The Topographical Poems - Leinster
 
O Dubhagain


THE PART RELATING TO LEINSTER

Mac Murchadha, chief king of Leinster; and O'Fiachrach, lord of Ui-Enechglais; and O'Cosgraigh, lord of Feara-Cuallann; and O'Riaan, lord of Ui-Drona; and O'Tuathail, lord of Ui-Muireadhaigh; and O hEochadha, over Ui-Faelain; and Mac Gormain, lord of Ui-Cairche; and O'Conchobhair and O'Duinn, and O'Brogarbhain, and O'Cionaoith, and O'Diomasaigh, and O h-Aenghusa, and O h-Aimergin, and O'Murchadhain, kings of Ui-Failghe; and O Ciardha, over Cairbre.

Let us proceed quickly into Leinster,
The broad land which is not poor in heroes;
Ever renowned is the career of the men,
The cemetery of the valorous Gaeidhil.

We shall enumerate in the east now
The hospitable chiefs of the province in one shower,
A scion with whom we shall meet no grudge,
We shall abide with Mac Murchadha.363

King of Ui n-Enechlais364 in the east,
O'Fiachrach of the great land,
Through the slaughter of the strangers was detained,
O'Cosgraigh on the plain of Cualann.365

O'Riain, king of Ui Drona, 366
Is more rapid than the great waves;
Over the Ui Muireadhaigh 367 outside,
Not illegitimate are the O'Tuathails.

The Siol-Eochadha of high prosperity
Over the tribes of Ui-Faolain, 368
Mac Gormain with wealth hither
On the fair-surfaced land of Ui Bairche. 369

Let us proceed westwards to Ui-Failghe, 370
To whom the heroic oaks bend,
Of their rights I speak,
Their tribes I commemorate.

The O'Brogarbhains 371 of townlands,
The Clann Chionaoith, 372 the Clann Conchbhair, 373
They spend their lands on knowledge,
The O'Duinns 374 and the O'Diomasaighs.375

Of the chiefs of the fair-bright land,
Are the O'Aenghusas, 376 the O'Aimergins, 377
Loud sounding their proclamations and their famous troops,
And the majestic Clann-Murchadhain. 378

O'Ciardha over Cairbre 379 of poets
Of the tribes of Nine-hostaged Niall;
There are but themselves over to the east,
Of the clanns of Niall in Leinster.

O'HUIDHRIN


LEINSTER


Addition of knowledge on sacred Erin,
The historian is not good who is not old,390
A true history [is here] from me to the tribes,
The hosts of Boinn, 391 of fair-cattle,

Those whom another author has omitted
Of the nobles of green-grassed Fodhla 392
I shall sing: - the knowledge of every tribe
From the warm fort of each lord.

Of this country, which Conn393 divided,
O'Dubhagain,394 the bright-eyed, brown-haired,
Composed the history of men,
It is not unimportant to be mentioned.

It was not ignorance that caused him
Not to compose it from the first day;
Still, he left to me [to tell of the land] about the Daoil,395
He has neglected this race of Cathaoir.396

The Half of Conn of cheerful heart
He described from ancient books,397
He has shown all west and east,
Each man adhering to his patrimony.

Leath-Mogha, 398 the part of Ebhir Finn,
The two southern thirds of Erin,
And the plain of Leinster to us belong,
And each brace man about the Luimneach.399

In these two provinces of the plain of the Gaoidhil,400
And the province of the race of Cathaoir,401
Of the hosts of the Sabhrann402 from sea to sea,
We shall detail to them their patrimonies.

Towards the south of fair Fodhla,
Let us pass from the fort of Dubhlinn,403
Westwards to Boirinn404 the ruggedly fenced,
Of white stone fields and active [men].

Let us give first place from the chiefs of the Gaoidhil
To the kings of the race of Cathaoir;
Let us mention separately in the eastern country
Each one of them over his patrimony.

Chief king of Nas, tree of the fort,
Lord of Leinster is Mac Murchadha;405
He holds [the soveriegnty of] the province in his fair hand,
The charter of the lands is under the hero.

Lord of Ui-Failghe406 the land of cattle -
It is now unknown to poets;
O'Conchobhair407 is hero of the plain408
On the green round hill of Cruachan.409

The tribes of the territory of the extensive plain,
Let us treat of their sub-chiefs;410
What host is richer than they?
Over the people of Ui-Failghe of fair land.

