Name: A short history of Ireland from the earliest times to 1608
Author: P. W. (Patrick Weston) Joyce (1827–1914)

O'Gallagher dies of a broken heart in a Dublin dungeon

Dublin · city · Dublin · 1588–1589

Sir John O'Gallagher was seized without provocation by deputy Fitzwilliam and imprisoned in Dublin, where he died of a broken heart in his dungeon.

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self by every means in his power. He had not been long in office before he turned the whole of Ulster against the queen's government. Soon after his arrival, in 1588, some shipwrecked sailors belonging to the Armada were treated kindly by O'Ruarc of Brefney and by Mac Sweenyna-Doe. The deputy came to hear of this, and heard moreover what interested him a great deal more — that the Spaniards before re-embarking had buried a tremendous quantity of treasure somewhere near the shore. Without a moment's delay he hastened north, ' wishing,' as Cox expresses it, ' to have a finger in the pie.' But he found no treasure ; neither did he succeed in arresting O'Ruarc and Mac Sweeny, for they had fled on his approach. Enraged at this double disappointment, he seized without any provocation the first two chiefs that came to hand, Sir John O'Gallagher and Sir John O'Doherty, ' who,' as Cox says, ' were the best afi*ected to the State of all the Irish,' and threw them into prison in Dublin. O'Gallagher died of a broken heart in his dungeon, and at the end of two years O'Doherty was set free when at the point of death, and even then only on paying a heavy bribe to the deputy. ' This hard usage of two such Irish persons,' says Ware, ' caused a general dissatisfaction among the gentlemen of Ulster.' O'Ruarc escaped to Scotland, but was given up to the queen by the Scotch and executed soon after. But the deputy did much worse than even this. Hugh Mac Mahon of Farney in Monaghan had occasion to go to Dublin in 1589 to settle in the courts some matters connected with his succession ; when Fitzwilliam, before he would even hear the case, made him pay a bribe of 600 cows. Having settled the affair, he accompanied Mac Mahon in friendly guise to Monaghan, where he suddenly had the unfortunate chief put on his trial on a trumped-up charge, kept the jury without food till they brought in a verdict of guilty ; and had him executed at his own door. Then he proceeded to divide Mac Mahon's estate ; and everyone believed that he got heavy bribes from those to whom he gave the lands. ^ 1 Moryson, i. 24 ; Cox, 399,

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 62

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Dublin, this city holds a story from 1588, when the deputy Fitzwilliam had only recently taken office. He turned the whole of Ulster against the queen's government. That year, some shipwrecked sailors from the Armada were treated kindly by O'Ruarc of Brefney and by Mac Sweeny-na-Doe. The deputy heard of this, but what interested him far more was word that the Spaniards, before re-embarking, had buried a tremendous quantity of treasure somewhere near the shore. He hastened north without delay, as Cox puts it, wishing to have a finger in the pie. He found no treasure. Neither did he arrest O'Ruarc and Mac Sweeny, for they had fled on his approach. Enraged at this double disappointment, he seized without any provocation the first two chiefs that came to hand. They were Sir John O'Gallagher and Sir John O'Doherty, who, as Cox says, were the best affected to the State of all the Irish. He threw them into prison here in Dublin. O'Gallagher died of a broken heart in his dungeon. At the end of two years O'Doherty was set free when at the point of death, and even then only on paying a heavy bribe to the deputy. Ware wrote that this hard usage of two such Irish persons caused a general dissatisfaction among the gentle men of Ulster.

Patrick's landing at Lecale and founding of Saul

Saul · townland · Down · 432

Patrick landed at Lecale in Down, where the chief Dicho and his family became the first Irish converts baptized by the saint; Patrick celebrated Mass in a barn given by Dicho, and the site became known as Saul.

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predecessor, was expelled from Wicklow, probably by the same chief Natlii ; and coasting northward, and resting for a little time at the little island of Holmpatrick on the Dublin coast near Skerries, he finally landed at Lecale in Down. A herdsman who happened to see the party, thinking they were pirates, ran and told his master Dicho, the chief of the district, who instantly sallied forth with his people to drive them back ; but when he caught sight of them he was so struck by their calm and dignified demeanour that he saluted them respectfully and invited them to his house. Here the saint announced his mission and explained his doctrine; and Dicho and his whole family became Christians and were baptized — the first of the Irish converted by St. Patrick. He celebrated Mass in a Sahhall [saval] or barn presented to him by the chief, on the site of which a monastery was subsequently erected, which for many ages was held in great veneration. And the memory of the auspicious event was preserved in the name by which the place was subsequently known, Sabhall-Patrick or Patrick's Barn, now shortened to Saul.
He next set out to visit the district where he had spent so many solitary years of his youth, for he was anxious to convert his old master Milcho ; but that chief refused to see him, and died as he had lived, a pagan. Patrick then returned to vSaul, where he remained some time, preaching still and converting the people.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 18

Roscrea fair ambushed and Vikings routed

Roscrea · town · Tipperary · 845

In 845, while a great annual fair was underway at Roscrea attended by traders from across Ireland, a large Viking force marched suddenly on the town expecting easy plunder. The townspeople, forewarned, killed the Viking leader and many men and routed the whole force.

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Although the Irish made no combined effort, yet the local chiefs often successfully intercepted the robbers in their murderous raids and slaughtered them mercilessly. In 838 the Kinel Connell defeated them at Assaroe ; in the same year they were routed by the Dalcassians in Clare on the shore of Lough Derg; and in Meath the southern Hy Neill, under their chief O'Colgan, defeated them and slew their leader Earl Saxulph. At this period a great fair was held every year at Roscrea, which was attended by traders from all parts of Ireland. While this fair was going on in the year 845, a great body of the Norsemen, having quietly made their preparations beforehand, marched suddenly on the town, expecting little resistance and plenty of booty. But the people, having some little notice of their approach, made a hasty preparation, and meeting them as they entered, killed their leader with a great number of the rank and file, and put the whole body to the rout. But these and other victories bore no proportion to the devastation of the Norsemen, and had little effect in restraining them. The whole sea continued
' See Most Rev. Dr. Healy's Ireland's Ancient Schools and Scholar.^, p. 275.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 22

Spanish landing and garrisons at Kinsale

Kinsale · town · Cork · 1601

The Spanish fleet under Don Juan del Aguila entered Kinsale harbour on 23 September 1601 with 3,400 troops, taking the town and placing garrisons in the outlying castles of Rincorran and Castle-na-park at the harbour entrance.

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It had lately been rumoured in England and Ireland that Philip III. of Spain had sent a fleet with troops to aid the Catholics of Ireland. The rumour proved correct. On the 23rd of September 1601 the Spanish fleet entered the harbour of Kinsale with 3,400 troops under the command of Don Juan del Aguila. They immediately took possession of the town and placed garrisons in two outlying castles at both sides of the entrance to the harbour, Rincorran on the east and Castle-na-park on the west. And Del Aguila despatched a message to Ulster to O'Neill and O'Donnell, earnestly urging them to come south without delay.
But from the very beginning this expedition seems to have been attended by ill-luck. The force, which originally consisted of 6,000, became reduced by delays in embarking; and after sailing, the fleet was scattered by a storm, so that seven of the ships laden with artillery, small arms, and stores, had to put back into Corunna. The help came at the wrong time, for the Irish had greatly lost ground. The choice of commander was unfortunate. Del Aguila, though he had seen some service and was a brave soldier, was quite unfit to lead such an expedition, which required patience and cool judgment ; whereas he was hottempered, self-willed, and impatient under difiiculties. And worst of all, instead of landing in Ulster, now the chief seat of the rebellion, they chose Munster, where Carew had, only a few months before, thoroughly crushed the power of the insurgents : but for this last Del Aguila could not be blamed, as he had not heard of what had lately taken place in Munster.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 69

As the companion tells it

As you come through Kinsale, you are passing through the town the Spanish took in the autumn of 1601. There had been rumour in England and Ireland that Philip the Third of Spain had sent a fleet with troops to aid the Catholics of Ireland, and the rumour proved correct. On the 23rd of September 1601 the Spanish fleet entered the harbour of Kinsale with 3,400 troops under Don Juan del Aguila. They took possession of the town at once and placed garrisons in two outlying castles at the harbour entrance: Rincorran on the east and Castle-na-park on the west. Del Aguila then sent a message north to Ulster, to O'Neill and O'Donnell, urging them to come south without delay. From the start the expedition was attended by ill-luck. The force had originally been 6,000 but was reduced by delays in embarking. After sailing, the fleet was scattered by a storm, and seven ships carrying artillery, small arms and stores had to put back to Corunna. The help came at the wrong time, for the Irish had greatly lost ground. The choice of commander was unfortunate. Del Aguila was a brave soldier who had seen service, but he was hot tempered, self-willed and impatient under difficulties, quite unfit to lead an expedition that required patience and cool judgment. And worst of all, instead of landing in Ulster, the chief seat of the rebellion, they chose Munster, where Carew had only months before thoroughly crushed the insurgents. For this last Del Aguila could not be blamed, as he had not heard what had lately taken place in Munster.

Surprise and execution of galloglasses in Glen of Aherlow

near Glen of Aherlow · valley · Limerick · 1582–1583

Captain Dowdall surprised Desmond's company of sixty galloglasses in the glen of Aherlow while they cooked part of a horse for dinner; many were killed and twenty captured and executed on the spot, though the earl escaped.

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Another time, when he had a com^^any of sixty galloglasses. Captain Dowdall surprised them in the glen of Aherlow while they were cooking part of a horse for their dinner. Many of the galloglasses were killed in their master's defence : twenty were captured and executed on the spot ; and the others with the earl himself escaped.
At last he got among his own mountains of Kerry ; and a party of the O'Moriartys, from whom the earl's people had taken some cows for subsistence, traced him to Glanageenty, about five miles east of Tralee. Late on a November evening, Donall O'Moriarty, with a company of soldiers and some others, ascended an eminence and saw a light in the glen beneath ; and one of them going down, discovered a small party in a hut. He returned noiselessly with the news, and they remained there till the dawn of next morning, when they approached the hut and suddenly rushed in with a loud shout. They found however only one venerable looking man, a woman, and a boy : all the rest had made their escape. One of the soldiers named Kelly broke the old man's arm with a blow of his sword ; on which he cried out — ' I am the earl of Desmond ; spare my life ! ' But Kelly dragged him forth and cut off his head. The head was afterwards sent for a present to the queen, who had it spiked on London Bridge.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich

Well of blood bursts forth at St. Fechin's penitential bed, Cong

Cong · town · Mayo · 1014

According to the old poet Mac Cosse, at the exact hour of Brian's death a well of blood sprang from the earth beside the penitential bed of St. Fechin at Cong, far on the western border of Ireland.

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The Irish too had their prodigies : the old poet Mac Cosse tells us that at the hour of Brian's death a well of blood sprang from the earth beside the penitential bed of St. Fechin at Cong, far away on the western border of Erin.3
A week after the battle, Hrafn the Ked, who had escaped, brought tidings to the North ; and earl Flosi asks him : — ^ What hast thou to tell me of my men ? ' ' They all fell there,' replied Hrafn.'^

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 24

Burning of Crumlin and theft of the church's leaden roof

Crumlin · townland · Dublin · 1595

In retaliation for the attack on Ballinacor, Walter Reagh Fitzgerald and O'Byrne's sons swooped down by night on Crumlin near Dublin, burned the village, and carried off the leaden roof of the church, escaping before they could be intercepted.

