The genealogy of Corca Laidhe

Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition

The genealogy of Corca Laidhe (Author: Unknown)

Appendix A

Lughaidh Mál

Carnd Máil a Muigh Uladh canas ro h-ainminighedh? Nin. No Carnn Luighdhech .i. Lughaidh Mal do cuireadh a h-Erinn lucht secht long a h-Albain a frithisi, co toracht Erinn co mór loingius Alban, co tucsadar cath do Ulltaibh coremuidh raimh. Cloch cach fhir do riacht do chath la Lughaidh. Acus is de do ronadh an carnn, acus is fair do baí Lugh cein baí an cath d'á chur. Unde Carn Lughaidh dicitur.

Aíbhind a tarrla ar m'airi,
nocha n-eolus én bhaili,
mo mhenma ag soillsiughudh sair
ar diamraibh dána an domhain.

Gé táid cá fhiarfaighi uaibh,
madh áil daibh eolus imchruaidh,
cid dia tá an t-ainm thair nach tan
ar charnn Máil a Muigh Uladh.

Lughaidh Mál as mór do mhill,
do h-indarbadh é a h-Erinn,
lucht secht long do mhac an rígh
a h-Erinn a n-Albain tír.

Ro chosain na tíri thair,
a chathaibh, a comhlannaibh,
ó Eadain co Lochlaind láin,
ó indsibh Orc co h-Espáin.

p.68

Mar do ghabh recht ríghi ruaidh
tuc leis na sochraidi sluaigh,
corbad lán innbhir Uladh
do bharcaibh na m-borb churadh.

Fuagairther uadh cath no cáin,
ó Lughaidh for firu Fáil,
dia m-breith leis a cenn chatha,
la h-ádhbhar in Ardflatha.

Iarsin tic anuas co luath
do chur chatha co ro luath,
cloch cach fhir díbh tuc san chath
de do ronadh Carn Luighdheach.

Is ann do bhaí Lughaidh Mál,
is a charn chomhthrom chnesbhán,
coremhaidh an cath mór mind,
for firu áilli Erind.

Ro ghabh Lughaidh a los a shleagh,
ríghi Gall acus Gaeidheal
fer las rulaidh carn do chind,
fui a muigh Uladh aibh.
A.

Secht meic do bhaí ag Dáiri deas,
Lughaidh ainm cach ré meas,
dáidh na faistine ferr de,
ro síladh aen ainm eile [uile].

Laegh doilbhthi ag Dáiri mar dhoigh,
a richt fhos gamhna allaidh,
tarrlaigh a ceathrar a chuain,
risin sein-Temhraigh sairrthuaigh.

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Da luidh roimhe an laegh co laind,
co riacht an sruth ag Sinaind,
acus do rochair leo an laegh,
a ceathrar miadhach mór-cháeimh.

Da ronsad crandchar can cheas,
meic Dáiri ó Dún na n-Éigeas
co fheasadh cach díbh a mhodh,
don laedh doilbhthi can dochar.

Do rala do Lugh Corb,
coscradh an Laigh, ciar bo bhorb,
conadh uadh shloindter an chlann
dáil Meascorb a Crích Chualand.

Gein do bhaí cach díbh ar a mhodh
Lughaidh Cal in a chodladh
conadh h-é a chineadh canacht,
Callraighi a críchaibh Chonnacht.

Da rad Lughaidh digh n-uisci,
ciar bo álaind nir badh bruisti,
conadh h-é a shíl sin iarsin
Corco Oirchi a coicrích Chaisil.

Lughaidh Mór athair Miccon,
Eiri dó uili a aenur,
conadh ó Lughaidh Laighe alle
sloindtear clann Chorca Laighi.

Mar do bhádar isin tigh,
na fir thall imon teinidh,
Do riacht cailligh ghrána mail,
is í agarbh ecosmhail.

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Airdi na cach seolchrann suas,
mó na both leptha a leath chluas,
duibhi a delbh ina cach dreach,
trom ar cach craidhi an chailleach.

Mó a clair fhiacail, cid bias de,
iná rian clár fithchilli,
a srón fada uaithi sair,
sia ná fhuarcheacht arathair.

Mó ná cliabh do cheandaibh déas,
cach dorn, do mhnai ba míbhéas,
Is mó ná ail cloichi ar cludh,
ceachtar adá glún n-garbh dhubh.

Boilg meadhón uimpi, is eol damh,
can easna, can imscaradh,
ceand carrach cnoic reamhair ciar
uirri mar cach n-aitin sliabh.

Do chuaidh chucu sa teach teand,
a m-bádar mic rígh Ereand,
truadh an gnímh, granda an bloscadh,
do rigne riú dia roscadh.

Ro impo a (g-)ciall sa (g-)cond,
do bo léim dar lár comhland,
do dísligheadh meic Dáiri,
do chum éga imnáiri.

Ad-bert sí riú aitheasc n-olc;
''Fotaeth neach leam uaibh anocht,
no edir coin is duine dron
ron foirneas uili am aenar."

O do chondairc an gnímhradh glé,
ad-bert riú Lughaidh Laidhi,
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Faithfeadsa, leasc an cor,
leor dhóibh measbhaidh am aenar.

Mar do dhorchaidh an tine,
dos la a richt n-ingnadh n-eili,
fuair dealbh co lí molta amach,
is sí corcra corrchícheach.

Amhlaibh do bhádar a ruisc,
níbdar berta brathteagaisc,
trí gaí gréine cechtar de,
uaibh a silleadh ba soillsi.

Ra scuch an fuan corcra cain,
d'á chíchibh sís 'can seantain,
co beanfaidhe frídi fris,
'sin tigh ar soillsi a caeimhchnis.

Iarsin do fhiar[faigh] di an mac,
'a inghean chaemh can tánag
sloind dúind acus indis sunn,
ráidh rium ná dícheil oram.'

'At-bert-sa rit a mhic mhín,
lium fhaidhid na h-áirdrígh,
as mé in inghen t-seaghdha sheang,
flaithius Alban is Ereann.

Duid do thógbhus ceand anocht
sin acht ní bia dom chumhrag
mac bias agad, aebhdha de,
Is é fear lasa faemse.

Ad ainm do meic maith modh
Lughaidh Mór; bídh rí mhac,
ar us mo deeachramur de
bidh draí, bidh fáidh, bidh fili.

p.76

Fáistine ad-bert riú Dáiri,
ri mac con co n-imáilli,
'gebhaidh Maccon cnoc m-Breagh m-bind,
Alba acus Eiri aíbhind.'
Áibhind.

Lughaidh Laidi acus cach mac

Isé scél foraithmedar and in ní dia tát na tuillti anmand for macaibh Dáiri Doimthigh, .i. na .u. Lughaidh, acus caidhí ádhbhar Luighdhigh for cach mac díbh .nin. ro tairrngiredh co n-gebhadh mac dia mhacaibh ríghi n-Erind acus comadh Lughaidh a ainmsídhe; conadh airi sin ro bhaí Lughaidh for cach mac díbh.

Ró comóradh tra aenach Taillten la Dáiri acus ro fearsad a mheic a n-graifni and acus ad-bert in drai cid maith do mhaco ní ghebha ríghi n-Erind acht oen mhac díbh. Ad-bert Dáiri frisin draí, cia mac ghebhus tar m'éisi sea ríghi. Tiucfaidh Dáiri frisin draí, cia mac ghebhus tar m'éisi sea ríghi. Tiucfaidh laegh co neimh n-óir is an aenach, ar in draí, acus in mac ghebhus in laegh is é ghebhus in ríghi tar h-éissi. Acus do roich in laegh ordha iarsin is an aenach, acus lodar Fir Erenn ina dhiaidh, acus luidh meic Dáiri fris óthá sin co Bend Etair acus adagar ceo draíghechta eturra acus fir Erenn. Lódar meic Dáiri 'na dhiaidh ó dá sin co Dáil Mescorp i Laighnibh acus taimsis Lughaidh Laidhi .i Macniadh in laegh conadh de atá coscradh in laigh la Lughaidh, acus is de itá Lughaidh Cosc, acus fearais snechta mór dhóibh iarsin comba h-obar dhóibh-siumh a n-airin do imchur nó do chongbháil, acus téit mac díbh d'iarraigh tíghi, acus fuair teach mór and acus teni mhór acus biadh acus lind co h-imdha and acus miasa aircid acus toilc findruine acus cailleach aduathmhar is in tigh. ‘A macaimh cid chuindchi?’ ar sí. ‘Lebaidh iarraim co maidin,’ acus id-bert-si ‘día tís am imdhaigh nó im lebaidh anocht acus ad-fiad,’ acus ad-bert in mac nach dingnedh, acus luidh cá bhráithribh, ‘ro theifis flaithius acus ríghi,’ ar sí. Lódar na macco aile na dhiaidh isteach. Ro fhiarfaidh sí do fhear aili díbh cid dorala, ‘do torc allaidh,’ air-se, ‘acus aduadhus im aenar,’ ‘bídh Lughaidh Orca h-ainm cod'mhuinter,’ ol sí. Ro fhiarfaidh do fhear aile in cétna, ‘ní