Over Ui Riagain411 of heavy routs,
A vigorous tribe who conquer in battle,
Is O'Duinn, chief of demolition,
Hero of the golden battle-spears.

Another dynast who is known to me,
O'hAenghusa412 on Clar-Colgan,
Fine his country. beyond [that of] the Fians of Fail,
Which abuts on the grass of Cruachan.

Over Tuath-da mhuighe413 of the fair fortress
Is O'Maoilchein of the rich heart;
Delightful is the smooth cantred of the plain,
Its border is like the land of promise.

The bright cantred of Geisill414 is possessed
By a chieftain of the border of Leinster,415
Whose march is rapid and strong,
He is named O'hAimirgin.416

Over Magh Aoife417 of the warm slopes
Is O'Murchain, as dynast of the cantred,
The hero of the green Fidh-gaibhle,418
Against the plunders what country is stronger?

The Clann-Maoilughra419 over every tribe,
Noble the degree of their race;
A smooth plain this sept has defended,
The land is hereditary to O'Diomosaigh.

Delightful the territory, long since it was heard,
The cantred of Leghe of bright slopes,
O'Ceallaigh of Leghe,420 of the eastern bank,
Is sub-chief of the plain of dells and yews.

After Ui-Failghe of the ancient lands,
Let us approach Laoighis421 of Leinster,
Brown-haired heroes for whom showers fall,
We shall devote some time to their history.

The great territory of Laoighis of slender swords,
Laoighis Reata,422 of it I speak,
Belongs of O'Mordha with bulwark of battle
Of the golden shield of one colour.

Under Dun Masc423 of smooth land,
O'Duibh424 is over Cinel-Criomthainn,
Lord of the territory which is under fruit,
Land of smoothest mast-fruit.

The old Tuath-Fiodhbhuidhe of fair land
Is a good lordship for a chief;
The Muintir Fiodhbhuidhe425 are its inheritors,
The yellow-haired host of hospitality.

Over Magh-Druchtain426 of fair fortress
Is O'Ceallaigh of the salmon-ful river,
Similar is the smooth surface of the plain
To the fruitful land of promise.427

Gailine428 of the pleasant streams,
To O'Ceallaigh is not unhereditary,
Mighty is the tribe at hunting
On the sunny land of Gailine,

Crioch O-mbuidhe429 of the fair sod,
Along the Bearbha430 of the bright pools,
To O'Caollaidhe431 the territory is fair,
A shepherd prepared to encounter enemies.

The territory of the Ui-Barrtha432 of the fine glebe,
Of the race of the melodious Daire Barrach;
O'Gormain433 received the lands,
Rapid was he in the battle meeting.

Pass across the Bearbha of the cattle borders,
From the land of corn and rich honey.
From Dinnrigh434 to Maistin435 the strong,
My journey is paid for by their nobility.

O'Tuathail of the fort of mede,
Is over the energetic Ui-Muireadhaigh436
To Almhuin437 of the thrilling music,
Of the fair-topped fruitful grass.

Lord of the green grassy sod
Is the fair Mac Giolla Mocholmog,438
Free men over men not weak,
Over the fair Feara-Cualann.439

Other kings obtained the land,
The mast-bearing territory of the plain of Cualann,
O'Cosgraigh of the flowing tresses,
Of the triumphant saffron-speckled tribe.

The plain of the Life440 of the black ships,
A great land of beautiful fruit,
West beyond Teamhair,441 of the house of Conn,
O'Gealbrain442 is the old tree of the fair land.

O'Taidhg443 found a land under fruit,
Ui-Mail,444 a land without eclipse;
O'Ceallaigh is over east Ui-Teigh,445
Which he purchased for his fair-haired tribe.

Over Cairbre of Leinster446 of the plains
Is O'Ciardha447 of the red-bladed swords;
The scion of Almhain448 without scarcity in the east,
By whom battles were kindled round Cruachan.449

The Fortuatha450 of Leinster of slopes,
Over Cairbre of the red-speared hosts,
The tribe from the Boinn451 of Colla and Conn,
Of them right is the division.

Over all Ui-Inechrais452
Is O'Fiachra453 chief of Amhain,454
O h-Aodha455 over Ui-Deaghaidh456 for me,
For whom the trees blossom after bending.

