Special Feature brought to you by ARALTAS.COM
Maguire,
MacGuire, McGuire, McGwire
If ever one Irish family was inextricably linked with an Irish county, the family is Maguire or MacGuire and the county is Fermanagh. They possessed the entire county, also known as Maguire's Country, from about 1200 A.D. and maintained their independence as Lords of Fermanagh down to the reign of James the First, when their country was confiscated like other parts of Ulster. The Maguires supplied Chiefs or Princes to Fermanagh, from about A.D. 1264, when they supplanted the former Chieftains (O'Daimhin, or Devin). They were inaugurated as Princes of Fermanagh on the summit of Cuilcagh, a magnificent mountain near Swanlinbar, on the borders of Cavan and Fermanagh; and sometimes also at a place called Sciath Gabhra or Lisnasciath, now Lisnaskea. Even after the seventeenth century confiscation, Connor Roe Maguire obtained re-grants of twelve thousand acres of the forfeited lands of his ancestors, and was created Baron of Enniskillen - a title which was also borne by several of his successors.
The name in Irish is Mac Uidhir or Mag Uidhir. "Mag" is simply another form of the familiar Irish prefix meaning "son of", being preferred, in some regions, to "Mac" when the following word begins with a vowel. Uidhir is the genitive of "Odhar", a personal name meaning "dun coloured". Several persons so named are listed in the ancient genealogies of the family thus when hereditary surnames came into being, after the year 100 A.D. it is not surprising that he personal name should give rise to a family name. The family is first mentioned in the Annals as early as 956 A.D. have always been closely associated with the other leading septs of Ulster such as the O Neills and the O Donnells. They also spawned several well known branches which became septs in their own right, including MacManus, Caffrey, MacHugh, and several others. The name is among the forty most common names in Ireland, among the top twenty-five in Ulster, ten in Co. Cavan, thirty in Co. Monaghan and is the single most common name in Co. Fermanagh. Maguiresbridge in Co. Fermanagh, in Gaelic Droichead Mhig Uidhir, takes its name from the family.
Towards the close of the thirteenth century, with the installation of Donn Maguire, the family began to feature prominently in the records. Between that time and 1600 there were fifteen Maguire rulers of Fermanagh. At the latter date, as Livingstone puts it in The Fermanagh Story, 'Fermanagh was simply a Maguire property'. A junior branch was based at Enniskillen and it was these that were most involved in the Nine Years War, 1594- 1603, and subsequently it was they who suffered most at the Plantation. However, the main Lisnaskea line was broken by the Cromwellian and Williamite confiscations.
As MacGuire, the name is also found in Scotland and is that of a sept of the Clan Macquarrie of the island of Ulva. Both the sept name and the clan name derive from the founder of the clan, one Guaire, a brother of Fingon, ancestor of the Mackinnons. The Clan Macquarrie claims that the Fermanagh Maguires descend from Gregor, second son of Cormac Mor Macquarrie, chief of the name. Since Cormac Mor Maguire was active in the mid-thirteenth century, fifty years after Donn Mor Maguire founded the Lisnaskea sept, there would appear to be no substance to this claim, but none the less some MacGuires in Ulster may be of this Scottish origin.
Cathal MacManus Maguire (1439-98), a chief of the MacManus sept of the Maguires, was both a learned historian and a bishop. He was born on an island in Lough Erne, and, according to the Four Masters, he compiled The Invaluable Annals of Munster which preceded their own great work.
Nicholas Maguire (1460-1512), born in County Cavan, was another outstanding bishop and historian. He was educated at Oxford and was renowned for his sermons and his hospitality.
Hugh Maguire, Lord of Fermanagh, succeeded his father, Cuconnaught, who died in 1589. Hugh Maguire, Prince of Fermanagh, took a prominent part in the war during Elizabeth's reign. He was a cousin of Hugh O'Neill. His mother was Nuala, daughter of Manus O'Donnell. On the death of his father he became possessed of the estates held by his ancestors since 1302. He soon took up a defiant attitude towards the Government, replying, when told by the Deputy FitzWilliam that he must allow the Queen's writs to run in Fermanagh: "Your sheriff shall be welcome, but let me know his eric, that if my people should cut off his head I may levy it upon the country." He succoured Hugh Roe O'Donnell in his escape from Dublin Castle. In 1593 he besieged the sheriff and his party in a church, and would have starved them out, but for the intervention of Hugh O'Neill, then an ally of the Anglo-Irish. On the 3rd July of the same year Maguire carried off a large prey of cattle from Tulsk from under the eyes of Sir Richard Bingham, Governor of Connaught. Under that year the Four Masters give a spirited account of the engagement: Sir William Clifford and a few horsemen were slain on Bingham's side, while Maguire lost, amongst several of his party, Edmond MacGauran (Archbishop of Armagh) and Cathal Maguire. Some months later he unsuccessfully endeavoured to prevent Marshal Bagnall and Hugh O'Neill crossing the Erne at Athcullin. We are told that his forces, a great number of whom were slain, consisted of Irish, armed with battleaxes, and some Scotch allies, armed with bows. In the contest Hugh O'Neill was severely wounded in the thigh. He threw himself heart and soul into O'Neill's war, and took part in the victory of Clontibret and Kilclooney, and was in command of the cavalry at Mullaghbrack in 1596, where the Anglo-Irish were defeated with heavy loss. The same year he was, with O'Neill and O'Donnell, formally outlawed, and a price was set upon his head. In 1598 he held a command at the defeat of Marshal Bagnall at the Yellow Ford. Next year Maguire joined O'Donnell in a marauding expedition into Thomond, and took Inchiquin Castle. In March, 1600, he commanded the cavalry in Hugh O'Neill's expedition into Leinster and Munster. Accompanied by a small party, he reconnoitred the country towards Cork, but was intercepted by Sir Warham St. Leger and Sir Henry Power, with a superior force. Nothing daunted, he struck spurs into his horse, and dashed into the midst of the Deputy's band, where St. Leger inflicted on him a deadly wound with his pistol. Maguire, summoning his remaining strength, cleft his adversary's head through his helmet, and then fell exhausted and almost immediately expired. Hugh Maguire's name will probably live longest in the ode addressed to him by his bard, O'Hussey, which has been so forcibly rendered into English by Mangan.
Hugh's brother Cuconnaught, who succeeded him, is thought to have arranged the ship on which he and Hugh's son set sail with the famous "Flight of the Earls" to Europe in 1607, the beginning of the Irish diaspora.
Conor Maguire (1616-45), Baron of Enniskillen and son of an O Neill mother, was a rakish youth who dissipated much of his inheritance. He was dismally unsuccessful in the fateful year of 1641, when the Gaels made their final effort to oust the colonisers. Conor Maguire plotted with the Ulster nobles in an attempt to capture Dublin Castle, the seat of English power. He was a poor organizer, his scheme was discovered and he was imprisoned in the Tower of London until his execution.
Colonel Cuchonacht Maguire was sheriff of the county Fermanagh in 1687, and, on the breaking out of the Revolution of 1688, he mortgaged the greater part of his estates to raise and arm a regiment for the service of his King, James II. He was shot at the Battle of Aughrim, where his regiment was cut to pieces, after nearly destroying the 2nd regiment of British Horse. When he was killed, and the fate of the day decided, an officer of his regiment, named Durnien, cut off the brave Maguire's head, which he put in a bag, and, starting from the fatal field, slept neither night nor day until he reached the family burying ground in the Island of Devenish, where he interred his commander's head with the remains of his ancestors. Colonel Maguire was married to Mary, daughter of Ever Maguire, and left three sons.
Following the devastations by the armies of Cromwell and William of Orange, the Irish landed aristocracy, including the majority of the Maguires, fled, in 1691, with the "Wild Geese" to France and Austria. A regiment of infantry in James II's army had been commanded by a Maguire, Baron of Enniskillen. James II also paid £2,190 a year "for our secret service" to Dominick Maguire.
The Maguire titles, which died out in about 1795, were acceptable to the French court to which they had given their allegiance while serving in the many Irish regiments. Maguires appear in the archives of Europe's capitals, from Paris to Copenhagen and from Madrid to London.
A journal was kept by Rochfort Maguire, who commanded HMS Plover on the Bering Straits Arctic Expedition from 1852 to 1854, which included a journey to the Sandwich Islands. At Tempo Manor, near Enniskillen, there are the remains of an old Maguire castle. There, early in the nineteenth century, Constantine Maguire was succeeded as chieftain by his brother, Captain Bryan Maguire. But Bryan was dissolute, and his duelling and eccentricities led to poverty. He died in Dublin in 1835 and his only son went to sea and was never seen again.
Strangely, about a century ago the historian John O Donovan identified sailors working on the British and Irish cross-channel service to be direct descendants of the great seventeenth-century Hugh Maguire.
Father Tom Maguire (1792-1847), son of the Maguire gentry of Knockninny in County Cavan, was, for a while, curate to his uncle, Dr Patrick Maguire, a bishop. When Father Tom became a parish priest he proved to be a most contentious character. He was involved in a marathon theological discussion, which went on for nine days. His love of sport, combined with a taste for high living, may have upset his housekeeper, who is suspected of poisoning him!
