The
Irish History
And
The Fighting Irish
And
The Fighting Irish
( Cormac Mac Art and Niall of the Nine Hostages )
third great work attributed to Cormac is the Psaltair na Tara. This is no longer in existence, and is
known only known by the frequent references to it of ancient chronologists, genealogists, seanachies, and poets - which refrences prove that it was a rich mine of very ancient historic and genealogic information, and that it was regarded as the greatest and most reliable authority of the very early days. The Book of Ballymote records that it contained " the synchronisms and genealogies as well as the succession of the Kingsm the battles, etc of antiquity, and this is the Psaltair of Tara, which is the origin and the fountain of the historians of Eirinn from that period, down to the present time. "
The learned O'Curry thinks that Psaltair was in existence a long time before Cormac, and that Cormac altered and enlarged it to bring it up to his time. he further says: " We have reason to believe that the age of writing existed here, long before Cormac's reign. " It has also been said " It proves to a certainty that in the third century of the Christian Era, there was a considerable amount of literary culture in Ireland. "
This remarkable king died in the year 267, more than a century and a half before the coming of St. Patrick. By reason of his extraordinary wisdom, the righteousness of his deeds, judgements and laws, he is said to have been blest with the light of the Christian Faith seven years before his death, There is an ancient tract called Releg na Riogh preserved in the Book of the Dun Cow, which records - " For Cormac had the faith of the one true God, according to thee law; for he said he would not adore stones, or trees, but that he would adore Him who made them, and who had power over all the elements; in him he would believe. And he was the third person who had believed in Erin, before the arrival of St. Patrick. Concobar MacNessa to whom Atlus had told concerning the Cruicfixion of Christ, was the first; Morann son of Caibri Cinncait ( who was surnamed MacMaein ) was the second person; and Cormac was the third; and it is possible that others followed in this belief. "
O'Curry, however records a fourth pagan who was said to have got the faith by inspiration - Art, the father of Cormac, and son Of Conn of the Hundred Battles, who tradition says, believed on the eve of the Battle of Magh Mocruime - the great battle in which he was to be overthrown and slain by Lugaid MacCon.
The traditions about Cormac also state that having been inspired by the faith he made a dying request that he should be buried, not with the other pagan Kings, at their famous burying ground, Brugh-na-Boinne, but at Ros na Riogh looking toward the East, whence would dawn the holy light that should make Eirinn radiant. Disregarding his dying wish, the Druids ordered that he should be interred with his ancestors at Brugh of Boyne. But when in pursuance of this, the bearers were bearing his body across the river, when a great wave swept it from thier shoulders, down the stream, and cast it up at Ros na Riogh, where according to his wish, he was then buried.
The learned O'Curry thinks that Psaltair was in existence a long time before Cormac, and that Cormac altered and enlarged it to bring it up to his time. he further says: " We have reason to believe that the age of writing existed here, long before Cormac's reign. " It has also been said " It proves to a certainty that in the third century of the Christian Era, there was a considerable amount of literary culture in Ireland. "
This remarkable king died in the year 267, more than a century and a half before the coming of St. Patrick. By reason of his extraordinary wisdom, the righteousness of his deeds, judgements and laws, he is said to have been blest with the light of the Christian Faith seven years before his death, There is an ancient tract called Releg na Riogh preserved in the Book of the Dun Cow, which records - " For Cormac had the faith of the one true God, according to thee law; for he said he would not adore stones, or trees, but that he would adore Him who made them, and who had power over all the elements; in him he would believe. And he was the third person who had believed in Erin, before the arrival of St. Patrick. Concobar MacNessa to whom Atlus had told concerning the Cruicfixion of Christ, was the first; Morann son of Caibri Cinncait ( who was surnamed MacMaein ) was the second person; and Cormac was the third; and it is possible that others followed in this belief. "
O'Curry, however records a fourth pagan who was said to have got the faith by inspiration - Art, the father of Cormac, and son Of Conn of the Hundred Battles, who tradition says, believed on the eve of the Battle of Magh Mocruime - the great battle in which he was to be overthrown and slain by Lugaid MacCon.