O'Muirte457 of great mirth
Is over the fair Cinel-Flaitheamhain,
Over Ui-Mealla of swift ships,
The hero O'Finntighearn458 has sway.

A lordship profitable, weighty,
Has O'Murchadha459 of smooth fair land,
The territory of Ui-Felme,460 the hero has obtained,
In his turn of ancestral possession.

Ui-Felme461 the cold northern tract,
A fair land has O'Gairbhidh462 obtained,
Thye warriors of Tulach463 to cement the tribes,
All are without decay throughout the region.

Another high noble tribe,
The Siol Brain,464 people of the Dubhthoire,465
They have not got a portion of the plain of Corc,
The scions from the middle of the garden.

From the Bearbha to the Slaine466 eastwards
Is the extent of the territory of the Clann-Cosgraigh,
The host of Beanntraighe467 of curling locks,
The hawk-like, slow-eyed, warlike host.

Lord of the fine Fearann-deiscertach468
Which is not uneven to be mentioned,
To O'Duibhginn it is hereditary,
The host from the black pool of fair bushes.

Hero of Fothart of the carn,469
A stately, modest, polished youth:
A hero of good deeds with darts,
The affluent chief O'Lorcain.470

Crioch na-gCenel,471 fair the land,
Land of the sod of brown berries,
A harbour the fairest under the sun,
O'h-Artghoile472 is its hereditary chief.

Hereditary to O'Riaghain473 of smooth land
Is a canted, long theland,
Ui-Drona474 of pleasant hills,
More befitting [to him] than a strange territory.

O'Nuallain,475 hero without fault,
Chief prince, fine and bountiful of Fohtart;476
O'Neill of fair Magh da chon,477
Who has taken a step beyond the Gaels.

Siol-Elaigh,478 tribe of steeds,
For O'Gaoithin479 it is right he defend it;
Chief of the fine people who were not of foolish friendship,
O'Dulaing,480 hero of Lagan.


O'Donovan's Notes


363. MacMurchadha, i.e., Murchardides, or descendant of Murchadh, surnamed Maolnambo, king of Leinser, anglicised MacMurrough. The principal branch of this family took the surname of Caomhanach, from their progenitor, Domhnall Caomhanach, son (illegitimate, according to Giraldus), of the king of Leinster, at the period of the English invasion. This family is now known by the name of Kavanagh, and are very numerous in Leinster.

364. Ui n-Enechlais, more correctly, Ui-Enechglais. They were the descendants of Breasal Einechghlas, son of Cathaoir Mor, monarch of Ireland in the second century, and were seated in the present barony of Arklow and county of Wicklow. See Leabhar na gCeart, p. 195, note g. The name O'Fiachrach is now obsolete.

365. Plain of Cualann. - This territory was called Fercuolen [Feara Cualann] in the reign of Elizabeth and Jac I. when it was considered to be coextensive with the manor of Powerscourt, but it was anciently much more extensive. The family of O'Cosgraigh is now unknown. They were dispossessed shortly after the English invasion by the families of o'Toole and O'Byrne.

366. Ui-Drona, now the barony of Idrone, in the county of Carlow. The O'Ryans, or Ryans, of this race are still very numerous, but they are to be distinguished from the O'Mulryans of the county of Tipperary, who also shorten their name to Ryan. Both, however, are of the race of Cathaoir Mor, king of Leinster in the second century.

367. The Ui-Muireadhaigh - This was the tribe name of the family of O'Tuathail, now anglicised O'Toole, and was also applied to their territory, which comprised about the southern half of the present county of Kildare. Shortly after the English invasion, the O'Tooles were driven from this level district, and they settled in the territory of Imaile, and soon after in that of Fercuolen. See Leabhar na gCeart, p. 210, note i.

368. Ui-Faolain. - This was the tribe name of the Mac Eochaidhs (Keoghs) and O'Byrnes, and was also applied to their territory, which comprised about the northern half of the county of Kildare. They were driven from thence shortly after the English invasion, when they settled in the east of the present county of Wicklow.

369. Ui-Bairche. - This tribe, giving name to the territory in which they were seated, derived their name from Daire Barrach, second son of Cathaoir Mor, king of Leinster and monarch of Ireland in the second century. They were seated between the Ui-Drona and the Ui-Muireadhaigh, and possessed the whole of the present barony of Slievemargy, and some of the adjoining districts of the county of Carlow. The Mac Gormans were driven from this territory after the English invasion, and their chief settled in the barony of Ibrickan, in the west of Thomond, in the present county of Clare.