Another Thomas Maguire (1831-89) was born in Mauritius where his father was a magistrate. He was sent to Trinity College, Dublin, at the age of fifteen. He proved to be a brilliant scholar and, in 1880, he was the first Catholic to be made a fellow and was Professor of Moral Philosophy.
John Francis Maguire (1815-72), the son of a Cork merchant, was called to the Irish Bar in 1843. He founded the still popular Cork Examiner newspaper and played a major part in politics, using his writing to campaign for tenants' rights. He declined all English honours and, in 1857, when the Princess Royal was married he criticized her allowance, which he thought excessive. A businessman and philanthropist, he was Mayor of Cork four times. He went abroad regularly, becoming a good friend of Pope Pious IX, and travelled through Canada and the USA, writing extensively about Irish-Americans.
Many of the Maguires found their way to the New World.
Charles Bonaventure Maguire (1768-1833) was a Franciscan. Having suffered the horrors of the French Revolution and its antipathy to Christianity, he afterwards volunteered for the less arduous American mission. A highly educated, cosmopolitan priest, he became a very active and able pastor in the Pittsburgh diocese.
Yet another priest, Thomas Maguire (1776-1854), who was born in Philadelphia, died in Quebec in Canada, where he had become famous for his dedication to the expansion of the French language.
The less numerous Connacht branch of the family, who preffered the spelling McGuire, or MacGuire, was prominent in Virginia. Hunter Holmes McGuire (1835-1900) was a surgeon, a Confederate Medical Officer and chief surgeon to Stonewall Jackson. Following Jackson's death he continued as army medical director. From 1865 to 1878 he was Professor of Surgery at Virginia Medical College and helped set up the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Richmond, Virginia. In a pedigree in Dublin's Genealogical Office there are records of the McGuires of Kentucky and of Kansas City, Missouri.
Conor Maguire (1889-1971) was born in Cong, County Mayo, son of a native Irish speaker and teacher. He promoted the language all through his life. He studied law and was a judge and Attorney-General in the early days of Home Rule. In recognition of his work for the Red Cross he was honoured by both France and Spain.
The violinist Hugh Maguire was born in Dublin in 1927 and was educated at Belvedere College. He has been lead violinist in a number of Britain's orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra and the British Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra, and has performed all over the world. He is Professor at the Royal Academy of Music in London and artistic director of the Irish Youth Orchestra, as well as violin tutor to the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.
Edward McGuire (1932-86) was the son of Senator Edward McGuire. Dublin-born, his distinctive style brought him fame as a portrait and still-life painter.
Terence Maguire was born in Belfast and lives in Dublin. Since 1991 he has been recognized as the Maguire, Chief of the Name, by the Chief Herald of Ireland. He is devoted to a quest for the Maguire chalices. For three centuries the Maguire nobility gifted chalices to their local churches. In turbulent times these chalices became scattered as far apart as Scotland and Canada. Terence Maguire has set himself the task of recovering these important Irish artefacts. It should be mentioned that there is also a rival interest in the Maguire Chieftainship, namely, that of the family of Robert Charles Maguire of Charleston, South Carolina. At least one student of Irish genealogy has cast serious doubt on both claims.
Heraldry
Arms: Vert a white horse fully caparisoned thereon a knight in complete armour on his helmet a plume of ostrich feathers his right hand brandishing a sword all proper.
Crest (borne by McGuire of Tempo and others): On a ducal coronet or a stag at gaze proper collared and lined gold.
Motto: Justitia et fortidudo invincibilia sunt [juctice and courage are invincible]
Ancient genealogy
"Irish
Pedigrees or the Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation", by John
O'Hart is one of the best known Irish genealogical publications in
the world. The first edition appeared in 1876, but was followed by
several subsequent editions that added greatly to the overall size of
the work. The most quoted edition was published in New York in 1923,
twenty years after the author's death. It is worth mentioning here
that the original work did not include and heraldic (coat of arms)
information and that this was added to posthumous publications by
unscrupulous publishers, presumably to increase sales. In general,
O'Hart is a dubious source, at best, for such information (see quote
below from Edward MacLysaght in regard to this topic).
John
O'Hart was born in Crossmolina, Co. Mayo, in 1824. He received an
excellent education with the intention of joining the priesthood.
However, he instead spent two years in the constabulary (the police),
after which he was employed by the Commissioners of National
Education in Ireland from 1845, the first year of the Famine. He
became an Associate in Arts at the Queen's University, and thereafter
he was an active member of several scholarly societies. He was an
avid genealogist and took a keen interest in Irish history, despite
never receiving formal training as an historian. Politically he was
an Irish nationalist, and in religious matters, a committed Catholic.
Both of these factors permeated his work. He died in 1902 in
Clontarf, Co. Dublin, at the age of 78.
O'Hart
used many sources to compile the information that appears in his
major work. His principal sources were Gaelic genealogies, like those
of O'Clery, MacFirbis and O'Farrell. Along with the Gaelic annals,
especially the Annals of the Four Masters, O'Hart was able to
'reconstruct' the medieval and ancient pedigrees that appear here. He
also used later sources, like the works of Burke, Collins, Harris,
Lodge and Ware to extend these lineages into the eighteenth and
nineteenth centuries. But arguably the most important information
contained in these genealogies came where O'Hart gathered the details
directly from the families concerned, often from private papers or
family tradition. These sections concern the later period,
particularly post 1800, and are good for many specific localities
like western Co. Clare.
There
are two types of genealogies in O'Hart; the genealogies of the
Gaelic families and the genealogies of Anglo-Norman and other later
settlers. O'Hart made one important distinction in his treatment of
these. Irish mythology records that every family was descended from a
certain Milesius of Spain who in about 1700 BC led his followers to
invade and conquer Ireland. The Christian monks who wrote these
genealogies down in the 9th century, 2,500 years after Milesius, also
added their own beliefs. So they recorded that Milesius was the 36th
in descent from Adam! O'Hart, being both an ardent believer in the
Gaelic myths and Christianity, followed their example. In his Gaelic
genealogies a number representing the generation of descent from Adam
precedes every generation. By contrast the Anglo-Normans and later
invaders made no such claims, so O'Hart's genealogies of these
families do not include these numbers. O'Hart showed, probably
incorrectly, that every Gaelic family was descended from four of
Milesius's family. These were his three sons, Heber, Ir and Heremon,
and his uncle Ithe. These four were considered the 'stem' lines of
the genealogies that followed.
While
he undertook a great deal of research, using the majority of
available published sources, many Gaelic scholars have superseded his
work over the last 100 years. He was not familiar with the abundant
unpublished Gaelic manuscript sources available. These have shown
that many of his genealogies are incorrect for the years prior to
1600 AD. Furthermore, O'Hart was not a professional historian or
genealogist, and had little training in using the esoteric sources he
consulted. As a consequence he misunderstood a great deal about
Gaelic society and culture, a world which had largely disappeared
from Ireland long before he put pen to paper. He was also credulous
in using the sources he did consult, believing that the myths were fact.
Despite
these limitations, careful use of his work can be very productive.
His genealogies for the years after 1600 have great value, and are
often unavailable elsewhere. He was also able to consult many sources
which have since been destroyed or lost. In the words of Edward
MacLysaght, Ireland's most famous authority on the history of
surnames, he 'made use of it almost daily'.
1.
Adam
2.
Seth
3.
Enos
4.
Cainan
5.
Mahalaleel
6.
Jared
7.
Enoch
8.
Methuselah
9.
Lamech
10.
Noah divided the world amongst his three sons, begotten of his wife
Titea: viz., to Shem he gave Asia, within the Euphrates, to the
Indian Ocean; to Ham he gave Syria, Arabia, and Africa; and to
Japhet, the rest of Asia beyond the Euphrates, together with Europe
to Gadea (or Cadiz).
11.
Japhet was the eldest son of Noah. He had fifteen sons, amongst whom
he divided Europe and the part of Asia which his father had allotted
to him.
12.
Magog: From whom descended the Parthians, Bactrians, Amazons, etc.;
Parthalon, the first planter of Ireland, about three hundred years
after the Flood; and also the rest of the colonies that planted
there, viz., the Nemedians, who planted Ireland, Anno Mundi three
thousand and forty-six, or three hundred and eighteen years after the
birth of Abraham, and two thousand one hundred and fifty-three years
before Christ. The Nemedians continued in Ireland for two hundred and
seventeen years; within which time a colony of theirs went into the
northern parts of Scotland, under the conduct of their leader
Briottan Maol, from whom Britain takes its name, and not from
"Brutus," as some persons believed. From Magog were also
descended the Belgarian, Belgian, Firbolgian or Firvolgian colony
that succeeded the Nemedians, Anno Mundi, three thousand two hundred
and sixty-six, and who first erected Ireland into a Monarchy.
