L an d o f H e r o e s
Stories from
Irish History
W L ORCAN O ’ BYRNE .
WI T H S I ! I L L US T R A TI O N S B Y J OHN B . BA CO N
LO NDON G LASGOW AND DUBLIN
INTRODUCTION.
Wh o th e au hors of h ese Ta e were unk nown t t l s is . It is generally accepted that what we now possess th e row h of am or r a s or e w is g t f ily t ib l hi t i s, hich, rom e n ran m e own from enera on to f b i g t s itt d d , g ti en n fa r ac un f a en era o e o o a e . g ti , giv us i c ts ctu l v ts The Tales that are here given are only a few out of very many hundr eds embedded in th e vast quantity of Old G ae lic manuscripts hidden away in th e libraries of nearly all the countri es of Euro e as we as o e a are rea re in th e p , ll th s th t t su d Ro a Ir A a em and Tr n Co e e Du n y l ish c d y i ity ll g , bli . An idea of the extent of these manuscripts may b e a ne b the e men of one who er a g i d y stat t , p h ps had — the fullest knowledge of them th e late Professor ’ O Cu rr —in w he sa a the or on of em y, hich ys th t p ti th (so far as they have been examined) relating to His torical Tales would extend to upwards of 4000 pages of ar T rea ma near all untrans l ge size . his g t ss is ly a ed b ut all the Ta e a are ven in o me l t , l s th t gi this v lu ave a rea a eare in En s e er in The h l dy pp d gli h, ith Pubhlca tfion s of the Soci ety for the Preserva ti on of the Iwish La/nguage ; th e poetical versions of The a D ER ES iv A L AN or H O .
Fora o ueen Mea ve Au re de ere Dei r dre y f Q , by b y V ; , D ce T e L a s o the Wes tern Gael r . Ro e r Jo h by b t y ; y f , and The La s o the Red Bra n ch Sir Sam e y f , by u l Dr h r on . F P . W erguson ; or in t e p ose collecti by . Jo e en e Old Celti c Roma nces and the con yc , titl d ; i A n an d The Lectwres on the tribut ons to tla tis ,
Man uscr i t Ma ter i a ls o A ncien t Iri sh Hi stor p f y, ’ by Professor O Curry. T e e ran a on or om o on ow ever are h s t sl ti s c p siti s, h , , e e e n en su e ra er for ma ure b sid s b i g l gthy, it d th t minds ; th e present telling of th e Tales is inte nded to re c the eve of i ren in th e o e at a a h l l ch ld , h p th more li vely interest may b e taken by these readers in h hi or even and a e of re an W t e st ic ts pl c s I l d. ith s v ew th e Ta es rawn rom i fferen so r e thi i l , d f d t u c s , ave e en a e in ome n of r ono o a or er h b pl c d s thi g ch l gic l d , and an English dress h as be en given to th e Irish nam Th e e n e ffe f th a n es . d terre t ct o e ppe ara ce of Irish words on purely English readers is well known even w ou the ran ene of the Ce , ith t st g ss ltic e em n w i e D e c s re rre to Dr. o as e l t, hi h f d by ugl Hyd in hi s Sketch o E a r l Gaeli c Li tera tu re w ere he f y , h “ says : The moment the English reader embar k s on th e sea of native Iris h lite rature h e fi nds hi mse lf in a o u e unkn own wa rs al us on bs l t ly te . Its l i s are to things and times and e vents and cycles and dynas es ran e and un n own to him and he u fin ti , st g k , th s ds mse f su en a n e n o a new wor w o e hi l dd ly l u ch d i t ld, h s ” e en w him rf ce as e ec n ec e . And xist by p tly u susp t d , I TR DUCTI N O ON . in e ma n the a ue of e e Ta e ma Dr. e sti ti g v l th s l s, Hyd y “ be again quoted ° W e find in our most ancient Tales a genuine picture of Pagan life in Europe for w we oo k in a n el ew ere and ro hich l v i s h , , th ugh
s ear r ee - o e we et a ure thi ly I ish p p h l , g vivid pict of the life and manners of th e (Celtic) race in one of s ron o s rom w c we ma on e ure its t gh ld , f hi h y c j ct , and e ven a me a oo eal w re ar to the ssu , g d d ith g d ” o er th s . “ ’ F r ners a Mr S an s O Grad in his o eig s ys . t di h y E a r l Ba r di c Li ter a tu re are ur r e to find the y , s p is d Irish claim for their own country an antiquity and a hi r r r a of th n un r e sto y p io to th t e eighbouring co t i s. ere es th e e ana n T ere not a cons icu H li xpl tio . h is p ous sepulchral monument in I reland the traditional history of which is not recorded in our ancient e ra ure and of the eroe in w o e onour e lit t , h s h s h th y In h r f Eur r n a were raised . t e est o ope the e is ot n e arrow o men or w th e n en si gl b , d l , cist of hich a ci t traditional hi story is recorded ; in Ireland there is ” r f w i ha dly one o hich it s not. With reference to th e amount of credence to b e “ ” ’ a e in the or Ta e Pro e or O Curr pl c d Hist ic l s , f ss y, in his Lectu res on the Ma n uscrip t Materi als of A nci en t Iri sh Hi stor a Un er th e y, says th t d ancient laws of Erin an obligation was impos ed upon certain high officers to make and pre serve r un r The egular records of th e history of th e co t y. the O was e er a e m e duty of llavs , how v , good d al or L D or ER vi A AN H OES. e en e h n s for e w ere o n b th e xt siv t a thi , th y b u d, y same aws to make emse e erfec mas e rs of l , th lv s p t t a i s o r in all its e a s and to ea to the th t h t y d t il , t ch it eo e u l c rec a s as we as to be th e e a p pl by p b i it l , ll l g l re fe rees upon all su bj ects in di spute conce rni ng histo ry and th e gen ealogies (and you will bear in mi nd that th e pres er vation of the rights of pro perty of in di viduals in tim ately depended on th e accuracy of that hi s to ry and of these genealogies ) Th e laws pro vided strictly for the education of the Ollav (an d no one could be a Brehon or Judge tha t had not a aine the e ree of an O av and e tt d d g ll ), th y conferr ed on him valuable e ndowments an d mos t m or an r e e all w c h e orfe e for fe i p t t p ivil g s, hi h f it d li if h e became gui lty of falsifying the his tory of any ” r he enea o of an fam fact o t g l gy y ily. Th e edu a on of th e Ol a v was on and m n e c ti l l g i ut . It exte nded over a space of twelve years of hard work and a e ars a h e was oun even from , it pp th t b d ( th e ver fir s o ur e of hi s ro e i ona s u es y t c s p f ss l t di ), amon o er u es to ave the o r S or es g th d ti , h Hist ic t i ; and these are classed with the genealogies and syn chroni sms of h s or in w i h e was to reserve i t y, h ch p th e truth of histo ry pure and unbroken to succeed ing generations According to s everal of the most an en au or es th e O av or er e Do or ci t th iti , ll , p f ct ct , was bound to have (for recital at the publi c fe as ts and assemblies ) a t least se ven fifties of thes e hi storic narra e It s erf ear th tiv s. is thu p ectly cl that e com x o crro vii m nu s, positions called Historic Tales were composed for a much graver purpose than that of mere amusement; and w en th e na ure of the ro e on of th e O a h t p f ssi ll v, th e Poe th e s or a Te c er on ere t, Hi t ic l a h , is c sid d, as e as th e aws w was re u a e w w ll l by hich it g l t d, it ill not be r r s n a the oem and e in w i su p i i g th t p s tal s, h ch th ose officers preserved th e special facts and details of hi s or s ou a e een re ar ed all me t y, h ld h v b g d , at ti s, ” as of the ea e au o gr t st th rity. As b e een owe er rom a er of the will s , h v , f p usal T es was erm s e n ro u e a r a en al , it p i sibl to i t d c f i y g cy or ne r man T can ardl be cons ere as c o cy. his h y id d “ mere poetical machinery but rather as th e true e re s on th e ea w the r er h ad of xp s i of id s hich w it s , the means by which th e occurrences that they re a e were rou a ou l t b ght b t. The ear er or e su as e the Son of li st i s, ch thos of s ” Turenn and Children of Lir belong to the class “ ” of Im na e Ta es and m be re ar e agi tiv l , ust g d d ma nl m o o a Th Ta e of a i y as yth l gic l . e l s this cl ss are n mero and were all om o e e ore the u us, c p s d b f
ear 1000 . T e n n in the or na re eren e y h y co tai , igi ls, f c s to ace men one in or and the e r on pl s ti d hist y, d sc ipti s are m nu e a th e ua on of owns or so i t th t sit ti s t , f ts , and r a - a es w m o erw se b e un bu i l pl c , hich ight th i n n fie Even in the er i can be ea e . c ta , sily id ti d wildest of them there will almost always be found something made us e of that is drawn from th e mo e l e a was ass n aro n he or d of if th t p i g u d t auth , L ER ES A AND OF H O . or from accounts with which he was familiar by ra on rom hi s ore a ers and en e e are t diti f f f th , h c th y of advantage in getting a slight acquaintance with e early I rish lif . A sufficient warranty may therefore b e claimed for bringing a s election from these Historic and m a e r I aginative T l s b efo e young readers . Th e favour of the permission granted by Lady Fergus on to insert the two poems of the late Sir m e er u on and r n u Sa u F D . Jo e to e l g s , by yc i cl d ’ ’ F n a Fa we as w Dr Jo k n n i ol s re ll ell as . yce s i d ess in reading the proofs and examining the Irish names en in the T e are ra e a know e e giv al s, g t fully c l dg d. CONTENTS .
NUADA or THE SIL VE R ABM (or the sons of Turenn) ’ The Death of Lugb e Father Lugh asks for an Eri c The Go den App es l l ’ The Pig skin and the Spear The Ste eds and Chariot h v s h n T e Se en Pig and the W elp b ou d . The Las t of the Eric The Battle of N orth Moyt uru
’ Lm s CHIL DREN The Four Swans on Lough Darvra ’ Finola s Farewell
The Sea. of Hoyle The Song of Finola The Fairy Hors emen at th e Bann
’ ven s Swee Be Ri n in H ea t ll g g . Th e Man from the N orth and the Woman from the South
THE MIL ESIANS
’ The Mil es ians Fi rst Sight of Ireland The Landi n of the i esians and heir Ear His or g M l , t ly t y
TA RA or THE RINGS F Ollamh odhla. ' The Harp that once through Tara s Halls 9 C TE TS ON N .
QUEEN MAUHA
LAvaA MAIN ’ Craftine s Song
’ The H orse s Ears
LITTLE SETANTA
u ain t R d B n h Kn Cuch l and he e ra c ights
FOSTEEAGE
' THE CHAMPION S HAND-STONE
’ THE POET s JOURNEY
DEmnmi The Fligh t of the Sons of Usnach The Feast of King Conor The Re turn to Eri n ’ Deirdre s Farewell to Al b a The Journey to Emania h A ack on the Red Branch T e tt Death of the Sons of Usnach
Lament for the Sons of Usnach
QUEEN MEA VE The Cattl e Spoil of Cuailgné ’ Mesgedra s Brai n-ball
BOHEE NA BBEENA
DUN AN GUS
Om ar CAT-HEAD
TUATHAL THE LEGITmATE The Boromean or Cow-tribute of Leinster
CONN or THE HUN S DBED FIGHT y C T TS ON EN .
The Thre e-headed Ki ng
Cormac and Ethnea
Brugh -na- Boinne
FINN AND THE FEENA
THE THREE COLLAS
NIA LL or THE NINE HosrAcEs
' THE DRUID s PPOPHECY
0 0 Q 0
Th Ex edi ion and D h f Ki D t e p t eat o ng a hi LIST OF GAE LIC PROPER NAMES ILLUSTRATION S .
’ DEIRDREs LAEENT
BRIAN SNATOHES THE PIG-SKIN
CONAL CARNA WITH THE HEAD or MEsoEDRA
THE Two QUEENs MEET
PRINCE Com o AND ETHNEA E A LAND OF HERO S.
NUADA OF THE SILVER ARM.
A e e NY , many hundr ds of y ars ago , and e e our Mlong , long b for Lord was born , there was a king in Ireland who was
e Nuada the e Ar m e e one call d of Silv r , b caus of his arms had been cut off from the shoulder
the e Mo tura by a Firbolg warrior at battl of y , e the e e n ar Cong , in county Mayo , and a cl v r workman had made him another of silver . The king had a soldier to guard the gate of his e e l e palac , which at that tim was ca l d a
e the rath , and was situat d at Tara , in county
ea e one e M th ; and this soldi r , at tim , had only ’ one eye . But a doctor put a cat s eye in the
e the e one e the e plac of oth r , so that wh n soldi r
ee e e or was asl p , if only a mous stirr d , a bird
fle w he e. e past , would awak This mad him a very good watchman 14 A L AND OF HEROES.
l e e e e A though this king rul d ov r his p opl , e e e De Danann e e e who w r call d , and w r work rs
in e e e e bronz and copp r and silv r , th y had to pay a heavy rent or tax to another people
e e e or e call ed Fomorians . For v ry qu rn ston e e for that th y had for grinding th ir corn , every trough that they had for kneading their
e e e or r e dough , and for v ry baking ston g iddl ,
e . e e e to th y had to pay a tax B sid s , th y had give an ounce of gold for every nose of a De
Danann was on the of h that hill Usnac , which
e e o lay to the west of Tara . Th s tax es had t b e e e e paid v ry y ar , and any man who would not pay had his nose cut off by these terrible
Fomorians . One year Nuada held a great fair or meeting ’ on the of e e il hill Usnach , th n call d Balor s H l , in Westmeath To this fair cam e a young h man whose face was bright like t e sun. His “ ” e the - e he nam was Lugh long arm d , and rode upon a steed that was as swift as the
e e on cold ast wind , and that could go as w ll
the sea as n h He d h o t e land. was covere wit
e e hi ei shining m tal , which sav d m from b ng “ A n THE SIL ER ARM 1 NUAD o V . 5
e e e e e or it wound d ith r und r, ov r , through , and on hi s head was a helmet or head - piece that had two beautiful bright stones in front and ’ Lu h s e was one ehi . e b nd At g l ft sid a sword , and a wound made by it could never b e healed ; and with him came the Fairy horsemen . All these had been given to him by Fairy King Mannanan e the e of , who dw lt in Isl Man , which ” e e e e e the P e p opl som tim s call d Land of romis , ” e e - - e or the and som tim s Tir na nog , land
e e e e wh r p ople wer always young and happy. When Nuada had bid welcome to Lugh and
e - e e his Fairy troop th y saw an ill looking , fi rc of m e e band en coming towards them . Th s were the ste wards of the Fomorians coming to h take t e taxes or tribute . The king and all the De Dananu stood up
e the me e e e wh n ugly band ca b for th m , and Lugh then asked “ Why do you stand up before this grim
e e e not r e e we p opl , whil you did a is wh n ” came ? “ W e are e to s the i oblig d do that, aid k ng, for if there were even a child of sure that D O F R E 16 A LAN HE O S.
old was only a month , who did not stand up ”
e e e e . b for th m , th y would slay it
h e e he W n Lugh h ard this said to Nuada , I
e e e - m Too should lik to kill th s tax en. long m have you let these en make slaves of you . He then arose and slew eight times nine of
e . e e e e e e he let e th m Th r w r nin mor that liv , because they ran and sat near the king and
e b gged him to save them . “ e e To th s Lugh said , I would also kill you , but that I wish you to go to your p eople and tell them what has happ en ed to th e others
e e e e e e e Lochlann Th s nin w nt back , th r for , to ,
e or e e e e e e as D nmark Sw d n was th n call d , wh r the omorians e e the e F liv d , and th y told n ws of the slaying of all the stewards except them
e s lves .
’ E THE DEATH OF LUCH S FATH R.
The chiefs of the Fomorians then came to e e one e e e : g th r, and of th m , nam d Br s , said I will take seven brave troops of warriors
E one and go into rin and fight this mighty , ” hlan and bring back his head with me to L oc n . ( 151 607 )
18 L D OF ER ES A AN H O .
There was a great hatred b etween the sons nn of Canta and the sons of Ture .
e to e he one Kian tri d hid , as was only and
e e e ee e l e th y w r thr , but th y found him and ki l d
e of i e him . But inst ad k lling him with w apons
e e e i e e th y p lt d him w th ston s , and mad a horrid
of e e e mass him , and aft rwards th y buri d him
he e in t arth . ’ Lu h Now this Kian was g s father . Lugh had gone west by the ford at Athlon e to the e Curli u Hills , and across Corran moun “ he e the e tain in Sligo , until cam to Gr at Plain ” of the e Ballisodare e e the Fair , n ar , wh r Fomorians had gathered all the spoils of He e e e the Connaught . ask d th m to giv back milch cows they had taken from the people of
E e e e he e e et rin , but th y r pli d that would n v r g
either a dry or a milch cow from them .
e e the e Lugh th n put a magic sp ll upon cattl , and sent back to every house its own milch
he e t the the cows , but l f dry cows with Fomorians so that they should not b e able to l eave the country until the Fairy troop over
took them . NUADA or THE SIL ER ARM 19 V .
’ ’ te ee ee Af r thr days and thr nights waiting , the e e e troop cam , and King Bov D rg with
e e e e e th m . Th n b gan a gr at battl , in which they first threw their spears at one another
e e e e e e e e until th s w r all brok n , and th n th y dr w their broad bronze - handl ed swords and began
e e e smiting one another . Wh n Lugh cam n ar the e - en he e e the e battl p , w r Br s stood in middl
e he with all his brav warriors around him ,
e e of th e - attack d it , and two hundr d body guard
e e he let e i e e w r slain by him . But Br s l v wh n he promised to fight him some other time at another Moytura that is in Sligo . When Lugh found that his father had not been seen in the fight he set out with the Fairy him e e troop to find , and w nt along until th y came to the place where Kian was buried .
e e he e e H r h ard a magic voic , which told him all that had happen ed to his father . Lugh had a great tombstone erected where Kian was
He u e e on . b ri d , and put his nam it sang a
e or e - e e set dirg d ath song for his fath r , and th n ff o for Tara. 20 L D o A AN r HEROES.
LUGH ASKS FOR AN ERIC .
e e e Th r was a f ast at Tara , and Lugh sat in the e e the h e Er high st plac , among c i fs of in , ne h he e h xt t e king . As look d round him e the f Turenn e e h saw sons o s at d also at t e feast . Lugh asked for the chain of attention to b e
S e e e b e hak n , which was a signal that all w r to “
S e e . He e il nt and list ning th n said , I ask each of you chiefs what vengeance you would put upon those who had killed the father of ” any one of you ?
e e e e Gr at wond r f ll on all upon h aring this , and the king answered first W e hope it is not your father who was ” killed . “ “ ee see e e It is ind d , said Lugh , and I h r in this house the persons who killed him . I
e e e ask for an ric from th m for his d ath , and I
e e the e b e will say h r what ric is to , and if they think it too great it shall be lessen ed by ” a part . You must understand that at that time the laws which the people had to Obey were called N ADA OF THE SIL ER ARM 21 U V . the e one of e e Br hon Laws , and th s said that anyon e who killed another should pay to the
e e e fine e n ar st r lation a as a punishm nt , and this fine was called an eric The children of Turenn at first thought to
e e he e d ny having kill d Kian , but t y aft rwards “ e e ee e e conf ss d it , and agr d to giv ric for him to his son Lugh .
the e This is ric , said Lugh , which I
— e ee e the shall ask from you nam ly, thr appl s ,
e ee skin of a pig , a sp ar , two st ds , a chariot ,
e e e - ee s v n pigs , a wh lp , a cooking spit , and thr
ee it e shouts on a hill . If you d m h avy , a
of b e e e e the portion it will forgiv n , h r upon
e spot , but if you do not think it h avy you ” must pay it all to me .
the e e of the of Turenn Brian , ld st sons , said
e ee the fine e nor th y did not d m h avy , would
e ee e e th y think thr hundr d thousand appl s ,
S n of one e of e and ki s pigs , and hundr d ach of the e too e e oth r things , h avy an ric for a ’ e e fath r s d ath .
Th e e Turenn e e the childr n of th n gav king ,
e e th e e of the De and Bov D rg , and nobl s 2 A L N D OF ER E 2 A H O S.
Danann as bails for the payment of the eric to
Lugh . “ “ Now e the e , said Lugh , I will xplain ric The ee e are e to you. thr appl s in a gard n in th e e of the e are the e ast world , and th y b st and most beautiful and wonderful apples in
h e he r t e world . Th ey will h al t wounds o cure the Sickness of anyone who eats of them; but ’ I don t think you possess the power to take
e e e e e Th thos appl s from thos that hav th m . e skin of the pig which I want belongs to the
of e e e e e King Gr c , and it will cur and mak whole all the wounded and infirm of the world if only it is put over them while the life is in them ; but I do not think it is easy to get
The e the of e . e it sp ar b longs to King P rsia , The ee and difficult it is to get . two st ds and
ar h of chariot e owned by t e King Sicily . No matter how often these steeds are killed they
e e e e e will b com whol again , if only th ir bon s are e e ee l b e found tog th r , and I d m it wi l not e The e e are asy to get them . s v n pigs with the the e e e King of Gold n Pillars , and n ith r di s ease nor ill -health will happen to him who H D OF E SIL E M 23 N A A TH V R AR .
Th eats some of them . e whelp is owned by the the Iroda the - King Of , and cooking spit by
e the women of the island of Fingara . Ther is a hill in the north of Lochlann which belongs
Midkena fa e e e to , who taught my th r , and , v n
e e e Midk ena if I forgav you his d ath , I am sur
e e on and his sons will av ng him you , should you try to give the three Shouts on his hill . ”
And the e of ou . this is ric I ask y , said Lugh
THE O DE APP ES G L N L .
In great trouble the childr en of Turenn
e e e e fe e w nt to th ir fath r , as th y now ar d that they could never fulfil the eric . He told them
e one it e th ir doom was a just , for was an vil
to thing kill Kian , but that it was only by ’ L ugh s help that they could get all that was
He e e required . s nt th m to Lugh to ask for a “ loan of the steed of Mannanan . This said “ Turenn he e ou he can , will not giv y , but not refuse you whatever you may ask for next. As k him therefore for a loan of the u of Mannanan e the c rrach , which is call d Wave 24 A LAND OF HEROES
Wh en the three sons went to Lugh and
e for the ee ask d st d , Lugh said “ e ee e I hav that st d mys lf only on loan , and
n e not own ll e si c I do it , I wi not giv you a
loan of a loan . “ ” e e of the W ll , said Brian , giv us a loan ” currach of Mannanan .
e the of the the Lugh gav loan currach , and
h ee e e to - - Boinne or t r broth rs w nt Brugh na , “ ” e of the e on Palac Boyn , which was that
e e river n ear where Slan e is at present . Th r the e set off the currach lay , and th y from borders of Erin .
e e This currach was a magic littl boat , mad Of
k e e on ee e s ins str tch d twigs , that s m d as if it could hardly hold th e three of them ; but wh en they bade it sail to the Garden of the Apples it went on the bosom of the green - creste d waves in the straightest course across the sea to the port n ear the garden . The apples in the garden were watched over
e by guards both by day and night , and in ord r
e e e e t e e to scap b ing kill d by h s guards , Brian
e e e his chang d his two broth rs and hims lf, by
26 L D OF ER ES A AN H O . he was asked for would not b e given to the greatest poets or chiefs of the world unless
e e e th y w re abl to take it away in spite of him . But he Offered them thrice the full of the skin f h o gold for the poem . Brian said e would
e the e the e e e tak gold , but wh n s rvants w r going to measure it h e made a swift snatch at the e i skin with his l ft hand , and with his r ght struck with his sword at the man nearest
he He e him , so that cut him in twain . wrapp d
e the S the e of his hims lf in kin , and , with h lp
t e i e the two bro h rs , fought and k ll d guards and
e e e e e the . nobl s , and th n cam b for king Brian and the king then fought until the king was
e a for ee ree killed . Aft r st ying thr days and th ’ e the i e e e nights to r st in k ng s palac , th y w nt h in search of the spear of t e King of Persia . When th e currach reach ed the shores of Persia the three sons agreed that it would b e
e e e e e best to go again as poets . Th y w re r c iv d
e the e with gr at honour by king , and his po ts arose and sang th eir lays .
i e e he e Br an sang a po m , and wh n ask d for the e as e the sp ar a r ward for it , king said , I 6 0 7
BRIAN SNAT C H E S T H - E PIG SK IN .
E L R ARM 2 NUADA OF TH SI VE . 7
' You were ill - advised to demand that gift
me the e e b e from , and gr at st honour that can given to your poem is that I should spare your
e for e e e e on the lif , you d s rv d ath spot for asking for the spear
e e one of the On h aring this , Brian thr w e the e out appl s at king , and s nt it right
r r th ough his brain at the back . D awing his
r r the e h e e swo d f om sh ath b gan slaying , with the e of e the h lp his two broth rs , hosts around him till he had fought his way to the court
e e the e e yard , wh r sp ar stood with its h ad in a
r of e cauld on wat r , so that it might not burn
the e e off. court, and th y carri d it
THE STEEDS AND AR OT CH I .
The children of Turenn n ext set off to King Dobar to seek for the two steeds and the chariot . The y were very proud and in high spirits
e e e so e e e aft r what th y had don , th y agr d to go to this king as Irish soldiers who wished to
e h e e fight for him , as th y thought t y could b st in that way find out where the steeds and cha 28 L D OF ER ES A AN H O .
riot were kept They enlisted with him ; but a fortnight and a month went by and they did
see he e he end e not t st eds . At t of that tim e e th y put on th ir fighting suits of arms , and ,
e e e e e e with th ir w apons in th ir hands , w nt b for the king and told him that th ey were going
e e e e e e he away to s rv som oth r king , b caus had
S e ee not hown th m his st ds and chariot , which
e e th y h ard were the b est in the world . It is ill of you to mak e that an excuse for ” the going away , said king , as , had I known
e see e e S you wish d to th m , I would hav hown them to you the first day ; for there never came to this court soldiers dearer to me and ” r to the chiefs of my country than you a e .
The e e the ee the king th n s nt for st ds ,
e e e e e chariot was yok d to th m , and th y w r
e e h driv n round in Vi w of t e brothers . Now Brian was care fully watching th e steeds when
e e the th y w nt by as swiftly as raw , cold winds of e the e e spring , and wh n chariot cam n ar him he seized the charioteer by the small of the foot and struck him against a rock and
e e he kill d him . Th n bounded into the cha E SIL ER ARM 29 NUADA OF TH V . riot and made a stroke at the king with the
e the of e he sp ar of King P rsia , by which split
h ee e e S e his heart . T e thr broth rs aft rwards l w the of the host warriors at court , and brought away the steeds and the chariot .
- THE SEVEN PIGS AND THE WHELP HOUND.
By this time the news of the three Irish
e e e e e warriors had spr ad far and wid , and v ryon heard how those skilful fighting men were bearing away the best and most wonderful
e e e e things in the world . Wh n th y cam th n to the harbour Of the King of the Golden
he e e e e Pillars , ask d th m why th y w nt about
he killing so many of t kings . Brian told him
e the e e e th ir story , and how it was s nt nc of another man that oblige d them to do it . And why have you come to this country ? said the king . “ For the e e h e s v n pigs w ich you hav , said
i to e e Br an , tak th m along with us as a por
we e tion of the e ric . If g t them with your
- we e e good will , tak th m thankfully ; but if we do not et t e in i we g h m th s way , must 0 L D O F ER ES 3 A AN H O .
give battle to you and to your p eople for
them .
The e As e king , who was nam d al , took couns l
e e e ee of e own with his p opl , and th y agr d th ir
ee - e he fr will to giv t pigs .
e e e What journ y do you now propos to tak , ” of renn ? he 0 children Tu said t king.
To Iroda the e - , for wh lp hound which is ”
e e e . th r , said th y
me e e the the Grant a r qu st , said King of
e me the Golden Pillars . Tak with you to
of Iroda e e and King , for my daught r is his wif , I would like to persuade him to give the b ound
to you without strife . ’ e s e e the Th y con nt d , king s ship was got
e e e the e r ady , and th y sail d away to d lightful
e of Iroda now and wond rful coast , which is
known as Iceland .
e e e e Asal w nt ashor p ac fully and , going to
e e - in- the wh r his son law was , told King of Iroda the story of the children of Turenn from
e d b ginning to en . ” Wh at brought them to this country ? said
h r a t e Ki ng of I od .