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The first notable exploit of the new deputy, Sir William Russell, was a well-planned attempt to capture ' The firebrand of the mountains' — Fiach Mac Hugh O'Byi^ne. Guided by some of Fiach's false friends, he surprised the castle of Ballinacor one night in January 1595 ; but the chief and his family, having been accidentally alarmed by the sound of a drum, escaped by the back during the forcing of the front entrance. The deputy left a garrison in the castle : but in the August of the following year O'Byrne surprised it in his turn and regained possession. In retaliation for the deputy's attack, Fiach's son-in-law, Walter Reagh Fitzgerald, with some of the old chief's sons, swooped down by night on Crumlin near Dublin, burned the village, and carried off the leaden roof of the church. And though the blaze was plainly seen from Dublin, the party got clear ofi" before there was time to intercept them. Soon after however in the same year (1595), Fitzgerald, while lying wounded in a cave, was taken by the treachery of the physician that attended him, and hanged in chains.
A couple of months later, the deputy, attended by a party of military, made a journey through Wicklow, of which the sanguinary details are given by himself. Every human being that fell in their way, whom they judged to be a traitor, was killed on the spot and his ' head brought in ' to the camp. Among others they captured the wife of the great chief O'Byrne himself, and sentenced her to be burned alive for treason.^

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 63

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here, in 1595, a raiding party came down in the dark and put Crumlin to the torch. The men who did it were Walter Reagh Fitzgerald, son-in-law of the chief Fiach Mac Hugh O'Byrne, and some of O'Byrne's own sons. They burned the village and stripped the leaden roof off the church and carried it away with them. The fire was plainly visible from Dublin itself, but the party was gone before anyone could intercept them. This was retaliation. Earlier that same year, in January 1595, the new deputy Sir William Russell had launched a well-planned attempt to capture O'Byrne, the man they called the firebrand of the mountains. Guided by some of Fiach's false friends, Russell surprised the castle of Ballinacor one night. But the chief and his family had been accidentally alarmed by the sound of a drum, and they slipped out the back while the front entrance was being forced. Russell left a garrison in the castle, but in August of the following year O'Byrne surprised it in turn and took it back. The raid on Crumlin was the answer to Russell's attack. Later in 1595, Walter Reagh Fitzgerald, lying wounded in a cave, was taken by the treachery of the physician who attended him, and hanged in chains. A couple of months after that, Russell made a journey through Wicklow with a military party. Every person they met whom they judged to be a traitor was killed on the spot and his head brought in to the camp. Among others they captured the wife of O'Byrne himself, and sentenced her to be burned alive for treason.

Danes take refuge on Scattery Island

Scattery Island · townland · Clare · 968–977

After their defeat, the Danes of the region took refuge on Scattery Island, making it their headquarters instead of Limerick, and placed their women and children on other islands of the Shannon. Brian later stormed the island, killing Ivar and his Danes there.

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But this villainous deed only raised up a still more formidable antagonist, and swift retribution followed. Brian now became king of Tliomond : and his first care was to avenge his brother's murder. He began with Ivar. Surrounding Scattery with a fleet of boats, he forced a landing and slew Ivar and his Danes, after which he ravaged all the islands where the rest of the foreigners had taken refuge after the battle of Sulcoit.
Donovan now becoming alarmed, made alliance with Harold the son of Ivar, and invited him and his Danes to Bruree. But, in 977, Brian made a sudden and rapid inroad into Hy Carbery, Donovan's territory, captured his fortress at Bruree, and slew Donovan himself, with Harold and a vast number of their followers, both Danes and Irish. It was now Molloy' s turn. Brian sent him a formal challenge to battle, and commanded the envoy to add that no peace would be accepted and no eric for the murdered king — nothing but battle or the surrender of Molloy himself to atone for his crime. Then waiting for a fortnight and having received no reply, he marched south (in 978), and encountered Molloy's army — composed of Danes and Irish — in a place called Belach-Lechta in Barnaderg, the

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 23

Amputation of O'Donnell's frostbitten toes at Ballyshannon

Ballyshannon · town · Donegal · 1592

After his ordeal in the snow, Hugh Roe O'Donnell recovered at his father's castle in Ballyshannon, where physicians eventually had to amputate his two great toes due to frostbite.

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At Ballyshannon Hugh remained under cure for two months. The physicians had at last to amputate his two great toes ; and a whole year passed away before he had fully recovered from the effects of that one terrible winter night in the mountains.
In May this year, 1592, a general meeting of the Kinel-Connell was convened ; and Sir Hugh O'Donnell, who was old and feeble, having resigned the chieftainship, young Hugh Roe — now in his twentieth year — was elected The O'Donnell, chief of liis race, and was inaugurated amid the acclamations of his people.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 61

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Ballyshannon in Donegal, you are in the town where Hugh Roe O'Donnell recovered after his escape through the snow. He stayed under cure here for two months, and the physicians had to amputate his two great toes from the frostbite. A whole year passed before he fully recovered from that one night in the mountains. In May 1592, the Kinel-Connell met here, his father Sir Hugh O'Donnell resigned the chieftainship, and young Hugh Roe, now in his twentieth year, was elected The O'Donnell, chief of his race.

Archbishop Allen discovered and captured at Howth

Howth · townland · Dublin · 1534

Having taken refuge at Howth after his ship ran aground, Archbishop Allen was discovered by the rebels, dragged from his bed, and taken half-naked as a prisoner.

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The archbishop, having good reason to dread the Geraldines, for he had always been bitterly hostile to them, attempted during the siege to make his escape by night in a vessel that lay in the Liffey. But the vessel got stranded at Clontarf ; and the archbishop, who had taken refuge at Howth, was discovered by the rebels, dragged from his bed, and brought half-naked to Artaine to the presence of Lord Thomas and his uncles. There has been some difference of opinion as to how far the young nobleman was responsible for what followed ; but the account given by Cox, who was no friend either to the Geraldines or to the L'ish, may probably be regarded as correct. Cox states that the archbishop threw himself on his knees and implored mercy. Lord Thomas, having compassion for him , but assuming an appearance of sternness, turned aside, saying, in Irish, ' Take away the clown,' meaning that he was to be taken away in custody. But the servants, wilfully misconstruing their master's words, murdered the archbishop in the very act of supplicating mercy. ^ This .fearful crime, which would have sealed the fate of the rebellion even if there had been any chance of success, brought a sentence of excommunication against Lord Thomas and his followers. A copy was sent to the earl in the Tower, but it is doubtful if he ever saw it ; for on first
1 Cox, History of Ireland, ed. 1689, p. 234. The very words used l)y Lord Thomas, who spoke in Irish, as reported by Cox and others, are, ^ Beir uaim an l)Oclacli,^ literally, ' Take the clown away from me.' These, obviously, did not mean violence to the archbishop.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 47

Battle at the ford of Culuan on the Erne near Belleek

near Belleek · parish · Fermanagh · 1593

Maguire made an obstinate defence at the ford of Culuan on the River Erne, west of Belleek, and 400 of his men fell before the ford was forced by government troops.

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Yet he still continued in the queen's service. For when the lord deputy marched into Connaught in 1593 to attack Maguire and O'Ruarc, who had been goaded into rebellion by the sheriffof Fermanagh, the earl accompanied the expedition, though with much secret unwillingness. Maguire, driven to bay, defended with great obstinacy the ford of Culuan on the Erne, a little west of Belleek. and it was only after 400 of his men had fallen that the passage was forced. In this action Tyrone was wounded while crossing the river at the head of his cavalry ; but this was the last time he fought on the side of the govern- 1 Ware's Annals. 1593.
Chap. IX. HUGH O'NEILL, EAEL OF TYRONE 479

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 62

Battle of Callan - O'Carroll and 800 followers killed

Callan · town · Kilkenny · 1407

In 1407 a well-contested battle was fought near Callan in Kilkenny between Mac Murrogh's forces and Sir Stephen Scroop's army. After the English victory, Scroop marched suddenly on Callan, surprised O'Carroll lord of Ely, and killed O'Carroll himself along with 800 of his followers.

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After a short period of quietness Mac Murrogh renewed the war in 1405, plundered and burned Carlow and Castledermot, two English settlements, and again overran the county Wexford. The young lord lieutenant, having sojourned in Ireland for two years, returned to England. Sir Stephen Scroop, his deputy, now determined to invade Mac Murrogh's territory ; and accompanied by the earls of Desmond and Ormond and by the prior of Kilmainham, he marched southwards through Kildare. Mac Murrogh, in no way scared, met them near Callan in Kilkenny, where in 1407 was fought a well-contested battle. For a longtime in the beginning the Irish had the upper hand, and it seemed very likely they would win ; but at the critical juncture some fresh English forces coming up turned the fortune of the day, and Scroop gained a complete victory. Immediately after the fight he marched suddenly on Callan. where he surprised O'Carroll lord of Ely, and killed O'Carroll himself and 800 of his followers. Altogether 3,000 of the Irish fell in these two conflicts — the greatest reverse ever sustained by MacMurrogh.^
This defeat kept him quiet for a time. But in 1413 he inflicted a severe defeat on the men of Wexford, slaying many and taking a great number of prisoners.^ Three years after this (1416) the English of Wexford combined, with the determination to avenge all the injuries he had inflicted on them. But he met them on their own plains, defeated them with a loss of 320 in killed and prisoners, and so thoroughly frightened them that they were glad to escape further consequences by making peace and giving hostages for future good behaviour.''

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 42

Battle of Downpatrick and Death of Brian O'Neill

near Downpatrick · town · Down · 1260

In a bloody battle fought at Downpatrick against the English of the north of Ireland, Brian O'Neill was defeated and slain, together with a large number of the chiefs of Ulster and Connaught.

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In this year (1258) some of the Irish chiefs, including Teige O'Brien of Thomond, made a feeble attempt to unite against the common enemy ; and they chose Brian O'Neill of Tyrone as their leader. But this confederacy was of short duration ; for two years later, in 1260, in a bloody battle fought at Downpatrick against the English of the north of Ireland, O'Neill was defeated and slain, together with a large number of the chiefs of Ulster and Connaught.
The south had its own share of disturbance, and here the English were less fortunate. The Mac Oarthys of Desmond, seeing their ancient principality continually encroached upon by the Geraldines, became exasperated ; and led by their chief Fineen or Florence, attacked them in the year 1 261 at Callan near Kenmare ; where the Geraldines were defeated and a great number slain, including several of their chiefs. The Irish followed up this victory by demolishing the English castles over a great part of Desmond ; and for a dozen years, as we are told, no Geraldine durst put a plough in the ground. But the Irish began

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 39

Blockade of Dublin fails at Kilmainham

Kilmainham · townland · Dublin · 1013

Brian and Murrogh combined forces and blockaded Dublin from their camp at Kilmainham, but the Danish garrison held out and the Irish army ran short of provisions, forcing Brian to raise the siege at Christmas 1013.

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the representations of the king of Meath, and alarmed at the menacing movements of the Danes and Leinstermen, he now entered into the war. Two distinct expeditions were organised. The king himself, with one, ravaged Ossory, while his son Murrogh, at the head of the other, taking the Leinstermen in the rear, traversed Leinster, devastating and plundering the whole country as far as the monastery of Glendalongh ; and then marchiug northwards laden with spoil, he encamped at Kilmainham near Dublin. Here he was joined by his father in the beginning of September (1013), and the combined forces blockaded Dublin. But the attempt to reduce the city was unsuccessful, for the Danish garrison kept within walls and the Irish army ran short of provisions : so that the king was forced to raise the siege at Christmas, and return home to Kincora.
Mailmora and the Danish leaders began actively at the work of mustering forces for the final struggle. 'They sent ambassadors everywhere around them to gather troops and armies unto them to meet Brian in battle.' Gormlaith, who was now among her own people — having been discarded by Brian — was no less active than her relatives : for ' so grim was she agaiust king Brian after their parting that she would gladly have him dead.' ' She employed her son, king Sitric,^ to collect forces. He went first according to her directions to Sigurd earl of the Orkneys, who consented to join the confederacy on two conditions : — that in case of success he was to be king of Ireland and have Gormlaith for his queen. Sitric agreed to both without hesitation ; and when he returned to Dublin his mother approved of what he had done.^

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 24

Colonel Randolph's Death and Plague at Derry

Derry · street · Tipperary · 1566

Shane O'Neill was defeated with great loss at Derry, but the English purchased victory dearly with the death of the brave Colonel Randolph, and afterward his men were struck by a mysterious deadly plague that carried off almost the whole garrison.

