A short history of Ireland from the earliest times to 1608

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

1. Suffering of the Derry garrison

   Derry · street · Tipperary · 1600

   The English garrison at Derry, closely invested by O'Donnell, suffered great losses from death, bad food, sickness and hardship before Niall Garve's defection relieved them.

   Read the passage

   It was a lucky moment for the English that he did so, for the garrison, cooped up and closely invested by O'Donnell, had lost great numbers by death, and the men » Carew Fciijers, 1589-1600, p. 431.

   518 INSUREECTION, CONFISCATION, PLANTATION Part IV.

   Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 68

2. Week-long obsequies for St. Senan at Scattery Island

   Scattery Island · townland · Clare · 560

   When St. Senan died at his monastery on Scattery Island in the Shannon, clergy from all the neighbouring districts gathered to honour his memory, and his funeral rites were celebrated for an entire week.

   Read the passage

   St. Kieran of Clonmacnoise visited him here, and remained some time under his instructions. At his death, which occurred probably about 560, the clergy of all the neighbouring districts gathered to Scattery to honour his memory, and his obsequies were celebrated for an entire week. Scattery Island contains one of the most interesting groups of ecclesiastical ruins in Ireland, consisting of six or seven churches and a perfect round tower.

   St. Brendan of Birr belonged to a distinguished family of Munster. In his youth he was educated at St. Finnen's school of Clonard, where he formed friendship with St. Columkille, the two Kierans, and Brendan of Clonfert. About the middle of the sixth century he founded a monastery at Birr, which he governed till his death in 573.

   Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 21

3. Battle near Slievenamon against the Danes

   near Slievenamon · mountain or mountain range · Tipperary · 916

   In 916 King Niall Glunduff marched south with a detachment to aid the Munstermen, and the combined army fought a battle against the Norsemen near Slievenamon in south Tipperary, with great loss on both sides before the Danes were routed.

   Read the passage

   cesser of Flann, Ireland again began to suffer from the Danish irruptions. The Irish now — probably under the influence of this brave and spirited king Niall — showed a disposition to combine against them. The king, in the year of his accession, marched south at the head of a detachment of the Hy Neill to aid the Munstermen ; and the combined army fought a battle against the Norsemen in the south of Tipperary — near Slievenamon — in which after great loss on both sides, the Danes were routed. But in this same year they defeated the king of Leinster at a place called Kenn-Fuat near the coast of Leinster, where fifty Irish chiefs fell, with 600 of their men.

   In the third year of Niall's reign a new fleet arrived in Dublin Bay ; and the Danish army formed an encampment at Kilmashoge near Rathfarnham. Here they were attacked by the heroic king Niall, and an obstinate and bloody battle was fought (in 919) in which the Irish suffered a disastrous defeat ; the king was slain, and with hira fell twelve princes and a great part of the nobles of the north of Ireland. Donogh the son of Flann Sinna succeeded Niall, and in the second year of his reign — in 920 — he avenged the battle of Kilmashoge by defeating and slaughtering the Danes on the plain of Bregia north of Dublin.

   Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 22

4. Burning of Trim and Dunboyne

   Trim · town · Meath · 1534–1535

   Lord Thomas and O'Conor Faly invaded Meath and burned the towns of Trim and Dunboyne along with the surrounding territory.

   Read the passage

   As time went on, O'Conor Faly, O'Moore, and O'Carroll — three powerful chiefs — ^joined his standard ; and he had on his side also O'Neill of Tyrone, and O'Brien of Thomond. But many other Irish chiefs, in and around the Pale as well as elsewhere, refused to commit themselves to so desperate an enterprise. He and O'Conor Faly now invaded Meath, and burned Trim, Dunboyne, and the surrounding territory.

   Soon after the breaking out of the rebellion, when news reached the king, he appointed Sir William Skeffington lord deputy. But Skeffington delayed coming over for several months ; and when at last he arrived with a small company of 500 men, he was ill — so ill that he could do nothing ; and the rebels wasted and burned the English settlemeuts without opposition.

   Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 47

   As the companion tells it

   You are coming through Trim in Meath. In 1534 Lord Thomas, in rebellion, joined with O'Conor Faly and invaded Meath, burning Trim and Dunboyne and the surrounding territory. The king appointed Sir William Skeffington lord deputy, but he delayed for months and arrived with only 500 men, fell ill, and could do nothing. The rebels burned the English settlements without opposition.

5. Devastation of Glendalough by Danish raids

   Glendalough · electoral division · Wicklow · 830–1016

   Glendalough was plundered and devastated by the Danes on multiple occasions across more than a century and a half, in 830, 833, 886, 977, 982, 984, 985, and 1016.