D r ES 3 2 A LAN o HERO . in nee d to help him in his battle with Bres
ra e e e at Moytu . Lugh th r for put a magic spell on the brothers which made them forget the r est of the eric and wish greatly
e to com to Erin . Wh en the children of Tursun landed at Brugh - na - Boinne the king of Erin was hold ing a fair or meeting on the plain before h Tara . They came to where t e king was and
e e ve e e e a w lcom was gi n to th m , and th y ask d for Lugh in order that they might give him
he he ee t e . ee t ric Lugh had b n at m ting , but wh en he kn ew of their coming he had gone
Crofinn the Bath of to Cahir in Tara , so m essengers were sent to him from the childr en
f T h e o urenn . The answer e gav to the
e e e he e m ss ng rs was that would not com , and h h that t e eric should b e given to t e king. When he knew that this had been done he
e e e e the he cam to r c iv it from king , as had
ee h h b n t e bail for the payment of t e eric. ” e he all But , said Lugh wh n had got that “ e e e is e th y brought , th r a balanc that it is not
u e fine b e lawf l to forgo , for an ric must paid NUADA OF THE SIL ER ARM 3 V . 3
- . e e the e e in full Wh r is cooking spit , and wh r ” are the three shouts upon the hill ? Sadn ess and deep sorrow came upon the children of Turenn whe n they found that they
e had to go through yet mor troubles. But after spe nding one night at the house of their father they went to their ship and away over the - n sea e e e loud murmuri g , and w r a quart r of a year without getting tidings of the island
e e h wh r t e spit was .
he on e - e T n Brian put his wat r dr ss , and around his head he put a helmet or head - dress
e of let he mad crystal , that in light , and took
e he e He a plung into t wat r . was a fort night walking in the water b efore he found h t e Island of Fincara . There he saw a troop of e e ee e wom n working with th ir n dl s , and amongst the other things that they had with
e - e th m was a cooking spit . Brian rais d it and
the e the e was bringing it to door , wh n wom n burst into a laugh and said that the least of e she e e e th m , if wish d , could pr v nt him
e the and his broth rs from taking spit , but n everth eless he might have it as he was so ( ” on c F ER ES 34 A L AND O H O .
brave as to attempt to carry it off in spite of
them . When Brian found his brothers the three
took their course towards the hill of Midkena.
Midk ena e e at cam towards th m , and Brian
Th of e e e tacked him . e fight th s two was lik the fury of two b ears or the rage of two
e Midkena k ll e . lions , until at l ngth was i d Then his three sons came to fight against the e Turenn the childr n of , and combat was worth while coming from the east of the world
The of Midk ena ei ee to see. sons put th r thr spears through the bodies of the children of
Turenn i Urcar e ; but Br an , , and Ur , in th ir
e e ei e the e of turn , pi rc d with th r sp ars bodi s the e of Midk ena e e childr n , and th n pass d into a faintness like death . While life was still in them Brian aro se and
e one e e of he rais d broth r in ach his arms , though
of own i e a e was losing much his blood , unt l th yg v
the e he e e to the . shouts , and th n bor th m ship When they were a long time at sea they
e e Ben E e e e to r ach d dar , and th nc w nt Dun
Turenn s i h e e and a d to t ir fath r , NUADA OF THE SIL ER ARM 35 V .
0 e e to e i Go , d ar fath r , Tara and giv th s
i - to the S of cook ng spit Lugh , and bring kin ” the pig to us to cure us . Turenn found Lugh and asked him for the ’ ki to e h e pig s s n h al his c ildr n , but Lugh said h e would not give it .
e to he Brian was th n brought Lugh , and aske d the skin from him ; but Lugh again said
he e if e that would not giv it , and that th y were to give him the breadth of the earth of gold he would not accept it from them unless he e e e of thought that th ir d ath would com it, on account of the deed they had done to his
e . fath r For Lugh was a pagan , and did not know how to forgive . Wh en Brian heard this he went back to where his brothers were and lay down betwee n
e the of ee e th m , and souls all thr w nt forth at the s e am moment .
THE BATT E OF ORT MOYT A L N H UR .
The e e a e Fomorians cam , as th y had s id th y u T to . o e wo ld , fight with Lugh h lp him ,
ot the an Cerd the Lugh g Goban smith , d gold D OF ER ES 36 A LAN H O .
e Luchtin the e e . and silv r smith , and carp nt r The smith was to make the spear - heads and the swords ; Gerd was to make rivets to fasten the e - e s to the e sp ar h ad on handl s , and to
e the dl e of the d to mak han s or hilts swor s , and put knobs or bosses and rims on the Shields ; and the carpenter was to make the spear handles and the Shields . For three years these three worked away in the middle of a forest that was then to the east of the hill of Mullaghmast in the county
e e the t e of Kildar , n ar nor h rn part Wicklow,
e wh re the smith had his forge .
e he This is how they used to work . Wh n t smi th had made a spear- head to the right shape and pointed at the end he would take it in his tongs and throw it from him towards
he - t the . door post , in which it stuck by point
The e e e the e e carp nt r th n had handl r ady , and was able to throw it so nicely that it went straight into the socket of the spear and got fixed in the hot bronze of which the Spear was
e e - mad . G rd then came with his red hot rivets
e t the e the e and put th m in o hol s in sock ts , so SIL ER ARM 37 NUADA OF THE V .
he e e the e that had not to bor any hol s in h ads , but the rivets went right through to the other side . These De Dananu spear- heads are now often
e the e t are e found buri d in ar h , and nic ly
e e - e are t pointed . But oth r sp ar h ads found wi h
or e the a round blunt point , and no sock t for
e e or handl to go into , but a short spik knob to e e e we are go into a handl , and th s , told , belonge d to the Firbolgs . When the time of th e battl e cam e the smith moved his forge near to wh ere it was to b e
of the De m fought , so that if any Dananu ar s ’ were broken during the day s fighting he could mend them at night . Every chief and brave man of the Fomorians e me on his e e had a h l t h ad, a broad sp ar in his
e e right hand , a h avy sharp sword at his girdl ,
e and a firm shi ld at his shoulder . The De Danann had a sharp - pointed narrow Spear for casting call ed a sleigh a broad
e ea e e for sp ar , with a h d lik a trow l , thrusting ,
e e o and a sword like a flagger l eaf. Th lead r f “ ” the Fomorians was Balor of the evil eye . 38 A L D OF E ES AN H RO .
This eye was so frightful to look at that the
e e to sight of it kill d you at onc , so Balor had
ee e e e e he e k p it shut , xc pt in battl wh n want d to kill anyon e by a look of it . At this battle of Moyt ura h e lifted up his eyelid and struck
Nuada f e h o the Silver Arm dead . Wh n e saw Lugh coming towards him he was going to
e e - e op n it again , but Lugh dart d a sling ston
the e e e out e at y and drov it through his h ad ,
al r iL so B e fell down dead . SO many were killed at this battle that to this day we can se e the mounds and cairns of the people buried there
f Tirerrill in the barony o in Sligo .
e e of E Lugh was aft rwards mad King rin ,
e e . and had a palac at Nas or Naas , in Kildar he e the It was who b gan custom of holding , on the l et of e of e - August , gam s hors racing and t a e spor s , and a f ir for buying and s lling , at
Taillteen or Telltown e on the e in M ath , riv r
e e ee e Blackwat r , midway b tw n Navan and K lls , e i Loonasa which month is still call d , in Ir sh , , ’
. e Lu i . h s g custom or fair .
LA D or ER ES 40 A N H O .
e of e she e to e j alous th m , and at last cam hat
them .
One she her e she day had chariot yok d , and took the four children with her and set off
the she e e towards Killaloe . On way ask d som of the e i the e her s rvants to k ll childr n for , as ’ She said they were taking all her husband s love and affection from her ; but no one would
She e e she e e do so . w nt w stward till r ach d
th e e of Darvra or Derr vara h shor Lough y g , “ ” e the e the which m ans Lak of Oaks , and is e e he n ar Castl pollard in t county Westmeath . Here she told th e children to bathe and swim the e e e e the in lak , but as soon as th y w r in water she struck them with a magic wand and
e e turn d th m into four beautiful white swans .
e to her e e e Th n Finola said wick d st pmoth r , ee ou e e It is a bad d d that y hav don , but do not make us stay in this shape for ever ; ” e e e l b e a ff t ll us wh n this vil wi l t ken o us . “ i Eva e e e To th s r pli d , No fri nds nor any power that you have Shall b e able to take you out of these forms until you shall have been
ee e e Darvra thr hundr d y ars upon Lough , and ’ LI S C ILDRE 41 R H N. three hundred years upon the Sea of Moyle that runs between Antrim and the coast of ee e e the Scotland , and thr hundr d y ars upon
of E Glora or Bay rris and Iris , Glory Island , to the e of the Taillk enn w st Mayo , and until
e the th e com s , and woman from south shall b e joined to the man of the north
Eva e e She e th n gr w sorry for what had don , and she told them for comfort that they would
e i e ee e e e r ta n th ir own sp ch and s ns and r ason ,
be e n the of and abl to si g , and that music their voices would sooth e men and lull them to ee e e b e no the sl p , for th r would music in world to equal it . ’ Eva s steeds were caught and the chariot
e she e e e . yok d , and w nt to Bov D rg ” “ he e ou not Why , said , hav y brought the childr en of Lir with you ? “ “ Li r she e ou said , do s not trust y , and he fears to send his children to you lest you ” do them some harm . But Bove Derg thought in his mind that
was e h e e e e e to this not tru , so s nt m ss ng rs Lir
e him Eva to to t ll what had said , and ask for F E R ES 42 A LAND O H O .
in~ the children to come to him . Sorrowful
ee on e h e e d d was Lir h aring this , for kn w then that Eva had harmed or killed his children .
THE FO R SWA S ON O DARVRA U N L UGH ,
Early in the morning Lir s et out upon the
e e Darvra ere he road , and r ach d Lough , wh heard a sad song that Finola was singing . He came to the verge of th e lake a nd saw that it was birds with human voices that were
i e e e sing ng . But Finola told him th y w r his own children who had b een thus changed by
e the e of e own e . She his wif , sist r th ir moth r told him also of all the long years they had to
e e of e e e r main as swans , with no hop r l as until “ ” th e Taillkenn or the e e , man with shav n h ad ,
l e hell shou d com , with his tinkling , to bring faith and devotion into Erin . Lir and his people stayed listening to the music of the swans upon the brink of the
e e e s lough , and th y sl pt most pl a antly that n e e e e of e ight , though th ir h arts w r full gri f for the e e e fat of th childr n, u 6 0 7
L IR A N D HIS C H IL RE N D .
’ LIR S C ILDRE 43 H N .
’ W e e e Be e h n Lir arriv d at Bov rg s , and Bov
e Eva own e h ard that it was , his nurs ling, who had put the children he loved so dearly into the of e e e e e forms pur whit swans , Bov b cam
e e e Eva fi rc with rag , and struck with a magic
She e e wand , by which was chang d into a d mon f h h h o t e . e e s e air In this stat , said , should
e e e the Taillkenn w r main for v r , but that ould
h r a drive e out of Irel nd .
e e of the De Bov D rg and Lir , and many
Danann te e the e of , af rwards cam to shor Lough
Darvra e e e e , and mad a camp th r to list n to h t e music of the swans . The swans used to talk all day with their
ri e e e - f nds and form r f llow pupils , and at night they use d to sing away the sorrow of those who mourne d for the children who were kept ’ in such shapes . This is Finola s last song to ld e . J e e O th m , which Dr oyc has giv n in his
Celti c Roma nces
FIN ’ OLA S FAREWELL .
Farewel farewe our fat er dear ! l, ll, h The last sad hour has come ; L D ER ES A AN OF H O .
Farewe Bove Der ! farewel to all ll, g l , Ti ll the dreadful day of doom ! W e o from fr ends and scenes e oved g i b l , To a home of grief and pain ; And that day of woe Shall come and o g , Before we meet again !
W e l ve for a es on s orm Mo e i g t y yl , In loneliness and fear ; Th e kindly words of loving friends W nev r m r hall h ar e e o e s e . Four j oyous children long ago ; Four snow-white swans to-day; ’ A nd on M oyle s wild sea Our robe shall b e Th old an r n s ra e c d b i y p y.
Far down on the m st s reams of me i y t ti , ’ Wh en three hundred ears are o er y , Three hundred more in storm and co d l , ’ By Glora s desolate shore ; ’ Till Decca fair is Largnen s spouse ; Till north and south unite ; T the h mns are sun ill y g, And th e el s are run b l g, ’ At the dawn of the ure fa th s h p i lig t.
’ Ar se m ro hers from Darvra s wave i , y b t , , On the wings of the southern wind ; W e leave our father and friends tod ay In measure ess r ef e n l g i b hi d.
4 6 L D O F ER ES A AN H O . therefore settle on some place to meet when ” it is over . “ e e let b e - Sist r , said th y , it at Carrick na ’ ’ e The e we ron or S al s Rock , which all know so well .
e e the e e Wh n midnight cam , wind gr w strong r
the e e the e e and wav s much wild r , thund r roll d
the e the sea and lightning flash d , and rough drove th e swans so much about that not one of them knew which way the others went . After e e e e this gr at t mp st had pass d away , Finola e on the sea her e e e was alon , and broth rs w r
r e nowhe e to b e s en .
She e the the e th n sang lay , which po t Moore has put to an old Irish melody
THE SONG OF FINOLA.
S len oh Mo e b e the roar of th wa ers i t, yl , y t , Brea not e reezes our cha n of re ose k , y b , y i p , ’ Wh e mur mur n mournfu l r s onel dau h er il , i g l y, Li l y g t
- l f w s T ells to th e night star her ta e o oe .
When shal the swan h er death - no e s n n l , t i gi g, S ee w th w n s in dar ness furled ? l p, i i g k W en w l heaven its sweet e l r n n h i l , b l i gi g, Call my spirit from this stormy world? ’ L I S C ILDRE 4 R H N . 7
Sadl oh Mo e to th w n e r wave wee n y, yl , y i t pi g, Fate bids me languish long ages away ; Wh e st in her dar ness doth Er n li e slee n il ill k i pi g, awn n a Still doth the pure light its d i g del y.
‘ h en wi tha da -s ar m ld s r n n V ll t y t , i ly p i gi g, Warm our isle with peace and love ? Wh en w ll heaven its swee e r n n i , t b ll i gi g, Call my spirit to the fields above ?
She stayed upon th e rock all night until the
th e the rising of sun upon morrow , watching the sea on e her She all sid s around , until saw
her e Conn coming towards , with his h ad droop in icra e g and his feathers drenched . F cam
e . also , cold and quit faint “ Aed e If would but com to us now , how ” happy we should b e ! said she . And soon e e e aft rwards th y saw him coming , with his h ad
Ola e rect and his feathers looking beautiful . Fin e e fe e e w lcom d him af ctionat ly , and put him und r the e e of her e e e f ath rs br ast and ch st , with Fi ra h he e under er right wing and Conn under t l ft . ” “ 0 e , my broth rs , said Finola , bad though e ee e e e i last night may hav s m d to you , th r w ll , ” e b e e e the e ! I f ar , many mor lik it in futur L ND O F ER ES 48 A A H O .
THE FAIRY HORSEMEN AT THE BANN .
Often indeed did these children suffer cold e on the Sea of e and mis ry Moyl , but at last
one e e me night th r ca snow , and wind , and
the e e e of frost ; and wat r was froz n , and ach
the e the poor swans , as th y lay upon rocks ,
ee n e the had its f t and wi gs froz n to ground , so that they were not able to move Th ey
e et ee e e tri d hard to g fr , and in th ir struggl s
e e the S of ei fee the e e th y l ft kin th r t , and f ath rs
of e e the e th ir br asts , and tips of th ir wings
h e e t e . sticking to rocks Sad was th ir stat now ,
e e e e e e the e for th y w r forbidd n to l av salt wat r ,
h e and if it got into t ir sores it would kill them .
e the e the e Th y could go on shor in daytim ,
but had to return to the Moyl e each night .
in e new e e e e But tim f ath rs gr w , and th ir wings
and sores were healed . They came one day to the mouth of the river
e e e e e Bann , wh r th y saw a troop of hors m n on
- - milk white steeds coming from the south west . These were a part of th e Fairy horsemen that h e had been seeking t e swans for a long tim . ’ LI S ILDRE 4 R CH N . 9
Friendly and lovingly did they welcome each e the e of e the oth r , and childr n Lir h ard how De Dananu had been beaten at the battles of
Telltown Drumlcen e e and of , n ar Rapho in
e e e e e Don gal , by a p opl call d Mil sians , who had
h e e come into t e country . Th y h ard also that
e the De Danann Lir and Bov , and most of , had “ ” gon e to live under the hills in shees or fairy
e w e e e e ei e e palac s , h r th y sp nt th r tim m rrily
e un and happily, without fatigu and without e e e i the e of A e e e asin ss , njoy ng F ast g , that n v r r let them grow old o di e . The names of some of e e are e e th s hills known v n to this day , for ’ we e o e Der s i e hav B v g H ll , now call d Knock avoe e e Knockma e , n ar Straban ; , n ar Tuam ; ’ Mulla hshee e e in m g , n ar Lan sboro Roscom on , and another at Ballyshannon ; and Knockna
shee a e r i . g , n a Cappoqu n Then Finola told them how different was the life of suffe ring and misery which they had
n h a f o t e Se o Moyle .
( 3 607 ) 5 L D or ER S 0 A AN H OE .
IN ERRIS AND ISGLOIRE.
The end of the second three hundred years
e e e the e cam at last , and th y l ft Moyl and
e on to the of E e e pass d Bay rris , wh r , for a long
e e e e i e e e tim , th y suff r d cold and m s ry v n as
e e gr at as at Moyl . It happen ed that there was living at that
e in E tim rris a young man of good family , who had often h eard the singing of the birds and b egan to know and love them ; and soon he spoke e e r e the e to th m , and h ard f om th m story of th ir
e e e e e liv s and how th y cam to b in such troubl .
e Ai b ric he e His nam was , and was a po t , and e e of e he mad a po m all th y told him , which
his l e sang , and taught to chi dr n and his chil ’ e i e is we now dr n s ch ldr n , so that how know
f h Lir this story o t e children of . At Erris there came a night such as th ey e r T e n ver had the like of before o after . h snow and frost were so great that the water between Erris and Achill Island became one ’ e S ee of ice the ee gr at h t , and into it swans f t and sides were frozen so that they could not ’ LI s LD 5 1 R CHI REN.
. The e e e stir broth rs b gan moaning gr atly, and
not e she Finola could calm th m , so said e e e e e the e My broth rs , b li v y in truly spl n
of e e e did God Truth , who mad h av n with its
e the sea clouds , and arth with its fruits , and
e e e e with its wond rs , and y shall hav h lp and full reli ef from that Lord
W e el e do b i ve said they . ” e e e And I b li v with you , said Finola , in ” e e that tru and p rfect God .
And e e e e e e as th y b li v d , at that sam hour th y
e e e e the e e tem r c iv d h lp from Lord , and n ith r pest nor bad weather hurt them from that time forth . In course of time the three hundre d years which they had to sp end in Erris Bay came to “ end s W e ee an , and Finola aid , may go to Sh Finnaha
’ HEAVEN S SWEET BELL RINGING.
Next day they set forward to the place e had ee e e in which th y b n nurs d , but th y found
e n e ee it mpty , with nothi g but unroof d gr n
e s re of e e o e raft r and fo sts n ttl s , with ut a palac , 5 2 L D S A AN O F HEROE .
e fire . e e without a hous , without a Th y rais d
ee of woe e thr shouts , but stay d that night in the e of e a e e plac th ir f th r and grandfath r , and
e ei E chant d in it th r sweet fairy music . arly next morning th ey arose in the air and flew
l e e back to Inis G ora. From that time th y w nt forth each day to feed at some far part of the
Inisk ea country , at , at Achill ; and away down ’ e Duinn now e Sea to T ach , that is call d Donn s
—the — on the e Rocks Bull , Cow , and Calf w st
e e e e e to of Kerry . But v ry night th y r turn d
Glora or Inis loire e e e w . Inis g , wh r aft r ards St
e e the of Br ndan found d a church , ruins which stand to this day . Th ey were in this state for a long time until the faith of Christ and holy Patrick came to
e Kemoc e to Inis loire . Ir land , anduntil holy cam g The first night h e came to the island the chil dren of Lir h eard his bell ringing n ear them ’ or the e a ee at matins , pray rs s id at thr o clock in h r t e morning . They sta ted in terror at the a e e e sound , but Finola s id , B lov d broth rs , e e we e e the that faint , f arful voic hav h ard is hell of Kemoc hell , and it is that that shall
4 L D O F ER ES 5 A AN H O .
of e e for e chains bright whit silv r th m , and put a chain betwee n Aed and Finola and another i ra L air nen between Conn and F c . g was King
e e the of Connaught at that tim , and D cca ,
e of the Ki of e e . daught r ng Munst r , was his wif When Decca heard the story of the birds She
l e e e e was fi l d with lov for th m , and ask d Lairg nen to et e her Lair nen e g th m for . g s nt a
e e e the Kemoc m ss ng r to ask birds from , but h n air n n e e did ot get them . Then L g e in gr at
e me e e e Kemoc ang r ca hims lf to wh r was , and asked if it was true that he had refused to
Kem e e the . e oc giv birds Wh n said it was tru , L airgnen snatch ed th e birds off the altar and was going to take them to Decca .
Kemoc e L air nen follow d him , but as soon as g had laid hands on the birds their feathery coats
e off e e of the of f ll th m , and in plac sons Lir
e e e e ee e e men th r w r thr with r d , bony old ; and instead of the daughter th ere was a with ered ld o e . woman , without blood or fl sh
L air nen a e he e g st rt d at this , and w nt away out of the place .
e e e Th n Finola said , Com , O cl ric , and bap ’ L I S 5 5 R C HILDREN .
z You ti e our e ea . us , for d ath is n r will not b e more sad at parting from us than we are at
e our e partn from you . You must mak grav
e e on S e aft rwards , and plac Conn my right id
Ficra on e t Aed e e e . and my l f , and b for my fac After this Kemoc baptized the children of e e e e r e Lir , and th y di d , and w r bu i d standing
e e e upright in th ir grav s as Finola had ask d , and as was the custom in ancient Ireland . Ficra and Conn were placed at either side of
Aed e e her e . e e Finola , and b for fac H av n was e e e obtain d for th ir souls , and a tombston was
e e e e e e rais d ov r th ir grav , with th ir nam s
e the written in Ogham on it . So nds story L of the children of ir. THE MILESIANS .
IUL was the younger son of the King
of Scythia . Hi s father gave him no
e t e e so he inh ri anc but a good ducation , wan dered through many countries teaching the
e e e e he e p opl s th r of, until found hims lf in
E e e to gypt , wh r Pharaoh got him instruct H the youth . e was living n ear the Red Sea at the time wh en Moses delivered the Israel
e e e one it s from th ir bondag , and night his
Gadelas le ee e son , whi asl p , was bitt n by a
e e Niul e of the poisonous s rp nt. , who kn w wonders that had b een done by the two magi e of ee iaus Pharaoh , but who had also s n how the Al mighty God had worked such miracles
the e e e son to for Chos n P opl , brought his Moses and asked him to pray that Gadelas
b e e e . e might mad w ll Mos s did so , and laid his the wo nd e the rod upon , wh n youth bg L I S 5 7 THE MI ES AN . was healed at once Moses then foretold that the descendants of Gadelas Should come to inhabit a country in whi ch there should b e no poisonous creatures . From that time the followers of Gadelas carri ed a flag showing a serpent twining round
he r h e e t od of Moses . T is was aft rwards call d “ the Sacred Bann er of the Milesians and wh en you see any of the beautiful carving on
e the old e the ston s in buildings in Ir land , or drawing and painting that is called illuminat
to b e old k ing , which is found in Irish boo s , you wi ll find how often this figure of the
e e s rp nt is shown , twisting and twining in all kinds of ways . But many years passed away before the
e e Gadelas e e d sc ndants of arriv d in Ir land , h which was t e country foretold for them .
Af te e e e e r much wand ring th y r ach d Spain ,
e e one of e e and in cours Of tim th m , nam d
e e e n of of . Mil sius , b cam ki g a part that country
the e of e e Ith , uncl Mil sius , w nt sailing across “ ” the sea in e of the e e s arch Promis d Isl , and
e e c e e land d in Ir land , but was atta k d and kill d 5 8 A LAND or HEROES
by the De Danann. To avenge the death of
the e of e now Ith whol family Mil sius , who was
e e e e e led d ad , sail d in thirty gall ys , and w r by
the and e e the a Amer in Scota widow , H b r F ir , g , e e the Heremon H b r Brown , Colpa , Ir , and , e of and two oth r sons Milesius . From this e e e Scotia Scota , Ir land was aft rwards call d , and from G adelas the people were called
Ga eolels or Gaels .
Ireland was at this time ruled over by
ee De Danann e and we th e thr princ s , find that country is often called from the names of their h e E e Banva o . e e t e wiv s ir , , and F la It d riv s n e e the of e am Ir land from Ir , first son Mil sius ,
The the who was buried in it . following is ’ poet Moore s description of
’ T THE MILESIANS FIRST SIGH OF IRELAND.
The came from a and e ond the sea y l b y , ’ And now o er the western main Set sa in the r ood sh s a an il, i g ip , g ll tly, land f a n From the sunny o Sp i . ’ ’ Oh where s the sle we ve seen i n our dreams , I ’ ” Our destin d h ome or grave ? ’ Thus sun he as b th e morn n s eams g t y , y i g b , w They swept the Atlantic ave . THE ILESI NS 5 9 M A .
’ n 10 where afar o er ocean shi nes A d, ,
A s ar e of rad an reen p kl i t g , As thou h in that dee la emera d m nes g p y l i ,
Whose light through the wave was seen. ’ —’ ” Tis Innisfail tis Innisfail ! ’ Rings o er the echoing sea ; ’ W e end n to heav n the warr ors a hil , b i g , i h il rav and fr e That home of the b e e .
’ Then turu d he unto the Eastern wave t y , ’ Where now their Day- God s eye A look of such sunny omen gave As hted u sea and sk lig p y. Nor frown was seen throu h sk or sea g y , ’ or ’ tear o er leaf or sod N , Wh en first on their Isle of Destiny r t f Our g ea orefathers trod .
F HE THE LANDING O T MILESIAN S. T E A Y H IR E RL KINGS.
The i e e e the De M l sians land d in Ir land , but
Danann e e e said it was by unfair m ans , as th r
no the to e e was army in country d f nd it, because the people were not soldiers but
e e . e mostly work rs in m tals Th y said , how e e if the new- e o v r , that com rs would g back
e weDe e to e into th ir ships , and abl land onc N D F E S 60 A LA O H ROE .
th e e e of the e e e again , p opl country would r c iv
e he them as mast rs of t island .
Amer in the l or e e g , who was Ol av , l arn d man e e ee to i and lawgiv r, told th m to agr th s , and the Milesians withdrew in their galleys nine
e h Th a an wav s from t e Shore . e De D n n magi cians e e e t the th n rais d a gr at s orm , and ships of the Milesians were divide d and cast upon
a of the — e e dist nt parts island som in K rry ,
e h h and som at t e mouth of t e Boyn e . A e e e ee gr at battl was fought n ar Tral , in which i e the or e of Scota was k ll d , and cairn h ap stones over her grave is still to b e seen in Gl en
Scohene . An other battle was fought at Tell in e the ee De Danann town , M ath , at which thr
e princ s and their wives were slain . In a short space Of time the Mil esians became rul ers of the e the e e whol country , but p opl s who had
ee e e e — the irb ol s b n in it b for th m F g , who e e e the De Danann e e w r farm rs , and , who w r — metal and wood workers were allowed to
e of e or e r main as a kind slav s s rvants , and “ ” e e e the ee e e e w r call d unfr clans , as th y w r not e te to e the of p rmit d vot at making a king ,
62 A L AND OF HEROES
With the Mile sians had come a number of p ersons whose business it was to clear the
the country by cutting down woods , and many
e are e e e e e plac s still call d aft r th s work rs , such M idh A e e e e Liffe . the as M ath ( ), Liff y ( ) s
e e e e e e the Mil sians spr ad th ms lv s ov r country, we read of th em fin ding out the rive rs and
e the e of the te lak s , and in r ign fifth king af r
Heremon or 1 00 e the r , about y ars , fi st gold
e he ff Ti a min was found near t Li ey . gernm s
Teernmas the e e i e ( ), king who r ign d at th s tim , made a law that the quality or position of e e e e v ry p rson should b known by his dress .
th e e of e e Thus , cloth s a slav should hav only one of e of colour , a soldi r two colours , an
f e ee of e e e o fic r thr colours , a g ntl man who k pt a house to receive and entertain strangers four
of the e of the five colours , nobl s country
of the ee e colours , and king , qu n , and th ir
e e e e family six colours . P rsons who w r v ry
e e e e e e the e l arn d , and po ts , w r allow d sam
e e e . h numb r as kings and qu ns But t is king , we e the r e r ad , was fi st who b gan to worship
e e his i e e ad idols in Ireland . B for t m th y h IL ESI S 6 3 THE M AN .
e the fire e worshipp d sun , moon , sky , , and wat r , but he set up a great stone pillar covered with
l e e e e gold , ca l d Crom Cruach , and tw lv oth r
e e pillars around it , for worship at a plac call d ” Slecht or the of Magh , Plain Adoration , in He e ee the county Cavan . hims lf and thr fourths of his people were destroyed there by the of the Al the re hand mighty , but idols
e ill the e . e main d t tim of St Patrick , who thr w
. e nd h them down St . Patrick put an to t e
e e e he e e pagan worship wh r v r w nt, and drov away the demons who used to work wonders and magic spells for the Druids before Chris
iani h t ty was brought into t e country . Most of the kings have names given to them on account of something remarkable in them selves or some notable event that occurred s 11 e e . one wa e 0 during th ir r ign Thus , call d
e e he e ee of e mucka , b caus had a larg r br d swin than any other person in Ireland ; another
- - a e e e e e Finn scoh , b caus in his r ign th r was found a quantity of white flowers which the
e e ee e the e p opl squ z d into cups , using juic for
i e e e Slaun - ole dr nk and for m dicin ; anoth r , 4 L D OF ER ES 6 A AN H O . because the peopl e were all in perfect health ’ e e A ha e e e during his tim ; anoth r p , for onc v ry month during his reign the whole island was troubled with an incurable sickness ; another ’ In rick a he the Shana , as was first king who gave a fixed pay to his soldiers and made
e ee - military laws ; anoth r Sh r lauv , on account of e he his long hands , for it was said that wh n stood erect his fingers could touch the ground ;
' e - the Skifls or anoth r Oor Kas , from currachs
he e e e eev- i - e e that inv nt d ; anoth r F na , b caus he was fond of chasing deer and other wild
f he beasts in woody and wild parts o t country . “ ” One e Linsha or the e was call d Lavra , Voyag r , but his story will b e told more fully in another place . TARA OF THE KINGS .