370.Ui-Failghe, i.e., the descenants of Rossa Failghe, the eldest son of Cathaoir Mor. The country of this tribe originally comprised the baronies of East and West Offaly, in the county of Kildare, those of Portuahinch and Tinnahinch in the Queen's county, and that portion of the King's county comprised in the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin. See Leabhar na gCeart, pp. 193, 216.

371. O'Brogarbhain, now unknown in Offaly.

372. Clann-Chionaith, now Kenny, obscure and little known in this territory.

373. Clann-Chonchobhair, i.e., the family of O'Conchobhair or O'Conor, who were the head chiefs of this territory till the reign of Philip and Mary, when they were dispossessed, after which O'Dempsey became the most powerful family of the Ui-Failghe, and remained so till the Revolution of 1688.

374. O'Duinns, i.e., the family of O'Doyne, or Dunn, of Iregan, now the barony of Portnahinch in the Queen's county. Colonel Francis Dunne, M.P. is the present head of this family.

375. O'Diomasaigh, now O'Dempsey, or Dempsey, without the prefix. The Viscount Clanmalier was the head of this family at the Revolution of 1688. They are now obscure, and sunk into poverty and degradation.

376. O'Aenghusa, now Hennessy, without the O'. The name is still common in the Queen's country, but confined to the lower classes.

377. O'Aimirgin, now anglicised Mergin and Bergin, a name very common about Geashill in the King's county.

378. Clann-Murchadhain, i.e., the family of O'Murchadhain, now called Morachain; but they are little known, and the name is sometimes anglicised Moran and Morin.

379. Cairbre, now the barony of Carbury, in the north-west of the county of Kildare. The family name, O'Ciardha, is now anglicised Keary and Carey, and the name is common, but to be found only among the lower orders. See Hy-Fiachrach, pp. 276, 277.

390. Who is not old. - Compare the observations in the poem of Dubhtach Mac Ui Lughair. Leabhar na gCeart, page 237.

391. Boinn, the Bubinda of Ptolemy, now the river Boyne, the country to the south of which O'Huidhrin undertook to describe.

392. Fodhla, one of the old names of Ireland. See note 2, supra.

393. Which Conn divided.- This alludes to the division made of Ireland, in the second century, into two equal parts, between Conn of the Hundred Battles, and Eoghan Mogh Nuadhat; a line of low gravel hills extending from Dublin to Clarin-bridge, near Galway, forming the boundary between them.

394. O'Dubhagain, i.e., John Mor O'Dubhagain, O'Duvegan, or O'Dugan, the author of the former part of this poem. Notwithstanding the evidence of this statement, Dr. Lynch attributes the whole of the two parts of the poem to O'Duveganus, which is incorrect. Both copies of the poems still extant are older than Lynch's time.

395. Daoil. - This was, and is still, the name of several rivers in Ireland. O'Huidhrin seems to have in view here the river Daoil (Deel), which rises in the mountains near Charleville, county Cork, flows through Rathkeale, in the county of Limerick, and pays its tribute to the Shannon. The Barrow, or the Slaney, would be more appropriately mentioned, in connexion with the race of Cathaoir.

396. Race of Cathaoir. - This race comprised the principal families of Leinster.

397. From ancient books. - This is the fact; for he mentions many families who were decayed in his time.

398. Leath-Mhogha, the southern half of Ireland. According to the bardic History, Eibher Finn, eldest son of Milesius, was the ancestor of the principal Milesian families of the south of Ireland.

399. Luimneach. - This name, though now generally believed to be the name of the city of Limerick, was anciently applied to the lower Shannon only.

400. The Gaoidhil, i.e., the Scoti, or Milesian Irish.

401. Province of the race of Cathaoir, i.e., the province of Laighin, now called Leinster.

402. Sabhrann. - This was an old name of the river Lee, in the county of Cork. See Annals of the Four Masters, A.d. 1163, p. 1151.

