The Beauties of the Boyne, and its Tributary, the Blackwater

Each story keeps the passage it was read from. Open one to read the passage as the book has it, and, where the companion has written its own telling, that too.

1. Teltown marriage and betrothal tradition at Rath Dubh

   Teltown · townland · Meath

   Tradition tells that at Tailtean betrothals took place at the great embankment where boys and girls were ranged on opposite sides, later separated by a wall with a hole through which a girl's finger was chosen to determine marriage, valid for only a year and a day.

   Read the passage

   town ceremonies took place — the marriages or betrothals. Upon one side of this great embankment were ranged, it is said," the boys," and on the other "the girls;" the former ogling, the latter blushing; for human nature is, we suppose, the same at all times and in all places, among our forefathers and mothers at Teltown upwards of a thousand years ago, or in a modern drawing-room, or at a flower-show or review. They then, having had a good view of each other, passed down a little to the south, where there is a deep hollow in the land, evidently formed artificially, probably the ditch of one of the ancient forts, and called Lug-wi-Eany, where they became separated by a high wall, which prevented their seeing each other. In this wall, say the local traditions, there was a door with a small hole in it, through which each young lady passed her middle finger, which the men upon the other side looked at, and if any of them admired the finger he laid hold of it, and the lass to Avhom it belonged forthwith became his bride; so that we find a fair and pretty hand, a delicate and taper finger, with its snowy skin and delicately formed nail, were even more captivating among the Irish lads and lasses some twelve hundred years ago than they are at the present day. He took her for better for worse, but the key-hole or wooden ring was not as binding as the modern one of gold; for, by the laws of Tailtean, the marriage only held good for a year and a day. If the couple disagreed during that time they returned to Tailtean, walked into the centre of Rath Dubh, stood back to back, one facing the north, and the other the south, and walked out of the fort, a divorced couple, free to try their luck again at Lug-an-Eany.* What a pity there is no Teltown or Black Fort marriage in the present day 1 What nvimbers would take advantage of it !

   Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 93

2. Death of Duke Schomberg at Oldbridge ford

   Oldbridge · townland · Meath · 1690

   The brave old Schomberg was killed at the crossing near Oldbridge, along with Dr. Walker, the defender of Derry, while Caillimotte received his death wound.

   Read the passage

   We have already remarked upon the admirable position of the English army, protected by the immense battery immediately opposite the ford, and screened by the natural lie of the ground. The tide being out, the passage of the river was attempted in four different places. The Blue Dutch guards, the Irish Enniskilleners, and the French Huguenots, led by Caillimotte and the gallant old Schomberg, passed qviickly out of the little glen opposite the principal ford, with drums beating, and dashing into the water both there and over the upper end of Grove Island, a little lower down, formed upon the opposite side, and carried the village and rude outworks at Oldbridge; not, however, without considerable opposition, some of the Irish soldiers rushing into the water to meet them. It was here the brave old Schomberg Avas killed,f and

   * Sir Alan E. Bellinghani %vrites to us : "The late Sir William Bellingbam told me he was at a nobleman's house (I think the Duke of Portland's) who had a picture of the battle of the Boyne, in wluch an officer appears bringing up a young man to the King. The owner of the picture did not then know the object. The journal of Col. Bellingbam explains it. The family of Fyans were at Dunleer within a fcAV years back."

   Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 151

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere close to Oldbridge, in 1690, the English army held an admirable position, protected by a great battery opposite the ford and screened by the lie of the ground. The tide was out, and the river was crossed at four places. The Blue Dutch guards, the Irish Enniskilleners, and the French Huguenots, led by Caillimotte and the gallant old Schomberg, passed quickly out of the little glen opposite the principal ford. Drums beating, they dashed into the water, both at the ford and over the upper end of Grove Island, a little lower down. They formed on the opposite bank and carried the village and the rude outworks at Oldbridge. There was considerable opposition. Some of the Irish soldiers rushed into the water to meet them. It was here that the brave old Schomberg was killed. Dr. Walker, the defender of Derry, was killed too, and Caillimotte received his death wound. The crossing was carried, but not without cost.

3. Divorce ritual at Rath Dubh

   Teltown · townland · Meath

   If a Teltown-married couple disagreed within a year and a day, they returned to Rath Dubh, stood back to back facing opposite directions, and walked out of the fort as a divorced couple, free to try again.

   Read the passage

   town ceremonies took place — the marriages or betrothals. Upon one side of this great embankment were ranged, it is said," the boys," and on the other "the girls;" the former ogling, the latter blushing; for human nature is, we suppose, the same at all times and in all places, among our forefathers and mothers at Teltown upwards of a thousand years ago, or in a modern drawing-room, or at a flower-show or review. They then, having had a good view of each other, passed down a little to the south, where there is a deep hollow in the land, evidently formed artificially, probably the ditch of one of the ancient forts, and called Lug-wi-Eany, where they became separated by a high wall, which prevented their seeing each other. In this wall, say the local traditions, there was a door with a small hole in it, through which each young lady passed her middle finger, which the men upon the other side looked at, and if any of them admired the finger he laid hold of it, and the lass to Avhom it belonged forthwith became his bride; so that we find a fair and pretty hand, a delicate and taper finger, with its snowy skin and delicately formed nail, were even more captivating among the Irish lads and lasses some twelve hundred years ago than they are at the present day. He took her for better for worse, but the key-hole or wooden ring was not as binding as the modern one of gold; for, by the laws of Tailtean, the marriage only held good for a year and a day. If the couple disagreed during that time they returned to Tailtean, walked into the centre of Rath Dubh, stood back to back, one facing the north, and the other the south, and walked out of the fort, a divorced couple, free to try their luck again at Lug-an-Eany.* What a pity there is no Teltown or Black Fort marriage in the present day 1 What nvimbers would take advantage of it !

   Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 93

4. Siege of Tyrrell's Barrack at Clonard, 1798

   Clonard · town · Meath · 1798

   During the 1798 rebellion, a garrison of twenty-seven at Tyrrell's mansion (used as a barrack) at Clonard withstood a prolonged siege by thousands of insurgents, with fierce fighting at a turret commanding the bridge. The siege was finally lifted after six hours when reinforcements arrived from Kinnegad.

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   sisting at the time of but twenty-seven persons, two of whom, sons of Mr. Tyrrell, were mere boys. The place to be defended resembled, in a remarkable manner, that portion of the field of Waterloo to which we have already likened it, consisting of a dwelling-house, then occupied as a barrack, and surrounded by a court-yard and garden, enclosed by a high wall, on one side of which there was a turret commanding the bridge and great western road ; in front was the river, on the left a millrace, and behind it some wooded rising ground. The advance of the besiegers was so rapid that the gate of the court-yard was closed with considerable difficulty. After several hours' hard fighting, during which the slaughter of the rebels was immense, and the courage, both of the besiegers and besieged, severely tested, the garden was lost ; and thus the Tyrrell yeomanry became divided. The insurgents then turned their chief attention to the turret, from Avhich they had sustained the hottest fire. The six men whom it contained, thus cut off from their felloAvs, drew up the ladder and ascended to its topmost story, and fought so determinedly, and fired so effectually, that it is stated twenty-seven of the assailants were killed within and about the ground floor of it during this portion of the contest. The attacking force, finding it impossible to gain access through the floor, at last lighted a quantity of straw within and around the turret, and literally smoked out its occupants. While it was enveloped in smoke and flames, two of the band attempted to rush through the crowd of assailants, but were instantly shot ; yet the other four, leaping from one of the upper windows, escaped to their comrades in safety. Still the conflict raged for six hours without intermission ; the valour of the handful of determined spirits within the barracks continuing unsubdued, the vengeance of the attacking party remaining unsatiated; till at five o'clock in the evening the siege was raised by the arrival of twenty-one additional men from Kinnegad, when Mr. Tyrrell and his party sallied forth, and drove the insurgents from the garden Avith great loss. God avert such fearful scenes from being again enacted in our land ! and — shall we not add ? — forgive the rulers Avho could, by misgovernment, drive, or the selfish leaders who could seduce, the people into a similar condition!*

   Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 41

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Clonard, you are passing through the site of a siege in the rebellion of 1798. Tyrrell's mansion here was used as a barrack, and a garrison of 27 held it against thousands of insurgents. Two of the 27 were sons of Mr. Tyrrell, mere boys. The place had a dwelling-house, a court-yard and a garden, all enclosed by a high wall. One side had a turret commanding the bridge and the great western road. The river was in front, a millrace on the left, and wooded rising ground behind. The besiegers came so fast the gate of the court-yard was barely closed in time. After several hours of hard fighting, the rebels' slaughter was immense, but the garden was lost, and the Tyrrell yeomanry became divided. The insurgents turned on the turret, from which they had taken the hottest fire. The six men inside drew up the ladder and went to the topmost story. They fired so effectually that 27 of the assailants were killed in and around the ground floor of the turret. The attackers could not get through the floor, so they lighted straw in and around the turret and smoked the men out. Two tried to rush through the crowd and were shot. The other four leaped from an upper window and escaped to their comrades. The conflict raged for six hours without intermission. At 5 in the evening the siege was lifted by the arrival of 21 men from Kinnegad. Tyrrell and his party sallied forth and drove the insurgents from the garden with great loss.

5. Hamilton's capture and pledge before William

   Donore · town · Meath · 1690

   General Hamilton, wounded in the head near Donore Hill and taken prisoner, was led before King William, who asked whether the Irish would fight again; Hamilton pledged his honour that they would, and William sarcastically repeated 'your honour.'

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   Meath bank of tlie river, and being nearly all cut to pieces in their endeavour to return. Sir John Hanmer's brigade " were so valliantly attacked in front by Hamilton's horse that they were forced to retreat, and some of them to cross the river again."* As the Irish fell back, retreating up the hill towards Donore, they suddenly halted, and so furiously turned upon their opponents that the vaunted courage of the Enniskilleners quailed before them, although at the moment William himself led on that body, and His Majesty, being left upwards of a hundred yards in advance of his men, was thus exposed to most imminent danger. In the subsequent charge some of Schomberg's horse took those two standards of the Irish which are still preserved among the trophies in the chapel of the Royal Hospital of Kilmainham.f At another part of the field, in the lane or small bridle road (which still exists) to the left of the ford, Ginkle met with a serious repulse, " being overpowered there and also forced to retreat," till aided by the troops of Colonel Levison and Sir Albert Cunningham, who lined the hedge bordering the lane, and also possessed themselves of a farm-house adjoining, when a fierce conflict for some time took place, Ginkle, it is said, continuing "• in the rear of his men, endeavonring to make them Iceep their ground^ The last rally made by the Irish on the slopes near the summit of Donore was under Hamilton, who being wounded in the head and taken prisoner immediately after, the action may be said to have ceased, and the retreat from Oldbridge then began. Upon being led up to King William, in whose very presence he was captured, and who regarded him as a renegade, and being asked whether he thought the Irish would fight any more, he pledged his honour that they would, where-

   * Life of King William III. already cited, p. 270.

   Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 153

6. St. Patrick's confrontation with King Loeghaire at Tailtean

   Teltown · townland · Meath

   Local legend held that St. Patrick, after defeating King Loeghaire in contests of skill and magic at Tailtean, cast him into a dark pit near the river called 'the short road to hell', where he was believed still to remain.

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   ]\Iany of the legends told of Patrick by the peo^^^e nere are evidently but paraphrases of his " doings" at Tara. The Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego story about the fire trial between the servant of Patrick and the servant of the Druid gets here a new dress, with new names and " entirely new scenery, machinery, decorations, and processions." King Loeghaire or Leary (not Cairbre), who was a wonderful Druid and powerful magiciai:i entirely, is the chief personage in the Tailtean fables. After being defeated in various trials of skill and necromancy with the saint, Avho could make no hand of him at all, Patrick was forced to put him down into a dark " condemned hole," near the river, called to this day, " an t-aithghearr go h-Iifrionn," " the short road to hell," where the heathen king, Loeghaire, is still believed to be, if he never got any farther. Some fool-hardy people went a few years ago to lift mooreen out of this spot, but they had scarcely broke the scraio that covered the soft surface of the hollow, when a terrible roaring was heard coming up out of the bottom of the earth, and presently a most vinimous sarpint, with a long mane and a head as big as a horse, riz up out of the pit, and looked about him; but when he saw nobody, for all the men had run away, he drew himself down again, and no one ever attempted to make any inquiries after the ould king of the black rath since. But all that is nothing to what happened at the building of Donapatrick Church hard by. Every one knows that Prince Conall gave the saint one of his beautiful raths there to build a church upon, and that the workmen engaged in the erection of it came very short of provisions one hard summer, — just, for all the world, like the year before last. Well, Loeghaire when lie heard that, sent him a furiously wicked bull that was the terror of the Avhole country, and used to be horning and aiting every body that came next or nigh him, — he was as cross and as thievish as the ould king himself, — in hopes that he'd finish the blessed man all out. The baste was sent over to the other side of the water, and when he saw St. Patrick, he stopt bellowing and snorting all of a sudden, and was as quiet as a sucking calf ' Kill him,' says the saint; so they made a great feast

   Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 94

7. 1798 stand of yeomen at Clonard against insurgents

   Clonard · town · Meath · 1798

   At Clonard in 1798, yeomen under Lieutenant Tyrrell made a gallant stand in a fortified dwelling against a large insurgent force, with some hundred and fifty rebel bodies buried beneath a small mound in an adjoining field that has never since been tilled.

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   But there was a battle at Clonard also; unhappily, however, in it both sides were our own countrymen. To the right of Leinster-bridge, on the old road, are the ivy-mantled remains of a massive wall, a porch, and a portion of a turret, all that now exist of the memorable dwelling where the brave yeomen under Lieut. Tyrrell, in 1798, made so gallant a stand against a large force of insurgents, some hundred and fifty of whose bodies are bviried beneath a small mound in one of the adjoining fields."}" The defence of this little Hougomont was, perhaps, one of the most striking instances of determined courage on the part of the loyalists that has been recorded during the whole of that ill-starred, most unmeaning, and most ill-conceived rebellion. At the time of this engagement, — the 11th of July, — the peasantry who took part in the " rising" had become tolerably well organized and accustomed to arms, and had then unfortunately seen too much blood spilled, so that they did not, at that time, present the unguided rabble mass which they appeared some six weeks earlier, at the commencement of that disastrous campaign. After the defeat at Whiteheaps, a large portion of the insurgents, under Parry, Kearns, Holt, and the two Byrnes, fled into Kildare, and in their progress attacked the little garrison of yeomanry at Clonard, con-

   * This description of Clonard appeared originally in the Dublin Penny .Journal, See vol. i. p. 150. The sentence immediately preceding the reference to this note was omitted in the published " Tour in Connaught." Why ?

   Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 40

   As the companion tells it

   As you come through Clonard in Meath, you are passing the site of a battle in 1798, and both sides were Irish. To the right of Leinster Bridge on the old road, the ivy-covered remains of a massive wall, a porch, and part of a turret are all that now exist of the dwelling where yeomen under Lieutenant Tyrrell made a gallant stand against a large force of insurgents. About 150 of the rebel dead are buried beneath a small mound in one of the adjoining fields. The source calls this little garrison a Hougomont, and says its defence was one of the most striking instances of determined courage on the loyalist side in the whole of that rebellion. The engagement was on the 11th of July. By then the peasants who had risen were tolerably well organized and accustomed to arms, and had already seen too much blood spilled, so they no longer presented the unguided rabble they had been some six weeks earlier at the start of the campaign. After the defeat at Whiteheaps, insurgents under Parry, Kearns, Holt, and the two Byrnes fled into Kildare, and on their way attacked the yeomanry at Clonard.

8. Elopement of Dearvorgail from Brefney

   Meath · county · Meath · 1152

   Dearvorgail, princess of Brefney and daughter of the King of Meath, fled with Dermot Mac Murrough, King of Leinster, taking her ornaments and cattle, allegedly with her brother's knowledge. This event is traditionally linked to the causes of the English invasion of Ireland.

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   O'Rourke was on a pilgrimage at Croagh-Patrick at the time, and not at Lough-Dearg, as has generally been stated; and the Irish historians inform us that the Princess of Brefney left her husband's roof, and iled with the King of Leinster, taking with her her ornaments and her cattle, with the knowledge and oven at the instigation of her own brother, O'JMelaghlin, son of the King of Meath. The Annals of the Four Masters inform us tliat " Dearvorgilla (i. e. the wife of Tiernau O'Uourke), daughter of INIurrough O'Melaghlin, died in the monastery of Drogheda [Mellefont], in the eighty-fifth year of her ago." A. 1). 1 193. t It should be remembered also that Mac IMorough was not expelled i'rom his kingdom ibr several years after.

   Civil wars, family feuds, and the rivalry and jealousy of clans and cliieftains, seem, therefore, to have had as marked an iniluence on the destiny of our unhaiipy country at that time, as the jealousy of husbands and lovers.

   Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild

   As the companion tells it

   As you travel through Meath, you are moving through the country of a family at the heart of one of Ireland's most famous elopements. Dearvorgilla, wife of Tiernan O'Rourke and daughter of Murrough O'Melaghlin, left her husband's roof and fled with Dermot Mac Murrough, King of Leinster, taking her ornaments and her cattle. Her brother O'Melaghlin, son of the King of Meath, knew of it and may even have urged it on. O'Rourke was away on pilgrimage at Croagh Patrick when it happened. The Annals of the Four Masters record that Dearvorgilla died in the monastery of Drogheda, Mellefont, in the 85th year of her age. Mac Murrough was not expelled from his kingdom for several years after. Civil wars, family feuds, and the rivalry of clans and chieftains had as marked an influence on the destiny of the country as the jealousy of husbands and lovers.

9. Legend of the disconsolate maiden and the misread flag signal

   Maiden Tower · man-made feature · Meath

   Tradition says the Maiden Tower was built by a fair lady to watch for her betrothed's return from a distant land. A signal was agreed—a white flag for success, red for failure—but the knight forgot the arrangement and, mistaking the tower for an enemy watch-post, raised the red flag, causing the maiden to throw herself from the top of the tower to her death.

   Read the passage

   turned successful, he should hoist a milk-white banner; but if the contrary, a red flag should float from his mast-head. The preconcerted signal was forgotten, and the knight, seeing the tower, — which his true love had erected during his absence to watch his return, — and mistaking it for the watch-tower of an enemy and an invader, instantly displayed the blood-red flag, whereon the disconsolate maiden precipitated herself from the top of the tower, and was dashed to atoms. Not many years ago a poor half-witted female recluse took up her abode on the top of the tower, and was, like the hermits of old, supplied with every necessary by the surrounding peasantry. It has been conjectured that the tower was erected during the reign of Elizabeth, and took its name from the Maiden Queen.

   INDEX.

   Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild

10. Olympic-style games and sham battles at Tailltean fair

    Teltown · townland · Meath

    The fair at Tailltean featured feats of strength, wrestling, boxing, running, horse and chariot races, sham battles, and aquatic fights performed on artificial lakes whose sites are still pointed out.

    Read the passage

    The first notice which the Annals record of Tailtean (the name of which is still preserved in the modern Teltown) is, that in the year of the world 3370, in the reign of Lugh Lamhfhada, " The fair of Tailltean was established in commemoration and in remembrance of his foster-mother Tailte, the daughter of Maghmor, King of Spain, and the wife of Eochaidh, son of Ere, the last king of the Firbolgs."* This fair continued doAvn to the time of Roderick O' Conor, the last monarch of Ireland, and was held annually upon the first of August, which month derives its name in the Irish language from this very circumstance, being still called Lugh-nasadlt, or Lugh's fair, — the Lammas day, — to which several superstitious rites and ancient ceremonies still attach throughout the country generally. Upon these occasions various sports and pastimes, a description of Olympic Games, were celebrated, consisting of feats of strength and agility in Avrestling, boxing, running, and suchlike manly sports, as well as horse races and chariot races. Besides these the people were entertained with shows and rude theatrical exhibitions. Among these latter are enumerated sham battles and also aquatic fights, Avhich it is said were exhibited upon the artificial lakes, the sites of which are still pointed out. Tradition assigns the site of the fair to that portion of the great rath still existing upon the northern side of the road, and about a quarter of a mile to the north-east of the great fort, or Rath Dubh ;f and here it is said the most remarkable of the Tel-

    * Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters.

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 92

11. Sir Launcelot Dowdall burns Athlumney rather than let the Prince of Orange dwell there

    Athlumney · townland · Meath · 1690–1700

    Upon hearing of the outcome of the Battle of the Boyne and the defeat of King James, Sir Launcelot Dowdall, last lord of Athlumney, vowed the Prince of Orange should never rest under his roof and set fire to his own castle at nightfall. He watched it burn from the opposite bank before fleeing to the Continent, and the estate was forfeited in 1700.

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    Of the history of the castle of Athlumney and its adjoining church, there is little known with certainty ; but, standing on the left bank of the Boyne, opposite this point, we cannot help recalling the story of the heroism of its last lord. Sir Launcelot Dowdall, who, hearing of the issue of the battle of the Boyne, and the fate of the monarch to whose religion and politics his family had been so long attached, and fearing the approach of the victorious English army, declared, on the news reaching him, that the Prince of Orange should never rest under his ancestral roof. The threat was carried into execution. Dowdall set fire to his castle at nightfall, and, crossing the Boyne, sat down upon its opposite bank, from whence, as tradition re-

    * This fine old tower is now draped willi ivy, plante<l by the hand of Miss Edgeworth.

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 83

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Athlumney stood the castle of Sir Launcelot Dowdall, its last lord. When news reached him in 1690 of the Battle of the Boyne and King James's defeat, he declared that the Prince of Orange should never rest under his ancestral roof. That night he set fire to the castle himself, crossed the Boyne, and sat on the opposite bank watching it burn. He fled to the Continent, and the estate was forfeited in 1700.

12. William III Wounded Near Slane Bridge

    Slane · townland · Meath · 1690

    While King William III sat observing near the river below the glen at Slane, Irish gunners fired on his position, wounding his shoulder with a grazing cannon shot. The spot where this occurred, by the water's edge, later had its stones used to build a commemorative obelisk erected beside it.

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    The place where this accident occurred was on the side of a small hillock, by the w^ater's edge, a little below the glen, and from Avhich the stones have been taken to build the obelisk since erected just beside it. The real object of William's near approach to the enemy at this place was not, it seems to us, to reconnoitre their position, Avhich he could have done more

    The torn biifl' coat William wore on this occasion was given to Colonel Thompson, and is still in the possession of the family at Ravensdale.

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 147

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Slane, in 1690, King William III sat on a small hillock by the water's edge, a little below the glen. Irish gunners fired on his position and a grazing cannon shot wounded his shoulder. The stones from this spot were later taken to build a commemorative obelisk erected just beside it. The torn buff coat William wore that day was given to Colonel Thompson and is still in the possession of the family at Ravensdale.

13. Battle-field of the Boyne near Oldbridge

    Oldbridge · townland · Meath · 1690

    The road from Slane to Drogheda passes near the ford of Oldbridge and the battle-field of the Boyne, where the Obelisk marks the scene of the 1690 battle, examined especially from the rising ground by Townley Hall demesne.

    Read the passage

    To those interested in antiquarian researches the following route will form a pleasant day's excursion. Pack up a limcheon. Start for Drogheda by the mail train at 10 o'clock, p. m. ; this reaches its destination at ten minutes past 1 1 o'clock. Hire a car for the day ; cost about seven or eight shilUngs, including driver. Proceed along the river to the Obelisk at Oldbridge, where the scene of the battle of 1690 and the " Boyne Water" may be examined, particularly from the rising groimd adjoining the corner of Townley Hall demesne. Drive on as far as the road leading to Dowth, and then return. Pass up King William's Glen, and proceed by Tullyallen to Mellifont, which one ought to reach by 2 o'clock. Having seen that ancient place, drive by the old road across the country to Monasterboice, and return to Drogheda by 5 or 6 o'clock, and while tea is preparing at the hotel or the station house, exa-

    ITINERARY. XXix

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 12

    As the companion tells it

    Close to Oldbridge, somewhere around here, the river runs by the Obelisk, and this is where the battle of 1690 was fought. You can examine the scene of the battle and the Boyne Water from the rising ground adjoining the corner of Townley Hall demesne. The writer of this route advises starting from Drogheda and proceeding along the river to the Obelisk at Oldbridge. From there the ground rises and gives a view over the field where it all happened. The passage calls this a pleasant day's excursion for those interested in antiquarian researches, and suggests hiring a car for the day at a cost of about seven or eight shillings, including driver. After Oldbridge, the route goes on past King William's Glen, to Tullyallen, to Mellifont, to Monasterboice, and back to Drogheda.

14. Burial of Hugh de Lacy's body at Bective Abbey

    Bective Abbey · monument · Meath · 1186–1195

    After Hugh de Lacy was murdered at Durrow in 1186, his body was not recovered until 1195, when it was brought and buried at Bective Abbey, while his head was buried at St. Thomas's, Dublin. A dispute followed between the two monasteries over possession of the remains.

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    not recovered till 1 195, when " the Archbishop of Cashel, Legate of Ireland, and John Archbishop of Dublin, brought from the Irish country the body of Hugh Lacy (who had conquered Meath), and buried it in the Abbey Beatitudine, that is, of Bective; his head they buried in the church of St. Thomas, Dublin."* Now, as this latter establishment had been founded by one of the Anglo-Norman barons, William Fitz-Adelm, a companion of the great Palatine, by whom also it was largely endowed, the brotherhood of St. Thomas claimed the rest of the remains from the monks at Bective. As we already remarked at page 93, a fierce controversy ensued amongst the rival churchmen on this subject, as to which abbey should possess both the relics; and, as in all Irish ecclesiastical disputes, then, as now, the Pope was appealed to for his decision. Innocent III. appointed the celebrated Simon Kochfort, then Bishop of Meath, and his archdeacon, together with Gilebert, the prior of Duleek, to arbitrate between the belligerents, and they awarded the corpse to the monks of St. Thomas, to which place it was accordingly removed. Such was the estimation in which the remains of a viceroy were held in Ireland in the twelfth century !

    An arcade of pointed cinquefoil arches, supported by light clustered pillars, decorated with elegantly carved capitals, separates the cloister from the court-yard or quadrangle, on the southern side ; and beneath one of these tradition says that the great Lord Palatine was buried. The carving of this colonnade is, from the hardness of the Ardbraccan stone, of which it is built, and the sharpness of the cutting, in fine preservation, and well worthy the attention of the archsological and antiquarian student. On the extreme western pilaster

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 70

    As the companion tells it

    Right here at Bective Abbey in Meath, Hugh de Lacy was buried in 1195, nine years after he was murdered at Durrow. He had conquered Meath, and his body was not recovered until the Archbishop of Cashel, Legate of Ireland, and John, Archbishop of Dublin, brought it from the Irish country and buried it here in the Abbey of Bective. His head they buried in the church of St Thomas in Dublin. That church had been founded by the Anglo-Norman baron William Fitz-Adelm, a companion of the great Palatine, and he had endowed it largely. So the brotherhood of St Thomas claimed the rest of the remains from the monks at Bective. A fierce controversy ensued among the rival churchmen over which abbey should possess both relics, and the Pope was appealed to for his decision. Innocent the Third appointed Simon Kochfort, then Bishop of Meath, and his archdeacon, together with Gilebert, the prior of Duleek, to arbitrate between the two sides. They awarded the corpse to the monks of St Thomas, and to that place it was accordingly removed. Such was the estimation in which the remains of a viceroy were held in Ireland in the twelfth century. Beneath one of the pointed arches of the cloister arcade, tradition says the great Lord Palatine was buried. The carving, built from the hard Ardbraccan stone, is in fine preservation.

15. Division and burial of Hugh de Lacy's remains at Bective and St. Thomas's Abbey

    Bective · townland · Meath · 1205

    De Lacy's body, detained for years by the Irish, was eventually restored and buried with solemnity at Bective Abbey, while his head was carried to Dublin and interred in the Abbey of St. Thomas in his wife's tomb, sparking a dispute between the abbeys resolved by the Pope around 1205.

    Read the passage

    De Lacy's body was detained for several years by the Irisli, who then attacked the castle, but it was at last restored, and buried with great solemnity at Bective Abbey, while his head was carried to Dublin, and interred in the Abbey of St. Thomas, in the tomb ofhis wife, Rosa de Monmouth. This division of the remains of the unfortunate De Lacy gave rise to a fierce dispute between the two abbeys, as to which should possess both, and the controversy arose to such a pitch that the matter was referred to the supreme Pontiff at Rome. It was finally decided that the body should go along with the head; and it is supposed to have been removed to Dublin about the year 1205. Gerald of Cambria thus described this remarkable man:

    " If you will know what manner of man Hugh de Lacie was, you shall understand his eies were blacke and deepe, and his nose somewhat flat, like that of an ape ; and the right side of his face, from the chin upwards, by a mischance, was schrcAVolie skalled; his neck was short, and his bodie hairie, as also not fleshie, but sinewish and strong compact; his stature was but small, and his proportion deformed; but in construction be wasverie sober, trustie, and modest. He was veriecarefull in his own private matters, but in causes of government and in all public affairs he was most vigilant and careful!: and albeit he were a verie good souldier, and one of great experience in martial affairs ; yet in his sundrie adventures, wherein he was sometimes rash and verie hastie, he sped not alwaies best, nor has the best success. He was verie greedie and covetous of wealth and possessions, but over much ambitious of honours and reputation."