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Sir Henry Sydney, a much abler and more far-seeing man than Sussex, now (1566) took decisive and wellplanned measures to reduce the great rebel chief. He recalled all the sub-chiefs who had been expelled by O'Neill, aud who now — every man — engaged to make war on Shane, ^ threatening him on all sides : he sent a garrison to Derry — in O'Neill's rear — under a brave and experienced officer, Colonel Randolph, and he put Dundalk in a state of defence. Shane now — 1566 — made an inroad into the Pale, doing immense damage, but he met with a serious repulse when he attempted to take Dundalk. He was also defeated with great loss at Derry ; though here the English purchased victory dearly by the death of the brave Colonel Randolph : and to complete the tragedy his men were soon afterwards attacked by some mysterious deadly plague, which carried off almost the whole garrison. Sydney next marched into Tyrone, which he wasted as he went along : and he restored to their castles many of the chiefs whom he had recalled, including Calvagh O'Donnell ;^ but O'Neill himself retired to his fastnesses, and the deputy had to return without bringing him to terms.
When Calvagh O'Donnell died he was succeeded in 1567 by his brother Hugh. This was the same Hugh who some years before had been in alliance with Shane ; but he was now an enemy, and on the side of the English : and in the year of his inauguration, acting probably at the instance of Sydney, he led a plundering expedition into Tyrone, and committed great damage. Shane retaliated by crossing the Swilly into Tirconnell ; but he was met by O'Donnell at the other side and utterly routed. The fugitives, attempting in their flight to recross the Swilly, were

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 53

Defeat and heavy losses of Strongbow's army at Thurles

Thurles · town · Tipperary · 1174

Strongbow's combined Anglo-Norman and Ostmen forces were attacked at Thurles by the united armies of O'Brien and King Roderick and utterly defeated, with the Four Masters recording 1,700 men lost.

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Acting on Mountmaurice' s advice, Strongbow now led an expedition, composed of his own men and the Ostmen or Danes of Dublin, against Donall O'Brien king of Thomond, who had long since renounced his fealty to the English. But on their march southward they were attacked at Thurles by O'Brien and King Roderick — these two having meantime become reconciled — with the united armies of Munster and Connaught, and utterly defeated with the loss of a great part of the army — 1,700 men according to the Four Masters. And Strongbow, having escaped from the battlefield, fled southwards with a small band of the survivors, and full of grief and rage, shut himself up in Waterford.
As soon as news of this victory had got spread abroad, the Irish rose up in arms everywhere ; and the earl was besieged in Waterford, so that he was in daily fear for his life. In this strait he was forced to send for Raymond, offering now all he had before refused. Raymond accordingly returned with a band of archers, rescued the earl from his perilous position, and conducted him safely to Wexford. Here he was married to Basilea, and at the same time the earl made him standard bearer and constable of Leinster.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 34

As the companion tells it

Thurles in Tipperary is where Strongbow suffered his worst defeat in 1174. Acting on Mountmaurice's advice, he led his own men and the Ostmen of Dublin against Donall O'Brien, king of Thomond, who had renounced his fealty to the English. But on the march south, O'Brien and King Roderick, having become reconciled, attacked with the united armies of Munster and Connaught. Strongbow's force was utterly defeated, losing 1,700 men according to the Four Masters. He escaped the battlefield and fled south with a small band of survivors, shutting himself up in Waterford, full of grief and rage. News of the victory spread fast, the Irish rose in arms everywhere, and the earl was besieged in Waterford, in daily fear for his life. He was forced to send for Raymond, offering all he had before refused. Raymond returned with archers, rescued him, and brought him safely to Wexford.

Desmond Arrested at Kilmallock

Kilmallock · townland · Limerick · 1567

At great risk, Sydney publicly arrested the earl of Desmond in Kilmallock, his own capital town, and brought him to Limerick where he was indicted for breaking the peace against Ormond and fined £20,000.

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During his progress he hanged or imprisoned great numbers of those he deemed the worst criminals ; and acted throughout with excessive and imprudent harshness. While sternly reproving the chiefs whom he found in fault as he went along, he looked upon Desmond as the greatest culj)rit of all, and treated him more severely than the others ; though he was indeed in little or nothing worse than Ormond. At great risk, he arrested him publicly in Kilmallock — his own capital town — and brought him to Limerick, where he had him indicted for breaking the peace against Ormond, and for unlawfully levying men, and fined him £20,000. At the same time, having knighted the earl's brother John Fitzgerald, or John of Desmond as he is usually called, he appointed him seneschal and ruler of the Desmond princij)ality during the earl's absence in captivity.^
In South Connaught the whole country had been kept in a state of constant strife on account of the mutual wrangling of the earl of Clanrickard's sons, and also of Clanrickard himself with the other chiefs of the province. The deputy in his way through Connaught forced all these to a temporary peace, and left the province quiet for the time. He returned to Dublin through Athlone, bringing Desmond and other prisoners, whom he consigned to the castle on his arrival.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 54

Fatal Combat at the Battle Near Drumflugh

Drumflugh · townland · Tyrone · 1597

O'Neill unexpectedly attacked deputy Borough's forces at the hill of Drumflugh near Portmore, where Battleford Bridge now stands, defeating them with heavy loss. Kildare's two foster brothers were killed defending him, and several officers including Sir Francis Vaughan died.

Read the passage

near Armagh which the Irish had 2)laslied^ but forced his way through in spite of all opposition ; and taking possession of the ruined fort of Portmore, encamped at the Tyrone (or west) side of the river. He was however unable to advance farther, and was greatly harassed and lost many of his men in constant skirmishing. At last O'Neill unexpectedly attacked him in force at the hill of Drumflugh near the camp, where Battleford Bridge now stands, and defeated him with heavy loss. The deputy Borough, fighting gallantly in front, was w^ounded ; and Kildare who then took command was struck down severely wounded, w^hile his two foster brothers were killed by his side defending him. Among the slain were Sir Francis Vaughan the deputy's brother-in-law, sergeant-major Turner, and several other officers ; and Kildare died almost immediately after at Drogheda. Borough himself was carried in a litter from the battlefield, and died soon after, as will be told farther on.^
Notwithstanding this serious repulse, the deputy accomplished one important object of the expedition — regaining possession of Portmore. He built a new fort in place of the old one ; and leaving a garrison of 300 men there in charge of a brave and capable officer, captain Williams, he returned to Dublin.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 64

Fitzmaurice's quartered body displayed at Kilmallock

Kilmallock · townland · Limerick · 1579

After his death, Fitzmaurice's body was found by the English, who cut it into quarters and hung the pieces on the gates of Kilmallock as a display.

Read the passage

O'Brien of Ara pursued them to recover the animals. When they had come up with them at Barrington's Bridge, Fitzmaurice appealed to them not to quarrel with their cousin for the sake of a couple of garrons : but the Burkes fired on the little party, and Fitzmaurice was mortally wounded. Rushing into the midst of his assailants, with two furious blows he slew the two Burkes, whose followers instantly fled ; and he died in a few hours in the arms of Dr. Allen, from whom he received the last sacraments. His body was afterwards found by the English, who cut it into quarters, which they hung on the gates of Kilmallock. William Burke was soon after created baron of Castleconnell, with a pension, as a reward for the destruction of Fitzmaurice, and in some sort as a recompence for the loss of his sons.
James Fitzmaurice was a man of noble mind and of pure patriotic motives, able, active, and steadfast in purpose ; he was the life and soul of the movement, and his death was an irreparable loss to the Geraldine league. John Fitzgerald now took command of the Munster insurgents ; and soon collected a considerable force, which was disciplined by the Spanish ofiicers who had come over with Fitzmaurice. As for the earl of Desmond, he came to lord justice Drury, who was then at Kilmallock, to assure him he had nothing to do with the rebellion ; but his conduct had been so suspicious that Drury had him arrested. He was liberated however in a few days, on giving up his only son James — then a child in charge of a nurse — as a hostage for his loyalty in the future : and a promise was made that his territory should be respected.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 57

King Laeghaire buried standing at Tara facing his foes

Tara · parish · Meath

King Laeghaire was buried in an unusual manner in the rampart of his rath at Tara, placed standing up fully accoutred and armed, with his face turned towards his enemies the Leinstermen.

Read the passage

Burial. Three modes of disposing of the dead were practised in ancient Ireland. First mode : the body was buried as at present. Second : sometimes the body of a king or warrior was placed standing up in the grave, fully accoutred and armed : King Laeghaire was buried in this manner in the rampart of his rath at Tara, with his face turned towards his foes the Leinstermen. Third : the body was burned and the ashes were deposited in the grave in an ornamented urn of baked clay. Of the first two kinds we have historical record : of the third we have none ; but we know that it was in very general use in prehistoric times, for urns containing ashes and burnt bones are found in graves in every part of Ireland.
The body or urn was very often enclosed in a sort of rude stone coffin formed of flags, called a kist or kistvaen, placed underground near the surface : the bodies of those that fell in battle were often disposed of in this manner, so that kistvaens are now found in great numbers on ancient battlefields. Often that sort of stone monument now known as a crornleck was constructed, formed of one great flat stone lying on the tops of several large standing stones, thus enclosing a rude chamber in which one or more bodies or urns were placed. These cromlechs — which are sometimes wrongly called dridds' altars — remain in every part of Ireland ; and skeletons, and urns contain-

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 15

Massacre of captives at Singland

Singland · townland · Limerick · 968

After the rout of the Danes from Sulcoit into Limerick, all captives were brought to Singland outside the city walls, where those fit for war were killed and those fit for slavery were enslaved.

Read the passage

outraged and oppressed burst on them, and they were pursued in all directions and ruthlessly killed. The main body fled towards Limerick, and the rout and pursuit continued through the whole evening and night all the way into the city : till at morning dawn both the fugitives and the victors, mixed up in dire confusion, rushed in through the gates. Nor did this end the slaughter ; for the Danes were cut down in the streets and houses ; and finally the Irish plundered and burned the city. Their turn had. now come, and vengeance was dealt out unsparingly. All the captives were brought to Singland — outside the walls — ' and every one of them that was fit for war was killed, and every one that was fit for a slave was enslaved.'
After this the Danes of those parts took refuge in Scattery Island, which they made their head-quarters instead of Limerick ;• and they placed their women and children in the other islands of the Shannon. Mahon followed up this decisive victory by a series of successful hostilities. He reduced Donovan and Molloy and forced them to give him hostages for their future good behaviour : he defeated the Danes in seven battles, and banished Ivar beyond the sea to Wales ; and having crushed all opposition, he ruled for several years, the undisputed sovereign of Munster.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 23

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Singland, in 968, the aftermath of a great rout played out. After the Irish burst upon the Danes at Sulcoit, the Danes were pursued in all directions and ruthlessly killed. The main body fled towards Limerick, and the rout and pursuit continued through the whole evening and night all the way into the city, till at morning dawn both the fugitives and the victors, mixed up in dire confusion, rushed in through the gates. The Danes were cut down in the streets and houses, and the Irish plundered and burned the city. Their turn had come, and vengeance was dealt out unsparingly. All the captives were brought to Singland, outside the walls, and 'every one of them that was fit for war was killed, and every one that was fit for a slave was enslaved.' After this, the Danes took refuge in Scattery Island, which they made their headquarters instead of Limerick, and they placed their women and children in the other islands of the Shannon. Mahon followed up this decisive victory by a series of successful hostilities. He reduced Donovan and Molloy and forced them to give him hostages for their future good behaviour. He defeated the Danes in seven battles, and banished Ivar beyond the sea to Wales. Having crushed all opposition, he ruled for several years, the undisputed sovereign of Munster.

Monks expelled and monastery of Donegal occupied by soldiers

Donegal · town · Donegal · 1592

English captains Willis and Conwell, with 200 soldiers, expelled the monks and seized the monastery of Donegal along with the nearby castle of Ballyboyle, using them as bases to plunder the surrounding country.

