INDEX.

A.

Abbey, the Black, Kilkenny, 318.

of Mellifont, 231. of St. Mary, 317. of Holy Cross, 317. of Dunbrody, 289. of Tintern, 317. of St. Saviour's, Dublin, 318. of St. Thomas the Martyr, 287. of Boyle, 316.

Abercrombie, Sir Ralph, 623.

Act of Emancipation passed, 647.

Adamnan, St., 172.

Adrian's Bull, 274.

Aedh, St., 221.

Aengus, St., 179

his Festology, 180 his Chronicle, 41.

Aengus Grove, Synod at, 227.

Aengus, King, baptism of, 123

his death, 130 ancestor of the O'Keeffes, O'Sullivans, O'Callahans, and MacCarthys, 130.

Africa, Phoenician circumnavigation of, 69.

Agrarian outrages and their causes, 613.

Agricola, 95.

Aideadh Chonchobair, legend of, 127.

Ailbhé, Princess, 105.

Ainmire, Hugh, 167.

All Hallows Eve, 88n.

Altan, St., 177.

Amalgaidh, King, and his seven sons, 123.

Amato, prelate who consecrated St. Patrick, 115.

Amlaff the Dane, 195

in Dublin, 191.

Ancient pitcher, 240.

fireplaces, 240. shoes, 252. brooch, 270. boot, 251.

Andrew, St., Church of, in Henry II.'s time, 272.

Anglo-Irish and old Irish, their differences at Kilkenny, 487.

Annals of Ulster, 39

compiled by Four Masters, 51 accounts in, confirmed _ab extra_, 68 poetry from, 198 kept with great care, 233 dedication of, 53 quotations from, 58, 59, 75, 88, 90, 94, 132, 144, 198, 199, 218, 232n, 265, 283, 388, 307, 312n. 313. of Tighernach, 48. of Innis MacNerinn, 39. of Innisfallen, 39. of Boyle, 39. of Clonmacnois, 60n. of Loch Cé, 115. of Ballitore, 630. preserved by Celtic Race, 67.

Anselm, St., commends the Irish prelates, 229.

Antiquities of pre-Christian Erinn, 148.

Antwerp, Irish soldiers in, 478.

Aqua vini and aqua vitæ, 245.

Architecture of Tara, 167.

Ardmore round tower, 237.

Armagh, See of, 114

founded, 120 streets of, 187n.

Arnold on pedigree, 85n.

on history taught by verse, 86n.

Athlone, siege of, 568

castle of, 314 bridge built, 308n.

Attacotti, revolt of the, 96.

Augustinians, Order of, 316.

B.

Bachall Isu, St. Patrick's, 114

its wanton destruction, 115.

Ballitore, sufferings in, 630.

Balor of the Evil Eye, 64.

Banbha, the Lady, 43.

Banqueting hall at Tara, 160.

Baptism, ceremonies at, 229.

Baraid, a Scandinavian chief, 195.

Barbadoes, the Irish seat as slaves to, 515.

Bards of Erinn, or filés, 40.

Barretts, feud between Cusacks and, 332.

Barrington, Sir Jonah, on the last night of Irish Parliament, 639.

Barry, an Irishman, 601.

Barrys and Roches, 445.

Battle of Magh Tuireadh, 61.

of Sliabh Mis, 75. at Taillten, 75. between the Firbolgs and Tuatha Dé Dananns, 62. Connor, 343. of Géisill, 78n. of Bealagh Mughna (Ballaghmoon), Kildare, 193. of Dundalk, 201. of Sulcoit, near Tipperary, 205. of Belach-Lechta, near Macroom, co. Cork, 207. of Glen-Mama (Glen of the Gap), near Dunlavin, 208. of Clontarf, 214. of Downpatrick, 325. of Benburb, 493. of the Boyne, 563. of Aughrim, 570. of the Ford of Comar, Westmeath, 160. of Magh-Rath, 171. of Almhain (near Kildare), 186. of Desertcreaght, 332. of St. Callixtus' day, 352. of Ford of the Biscuits, 451.

Beare, O'Sullivan, his History, 534.

Beasts, the three, to be hunted, 517.

Bede's account of Ireland, 79

on Irish saints, 173.

Belgium, MSS. preserved in, 46.

Beltinne, or fire of Baal, 119

origin of, 164.

Benignus, St., St. Patrick's successor in the See of Armagh. 116.

Berchau, St., 162.

Beresford faction, 616.

Bill, curious, of a play, 547n.

Bishops, Protestant, indifferent about regular ordination, 536.

Black Death. 86.

Blefed or pestilence, 162.

Bog butter and cheese, 246.

Bohun, Humphrey de, 270.

Bonnell, his statistics, 540.

Book, a, given for a ransom, 377.

Books preserved, list of, 39, 44

list of lost, 39, 40.

Book of Chronicum Scotorum, 39.

of Laws, 40. of Ballymote, 37. of Leinster, 40. of Lecain, 37 when written, 50n. Annals of Ulster, 39. of Innisfallen, 39. of Boyle, 39. of Four Masters, 51. of Tighernach, 39. of Inis MacNerinn, 39. of Clonmacnois, 60n. Speckled, 37. Cuilmenn, 40. Saltair of Tara, 39 when written 40. of Uachongbhail, 39. Cin Droma Snechta, 39 when compiled, 43. Saltair of Cashel, 39 when compiled, 44. Saltair of Cormac, 41. of St. Mochta, 44. of Cuana, 44. of Dubhdaleithe, 44. Saltair of Temair, 43. Saltair-na-Rann, 41. of Leabhar buidhe Sláine, 44. of Leabhar na h-Uidhre, 44. of Eochaidh O'Flannagain, 44. of Inis an Duin, 44. Short, of St. Buithe's Monastery, 44. of Flann of St. Buithe's Monastery, 44. of Flann of Dungeimhin (Dungiven, co. Derry), 44. of Dun da Leth Ghlas (Downpatrick), 44. of Doiré (Derry), 44. of Sabhall Phatraic (co. Down), 44. of Uachongbhail (Navan), 44. Leabhar dubh Molaga, 44. Leabhar buidhe Moling, 44. Leabhar buidhe Mhic Murchadha, 44. Leabhar Arda Macha. 44. Leabhar ruadh Mhic Aedhagain, 44. Leabhar breac Mhic Aedhagain, 44. of O'Scoba of Cluain Mhic Nois (or Clonmacnois), 44. of Leabhar fada Leithghlinne, 44.

Book of Invasions, 54.

of Duil Droma Ceata, 44 of Clonsost, (Queen's county), 44. of Trias Thaumaturgas, 52. of Hispania Illustrata, 70, of Acaill, 104. of Armagh, 109. of Rights, 253n.

Boromean Tribute, the origin of, 98

remitted, 185.

Boulter, Dr., 581.

Bran Dubh, bravery and stratagem of, 168.

Bravery of the Dalcassians, 218.

Breas, the warrior, 62.

Brehon laws, 147

by whom compiled, 144.

Brendan, St. and his voyages, 169.

Brian Boroimhé, 205

avenges the death of Mahoun, 207 deposes Malachy, 209 his wife, 211 his death, 217 romantic ballad of the lady, 209 originator of surnames, 210n.

Brigid, St., her birthplace, 131.

Briton, origin of name, 60.

Brodir, the apostate Dane, 212

kills Brian Boroimhé, 217.

Browne, Dr., 395.

Bruce, invasion of, 350.

Bruce's, Edward, campaign, 342

his death, 345.

Brunehalt, Queen, 173.

Burke, MacWilliam, 299

head of the Burke family in Ireland, 299.

Burke, MacWilliam, 326

wars of, with the FitzGeralds, 326 defeat of, by O'Connor, 328.

Burke, celebrated statesman of 18th century, 593

his school days, 594 his hatred of oppression, 595 his marriage, 596 becomes secretary, 597 his maiden speech, 598 on Indian policy, 604.

Burkes and Geraldines, 333.

Burgat, Dr., his Brevis Relatio, 518n.

Burgo, Richard de, 309.

Burnt Njal, quotations from, 217.

Butlers, the, their history, 354.

C.

Cæsar, his accounts of the Druids, 138.

Cairbré, Satire of, 63.

Cairbré, Cinn-Cait, 97.

Cairbrés, the three, 102.

Caligraphy, Irish skilled in, 185.

Callaghan of Cashel, 196.

Cambridge, treatise on origin of, 71.

Camden on Ogygia, 72.

Cannibalism, charge of, refuted, 74.

Cannon-balls first used, 381n.

Canons, St. Patrick's, 117.

Carew's, Sir P., claim, 428.

Carhampton, Lord, cruelties of, 617n.

Carmelite monasteries, 323.

Cashel, the Saltair of, 44.

the Synod of, 275. massacre at, 496.

Castlehaven Memoirs, 482n.

Casts for celts, 246.

Cataldus, St., 178.

Catalogue of lost books, 44.

Cathair Crofinn, a circular fort, 165.

Cathal Carragh, 296.

Cathal Crovderg, 296.

Catholic Emancipation, 647.

worship publicly restored, 411, Association, 583. priests, their peculiar position and difficulties, 586. question, a ministerial difficulty, 639. delegates met in Dublin, 615.

Catholics, Orangemen bribed to persecute, 616n

penal laws against, 576.

Cauldrons as tribute, 241.

Cavalry, 309n.

Ceann Cruach, great ancient idol of the Irish, 121.

Ceasair, taking of Erinn by, 54

landing in Ireland of, 57.

Celedabhaill, his quatrains, 198.

Celestine, Pope, sends St. Patrick to Ireland, 115.

Celsus, St., 227

when buried, 227.

Celtic language, antiquity of, 147

remains of, 46.

Celtic literature, 37.

Celtic and Roman history, 81.

Celts, description of, 160.

Chariots used in Ireland, 167.

Charlemont, Earl of, his life, 607.

Charles I., reign of, 473

his "faith," 475.

Charles II., reign of, 520

his treatment of the loyalists, 521.

Chesterfield and Adam Smith on Ireland, 603.

Chichester, Sir John, 580.

Chichester's Parliament, 471.

Chieftains, Irish, 303.

Child, interment of a, 157n.

Christ, the age of, 94.

Christian missions, 108.

Christianity, introduction of, 112.

Chronicle of Cormac MacCullinan, 41.

of Aengus Ceilé Dé, 41. of Richard of Cirencester, 139.

Chronicum Scotorum, 58

compiled by, 50 account in, 57 on Partholan's landing in Ireland, 58.

Chronology, difficulties of, 44

Irish, 80.

Cin Droma Snechta, 39

quotations from, 43 on Irish immigration, 58.

Circular forts, 165.

Cistercians, Order of, 316.

Cities and Cemeteries of Etruria, 155.

Clanrickarde, Earl of, 356.

Clare, Lord, on Irish cultivation, 638.

Clare election, the, 649.

Clarence, Duke of, 371.

Clergy, state of the Catholic, in the reign of Elizabeth, 426.

Clonmacnois, the Annals of, 60n.

Clubs in the seventeenth century, 545

Clynn, the annalist, 319.

Cobhthach Cael, 90.

Codex, containing Venerable Bede's works, 47.

Coigley, Father, arrested and hanged, 624.

Colgan, his labours, 52

mention of, 534.

College of Physicians, establishment of, in Dublin, 543.

Colleges, continental, established for Irish students, 535.

Colonists--Scythians, Greeks, 68.

Colonization, proofs of our early, 55

the last, 75.

Columba, St., and the Bards, 168.

Columbanus, St., his rule, 173

on papal supremacy, 176.

Commercial status of Irish towns, 540.

Comyn, John, Archbishop of Dublin, 291

his imprisonment, 295.

Conchessa, 112.

Confessions, St. Patrick's, 113.

Conairé II., 103

collects laws, 104.

Conn of the Hundred Battles, 101.

Conn's half of Ireland, 102.

Connaught, ancient, 64

massacre in, 297 three claimants for, 307 rising of the men, 323 plantation of, 475.

Conor Mac Nessa, legend of, 127

death of, 128.

Controversy, theological, of the "Three Chapters," 175.

Cooke, Mr., publishes a pamphlet, 631.

Coote's cruelties, 482.

Cork Militia, cruelties of the, 626.

Cormac, author of Saltair of Tara, 104.

Council at Tara, 172.