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 58

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Bective, Hugh de Lacy's body was laid to rest with great solemnity in the abbey here, after the Irish had detained his remains for several years. His head, though, was carried to Dublin and buried in the Abbey of St. Thomas, in the tomb of his wife, Rosa de Monmouth. This division of his remains set off a fierce dispute between the two abbeys over which should possess both body and head, and the quarrel rose so high that it was referred to the Pope in Rome. He decided the body should go along with the head, and it is thought to have been removed to Dublin around 1205. Gerald of Cambria left a description of the man himself. He wrote that de Lacy's eyes were black and deep, his nose somewhat flat like that of an ape, and the right side of his face scarred and scalled from a mishap. His neck was short, his body hairy, sinewy and strong, his stature small and his proportion deformed. Yet he was sober, trusty and modest, careful in private matters, most vigilant in public affairs, a good soldier of great experience, though sometimes rash and hasty, and greedy for wealth while over-ambitious for honours.

16. Drogheda besieged by Cromwell and occupied by James II

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1641–1690

    Drogheda's history could be traced almost without a break from St. Patrick's time to 1641 when it was besieged by Oliver Cromwell, and to 1690 when it was occupied by James II.

    Read the passage

    We already remarked upon the landing of St. Patrick in 432, at Inver Colpe, at the Boyne's mouth, upon the southern side of the river. From that time to 1641, when it was besieged by Oliver Cromwell, and to 1690, when it was occvipied by James XL, we could trace its annals from year to yeai", almost without a break.

    Drogheda was a strongly fortified city, and considerable portions of its walls, with two of its gates, still remain. St. Laurence's Gate, upon the northern side of the river, is here shown from the outside. It consists of two circular towers, with a connecting curtain wall over the arch, and, although built of small stones, it is one of the finest specimens of its kind in Ireland. " The walls of Dro-

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 172

    As the companion tells it

    You're coming into Drogheda, a town whose history runs back almost without a break from the landing of St. Patrick in 432 at the Boyne's mouth. In 1641 it was besieged by Oliver Cromwell, and in 1690 it was occupied by James II. It was a strongly fortified city, and parts of its walls still remain, along with two of its gates. St. Laurence's Gate, on the northern side of the river, consists of two circular towers joined by a curtain wall over the arch, and though built of small stones, it is one of the finest specimens of its kind in Ireland.

17. Sack of Clonard by the men of Breifne, 1136

    Clonard · town · Meath · 1136

    In 1136 the inhabitants of Breifne plundered and sacked Clonard, stripping O'Daly the chief poet of Ireland to his skin, and sacrilegiously taking a sword belonging to St Finian, the founder, from the abbey's vestry.

    Read the passage

    Numerous disasters befell this place. It was pillaged and in part destroyed no less than twelve times, on five of these occasions by the Danes. The church and adjoining buildings were fourteen times consumed by fire; indeed, this destructive element appears to have marked these structures for its particular fury, for we read that, in 1045, " the town of Clonard, together with its churches, was wholly consumed, being thrice set on fire within one week." In 1 136, " the inhabitants of the Breney (Brefney) plundered and sacked Clonard, and behaved in so shameless a manner, as to strip O'Daly, then chief poet of

    * In that most meagre and incorrect historical account of lona, by Mr. Maclean,— the only guide-book, we are sorry to say, with which travellers visiting that sacred isle are furnished, — he has the ignorance and bad taste to say : " In the year 563, one Colum M'Felim M'Fergus, latinized Columba, a Scotsinan, set out from Ireland in a currah, and landed at Kebudte,'' &c. Now, the birthplace and parentage of St. Columb are both well known, and are mentioned in all the lives of this saint ; nay, the very passage in Adamnanus, to which he refers, is quoted incorrectly ; but we need not wonder at this in an author who embellishes his title-page with a veritable Gaelic quotation from Ossian !

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 43

    As the companion tells it

    You're coming through Clonard now, in Meath. In 1136 the men of Breifne plundered and sacked this town, stripping O'Daly, the chief poet of Ireland, to his skin. They sacrilegiously took a sword belonging to St Finian, the founder, from the abbey's vestry. The place had known disaster before, pillaged and destroyed twelve times, its churches consumed by fire fourteen times. In 1045 the whole town was burned, set on fire three times within a single week.

18. Slaying of Tiernan O'Rourke at the Hill of Ward

    Hill of Ward, Tlachtgha · hill or hills · Meath · 1172

    Tiernan O'Rourke, husband of Dervorgail, was slain at the Hill of Ward by English chieftains in 1172. His head was placed over the gate of Dublin and his body gibbetted with feet upwards on the northern side of the city.

    Read the passage

    * Tiernan O'Rourke, the husband of Dervorgail, was slain at the hill of "Ward by some of the English chieftains in 1 1 72. They placed his head over the gate of Dublin, and his body was gibbetted with his feet upwards, at the northern side of the city.

    ST. Bernard's chapel. 287

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 164

19. The Boyne obelisk marking the site of the Battle of the Boyne

    Oldbridge · townland · Meath · 1690

    The Boyne obelisk, standing on a massive rock jutting over the water near Oldbridge, marks the site of the celebrated battle of 1690 fought between William and James for the crown.

    Read the passage

    We now enter Louth. Here the road approaches almost to the water's edge, and, following a graceful curve, which the stream makes at this place, continues so for about half a mile, till we pass the Boyne obelisk, which marks the site of the celebrated battle of " July the first." The last rapid upon the Boyne occurs near this. It is now the site of a salmon weir, and the tide comes up thus high, and occasionally even farther. As we pass into this defile the scene becomes truly picturesque. Upon the left, the rocky banks of Townley Hall demesne are clothed with the most splendid foliage; upon the right, the deep meadows and green inches are fringed by the woods of Oldbridge; and in the centre, upon a massive rock, which juts over the water, rises the obelisk raised to commemorate the passage of the Boyne, when Stuart and Nassau contended for the crown of these realms. Grander battle-fields, — more extensive plains, as that of Waterloo, — or with the mountains looking upon the sea, as at Marathon, — may easily be found ; but for inland sylvan beauty, the diversity of hill and dale, with Avooded banks, and a shining river, this scene of action may well challenge competition.

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 144

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, the road runs close to the water, and you come to the Boyne obelisk. It stands on a massive rock jutting over the river, raised to commemorate the passage of the Boyne in 1690, when Stuart and Nassau contended for the crown of these realms. The battle was fought on the first of July. The rocky banks of Townley Hall demesne rise on one side, and the deep meadows and green inches are fringed by the woods of Oldbridge on the other. The last rapid on the Boyne occurs near here, now the site of a salmon weir, and the tide comes up this far. The writer of the source calls this a truly picturesque scene, and says that while grander battlefields may be found, for inland sylvan beauty, with wooded banks and a shining river, this scene of action may well challenge competition.

20. The Great Cross of Kells and its 1798 use as a gallows

    Kells · town · Meath · 1798

    The great sculptured Cross of Kells, comparable to those at Monasterboice and Clonmacnoise, stands in the market-place; tradition says its shaft was raised onto its pedestal by Dean Swift, and it is remembered by inhabitants of Kells as having formed part of a gallows used to hang several men in 1798.

    Read the passage

    * There is a tradition current that the shaft of this cross was prostrate till placed upon its pedestal by Dean Swift. Another fact connected with this cross, still keenly remembered by the inhabitants of Kells, is, that it formed part of the gallows from which several men were hanged in 1798.

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 91

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Kells, the great sculptured cross stands in the market-place, comparable to those at Monasterboice and Clonmacnoise. Tradition says its shaft lay prostrate until Dean Swift raised it onto its pedestal. In 1798, it formed part of the gallows from which several men were hanged, a fact still keenly remembered by the people of the town.

21. The killing of Hugh de Lacy at Durrow castle, 1186

    Durrow · parish · Offaly · 1186

    While overseeing construction of his castle at Durrow, Hugh de Lacy was slain by a young soldier of O'Caharney's household named Gilla-gan-innaher O'Meyey, who concealed a battle-axe and beheaded him near the castle ditch. The Annals of Kilronan record this event for AD 1186.

    Read the passage

    " A. D. 1186. — Hugo de Lacy went to Durrow, to make a castle there, having a countless number of the English with him, for he was King of Meath, Brefny, and Oriel, and it was to him the tribute of Connaught was paid, and he it was that won all Ireland for the English. Meath, from the Shannon to the sea, was full of his castles and English followers. After the completion of this work by him, that is, the erection of the castle of Durrow, he came out to look at the castle, having three Englishmen along with him. Then came there one youth of the men of Meath up to him, having his battle-axe concealed, namely, Gilla-gan-innaher O'Meyey, the foster-son of the Fox (O'Caharney) himself, and gave him one blow, so that he cut off his head, and he fell, both head and body, into the ditch of the castle." — Annals of Kilronan, T. C i)."*

    And the Four Masters take up the narration of this event, and inform us that Gilla-gan-innaher escaped by flight into the neighbouring wood of Kilclare, where the Irish chieftains Avere awaiting him.

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 58

22. The rival sisters of Athlumney and Blackcastle

    Athlumney · townland · Meath · 1649–1650

    Tradition tells of two sisters occupying the castles of Athlumney and Blackcastle on opposite banks of the Boyne, who agreed to burn their homes simultaneously upon Cromwell's approach as a shared signal. The jealous mistress of Blackcastle deceived her rival by lighting a false signal, causing Athlumney to burn while Blackcastle remained standing.

    Read the passage

    * Tradition gives us another, but by no means so probable a story about Athlumney castle, which refers to an earlier date. It is said that two sisters occupied the ancient castles of Athlumney and Blackcastle, which latter was situated on the opposite bank of the river ; and the heroine of the latter, jealous of her rival in Athlumney, took the following means of being revenged. She made her enter into an agreement, that to prevent their mansions falling into the hands of Cromwell and his soldiers, they should set fire to them at the same moment, as soon as the news of his approach reached them, and that a fire being lighted upon one was to be the signal for the conflagration of the other. In the mean time the wily mistress of Blackcastle had a quantity of dry brush-wood placed on one of the towers of the castle, which, uj)on a certain night, she lighted ; and the inhabitants of Athlumney perceiving the appointed signal, set fire to their mansion, and burned it to the ground. In the morning the deception was manifest. Athlunmey was a mass of blackened, smoking ruins, while Blackcastle still reared its proud form above the woods, and still afforded shelter to its haughty mistress.

    1 ;i4 NAVAN.

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 84

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, tradition tells of a bitter rivalry between two sisters. One held Athlumney castle, the other held Blackcastle, on the opposite bank of the Boyne. The mistress of Blackcastle was jealous of her sister, and she found a cunning way to be revenged. She drew her into an agreement: when word came that Cromwell and his soldiers were approaching, they would set fire to their mansions at the same moment, so neither would fall into enemy hands. A fire lighted on one castle was to be the signal for the other to burn. But the wily mistress of Blackcastle had already placed dry brush-wood on one of her towers, and on a certain night she lighted it. The people of Athlumney saw the appointed signal and set their own mansion alight, burning it to the ground. In the morning the deception was plain. Athlumney was a mass of blackened, smoking ruins, while Blackcastle still stood, its proud form rising above the woods, sheltering its haughty mistress.

23. The serpent guardian of the condemned hole

    Teltown · townland · Meath

    According to local tale, men who tried to dig up moor-turf from the pit near Teltown heard a terrible roaring and saw a venomous serpent with a mane and a horse-sized head rise from the pit before they fled.

    Read the passage

    ]\Iany of the legends told of Patrick by the peo^^^e nere are evidently but paraphrases of his " doings" at Tara. The Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego story about the fire trial between the servant of Patrick and the servant of the Druid gets here a new dress, with new names and " entirely new scenery, machinery, decorations, and processions." King Loeghaire or Leary (not Cairbre), who was a wonderful Druid and powerful magiciai:i entirely, is the chief personage in the Tailtean fables. After being defeated in various trials of skill and necromancy with the saint, Avho could make no hand of him at all, Patrick was forced to put him down into a dark " condemned hole," near the river, called to this day, " an t-aithghearr go h-Iifrionn," " the short road to hell," where the heathen king, Loeghaire, is still believed to be, if he never got any farther. Some fool-hardy people went a few years ago to lift mooreen out of this spot, but they had scarcely broke the scraio that covered the soft surface of the hollow, when a terrible roaring was heard coming up out of the bottom of the earth, and presently a most vinimous sarpint, with a long mane and a head as big as a horse, riz up out of the pit, and looked about him; but when he saw nobody, for all the men had run away, he drew himself down again, and no one ever attempted to make any inquiries after the ould king of the black rath since. But all that is nothing to what happened at the building of Donapatrick Church hard by. Every one knows that Prince Conall gave the saint one of his beautiful raths there to build a church upon, and that the workmen engaged in the erection of it came very short of provisions one hard summer, — just, for all the world, like the year before last. Well, Loeghaire when lie heard that, sent him a furiously wicked bull that was the terror of the Avhole country, and used to be horning and aiting every body that came next or nigh him, — he was as cross and as thievish as the ould king himself, — in hopes that he'd finish the blessed man all out. The baste was sent over to the other side of the water, and when he saw St. Patrick, he stopt bellowing and snorting all of a sudden, and was as quiet as a sucking calf ' Kill him,' says the saint; so they made a great feast

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 94

24. William wounded by cannon ball near Oldbridge

    Oldbridge · townland · Meath · 1690

    While viewing the enemy's camp on the south side of the Boyne near Oldbridge, King William was struck on the shoulder by a cannon ball the day before the battle, causing great alarm though the wound proved slight.

    Read the passage

    then went towards Oldbridge. On the south side of Boyne lay the enemy's camp, which the King going to view, he was hitt by a cannon ball on the shoulder, which putt us into the greatest consternation imaginable, but, blessed be God, it proved but a slight hurte; he went round his own camp and was received with the greatest joy and acclamations imaginable. The cannon fir'd att caste all the afternoon. We drew a great body of our horse up on the hills in sight of the enemy. We fir'd several bombs which did execution, and our cannon dismounted 2 of the enemy's batterye's.

