on the top
of Knockany Hill.
"' The signification is " the Island of the
"'Alsocalled"RosachoftheKings. "
"' See Co5AT)h JaeDhet He jAlUiVibh, chap. Ixxx. , pp. 140, 141.
"» See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , n. (w), p. 770.
'TM See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's " Gene-
ral History of Ireland," vol. ii. . Book xi. , chap, vii. , p. 255.
'"" That attributed to his secretary Mac
Liag.
" According to an Irish poet, named
Gilla Mududa O'Cassidy, Abbot of Ardbrec- can, fifteen years are assigned him, in the
Fortresses and
the necessity for
38o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
Erinn, Bryan was powerful, and also secured in the affections of liis subjects, while they held him in great honour. "3 He laid out good roads in different directions throughout the island ; while these served to promote ready access, between various posts and stations, before almost inaccessible. He con- structed bridges over deep waters and rivers, that had previously been impassable ; and thus, the facilities for travel and commerce were materially improved. Those public works made him very popular, among his sub- jects. "* He hanged or put to death robbers and thieves, who were the plun- derers of Erinn. The instigators of war, of murder, and of trespass, were finedandimprisoned. "' Favouritesandsycophantswerebanished,fromthe court of Bryan. Such was his sense of inflexible justice, that he would not suffer the meanest of his subjects to be oppressed or injured, by any of the nobles, even although these were his own relatives. "*
The closing years of Bryan's life, however, were clouded with some domes- tic bereavements. The monarch's wife, Duvchovlaigh, who was daughter to the King of Connaught, died a,d. 1008;"' while, the void she occasioned in Bryan's home was soon widened, by the removal of other prized friends and relations. This wife is called Dubhchabhla, in the Annals of Ulster, which place her death, at this same year. "* Under the date of 1009,"? in the Annals of the Four Masters,'3° we find the death of Maelsuthain O'Cearb- liaill recorded, with a high encomium, and after he had led a good life. This year, also, Byran is said to have conducted an army to Cleanloch,'3i orClonen- loch, a region of the mountain Fuath,'3" where he received the hostages of the northern half of Ireland. '33 In a. d. ioio, the monarch's own brother, Marcan, head of the clergy of Munster, departed this life. '3« His exact posi- tion in the Irish Church, we have not been able to ascertain.
While those events were transpiring, the columns of Bryan's army were ready tomoveinthedirectionofDublin. ThedivisionofhissonMurroughhad already preceded him. '35 Afti r some time had been spent on his march, the monarch reached Kilmainham, which lay a little distance west from DubUn. He encamped there, and remained for some months ;'3' his object being pro- bably to favour the enterprise of Murrough, by preventing the Leinstermen or Ostmen from sending any forces to oppose him. The monarch found no army in Leinster able to withstand his progress ;'37 and, now he attempted to besiege Dublin. His army drew lines about the stronghold, but they seem to have made no progress in its capture, and they found it difficult to obtain
monarchy, although Dr. Keating, and most of our Irish historians, only give him twelve. His stanzas are preserved, in the " Book of Lecan," fol. 312a. , and in the "Leabhar Gabhala," or Book of Conquests, p. 233. Both of those Manuscripts are preserved, in the Royal Irish Academy.
''3 See CogA'oVi JierjheL T\e 5<iLtAibh, chap. Ixxx. , pp. 140, 141.
"< See Dermod O Connor's Keating's "GeneralHistory of Ireland, "Second Book,
p. 485.
"5 See CosAt)! ! jAexihel Re jAltAibli,
chap. Ixxix. , pp. 136, 137.
'"° See Dr. Keating's "General History
"' Recte A. D. loio.
'3° See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol.
ii. ,
olIreland,"translated by Dermod O'Connor, Book ii. , p. 485.
pp. 760, 761.
"' It was situated near Newtown Hamil-
ton, in the county of Armagh.
'^' Anglicised, the Fews.
'33 See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hiberni-
carum Scriptores. " tomus iv. Annales Ultonienses, p. 299.
'3* See John O'Donoghue's "Historical Memoir of the O'Briens," parti. , chap, iii. , p. 25.