[According to some writers, the Fomorians invaded Ireland next after
the Nemedians.] This Belgarian of Firvolgian colony continued in
Ireland for thirty-six years, under nine of their Kings; when they
were supplanted by the Tuatha-de-Danann (which means, according to
some authorities, "the people of the god Dan," whom they
adored), who possessed Ireland for one hundred and ninety-seven
years, during the reigns of nine of their kings; and who were then
conquered by the Gaelic, Milesian, or Scotic Nation (the three names
by which the Irish people were known), Anno Mundi three thousand five
hundred. This Milesian or Scotic Irish Nation possessed and enjoyed
the Kingdom of Ireland for two thousand eight hundred and eighty-five
years, under one hundred and eighty-three Monarchs; until their
submission to King Henry the Second of England, Anno Domini one
thousand one hundred and eighty-six.
13.
Boath, one of the sons of Magog; to whom Scythia came as his lot,
upon the division of the Earth by Noah amongst his sons, and by
Japhet of his part thereof amongst his sons.
14.
Phniusa Farsaidh (or Fenius Farsa) was King of Scythia, at the
time when Ninus ruled the Assyrian Empire; and, being a wise man and
desirous to learn the languages that not long before confounded the
builders of the Tower of Babel, employed able and learned men to go
among the dispersed multitude to learn their several languages; who
sometime after returning well skilled in what they went for,
Phniusa Farsaidh erected a school in the valley of Senaar, near
the city of Æothena, in the forty-second year of the reign of
Ninus; whereupon, having continued there with his younger son Niul
for twenty years, he returned home to his kingdom, which, at his
death, he left to the oldest son Nenuall; leaving to Niul no other
patrimony than his learning and the benefit of the said school.
15.
Niul, after his father returned to Scythia, continued some time at
othena, teaching the languages and other laudable sciences,
until upon report of his great learning he was invited into Egypt by
Pharaoh, the King; who gave him the land of Campus Cyrunt, near the
Red Sea to inhabit, and his daughter Scota in marriage; from whom
their posterity are ever since called Scots; but, according to some
annalists, the name "Scots" is derived from the word
Scythia. It was this Niul that employed Gaodhal [Gael], son of Ethor,
a learned and skilful man, to compose or rather refine and adorn the
language, called Bearla Tobbai, which was common to all Niul's
posterity, and afterwards called Gaodhilg (or Gaelic), from the said
Gaodhal who composed or refined it; and for his sake also Niul called
his own eldest son "Gaodhal."
16.
Gaodhal (or Gathelus), the son of Niul, and ancestor of
Clan-na-Gael, that is, "the children or descendants of
Gaodhal". In his youth this Gaodhal was stung in the neck by a
serpent, and was immediately brought to Moses, who, laying his rod
upon the wounded place, instantly cured him; whence followed the word
"Glas" to be added to his named, as Gaodhal Glas (glas:
Irish, green; Lat. glaucus; Gr. glaukos), on account of the green
scar which the word signifies, and which, during his life, remained
on his neck after the wound was healed. And Gaodhal obtained a
further blessing, namely-that no venomous beast can live any time
where his posterity should inhabit; which is verified in Creta or
Candia, Gothia or Getulia, Ireland, etc. The Irish chroniclers affirm
that from this time Gaodhal and his posterity did paint the figures
of Beasts, Birds, etc., on their banners and shields, to distinguish
their tribes and septs, in imitation of the Israelites; and that a
"Thunderbolt" was the cognisance in their chief standard
for many generations after this Gaodhal.
17.
Asruth, after his father's death, continued in Egypt and governed
his colony in peace during his life.
18.
Sruth, soon after his father's death, was set upon by the Egyptians,
on account of their former animosities towards their predecessors for
having taken part with the Israelites against them; which animosities
until then lay raked up in the embers, and now broke out in a flame
to that degree, that after many battles and conflicts wherein most of
his colony lost their live, Sruth was forced with the few remaining
to depart the country; and, after many traverses at sea, arrived at
the Island of Creta (now called Candia), where he paid his last
tribute to nature.
19.
Heber Scut (scut: Irish, a Scot), after his father's death and a
year's stay in Creta, departed thence, leaving some of his people to
inhabit the Island, where some of their posterity likely still
remain; "because the Island breeds no venomous serpent ever
since." He and his people soon after arrived in Scythia; where
his cousins, the posterity of Nenuall (eldest son of Fenius Farsa,
above mentioned), refusing to allot a place of habitation form him
and his colony, they fought many battles wherein Heber (with the
assistance of some of the natives who were ill-affected towards their
king), being always victor, he at length forced the sovereignty from
the other, and settled himself and his colony in Scythia, who
continued there for four generations. (Hence the epithet Scut, "a
Scot" or "a Scythian," was applied to this Heber, who
was accordingly called Heber Scot.) Heber Scot was afterwards slain
in battle by Noemus the former king's son.
20.
Baouman;
21
Ogaman; and
22.
Tait, were each kings of Scythia, but in constant war with the
natives; so that after Tait's death his son,
23.
Agnon and his followers betook themselves to sea, wandering and
coasting upon the Caspian Sean for several (some say seven) years in
which time he died.
24.
Lamhfionn and his fleet remained at sea for some time, after his
father's death, resting and refreshing themselves upon such islands
as they met with. It was then the Cachear, their magician or Druid,
foretold that there would be no end of their peregrinations and
travel until they should arrive at the Western Island of Europe, now
called Ireland, which was the place destined for their future and
lasting abode and settlement; and that not they but their posterity
after three hundred years should arrive there. After many traverses
of fortune at sea, this little fleet with their leader arrived at
last and landed at Gothia or Geulia-more recently called Lybia, where
Carthage was afterwards built; and, soon after, Lamhfionn died there.
25.
Heber Glunfionn was born in Gothia, where he died. His posterity
continued there to the eighth generation; and were kings or chief
rulers there for one hundred and fifty years-some say three hundred years.
26.
Agnan Fionn;
27.
Febric Glas;
28.
Nenuall;
29.
Nuadhad;
30.
Alladh;
31.
Arcadh; and
32.
Deag: of these nothing remarkable is mentioned, but that they lived
and died kings in Gothia or Getulia.
33.
Brath was born in Gothia. Remembering the Druid's prediction, and
his people having considerably multiplied during their abode in
Geulia, he departed thence with a numerous fleet to seek out the
country destined for their final settlement, by the prophecy of
Cachear, the Druid above mentioned; and, after some time, he landed
upon the coast of Spain, and by strong hand settled himself and his
colony in Galicia, in the north of that country.
34.
Breoghan (or Brigus) was king of Galicia, Andalusia, Murcia,
Castile, and Portugal-all of which he conquered. He built Breoghan's
Tower or Brigantia in Galicia, and the city of Brigantia or Braganza
in Portugal-called after him; and the kingdom of Castile was then
also called after him Brigia. It is considered that
"Castile" itself was so called from the figure of a castle
which Brigus bore for his Arms on his banner. Brigus sent a colony
into Britain, who settled in that territory now known as the counties
of York, Lancaster, Durham, Westmoreland, and Cumberland, and, after
him were called Brigantes; whose posterity gave formidable opposition
to the Romans, at the time of the Roman invasion of Britain.
35.
Bilé; was king of those countries after his father's death;
and his son Galamh [galav] or Milesius succeeded him. This Bilé
had a brother named Ithe.
36.
Milesius, in his youth and in his father's life-time, went into
Scythia, where he was kindly received by the king of that country,
who gave him his daughter in marriage, and appointed him General of
his forces. In this capacity Milesius defeated the king's enemies,
gained much fame, and the love of all the king's subjects. His
growing greatness and popularity excited against him the jealousy of
the king; who, fearing the worst, resolved on privately dispatching
Milesius our of the way, for, openly, he dare not attempt it.
Admonished of the king's intentions in his regard, Milesius slew him;
and thereupon quitted Scythia and retired into Egypt with a fleet of
sixty sail. Pharaoh Nectonibus, then king of Egypt, being informed of
his arrival and of his great valour, wisdom, and conduct in arms,
made him General of all his forces against the king of Ethiopia then
invading his country. Here, as in Scythia, Milesius was victorious;
he forced the enemy to submit to the conqueror's own terms of peace.