Read the passage

An incident that occurred immediately after O'Donnell's arrival well illustrates how the miserable people had been oppressed and terrorised by the military. Two English captains, Willis and Oonwell, with a party of 200 soldiers from Connaught, had taken possession of the monastery of Donegal after expelling the monks, and also of the castle of Ballyboyle near the town ; and from these two robbers' nests they sent out parties day by day to plunder the surrounding country. Young O'Donnell, without loss of time, proceeded with a party of his people to Donegal, and sent an imperative message to the two captains to march off and leave behind them all their prisoners and plunder. So terrified were they at this mandate that they did exactly as they were bidden, very thankful to escape with their lives : and the monks returned to the monaster}^.
At Ballyshannon Hugh remained under cure for two months. The physicians had at last to amputate his two great toes ; and a whole year passed away before he had fully recovered from the effects of that one terrible winter night in the mountains.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 61

As the companion tells it

Coming up near Donegal town. In 1592, two English captains, Willis and Conwell, arrived with 200 soldiers from Connaught. They expelled the monks from the monastery of Donegal and seized it. They also took the castle of Ballyboyle near the town. From these two places they sent out parties day by day to plunder the surrounding country. The people had been oppressed and terrorised by the military. Young O'Donnell, after his arrival, proceeded without delay to Donegal with a party of his own people. He sent an imperative message to the two captains to march off and leave behind all their prisoners and plunder. So terrified were they at this mandate that they did exactly as they were bidden, thankful to escape with their lives. The monks returned to the monastery.

O'Byrne's wife sentenced to be burned alive for treason

Wicklow · townland · Wicklow · 1595

During Russell's Wicklow campaign, soldiers captured the wife of the great chief Fiach Mac Hugh O'Byrne and sentenced her to be burned alive on a charge of treason.

Read the passage

A couple of months later, the deputy, attended by a party of military, made a journey through Wicklow, of which the sanguinary details are given by himself. Every human being that fell in their way, whom they judged to be a traitor, was killed on the spot and his ' head brought in ' to the camp. Among others they captured the wife of the great chief O'Byrne himself, and sentenced her to be burned alive for treason.^
» Carerv Papersi, 1589-1600, p. 228.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 63

O'Neill's camp at Belgooly before the battle

Belgooly · town · Cork · 1601

O'Neill arrived at Kinsale on 21 December 1601 with an army of about 4,000 and encamped at Belgooly, north of the town, planning to starve out the English rather than fight directly.

Read the passage

O'Neill arrived on the 21st December with an army of about 4,000, and encamped at Belgooly, north of the town, about three miles from the English lines. He saw at once how matters stood, and his plan was to avoid fighting — to remain simply inactive and let the English army melt away. Already, during three months of siege, more than 6,000 of the English had perished ; ^ and had his counsel been now followed, success was certain. But he was overruled. The Spanish commander Del Aguila, who was ignorant of the country and of its mode of warfare, and should have submitted to O'Neill's experience, grew impatient under his own privations, and sent pressing letters to the Irish chiefs to attack, believing that the English were so worn out as to be unable to fight well. O'Donnell, fiery and impetuous as he was, sided with him ; and against O'Neill's judgment it was decided that a simultaneous attack should be made by the Irish on one side and the Spaniards on the other, on the night of the 3rd of January, 1602 (New Style).
But a traitor in the Irish camp, Brian Mac Mahon, gave secret warning to captain William Taaffe, one of Mountjoy's officers. Taaffe instantly told Mountjoy, who 1 Carcw Papers, 1601-1603, p. 805.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 69

Pile of heads at Lough Foyle after battle

near Lough Foyle · estuary · Derry · 866

After a battle on the shore of Lough Foyle in 866, King Aed Finnliath had twelve score heads of slain Danes piled in a heap before him, a gruesome trophy of victory.

Read the passage

Aed or Hugh Finnliath, who succeeded Malachi in 860, routed the Danes in several battles, after one of which — on the shore of Lough Foyle (in 86G) — twelve score of their heads were piled in a heap before the king. A little later — in 869 — he defeated them in a battle at Killineer, two miles north-west from Drogheda ; where great numbers of them fell, among whom was Carlus son of Amlaff I. king of Dublin. In this battle the Danes were traitorously aided by Hugh's nephew Flann, king of the Keenaght of Meath, who was killed in the rout after the fight.
Hugh Finnliath was succeeded in 879 by Malachi's son Flann Sinna, who married Hugh's widow Mailmara, the daughter of Kenneth Mac Alpine king of Scotland. For 40 years — from 875 to 915 — a period nearly coincident with Flann's reign, the Danes sent no new swarms to Ireland, and the country was comparatively free from their ravages ; though those already in the country held their

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 22

Repeated Viking sackings of Armagh

near Armagh · town · Armagh · 832–1021

Armagh was sacked and pillaged three times in one month by Turgesius around 832, and ravaged repeatedly over the following two centuries, including in 890 when 719 persons were carried into captivity and in 1021 when the whole city was burned with its churches and books.

Read the passage

Armagh : sacked and pillaged three times in one month by Turgesins, in or about 832 : ravaged and plundered in 839, 850, 873, 876, 890 (when the Danes carried off 719 persons into captivity), 893, 895, 898, 914, 919, 926, 931, 943, 995, 1012, and 1021 (when the whole city was burned, with churches and books).
Glendalough : plundered and devastated in 830, 833, 886, 977, 982, 984, 985, 1016.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 28

Rory Oge O'Moore's night raid and burning of Naas

Naas · town · Kildare · 1577

Rory Oge O'Moore appeared before Naas by night during the annual patron festival, and his men set fire to the thatched houses of the sleeping town, while Rory himself sat at the market-place watching the blaze, sparing the inhabitants from harm.

Read the passage

In the course of one year (1576) he and Conor O'Conor desolated a large part of the English settlements of Leinster, Meath, and Fingall. The next year, the very year of MuUamast, he suddenly appeared before Naas in the dead of night — the night of the annual patron festival : and while the wearied townspeople were sunk in deep sleep after their festivities, his men entered the town at some unguarded point, carrying lighted torches on long poles, and set fire to the houses, which were all roofed with thatch. Eory himself sat coolly at the market-place to enjoy the spectacle of the blazing houses : but he did not suffer his kern to injure or insult the terrified inhabitants. In this same year he burned Carlow, Leighlin Bridge, and many other English towns and villages in Leinster.
He was, as I have said, the lawful prince of Leix ; yet Sydney, knowing this perfectly well, speaks of him as ' an obscure and base varlet called Eorye Oge O'Moore [who] stirred and claimed authority over the whole country of Leish.' ^ Sydney put forth all his efforts to hunt him down and capture him, but for a long time without success. ' The only gall,' he writes in 1578, ' is the rebel of Leinster : I waste him and kill of his men daily. To repress the arch-traitor James Fitzmaurice and that rebel Rory Oge, I am forced to employ no small extraordinary charge.' ^

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 56

As the companion tells it

You are coming into Naas. In 1577, the year of Mullaghmast, Rory Oge O'Moore appeared before this town in the dead of night. It was the night of the annual patron festival, and the townspeople were sunk in deep sleep after their festivities. His men entered at some unguarded point, carrying lighted torches on long poles, and set fire to the houses, which were all roofed with thatch. Rory himself sat coolly at the market-place to watch the blaze, but he did not let his kern injure or insult the terrified inhabitants. In the same year he burned Carlow, Leighlin Bridge, and many other English towns and villages in Leinster. He was the lawful prince of Leix, yet Sidney, knowing this perfectly well, spoke of him as "an obscure and base varlet called Rorye Oge O'Moore who stirred and claimed authority over the whole country of Leish." Sidney put forth all his efforts to hunt him down, but for a long time without success. In 1578 he wrote, "The only gall is the rebel of Leinster: I waste him and kill of his men daily."

St Patrick's death at Saul and burial at Downpatrick

near Downpatrick · town · Down · 465

Patrick fell ill and died at Saul, his favourite retreat, on 17 March around 465; a dispute arose between the chiefs of Oriel and Ulidia over where he should be buried, but he was interred at Dun-da-leth-glas, now Downpatrick.

Read the passage

A contention arose between the chiefs of Oriel, the district in which Armagh was situated, and those of Ulidia, or the eastern part of Ulster, concerning the place where he should be interred ; but it happily terminated without bloodshed. He was buried with great solemnity at Dun-da-leth-glas, the old residence of the princes of Ulidia; and the name, in the altered form of Downpatrick, commemorates to all time the saint's place of interment.
* There is much uncertainty both as to St. Patrick's age and as to the year of his death. I have given the age and year that seem to me most probable.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 18

The Roaring Stone of Tara

Tara · parish · Meath

The kings of Ireland were required to stand upon a coronation stone at Tara called Lia Fail during their inauguration. It was believed that the stone would roar aloud when a king of the true Milesian race stood upon it.

Read the passage

The inauguration or making of a king was a very impressive ceremony. Of the mode of inaugurating the pagan kings we have hardly any information, further than this, that the kings of Ireland had to stand on a coronation stone at Tara called Lia Fail, which uttered a roar, as was believed, when a king of the old Milesian race stood on it.
But we possess full information of the ceremonies used in Christian times. The mode of inaugurating was much the same in its general features all over the country ; and was strongly marked by a religious character. But there were differences in detail ; for some tribes had traditional customs not practised by others. Each tribe had a special place of inauguration, which was held in much respect — invested indeed with a half- sacred character. It was on the top of a hill, or on an ancestral cairn, or on a large lis or fort, and sometimes under a venerable tree, called in Irish a hile [billa]. Each tribe used a coronation stone — a custom common also among the Celts of Scotland. Some of the coronation stones had the impression of two feet, popularly believed to be the exact size of the feet of the first chief of the tribe who took possession of the territory. On the day of the inauguration the sub-chiefs of the territory were present and also the bishops, abbots, and other leading ecclesiastics.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 9

Turgesius sacks Armagh three times and usurps the see

near Armagh · town · Armagh · 832–836

The Viking leader Turgesius established himself in Armagh, sacking it three times in one month, and usurped the bishopric, expelling bishop Forannan who fled with St. Patrick's shrine to Munster for four years.

Read the passage

Tergesius established himself for a time in Armagh, which he sacked three times in one month ; and with much skill he posted parties at important points on the coast, such as Dublin, Limerick, Dundalk and Carlingford. He usurped the see of Armagh and expelled the bishop Forannan, who escaped with St. Patrick's shrine to Munster, where he remained four years. After committing great ravages in the north, he placed himself at the head of the fleet in Lough Ree ; and from this central station he commanded a large part of Leinster and Connaught, and plundered those of the ecclesiastical establishments that lay within reach — Clonmacnoise, Lorrha and Terryglass in Tipperary, and the churches of Iniscaltra in Lough Derg. At Clonmacnoise his queen Ota desecrated St. Kieran's venerated church by seating herself daily on the high altar, in derision of the sacred place, and there performing some of her pagan rites and giving audience to her visitors.
The Irish princes might indeed have expelled the invaders without much difficulty if they had combined : but that they hardly ever did : on the contrary they fought as bitterly against each other as against the common foe. During the reigns of Hugh Ordnidhe [Ordnee]— 797 to 819 — and of Conor — 819 to 833 — we do not find it recorded that either took any steps to oppose the Danes, though both were engaged in several hostile expeditions against the provincial kings. The most culpable disturber of domestic peace at this time was Felim Mac Criffan king of Munster, of the race of the Owenaghts (p. 203), a very warlike and able, but a very unscrupulous man. He laid claim to the throne of Ireland, and made several incursions northwards to enforce his demands, plundering and burning churches and devastating the country almost as ruthlessly as the Danes themselves. But he never once turned his arms against Turgesius, who was at this very time in the full swing of his terrible career. It is asserted by some, on insufficient authority, that this Felim was arch-

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 22

Young Gerald sick with small-pox at Donore

Donore · townland · Kildare · 1535

At the time his uncles were arrested, the young heir Gerald Fitzgerald, then about twelve, was at Donore in Kildare, sick of small-pox, and had to be secretly carried away wrapped in flannels to escape capture.