Courcy, John de, in Ulster, 286

his valour, 286 his defeat in Antrim, 288 his death. 298.

Craftiné, the poet, 91.

Crannoges, 159.

Cranmer, Archbishop, 410.

Cremation not usual in Erinn, 155.

Crom Chonaill, the, 162.

Cromlechs, 155

in the Phoenix Park, 161.

Cromwell arrives in Ireland, 500

marches to Drogheda, 500 massacre at Drogheda. 501 letters, 502 his cruelties, 503 brutality of his soldiers, 503 his massacre at Wexford, 503.

Cromwellian settlement in Ireland, 512n.

Crovderg, Hugh, 307

his death, 308.

Cruelties of English officers, 417.

Crystède, his account of Ireland, 363.

Cuilmenn, the, 40.

Culdees, the, 182

question on the 179n.

Curia Regis, held at Lismore, 273.

Curragh of Kildare, 255.

Curran, his life, 606.

Cusack, Sir Thomas. 409

favours O'Neill, 421.

Custom-house built, 638.

D.

Dá Derga, destruction of the court of, 91.

Dagges, 413n.

Dalriada, the Irish, 131.

Danes, Malachy's exploits against the, 207

in Ireland, 204 cruelties of the, 190 divided into Black and White Gentiles, 191 found sea-port towns, 200 supposed conversion of, 204 pipes, 241 the Dalcassians fight the, 205.

Danish fortress in Dublin, 278n

the first invasion, 188 attempted second invasion, 224 pirates, first raid of the, 188 valour, battle of Clontarf, 215.

Dante, 385.

D'Alton on the Round Towers, 163

on History, Religion, &c., of Ancient Ireland, 68n.

Dathi, 107.

Defective Titles, Commission of, 475.

Derry, siege of, 558.

Dervorgil, the Lady, 234.

Desmond, Earls of, their ancestors and descendants, 282n.

Castle, 221. Earl of, his witty reply, 384.

Destruction of the idols, 121.

Details of the atrocities of the military, 621.

Diarmaid, Princess, pursuit of, 106.

Diarmaid's reign, misfortunes of, 167.

Dicho, St. Patrick's first convert, 116.

Dinnseanchus, a topographical work, 164.

Dog, story of a faithful, 571.

Domhnach, Gaedhilic term for Sunday, 121.

Domhnach Airgid, 134n.

Dominican Order in Ireland, 318.

Donatus, St., 178.

Doneraile Conspiracy, 643.

Dowdall, Dr., opposition of, 410.

Downpatrick, battle of, 325.

Drapier's Letters, the, 581.

Dress of the poorer classes in Ireland in seventeenth century, 552.

Drink of the ancient Irish, 243.

Drinking vessels of different kinds, 243.

Druids and their teaching, 137.

Drumceat, first convention held at, 167.

Drury, his cruelties, 443

his death, 443

Dubhdaleithe, Book of, 44.

Dublin in the seventeenth century, 544.

Dublin, fashionable and prosperous, 638.

Dubtach salutes St. Patrick at Tara, 121.

Duke of Clarence, Viceroy, 371.

Duke of York, viceroyalty of, 375.

Dunboy, siege of, 460.

Duncheadh, St., 221.

Dundalk, battle of, 201.

E.

Early missionaries. 108.

Eber, 84.

Ecclesiastics, cruelties practised on, 452.

Ecclesiastical property, confiscation of, 403.

Edward I., reign of, 329.

Elizabeth, Queen, accession of, 412

martyrs in the reign of, 416.

Emania, Palace of, 89.

Embargo laws, 578.

Emmet's career, 640.

Enda, St., 169.

English, invasion of the, 257.

come to Ireland for instruction, 178. quarrels of, barons, 300. law refused to Ireland, 362. writers, mistakes of, 361. schism, real cause of, 394. Irish emigrants defeat the, 584.

Enniskilleners, cruelties of the, 559.

Eras, three, in Irish history, 387.

Eremon, reign of, 77

his death, 78 families descended from, 84.

Eric, or compensation for murder, 146.

Erinn, St. Patrick's mission to, 112.

ancient chronicles of, 48n. pre-Noahacian colonization of, 55. takings of, 57. early geographical accounts of, 72. social accounts of, 73. ancient laws of, 144. religion of, 137. customs of, 139. language of, 147. antiquities of, 153. five great roads of ancient, 101.

Essex, Earl of, tries to colonize Ulster, 432

his interview with O'Neill, 456 his death, 433.

Ethnea, Princess, 123.

Eva, her marriage with Strongbow, 264.

Exchequer of the King of England in Dublin, fourteenth century, 339.

Exiled Irishmen, 478.

F.

Fairs, Irish, seventeenth century, 538.

Falkland, Lord, suspected of favouring the Catholics, 473.

Fauna, description of, 253.

Fené-men, the, 42n.

Fenian poems and tales, 87

ascribed to, 105.

Fes, or triennial assembly, 163.

Fethlimia, Princess, 122.

Fiacc's Hymn, Scholiast on, 111.

Fidh Aengussa, the Synod of, 227.

Fifth taking of Ireland, 62,

Fiacre, St., 177.

Finnachta Fleadhach, the Hospitable, 171.

Finnen, St., 162,

Fintan, son of Bochra, the Irish historian, 40.

Firbolg chiefs, division of Ireland by, 60

battles of, 62.

Fish in Ireland, 80n

anecdote on, 72n.

FitzAldelm, his viceroyalty, 285

his death, 299.

FitzGerald, war between De Burgo and, 326.

FitzGerald, war between De Vesci and, 333.

FitzGerald, Lord Edward, joins the United Irishmen, 618

arrest of, 624 his death, 624.

Fithil, the poet, 40.

FitzMaurice obtains foreign aid, 441

his death, 443.

FitzStephen, 260.

FitzWilliam, Earl, viceroyalty, of 616.

Flahertach, Abbot, and King of Munster, 194

Flann, his Synchronisms, 49

synchronizes the chiefs and monarchs with the kings of Erinn, 50.

Flann, King, his reign, 192.

Flint used to make weapons of defence, 160.

Flood, his life, 607.

Flora, description of, 253.

Foillan, St., 177.

Fomorians, the, 60-64.

Food of the ancient Irish, 241

of poorer classes in seventeenth century, 553.

Ford of the Biscuits, battle of, 451.

Fothadh of the Canons, 180.

Franciscan Order in Ireland, 319

their patriotism, 344 their convents, 312 remarkable spring, 319 persecution of, 474.

Friars Preachers, Order of, 318.

Fridolin, St., 178.

Froude's History of England,

quotations from his account of the English clergy, 440.

Fursey, St., 177.

G.

Gall, St., 177.

Galls, description of, 187n.

Gallic Church, labours of the Irish in 177.

Gaul, the Celts of, 73.

Irish saints venerated in, 183.

Géisill, battle of, 78n.

Genealogies, differences between, and pedigrees, 80-82.

Milesian, 79. peculiar historical value of, 80. and pedigrees, 51.

General Assembly at Kilkenny, 485.

Geographical accounts of Ireland, 72

George I., 582.

Geraldines, rising of, 1534, 390

ancestor of the, 333 their wars, 334 defeated at Kenmare, 325.

Germanus, St., his Canons, 117.

Gertrude, St., daughter of King Pepin, 177.

Gherardini, letter from the, 384.

Gilla Caemhain, an Irish writer, 49

gives annals of all times, 49.

Ginkell, General, 568.

Glundubh, Nial, lamentation for, 196.

Gold ornaments, 157.

Goldsmith, his life, 609.

Gordon's, Mr., account of the atrocities of the military, 628, 629.

Gormgal, St., 221.

Gormflaith, Brian Boroimhé's wife, 210.

Gospels, the, used by St. Patrick, 134.

Graces, the, 474.

Grammatica Celtica, 46.

Granard and Staigue, 237.

Grattan's demand for Irish independence, 590

his life, 607 entrance into the Imperial Parliament, 640.

Grainné, pursuit of, and Diarmaid, 106.

Greeks said to have visited Ireland, 139.

Grey, Lord, desecrates churches, 133.

Grey, John de, 301.

Guaire, his hostility to St. Columba, 167.

H.

Harp, when first used as an emblem, 249.

Haverty's History of Ireland, 221n.

Henry II. lands in Ireland, 270

produces the Bull, 274 makes his son Lord of Ireland, 287 holds a synod at Cashel, 273 his palace, 272

Henry IV., his reign, 368

his death, 294.

Henry V., 369.

Henry VI., Wars of the Roses, 371.

Henry VII., 379.

Henry VIII., 387

persecutions during the reign of, 401 Dr. Browne's letter to, 399.

Herodotus, quotations from, 69.

Hibernia, the first buried in, 57.

Himantiliginos, game of, 141.

Himerus and Iberus, 70.

Hispania Illustrata, 70.

Historians of Erinn, 40.

Historians of the seventeenth century, 531.

Historic Tales, 86.

Historical value of genealogies, 80, 87.

History, Ecclesiastical, 227.

History of the Exile, 91.

Hoggen's Butt, and Le Hogges, 272.

Holy wells not superstitious, 143.

Honorius III., 305.

Howth family founded, 298n.

Hua Alta, race of, 125.

Hy-Figeinte (Munster), 125.

Hy-Kinsallagh (co. Carlow), 125.

Hymn of St. Fiacc, 117.

of St. Patrick, 120.

Hy-Nials, contention between the, 223

palace of, 224 the northern, 192 divided into two clans, 204.

I.

Idols, worship of, 88.

Immoralities of the reformed clergy, 404.

Imperial standard, 639.

Inchiquin, 488

massacre at Cashel by, 496.

Innocent I., 100.

Innocent X., 490.

Insult to the Irish peeresses, 608.

Insurrection in Wexford, 626.

in Ulster, 629.

Ireland, climate of, 80,

colonization of, 57. article on, in Rees' Cyclopædia, 67. last colonization of, 75. ancient laws of, 144. antiquarian remains in, 153. first mill in, 165. fauna and flora of, 253. literary ladies in, 374. persecutions in, 388.

Ireland, ecclesiastical property forfeited in, 403.

plantations attempted in, 429, 432. social life in, seventeenth century, 529. before the Union, and after, 637. early geographical account of, 72. early social account of, 73. Bede's account of, 79. the Romans feared to invade, 95. Saxon invasion of, 185. first Danish invasion of, 188 second invasion, 224. the circuit of, 197. Murtough's circuit of, 224. Spenser's account of, 439. division of, by the Firbolg chiefs, 60. receives the faith generously, 111. given the name of Hibernia, 70. the first writer who names, 71. called Iernis, 71.

Ireton's cruelties and miserable death, 507.

Irish genealogies, their rise, 85.

keen, 141. painters, 608. musicians, 608. MSS., 45. authors, 608. actors, 608. missionaries, 173. missionary saints, 178. poetry, 180. poets, 605. bishops at the Council of Lateran, 289. war-cries forbidden, 383. pedigrees, their importance, 81. people transplanted as slaves to Barbadoes, 514. chronology compared with Roman, 81. schools and scholars, 183. alphabet, 152. butter and cheese, 246. fireplace, 247. clothing, 250. priests, their devotion to the people, 587. communications with Rome, 490. old, the, and the new English, 491. priests, their peculiar position, 586. history, materials for, 39. martyr, the first, 125. saints, 167. religious, 221.

Irish king sent to the Isle of Man, 225.

Rinuccini's account of the, 491. Catholic landowners, injustice towards, 509. Brigade, formation of, 574.

Irishmen, celebrated, of the eighteenth century, 592,

Iron Duke, 639.

Island Magee, massacre of, 481.

Ita, St. 169.

J.

Jackson, Rev. William, his miserable death, 616.

James I., his reign, 463.

James II., his reign, 555

arrival in Ireland, 557.

Japhet, Milesians descended from, 84.

Jerome's, St., statement on Ireland, 74.

John of the Shamrocks, 434.

John, Prince, receives title of King of Ireland, 287

his visit to Ireland, 292 second visit to Ireland, 302 succeeds to the English crown, 296 starves a bishop to death, 301 letter of Innocent III. to, 295 death, 304.

Josephus, 68.

Judgment of a king, 103.

K.

Kadlubeck, historian of Poland, 48.