403. The Dun of Dubhlinn, i.e., the fort of Dublin.

404. Boirinn, i.e., Burren, a rocky barony in the north of the present county of Clare.

405. Mac Murchadha, usually anglicised Mac Murrough. The chief family of this race took the surname of Kavanagh, and the present chief of the name is Arthur Kavanagh, Esq., of Borris, in the county of Carlow, who inherits a very considerable portion of the territory of his ancestors. See Annals of the Four Masters, A.D. 1193, p. 97, note f. Nas, now the town of Naas, in the county of Kildare, was one of the chief seats of the kings of Leinster, from the remotest period, but it does not appear to have been at any time occupied by the family of Mac Murrough. It was rather the seat of the ancestors of the O'Byrnes, whose progenitors had been the earlier kings of Leinster.

406. Ui Failghe, usually anglicised Offaly, Ophaly, &c., a large territory in Leinster. It comprised the baronies of East and West Offaly, in the county of Kildare, those of Portnahinch and Tinnahinch, in the Queen's county, and that portion of the King's County comprised in the dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin. The Ui-Failghe were the descendants of Ross Failghe, the eldest son of Cathaoir Mor, monarch of Ireland in the second century.

407. O'Conchobhair, now anglicised O'Conor. The O'Conors of this race are to be distinguished from those of Silmurray, in Connaught, and various other families who bore the same name, but were of totally different stocks, as O'Conor of Kerry, O'Conor Corcomroe, O'Conor of Glengevin, &c.

408. Of the plain. - The territory of this race is a perfect plain, there being scarcely any elevation in its whole extent, from the hill of Croghan to Slieve Bloom.

409. Cruachan, originally called Cruachan Bri-Eile, now Croghan, a conspicuous hill in the barony of Lower Philipstown, in the north of King's County. See Annals of the Four Masters, A.D. 1385, p. 700. O'Conor Faly had a castle at the foot of this hill.

410. Sub-Chiefs, i.e., the chieftains subject to O'Conor Faly, who was the head chief or king of this territory.

411. Ui-Riagain, now anglicised Oregan, Iregan, and Dooregan. This territory still locally retains its ancient name, and is co-extensive with the barony of Tinnahinch, in the north-west of the Queen's County. The present representative of O'Duinn, of this territory, is Colonel Francis Duinne, M.P. For his pedigree, see Annals of the Four Masters, A.D. 1148, p. 968, and 1585, p. 1840.

412. O'h-Aenghusa, now Henessy, without the prefix O'. The family is still very numerous in Offaly but reduced to obscurity. Their territory of Clan-Colgain, which adjoined the hill of Croghan, is comprised in the barony of Lower Philipstown, in the King's County. For the descent of this family, see Annals of Four Masters, A.D. 1414, pp. 819, 820.

413. Tuath-da-Mhuighe, i.e.,the cantred of the two plains, called Tuomoy on an old map of Leix and Offaly, made in the reign of Philip and Mary; and in other documents, Tethmoy. It appears from this map that Tuomoy Nether and Upper comprised the baronies of Warrenstown and Coolestown, in the King's County. The family name, O'Maoilchein, is now unknown in this territory.

414. Cantred of Geisill, now the barony of Geshill, in the King's County.

415. Border of Leinster. - He was in Leinster, and on the borders of the ancient Meath.

416. O'h-Aimirgin, now locally anglicised Bergin, but more correctly made Mergin in other parts of Leinster. This family is still very numerous.

417. Magh Aoife, a district in the barony of East Offaly, adjoining Tethmoy. O'Murchadhain is now shortened to Moran and Morrin, but the ancient Irish form is preserved by those who speak Irish.

418. Fidh Gaibhle. - This was the name of a celebrated wood of Leinster, in which St. Berchan erected the Church of Clonsasta. It is now locally called Fee-Goille or Fee-guile, and is situated in the parish of Cloonsast, barony of Coolestown, and King's County. See Leabhar na gCeart, p. 214, note o.

419. Clann Maoilughra, usually anglicised Clanmaliere, a territory extending, on both sides of the river Barrow, into the King's and Queen's Counties. It contained the barony of Portnahinch, in the Queen's County, on the south side of the Barrow, and that of Upper Philipstown, in the King's County, on the north side of the same river. The name of O'Diomasaigh is now anglicised O'Dempsey. Its head was ennobled by Charles II., but the family is now reduced to obscurity in Clanmaliere. See Annals of Four Masters, A.D. 1577.>/p>

420. Leghe. - This territory comprised the barony of Western Offaly, and a small portion of the northern part of the barony of Portnahinch, in which the great castle of Leighe, now Ley, or Lea, is situated.