   Read the passage

   Glendalough : plundered and devastated in 830, 833, 886, 977, 982, 984, 985, 1016.

   Clonard: plundered and devastated in 838, 887, 888, 996, 1012, 1016, 1020.

   Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 28

6. Milesian battle at Slieve Mish near Tralee

   Slieve Mish · monument · Antrim

   After landing in Ireland, the Milesians fought a battle against the Dedannans at Slieve Mish near Tralee, in which the Dedannans were defeated, allowing the Milesians to take possession of the country.

   Read the passage

   perished, and the remaining three, Eremon, Eber-Finn, and Amergin, landed with the remnant of their people. Soon afterwards two battles were fought, one at Slieve Mish near Tralee, and the other at Tailltenn, now Teltown on the Blackwater in Meath, in which the Dedannans were defeated ; and the Milesians took possession of the country. The two brothers Eber-Finn and Eremon now (a.m. 3501) divided Ireland, Eber-Finn taking the two Munsters and Eremon Leinster and Connaught. And they gave Ulster to their nephew Eber, son of their brother Ir who had perished in the magic storm. As for Amergin, he, being a seer, got no land for himself; but he was made chief brehon and poet of the kingdom. From that time forward Ireland was ruled by a succession of Milesian monarchs till the reign of Roderick O'Conor who was the last native over-king.

   Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 16

7. St. Carthach's Death and Burial at Lismore

   Lismore · townland · Waterford · 637

   St. Carthach, founder of the great monastic school at Lismore, died in 637 and was buried there. Lismore became a renowned bishop's see and university city under his influence.

   Read the passage

   Through some local jealousies he and his monks were expelled from Rahan in 632 by Blathmac, afterwards king of Ireland. In his subsequent wanderings he was received everywhere with great respect ; and at last he settled down at Lismore. This at once became a bishop's see, and- as a school it soon attained extraordinary celebrity. It was indeed a university, and was crowded with students not only from Ireland, but from Britain and the Continent. Carthach died in 637 and was buried at Lismore.

   St. Molaissi [Molash'a] or Laserian of Leighlin was born in Ulster in the latter part of the sixth century ; his father was a nobleman named Cairell, and his mother Gemma was the daughter of Aidan, one of the Dalriadic kings of Scotland. It is stated that he lived in Rome for fourteen years, and that he was ordained by Pope Gregory the Great. After his return to Ireland he settled in Leighlin in a monastery that had been founded some time before. Here he attained to great eminence, so that he had 1,500 monks under his charge. Having returned from a second visit to Rome, he attended the meetings held to determine the time for Easter, and strongly advocated the Roman method of computation, but was opposed by St. Fintan of Taghmon. This distinguished man died in 639, and was buried in his own church at Leighlin. This place, now Oldleighlin, is in co. Carlow.

   Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 21

8. St. Mobhi of Glasnevin dies of the yellow plague

   Glasnevin · townland · Dublin · 545

   St. Mobhi, founder of the monastery and school at Glasnevin near Dublin, died in 545 of the terrible yellow plague. His establishment on the banks of the Tolka continued for centuries after his death.

   Read the passage

   ment, which consisted of a little church with a number of huts or cells for residences, was situated on both banks of the river Tolka near the present bridge at Glasnevin : but every vestige has long since disappeared. St. Mobhi died in 545 of the terrible yellow plague (p. 151). The monastery flourished for more than 300 years afterwards, for the annalists record the death of an abbot of Glasnevin in 882.

   Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 21

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere around here, St. Mobhi founded a monastery and school on the banks of the Tolka. He died in 545 of the terrible yellow plague. His establishment, a little church with cells for residences, stood on both banks of the river near the present bridge at Glasnevin, but every vestige has long since disappeared. The monastery flourished for more than 300 years afterwards, for the annalists record the death of an abbot of Glasnevin in 882.

9. Battle of North Moytura near Sligo

   Sligo · town · Sligo

   Twenty-seven years after South Moytura, the Dedannans defeated the Fomorians in battle at North Moytura near Sligo, slaying all their chief men. The plain remains covered with mounds and cromlechs, relics of the battle.

   Read the passage

   The Fomorians still continued to plague the country ; and twenty-seven years after the battle of South Moytura, a battle was fought between them and the Dedannans at North Moytura near Sligo, where the Fomorians were defeated and all their chief men slain. The two plains of Moytura are well known, and both are covered all over

   Chap. I. LEGENDS OF THE EAELY COLONIES 127

   Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 16

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Sligo, you are near North Moytura, where the Dedannans fought the Fomorians. This battle came 27 years after South Moytura. The Dedannans won, and all the chief men of the Fomorians were slain. The plain is still covered with mounds and cromlechs from that battle.