VEN e e Tea the i e of Heremon b for , w f , built
her e Teamhair the palac at , hill of Tara was th e place where the Firb olg and De e the Danann kings lived . It was call d by “ ” e Druim or the e u e . form r Cain , B autif l H ight As ee e e the has b n fairly said r c ntly , by author of Bea uties a nd Anti uities o Ir ela nd e e q f , th r is no other spot in Europe of which the history
e goes so far back into the past . Long b fore a b ut of old Rome was raised upon the Tiber
i . e e e e . 7 5 4 the ( y ars b for Christ), or many of
i d e e e e ee e grand bu l ings w r plac d in anci nt Gr c , on the the e e rock that stands in middl of Ath ns, there were kings at Tara whose names are given in Irish history . It is over 3000 years since the first king
e r ign ed there . At the present time we can only see some ( 3 607 ) E 6 6 A LAND OF H EROES. grassy mounds and ramparts ; but what is said in old Gaelic writings of the size and splendour of Tara is found to b e correct when we exami ne the see the e i ground , and gold and silv r th ngs
e e h that have be n found buri d in t e soil . Nothing has b een discovered in Greece or or e e r e ei the Troy , v n bu i d in Pomp i in days ’ of e e e e the Rom s gr atn ss , that can qual Tara
b e ee brooch , which can now s n in Dublin . As e of ee or the e of a plac m ting , for dw lling a
e ll e e rul r , no hi in Ir land would suit so w ll , for there are on the top of the hill about a hundred
e s e the e e of the acr s , and it stand n arly in c ntr island . Although history gives the name of the ” “ s tone- builder of Tara and the r a th - builder ” of e e e e e e e Tara , som p opl think that th r w r no
e e e e he buildings on it of stone . N v rth l ss t size of the di e e e e buil ngs that w r th r , as shown by the e e e grassy ramparts that nclos d th m , is certain proof of their having been grand and beautiful . It Should also b e remembered that Tara ceased to b e the chief seat of the kings
the e 5 6 3 e 1 0 e in y ar , or ov r 30 y ars ago . T R O F TH I 67 A A E K NGS.
The building which is believed to b e the
e Rio h Ree or the e old st is Rath na g ( ), hous of the e i Cro kings , call d also Catha r (Cahir) fi ” nn or the enclosure of the white house .
e the e of the Plac d about middl hill , it is an
85 3 ee e e e oval , about f t in its gr at r l ngth , with a ditch 4 feet deep and a rampart 6 feet
are h high round it . Inside t e grassy banks of “ ’ “ e Cormaic e For T ach or Cormac s hous , and d ” ra h (Forra) or th e place of meeting . This e ea 2 1 6 ee e to e latt r rthwork is f t from ast w st ,
2 e e e and 96 north to south . Wh r th se two
i d n e Tea to e ee bu l i gs join d , is said hav b n buried . But the chief building at Tara was the Mi corta or e e . , banqu t hall and hall Of ass mbly It is now seen on the northern part of the b ill
two the e as mounds , running down at sam
e e e the m e distanc from ach oth r , along p of the e to e the i hill , and so plac d as rais k ng and nobl es at the south ern end above the people at the other or northern end. It is 7 5 9 fee t
90 ee e e the t long , f t wid outsid grassy rampar ,
e and 4 5 feet inside . It had s ven doors on 8 L D O F ER ES 6 A AN H O .
e e e e ach sid , and our anci nt books giv us a
e e of e e cl ar pictur what it was lik , at a f ast , in ’ The we ar e e . e Tara s b st tim long room , told , stretched down the slope ; along each side were
e e e e in the doubl rows of s ats and tabl s , whil
e e or Of middl spac stood lamps , vats , tubs
e e e e liquor , and hug fir s at which a gr at numb r of servants were employed cooking the meat on E e e accor spits . v ry p rson had a portion f h to . o t e ding his rank Most , if not all ,
i e se e e e drink ng v s ls w r of gold and silv r , and w were studded with red stones or ith enamel . At the south ern or highest end sat the king he e e . e t and chi fs Low r down sat courti rs ,
e the bards , doctors , historians , druids , and th n
The e of e e common p eople . dr ss all is d scrib d
e e as b ing dazzling with spl ndour ; and , to pl entiful eating and drinking and the noisy
e e e e e e e e mirth of juggl rs and j st rs , th r w r add d the e e of e pl asur s music , songs , r citations , and chess .
70 A LAND or HEROES.
’ king s palace ; and h ence it is that we now know so much of the history of ancient Ire
e e land . Before th y began the public busin ss
e e b e e e e e e e all who w r to pr s nt w r giv n a f ast,
e e e e n to e to which th y w r call d in , accordi g th ir
ee of e rank , by thr loud blasts a trump t , and each person had his place settled beforehand
the e . The e of for him at tabl nobl s also , that
e e e e e his tim and for c nturi s aft r , had ach torians of e own who e the th ir wrot down , with
e e the of e e e strict st car , account th ir for fath rs
and their relationships . They had also bards
e e f who mad songs and po ms o these histories . At one time there were as many as twelve e hundred of these bards in Ir land . Th ere were five roads l eading from Tara
e one Owel w stward , running towards Lough ,
e ull e e Rathcro han n ar M ingar, and th nc to g ; ” one e the e the e call d Gr at Road , in dir ction of the Esker Riada (Reeda) (a line of sand
Clarenbrid e hills from Dublin to g , in Galway) ; one northward ; one south - east towards Wick
e the Cualann one low, call d Road and
- e south west towards Cashel in Ossory . B sides T R OF THE I GS 71 A A K N . these there was the Fan - na - carpat or Slope h of t e Chariots leading towards Navan . One e b e e e thing mor at Tara should m ntion d ,
M a a il r e the o e e . nam ly , f Ston of D stiny This
e the De Danann was a ston brought to Tara by , that was said to have the power of making a strange noise wh enever the true monarch Of
e Ireland was crowned on it . It had a proph cy
e e e e conn ct d with it , at a lat r tim , that in whatever country the stone should b e kept a prince of the family of Milesius should govern .
e son of Erc e th e F rgus , , having gain d kingdom of o e e Murtou h Sc tland , s nt to his broth r g , who
in of e 5 00 e te was K g Ir land , about y ars af r
h th e e in e he C rist , asking for ston ord r that
b e e . e might crown d upon it It was s nt , and
te e the e e was af rwards k pt in abb y of Scon , till E f E dward I . o ngland brought it away from
o e e the on Sc tland , and plac d it und r chair which English kings and queens are crown ed
in e e e e e e . W stminst r Abb y , wh r it now r mains 72 A L D ER ES AN OF H O .
HARP THAT ONCE THROUGH TARA’S HALLS.
’ The harp that once through Tara s halls The soul of mus c s ed i h , ’ Now hangs as mute on Tara s walls
As if its soul were fled. So s ee s the r de of former a s l p p i d y , ’ ’ So or s hr l is o er gl y t i l , And hearts tha once ea for ra se , t b t high p i , w No feel that pulse no more .
No more to chiefs and ladies bright The harp of Tara swells ; Th e chord a one ha rea s at n l , t t b k ight,
Its tale of ruin tells. Thus Freedom now so se dom wa es l k , The only throb she gives Is when some heart indignant breaks To Show that still she lives .
Moore. QUEEN MACHA
HERE were three kings in Ulster who quarr elled as to which should b e the
e e e e Dihorb a Us chief. Th ir nam s w r from
Red e i nach , Hugh from Don gal , and K mbay from Magh Inis . At last they agreed that each should reign seven years in turn . They lived until each had
ee w e e Aedh b n t ic king , and th n Hugh ( ) was d e the e e rown d in wat rfall n ar Ballyshannon ,
ee e Ass aroe or Eas - Aedha which has b n call d , — Ruaidh on t Ruaidh e red. , that accoun m aning
e e e b e Hugh l ft no sons , but wh n it cam to to b e e his turn king again , his daught r Macha (the golden - haired) claimed to reign in his
Dih r a place . o b and Kimbay said they would not let e the a woman gov rn country , but Macha got together an army from among her
e e e fri nds and fought a battl with th m , in which 73 74 A LAND O E HEROES
e e e e e she e e ee th y w r b at n , and b cam qu n in
turn . Dihorb a was killed in battle soon after
he e five e wards , but l ft sons , and th y now
e e claim d to hav their turn as kings . Macha
she e she said would not cons nt to this , as was
ee the old ee e e e not qu n by agr m nt , but b caus she e h The fiv had gain d t e battle . e sons at once gathered an army to force Macha to give
e e the e th m th ir turn , but in battl which was
e e e e e to fought th y w r b at n , and had go for
e the i of saf ty into w lds Connaught .
e e Macha marri d Kimbay soon aft rwards , and so made certain that she would continue to b e
ee e her own e e e e e e qu n wh n s v n y ars w r end d .
She e e out th n w nt into Connaught , found
e e the Dihorb a we e wh r sons of r , and took Th e e l e . e l e e th m prison rs into U st r U st rm n ,
to end the e e wishing put an to quarr ls , want d the young princes to b e killed ; but Macha did
e to her e and in not lik put a stain upon r ign , ,
e of e e she e e st ad putting th m to d ath , mad slav s of e e e or th m , and oblig d th m to build a rath
e her she b e the palac for , which said should
e e e e e e o chi f plac in Ulst r v r aft r . To mark ut E 75 QUE N MACHA . the e of the e she lin tr nch and ramparts , took from her chest or n eck the golden brooch that she e e e e e the e e wor th r , and h nc plac was call d
Emain or Eomuin s o e - , from , a br ast pin , and muin the e e e e , n ck , which aft rwards b cam “ ” E e Ardmacha mania ; and Armagh cam from , ’ or Macha s hill .
e to E the e e N xt Tara , mania is plac most oft n i e e are e e named in Ir sh history . Th r still xt n sive re mains of this famous palace of the pagan kings of Ulster in the earthen fort or rampart “ ” “ that the people call Navan Ring or Fort of about two miles west Armagh city . From 300 e e e w 3 3 1 e y ars b for Christ , do n to aft r , a ditch between 2 0 and 3 0 feet deep sur rounded and guarded the inside Space on which the ui i E the e l b ld ngs of mania stood , and sit sti l
he covers 12 acres . But t country around has
w ee e e to i e al ays b n larg ly giv n t llag , so that all
ee e e e e e the this has b n mad mor or l ss l v l , and tracesofitsformer greatness have be en ploughed
AS e e of old S e away . in oth r plac s pl ndour and
e e e e to b e str ngth , th r is now hardly a ston
ee e ce its u n are to s n , and h n b ildi gs thought L or ER ES 7 6 A AND H O .
e e e e now have been of wood . But n ith r is th r anything to b e seen of the ancient city of
men to r . set e e A magh , which St Patrick tw lv build about a century after Emania was burned
h he disa by t e three Collas . To account for t p pearance of both these places of former great
e we ee e e e e e n ss , n d only r m mb r that tw lv
e e ee the i the e e e tim s , b tw n n nth and l v nth
e e the e e or c nturi s , did Dan s plund r, partly
the . The wholly, country around bards and
e e e e of historians , how v r, so oft n sp ak it as Emania the Golden that it must have been
a splendid stronghold.
8 D or ER ES 7 A LAN H O . and living at Maghbreagh or the plain north
’ f h i he end of e h e re o t e L fley. At t two y ars p e e b e e e e e t nd d to d ad , and wh n L ary cam and
e ee e him he e stoop d down , w ping ov r , stabb d f h f E him . Cof ey then got t e kingship o rin . ’ he e e e Ailill But was un asy still , l st L ary s son ,
Ai of e e S b e e na , who was King L inst r , hould mad
e of E he e chi f king rin , so had him kill d too , ’ and then tried to kill Ailill s son by making
he a The t e e t e e . littl child a liv mous child ,
e e e e e e how v r , whos nam was Main , b cam dumb e e not b e with fright , and, as th r could a dumb
e let e king , Coff y Main liv and stay in his ’ e e Dinnree e fath r s palac at , now call d Bally
e e h e e the knockan Fort , n ar L ig linbridg , und r ra in care of a poet and a harp er named C ft e .
e e e e one Main gr w up handsom and cl v r , but
he e e b o e day was injur d by anoth r y, and wh n
he e e striking back gav a gr at shout , at which
e e Labhraidh his playmat s cri d out with joy , ” “ ” e Maion (Lavra Main) , that is , Main sp aks , and henceforth he was called Lavra . Coffey was now once more afraid that Lavra
e e he e . would b com king , so banish d him I 79 LAVRA MA N .
e of e Lavra w nt to Scoria , a king W st
u e Craftine . M nst r , and brought with him “ Craftine was an Ollav or most learn ed in
e the ee e e of music , and kn w thr high st class s
h Soon ree . e e e e t e t music Th s w r , which no one could hear without falling into a sweet
ee the G olltree one e sl p ; , which no could h ar
e the Gantree without bursting into t ars ; and , which no one could hear without breaking out
e e into loud laughter. By playing th s on his harp b e p ersuaded Scoria to give Lavra his
e Moriath e . daught r , , for a wif Lavra , with ’ the help of his fath er - in- law s men and his own ri e e e e the e of f nds , b si g d and took palac
Dinnree r e of , but was d iv n out it again by
ffe e e Co y , who march d from Tara with a larg
He e e e to e e army . had , th r for , s nd his wif
Moriath to n e Craftine back Mu st r with , and
e i e to e e w nt h ms lf Britain , and th n to Franc , e e he e the the wh r join d army of king , and
e e one e b cam of his chi f soldiers .
e to b e e e Lavra pin d back in Ir land , and aft r a time his fri ends in Munster thought it would be e he e he one b st if cam back , so was day 80 L D OF ER ES A AN H O . joyfully surprise d to hear the familiar music ’ of Craftine s the old harp , to which man was singing . Lavra went and told his story to the
of e e e how King Franc , and r lat d his grand mother had been a daughter of another French h king . T e king gave him a choice body of
2 2 00 e to troops , with a numb r of ships bring
e e e e e th m to Ir land , and th y soon land d saf ly
the of the e e W ex at mouth Slan y , now call d
. e e Dinnree ford Th y march d by night to , where Coffey then was with thirty native n princes and seven hundred me . The palace
e set on fire the was attack d and , and king,
e e e e to e . princ s , and guards w r burn d d ath
v e a e La ra , who was aft rwards c ll d Lavra “ ” Linsha or the e e e , Voyag r , but whos r al e ou e e e nam y will r m mb r was Main , was King of E e ee e e e rin for ight n y ars , and this happ n d about the time of the Prophet Ezekiel or
Ezechias . L R I 8 1 AV A MA N .
’ CRAFTINE S SONG.
There is a home to which I stray In ou h s b da and dreams n th g t y y, by ight Its fi e ds to me are ever a l g y, Its skies to me are ever bright ; oved and ! turn wi h wha de L l I , t t light, And bless the hour that once again W l ve th rude c ffs to m s i l gi y li y ight, ’ h am ma n High rising o er t e fo y i .
would not b e a t er n h n I gli t i g t i g, To ve in coun r es far awa li t i y, For all the wealth the world could bring To lure and captivate my stay ! Ear cou d not s ow a ower so a th l h b g y, But it would make me love it more Nor power a glory could di splay ’ To em me from its em rald s or t pt h e.
’ There ve the fri ends I ve ove and r e li l d t i d, T a is the land m fa hers won h t y t , And s a l row he r name as e h l I th t i id , And never say I am their son ? S al a as e fe s dra on h l I b li till g , A h re n on a fore n s rand i li g ig t , And l ve and die a e un nown i lik k , ’ A stranger in the stranger s land ?
( 8 007 ) 82 L D OF ER ES A AN H O .
THE E’ E HORS S ARS.
Lavra is said to have brought into Ireland a sort of green - headed partisan or sword of
ee e e st l , in Irish call d Laina , which was us d by all e the e of his army , and from this com s nam the e e e ef e e provinc L inst r , that b or was nam d
Gailean f him . It is also told o that although
e e he one e e he v ry handsom , had d f ct which wished to keep from the knowledge of his
e e . i he e p opl Th s was that had long , point d r ears like a horse . It came to b e obs e ved that when the king had hi s hair cut the person who
e e was e b e e he act d as barb r sur to kill d , and as got it out only once a year the hair - cutters used ’ to draw lots to settle who should b e the king s
i - e for h e e the ha r cutt r t e year. It happ n d that
e ell the son of lot onc f upon a young man , a
oor widow he her . p , and was onlychild Knowing
h er b e e the e e that son would kill d , moth r w nt
e to the king to be g of him to spare his lif .
The on the ee king took pity woman , and agr d to let the son live if he promis ed not to tell a secret that would b e made known to him. L R IN 83 AV A MA .
The e i e e youth r ad ly gav his promis , and
e the - e e of e he wh n hair cutting tim cam , cours
’ saw he n h b e e t horse s ears o t e king . Not to abl to tell this secret so weighe d on his mind that
e e h fell sick and wasted away . His moth r e her spok to a druid doctor , who , on looking at
he e son , said had som thing on his mind which he e he of the should speak out . Wh n was told
e he th e promis , said it only bound boy not to
el the e e e t l s cr t to any living p rson , but that he might go to a wood n ear at hand and whis
er it to the ee he e he p first tr cam to , if put his
Th he lips close to it . e young man did as was
he told and got well of his illn ess . Now t e Craftine e e harp r brok his harp about this tim , and came to the wood to cut down a tree for
new one and e he e e of a , by chanc mad choic the willow to which the young hair - cutter had whispered his secret . The harp was made and
r e st ung and put in ord r , but it would sound
one e e e the but tun , which w nt lik words Daw ” Linsha e cloos capal ar Lavra , which m ans in “ E the e the e of nglish , Lavra Voyag r has ars a ” e e Craftin e et hors . No oth r sounds could g 84 L D or ER ES A AN H O .
h e e r the . e f om harp T is n ws spr ad , and oth r
e e e k l the harp rs tri d th ir s ill , but sti l it was
e e e e . Th e on e sam tun th y play d king , h aring
me e e f e e this , thought it was a ssag s nt rom h av n to warn him of his cruelty in putting people to death merely to feed the vanity of not wishing
e e to b e e e e he e his d f ct known , and v r aft r wor
his hair so that his long ears could b e seen .
86 A LA D OF ER ES N H O .
e e b e too I hop , moth r , that that will not ” “ the . long to wait , said sturdy boy But
e m E e pl eas tell e where mania li s .
The e is e e plac far from h r , my son , said his mother ; the Fews mountain is between ” you and Emania .
the e I think I could find way to it , th n ,
he e e e he set said ; and som tim aft rwards out ,
e taking with him his playthings . Th se were
e red- e his shi ld of laths , his bronz hurl , his
e silv r ball , his throwing dart , and his mock wooden spear with its burn ed top .
h He This is how e went along . would give his ball a stroke of his hurl and drive it to a
He great distance before him . would then throw his hurl after it and give it a second blow that would drive it as far again as it had
e he gone at first . Th n would cast his dart
e e e and hurl his wood n sp ar , and running aft r
e he l th m , would catch up his hurl and his bal
et the end and his dart , y would go so fast that of his wooden spear would not have touched the ground before h e had caught it by the top
e e while it was still flying . It was not long b for LITT LE SETANTA. 87 he e to the e cam lawn , with s ats all round it ,
of the e E that stood in front palac of mania , and h here he saw t e young princes at their sports . The boy ran at once into the playground
e he e the among th m , and snatch d up ball from
e e ee e he let th m b tw n his l gs , and did not it pass above his kn ees nor below his ankles . He e e e ee e k pt it thus clos d b tw n his l gs , so that
one of e e not th m could r ach it by a blow ,
e or of the a strok , a thrust hurl , and in that h way e carried it over the brink of the goal .
The e the e youths all look d at boy in surpris , ’ “ the e e e e but king s son cri d , Youths , s iz yond r of ea boy , all you , and put him to d th ; for you know it is an insult for any youth to come among you without first having asked for or
e e e e he b e the gain d your prot ction , v n though ” son of one of the champions .
e e e e w At onc th y all attack d him , and thr e hi s e he e th ir hurls at h ad , but rais d his
a - e e pl y hurl and warded these off. Th n th y
e the he e flung th ir balls at boy , but rais d his
e off fists , his wrists , and his palms and ward d
he e e e e t balls . Th n th y thr w at him th ir mock 88 E ES A L AND OF H RO .
e of e the end the bo sp ars wood burn d at , but y raised his little lath - shield and did not let one of the spears touch him .
e he e e Without waiting long r rush d at th m ,
e e of e the e dash d som th m to ground , and chas d some others across the lawn towards where the
sat e e e to king playing at ch ss , wh n th y ran wards the palace . He was springing over the table when the king caught him by both wrists and said
e ! You ee be Holloa , my littl boy s m to ” d ealing roughly with the youths .
the e e And so I should , said littl f llow , for I did not receive from them the honour due to e e e far a strang r, though I hav com a way . ? ” And who are you said Conor . Setanta son of own e I am , your sist r , and
not e it is in this mann r, I think , that you l ought to et me b e treated . ” e the di d But , my littl son , said king , you not know that no stranger can enter among them till he has first put himself under ” their protection ? LITTLE SETANTA . 89
e the I was not awar of that , said boy , and had I known it I should have been more cautious . “ e e W ll , youths , said Conor , tak upon yourselves the protection of this little boy . “ ” W e are e e . right glad to do so , th y cri d ’ So the king let go Setanta s hands . But no sooner was Setanta free than he
e on the e rush d young princ s again , and knocked many of them to the ground with
e e of e e who such forc , that som th ir fath rs ,
e e e b e e . w r looking on , thought th y must d ad ” ! e the n Holloa cri d ki g again , what do ” you mean by this ? “ “ e the i e I m an , said boy , that unt l th y have all come under my protection and under
e e e the e e e my d f nc , in sam way as I hav plac d
e e e not e e l mys lf und r th irs , I shall c as ti l I ” e e hav laid th m all flat on the ground . “ B ” “ e . e the e it so , said Conor Tak princ s
e und r your defence . Some time aft erwards King Conor was going to a feast at the house of his kerd or
on the to e e e smith , and coming lawn tak l av D OF ER ES 90 A LAN H O . of the e he e see young princ s , was surpris d to all the youths ranged on one side and only
one e on the e et the boy against th m oth r , y boy was gaining every game and goal at the
hurling. When they played the game of the hol e and it was their turn to throw and his to
e e he e e d f nd , would catch th ir balls outsid h l n f t e hole and not et o e o them pass . When it was their turn to defend and his
to he e the the throw, would s nd balls into f e e o e one . hol in spit th m , without missing When it was the feat Of pulling off each ’ e e he e oth r s cloth s , would snatch away th ir
r e e b e e cloaks f om th m , and th y would not abl to remove so much as the brooch from his
e the e e e cloak . Th n tim for wr stling cam , and he would bring down each of them to the ground ; but from among them all there W as
of not found one who could lay hold him . h T e boy was Setanta.
e the e King Conor invit d him to f ast , but the boy refused to go till he and his com rades had finished their sports and exercises ; LITTLE SETANTA . 91
he i e e e e e e but prom s d that , wh n th y w r ov r , h he would follow t e king .
CUCHULAIN AND THE RED BRANCH T KNIGH S.
’ Setanta s e e to King Conor , uncl , had gon — the feast given by his chi ef smith for you
k e few e should now that , at that tim , p rsons were thought more of than th e smiths who made the arms and weapons for a people that h were n early always engaged in fighting . T e ’ m e Culann s ith s nam was , and , as was common
the e he e e or at tim , had a fi rc dog wolf hound that he let loose at night to guard his
e e w or hous against wolv s and ild boars , against
e or e e e e . Setanta robb rs oth r troubl som p rsons ,
e e e who was th n only a boy ight y ars Old ,
e to the e was lat in coming f ast , and found the he He door shut and t dog on guard . had nothing with him to help him when the
e e e SO e dog attack d him , but v n , in a struggl h with t e dog he killed it . Th e smith made a strong complaint to the king that the only
e ee e guard for his saf ty had b n tak n from him , 92 A L AND OF HEROES
e e Setanta he the wh r upon said would , in ’ e b e the futur , smith s guard and hound , and “ ” e he e so from that tim was call d Cuchulain , “ ” or he of lan t hound Cu n . From this you e e e he will und rstand what gr at str ngth had , and in the stories that are told of him we hear of him killing nine men with one cast ’ e of out of a sp ar , and his twisting a giant s h t e S e . ee he ee arm from hould r Ind d , s ms to have had strength like David or Samson in h t e e . e e Bibl His uncl , Conor, mad him a champion or knight of the Red Branch when
e a he was only sev n years of ge . These Red Branch Knights were a number of champions or fighting men whom Conor brought together to h elp him in his kingdom of e b e e E Ulst r , and n ar him in mania , and their great doings are very often mentioned in
W e the historic tal es of Ireland . know to this day where their lands and their mansion
e e e e mi e w r , for th r is a townland about two l s from the present city of Armagh called Creeve “ “ Roe or Craebh Ruadh which means Red Branch It is thus that the names of places
94 L D OF ER ES A AN H O .
e . The on the e or N ssa building top , lik all , e all e e the e n arly , thos in Ir land and north rn
e of E e me e countri s urop at that ti , was p rhaps of e e E wood ; for h r , as at Tara , mania , and e e e e e e e the e ls wh r , th r now r mains only rais d ground on which the houses stood and the dug - up ditches that formed the protection against the attacks of enemies .
e e the Red of e B sid s Branch Knights Ulst r,
e e e e e e und r King Conor , th r w r at that tim two other orders of champions ; one belonging
the e of Ai lill to Connaught , at h ad which was
the e e the e of Finn , and oth r call d Childr n Dea hda e the e of e g , who liv d in w st Munst r ,
for e e e Curoi the of and had th ir l ad r , son
h of the Daira . In t e third century Christian era e e e , wh n Cormac Mac Art was king , th r e e the Feena of E who e e the w r rin , w r militia of the e e e e de Chi f King of Ir land , and w r un r
in- - e e we S e e F mac Coole. Of th s hall r ad lat r
OI] . E FOST RAGE.
N something very like th e way in which youths were being reared and taught war
e e E to lik f ats at mania , it was common find children throughout Erin in what was called
e e . e e e e fost rag Th r was th n , as now , a practic of putting childre n out to b e nursed and cared for in their infancy and early childhood by
e e e e e e of the e paid p opl , who w r g n rally poor r
e classes . But ther was also a custom that
e e e use to b gan v ry arly , and was still in up
o two e e of ab ut hundr d y ars ago , placing
i e e or ch ldr n with a trib , a family , a particular
e of e e e p rson l arning , such as a po t , for th ir
e a . e e e e e training and duc tion Th r th y r main d , som etimes till they were se venteen years of a e e in e e g , and this fost rhood v ry many cas s became a bond of friendship and union between the two families or tribes . Some 96 96 A L AND or HEROES of these foster - parents were like what we
the e - would now call h ads of boarding schools , and they sometimes kept a large number of houses n ear their own in which a great number of young people were brought up
e e tog th r. The daughters of peasants were taught by
e e - e i to th ir fost r par nts to gr nd , to sift, and
e e the ee e e to kn ad , as w ll as n dl work suit d their station of life ; whilst the sons were
a the e of of e t ught r aring all sorts young cattl , besides the kiln - drying of corn and the pre
ara i p t on of malt . The daughters of the higher classes were
e the e em instruct d in s wing , cutting , and
e of i broid ring cloth , and in music ; wh lst the e e the e of e the sons w r taught gam ch ss ,
of mi the use of arts swim ng and riding , and the sword and spear.
The e - e e e e e fost r childr n , as a rul , w nt v ry
e e e e - e we e wh r with th ir fost r par nts , and r ad that there was a king of the di strict now
e Knock an the e call d y, in county Lim rick , who had at one time forty foster - sons or pupils
’ - THE CHAMPION S HAND STONE.
H AY the e C Y F LA , who was chi f monarch of Erin not many years before the Chris
era ree s tian , had th sons , known in Irish hi tory “ ” as the Three Fair Twins Th ese princes e e e e the of E e e w r fost r d at court mania , wh r they l earn ed many of the feats which were practised by the Champions of the Red
h e e e ih Branch . W n grown up , th y tri d to duce their father to give up the thron e of
E one of e he e e rin to th m , as was th n v ry old he e e e e ; but r fus d , and so th y s nt him a
e e e e e e chall ng to battl , and gath r d a larg
e e e number of followers in Ulst r . Th y th n marche d at the head of th ese through that
e or Assaroe provinc , round by Ballyshannon , ,
Rathcro han e e and Sligo , to g , and th nc across
h The t e e e . Shannon into W stm ath Old king , on e e e e e h aring this , call d tog th r his chi fs , and as ’ HA S A D - ST E 99 THE C MPION H N ON . with their forces went westward from Tara till he came to the hill that is now call ed Th ee e e . e Drumcr , n ar D lvin in that county unruly sons had made a camp close by at
Comair or the of the ee of Ath , Ford M ting ”
e on a e e the . Wat rs , riv r that pass s by hill In the battle that ensu ed the men on both sides fought bravely with their broad green
e e e e e r lainas , which , you may r m mb r , w r fi st
e brought to Ireland by Lavra Liusha . Th y
e at ea e e of e thr w ch oth r thick show rs missil s ,
i t - fl in such as whirring , sw f y g darts , and
e - slea hs or S e smooth , asily cast g p ars , until they came within an e asy distance for using
ra hs their c isec or long spears .
he the e son his T n Lothar , young st , saw father in the middl e of the stream with Conal Carna on’ his right and Ceat on his l eft guard
he e e the of the ing him , and cam n ar brink
h e he ford . From t e inside hollow of his shi ld ’ out - e took a Champion s Hand ston , and , put all e ting his str ngth into his wrist and hand , he e the e i or hurl d thick ston , w th a twisting
r n th ow to d his f t e . oundi g r , war s a h r 100 L D E A AN O HEROES.