Read the passage

Notwithstanding the efforts of King Henry VIII. to extirpate the house of Kildare, there remained two direct representatives, sons of the ninth earl by Lady Elizabeth Grey. Gerald (or Garrett) the elder, then about twelve years of age, succeeded to the earldom on the death of Lord Thomas. At the time of the apprehension of his uncles (in 1535) he was at Donore in Kildare, sick of small-pox. His faithful tutor Thomas Leverous, afterwards bishop of Kildare, fearing with good reason for his safety, wrapped him up warm in flannels, and had him secretly conveyed in a cleeve or basket to Thomond, where he remained under the protection of O'Brien. The other son, then an infant, was in England with his mother. The reader should be reminded that the lord justice Leonard Grey was uncle to these two children, for their mother Lady Elizabeth was his sister.
Great efforts were now made to discover the place of young Gerald's retreat ; and as he had been declared an

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 48

Beheading of Dermot O'Conor Donn near Gort

Gort · townland · Galway · 1600

Dermot O'Conor Donn, having failed in his treacherous plot and been expelled from Munster, was attacked near Gort by Theobald-na-Long while marching to meet the young earl of Desmond, who seized him and cut off his head.

Read the passage

He then sent his wife to the president for the money. But the rebels were too quick for him ; for John FitzThomas and some others of the confederate leaders hastily mustered 4,000 men, and before Carew had time to come up, surrounded the castle and rescued the captive, dismissing his guards unharmed. After this O'Conor, disappointed and crestfallen, was expelled the province by the earl and returned to Connaught. He got a reward indeed, but not what he had expected ; for in this same year (1600), while marching through Galway on his way to Limerick to meet his brother-in-law, the young earl of Desmond who had come over from London, he was attacked near Gort by Theobald-na-Long, who seized him and cut off his head.
But Carew, though given to that low cunning he so well describes, was able and vigorous in his military operations. On the 8th of July (1600) he took the castle of Glin on the Shannon belonging to the knight of Glin, one of the confederates, after an obstinate defence, and executed all that remained of the garrison, with — as the Four Masters say — sofae women and children. When O'Conor Kerry heard of this, he was so frightened that he surrendered his castle of Carrigafoyle, also on the

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 67

Burial of Cormac Mac Cullenan at Castledermot

Castledermot · town · Kildare · 908

After Cormac Mac Cullenan was killed at Ballaghmoon and his head brought to King Flann, the body was buried with great honour at Castledermot; Cormac was noted as the most learned Irishman of his time.

Read the passage

In the next year (908) Flann in conjunction with the kings of Leinster and Connaught collected a gi-eat army to oppose Cormac, who now, instigated by Flahertagh, demanded tribute from Leinster on the ground that he was by right king of Ireland. This Flahertagh was an obstinate and quarrelsome man, and thwarted the efforts for peace made by friends on both sides. The good kinj^^ Cormac was unwilling to fight : but he allowed himself to be led by his turbulent counsellor. He had a presentiment that he would be killed ; and he made his will, distributing his wealth among various abbeys and churches. The two armies met and fought a terrible battle at Ballaghmoon, two miles north of Carlo w, where the Munstermen were defeated with a loss of 6,000. Towards the end of the battle Cormac was accidentally killed by the fall of his horse : and some common soldiers cut off his head and brought it to Flann. But king Flann received it with tender respect, and had the body buried with great honour at Castledermot. Cormac was of a gentle disposition and loved study and retirement. He was the most learned Irishman of his time, and was deeply versed in the history, literature, and antiquities of his country. The works written by him have already been mentioned (pp. 4, 31).
About the time (916) of the accession of Niall Glunduff (i.e. Niall Black-Knee) son of Hugh Finnliath and sue-

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 22

Danish plunder of Fore monastery and violation of sanctuary

Fore · townland · Westmeath · 1013

Mailmora and Sitric led an expedition into Meath, plundering as far as the monastery of St. Fechin at Fore, taking captives and cattle, some seized in violation of the sanctuary of the saint's termon.

Read the passage

And now the threatened war-cloud broke over the country. The confederates began by attacking Malachi's kino-dom of Meath, as he was now one of Brian's adherents. He defended himself successfully for some time : but he was at last defeated at Drinan near Swords by Mailmora and Sitric, with the united armies of Danes and Leinstermen, leaving 200 of his men, including his own son Flann, dead on the field. Mailmora and Sitric followed up this victory by an expedition into the very heart of Meath, which they plundered as far as the monastery of St. Fechin at Fore ; and they returned with ' captives and cattle innumerable,' some taken in violation of sanctuary from the very termon of the saint. Malachi, finding himself unable to defend his kingdom against so many enemies, sent messengers to Brian to demand the protection to wliich, as a tributary king, he was entitled — 'to complain that his territory was plundered and his sons killed, and praying him not to permit the Danes, and the Leinstermen, and the men of Brefney, and those of Carbury, and the Kinel- Owen, to come all together against him.'
Brain had hitherto remained inactive ; but moved by

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 24

De Courcy's retreat and burning of Ballysadare

Ballysadare · townland · Sligo · 1188

Fleeing from the combined forces of Connaught and Thomond, De Courcy reached Ballysadare on the Sligo coast, found himself trapped between pursuers, and set fire to the town before fleeing south-east.

Read the passage

Courcy was appointed viceroy, and took up his residence in Dublin. Some time after this he was created earl of Ulster. During his viceroyalty he determined to attempt the conquest of Connaught, which was then torn and weakened by internal strife (Chap. VIII.). Collecting all the English forces at his command, he crossed the Shannon in 1188, and began to burn and waste after his usual fashion. But before he had advanced far into the province he was confronted by the two kings of Connaught and Thomoud — Conor Mainmoy and Donall O'Brien — with their united armies. Not venturing to give battle to this formidable force, he retreated northwards, his only anxiety now being to save himself and his army from destruction. But when he had arrived at Ballysadare on the coast of Sligo, he found himself in worse plight than before ; for the news of the filibustering expedition had spread quickly, and now his scouts brought word that Flaherty O'Muldory prince of Tirconnell was at Drumcliff, a little way north, marching down on him in front, while his pursuers were pressing on close behind. Setting fire to Ballysadare, he fled south-east ; but as he was crossing the Curlieu Hills, he was overtaken by Conor Mainmoy and O'Brien, who fell upon him and killed a great number of his men ; and it was with much difficulty he escaped with the remnant of his army into Leinster.
When De Courcy was removed from the governorship of Ireland in 1189 to make way for his rival Hugh de Lacy (p. 282), he retired to Ulster, greatly offended. Here he resumed his vn.ld raids, burning, ravaging, and plundering, like the Danes of old, and like them often suffering disastrous defeats. And he lived as an independent prince, building castles and founding churches all over Ulster, making war and peace as he pleased, and acknowledging no authority. He even coined silver money in his own name.^ His influence in North-east Ulster was greatly strengthened by his marriage with Aflfreca daughter of Godred, the Norse king of Man and of the Western Isles.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 35

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here, De Courcy brought his burning and wasting to an end, at least for the moment. He had been appointed viceroy and had taken up residence in Dublin. He was created earl of Ulster. During his viceroyalty, he determined to attempt the conquest of Connaught, which was then torn and weakened by internal strife. He collected all the English forces at his command and crossed the Shannon in 1188, and began to burn and waste after his usual fashion. But before he had advanced far into the province, he was confronted by the two kings of Connaught and Thomond, Conor Mainmoy and Donall O'Brien, with their united armies. Not venturing to give battle to this formidable force, he retreated northwards, his only anxiety now being to save himself and his army from destruction. When he had arrived close to Ballysadare on the coast of Sligo, he found himself in worse plight than before. The news of the filibustering expedition had spread quickly, and his scouts brought word that Flaherty O'Muldory, prince of Tirconnell, was at Drumcliff, a little way north, marching down on him in front, while his pursuers were pressing on close behind. Setting fire to Ballysadare, he fled south-east. But as he was crossing the Curlieu Hills, he was overtaken by Conor Mainmoy and O'Brien, who fell upon him and killed a great number of his men. It was with much difficulty he escaped with the remnant of his army into Leinster.

Massacre of Sir John Birmingham and blind harper Mulrony Mac Carroll

Ireland · place · 1328

Among those massacred with Sir John Birmingham in 1328 was the renowned blind harper Mulrony Mac Carroll, described as chief minstrel of Ireland and Scotland, said to be unmatched by any timpanist of any age.

Read the passage

For centuries after the time of Giraldus music continued to be cultivated uninterruptedly, and there must have been an unbroken succession of great professional harpers. That they maintained their ancient pre-eminence down to the seventeenth century there is abundant evidence, both native and foreign, to prove. Among those who were massacred with Sir John Birmingham, in 1328, was the blind harper Mulrony Mac Carroll, ' chief minstrel of Ireland and Scotland,' ' of whom it's reported that no man in any age ever heard, or shall hereafter hear, a better timpanist (harper).' ^
The Scotch writer John Major, early in the sixteenth

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 12

Retreat to Innishannon and the fateful council

Innishannon · town · Cork · 1602

After the defeat at Kinsale the Irish chiefs retired with their broken army to Innishannon, where they held a council deciding that O'Donnell should sail to Spain for further help, leaving Rory O'Donnell in command of the Tirconnellian forces.

Read the passage

On the night following that fatal day the Irish chiefs retired with their broken army to Innishannon. Here they held a sad council, in which it was resolved that O'Donnell should proceed to Spain to solicit further help from king Philip, leaving his Tirconnellian forces in command of his brother Kory. And inasmuch as it was now the depth of winter, when another campaign was out of the question, it was decided to suspend active operations pending the issue of O'Donnell's mission. Accordingly O'Neill made a rapid retreat to Ulster, and Rory O'Donnell led his own men back to Sligo.
After the dispersal of the Irish army the lord dej^uty continued the siege vigorously. But Del Aguila lost heart and offered to surrender on honourable terms. The deputy was only too glad to end hostilities, and agreed to everything demanded ; for he anticipated another expedition from Spain, and he dreaded a continuance of the war in the weakened state of his army. Nine days after the battle, Del Aguila gave up possession of the town, marching forth with colours flying and drums beating, with all his arms, ammunition, and valuables ; and he agreed to surrender the castles of Castlehaven, Baltimore, and Dunboy. Mountjoy on his part agreed to convey him and his army back to Spain.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 69

St. Columbanus persecuted and expelled from Burgundy

near Bangor · town · Down · 610

St. Columbanus, trained at Bangor before travelling to the Continent, rebuked King Theodoric of Burgundy for his vices and as a result was persecuted and ultimately expelled in 610, largely through the influence of the king's grandmother Brunehild.

Read the passage

St. Columbaiius of Bobbio, one of the most illustrious men of the age in which he lived, was born in Leinster about the year 543, and while still a mere boy gave promise of great abilities. In early life he embraced the monastic state, and placed himself under the instruction of St. Comgall of Bangor, with whom he I'emained many years. He had a great ambition to carry a knowledge of the gospel to foreign countries : and accordingly he went to Burgundy about the year 590, with twelve companions, and journeying through France, preached the gospel with great success to the Gauls, then sunk in barbarism and vice. Sojourning for some time at Luxeuil, at the foot of the Vosges Mountains in France, his eloquence and holiness of life attracted round him many disciples — the greater number of them young noblemen — for whom he founded the two monasteries of Luxeuil and Fontaines. I have already spoken of his controversy with the continental ecclesiastics about the time of celebrating Easter (p. 170). He got into much more serious trouble by boldly rebuking Theodoric the king of Burgundy for his vices ; for which he was persecuted and ultimately expelled (in 610), chiefly through the influence of Theodoric's wicked old grandmother Brunehild, who had encouraged the prince in his vices. After many wanderings, during which he preached the gospel with undaunted courage, and wrote learned letters on various religious questions, he settled finally — in 613 — at Bobbio in Italy, among the Apennines, on a site granted to him by Agilulf king of the Lombards, by whom he was held in great honour. He died at Bobbio in 615, where he was buried. We have still extant a number of his writings — letters, sermons, poems, &c. — which show him to have been a good and holy man, full of genius and deeply versed in many branches of learning. As he was near fifty years of age when he went to the Continent, and as he had neither time nor opportunity to study during his active and stormy life there, he must have brought his great learning from the old monastery of Bangor.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 21

Ardagh chalice found buried under a stone in an old lis

Ardagh · town · Limerick

The elaborately ornamented Ardagh chalice was found a few years before writing, buried in the ground under a stone in an old lis at Ardagh, County Limerick. Nothing further is known of its history beyond this discovery.