Keating, the historian, 531.

on Erinn, 43n. quotations from, on the division of Ireland, 60. on descent from the Scythians, 68. on the battle of Bealagh Mughna, 193. books referred to by, 45. on colour, as a distinction of rank, 89n. on battle of Dundalk, 203. burial-place, 532. inscription in honour of, 533.

Kennedy, Prince of Munster, 202.

Kildare, Earl of, and Henry VII., 384.

accused of treason, 384. last Catholic Earl of, 387. letter of, 388.

Kildare, Monastery of, 132.

Kilian, St., 177.

Kincora, Brian's "Happy Family" at, 209

destruction of, 226.

Knights of the Royal Branch, 125.

Kunrann the poet, 187.

L.

Lacy, De, made Viceroy of Ireland, 289

endeavours to become King of Ireland, 291 cruel death, 293 family become extinct, 311.

Lady physicians, 66.

Laeghairé, King, holds a pagan festival, 119

receives St. Patrick at Tara, 120 his oath, 129 his death, 129 his burial, 129n.

Lammas-day, 164.

Landing of the Picts, 79.

of Partholan, 58. of Ceasair, 57.

Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury, 228.

Langton, Stephen, Archbishop of Canterbury, 301.

Language of ancient Erinn, 147

writing in pre-Christian Erinn, 148 Ogham writing, 150.

Laws, the Brehon code of, 144

its peculiarities, 145. of the Innocents, 172. of succession, 146. of ancient Erinn, 144.

Leix, St. Patrick's visit to, 124

cruelties of the deputy of, 417.

Lewis, Sir G.C., 85n.

Lhind, quotations from, 95n.

Lia Fail, 76

or Stone of Destiny, 165 mention of, 165.

Life, social, previous to the English invasion, 237.

Limerick, siege of, by Ireton. 506

by William of Orange, 566 by Ginkell, 571.

Linen trade, 251, 540.

Literary ladies in Ireland, 374

Literary men of the seventeenth century, 531.

Livin, St., 178.

Londres, Henry de, made Governor of Ireland, 306

surnamed Scorch Villain, 306.

Louvain collection, 46

friars, 52.

Loyola, St. Ignatius, 120n.

Lucas, his life, 607.

M.

Macaille, St., 131.

MacArt's, Cormac, Saltair. 40

his reign, 103 his death, 105.

Macaulay, Lays of Ancient Rome, 247n.

Maccallin, St., 221.

MacCarthy, King of Desmond, 229.

MacCarthy More murdered at Tralee, 357.

MacCullinan, Cormac, priest and king, 192

his reign, 193 his death, 193n.

MacCumhaill, Finn, 105

his courtship with the Princess Ailbhé, 105.

MacFirbis, quotations from, 54, 58

his book on pedigrees, 85 his pedigrees of the ancient Irish and Anglo-Norman families, 50 murdered, 51.

MacGilluire, Coarb of St. Patrick, 315.

MacLiag, the poet, 210n.

MacMurrough, Dermod, King of Leinster, 233

attends synod at Mellifont, 234 his interview with Henry II., 258 Henry grants him letters-patent, 259 his death, 266.

MacMurrough, Art, 367

his death, 370.

MacNally, advocate of the United Irishmen, 618.

Macutenius on St. Patrick's Canons, 118.

Maelmuire, "servant of Mary," 227n.

Maelruain, St., of Tallaght, 179.

Magna Charta, 305.

Magog and his colony, 68

his descendants, 84.

Magrath, Miler, the apostate, 78.

Mahoun, brother to Brian, 204

is murdered, 206.

Mailduf, St., 178.

Malachy, St., 229

visits Rome, 231 death of, 231.

Malachy II., 198

exploits against the Danes, 208 wins his "collar of gold," 208 Brian deposes, 209 his death, 218.

Manners and Customs of Ancient Greece, 141.

Marco Polo, 46.

Marisco, De, his treachery, 311

his death, 312.

Mary, Queen, 410.

Massacre of a prelate, priest, and friars, 402

of a bishop, 466 at Wexford-bridge, 628 at Cashel, 496 at Wexford, 503 of three priests, 445 of three Franciscans, 453 at Drogheda, 501 at Mullamast, 438 at Fort del Ore, 444 at Scullabogue House, 627.

Mellifont, Abbey of, 231

Synod at, 231 founded, 317.

Meloughlin, King of Meath, 191.

Metalogicus, the, of John of Salisbury, 275n.

Milcho, St. Patrick's master in captivity, 116.

Milesian genealogies, 84, 88.

Milesians, landing of the, 75

they conquer, 77.

Milford Haven, 292.

Milidh, fleet of the sons of, entrance into Ireland, 75.

Mississippi Scheme, 584.

Mochta, St., 151.

Moira, Lord, exposes the cruelty of the yeomanry, 619.

Moling, St., 109.

Monastery of Kildare, St. Brigid's, 132.

Kilcrea, 321. of Bobbio, 176. of Timoleague, 321, of Tallaght, 179. of St. Columbkille, 293. of Cluain Eidhneach, 179. of Donegal, 321 desolation and plunder of, 189. of Clonbroney, 188n. of St. Columba, 230, 234. of Ibrach (Ivragh), Kerry, 230. of Lismore, 226. of St. Kevin, 235. of Dunbrody, 289. of St. Peter's of Lemene, near Chambery, 381. of Clonfert, 170. of Mellifont, 234. of Clonmacnois, 221. Irrelagh (Muckross), 322. Clonmel, 322. Drogheda, 322. Cill-Achaidh, 374.

Montgomery, 584.

Montmarisco, 237

becomes a monk, 289

Monroe, 493.

Monroe, Henry, 629.

Moore, his History, 37

his partiality for Malachy, 209 on religion, 111 his life, 605.

Morann the good, and his collar of gold, 97.

MSS. preserved in Trinity College, 44.

of ancient Irish history, 39n. Celtic, preserved in Belgium, 45. Continental, 45n. in British Museum, 46. Stowe collection of, 45n.

MSS., Latin, 46.

Loftus, 415. Burgundian, 46. legendary and historical, of Irish history, 39.

Muckross Abbey, 322.

Muircheartach, first Christian king of Ireland, 131.

Muircheartach, his circuit of Ireland, 197

killed by Blacaire, 197.

Murphy, Father, killed, 628.

Murrough's game of chess, 211.

Murtough of the Leathern Cloaks, 196.

N.

Neamhnach, the well, 164.

Napier's, Lady, letter respecting the tenantry of Duke of Leinster, 623.

Nathi, King, 116.

National joy at the restoration of Catholic worship, 464.

Nemedh, arrival of, 59.

Nemenians, emigration of, 60, 62.

Nemthur, St. Patrick's birthplace, 110.

Nennius, 69.

Nesta, her beauty and infamy, 259.

Nestor, 48.

Netterville, John, Archbishop of Armagh, 318.

Newspapers in seventeenth century, 545.

Newtownbutler, engagement at, 595.

Nial of the Nine Hostages, 106.

Nial Black Knee, 194.

Nicholas, St., College of, 51.

Niebuhr, his theory of history, 82.

on the story of Tarpeia, 82n. on learning by verse, 86.

Noah, genealogies from, 58.

Normans, their arrival in Ireland, 257.

their luxurious habits, 272. Cambrensis' account of them, 277. the, ridicule the Irish nobles, 293. feuds of the, in Ireland, 300. their treachery, 311. Viceroys, 285.

Nuada of the Silver Hand, 61

his privy council, 64.

Numa Pompilius, 89.

O.

O'Brien, Turlough, Monarch of Ireland, 222

his death, 223.

O'Brien, Donnell, King of Thomond, 271.

O'Briens, from whom descended, 84.

O'Clery, Michael, one of the Four Masters, 52

his literary labours and piety, 54 his first work, Trias Thaumaturgas, 52 rewrote the Book of Invasions, 54 patronized by Fearghal O'Gara, 53.

O'Connell, Daniel, in the House of Parliament, 647

obtains Catholic Emancipation, 647 represented Ireland, 641 his life, 642 his maiden speech, 643 Doneraile Conspiracy, 643.

O'Curry, when Moore visited, 37

his opinion of early Irish civilization, 104 his labours, 38 on Erinn, 48n on Keating's statement of Irish descent, 68 on Cormac's writings, 104n on the Bachall Isu, 115 on Brehon Laws, 145 on Irish saints, 178 on musical instruments, 250 on Irish martyrs, 416.

O'Connor, Hugh, 308.

Felim, 309, 313. of Offaly, 339. Roderic, 235. expelled from Offaly, 408 returns to Ireland, 411. Margaret, a literary lady, 374. Nuala, 321 establishes the monastery of Franciscans at Donegal, 321 her death, 322. Arthur, 624.

O'Connor Faly, Margaret, visits England, 411.

O'Daly, the poet, 303.

O'Donnell, Hugh, entertainment of, at Windsor, 387.

O'Donnell, Hugh Roe, his treacherous capture, 447

leaves Ireland, 459.

O'Donnell More, died at Assaroe, 313.

O'Donovan, Dr., quotations from, on Brehon laws, 144.

Odran, St., 147.

O'Duffy, Catholicus, 304.

O'Duffy, Donnell, 233.

O'Flaherty, his Chronology, 81.

Ogham writing, 149.

Oghma, Danann prince, invented the writing called Ogham Craove, 76.

Ogygia of the Greeks, 72.

Ogygia, account in, of ancient writings, 148n.

O'Hagan, the Abbot Imar, 229.

O'Hartigan, Kenneth, 221.

O'Hurly, Dr., 453.

Ollamh Fodhla, 89.

Ollamh, office and qualifications of a, 83, 86.

O'Loughlin, Donnell, 226.

O'Loughlins of Tyrone, 231.

O'More, Rory Oge, 437

Roger, 480.

O'Neill, Donough, 207

O'Neill, Shane, 409

feared by the English, 418 attempts to poison him, 419 Lord Chancellor Cusack persuades him to forget the poisoning, 420 he is killed treacherously, 422.

O'Neill, Hugh, marriage of, 450

his insurrection, 454 defeats Bagnal, 455 his interview with Essex, 456 attempts to assassinate him, 458 his power decreases, 461 plot to entrap him, 468 his flight and death in Rome, 469.

O'Neill, Sir Phelim, 480

marches against Monroe, 493.

O'Neill, Owen Roe, 480.

O'Neill, Hugh Boy, slain in 1283, 332.

O'Neill, Donnell, 198,

Ormonde, the Duke of. 483

his intrigues, 492.

Orpheus, first writer who mention Ireland, 71.

Orr, Mr., his trial and death, 620.

O'Toole, St. Laurence, Archbishop of Dublin, 234

his genealogy, 235 Abbot of St. Kevin's monastery, at Glendalough, 235 his patriotism, 267 his journey to France, 290 sent as ambassador to Henry II., 281 his death, 290.

Oirdnidhe, Hugh, the legislator, 179.

P.

Palatines, the, 580.

Palladius, St., mission of, 109.

Palliums, 231.

Partholan, landing of, 58.

Partholyan, English traditions of, 71.

Patrick, St., his birthplace, 112

visits Tara, 120 his successful preaching, 123 relic of his hand, 134 his copy of the Gospels, 134 his burial-place, 133 devotion of his servant, 125 his death, 126 his vision, 113 his prayer for Ireland, 135 destruction of the idols, 121 his Hymn, 120 his captivity, 113.

Peep-o'-Day Boys and Defenders, 613.

Pelasgian remains, 158.

Pembroke, Earl of, plots against, 311.

Penal Laws, enactment of, 576.

Perrot, Sir John, 417.

Petrie, Dr., quotations from, on Brehon laws, 115.

Petty, Sir William, 541.

Philosophical Society, the Dublin, 546.

Phoenician colonization of Spain, 70

circumnavigation of Africa, 69.

Physicians, establishment of their college in Dublin, 543

Picts, landing of the, 79.

Pitt, William, 613.

Plantation of Connaught, 510

of Ulster, 469.

Plowden's account of the atrocities of the military, 602.

Plunkett, Dr., his trial and execution, 528.

Plunkett, Lord, in parliament, 640.

Poyning's Parliament, 379

law, and its effects, 382.

Presentation Order, 593n.

Priests, cruel massacre of, 496

their efforts to save Protestants, 483.

Protestant Church, state of, 425.

Q.

Quipus used as a register by the Indians, 150.

R.

Raith Beóthaigh (Rath Beagh), an ancient burial-place, 78.