Wh en Ceat and Conal saw this they rais ed
e e e e ee th ir shi lds against it , but it pass d b tw n the the e e two and struck king full on th br ast , h and e fell down across the middle of the ford .
the old e But king soon ros up again , and put
on the e e e e his foot ston wh r it had fall n , and ’ e the e b ed e e to buri d it in riv r s , wh r it is still this day . ’ The champion s hand - stone was not a com mon or e e e of shap l ss ston , but was oblong
e or e e e of form , mor l ss flatt n d on two its four
e one end sides . It was mad narrow at and was sharp at both ends . Holding it by the end e e e small it was asily hurl d , and was sur
e e we are te to l av its mark , and told that it of n
e e e went right through the skull . Th s ston s
e e e or e w r not carri d us d by all warriors , but only by those who had learn ed how to throw
of e them properly . Very many them hav been found in the b eds of rivers or buried in the
e e b e ee soil , and a larg coll ction is to s n in
h e t e Royal Irish Academy in Dublin . Th y ” are sometimes called celts .
The e e the e battl w nt against broth rs , who
THE P E ’ J E O T S OURN Y.
the e of e N tim Conor Mac N ssa , who is e Concohar e e e e also call d , th r liv d in Ulst r a
e e Ai hirna The Red po t call d t . Branch Knights
e off e had carri d spoils from Connaught , th y had beaten the men Of Leinster in the battle of - -ree e e e Ross na , th y had gon into Munst r
e e the e Curoi and burnt th r palac of Mac Daira ,
e Teamhair Luachra e e e e call d , n ar Abb yf al ; so that they felt there was no en emy l eft to fight
e e a e to e . with , but still th y want d a c us quarr l Now it was a custom of that time for poets or to s one e e bards pas from provinc to anoth r,
e e on e at pl asur , Visits to kings , chi fs , and
e e e e e e e nobl s , and to r c iv pr s nts for th ir
e . Aithirna e e e set out on po ms , th r for , a
of i the e round v sits , in hop that , by asking
b e e for gifts that would too difficult to giv , or by saying things in his poems that would 102 ’ THE ET S JOUR EY 103 PO N . be i e to the e ffe e or d spl asing kings , som o nc “ b e e to the Red insult would giv n him , and ” Branch would come and avenge it . The kings and chie fs of North Connaught gave him free ly all he as d rather than b e
To the drawn into a war with Ulste r . King of or -E who e South Connaught Mid rin , liv d between the pre se nt Scariff and Mount Shan
one e e Aithirna e non , and who had only y , w nt
e he e the e n xt , and , as kn w that king was v ry gen erous and would not refus e to give up any
’ of e he e the e e . his rich s , ask d for king s only y
o his e the the e e out of T surpris , king took y h Th its socket and handed it to t e poet . e king then bade his servant lead him down to the e the lak to wash away blood , and so red did the lake be come that it has since been
e e - deirc or the e of the call d Lough D rg , Lak
Red Eye . The poet n ext crossed the Shannon into
e the e e who South Munst r , to palac Of Ti rna , allowed himself to b e insulted . He was after
e e wards buri d n ar Rathcormac , in Cork , at
h na Carn Tierna . Thence Ait ir went through 104 A L AND O F HEROES
Munster and South Leinster till he came to
e the e e . Ard Br stina , in pr s nt county Carlow Here the king and people came and ofi ered e e he not e e him pr s nts , but would tak th m , as he said he wanted only the richest present or
article that they had . This was a difficult
out e the e e e e thing to find , but , whil p opl w r
e on trying to do so , a hors , which a young
e e man was riding , happ n d to throw up a clod
one of e i the with its hind hoofs , and it f ll nto ’ king s lap . The king saw stuck in it a b eautiful
Ai thirna he e gold brooch , and said would tak
e e e e he that as his pr s nt , probably b caus thought “ ” the king would not part with his luck .
Ai thirna e e on e e th n pass d to Naas , wh r Mes edr a the e of e e g , chi f King L inst r , had his
he e e e e . e e e palac Th r r main d tw lv months , and received entertainment and rich gifts ; but the
e he the e he e mor got mor ask d for , until ,
e e he e e e e d e wh n l aving , d mand d s v n hun r d
e red e e e whit cows with ars , a countl ss numb r
of ee e of the e sh p , and a hundr d and fifty wiv s and daughters of the Leinster nobles to b e
carried in bondage into Ulster .
106 A L F ER ES AND O H O .
l e ee the e ca l d , had b n waiting at riv r Tolka ,
e and rushed down on them . A battl was the e men e e e to fought , and Ulst r w r driv n
Ben E or t e dar , How h , but th y brought with
e the e e e . or th m s v n hundr d cows A fort , e e e e e e arth n mbankm nt which th y thr w up ,
te Ai thirna was af rwards known as Dun , and here they waited till the Red Branch came to
ei e e e th r h lp with Conal Carna as l ad r . Conal “ followed Mesge dra across the Ford of Hur e Drimna h e dl s past g , n ar Tallaght , and
he e the through Naas , till ov rtook him at ford h e of t e Lifiey at Clane . A fi rce combat took e e ee Mes ed a plac b tw n g r and Conal Carna , in
the e e ao which form r was kill d , and Conal ,
the the e cording to horrid custom of tim , cut off his head and took out his brains and made them into a ball to b e kept as a proof of his ’ the e the e victory . Such was r sult of po t s journey. 11 0 0 7 V T H E H E A O F MESG E D RA C O NA L C A RNA ! I T H D
108 D E ES A LAN OF H RO . any other man till Conor might make her his
e e e e sh own wife . H r D irdre dw lt till e had grown to b e the most beautiful maiden in all
e Ir land . ’ the e e e e ee In king s court th r w r thr youths , the of e ee sons a princ Usnach , and so sw t was the music which these sons of Usnach played upo n the harp that the cattle listening to it milked over two - thirds more than was their
e wont , and all pain and sorrow w nt from whatsoever man or woman heard the strains
e e e e e e of th ir m lodies . And th y w r gr at in e e set his to fighting , too ; for , wh n ach back ’ the e e e oth r , all Conor s provinc was unabl to overcome them ; and they were as fleet as
hounds in the chase .
As one of the S the Naisi , sons , sat inging on of E he e plain mania , saw a maid n coming
him She e her e she towards . h ld down h ad as
e e e S e . cam n ar him , but pass d without p aking
e e e e Naisi kn w that it was D irdr , and a gr at
dread fell upon him .
e ou e . D part , I pray y , dams l , said Naisi ” You are the wife that is to be of the king. DEIRDRE. 109
Th e er e e ei e king is v y old , r pli d D rdr ,
e ou and I do not lov him , and I wish y could ” save me from him . Th en plucking a ros e from a bri er sh e threw the e flow r at him and said , Now, if thou dost not save me from Conor thou art dishonoured
e e men of on of b for all thy country , account the gesa or bond I have put upon you . I
e me pray you tak away from King Conor , and I will b e as a sister to you and your ” brothers . ’ Deirdre took Naisi s harp and b egan playing
h m n e sweetly . Wh en t e e of Ulst r h eard the
e e e e d lightful sound a magic sp ll f ll up on th m , but the sons of Usnach rushed forth and came running to where their brother sat and Deirdre
THE F T OF T S LIGH HE ONS OF USNACH .
“ ” ’ ! e Ainli Naisi s Alas cri d Ardan and , e e e ? broth rs , what hast thou don , broth r Is ” not this the damsel fated to ruin Ulster ?
e e e e Th n Naisi told th m what had happ n d , “ the of and said , By laws my knighthood I 1 10 L D O F ER ES A AN H O . shall b e di sgraced before men if I do not help ” her e she me e e ro , sinc had put und r g sa (p
’ d es a nounce s . g , with 9 hard) ” E e of a the e . vil will com it , s id broth rs ” e not er b e I car , said Naisi ; I had rath in r e W e misfo tun than in dishonour . will fly ” her e with to anoth r country .
Th e e e t e e broth rs took couns l og th r , and for the love they bore to Naisi they promised to accompany him whithersoever he might go .
SO e s et out wi e that night th y , taking th th m one e men of one n e hundr d might , hu dr d
e one e e e maid ns , and hundr d gr yhounds , h ld in leash by one hundred servants . Conor was greatly enraged at the loss of his
e e i e e e hi e int nd d w f , and follow d th m th r and
e e E As saroe to Ben E thith r ov r rin from dar , wherever in court or camp they found a
e the e e e welcome . At l ngth wand r rs sail d into e l e e Alba , as Scotland was th n ca l d , and mad their home in the midst of a wild place there
In .
e e e the e of the u a Th r , wh n chas mo nt ins f i e t e e fe U the e s and a l d h m , th y ll pon h rd
1 12 L D OF ER ES A AN H O .
THE FEAST OF CONO KING R.
Upon a certain day King Conor was feasting
e the of E with his nobl s in mansion mania , to the of ee e e strains sw t music , and th r was
e e he much d light among all pr sent . When t bards had sung about the glories of their
e the e the of e kindr d , and cho of shouts applaus
e e e e had c as d , King Conor rais d his royal voic and said
e e e me e e Princ s and nobl s , t ll wh th r you
e e e ee e e e hav v r s n a f ast b tt r than this , or a ” mansion better than Emania ? ”
W e e ee e e e e . hav s n non , th y r pli d ” of I would fain know you , said Conor , if there b e anything whatsoever h ere want ing ?
e e e . Nothing , th y r pli d ” “ e n Say not so, said Conor . I w ll k ow what is wanting here : the presence of three
the e of the e famous youths , warlik lights Ga l , the ee e of : Ainli thr nobl sons Usnach Naisi , , e b e e and Ardan . Alas , that th y should abs nt from among us here for the sake of any woman DEIRDRE. 113
the ! ee e are in world Sons of a king ind d th y , and well could they defend the kingdom of ”
er. e e e Ulst I would that th y w r with us .
e the e e e : Th n nobl s r pli d , and said Had we dared to sp eak our thoughts that we e e e is what ours lv s would hav said , for had we but the three sons of Usnach in the coun tr e e b e e y, Ulst r alon would mor than a match
the e of E e are men of for all r st rin , for th y ” might and lions for valour .
L et e e e e e us th n , said Conor , s nd m ss ng rs
the the S e of to clan Usnach in Alba , on hor s ”
Etive e e . Loch , to ask th m to r turn “ Who can give promise of safety to them sufli cient to p ersuade them to come into thy ? ” kingdom asked the nobles . “ e e are ee of e Th r only thr all my nobl s , “ on e e said Conor , whos sur ty against my anger the sons of Usnach will trust themselves ;
e are e and th y F rgus , Cuchulain , and Conal
Carna . One of these I will send upon this message .
h e he e e the son of T n call d F rgus , Roy , t : the apar , and said Go thou to clan Usnach , ( M 607 ) H 114 D OF HER ES A LAN O . and bring them to me on thy surety for th eir
e . e th e of saf ty R turn by way Dun Barach , but let not the sons of Usnach tarry to eat with anyone till they come to the feast I
shall have ready for their welcome to Emania . ” Give me thy pledge to do this . Then Fergus bound himselfby gesa or sol emn ’ vows to do the king s commands . But th e king calle d Barach into a place apart and asked him had he a feast ready at
hi s mansion .
e e e e Dun B I hav a f ast pr par d in arach , “ e said Barach , to which thou and thy nobl s
are ever welcome .
Let nOt e s e e F rgu , th n , d part from thy ” mansion , said Conor, without taking part
e on hi s e Al b e in that f ast r turn from ba , and ” sure the feast hold out two days or three .
He e me for ee shall f ast with thr days ,
e e we are e of the r pli d Barach , for broth rs
Red he e vow e e Branch , and is und r not to r fus ” hospitality .
e e e a n . My lov thou hast h nc forth , s id Co or
1 16 D F A LAN O HEROES.
“ ne e . Good ws , said F rgus Conor hath
e to b e e a e - s nt us a sur ty for your s f conduct , if ” you will return to Emania .
e e ee e to e Th r is no n d for th m go thith r ,
e r w said D ird e. Greate r is their o n sway in ” he f Alba than t sway o Conor in Erin . ’ To b e in one s native land is better than “ e e e e t are all ls , said F rgus , for of littl wor h power or rich es to a man if he seeth not each h ” day t e land that gave him birth . e e e to me Tru it is , said Naisi , that d ar r E Al Al is rin than ba , though in ba I should ” e e enjoy gr ater fortun than in Erin . ” “ me e Put your trust in , said F rgus , I ” - pledge myself for your safe conduct . “ ” W Let e . e o us go, th n , said Naisi will g ’ ” - under F ergus s safe conduct to our native land . At the dawning of n ext day they went down to e set the sea th ir ships and sail across , and ’ e e i the e se e e D irdr , stand ng at v s l s st rn , look d back upon the land of Al ba as it sank behind the e e of e wat rs , and mad a mournful song far
e th e e e e w ll , that lat Sir Samu l F rguson has translated thus 1 1 7 DEIRDRE.
’ A BA DEIRDRES FAREWELL TO L .
Farewe to fa r A a h house of the Sun ll i lb , igh , Farewe to the mounta n th e c ff and the Dun ll i , li , Dun Sween ad eu ! for m ove canno sta y i y L t y, And tarry I may not when love cries away.
en as an ! en ashan ! w ere roe uc s run free Gl V h Gl V h b k , Where m ove used to feas on the red-deer w th me y L t i , ’ Where rock d on th wa ers wh e s orm w nds ew , y t il t y i bl , M ove used to s um er en ashan ad eu ! y L l b , Gl V , i
Glendaro ! Glendaro ! where birchen boughs weep ’ ’ one -dew at h h noon o er the n h n a e s s ee H y ig ig ti g l l p, Wh ere m ove us ed to ead me to hear the cuc oo y L l k , ’ Mon th e hi h haze us es Glendaro ad eu ! g g l b h , , i
Glen Urchy ! Glen Urchy ! where loudly and long M ove used to wa e u the woods w t his son y L k p i h g, Wh e the Son of the Roc from the de s of the de il k, pth ll, ’ Lau h d swee in answer en Urch farewe ! g tly , Gl y, ll
en Etive ! en Etive ! w ere a ed does roam Gl Gl h d ppl , ’ Where I leave the green sheeling I first call d a home ; Wh ere w th me and m rue ove de ed to dwe , i y t L light ll, The Sun made his mans on en Etive farewe ! i , Gl , ll
Farewell to Inch Draynach ! adieu to the roar Of the blue billow bursting in light on the shore ; Dun Fia h farewe ! for m ove cannot sta g , ll y L y, t w n w And tarry I may no he love cri es a ay. A L D OF ER ES 118 AN H O .
THE JO R EY TO EMA U N NIA.
In time th ey reached the port of Dun
e ee e Barach , and Barach hims lf, m ting th m
the e e e e upon shor , w lcom d F rgus and his the of e e sons , and sons Usnach and D irdr .
e to e Th n Barach said F rgus , Tarry and par e Of e me let ee tak a f ast with , for I will not th part from me for three days under penalty of breaking thy vow of brotherhood and hos pitality. When Fergus heard this he b ecame crimson red e e he with ang r from h ad to foot , and thus spoke “ e me to Thou hast don ill , Barach , to ask
fe thy ast , knowing as thou dost that I am bounden to Conor not to let the sons of
are e e - Usnach , who und r my saf conduct , tarry night or day for entertainment from another
e e h E e e he till th y r ac mania , wh r hath his ” banquet prepared to welcome them . “ ” “ e not ee I car , said Barach ; I lay th under the ban of our order if you refuse my ” hospitality.
120 L D OF ER ES A AN H O . to e her e e to tak couns l , but w nt forward
E e mania ev n as they were . So they went on till they came to the Fews mountain and the oak - e of Ardsalla h e e e glad g , and th n D irdr said “ to s see e E Nai i , I a cloud ov r mania , and it
of . e is a cloud blood I couns l you , sons of
not E e Usnach , go to mania without F rgus let to Dundal an to our but us go g , cousin
e e fi e Cuchulain , till F rgus shall hav ful ll d his ”
. e e e duty with Barach And again D irdr cri d , ! the e E Oh , Naisi look at cloud ov r mania ; of e it is a cloud blood , gor drops fall from its r - ed edges . Go not to Emania to night ; let us
Dundal an let e e e go to g , us tak sh lt r with
e e the e of Cuchulain , or ls at hous Conal ” Carna . “ “ e not 1 e I f ar , said Nais I will not h ar l thy counsel ; et us proceed . ” “ of ei r e Sons Usnach , again said D rd , I have a signal by which to know if Conor
e e we b e int nds vil against us . If admitte d
the of E into mansions mania , and Conor thus
e e w me ee e sp aks , Abid ith thr months , partak of ri e my salt , d nk of my cup , and my br ad DEIRDRE. 12 1
’ e e e he e s cur ly br ak , d signs no harm towards us ; but if we b e lodged apart in the mansion of the Red e e e Branch , th n Conor sur ly int nds e vil to us . By this time they had arrived before the
f e he e e o E . t gat s mania Naisi knock d at gat , and the doorkeeper asked who was without . ”
e e e e . Clan Usnach and D irdr , r pli d Naisi Then th ey were conducted towards the ’
e of the Red e . hous Branch , by Conor s ord rs “ It were better to take my counsel even “ et e e e e y , said D irdr , for vil is sur ly now ” meant for us . “ W e the will not do so , said Illan Finn , “ e e son of Fergus . Cowardliness has nev r b en known of the sons of my father ; I and the Ruthless Red Buini will go with you to the
Red Branch . Then they moved on to the house and entered it ; and servants brought them rich meats and sweet wines until all were satisfied
ee u e e e e the of and ch rf l , xc pt D irdr and sons
e e or Usnach , for th y took littl food drink ,
e e e e b ing w ary from th ir journ y , and scorning 1 2 L F E 2 A AND O H ROES.
’ to e e . e si tast a traitor s f ast Th n said Nai , “ Bring hither the chess - board that we may ” play ; and he and D eirdre played upon the ivory board .
T HE ATTACK ON THE RED BRANCH .
When Conor knew that Deirdre was in the
e of the Red he not e hous Branch , could r st at the e he to one of e e f ast , so said his p opl , “ e e e Trendor Know st thou who sl w thy fath r , n
s e Nai i , son of Usnach , it was that sl w my ” e ree e e e e fath r and my th broth rs , r pli d Tr n dorn . ” Go e and me , th n , said Conor , bring tidings of Deirdre and the sons of Usnach .
e Trendorn e to the Re Th n w nt d Branch , and
one e e e found window unfast n d , and look d
He e e through it . saw Naisi and D irdr within , the e e ee e fo e and polish d board b tw n th m , r th y were playing chess .
ei e see e e And D rdr said to Naisi , I som on ” looking at us through the window. Then Naisi flung the chess - man he held in his hand at the s and e the e e out of py, dash d y
124 O F ER ES A LAND H O .
e e . e e who w r without Conor and Ulst r , cri d
the e . troops , and shout d again ” e th e Villains , cri d Illan Fair , would you ’ break my father s pledge ?
Red E e th e e e e nini thr w gat s op n , and w nt forth with his men and slew one hundred and
men e fifty of might . Then Conor ask d who
e of e e En mad such havoc his p opl , and ini “ ” e e Red Buini the e . answ r d , I , , son of F rgus “ ” i Hold thy hand , said Conor , and I w ll e n give you the lands of Slieve Fews . Th E e e the nini Bov h ld his hand from fight , and ” e e e e ? ask d , Wilt thou giv aught ls “ e ee e e I will mak th my chi f couns llor ,
e e e Buini e e t e e r pli d Conor . Th n c as d al og th r
the e . from fight , and w nt away But it is said that his lands that night were turn ed into a
e e t e Dalwhinn d s r , which is now call d y, a wild moor on the mountain of Fews . When Deirdre saw that Enini Bove had
e e e e sh e f e d s rt d th m said , Traitor ath r , traitor ” e Yet b e son ; but Illan Finn cri d , will not I a traitor; while lives this small straight sword in ” my hand I will not forsake the sons of Usnach ! DEIRDRE. 1 25
DEAT F E F A H O TH SONS O USN CH .
e e men Th n Illan Finn w nt forth with his , and they made three attacks on those round
the e e e about mansion , drov th m a mil away ,
e ee e . e and sl w thr hundr d Taking torch s , Illan
men e t e e Finn and his w nt for h a s cond tim , and drove the hireling host of Bonachts from h around the House of t e Red Branch . “ e e e e Th n it was that Conor cri d , Wh r is my ” own son Fiacra Finn ?
e e e Fiacra. I am h r , my king , cri d It was on the same night that thou and ” e e e Illan Finn w r born , said Conor ; go , th n , and do battle with him manfully Take thou my shield Ocean whose echoes roar like the ’ ’ sea on E m e e rin s coast , y sp ars Flying Fat ’ ’ ’ e and Victory s Wing , and my sword D ath , since Illan bears the arms of his father
Fergus . e e Th y fought a fair fight, a stout , bitt r ,
e e savag , and hot fight , till Illan Finn b at down e so he e e e Fiacr , that forc d him to crouch b n ath 1 26 A LAND of tu mors the shelter of the shield Ocean that three
- times sent forth its sea like roar .
e the Conal Carna had h ard tumult , and ,
ms e E a taking his ar , had com towards m nia, wh ere he knew Conor his king must b e in
e . e e the e e e e the Red p ril Th r , on op n fi ld b for
he Fiacra e es e Branch , found Finn sor pr s d by e e e r behi he som n my , and , coming f om nd , thrust his sword through the heart of Illan
he he not Finn , whom did not know, for had
et ee e. r y s n his fac Illan , turning ound and
ee e Al ! ee was s ing Conal , cri d , as that d d not ’ — like Conal s to slay me while defending the
of are the Red sons Usnach , who in Branch ’ ” under my father s pledge of safety . ” not b e e e e This shall unav ng d , cri d Conal ’ he off Fiacra e e and struck Finn s h ad , and w nt
away in rage and sorrow . And now the men of Conor came again to h e Ara set fagots and fire to t e doors . Th n
men e out the e and his cam forth and put fir s , n A Ai nli and Slew three hu dred . nd and his men en r h the e of the w t fo t oth r third night, and Slew Six hundred . Naisi himself came
128 A L AND OE H EROES.
e e e e the and D irdr , though th y had not f lt
e e e e e e e sp ll , w r soon alon amid th ir slaught r d
ere - the ee host, and mid day valiant thr lay
e e the e e str tch d to w st , south , and ast , with
e Deirdre standing over th m .
e e e e e e Conor s nt ord rs to l av th m unburi d , the of the Red but champions Branch , with Conal Carna at the right and Cuchulain at the
e t e e to b e e the l f , caus d a grav mad , and
e e e . e e n broth rs w r laid in it D irdr , standi g at the e e e e her h ad with fac as whit as marbl ,
e e e t garm nts cov r d with blood , sang for h a dirge over the dead heroes .
e she e e she Wh n had finish d , for a mom nt
e e e e e e e r main d in sil nc , and th n f ll forward d ad into the grave .
of e e the e A cairn ston s was pil d upon plac , and the fate of the sons of Usnach carved in
e Ogham characters upon a tombston . Cafad e h e e how ee , wh n h ard Conor had b n
e the e The forsworn , curs d king and his rac perfidy of Conor is rendered immortal in the ’ e e e - n following lin s , by Ir land s b st k own
e e po t , Moor DEIRDRE. 129
ME T F R THE SO OF S A LA N O NS U N CH .
Avenging and bright fall the swi ft sword of Erin ’ On him who the brave sons of Usnach b etray d ! ’ For ever fond e e h e hath wak en d a ear in y y t , ’ A drop from his heart-wounds shall weep o er her blade !
’ By the red cloud that hung over Conor s dark dwelling ’ Wh en Ulad s three champions lay sleeping in gore ; B the ows of war wh c so of en h swe n y bill , i h t , igh lli g, ’ Have wafte d those heroes to victory s shore
W e swear to reven e he m - No o s a b e as ed g t j y h ll t t , Th e har s a b e s ent the ma den unwed p h ll il , i , Our ha s sha be mute and our fie ds sha lie was ed ll ll , l ll t , ’ ’ Till vengeance is wreak d on the murderer s head !
’ Yes Monarc tho swee are our home reco ec ons , h, t ll ti ; T ou h swee are the ears ha from enderness fal h g t t , t t t l ; Thou h swee are our fr ends s our o es our g t i hip , h p , affec ons ti , n n s sw Reve ge on a. tyra t i eetest of all !
( 11 607 ) QUEEN MEAVE.
' HE e e W N F rgus kn w what had come to the sons of Usnach he joined with another
e e of r champion , rais d a larg body t oops , and
e to E fte e march d mania , which , a r a gr at fight ,
e te e e e in which Conor was b a n , th y s iz d and
e e e e met . plund r d , putting to d ath all th y ’ m e of Cor ac , anoth r Conor s sons , who was also bail for the safety of the sons of
t e e 3000 S men Usnach , got og th r tout , and
e ou f He e e march d t o Ulster . is h nc forth “ “ ” he E Th known as Conlingas or t xile . e three champions with their men then passed over into Connaught to the court of Meave at
Ba h e for t Cruachan . From this plac many years they used to go to burn and destroy the
e the e fruits and crops , and driv away cattl
e f e b longing to the people o Ulst r . This Queen Me ave was the daughter of
1 2 L D OF ER ES 3 A AN H O .
e e we e e her e e b caus r ad that wh n fath r , as chi f
of E i e on the e on to King r n , fix d plac which
e e the was r n hav a palac built , and plan d aw , the e e set to the t h p opl work , and di ch w ich went round the whole was finished in one day . But then we are also told in the ancient Gaelic manuscripts that it was a splendid palace built of e ew i e e s e pin and y , and conta n d b d nough for e e e e an ntir army , so that M av probably added extensively to it . When Ailill More was killed at Rathcroghan
n e e e Iniscloran by Conal Car a , M av w nt to , an
Ree and e e e of island in Lough , mad a pr s nt
he h r e e e t palace to e moth r . M av had many e e e e one of the Of n mi s , and was kill d by sons
in h e She Conor t e following mann r . was under a gesa or bond not to let any morning
e she pass by without taking a bath , and whil
i Iniscloran the of was bath ng at , son Conor
' e h om her. He cast a ston a sling at had ,
e e e e e e e the e som tim b for , s cr tly tak n xact
ea e of the e e e to m sur lak , and had l arn d sling
e e the e a e ston s at an appl from sam dist nc , so that when he flung the stone at Meave he UEE E VE 1 Q N M A . 33
e her f the e e she e smot ull in for h ad , and di d
on h a t e inst nt . There is within half a mile of the mound of ’ Meave s palace one of the great burial - places “ of the pagan Irish kings called Relig na ”
Rio h . h e e ee 2 3 e g T is cov rs b tw n and acr s , and at first sight seems only a piece of ground
e e e the S with a v ry brok n surfac , but light mounds all mark the graves of kings and
e e e e Dathi the h ro s , and h r too , , last pagan Irish Ard Righ (Re e) or Chief King was
e red e the buri d , and a pillar ston marks spot.
THE ATT E SP OF AI C L OIL CU LGNE. — Rathcroghan is the fairest spot n ear the Magh Ai or Plain of Roscommon - that could be found in Connaught for a queen whose
e was n e her w alth mai ly in cattl , as flocks and
s r herd could hardly b e numbered . He great
r e e ma ch into Ulst r was for a cattl spoil , and is told in this way . Meave and Ailill More began one day to quarrel as to which had the greater amount
of e . e n e ei de w alth Th y cou t d up th r woo n , 134 A LAND O E HEROES
e i e e e i e bronz , s lv r and gold v ss ls , and d sh s
e fin er- e e th ir g rings , clasps , brac l ts , thumb
e e of rings , twist d torqu s , and crowns gold ;
e e e of e ee th ir dr ss s crimson , blu , black , gr n ,
e e e e e ff y llow , whit , mottl d , and str ak d stu s ; their flocks of sheep ; their stee ds ; their herds Of swin e ; their dr oves of cows ; and they found
e t o b e e . Ailill th m qual But had a young bull , “ called White Horn ed the match of which ’ was not to b e found in Meave s h erds ! She
e e e e to e e th r for s nt find , in all Ir land , anoth r
e e e e one lik it , and at last h ard that th r was , a
Cuail né— e e brown bull , in g that is , Cool y , n ar
— e one Dundalk which was own d by Daré.