Read the passage

The chalice, which is 7 inches high and 9^ inches in diameter, was found a few years ago buried in the ground under a stone in old lis at Ardagh, in the county Limerick. Beyond this nothing is known of its history. It is elaborately ornamented with designs in metal and enamel ; and, judging from its shape and from its admirable workmanship, it was probably made some short time before the tenth century.
The Tara brooch was found in 1850 by a child on the strand near Drogheda. It is ornamented all over with amber, glass, and enamel, and with the characteristic Irish filigree or interlaced work in metal. From its style of workmanship it seems obviously contemporaneous with the Ardagh chalice. In the old Irish romances we constantly read that the mantle of both men and women was fastened at the throat by a large ornamental brooch. Many of these old brooches are preserved, but the one now under notice is by far the most perfect and beautiful of all.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 13

Battle of Kells, Kilkenny - Mortimer slain

Kells · townland · Kilkenny · 1397

In 1397 a battle was fought at Kells in Kilkenny between the English and the Leinster clans, including a large contingent of Mac Murrogh's kern. The English suffered a great overthrow and Roger Mortimer, earl of March and heir to the English throne, was slain.

Read the passage

At last in a battle fought at Kells in Kilkenny in 1397 against the Leinster clans, amongst them a large contingent of Mac Murrogh's kern, the English suffered a great overthrow, and Mortimer was slain. ^ When news of this catastrophe reached King Richard he flew into a mighty rage ; and although things were at this time going on very badly for him in England, yet in the midst of all his troubles and dangers, he foolishly resolved on a second expedition to Ireland, in order, as he said, to avenge the death of his cousin, and especially to chastise Mac Murrogh.
Another army was got together quite as numerous as the former. Of this unfortunate expedition we have a very interesting account, written in verse by a French gentleman who accompanied the army of the king and was an eye-witness of all the proceedings. From this account, which I have closely followed, the details given here are chiefly taken. ^

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 42

Battle of Tara before Malachi's accession

Tara · parish · Meath · 979

The year before his accession, Malachi II defeated the Danes in a great battle at Tara, where vast numbers were slain, including Ranall, son of the Danish king of Dublin.

Read the passage

Donall was succeeded in 980 by Malachi II., or Malachi the Great as he is often called, the most distinofuished kingf who had reigned for many generations, second only to his great contemporary Brian Boru. The year before his accession he defeated the Danes in a great battle at Tar a, where vast numbers of them were slain, includingf Ranall son of Amlaff Cuaran the Danish king of Dublin. Following up his success he marched straight on Dublin, which he captured after a siege of three days, took immense booty, and liberated 2,000 captives, among whom was Donall Claen king of Leinster. And Malachi now issued his famous proclamation : ' Everyone of the Gael who is in the territory of the foreigners in service and bondage, let him go to his own territory in peace and happiness.' The Four Masters who record this proclamation, add : — ' This captivity was the Babylonian captivity of Ireland : it was next to the captivity of hell.' The great Danish king of Dublin, AmlafF Cuaran, was so heartbroken by this disaster that he left his kingdom to his son Sitric of the Silken Beard and went on a pilgrimage to lona, where he died.
"We shall now interrupt the regular course of our narrative in order to trace the career of the man who was destined to crush the power of the Danes for ever.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 22

Death of Archbishop Celsus at Ardpatrick and burial at Lismore

Ardpatrick · townland · Limerick · 1129

The saintly Celsus, archbishop of Armagh, died in 1129 at the monastery of Ardpatrick in Limerick while undertaking a journey of peacemaking, and was buried with great honour and solemnity at Lismore.

Read the passage

O'Briens proved formidable adversaries, and still retained at least nominal sway over the whole province. One of them — Conor of the Fortress — whom the Four Masters style ' supreme king of the two provinces of Munster,' not only disputed O'Conor's supremacy, but led several successful expeditions into the heart of Connaught. And thus the wretched country continued to be torn by feuds and broils : so that, as the Four Masters express it, Ireland was ' a trembling sod.' The good and saintly Celsus, archbishop of Armagh, undertook several journeys through the country endeavouring to make peace, and on one occasion— in 1126 — he remained absent from his see for thirteen months. During the last of these journeys of mercy he died in 1129 at the monastery of Ardpatrick in Limerick, and was buried with great honour and solemnity at Lismore.
Through all this turmoil, Turlogh O'Conor steadily advanced in power, though the O'Briens still valiantly maintained the struggle against him. Turlogh O'Brien who succeeded Conor of the Fortress in 1142 had an army of 9,000 trained men with which he overawed all Munster, made several incursions into Connaught and Leinster, and held his Connaught adversary well in check. At length O'Conor, determined on a final effort to crush him, marched south with an army of the men of Connaught, Meath, and Leinster, these last under their king Dermot Mac Murrogh, of whom more will be heard in next chapter.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 25

Death of Captain Malbie at Aughrim

Aughrim · parish · Galway · 1603

At Aughrim, captain Henry Malbie confronted O'Sullivan's exhausted band with superior forces, but was killed at the first onset when he sprang forward at the head of his men through a boggy pass.

Read the passage

addressing his famished and desperate little band of fighting men in a few encouraging words, placed them so that they were protected on all sides except the front, where the assailants had to advance on foot through a soft boggypass. Malbie, despising the fugitives, sprang forward at the head of his followers, but fell dead at the first onset. On rushed O'Sullivan and his men : it must be either victory or destruction ; and after a determined and bitter fight, they scattered their assailants, and freed themselves from that great and pressing danger.
Onwards over Slieve Mary near Castlekelly, and through the territory of Mac David Burke, where the people, headed by Mac David himself, harassed them all day long to prevent them from obtaining provisions. Near Ballinlouofh in the west of Roscommon thev concealed themselves in a thick wood, intending to pass the night there. But they got no rest : for a friendly messenger came to warn them that Mac David and his people were preparing to surround them in the morning and slay them all. So they resumed their march and toiled on wearily through the night in a tempest of sleet, splashing their way through melting snow, and in the morning found themselves pursued by Mac David, who however was cowed by their determined look, and did not dare to come to close quarters.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 71

As the companion tells it

As you pass through or near the parish of Aughrim in Galway, you are in the country where O'Sullivan's famished and desperate little band of fighting men faced Captain Henry Malbie and his superior forces in 1603. O'Sullivan placed his men so they were protected on all sides except the front, where the assailants had to advance on foot through a soft boggy pass. Malbie, despising the fugitives, sprang forward at the head of his followers, but fell dead at the first onset. On rushed O'Sullivan and his men, for it must be either victory or destruction, and after a determined and bitter fight they scattered their assailants and freed themselves from that great and pressing danger. From there O'Sullivan's band pressed onwards over Slieve Mary near Castlekelly, and through the territory of Mac David Burke, where the people harassed them all day long to prevent them from obtaining provisions. Near Ballinlough in the west of Roscommon they concealed themselves in a thick wood, intending to pass the night there, but a friendly messenger warned them that Mac David and his people were preparing to surround them in the morning and slay them all. So they resumed their march and toiled on wearily through the night in a tempest of sleet, splashing their way through melting snow.

De Courcy routed in the Newry valley

near Newry · town · Down · 1178

Returning from a plundering raid into Louth with a great prey of cattle, De Courcy was attacked in his encampment in the valley of the Newry river by the combined armies of Oriell and Ulidia, losing 450 men.

Read the passage

Notwithstanding this defeat and the discouragement caused by the prophecies, the Ulidians continued to offer the most determined resistance. The valiant De Courcy battled bravely through all his difiiculties, and three several times in this same year, 1177, he defeated in battle the people of the surrounding districts. But as time went on he met with many reverses, and he had quite enough to do to hold his ground. In the following year, 1178, he went on a plundering raid into Louth, and was returning with a great prey of cows, when he was attacked in his encampment in the valley of the Newry river by the armies of Oriell and Ulidia, and routed with the loss of 450 of his men. Soon after this — in the same year — he made an incursion into Dalaradia, when he was intercepted and defeated by the Dalaradian chief Cumee O'Flynn. He escaped from this battlefield with only eleven companions ; and having lost their horses, they fled on foot for two days and two nights, closely pursued, without food or sleep, till they reached a place of safety. But in several other battles he was victorious, so that as years went by he strengthened his position in Ulster ; and as opportunities offered he built many castles in suitable situations. When Prince John was recalled from Ireland in 1185 (p. 280), De
T

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 35

Destruction of Bangor monastery and massacre of clergy

near Bangor · town · Down · 823

In 823 the Vikings destroyed the great monastery of Bangor in Down, broke the shrine of the patron St. Comgall, and massacred the bishop and clergy there.

Read the passage

ten or eleven years. Soon after the accession of Concovar or Conor, who became king in 819, they began another series of inroads, a.d. 823, in which they plundered Cork Cloyne, and Begerin. They destroyed the great monastery of Bangor in Down, broke the shrine of the patron St. Comgall, and massacred the bishop and clergy : and in the same year they ruined and plundered the monastery of
Movilla in the same county. During the next ten years

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 22

Druidic fire-sacrifices at the Hill of Ward

Hill of Ward, Tlachtgha · hill or hills · Meath

At Tlachtga, now the Hill of Ward near Athboy in Meath, a yearly fire-festival began on the eve of Samin, during which druids burned sacrifices in the fire. While it burned, all other fires in Ireland were to be extinguished or covered.

Read the passage

The Aenach or Fair was an assembly of the people ot every class belonging to a district or province. Some fairs were annual ; some triennial. According to the most ancient traditions, many of these aeimclis — perhaps all — had their origin in funeral games ; and we know as a fact that the most important of them were held at ancient cemeteries, where kings, or renowned herops, or other noted personages — of history or legend — were buried. One was held at the great cemetery of Croghan in Connaught round the grave and monumental pillar-stone of King Dathi. A triennial fair was held at Carman or Wexford, which lasted for a week — the first week in August. At Tlachtga, now known as the Hill of Ward near Athboy in Meath, there was a yearly fire-festival beginning on the eve of Samin (1st November). In the fire kindled here the druids burned their sacrifices ; and while it lasted all other fires in Ireland were to be extinguished or covered. A fairmeeting was held in the month of May every year on the Hill of Ushnagh in Westmeath : and during this time it was the custom all through Ireland to light fires through which cattle were driven as a preservative for the coming year against disease. This old pagan custom of driving cattle through fire on May day, subsisted in some parts of the country within my own memory. The most remarkable of all those fairs was held yearly on the 1st August and the following days at Tailltenn, now Teltown on the Blackwater, midway between Navan and Kells. This was originally instituted — according to the old legend — by the Dedannan king Lugad of the Long Hand, in commemoration of his foster mother Tailltin from whom the place took its name. At all these places there are ancient cemeteries : at the three last named — Tlachtga, Ushnagh, and Tailltenn — Tuathal the Legitimate, king of Ireland in the second century, built three royal forts, selecting these sites no doubt on account of their celebrity from immemorial ages. Fairs of less importance were held in
» View of fJie State of Ireland, ed. 1809, p. 126.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 11

Fitzmaurice's humiliating submission at Kilmallock church

Kilmallock · townland · Limerick · 1573

Two days after sending word of submission, Fitzmaurice knelt in the ruined church of Kilmallock before the president, who held a naked sword at his breast, in a humiliating ceremony of surrender.