By these exploits Milesius found great favour with Pharaoh, who gave
him, being then a widower, his daughter Scota in marriage; and kept
him eight years afterwards in Egypt. During the sojourn of Milesius
in Egypt, he employed the most ingenious and able persons among his
people to be instructed in the several trades, arts, and sciences
used in Egypt; in order to have them taught to the rest of his people
on his return to Spain. [The original name of Milesius of Spain was
"Galamh" (gall: Irish, a stranger; amh, a negative affix),
which means, no stranger: meaning that he was no stranger in Egypt,
where he was called "Milethea Spaine," which was afterwards
contracted to "Miló Spaine" (meaning the Spanish
Hero), and finally to "Milesiius" (mileadh: Irish, a hero;
Lat. miles, a soldier).] At length Milesius took leave of his
father-in-law, and steered towards Spain; where he arrived to the
great joy and comfort of his people; who were much harassed by the
rebellion of the natives and by the intrusion of other foreign
nations that forced in after his father's death, and during his own
long absence from Spain. With these and those he often met; and, in
fifty-four battles, victoriously fought, he routed, destroyed, and
totally extirpated them out of the country, which he settled in peace
and quietness. In his reign a great dearth and famine occurred in
Spain, of twenty-six years' continuance, occasioned, as well by
reason of the former troubles which hindered the people from
cultivating, and manuring the ground, as for want of rain to moisten
the earth - but Milesius superstitiously believed the famine to have
fallen upon him and his people as a judgment and punishment from
their gods, for their negligence in seeking out the country destined
for their final abode, so long before foretold by Cachear their Druid
or magician, as already mentioned - the time limited by the prophecy
for the accomplishment thereof being now nearly, if not fully,
expired. To expiate his fault and to comply with the will of his
gods, Milesius, with the general approbation of his people, sent his
uncle Ithe, with his son Lughaidh [Luy], and one hundred and fifty
stout men to bring them an account of those western islands; who,
accordingly, arriving at the island since then called Ireland, and
landing in that part of it now called Munster, left his son with
fifty of his men to guard the ship, and with the rest travelled about
the island. Informed, among other things, that the three sons of
Cearmad, called Mac-Cuill, MacCeacht, and MacGreine, did then and for
thirty years before rule and govern the island, each for one year, in
his turn; and that the country was called after the names of their
three queens - Eire, Fodhla, and Banbha, respectively: one year
called "Eire," the next "Fodhla," and the next
"Banbha," as their husbands reigned in their regular turns;
by which names the island is ever since indifferently called, but
most commonly "Eire," because that MacCuill, the husband of
Eire, ruled and governed the country in his turn the year that the
Clan-na-Milé (or the sons of Milesius) arrived in and
conquered Ireland. And being further informed that the three brothers
were then at their palace at Aileach Neid, in the north part of the
country, engaged in the settlement of some disputes concerning their
family jewels, Ithe directed his course thither; sending orders to
his son to sail about with his ship and the rest of his men, and meet
him there. When Ithe arrived where the (Danann) brothers were, be was
honourably received and entertained by them; and, finding him to be a
mail of great wisdom. and knowledge, they referred their disputes to
him for decision. That decision having met their entire satisfaction,
Ithe exhorted them to mutual love, peace, and forbearance; adding
much in praise of their delightful, pleasant, and fruitful country;
and then took his leave, to return to his ship, and go back to Spain.
No sooner was he gone than the brothers; began to reflect on the high
commendations which Ithe gave of the Island; and, suspecting his
design of bringing others to invade it, resolved to prevent them, and
therefore pursued him with a strong party, overtook him, fought and
routed his men and wounded himself to death (before his son or the
rest of his men left on ship-board could come to his rescue) at a
place called, from that fight and his name, Magh Ithe or "The
plain of Ithe" (an extensive plain in the barony of Raphoe,
county Donegal); whence his son, having found him in that condition,
brought his dead and mangled body back into Spain, and there exposed
it to public view, thereby to excite his friends and relations to
avenge his murder. [Note: that all the invaders and planters of
Ireland, namely, Parthalonians, Neimhedh, the Firbolgs,
Tuatha-de-Danann, and Clan-na-Milé, where originally
Scythians, of the line of Japbet, who had the language called
Bearla-Tobbai or Gaoidhilg [Gaelic] common amongst them all; and
consequently not to be wondered at, that Ithe and the Tuatha-de-Danann
understood one another without an Interpreter - both speaking the
same language, though perhaps with some difference in the accent].
The exposing of the dead body of Ithe had the desired effect; for,
thereupon, Milesius made great preparations in order to invade
Ireland - as well to avenge his uncle's death, as also in obedience
to the will of his gods, signified by the prophecy of Cachear,
aforesaid. But, before he could effect that object, he died, leaving
the care, and charge of that expedition upon his eight legitimate
sons by his two wives before mentioned. Milesius was a very valiant
champion, a great warrior, and fortunate and prosperous in all his
undertakings: witness his name of "Milesius," given him
from the many battles (some say a thousand, which the word
"Milé" signifies in Irish as well as in Latin) which
he victoriously fought and won, as well in Spain, as in all the other
countries and kingdoms be traversed in his younger days. The eight
brothers were neither forgetful nor negligent in the execution of
their father's command; but, soon after his death, with a numerous
fleet well manned and equipped, set forth from Breoghan's Tower or
Brigantia (now Corunna) in Galicia, in Spain, and sailed prosperously
to the coasts of Ireland or lnis-Fail, where they met many
difficulties and various chances before they could land: occasioned
by the diabolical arts, sorceries, and enchantments used by the
Tuatha-de-Danann, to obstruct their landing; for, by their magic art,
they enchanted the island so as to appear to the Milesians or
Clan-na-Milé in the form of a Hog, and no way to come at it
(whence the island, among the many other names it had before, was
called "Muc-Inis or "The Hog Island"); and withal
raised so great a storm, that the Milesian fleet was thereby totally
dispersed and many of them cast away, wherein five of the eight
brothers, sons of Milesius, lost their lives. That part of the fleet
commanded by Heber, Heremon, and Amergin (the three surviving,
brothers), and Heber Donn, son of Ir (one of the brothers lost in the
storm), overcame all opposition, landed safe, fought and routed the
three Tuatha-de Danann Kings at Slieve-Mis, and thence pursued and
overtook them at Tailten, where another bloody battle was fought;
wherein the three (Tuatha-de-Danann) Kings and their Queens were
slain, and their army utterly routed and destroyed: so that they
could never after give any opposition to the Clan-na-Milé in
their new conquest; who, having thus sufficiently avenged the death
of their great uncle Ithe, gained the possession of the country
foretold them by Cachear, some ages past, as already mentioned. Heber
and Heremon, the chief leading men remaining of the eight brothers,
sons of Milesius aforesaid, divided the kingdom between them
(allotting a proportion of land to their brother Amergin, who was
their Arch-priest, Druid, or magician; and to their nephew Heber
Donn, and to the rest of their chief commanders), and became jointly
the first of one hundred and eighty-three Kings or sole Monarchs of
the Gaelic, Milesian, or Scottish Race, that ruled and governed
Ireland, successively, for two thousand eight hundred and eighty-five
years from the first year of their reign), Anno Mundi three thousand
five hundred, to their submission to the Crown of England in the
person of King Henry the Second; who, being also of the Milesian Race
by Maude, his mother, was lineally descended from Fergus Mór
MacEarca, first King of Scotland, who was descended from the said
Heremon - so that the succession may be truly said to continue in the
Milesian Blood from before Christ one thousand six hundred and
ninety-nine years down to the present time. Heber and Heremon reigned
jointly one year only, when, upon a difference between their
ambitious wives, they quarrelled and fought a battle at Ardeath or
Geshill (Geashill, near Tullamore in the King's County), where Heber
was slain by Heremon; and, soon after, Amergin, who claimed an equal
share in the government, was, in another battle fought between them,
likewise slain by Heremon. Thus, Heremon became sole Monarch, and
made a new division of the land amongst his comrades and friends,
viz.: the south part, now called Munster, he gave to his brother
Heber's four sons, Er, Orba, Feron, and Fergna; the north part, now
Ulster, he gave to Ir's only son Heber Donn; the east part or
Coigeadh, Galian, now called Leinster, be gave to
Criomthann-sciath-bheil, one of his commanders; and the west part,
now called Connaught, Heremon gave to Un-Mac-Oigge, another of his
commanders; allotting a part of Munster to Lughaidh (the son of Ithe,
the first Milesian discoverer of Ireland), amongst his brother
Heber's sons. From these three brothers, Heber, Ir, and Heremon
(Amergin dying without issue), are descended all the Milesian Irish
of Ireland and Scotland, viz.: from Heber, the eldest brother, the
provincial Kings of Munster (of whom thirty-eight were sole Monarchs
of Ireland), and most of the nobility and gentry of Munster, and many
noble families in Scotland, are descended. From Ir, the second
brother, all the provincial Kings of Ulster (of whom twenty-six were
sole Monarchs of Ireland), and all the ancient nobility and gentry of
Ulster, and many noble families in Leinster, Munster, and Connaught,
derive their pedigrees; and, in Scotland, the Clan-na-Rory - the
descendants of an eminent man, named Ruadhri or Roderick, who was
Monarch of Ireland for seventy years (viz., from Before Christ 288 to
218). From Heremon, the youngest of the three brothers, were
descended one hundred and fourteen sole Monarchs of Ireland: the
provincial Kings and Hermonian nobility and gentry of Leinster,
Connaught, Meath, Orgiall, Tirowen, Tirconnell, and Clan-na-boy; the
Kings of Dalriada; all the Kings of Scotland from Fergus Mór
MacEarea, down to the Stuarts; and the Kings and Queens of England
from Henry the Second down to tile present time. The issue of Ithe is
not accounted among the Milesian Irish or Clan-na-Milé, as not
being descended from Milesius, but from his uncle Ithe; of whose
posterity there were also some Monarchs of Ireland and many
provincial or half provincial Kings of Munster: that country upon its
first division being allocated to the sons of Heber and to Lughaidh,
son of Ithe, whose posterity continued there accordingly. This
invasion, conquest, or plantation of Ireland by the Milesian or
Scottish Nation took place in the Year of the World three thousand
Ova hundred, or the next year after Solomon began the foundation of
the Temple of Jerusalem, and one thousand six hundred and ninety-nine
years before the Nativity of our Saviour Jesus Christ; which,
according to the Irish computation of Time, occurred Anno Mundi five
thousand one hundred and ninety-nine: therein agreeing with the
Septuagint, Roman Martyrologies, Eusebius, Orosius, and other ancient
authors; which computation the ancient Irish chroniclers exactly
observed in their Books of the Reigns of the Monarchs of Ireland, and
other Antiquities of that Kingdom ; out of which the Roll of the
Monarchs of Ireland, from the beginning of the Milesian Monarchy to
their submission to King Henry the Second of England, a Prince of
their own Blood, is exactly collected. [As the Milesian invasion of
Ireland took place the next year after the laying of the foundation
of the Temple of Jerusalem by Solomon, King of Israel, we may infer
that Solomon was contemporary with Milesius of Spain; and that the
Pharaoh King of Egypt, who (1 Kings iii. 1,) gave his daughter in
marriage to Solomon, was the Pharaoh who conferred on Milesius of
Spain the hand of another daughter Scota.] Milesius of Spain bore
three Lions in his shield and standard, for the following reasons;
namely, that, in his travels in his younger days into foreign
countries, passing through Africa, he, by his cunning and valour,
killed in one morning three Lions; and that, in memory of so noble
and valiant an exploit, he always after bore three Lions on his
shield, which his two surviving sons Heber and Heremon, and his
grandson Heber Donn, son of Ir, after their conquest of Ireland,
divided amongst them, as well as they did the country: each of them.