So e e e to as k for Dare con M av s nt it , and
e e to let her e . the e e e s nt d hav it But m ss ng rs ,
e k e e e e wh n tal ing tog th r, said that if M av had
she e e not got it for asking would hav tak n it.
e e Dare he e e e the This v x d , and r fus d to giv
e e her e e bull so M av , with gr at army , cam into
e e Ulst r to fight for it , and , marching at th ir
e e e e her e E h ad , burn d all b for , n arly to mania ,
e till she had taken the brown bull . Aft r many combats between Cuchulain for Ulster
ER ES 136 A L AN D OF H O .
e on the Ulstermen . From that tim Ces t h e carried t e ball in his girdl e . Shortly aft r wards the men of Connaught made a raid
e Ge ei e e into Ulst r with at at th r h ad , but th y
e e e ta e the e e w r ov r k n by Ulst rm n , and both sides got ready for a battle at Ardnurcher in
the county Westmeath . Ceat found that King
was the Conor with Ultonians , and thought that the time had come for the prophecy H to b e fulfill ed . e saw that a large number of the ladi es of Connaught had come out to a hill n ear at hand to welcome back their
to th e he husbands and look at fight , so hid
himself among them . Now it was a custom t e e or i e e e at that im , wh n warriors arm s w r
to the e e e about fight , for wom n , if any w r
e e to the e the e e pr s nt , ask chi f from oth r sid
to e e e e com among th m , that th y might judg whether the praises which they had heard of
his e e e e e . Ge str ngth and manlin ss w r tru at ,
e e e the e to th r for , got Connaught wom n ask
to e e the Of the Conor com to th m , and laws
e he time obliged Conor to do so . Wh n had
e a e e e he es com a short dist nc , how v r , saw C t UEE E E 13 Q N M AV . 7
e S so among th m with a ling in his hand ; ,
e e e e e e he thinking th r was cont mplat d tr ach ry ,
h Ge e . e turn d back As did so , at , who had ’ Mes edra s - the put g brain ball in sling , cast it
‘ the e SO from him and struck Conor in h ad , h that t e ball remained in his skull . ’ e e the Conor s chi f doctor look d at wound , but said it would b e best not to take out ’ the . e t e e e ball It was l f , th r for , in Conor s
e he e e e e he h ad , and r cov r d his h alth ; but was warn ed by the doctor that he should b e most
e not to e e or e car ful rid on hors back , tak much e e i e or e et or ex x rc s , allow hims lf to g angry te if the e e to e out ci d , for ball w r com , owing
of e e e e . to any th s caus s , his d ath would follow For years he had good health and felt no
e the on the of the troubl from ball , but day
our e the crucifixion of Lord , wh n Conor saw
a e of the e the e d rk ning sun , and f lt tr mbling
the e he e u the of arth , ask d his dr id what was
cause of it . The druid answered that the Son Of the living God was being put to death by his w o n people . 138 A L AND OF HEROES
And what crim e has he committed ? said
Conor.
e the . e are i Non , said druid Th y slay ng ” he is ce of e him , though inno nt any crim . The king became so enrage d at the thought of e ee e e one so cru l a d d b ing don , and no e e e e e e e b ing th r to strik a blow in d f nc , that he e S r e dr w his word , and in a fu y rush d from th e palace and began to hew down the young
n he ee o e at . tr s in a w od n ar ha d , saying as did so
! if e e e e t hs I would Oh I w r pr s nt , it is h cut down the murderers of that innocent
man .
e e e e the His rag gr w gr at r , until at last ball e l e out which was lodg d in his sku l dropp d ,
and he fell dead on the Spot . He has b een counted ever since as the fir st
man who died for the sake of Christ in Ireland .
140 L D OF ER ES A AN H O . the e Irish and British coasts , in which th y plundered and burn ed many duns and raths . It happened that they landed one time in
the of e ea hi e . e bay Turv y , n r Mala d Th y at once began to lay waste the country by fire
e s and sword , and w nt forward toward Tara .
at the e on e Conary , tim , was his r turn from
t e e e he ee to e e Nor h Munst r , wh r had b n s ttl a difference b etween two chiefs of that
e he e provinc , and had only a small numb r
f e o e . e e follow rs with him On nt ring M ath , dr n e to e he and awi g n ar his palac at Tara , saw the e e whol country in flam s , and thinking that there must have been a general rising of the
e e the e he he p opl against law whil was away , bade his charioteer to turn to the right from
e Tara and drive towards Dublin . His s rvant e e e the e s ob y d and drov by hill of C arn , Lusk , and the Road of Cualann ; but instead of coming to Athcliath (Dublin) he crossed the
’ Lifie e the the to y abov ford , and took road the f h r a mansion o t e great B oo Da Derga .
T on the e e his mansion was built riv r Dodd r , at a place that to this day be ars the name of B ER BREE 141 OH NA NA .
“ e ee e the of Boh r na Br na, which m ans road the or e court mansion , and is n ar Tallaght ,
ne f h in the county Dublin . This was o o t e six great houses in Ireland where there was free and Open entertainment of food and
The lodging for strangers and travellers .
e e te ee the e own r , Da D rga , had of n b n gu st
of the ee e king , and b n at f asts at Tara , so that he was glad to b e able to give Conary the
of e e e e proof his r m mbranc of past kindn ss , and
set before the king a splendi d entertainment .
e e e the M antim , wh n outlaws found that
e e the e th y had miss d king , whom th y thought
to i e on e e the surpr s his way hom , th y took all
i e Bre ia E e spo l th y could from g or ast M ath , and went back to their ships and sailed to
ee Ben Edar (Howt h). There it was agr d that two of the sons of Donndesa should come on
e e e the shor and find out wh r king was , as they had already l earned that he had turned
e back when on his way to Tara . Having h ard ’ was Der a s the e that Conary at Da g , whol host
of i e e the e Lifi e p rat s land d south of riv r y, and marched over a part of the Dublin mountains 142 A L AND O F HEROES
till they reached Boher na Breena . They ’ e Der a s e e attack d Da g court , plund r d and
e e e the e d stroy d it , and kill d Conary and chi f
part of those who were with him .
h e e of e W n Conor Mac N ssa was King Ulst r, ” the e e K of E Conary Gr at was chi f ing rin ,
old e the B ook o and , in an Irish book call d f
B a ll mote the e e e e i e y , tim wh n th s k ngs liv d is
e set t . is e e e v ry fully for h It th r stat d that , in the fourteenth year of the reigns of Conary
Mac e the e of and Conor N ssa , Mary , moth r our e e e Lord , was born , and that ight y ars aft r ’ e e e - l of the Cuail né M av s cattl spoi g , our Lord
was born . This Book of B a llymote is a beautiful collee
a e the e 1 39 1 of t e of tion , m d in y ar , his ori s
e es e kings , saints , and anci nt Irish famili , writt n in e e e so e e is l v ry arly tim s , that th r hard y any one with an O or a Mac to hi s name at present e e who would not find in this r markabl book ,
is e e in the e which tr asur d Royal Irish Acad my , of the e e r Dublin , an account anci nt lin f om
he e e e the which is d sc nd d , and particulars of
h e n he hears t e remot perso whose name .
144 L D OF ER ES A AN H O .
the e e across Shannon with all th ir prop rty ,
e e e the e and , having gain d b for hand good wish s
ee e e her Ailill e of Qu n M av and husband , th y were allowed to settle down in South Con naught in the present counties of Galway and — Clare for Clare at that time was part of Con “ ” . Carb r Neefar the e naught y , king , at onc called on the four champions for the pledges
e e e e w e th y had giv n , and th s arriors pass d into
Connaught to take captive the sons of Umor . Three of the brothers of Angus and his son said that they would only go back if beaten in
the a fight with champions , so a combat took ” e the e e plac ; but four Clan Umor w r slain ,
e th e e of the of and ov r grav son Angus , who e e or the e e or was call d Conal Ca l , Conal Sl nd r
e e the e of e e L an , was rais d h ap ston s that is call d
the of or Carn Chonaill ( cairn Conal) , Carn
Connachtach th e of the Connau htmen , cairn g ,
the r of that is in pa ish Kilshanny , north of
E e nnistymon , in Clar .
the hi e e e e the Angus , c f, had s ttl d hims lf in of off the of island Aran , coast Galway , and ui the e t e e a e b lt ston for r ss which b ars his n m , DUN S 1 ANGU . 45
he Dun Angus to this day . Such is t story
t the e e to . old by Mac Liag , chi f po t Brian Boru Dun Angus is one of the chief points of e e the e of or Aranmore int r st in north isl Aran , , as it is one of the fin est stone forts in Western
E e the e of urope . It stands abov villag Kil murvey on the edge Of a cliff nearly 300 feet
e of e e high . It is a gr at wall bar ston s without
ree of any mortar . It has th ramparts stone and
Th e e the remains of a fourth . inner cash l
e 1 5 0 ee t as it is call d , is f t from nor h to south
1 40 ee e to e the and f t from ast w st , and in
e The middl e is a natural squar platform .
t one t 1 8 ee rampar round this is , in par , f t
h e high and nearly 1 3 feet thick . T en com s the e e e 400 ee s cond rampart , nclosing a spac f t
e of long and 3 00 feet wide . Outsid this is a broad circle of rough pillar ston es to prevent an enemy from rushing in a body against the fort . Another rampart encloses about 1 1 acres . Such was the Dun or castle of Angus . There are said to b e ten ston e forts built with out the e one mortar in Aran Islands , and ov r
e e the irb ol s . hundr d in Clar , put up by F g ( 11 607 ) OARB Y -HEA R CAT D .
HEN reading of the coming of the Mile
i e e e e sians nto Ir land , you may r m mb r it was said that the peopl e were divided into ” the free clans and the unfr ee clans and
th e e e e e Th e that e latt r w r n arly slav s .
e e of e m the e e gr at r part th m , fro first, w r the me e e — the i e e for r p opl s F rbolgs , who w r e of De D nann e a till rs the soil , and a , work rs t
he e The i e e e t di ff rent trades . M l sians w r a
e e e fighting p opl , and thought it was a m an thing to do anything else ; but during the hundreds of years that had passed since their
c a of th e d first oming , m ny e Mil sians ha lost their place and become mixed up with the e e e e to the oth r rac s , and so w r brought down
the e e same state of slavery . This class of p opl “ ” e Ai theach atha A - hooha was call d Tu ( ha t ) , t is e - e or e - e ch hat , r nt pay rs r nt paying trib s , whi 146
148 L D or ER ES A AN H O .
i e e the e of the of his w f Ain , daught r King t e of es Bri ain , and a gr at train nobl and fol
e . e the e e e low rs Wh n f ast had last d nin days , and the guests were thoroughly enjoying
e e e the Attacots e the th ms lv s , surround d ban
e - wi men S e qu t hall th in armour , and l w with out e e h so e pity all who w r wit in , that non e e e ce ee Ethnea e her scap d x pt Qu n , who mad
her way to Scotland to father.
e e e e ee e e e of Th r w r thr l ad rs in this r volt , whom the chief was Carb ry Kinn - cat or Cat e the n e e e h ad , and him i surg nts chos as th ir
f he of king . He was an exiled son o t King
L ochlann The e not the . chang did bring
e e o the e e e r li f t p opl which was hop d for , and
Carb ry died at the end of five years . Then
e e E ee e th y chos lim , who had b n mad King of
e to b e the hi ef of e . Ulst r , c King Ir land In their desire to b e free the people left off
n e e the e followi g th ir trad s , ground was untill d ,
e E e e e e and a famine follow d . v n wh n th y w nt back to their work the gifts of heaven seemed to b e a e the the t k n from soil , and air was full
of k e e . e e e e e sic n ss and d ath Th y w r glad, th r CARBRY CAT- E D 149 H A .
e e e e son of Fiacha for , wh n th y h ard that a ,
ee e to who had b n born in Scotland , had com
his . Tuathal e claim just right This was , call d “ " “ ” the e e Ta htar L gitimat , and also g , from the state of plenty and fruitfulness that came upon the land when he was made king . He
e in Bre ia e e n e land d g (M ath), and b i g join d
e e e e to e e E by s v ral chi fs , march d Tara , wh r lim
e e . e e e was still s at d as king A fi rc battl , known as the e Acaill the battl of , was fought on hill of ee e E Skr n , n ar Tara , in which lim was slain , and so ended the revolt of the unfree tribes . Ex cept for this break of about twenty - five
e the e e of the e e e y ars , sc ptr kings n v r pass d out of the hands of the family of Mil esius for upwards of two thousand five hundred years . T T UA HAL THE LEGITIMATE.
’ TUATHAL (Toc hal) had been brought up w e e his er ith gr at car by moth , and was twenty - five years of age when he became king ; but he had many battles to fight after — Acaill e e - five som say tw nty in Connaught,
e - five e te e - five tw nty in L ins r , and tw nty in — Munster before he sat down in full power and honour in the palace of the kings at
H en Was t e e Tara . is first act th to call og th r ” the e or e ee Ass mbly , F is ; which had not b n One f h done during the time of revolt . o t e acts of this meeting was to take from each of the four provinces a part on which to build a
e the e Bre ia palac for chi f king , and add it to g
e to e or e e (M ath) , mak a fifth sp cial provinc for “ ” the hi e or A Ree . c f king, rd Righ ( ) From Munster was taken that part now called the Hill of Ward on which the Palace of Tlachta m
1 E S 5 2 A LAND or H ROE .
Tuathal built a new palace or assembly house . Two other as semblies were held during ’ — Tuathal s time one at Emania and one at
Ba h t Cruachan . In these assemblies (perhaps owing to the revolt before his time) we read that the arti ficers the e e t e of , trad sm n , and handicraf sm n the kingdom were brought under rules and
e e the r gulations , and that , for this purpos ,
e of m chanics all occupations , such as smiths ,
e e &c. e e e on to te . carp nt rs , , w r call d at nd Some of their number were then selected to
the of e e e try skill and ability v ry m chanic , and to make choice of sixty of the best in each
of the e . e e e men e e trad s To th s chos n , who w r
e Illanee or i e e call d , sk lful m chanics , was giv n the power to make laws or rules for the rest ; to put away from any trade such p ersons as showe d thems elves to b e unfit or bad work men to , and not allow any to follow a calling unless he had been examin ed by them and been properly licensed. ATHAL THE LE ITI TE 153 TU G MA .
THE BOROMEAN OR COW -TRIBUTE OF LEINSTER
’ The act most worthy of mention in Tuathal s ” e is the of the Leean or r ign imposing Boru , ” e e e e e of the L inst r tribut , b caus most wars and troubles between the chief King of Ireland and the under kings of Leinster were on account of this tribute . Tuathal had two beautiful daughters who
e e to be e the e e w r said fair r than clouds Of h av n ,
b Da r a he e e e i in . t and w r nam d Fi ir and Achy , of e e e e the King L inst r , ask d for and was giv n
e one Dairina e young r , , for a wif , and brought her home to the palace at Naas Som e time te his e e e af rwards p opl , it is said , mad him believe that he had not done well in taking the younger daughter instead of the elder for his wife . He thereupon set about a plan to h obtain t e other daughter too . For this pur pose he shut his young queen into a se cret
in his e e she room palac , and announc d that was me e he e dead. A short ti aft rwards w nt to Tara and told Tuathal that Dairina had A H ES 154: A L ND OF ERO ;
e the e Fihir di d , asking king to giv him as Tua hal ree o e d e . t t a s con wif ag d this , and the King of Leinster came back with a new
o a r airina bride to his court . N t long fte this D managed to escape from the place where she was u U and in o n o the a e sh t p , g i g thr ugh p lac
air a w she met her e . ee n D in sist r On s i g , hom e e e b e ea Fihir e n b li v d to d d , f ll into a swoo , either from fright at seeing what she thought ’ her e or m ame at n n was sist r s ghost , fro sh fi di g ’ the n r w e e and she e a ki g s fi st if aliv , di d lmost
n Dairina was S u s e at o ce. o m ch hock d at
She now ne had ene what saw , and k w happ d , that she shut herself up in her lonely room r rwa and died of g ief Shortly afte rds . When Tuathal heard of the injury that had
ee ne to e and ei e b n do his daught rs , of th r d ath , he e e e r to w me at onc rais d a larg a my , hich ca
e h rn the ee e r v es h lp o thr oth r p o inc , and
e nt e e ea e s w march d i o L inst r , spr ding distr s ith fi re r as he e . Th e e e and swo d pass d p opl , in
er to e e e es m c e e u ord sav th ms lv fro ompl t r in ,
e be w a ask d to allo ed to p y an e ric or fine . To this Tua ha c ns n e and the a e t t l o e t d , p ym n
TUATHAL re s LE ITI 155 G MATE. of t e to the c e e e e a ribut hi f king v ry two y ars , and s f r wa to la t o ever, s agreed to . The tribute was fix ed by Tuathal at
nce of e a ou s silv r , clo ks , fat
ows e e c , fat hogs , fat w th rs , and r large vessels of b ass or bronze . It was called Boromean from the great number of c a B 0 e h ae ows to b e p id in it . b ing t e G lic
This was to b e divided equally among the
e e of n u the e e r e p opl Con a ght , p opl of O i l , and the e e l p opl of Hy Neil . It was paid to forty m a e Tuathal e on rchs aft r , and last d until about the f ea 6 80 e . n o . y r , wh n St Moli g , St Mullins , in o e ua e the e Carl w, p rs d d king at that tim to L make no further demand for it . et us re memb er that the Leinster of that time was little more than half the size of the present in e for e ar e no prov c , it w nt no f th r rth than the E e ee or n e of sk r Riada (R da), li low hills rtl nning from Dublin to Galway ; that the
e e e of e e ea pr s nt counti s M ath , W stm th , Long
di d not e as e ford , and Louth b long to it, th y had been taken by Thathal himself to make 15 6 A L AN o ER D r H OES.
the new province of Meath ; and then let us
e the i e count ov r amount of th s tribut , and “ can we wonder that it never was paid with ” out a fight ? The part of the present Leinste r which was then the province could hardly pay
such a tax at the present day . What should
we e of the the e e think , th n , country and p opl at that time ? Must it not have been more
e e e e ee thickly p opl d , and must th y not hav b n far richer than now ?
the e of In r ign King Cormac Mac Art , in the e 2 4 1 t e y ar , it is said , thir y royal maid ns
e e e e e e w r ass mbl d at Tara , and th y had ach a
e e e the e hundr d maids with th m , wh n palac
e Bunlan of e e was attack d by g, King L inst r ,
e e e n few e e the and, th r b i g or no guards th r at
e the 3 000 e e e e . Dun tim , girls w r slaught r d ’ lang s attack arose out of the demand for the
e e e e for the mas tribut , and Cormac , in r v ng
e e e e i e of e e sacr , put to d ath tw lv pr nc s L inst r , and added to the amount of the tribute as laid a a down by Tu th l.
e e of e e Again , th r is an account a gr at battl 5 94 at Dun Bol e that was fought in g, n ar
CONN OF THE HUNDRED FIGHTS .
’ OME time before Meave s father was chief
of e e e King Ir land , a nobl family call d
Ernees e e e out of l e and h e w r driv n U st r , t y
e e e e e e e e w nt to Munst r , wh r th y b cam v ry
e e e e e pow rful and acquir d larg stat s , so that they spread over West Munster and all the
e e e n ighbouring islands . In tim th y came to
e the e e e e gov rn whol country , but as th y w r the e e of Heremon e e e d sc ndants , th y w r
e the e e of e e oppos d by d sc ndants H b r , who were th e rightful or earlier rulers of Munste r .
The e e of e e the e we are d sc ndants H b r , at tim
e e - Nooat or now com to , had as chi f Mow ,
e - Ow n More .
- Nooat e e e e Mow had gon , in arli r lif , for
e to e e e e e saf ty L inst r , wh n Cahir Mor was chi f
e e e king , and th r sprang up so warm a fri nd ’ e ee e Cahir s ship b tw n him and Dair , son , that he now asked him for h elp to recover the 153 CONN or THE HUNDRED
e e crown of Munst r. With this assistanc Mow
e e e e of the march d into Munst r , wh r Angus Ern ees b e e was claiming to king , and gain d a
ee e e e victory at Ee L han . Angus aft r his d f at fl ed the e e to chi f king , who at this tim was
the e of e Conn , and who , from numb r battl s
he e ee that had to fight during his r ign , has b n ‘ “ e e e Ked- or known v r sinc as Conn Caha , Conn of the Hundred Fights of Felim e Conn , who was a son y, and whos
e e the of e g moth r was Una , daught r of King D n
e u t ee men . mark , gav Ang s fif n thousand With e he e e e e e this forc nt r d Munst r , and a battl was
Cree ee fought at L han , in which Mow was ’ n e agai succ ssful and Conn s men were routed . The help which Conn gave to Angus was after wards the cause of numerous battles between
the e so Conn and Mow , in which latt r was often the victor that he forced Conn to divide the The kingdom with him . lin e of division was the Esker Riada (Reeda) ; and south of that was known as L eath Modha (Leh Mow) ’ or e Mow s half, and north was known as L ath ’ Cuinn (Leh Conn) or Conn s half. 160 LA D or H R ES A N E O .
This Mow- Nooat in another way gained
e e e h pow r and influ nc with t e people . It happened that the druid who attended on him foretold that at the end of seven years there
b e e e . e would a gr at famin Mow, in ord r to
e e fed e e pr par for this , hims lf and his follow rs on e e fish and fowl (of which th r was , at that
e e the tim , pl nty in country), and by this
e e the hi s own m ans sav d all corn in half, and also built storehouses and filled th em with all h ’ t e corn he could purchase in Conn s half.
Th e e e e the famin cam , as was for told , and Th whol e island was in frightful misery . e
e e e e e e he p opl cam to Mow , wh n th y kn w that
he ee e e e e had corn , and agr d to r li v th m on condition that they would pay a constant
or e e th e tax tribut to Munst r , and to this e e e e e e starving p opl joyfully cons nt d , wh r upon he opened his storehouses and gave them food .
e to e the e of Mow was marri d B ara , daught r the of le of the King Castil in Spain , whom
e e e or e district round Castl town B r B ara , in
He W e e e e e the e . st Munst r , still pr s rv s nam
e e Mo lena e was subs qu ntly slain at y , n ar Tulla
A A A CORM C M C RT.
ORMAC the son of Art who was King , was “ ” “ ” e Aonfir or e e e he call d lon ly , b caus fretted so much when his two brothers were killed by two brothers of Conn of the Hundred had e e Fights . Art a n ph w whose name was e te Lugh , but who was call d Mac Con , af r a “ ” e gr yhound Con that was his playmate . Thi s
e e ee Mac Con was a Munst r princ , but had b n
e e to banish d , and w nt Britain and Scotland ,
e e he e e . wh r got tog th r an army With this ,
the e of the of the of and h lp son King Britain , he e e land d at Galway Bay , and soon aft r a battle was fought between his forces and those of the i Aonfir on the k ng , Art , plain of Muc
e e ee e . rivy , that li s b tw n Ath nry and Galway e e ee of Olioll In this battl nin t n sons Olum , ’ -Nooat s the who in turn was Mow son , took
the e e of e e e part of king , and s v n th m w r 162 C RM C MAC AR 16 O A T. 3
’ ed Olioll s e kill ; but broth r , Lugh Laga ,
e e the chang d sid s in fight , and by him King
. e son who Art was slain Art l ft an only , Con ee was Cormac , but Mac , within a w k ,
e e i of E e e had hims lf mad K ng rin , and r ign d at Tara for thirty years .
D . This battle was fought about the year A .
1 9 5 the e e e il e , and plac wh r Art was k l d is ’ e or to the call d Tulach Art , Art s Hillock, e e e e pr s nt day . It li s b tween Kilcornan and
e e to the of Mo veala. Oranmor , clos townland y a who e e Corm c , was th n v ry young , and was
e of e e Con to e in f ar b ing kill d by Mac , had hid ’ hims elf among his mother s friends in Con
so he e u to the naught , that gr w p unknown
i e e e k ng , but was r ar d with much car and
W isdom . At one time he went to Tara and entere d the judgment - hall of the palace at the moment that a case was brought before Mac
on the n of e C for decision . For Ki g Ir land in e e i e the thos tim s was , l k Solomon and kings in the E e e e to e e ast , b li v d hav gr at wisdom , and was judge among his people ; and it was part of his duty to decide any cases that might b e 164 A L A D O F ER ES N H O .
e e e e e e e brought b for him , v n though th y w r
a e f e e about m tt rs o small value . It happ n d
e ee e to that som sh p , b longing a widow who ’ e e e the ee liv d n ar Tara , had stray d into qu n s garden and e aten a valuable crop Of a dyeing ’ e e a h e ser plant . Th y w re c ught by t e que n s
the i e vants , and k ng was call d on to say what
e should b e don with them . Mac Con said that the sheep should b e taken from the
e h r widow and giv n to t e qu een . Young Co
on e e e e e out mac, h aring this s nt nc , cri d that “ ” “ he the ee it was unjust, for , said , as sh p
e e e the ee e Of th e the hav at n only fl c land , most that should b e taken from them is their ” own fleeces This view Of the case appeared to the p eople to b e so wise and reasonable that there was loud applause all through the hall .
e e e h Mac Con ros from his s at and cri d , T at ” is th e judgment of a king ; and thinking that he recognized young Prince Cormac in the
he e e e e e e b . strang r , ord r d him to s iz d But e Cormac scaped .
Fevin e e Mac Con was slain at Magh , n ar D rg
16 L D F E S 6 A AN O H ROE .
THE T EE- HR HEADED KING.
e e the e s e Cormac, fill d with rag at bas u ag
e e Of F rgus , sought h lp from Thady , a grand son Of Olioll Olum . Thady promised assist e the e his anc , but said that h lp Of grand
e e e the uncl , Lugh Laga , was n c ssary to gain
e day . Cormac w nt in search Of Old Lugh
who w b e e e e e il e ( , it ill r m mb r d , had k l d Art , ’ e the e Cormac s fath r), and found him at Gl n of Aherlow e e e Grott the , n ar Sli v , mountain “ e The Galt s e e now call d y in a m an cottag ,
e e ee e str tch d asl p with his fac upwards .
e e e Cormac prick d him g ntly with his lanc , upon which the Old soldier asked sternly
e who dared to disturb him in that mann r .
h e e e W n Cormac mad hims lf known , Lugh Laga said it was generous Of him not to kill
he e e him , as might hav don , finding him ’ e As ee e e e e . asl p , in r v ng for his fath r s d ath a suitable return Lugh said he would give ’ e e n e the Cormac a pr s nt Of a ki g s h ad , in f e he ee or . battl agr d to fight him Thady had ,
the e e e e e to in m antim , asily rais d a larg army CO R C MAC A T 1 7 MA R . 6
e e e e ee go against Ulst r , b caus F rgus Black T th ’ Th ad s e the e Sowna had slain y fath r in battl of , — and they marched to Bru - mac an - Oge and
Creena e e e Creena Kinn Cumm r , and h r , at , a battle was fought between Thady and the
e thr e Ferguses . Thady would not allow
to e t the e Cormac tak par in fight , but mad hi m e e one Of l e chang cloth s with his fo low rs , and remain on a hill near at hand looking on . ’ This was done because Of Lugh Laga s change
e e the of e abl turn Of mind , wh n fury battl was
The e e on . e him fight rag d , and , aft r a tim , Lugh came with the head Of Fergus Longhair and threw it at the feet of the person in Cor
’ e e the e of mac s cloth s , and ask d was that h ad
Th e . the king . e s rvant said it was not Back
e the e e e w nt Lugh to slaught r , and soon r turn d with the head Of Fergus Crooked Teeth and e the e of the thr w it down , asking was it h ad
The e the e of his s rvant said no , but h ad
full e e e . ear e broth r F y nrag d , Lugh w nt back the the the into thick Of fight to find king , i him i and , com ng upon w th much fury , struck 168 L D or ER ES A AN H O .
Off his h ead and brought it in triumph to the i supposed Cormac . Hold ng it up before him ” he e the e the ? ask d , Is that h ad Of king ” on the e e Yes he and , s rvant answ ring , flung it with such force at him that he killed him on
h e e e h e t e spot. S v n tim s t e army Of Ulst r
e te e e e the ralli d af r b ing b at n back , but hardy troops of Thady drove them at last off the
e and f e e Creena Glash fi ld , ollow d th m from to
’ an- e - - linn arra , n ar Drum In as g , though Thady himself received three spear wounds .
Aft er this battle Cormac became chief king .
e e the e e e he e B for battl , how v r , had promis d to give Thady as much Of Meath as he could drive round in his chariot from the close Of the t e the e e fight ill suns t , and h ro , wound d as he e to the t e was , manag d go round par str tch
ee the Lifle te ing from Dul k to y, which was af r
e Kianachta the wards call d , that is , land of ’ ’ Kian s e e e e i Olioll Olum s d sc ndants , b caus K an . ’
Thad s e . son , was y fath r
1 70 OF E E A LAND H RO S.
named Ethnea. He travelled until he came
e e e e e to a wood n ar K lls , in M ath , and th r
e built a small t nt with turf and boughs , in whi ch he meant to spend the rest Of his days
e the Ethnea e with his wif and fair , who wait d on - her foster parents as a servant .
e e t e It happ n d tha Cormac , who was th n
e e out n the living at K lls , rod i to wood , and
e e e chanc brought him towards this rud dw lling, where he spied Ethnea very cheerfully milking the Sh e e e e cows . wor a simpl rustic dr ss ,
two e e she e use and had v ss ls , which mad Of to
v e the or the e di id thin poor milk from rich r , for when she began to milk a cow she put the
the one e e the first part of milk into v ss l , and latter part Of the strippings she milked into the other This she did with each cow till she e e the e n e e had gon ov r whol umb r , th n she took up the vessels and carried them home . The young milkmaid di d not stay long in the e e cottag , but cam out again with two
e e e her e oth r v ss ls and a bowl in hand , and w nt to a spring Of water not far from the hut ; she
172 L D or ER ES A AN H O .
” An d who is this fortunate person ? asked
he e t princ . “ The Brooa E hee she e e . unhappy uc , r pli d ” h ! the e e W at said Cormac, has g n rous h erdsman Of L einster come to this ? and are
Ethnea the e Dunlan you , daught r Of g, his
e - he a e e fost r child , Of whom has t k n car from infancy ? ”
Yes she e e , sir , answ r d , though I cannot ” n e e u d rstand how you know so much about m . Cormac was so much pleased with all Ethnea
e he e her the had don and said , that w nt with to
e e e Buck ee cottag and mad hims lf known to , i and proposed to make Ethnea his wife . Th s he e u e Buck ee he e aft rwards f lfill d, and to gav a great stock Of cattle and a tract Of land
e e the e Of the situat d n ar palac Tara , so that queen of the greatest monarch in ancient Ire land was always able to continue the duty she
- e The felt she owed to her foster par nts . son of Cormac and Ethnea was Carbry so called because he was nursed n ear the banks
e of the Liff y. CORMAC MAC ART. 173
A KING CORM C .