'3» See CosatdIi 5<! ieT>liet Re JOittaibVi, chap. Ixxxvi. , pp. 150, 151.
'i^ It is said, he remained here, from the August of that year to Christmas; or as another account lias it, from the festival of Ciaran in harvest to great Christmas.
'37 See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's "Gene-
ral History of Ireland," vol. ii. , Book xi. , chap,viii. ,p. 260.
"^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
FourMasters,"vol. ii. , pp. 760, 76i,andn. (p). "8 Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiber-
nicarumScriptores,"tomusiv. , p. 298.
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 381
provisions from a country already plundered, especially when the bleak winter set in. So far Bryan had succeeded, in blockading the city, which was well fortified, and in keeping the Danes within their walls, although he was unable probably to capture the place, by assault, or by a regular siege. During the time he lay there, neither the foreigners, nor the Leinstermen, would give him
battle, while they refused a single hostage or subsidy. Provisions for his army could no longer be obtained ; while, it is likely, the Dubliners were well supplied by sea. 's^ As more decisive results could not then be obtained, he broke up his encampment, and marched homewards. Bryan returned to Kincora,'39 having obtained some advantages, and enriched with those spoils he had secured ; while the plunder of the Leinster province compensated for his failure, to take possession of Danish Dublin. Although the Danes are said to have enclosed Cork with walls, so early as the middle of the ninth century ;'<° yet, the Irish seem to have had possession of this and of other southern cities in the time of Bryan Boromha. During his encampment before the walls of Dublin, the Danes had effected a most destructive descent on Munster. Agreatfleetoftheforeignersarrivedthere,a. d. ioiz,'^'andthey burned Corcach j^j but, the invaders met with a speedy retribution. Before these could re-embark, they received a severe repulse from the inhabitants. This cost them many lives. Among the slain was Aulaff, or Amhlaeibh, son to Sitrick, the King of Dublin, chief of the foreigners. Besides him, Math- ghamhain, son to Dubhghall, and many others, were slain, by Cathal, son of Domhnall, son to Dubhdabhoireann. '« The restless activity of the Ostmen was not to be subdued, however, by any casual demonstration of military power. Having the strongest fortifications then in tlie island, with superior naval and commercial resources, although inferior in numerical force, they were proba- bly more subjected to military discipline, and better provided with arms than theIrish. '< IntheNorth,intheBritishIsles,andelsewhere,theircountry- men were very powerful ; and, therefore, the Ostmen in Ireland were desirous of establishing their supremacy over the natives. Their ambitious designs soon became manifest ; the opportunity seemed favourable for their enter- prise; then a gigantic struggle was resolved on, the means for which were now prepared, and on a scale of the greatest magnitude.
CHAPTER VII.
DISTURBANCES RAISED AGAI. VST BRYAN's SUPREMACY—HIS EXPEDITION TO MAGH CORRAN—HE AND MAELSEACHLAINN MARCH ON MUIRTHEMNE—THE KINO OF LEINS—TER ORGANIZES A GREAT CONFEDERACY TO OPPOSE THE MONARCH OF IRE- LAND WAR IN I0I2—MAELSEACHLAINN AND BRYAN ARE OBLIGED TO ACT AGAINST THE CONFEDERATED IRISH AND THE SCANDINAVIANS—UNSUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN OF MAELSEACHLAINN—BRYAN BOROIMHA INVADES LEINSTER, AND ADVANCES VICTORIOUSLY TO DUBLIN—THE FOREIGNERS ARE DEFEATED AT CORK— THEIR POWER AND RESOURCES.
The state of unrest, prevailing among the native kings and chiefs, no less than that agitating the foreign element in Ireland, seldom allowed the mon-
3» See Co5aT)h jaeDhet He JalLAibh, chap. Ixxxvi. ,pp. 150,151.
p. 74.
*NowthecityofCork. Godimmedia-
'"> See
D'Alton s "
of the
took on them for that vengeance
John
County of Dublin," p. 605.
History
tely
deed, is an expression, used by the Four '"See Charles Smith's "Ancient and Masters.
Present State of the County and City of Cork," vol. i. . Book ii. , chap, ix. , pp. 362, 363.