Read the passage

A small company of Scots had been serving as mercenaries under James Fitzmaurice. With these he crossed the country from the Galtys to Kerry in this same year (1572); but finding on his arrival that Castlemaine, his last stronghold, had been taken, he made his way back to Aherlow after indescribable perils and hardships. In October, the garrison which Perrot had left in Kilmallock surprised his party at night, and slew a number of his Scots. This blow crushed his spirit : he was worn out body and mind ; and on an intimation being sent to him that he would be pardoned if he promised loyalty, he sent to the president early in 1573 to proffer his submission. Two days later, in the ruined church of Kilmallock, he made his submission in humiliating fashion on bended knees before the president, who held a naked sword at the suppliant's breast. Soon after this he fled to France.
Some little time after the earl of Desmond and his brother had been sent to London the countess joined them, and remained with them during the rest of their stay. They were not imprisoned : they went at large on parole with a small allowance for support from the queen. But it was not near enough ; and all three were exposed to great privations, not having as much of their own as would buy them a pair of shoes. As the insurrection was now considered to be at an end, they were set free immediately after Fitzmaurice's submission, and returned to Ireland : but Desmond was forced to promise that he

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 55

Hugh Gaveloch hanged by the Earl of Tyrone

near Dungannon · town · Tyrone · 1590

Hugh Gaveloch, a son of Shane O'Neill who had accused the Earl of Tyrone of plotting with the Spaniards, was arrested by Tyrone on his return to Ireland, tried, and hanged.

Read the passage

Scarcely had this pleasant business ended when a son of Shane an Diomais O'Neill — Hugh Gaveloch or Hugh of the Fetters — appeared in London and openly accused the earl of plotting with the Spaniards to make war on the queen. Whereupon Tyrone was straightway brought before the council board to answer this serious charge ; but he simply denied it and was believed. How could a man who had promised to do so much for the government be disloyal ? After his return to Ireland one of his first acts was to arrest this Hugh Gaveloch ; and having put him to trial he had him hanged (1590). This brought angry expostulations from the authorities ; but he pleaded that he had merely, by virtue of his privilege of executing martial law, hanged a known traitor. And he stopped further inquiry on this and other doubtful proceedings by permitting Tyrone to be marked out into shire ground with Dungannon for its county town (1591).
At this time Sir Henry Bagenal, marshal of Ireland, had his headquarters at Newry, where his sister Mabel,

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 62

Mortal Wounding of Sir Thomas Norris at Kilteely

Kilteely · town · Limerick · 1599

Sir Thomas Norris, president of Munster, accidentally encountered Thomas Burke of Castleconnell's small party at Kilteely and was mortally wounded in the ensuing skirmish. He died a fortnight later at Mallow.

Read the passage

During the time Essex was in Caher, Sir Thomas Norris president of Munster, while waiting for him at Kilmallock, employed himself in scouring the district all round for the queen's enemies. In one of his excursions he accidentally encountered Thomas Burke of Castleconnell, at the head of a small party at Kilteely, and was mortally wounded in the skirmish that followed. He died in a fortnight after at Mallow.^
From Caher the earl marched to Limerick ; thence to Askeaton, where he strengthened and provisioned the garrison by throwing in supplies ; and next by Adare

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 66

Mountjoy's raid on Felim O'Byrne's house

Wicklow · townland · Wicklow · 1600

At Christmas Mountjoy made a sudden raid on the O'Byrnes of Wicklow, capturing Felim's wife and eldest son while the chief himself barely escaped through a window; the deputy then spent a month destroying cattle, houses and corn in the area.

Read the passage

The O'Byrnes ofWicklow, under their chief .Felim,the son of the old ' firebrand of the mountains,' had for some time been giving trouble, making nightly inroads down the hill-slopes towards Dublin. At Christmas time Mountjoy made a sudden raid on them, and coming unawares on Felim's house captured his wife and eldest son, the chief himself barely escaping through a window. Here the deputy remained a month driving away the cattle, and burning and destroying the houses and corn.
In the following year (1601) towards the end of May he set out from Dublin on another expedition to the north, and again encamped at Faughart. The Moyry Pass, which lay a little north of the camp, was in some way left unguarded by O'Neill ; and the watchful deputy, taking instant advantage of this, built a castle in the middle of it, in which he left a garrison of 200 men; so that this most dangerous pass was ever after open to him.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 68

O'Doherty imprisoned for two years, freed near death

Dublin · city · Dublin · 1588–1590

Sir John O'Doherty was thrown into prison in Dublin alongside O'Gallagher and was only released at the point of death after two years, and even then only after paying the deputy a heavy bribe.

Read the passage

self by every means in his power. He had not been long in office before he turned the whole of Ulster against the queen's government. Soon after his arrival, in 1588, some shipwrecked sailors belonging to the Armada were treated kindly by O'Ruarc of Brefney and by Mac Sweenyna-Doe. The deputy came to hear of this, and heard moreover what interested him a great deal more — that the Spaniards before re-embarking had buried a tremendous quantity of treasure somewhere near the shore. Without a moment's delay he hastened north, ' wishing,' as Cox expresses it, ' to have a finger in the pie.' But he found no treasure ; neither did he succeed in arresting O'Ruarc and Mac Sweeny, for they had fled on his approach. Enraged at this double disappointment, he seized without any provocation the first two chiefs that came to hand, Sir John O'Gallagher and Sir John O'Doherty, ' who,' as Cox says, ' were the best afi*ected to the State of all the Irish,' and threw them into prison in Dublin. O'Gallagher died of a broken heart in his dungeon, and at the end of two years O'Doherty was set free when at the point of death, and even then only on paying a heavy bribe to the deputy. ' This hard usage of two such Irish persons,' says Ware, ' caused a general dissatisfaction among the gentlemen of Ulster.' O'Ruarc escaped to Scotland, but was given up to the queen by the Scotch and executed soon after. But the deputy did much worse than even this. Hugh Mac Mahon of Farney in Monaghan had occasion to go to Dublin in 1589 to settle in the courts some matters connected with his succession ; when Fitzwilliam, before he would even hear the case, made him pay a bribe of 600 cows. Having settled the affair, he accompanied Mac Mahon in friendly guise to Monaghan, where he suddenly had the unfortunate chief put on his trial on a trumped-up charge, kept the jury without food till they brought in a verdict of guilty ; and had him executed at his own door. Then he proceeded to divide Mac Mahon's estate ; and everyone believed that he got heavy bribes from those to whom he gave the lands. ^ 1 Moryson, i. 24 ; Cox, 399,

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 62

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Dublin, you are moving through the city where Sir John O'Doherty and Sir John O'Gallagher were thrown into prison in 1588. The story begins with the wreck of the Armada that year. Some shipwrecked Spanish sailors were treated kindly by O'Ruarc of Brefney and by Mac Sweeny-na-Doe. The deputy heard of this, and heard something that interested him far more: that the Spaniards, before re-embarking, had buried a tremendous quantity of treasure near the shore. He hastened north, wanting, as Cox puts it, to have a finger in the pie. He found no treasure. He did not arrest O'Ruarc or Mac Sweeny either, for they had fled on his approach. Enraged at this double disappointment, he seized without provocation the first two chiefs that came to hand, Sir John O'Gallagher and Sir John O'Doherty, who, Cox says, were the best affected to the State of all the Irish, and threw them into prison in Dublin. O'Gallagher died of a broken heart in his dungeon. O'Doherty endured two years. He was set free only when he was at the point of death, and even then only on paying a heavy bribe to the deputy. Ware wrote that this hard usage of two such Irish persons caused a general dissatisfaction among the gentlemen of Ulster.

Philip of Worcester's Lenten raid on Armagh

near Armagh · town · Armagh · 1184

Philip of Worcester, newly appointed viceroy, raided Armagh during Lent, extorting an immense sum of money from the clergy while his soldiers plundered all they could seize.

Read the passage

The country still continued to be very much disturbed by the raids of the colonists, by the reprisals of the L'ish, and by the mutual quarrels of all. King Henry, rightly believing that it required only a strong hand to put an end to these destructive turmoils, determined at last to send bis son Prince John to govern the country, hoping that his presence would restore tranquillity. In order to prepare for his reception, the king, in 1184, sent over John Comyn, an Englishman, who had been appointed archbishop of Dublin on the death of St. Laurence O'Toole. And being still jealous of De Lacy and suspicious of his intentions, he removed him once more from the viceroyalty and appointed Philip of Worcester in his place. This man is described as a brave soldier and very liberal ; yet one of his first acts was a raid on Armagh during Lent, when he
Chap. VII. HUGH DE LACY: PEINCE JOHN 279

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 36

Sacking and burning of Kilmallock

Kilmallock · townland · Limerick · 1570

Fitzmaurice scaled the walls of Kilmallock before sunrise, plundered the town, then set it on fire, leaving the stately old capital a mere collection of blackened walls.

Read the passage

At the approach of winter Fitzmaurice, deserted now by so many of his confederates, retired to the inaccessible fastnesses of the Galtys, and established himself in the great wooded glen of Aherlow. It never entered into his head to yield. On the contrary he renewed the war early next year (1570) by suddenly appearing before Kilmallock, which had been held by an English garrison ever since the arrest of Desmond (p. 422). Scaling the walls before sunrise, he plundered the town ; after which he set it on fire and retired to Aherlow, leaving the stately old capital a mere collection of blackened walls.
The reckless and overbearing conduct of president Fitton roused the people of Connaught to resistance everywhere : even Conor O'Brien earl of Thomond, hitherto the friend of the English, was driven to revolt, and Fitton had to fly for life, pursued as far as Galway by the enraged earl. But the deputy Sydney intervened, and the earl was in his turn forced to fly to France. Here through the mediation of the English ambassador Norris wdth the queen, he obtained his pardon ; after which he returned to Ireland and again became a loyal subject. Meantime Connaught, under Fitton's rule, continued as disturbed as ever ; and a bloody battle was fought in the summer of this year (1570) at Shrule on the borders of Galway, by * Richey, Short History, p. 516,

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 55

Siege of Dublin during plague

Dublin · city · Dublin · 1534

Lord Thomas led a large rebel force to Dublin's walls; the city, weakened by a recent plague, admitted him on promise of protection before he besieged the castle.

Read the passage

Collecting a large force of the Irish septs of the Pale, Lord Thomas led them to the walls of Dublin. The city had been lately weakened by a plague, so that the inhabitants could offer no effectual resistance ; and on promise of protection for themselves and their property, they admitted him. He then laid siege to the castle, which still remained in the hands of the authorities, and to which several of the leading citizens, including archbishop Allen, had retired on the first appearance of danger.
The archbishop, having good reason to dread the Geraldines, for he had always been bitterly hostile to them, attempted during the siege to make his escape by night in a vessel that lay in the Liffey. But the vessel got stranded at Clontarf ; and the archbishop, who had taken refuge at Howth, was discovered by the rebels, dragged from his bed, and brought half-naked to Artaine to the presence of Lord Thomas and his uncles. There has been some difference of opinion as to how far the young nobleman was responsible for what followed ; but the account given by Cox, who was no friend either to the Geraldines or to the L'ish, may probably be regarded as correct. Cox states that the archbishop threw himself on his knees and implored mercy. Lord Thomas, having compassion for him , but assuming an appearance of sternness, turned aside, saying, in Irish, ' Take away the clown,' meaning that he was to be taken away in custody. But the servants, wilfully misconstruing their master's words, murdered the archbishop in the very act of supplicating mercy. ^ This .fearful crime, which would have sealed the fate of the rebellion even if there had been any chance of success, brought a sentence of excommunication against Lord Thomas and his followers. A copy was sent to the earl in the Tower, but it is doubtful if he ever saw it ; for on first

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 47

As the companion tells it

As the road takes you through Dublin, this is the city where, in 1534, Lord Thomas gathered a large force of the Irish septs of the Pale and led them to its walls. Dublin had lately been weakened by a plague, so the inhabitants could offer no effectual resistance. On a promise of protection for themselves and their property, they admitted him. He then laid siege to the castle, which still remained in the hands of the authorities. Several leading citizens, including Archbishop Allen, had retired to the castle on the first appearance of danger. The archbishop had good reason to dread the Geraldines, for he had always been bitterly hostile to them. During the siege he attempted to escape by night in a vessel that lay in the Liffey. But the vessel got stranded at Clontarf. The archbishop took refuge at Howth, but the rebels discovered him there, dragged him from his bed, and brought him half-naked to Artaine, to the presence of Lord Thomas and his uncles. There has been some difference of opinion as to how far the young nobleman was responsible for what followed. The account given by Cox, who was no friend either to the Geraldines or to the Irish, may probably be regarded as correct. Cox states that the archbishop threw himself on his knees and implored mercy. Lord Thomas, having compassion for him but assuming an appearance of sternness, turned aside, saying, in Irish, 'Take away the clown,' meaning that he was to be taken away in custody. But the servants, wilfully misconstruing their master's words, murdered the archbishop in the very act of supplicating mercy. This fearful crime, which would have sealed the fate of the rebellion even if there had been any chance of success, brought a sentence of excommunication against Lord Thomas and his followers. A copy was sent to the earl in the Tower, but it is doubtful if he ever saw it.