The Feis of Tara had ceased to b e held for many years before Cormac came to the thron e
he e e as Ard Righ , but had it stablish d again , ic a and he repaired and improved the M ort .
the B ook o Ba ll mote we e In f y , which hav
e e e e r ad about alr ady , a d scription is giv n Of
Cormac when he came to this great assembly .
e e e B autiful , it says , was his app aranc , without
e any bl mish or fault , with his flowing and
He e red slightly curling golden hair . carri d a
e Of buckl r, with stars and animals gold and
e e fast nings Of silv r upon it. A crimson cloak e e e in wid d sc nding folds was around him , and was fastened at his n eck with precious stones .
A torque Of gold was around his neck . A e t u e e whit shir , with a f ll collar and int rtwin d
red e with gold thr ad , was upon him , and a girdle of gold inlaid with precious ston es was
. Two e e around him wond rful sho s Of gold ,
e e e ee . with gold n loops , w r upon his f t Two
e e e e of sp ars , with gold n sock ts and many riv ts
red e e e . bronz , w r in his hands 1 74 D o r ER ES A LAN H O .
a ee e o Corm c has b n look d up n , from all
e the e e e e e e tim s , as gr at st king that v r r ign d
e H e E . e in anci nt rin was a gr at warrior , and
e e el . h e a sag , a judg , and a scholar as w l W n ” Speaking about Tara Of the Kings we only
e e the e of gav som Of Old st its buildings , but there are many grassy mounds there that ’ e e e e b long to Cormac s tim sp cially. Within the Bath Rio h e e the e Cormaic na g , b sid s T ach , ’ or s e e e to the t the Cormac s Hou , th r is nor h
u - - or e e e he e D na nan yal , hous wh r k pt his
e e e e e hostag s ; for in thos anci nt tim s , wh n any agreement was made between kings or
hi e e e one or e im c fs , it was usual to l av mor port ant persons to b e kept as bail or security for the e out of the tru carrying compact , and if not e out e e e e it was carri d , th n th s hostag s
he e e e to e . e e t w r put d ath Th r , too , is str am “ ” “ e the e Navna or the that issu d from w ll , ” e on the P arly , which Cormac had put up first water -mill in Ireland to grind the corn ’ and spare the labour Of the quern to Ethnea s
e Kiarnaid. TO the e the handmaid n , w st Of ” t end Of the Micorta is Grainne nor h Rath ,
1 76 L D OF ER ES A AN H O . you may remember that in the battle Of Mucrivy there was a son Of the King of
Britain . Any knowledge that these peoples may have got from the Romans was therefore
e E SO e sur to find its way into rin , and p rhaps there may have come to Cormac some account of the r e i e e e e the Ch istian r l gion , v n b for
of . we e coming St Patrick , if may judg from
e e e what happ n d at his d ath .
B - - RUGH NA BOINNE. About two miles below Slane the river e e e e are e Boyn is fordabl , and th r many littl
s d he he e t e . e e t t i lan s in str am H r , upon l f or - e e the e the south w st rn bank Of riv r , is
e e - - ree or the Of the plac call d Ross na , wood
i he e are e of k ngs . On t oth r bank a numb r e ds e i e rais d moun , forts , cav s , c rcl s , and pillar
e . i the ston s Th s is a city Of tombs . It was burial -place of the kings and nobles Of the
Tuatha De Danann e , and in an Old tract , call d the Histor o the B ur in Gr ounds e e y f y g , th r are given the names Of those interred at
- -Boinne— the e Brugh na that is , Bru Of Boyn C R MAO ART 1 7 O MAC . 7 — h which was then t e name Of this place . In a space about three miles long and a mile broad there are about twenty houses of the
e the - e e e are not d ad , for burying plac s h r
e e e or i are m r ly croml chs ca rns , but rooms built round with upright ston es and covered in at the e e e top with flat ston s, ov r which is arth ,
a S . gr ss , and hrubs Looked at from a short distance they s eem
e i l e e e or ee but littl h l s , ach cov ring som two thr
e e l - e acr s , having a circl Of pil ar ston s standing
on e he apart round th em . But going clos r to t hill we find an opening that at one time was
e we now e e hidd n , but which can nt r , and find ourselves in a narrow passage more than
e 6 0 feet in length . This is form d Of upright
e e e e ston s at ach sid , and is roof d with flags
es on the e hi are 1 7 r ting uprights , som Of w ch
The e e feet long and 6 broad . passag l ads to a large room roofed with flags in the shape Of a beehive ; and sometimes th ere is more than
one e th e . r room und r hill All is da k , but , by the e e e the h lp Of a candl , strang markings , meanings of which have not yet been dis ( 1 007 M 1 78 L D O F E A AN H ROES.
e e b e ee on the e cov r d , can s n ston s , and in many Of the rooms there are large flat basins of
h e he e e h stone . W n t Dan s used to plund r t e
e e e e e e country th y Op n d most Of th s hous s , and took from them the gold ornaments and other
e we are e e u e things of valu that, told , w r b ri d
the e e with kings , som Of th m as far back as
h r e t e time of Moses . Urns o art hen vessels
e e of e or - e e fill d with ash s bon s , half burn d bon s ,
e ee we hav also b n found , by which know that
one that was form Of burial in those times . In Egypt and some Eastern countries there are
- e i e e e e burying hous s l k th s , call d pyramids , but Ireland is perhaps the only country in Europe wh ere anything of the ki nd is to b e found SO Old as those pagan tombs Of the De
- - Damann kings at Brugh na Boinne . It happ ened that th ere was a noble at the court Of Cormac who for some ill deed had
e been banished by the king . But aft r much entreaty on the part of one Angus Gay vool- e e of the e ta , a n ph w Of Conn Hundr d t hi m Fights , Cormac ook again into favour upon the bail of Angus for his future good
D E E 180 A L AN OF H RO S.
e he e u thinking Of r ligion , and, finally , gav p all his pagan beliefs and seems to have come to a knowledge of the true God . This was
the r or e not unknown to d uids pagan pri sts ,
one one Of e who day brought him th ir idols ,
e . e e a gold n calf, to worship Cormac r fus d , and said he would pay divine homage to but one e e supr m God ; but this , it is said, cost
hi s e e e e him lif , for som days aft rwards , wh n e e e ating a salmon , a bon , it was suppos d by the e the magic pow r Of druids , stuck in his
he e the e Clett throat, and di d at hous Of y,
A D. he e . 2 6 6 . e e e e e B for his d ath , how v r, gav orders to his servants not to bury him at
- - Boinne Brugh na , as it was pagan , though it was there that most of the kings had been
- - he e ree . t buri d , but at Ross na But druids “ ” the e e e e . and p opl thought oth rwis Why , “ ‘ — e Ulfada i . e . said th y , should not Cormac ‘ —“ Of the long flowing b eard and hair b e buried at Brugh - na - Boinne with the other
e ? e Hu on e e gr at kings Tru , g y and M av and
the e e the e Of most of High Kings , b for tim ’ A Fa la s e e chy y grandson , r st at famous R lig C R C MAC ART 1 81 O MA .
— - — na Riogh the Burial place of Kings and “ ” lonely Art lies at Obscure Trevit . But at of the e i e e e Brugh Boyn l s Conn , and th r also
e the e he e the is Lugh , n ar plac at which k pt Wave - sweeper and with him Dagda and the ” n nobles Of the Tuatha De Da ann . “ To - - Boinne e e e the Brugh na , th r for , said ”
S o . not druids , Cormac hould g But it was to b e e the e e to , for thric did s rvants att mpt
the e the e e cross str am with bi r , and thric they were prevented by the rising of the water in the river ; and th e last time it rose so high that it carried the bier away and landed
- - ree e e the e it at Ross na , wh r king was aft r
e ee wards buried . Cormac is said to hav b n the third person who believe d in Christ in
h . Ireland before t e arrival of St Patrick .
The l e the e e fol owing po m , by lat Sir Samu l
e on e e e e F rguson , this v nt is , by p rmission , giv n with Slight alteration
THE B R A OF R U I L KING CO MAC .
But ere the voice was wholly spent Tha r es and r nce s ou d s ll o e t p i t p i h l ti b y, 182 L D OF ER ES A AN H O .
’ To awed attendants o er him bent ’ rea ormac ather d rea h to sa G t C g b t y,
Spread not the beds Of Brugh for me ’ When restless death-bed s use is done But ur me at Ross- na- ree b y , And face me to the r s n sun i i g .
For all the kings who lie in Brugh Put trust in gods of wood and stone ; ’ And twas at Ross that first I knew
One ns een who is G od a one. , U , l
His glory lightens from the east; His message soon shall reach our shore ; And idol-god and cursing priest ” Sha la ue us from Mo Slau ht no more ll p g y g .
Dead Cormac on his bier they lai d ’ He rei n d a n for fort ears g ki g y y , And shame it were his ca ta ns sa d p i i , He lay not with his royal peers !
His rands re undred- Ba t e s ee s g i , H t l , l p Serene in Bru h : and all around g , , Dead kings in stone sepulchral keeps Pro ec the sacred ur a - round t t b i l g .
What though a dying man should rave ’ Of changes o er the eastern sea ? In Bru of Bo ne sha b e his ra e gh y ll g v , ” A d no in n e s osa na-r n t ot les R ec.
184 L D OF ER ES A AN H O .
Nor strain of sinewy limbs could keep h f n th w rv n f T eir eet be eath e s e i g our.
Wh e as a out w rac se s ear il , y h ith p ti d p Throu h us n crowds ears Off th e r n g j tli g b i g, Bo ne from the r shoulders cau h the er y i g t bi , An r u r w d p o dly bo e a ay the King.
At morning on th e grassy marge
Of Ross- na- ree th e cor s e was found p , And shepherds at their early charge En m ed n th acefu roun to b it i e pe l g d.
A tranqui l spot : a hopeful sound omes from th e ever- ou hfu s ream C y t l t , And still on daisied mead and mound n r r eam The dawn delays with te de e b .
Round Cormac Spring renews her buds ; In march perpetual by his side
D wn come th e earth - fresh A r floo s o p il d , And up the sea- fresh salmon glide ;
An d life and time rejoicing run From age to age th eir wonted way; But st he wa ts the r sen Sun ill i i , ’ wni n Da For still tis only da g y. T EE FINN AND HE F NA .
N the reign Of Cormac Mac Art lived Finn
Mac Cumhall or Mac Coole . Finn was or e e not a giant a man bigg r than oth rs , as h e is a to b e e s id in many stori s about him ,
the e e or e the but l ad r chi f Of standing army, the trained bands or militia of the chief King
e e e e the e E Of Ir land , which w r call d Fc na rin , r n an e e h he e o Fi i s . N ith r was e t p rson who e to e b gan form this militia , for his fath r ,
Cumhall or e e e e Cool , was chi f Of it b for him ,
the i e he e in t m Of Conn Of t Hundr d Fights . e e e e e e N v rth l ss Finn was a gr at man , and v ry e the h pow rful in country in his time . In t e
i e e ll e county K ldar is a hill now call d A n , but e Almhain anci ntly Knock , and it is told that Finn became possessed Of it through his e e Of the e moth r , who was granddaught r chi f o i n h l druid t King Cah r More . I t e O d books 185 1 86 A LAND or HEROES
’ e e e is e e e the n Finn s r sid nc r f rr d to as ki gly, e e e e all gr at , broad , All n Of L inst r though traces Of rampart s seem to have di sappeared
. the e ea from it now On top Of anoth r hill , n r l e e Aillinne e e are Old Ki cull n , call d , th r , how e e e e the e v r , v n to this day , r mains Of a most
e e e one of the e e e e of xt nsiv dun , anci nt r sid nc s
h e t e Kings Of Leinst r.
ee e e Feena So much has b n said about th s , that it is well to know what kind Of men they
Th e e of e a were . e s l ction and training th m p
e pear to have been very carefully done . Th y
e e e is e the ee w r nl t d at m tings Of Usnach ,
Telltown or e e , Tara, and th ir par nts and relatives had to agree not to avenge or demand eric for any one of them who might b e kill ed ; and this giving up Of revenge was allowed not to b e a stain or reproach on the
Th e i parents and relations . young man w sh ing to enlist had to show
l st to use e e , His ability w apons , by b ing placed in a sedgy field with nothing to defend himself but a shield and a hazel stick the ’ e length of a man s arm. Then nin men at
E E 188 A LAND OF H RO S.
e e e e the e e charitabl and r li v poor ; and , in s l ct
e e her e ing a wif , to choos a woman for virtu and good manners . In times of peace there were three battalions
ee men e i e Of thr thousand ach , and in t m s Of war seven battalions of these Feena to defend the kingdom from attacks of domestic or
e e e e e or for ign n mi s and pirat s , for assisting
he Dalria t ds in Scotland .
The Feena e e e e w r allow d no r gular pay ,
e e e e as in mod rn armi s , but w r paid in this
. the 1 st Of e e or the way From Nov mb r , the e the Of lighting Of Fir at Hill Ward , the 1 st of the ee to May , or m ting at Usnach ,
e e e e e on the th y w r bill t d country , that is , the people all over the country had to sup port them in th eir houses ; but during the remainder of the year they were allowed to catch fish and fowl where they pleased for their
e ate e e e e support, and th y what v r fl sh th y
l e r e O the . e e ki l d , and us d sold skins In th s
e e e e e e hunting tim s , wh n th y had s cur d th ir
e e e e e e e e e e e gam , th y s l ct d som plac wh r th r
e of re was pl nty wood and water . Great fi s I AND THE FEENA 189 F NN .
e e e e e e w r light d , and into th m w r thrown a
e f e d - O e e e e re . numb r larg ston s , till th y w r hot
ea the A gr t pit was dug , and into it , at e e e e bottom , was put a lay r Of th s hot ston s ;
e e the e upon th m was plac d raw fl sh , bound up
ee e e e e hard in gr n s dg or bulrush , th n anoth r
a e of e e l y r hot ston s , and again anoth r quantity f h o e SO t e . fl sh , and on till pit was full In
h a this way t e flesh was b ked till fit to eat .
Sometimes they roaste d it before the fires .
e e e one e Th s soldi rs took but m al a day , which was always in the evening . Before they b egan it they always stripped themselves and had a bath in the water n ear which they
e e e e e e e e had ncamp d , and so w r fr sh n d aft r ’ the e of the e fatigu day s hunting , and cl an
e n to b gin their meal . This practice Of taki g a bath in the evening continued for age s
e we e e in all class s , for r ad that Rod ric ’ O Connor the Of e e h e , King Ir land , wh n
a e the E was att ck d by nglish at Kilmainham , was takin g his evening bath .
the Feena e e e e the In th r w r two factions ,
Beeskna e to e the Clan , b longing Munst r , and 190 L D O F ER ES A AN H O . m e . Cu h Clan Morna , b longing to Connaught ’ “ ” e all , Finn s fath r , who had his dun at e on the of the Rathcool road to Naas , was f e e the e Knucha orm r , and was kill d at battl Of or e e e e the Castl knock , n ar Dublin (wh r mounds e e e e the are b e ee e e r ct d ov r slain to s n at pr s nt),
the e by Goll Of Clan Morna , and had his h ad ,
e e e . w apons , and ornam nts tak n as a trophy
e e to e e e Finn had to hid , in ord r scap b ing e e e kill d , and was brought up at Sli v Bloom e h e h and the Galtys . H re e was train d for t e “ ” Feena e are , and his youthful xploits told
he lta i r u in t Sa of Ca shel. He came o t from his hunting and living in the woods and the
r e e e e e l ma sh s an xp rt soldi r , with gr at muscu ar e t e he str ngth and swif n ss Of limb , so that was
na He soon made Chief of the Fee . married the e daught r Of King Cormac Mac Art , and e he f his daughter marri d t King o Munster . Finn was killed n ear the Boyne at Ath - Brea ' or Brea a afl Rath g , with a dart Of a g by a ’ Carb r e . e e fish rman Aft r Finn s d ath King y, ’ e e the Cormac s son , disband d and outlaw d
Beeskna Of ee the Clan , whom Finn had b n
192 A L D ER ES AN OF H O .
oo s u w th a s h to the ro h ed wa L k p, i ig , t p i ll, Wher his sw han l e ord gs id y Shining. Wh en hark ! that sh out From the va e w th ou l i t, ” Arm e u c the Dane the Dane is n ! y q i k, , igh ’ Ev ry Chi ef starts up From his foam n cu i g p, “ ” ’ And TO at e to at le ! is th fi ni e an s cr . b tl , b t y
The mi nstrels have se zed the r ar s Of o d i i h p g l , And th ey sing such thrilling numbers ’ Ti s l e the vo ce Of the Brave of Old ik i , , Breaking forth from their place of slumbers ! S ear to uc er ran p b kl g, As the m ns re s san i t l g, ’ And the Sun- burst O er them floated wide ; ’ While rememb ring the yoke Wh ch he r fa hers ro e i t i t b k , ”
On for ert for er ! the Fi ni ans cr e . lib y, lib ty i d
Like clouds Of the night the Northmen came ’ O er the va e Of Almhain ower n ll y l i g, ’ Whi e onward mov d in the l h of its fame l , ig t ,
T a anner Of Er n ower n . h t b i , t i g With the mingling shock Run clifl and roc g k, Wh e ran on ran the nvaders die il , k k, i ; And the shou ha as t, t t l t ’ ’ O er the d n ass d yi g p , “ ”— ’ W as Victory ! Victory ! the Fini an s cry THE THREE COLLAS .
the son Of Carb ry became king he e own Muredach mad his son , who had
e e the shown gr at brav ry and skill in art Of war ,
e Of the e h ad army , and s nt him to put down a rising in Munster Muredach was successful and starte d back with a great number of cap
ives e e t and an imm ns quantity Of booty . But the young prince had three en emies in his
ee are the thr cousins , who known in history as
h e e e e e t ree Collas . Th s w r fill d with envy at
e e e e he e e his gr at succ ss , and also f ar d, if b cam k he e for ing , that would punish th m an Offence they had committed against him in
e e early life . Th y th erefore gain ed over som ’ of the ffi e e e king s O c rs and army to th ir sid , and made an attack upon the king before his
son e e e . r turn d from Munst r It was usual , at
e e e that tim , for a king , b for going to war , to ( l 007 ) 193 N ’ 1 94 A L D or ER ES AN H O .
get his chief druid to foretell what might b e
h e h e he t result . In t is cas t druid said that
the e the ee the if king kill d thr Collas , crown of Ireland would not b e worn by any Of his
e e to e e e d sc ndants , but would go th irs , wh r as ,
e e e e e e if th y w r spar d , his d sc ndants would '
reign . He therefore accepted the battle which was Offered to him by the Collas without wait ’ e ing for his son s r turn , and though it had ceased to b e th e rule for the king to fight at
the e of e h ad his troops , his natural brav ry was
e he e so gr at that took that plac , and was slain
The e e in the fray . place wh r this battle was
mair fought was call ed Duco .
The e Muredach the e of lawful h ir , , by h lp
e e e the his brav follow rs , was abl to put down
ee e e to the thr broth rs , and th y had to fly King
of e e t e e . Scotland , whos daught r was h ir moth r
e e e e e e e e Th r th y r main d for about thr y ars , when they returned to Ireland in the hope
the e e e the e of that king , in r v ng for d ath his
e e e e fath r , would put th m to d ath , and that th ir
e the e childr n would thus gain thron , according
e e a to the prophecy . Th y cam to Tar with only
1 96 A LAND OF HEROES. ruined and unfit for service that it was n ever f more used as a palace for the kings o Ulste r . SO p erished Emania the Golden in the year
3 3 1 afte r Christ . The Collas di vided the province between
e e e th m , taking ach a part for hims lf, and driving away the inhabitants into Antrim and e e e e e e new Down , wh r , in tim , th s found d a
e E e or kingdom , that was call d ast rn Ulad ,
the a e Of h Ulidia , royal p lac w ich was at
The tir he . of s t Downpatrick addition , Danish
e e e e the word for a provinc , gav , in lat r tim s ,
- e i . e . Ul r e e word Ulst r , ad sti Th r was also
e the e of a North rn Ulad , royal palac which
Ailech e e . was at , n ar D rry THE AND PICTS SCOTS .
e the e Of Heremon we are S arly as tim ,
e e e told , a band of migrants l ft Thrac ,
the of ee e e e which was to north Gr c , trav ll d
e set sea through Franc , and out to in long
. te e a e ships Af r th y had s il d round Britain ,
e e E . e e e e th y land d in rin Th y w r call d Picts ,
e the Poictiers e e and from th m town of , wh r
e e e e . th y stay d in Franc , was nam d In Erin they were received with welcome
i e e e e the e at f rst , b caus th y assist d Mil sians
the e e e against p opl Of Britain ; but , as th y afte rwards thought to Obtain possession of
G ailean e e e e e , as L inst r was th n call d , th y were asked by Heremon to go and seek a h e e e . country for th ms lv s Accordingly , aving e e w e the e e b gg d for iv s from Mil sians , th y
e Al e . sail d to ba , or , as it is now call d , Scotland About 2 5 0 years af erwards prince Angus 1g 1 8 D F ER ES 9 A L AN O H O .
Ollmucka e e e , who , you may r m mb r , was so
e rea e e Of e e call d from his g t br d swin , w nt into Alba and obliged the Picts to acknowl edge e e e e the Of Er n th ms lv s as subj ct to crown i ,
e e the . and to pay tribut to his fath r , king
e we e e the Many tim s , too , hav r ad how
the e the Irish , as in cas Of Sons Of Usnach ,
Tuathal e e e , Mac Con , and oth rs , wh n in troubl
e r e e Al in th ir own count y , w nt ov r to ba for h safety or help . Conn Of t e Hundred Fights ee the e of had thr grandsons , young st whom
e e e e the s ttl d in Ulst r , and found d Clan
Dalriada e e the e e Of that provinc ; whil ld st ,
Carb r e descen y Riada , w nt into Alba , and his e e e e h e Dalriad dants th r w re call d t a Of Al ba .
e Dal m ans a part or portion . W e thus see that the Irish were masters Of
e of Al e e the a larg portion ba , ith r by sword or
e by fri ndship .
the e e e In arly history Of Britain , fr qu nt mention is made Of the Picts and Scots in
a the vading th t country ; and Romans , in
e e e ee e th ir tim , tri d to k p th m away by build ing walls and ramparts across the northern
200 L D OF ER E A AN H O S.
The Romans were rul ers over Britain till the
e 446 e e one e e y ar , and h r is what of th ir po ts says
When Scots came thunderi ng from th e Irish shores Then ocean rem ed s ruc w h os t e oars t bl , t k it h il THE H NIALL OF NINE OSTAGES.
the e 37 9 e the N y ar aft r birth Of Christ , began the reign Of the king who is known as Niall of the Nine Hostages . ’ e e Niall s moth r was a Scottish princ ss , who ee e e e had b n tak n captiv by his fath r , Achy M ane h e he he e oyv . W n was born was tak n out Of the palace of Tara and left on the
ee i e e e he gr n s d Of a hill , wh r was found by a Munster poet name d Torna Eigeas . By this poet he was brought up and taught in Munster
he a e e h e to till was of g , wh n was brought
e He ee Tara and giv n to his father . had b n
dl e e e e e thus ba y tr at d wh n a baby, b caus
e e e e e e e e e th r w r four ld r broth rs , whos moth r ’ ’ ee eb e e e e had b n A y s wif b for Niall s moth r , and their relations did not wish him to
e stand in their way . But Niall had becom fine e ce a , handsom youth , and at on found 201 D S 202 A LAN OF HEROE .
the e favour with his father . Now king b gan to think of some means to try the temper and
e e e one courag Of his sons , and it happ n d that day he found them all together in the forge of
H e e his chief smith . e s cr tly set fir e to the
i e to e the build ng, and call d upon his sons sav ’
e . the e e smith s prop rty Brian , who was ld st , ’ e out the ° Ai lill rush d with smith s chariot , the e e out the i e s cond son , carri d smith s sh ld
o the out the and sword ; Fi ra , third son , took e e the t out forg trough ; F rgus , four h son , took a bundle Of firewood ; but Niall carried out the e the e e the l the b llows , sl dg s , anvi , and
- h e the anvil block . W n Old king saw that each Of his elder sons had shunned the danger
he e the as much as could , and only sav d ’ e e of the e e light r articl s smith s prop rty , whil
ee e see e Niall s m d not to dang r at all , and chose the weightier and more important
e he e e to articl s , at onc mad up his mind adopt
he h him as t son who was to get t e throne . Niall became monarch Of Erin in the year e 3 7 9 after the birth of Christ . Wh n a
e ef monarch was crown d Ard Righ or Chi King ,
204 A L AND OF HEROES.
e e e e e so much suff ring , th y w r induc d to seize the prince and deliver him up to the
e e e e to po t , who now d t rmin d put him to a
He lingering death . accordingly had him chained to a great stone that stood upright on
th e e e th e e e e ee Kil‘ w st sid Of Slan y riv r , b tw n ’ The bride and Tullagh O Felim (now Tullow). unfortunate prince was obliged to stand with
the e e e his back to ston , load d and gall d with the e the the e w ight of chain , till at last po t
e thought he would have him killed . Nin e e e e e e set soldi rs w r th r for upon him , but Achy
was a person Of great strength and bravery .
e e e e he Gath ring all his courag and pow r , wh n
the e he e saw soldi rs approaching him , forc d asunder the rivets that fasten ed the ends of the on e un chain , and , Obtaining his lib rty ,
e he he e the e arm d as was , f ll upon soldi rs ,
e e e e e e . kill d som of th m , and mad his scap
te e Niall soon af rwards w nt south again , and laid waste the country till he came to the Bay
W e e e on the the Of xford , and ncamp d bank Of
e . The e Slan y po t was with him , and got him to say that he would spare the country if Achy I LL O F THE I E ST ES 205 N A N N HO AG . would appear before the poet on the opposite
he e . e e t bank Achy cons nt d , and po t had his e e e e a w apons tak n from him , and th n b g n to
he e e r e e . e cu s him bitt rly Whil was thus ngag d ,
e e the e e e how v r , young princ sudd nly dr w from ’ e C e he his girdl a hampion s flat ston , which
The e threw at the poet . ston struck him in
the e e he e on the . e for h ad , and di d spot Aft r e the wards Achy mad his way to Scotland , to f e alria a chief O th D d .
the e e Of the Dalriada Of Niall , at r qu st Alba , who were at the time much troubled by the
e e Picts , brought ov r a larg army to assist
e he e e e them . Wh n had mast r d their n igh bours they asked him to change the name of the to e e e country Scotia , as th y b long d to
or e e Al Scotia Ir land ; and from that tim ba ,
Al or the or bion , was known as Scotia Minor ,
e e e L ss ; and Ir land was call d Scotia Major , or
he e e - he t Gr at r . In after times Ireland lost t
e e e e e nam Scotia , and Alba r tain d it , b ing call d
Scotland . In the ninth year of his reign this king in
e i i e e e Amorica vad d Br ta n , and pass d th nc into , 206 A LAND O F HER ES O .
e e as it was th n call d , or Brittany , as it is now — w the e e . e e kno n , in north w st Of Franc Th nc , the of the the e as was custom Irish at tim , he carried away many captives (some say two
e e hundr d), and among th m a youth (who was
afterwards to become the great St . Patrick)
e he i e and his two sisters . His moth r was t s st r
Of Martin , Bishop of Tours .
The e of the the e richn ss spoils , and numb r Of captives which Niall brought home from this e e e e e e one journ y , t mpt d him to und rtak anoth r
later on . For this he raised a great army of e e e the e his Irish subj cts , and s nt ord rs to chi f Of the Dalriada in Scotia Minor to follow him
the e he e with choic st troops could coll ct , to
He e re assist him in the invasion . sail d di ct
e e e e on e to Franc , and b gan , imm diat ly r aching e e the the its shor s , to lay wast country round
e he e the riv r Loire . Soon was join d by Scotch
Dalriada e the e , and both armi s , by dr adful e e e the h to havoc th y caus d , oblig d in abitants leave th e country to the mercy Of the invaders . On the chief Of the Scotch Dalriada going e Kinsalla h ked to join Niall in Franc , Achy g as
TH ’ E DRUID S PROPHECY.