'*' See Miss M. F. Cusack's "History of the City and County of Cork," chap, v. ,
'<' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 768, 769.
« See Rrv. James Wills' "Lives of lUus- trious and Distinguished Irishmen. " vol. i. ,
Second Period, p. 206.
382 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [April 23.
arch sufficient leisure to reform or consolidate the framework of his govern- mental policy.
With all the bristling and numerous entries of those periodic events, recorded in our annals, we are often at a loss, to trace their origin and sequence, or the influences those incidents must have exercised on cotem- poraneous character and history. Especially, in the northern parts of Ireland, the supremacy of Bryan had not been acknowledged ;' nay more, his power had been resisted and baffled, by the Hy Nialls. This sufficiently appears, from their almost unrestrained inroads among themselves, about this period
of his reign, when something like anarchy prevailed in that special quarter. Flaithbheartach, or Flaherty, the brother of Aodh O'Neill, had succeeded on his throne ;= and, his turbulent disposition must have caused very considerable
anxiety to the sovereign. He made an irruption into Ulidia, when he slew the chief of Leath-Chathail, who was named Cuuladh, son of Aengus, in 1006. He then took away seven hostages from the Ulidians. 3 The same ruthless King of Tyrone barbarously blinded Donnchada O'Kelly, at Inishowen, and killed him afterwards ;* while he led an army against the men of Bregh, from whom he carried away a great cattle-spoil. His rancour, manifested towards Maelseachlainn, seems to have exceeded that entertained against Bryan him- self ; but, it is probable, that having extorted sureties by force, Flahertach had learned to fear and respect the military dictator. ' He appears to have acted, sometimes, in concert with the Ard Righ.
During the year ion, the monarch Brian invaded Magh-Corran,* probably the plain of Corran,' in Sligo. Here are to be seen the remarkable Kesh Caves. * These are lofty and magnificent, presenting
themselves like gigantic doorways, on the western side, and leading to the innermost recesses of the mountain. If the local accounts are
to be trusted, the caves contain lakes of unfathomable depth and spars of unimaginable beauty, while they are said to reach even to the eastern part of the mountain. ' They are about half-way up the side of Kish-Corran. '° On this occasion, having arrived at the plain of Corran, the monarch of Ireland succeeded in bringing Maelruany O'Maeldorad, King of Tyrconnell, bound to the citadel of Cincora. " Here he was detained as a captive. For some time, this chieftain had been closely confined, in the
custody of Bryan, at his royal seat of power, but afterwards he was generously
Chapter vii. — ' The Rev. Matthew
Kelly, D. D. , remarks, that until three or four years, before the battle of Clontarf, the races of Eoghan and of Conall paid no tri- bute to Bryan. See Gratianus Lucius' Cambrensis Eversus," vol. ii. , cap. ix. , n. (o), p. 36.
" See Charles O'Conor's " Dissertations on the History of Ireland," sect, xviii. , p. 248.
3 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 758, 759.
• The Annals of Ulster have these inci-
of Ire-
'This locality has not been sufficiently identified, at present.
' See Major W. G. Wood-Martin's " His-
tory of Sligo, County and Town, from the Earliest Ages to the Close of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth," with Illustrations from
' This place, according to the ancient topo- graphical tract, the Dinnseanchus, was so called from the gentle harper Corann, who, for his skill in playing, received it from that magical race, called the Tuatlia De Danaan. Popular tradition still points to the cave of Kish-Corran, as his residence.
' See tlie graceful sketch, with pen and
pencil, by George Petrie, in the "Irish
Penny Journal," vol. i. , No. 2, pp. 9, 10. '"They are south-east of Ballymote. These
caves are described, by Edward J. Ilardman, H. M. G. S. , in Appendix A, to Major Wood-
"
Martin's
"See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiberni-
carum Scriptores," tomus iv. Annales
Ultonien. ses, p. 300.
"See Charles O'Conor's "Dissertations
on the History of Ireland," sect, xviii. , p. 24S.
''>See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 764,765.
'• Kdmacrenan, in the county of Donegal, was the principal church and residence of
dents placed, at A. D. 1008.