bearing a Lion in his shield and banner, but of different colours;
which the Chiefs of their posterity continue to this day: some with
additions and differences; others plain and entire as they had it
from their ancestors.
37.
Heremon: his son. He and his eldest brother Heber were, jointly, the
first Milesian Monarchs of Ireland; they began to reign, A.M. 3,500,
or, Before Christ, 1699. After Heber was slain, B.C. 1698, Heremon
reigned singly for fourteen years; during which time a certain colony
called by the Irish Cruithneaigh, in English "Cruthneans"
or Picts, arrived in Ireland and requested Heremon to assign them a
part of the country to settle in, which he refused; but, giving them
as wives the widows of the Tuatha-de-Danans, slain in battle, he sent
them with a strong party of his own forces to conquer the country
then called "Alba," but now Scotland; conditionally, that
they and their posterity should be tributary to the Monarchs of
Ireland. Heremon died, B.C. 1683, and was succeeded by three of his
four sons, named Muimne, Luigne, and Laighean, who reigned jointly
for three years, and were slain by their Heberian successors.
38.
Irial Faidh ("faidh": Irish, a prophet): his son; was the
10th Monarch of Ireland; died B.C. 1670. This was a very learned
King; could foretell things to come; and caused much of the country
to be cleared of the ancient forests. He likewise built seven royal
palaces, viz., Rath Ciombaoith, Rath Coincheada, Rath Mothuig, Rath
Buirioch, Rath Luachat, Rath Croicne, and Rath Boachoill. He won four
remarkable battles over his enemies: - Ard Inmath, at Teabtha, where
Stirne, the son of Dubh, son of Fomhar, was slain; the second battle
was at Teanmhuighe, against the Fomhoraice, where Eichtghe, their
leader, was slain; the third was the battle of Loch Muighe, where
Lugrot, the son of Moghfeibhis, was slain; and the fourth was the
battle of Cuill Martho, where the four sons of Heber were defeated.
Irial died in the second year after this battle, having reigned 10
years, and was buried at Magh Muagh.
39.
Eithrial: his son; was the 11th Monarch; reigned 20 years; and was
slain by Conmaol, the son of Heber Fionn, at the battle of Soirrean,
in Leinster, B.C. 1650.
This
also was a learned King, he wrote with his own hand the History of
the Gaels (or Gadelians); in his reign seven large woods were cleared
and much advance made in the practice of agriculture.
40.
Foll-Aich: his son; was kept out of the Monarchy by Conmaol, the
slayer of his father, who usurped his place.
41.
Tigernmas: his son; was the 13th Monarch, and reigned 77 years;
according to Keating, he reigned but 50 years; he fought twenty-seven
battles with the followers of the family of Heber Fionn, all which he
gained. In his reign gold was mined near the Liffey, and skilfully
worked by Inchadhan. This King also made a law that each grade of
society should be known by the number of colours in its wearing
apparel: - the clothes of a slave should be of one colour; those of a
soldier of two; the dress of a commanding officer to be of three
colours; a gentleman's dress, who kept a table for the free
entertainment of strangers, to be of four colours; five colours to be
allowed to the nobility (the chiefs); and the King, Queen, and Royal
Family, as well as the Druids, historians, and other learned men to
wear six colours.
This
King died, B.C. 1543, on the Eve of 1st of November, with two-thirds
of the people of Ireland, at Magh Sleaght (or Field of Adoration), in
the county of Leitrim, as he was adoring the Sun-God, Crom Cruach (a
quo Macroom).
Historians
say this Monarch was the first who introduced image worship in Ireland.
42.
Enboath: his son. It was in this prince's lifetime that the Kingdom
was divided in two parts by a line drawn from Drogheda to Limerick.
43.
Smiomghall: his son; in his lifetime the Picts in Scotland were
forced to abide by their oath, and pay homage to the Irish Monarch;
seven large woods were also cut down.
44.
Fiacha Labhrainn: his son; was the 18th Monarch; reigned 24 years;
slew Eochaidh Faobharglas, of the line of Heber, at the battle of
Carman. During his reign all the inhabitants of Scotland were brought
in subjection to the Irish Monarchy, and the conquest was secured by
his son the 20th Monarch. Fiacha at length (B.C. 1448) fell in the
battle of Bealgadain, by the hands of Eochaidh Mumho, the son of
Moefeibhis, of the race of Heber Fionn.
45.
Aongus Olmucach: his son; was the 20th Monarch; in his reign the
Picts again refused to pay the tribute imposed on them 250 years
before, by Heremon, but this Monarch went with a strong army into
Alba and in thirty pitched battles overcame them and forced them to
pay the required tribute.
Aongus
was at length slain by Eana, in the battle of Carman, B.C. 1409.
46.
Main: his son; was kept out of the Monarchy by Eadna, of the line of
Heber Fionn. In his time silver shields were given as rewards for
bravery to the Irish militia.
47.
Rotheachtach: his son; was the 22nd Monarch; slain, B.C. 1357, by
Sedne (or Seadhna), of the Line of Ir.
48.
Dein: his son; was kept out of the Monarchy by his father's slayer,
and his son. In his time gentlemen and noblemen first wore gold
chains round their necks, as a sign of their birth; and golden
helmets were given to brave soldiers,
49.
Siorna "Saoghalach" (long-oevus): his son; was the 34th
Monarch; he obtained the name "Saoghalach" on account of
his extraordinary long life; slain, B.C 1030, at Aillin, by
Rotheachta, of the line of Heber Fionn, who usurped the Monarchy,
thereby excluding from the throne -
50.
Olioll Aolcheoin: son of Siorna Saoghalach.
51.
Gialchadh: his son; was the 37th Monarch; killed by Art Imleach, of
the Line of Heber Fionn, at Moighe Muadh, B.C. 1013.
52.
Nuadhas Fionnfail: his son; was the 39th Monarch; slain by
Breasrioghacta, his successor, B.C. 961.
53.
Aedan Glas: his son. In his time the coast was infested with
pirates; and there occurred a dreadful plague (Apthach) which swept
away most of the inhabitants.
54.
Simeon Breac: his son; was the 44th Monarch; he inhumanly caused his
predecessor to be torn asunder; but, after a reign of six years, he
met with a like death, by order of Duach Fionn, son to the murdered
King, B.C. 903.
55.
Muredach Bolgach: his son; was the 46th Monarch; killed by Eadhna
Dearg, B.C. 892; he had two sons - Duach Teamhrach, and Fiacha.
56.
Fiacha Tolgrach: son of Muredach; was the 55th Monarch. His brother
Duach had two sons, Eochaidh Framhuine and Conang Beag-eaglach, who
were the 51st and 53rd Monarchs of Ireland.
Fiacha's
life was ended by the sword of Oilioll Fionn, of the Line of Heber
Fionn, B.C. 795.
57.
Duach Ladhrach: his son; was the 59th Monarch; killed by Lughaidh
Laighe, son of Oilioll Fionn, B.C. 737.
58.
Eochaidh Buadhach: his son; was kept out of the Monarchy by his
father's slayer. In his time the kingdom was twice visited with a plague.
59.
Ugaine Mór: his son. This Ugaine (or Hugony) the Great was
the 66th Monarch of Ireland. Was called Mór on account of his
extensive dominions, - being sovereign of all the Islands of Western
Europe. Was married to Cæsair, daughter to the King of France,
and by her had issue - twenty-two sons and three daughters. In order
to prevent these children encroaching on each other he divided the
Kingdom into twenty-five portions, allotting to each his (or her)
distinct inheritance. By means of this division the taxes of the
country were collected during the succeeding 300 years. All the sons
died without issue except two, viz: - Laeghaire Lorc, ancestor of all
the Leinster Heremonians; and Cobthach Caolbhreagh, from whom the
Heremonians of Leath Cuinn, viz., Meath, Ulster, and Conacht derive
their pedigree.