10. Palladius expelled from Wicklow after founding three churches

    Wicklow · townland · Wicklow · 431

    Palladius landed in the present county of Wicklow but his mission was unsuccessful; after founding three little churches he was expelled by Nathi, chief of the district, and soon after died in Scotland.

    Read the passage

    Palladius landed in the present county of Wicklow ; but his mission was not successful ; for after a short sojourn, during which he founded three little churches, he was expelled by Nathi, chief of the district ; and_soon after he died in Scotland.

    The next mission had very different results. ' Although Christianity was not propagated in Ireland by the blood of martyrs, there is no instance of any other nation that universally received it in as short a space of time as the Irish did ; ' ^ and in the whole history of Christianity we do not find a missionary more successful than St.

    Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 18

11. Plunder of Movilla monastery

    Movilla · townland · Down · 823

    In the same year as the Bangor attack, 823, the Vikings ruined and plundered the monastery of Movilla in County Down.

    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

12. Clonard repeatedly plundered by Danes

    Clonard · town · Meath · 838–1020

    The ecclesiastical settlement of Clonard was plundered and devastated in 838, 887, 888, 996, 1012, 1016, and 1020 during the Danish raids.

    Read the passage

    Clonard: plundered and devastated in 838, 887, 888, 996, 1012, 1016, 1020.

    Clonmacnoise : plundered in 838 (with the whole line of religious houses along the Shannon) : again four times in nine years ending 845 ; and at frequent intervals afterwards.

    Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 28

    As the companion tells it

    Up ahead is Clonard in Meath. This was an ecclesiastical settlement, and the Danes plundered and devastated it in 838, 887, 888, 996, 1012, 1016, and 1020.

13. Earl of Tyrone dies in captivity in Dublin

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1553–1559

    Conn Bacach O'Neill, earl of Tyrone, was detained in Dublin from 1553 following renewed family feuding, and died there in captivity in 1559.

    Read the passage

    though not till he had engaged not to make war on the baron of Dungannon or on any other of the adherents of the government.^ But scarce had he arrived home when he and his sons wrangled and fought, so that a large district round Armagh was turned into a wilderness. To end this the earl and countess were brought once more to Dublin in 1553, where they were retained till the earl's death in 1559. And the deputy sent soldiers north to restore quiet; but — as the State Paper expresses it — ' that country was not amended but reduced to a worse state than before.'

    Shane now got mixed up — to his own loss — in a bitter family feud among the O'Donnells. Manus O'Donnell chief of Tirconnell, and his eldest son Calvagh, had been at war with each other for some time ; and at last Calvagh, aided by the Scots, defeated the old man in 1555, placed him in captivity, and made himself chief instead. Two years later (1557) O'Neill collected a large army of Irish and English to invade Tirconnell, hoping to bring the whole of Ulster under his sway, or as he said himself, ' that there should be but one king in Ulster for the future.' Being joined by Calvagh's brother Hugh, who seems to have been exasperated at the ill treatment of his father, he marched westwards and finally pitched his camp at Balleeghan on the shore of Lough Swilly, in the heart of Tirconnell.

    Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 52

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Dublin, you are travelling through the city where Conn Bacach O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, spent his final years as a prisoner. He had been released on condition he would not make war on the baron of Dungannon or any adherents of the government, but once home he and his sons wrangled and fought so fiercely that a large district round Armagh was turned into a wilderness. To end the disorder, the earl and countess were brought back to Dublin in 1553 and held there until the earl's death in 1559. The deputy sent soldiers north to restore quiet after him, but in the words of the State Paper, 'that country was not amended but reduced to a worse state than before.' His captivity did not settle Ulster; if anything, the feuding only deepened after he was gone.

14. Skirmish check at Belfast

    near Belfast · city · Antrim · 1552

    During Croft's march north against Shane O'Neill, his advance party suffered a severe check at Belfast at the hands of one of Shane's adherents, part of the ongoing conflict that devastated Ulster.