Raleigh, Sir Walter, 439.

Rath at Leighlin, 200

of the Synods, 165.

Reformation, attempts to introduce the, 415.

Reformed clergy, preaching of, 405.

Religious houses and their founders, 316.

Remonstrance to the Holy See, 341.

Reports on the state of Ireland, 648

Richard I., accession of, 294.

Richard II., visits Ireland, 365.

Rinuccini, 489n

lands at Kenmare, 490 reception in Kilkenny, 491 returns to Italy, 497.

Rock of Cashel, 193.

Rodanus, St., 162.

Romantic Tales, 91.

Rose Tavern, 544.

Rotundo built, 638.

Round Tower controversy, 153.

Rowan, A. Hamilton, 615

Rufus, William, boast of, 257.

S.

Sacramental test, 579.

Saltair of Temair, 41.

na-Rann, 41. of Cashel, 44. of Cormac, 41.

San José, arrival of, 443.

Saviour's, St., Dublin, 318.

Schomberg's camp, disease in, 560.

Scots, 69.

Scraball, 164.

Scythian colonists, 68

Irish claim descent from, 65.

Seanchaidhé, poet, 83n.

Seanchus Mor, language of, 145

translator of, 145.

Sedulus, St., 178.

Segetius, priest, 115.

Senchan Torpéist, 40.

Severe winters and pestilences in Ireland, 223.

Sheehy, Father Nicholas, judicial murder of, 589.

Sheridan, his life, 608.

Shrines of the three saints, 133.

Sidney's official account of Ireland, 423

his interview with Granuaile, 434.

Silken Thomas, his rebellion, 391

his execution, 392.

Silver shields, 89.

Simnel crowned in Dublin, 380.

Simon, Rabbi, 68.

Sitric arrival of, 195

treachery of, 201.

Smith, Adam, on Ireland, 603.

Smithfield, origin of the name, 241n.

South Sea Bubble, 581.

Spenser's Castle, 423

grandson, 513 description of Irish misery, 439.

Sreng, warrior, 62.

Statements in our annals confirmed by a Jewish writer, 68.

Statute of Kilkenny and its effects, 359.

Stierman, 48.

Sterne, Dr., 544.

Strafford, Earl of, 77.

Strongbow, Earl of Clare, arrives in Ireland, 263

genealogy, 263 marriage of, and Eva, 264 proclaims himself king of Leinster, 266 returns to England. 268 death of, 282 his seal, 284.

Succession, law of, 146.

Superstitions, Irish, 142.

Swan, Major, 624.

Swift, Dean, 581

his writings, 581 his life, 607.

Swords and chariots of ancient Ireland, 167.

T.

Tacitus, 95.

Táin bó Chuailgné, the expedition of, 92

the story of, 93.

Talbot, Archbishop, 525.

Tanaiste, 147.

Tandy, Napper, 612.

Tara, account of ancient, 163

site of, 41 cursing of, 162.

Taverns and coffee-houses, 544.

Theatre, the first, in Dublin, 547.

Thomas, St., of Canterbury, 266.

Thompson, Charles, Secretary of Congress, 601.

Threnodia Hiberno-Catholica, 511.

Tighernach's Annals, 49

uses the dominical letter, 49 mentions the lunar cycle, 49 quotes historical writers, 49 his home, 48.

Tighearnmas, 88.

Timoleague, Monastery of, 321.

Tithes introduced into Ireland, 232.

Tom the Devil, 622.

Tone, Theobald Wolfe, 614.

Tradition, its use in history, 40.

Trias Thaumaturgas, 52.

Trinity College, foundation of, 462.

Tuatha Dé Dananns, fifth taking of Ireland by, 61

their skill as artificers, 61 battles of, 62, 75 dynasty passed away, 76.

Tuathal, reign of, 98.

Tuite, Richard (the great baron), 333.

Turgesius the Dane, 189.

Tussach, St, 126.

U.

Ugainé Mor, reign of, 90.

Ultan, St., 171.

Union, the, 632.

United Irishmen, the, 618.

Usher, Archbishop, 534

his indifference about orders, 536 on St. Patrick's Canons, 117 as an historian, 534.

Usher's Island, 318n.

V.

Veto, the, 643.

Victorious, 113n.

Vinegar Hill, the battle of, 627.

Volunteers, the, 591.

Virgilius, St., 178.

Vivian, Cardinal, 286

entombs the relics of the three saints anew, 294.

W.

Warbeck's plot, 381.

Ware, 415.

Ward, Father, 52.

Waterford rugs, 539.

Wellesley, Chief Secretary, 640.

Wesley, John, his remark about Moira House, 318n.

Wheat planted early, 243.

White and Black Gentiles, 191.

Whiteboys, the, 584.

Wilde, Sir W., 79n.

Wives purchased in Erinn, 43

exchanged, 229.

Words and Places, 58n.

Wood's halfpence, 581.

Wren, veneration for the, 140.

Y.

Yeomanry, fearful cruelties of the, 630.

York, house of, 371

Duke of, made Viceroy, 375.

Yorkists, popularity in Ireland, 376.

insurrection of the, 378.

Youghal, foundation of Convent of, 318

College of, 378 burned down, 443.

Young's remedy for Irish disaffection, 585.

FOOTNOTES:

[A]

The Rev. U. Burke, of St. Jarlath's College, Tuam, has a note on this subject, in a work which he is at this moment passing through the press, and which he kindly permits me to publish. He says: "This book [the "Illustrated History of Ireland"] ought to be in the hands of every young student and of every young Irish maiden attending the convent schools. Oh, for ten thousand Irish ladies knowing the history of Ireland! How few know anything of it! The present volume, by Sister Francis Clare, is an atoning sacrifice for this sin of neglect."

I am aware that the price of the "Illustrated History of Ireland," even in its present form, although it is offered at a sacrifice which no bookseller would make, is an obstacle to its extensive use as a school history. We purpose, however, before long, to publish a history for the use of schools, at a very low price, and yet of a size to admit of sufficient expansion for the purpose. Our countrymen must, however, remember that only a very large number of orders can enable the work to be published as cheaply as it should be. It would save immense trouble and expense, if priests, managers of schools, and the heads of colleges, would send orders for a certain number of copies at once. If every priest, convent, and college, ordered twelve copies for their schools, the work could be put in hands immediately.

[1]

Work.—Lectures on the MS. Materials of Ancient Irish History. This work was published at the sole cost of the Catholic University of Ireland, and will be an eternal monument of their patriotism and devotion to literature. A chair of Irish History and Archæology was also founded at the very commencement of the University; and yet the "Queen's Colleges" are discarding this study, while an English professor in Oxford is warmly advocating its promotion. Is the value of a chair to be estimated by the number of pupils who surround it, or by the contributions to science of the professor who holds it?

[2]

Leinster.—Book of Leinster, H.2.18, T.C.D. See O'Curry, p. 8.

[3]

Ballymote.—Library R.I.A., at fol. 145, a.a.

[4]

Lecan.—Trinity College, Dublin, classed H.2.16.

[5]

Uachongbhail.—O'Curry's MS. Materials, p. 11.

[6]

Same.—Ibid. p. 12. The Psalms derived their name from the musical instrument to which they were sung. This was called in Hebrew nebel. It obtained the name from its resemblance to a bottle or flagon. Psaltery is the Greek translation, and hence the name psalm.

[7]

Devastated.—This was probably written in the year 1001, when Brian Boroimhé had deposed Malachy.

[8]

Fené-men.—The farmers, who were not Fenians then certainly, for "Cormac was a righteous judge of the Agraria Lex of the Gaels."

[9]

Erinn.—Keating says: "We will set down here the branching off of the races of Magog, according to the Book of Invasions (of Ireland), which was called the Cin of Drom Snechta; and it was before the coming of Patrick to Ireland the author of that book existed."—See Keating, page 109, in O'Connor's translation. It is most unfortunate that this devoted priest and ardent lover of his country did not bring the critical acumen to his work which would have made its veracity unquestionable. He tells us that it is "the business of his history to be particular," and speaks of having "faithfully collected and transcribed." But until recent investigations manifested the real antiquity and value of the MS. Materials of Ancient Irish History, his work was looked on as a mere collection of legends. The quotation at present under consideration is a case in point. He must have had a copy of the Cin of Drom Snechta in his possession, and he must have known who was the author of the original, as he states so distinctly the time of its compilation. Keating's accuracy in matters of fact and transcription, however, is daily becoming more apparent. This statement might have been considered a mere conjecture of his own, had not Mr. O'Curry discovered the name of the author in a partially effaced memorandum in the Book of Leinster, which he reads thus: "[Ernín, son of] Duach [that is], son of the King of Connacht, an Ollamh, and a prophet, and a professor in history, and a professor in wisdom: it was he that collected the Genealogies and Histories of the men of Erinn in one book, that is, the Cin Droma Snechta." Duach was the son of Brian, son of the monarch Eochaidh, who died A.D. 305.

[10]

Besides.—O'Curry, page 16.

[11]

Sages.—M. Nigra, the Italian Ambassador at Paris, is at this moment engaged in publishing continental MSS.

[12]

Vellum.—The use of vellum is an indication that the MSS. must be of some antiquity. The word "paper" is derived from papyrus, the most ancient material for writing, if we except the rocks used for runes, or the wood for oghams. Papyrus, the pith of a reed, was used until the discovery of parchment, about 190 B.C. A MS. of the Antiquities of Josephus on papyrus, was among the treasures seized by Buonaparte in Italy.

[13]

Acquainted.—O'Curry's MS. Materials, page 24.

[14]

Collection.-A recent writer in the Cornhill says that Lord Ashburnham refuses access to this collection, now in his possession, fearing that its contents may be depreciated so as to lessen its value at a future sale. We should hope this statement can scarcely be accurate. Unhappily, it is at least certain that access to the MSS. is denied, from whatever motive.

[15]

Erinn.—O'Curry, page 57. It has also been remarked, that there is no nation in possession of such ancient chronicles written in what is still the language of its people.

[16]

Years.—See O'Curry, passim.

[17]

Erinn.—Eire is the correct form for the nominative. Erinn is the genitive, but too long in use to admit of alteration. The ordinary name of Ireland, in the oldest Irish MSS., is (h)Erin, gen. (h)Erenn, dat. (h)Erinn; but the initial h is often omitted. See Max Müller's Lectures for an interesting note on this subject, to which we shall again refer.

[18]

Poets.—The Book of Lecain was written in 1416, by an ancestor of Mac Firbis. Usher had it for some time in his possession; James II. carried it to Paris, and deposited it in the Irish College in the presence of a notary and witnesses. In 1787, the Chevalier O'Reilly procured its restoration to Ireland; and it passed eventually from Vallancey to the Royal Irish Academy, where it is now carefully preserved.

[19]

Murdered.—The circumstances of the murder are unhappily characteristic of the times. The Celtic race was under the ban of penal laws for adherence to the faith of their fathers. The murderer was free. As the old historian travelled to Dublin, he rested at a shop in Dunflin. A young man came in and took liberties with the young woman who had care of the shop. She tried to check him, by saying that he would be seen by the gentleman in the next room. In a moment he seized a knife from the counter, and plunged it into the breast of Mac Firbis. There was no "justice for Ireland" then, and, of course, the miscreant escaped the punishment he too well deserved.

[20]

Lost.—He was also employed by Sir James Ware to translate for him, and appears to have resided in his house in Castle-street, Dublin, just before his death.

[21]

Betaghs.—Poems, by D.F. Mac Carthy.

[22]

Noah.—This is a clear argument. The names of pre-Noahacian patriarchs must have been preserved by tradition, with their date of succession and history. Why should not other genealogies have been preserved in a similar manner, and even the names of individuals transmitted to posterity?

[23]

Laws.—MacFirbis. Apud O'Curry, p. 219.

[24]

Hibernia.—Chronicum Scotorum, p. 3.

[25]

Tradition.—O'Curry, p. 13.

[26]

Names.—Four Masters, O'Donovan, p. 3.

[27]

Abraham.—Chronicum Scotorum, p. 5.

[28]

Years.—Four Masters, p. 5.

[29]

Inver.—Inver and A[=b] er have been used as test words in discriminating between the Gaedhilic and Cymric Celts. The etymology and meaning is the same—a meeting of waters. Inver, the Erse and Gaedhilic form, is common in Ireland, and in those parts of Scotland where the Gael encroached on the Cymry. See Words and Places, p. 259, for interesting observations on this subject.