5 See Thomas Moore's "
Hisiory of Sligo," p. 376.
History land," vol. ii. , chap, xxi. , p. loi.
Original Drawings and Plans, Book chap, iv. , p. 165.
ii. ,
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 383
enlarged. '^ Domhnall, son to the Irish monarch, died, a. d. ion ;'3 for this year, as we learn, the lord of Cinel-Luighdheach,'* who is named Mael- ruanaidh Ua Domhnaill,'5 was slain by the men of Magh-Ithe. '^ Again, Murchadh, son of Bryan, with the men of Munster, the Leinstermen, with the southern Ui Neill, and Flaithbheartach, son of Muircheartach, lord of Oileach,'7 witii the soldiers of the North, plundered Cinel Luighdheach,'' while they carried off three hundred and a great prey of cattle. Flaithb- heartach Ua Neill led his forces to Dun-Eathach,'' when he burned the for- tress and demolished the town, while he carried off pledges from Niall, son of Dubhthuinne. "" An army was led by Bryan into the plain of Muirthemne, in loii, and it effected the full liberation of the Churches of St. Patrick. '' This year, also, it is recorded, that Bryan and Maelseachlainn were encamped, at Anaghduiv. " St. Patrick's Cross-staff—called the Pastoral Staff—had been broken by the Northerns, in some contention that ensued-''^ This action
was regarded as a great profanation, and it furnished the occasion for organ-
an — the men of
izing expedition,'* against Cucuailgne. 's
We cannot
discover,
if the Fionnfai
also written Fionnfaidheach
—was an
object
distinct
from
the Bachall-Phatraic, or crozier of St. Patrick ; but, it appears to have been
profaned by some people, in this partof the country. '^ Maelseachlainn had
conducted his forces, likewise, into Conaill Muirtlievni,'? to demand satisfac-
tion for this outrage, and to avenge the violence offered to that reliquary.
It was brought, most probably, from Armagh by the Primate, during some
visitation, in that part of his jurisdiction, when his claims seem to have been disputed.
So far as we can presage from the history of this era, the supreme mon- arch Bryan Borimha had faithful and firm alliance with the King of Meath ;
for, their enterprises were usually planned in conjunction, and designed to accomplish some common object. '^ A convention had been arranged, but where we are not told, between Bryan and Maelmury,'^ most probably the King of Leinster. It has not transpired, for what purpose their conference
tliii cantred. Tlie tribe name was derived from Lughaidh, son of Sedna, son to Fear-
ghus Ceannfoda, or Fergus the Long-headed, son of Conall Gulban, son to Niall of the
Nine Hostages.
'5 This is the earliest notice of the
O'Donnell surname, in Irish history. It is derived from Domhnal, son of Eigneachan, who died a. d. 901. At first, only chiefs over the Cinel-Luighdheach, after the Anglo- Norman invasion, they became supreme kings of Tyrconnell.
'"
This was the name of a plain, along the River Finn, in the barony of Raphoe, and county of Don^al.
'' The celebrated Fort of Ailech, near the
of
city Derry.
'"
This territory extended from the Dobhar stream, to the River Suilige, or Swilly, in
duff, in the barony of Upper Lotightee, re- presented on the "Ordnance Suivey Town-
land Maps for the County of Cavan," sheet 15. But, it may be doubted, that tliis was the actual site, alluded to in the text.
'^ See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum HibemicarumScriptores,"tomusiv. Anna- les Ultonienses, p. 302.
"• According to the Annals of Ulster,
'5 Now Cooly, a mountainous district, in
the northern part of Louth county. Ori-
ginally, it was a portion of Uladh, although now in the province of Leinster. See "The
Topographical Poems of John Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh O'Huidhrin," edited
the prevent county of Donegal. See of M. igh Rath," n. (u), pp. 157, 158.
"
Battle
troductory to the early History of the Pri- macy of Arm,agh," p. 77.
'' This is the correct reading, although the Clarendon Codex, tome 49, of the Ulster Annals, translates the Irish text into Tir- connell.
»• "
See Thomas Moore's History of Ire-
land," vol. ii. , chap, xxi. , pp. toi, 102.