p.78

tharrla,’ ar sé, ‘ní dam, acht colladh do rindeas,’ ‘callda sin,’ ar sí, ‘acus bídh Lughaidh Cál t-ainm cod'cenél,’ ar sí. Ro fhiarfaidh don fhear aili in cétna, ‘rulla laegh allta dam,’ ar sé, ‘bídh Lughaidh Laidhi th-ainm con do chenél con dó atá.’ Ro fhaidh fear aili acus ad-bert ris in ní cédna, ‘in ró laisead isé ró chaitheas,’ ar sé, ‘bídh Lughaidh Corb th-ainm,’ ar sí, ‘áir is coirpthi in ni ró chaithis.’ Lughaidh Laidhe do luidh fadheoidh isin teach acus ad-bert in chailleach in cédna fris, ‘damh do rala,’ ar sé, ‘acus aduadhus am aenur h-é,’ ‘Lughaidh Laidhi th-áinm,’ ar sí, ‘con do chenél,’ conadh dó sin ro leansad na h-anmanda sin iad. Faidhis Lughaidh Laidhi lé fá dheoidh isin teach tar cend bídh acus leanda iarsin luidh imorro, in chailleach isin toilc fhindruine acus luidh Macniadh in[a] diaidh isin toilc, acus and dar leis ba grian ac turcbháil a mís Maí soill[s]i a gnúisi, acus ba samhalta fria boladh lughairt cúmhra a baladh acus téid 'na gnáis iarsin, acus it-bert [r]is ‘maith do thurus,’ ar sí, ‘ár is misi in Flaithius, acus ghébha tusu Eri, no ghébha nech uaid,’ acus foghabhaid iarsin nua bídh acus sean leanda acus cuirn ina n-aenar ac dáil dóibh, acus faídhis frisin flaithius acus is amhlaidh robhádar cen teach cen tenidh iar na mhárach acht madh cóimhreidh cómhárd, acus a coin i ceanghal dia sleaghaibh. Lódar rómpo iarsin co h-aenach Tailltean, acus do indisidar scéla a n-echtra acus scaílid fir Eirind a n-aenach, unde dicitur .i. na .u. Lughaidh.

p.79

p.141

Remarks on the Preceding Tract

Two ancient vellum copies of this work are in existence, one in Leabhar Leacain, (the Book of "Lecan",) which was compiled from various other MSS. by Gilla Isa Mor Mac Firbisigh of Leacan, in the county of Sligo, in the year 1418. This copy begins at folio 119, b, b, and ends with folio 122, b, b. The other copy is preserved in Leabhar Bhaile an Mhuta, (the Book of "Ballymote",) which was compiled by various persons, but chiefly by Solamh O'Droma, from older MSS. about the year 1390, for Tomaltach Mac Donnchadha (Mac Donough) then chief of the territories of Tir Oililla, Corann, Airteach, Tir Thuathail, and Clann Fearmaighe, extending into the counties of Sligo, Roscommon, and Leitrim. This copy begins at folio 109, b, b, and ends at 112, b.

There is also a copy of it which was transcribed on paper by Dubhaltach Mac Firbisigh in the year 1650, in the Library of Lord Roden, and a second paper copy made from the latter, by Mr. E. Curry, in the Library of the Royal Irish Academy.

Corca-Laidhe, the original country of the Dairinne, or O'Driscolls and their correlatives, was originally co-extensive with the diocese of Ross⁷, or Ros-ailithre of which St. Fachtna of this race, who flourished in the sixth century, was the first bishop. But on the encrease of the power and population of the Deirgthine or race of Oilill Olum, the original territory of the Dairinne was much circumscribed. Long before the English Invasion the Ui-Eathach-Mumhan, or O'Mahonys, wrested from them that portion of their territory called Fonn-Iartharach i.e. West land, otherwise

p.142

Ivahagh, comprising the parishes of Kilmoe, Scoole, Kilcrohane, Durris, Kilmaconoge and Caheragh, in the barony of West Carbery; and after the English Invasion various encroachments were made upon their lands by the English, and by families of the race of Oilill Olum, then recently driven from their original locations by the English invaders. The Barrys encroached on the Eastern side of their principality; the O'Sullivans (Ui Suileabhain); who had been originally seated at Cnoc Raffonn and Cluain-meala, (Clonmel,) in the now county of Tipperary, were driven from thence in the year 1192, when they settled in the mountains of the now counties of Cork and Kerry, and finally wrested from the Dairinne or Corca-Laidhe, that portion of their territory now comprised in the baronies of Beare and Bantry. About the same period the Cairbre Aebhdha, or O'Donovans, O'Collins, &c. who had been seated in the barony of Cois Maighe, (Coshma,) and in the plain on the west side of the river Maigh, (Maigue,) in the now county of Limerick, were driven from thence by the Fitzgeralds, and they settled in the present county of Cork, and wrested from the Corca-Laidhe, a considerable portion of the northern part of their territory. This latter sept transferred their tribe name of Cairbre from the banks of the Maigh to the south of the Bandon, where it is still retained, applied to an extensive territory, now the four baronies of Carbery. The Corca-Laidhe, though circumscribed, were, however, independent of their new invaders, until the year 1232, when Cormac Gott, the third son of Mac Carthaigh Mor, acquired dominion over the entire region, now forming the four baronies of Carbery. This event is briefly noticed in the old copy of the Annals of Innisfallen, preserved in the Bodleian Library, as follows: [...]⁸

p.143

A.D. 1232. Domhnall God⁹ Mac Carthaigh was taken prisoner by his own brother Cormac Mac Carthaigh, but he was set at liberty by him at the end of a quarter; and immediately after this Domhnall went at the instance of Maghnus O'Cobhthaigh and the daughter of O'Muircheartaigh (O'Moriarty) to commit an unneighbourly act against Muircheartach O'Mathghamhna, (O'Mahony,) a thing which he did, for he slew the three sons of O'Mathghamhna, and plundered himself; and, in consequence of this, Domhnall Cairbreach and his race remained in the south from that forth.’’
AI, 1232.2.

The surrounding tribes still continued to encroach upon the Corca-Laidhe, until at length they narrowed their territory to the limits of the following parishes, which, according to the Regal Visitation Book of 1615, constitute the rural deanery of Colleymore and Colleybeg, viz.:
Myross, Glanbarahane, (now Castlehaven,) Tullagh, Creagh, Kilcoe, Aghadowne and Cleere. In this territory they built the castles of Gleann, Bearchain, or Castlehaven, Lough-Hyne, Ardagh, Baltimore, Dun-na-n-gall, Dun-an-oir in Cape Clear Island, Rincoliskey, and a Castle and Abbey on Sherkine Island.’’

In 1636, the entire of O'Driscoll's country,

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as well as those of the O'Donovans, O'Mahonys, and several septs of the Mac Carthys paid tribute to MacCarthy Reagh—see Inquisition in Addenda F.¹⁰

That the ancient Irish should have been careful to preserve their genealogies need not be a matter of surprise, and that these are perfectly authentic may be expected as they were entered in the local books of pedigrees, and preserved in the poems of family or hereditary poets. Those of the lowest rank among a great tribe, traced and retained the whole line of their descent with the same care, which in other nations was peculiar to the rich and great; for it was from his own genealogy each man of the tribe, poor as well as rich, held the charter of his civil state, his right of property in the cantred in which he was born, the soil of which was occupied by one family or clan, and in which no one lawfully possessed any portion of the soil if he was not of the same race with the chief.

This was also the case with the Welsh, as we are informed by Giraldus, in the first chapter of his Cambriae Descriptio, and again, more particularly in the seventeenth chapter, where he writes as follows:
Generositatem vero et generis nobilitatem prae rebus omnibus magis appetunt. Unde et generosa conjugia plus longe cupiunt quam sumptuosa vel opima. Genealogiam quoque generis sui etiam de populo quilibet observat, et non solum avos, atavos sed usque ad sextam vel septimam et ultra procul generationem memoriter et prompte genus enarrat in hunc modum, Resus filius Gruffini, filii Resi, filii Theodori, filii Aeneae, filii Oeni, filii Hoeli, filii Cadelli, filii Roderici Magni, et sic deinceps.
Genus itaque super omnia diligunt, et damna sanguinis atque dedecoris ulciscuntur. Vindicis enim animi sunt et irae cruentae, nec solum novas et recentes verum etiam veteres et antiquas velut instantes vindicare parati.’’

Cambriae Descriptio. , cap. 17

p.146

Gilla Brighde Mac Conmidhe

Aeidhe ma chroidhe, ceann Bhriain
a g-crích ainiúil fá fhuair chriaidh,
a chinn Bhriain Sléibhe Sneachta,
Éire ad dhíaidh as dileachta.

Rugadh go rígh Sacsan soir
ceann rígh Gaeidheal le Gallaibh,
nach lór do bhreith ghill Ghaeidhil
beith a chinn do chommaeidheamh.

Fiu do dhíth a n-dearnsat Goill
ceann Bhriain do bhreith go Lunnainn;
tinn an earr ar a agaid,
a cheann a g-cill comhadhaigh.

p.148

Mairg rug ó Dhún a dhreich m-buig
ón bhaile a bh-fuil feart Phádruig,
gun rígh Chaisil as crádh linn
lámh ré taisibh an Tailgind.