[30]

Year.—Annals, p. 7.

[31]

Ireland.—Ib. p. 9.

[32]

Annals.—Ib. I. p. 9.

[33]

World.—See Conell MacGeoghegan's Translation of the Annals of Clonmacnois, quoted by O'Donovan, p. 11.

[34]

Maol.—The Teutonic languages afford no explanation of the name of Britain, though it is inhabited by a Teutonic race. It is probable, therefore, that they adopted an ethnic appellation of the former inhabitants. This may have been patronymic, or, perhaps, a Celtic prefix with the Euskarian suffix etan, a district or country. See Words and Places, p. 60.

[35]

Ulster.—Neither the Annals nor the Chronicum give these divisions; the above is from the Annals of Clonmacnois. There is a poem in the Book of Lecain, at folio 277, b., by MacLiag, on the Firbolg colonies, which is quoted as having been taken from their own account of themselves; and another on the same subject at 278, a.

[36]

Hand.—Four Masters, p. 17.

[37]

Reliance.—O'Curry, p. 243.

[38]

Spears.—O'Curry, p. 245.

[39]

Eye.—There is a curious note by Dr. O'Donovan (Annals, p. 18) about this Balor. The tradition of his deeds and enchantments is still preserved in Tory Island, one of the many evidences of the value of tradition, and of the many proofs that it usually overlies a strata of facts.

[40]

Country.—We find the following passages in a work purporting to be a history of Ireland, recently published: "It would be throwing away time to examine critically fables like those contained in the present and following chapter." The subjects of those chapters are the colonization of Partholan, of the Nemedians, Fomorians, Tuatha Dé Dananns, and Milesians, the building of the palace of Emania, the reign of Cairbré, Tuathal, and last, not least, the death of Dathi. And these are "fables"! The writer then calmly informs us that the period at which they were "invented, extended probably from the tenth to the twelfth century." Certainly, the "inventors" were men of no ordinary talent, and deserve some commendation for their inventive faculties. But on this subject we shall say more hereafter. At last the writer arrives at the "first ages of Christianity." We hoped that here at least he might have granted us a history; but he writes: "The history of early Christianity in Ireland is obscure and doubtful, precisely in proportion as it is unusually copious. If legends enter largely into the civil history of the country, they found their way tenfold into the history of the Church, because there the tendency to believe in them was much greater, as well as the inducement to invent and adopt them." The "inventors" of the pre-Christian history of Ireland, who accomplished their task "from the tenth to the twelfth century," are certainly complimented at the expense of the saints who Christianized Ireland. This writer seems to doubt the existence of St. Patrick, and has "many doubts" as to the authenticity of the life of St. Columba. We should not have noticed this work had we not reason to know that it has circulated largely amongst the middle and lower classes, who may be grievously misled by its very insidious statements. It is obviously written for the sake of making a book to sell; and the writer has the honesty to say plainly, that he merely gives the early history of Ireland, pagan and Christian, because he could not well write a history of Ireland and omit this portion of it!

[41]

Pillars.—The monuments ascribed to the Tuatha Dé Dananns are principally situated in Meath, at Drogheda, Dowlet, Knowth, and New Grange. There are others at Cnoc-Ainè and Cnoc-Gréinè, co. Limerick, and on the Pap Mountains, co. Kerry.

[42]

Josephus.—Con. Apionem, lib. i.

[43]

Snechta.—O'Curry, p. 14.

[44]

Work—See ante, p. 43.

[45]

Writes.—Josephus, lib. i. c. 6. Most of the authorities in this chapter are taken from the Essay on the ancient history, religion, learning, arts, and government of Ireland, by the late W. D'Alton. The Essay obtained a prize of £80 and the Cunningham Gold Medal from the Royal Irish Academy. It is published in volume xvi. of the Transactions, and is a repertory of learning of immense value to the student of Irish history.

[46]

Sea.—Lib. Zoar, p. 87, as cited by Vallancey, and Parson's Defence, &c., p. 205.

[47]

Sea.—Herodotus, l. vii. c. 89.

[48]

Me.—"Sic mihi peritissimi Scotorum nunciaverunt." The reader will remember that the Irish were called Scots, although the appellative of Ierins or Ierne continued to be given to the country from the days of Orpheus to those of Claudius. By Roman writers Ireland was more usually termed Hibernia. Juvenal calls it Juverna.

[49]

Writers.—The circumnavigation of Africa by a Phoenician ship, in the reign of Neco, about 610 B.C., is credited by Humboldt, Rennell, Heeren, Grote, and Rawlinson. Of their voyages to Cornwall for tin there is no question, and it is more than probable they sailed to the Baltic for amber. It has been even supposed that they anticipated Columbus in the discovery of America. Niebuhr connects the primitive astronomy of Europe with that of America, and, therefore, must suppose the latter country to have been discovered.—Hist. of Rome, vol. i. p. 281. This, however, is very vague ground of conjecture; the tide of knowledge, as well as emigration, was more probably eastward.

[50]

Procopius.—Hist. Gen. d'Espagne, vol. i.c.l. p.4.

[51]

Chief.—De Antiq. et Orig. Cantab. See D'Alton's Essay, p. 24, for other authorities.

[52]

Poem.—There has been question of the author, but none as to the authenticity and the probable date of compilation.

[53]

Ogygia.—Camden writes thus: "Nor can any one conceive why they should call it Ogygia, unless, perhaps, from its antiquity; for the Greeks called nothing Ogygia unless what was extremely ancient."

[54]

Fish.—And it still continues to be a national article of consumption and export. In a recent debate on the "Irish question," an honorable member observes, that he regrets to say "fish" is the only thing which appears to be flourishing in Ireland. We fear, however, from the report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons on the question of Irish sea-coast fisheries, that the poor fishermen are not prospering as well as the fish. Mr. Hart stated: "Fish was as plenty as ever; but numbers of the fishermen had died during the famine, others emigrated, and many of those who remained were unable, from want of means, to follow the pursuit." And yet these men are honest; for it has been declared before the same committee, that they have scrupulously repaid the loans which were given them formerly; and they are willing to work, for when they can get boats and nets, they do work. These are facts. Shakspeare has said that facts are "stubborn things;" they are, certainly, sometimes very unpleasant things. Yet, we are told, the Irish have no real grievances. Of course, starvation from want of work is not a grievance!

Within the few months which have elapsed since the publication of the first edition of this History and the present moment, when I am engaged in preparing a second edition, a fact has occurred within my own personal knowledge relative to this very subject, and of too great importance to the history of Ireland in the present day to be omitted. A shoal of sprats arrived in the bay of —— and the poor people crowded to the shore to witness the arrival and, alas! the departure of the finny tribe. All their nets had been broken or sold in the famine year; they had, therefore, no means of securing what would have been a valuable addition to their poor fare. The wealthy, whose tables are furnished daily with every luxury, can have but little idea how bitter such privations are to the poor. Had there been a resident landlord in the place, to interest himself in the welfare of his tenants, a few pounds would have procured all that was necessary, and the people, always grateful for kindness, would long have remembered the boon and the bestower of it.

[55]

Commerce.—"Phoenices a vetustissimis inde temporibus frequenter crebras mercaturæ gratiâ navigationes instituerunt."—Diod. Sic. vers. Wesseling, t.i.

[56]

Confessio.—Dr. O'Donovan states, in an article in the Ulster Archæological Journal, vol. viii. p. 249, that he had a letter from the late Dr. Prichard, who stated that it was his belief the ancient Irish were not anthropophagi. He adds: "Whatever they may have been when their island was called Insula Sacra, there are no people in Europe who are more squeamish in the use of meats than the modern Irish peasantry, for they have a horror of every kind of carrion;" albeit he is obliged to confess that, though they abuse the French for eating frogs, and the English for eating rooks, there is evidence to prove that horseflesh was eaten in Ireland, even in the reign of Queen Elizabeth.

[57]

Scota.—The grave is still pointed out in the valley of Gleann Scoithin, county Kerry.

[58]

Taillten.—Now Telltown, county Meath.

[59]

Amhergen.—Annals of the Four Masters, vol. i. p. 25.

[60]

Also.—This tale bears a simple and obvious interpretation. The druids were the most learned and experienced in physical science of their respective nations; hence the advice they gave appeared magical to those who were less instructed.

[61]

Géisill.—The scene of the battle was at a place called Tochar eter dhá mhagh, or "the causeway between two plains," and on the bank of the river Bri Damh, which runs through the town of Tullamore. The name of the battle-field is still preserved in the name of the townland of Ballintogher, in the parish and barony of Géisill. At the time of the composition of the ancient topographical tract called the Dinnseanchus, the mounds and graves of the slain were still to be seen.—See O'Curry, page 449. The author of this tract, Amergin Mac Amalgaidh, wrote about the sixth century. A copy of his work is preserved in the Book of Ballymote, which was compiled in the year 1391. There is certainly evidence enough to prove the fact of the mélee, and that this was not a "legend invented from the tenth to the twelfth centuries." It is almost amusing to hear the criticisms of persons utterly ignorant of our literature, however well-educated in other respects. If the treasures of ancient history which exist in Irish MSS. existed in Sanscrit, or even in Greek or Latin, we should find scholars devoting their lives and best intellectual energies to understand and proclaim their value and importance, and warmly defending them against all impugners of their authenticity.

[62]

Island.—The axe figured above is a remarkable weapon. The copy is taken, by permission, from the collection of the Royal Irish Academy. Sir W. Wilde describes the original thus in the Catalogue: "It is 3-1/8 inches in its longest diameter, and at its thickest part measures about half-an-inch. It has been chipped all over with great care, and has a sharp edge all round. This peculiar style of tool or weapon reached perfection in this specimen, which, whether used as a knife, arrow, spike, or axe, was an implement of singular beauty of design, and exhibits great skill in the manufacture."

[63]

Fotharta.—Now the barony of Forth, in Wexford.

[64]

Bede.—Ecclesiastical History, Bohn's edition, p. 6.

[65]

Honey.—Honey was an important edible to the ancients, and, therefore, likely to obtain special mention. Keating impugns the veracity of Solinus, who stated that there were no bees in Ireland, on the authority of Camden, who says: "Such is the quantity of bees, that they are found not only in hives, but even in the trunks of trees, and in holes in the ground." There is a curious legend anent the same useful insect, that may interest apiarians as well as hagiologists. It is said in the life of St. David, that when Modomnoc (or Dominic) was with St. David at Menevia, in Wales, he was charged with the care of the beehives, and that the bees became so attached to him that they followed him to Ireland. However, the Rule of St. Albans, who lived in the time of St. Patrick (in the early part of the fifth century), may be quoted to prove that bees existed in Ireland at an earlier period, although the saint may have been so devoted to his favourites as to have brought a special colony by miracle or otherwise to Ireland. The Rule of St. Alban says: "When they [the monks] sit down at table, let them be brought [served] beets or roots, washed with water, in clean baskets, also apples, beer, and honey from the hive." Certainly, habits of regularity and cleanliness are here plainly indicated as well as the existence of the bee.

[66]

Fish.—It is to be presumed that fish are destined to prosper in Hibernia: of the ancient deer, more hereafter. The goats still nourish also, as visitors to Killarney can testify; though they will probably soon be relics of the past, as the goatherds are emigrating to more prosperous regions at a rapid rate.

[67]

Monarchs.—See Bunsen's Egypt, passim.

[68]

Writers.—The first ten books of Livy are extant, and bring Roman history to the consulship of Julius Maximus Gurges and Junius Brutus Scoene, in 292 B.C. Dionysius published his history seven years before Christ. Five of Plutarch's Lives fall within the period before the war with Pyrrhus. There are many sources besides those of the works of historians from which general information is obtained.

[69]

Niebuhr.—"Genuine or oral tradition has kept the story of Tarpeia for five-and-twenty hundred years in the mouths of the common people, who for many centuries have been total strangers to the names of Cloelia and Cornelia."—Hist. vol. i. p. 230.

[70]

Event.—Credibility of Early Roman History, vol. i. p. 101.

[71]

Libri lintei.—Registers written on linen, mentioned by Livy, under the year 444 B.C.