BATHI (Daub y) was n ephew to Niall of the e e e to the e Nin Hostag s , and cam thron 4 05 the years after the birth Of Christ . About seventeenth year Of his reign he went from
r Assaroe e e Ta a to at Ballyshannon , to s ttl a dispute as to land that had arisen among some
Th e e e Of his relatives . e l av s had just b gun
a o th e ee e he set out to f ll fr m tr s wh n , but it was near the end Of October before he had e his e on finish d mission , and put his r lations
h ve Of he friendly terms again . As t e E t First e e the e e Of Of Nov mb r , gr at pagan f stival Sam Dathi he hain , was at hand , thought would try and learn something as to what was likely
He to happ en during the coming year .
e e e e for the hi e i s nt , th r for , c f dru d , who was
e Beirdra to call d , and said him , I wish to know what will happen to me and my ’ THE DRUID S R ECY 209 P OPH . country b etween this night and this night ” twelve months . Th en send nin e Of your noblest chiefs with ” “ me Beirdra to Archaill on the , said , Rath ,
the e e e e banks Of riv r Moy , and I will r v al som ” thing to them . “ b e SO the It shall , said king ; and I shall ” n m b e o e Of them yself. Th ey left the camp secretly and reached the ’ of Bath Ar chaill e e the plain , wh r druids altars
l e e e e e e and ido s w r , and as th r was a palac n ar
e e the Of ee it call d Mullaghro , in parish Scr n ,
e e e e the King D thi stay d th r for night , and ’ the druid went to the druids mount near at
a h nd .
he the the e W n sun was rising n xt morning , ’ the e Dathi s e druid cam to b droom and said , “ a ee 0 of E of Art thou sl p , King rin and Alba ? “ “ s ee the . I am not a l p , said king But why do you call me by a name that does not
e to me of b long , for although I am monarch ” E et Of ? rin , y I am not king Alba “ ” be the r It shall not long so , said d uid ; ( 11 607 ) 0 2 1 D O ER 0 A L AN F H OES.
e o ut the ds for I hav found what clou say , and it is that you will soon return to Tara and
e the e Of E e e e e invit chi fs rin to a gr at f ast th r , and that you will ask their help to go on a
e e e e journ y , lik your gr at uncl Niall and your
- e Crimthan e grand uncl Mor , into Alba , and ”
e . Britain , and Franc Dathi was well pleased to hear what the dr uid said ; SO h e returned to the camp and
r e e e he e told his f i nds s cr tly what had h ard , at
e e e e e e e which th y w r d light d , and th y promis d to go to Tara and bring all their forces to help him in hi s proj ect .
Th e set Ofl e on the king hom , but way
e the e at stopp d at palac of Cruachan , and also the e on the of e palac that was hill Fr win , in e W stmeath .
P FREW IN THE ALACE OF .
When they were at the feast in the evening
e the e at this plac , king ask d who it was that had built the noble and royal court His druid answere d that it was Achy Arrav who was King Of Erin about a century before the birth
L D E ES 2 12 A AN OF H RO .
e e e e e S out the tru murd r rs w r oon found , and F eara Cul had to fl ee away and settle in Con e e e naught to e scape punishment . Th r th y
e e ee e e i the e r main d for thr hundr d y ars , t ll tim
e Of Cormac Mac Art , who brought th m back e e e e e e e and gav th m lands n ar K lls , wh nc th y
e e e the eara Brea h Bre ia w r call d F Cul g , from g r E o ast Meath .
Frewin Dathi e Rossnaree From , w nt to , e e e e e e the e wh r his moth r liv d , b sid Boyn , and remained th ere a short time before going to
H u e e he Tara . e sent o t mess ng rs to ask all t chief people of the nation to meet him at the
e of Beltaine e e e F ast , which you may r m mb r one the e e was Of gr at pagan f stivals , and was
- The e held on May day . F ast Of Tara that year e n e e e e e was mor mag ific nt than v r b for , and the e of Taillteen or Telltown e e e fir s w r light d , and the sports and games Of that place were carried on with the greatest splendour in the
month Of August . e e e e e e e Dathi Wh n th s duti s w r ov r , told the e of e e e e chi fs his int nd d journ y , and th y
all agreed to support him wi th men and riches . ’ THE DRUID S R Y P OPHEC . 2 13
e e h e e one of the e V ry soon , th n , had r ady larg st e e e e Er e armi s that v r l ft in , and march d by
e to Oirear Dundalk , Carlingford , and N wry , ee e e he e e Caoin , or Donaghad wh r mbark d and
e sail d to Scotland .
I DATHI’S MAR K NG CH.
A e Dathi e to the rriv d at Port Patrick , s nt
n the t on Ki g of Pic s in Scotland , calling him
The to submit and pay tribute . Scottish king
e u e ee to the e r f s d , but agr d try qu stion by a battle after he should have had a few days to
The e h prepare for it . tim for t e battle came
Chairthi at last , and it was fought at Magh an ,
r h - The o t e Plain Of the Pillar stone . Irish
e e te the Of who on his d f a d King Scotland , had
e e e the u e Of c sid , b sid s Picts , a n mb r S ots ,
e e e Britons , Fr nch , Scandinavians , and p opl he The from t Islands Of the Hebrides . fight e e the end e e was fi rc and furious , but cam wh n the Scottish king was caught up by Conall
Gulban e the - e , dash d against pillar ston and
e n ed the the e D thi , havi g plac son of d ad 214 A LA D OF EROES N H . king on the throne of Scotland and received e submission from him , pass d into Britain , and
e e F e e e th nc into ranc , and in both of th s coun
e e e e the Of the tri s r c iv d submission kings , and
e e Of e e e e a larg numb r hostag s , as sur ti s for th ir
e e e e . He e e d p nd nc had cross d Franc , and e e the the A e he r ach d foot Of lps , wh n was kill ed by a flash Of lightning . His body was e e e he e carri d hom by his soldi rs , and was buri d
Rathcro han e e red l - e to at g , wh r a pi lar ston this day marks his grave .
Dathi the of e was last pagan king Ir land , for
the e e e . during r ign Of his succ ssor , L ary , St Patrick began the conversion Of the country to Christianity. The following poem by a late gifted Irish
e e e bard , Clar nc Mangan , giv s an account of the e of Dathi Dath the e d ath (or y, as nam is sometimes spelt)
THE E! PEDITION AND DEATH OF KING
DATHY.
n Dath assem ed his Dru ds and Sa es Ki g y bl i g , — “ And thus he spake them Druids and Sages ! What Of King Dathy?
2 1 L 6 A AND OF HEROES.
Sailed with his hosts in armour gray Over the dee resound n sea p i g , Man a n ht and man a da y ig y y, And many an islet conquered he H and his h a e osts in armour gr y. An d the ow drowned him not bill , And a fe er ound him not tt b , And the ue s ear found him not bl p , And th e red sword s ew him not l , And the sw ft shaft new him not i k , ’ And the f e erthr im t o o ew h no .
T one r h morn at th e ase ill, b ig t b ’ Of the Al s in r ch Anson a s re ons p , i i gi , His men stood marshalled face to face W t th m ht Roman ons i h e ig y legi . Noble foes ! Christian and Heathen stood there among those Reso u e all to overcome l t , Or die for the Eagles of ancient Rome !
W en e o ! from a em e anear h , b h ld t pl ame for h an a ed r es - e man C t g p i t lik , Of a countenance mee and c ear k l , ’ W ho urn n to Er n s eann , t i g i C , Spake him as thus King Dathy ! hear ! Thee would I warn ! Retreat ! retire ! Repent in time ’ The nvader s cr me i i , Or better for thee thou had st never been born ! —“ But Dathy replied False Nazarene ! ’ S R Y 2 1 7 THE DRUID P OPHE C .
Dos hou h en menace Dath hou ! t t , t , y, t And dreamst thou that he will bow To one un nown to one so mean k , , So powerless as a priest must b e ! He scorns alike thy threats and thee ! ” On on m men to c or ! , , y , Vi t y
’ And w th oud s outs for Eri n s k n , i l h i g, The ri sh rush to mee th e foe I t , And falchions clash and bucklers ring When 1 ! , 0 ’ Lo ! a mighty earthquake s shock ! And the cleft plains reel and rock ; Clouds of darkness pall the skies ; T under crashes h , htn n flashes Lig i g , And in an instant Dathy lies On the earth a mass of blackened ashes ! Then mournfu and dolefu , lly lly, The Iri sh warriors sailed away O ver the dee resound n sea p i g , T wear and mournful ill, ily ly, ’ Th an hor d in E ana s ey c e bl Bay. Thus the Seanachies and Sages
- n e Tell this tale of long go e ag s. F GAEL PROPER AMES LIST O IC N .
For the purp ose of rendering the s t ori es more acceptab l e to chi ldre n wh o it ma b e res ume d are unac uainte d or unfami iar wi h th e , y p , q l t Iri sh an ua e th e names of ersons and ace s ha mi h not be l g g , p pl t t g t int elli gi b le if gi ve n in th e accepte d Spe lling have b ee n Sp e ll ed phoneti ca But or such as wish to s ee th em in th eir ori fo m th . f ina r e lly g l , fo ll owing alph ab e ti cal list is appe nded showing th e Gae lic equival ents
A ch E ocha idk. y ,
A ch Arrav E oclza idli Airea mh. y ,
A ch a la E ochaidh Feidlech. y F y ,
A ch M o vane Eoc/za idh Mui lzm/Iedhoin. y y , g m f fi r A e d Aed/z Hu h a fla e o e. , ( g ) , A h l a r er ow, E t/ia lach.
A ib ric A /i ri c , ib . A ilill A i na Ailell Ailioll or Oili oll Ai , , , , né . A illinne D un Ailinne one of th e residences of the kin s of , , g L ei nster .
A i hi rn i hi r l lzesa h th im or un t a A t naAi c e a e . , g ( p t t ) - - A lmhain CnocAlm/za in or Almkan the fort of inn mac Coo e. , , F l
A n us Aen us . g , g
A h a A tlza ch. p , p Ar d Bresti na rd né , A Bresti .
A rdnurche r Bailé- a t/za -o u Urcha ir , .
A rt A onfir Art A en /zi r. , f A ssaroe E as - edlza - ua d , A R i lz. A th Comair Ath Cumai r near Mu in ar , ( ll g ) . A th one Ath Luai n the ford of a oin of a cow l , , l ( ).
Ba or alar B . l , Banva , Ba nb/ta . Ben Edar u d , Bef n E a ir.
220 A L AND OF HEROES.
Daw c oos ca al ar Lavra Liusha Da clzluais cha uil ar l p , p L a bhr adh L oi n seach g .
Dea hda D ea dka idh. g , D easie it is now ca led Decise Deisé ( l ), . ih r i lz D o b a, D t orba . Dinnree D inn Ri h , g . D o ar Kin of Si ci b , g ly. rimna h Drumma i D g , necb.
'
Dru mcre e Br aim Orza ioli . Braim a hill cri the h eart , , , , , h a Si aa , gh or moan .
Drum Inas linn Dram Ionas luinn. g , g Drumlcen m /l e Bra i Di a n. , g
D un -n n- l m a ll a a a Dw lza na n i . y , g Dundal an Dundeal a n g , g .
D h th of a Druid Eas ara, so called from the deat ere
D ara.
Ee L e ehan tlza i , Ui Li a n. E mania , Ea mlza in Mac/1a.
E rn s ee , E arna id/ze.
- E thnea E ithne kernel of sweet haze nut. , , l
v Ac E e, bh.
' Fee na rin a n E , Fi na Eirzonn. F vi /z ee na, Fia d mlzui ne. lim Fe , Fed/ di m. r mac k e us son of Ro Fear ku: Roi . F g y, g g
e ws the hi h est was cal ed Sli abh Fuaid . F , g l a h a Finnolaid Fiacha Fi nno aidh Fi c , l . Fiacra Ficra ia chra , , F . ihir Fi t/zi r F , -ma - o nn a m a Fin c Co e Fi M c Cu /z ill. l ,
Finns coh a Fi onns otka ck. , g i no a Fionn lzuala white shoulder F l , g , . w r ka n Fre in, F eam i n. LIST OF ELIC R ER ES 22 1 GA P OP NAM .
“ ” Hur Hurlin a ame simi ar to the modern Hock e l , g, g l y
nis lora Inis Gluai re island of urit . I g , , p y
- K nock avoe Once uidbk- or noc a n Bha ba . , B Derg C g km a Knoc a, Cnoc Meadha or Shee Mead/1 . ' K nocknas hee a c na si e. g , Cno g h his a t e at Cas tlek nock K nuc a Cnuclza . The accou nt of t , b t l
is in the Book of Lismore .
iusha La b/trad}; Loin ceach. Lavra L , g 2 22 L D O F ER E A AN H O S.
L ifé Ma h Li é th e evel ain in Count Ki dare throu h , g f , l pl y l , g ’ which h L ifl e fl ows t e y .
L oonasa L u h N asadh . , g
L u h L u h la mb - ada of the lon arm g , g f , g s. fia lz a ha L u h La a L u id L . g g , g g
Ma Ai h in f R oscomm n h t e la o o . g , p ' M a h Brea ha th e reat ain ex tendi n from th e Lifl e g g , g pl g y nor hwards tow ards Lout t h. Ma h ru th e lood a in C . g , b y pl
M a h Fe vi n Ma /z. Fei mhi n g , g .
M a h nis the name of a. ain in Count Down and also of g I , pl y , a ain near K nockma c ose to T uam pl l . M ain Ma oi n , . D /zna i n M a ahide Int er om n . l , M annanan Ma na nnan Ma c I/ ir , . /16h E n ish M eav Mead . M a e b . , ( gl )
M e idhe ori ina l th e tract of countr around Usnach. , g l y y Mi Miod/zckuar a th h ous of m - i corta t e e ead c rc i n . , , l g M idk lz e na, Mi od chaoi n. M ow N ooat Ma h N uadltat , g . Ma oile Maoil the Mull o antire M o e Smi th na e f C . yl , ( , ) M o le na Ma h Leana . y , g
- M o tura Ma h tuireadh ain of illars or co umns . y , g , pl p l M u é cri v Ma /z Mucruimh . y, g M u l l a hmast Mu ll h Haisten. g , ac u l ca e d Sidh Neannta M l aghsh e e (near formerly ll . M ur a h ed c Murideach. ,
M urthemn Muirtlzeml mé. a,
Murtou h Muirc/zeartack. g ,
N vn ea m m a a, N l ach.
N uada N uada Air eatlamh of the silv r arm . , g ( e )
O h am This was a me thod of writin ear i er and ruder g . g ( l than th e R oman Of which th e remains that have e e n ) , b found in Ireland Scotland W a es Cornwall and , , , l , ,
2 L D OF ER ES 2 4 A AN H O .
Shee Nanta Sidli Nea nnta now cal e d Mulla hshee , , l g . h l v i or a m S e er au , S l h. la nol Slauuole, S l. Slieve Bloom Sli a bh Bladhma also cal ed Sliabh Smoil , , l . S ie ve G rott Sli a blt Crotta the Mountain of Har s—now l , , p alt M ountai ns G y .
oontre e Suantra i ké . S , g
wna am/ ma. So , S
k nn Ta nn. Taill e , ilce
ill en Ta illtin. Ta te ,
Ta a ht Ta m/zla cht. ll g , mair or Team/track Tara Tea . , Tea mhair Luach ra a so ca ed Teamha ir , l ll
dence of th e Ernsee of M unster.
d Ta dh . Tha y, g
T erna Ti h rnach. i , g c
Ti ernmas Ti lzernmaa. g , g k al ha inn Tol a, T c .
Trevit Treéi t a out 3 mi es eas t of Tara). , ( b l
ath l a htar Tuatha l Tea c/ztmha r. T u a T g , ’ Tul a h O Felim Tula ch Fcol/dim. l g ,
enn Tuirca nn wh eat . Tu r , ( )
U aine More U ainé Mér. g , g
U ad Ulaidh. l , r ar U , U .
D rear, Urchar.
h. Usnach , Uis ncac ’ Blackie 85 So n s
Illu st rate d St o ry Bo o k s
H N G A . E TY .
0 “ T he Beginn in s of an With Clive in I ndia g
i n s 6d. E di t o . 3 . At th e pe riod of th e l andi ng o f C live as a young writ e r in India th e E ng a v th e c o lish we re t rade rs e xisting o n suffe r nce of th e nat i e prince s. At l se r u h d T h of his care e r the y we re mast e s o f th e greater pa rt of So t e rn In ia . e autho r has give n a full and accura te account O f the eve nts O f that stirri ng
i me and comb ine s wi h his narra ive a a e O f dari n and adve n ure . t , t t t l g t “ He n f wh o k me hin In ia wi h rs to h ank M r. Thos e now so t g abo ut d ll be t e fi t t ty or givi ng th e m th is ins tructi ve volume to place in the ha nds of the i r ch i ld r—e n. A ( a d cmy
o o o A f E C o nd emne d as a N l hl hst : are
w i o s W A L E T . N e E dit n. r i n 6d. t at o s by PAG 3 . man resid n odfre Bu e n a oun E n ish e in St. e ersb ur b e co me s G y ll , y g gl t P t g, invo ved in vari o us o i i ca o s re su in in h is se izure and e i e to l p l t l pl t , lt g x l Sibe ria . f e r an unsucce ssfu a e m to e sca e h e ive s himse f u to the A t l tt pt p , g l p ri v ua h a s h me havm R uss ian au ho ie s . E e n e e sc e and re ac e s h o t t t lly p , , g om i h ri ous ourne which as nea r w e ar safe ly acc pl s ed a pe l j y l ts ly t o y s . n i His narrative is mo re inte re sti ng than ma y o f the tale s with which th e p u b i ic s f o i Th e o f th e h r h i T r r ( fami i ar o escape fr m S be ria. e e sca p e o and s fai hfu a a m m l ’ t l t e am I ui e th h i h -wa e r mark f the au h o r s a h i e ve me n the ho stxl fi oye des s q t e g t o —t c t 1Va tzona l O bse rve r .
’ Un er e n to n s o mman 3 d W lli g C d 31 31 223 W A L ET N w di i W us ra ions b G . e E t on 5 su ar ar. . . O l Ill t t y PA 3 ff. s i n M r e n ive s us the fur he r adve n ure of In this tirr g romance . H ty g t t s ’ ' T erence O co nno r the he ro o f W it/z M oore at Corw ma . W e are o d , t l how in a iance wi h a sma fo rce o f S a ni sh ue rri as the a an re ime n , ll t ll p g ll , g ll t g t v mmande d b T e re nce kee s the wh o e of th r nch of Po rtugue se l e ies co y p l e F e arm in check at a cri i ca e riod o f the war re nde rin inva uab e scrwce y t l p , g l l
k nd hi h andfu o f Bri i h roo s . to th e Iron D u e a s l t s t p ’ ' i n n ir An admirab e e pos i o of Mr. He s mas er me hod of comb l ” x t ty t ly t wi h am me n W orld . t use t. [ 46 ] ( x ) ' '
U . A . H E N I Y
A S o r 0 ro u re e am a ns t y Th gh Th C p ig ra th e t l ,
sh n i u ra W A L ET . h n s e d G i . a d A a t . Ill t t by PA W t 3 Maps T h e hero o f his s or the son o f an o ffi cer oins th e C hi ra e t t y, , j t l secre as a ri va e so die r b ut the e normous di fficul tly p t l , b e o ve rco me in the co urse o f the march soo n call forth and b efore th e e nd o f the cam ai n h e ua i fies for a commissio n p g q l . e uen career i s a se ries o f b ri ian s ucce e ak e s a sub s q t ll t sses. H t p rt s ormi n of the D ar ai h ei h s i s mo re h an once ca ured b the e t g g g t , t pt y a heroi acri ce wms the V C and b y c s fi . . " E v e e n o his sto uc v n r wil r k . e y tru b oy l j y t y of pl y ad e ture Ed uca tzona l G i ve s ani ma i on hi s o and its con de n art and ab undan s r , p t t y "— fi t t re t an d s i n te d b o 1) uu dce A d ver ti s er . g atly satist y th e mtemgen p y. With Kit che n er in the S oudan A
an u u a on R INE l d O md rman. i h 1 0 s r s . R . . W t Ill t ti by W A Y, , M s 3 3 ap . 6 . In carryi ng out various spe cial missions with which he i s e nt rusted he ro dis pl ays so much dash and e nterp ri se that h e so on attai ns an e tionall i nk f In all the o e ra ions h e ak es a c p y h gh ra o r his age . p t t tin uishe d ar and adven ure fo ows so c ose o n adven ure ha g p t, t ll l t t t or h on end of the st y is re ac ed all too so . M r He n has colle cte d a vas amoun of info ma ion abo u the re con ue . r q ty o ‘ t t ’ t th e So udan and h e succe e ds i n i m tre ss m i t u on hi s re ader s mi nd at th e ver , p g p y - whe n he i i n res i n h i m mos t era r W or ld. s te t g t. y
A SW °f th e C t the r t s e o n Y Wi h B i i h L gi r i h 10 Wa s . W t
trations W AL GET . 63 by PA . The h ero o ins th e Bri ish Le ion which was raise d b Sir de j t g , y E vans to supp ort the cause o f Q ue en C hrist i na and the Infant Isab e a and as so on as h e se s fo o on S anish 5 0 11 his adve n ure s ll , t t p t ’ r hur is one o f M r. He n s mo s b ri i an h eroes and the ale A t ty t ll t , t x e rie nce is h ri i n and b rea h e s from rs to as e p s t ll g t l s fi t l t . - rv iri Pa ll na ]! Ga z i te . It is a rattling story told with ve e and sp t. I e
A T a e °f T he reasure o f the n cas l T n r I ve t u e in P
i h 8 us ra ions W A L G ET and a Ma . 5 . W t Ill t t by PA , p 5 f his o w rfu o o to e ru to o o k for h The h eroes o t p e l st ry g P l t n hid wh e n th e aniards invade d the coun r which the I cas Sp . t y ' is b o h a rduous and dan e rous b ut hou h he are of en d t g , t g t y t m r d th eir courage and p e rse verance are at l as t a ply e war ed .
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G H N . A . E TY
A T a e of th e A t the Po mt o f the B ay o ne t l Mah ratta W ar‘
i h 1 2 us ra ions b W A L G ET and 2 M a s . 65 W t Ill t t y PA , p .
arr L indsa is carried off to the hi s and b rou h u as a ah ra a H y y ll g t p M tt . At the ag e o f Si xte en h e b e come s an o fli ce r i n the se rvi ce o f th e M ahratte rince at o o na and af e rwards re ce ives a co mmi sswn in th rm o p P , t e a y a ndi a o m an . His co ura e and e n ri the E st I C p y g t e rp se are re warded b) uick ro mo io n and at the e nd of the war h e sai s for E n and wh e re q p t , l gl , u ce e ds in e s ab ishin his ri h to h mi h e s c t l g g t t e fa ly es tates. “ — A b risk dashin narra i ve . Bookman , g t .
’ A T a e of the G o d ie ds a ta n a e s H e r l l F l C p i B yl y i o f C al iforni llus ra e a. I t t d
5 6d. 3 .
frank man lad nd hi ousin are ri a s in h e h i hi o f a r r a s c v t e rs o e . A , ly l p p p ty T h e former fa s in o a ra a id b the a er and whi e under a fa se ll t t p l y l tt , l l accusa io n o f h e f e ave s E n and fo r meri ca. T h e re h e o ms a sma l t t t , l gl A j l b and o f h un ers and is succe ss fu b o h as d i e r and rade r He ac uire s t , l t gg t . q a sma for une and at e n h re urns h o me ri ch i n va uab e e erience . ll t , l gt t , l l xp “ Th e p o rtraits of Captai n Bayle y and th e h e ad-maste r of W e stmins te r Scho o l are ad mi ra b drawn and the adve n ure s in i forni a are o d wi h h a Vi our wh i ch is , Ca g ly "— t l t l t t t i He n . A cad m . pe cul ar to M r. ty e y
A S or of th e irs Af h an T O H e rat and c abUI t y F t g W i h 8 fu l- a I us W ar. t l p ge ll
M HE L an . 3 a n D N Ma . tr tio s C . . S d by O , p 5
T he h e ro ak es a dis in uish ed ar in th e de fence o f e ra and sub se t t g p t H t , quently ob t ai ns inval uab l e i nfo rmatio n fo r th e Bri tish army during the fi rst r He i s for una e s are d th e h orrors o f the re rea fro m A fgh an wa . t t ly p t t C ab u and share s i n the se ries of o era ions b whi ch ha mos disas rous l , p t y t t t t ri v d b l under was re t e e . “ — W e can h ear i commend it to b o s old and oun . S ¢cta tor . tly y , y g j
With C o ch rane the Dau ntle ss
u . T 6s H M R G E . . h 1 2 a e s ra i ns b . N Wit p g Ill t t o y W A SO
It wou d b e h ard to find e ven in sensa iona c ion a mo re darin e ade r l , t l fi t , g l h an L o rd C o ch rane o r a caree r which su ies so man hri i n e x Io ns. t , ppl y t ll g T he manne r in wh ich a mos sin e - hande d b e s ca e re d the Fre nc fle e , l t gl , tt t i n the Bas que Roads is one o f the gre atest feat s i n E ngl i sh naval hi sto ry . "— o n e r in b oo k s u d wish for . Sa tu rda R evi w i and in e s a as bo co e . As r us g t t g — y l y This a e we s e ia re commend. 5 t. a m“? Gas t i t l p c lly y rc. ( 4) I HE N T Y ST OR E S B Y G . A .
G H N . A . E TY
A T ale of th e este rn ski n nd ow—Bo W e a C . R d y ains W ith m a e Pl . p g
on L F E R E. s Ill ust rati s by A R ED P A S é . H ugh T unstall acco mpanie s a fro ntie rsman on a h unting ex pedition on ain and he n ek m o me n a w- o the s se s e s a co b on a ca e ranch . Pl , t pl y t y ttl His e xperie nces d uring a round u p prese nt in picture sq ue fo rm the t oil so me e ci in adven uro us i fe o f a co w-b o whi e the e ri s o f a fron i e r , x t g, t l y l p l t se e men are vivid se t for h . Sub se ue n th e h ero o i ns a wa o n ttl t ly t q tly , j g eam and th e in e res is sus ained in a h W i h and ca ure of b ri ands. t , t t t fig t t , pt , g “ " - — A s ron in ere s o f o e n air ife and move me n e rvade s the who e b oo Scots ma n . t g t t p l t p l k.
or A Born Le ade r. i h W l th u e r in Nata , W t B ll l 0 a 1 p ge Ill us t rations by
N I an a M a . é s . R I E R . . d W. A Y, , p
T he heroic s or o f th e re ie f of L ad smi h forms the h e me of one o f the t y l y t t ’ r a ha hav o m fr m M n W h w e e s e n. hen t e mo st po e rful om nce s t t c e o r. H ty p war b re aks o ut the he ro C h ri s i n a nd his frie nds b and he mse ves to , , K g, t l h i f h ari zb ur u rom rs to as the b o ge the r unde r t e t tl e o t e M t g Sco ts . F fi t l t y s cou s are co ns an e n a e d in e ri ous and e ci in e n e r rises fro m t t tly g g p l x t g t p , which h e a wa s e me r e rium han h anks to h e ir o wn sk i and cour t y l y g t p t, t t ll a e and the das h a nd in e nui o f he i r e ader. g , g ty t l r f o k to ns ir n r ris in b —A m a nd a v a ze t h N G t e. Jus t t e so t o bo i p e an e te p g oy. y y
’ or T h e reein of th e N e h er By E ngland s Aid , F g t l ands ( 1 585 With 1 0 ion A L FR ED E R E a a ra d M . 6 e us s S n a s s . d. p g Ill t t by P A , 4 p 3 “ T wo E ngl ish l ads go to H o ll and in th e se rvi ce o f o ne o f th e fighting ” r f e r man adve n ure s o ne o f the ads nds hims f o n oard a V e e s . A t y t l fi el b S anish shi at the de fe a o f the rmada a nd e sca e s fro m S ain o n to p p t A , p p ly n a d h o air He f w n e n fa i o the h n s of t e C rs s . 15 succe ss u h o e ve r i i ll t l , , g tt g b a k o ain and re ains hi s na i ve o un r a f a ad z c t S c e r the c ure o f C i . p , g t t y t pt ' B w n v M He n s b o s e e o s k n a d o e r. o k W m his a o y of adven ure , and i we co y l "—t t ll l t l of th e fre e i n o f th e N e he r a nds . A t/zeme u m g t l .