A n-adhnaice an Ard Mhacha
Ulltaibh as a n-Aelchlacha,
a measg chloch ar g-clann Néill-ne
och nach ann a eiséirghe!

Atá a Lunnainn fá lic ghil
ceann do cheannóchdaeis Gaeidhil,
m'eallach, gin go g-cluine, a chind,
uile ad cheannach dho chuirfinn.

Do rad fiche bó bheannach
as mo dhuain, fa dheighcheannach,
gé madh fiche bó bheann n-óir
fá mó agus do bh-fearr m'onóir.

Tuccas leam a ló ele
fiche bó fa Bhealltaine
re taebh innmhais mhóir amuidh
an ingnais óir as édaigh.

Do fuaras aisgidh do b'fearr
beannachtain airdrigh Eireand;
cradh a dhuaine nir dhochda;
buaine bladh a bheannachta.

p.150

Do dhoirt cách anoir sa niar
fám' chrud ó do chóidh daigh Bhrian
do chuaidh 's mo rí ar aein rian as
saeir Bhrian an tí da d-tarras.

Gan each gan bhoin da m-beimís,
ar chrodh nocha cheisfemís,
'sní bhiath í budh tacha óm' thoigh
as rí Macha do mharthuin.

Uchán ra b'olc re Brian
a d-tucthar damh do dhimiadh;
ro budh edóigh thiar no thoir
m'egcóir as Brian na bheathaigh.

Cogadh Gaeidheal re Gallaibh
imirt ar ghuin ghall-bhrannuibh;
fian ghall do ghuin ar m-branáin,
ní fhuil ann ar n-inghabháil.

Do bheansat bárr ar n-arbha
meitheal uathmhar allmhardha;
tig rinn ar n-domhnach go Dún,
'sa connlach inn ag impudh.

Go lá an Dúin nír cuireadh cath
ar mhuinntir Milidh Teamhrach,
mar bhis a n-dán do dhroing dul,
nocha froinn ágh na eangnamh.

p.152

Na tráth féin ní facas linn
an bheart do fhóirfeadh Eirinn,
mar budh chóir cur an ghaisgidh
ar sgur an áigh urmaisdir.

Ar áirg, ar loisg do leasaibh,
as ar mhuidh do mhóir threasuibh;
gach slis múir bhallaidh d'ar bhladh
le Gallaibh Dúin do dighladh.

Na Goill ó Lunduin ale
na pubaill ó Phort Lairge
tagaid na m-bróin ghealghlais ghuirm,
'na neanglais óir is iaruinn.

Leathtrom ro chuirseat an cath
Goill agus Gaeidhil Teamhrach;
léinti cael-sróill fa chloinn g-Cuinn,
as Goill na n-aenbhróin iaruinn.

Fáth ar m-beart bheith a g-coire,
mun g-cath ar cheann Maenmhoidhe,
da m-beartha ar chách gan an cath!
ní ba tráth deabhtha an Domhnach.

p.154

Cá foinn ágh ná imad ga?
do nimh brisdear cath cródha;
gur ceangladh do nimh Ó Néill,
eangnamh an fhir dob' aighmhéil.

Bó bhoicht ní tugadh d'á thoigh,
minn shagairt nochar sháraigh,
créd ro mhill far' mhuidh an cath?
nní fhuil cill ris ar chíntach.

Each, 'sa shrian cumhdaigh fá a cheann,
d'á d-tíseadh ar fut n-Eireann,
tré Inis bh-Fáil go Brian m-breagh
gan láimh na srian ro soiseadh.

Do imdheochadh bean go Brian
ó Shliabh Callainn go Coirrshliabh;
Síbhal Gaeidhil as gráin leam
ó do chóidh aeinfhear Éireann.

Nír sháraigh neimheadh Ó Néill,
ní dearna eaglais d'aimhréir;
rath Briain do bádhadh do nimh,
crábhadh na dhiaidh as doiligh.

Laechraidh Leithe Chuinn 'san chath
do chomhthuit im cheann d-Teamhrach,
p.156
mar bheantar a thuir ó thigh,
leagthar a dhruil na dheaghaidh.

Tuitim righraidhe bh-fear bh-Fáil
ní h-airimhthear ó'n én phláidh,
onchoin Ghaeidheal ar na n-guin,
folchaidh aeinfhear aneasbhaidh.

Atá ar laechraidh Leithe Chuinn
aithfear im aithfear aguinn,
léigean righ a g-cath nír chóir
uch do gnim gan a ghabháil.

Fágbháil righ Oiligh 'san ár
náir do shíl Eoghain eachbhán;
feitheamh fallsa d'fhéinn Eamhna
léim tarrsa d'a d-tighearna.

Tar éis an chatha chneadhuigh,
ní gluaisdi ag na Gaeidheluibh;
an cuaille Fáil tiar nó toir,
amháin 's gan Brian na bheathaigh.

An céd chath do chuir Brian,
'na d-torchair ardfhlaith Oirghiall,
gur thuit ag Dún an donn geal
a bhonn ar g-cúl nir cuireadh.

Gur thuit Brian Binne h-Abhaidh
a g-cath Dhúin re danaruibh,
catha chlann Néill anallain
go léir ann do icamair.

p.158

Ar g-cath ag Craeibh Tolcha truim,
ag Dún ro dighladh orainn,
torchair Eachaidh san treas toir,
bhéas ní dheachaidh gan díghail.

Cath Atha Solais sidhe
do íscam re h-ainbhfine
maidhm Dúini ag diladh ar g-cath
ar min madh Muidhe n-Athrach.

Cath Rátha both, ro bhris sinn,
cath Sléibhi Togha taeibh-fhinn,
ro ba lán na h-aibhne d'fhuil
ar chlár Maighne san Mumhain.

Cath Sleibhe Caein ro chuir Niall
d'ár g-cosnamh ar chrích n-Oirghiall,
ar g-cath a Móin n-gleannúr n-glas
ach sa sean Dún toir táras.

Cath ro chuirseam uair ele,
fa Dhún droma Dairine,
ár ag Loch Cuan rem' chuimhne,
och monuar! ro ícsaim-ne.

p.160

Ro ba dímsach ár n-daeine,
dár' chuirsim cath Formaeile;
och ro ba mór ar mheanma,
d'ár clódh cath na Caisbhearna.

Ficheall do luirgnibh Laighean
'nar g-ceardcha ro cumhduigheadh,
fir chorra ar chláraibh ar sean,
do chnámhaibh loma Laighean.

Cis Atha Cliath on cath Ghall
sluaigheadh na g-cochall g-craiceann
braighdi dhúinn a Caisil Chuirc
ag caisfhidh Dúin d'á dhíghuilt.

Ceallachán rí Caisil Chuirc
a n-glas d' ár d-tigh do thabhairt
losgadh thoighi Chinn Choradh,
groidhe rin gan orchumhall,

Conchubhar, mac Taidhg 'nár d-tigh,
áirdrí Chonnacht 'na chimidh,
p.162
bráighdi rígh Gall in ar n-glas;
fá rír nacha tall tárras.

Cluithe, go bás Briain Banna,
creacha, as marbhtha, as madhmanna;
échta Gall go guin Í Néill
nocha n-fhuil ann acht oilbhéim.

As teasgadh compair chroidhe:
bás Bhriain Locha Laegháire:
nocha ban-bhéim, acht cneadh chinn
an fear ó Choirrshléibh cháeinim.

Buille dícheannta bh-fear bh-Fáil
bás Í Néill Oiligh fhódbháin,
cuibhreach Gaeidheal an geal t-seang,
agus sgaeileadh fhear n-Eireann.

Uaidh rígh Oiligh an fhuilt thigh,
a dhaeine da n-deach a aithnidh,
do bhraithfinn daeibh an uaidh ann
don taeibh budh thuaidh don teampall.

Brian Boroimhe, san teampall tuaidh,
Brian Ó Néill Oiligh armruaidh,
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fada siar ó Cuinn Cobha,
'sa bhuinn re Brian m-Boromha.

A-ndubhairt Mac Liag Luimnigh
re ceann g-Conuing g-cathbhuidhnigh,
‘saeth leam bidhbhadh d'á bhuain de’
ceann Í Néill inmhaon aeidhe.

Trí fichead deag blidhain bhán
mile, ó ghein Chrísd go comhlán
gur thuit ar fhiadh n-goirm-úr n-glas
Brian a long Dhún dá leath ghlas.

Teasda fiche bliadhain bhuan
ó chath Caeimh-Eirne chrannruadh
bliadhain féin bladh do bhliadhain
go dol Í Neill Naei-ghiallaigh.

Goirt lem chroidhe Goill glasa
os cinn chosgair Mhaghnasa
ceann Í Chatháin gan uidh air
ar clachan Dhúin da degain

Aghaidh do Mhaghnas Mhacha,
eidir chollaibh crechtacha;
Brian sgan a bheith is an ár
ní bheith gan chreich O Catháin.