Ugaine
was at length, B.C. 593, slain by Badhbhchadh, who failed to secure
the fruits of his murder - the Irish Throne, as he was executed by
order of Laeghaire Lorc, the murdered Monarch's son, who became the
68th Monarch.
60.
Colethach Caol-bhreagh: son of Ugaine Mór; was the 69th
Monarch; it is said, that, to secure the Throne, he assassinated his
brother Laeghaire; after a long reign he was at length slain by
Maion, his nephew, B.C. 541.
61.
Melg Molbhthach: his son; was the 71st Monarch; was slain by
Modhchorb, son of Cobhthach Caomh, of the Line of Heber Fionn, B.C. 541.
62.
Iaran Gleofathach: his son; was the 74th Monarch; was a King of
great justice and wisdom very well learned and possessed of many
accomplishments; slain by Fear-Chorb, son of Modh-Chorb, B.C. 473.
63.
Conla Caomh: his son; was the 74th Monarch of Ireland; died a
natural death, B.C. 442.
64.
Olioll Cas-fiachlach: his son; was the 77th Monarch; slain by his
successor, Adhamhar Foltchaion, B.C. 417.
65.
Eochaidh Alt-Leathan: his son; was the 79th Monarch; slain by
Feargus Fortamhail, his successor, B.C. 395.
66.
Aongus (or Æneas) Tuirmeach-Teamrach: his son; was the 81st
Monarch; his son, Fiacha Firmara (so called from being exposed in a
small boat on the sea) was ancestor of the Kings of Dalriada and
Argyle in Scotland. This Aongus was slain at Tara (Teamhrach), B.C. 324.
67.
Enna Aigneach: the legitimate son of Aongus; was the 84th Monarch;
was of a very bountiful disposition, and exceedingly munificent in
his donations. This King lost his life by the hands of Criomthan
Cosgrach, B.C. 292.
68.
Assaman Eamhna: his son; was excluded from the Throne by his
father's murderer.
69.
Roighen Ruadh: his son; in his time most of the cattle in Ireland
died of murrain.
70.
Fionnlogh: his son.
71.
Fionn: his son; married Benia, daughter of Criomthan; had two sons.
72.
Eochaidh Feidlioch: his son; was the 93rd Monarch; m Clothfionn,
daughter of Eochaidh Uchtleathan, who was a very virtuous lady. By
him she had three children at a birth - Breas, Nar, and Lothar (the
Fineamhas), who were slain at the battle of Dromchriadh; after their
death, a melancholy settled on the Monarch, hence his name "Feidhlioch."
This
Monarch caused the division of the Kingdom by Ugaine Mór into
twenty-five parts, to cease; and ordered that the ancient Firvolgian
division into Provinces should be resumed, viz., Two Munsters,
Leinster, Conacht, and Ulster.
He
also divided the government of these Provinces amongst his favourite
courtiers: - Conacht he divided into three parts between Fiodhach,
Eochaidh Allat, and Tinne, son of Conragh, son of Ruadhri Mór,
No 62 on the "Line of Ir;" Ulster (Uladh) he gave to
Feargus, the son of Leighe; Leinster he gave to Ros, the son of
Feargus Fairge; and the two Munsters he gave to Tighernach
Teadhbheamach and Deagbadah.
After
this division of the Kingdom, Eochaidh proceeded to erect a Royal
Palace in Conacht; this he built on Tinne's government in a place
called Druin-na-n Druagh, now Craughan (from Craughan Crodhearg,
Maedhbh's mother, to whom she gave the palace), but previously, Rath
Eochaidh. About the same time he bestowed his daughter the Princess
Maedhbh on Tinne, whom he constituted King of Conacht; Maedhbh being
hereditary Queen of that Province.
After
many years reign Tinne was slain by Maceacht (or Monaire) at Tara.
After ten years' undivided reign, Queen Maedhbh married Oilioll
Mór, son of Ros Ruadh, of Leinster, to whom she bore the seven
Maine; Oilioll Mór was at length slain by Conall Cearnach, who
was soon after killed by the people of Conacht. Maedhbh was at length
slain by Ferbhuidhe, the son of Conor MacNeasa (Neasa was his
mother); but in reality this Conor was the son of Fachtna Fathach,
son of Cas, son of Ruadhri Mór, of the Line of Ir.
This
Monarch, Eochaidh, died at Tara, B.C. 130.
73.
Bress-Nar-Lothar: his son. In his time the Irish first dug graves
beneath the surface to bury their dead; previously they laid the body
on the surface and heaped stones over it. He had also been named Fineamhnas.
74.
Lughaidh Sriabh-n Dearg: his son; was the 98th Monarch; he entered
into an alliance with the King of Denmark, whose daughter,
Dearborguill, he obtained as his wife; he killed himself by falling
on his sword in the eighth year Before CHRIST.
75.
Crimthann-Niadh-Nar: his son; who was the 100th Monarch of Ireland,
and styled "The Heroic." It was in this Monarch's reign
that our Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRIST was born.
Crimthann's
death was occasioned by a fall from his horse, B.C. 9. Was married
to Nar-Tath-Chaoch, daughter of Laoch, son of Daire, who lived in the
land of the Picts (Scotland).
76.
Feredach Fionn-Feachtnach: his son; was the 102nd Monarch. The
epithet "feachtnach" was applied to this Monarch because of
his truth and sincerity. In his reign lived Moran, the son of Maom, a
celebrated Brehon, or Chief Justice of the Kingdom; it is said that
he was the first who wore the wonderful collar called Iodhain Morain;
this collar possessed a wonderful property: - if the judge who wore
it attempted to pass a false judgment it would immediately contract,
so as nearly to stop his breathing; but if he reversed such false
sentence the collar would at once enlarge itself, and hang loose
around his neck. This collar was also caused to be worn by those who
acted as witnesses, so as to test the accuracy of their evidence.
This Monarch, Feredach, died a natural death at the regal city at
Tara, A.D. 36.
77.
Fiacha Fionn Ola: his son; was the 104th Monarch; reigned 17 years,
and was (A.D. 56) slain by Eiliomh MacConrach, of the Race of Ir, who
succeeded him on the throne. This Fiacha was married to Eithne,
daughter of the King of Alba; whither, being near her confinement at
the death of her husband, she went, and was there delivered of a son,
who was named Tuathal.
78.
Tuathal Teachtmar: that son; was the 106th Monarch of Ireland. When
Tuathal came of age, he got together his friends, and, with what aid
his grandfather the king of Alba gave him, came into Ireland and
fought and overcame his enemies in twenty-five battles in Ulster,
twenty-five in Leinster, as many in Connaught, and thirty-five in
Munster. And having thus restored the true royal blood and heirs to
their respective provincial kingdoms, he thought fit to take, as he
accordingly did with their consent, fron each of the four divisions
or provinces Munster, Leinster, Connaught, and Ulster, a considerable
tract of ground which was the next adjoining to Uisneach (where
Tuathal had a palace): one east, another west, a third south, and a
fourth on the north of it; and appointed all four (tracts of ground
so taken from the four provinces) under the name of Midhe or
"Meath" to belong for ever after to the Monarch's own
peculiar demesne for the maintenance of his table; on each of which
several portions he built a royal palace for himself and his heirs
and successors; for every of which portions the Monarch ordained a
certain chiefry or tribute to be yearly paid to the provincial Kings
from whose provinces the said portions were taken, which may be seen
at large in the Chronicles. It was this Monarch that imposed the
great and insupportable fine (or "Eric") of 6,000 cows or
beeves, as many fat muttons, (as many) hogs, 6,000 mantles, 6,000
ounces (or "Uinge") of silver, and 12,000 (others have it
6,000) cauldrons or pots of brass, to be paid every second year by
the province of Leinster to the Monarchs of Ireland for ever, for the
death of his only two daughters Fithir and Darina. This tribute was
punctually taken and exacted, sometimes by fire and sword, during the
reigns of forty Monarchs of Ireland upwards of six hundred years,
until at last remitted by Finachta Fleadhach, the 153rd Monarch of
Ireland, and the 26th Christian Monarch, at the request and earnest
solicitation of St. Moling. At the end of thirty years' reign, the
Monarch Tuathal was slain by his successor Mal, A.D. 106.
This
Monarch erected Royal Palace at Tailtean; around the grave of Queen
Tailte he caused the Fairs to be resumed on La Lughnasa (Lewy's Day),
to which were brought all of the youth of both sexes of a suitable
age to be married, at which Fair the marriage articles were agreed
upon, and the ceremony performed.
Tuathal
married Baine, the daughter of Sgaile Balbh, King of England.
79.
Fedhlimidh (Felim) Rachtmar: his son; was so called as being a maker
of excellent wholesome laws, among which he established with all
firmness that of "Retaliation;" kept to it inviolably; and
by that means preserved the people in peace, quiet, plenty, and
security during his time. This Felim was the 108th Monarch; reigned
nine years; and, after all his pomp and greatness, died of thirst,
A.D. 119. He married Ughna, daughter of the King of Denmark.
80.