[72]

Nail.—Livy quotes Cincius for the fact that a series of nails were extant in the temple of Hostia, at Volsinii, as a register of successive years. Quite as primitive an arrangement as the North American quipus.

[73]

Seanchaidhé (pronounced "shanachy").—It means, in this case, strictly a historian; but the ancient historian was also a bard or poet.

[74]

Privileges.—We can scarcely help requesting the special attention of the reader to these well-authenticated facts. A nation which had so high an appreciation of its annals, must have been many degrees removed from barbarism for centuries.

[75]

Before.—O'Curry, p. 240.

[76]

Before.—This, of course, opens up the question as to whether the Irish Celts had a written literature before the arrival of St. Patrick. The subject will be fully entertained later on.

[77]

Genealogies.-There is a "distinction and a difference" between a genealogy and a pedigree. A genealogy embraces the descent of a family, and its relation to all the other families that descended from the same remote parent stock, and took a distinct tribe-name, as the Dalcassians. A pedigree traces up the line of descent to the individual from whom the name was derived.

[78]

Events.—Arnold mentions "the family traditions and funeral orations out of which the oldest annalists [of Roman history] compiled their narratives." vol. i. p. 371. Sir G.C. Lewis, however, thinks that the composition of national annals would precede the composition of any private history; but he adds that he judges from the "example of modern times." With all respect to such an authority, it seems rather an unphilosophical conclusion. Family pedigrees would depend on family pride, in which the Romans were by no means deficient; and on political considerations, which were all-important to the Irish Celt.

[79]

Tales.—O'Curry, p. 241.

[80]

Verse.—See Niebuhr, Hist. vol i. pp. 254-261. Arnold has adopted his theory, and Macaulay has acted on it. But the Roman poems were merely recited at public entertainments, and were by no means a national arrangement for the preservation of history, such as existed anciently in Ireland. These verses were sung by boys more patrum (Od. iv. 15), for the entertainment of guests. Ennius, who composed his Annales in hexameter verse, introducing, for the first time, the Greek metre into Roman literature, mentions the verses which the Fauns, or religious poets, used to chant. Scaliger thinks that the Fauns were a class of men who exercised in Latium, at a very remote period, the same functions as the Magians in Persia and the Bards in Gaul. Niebuhr supposes that the entire history of the Roman, kings was formed from poems into a prose narrative.

[81]

Samhain.—Now All Hallows Eve. The peasantry still use the pagan name. It is a compound word, signifying "summer" and "end."

[82]

Breifné.—In the present county Cavan. We shall refer again to this subject, when mentioning St. Patrick's destruction of the idols.

[83]

Colours.—Keating says that a slave was permitted only one colour, a peasant two, a soldier three, a public victualler five. The Ollamh ranked, with royalty, and was permitted six—another of the many proofs of extraordinary veneration for learning in pre-Christian Erinn. The Four Masters, however, ascribe the origin of this distinction to Eochaidh Eadghadhach. It is supposed that this is the origin of the Scotch plaid. The ancient Britons dyed their bodies blue. The Cymric Celts were famous for their colours.

[84]

Emania.—The legend of the building of this palace will be given in a future chapter.

[85]

France.—It is said that foreigners who came with him from Gaul were armed with broad-headed lances (called in Irish laighne), whence the province of Leinster has derived its name. Another derivation of the name, from coige, a fifth part, is attributed to the Firbolgs.

[86]

Diction.-This tract contains a description of arms and ornaments which might well pass for a poetic flight of fancy, had we not articles of such exquisite workmanship in the Royal Irish Academy, which prove incontrovertibly the skill of the ancient artists of Erinn. This is the description of a champion's attire:—"A red and white cloak flutters about him; a golden brooch in that cloak, at his breast; a shirt of white, kingly linen, with gold embroidery at his skin; a white shield, with gold fastenings at his shoulder; a gold-hilted long sword at his left side; a long, sharp, dark green spear, together with a short, sharp spear, with a rich band and carved silver rivets in his hand."—O'Curry, p. 38. We give an illustration on previous page of a flint weapon of a ruder kind.

[87]

Brains.—My friend, Denis Florence MacCarthy, Esq., M.R.I.A., our poet par excellence, is occupied at this moment in versifying some portions of this romantic story. I believe he has some intention of publishing the work in America, as American publishers are urgent in their applications to him for a complete and uniform edition of his poems, including his exquisite translations from the dramatic and ballad literature of Spain. We hope Irish publishers and the Irish people will not disgrace their country by allowing such a work to be published abroad. We are too often and too justly accused of deficiency in cultivated taste, which unfortunately makes trashy poems, and verbose and weakly-written prose, more acceptable to the majority than works produced by highly-educated minds. Irishmen are by no means inferior to Englishmen in natural gifts, yet, in many instances, unquestionably they have not or do not cultivate the same taste for reading, and have not the same appreciation of works of a higher class than the lightest literature. Much of the fault, no doubt, lies in the present system of education: however, as some of the professors in our schools and colleges appear to be aware of the deficiency, we may hope for better things.

[88]

Lands.—Lhuid asserts that the names of the principal commanders in Gaul and Britain who opposed Cæsar, are Irish Latinized.

[89]

Received.—"They are said to have fled into Ireland, some for the sake of ease and quietness, others to keep their eyes untainted by Roman insolence."—See Harris' Ware. The Brigantes of Waterford, Tipperary, and Kilkenny, are supposed to have been emigrants, and to have come from the colony of that name in Yorkshire.

[90]

Fear.—"In spem magis quam ob formidinem."

[91]

Merchants.—"Melius aditus portusque per commercia et negotiatores cognitis."

[92]

Island.—Vita Julii Agric. c. 24.

[93]

Year.—Hist. Rer. Angl. lib. ii. c. 26.

[94]

Aitheach Tuatha.—The word means rentpayers, or rentpaying tribes or people. It is probably used as a term of reproach, and in contradiction to the free men. It has been said that this people were the remnants of the inhabitants of Ireland before the Milesians colonized it. Mr. O'Curry denies this statement, and maintains that they were Milesians, but of the lower classes, who had been cruelly oppressed by the magnates of the land.

[95]

State.—"Evil was the state of Ireland during his reign: fruitless the corn, for there used to be but one grain on the stalk; fruitless her rivers; milkless her cattle; plentiless her fruit, for there used to be but one acorn on the oak."—Four Masters, p. 97.

[96]

Morann.—Morann was the inventor of the famous "collar of gold." The new monarch appointed him his chief Brehon or judge, and it is said that this collar closed round the necks of those who were guilty, but expanded to the ground when the wearer was innocent. This collar or chain is mentioned in several of the commentaries on the Brehon Laws, as one of the ordeals of the ancient Irish. The Four Masters style him "the very intelligent Morann."

[97]

Woods.—Four Masters, p. 97.

[98]

Magh Bolg.—Now Moybolgue, a parish in the county Cavan.

[99]

Teachtmar, i.e., the legitimate, Four Masters, p. 99.—The history of the revolt of the Attacotti is contained in one of the ancient tracts called Histories. It is termed "The Origin of the Boromean Tribute." There is a copy of this most valuable work in the Book of Leinster, which, it will be remembered, was compiled in the twelfth century. The details which follow above concerning the Boromean Tribute, are taken from the same source.

[100]

Polished.—Keating, p. 264.

[101]

Roads.—Those roads were Slighe Asail, Slighe Midhluachra, Slighe Cualann, Slighe Dala, and Slighe Môr. Slighe Môr was the Eiscir Riada, and division line of Erinn into two parts, between Conn and Eóghan Môr. These five roads led to the fort of Teamair (Tara), and it is said that they were "discovered" on the birthnight of the former monarch. We shall refer to the subject again in a chapter on the civilization of the early Irish. There is no doubt of the existence of these roads, and this fact, combined with the care with which they were kept, is significant.

[102]

Magh Lena.—The present parish of Moylana, or Kilbride, Tullamore, King's county.

[103]

Reuda.—Bede, Eccl. Hist. p. 7.

[104]

Lance.—O'Curry, p. 45. This quotation is translated by Mr. O'Curry, and is taken from the Book of Ballymote. This book, however, quotes it from the Uachongbhail, a much older authority.

[105]

Write.—Professor O'Curry well observes, that "such a man could scarcely have carried out the numerous provisions of his comprehensive enactments without some written medium. And it is no unwarrantable presumption to suppose, that, either by his own hand, or, at least, in his own time, by his command, his laws were committed to writing; and when we possess very ancient testimony to this effect, I can see no reason for rejecting it, or for casting a doubt upon the statement."—MS. Materials, p. 47. Mr. Petrie writes, if possible, more strongly. He says: "It is difficult, if not impossible, to conceive how the minute and apparently accurate accounts found in the various MSS. of the names and localities of the Attacottic tribes of Ireland in the first century, could have been preserved, without coming to the conclusion that they had been preserved in writing in some work."—Essay on Tara Hill, p. 46. Elsewhere, however, he speaks more doubtfully.

[106]

Land.—Four Masters, p. 117.

[107]

Collas.—They were sons of Eochaidh Domlen, who made themselves famous by their warlike exploits, and infamous by their destruction of the palace of Emania.

[108]

Groans.—Bede, Eccl. Hist. c. 12.

[109]

Sources.—The Abbé M'Geoghegan says that there is a very ancient registry in the archives of the house of Sales, which mentions that the King of Ireland remained some time in the Castle of Sales. See his History, p. 94.

[110]

Christ.—"Ad Scotos in Christum credentes ordinatur a papa Cælestino Palladius et primus episcopus mittitur."—Vet. Lat. Scrip. Chron. Roncallius, Padua, 1787.

[111]

Wicklow.—Probably on the spot where the town of Wicklow now stands. It was then called the region of Hy-Garchon. It is also designated Fortreatha Laighen by the Scholiast on Fiacc's Hymn. The district, probably, received this name from the family of Eoichaidh Finn Fothart, a brother of Conn of the Hundred Battles.

[112]

Armagh—Fol. 16, a.a.

[113]

Patricius.—This name was but an indication of rank. In the later years of the Roman Empire, Gibbon says, "the meanest subjects of the Roman Empire [5th century] assumed the illustrious name of Patricius."—Decline and Fall, vol. viii. p. 300. Hence the confusion that arose amongst Celtic hagiographers, and the interchanging of the acts of several saints who bore the same name.

[114]

Deacon.—This was an important office in the early Roman Church.

[115]

Heresy.—The Pelagian.

[116]

Followed him.—The Four Masters imply, however, that they remained in Ireland. They also name the three wooden churches which he erected. Celafine, which has not been identified; Teach-na-Romhan, House of the Romans, probably Tigroni; and Domhnach-Arta, probably the present Dunard.—Annals, p. 129.

[117]

Nemthur.—The n is merely a prefix; it should read Em-tur.

[118]

Celestine.—See the Scholiast on Fiacc's Hymn.

[119]

Preserved.—It is much to be regretted that almost every circumstance in the life of St. Patrick has been made a field for polemics. Dr. Todd, of whom one might have hoped better things, has almost destroyed the interest of his otherwise valuable work by this fault. He cannot allow that St. Patrick's mother was a relative of St. Martin of Tours, obviously because St. Martin's Catholicity is incontrovertible. He wastes pages in a vain attempt to disprove St. Patrick's Roman mission, for similar reasons; and he cannot even admit that the Irish received the faith as a nation, all despite the clearest evidence; yet so strong is the power of prejudice, that he accepts far less proof for other questions.

[120]

Victoricus.—There were two saints, either of whom might have been the mysterious visitant who invited St. Patrick to Ireland. St. Victoricus was the great missionary of the Morini, at the end of the fourth century. There was also a St. Victoricus who suffered martyrdom at Amiens, A.D. 286. Those do not believe that the saints were and are favoured with supernatural communications, and whose honesty compels them to admit the genuineness of such documents as the Confession of St. Patrick, are put to sad straits to explain away what he writes.

[121]

Lerins.—See Monks of the West, v. i. p. 463. It was then styled insula beata.

[122]

St. Germain.—St. Fiacc, who, it will be remembered, was contemporary with St. Patrick, write thus in his Hymn:

[123]

Canons—This Canon is found in the Book of Armagh, and in that part of that Book which was copied from St. Patrick's own manuscript. Even could it be proved that St. Patrick never wrote these Canons, the fact that they are in the Book of Armagh, which was compiled, according to O'Curry, before the year 727, and even at the latest before the year 807, is sufficient to prove the practice of the early Irish Church on this important subject.