Maghnas fein, Eachmharcach ann,
Muircheartach, Donnchadh, Domhnall,
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Niall O Catháin do chneas ghoin:
achán nocha n-éin easbhaidh.

Dainimh dar macaibh 'sdár mnáibh
marbhadh Mhaghnasa Í Chatháin,
nír thréig slat Inbhir Abhaigh
mac ná inghean Eoghanaigh.

Brég aeibhneas an domhain dhuinn
mairg mealltar andiaidh Dhomhnuill;
fa trén guth Í Cairre ar chách
uch d'ó Néll Caille an conách.

Meinic táinic toisg reabhaigh
d' fhis Amhlaeibh Í Ghairmleadhaigh;
créd fa rach don toigh rem thaeibh,
ach as ad [f]óil gan Amhlaeibh.

p.168

Conchubhar Malann, mac Cuinn,
caeinid mná is fir a bh-fhaendruim
Ó Dubhdirma as [toll 'n-ár d-t]eagh
irna gan conn a chineadh.

Do chuaidh le Cian na g-con seang
naire as oireachas Eireann;
do folchadh uainn ciall as cruth
agas Cian a n-uaidh d'fholach.

Easbhaidh charad agas chruidh
Mac Cana do chloinn Eoghuin
Donnsléibhe Ó cneasghloin Cana
easbhaidh fhéile as eangnamha.

Mairg tháraidh an tuagh nó an ga,
rer' thuit Cú Uladh Eamhna;
mór an phudhar tú fá thuaigh,
A Chú Uladh Í Annluáin!

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Ni biath lagadh a Leith Chuinn
muna marbhthaei Mag Lochlainn
ón lósa oighidh Bhriain bhuig
doilidh na dhiaidh gan Diarmaid.

Mac Néill í Néill anosa
do bhí ar dhruim a dhúthchasa
bláth ré a bheith na thoradh
a bhreith ó chach Conchubhar.

Meic righ Connacht Chairn Mheadhbha
nir thréigseat a d-tighearna
go n-drochair gach damhna glan
do sgothaibh calma Cruachan.

Mag Tighérnain toir do thuit
agus mac ceannchas Cormuic
Ua Maeilsheachluinn Midhi amuidh
d'fhine gheal Chuinn re Gallaibh.

Mac caeimh Eamhna mhoir Mhacha
do thuit riú lá an luath chatha,
ó Duibh móir fhaeiligh Eamhna
coir da daeinibh a dhoimhenma.

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Uch do brón táinig do'n tír
re h-aghaidh éga Í Dhuibhlín
Gofraidh ar m-brón res an m-brách
sochraidh fá [fhleadh] an t-óglach.

Seacht laithe as lúgha na mí
res an mhaidhm marbhadh Ruaidhri
bainne ré bh-fhrais dúin na deaghail
gan shúil n-glais Í Ghairmleadhaigh.

Ó Néill mór agas a mhac
(inmhain omhna ogas óglat)
uch ró bá conghlann saer sin
Domhnall agas Aedh Oiligh.

Ardghal Óiligh fa úir ghloin
a n-Díseart Dhoire Chalgaidh
láimh re tulaigh fhinn fheartaigh
cumhain linn ó Laitheartaigh.

Brighid cháigh Chille Dara,
mo bhanógh, mo bhanchara,
gu d-tí fam chlí na cris te
go d-tí dom fhis an t-aeidhe.
Aeidhe mo chroidhe ceann Bhriain.

p.174

Remarks on the Preceding Poem

The preceding poem is now translated and printed for the first time. The text has been obtained from four copies, the only MSS of it known to the Editor, which are preserved the one in a parchment MS. the property of John Nugent, Esq. of Farranconnell, County of Cavan, and the others in paper MSS. the property respectively of the late O'Conor Don, the Royal Irish Academy, and Mr. Eugene Curry, all copied by very good scribes.

The poem itself, as stated in all the MSS., was composed by Gilla Bhrighde Mac Conmidhe (or Gilbride Mac Namee) who was chief poet of Ulster in his time, and the friend and follower of Brian O'Neill, King of the Irish of the North, and Righdhamhna or heir presumptive to the throne of Ireland. The family of Mac Conmidhe, of which this Gilla-Bhrighde was the head, were hereditary poets to the northern Ui-Neill, and are still very numerous in Ulster. Maelseachlainn Mac Conmidhe (Loughlin Mac Namee) of Draperstown Cross in the County of Derry, was believed to be the head of this family in 1835, when he told the Editor several anecdotes of his ancestors.

Moryson states that the family of O'Neill lived in obscurity till the time of Bruce, 1318, but this is not exactly correct as will appear from the history of the hero of this poem.

Brian O'Neill, the hero of this poem, became King of the Cineal Eoghain, in the year 1241, after having defeated and slain his predecessor, Domhnall Mac Lochlainn, prince of Tir Eoghain, in the battle of Caimeirge. From this period to the year 1248, the Annals are silent about his exploits, although it would appear from this poem that he was not idle. In 1248, he made an expedition into Fermanagh, carrying light currachs from Loch Feabhail (Lough Foyle) across the plain of Magh-Ithe and Tearmann Daibheog, and launched them on Loch Eirne, the islands of which he plundered, and demolished a stone castle which had evidently been erected by the English. In 1252, however, he and his brother submitted and gave hostages to Maurice Fitzgerald,

p.175

lord Justice of Ireland, who had marched with a numerous force to Cluain-Fiachna (Clonfeacle). In the same year O'Domhnaill (Gofraigh or Godfrey) made a preying excursion into Tir-Eoghain [Tyrone] and seized many cows and prisoners, but O'Neill (Brian) pursued and came up with him near the boundary of Tir-Conaill where a conflict ensued between the two fierce Races of Eoghan and Conall, in which the former were defeated with the loss of many men and prisoners of distinction. This aggression on the part of O'Domhnaill created a dissention between the two Races, which very much weakened the power of the Irish of Ulster. In the year 1257 O'Domhnaill came to a pitched battle with Maurice Fitzgerald, the lord Justice at Creadran-cille in Ros-Cede near Sligo, in which he gained the victory after a desperate conflict; and after having engaged the lord Justice in single combat, in which both were severely wounded; and he followed up his success by driving the Geraldines and all the English from his borders, and demolished a castle which they had erected at Cael-Uisce near Belleek, on Loch Eirne, for securing their conquests in that country. After this brilliant success O'Domhnaill lived but one year during which he was lying on his bed (in an island in Loch Beitheach) suffering from the severe wounds which he had received in the battle of Creadran-cille.

When O'Neill received intelligence of his feeble condition, he collected his forces to invade Tir-Conaill, and sent messengers to O'Domhnaill to demand submission and hostages from the Cineal-Conaill, as now they had no chief capable of leading them to battle. The messengers, on delivering their embassy to O'Domhnaill, and receiving an answer that O'Domhnaill's people would not submit to O'Neill, returned to O'Neill with all possible speed.

O'Domhnaill now ordered the Race of Conall to assemble from all quarters and come to him; and after they had assembled at his summons, he ordered them to construct for him the bier in which his body should be finally carried to the grave, and to carry him in it in the midst of his people. This was accordingly done; and he exhorted his people to exert their bravery, and keep up their spirits, for that he himself, though feeble from his wounds, would once more lead them to victory. The Cineal Conaill then proceeded on their march against O'Neill's forces and met them near the mouth of the river Suileach

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[the Swilly.] Here a fierce battle was fought between the kindred races, in which the Race of Eoghan were defeated and driven back, leaving behind them many men, horses, and much valuable property. The Cineal Conaill then set out for home, but on their arrival at the village of Congbhail [Conwal] in Gleann Suillighe, O'Domhnaill became very sick, and ordered the bier in which he was carried to be laid down on the street, and here he died the death of a hero, the wounds which he had received in his combat with Maurice Fitzgerald in the battle of Creadran-cille having bled afresh in this battle.

When O'Neill heard of the death of O'Domhnaill he again sent messengers to the Cineal Conaill to demand submission and hostages. Thereupon the Cineal Conaill held a council, to deliberate on what they should do, and whom they would elect as their chief. While they were deliberating on these subjects, Domhnall Og, the son of Domhnall Mor, presented himself at the meeting, having just arrived from Scotland where he was fostered. This noble youth, who was the son of Domhnall by the daughter of Cathal Croibh-dhearg O'Conchobhair (Charles the Redhanded O'Conor,) king of Connacht, was then in his eighteenth year, and was inaugurated at Cill Mic Neanain [Kilmacrenan] by O'Firghil, the Comharba of that Church and the subchiefs of Tir-Conaill. He conferred with O'Neill's emissaries in the Gaelic of Alba, and pronounced the demands of O'Neill as extravagant and exorbitant, and said in Erse ‘that every man should have his own world.’

