Some time after that Finachta son of Dunchad, son of Aed Sláine, assumed the kingship of Ireland. Leinster was then liable to pay Leth Cuinn (the northern half of Ireland) a general tribute, namely, the Leinster Boroma.59 In levying that tribute the Northerners were inflicting violence and hardship on the people of the province.
That was told to Moling, and he was fond of the Leinstermen. He asked the old men and the historians of Leinster whether they had any prophecy or prediction about the removal of that tribute. ‘There is, in truth,’ they answer; ‘that it will be removed through a cleric.’ ‘Who knows’ (says Moling) ‘that this will not be done by me? and why should not I go and ask for its remission?’