[124]

Further.—Life of St. Patrick, p. 315.

[125]

Authenticated.—A copy of this ancient hymn, with a Latin and English translation, may be found in Petrie's Essay on Tara, p. 57, in Dr. Todd's Life of St. Patrick, and in Mr. Whitley Stokes' Goidilica. We regret exceedingly that our limited space will not permit us to give this and other most valuable and interesting documents. There is a remarkable coincidence of thought and expression between some portions of this hymn and the well-known prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Corpus Christi, salve me. Such coincidences are remarkable and beautiful evidences of the oneness of faith, which manifests itself so frequently in similarity of language as well as in unity of belief. The Hymn of St. Patrick, written in the fifth century, is as purely Catholic as the Prayer of St. Ignatius, written in the sixteenth. St. Patrick places the virtue or power of the saints between him and evil, and declares his hope of merit for his good work with the same simple trust which all the saints have manifested from the earliest ages. This hymn is written in the Bearla Feine, or most ancient Gaedhilic dialect. Dr. O'Donovan well observes, that it bears internal evidence of its authenticity in its allusion to pagan customs. Tirechan, who wrote in the seventh century, says that there were four honours paid to St. Patrick in all monasteries and churches throughout the whole of Ireland. First, the festival of St. Patrick was honoured for three days and nights with all good cheer, except flesh meat [which the Church did not allow then to be used in Lent]. Second, there was a proper preface for him in the Mass. Third, his hymn was sung for the whole time. Fourth, his Scotic hymn was sung always. As we intend publishing a metrical translation of his hymn suitable for general use, we hope it will be "said and sung" by thousands of his own people on his festival for all time to come.

[126]

Hell.—O'Curry, p. 539. This is translated from the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick.

[127]

Moment.—Keating, Vol ii. p. 15.

[128]

Land.—Near the present town of Killala, co. Mayo.

[129]

Protected him.—Book of Armagh and Vit. Trip.

[130]

Death.—Vit. Trip. It was probably at this time St. Patrick wrote his celebrated letter to Caroticus.

[131]

Daire.—Book of Armagh, fol. 6, b.a.

[132]

Confessio.—This most remarkable and interesting document will be translated and noticed at length in the Life of St. Patrick, which we are now preparing for the press.

[133]

St. Tussach.—All this Dr. Todd omits. The Four Masters enter the obituary of St. Patrick under the year 457. It is obvious that some uncertainty must exist in the chronology of this early period.

[134]

Oracle.—It is said that, three years before St. Patrick's apostolic visit to Ireland, the druids of King Laeghairé predicted the event to their master as an impending calamity. The names of the druids were Lochra and Luchat Mael; their prophecy runs thus:—

The allusions to the priestly vestments, the altar at the east end of the church, and the pastoral staff, are sufficiently obvious, and easily explained. The prophecy is quoted by Macutenius, and quoted again from him by Probus; but the original is in one of the most ancient and authentic Irish MSS., the Book of Armagh.

[135]

Died.—O'Curry, p. 273.

[136]

Burial.—"The body of Laeghairé was brought afterwards from the south, and interred with his armour of championship in the south-east of the outer rampart of the royal rath of Laeghairé, at Tara, with his face turned southwards upon the men of Leinster, as fighting with them, for he was the enemy of the Leinster men in his lifetime."—Translated from the Leabhar na Nuidhre. Petrie's Tara, p. 170.

[137]

Always.—National customs and prejudices have always been respected by the Church: hence she has frequently been supposed to sanction what she was obliged to tolerate. A long residence in Devonshire, and an intimate acquaintance with its peasantry, has convinced us that there is incalculably more superstitions believed and practised there of the grossest kind, than in any county in Ireland. Yet we should be sorry to charge the Established Church or its clergy, some of whom are most earnest and hard-working men, with the sins of their parishioners. The following extract from St. Columba's magnificent Hymn, will show what the early Irish saints thought of pagan superstitions:

[138]

Aengus.—

—Four Masters, p. 153. The branches of this tree have indeed spread far and wide, and the four great families mentioned above have increased and multiplied in all parts of the world.

[139]

Year 503.—The Four Masters give the date 498, which O'Donovan corrects both in the text and in a note.

[140]

Broccan's Hymn.—This Hymn was written about A.D. 510. See the translation in Mr. Whitley Stokes' Goidilica, Calcutta, 1866. Privately printed.

[141]

Saints.—St. Patrick, St. Columba, and St. Brigid. See Reeves' Ecc. Anti. of Down and Connor, p. 225, and Giraldus Cambrensis, d. 3, cap. 18.

[142]

Domhnach Airgid.—See O'Curry, MS. Materials, p. 321, for a complete verification of the authenticity of this relic. The Tripartite Life of St. Patrick mentions the gift of this relic by the saint to St. MacCarthainn. Dr. Petrie concludes that the copy of the Gospels contained therein, was undoubtedly the one which was used by our apostle. We give a fac-simile of the first page, which cannot fail to interest the antiquarian.

[143]

Famine years.—During the famous, or rather infamous, Partry evictions, an old man of eighty and a woman of seventy-four were amongst the number of those who suffered for their ancient faith. They were driven from the home which their parents and grandfathers had occupied, in a pitiless storm of sleet and snow. The aged woman utters some slight complaint; but her noble-hearted aged husband consoles her with this answer: "The sufferings and death of Jesus Christ were bitterer still." Sixty-nine souls were cast out of doors that day. Well might the Times say: "These evictions are a hideous scandal; and the bishop should rather die than be guilty of such a crime." Yet, who can count up all the evictions, massacres, tortures, and punishments which this people has endured?

[144]

Authors.—Strabo, l. iv. p. 197; Suetonius, V. Cla.; Pliny, Hist. Nat. l. xxv. c. 9. Pliny mentions having seen the serpent's egg, and describes it.

[145]

Virgil.—Ec.. 6, v. 73.

[146]

Year.—Dio. Sic. tom. i. p. 158.

[147]

Magi.—Magi is always used in Latin as the equivalent for the Irish word which signifies druid. See the Vitæ S. Columbæ, p. 73; see also Reeves' note to this word.

[148]

Worship.—In the Chronicle of Richard of Cirencester, ch. 4, certain Roman deities are mentioned as worshipped by the British druids; but it is probable the account is merely borrowed from Cæsar's description of the Gauls.

[149]

Ceremonies.—Bohn's edition, p. 431.

[150]

Wren.—In Scotland the wren is an object of reverence: hence the rhyme—

But it is probable the idea and the verse were originally imported from France, where the bird is treated with special respect. There is a very interesting paper in the Ulster Archæological Journal, vol. vii. p. 334, on the remarkable correspondence of Irish, Greek, and Oriental legends, where the tale of Labhradh Loinseach is compared with that of Midas. Both had asses' ears, and both were victims to the loquacious propensities of their barbers.

[151]

Etruscans.—See Cities and Cemeteries of Etruria, vol i p. 295, where the bas-reliefs are described which represent the præficæ, or hired mourners, wailing over the corpse.

[152]

Laid down.—Law, Saxon, lagu, lah; from lecgan==Goth. lagjan, to lay, to place; Gael. lagh, a law; leag, to lie down; Latin, lex, from Gr. lego, to lay.

[153]

It.—Four Masters, vol. i p. 133. The Seanchus Mor was sometimes called Cain Phadruig, or Patrick's Law.

[154]

Seanchus.—From the old Celtic root sen, old, which has direct cognates, not merely in the Indo-European, but also in the Semitic; Arabic, sen, old, ancient—sunnah, institution, regulation; Persian, san, law, right; sanna, Phoenicibus idem fuit quod Arabibus summa, lex, doctrina jux canonicum.—Bochart, Geo. Sæ. 1. ii. c. 17. See Petrie's Tara, p. 79.

[155]

Day.—O'Curry, page 201.

[156]

Works.—He appears to have been the author of the original Book of Rights, and "commenced and composed the Psalter of Caiseal, in which are described the acts, laws," &c.—See Preface to Seanchus Mor, p. 17.

[157]

Arrears.—Elphinstone's India, vol. i. p. 372.

[158]

Forbidden.—"You shall not take money of him that is guilty of blood, but he shall die forthwith."—Numbers, xxxv. 31.

[159]

Proved.—See Pictet's Origines Indo-Européennes. He mentions his surprise at finding a genuine Sanscrit word in Irish, which, like a geological boulder, had been transported from one extremity of the Aryan world to the other. Pictet considers that the first wave of Aryan emigration occurred 3,000 years before the Christian Era.

[160]

Writing.—"Finally, Dudley Firbisse, hereditary professor of the antiquities of his country, mentions in a letter [to me] a fact collected from the monuments of his ancestors, that one hundred and eighty tracts [tractatus] of the doctrine of the druids or magi, were condemned to the flames in the time of St. Patrick."—Ogygia, iii. 30, p. 219. A writer in the Ulster Arch. Journal mentions a "Cosmography," printed at "Lipsiæ, 1854." It appears to be a Latin version or epitome of a Greek work. The writer of this Cosmography was born in 103. He mentions having "examined the volumes" of the Irish, whom he visited. If this authority is reliable, it would at once settle the question.—See Ulster Arch. Journal, vol. ii. p. 281.

[161]

Hand.—A work on this subject has long been promised by Dr. Graves, and is anxiously expected by paleographists. We regret to learn that there is no immediate prospect of its publication.

[162]

Quipus.—Quipus signifies a knot. The cords were of different colours. Yellow denoted gold and all the allied ideas; white, silver, or peace; red, war, or soldiers. Each quipus was in the care of a quiper-carnayoe, or keeper. Acorta mentions that he saw a woman with a handful of these strings, which she said contained a confession of her life. See Wilson's Pre-Historic Man for most interesting details on the subject of symbolic characters and early writing.

[163]

Care.—Annals of Boyle, vol. ii. p. 22. Essay, p. 82.

[164]

Peoples.—See Cities and Cemeteries of Etruria, vol. ii. p. 314, where the writer describes tombs sunk beneath a tumulus, about twenty-five or thirty feet in diameter, and also tombs exactly resembling the Irish cromlech, the covering slab of enormous size, being inclined "apparently to carry off the rain." In his account of the geographical sites of these remains, he precisely, though most unconsciously, marks out the line of route which has been assigned by Irish annalists as that which led our early colonizers to Ireland. He says they are found in the presidency of Madras, among the mountains of the Caucasus, on the steppes of Tartary, in northern Africa, "on the shores of the Mediterranean they are particularly abundant," and in Spain.

[165]

Shells.—Cat. Ant. R.I.A.; Stone Mat. p. 180. The ethnographic phases of conchology might form a study in itself. Shells appear to be the earliest form of ornament in use. The North American Indians have their shell necklaces buried with them also. See Wilson's Pre-Historic Man.

[166]

Child.—Mr. Wilson gives a most interesting description of an interment of a mother and child in an ancient Peruvian grave. The mother had an unfinished piece of weaving beside her, with its colours still bright. The infant was tenderly wrapped in soft black woollen cloth, to which was fastened a pair of little sandals, 2-1/2 inches long; around its neck was a green cord, attached to a small shell.—Pre-Historic Man, vol. i. p. 234.

[167]

Clare.—In 1855, in digging for a railway-cutting in the county Clare, gold ornaments were found worth £2,000 as bullion.

[168]

Carbuncle.—This word was used to denote any shining stone of a red colour, such as garnet, a production of the country.

[169]

Blefed.—The name Crom Chonaill indicates a sickness which produced a yellow colour in the skin.

[170]

Sanctuary.—This may appear a severe punishment, but the right of sanctuary was in these ages the great means of protection against lawless force, and its violation was regarded as one of the worst of sacrileges.

[171]

Oak.—Dr. Petrie mentions that there were stones still at Tara which probably formed a portion of one of the original buildings. It was probably of the Pelasgian or Cyclopean kind.

[172]

Hour.—Petrie's Tara, p. 31.

[173]

Tuathal.—Very ancient authorities are found for this in the Leabhar Gabhala, or Book of Conquests.