O'Neill's ambition, however, was not lessened by this answer, for he made every effort to become not only sovereign of Ulster but even monarch of Ireland. In the same year he marched with his forces to Cael-Uisce on the borders of Tir-Conaill, where he held a conference with Hugh son of Felim O'Conor, king of Connacht, and Tadhg O'Briain, king of Thomond, and here, according to the Annals of Ulster and Clonmacnoise, the sovereignty of the Irish of Ireland was conferred on Brian O'Neill, and Hugh O'Conor delivered him hostages, and he received also the hostages of the O'Reillys, and of all the Ui-Briuin from Kells to Drumcliff. But a somewhat different account of this conference is given in the Caithreim Thoirdhealbhaigh, or Wars of Toirdhealbhach O'Briain, and in the Dublin copy of the

p.177

Annals of Innisfallen, in which it is incorrectly entered under the year 1252. It is stated in these works, that a general convention of the princes and nobility of Ireland assembled at Cael Uisge on the brink of Loch Eirne, in order to elect a supreme king over the Irish, to suppress the tyranny and usurpation of the English. Tadhg, son of Conchobhar na Siudaine O'Briain, repaired thither with most of the nobles of Munster and Connacht, and on his arrival at Cael Uisge, sent northwards across the river one hundred steeds as wages in token of vassalage to O'Neill. O'Neill, enraged at this offer, sent back the horses and two hundred steeds with golden bridles as wages to O'Briain, who refused to accept of them; and the consequence was that the meeting was broken up without choosing an ard-righ, or sole monarch for that time.

It looks very strange that neither Leland nor Moore should have noticed this attempt of the Irish chieftains to unite against the English, for, although the result was insignificant, the attempt had it succeeded would have proved disastrous to the English in Ulster.

The following is the account of the meeting at Cael Uisge given in the Caithreim Thoirdhealbhaigh:

Do bhí Goill fá'n am so tré lí(o)nadh i(o)mad uabhair agus antoile
ag fás agus ag fí(u)chadh i(o)nnta, ag imirt annfhlaithis agus éagcóra,
broide agus buan-argain ar Ghaedhalaibh agus ag buain a bh-fola
agus a bh-fearainn dí(o)bh go foiréigneach ann gach áit dá d-tigeadh
leo, agus mar thugadar Gaeidhil sin d'á n-aire, do thógradar iat
féin do réidhi(u)ghadh ó'n ann-bh-flaitheas aini(o)chtach sin na n-Gall
maille re h-aen aird-righ do thogha ós a g-ci(o)nn d'á n-geillfidís
uile; i(o)nnas go d-tiucfadh leo Eire do chosnamh do'n dul soin amhuil
fa dual dóibh. Uime sin do chineadar comhairle um coinne do
dhéanamh re chéile ar bhruach na h-Eirne oirear doimhnighe oileanaighe,
áit ar thi(o)nóladar uaisle agus ard-urradha Gaeidheal
Eireann ar aen láthair.

Dala Thaidhg taeibhghil Caeil-uisge, deagh-mhac cian-teasdach
Conchubhair Uí Bhriain triallas mar aen le h-urmhór uaisle
Leithe Mogha agus Connacht d'i(o)nnsuidhe na dála soin, agus tigid
slogha Uladh uile um O'Néill ann. Ba nós anallód gíbe righ

p.178
tri(o)cha chéd no cóige do ghlacfadh tabhartas no tuarasdal ó árdfhlaith
oile go n-gabhadh mar aen ris an d-tuarastal soin umhla
agus oglachás an féin maille re bheith umhal do mar chodhnach,
agus um dí(o)l cí(o)sa agus chána ris. Iar suidhe 'san g-coimhthi(o)nól
do na h-uaislibh sin do chuir O'Briain céad each tar an sruith ba
thuaidh a n-ainm tuarasdail cum Uí Néill; agus mar do chonairc
O Néill sin, ro órdaigh go bh-feirg mhóir bh-fuireachair tar an
sruith chédna tar ais dá chéad each go n-a sriantaibh bláth-órdha
g-cimhis-gléigeala do sholatair sé a g-comhair na dála soin,
chum a m-bronta d'fearaibh Eireann do'n dul soin, tré mhéid a
chirt agus a chumas ar Eirinn do chosnamh tar aen oile do
Ghaedhalaibh, agus fós gur aentuigheadar fir Uladh uile ris, an
trath sin. Agus ar fhaicsint na n-each sin go na sriantaibh,
d'uasal Thadhg cuiri(o)s na h-eich céadna ó n-a bh-fuirinn laechra
tar an sruith d'fosdadh an tuarasdail d'ais nó d'éigin; Agus
an tan do thug O'Néill uaill agus ard-mheanma Uí Bhriain d' á
aire, triallas d'á thigh fa dhi(o)mdha agus táinig do'n easaenta
soin gur sgaeileadar fir Eireann as an dáil sin, gan ard-chodnach
do thogha ná d'óirdneadh ortha féin, ná fos cine ar
chomhairle um Eire do chosnamh re Gallaibh, acht amháin go g-coimhthi(o)nóladaeis
doríse a g-ci(o)nn athaidh 'na dheadhaigh sin um an g-cúis
céadna; gidheadh tángadar a n-urmhór d' én-mhéin áirdthighearnas
do ghabháil ortha féin d'uasal Thadhg.

The foreigners, through much pride and haughtiness with which they were filled and inflated, were exerting tyranny, injustice, captivity and constant depredation upon the Gaeidhil and taking their cattle and their lands from them with violence wherever they were able. And when the Gaeidhil perceived this, they wished to free themselves from that cruel tyranny of the foreigners by electing one sovereign over them to whom they should all yield hostages, that they might by this means defend Eire as they were accustomed to do. Wherefore they came to the resolution of holding a conference with each other on the margin of the deep harboured islandful Eirne. Here the nobles and chief lords of the Gaeidhil of Eire assembled together.

With respect to the whitesided Tadhg-Cael-uisge, the goodly and
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far-famed son of Conchubhar O'Briain, he proceeded with the greater part of Leath-Mhogha and Connacht to that meeting; and all the hosts of Ulster came there with O'Neill. It was a custom formerly that whenever the King [chief] of a Trícha chéd, or of a province, would receive a gift or wages from another great chief, he thereby signified that he became a subject and a vassal to him, as his lord, and that he was to pay him rent and tribute. After these nobles had sat in the assembly O'Briain sent one hundred steeds northwards across the stream in the name of wages to O'Neill; and when O'Neill perceived this he, with great violent anger, ordered to be sent across the same stream two hundred steeds with their gold-ornamented white-bordered bridles, which he had collected for bestowing on the men of Eire at this meeting on account of his right and power beyond any other of the Gaeidhil to contest for Eire, and moreover because all the men of Ulster were obedient to him at that time. When the noble Tadhg saw these steeds with their bridles, he sent the former steeds from their heroes across the stream to retain the subsidy by will or by force.

When O'Neill perceived the pride and high-mindedness of O'Briain he returned home in sorrow; and the result of that dissension was that the men of Eire dispersed from the meeting without selecting or appointing any supreme King over them, or even agreeing upon a resolution about defending Eire against the foreigners, except that they would in some time after meet again for the same purpose. But the greater number of them consented that Tadhg O'Briain should assume the chief lordship over them.

In 1259 Brian O'Neill and Felim O'Conchobar held a conference at Daimh-inis [Devenish] in Loch Eirne, to deliberate upon the best means of checking the encreasing power of the English in Ireland. But in the mean time treachery was at work in Ulster: Aedh Buidhe O'Neill, the next aspirant to the chieftainship of the Cineal-Eoghain, conspired with the young O'Domhnaill to weaken the power of Brian, and they plundered Tir-Eoghain and obtained hostages from some of the Oirghialla.

In the next year Aedh O'Conchobar (Hugh O'Conor) King of Connacht, marched into Ulster with the elite of his chieftains and forces to assist Brian O'Neill to crush his English and Irish enemies, and came

p.180

to an engagement with them on the Sunday within the Octave of Ascension day. In this battle Brian O'Neill was certainly not joined by all the chieftains of Ulster for it appears from the names of the slain that he had not any forces from Ulidia or Tir-conaill, and it is also clear that the people of Fearmanach and Oirghialla, with the exception of O'h-Anluain, had deserted him. This is also quite clear from several notices in the annals, and particularly from one under the year 1261, which states, that after the battle of Dun (Down) O'Domhnaill made a predatory incursion into Tir-Eoghain, and plundered and burned the greater part of it.

The following notice of the battle of Dun-da-leath-ghlas is given in the Annals of Ulster.¹¹

It is thus noticed in the Annals of Clonmacnoise: ‘A. D. 1260. Hugh O'Connor went to the North to assist Bryan O'Neale against the English, with a great company of Connoughtmen, where the said Bryan with the forces of Tyreowen and Hugh O'Connor with their accomplices went to give battle to the English, in which battle Bryan O'Neale, named the King of the Irish of Ireland, was killed, with these ensuing of the Irish nobility, vizt. Donnell O'Kearney; Dermott Maglaughlyn; Magnus O'Cahan; Kyan O'Hinnerge; Donnsleyve Macanna; Hugh O'Cahan; Mortagh O'Cahan; Connor O'Duffdirma and Hugh his son; Awley O'Garmley; Cowuly O'Hanlon; and fifteen of the chiefest of the family of the O'Kahans.’