    "July the 1st, 1690, ajoyfuUday, excessive hott; about 6 this morning the King got on horseback and gave the necessary orders. Kirke ordered me to bring him some account from the enemy. I brought him a youth, one Fyans, who came that morning from Drogheda.* I carry'd him to the King, who was then standing att the battery, seeing his cannon play att the house of Oldbridge. He had sent early a strong detachment of about 15,000 men with Douglas towards Slane, who pass'd the river without any opposition, and putt the enemy to route Avho were on that wing."

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 151

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Oldbridge, on the day before the battle in 1690, King William rode to view the enemy's camp on the south side of the Boyne. While he was there, a cannon ball struck him on the shoulder, which, as one witness wrote, "putt us into the greatest consternation imaginable." The wound proved slight, and he went round his own camp to the greatest joy and acclamations of his men. The cannon fired all that afternoon. Bombs were thrown and did execution, and the cannon dismounted two of the enemy's batteries. The next morning, July the 1st, 1690, the King got on horseback about six and gave his orders. A strong detachment of about 15,000 men had been sent early with Douglas towards Slane, who passed the river without opposition and put the enemy to rout on that wing.

25. Clonard repeatedly pillaged, burned and destroyed

    Clonard · town · Meath · 1045

    Clonard was pillaged and partly destroyed twelve times, five of these by the Danes, and its church and adjoining buildings were burned fourteen times, including a triple burning within one week in 1045.

    Read the passage

    Numerous disasters befell this place. It was pillaged and in part destroyed no less than twelve times, on five of these occasions by the Danes. The church and adjoining buildings were fourteen times consumed by fire; indeed, this destructive element appears to have marked these structures for its particular fury, for we read that, in 1045, " the town of Clonard, together with its churches, was wholly consumed, being thrice set on fire within one week." In 1 136, " the inhabitants of the Breney (Brefney) plundered and sacked Clonard, and behaved in so shameless a manner, as to strip O'Daly, then chief poet of

    * In that most meagre and incorrect historical account of lona, by Mr. Maclean,— the only guide-book, we are sorry to say, with which travellers visiting that sacred isle are furnished, — he has the ignorance and bad taste to say : " In the year 563, one Colum M'Felim M'Fergus, latinized Columba, a Scotsinan, set out from Ireland in a currah, and landed at Kebudte,'' &c. Now, the birthplace and parentage of St. Columb are both well known, and are mentioned in all the lives of this saint ; nay, the very passage in Adamnanus, to which he refers, is quoted incorrectly ; but we need not wonder at this in an author who embellishes his title-page with a veritable Gaelic quotation from Ossian !

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 43

    As the companion tells it

    The town of Clonard lies along the road ahead. This place suffered repeated disasters over the centuries. It was pillaged and partly destroyed no fewer than twelve times, and on five of those occasions the raiders were the Danes. The church and the buildings adjoining it were consumed by fire fourteen separate times. Fire seems to have singled these structures out for particular fury. The worst of it came in 1045, when the town of Clonard, together with its churches, was wholly consumed, set on fire three times within a single week. The record uses the words, "the town of Clonard, together with its churches, was wholly consumed, being thrice set on fire within one week." Twelve times pillaged, fourteen times burned, and in that one week of 1045, burned three times over. Whatever stood here was built and rebuilt and burned again, by Danes and by others whose names the record does not always give.

26. The miracle of the resurrected bull at Donaghpatrick

    Donaghpatrick · townland · Meath

    Legend recounts that King Loeghaire sent a wicked bull to attack St. Patrick's workmen at Donaghpatrick during a famine, but the bull was tamed, killed, eaten, and then miraculously restored to life when its bones were thrown into the river.

    Read the passage

    of him. Next day tlie king came down to the river side, just walking along mighty easily, letting on as if he didn't want to know anything aboiit what happened, but hoping all the while that the bull had made a meal of some of the good Christians. He wasn't long there when some of the saint's servants bid him the time of day, and told him how much they enjoyed the bull, which, we may be sure, was no ways pleasing to his majesty; but to convince him, not only of the truth of the story, but to give him a taste of his power, St. Patrick ordered his servants to bring out the well-picked bones, and to tie them lip in the skin, and to throw them into the river to Leary. That was easy enough, but then comes the miracle. The bundle had hardly touched the water, when out of it rose the bull, well and harty, large as life, bone to bone, and sinew to sinew, and swam over to the king. And yet, for all this, history records that the old reprobate died in his mother Church, and was buried in the hill of Tara, in a standing position, accoutred in his battle dress. Conversions of old people or grown up men and women are not as common or as easy as people imagine.

    A short distance above Teltown the river is crossed by Bloomsbury Bridge; but the tourist will find greater and more frequent objects of attraction on the northern bank, till he reaches Donaghpatrick, about a mile and a quarter lower down.

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 94

27. Correcting the Myth of James Watching the Battle from Donore Church

    Donore · town · Meath · 1690

    The author corrects the popular belief, repeated in several histories, that King James II watched the Battle of the Boyne as a passive spectator from the church of Donore, noting from James's own memoirs that he was never present at the fighting at Oldbridge.

    Read the passage

    cumstance of which he was then well aware, that William saw was the most auspicious to cross the ford at Oldbridge, and lead on in person his six-and-twenty thousand men against that portion of the Irish army which remained upon the original battle-field. James himself, as we learn from his own memoirs, was not at any ti.-ne of the day at the battle of Oldbridge, and did not, as popular opinion and several histories would lead us to believe, view the fight, a passive spectator, from the church of Donore. The army of Douglas extended its line to the right, to outflank the Irish, and cut off their retreat to Dublin, by getting before them to Duleek, and keeping them behind the Nanny-Water ; which Lauzun observing, marched his army parallel with them, in order to prevent such a disaster. " While this was doing," say the Royal Memoirs, " the King went to the right to hasten up the troops to follow Lauzun e, believing the main hody of the enemie's arrny was folloiving their rights wliichliad passed at Slane. * * * The King took the reserve, consisting of Parcel's hors and Brown's foot, with which he marched till he came up to the rear of the foot, that follow'd Lausune, and there ordering Sir Charles Carny, who commanded the reserve, to post himself at the I'ight of the first line of those foot, to make a sort of left wing there, and then rid along the line, Avhere he found Lausune and the Enemie's right drawn up in battle, within half cannon shot, faceing each other: the King did not think fit to charge just then, being in expectation of the troops he had left at Old bridg, but while he was discoursing this matter with Lausune, an Aid de Camp came to give the King an account that the enemie had forced the pass at Old bridg, and that the right wing was beaten; which the King wispering in Lausun's ear, tould him, there was now nothing to be done but to charge the enemie forthwith, before his troops knew what had happen'd on the right, and by that means try if they could recover the day ; and accordingly sent Mons. Hoguette to the head of the French foot, made all the Dragoons to light, and placed them in the intervalls between the hors, and ordered Lausune to lead on: but just as they were beginning to move, Sarsfield and Maxwell, who had been to vicAv the ground betwixt the two armys, sayd it was impossible for the hors to charg the enemie, by reason of two double ditches with high banks, and a little brook betwixt

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 150

28. Death of Dervorgail at Mellifont

    Mellifont · townland · Louth · 1193

    Dervorgail, whose abduction is cited as a cause of the English invasion, retired to Mellifont late in life and died there in 1193. In the same year, the relics of St. Malachy were brought to the abbey with great ceremony.

    Read the passage

    Ireland, who presented to the abbey one hundred and forty oxen, sixty ounces of gold, and a townland near Drogheda; of O'Eochy, King of Ulidia or Down ; Tiernan O'Rourke, Prince of Brefney;* and O'Carrol of Oriel, who endowed the abbey with sixty ounces of gold. The chief matter of consequence transacted at this convocation was the excommunication and deposition of Dunchad OMelaghlin, King of Meath, and the election of Dermod, his brother, in his stead. It was upon this occasion that the abbey church was consecrated with great solemnity; and among the oblations made to it, besides those already specified, we read that Dervorgail, the ill-fated wife of the Leitrim chieftain, and whose so-called abduction is assigned as the cause of the English invasion, richly endowed this foreign monastery, having presented to it on that occasion sixty ounces of gold with a golden chalice for the high altar, and ornaments and holy furniture for nine other altars in the same church. And here, as we already stated at page 19, she afterwards retired towards the close of her life, and died in 1 193. Whether she was present on the occasion of the consecration is not mentioned in the Annals, but the circumstance occurred during the seventeen years' interval from the period of her elopement to that of the first English invasion. In the same year (1193), the relics of St. Malachy, who died upon the Continent, were brought into Ireland and received with great pomp at this abbey. As might be expected from the foregoing recital, the house of Mellifont was patronized by the English on their first coming into Ireland, and accordingly we read that both Henry and John confirmed all its grants, and granted it several charters of great value. Upon several occasions the abbots of Mellifont were restricted from sending money to the original Cistercian settlement at Clairvaux; but, although originally so much devoted to foreign influence, the monks of Mellifont became, like other settlers, more Irish than the Irish themselves; and in 1322 " it was determined that no person Avhatsoever should be admitted into this abbey before he had taken an oath that he was not of English descent." This abbey is sometimes called Meli; in some

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 164

29. Death of King Cormac Mac Art at the House of Cletty

    Cletty · townland · Sligo · 266

    King Cormac Mac Art, grandson of Con of the Hundred Battles and one of the most renowned monarchs of Tara, died at the House of Cletty after a salmon bone stuck in his throat, two years after losing an eye in battle, since a blemished king could not reside at Tara.

    Read the passage

    Two of the most celebrated Irishmen of early times died on the Boyne's bank : Finn Mac Cumhaill, the renowned warrior, popularly known as Fin-ma-Cool, who was killed with a dart or gaff by a fisherman named Athlach, at Ath-Brea or Eath- Breagha,f and also his father-in-law, King Cormac Mac Art, the grandson of Con of the Hundred Battles, who died from a fish-bone having stuck in his throat. The circumstances attending the death of the latter are here worth recording. He was one of the most renowned, just, and wise of the monarchs of Tara, and is said to have been the third person who accepted Christianity in Erin before the time of Patrick. One of his eyes having been destroyed by the warrior Engus Gaibhuaibhnech, he afterwards generally resided at Acaill (now Skreeu), at Kells, or at the. House of Cletty (Cletigh, Cleiteach, or Cletech), as "it was not lawful that a king with a personal blemish should reside at Tara.":|: Two years after the loss of his eye, he was suffocated, from the bone of a salmon having stuck in his throat, at this House of Cletty, the site of which has not yet been determined by topographers. The name, the situation, and the remains at Clady, afford us, however, some clue to it. In several Irish manuscripts, both in prose and verse, this house is alluded to as being over or above the Boyne (" Cletig supra Boin"), and in the vicinity of Tara, to both of which circumstances this place accurately answers ; but furthermore we learn something of its precise locality from the account given of the death of King Muircheartach Mac Earca, nearly two centuries and a half after the time of Cormac. He was burned to death in the House of Cletty, by his mistress Sheen, after the battle of Kirb, — a spot believed to be Assey, upon the opposite side of the Boyne. St. Cairneach, of Tuilen (now Dulane, near Kells), cursed the place, and it was soon after deserted. His prophecy is recorded in the Annals of Tighernach. King Cormac's death took place, according to the Four Masters, A. D. 266, " at Cleiteach, the bone

    * See the Dublin Penny Journal, vol. iii. p. 350.

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 73

30. King Cormac Mac Art's Burial at Rossnaree

    Rossnaree · townland · Meath

    King Cormac Mac Art, refusing burial among idolaters at Brugh, ordered burial at Ros-na-Righ facing east. When servants tried to carry his body to Brugh instead, the Boyne swelled three times to prevent the crossing, so he was buried at Rossnaree as he wished.

    Read the passage

    We are now in a position to inquire after the site of Brugh na Boinne, the royal cemetery of " the Fort of the Boyne." About two miles below Slane the river becomes fordable, and several islands break the stream. Here, upon the left, or southwestern bank of the river, is the place called Rossnaree, the ancient Ros-na-Eigh, or the Wood of the Kings, and upon the opposite swelling bank of the river occur a series of raised mounds, raths, forts, caves, circles, and pillar-stones, bearing all the evidence of ancient Pagan sepulchral monuments, which, there can now be little doubt, was the Irish Memphis, or city of tombs, already so frequently alluded to. The following reference from the History of the Cemeteries, already referred to, will, we think, set the question at rest, and fix the site of Brugh-na-Boinne here, and not, as has been conjectured, at Stackallan. We already mentioned, in describing Clady, that King Cormac Mac Art died at the house of Cletty. His burial is thus detailed : "And he (Cormac), told his people not to bury him at Brugh (because it was a cemetery of idolaters) ; for he did not worship the same God as any of those interred at Brugh; but to bury him at Ros-na-Righ, with his face to the east. He afterwards died, and his servants of trust held a council, and came to the resolution of burying him at Brugh, the place where the kings of Tara, his predecessors, were buried. Tiie body of the king was afterwards thrice raised to be carried to Brugh, but the Boyne swelled up thrice, so as that they could not come; so that they observed that it was violating the judgment of a prince to break through this testament of the king ; and they afterwards dug his grave at Ros-na-Righ, as he himself had ordered." And again, "■ The nobles of the Tuatha De Danaan were used to bury at Brugh."

    From this it is evident that the place where the servants of Cormac endeavoured to cross the river with his body was

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 113

31. The Book of Kells preserved at Trinity College

    Kells · town · Meath

    The celebrated Book of Kells, a beautifully illuminated Irish manuscript associated with the abbey, survives in the library of Trinity College.

    Read the passage

    One of the most valuable pieces of antiquity connected with this place, and which has come down to modern times, is the celebrated Book of Kells, a most beautifully illuminated Irish manuscript, still preserved in the library of Trinitj' College.

    Descending the river upon the northern bank we arrive at Teltown, about midway between Kells and Navan. This is one of the most celebrated spots in Ireland; perhaps, next to Tara, it is the most ancient, if not the most notable. An entire chapter might be devoted to it, describing its topography, transcribing its annals, relating its legends, — Pagan and Christian, — and giving a detailed account of its battles, sham and real; its fairs, games, sports, and marriages ; these, however, would far exceed the limits of a guide-book, intended chiefly to direct the tourist, and point out the scenic beauty, and the memorable localities upon the hitherto neglected Boyne and Blackwater, which is all this little work pretends to. Let the following notice suffice. Upon a green hill sloping gradually from the water's edge, and rising to a height of about 300

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 92

    As the companion tells it

    One of the most valuable pieces of antiquity connected with this town is the celebrated Book of Kells, a beautifully illuminated Irish manuscript, still preserved in the library of Trinity College. It has come down to modern times, linked to the abbey at Kells, and stands as one of the great treasures of Irish learning. Following the river down the northern bank brings you toward Teltown, about midway between Kells and Navan. This is one of the most celebrated spots in Ireland. Next to Tara, it is perhaps the most ancient, if not the most notable. A full chapter might be devoted to it, describing its topography, transcribing its annals, relating its legends, Pagan and Christian, and giving a detailed account of its battles, sham and real, its fairs, games, sports, and marriages. A guide-book can only point out the scenic beauty and the memorable localities upon the Boyne and Blackwater.