'' See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemicarum Scriptores," tomus iv. Anna-
les Ultonienses, p. 302.
^o ggg Dermod O'Conor's Keating's
" Now Duneight, near the River Lagan. *" "
See Dr. O'Donovan's Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 764, 765.
"' See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernica-
rum Scriptores," tomus iv. Annales Ulto-
nienses, p. 301.
"'' "
This may be interpreted
the black marsh. " There is a townland, called Annagh-
by Dr. O'Donovan, p. xxviii. , n. 183.
=* See Rev. Robert " Memoir In- King's
384
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[April 23.
was held ; but, it is more than likely, that the monarch's policy aimed at the
establishmentofaleaguebetweenthem. Thefoundationonwhichhistory
should rest must be sought in ascertained facts ; yet, failing these, busy con-
jecture too often has alone supplied matter for narrative to tlie chronicler.
No cordial understanding seems to have been arrived at, although motives of
self-interest averted any open rupture, at that time ; nor could the faith of
Maelmuraidh be trusted, since he was treacherous and wily in disposition.
Having establislied his revenues, and by his munificence and other virtues re-
habilitated the ancient character of the Irish, that had been declining for
some ages, the monarch Bryan resolved to built some shipping and to
become formidable to his foes by sea, or on the inland lakes. s" He sent to
Maolmordha Mac Murchuda, desiring that three of the longest and largest
masts, that could be found in his territories, should be sent to him. This
request,asconveyed,wasimmediatelygrantedbytheprovincialprince. Mael- mordha ordered his woods to be surveyed. The fairest and tallest trees were
marked out, to be cut down; they were hewed by shipwrights, moreover, before they were sent to tlie dock-yards of Bryan, at Ceann Coradh. The trees were pine,3' and taken from Fidh Gaibhli. 3= Although the woods have disappeared, a river there is yet called Fidh Gaibhle. 33 Now it is known as Figili, or Feegile,^* a denomination yet existing, in the parish of Clonsast,35 barony of Cooles- town,intheKing'sCounty. Here,thereisanoldchurch,3*ontlievergeof a very extensive bog ; and, doubtless, it was formerly a district covered with pine-woods. The forest there extended into the three territories of the Ui railghe,37oftheUiFaelain. s^andoftheUiMuiredhaigh. 39 Itwasatthe point, where the present county of Kildare unites with the King's and the Queen's County. '*" Maelmordha had resolved to come himself, and to pre- sent the masts in person to the King of Ireland. The first of these was car- ried by the inhabitants of Jobh Failge, or Ui Failge. The second mast was borne by the people of Jobh Faolain, or Ui Faelain. The tliird of these
"General p. 489.
History
of Irefand," Book
3' St. Bearchain is as its regarded
3' See CosAt)! ! 5Aet>liet He jAl/lAibli.
pp. 142, 143.
^ This was the celebrated wood of Lein-
ster, yet locally called Fee-Goille, or Fee-
Poem of his is quoted, at fol. 112a.
37 Also Anglicised Offaly, or Ophaly, a large territory of Leinster, now represented by the Baronies of East and West Offaly, in the King's County, with those of Portnahinch and Tinnahincli, in the Queen's County, as also, that portion of the King's County, comprised within the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin. See " The Topographical Poems of John Dubhagain and GiuUa na Naomh
ii. ,
patron and founder. In the " Book of Leinster " a
guile. It was situated, near Portarlington,
and on the north side of the River Barrow.
An ancient Poem in "The Book of Lein-
ster" celebrates the wood of Fid-n-Gaible
as surpassing all other woods. This poem is
attributed to Broccan Craibdech, and it
begin, Lechu Coi\m<sic. See pp. 43, 44. O'Huidhain," edited by John O'Donovan, Edited by Robert Atkinson, M. A. , LL. D.
Dublin, 1880, roy. fol.
33 The word derived its name from the
River Gabhal, meaning "fork," which it forms, at the junction of Clu. iin Sasta and
CluainMor. SeeDr. O'Donovan'sledbliAp riA 5-CeAi\c, or Book of Rights, n.