The traditions about Cormac also state that having been inspired by the faith he made a dying request that he should be buried, not with the other pagan Kings, at their famous burying ground, Brugh-na-Boinne, but at Ros na Riogh looking toward the East, whence would dawn the holy light that should make Eirinn radiant. Disregarding his dying wish, the Druids ordered that he should be interred with his ancestors at Brugh of Boyne. But when in pursuance of this, the bearers were bearing his body across the river, when a great wave swept it from thier shoulders, down the stream, and cast it up at Ros na Riogh, where according to his wish, he was then buried.
niall of the nine hostages
Niall
of the Nine Hostages was the greatest King that Ireland knew between the time of Cormac and
the coming of St. Patrick. His reign was epochal. He not only rules Ireland greatly and strongly, but carried the name and the fame, and the power and the fear, of Ireland into all neighbouring nations. He was moreover, founder of the longest, most important and most powerful Irish dynasty.
Almost without interruption his descendants were Ard-Righ of Ireland for 600 years. Under him the spirit of pagan Ireland upleaped in its last great red flame of military glory, a flame that, in another generation, was to be superseded by a great white flame, far less fierce but far more powerful - and one which, unlike this one, was to shed its light far, far beyond the bounds of neighboring nations - to the uttermost bounds of Europe. That is the great flame that Patrick was to kindle, and which was to expand and grow, ever mounting higher and spreading farther, year by year, for three hundred years. Niall's career was full of drama - romantic and tragic. Niall was a grandson of Muiredeach Tireach. His father Eochaid Muigh-medon, son of Muiredeach, became Ard-Righ mid-way of the fourth century. By his wife , Carthann, daughter of a British King, Eochaid had the son Niall. By another wife Mong -Fionn, daughter of the King of Munster, Eochaid had four sons, Brian, Fiachra, Ailill and Fergus. Mong-Fionn was a bitter jealous and ambitious woman, who set her heart upon having her son Brian, succeed his father as Ard-Righ. As Niall was his father's favourite, Mong-Fionn did not rest until she had outcast him and his mother, Carthann, and made Carthann her menial, carrying water to the court. The child was rescued
by a great poet of that time, Torna, who reared and educated him. ( Torna was also fosterer of Core, King of Cashel one of the three kings who is said to have been on the board with St. Patrick, at the revision of the laws )
When Niall had reached budding manhood, Torna brought him back to court to take his rightful place-much to his father's joy. The Niall showing strength of character, even in his early youth took his mother from her menial work, and restored her to her place. Of Niall's youth there are many legends, but two in prticular show the working of his destiny. One of these legends tells, on a day, the five brothers being in a smith's forge, when it took fire, they were commanded to run and save what they could. Their father who was looking on ( and who, say some caused the fire to test his sons ) observed with interest Niall's distinctiveness of character, his good sense and his good judgement. While brian saved the chariots from the fire, Ailill a shield and a sword, Fiachra the old forge trough and Fergus only a bundle of firewood, Niall carried out the bellows, the sledges, the anvil, and anvil block. He saved the soul of the forge, and saved the smith from ruin. Then his father said: " It is Niall who should succeed me as Ard-Righ of Eirinn. "
The other legend tells how, on a day when the five brothers were hunting, and all of them sorely thirsted, they at length discovered a well, in the woods, which however was guarded by a withered and ugly repulsive, old hag, who granted a drink only to such as should first kiss her. Thirsty as they were, neither one of Niall's four brothers could muster enough resolve to pay the price. But Niall went forward and kissed the ugly old hag, from whom the rags mmediately dropped, and the age and witherdness also, disclosing a radiantly beautiful maiden, who was in reality the symbol of Sovereignty. Then before Brian, Fiachra, Ailill and Fergus were permitted to quench their raging thirst, all four of them had to yield to Niall their chances for the Kingship - and to swear loyalty to him.
But Mong-Fionn schemed so well that, when Eochaid died at Tara, she had her brother Crimthann take the crown, to the exclusion of Niall - with the intention that Crimthann, should wear it until her son Brian, came of age. To her bitter wrath, however, Crimthann, instead of acting as a roi faineant, merely filling a gap, threw over Mong-Fionn's contro, and made himself a real King, and a powerful one, not only ruling Ireland but making successful expeditions abroad against the Picts in Alba, and against the Britains and in Gaul, meeting great success, inspiring respect for his might, and from his foreign campaigns bringing back to Eirinn great booty.