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‘There was also slain of Connoughtmen these ensueing persons, vizt. Cahal mac Tyernan O'Connor; Gillchrist mac Connor mac Cormaick; Donnell mac Dermoda; Moyleronie Mac Donnogh; Cahal mac Donnogh mac Mortogh; Hugh mac Murtagh Fyn; Teig mac Cahal mac Bryen mac Moyledowne; Dermott mac Teig mac Moreye mac Thomalty O'Moyleroine; Connor Mac Gilbarie; Teig mac Keyn O'Garey; Gilleberry O'Koyne, and Charles the Bushopp O'Mory's son, with many others of the noble and ignoble sort.’

‘This battle is called the battle of Downe-Dalehglass, and Bryan O'Neale is since called Bryan Catha in Dwyn (Brian catha an Dúin h-Ua Néill,) which is as much as to say in English Brian of the battle of Downe.’— (Mageoghegans Translation.)

The Annals of the Four Masters and the Annals of Kilronan agree with those of Clonmacnoise nearly word for word. But the old Annals of Innisfallen, preserved in the Bodleian Library at Oxford, differ from all the Ui Neill Annalists, and positively state in brief words that Brian O'Neill was killed by his own Gaeidhil, or Irish followers.

‘A.D. 1260. Brien O'Neyll, rí Cinal Eoghin, d'á tugsat Gedhil braghdi, agus ná tug Kys na Kayn do rig Sagsan, do mharbhadh d'á Gedhelib fén, agus do ní do Gallibh, ac Dun-da-Leath-ghlas.’
‘A.D. 1260. Brian O'Neill, king of Cineal Eoghain, to whom the Gaeidhil had given hostages, and who had not given rent or tribute to the king of the Saxons, was killed by his own Gaeidhil and some of the foreigners at Dun-Da-Leath-ghlas.’

The notice of this battle by the Anglo-Irish Annalists are curious though brief. Clyn notices it as follows:
‘A.D. 1260. O'Neyl, regulus Ultonie occiditur cum multo populo apud civitatem de Duno, dominica infra octavas Ascensionis.’¹²

In Grace's Annals the death of O'Neill is incorrectly entered under the year 1259:
‘A.D. 1259. Stephanus de Longa Spata Justiciarius. Interfectus O'Neil ad Dunum.’¹³

In Dowling's Annals this battle is incorrectly entered under the year 1258, thus—
‘A.D. 1258. Stephanus de Longe Espee Justiciarius Hibernie

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Anno 42 Henrice 3, interfecit O'Nel cum 352 ejus familiaribus in vico de Down.’¹⁴

These Anglo-Irish authorities have been followed by Dr. Hanmer and Sir Richard Cox, who writes in his Hibernia Anglicana, p. 69, that ‘Stephen de Long Espee, Lord Justice, encountered O'Neale, and slew him and three hundred and fifty-two Irishmen in the streets of Down.’

From these Anglo-Irish authorities the following brief notice of the battle has been inserted in the Dublin copy of the Annals of Innisfallen, which was compiled in 1760:
‘A.D. 1258 [1260] Brian Catha-an-Duin, son of Niall Ruadh, son of Aodh O'Neill, was slain at Dun-da-leath-ghlas by the English under the command of the Lord Justice Stephen de Long Espee, and a great slaughter was made of the chiefs of Cineal-Eoghain. The transaction happened on Sunday, and his head was carried to London.’

But Dr. Leland, who had the translation of the old Annals of Innisfallen made in 1665 by Dudley Mac Firbisse for Sir James Ware, of which he had a copy in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, writes of this battle as follows:—
‘Ireland, in the mean time, felt all the melancholy effects of a feeble government, an aspiring nobility, laws suspended and controuled, factions engendered by pride and oppression, the anarchy of the old natives, the injustice of the new settters, local feuds, and barbarous massacres. Brian O'Nial of Tirowen, who with his principality inherited an inveterate aversion to English government, rose up in arms, compelled some neighbouring chiefs to join his standard, and spread confusion through all the North. Stephen Long Espee was called out to oppose him, and notwithstanding some advantage gained in the field, would have found it difficult to suppress this insurrection, had not the Irish prince fallen by the treachery of his own people.— (Annals of Innisfallen MS.)’ History of Ireland, vol. I. p. 230.

The poem affords us curious glimpses into the distracted state of Ireland at the period to which it refers, and into the kind of monarchical sway which the family of O'Neill claimed over all Ireland. The bard boasts of victories which Brian O'Neill and his ancestors had gained in their own province over their immediate neighbours in

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Eastern Ulster and over the Kindred Race of Tir-Conaill. He next speaks of the proud circumstance, that Brian's ancestors had in their hall a chess-board formed of the bones of their hereditary enemies, the Leinstermen, which is rather a barbaric boast in 1260. The only fact referred to, worthy of an Irish prince of the house of Niall, or which could be considered national glory, is the carrying off the hostages and the tribute of the foreigners or Danes of Dublin. Not a single victory over the English is referred to, and the bard had nothing to say on that subject except that they had achieved nothing in Ulster till they slew his hero.

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Appendix

I. Documents relating to the O'h-Eidirsceoils (O'Driscolls)

II. Documents relating to the Battle of Dun (Downpatrick)

p.328

I. 1. Eoin Másach h-Ua Maethagáin dixit so.

Marthain lé mac Choncobhair,
scarthain dam' re derbh-charaid,
ó'n ég so, mar fhoillsighthear,
mo dherca do dhergumar;
meisi gan mac Conchobhair
creite dam óm' dhermannaibh.

Fer uasal Ua h-Eidirsceoil,
fer ó bh-fuaras trom anair;
mé am m-Bérre fa beg onóir:
da éissi is céim comaicláin,
is fír ég Í Eidirsceoil,
lén na g-crich d'a chomhatmáil.

Nír aithnes in t-iarthar sa;
do cailledh mo chadhasa
bás mo dhuine dhúchasa,
ní cluithi, acht crádh lán-fhada,
is brath air bás Diarmada,
do lag cách mo chadhasa.

p.330

Ní éistfedh h-Ua Eidirsceoil
re h-én nech 'gum esanóir;
ar n-dol do'n úr enech réigh
a tú anocht fá n-emhanáir,
fuair enech Í Eidirsceoil
fá dheredh a deghadmháil.

Deghfheithmheoir na daennachta,
h-Ua h-Eidirsceoil m'fhialchara,
d'éis mo dhuine dúchasa,
ni fuide mé ar mhiangasa,
is terc againn érchara,
'gá n-anfuinn 's iarthar-sa.

Desgailt risin Dhiarmaid sin
esbaidh os gach én esbaidh,
aes Bérre le a buan chumhaidh
d'á éisi nír éirghedar,
monga derc fa'n Diarmuid sin
budh srebh corcra a céid fherthain.

Derbh gur ab uadh fhoillsighther
tuath is cell fá coimhdheacair,
bláth 'na thír ní thaidhbhrighther,
lá ní bhí gan boirb-fherthain,
terc mes tré mhac Conchobháir,
is terc lacht ac loilghechaibh.

Ní iarr bech a buachaillecht,
lé tes a n-iath Iarmhumhan,
in t-sín im an aen ghalar,
's cach duine co dian-chumhthach,
ré ná grian ní gnúis-sholus
d'á éis a n-iath Iarmhumhan.

p.332

Mé a n-decair 'sa n-droch-onóir
le h-esbaidh Í Eidirsceoil,
in fer faebhrach, follas, réidh,
do'n daennacht fa deighfheithmheoir,
lem' chroidhi is cuairt nemhfhalláin
misi ar uaidh Í Eidirsceoil.

A Bérre do bhídhgamar,
co h-érghi d'á oighredhaibh,
dúbhach mé tar Mhuimhnechaibh
d'éis an churadh cheinnselaigh,
clann charad do chonncamar,
anfad agá eighredhaibh.

A deir damh rer n-Diarmaid-ne,
do theist d'fhás do fhaemhuisi
beith slán deit is dochaidi:
lá na breithi baedhlaighi
creiter ó dho chuadhaisi
in t-ene gan aeghaire.

Gan bás is béim oruin-ne,
madh slán mé 's nach mairi-si,
beith slán dam' is dochraide,
'sdo bhás ag bruth m'athtuirsi,
tumadh a n-aghain oruin-ne
marthain is nách mairidh-si.

Do chuadhas a g-corraidhe,
ar n-uabhar rop' aislingthi,
trén gach én nech oruin-ne,
ni h-éister rem' aintreisi,
fáth ár d-toirsi truimi-ne
gan t'oighre dom' aithne [si.]

p.334

Mé um Dhiarmuid lem' dhecrachaibh,
co tráth iarruid ac osnadhuigh,
fá tú urra m'anacuil:
is tussa do thoghumar
guidhi ort-sa ac aiffrindaibh,
scola uime a cosnamhuigh.

Tech Dé agat dairighthi,
ní a n-aisgedh uaraisi;
tussa tuc mo thrén tuirsi,
fá tú urra m'fhuaslaigthi,
tug dúnn eol na h-eolchuire,
beo do chlú, 'sdo chuadhaisi.

Tú dob urra agam-sa,
fá tussa mo thigherna,
nech acu's an bh-ferann-sa,
ní fhaca fá t'innell-sa,
mór do bhen t'ég orum-sa,
nech ní trén gan tigherna.