32. The goose eggs theft and Bishop Erc's curse

    Slane · townland · Meath

    King Domhnall's stewards stole a hermit woman's store of goose eggs meant for Bishop Erc despite her warning, prompting Erc to curse the resulting banquet, an act said to have caused the ensuing Battle of Magh Rath.

    Read the passage

    " Tlae holy patron. Bishop Ere, of Slaine, came to his house in the evening, and the woman told him how he was plundered. The righteous man then became wroth, and said : ' It will not be good luck to the person to whom this kind of food was brought; and may the peace or welfare of Erin not result from the banquet to which it was brought ; but may quarrels, contentions, and commotions be the consequence to her.' And he cursed the banquet as bitterly as he was able to curse it.

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 108

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Slane, Bishop Erc kept his house. A hermit woman had gathered goose eggs for him, but King Domhnall's stewards plundered them despite her warning and carried them to a banquet. When Erc came home that evening and the woman told him, he cursed the feast, saying, "May the peace or welfare of Erin not result from the banquet to which it was brought, but may quarrels, contentions, and commotions be the consequence." That curse is said to have brought on the Battle of Magh Rath.

33. The Legend of the French Prince at Slane Abbey

    Slane · townland · Meath · 653–673

    Tradition held that Dagobert, King of Austrasia, was banished as a boy monk to Slane Abbey and educated there for twenty years before returning to France. A tomb bearing a fleur-de-lis was popularly said to be his, though it was actually an Irish ecclesiastic's tomb.

    Read the passage

    Dagobert, King of Austrasia (part of France), when at the age of only seven years, was taken by Grimoald, mayor of the palace, and by his direction he was shorn a monk, " rendered unfit to hold the reins of government, and banished into Ireland. From oral information we learn that he was received into this abbey, where he obtained an education proper for the enjoyment of a throne; he continued here during the space of twenty years, when he was recalled into France, and replaced in his government." By what means the author of the Monasticon obtained this latter information, or what oral traditions, referring back for such a length of time, should be received as history, we cannot now pause to discuss. Among the several tombs around the abbey the stranger's attention is pointed to one, said to bear the fleur-de-lis upon it, and this, ••' from oral information, we learn" is the tomb of the son of the King of France ! — but any one accustomed to examine such objects, at once recognises it as the tomb of an Irish ecclesiastic, being figured with a cross, each arm of which ends in a leaflike ornament, and also having upon it a chalice; and beneath the foot of the cross the name W. J. Kirwan may still be deciphered. Several other curious old tombs may be observed here; one, in particular, to the south of the church, is of a remarkable form, and, in all probability, of greater antiquity than any Christian tomb in Ireland, except a similarly constructed one which we are given to understand exists in the churchyard of Saul, near Downpatrick, and that to which we already referred at Donaghpatrick, a fragment of which occupies a precisely similar position with respect to the adjoining church there. This tomb at Slane, of which the accompanying is a sketch, consists of two large gableshaped flags, about three feet of which rise above """"'^SKiVfi^iJ'h*' the ground, and separated

    by an interval of about six feet. Each of these stones is grooved exactly like the gable of a house, the grooves appearing to be intended for the reception of the ends of horizontally inclined

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 110

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here at Slane, there is a tradition about a French prince. Dagobert was King of Austrasia, a part of France. When he was only 7 years old, he was taken by Grimoald, the mayor of the palace. By Grimoald's direction, the boy was shorn a monk, rendered unfit to hold the reins of government, and banished into Ireland. The tradition says he was received into this abbey, where he obtained an education proper for the enjoyment of a throne. He continued here for twenty years, then was recalled into France and replaced in his government. How the author of the Monasticon came by this information, or what oral traditions reaching back so far should be received as history, the writer does not pause to discuss. Among the tombs around the abbey, one is pointed out, said to bear the fleur-de-lis upon it. This, from oral information, is said to be the tomb of the son of the King of France. But anyone accustomed to examining such objects recognises it at once as the tomb of an Irish ecclesiastic. It is figured with a cross, each arm ending in a leaflike ornament, and it bears a chalice. Beneath the foot of the cross, the name W. J. Kirwan may still be deciphered. Several other curious old tombs may be observed here. One, south of the church, is of a remarkable form and in all probability of greater antiquity than any Christian tomb in Ireland, except a similarly constructed one said to exist in the churchyard of Saul near Downpatrick, and one at Donaghpatrick. This tomb at Slane consists of two large gable-shaped flags, about three feet of which rise above the ground, separated by an interval of about six feet. Each stone is grooved exactly like the gable of a house, the grooves appearing to be intended for the reception of the ends of horizontally inclined stones.

34. William crosses the Boyne near Tullyallen valley

    Tullyallen · town · Louth · 1690

    William himself, arm in a sling from his wound, plunged into the river accompanied by the Prince of Denmark near the eastern valley intersecting the hill of Tullyallen, a deep and dangerous part of the river, and had to be helped after his horse became bogged.

    Read the passage

    also Dr. Walker, the gallant defender of Derry, and Caillimotte received his death wound.* The third crossing was made by the Danes and Germans, at a shallow between the two principal islands, where the water must have been up to their arm-pits, while the left wing, entirely composed of cavalry, consisting chiefly of Danes and Dutch, passed or swam across opposite the eastern valley which intersects the hill of Tullyallen, and effected a landing, apparently with little opposition, at a very deep and dangerous part of the river, nearly opposite the spot where one of the Irish batteries stood the day before, and where the margin of the stream is wet and swampy. Here it was, however, that, accompanied by the Prince of Denmark, William himself, with his arm in a sling from the effects of his wound, plunged into the stream, with Colonel Woolstey, and passed with great difficulty, " for his horse was bogg'd on the other side, and he was forced to alight, till a gentleman help'd him to get his horse out." Colonel Bellingham's Journal thus continues: " He sent another detachment of horse to the left to goe over at the Mill-foord, but the tide coming in and the foord bad, the passage was very difficult, most of them being forced to swim, insomuch that they could not come upp time enough to assist our foot who went over the foord att Oldbridge about 11 of the clock. The enemy had laid an ambush behind the ditches and houses on the other side of the water, who fir'd incessantly att our men as they were passing the river; who, as soon as arriv'd on land, immediately putt

    English camp. His skull is still shown in the cathedral of St. Patrick's, where Dean Swift caused a monument to be erected to him. The family vault of the Schombergs is in the cathedral of jMayence. His sword is now the charter sword of the " Friendly Brothers."

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 152

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Tullyallen, this is the ground above the Boyne where, in 1690, the left wing of William's cavalry, chiefly Danes and Dutch, crossed the river. A third crossing had been made by the Danes and Germans at a shallow between the two principal islands, where the water must have been up to their arm-pits. The cavalry passed or swam across opposite the eastern valley that intersects the hill of Tullyallen, landing at a very deep and dangerous part of the river, nearly opposite where an Irish battery had stood the day before, where the margin of the stream is wet and swampy. It was here that William himself plunged into the stream. His arm was in a sling from his wound. He was accompanied by the Prince of Denmark and Colonel Woolstey, and they passed with great difficulty. The source records that "his horse was bogg'd on the other side, and he was forced to alight, till a gentleman help'd him to get his horse out." Colonel Bellingham's Journal records that William sent another detachment of horse to the left to go over at the Mill-foord, but the tide came in and the ford was bad. The passage was very difficult, most of them forced to swim, so they could not come up in time to assist the foot who went over the ford at Oldbridge about 11 o'clock. The enemy had laid an ambush behind the ditches and houses on the other side, who fired incessantly at the men as they were passing the river.

35. Gold torques and coins discovered at New Grange

    Newgrange · townland · Meath

    A gold coin of Valentinian and one of Theodosius were found outside the mound, and later a labourer found two ancient gold torques, a golden chain and two rings near the entrance; these were removed from Ireland by an Irish nobleman to be exhibited abroad.

    Read the passage

    Theodosius, were discovered on the outside of the mound; and, not very long ago, a labourer, digging a little to the Avest of the entrance, discovered two ancient gold torques and a golden chain and two rings. Where are these? Are they in the great national collection of the Royal Irish Academy? Have they been recorded in the Proceedings or Transactions of that, or any other learned body in the kingdom ? No ; we regret to say, they were carried out of this country by an Irish nobleman, to exhibit at a learned society on the other side of the channel, in the Transactions of which body they will be found figured, together with a letter from their present owner, which, as he is our countryman, we will not quote!

    Within view of New Grange, and about a mile distant, seated on one of the higher slopes upon the Boyne's bank, the third great cone of the group attracts our attention, — Dubhadh, or Dowth, — the accompanying view of which was taken prior to the examination of this rath in 1 847- Although not so broad at the base as New Grange, it was more conical ; the building on the top was a modern structure, a tea-house erected by the late eccentric Lord Netterville ; and, certainly, although his knowledge or love for antiquities may be questioned, there can be no doubt of his having chosen a spot from whence could be obtained one of the noblest prospects in Meath. A circle of

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild

36. Black Friary founded by Geoffrey de Geneville in 1263

    Trim · town · Meath · 1263–1446

    Geoffrey de Geneville, Lord of Meath, founded the Black Friary of the Dominicans in Trim in 1263 and later retired there. Several Parliaments were held at the friary, including one in 1446 that decreed the Irish must cut their beards English-fashion and not wear yellow shirts.

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    The Black Friary of the Dominicans was founded by Geoffrey de Geneville, Lord of Meath, in 1263, to which he subsequently retired on the accession of Roger de Mortimer, his heir in right of his wife in that territory. Several Parliaments were held here, in one of which, in 1446, it was enacted that the Irish should cut their beards accoi'ding to the English fashion, and not wear yellow shirts. Some meagre remains of this friary still exist near the site of the abbey-gate, on the northern side of the town, and without the ancient wall. It is much to be regretted that more of the history of the illustrious founder of this abbey has not come down to modern times. Geofirey de Geneville, or De Joinville, was of noble birth, a native of Champagne, and brother to the celebrated Jean de Joinville, the companion and historian of St. Louis. Geoffrey was a most distinguished statesman, and the confidential friend of Edward I., by whom he was employed in most of the great diplomatic affairs of England at that time, both at home and abroad. Abt)utthe middle of the thirteenth century he joined the Crusaders, and remained for some time in the Holy Land. After his return in

    86 GEOFFREY DE GENEVILLE.

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 55

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Trim, the Black Friary of the Dominicans was founded in this town in 1263 by Geoffrey de Geneville, Lord of Meath. He later retired to the friary on the accession of Roger de Mortimer, his heir in right of his wife in that territory. Several Parliaments were held at the friary. In one of them, in 1446, it was enacted that the Irish should cut their beards according to the English fashion and not wear yellow shirts. Some meagre remains still exist near the site of the abbey-gate, on the northern side of the town, without the ancient wall. Geoffrey de Geneville, or De Joinville, was of noble birth, a native of Champagne, and brother to Jean de Joinville, the companion and historian of St. Louis. Geoffrey was a distinguished statesman and the confidential friend of Edward I, by whom he was employed in most of the great diplomatic affairs of England at that time, both at home and abroad. About the middle of the thirteenth century he joined the Crusaders and remained for some time in the Holy Land.

37. Booleying in Achill: seasonal migration and huts of Keeme and Keele

    near Achill Island · island or archipelago · Mayo · 1835

    The author describes visiting Achill in 1835 and witnessing circular stone huts at Keeme and Keele built without mortar, resembling ancient Firbolg dwellings. The inhabitants seasonally migrated to hill pastures ('booleys') in spring, returning in autumn to reap corn, resulting in annual partial famine.

    Read the passage

    * We cannot forbear mentioning the following circumstance as corroborative of this opinion. Shortly after the British Association met in Dublin, in 1835, we spent a week in the island of Achill, and there witnessed some scenes and modes of life which it could scarcely be credited were passing at one end of this small kingdom, while at the other the savans of Europe and America were met to discourse on science. There are several villages in Achill, particularly those of Keeme and Keele, where the huts of the inhabitants are all circular or oval, and built for the most part of round, waterwashed stones, collected from the beech, and arranged, without lime or any other cement, exactly as we have good reason to suppose the habitations of the ancient Firbolgs were constructed ; and very similar to many of the ancient monastic cells and oratories of the fifth and sixth centuries, which religious veneration and the wild, untrodden situations where they are located, have still preserved in this country. Those of our readers who have ever passed the Minaune or Goat's Track, on the towering cliff that rises above the village of Keele, with the glorious prospect of Clew Bay and the broad swell of the western Atlantic before them, and have looked down upon the pigmy dwellings, resembling an Indian wigwam, scattered over the beach beneath, may call to mind the scene we describe. During the spring, the entire population of several of the villages we allude to in Achill, close their winter dwellings, tie their infant children on their backs, carry with them their loys, and some corn and potatoes, with a few pots and cooking utensils, drive their cattle before them, and migrate into the hills, where they find fresh pasture for their flocks ; and there they build rude huts, or summer-houses, of sods and wattles, called booleys, and then cultivate and sow with corn a few fertile spots in the neighbouring valleys. They thus remain for about two months of the spring and early svmnner, till the corn is sown ; their stock of provisions being exhausted, and the pasture consumed by their cattle, they return to the shore, and eke out a miserable and precarious existence, by fishing, &c. No further care is ever taken of the crops ; indeed they seldom even visit them, but return in autumn, in a manner similar to the spring migration, to reap the corn and aftbrd sustenance to their half-starved cattle. With these people it need scarcely be wondered that there is anniuilly a partial famine.

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 57

38. Danish plundering of the Boyne caves in 862 AD

    Knowth · townland · Meath · 862

    The Annals of Ulster and the Annals of the Four Masters record that the caves of Achadh Aldai, Knowth, Dowth, and a cave at Drogheda were plundered by Danish kings Amlaff, Imar and Auisle in 862 AD, showing the Danes knew these mounds held treasure.