Conn Ceadcathach (or Conn of the Hundred Battles); his son; This
Conn was so called from hundreds of battles by him fought and won:
viz., sixty battles against Cahir Mór, King of Leinster and
the 109th Monarch of Ireland, whom he slew and succeeded in the
Monarchy; one hundred battles against the Ulsterians; and one hundred
more in Munster against Owen Mór (or Mogha Nua-Dhad), their
King, who, notwithstanding, forced the said Conn to an equal division
of the Kingdom with him. He had two brothers - 1. Eochaidh
Fionn-Fohart, 2. Fiacha Suidhe, who, to make way for themselves,
murdered two of their brother's sons named Conla Ruadh and Crionna;
but they were by the third son Art Eanfhear banished, first into
Leinster, and then into Munster, where they lived near Cashel. They
were seated at Deici Teamhrach (now the barony of Desee in Meath),
whence they were expelled by the Monarch Cormac Ulfhada, son of Art;
and, after various wanderings, they went to Munster where Oilioll
Olum, who was married to Sadhbh, daughter of Conn of the Hundred
Battles, gave them a large district of the present county of
Waterford, a part of which is still called Na-Deiseacha, or the
baronies of Desies. They were also given the country comprised in the
present baronies of Clonmel, Upper-Third, and Middle-Third, in the
co. Tipperary, which they held till the Anglo-Norman Invasion. From
Eochaidh Fionn-Fohart decended O'Nowlan or Nolan of Fowerty (or
Foharta), in Lease (or Leix), and Saint Bridget; and from Fiacha
Suidhe are O'Dolan, O'Brick of Dunbrick, and O'Faelan of Dun Faelan,
near Cashel. Conn of the Hundred Battles had also three daughters: 1.
Sadhbh, who married first, MacNiadh, after whose death she married
Oilioll Olum, King of Munster. 2. Maoin; and 3. Sarah (or Sarad),
married to Conan MacMogha Laine.
Conn
reigned 35 years; but was at length barbarously slain by Tiobraidhe
Tireach, son of Mal, son of Rochruidhe, King of Ulster. This murder
was committed in Tara, A.D. 157, when Conn chanced to be alone and
unattended by his guards; the assassins were fifty ruffians,
disguised as women, whom the King of Ulster employed for the purpose.
81.
Art Eanfhear ("art:" Irish, a bear, a stone; noble, great,
generous; hardness, cruelty. "Ean:" Irish, one;
"fhear," "ar," the man; Gr. "Ar," The
Man, or God of War): son of Conn of the Hundred Fights; a quo
O'h-Airt, anglicised O'Hart. This Art, who was the 112th Monarch of
Ireland, had three sisters - one of whom Sarad was the wife of
Conaire Mac Mogha Laine, the 111th Monarch, by whom she had three
sons called the "Three Cairbres," viz. - 1. Cairbre (alias
Eochaidh) Riada - a quo "Dalriada," in Ireland, and in
Scotland; 2. Cairbre Bascaon; 3. Cairbre Musc, who was the ancestor
of O'Falvey, lords of Corcaguiney, etc. Sabina (or Sadhbh), another
sister, was the wife of MacNiadh [nia], half King of Munster (of the
Sept of Lughaidh, son of Ithe), by whom she had a son named Maccon;
and by her second husband Olioll Olum she had nine sons, seven
whereof were slain by their half brother Maccon, in the famous battle
of Magh Mucroimhe [muccrove], in the county of Galway, where also the
Monarch Art himself fell, siding with his brother-in-law Olioll Olum
against the said Maccon, after a reign of thirty years, A.D. 195.
This Art was married to Maedhbh, Leathdearg, the daughter of Conann
Cualann; from this Queen, Rath Maedhbhe, near Tara, obtained its name.
82.
Cormac Ulfhada: son of Art Eanfhear; married Eithne, daughter of
Dunlang, King of Leinster; had three elder brothers - 1. Artghen, 2.
Boindia, 3. Bonnrigh. He had also six sons - 1. Cairbre Lifeachar, 2.
Muireadach, 3. Moghruith, 4. Ceallach, 5. Daire, 6. Aongus Fionn:
Nos. 4 and 5 left no issue. King Cormac Mac Art was the 115th Monarch
of Ireland; and was called "Ulfhada," because of his long
beard. He was the wisest, most learned, and best of any of the
Milesian race before him, that ruled the Kingdom. He ordained several
good laws; wrote several learned treatises, among which his treatise
on "Kingly Government," directed to his son Carbry
Liffechar, is extant and extraordinary. He was very magnificent in
his housekeeping and attendants, having always one thousand one
hundred and fifty persons in his daily retinue constantly attending
at his Great Hall at Tara; which was three hundred feet long, thirty
cubits high, and fifty cubits broad, with fourteen doors to it. His
daily service of plate, flagons, drinking cups of gold, silver., and
precious stone, at his table, ordinarily consisted of one hundred and
fifty pieces, besides dishes, etc., which were all pure silver or
gold. He ordained that ten choice persons should constantly attend
him and his successors - Monarchs of Ireland, and never to be absent
from him, viz. - 1. A nobleman to be his companion; 2. A judge to
deliver and explain the laws of the country in the King's presence
upon all occasions; 3. An antiquary or historiographer to declare and
preserve the genealogies, acts, and occurrences of the nobility and
gentry from time to time as occasion required; 4. A Druid or Magician
to offer sacrifice, and presage good or bad omens, as his learning,
skill, or knowledge would enable him; 5. A poet to praise or
dispraise every one according to his good or bad actions; 6. A
physician to administer physic to the king and queen, and to the rest
of the (royal) family; 7. A musician to compose music, and sing
pleasant sonnets in the King's presence when there-unto disposed; and
8, 9, and 10, three Stewards to govern the King's House in all things
appertaining thereunto. This custom was observed by all the
succeeding Monarchs down to Brian Boromha [Boru], the 175th Monarch
of Ireland, and the 60th down from Cormac, without any alteration
only that since they received the Christian Faith they changed the
Druid or Magician for a Prelate of the Church.
What
is besides delivered from antiquity of this great Monarch is, that
(which among the truly wise is more valuable than any worldly
magnificence or secular glory whatsoever) he was to all mankind very
just, and so upright in his actions, judgments, and laws, that God
revealed unto him the light of His Faith seven years before his
death; and from thenceforward he refused his Druids to worship their
idol-gods, and openly professed he would no more worship any but the
true God of the Universe, the Immortal and Invisible King of Ages.
Whereupon the Druids sought his destruction, which they soon after
effected (God permitting it) by their adjurations and ministry of
damned spirits choking him as he sat at dinner eating of salmon, some
say by a bone of the fish sticking in his throat, A.D. 266, after he
had reigned forty years. Of the six sons of Cormac Mac Art, no issue
is recorded from any [of them], but from Cairbre-Lifeachar; he had
also ten daughters, but there is no account of any of them only two -
namely, Grace (or Grania), and Ailbh [alve], who were both
successively the wives of the great champion and general of the Irish
Militia, Fionn, the son of Cubhall [Coole]. The mother of Cormac
MacArt was Eachtach, the daughter of Ulcheatagh.
Cormac
was married to Eithne Ollamhdha, daughter of Dunlang, son of Eana
Niadh; she was fostered by Buiciodh Brughach, in Leinster.
83.
Cairbre-Lifeachar, the 117th Monarch of Ireland: son of King Cormac
Mac Art; was so called from his having been nursed by the side of the
Liffey, the river on which Dublin is built. His mother was Eithne,
daughter of Dunlong, King of Leinster. He had three sons - 1.
Eochaidh Dubhlen; 2. Eocho; and 3. Fiacha Srabhteine, who was the
120th Monarch of Ireland, and the ancestor of O'Neill, Princes of
Tyrone. Fiacha Srabhteine was so called, from his having been
fostered at Dunsrabhteine, in Connaught; of which province he was
King, before his elevation to the Monarchy. After seventeen years'
reign, the Monarch Cairbre Lifeachar was slain at the battle of
Gabhra [Gaura], A.D. 284, by Simeon, the son of Ceirb, who came from
the south of Leinster to this battle, fought by the Militia of
Ireland, who were called the Fiana Erionn (or Fenians), and arising
from a quarrel which happened between the; in which the Monarch,
taking part with one side against the other, lost his life.
84.
Eochaidh Dubhlen: the eldest son of Cairbre Lifeachar; was so called
from his having been nursed in Dublin ("Dubhlen: " Irish,
black stream, referring to the dark colour, in the city of Dublin, of
the water of the river Liffey, which flows through that city).
Eochaidh Dubhlen was married to Alechia, daughter of Updar, King of
Alba, and by her had three sons, who were known as "The Three
Collas," namely - 1. Muireadach, or Colla da Chrioch (or
Facrioch), meaning "Colla of the Two Countries" (Ireland
and Alba); 2. Carioll, or Colla Uais (meaning "Colla the
Noble"), who was the 121st Monarch of Ireland; 3. Colla Meann,
or "Colla the Famous." From the Three Collas descended many
noble families: Among those descended from Colla Uais are - Agnew,
Alexander, Donelan, Flinn, Healy, Howard (of England), MacAllister,
MacClean, MacDonald, lords of the Isles, and chiefs of Glencoe;
MacDonnell, of Antrim; MacDougald, MacDowell, MacEvoy, MacHale,
MacRory, MacVeagh (the ancient MacUais), MacVeigh, MacSheehy,
O'Brassil, Ouseley, Rogers, Saunders, Saunderson, Sheehy, Wesley, etc.