Decair ar cách cuirisi,
atá h'esbaidh oruin-ne,
dol leat dúinn do dlighfidhe,
dar let is cúis corraidhe,
t'agallaimh a n-aislingthi
na h-anobair oruin-ne.

Mé um Dhiarmuid um dhibertach,
a n-dian-bhroid co deighenach,
gan urra rem' fhuaslugadh,
a chumha gum chéd-mhesgadh,
cídh mór n-esbaidh fuaramar
is mó in decair déighenach.

p.336

An t-ég sin í Eidirsceoil,
dom' déraibh is dathadóir,
a theist riamh do ro thinóil,
ó Dhia do gheibh glan onóir,
do bheir ég Í Eidirsceoil,
dér ar dherc 'na dhathadóir.

Lén is uilli fhuarasa,
ég mo dhuine duchusa,
in t-slat échtach arrachta,
dam ac dénamh dúthrachta,
cuimhne ar dhúthchus Diarmada,
mo dhuthracht an duthchus sa.

Bás carad ó at chualamar,
galur nach gnáth d'fhóirighin,
láimh re a lig fá lochrandaibh,
bídh cach ina cóirighthíbh,
mé am' aenar 'san Iarmhumhain,
a n-aenach sa n-óil-tighibh.

Ar locht air dob'eigcnesta,
fa maith daennacht Diarmada,
ar chaithemh ní chualasa,
a aithghin 'san Iarthar-sa,
ní gar a sheoid shaeghalta,
'ga mhac a n-deoigh Diarmada.

Ar tús ní bhím beo-chroidhech,
rem' chúl re crích Iarmhumhan;
tug Diarmuid co dúthrachtach,
gan iarraidh ar iarrumar;
do rinde Dia díghaltas,
anois ar iath Iarmhumhan.

p.338

Coma let lá in médaighthi,
fer as crádh lem' chroidhi-si,
ferrdi a Íssa h-aithnisi,
ó h-Itha ar bhár n-imirce.
a Chríst is cned oruin-ne
in chreach righ do rindisi.

Truma ná gach trén ghalar
a chumha gum chuartughadh;
bás aeinfhir 'gum ísliughadh,
ní budh h-éidir m'fhuaslugadh,
anois, a Dhé, dhighéltar,
mo thoil féin má fuaramar. Marthain.

Croch Chríst, in chroch cúmhachtach!
'com dhín anois nemhcheilter;
a naemh chroch 'gom nertachadh
is gaelmhar in ghenelach,
is í an chobhair chúmhachtach,
in chroch sin dár chreidemar.

Inghen Anna d'athmholadh
damh-sa nocha droch obair,
gan síl Adhaim d'aitherrach
máthair Chríst 'gar comhfhortacht;
guídhthí dhúnn co deibheadhach,
Muire árd, do thoghamar. Marthain.
Misi Tánaidh h-Ua Maelchonaire, agus a n-Druim Colpa atú a d-tigh Dairghre Í Duibhgheannáin. Do Choinconnacht O'Duibhgheannáin do scríbadh so.

p.340

I. 2. Tadhg, mac Diarmada Óig Uí Dhálaigh cecinit.

Tarraidh tuisil Tír Lúigheach,
eang na sisdadh saer-bhuídhneach,
crích loch-bhán na long g-cogthach,
trom an to-chrádh tharradar.

Re a cobhnuidh ag teacht asteach
tuiseal trom Tíre Luíghdheach,
rug a anbhuaini uirre sin,
troime an amhluaigh do fhoillsigh.

An chrích ag clos a neimh-sgeoil,
caitheamh aeise Uí Eidirsgeoil,
cúis teadhma do'n bhreic mhín bhuig,
re sén tír Teamhra tánaig.

Ba torthach an úir ídhan
do'n rosg atá ar d-teimhlíghadh;
ba faen-chrom a bh-fonn na sean
an coll caemhchóir ad chífeadh.

Mairg oireacht uil d'á dhéachsain
an rosg atá a n-easgaigh,
geárr ó budh easgaidh isi
déachsain ceann a críche-si.

Fá moch d'iarraidh an airm thruim
an lámh ó'r leath a luaghuill;
ní do mhúch muirn na n-oireacht
lúth an duirn ar deoruígheacht.

p.342

An teanga cheannsa ad chluininn,
atá a d-teirce úrfhuighill,
briathar corp-shlim nír chan sin,
ba foirtill tan a d-teantaibh.

An chluas nách bh-fuil da bh-faire
sleasa caemha Cothluighe;
fuínn chorra na g-creat-long sean,
leathtrom orra ni éisdfeadh.

Claechlódh a chéadfaidh sin
do loit an fonnsain Fhinghin,
clár slím na n-eacht-bhrugh n-einígh;
rinn a g-céadfaidh ceilfidhear.

Raibhche an bháis 'ga bhais cheolaigh,
séan an oireir isleochaigh,
do sgé caeine 'ga crídhe,
tré chaeile ré an Ridire.

Trom an easbaidh d'iath Lughaidh
sódh meanman mhic Chonchobhair,
a oighre a n-easbaidh an fhuinn,
ní doilghe easbaidh oruinn.

Fiche bliadhain is bárr re chois
atá a chúl re chrích dúthchois,
mac Fhinghin ag fághail reann
nár thomhail fín-fhleidh Éireann.

p.344

Dá roiseadh a rinn Mumhan,
dearbh go g-cuirfeadh Conchubhar
gleo na n-each ar airm-thriall chreach
ar gharbh-thrian leathan Luíghdeach.

Innradh a fhearainn cairte,
cosnamh críche a chlann-mhaicne,
ar an eachtra do nídh aniugh,
ní budh deacra do dhéanamh.

Ar mhoing fhraechda an mhara mhir,
tarraidh mac feithmheach Finghin,
anbhuain ba teo 's an Turcaidh,
a n-gleo an arm-shluagh ingantaigh.

Teora long 'ga leacain ghlain,
caegad long a lucht cogaidh,
faicsin mharcaigh mhuighe Chéin,
nír altaigh duine dibh séin.

A d-Turcaigh na g-craebh g-ciníl,
long mhilla mhic Eibhilín,
ba h-é rian a th-ocht chlár thoir
triall tré chorp-lár an chobhluigh.

Loingeas chomhlán an chalaidh,
nír smuain croidhe Chonchobhair,
a bhreac long d'á seachna soin,
leathtrom deabhtha do'n deoruidh.

Do dhírigh an long leabhair,
ar an n-gasra n-gráineamhail,
gleo a lonn-chon is na loingsibh,
fromhthar leo don láthair sin.

p.346

Do láimh féinnidh fhóid Uisnigh,
do thuit ceann an chobhlaigh sin,
cath tar bhreis a saerfhear soin
do sraeineadh leis an lá soin.

Do chothaigh, aimsear oile,
D'fheadhmannaibh a irghoile
ar chathaighe an gheal-fhuinn ghlais
machaire fhleadh-uill Flóndrais.

Cuairt roithe fa réim deigh-sgeoil,
do chuire oighre Uí Eidirsgeoil,
fá'n Almaini, cinn a g-cinn,
marbh-gháir as tír 'na thimchill.

Maith linn, a leabhraibh na sgol,
nach neach do rígheacht Saxon,
fuair an ghairm 'na gairm taibhsigh,
do thuair ainm s' ná h-éachtaibh sin.

Mairg tír ó d-teasda a chabhair,
lámh dhearg chosgrach Conchabhair,
mairg sealbh-fhonn fhuil na h-easbaidh,
troigh na bh-feadhmann bh-fuileach sin.

Nír fhuathaidh a fholt doireach,
sibhal chalaidh chomhoíghtheach,
dóigh asa ucht d'fhoghluidh sinn,
ní samhlaidh ucht ar Eirinn.

An mac amuich ó'n oireacht
an t-athair a n-arsuídheacht,
fáth cró-ghuil don chrích sin thiar,
do dhínaigh mór-fhuil Mhaicniadh.

p.348

Mac Eibhlíne na d-treas d-te
fuair ro chin rígh na Spáine,
biaidh for-ghráin d'á bhrígh abhus
a g-connmhail do shír shealbhus.

Do thogh an righ tuigseach thall
neach do thurnfadh tréan eachtrann;
Conchobhar, an té do thogh,
urchomhall é fá'n eangnomh.

Mac Sibhán slicht na g-curadh
glas ar oirbheart Iarmhumhan;
an t-slat 'sa ghaeis fa ghort Fhloinn,
'san aeis ag teacht tar teorainn.

Tairnig feardhacht a fhír ghráidh,
cian uaithi meanma an mhacáin,
conchlann 'gun eing si ní fhuil,
ro throm an teidhm-si tarruigh.

Lé rugadh an Righ Neamhdha
an ógh íchtmhar oireadha,
lacht a cíche do chaith sin
ár maith as tríthe tharraigh.

Fidhradh cochlach na craeibhe
do dháil dise a deagh-mhaeine,
a tairthi mar an g-craeibh g-ciníl,
do sgaeil aithfe d'Eibhilín.