St. Kevin dies at Glendalough after founding its monastery

Glendalough · electoral division · Wicklow · 618

St. Kevin retired to the lonely valley of Glendalough where he founded his chief monastic establishment and governed as abbot until his death in 618. After his death a city grew up in the valley around the many churches later built there.

Read the passage

St. Kevin of Glendalough belonged to one of the leading families of Leinster, where he was born early in the sixth century. He was carefully educated by his parents, who were Christians, and having been ordained priest, he retired to the lonely valley of Glendalough, where he founded his chief establishment some time in the first half of the century. He governed here as abbot till his death, which took place a.d, 618. After the death of the founder many churches were built in the valley ; and a city arose there which became a bishop's see and remained so till a.d. 1214, when it was annexed to the see of Dublin. The place now contains a most interesting group of ecclesiastical ruins, scattered over the lower part of the valley, including several churches, two round towers, and some crosses ; the whole group is commonly called the Seven Churches of Glendalough.
St. Colman of Cloyne, the son of Lenin, was descended from the kings of Munster, and was born early in the sixth century. In his youth he was a poet attached to the court of the king of Cashel : but having resolved to devote his life to religion he went to the school of St. larlath at Tuam ; and after some time he founded Cloyne, of which he became the first bishop : died in 604. Cloyne is still a bishop's see, and contains some interesting ruins, among them a fine round tower.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 21

Ambush and Capture of the Baron of Delvin at Ralian

Rahan · parish · Offaly · 1528

During a parley between O'Conor of Offaly and the baron of Delvin at Ralian in King's County, O'Conor's followers who had been lying in ambush suddenly rushed out, killing several of the baron's people and carrying off Delvin himself as a captive.

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enraged O'Conor and made matters worse. A conference was arranged between him and Delvin at Ralian in King's County : and while the parley was going on a party of O'Conor's followers who had been lying in ambush suddenly rushed out, attacked the baron's people, several of whom were killed in the fray, and carried off the baron himself captive.^
This outrage caused intense alarm and indignation ; and Pierce Roe — now the earl of Ossory, having lately changed his title — was appointed vice-deputy. He exerted himself to obtain the release of Lord Delvin : but O'Conor, knowing his own strength and the weakness of the government, took a high stand, and insisted on the restoration of his black rent and the payment of ransom for the imprisoned baron as conditions of his release : to which Ossory was forced to agree.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 46

Battle of Connor Near Ballymena

Connor · townland · Antrim · 1315

Edward Bruce overtook the retreating Red Earl of Ulster at the village of Connor near Ballymena, where after a furious contest the Earl was utterly defeated, losing a great part of his army, with his brother and knights taken prisoner.

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The Bed Earl, finding himself weakened by this defection, retreated eastwards, but was overtaken by Bruce at the village of Connor near Ballymena ; where after a furious contest he was utterly defeated, losing a great part of his army. His brother William and several English knights were taken prisoners, and he himself fled back crestfallen to Connaught, with the broken remnants of his forces. A body of the English fled eastwards to Carrickfergus and took possession of the castle, which they gallantly defended for months against the Scots. Soon after the battle Bruce hadhimself proclaimed king of Ireland and formally crowned.
Towards the end of the year he received some reinforcements from Scotland, and having vainly endeavoured to take Carrickfergus Castle, he left a small party to carry on the siege and marched into Meath. At Kells he routed an army of 15,000 men under Sir Roger Mortimer, who had come over from England to defend his Irish lands. The De Lacys, who had been in the English army, stood by and took no part in the fight, and soon afterwards they openly joined the Scots, x^fter the battle the victorious general proceeded with his army to Lough Sewdy,

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 40

Battle of Killineer near Drogheda

Killineer · townland · Louth · 869

In 869 King Aed Finnliath defeated the Danes in a battle at Killineer, two miles northwest of Drogheda, where great numbers fell including Carlus, son of the Danish king of Dublin; the Danes were treacherously aided by the king's own nephew, who was killed in the rout.

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Aed or Hugh Finnliath, who succeeded Malachi in 860, routed the Danes in several battles, after one of which — on the shore of Lough Foyle (in 86G) — twelve score of their heads were piled in a heap before the king. A little later — in 869 — he defeated them in a battle at Killineer, two miles north-west from Drogheda ; where great numbers of them fell, among whom was Carlus son of Amlaff I. king of Dublin. In this battle the Danes were traitorously aided by Hugh's nephew Flann, king of the Keenaght of Meath, who was killed in the rout after the fight.
Hugh Finnliath was succeeded in 879 by Malachi's son Flann Sinna, who married Hugh's widow Mailmara, the daughter of Kenneth Mac Alpine king of Scotland. For 40 years — from 875 to 915 — a period nearly coincident with Flann's reign, the Danes sent no new swarms to Ireland, and the country was comparatively free from their ravages ; though those already in the country held their

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 22

Death of Murkertagh of the Leather Cloaks at Ardee

Ardee · townland · Louth · 943

Murkertagh of the Leather Cloaks, a celebrated warrior prince who waged incessant war against the Vikings, was killed in 943 in a skirmish at Ardee by Blacar the Dane.

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But Murkertagh was not destined to be king of Ireland. He was killed in 943 in an obscure skirmish at Ardee by Blacar the Dane, dying as he had lived, in conflict with the enemies of his country.
King Congalach who succeeded Donogh in 944 defeated the Norsemen twice at Dublin : on the first occasion — in 943, the year before his accession — he reduced the city to ruin, and carried the Danish inhabitants into bondage, except a few who fled in their ships to the island of Dalkey ; and on the second (948), he slew 1,600 of them together with their leader Blacar, the very chief who had killed Murkertagh five years before. Yet the Irish, though often capturing Dublin, never attempted to keep it permanently ; and the Danes always regained or were left in possession of it. Eight years later (956) he invaded Leinster — why we are not told. The Leinstermen, when they found themselves unable to expel him, sent word to Amlaff the

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 22

Death Penalty for Lighting Fire Before the Festival Fire of Tara

Tara · parish · Meath

According to the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick, no payment of gold or silver could save a person who lit a fire before the lighting of the festival fire of Tara — such a person was to be put to death. This shows that capital punishment, though rare in Brehon law, was claimed by kings for certain sacred offences.

Read the passage

Ireland. Capital punisliment was not unknown, however ; kings claimed the right to put persons to death for certain crimes. Thus we are told, in the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick,^ that neither gold nor silver would be accepted from him who lighted a fire before the lighting of the festival fire of Tara, but he should be put to death. It would seem, both from the ancient Introduction to the Senchus Mor and from the Lives of St. Patrick, that the early Christian missionaries attempted without success to introduce capital punishment for murder.
The fine for homicide, or for bodily injury of any kind, was called eric [errick] : the amount was adjudged by a brehon. Many modifying circumstances had to be taken into account — the actual injury, the rank of the parties, the intention of the wrong-doer, the provocation, the amount of set-off claims, &c. — so that the settlement demanded great skill and tact on the part of the brehon. The principles on which these awards should be made are laid down in great detail in the Book of Acaill. The eric for murder was double that for simple manslaughter (or homicide without intent), ' for fines are doubled by malice aforethought.' ^ The man who killed a native freeman paid the amount of his own honour-price, and seven cumals(p. 71) for the homicide itself (or double if of malice). This will give some idea of the standard adopted, it being understood that the total fine was higher or lower according to the rank of the parties.

Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 8

A short history of Ireland from the earliest times to 1608

The stories, best first

O'Gallagher dies of a broken heart in a Dublin dungeon

Patrick's landing at Lecale and founding of Saul

Roscrea fair ambushed and Vikings routed

Spanish landing and garrisons at Kinsale

Surprise and execution of galloglasses in Glen of Aherlow

Well of blood bursts forth at St. Fechin's penitential bed, Cong

Burning of Crumlin and theft of the church's leaden roof

Danes take refuge on Scattery Island

Amputation of O'Donnell's frostbitten toes at Ballyshannon

Archbishop Allen discovered and captured at Howth

Battle at the ford of Culuan on the Erne near Belleek

Battle of Callan - O'Carroll and 800 followers killed

Battle of Downpatrick and Death of Brian O'Neill

Blockade of Dublin fails at Kilmainham

Colonel Randolph's Death and Plague at Derry

Defeat and heavy losses of Strongbow's army at Thurles

Desmond Arrested at Kilmallock

Fatal Combat at the Battle Near Drumflugh

Fitzmaurice's quartered body displayed at Kilmallock

King Laeghaire buried standing at Tara facing his foes

Massacre of captives at Singland

Monks expelled and monastery of Donegal occupied by soldiers

O'Byrne's wife sentenced to be burned alive for treason

O'Neill's camp at Belgooly before the battle

Pile of heads at Lough Foyle after battle

Repeated Viking sackings of Armagh

Rory Oge O'Moore's night raid and burning of Naas

St Patrick's death at Saul and burial at Downpatrick

The Roaring Stone of Tara

Turgesius sacks Armagh three times and usurps the see

Young Gerald sick with small-pox at Donore

Beheading of Dermot O'Conor Donn near Gort

Burial of Cormac Mac Cullenan at Castledermot

Danish plunder of Fore monastery and violation of sanctuary

De Courcy's retreat and burning of Ballysadare

Massacre of Sir John Birmingham and blind harper Mulrony Mac Carroll

Retreat to Innishannon and the fateful council

St. Columbanus persecuted and expelled from Burgundy

Ardagh chalice found buried under a stone in an old lis

Battle of Kells, Kilkenny - Mortimer slain

Battle of Tara before Malachi's accession

Death of Archbishop Celsus at Ardpatrick and burial at Lismore

Death of Captain Malbie at Aughrim

De Courcy routed in the Newry valley

Destruction of Bangor monastery and massacre of clergy

Druidic fire-sacrifices at the Hill of Ward

Fitzmaurice's humiliating submission at Kilmallock church

Hugh Gaveloch hanged by the Earl of Tyrone

Mortal Wounding of Sir Thomas Norris at Kilteely

Mountjoy's raid on Felim O'Byrne's house

O'Doherty imprisoned for two years, freed near death

Philip of Worcester's Lenten raid on Armagh

Sacking and burning of Kilmallock

Siege of Dublin during plague

St. Kevin dies at Glendalough after founding its monastery

Ambush and Capture of the Baron of Delvin at Ralian

Battle of Connor Near Ballymena

Battle of Killineer near Drogheda

Death of Murkertagh of the Leather Cloaks at Ardee

Death Penalty for Lighting Fire Before the Festival Fire of Tara