    Read the passage

    mids; but the type and purpose in all is the same. From Llhwyd's description we learn, that when New Grange was examined in 1 699, it was found much in the same state which it now presents ; that " under foot there were nothing but loose stones of every size, in confusion, and amongst them a great many bones of beasts, and some pieces of deei''s horns." Neither in this account, nor in that published in Boate's Natural History of Ireland, doeshe make any mention, either that "the bones of two dead bodies, entire, not burned, were found upon the floor, in all likelihood the relics of a husband and his wife, whose conjugal aifection had joined them in their grave as in their bed!" as related twenty-five years afterwards by Molyneux; nor of the "slender quarry-stone, five or six feet long, shaped like a pyramid," which the latter author states lay on the floor. That these rude bowls or typical urns originally contained human remains, we have little doubt; but from a careful examination of the authorities which refer to the accidental opening of New Grange, at the end of the seventeenth century, we feel convinced that this monument had been examined long prior to that date; and, therefore, we derive little information from modern writings as to what its original condition was. That the Danes were well aware that these tumuli contained caverns, and probably knowing that gold and treasure was to be found within them, rifled several of those ancient sepulchres, we have undoubted authority; for in the Annals of Ulster we read the following memorable account of an instance of this description ; and although New Grange (which, as already stated, is a mere modern name, which gives no reference either to its use or locality) is not specified, it may fairly be inferred that it formed one of the group of the Boyne pyramids rifled by the plundering Northmen, A. D. 862. " The cave of Achadh Aldai, and of Cnodhba (Knowth), and the cave of the sepulchre of Boadan, over Dubhad (Dowth), and the cave of the wife of Gobhan (at Drogheda), Avas searched by the Danes — quod antea non perfectum e-'<t — on one occasion, that the three kings, Amlaff, Imar, and Auisle, were plundering the territory of Flann, the son of Conaing." The Annals of the Four Masters thus record the same circumstance : " The cave of Achadh Aldai in Mughdhorna-Maighen [Breagh] ; the cave of Cnoghbhai ; the cave of the grave of Bodan, i. e. the shepherd of Elcmar over Du-

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 121

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, in 862, Danish raiders broke into the passage caves of the Boyne mounds, knowing they held gold and treasure. The Annals of Ulster record the event in memorable terms. The cave of Achadh Aldai, and of Cnodhba, which is Knowth, and the cave of the sepulchre of Boadan over Dubhad, which is Dowth, and the cave of the wife of Gobhan at Drogheda, were searched by the Danes. The annalist notes that this had not been done before. It happened on one occasion when the three kings, Amlaff, Imar, and Auisle, were plundering the territory of Flann, the son of Conaing. The Annals of the Four Masters record the same circumstance, naming the cave of Achadh Aldai in Mughdhorna-Maighen, the cave of Cnoghbhai, and the cave of the grave of Bodan, the shepherd of Elcmar, over Dubhad. New Grange is not named in either account, but the writer of this passage argues it may fairly be inferred that it formed one of the group of Boyne mounds rifled by the plundering Northmen. The Danes were well aware these tumuli contained caverns, and probably knew that gold and treasure was to be found within them. That is why they came here, to Knowth, and to the other great mounds along the Boyne, in 862.

39. King Muircheartach Mac Earca burned at Cletty by his mistress Sheen

    Cletty · townland · Sligo

    Nearly two and a half centuries after Cormac's time, King Muircheartach Mac Earca was burned to death in the House of Cletty by his mistress Sheen after the battle of Kirb, a spot believed to be Assey on the opposite side of the Boyne.

    Read the passage

    Two of the most celebrated Irishmen of early times died on the Boyne's bank : Finn Mac Cumhaill, the renowned warrior, popularly known as Fin-ma-Cool, who was killed with a dart or gaff by a fisherman named Athlach, at Ath-Brea or Eath- Breagha,f and also his father-in-law, King Cormac Mac Art, the grandson of Con of the Hundred Battles, who died from a fish-bone having stuck in his throat. The circumstances attending the death of the latter are here worth recording. He was one of the most renowned, just, and wise of the monarchs of Tara, and is said to have been the third person who accepted Christianity in Erin before the time of Patrick. One of his eyes having been destroyed by the warrior Engus Gaibhuaibhnech, he afterwards generally resided at Acaill (now Skreeu), at Kells, or at the. House of Cletty (Cletigh, Cleiteach, or Cletech), as "it was not lawful that a king with a personal blemish should reside at Tara.":|: Two years after the loss of his eye, he was suffocated, from the bone of a salmon having stuck in his throat, at this House of Cletty, the site of which has not yet been determined by topographers. The name, the situation, and the remains at Clady, afford us, however, some clue to it. In several Irish manuscripts, both in prose and verse, this house is alluded to as being over or above the Boyne (" Cletig supra Boin"), and in the vicinity of Tara, to both of which circumstances this place accurately answers ; but furthermore we learn something of its precise locality from the account given of the death of King Muircheartach Mac Earca, nearly two centuries and a half after the time of Cormac. He was burned to death in the House of Cletty, by his mistress Sheen, after the battle of Kirb, — a spot believed to be Assey, upon the opposite side of the Boyne. St. Cairneach, of Tuilen (now Dulane, near Kells), cursed the place, and it was soon after deserted. His prophecy is recorded in the Annals of Tighernach. King Cormac's death took place, according to the Four Masters, A. D. 266, " at Cleiteach, the bone

    * See the Dublin Penny Journal, vol. iii. p. 350.

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 73

40. Laracor: Dean Swift's residence and garden ruins

    Laracor · townland · Meath

    Laracor, near Trim, was the early residence of Dean Swift, where he lived near Stella and Mrs. Dingley and walked with Dr. Raymond, Vicar of Trim. The author traced remnants of Swift's garden, pond, and bath among an ill-tilled potato garden, with only a small portion of a gable end of the house remaining.

    Read the passage

    of the Irish patriot can scarcely be imagined; but he had here other charms and more endearing associations, to which even the votaries of politics and pliilosophy are not inaccessible. Here Stella and Mrs. Dingley lived, and here they sauntered through the quiet roads with Dr. Kayuiond, the Vicar of Trim, and with the future author of " Gulliver" and the " Drapier's Letters." Here, on this very bridge which spans the noiseless streamlet, with its sedgy margins of willows and alders, must Swift have often mused; (for who is there that has not mused upon a bridge's battlements when gazing on the current beneath ?) Beside this bridge, on the right-hand side of the road, once stood the residence, and around it the well-stocked garden, of the Dean, but the whole is now (or was when we last visited it) an ill-tilled potato garden; yet, without guide or cicerone, we were able to trace, from the recollection of the scene as described in the journal to Stella, the pond and bath which existed in this garden, the boundary of its ancient walls, the site of the very willows, some of whose posterity still exist, which hung over the stream, and beneath which the Dean and Esther Johnson so often walked. Some remnants of the brick wall which enclosed the garden, and the stands on which some bee-hives stood, were discovered a few years ago ; but briars and thorns, rank sedge, and luxuriant weeds, are yearly obliterating even the faint traces we refer to. Of the house, a small portion of one of its gable ends is all that now exists; even this, thick and massive as it is, will soon have crumbled away, for, to the disgrace of those connected with the rectory, two wretched cabins have been erected within the site of the walls of Swift's glebe at Laracor.

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 60

41. Legend of Boan's transformation and the Boyne's origin

    Carbury · townland · Kildare

    According to legend, Queen Boan defied the magical prohibition on approaching Nechtain's secret well, circling it three times, whereupon the waters burst forth, mutilated her, and pursued her to the sea, thus forming the river Boyne.

    Read the passage

    to the left, as was customary in several of the ancient incantations.* Upon the completion of the third round the charm was broken, the spring rose, and three enormous waves burst over the hapless lady, mutilating her sadly, and, says the origiginal, " breaking one of her eyes ;" she then fled toward the sea, to hide her deformity, but the waters, now loosened from their soui'ce, still followed, till she reached the Inbher, or present mouth of the river. This Boan was the mother of Aengus Mac An Daghda, a celebrated Tuatha De Danaan chieftain, of Avhom we shall have to speak hereafter, and who is thus referred to in an old Irish poem, enumerating the fairy palaces of Ireland:

    " I visited that glorious dome that stands By the dark rolling waters of the Boyne, Where Aengus Oge magniticently dwells."

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 25

42. Papal arbitration over de Lacy's remains

    Bective Abbey · monument · Meath · 1186–1195

    A fierce controversy arose between the monks of Bective and the brotherhood of St. Thomas over de Lacy's remains, and Pope Innocent III appointed Simon Rochfort, Bishop of Meath, and others to arbitrate; the corpse was awarded to St. Thomas's and removed there.

    Read the passage

    not recovered till 1 195, when " the Archbishop of Cashel, Legate of Ireland, and John Archbishop of Dublin, brought from the Irish country the body of Hugh Lacy (who had conquered Meath), and buried it in the Abbey Beatitudine, that is, of Bective; his head they buried in the church of St. Thomas, Dublin."* Now, as this latter establishment had been founded by one of the Anglo-Norman barons, William Fitz-Adelm, a companion of the great Palatine, by whom also it was largely endowed, the brotherhood of St. Thomas claimed the rest of the remains from the monks at Bective. As we already remarked at page 93, a fierce controversy ensued amongst the rival churchmen on this subject, as to which abbey should possess both the relics; and, as in all Irish ecclesiastical disputes, then, as now, the Pope was appealed to for his decision. Innocent III. appointed the celebrated Simon Kochfort, then Bishop of Meath, and his archdeacon, together with Gilebert, the prior of Duleek, to arbitrate between the belligerents, and they awarded the corpse to the monks of St. Thomas, to which place it was accordingly removed. Such was the estimation in which the remains of a viceroy were held in Ireland in the twelfth century !

    An arcade of pointed cinquefoil arches, supported by light clustered pillars, decorated with elegantly carved capitals, separates the cloister from the court-yard or quadrangle, on the southern side ; and beneath one of these tradition says that the great Lord Palatine was buried. The carving of this colonnade is, from the hardness of the Ardbraccan stone, of which it is built, and the sharpness of the cutting, in fine preservation, and well worthy the attention of the archsological and antiquarian student. On the extreme western pilaster

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 70

    As the companion tells it

    Here at Bective Abbey in Meath, the remains of Hugh de Lacy, who conquered Meath, were buried in 1195. The Archbishop of Cashel, legate of Ireland, and John, Archbishop of Dublin, brought his body from the Irish country and buried it in this abbey. His head they buried in the church of St. Thomas in Dublin. That church had been founded by the Anglo-Norman baron William Fitz-Adelm, a companion of the great Palatine, who also endowed it largely, and the brotherhood of St. Thomas claimed the rest of the remains from the monks here at Bective. A fierce controversy ensued among the rival churchmen over which abbey should possess both relics, and as in all Irish ecclesiastical disputes, the Pope was appealed to for his decision. Innocent the Third appointed Simon Rochfort, then Bishop of Meath, and his archdeacon, together with Gilebert, prior of Duleek, to arbitrate between the belligerents. They awarded the corpse to the monks of St. Thomas, and to that place it was accordingly removed. Such was the estimation in which the remains of a viceroy were held in Ireland in the twelfth century. An arcade of pointed cinquefoil arches, supported by light clustered pillars with elegantly carved capitals, separates the cloister from the quadrangle on the southern side, and beneath one of these, tradition says the great Lord Palatine was buried. The carving is in fine preservation, from the hardness of the Ardbraccan stone of which it is built and the sharpness of the cutting.

43. St Finian founds bishopric and school at Clonard, 520

    Clonard · town · Meath · 520

    St Finian, one of the immediate successors of St Patrick, was created first Bishop of Clonard in 520, where he opened a school that produced many men of eminent sanctity and learning, including the two Kierans and two Columbs.

    Read the passage

    The name of this celebrated spot, Clonard, or Cluain loraird, has been translated by Ware, Vallancey, and other topographers, "• the Eetirement on the Western Heights:" but this meaning is very questionable, for there are no heights, or even hills, in this locality, to which such could refer. Cluain, which is the general prefix to the names of our churches and bishops' sees, means a lawn, an insulated meadow, or level, fertile plain, surrounded by a bog or marsh ; in fact a kind of oasis, as we know is the general appearance of such localities in Ireland ; and loraird is a proper name: we have examples of this in Cluain Mac Nois, Cluain Coner, Cluain Dolcain, &c,* Clonard was once the most distinguished bishop's see in Meath, perhaps it would not be exaggeration to say in the kingdom ; and its cathedral may be conjectured to have been one of the very first erected in Ireland, and was probably coeval with Clonmacnoise, and the original buildings at Armagh. It is well known to have been one of the most distinguished seats of learning of which the Irish historians can boast. Ware informs us that St. Finnian, Finen, or Finbar, who must have been one of the immediate successors of St. Patrick, was created first Bishop of Clonard in 520, " where he also opened a school, which, bj his care and industry, produced many men of eminent sanctity and learning, among whom were the two Kierans, the two Breudans, the two Columbs (namely, Columb Kill, and Columb, the son of Crimthau), Laserian,

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 41

    As the companion tells it

    You're coming through Clonard now, in Meath. In 520, St Finian, one of the immediate successors of St Patrick, was created first Bishop of Clonard, where he opened a school that produced many men of eminent sanctity and learning. Among its students were the two Kierans, the two Brendans, the two Columbs, namely Columb Kill and Columb son of Crimthann, and Laserian. Clonard was once the most distinguished bishop's see in Meath, and its cathedral may have been one of the very first erected in Ireland, probably coeval with Clonmacnoise and the original buildings at Armagh. It was one of the most distinguished seats of learning of which Irish historians can boast. The name Clonard comes from Cluain, meaning a level fertile plain surrounded by bog or marsh, and Loraird, a proper name. Ware and other topographers translated it as "the Retirement on the Western Heights," but that meaning is questionable, for there are no heights or even hills in this locality.

44. St Malachy's Journey to Rome and Clairvaux

    near Armagh · town · Armagh · 1139

    Primate Malachy O'Morgair, unable to safely enter Armagh due to an intruder usurping his appointed succession, undertook a journey to Rome in 1139 to solicit archiepiscopal palls, meeting St Bernard at Clairvaux, leading to the introduction of the Cistercian order into Ireland.