During his almost 20 year reign, the evil and designing covetous Mong-Fionn never ceased planning for her son Brian's enthroning through the downfall of Crimthann. In her main object she failed. She, however, succeeded in killing Crimthann by poison, but at the cost of her own life; for to induce him to believe the poison cup harmless - she herself had to drink from it first. To attain her ambition she gave her life - in vain. Niall's first foreign was to Alba ( Scotland ) to subdue the Picts. The little Irish ( Scotic ) colony in that part of Alba just opposite to Antrim had gradually been growing in numbers, strength and prestige - until they excited the jealousy and enmity of the Picts, who tried to crush them. Niall fitted out a large fleet and sailed to the assistance of his people. Joined then by the Irish in Alba, he marched against the Picts, overcame them, took hostages from them had Argyle and Cantire settled upon the Albanach Irish.
After obtaining obedience from the Picts, his next foreign raid was into Britain. When Maximus and his Roman Legions were in consequence of the Barbarian pressure upon the Continental Roman Empire, withdrawing from Britain, Niall, with his irish hosts and Pictish allies, treaded upon their hurrying heels. Yet did the Romans claim victory over Niall. For it is said his was the host referred to by the Roman Poet, Claudian, when in praising the Roman General, Stilicho, he says Britain was protected by this bold General.
Almost without interruption his descendants were Ard-Righ of Ireland for 600 years. Under him the spirit of pagan Ireland upleaped in its last great red flame of military glory, a flame that, in another generation, was to be superseded by a great white flame, far less fierce but far more powerful - and one which, unlike this one, was to shed its light far, far beyond the bounds of neighboring nations - to the uttermost bounds of Europe. That is the great flame that Patrick was to kindle, and which was to expand and grow, ever mounting higher and spreading farther, year by year, for three hundred years. Niall's career was full of drama - romantic and tragic. Niall was a grandson of Muiredeach Tireach. His father Eochaid Muigh-medon, son of Muiredeach, became Ard-Righ mid-way of the fourth century. By his wife , Carthann, daughter of a British King, Eochaid had the son Niall. By another wife Mong -Fionn, daughter of the King of Munster, Eochaid had four sons, Brian, Fiachra, Ailill and Fergus. Mong-Fionn was a bitter jealous and ambitious woman, who set her heart upon having her son Brian, succeed his father as Ard-Righ. As Niall was his father's favourite, Mong-Fionn did not rest until she had outcast him and his mother, Carthann, and made Carthann her menial, carrying water to the court. The child was rescued
by a great poet of that time, Torna, who reared and educated him. ( Torna was also fosterer of Core, King of Cashel one of the three kings who is said to have been on the board with St. Patrick, at the revision of the laws )
When Niall had reached budding manhood, Torna brought him back to court to take his rightful place-much to his father's joy. The Niall showing strength of character, even in his early youth took his mother from her menial work, and restored her to her place. Of Niall's youth there are many legends, but two in prticular show the working of his destiny. One of these legends tells, on a day, the five brothers being in a smith's forge, when it took fire, they were commanded to run and save what they could. Their father who was looking on ( and who, say some caused the fire to test his sons ) observed with interest Niall's distinctiveness of character, his good sense and his good judgement. While brian saved the chariots from the fire, Ailill a shield and a sword, Fiachra the old forge trough and Fergus only a bundle of firewood, Niall carried out the bellows, the sledges, the anvil, and anvil block. He saved the soul of the forge, and saved the smith from ruin. Then his father said: " It is Niall who should succeed me as Ard-Righ of Eirinn. "
The other legend tells how, on a day when the five brothers were hunting, and all of them sorely thirsted, they at length discovered a well, in the woods, which however was guarded by a withered and ugly repulsive, old hag, who granted a drink only to such as should first kiss her. Thirsty as they were, neither one of Niall's four brothers could muster enough resolve to pay the price. But Niall went forward and kissed the ugly old hag, from whom the rags mmediately dropped, and the age and witherdness also, disclosing a radiantly beautiful maiden, who was in reality the symbol of Sovereignty. Then before Brian, Fiachra, Ailill and Fergus were permitted to quench their raging thirst, all four of them had to yield to Niall their chances for the Kingship - and to swear loyalty to him.