Dirma suadh a snámh dá éan
ag buain cinidh d'inghin Oiléan,
p.350
an sgol ó'n Líne loingsigh
tighe crodh ó'n Charrthaigh sin.

Rath na féile dháileas dí
riar a m-bí ar feadh gach n-oighthe,
um shuain-fhleidh an dúin daeinigh,
gun t-suaibhnigh úir fhorbhfaeiligh.
Tarraidh.

p.352

I.—3.

Fearfeasa Ó Cáinte cecinit.

Leo féin chuirid Clann Ítha
fada atá rún ro-dhítha,
ina g-croidhibh ceann a g-ceann,
fá cheann oiris na h-Éireann.

Ní le slicht Éibhir na Ír,
chuirthear leo re linn éisídh
cuaine rígh, is trom tinól,
ná le síl oll Eireamhóin.

Ní bh-fuil d'ádhbhar acu sin
fa chosg sídh, fa chur cogaidh,
acht d'agra ceirt Clann Lughaidh
le bárr neirt a n-ollamhuin.

Atá an chóir ag Cloinn Ítha,
imdha ádhbhar éisítha,
fá chrích chuan-abhaidh Chobthaigh
fuaradar ó allmhorchaibh.

Mór g-comha nár chomha beag,
mór n-éacht g-curadh do chaillsead,
fá'n d-tír bháin, gealtolchaigh, ghlain,
ag eachtrannchaibh chláir Chrimhthainn..

p.354

Mór magh sgoithsheamrach sgiamhdha,
mór d-treabh álainn fhír-niamhdha,
ó shlicht Ítha a g-chathaibh cnicht
gur bh'fhachuin fhích a n-éisdicht.

Gan eirghe a g-combaidh cogadh
d'éis gach uilc dá bh-fuaradhar
dream ród na g-cnofhídhbhadh g-cruinn,
ró íngnadh fad a bh-fulaing.

Dochaide buaidh do breith dóibh,
ní bárr ainmhian, ní h-éagcóir,
tug do'n droing-ghéir reannaigh glain,
boing fá chéimeannaibh cogaidh.

A n-guais féin, faithcheas a bh-fonn,
tug dóibh, gídh fada a bh-fulang,
gan labhairt sítha re seal
adhairt fícha na bh-féinneadh.

Maith fuaradar fuil Ítha
cur trod, adhnadh éisítha,
fa chomhthuidh iatha na n-Art,
fiacha orthaibh a furtacht.

Slicht Ítha fhuilngeas dochar
dóibh as córa cathúghadh
fá'n d-tír chuirr shaeirealaigh sheing
do Ghaeidhealaibh fhuinn Fhéilim.

p.356

Ni fhúil díbh sein, Dia do cheart,
neach dán h-oirchisi an oighreacht,
saeradh a beann, coimhdhe a cruídh
iná an t-oighre as feárr orthuibh.

Mac Uí Eidirsgeoil, ucht seang,
dóas córa d'fhearaibh Eireann,
cathúghadh 'ma a g-cath,
an eang chathamhail chogthach.

Conchobhar, croidhe leomhain,
ó's dó as cóir, caitheochaidh,
fá'n g-crích úir theadmhannaigh the,
re sean-Ghallaibh bhruich Boinne.

Eagal dóibh, Dia do phúdhar,
a chineadh is Conchubhar,
d'á n-díthughadh, ní dáil tím,
fa chlár fíchamhail Fhéilim.

Coiseonaid clanna Lúghaich
ar chathaibh ar conghalaibh,
Corca Laighe na learg n-glan,
ceád as daeire do dhéanamh.

Ní córa dóibh, Dia do chin,
troid um Corcaigh, nó um Chaisil
iná cur deabhtha budh dheacht
fá mhagh d-Teaftha is fá'n d-Tuaisceart.

Nó um Nár Laighean na learg d-te,
no um Ath-Cliath na g-cuan síthe,
p.358
no um thuathaibh Baei leath ar leath,
no um Cruachain Aí, no um Oileach.

Da n-dearntai ceart ronna riú,
slicht Ítha dhoirteas donn-chrú,
dóibh do seich féarmhagh na bh-finn,
do bhreith Earlamh na h-Éirinn.

As amhlaidh fuaradar so,
clann Lúghaich mhóir mhic Ítha,
ceart ar ro Bhoinn bhrataigh Bhreagh,
d'onóir tar macaibh Mileadh.

Do bhárr a dhúnaidh bodhéin,
do chí Íth an airm rínn-ghéir,
tar an ro-mhuir soiléir sáimh,
samhuil oiléin o'n Easpáin.

p.360

Ith mac Bile, mic Breogain,
gluaisidh sé a fín ainbhfeonaigh,
cuire sithe d'fhiannaibh uile,
d'iarraidh na críche ad chonnairc.

Nír bhean lochadh as a luing,
go ráinic gan ro mhearbhuill,
soigheadh ghér tochradh teann,
go port-sáil oiris Éireann.

Gluaistear leis ar d-teacht a d-tír,
dirim laech nar lucht fhairbhrigh,
fa teann coinne a g-ceann troda,
a g-ceann cloinne Cearmoda.

p.362

Fa roinn Éireann an fheoir bhuidh,
do bhí 'gun g-cloinn sin Chearmuid,
fích na bh-foclaibh leath ar leath,
ag teacht do Íth go h-Oileach.

Fáiltighid na rígha roimhe,
nochtaidh fáth a n-oirbhire,
nír cheilligh crích a ronna,
gur réidhigh Íth eadtorra.

Ceileabhrais dóibh 'na dhiaigh sin,
beireas imchomharc uathaibh,
a tuaidhean ga mo phúdhair,
do smuaineadh leo a leanmhain.

Measdar leo ar sgaeileadh a sgél,
gur ghuair dóibh é do'n oílen;
misde a g-clann crích a g-cogair:
ar Ith ann gur fhealladair.

Ar Mhuigh Ítha an fhachuin bhuig,
marbhthar é le cloinn Cearmuid
gér chathréimeach 'sa ghleo a ghuin
do b'aithmhéileach leo a leanmhuin.

Beirid muintir mic Bile,
ar éigin ó'n anbhfine,
teidhm as ar éirigh olc cháich,
corp an fhéinnidh do'n Easpáin.

Gluaiseas Lúghaidh na lann sean,
is a bhráithre meic Mileadh,
p.364
ina g-caeir shluaigh shéanta,
do bhuain a éarca d'fhir Éireann.

As d-teacht a d-tír, gá teo broid,
iar marbhadh chloinne Chearmoid,
nír fír-lagaigh fích na bh-fear
gur dhíghladar Íth d'oigheadh.

'Na éiric sin do fhán an fonn,
aco ó Thuathaibh De Danonn,
de tá slicht Itha an ghéag gheal,
ar thríchadh céd d'a chóigeadh.

Mar sin as iad do bh-feárr ceart
nó go d-tángais re d-treiseacht
fa ghort fhinnacrach na bh-finn
le h-olc imarcach Eirinn.

Eiric Ítha ar iath séin Ír,
na maitheadh mac Eibhilín,
ó gach fhir nír fholáir deit,
do chin d'fhágháil do'n éiric.

Má tá nách leanfaídhe libh,
an éiric si ar fhuil Mhilidh,
má's díl duit' san tí torchair,
ná leig í le h-allmhorchaibh.

A Ua Ítha, meic Bile!
mar éiric ó'n ainbhfine
do ghaibhthear duit ceann a g-ceann,
a g-cuid d'fhódfhoithribh Éireann.

Imdhá éiric nách ísin,
agad, a oighre Fhinghin,
gan séana ar garbh amhsaibh Gall
méala an t-ainghar so d'fhulang.

p.366

Mór fhuil do léigsead fá lár,
mór g-curadh fár cóir to-chrádh
do ortadar sonn re seal
fá fhonn ghort-abaidh Ghaeildhéal.

Doirt-si fuil na folaibh,
a láimh catha, a Chonchobhair,
ná gaibh earca ara son soin
acht gona eachta na n-aghaidh.

Smuain ar anbhreathaibh fhian Gall;
tuig mar bhís cealg na gainmann
rún fuilngeach ní déanta dhe,
cuimhnigh a n-éachta aidhbhle.

Da n-gnáththuigheam a guidhe,
an Ógh do bhí a m-bhochtuine,
a h-Oighre dá n-éara mé
do geana oirne uaisle. leo.

Méinn ríghnaidhe gan rún truim,
Eibhilín inghen Domhnuill,
ní fhaghthar neach dimdhach dhi,
dá m-beith ag innlach uirri.

Lucht imdheargtha aighthe ban,
um na h-airgeadhaibh iarrthar
bláth toghtha na g-craebh g-ciníl
budh saer orra Eibhilín.

Slat do choillibh crú Shuibhne,
dés d'úir mhuighe Modhuirne,
p.368
planda toraidh gan chlaen cheirt
craebh thoruidh an tuaisceirt.

Lór do thogha druim ar dhruim
a cosg fhoghla, a fuath leath-truim
dreach réidh ó'n froistighe fídh
a méinn fhoisdini, a h-aignid.