    Read the passage

    Primate Malachy O'Morgair, the second Irishman canonized by the Pope, and who was a prelate of great natural endowments, exceeding purity of life, and remarkable for his learning and zeal, was, it seems, evidently in favour of the introduction of the Pontiff's power into Ireland in his time, when, in addition to the reasons already assigned, considerable laxity existed among the inferior Irish clergy, and the great bulk of the people were still in gross ignorance, or deeply imbued with the superstitious creed of their pagan ancestors. Celsiis, the first Irishman canonized by the Pope, and who had made strenuous exertions to bring the Irish Church under the control of the Roman Pontiff, had, on his death-bed, appointed him his successor in the see of Armagh ; but that office was usurped by another, so that he " dare not enter into the city of Armagh for fear of the tumults which the intruder would make on the occasion;" a circumstance which, no doubt, influenced him to favour the introduction of the Pontiff's superior authority here. In the year 1 139 he undertook a journey to Rome, to solicit two palls or archiepiscopal cloaks for the Irish Church ; one for Armagh, the other for Cashel ; and on his way he spent some time with the renov/ned St. Bernard, at Clairvaux, then the most distinguished ecclesiastic in Europe, and who afterwards wrote St. Malachy's life. The palls were not granted at that time; however, the Pope showed him every mark of distinc-

    284 PRINCE DONOUGH o'CARROLL.

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 163

45. The bleeding ash tree of St. Kieran

    Castlekeeran · townland · Meath

    About ten years before writing, a report spread across Meath and surrounding counties that St. Kieran's ash tree at the holy well was bleeding, prompting thousands of pilgrims to flock to the site hoping to collect the miraculous fluid for cures.

    Read the passage

    About ten years ago a report spread over Meath and the surrounding counties, that Saint Kieran's ash tree was bleeding, and thousands of people flocked to the place to witness the wonder, and many brought with them vessels and bottles in which they hoped to carry away a portion of the miraculous fluid. With this it was hoped they might perform cures svich as " common doctors" could not even attempt.

    " The holy wells — the living wells — the cool, the fresh, the pure — A thousand ages rolled away, and still those foimts endure ; And while their stainless chastity and lasting life have birth Amid the oozy cells and caves of gross material earth, The scripture of creation holds no fairer type than they — That an immortal spirit can be linked with human clay! How sweet, of old, the bubbling gush — no less to antlered race, Than to the hunter and the hound that smote them in the chase ! The cottage hearth, the convent's wall, the battlemented tower, Grew up around the crystal springs as well as flag and flower ; The brooklime and the water-cress were evidence of health, Abiding in those basins, free to Poverty and Wealth : The city sent pale suff'erers there, the faded brow to dip, And woo the water to depose some bloom upon the lip ; The wounded warrior dragged him towards the unforgotten tide, And deemed the draught a heavenlier gift than triumph to his side. The stag, the hunter, and the hound, the druid and the saint, And anchorite are gone, and even the lineaments grown faint, Of those old ruins into which, for monuments, had sunk The glorious homes that held, like shrines, the monarch and the monk."*

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 87

46. Ticroghan Castle, Lord Ormonde's retreat and the silver bullets legend

    Ticroghan · townland · Meath · 1649–1650

    The ruined fortress of Ticroghan, or Queen Mary's Castle, saw Lord Ormonde retire there from Trim in 1649 before the siege of Drogheda; it was surrendered by Lady Fitzgarret in 1650 to Colonel Reynolds and Colonel Huetson. Local peasants tell that the siege was nearly abandoned until besiegers discovered the defenders were firing silver bullets, spurring them to renewed attack.

    Read the passage

    * The peasants in the neighbourhood relate a story that the siege was about to be abandoned when the besiegers discovered that the soldiers in the fortress were firing silver bullets; encouraged by this proof of the extreniitj- in which the beleaguered were, tJie Parliamentary forces continued the attack with renewed energy, and soon succeeded in reducing the castle.

    76 THE BO\NE FROM CLONARD TO TRIM.

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 51

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here stands the ruined fortress of Ticroghan, or Queen Mary's Castle. Lord Ormonde retired here from Trim in 1649 before the siege of Drogheda. In 1650 Lady Fitzgarret surrendered it to Colonels Reynolds and Huetson. Local peasants say the siege was nearly abandoned until attackers found the defenders firing silver bullets, proof of their desperation, which spurred the Parliamentary forces to take the castle.

47. William III observes the Irish camp from the pass at Oldbridge

    Oldbridge · townland · Meath · 1690

    According to chaplain George Story's eyewitness account, King William rode to the pass at Oldbridge and stood within musket-shot of the ford to observe the Irish camp, noting enemy horse on a small island and Irish soldiers filling nearby houses and hedges.

    Read the passage

    " His majesty rid on to the pass at Oldbridge, and stood upon the side of the bank, within musquet-shot of the ford, there to make his observations on the enemies' camp and posture; there stood a small party of the enemies' horse, in a little island within the river; and on the other bank, there were several hedges, and little Irish houses almost close to the river, there was one house likewise of stone, that had a court, and some little works about it; this, the Irish had filled with souldiers, and all the hedges and little houses we saw, were lined and filled with musqueteers; there were also several brest- works cast up to the right, just at the ford. However, this was the place through which his majesty resolved to force his way ; and, therefore, he and his great officers spent some time in contriving the methods of passing, and the places where to plant our batteries. After some time, his majesty rid about 200 yards further up the river, nigh the west of all the enemies' camp ; and whilst his army was marching in, he alighted, and sate him down upon a rising ground, Avhere he refreshed himself; whilst his majesty sate there we observed five gentlemen of the Irish army ride softly along the other

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 146

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Oldbridge, in 1690, King William rode to the pass and stood on the bank within musket-shot of the ford to observe the Irish camp. The chaplain George Story, who was there, recorded what the king saw. A small party of enemy horse stood on a little island in the river. On the other bank, hedges and small Irish houses near the water were lined and filled with musketeers. One stone house with a court and some small works around it had been packed with soldiers. Several breastworks had been cast up to the right, just at the ford. This was the place William resolved to force his way through, and he and his officers spent time planning where to plant their batteries. After a while, the king rode about 200 yards further up the river, near the west end of the enemy camp. As his army marched in, he dismounted and sat on rising ground to refresh himself. While he sat there, Story wrote, they observed five gentlemen of the Irish army ride softly along the other bank.

48. Historic occupants and events at Trim castle

    Trim · town · Meath

    Trim castle is associated with pageants and tournaments of the Earl of Ulster, the imprisonment of the families of the Dukes of Gloucester and Lancaster during Richard II's visit, the confinement of the future Henry V (hero of Agincourt), and occupation by the De Lacys, Mortimers, Verdons and Cootes.

    Read the passage

    Our space, however, will not permit our entering at any length into the details of this noble structure, connected with which we find so many historic occurrences and classic associations. Besides those already enumerated, we cannot forget the pageants and tournaments of the celebrated Earl of Ulster ; the imprisonment of the families of the Dukes of Gloucester and Lancaster, during the time of Richard of England's sojourn in this country; the confinement here of the royal hero of Agincourt; its occupation by the De Lacys, the Mortimers, the Verdons, and Cootes, its parliaments and its sieges; — all of which throw a degree of splendour over the ruins of Trim.

    But, great as these names and circumstances are, thry pass into insignificance when compared with the celebrity which this place has acquired by its connexion with the greatest warrior and statesman of the day. It is generally, but erronetmsly, believed that the Duke of Wellington was born in or near Trim ; but the evidence at present is altogether in favovir of Dublin, and the honour of his birth-place is now awarded to the house at present occupied by the Ecclesiastical Commis- -sioners, in Upper Merrion-Street. The Registry of St. Peter's

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 60

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Trim in Meath, the castle here carries a long chain of historic associations. The De Lacys held it, then the Mortimers, the Verdons, and the Cootes. The celebrated Earl of Ulster staged pageants and tournaments within its walls. When Richard of England sojourned in this country, the families of the Dukes of Gloucester and Lancaster were imprisoned here. The royal hero of Agincourt was confined in this castle too. It saw parliaments and sieges, all of which throw a degree of splendour over the ruins of Trim. But the place also acquired celebrity through a connection with the greatest warrior and statesman of the day. It is generally, but erroneously, believed that the Duke of Wellington was born in or near Trim. The evidence favours Dublin, and the honour of his birthplace is now awarded to the house presently occupied by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in Upper Merrion Street.

49. Insurgent retreat through Clonard after defeat at Whiteheaps

    Clonard · town · Meath · 1798

    After their defeat at Whiteheaps, a large body of insurgents under Parry, Kearns, Holt and the two Byrnes fled into Kildare, attacking the small garrison of yeomanry at Clonard on their way, on 11 July 1798.

    Read the passage

    But there was a battle at Clonard also; unhappily, however, in it both sides were our own countrymen. To the right of Leinster-bridge, on the old road, are the ivy-mantled remains of a massive wall, a porch, and a portion of a turret, all that now exist of the memorable dwelling where the brave yeomen under Lieut. Tyrrell, in 1798, made so gallant a stand against a large force of insurgents, some hundred and fifty of whose bodies are bviried beneath a small mound in one of the adjoining fields."}" The defence of this little Hougomont was, perhaps, one of the most striking instances of determined courage on the part of the loyalists that has been recorded during the whole of that ill-starred, most unmeaning, and most ill-conceived rebellion. At the time of this engagement, — the 11th of July, — the peasantry who took part in the " rising" had become tolerably well organized and accustomed to arms, and had then unfortunately seen too much blood spilled, so that they did not, at that time, present the unguided rabble mass which they appeared some six weeks earlier, at the commencement of that disastrous campaign. After the defeat at Whiteheaps, a large portion of the insurgents, under Parry, Kearns, Holt, and the two Byrnes, fled into Kildare, and in their progress attacked the little garrison of yeomanry at Clonard, con-

    * This description of Clonard appeared originally in the Dublin Penny .Journal, See vol. i. p. 150. The sentence immediately preceding the reference to this note was omitted in the published " Tour in Connaught." Why ?

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 40

    As the companion tells it

    Coming through Clonard, you pass the site of a battle in 1798 where both sides were Irish. On the 11th of July, after their defeat at Whiteheaps, a large body of insurgents under Parry, Kearns, Holt, and the two Byrnes fled into Kildare. On their way they attacked the small garrison of yeomanry under Lieutenant Tyrrell. The yeomen made their stand in a dwelling whose remains survive near Leinster Bridge on the old road, ivy-covered fragments of a massive wall, a porch, and part of a turret. The source calls this defence one of the most striking instances of determined courage by the loyalists recorded during the whole rebellion. About 150 insurgents killed in the fight are buried beneath a small mound in one of the adjoining fields. By the time of this engagement, the peasantry who had joined the rising had become organized and accustomed to arms. They had seen too much blood spilled by then, and were no longer the unguided rabble they appeared six weeks earlier at the start of that disastrous campaign.

50. James flees through Duleek to Dublin

    Duleek · town · Meath · 1690

    While the pass of Duleek was held by the Irish and French, King James fled with a troop of horse to Dublin, reaching it about ten o'clock that night.

    Read the passage

    It was now long past mid-day, the fierce conflict at Oldbridge, generally styled the " Battle of the Boyne," had raged for several hours, the sun waned in his path, and the victory already attained, almost without a blow, by the army of Douglas, was crowned by the retreat of the entire Irish force under the Duke of Berwick and Lord Tyrconnel. From Donore Hill to Duleek, a distance of about three miles, where the first natural obstacle presents in the deep sedgy stream of the Nanny Water, a succession of hills slope from the high grounds above the right or southern bank of the Boyne in a somewhat triangular form. The base of this triangle is the Boyne, between Oldbridge and Rossnaree, from which latter theretreat under James and Lauzun first commenced, and its apex, the little bridge which spans the Nanny at the village of Duleek. The sides of this triangle mark the two lines of the retreat. The high road from Duleek to Donore by the hill of Cruzrath (from which latter a good view of the whole scene may be obtained) marks pretty accurately the eastern line of theretreat. The left wing of the Irish, having succeeded in reaching the pass of Duleek " untouched," and bringing with them five of theirsix guns, long before the English right had come up, here stood, first upon the common which surrounds the village upon the north, where some stand was made, and then, falling back behind the river, they defended the bridge for several hours, until the centre and left wing, which had been beaten at Donore, rushed down upon them in confusion, hotly pursued by their opponents. While the pass of Duleek was retained by the Irish and French, King James, accompanied by a troop of horse, fled to Dublin, which he reached about ten o'clock, so that he must have left his army about five or six o'clock in the afternoon, probably Avhen the retreating, or rather the flying army from Donore appeared in sight. Then, for the first time on that memorable day, the entire of the two armies stood opposed, but how diflferent their situations may be gleamed from the foregoing details. Some

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 153

51. James slept in the little church atop Donore before the battle

    Donore · town · Meath · 1690

    James and his staff took up position on the summit of Donore, where the deposed monarch reportedly slept in the small church the night before the Battle of the Boyne.

    Read the passage

    James and his staff took up a position on the summit of the elevation of Donore, in the little church on which the deposed monarch, it is said, slept the night before the battle.

    Upon the left, or Louth bank of the river, a bluff hill, sloping off upon its northern face, continues on from Townley Hall towards Drogheda, intersected here and there by deep, narrow defiles, which run down toward the water's edge; behind it is the rising ground of Tullyallen, where the site of King William's camp is still pointed out. At .the end of Townley Hall demesne, a deep, narrow gorge, now generally known as King William's Glen, opens out upon the river, from which it is not more than three hundred paces distant, and, owing to the circumstance of a projecting brow of the hill through Avhich it cuts, as well as its winding direction, the view up this valley is completely obscured, so that a whole army, of many thousand men, within it, might be screened from cannon-shot, and hid from observation, even from the eminences on the opposite side. On the high bank above, and to the east of this valley, was placed King William's chief battery, consisting of about fifty heavy guns and some field mortars.

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 146

52. King Loeghaire's Standing Burial at Tara

    Tara · parish · Meath

    King Loeghaire, contemporary with St. Patrick, was said to have been interred standing upright with his weapons and war dress in the external rampart of the rath at Tara that bears his name, facing south toward his enemies the Leinstermen.