But Mong-Fionn schemed so well that, when Eochaid died at Tara, she had her brother Crimthann take the crown, to the exclusion of Niall - with the intention that Crimthann, should wear it until her son Brian, came of age. To her bitter wrath, however, Crimthann, instead of acting as a roi faineant, merely filling a gap, threw over Mong-Fionn's contro, and made himself a real King, and a powerful one, not only ruling Ireland but making successful expeditions abroad against the Picts in Alba, and against the Britains and in Gaul, meeting great success, inspiring respect for his might, and from his foreign campaigns bringing back to Eirinn great booty.
During his almost 20 year reign, the evil and designing covetous Mong-Fionn never ceased planning for her son Brian's enthroning through the downfall of Crimthann. In her main object she failed. She, however, succeeded in killing Crimthann by poison, but at the cost of her own life; for to induce him to believe the poison cup harmless - she herself had to drink from it first. To attain her ambition she gave her life - in vain. Niall's first foreign was to Alba ( Scotland ) to subdue the Picts. The little Irish ( Scotic ) colony in that part of Alba just opposite to Antrim had gradually been growing in numbers, strength and prestige - until they excited the jealousy and enmity of the Picts, who tried to crush them. Niall fitted out a large fleet and sailed to the assistance of his people. Joined then by the Irish in Alba, he marched against the Picts, overcame them, took hostages from them had Argyle and Cantire settled upon the Albanach Irish.
After obtaining obedience from the Picts, his next foreign raid was into Britain. When Maximus and his Roman Legions were in consequence of the Barbarian pressure upon the Continental Roman Empire, withdrawing from Britain, Niall, with his irish hosts and Pictish allies, treaded upon their hurrying heels. Yet did the Romans claim victory over Niall. For it is said his was the host referred to by the Roman Poet, Claudian, when in praising the Roman General, Stilicho, he says Britain was protected by this bold General.
" When Scots came thundering from the Irish shores
And ocean trembled struck by hostile oars. "
And ocean trembled struck by hostile oars. "
Such rare booty was to be got from the retreating Romans that Niall who had a fleet with him, had it coast around Britain and crossed the English Channel, where he pursued the Romans into Gaul. He had laid Britain helpless, and in the maritime parts of Armorican Gaul, must have worked wide devastation.
Gildas, the ancient British ( Welsh ) historian records three great devastations of Britian by the Scots ( Irish ) and Picts of which this invasion led by Niall was probably the first. Niall must have made many incursions into Britain and probably several into Gaul. He carried back hostages, many captives, and great amounts of booty from these expeditions. Yet how often out of evil cometh good. It was during one of the Gallic expeditions that the lad Succat, destined under his later name of Patrick, to be the greatest and noblest figure Ireland ever knew, was taken in a sweep of captives, carried to Ireland and to Antrim, there to herd the swine of the Chieftain, Milcho. Many and many a time, in Alba, in Britain and in Gaul, must Niall have measured his leadership against the best leadership of Rome, and pitted the courage and wild daring of his Scotic hosts against the skill of the Imperial Legions. Yet his fall in a foreign land was to be compassed, not by the strategy or might of the Foreign enemy, but by the treachery of one of his own.
Gildas, the ancient British ( Welsh ) historian records three great devastations of Britian by the Scots ( Irish ) and Picts of which this invasion led by Niall was probably the first. Niall must have made many incursions into Britain and probably several into Gaul. He carried back hostages, many captives, and great amounts of booty from these expeditions. Yet how often out of evil cometh good. It was during one of the Gallic expeditions that the lad Succat, destined under his later name of Patrick, to be the greatest and noblest figure Ireland ever knew, was taken in a sweep of captives, carried to Ireland and to Antrim, there to herd the swine of the Chieftain, Milcho. Many and many a time, in Alba, in Britain and in Gaul, must Niall have measured his leadership against the best leadership of Rome, and pitted the courage and wild daring of his Scotic hosts against the skill of the Imperial Legions. Yet his fall in a foreign land was to be compassed, not by the strategy or might of the Foreign enemy, but by the treachery of one of his own.