"The
barony of Cremorne in Monaghan," writes Dr. Joyce,
"preserves the name of the ancient district of Crioch-Mughdhorn
or Cree-Mourne, i.e., the country (crioch) of the people called
Mughdorna, who were descended and named from Mughdhorn (or Mourne),
the son of Colla Meann."
And
among others descended from Colla Meann was Luighne [Lugny], who was
the ancestor of Spears; and who, by his wife Basaire of the Sept of
the Decies of Munster, had a son called Fearbreach [farbra]
("farbreach:" Irish, the fine-looking man), who was bishop
of Yovar, and who (according to the Four Masters) was fifteen feet in height!
The
following are among the families of Ulster and Hy-Maine descended
from Colla da Chrioch: Boylan, Carbery, Cassidy, Corrigan, Corry,
Cosgrave, Davin, Davine, Devin, Devine, Devers, Divers, Donegan,
Donnelly, Eagan, Enright, Fogarty (of Ulster), Garvey, Gilchreest,
Goff, Gough, Hart, Harte, Hartt, Hartte, Higgins, Holland, Holligan,
Hoolahan, Hert, Keenan, Kelly, Kennedy, Keogh, Lally, Lannin, Larkin,
Laury, Lavan, Lalor, Lawlor, Leahy, Loftus, Loingsy (Lynch), Looney,
MacArdle, MacBrock, MacCabe, MacCann, MacCoskar, MacCusker,
MacDaniel, MacDonnell (of Clan-Kelly), MacEgan, MacGeough, MacGough,
MacHugh, MacKenna (of Truagh, co. Monaghan), MacMahon (of Ulster),
MacManus, MacNeny, MacTague (anglicised Montague), MacTernan,
MacTully, Madden, Magrath, Maguire, Malone, MacIvir, MacIvor, Meldon,
Mitchell, Mooney, Muldoon, Mullally, Muregan, Naghten, Nawn, Neillan,
Norton, O'Brassil, O'Callaghan (of Orgiall), O'Carroll of Oriel (or
Louth), O'Connor of Orgiall, O'Duffy, O'Dwyer, O'Flanagan, O'Hanlon,
O'Hanratty, O'Hart, O'Kelly, O'Loghan, O'Loghnan, O'Neny, Oulahan,
Rogan, Ronan, Ronayne, Slevine, Tully, etc.
85.
Colla da Chrioch: son of Eochaidh Dubhlen; had three sons - 1.
Rochadh; 2. Imchadh; 3. Fiachra Casan, a quo Oirthearaigh. This
Fiachra was the ancestor of O'Mooney of Ulster; O'Brassil; St.
Maineon (18th December), bishop, a quo "Kilmainham," near
Dublin; O'Connor, etc. Colla da Chrioch was the founder of the
Kingdom of Orgiall. The Clan Colla ruled over that Kingdom, and were
styled "Kings of Orgiall," down to the twelfth century.
86.
Rochadh: son of Colla da Chrioch.
87.
Deach Dorn: his son.
88.
Fiach (or Feig): his son; had a brother Labhradh, a quo Laury; and a
brother Brian, a quo O'Brien, of Arcaill.
89.
Criomhthan Liath ("criomhthan:" Irish, a fox): son of
Fiach; a quo O'Criomhthainne, of Ulster, anglicised Griffin; was King
of Orgiall, and, as the epithet Liath implies ("liath:"
Irish, gray-haired), was an old man when St. Patrick came to
Christianize Ireland. He had five sons - 1. Eochaidh; 2. Fergus
Ceannfada ("ceannfada:" Irish, long-headed, meaning
learned), who is mentioned by some writers as "Fergus Cean,"
and a quo O'Ceannatta, anglicised Kennedy and Kinitty; 3. Luighaidh,
a quo Leithrinn-Lughaidh; 4. Muireadach, who was the ancestor of
MacBrock, now Brock; 5. Aodh (who was also called Eochaidh), the
ancestor of Slevin. The Fergus Ceannfada here mentioned was one of
the three antiquaries who assisted the Monarch Laeghaire; Corc, King
of Munster; Daire, a Prince of Ulster; St. Patrick, St. Benignus, St.
Carioch, etc., "to review, examine, and reduce into order all
the monuments of antiquity, genealogies, chronicles, and records of
the Kingdom."
90.
Eochaidh [Eochy], King of Origall: the son of Criomhthan Liath. Had
a brother Cearbhall ("cearbhall" Irish, carnage), who was
the ancestor of and a quo O'Carroll, Kings of Oriel (or county
Louth), down to the twelfth century.
91.
Cairbre an Daimh Airgid ("an:" Irish, the def. article;
"daimh" [dav], a learned man or poet; and
"airgid," wealth, money; Lat. "argentum;" Gr.
"arg-uros"), King of Orgiall: his son; died 513; "was
so called from the many presents and gifts of silver and gold he
usually bestowed and gave away to all sorts of people." He had
many sons, viz.: - 1. Daimhin, a quo Siol Diamhin; 2. Cormaic, a quo
the territory Ua Cormaic, and who was the ancestor of Maguire; 3.
Nadsluagh, a quo Clann Nadsluaigh, and who was the ancestor of
MacMahon, of Ulster; 4. Fearach; 5. Fiacha; 6. Longseach; 7. Brian;
8. Dobhron, etc.
92.
Cormac: son of Cairbre an Daimh Airgid. His brother Diamhin, King of
Orgiall: son of Cairbre and Daimh Airgid; died A.D. 566. Had many
sons. From Fearach his eighth son are descended Devers, Divers,
Dwyer, Feehan, O'Leathain ("leathan:" Irish, broad),
anglicised Lahin, Lehane, Lane, and Broad; Larkin, Malone, Orr, etc.;
and Cumuscach, who was King of Oriel.
93.
Aodh: his son.
94.
Fergus: his son.
95.
Cormac (2): his son.
96.
Egneach (or Fechin): his son.
97.
Iargallach: his son.
98.
Luan ("luan:" Irish, a hero, a woman's breast, the moon,
etc.): his son.
99.
Cearnach: his son.
100.
Odhar: his son; had a brother named Feargal.
101.
Orgiall: his son; had a brother named Dalac who was the ancestor of
O'Lavan and Lavan, of Fermanagh.
102.
Searrach: son of Orgiall.
103.
Odhar ("odhar," gen. "uidhir:" Irish, pale or
palefaced): his son; a quo MacUidhir.
104.
Orgiall (2): his son.
105.
Searrach (2): his son.
106.
Odhar Oge: his son.
107.
Randal: his son.
108.
Donn Mór: his son; Lord of Fermanagh.
109.
Giolla Iosa: his son; had a younger brother named Manus.
110.
Donall: son of Giollaiosa.
111.
Donn Oge (also called Donn Carrach), the first Prince of Fermanagh:
his son; died 1315. Had a younger brother named Guthrigh Gamhnach,
who was the ancestor of Guthrie and MacGuthrie of Oirgiall.
112.
Flaithearthach: his son. Had two younger brothers - 1. Amhailgadh
[Awly], who was the ancestor of MacHugh; 2. Mahoun.
113.
Hugh Ruadh, the fourth Prince of Fermanagh: son of Flaithearthach;
died 1360.
114.
Philip: his son; the fifth Prince of Fermanagh; died 1375.
115.
Thomas Mór (also called Giolladubh), the sixth Prince of
Fermanagh: his son; died 1430.
116.
Thomas Oge, the seventh Prince: his son; died 1480; had a brother
named Philip.
117.
Philip: son of Thomas Oge. Had two brothers - 1. Connor Mór,
the tenth Prince, died 1518; 2. Edmond, who was the eighth Prince of
Fermanagh, and who died 1488.
118.
Brian: son of Philip.
119.
Cuchonacht: his son.
120.
Cuchonacht (2), the eleventh Prince: his son; died 1538.
121.
Cuchonacht (3), the fourteenth Prince: his son; died 1589.
122.
Hugh, the fifteenth Prince: his son; slain at Kinsale, 1602.
123.
Brian: his son.
124.
Cuchonacht (4): his son.
125.
Brian Maguire: his son.
MAGUIRE
of France
ZACHAIRE,
believed to have been a brother of Cuconnacht who is No. 120 on the
pedigree above, was the ancestor of Maguire, of France.
120.
Zachaire: son of Cuconnacht; married Eliza O'Neill, of Tyrone.
121.
Francis: their son; married - du Poncet; had a brother Zachaire.
122.
Nicholas: son of Francis; married - Philippe.
123.
Etienne: his son; married in 1649 Margaret Morel.
124.
Pierre: his son; married in 1697. Henriette de ???
125.
Rene-Etienne-Nicholas: his son; married in 1725 Elizabeth Daniell.
126.
Jean-Baptiste-Daniel: his son; married Genevieve Jeane Viol.
127.
George-Corry Maguire: his son.