    Read the passage

    There were several royal burial places in Ireland in early Pagan times, eight of which have been enumerated. In the Senchas-na-Kelec, or the History of the Cemeteries, contained in the Leabhar na h-Uidhre, a work compiled at Clonmacnoise, in the twelfth century, we learn that among these chief cemeteries were Cruachan, now Rathcroghan, in the county of Roscommon, where there are still considerable remains; Tailltean, Teamhair Erann, or Tara, and Oenach Colmaiu ; so from these it would appear that the monarchs were sometimes buried in the immediate vicinity, or perhaps within the enclosure of their dwellings, like King Loeghaire, who was contemporary with St. Patrick, and who was interred in a standing position, with his weapons and war dress upon him, in the external rampart of the rath which bears his name at Tara, with his face turned southward, towards his enemies, the Leinstermen. But by far the most celebrated and extensive of all the Irish cemeteries was that denominated Brugh, or Brurjh na Boinne, the Burgum Boinne, the fort or town of the Boyne, of which an account is given, not only in the work already alluded to, but in another Irish manuscript of great antiquity, the Dinnseanchus, a tract contained in the great Speckled Book of Ballymote; and to this place references continually occur in almost every ancient Irish manuscript. This was the great royal cemetery of the Kings of Tara ; and from an examination of the various authorities which describe it, as well as the monuments themselves which still exist, it is manifest that Brugh na Boinne was no other than the assemblage of moxxnds, caves, pillar-stones, and other sepulchral monuments, forming the great necropolis which extends along the left or northern bank of the river, from Slane to Netterville. " The nobles of

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 111

53. Murder of Lord Norbury near the spot of de Lacy's death

    Durrow · parish · Offaly · 1800–1849

    Lord Norbury, the late possessor of Castle Durrow (Durrow Abbey), was murdered a few years before the book's writing almost on the very spot where Hugh de Lacy was slain; it is said he too had interfered with rights belonging to the adjoining abbey.

    Read the passage

    It is a remarkable circumstance, that almost on the very spot on which Hugh de Lacy was slain, Lord Norbury, the late possessor of Castle Durrow, or Durrow Abbey, as he styled his new mansion, was murdered a few years ago ; and it is said that he also interfered with the rigiits ai)pertaining to the adjoining abbey.

    KiNci John's visit to Ireland. [)3

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 58

54. Passage of the Boyne at Grove Island and Oldbridge village

    near Grove Island · townland · Meath · 1690

    The Blue Dutch guards, Irish Enniskilleners, and French Huguenots under Caillimotte and Schomberg crossed the ford opposite Oldbridge and over the upper end of Grove Island, carrying the village and outworks despite Irish resistance.

    Read the passage

    We have already remarked upon the admirable position of the English army, protected by the immense battery immediately opposite the ford, and screened by the natural lie of the ground. The tide being out, the passage of the river was attempted in four different places. The Blue Dutch guards, the Irish Enniskilleners, and the French Huguenots, led by Caillimotte and the gallant old Schomberg, passed qviickly out of the little glen opposite the principal ford, with drums beating, and dashing into the water both there and over the upper end of Grove Island, a little lower down, formed upon the opposite side, and carried the village and rude outworks at Oldbridge; not, however, without considerable opposition, some of the Irish soldiers rushing into the water to meet them. It was here the brave old Schomberg Avas killed,f and

    * Sir Alan E. Bellinghani %vrites to us : "The late Sir William Bellingbam told me he was at a nobleman's house (I think the Duke of Portland's) who had a picture of the battle of the Boyne, in wluch an officer appears bringing up a young man to the King. The owner of the picture did not then know the object. The journal of Col. Bellingbam explains it. The family of Fyans were at Dunleer within a fcAV years back."

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 151

55. Roderick O'Connor destroys Trim castle; Strongbow's retaliation

    Trim · town · Meath

    Roderick O'Connor, King of Connaught, assembled an army to destroy Trim castle; Hugh Tyrrell, unable to resist, abandoned and burned it himself. Strongbow marched to relieve Trim, found it burned, pursued the retreating Irish and slew 150 of their rear guard.

    Read the passage

    " To destroy this castle, Roderick O'Connor, King of Connaught, assembled a large army; and Tyrrell, having despatched messengers to Earl Strongbow, beseeching him to come to his aid, and finding himself too weak to resist the multitudes brought against him, he abandoned the castle and burned it. The Irish king, having thus obtained his object, returned to his own country; and Earl Strongbow, who was advancing to the relief of Trim, meeting on his Avay with intelligence that the castle was burned, marched on, and when he came there he found neither castle nor house to lodge in ; wherefore he made no stay, but pursu.ed the enemy, and fell upon their rear, of whom 150 were slain; which done, he returned to Dublin, and Hugh Tyrrell to the ruined castle of Trim, to re-edify the same before Hugh De Lacy's return out of England.

    " Giraldus Cambrensis says, that, ' on hearing of this inroad of Roderick into Meath, Raymond le Gros, although the neAvs reached him at Wexford the day of his marriage with Basilia,

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 57

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Trim, this town was the site of a struggle over its castle. Roderick O'Connor, King of Connaught, assembled a large army to destroy the castle. Hugh Tyrrell, finding himself too weak to resist, sent messengers to Earl Strongbow begging for aid, but then abandoned the castle and burned it himself. Roderick, having obtained his object, returned to Connaught. Strongbow, advancing to relieve Trim, learned the castle was already burned. He arrived to find neither castle nor house to lodge in, made no stay, and pursued the enemy. He fell upon their rear and 150 were slain. After that, Strongbow returned to Dublin, and Hugh Tyrrell came back to the ruined castle of Trim to rebuild it before Hugh De Lacy's return from England. Giraldus Cambrensis adds that Raymond le Gros heard of this inroad into Meath at Wexford on the day of his marriage to Basilia.

56. St Kienan builds the first stone church in Ireland at Duleek

    Duleek · town · Meath · 450–489

    St Patrick placed St Kienan, whom he had baptized and adopted as a son, over a church at Duleek, bequeathing him his own copy of the Gospels. Kienan built a stone church there, giving the place its name Damleagh, or Duleek, said to be the first stone ecclesiastical building in Ireland.

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    Historic authorities assert that St. Patrick erected a church here, and placed over it St. Kienan, whom he had baptized in the year 450, and whom, moreover, he adopted as his son, and as a further mark of his love, had bequeathed to him his own copy of the Gospels. Kienan was high-born, having been descended from the kings of Munster; and it is related that when quite a youth he was one of the fifty hostages whom the princes of Ireland gave to the tyrannical monarch, Loeghaire, a personage already alluded to at page 153, &c. He was educated at the monastery of St. Martin, at Tours, and on his return it was that the learned Ware, in his History of the Irish Bishops, when quoting from "the Office of St. Kienan, which is extant in manuscript in the piiblic library at Cambridge," says that he " built a church of stone in this place, and that from thence it took the name of Damleagh," from Daimh, in the old Gaelic, a house, and leag, a stone; hence the term Duleek, " for before

    The Irish they ran first away,

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild

57. The 1157 Synod at Mellifont and Consecration of the Abbey Church

    Mellifont · townland · Louth · 1157

    In 1157, a celebrated synod was held at Mellifont by Primate Gelasius, attended by seventeen bishops and the monarch Murtogh O'Loughlin, who granted the abbey oxen, gold, and a townland near Drogheda. At this event the abbey church was consecrated, and Dervorgail, wife of the Leitrim chieftain, richly endowed the monastery with gold, a chalice, and altar furnishings.

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    Its first abbot Avas Christian O'Conarchy, Avho, in 1145, was made Bishop of Lismore, and afterwards Legate, and the number of Irish bishops who Avere taken from the monks of this establishment is quite remarkable. He it was who afterwards presided at the Council of Cashel held by order of Henry II., and of Avhich Koderick O' Conor, the Irish monarch, was totally ignorant. It was then and there the Irish Church really became dependent on that of England, and consequently of Rome ; so that Ave may fairly trace the act to the influence of the first abbot of Mellifont. In 1157 a celebrated synod Avas held here by Gilla Mac Liag, generally knoAvn as Gelasius, Primate of Armagh, at Avhich Bishop O'Conarchy and Cardinal Paparo, the Pope's legate, presided. At this council there were seventeen bishops, and it Avas also honoured Avith the presence of Murtogh O'Loughlin, one of the royal family of Aileach, in Ulster, and then monarch of

    286 THE CONSECRATION OF THE ABBEY.

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 164

58. View from the Hill of Slane over the Boyne battlefield and monuments

    Hill of Slane · hill or hills · Meath · 1649–1690

    From the abbey tower on the Hill of Slane one could survey the Yellow Steeple at Trim, the Maiden Tower at Drogheda, and the battle-field of 1690 near Old Bridge and the hill of Donore, along with the pyramids of Knowth, New Grange and Dowth, and Mill Mount of Drogheda shattered by Cromwell's cannon.

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    Here, pilgrim, stop ; rest on yonder monumental slab, beneath the shadow of that tall, ivy-mantled tower, the belfry of the cathedral — it once was gorgeous with the shrines of Fathers, and illumed by many a flickering taper, though now the hemlock Alls its aisles, and the purple foxglove waves its lonely banneret. The ground whereon we stand is sacred, — consecrated by the foot-prints of our patron saint, hallowed by the dust of kings. Look abroad over the wide, undulating plains of Meath, or to the green hills of Louth: where, in the broad landscapes of Britain, find we a scene more fruitful and varied, or one more full of interesting, heart-stirring associations ? Climb this tower and cast your eye along the river. Look from the tall, pillar-like form of the Yellow Steeple at Trim, which rises in the distance, to where yon bright line marks the meeting of the sea and sky below the Maiden Tower at Drogheda, and trace the clear blue waters of the Boyne, winding through this lovely, highly cultivated landscape, so rich in all that can charm the eye and awaken the imagination; take into view the hills of Skreen and Tara ; pass in review the woods of Hayes, Ardmulchan, Beauparc; look down into the green mounds and broad pastures of Slane; follow the Boyne below you, as it dances by each ford and rapid, to where the great pyramids of western Europe, Knowth, New Grange, and Dowth, rise on its left bank ; see you not the groves of Townley Hall and Old Bridge, marking the battle-field of 1690, with the ill-fated hill of Donore, where the sceptre passed for ever from the royal line of Stuart, obtruding its long-remembered tale of civil strife upon us? Duleek stands in the distance. Beyond those hills that border Louth lie Monasterboice, and Mellifont, the last resting-place of the faithless Bride of Brefney. Those steeples and turrets which rise in the lower distance were shattered by the balls of Cromwell ; and that knoll which juts above them is the Mill Mount of Drogheda. What a picture have we here, from this Richmond Hill of Irish scenery 1 What an extensive page of our country's history does it unfold to us! What recollections gush upon us as we stand on the abbey walls of Slane, and take in this noble prospect at a glance! The records and the footprints of two thousand years are all before us; the solemn procession of the simple shepherd to the early Pagan mound; the rude slinger standing on the earthen cir-

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 109

    As the companion tells it

    As the road comes along the Hill of Slane in Meath, the abbey tower rises above the river, and from it the whole valley opens out. The ground here, the old writer says, was consecrated by the footprints of the patron saint and hallowed by the dust of kings. From this tower the eye can trace the Boyne from the Yellow Steeple at Trim in the distance to the Maiden Tower at Drogheda, where the sea meets the sky. The river winds through the plains of Meath, past the hills of Skreen and Tara, past the woods of Hayes, Ardmulchan and Beauparc, down through the green mounds and broad pastures of Slane. Below, the Boyne passes the great pyramids of western Europe: Knowth, New Grange and Dowth, rising on its left bank. The groves of Townley Hall and Old Bridge mark the battlefield of 1690. The ill-fated hill of Donore stands there too, where, as the writer puts it, "the sceptre passed for ever from the royal line of Stuart." Duleek lies in the distance. Beyond the hills bordering Louth are Monasterboice and Mellifont, the last resting-place of the faithless Bride of Brefney. The steeples and turrets rising in the lower distance were shattered by the balls of Cromwell. The knoll jutting above them is the Mill Mount of Drogheda. The writer calls this the Richmond Hill of Irish scenery and says the records and footprints of two thousand years are all before you.

59. Battle of Moy Turey, Sligo

    near Moytirra · monument · Sligo

    An ancient Irish manuscript records the battle fought on the plains of Moy Turey in County Sligo, where Nuada Airgeat Lamh, king of the Tuatha De Danaan, routed the Firbolgs, with vast numbers slain. Tumuli and barrows still remain on the battlefield marking the graves of the fallen.

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    of the celebrated battle fought on the plains of Moy Turey, in the county of Sligo, Avhen Nuada Airgeat Lamh, the king of the Tuatha De Danaan, completely routed the Belga? or Firbolgs, a vast number of whom are said to have been slain ; and on that battle-field, the Marathon of Irish history, we have still remaining the tumuli or barrows erected over the remains of our early Pagan progenitors. Dr. Petrie detailed to the Academy, in the year 1 838, an account of a most remarkable collection of cairns, cromlechs, and stone circles, at Carrowmore, in the vicinity of Sligo, all containing human remains. " Such monuments," he stated, " are found in all the battlefields recorded in Irish history, as the scene of con test between the Belgians or Firbolgs and the Tuatha De Danaan colonies, and he considers these monuments to be the tombs of the Belgians, who, after their defeat in the battle of southern Moy- Thuree, had retreated to Cuil-Iorra, and were there again defeated, and their king Eochy slain in crossing the strand of Ballysadare bay, on which a cairn rising above high water still marks the spot on which he fell." To these Tuatha De Danaan, or metal workers, we are inclined to assign a Celtic origin, and to their art and ingenuity to attribute the workmanship of those beautiful bronze or antique-metal ornaments and weapons, formed by a mixture of copper and tin, so generally found over the face of the cotmtry, and now swelling our national collection at the Royal Irish Academy.

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 134

60. Bonfires in Paris Celebrate False Report of William's Death

    Slane · townland · Meath · 1690

    The Irish troops were so convinced William had been mortally wounded that they raised a great shout, and news was dispatched to the Continent, with bonfires reportedly lit in Paris to celebrate the supposed fall of William of Nassau.

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    William took, it seems, but little notice of the affair, but rode quietly back into the glen, merely observing to those who came to render him assistance, — " There is no necessity: the bullet should have come nearer." The enemy were, however, so far deceived, that they raised a great shout, and an express was immediately sent off to the Continent, and bonfires, it is said, actually lighted in Paris to celebrate the fall of Nassau. James says in his memoirs that he himself ordered the guns to fire on this occasion.

    The place where this accident occurred was on the side of a small hillock, by the w^ater's edge, a little below the glen, and from Avhich the stones have been taken to build the obelisk since erected just beside it. The real object of William's near approach to the enemy at this place was not, it seems to us, to reconnoitre their position, Avhich he could have done more

    Internet Archive beautiesofboynei00wild, Chapter 147

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here in 1690, William rode close to the enemy position on the side of a small hillock by the water's edge, and was fired upon. He took little notice, riding quietly back into the glen and telling those who came to help him, "There is no necessity: the bullet should have come nearer." The Irish troops were convinced he had been mortally wounded. They raised a great shout, and an express was sent off to the Continent. Bonfires were actually lighted in Paris to celebrate the supposed fall of Nassau. James himself says in his memoirs that he ordered the guns to fire on this occasion. An obelisk was later erected beside the spot where it happened.