    Read the passage

    Croft now undertook to reduce the young rebel chief to obedience, and it came to open war : the deputy and the baron on the one side, against Shane and his adherents on the other. Croft made three several attempts in Ulster in quick succession, and failed in all. He first, in 1551, sent an expedition of four ships to attack the Scots of Rathlin Island — the Mac Donnells, who were Shane's allies; but they unexpectedly fell on his army and destroyed them utterly, only one man escaping alive, who was taken prisoner and afterwards ransomed. "-^ Again, the following year, he marched north, but his advance party received a severe check at Belfast by one of Shane's adherents ; and Matthew on his way to join the deputy was surprised at night by Shane himself, and routed with heavy loss. His third attempt was made in the autumn of the same year (1552) ; but the only injury he was able to inflict, a serious one for the poor people, was to destroy a great extent of standing corn.^ These hostilities went on till a great part of Ulster became waste. Still O'Neill showed not the least disposition to yield. On the contrary, the authorities complain that when they went to ' parle ' with him (in 1553) they ' found nothing in Shane but pride and stubbornness.' "* At last they thought it as well to let him alone, and for five or six years after this no serious attempt was made to reduce him.

    Meantime the earl was released at the end of 1552,

    Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 52

15. St. Molaissi's Death and Burial at Leighlin

    Oldleighlin · parish · Carlow · 639

    St. Molaissi (Laserian) of Leighlin, who had advocated the Roman method for calculating Easter, died in 639 and was buried in his own church at Leighlin, now Oldleighlin.

    Read the passage

    St. Molaissi [Molash'a] or Laserian of Leighlin was born in Ulster in the latter part of the sixth century ; his father was a nobleman named Cairell, and his mother Gemma was the daughter of Aidan, one of the Dalriadic kings of Scotland. It is stated that he lived in Rome for fourteen years, and that he was ordained by Pope Gregory the Great. After his return to Ireland he settled in Leighlin in a monastery that had been founded some time before. Here he attained to great eminence, so that he had 1,500 monks under his charge. Having returned from a second visit to Rome, he attended the meetings held to determine the time for Easter, and strongly advocated the Roman method of computation, but was opposed by St. Fintan of Taghmon. This distinguished man died in 639, and was buried in his own church at Leighlin. This place, now Oldleighlin, is in co. Carlow.

    St. Fursa of Peronne and his brothers Foillan and TJltan. These three saints, who are remembered in England and France as well as in Ireland, were sons of Fintan who was son of Finloga prince of South Munster. Fursa, the eldest, was

    Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 21

16. Turlogh O'Brien routed near Ardee

    Ardee · townland · Louth · 1075

    When Turlogh O'Brien attempted to reduce the Ulstermen, they defeated him in 1075 almost at the threshold of their province, near Ardee, forcing him into a hasty retreat south.

    Read the passage

    Turlogh O'Brien was now free ; for during his foster father's lifetime he had abstained from making any claim outside Munster. Without delay he marched north from Kincora and forced the kings and chiefs of all the other provinces and minor states, except Ulster, to acknowledge his authority. But when he attempted to reduce the Ulstermen they defeated him, in 1075, almost on the threshold of their province — near Ardee — so that he had to make a hasty retreat south.

    But Turlogh had in him some of the spirit of his grandfather, and was not easily turned aside from his purpose. He now made deliberate preparations for the complete subjugation of the other provinces, hoping to reduce Ulster in due course. First marching into Connaught, in 1079 he expelled Rory O'Conor. Next year he proceeded to Leinster and forced Meath and Dublin to submit ; and having banished the Danish king Godfred, he made his own son Murkertagh or Murtogh king of Dublin. And some say that he ultimately forced Ulster to submit and pay him tribute.

    Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 25

17. Armagh district turned to wilderness by O'Neill family feud

    near Armagh · town · Armagh · 1552–1553

    After the earl of Tyrone's release from captivity, he and his sons fell to wrangling and fighting, devastating a large district around Armagh and turning it into a wilderness, requiring the earl's forced return to Dublin.

    Read the passage

    though not till he had engaged not to make war on the baron of Dungannon or on any other of the adherents of the government.^ But scarce had he arrived home when he and his sons wrangled and fought, so that a large district round Armagh was turned into a wilderness. To end this the earl and countess were brought once more to Dublin in 1553, where they were retained till the earl's death in 1559. And the deputy sent soldiers north to restore quiet; but — as the State Paper expresses it — ' that country was not amended but reduced to a worse state than before.'

    Shane now got mixed up — to his own loss — in a bitter family feud among the O'Donnells. Manus O'Donnell chief of Tirconnell, and his eldest son Calvagh, had been at war with each other for some time ; and at last Calvagh, aided by the Scots, defeated the old man in 1555, placed him in captivity, and made himself chief instead. Two years later (1557) O'Neill collected a large army of Irish and English to invade Tirconnell, hoping to bring the whole of Ulster under his sway, or as he said himself, ' that there should be but one king in Ulster for the future.' Being joined by Calvagh's brother Hugh, who seems to have been exasperated at the ill treatment of his father, he marched westwards and finally pitched his camp at Balleeghan on the shore of Lough Swilly, in the heart of Tirconnell.

    Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 52

18. Plague raging in Dublin and the Pale

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1575

    When Sydney returned as deputy in 1575, he found the plague raging in Dublin and throughout the Pale while rebellion was seething through the rest of the kingdom.

    Read the passage

    Sir Henry Sydney came to Ireland as deputy for the third time in September 1575. He found the country in a deplorable state, and the English if possible worse than the natives ; for the plague was raging in Dublin and all through the Pale, while rebellion was seething throughout the rest of the kingdom. He set out on a military progress through the provinces ; and going first to Ulster received the submission of Turlogh Lynnagh and other Ulster chiefs ; after which he proceeded through Manster and Connaught. At Dungarvan the earl of Desmond came to him and made his peace. Sydney remained for six weeks in Cork, where he spent the Christmas ; after which, at the opening of the new year (1576), he proceeded through Limerick to Galway. Both in Cork and Galway a large number of the leading gentry, Irish and Anglo-Irish, wearied out with the perpetual state of turmoil, expressed to him their anxious desire that all should be placed under the protection of English law ; but this request, like others of the same kind in former times (p. 298 supra)^ came to nothing. During this journey also he was as free of the rope as before, causing great numbers of malefactors to be hanged.

    Clanrickard's two sons had been at their old work, and had reduced the whole country round Galway almost to a desert. He brought them prisoners to Dublin ; but

    Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 55

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Dublin, this is where Sir Henry Sydney found the plague raging in September 1575, when he returned as deputy for the third time. The disease swept through the city and all across the Pale, while rebellion was seething through the rest of the kingdom. Sydney set out on a military progress through the provinces, receiving submissions from Ulster chiefs and the earl of Desmond at Dungarvan. He spent Christmas in Cork, then pressed on through Limerick to Galway, where leading gentry Irish and Anglo-Irish begged him to place them all under English law, but nothing came of it. He was also, as the book says, as free of the rope as before, causing great numbers of malefactors to be hanged. Clanrickard's two sons had reduced the country round Galway almost to a desert, and Sydney brought them prisoners back here to Dublin.

19. Rumoured Irish muster at Finnea

    Finnea · townland · Westmeath · 1540

    A report spread that the septs around the Pale were to muster at Finnea in northern Westmeath; Brereton hastily raised a large army to meet the threat, but found no gathering there upon arrival.

    Read the passage

    On the recall of Grey in 1510, Sir William Brereton was appointed lord justice, till a lord deputy should be selected. A report now went round that there was to be a rising of the septs living round the Pale, and that a general muster of the Irish was appointed to take place at Finnea in the north of Westmeath. Whereupon Brereton hastily collected a motley army of eight or ten thousand

    ' Hamilton, Cal,Tp. 216, No. 85. '- Carew Papers, 1515 to 1574, p. 109. ^ j^-^j^ jjg

    Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 49

20. O'Doherty's rebellion and Rathmullan connection

    Rathmullan · town · Donegal

    Sir Cahir O'Doherty is linked to events at Rathmullan in Donegal, part of the turbulent conflicts of the early 17th century in Ulster.

    Read the passage

    O'Dempseys, the, 264, 372 O'Doherty, Sir Cahir, 547, 548

    — Sir John. 475

    Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich

    As the companion tells it

    Up ahead is Rathmullan in Donegal. The records name Sir Cahir O'Doherty in connection with this area, but give no detail of what happened here, only that he appears in the history of these years.

21. Suppression of monasteries under Henry VIII

    Ireland · place

    The index references the suppression of monasteries as a significant event of religious upheaval in Ireland during the reign of Henry VIII.

    Read the passage

    Monasteries, suppression of, 378, 395

    Monasteroris, 357

    Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich

22. Smith's attempt to poison Shane O'Neill

    Ulster · province

    An entry records an attempt by a man named Smith to poison Shane O'Neill, a notable act of attempted murder tied to Ulster's Gaelic politics.

    Read the passage

    Sligo, 114, 359, 360, 484, 502, 526 Smerwick, 446, 454 Smith, his attempt to poison Shane O'Neill, 414

    — Sir Thomas, 440 Smorth the Dane, 256 Spancel Hill, 405

    Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich

23. Capital punishment recorded in early Irish law

    Ireland · place

    The index references a discussion of capital punishment as part of early Irish legal and social history.

    Read the passage

    181 Cannera, St., 178 Canoin Patrick, 22 Cape Clear Island, 175 Capital punishment, 53 Carbery in Cork, 538

    — Kinncat, 64, 130

    Internet Archive shorthistoryofir00joycrich, Chapter 76