[174]

Mill.—"Cormac, the grandson of Con, brought a millwright over the great sea." It is clear from the Brehon laws that mills were common in Ireland at an early period. It is probable that Cormac brought the "miller and his men" from Scotland. Whittaker shows that a water-mill was erected by the Romans at every stationary city in Roman Britain. The origin of mills is attributed to Mithridates, King of Cappadocia, about seventy years B.C. The present miller claims to be a descendant of the original miller.

[175]

Identical.—First, "because the Lia Fail is spoken of by all ancient Irish writers in such a manner as to leave no doubt that it remained in its original situation at the time they wrote." Second, "because no Irish account of its removal to Scotland is found earlier than Keating, and he quotes Boetius, who obviously wished to sustain the claims of the Stuarts." The pillar-stone is composed of granular limestone, but no stone of this description is found in the vicinity. As may be supposed, there are all kinds of curious traditions about this stone. One of these asserts that it was the pillar on which Jacob reposed when he saw the vision of angels. Josephus states that the descendants of Seth invented astronomy, and that they engraved their discoveries on a pillar of brick and a pillar of stone. These pillars remained, in the historian's time, in the land of Siris.—Ant. Jud. l. 2, § 3.

[176]

At once.—See Petrie's Tara, p. 213.

[177]

Roads.—See Napoleon's Julius Cæsar, vol. ii. p. 22, for mention of the Celtic roads in Gaul.

[178]

Chariots.—St. Patrick visited most parts of Ireland in a chariot, according to the Tripartite Life. Carbad or chariots are mentioned in the oldest Celtic tales and romances, and it is distinctly stated in the life of St. Patrick preserved in the Book of Armagh, that the pagan Irish had chariots. Different kinds of roads are expressly mentioned, and also the duty of road-mending, and those upon whom this duty devolved. See Introduction to the Book of Rights, p. 56.

[179]

Probable.—The legend of St. Brendan was widely diffused in the Middle Ages. In the Bibliothéque Impériale, at Paris, there are no less than eleven MSS. of the original Latin legend, the dates of which vary from the eleventh to the fourteenth century. In the old French and Romance dialects there are abundant copies in most public libraries in France; while versions in Irish, Dutch, German, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, abound in all parts of the Continent. Traces of ante-Columbian voyages to America are continually cropping up. But the appearance, in 1837, of the Antiquitates Americanæ sive ita Scriptores Septentrionales rerum ante-Columbiarum, in America, edited by Professor Rafu, at Copenhagen, has given final and conclusive evidence on this interesting subject. America owes its name to an accidental landing. Nor is it at all improbable that the Phoenicians, in their voyage across the stormy Bay of Biscay, or the wild Gulf of Guinea, may have been driven far out of their course to western lands. Even in 1833 a Japanese junk was wrecked upon the coast of Oregon. Humboldt believes that the Canary Isles were known, not only to the Phoenicians, but "perhaps even to the Etruscans." There is a map in the Library of St. Mark, at Venice, made in the year 1436, where an island is delineated and named Antillia. See Trans. R.I.A. vol. xiv. A distinguished modern poet of Ireland has made the voyage of St. Brendan the subject of one of the most beautiful of his poems.

[180]

Magh-Rath.—Now Moira, in the county Down. The Chronicum Scotorum gives the date 636, and the Annals of Tighernach at 637, which Dr. O'Donovan considers to be the true date.

[181]

Gratis.—Ven. Bede, cap. xxviii.

[182]

Rule.—"The light which St. Columbanus disseminated, by his knowledge and doctrine, wherever he presented himself, caused a contemporary writer to compare him to the sun in his course from east to west; and he continued after his death to shine forth in numerous disciples whom he had trained in learning and piety."—Benedictine Hist. Litt. de la France.

[183]

World.—See Herring's Collectanea and the Bibliotheca Patrum, tom. xii.

[184]

Bobbio.—My learned friend, the Rev. J.P. Gaffney, of Clontarf, has in his possession a printed copy of the celebrated Bobbio Missal. It is contained in a work entitled "MUSEUM ITALICUM, seu collectio Veterum Scriptorum ex Bibliothesis Italicis," eruta a D.J. Mabillon et D.M. Germain, presbyteris et monachis, Benedictinæ, Cong. S. Mauré. This work was published at Paris in 1687. The original Missal was discovered by Mabillon two hundred years ago, and is at present preserved in the Ambrosian Library at Milan. It dates from the seventh century, and is no doubt the identical Missal or Mass-book used by the saint. As my friend has allowed me to retain the treasure for a time, I intend to give full details on the subject in my Ecclesiastical History. For further information at present, I refer the reader to the Rev. J.P. Gaffney's Religion of the Ancient Irish Church p. 43, and to Dr. Moran's learned Essays, p. 287. I especially request the superiors of religious orders to afford me any information in their possession concerning the history of their respective orders in Ireland, and also of their several houses. Details of re-erections of religious houses on old sites are particularly desired. All books or documents which may be forwarded to me shall be carefully returned.

[185]

Solivagus.—Four Masters, p. 391.

[186]

Ireland.—The elder Sedulius, whose hymns are even now used by the Church, lived in the fifth century. The hymn, A solis ortis cardine, and many others, are attributed to him.

[187]

Culdee.—There was much dispute at one time as to the origin and true character of the Culdees. The question, however, has been quite set at rest by the researches of recent Irish scholars. Professor O'Curry traces them up to the time of St. Patrick. He thinks they were originally mendicant monks, and that they had no communities until the end of the eighth century, when St. Maelruain of Tallaght drew up a rule for them. This rule is still extant. Mr. Haverty (Irish History, p. 110) has well observed, they probably resembled the Tertiaries, or Third Orders, which belong to the Orders of St. Dominic and St. Francis at the present day. See also Dr. Reeves' Life of St. Columba, for some clear and valuable remarks on this subject.

[188]

Measure.—The subject of Irish poetical composition would demand a considerable space if thoroughly entertained. Zeuss has done admirable justice to the subject in his Grammatica Celtica, where he shows that the word rhyme [rimum] is of Irish origin. The Very Rev. U. Burke has also devoted some pages to this interesting investigation, in his College Irish Grammar. He observes that the phonetic framework in which the poetry of a people is usually fashioned, differs in each of the great national families, even as their language and genius differ. He also shows that the earliest Latin ecclesiastical poets were Irish, and formed their hymns upon the rules of Irish versification; thus quite controverting the theory that rhyme was introduced by the Saracens in the ninth century.

[189]

Order.—This refers to the vision in which St. Patrick is said to have seen three orders of saints, who should succeed each other in Ireland.

[190]

Discipline.—Bede, lib. iii. cap. 3. We have used Bohn's translation, as above all suspicion.

[191]

England.—Camden says: "At that age the Anglo-Saxons repaired on all sides to Ireland as to a general mart of learning, whence we read, in our writers, of holy men, that they went to study in Ireland"—Amandatus est ad disciplinam in Hiberniam.

[192]

Expanded.—I take this opportunity of requesting from laymen or ecclesiastics who may read this announcement, the favour of any information they may consider valuable.

[193]

Heaven.—Ec. Hist. lib. iv. c. 26. "From that time the hopes and strength of the English crown began to waver and retrograde, for the Picts recovered their own lands," &c. The Annals of the Four Masters mention a mortality among cattle throughout the whole world, and a severe frost, which followed this invasion: "The sea between Ireland and Scotland was frozen, so that there was a communication between them on the ice."—vol. ii. p. 291. They also mention the mission of Adamnan to "Saxon land."

[194]

Galls.—Gall was a generic name for foreigners. The Danes were Finn Galls, or White Foreigners, and Dubh Galls, or Black Foreigners. The former were supposed to have been the inhabitants of Norway; the latter, of Jutland. In Irish, gaill is the nom., and gall, gen.

[195]

Streets.—In Armagh the buildings were formed into streets and wards, for the better preservation of monastic discipline. Armagh was divided into three parts—trian-more, the town proper; trian-Patrick, the cathedral close; and trian-Sassenagh, the home of the foreign students.

[196]

Michaelmas.—Annals, p. 371. Another fearful thunderstorm is recorded in the Annals for 799. This happened on the eve of St. Patrick's Day. It is said that a thousand and ten persons were killed on the coast of Clare. The island of Fitha (now Mutton Island) was partly submerged, and divided into three parts. There was also a storm in 783—"thunder, lightning, and wind-storms"—by which the Monastery of Clonbroney was destroyed.

[197]

Reachrainn.-Rechru appears to be the correct form. It has not yet been ascertained whether this refers to Lambay, near Dublin, or the island 01 Rathlinn. See note, p. 32, to the "Introduction" to the Wars of the Gaedhil with the Gall.

[198]

Mistake.—Ethel. Chron. Pro. book iii.

[199]

Irish.—The history of the two hundred years during which these northern pirates desolated the island, has been preserved in a MS. of venerable age and undoubted authenticity. It is entitled Cogadh Gaedhil re Gallaibh (the Wars of the Gaedhil with the Gall). It was quoted by Keating, known to Colgan, and used by the Four Masters; but for many years it was supposed to have been completely lost, until it was discovered, in 1840, by Mr. O'Curry, among the Seabright MSS. The work is now edited, with a translation and most valuable notes, by Dr. Todd. Several other copies have been discovered since, notably one by the Franciscan Brother, Michael O'Clery, which is at present in the Burgundian Library at Brussels. From internal evidence, it is presumed that the author was a contemporary of King Brian Boroimhé. Dr. O'Connor refers the authorship to Mac Liag, who was chief poet to that monarch, and died in 1016, two years after his master. Dr. Todd evidently inclines to this opinion, though he distinctly states that there is no authority for it.

[200]

Death.—It appears doubtful whether he really died at this time. It is said that he repented of his sins of sacrilege, and ended his days in penance and religious retirement. See Four Masters, p. 472.

[201]

Conquered.—Duald Mac Firbis gives a curious account of these contests in his fragments of Annals. The White Galls, or Norwegians, had long been masters of the situation. The Black Galls fought with them for three days and nights, and were finally victorious. They take the ships they have captured to Dublin, and deprive the Lochlanns (Black Galls) of all the spoil they had so cruelly and unjustly acquired from the "shrines and sanctuaries of the saints of Erinn;" which the annalist naturally considers a judgment on them for their sins. They make another struggle, and gain the victory. But the Banish general, Horm, advises his men to put themselves under the protection of St. Patrick, and to promise the saint "honorable alms for gaining victory and triumph" over enemies who had plundered his churches. They comply with this advice; and though greatly inferior in numbers, they gain the victory, "on account of the tutelage of St. Patrick."

[202]

Carlow.—The site of the battle is still shown there, and even the stone on which the soldier decapitated Cormac. Cormac's death is thus described in a MS. in the Burgundian Library: "The hind feet of his horse slipped on the slippery road in the track of that blood; the horse fell backwards, and broke his [Cormac's] back and his neck in twain; and he said, when falling, In manus tuas commendo spiritum meum, and he gives up his spirit; and the impious sons of malediction come and thrust spears into his body, and sever his head from his body." Keating gives a curious account of this battle, from an ancient tract not known at present.

[203]

Amlaff.—Dr. Todd identifies Amlaff with Olaf Huita (the white), of Scandinavian history, who was usually styled King of Dublin, and was the leader of the Northmen in Ireland for many years. See "Introduction" to the Wars of the Gaedhil, p. 69.

[204]

Cenn-Fuait.—Fuat Head. The site has not been accurately identified.

[205]

Magh-Neill, i.e., the Plain of Nial, a bardic name for Ireland.—Four Masters, vol. ii. p. 595.

[206]

Ath-Truisten.—From Dublin to a ford on the river Green, near Mullaghmast, co. Kildare.

[207]

Muircheartach.—This prince obtained the soubriquet of Muircheartach of the Leathern Cloaks. The origin of this appellation has not been precisely ascertained.

[208]

Dagger.—The king visited the shrine on his way to battle, and hanging up his dagger, the then symbol of knightly valour, vowed to release it with a kingly ransom if God gave him the victory. He obtained his desire, and nobly fulfilled his vow.

[209]

Tyrants.—J. Roderick O'Flanagan, Esq., M.R.I.A., has permitted me to extract the account of the battle of Dundalk from his valuable and interesting History of Dundalk and its Environs. Dublin: Hodges and Smith, 1864. This gentleman has devoted himself specially to elucidating the subject, and with a kindness which I cannot easily forget, permits me to avail myself, not only of his literary labours, but even to transfer to the pages of this work several complete pages from his own.