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r e d . 6 w E i ti n . t at 3s . d. N e d o
n hi r M r n ves the his or o f the rs ar of the T hir I t s sto y . H e ty gi t y fi t p t ty ’ Y e ars W ar a s ru e un re ce de n ed i n e n h i n the fur wi h wh ich it , t ggl p t l gt , y t was carri e d o n and in th e e rrib e de s ruc io n and mm which it cause d. , t l t t T he arm o f th e chiva ro us in o f Sweden the ro o f the ro es an y l K g , p p P t t t ca use was ar e co m o se d o f Sco chme n and amo n he se was th e he ro o f , l g ly p t , g t the s o r T he chie f i n e res o f the a e urns on the re a s ru e b e wee n t y . t t —t l t g t t ggl t us avus and his chie f o one n s W a e ns e in T i and a e nhe i m. G t pp t ll t , lly , P pp T he a e is a c e ve r and ins ruc ive ie ee o f his or and as b s ma b e rus ed t l l t t t y, y t t to re ad it consci e n i ous he ca n hard fai to be ro e d as weqyas e as e d t ly, t y y l p fit —pl Th‘ Ti W J. G H N Y . A . E T
ale of V n c it A T e i e . W h he i o n o f St ark . T . L M mge must Clo th
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s or o f e nice at a e rio d when in ri ue crime and b oodshed were A t y V t g , , l rife . T he h e ro the so n 0 an En ish rade r dis a s a fi ne man iness and , gl t , pl y l , uc fu in e x rica in hi fri nd fr mmin n a e r ina h e is s cess l t t g s e s om i e t d ng s. F lly ’ n rib o h vic ri th e ne i o r d ia co t utes t t e to es o f e V t ans at P to Anzo and Chi ogg . ‘ M a rk — turda K Eve r b o shou d read Ti L ion S t . Sa w im . y y l s of . y
or T h e D a s T he Drago n and the Rave n , y of King Alfi ed,
h 8 a e us ra ions . T N IL ND 3 S . . Wit p g Ill t t by C. j A A 5 In this story the autho r gi ves an acco unt o f the de s erate struggle b e a nd D an fo r r mac in E n and ¥ r oun twe e n S o n a e su e . he he o 3. x p y gl , y g Sa o n ak es a r in all th e b a es fou ht b in Alfred and the inciden s x , t p t ttl g y K g , t his care er ar unusua varied and i i n in e lly e xc t g. W e h ve n hi n b ut rais f r i r wh h a o e o h s s o , ic is e ce e n wri te n, and wi t t t y x ll tly t" ll ke e his r f e a ged h e r a e rs ma th to y o p to whi c it r la tes a reali ty to i ts e d .
p r W i Pe r o ro h , th te b ug T he Brave st O f the rave : . . B h 8 i n Spai n. Wi t ’ ‘ a e l us ra ons H M GE I . p g I l t ti by . . PA The re are fe w great l eade rs whose life and actions have so Compl e tely fa e n in o o b i vi on as h ose of the E ar o f e rb o rou h He sh o wed a ll t l t l Pe t g . cui us for warfare which has n v r b n r as d R o und the fo e s of e e e e su p se . rtun ack S i we the hero and o f e e rb o rou h Mr. en h as woven a t l ll , , P t g , H ty Eri lli nt narra i v h W an u ssi 1 0 a t e o t e ar o f the Sp i sh S cce o n ( 7 5 “ T he adve n ure s of the aide -de -cam ack wi ro b ab b e fou nd to be no ess t p , J , ll p ly l in ere in han the ma rve ous o ra i ons of the G ene ra hi mse f i n which he akes s g pe , t t t ” ll t l l t - a eadi n ar S ect a tor . l g p t. p
or To Ca ul w h Ro e r s. Fo r N ame and Fame , b it b t With 8 page Illustrations. 53 .
fter b ein k n h man s irrin adven ures amo n A g wrec ed and goi g throug y t g t g the a a s the h ro f his s or nds his wa to C a cu a and e n ists in M l y , e o t t y fi y l tt , l a re im He acco m anies the fo rce g e nt pro ceed ing to the A fghan Passe s. p under ene ra Ro be r s to th e Pe iwar o a is wounded ake n ri so ne r G l t K t l , , t p , and carried to C ab u whe nce he is ransfe rre d to Candahar and ak es l , t , t part in the final de fe at of the army o f Ayo ub Khan. “ Th e b ook ee ms wi h s iri e d sce nes and s irrin adve n u res and th e b t t p t t g t , ds it a te n ive W i ac tit re a so und knowled e on subj ec s tha are y t t ly ll ” — t t rtanoe to our Indian ire. Sclwol ( 6 )
G H NT Y . A . E
A T ale of th e Sie e of He F s fo r n an g a t . ld E gl d W ith 8 G ib raltar, a e us ra ons G R D N BR W N E p g Ill t ti by O O O .
T h s r a w n T he e to y de l s ith o e o f th e most memorab l e siege s i n history . hero a oun E n ishman re side n in i b ra ar akes a b rave and wo r h , y g gl t G lt , t t y ar in the on de fence and we earn wi h wha b raver resourcefu ness p t l g , l t t y , l , and naci h R k t e ty t e oc was h eld for E ngl and . Th ”—A ere is no cessation of e xciting incident throughout the s tory. tlm¢m
A T a e of W ar in anders In the II' l Sh Brl ade l Fl g and S a n ith 1 2 a e p i . W p g
lus ra ion H R L ES M . HE LD N 63 Il t t s by C A S O . .
T he he ro is a oun o ffi ce r in the Irish Bri ade which for man ears y g g , y y af er the Si e e o f Lime ri k fo rme d the b ackb on of th e re nch arm He t g c e F y . o es hro u h man s irrin adve n ures succe ssfu carrie s out dan e rous g t g y t g t , lly g missio ns in S ain save s a ar e o r io n o f the re nch arm at O ude narde p , l g p t F y , and even h as the audaci to kidna th e rime inis er of En lan ty p P M t g d. ”— A s irrin b ook of mi i ar adve n ure . Scots a¢z t g l t y t m .
A T a e of th e h i e Hoods of aris . A t A l nco u rt l W t P g i h 1 2 a u r A W t p ge Ill s t ations by W L
G ET . 63 PA .
Sir E us a ce de i ero in ourne i n fro m am shi re to his cas e in t V ll y, j y g H p tl ra nce made o un G u me r one o f his e scor . Soo n h e reaft e r th e F , y g y Ayl t t cas e was a a cke d and the E n ish ou h dis a e d such va our ha his tl tt , gl y t pl y l t t ie e ord made him o mmand r f ial mi i r T his he l g l c e o a spe c ss on to Pa is . accom ish e d re urnin in ime to ake art in th e cam ai n a ains the pl , t g t t p p g g t rench which ended in h ori vi or f r n lan n u F t e gl ous ct y o E g d at Agi co rt. — an o fai to c mme n i f M m1 s ter Cou i . C n t l o d tse l to b oys o f all ages. a u r er
A T a e of Bush Life in F na e ck o n n l A i l R i g Austra i i h 8 a e l a. W t p g
us ra ions B. L L N. O E 3 . Ill t t by W. W 5
Th e h e ro a oun E n ishman emi ra es to us ralia whe re h e e s , y g gl , g t A t , g t o m n an offi r i n h m o i A fe w ears o f ac ive empl y e t as ce t e ount ed p l ce . y t work a in him romo i on o a a inc In ha os h e re a l dis in g p t t c pta y. t t p t g t y t uishes himse lf and na l eave s the service and se es down as a s ua er. g , fi l y l ttl q tt t l‘ S 1‘ O y v v 0 O YS
a t F s N p . . . BRERETO
A T ale of th e C on ues of M x i q e co. o e r the BO ld t I us ra e d b T N LE R g ll t t y S A Y L . WOOD . Lar e cro wn 8vc c o h e e an o ivine ed e s 63 g , l t l g t , l g , .
R o e r is a re a h e r. He is ut in char e of a wonde rful di sc b ut a g g t fig t p g , ce r ai n rai or rob s him nd h e nal co me ri a s as a sone r to e ico . t t t , fi ly p M x Th e ex icans hink h e is a od and o ffe r him all h i r u M t g t e r t eas re if he will h a ains the aniard . h re a W fig t g t Sp s T e ader wi ll le rn i th ba te d b reath o f th e adve n ures whi ch Ro e r e e ri e nces o f th e de s e ra e de fe nce which h e t g xp , p t o r ani ze and of hi narr w a f r g s , s o e sc e b e o e re rea is cut Off. p t t — T he a e forms i ve re adin th e h in b e i n e s e cia ood . A t/te mz um t l l ly g . fig t g g p lly g . ”— T he a u h o r h e e e d h i ntse lf 0 u tlook . t as xc ll . A T a e o f th e i t o be rts t o an a ar l W h R C d h T h ird A fgh an
W a r. us ra e d b . R INE R . I. Crown 8vo c o h e e an Ill t t y W A Y, , l t l g t , o ivine e d e s 5 l g , 5 . ’ Th e a e o e ns at Cab u when Sir Lo uis Cava nari s miss io n was b e in t l p l , g g a ack e d b t mu i o u m r. a o r D tt y h e t n s t roo ps of th e A ee M j e nni sson is on a
visi to Sir Lo uis a nd the missio n b e in de s ro e d a ll race o f him is os . t , , g t y , t l t l ec D e nnisso n i s due at C a b u two da s a e r b ut h e is a acked and A l y l t , tt , esca e s is a o in ed a i de -de -ca m to e ne ra R ob e r s and oins the uni i ve p , pp t p G l t , j p t e edi tio n. He comes to o e rheads wi h a ce r ain Y o hinda han wh o xp l gg t t K , has ca i ves in his hands . O ne o f h e se e c be ieve s is his fa he r and he pt t Al l t , d Hi ndo mi ab e o ura e o v rcom all di ffi cu e te rmi nes to resc ue him. s i t l c g e es l ties and his e ffo r s a re cro wne d wi h succes s. , t t “ A ve ri e d au hor who im ro ve s Wi h e ach bo ok he wri es is Ca ain F S. ry—t t , p t t , p t Bre re o n A ca dem . t . y A T a e of th e R usso - j apane se A o i e r O f a an l ar us ra e d . r. S ld J p W . Ill t t 5 Th e o pe ning incident o f this war was as gre at a surprise to V al e ntine raham and h i s fa he r as to th e R ussians for he ir unk la o osi e o r G t , t j y pp t P t r hur o n eb ruar 8 1 0 and in s i e o f he ir si na s was hea vi she ed . A t F y , 9 4 , p t t g l ly ll T he are rescued b the a anese and indi nan at he ir re a me n o in the y y J p , , g t t t t t , j ’ M k n ine rom ak es ar in a se co nd das h u on i ado s fo rces . V al e t p ptly t p t p - o r r h ur and b e co mes a risone r. In ime he is se n u co un r wi h P t A t , p t t p t y t o h e r riso ne rs wi h who m he co n rives to e sca e . T he oin a b and o f t p , t t p y j Hunhuse b ri ands and h ave a des e ra e e ncoun e r wi h th e Co ssacks . g , p t t t A w k a r f w ur k rm and ake ar in he ba e o f the ee l te the y all in ith K o i s a y t p t t ttl Y a u T he reaf e r numerous ad ve n ures b e fa the h ero who b ecomes no ed l . t t ll , t th ro ugho ut M anch uria fo r dash and int re pidity . T he s wi h r and am n and the his orica side page bristle h airb ead h escapes g , t t ”i . t l h . gra /a t e w rk W h r and de tai . of t ta le i s o ed out i th muc accu acy l p ( 9 ) a t F N C p . . S . BRERETO
A m e “ C w “ O ne o f the F t n c o uts igh i g S arf r rill a W a e in
i u ra T NL E D i h a M a . 3 . L . u s e d S . So th Afr ca . Ill t t by A Y WOO W t p 5 T his s o r dea s wi h the u e rri a as ec of the Bo er W ar and sho ws t y l t g ll p t , ’ r R anso m i o m d o v hi fa h e r fa rm a nd ake h ow G e o ge e s c pe ll e t l ea e s t s t h He i v n h o mmand o f a b and of scou s W h Bri ish . se rvice i t t e t s gi e t e c t as a re ward fo r a a n r and W i h he se he unishe s cer ain reb e s for g ll t y , t t p t l ’ a i e ce o f rasca i and s ucce ss fu a acks Bo h a s commando He even p l ty, lly tt t . h r do ub ab D W outwits t e e t l e e et. — ’ York3 1 ur P . Altogethe r an unus ually g ood story. e ost
A T ale °f the t the aks o f o rn e o Wi h Dy B He ad Hun r te s. u a R IT ! E R E N Lar e cro wn vo 3 s r e d B G . 8 6 Ill t t by F g , . T e r wins a co mmissio n b a a an act b ut on the wa to Borneo yl y g ll t , y , e o m h i h i e u o n b a b a nd o f k h re to s s h e is s t a a and D a ira es . t j p, p y M l y y p t He e sca e s to and whe re h e b e co me s the eade r o f a rib e of head - hun in p l , l t t g ak T he r h r u h h f r s o ward ar k D s. ma ch o t e o e s s S awa defea in the y y t g t t , t g ira es m m u le. fte rwards T e r mee s wi h man adven ures and p t A yl t t y t , a rd i n r i woun see s h fight g e e h e s dis ab led b y a d . “ ” n r h r W i t]; rize D You g e ade rs m ust b e a d to pleas e if y ak t does not suitthem.
T A a e of th e Indian Mu in . A H e ro O f u cknow l t y L I us ra e b IL M ll t t d y W L IA h e e n 3 R IN I. r wn 8vo c o E R . C o a A Y, , l t l g t, 5 . T he h ero ak es ar i n the de fe nce of C awn ore b ut b ood for une t p t p , y g t i a wa f r h a i u a i n oon af er h b e co m a ri n f sl ps y b e o e t e c p t l t o . S t e es p so e r o a r He is d ra e d to L uc now wh e re h e ud i an re b e e ade . k e es h s ca ors d l l gg , l pt ain h de fe nce Bu hi adv n r h k s t e s. t s e u e s av no t e nd d T han s to the g t e e . k no w e d e which he h as o b ained o f th e ci he i ab o su e ss l g t ty s l e t carry o ut cc fu a hazard o us e e di io n and e ven ua reach e D hi H k ar s e . e a es lly xp t , t lly l t p t in h ca ure o f h a i n k t e c a d h e n marches to the re ie f of L uc now. pt t t ty , t l f i v Fu o ac o n a nd p ic ure sq ue a d e n ure. A sp endid boo k for boys as Cap ain ll ' t ”—t ' ’ t l t Bre reton s a wa s are . Bmtz3 lz W l y “My . R N D r G N . . . ORDO STABLES , A 8 m” °f the T o Gre e n an and the Po e : r i ion l d l A c c Reg s. ’ t
z n 3 . N ew E d tzo . 3
T he s o r de a s W i h sk ilob nin in the nor h o f Sco and de e r-h un in in t y l t t tl , t g o rwa se a i n in th e rc ic ge ar- s a kin o n the ice the hardsh i s oi N y , l g A t , t l g , p a o urne acro ss re e n and a nd a vo a e to th e ba ck of the or h o e . j y G l , y g N t P l “ v r n e o f th h n T he ad e n ure s a e ac ua e pe rie ce s. It is on e books of t e seas o , t t l x "— n o f he be s Mr ab es h as e ver wri en T ru tk . and o e t t St l tt .
H ERBERT STRANG T he Adve nture s o f Harry Ro ch e ste r A S o r f h e D a s of M r o t a b orou h and E u ene. l us ra e 63 . t y y l g g I l t t d.
T he he ro driven b the dea h of his fa he r to see k his fo r une in London , y t t t , i s kidna e d and carrie d on b o ard a shi o und B b d b fo r ar a os . Esca in pp p p g, he ak e s se rvice wi h a D u ch man who i co n ra r o i r t t t s t ct o t the all ed fo ces in th e L ow n ri da rin fea whi o nvo du w n C ou t es. A g t l e on c y ty i s him a co mmi ssion i n a D ut ch regi me nt ; he fights at Bl e nhe i m and co me s i n o re a io ns wi h ar b o ro u h and E u en T he s or is acked wi h t l t t M l g g e . t y p t adve n ure and h e re is a roman i unde r o t ; t t c pl t . “ In TA: A d ven tu r es Ha rr R oe/tes te r M r ran h as e n f h b e q/ y . S g wri n o e o t e s t tt ”— t s ori e s of a mi i ar and h i s ori ca e we ha ve s e e n fo r man a da . A them um t l t y t l typ y y . "— T s r i u l f vi r n v m n L i te ra r W or ld . he to y s f l o gou a d mo e e t . y
A S or of th e R usso- a ‘ J pane se BI O W II O f M o ukde n t y W ar. us ra ed . 3 Ill t t 5 . b M e rb e S ran ave i ur f w r r In K o o r. r a c e o the a f om the , H t t g g p t
a ne e sid . In the resen b oo k he a roa h es h am a ub J pa s e p t pp c t e s e gre t s j e ct fro m th e R uss ian s ide Mr Brown is the vic i m o f a cons i rac to co nnec . . t p y t him W i h th b e ra a o f ce r ain mi i ar e re s t he a an h t e t y l t l t y s c t o t J p ese ; e ’ r a nd his o n ack n k k sudde n di sa e a s s is e f frie d e ss i n o u de n. ac s ly pp , J l t l M J s ran e adve n ure s when cau h u in the whir oo of the war and the t g t g t p lp l , ’ means b which he u ima e race s his fa her s whe re ab ou s are o d W i h y lt t ly t t t , t l t the same spiri and in ima e k no w edge of th e E as ha made th e success ’ t t t l t t t
o f A obo.
’ ’ - M r. S ra n s b e s k nown vo ume Tom B u m a é was a re a b o s b o ok and was t g t l , y , l y , h ai e d Wi h i h e ve r oun s e r wh o ve s a s or ful d ri n an v ure l t del g t b y yy g t lo t y l of a g d ad e nt But M r St ran u s more i n o his b ooks han e x cmn inci de n s we o Hi s fa c s g p t t t g t ll t ld. t and da e s a nd hi s de scri p ions of th e manne rs and cus o ms of th e e riod s wi h wh i ch t , t t t he de a s ha ve l th me ri s o f co m e e h i s o ri accurac so h a bo s wh o re ad Mr. , a l e p ca , l' t l t t l y t t y ra n wo rk h v n me re t he advan a e o f e ru s i n e n h ra i n n Wh e so me St g s s a e o t ly t g p g t ll g a d ol a e s b ut he are unco ns mous l it ma b e a so a bs o rb in s ound a nd rus wort h , , y y , g t l t y l ” — t t y n n m a wh i h a T le ra h. info rmati o n o f th e me a d ti e s bo ut ch t e y a re re ad i ng . D dy e g p T h e incide n o f th e o co mo i ve race do wn th e Si b e ri an R ai wa is fo r b re a h ess t l t l y , t l in e re s th e e ua o f a n h i n w e know o f in th e who e r n o f n l a e uve i e fi c i on. , q g g j t t l yt ” l t - — T h e b o k Wi h d r ade rs s e l b nd. / mr lz o ll ol boy e p l ou C c Tmu s . DAV ID K E R or Cas awa , mo n the ark o unta ns t y A g D M i in Sumat ra.
us ra e d b R NCES E W N . Crown 8vo c o h e e an 3 . 6d. Ill t t y F A A , l t l g t, 3 armaduk e W vil sai s fo r Sin a ore Wi h his chum fre d to b ri n M y l g p , t Al , g ’ h o me the a er s fa h e r C o o ne un e . rrivin h ere h e find ha l tt t , l l H tl y A g t , t y t t no hin h as b e e n h eard of un e and he o se e kin him amon th e t g H tl y , t y g g g i and L earn in ha h e is a risoner amon th e sava es of A ch ee n he sl s . g t t p g g , t y m and hi he r a d re a for his re e ase . Th e sa va es o a ains h e go t t n t t l g pl t g t t , th ey are p re paring to se ll th e i r lives as de arly as possib l e when the eruption
f raka o a b re ak nd e nab he m to sca e . o K t s out a l es t e p ” — A orious a e of adven ure E d uca ti ona 1 N ews . gl t l t . ( 1 2 ) MEREDITH FLETCHER
‘ A Sch oo S or . lus ra e d E VCI’ IIl C h a BI IIO II l t y Il t t W Y b y SYD N E Y CO E LL . This s o r is wri en from th e o in of vie w of an o rdinar b o who ive s t y tt p t y y, g ’ anima ed accoun of a oun ub ic-sch o o b o s ife N o mo ra i an t t y g p l l y l . l s i a a k ind f rai ni n ha drawn ; ye t the st o ry ind c t e s o t g t t go e s to p ro mo te veraci e ndurance and e n e r ri se and o f e ach o f se ve ra o f the charac e rs ty, , t p ; l t it mi h b e ru said h e i s wor h to be ca e d E ve r Inch a Bri on g t t ly , t y ll , y t E r Inc/z a B ri ton M r M e re dith F e cher has sco red a succ In ve y l t ess —M a ne s r /ze te G ua rd za n .
' A Sch o o S or . us ra e d b . R . C EC I' SO II U HIO I' l t y Ill t t y J
J J BURG ESS. Cro wn 8vo c o h e e an , l t l g t , 6 3s . d. A a e of the adven ure s and misadve n ure s o f a pair o f youngs e rs duri ng t l t t t ’ he ir rs e rm at a ub i c sch oo wri e n b o ne o f he m a e r o n. I he t fi t t p l l , tt y t l t ’ “ h e ro s inge nious e ffo rts to unra ve l a myst e ry se t things humming in r a i n f i f man b unde rs and . o ve e e ri e nce s rathe a st rtl g ash o n ; b ut a te r y l . l xp m ri h a all co es g t at l st . " r h w o n r k o ut in o sudde n fi s of unco n A comica a n . . T e b oy h doe s ot b e a l y ” — t t abl h r i n n f h is nes . Yorksh zr e D a zl Obse rv r troll e la ug te o n re ad g it has o un i n bo y e . V G . MAN ILLE F ENN
Amon h B a kfe ow in N w g t e c s e G uine a. Bun l an l ll y p L d Ill ust rat e d . Th e s tory o f an e minent b o tanist wh o ve nt ure s into th e inte rio r o f N e w
uin in r h of n w an . Y ar a a wa and he d ea se a c e s e s ss o e s not re urn . G pl t p y , t u o b w f a f He is s se d to e dead , b ut his i e nd son re use to b e i e ve it ; and pp l , as soo n as h e is o ld e nou h o un o e oe s in se arch o f his fa he r aecom g , y g J g t , a m v man adve n ur h v nied b im a na i e b ack . f e r es e disco e r p y J y , t l A t y t t y the os o ne a ri so ne r a mo n the b acks a nd b ri n him ho me in rium h l t , p g l , g t p . " f f v n n O ne o the be s a es o ad e ure p roduced by a y iving wri e r. t t l t l t ' —D a i l CIrram le y c .
A Ro mance o f th e G re a E ast D ICk O the F e ns t w us ra e d b R N K S amp . Ill t t y F A ivin d d 6 . D D D . C o h e e an o e e e s 3 . A l t l g t , l g , 3 f sho o in f h old L inco nsh i re e ns. k e ch es o A t al e o f b oy l i e in t e l F S t t g mu a e and fish i ng expe ri e nce s are int roduce d i n a ma nne r wh i ch s ho uld st i l t the facu o f o b se rva io n and ive a h e a h o ve fo r co un r ife ; whi e lty t , g lt y l t y l l ’ the re co rd o f the fe nman s st e althy resis tance to the great draining sche me
fu o f the ke e ne s i n e re s . is ll t t t
W i v h s Wi find it ca i a re adin . T imes . e consc e ntio usly be l ie e t at boy ll p t l g W e have not o f a e co me acros s a his o rica c ion whe he r in e nd e d fo r bo s o r l t t l fi t , t t y fo r ne n which des e rves to b e so heart i rai s e d as re ards o incide nts and r , p g p , , ’ ly — l t i ri It is its au hor s mas e r ie ce as e t. S ecta tor. sp t. t t p y p ( 1 3 ) F RED SMITH E dit ed b y F RED T he o r o f n ma fe . M r o W ld A i l Li S IT H. P
f SPECHT and o h er fusely Ill us t rate d with E ngravings a t e r F . t i r eminent art st s . 5 . T he ai m o f Tlze W or ld of A n imal L ife is to give in no n-scie ntific lan ua e an acco un o f h ose i nh ab i an s of th e and se a and sk wi h wh ose g g t t t t l , , y t name s we are all fa mi i ar b ut co nce rni n who se manne r of i fe th e ma orit l , g l j y v n azi ion o f us ha e o ly the h est co nce pt s. n dmira v m n min n uirin af e r Na ure A a ble ol u e fo r th e you g d e q g t t “ M m ” H J. C ALMERS A S or of Adven ure Fl htl n he a ab e e t y t t t ' g g M l Rh ode sia us ra e d in . Ill t t W s b ST N L E Y L n . y A . oo . 3 o f r a ab i i in T he h e ro an A sto ry the g eat M t e l e r s ng 1 896. d his friends are s urpriser uy the re vo lte d nat i ve s in th e h e art o f th e Mato p o moun ai ns a nd a ft e r e x e rie n cm man s irrin adve n ure s e ven ua mak e t , p g y t g t t lly h e i r wa b ack o Buluwa o T he h e ro su b se ue n o ms the fri and t y t y . q tl y j A c e r C o r s a nd d i s in ui she s h i mse f in th e o e ra i ons b wh ich the insurrec ion p , t g l p t y t
i s crush ed . “ T h e s o rm ime s of th e re cen insurre c io n in M a ab ele and are descri be d wi h a t y t t t t l " ' t i uan ne ss wh i ch Wi e ns ure h o k e o mi n fav ri e — t e b o b c a ou L zver ool Cou ri er . p q t ll g t . p A HU H . J. C RC A T ale of h e a 0 o r s o f the o r t F ll th a e and Corin h 253 L d W ld g t . ;
H s . 6d. trate d b y RAL P P EACO CK . 3 Cle ano r a oun re e k wh o se na ive o wn has b e en b arb arous , y g G , t t ly d ru i h r win we r f me He de s ro e s e s to re s s t e o o o R o . se es t y , t ggl t g g p C ar h a e and C o rin h fa a nd at as o wns h a th e R o mans are b e e r t g t ll , l t t t tt fitted than any o th e r nati o n to b e L o rds o f the W orld . “ ’ b s b o k L o r ds o tire W or ld des ve a he w —S 5e a As a o o , f e r s ar e come . ; ct tor . y — ' ty l D a zl C/zr om cle. An e xce ll e nt story . y
NG - G U S . BARI O LD
. A S or of c and in th e da G TC IIL1 the O utlaw t y I e l y s of th e V ikin s W i h 6 a g . t p ge us ra ions M ! EN I M O D E E R s . Ill t t by . . 3 narra ive o f adve n ure o f th e mo s roman ic kind N o b o wi be ab e A t t t t . y ll l W i h s and th ma i c o f such s n to t t e g ce e s as the fi ght o f G re tti r with the t we l ve b e arse rk s the w re s e W i h arr the O ld in th e ch amb e r o f the de ad the , tl t K , co mb a wi h th e s i ri o f G la m the hra and the de fence o f th e d in t t p t t ll , y g re ttir b his oun er b ro he r G y y g t . Has a fre s hne ss a fre e do m a sense of sun and wind a d th e o en air which make — , , p , it irres is ib e . N a tiona l bs t l O erver .
ROBERT LEIGHTON A His orica S or of th e V ik n 0 i g af the G IO Y10 11 5 t l t y A e us ra ed. 3 . Ol g . Ill t t 3 ’ T he s o r e s of O af s roman ic ou h his adven ures as a vikin and t y t ll l t y t , t g, H u an wa e his co nve rsio n to Ch ri s i a ni . e re rns to a or is acc ed t ty t p g N y , pt k nv r hi e t h e C hris i an fai h T he s or c as in and co e s s o e o t . ose s g, t p pl t t t y l wi h th e rea ba e of Svo d whe n O af de fe a e d um s ove rb oard and t g t ttl l , l , t , j p , n i h th un i h hinin on th e i e ri n cro ss u o n his hie d is l as t se e w t e s l g t s g gl tt g p s l . “ x n i h w h v h M r. Le i h o n m r Is as good as a h ng of t e kind e a e me t wi . g o e yt t " t - h a h s hi wn Wi h R i de r Ha ard and Bari n G ou d . t n old s o t gg g l
R . STEAD
- ’ T he Adven ures of a Bar e b o . i h G I l t W 111 e t g y W t T ll ’ ‘ I u r ion D C AR L EI O N SM T H. 4 ll st at s by . Y ’ h 2 s 6a . C o . l t , A lad wh o se name h as b ee n l ost amidst early b uffe tings b y h ard fort une suffers man h ardshi s at th e h ands o f a b ar e man his mas er and runs y p g , t , wa T he vario us adve n ure s and e rie n e Wi h which he me e s o n a y . t e xp c s t t the ro ad to success th e b e ar-h un in which he ak es ar and th e b a e , t t p t , ttl at wh ich h e ac s as war-corres o nden form a s o r o f ab so rb in in e res p , g ’t t t y t t n f a wn h a a d a te r b o y s o e rt . “ — ’ A h orou h wh o esome an iv k . Gra k ze. t g ly l d attract e boo j
A S or of th e Times of E izab e h W 111 O f the Dal e s t y l t an ame s B R . ST E D . Il d J . y A
ra e d b . E LL I E 3 1 us CO . 2 66 l t t y J J . .
W i a s urd and ik e ab e e asan lad oes u to L o ndon to see k his ll , t y l l p t , g p for une He h as man e ci in e e rience s as th e resu o f hi s frie ndshi t . y x t g xp lt p ’ wi h one o f ue e n ar s o ld so die rs and his i nvo un ar co nnec io n wi h t Q M y l , l t y t t “ ” the uck ess Risin in the or h b ut he a ai ns at e n h to we a h l l g N t , tt l gt lt , influe nce and ho nours and b e come s the founder o f a nob e fami . , , l ly ’ W e are ab e to re omme n h i b o s k wi h u rese rva ion. l c d t is cap tal y bo o t o t— t M a nc1m ter ova . 7 HAR RY COLLI NGWOOD r) 5?
i h 6 us ra ions C . J. T he Pl ra e s and W t Ill t t by t ’
I l . 3 T NIL N n R . E LL S . S A A D a d ] . W 3 ’ B a de ed of rue a an r the h ero s wh o e de s in is ch an e d and oin y t g ll t y l t y g , , g g to se a h e fo rms o ne o f a ar wh o af e r b e in b urne d o ut o f he i r shi i n , p ty , t g t p “ th e Sou h PaCi fic are ick e d u b a ira e b ri and ake n to the i ra e t , p p y p t g t P t ” s and f er man h ri in ima ucceed i n I l . A t y t ll g adve nt ures they ult t ely s effe c in h ei r esca e t g t p . “ A capi a s or of the sea ; inde ed in our op inion the au hor is sup e rior in some t l t y t ” - re s e c s as a mari ne nove i st to th e be e r known Mr Clark Russe . Tu nes . p t l tt . ll ( 1 6 )