421. Laoighis, usually anglicised Leix, and latinized Lagisia. This territory comprised the eastern and southern baronies of the present Queen's County. The present baronies of Upper Ossory, Portnahinch, and Tinnahinch, in the Queen's County, never formed any part of Leix.

422. Laoighis-Reata. - This was the most distinguished of the seven divisions of Laoighis, containing the fort of Rath-Bacain and the rock of Lec-Reda. See Annals of Four Masters, A.M. 3529, and A.D. 958, note a. The name O'Mordha is usually anglicised O'More, but it is sometimes made Moore, without the prefix O'.

423. Dun-Masc, now Dunamase, in the barony of East Maryborough, Queen's County. It is said to have derived this name from Masc, son of Augen Urgnuidh, the fourth son of Sedna Siothbhaic, ancestor of the people of Leinster. See Annals of the Four Masters, A.D. 843, note a. It is a lofty isolated rock, on which formerly stood an earthen fort or stone Cathair, but which is now covered by the ruins of a strong castle. See Leabhar na gCeart, p. 216, note q.

424. O'Duibh. - This is probably the name now anglicised Deevy and sometimes Devoy. Their territory of Cinel Crimthainn, extending round the fortress of Dun-Masc, is comprised in the barony of East Maryborough, in the Queen's County. See Leabhar na gCeart, p. 216, note q.

425. Muintir-Fiodhbhuidhe. - The situation of this sept has not yet been determined.

426. Magh Druchtain. - This territory is still locally known, and is considered the best district in the whole of the Queen's County, extending from the ford of Ath-bateoige to the ford of Ath-fuiseoige, near Luggacurran. It is shown on an old mpa of "Leax and Ophaly," made in the reign of Queen Mary, under the name of FERAN O'KELLY, as extending from Ballymaddock, southwards to the hills of Slewmargie, and as comprising Ballymaddock, the Park, near Stradbally; and the churches of Grange and Oghteoge, and the castle of Coragh are shown as in this territory. The present head of this sept of the O'Kellys is Mr. Denis Kelly of Castletown-Omey, son of Thomas, son of Silvester, son of Laurence Kelly of Rathmore, near Ballyadams, who died in 1799. See Annals of the Four Masters, A.D. 1394, p. 733, note t.

427. Fruitful land of promise. - These words clearly show that O'Heerin was well acquainted with the fertility and beauty of this territory.

428. Gailine, now Gallen or Dysat-Gallen, in the barony of Cullenagh, Queen's County. It is shown on the old map of "Leax and Ophaly" as extending from near Abbeyleix to the boundary of Slewmargie, See Annals of Four Masters, A.D. 1394, p. 733, note s.

429. Crioch O m-Buidhe, a territory comprised in the present barony of Ballyadams, in the Queen's County. See Leabhar na gCeart, p. 214. The church of Killabban was in it.

430. Bearbha, i.e., the River Barrow, which flows between this territory and that of Ui-Muireadhaigh.

431. O'Caollaidhe. - This name is still common in Leinster, but always incorrectly anglicised Kelly. It should be made O'Cayley or O'Kaely.

432. Ui-Barrtha, i.e., descendants of Daire Barrach, second son of Cathaoir, king of Leinster and of all Ireland, in the second century. This sept was seated in the barony of Slewmargy, in the south-east of the Queen's County. See Leabhar na gCeart, p. 212, note m.

433. O'Gormain. - This family was driven from this territory after the English Invasion, and the chief of them ultimately fixed his residence in the barony of Ibrickan, in Thomond. The name of this family is alwyas written MacGormain in the Irish annals, and MacGorman on all the old tombstones of the family in the county of Clare. See Leabhar na gCeart, pp. 213, 214, note m.

434. Dinn-righ, i.e., the Hill of the Kings. This was the most ancient palace of the kings of Leinster. The ruins of it are pointed out in the townland of Ballyknockan, on the west side of the River Barrow, about a quarter of a mile to the south of Leighlin Bridge, in the county of Carlow. See Leabhar na gCeart, pp. 14, 15, note o.

435. Maistin, now Mullaghmast, a remarkable fort, situate on a hill of the same name, in the parish of Narraghmore, about five miles to the east of Athy, in the county of Kildare. See Leabhar na gCeart, p. 14, note j. Annals of Four Masters, A.D. 1577.

436. Ui-Muireadhaigh, called O'Murethi by Giraldus. This was the tribe name of the O'Tuathails, or O'Tooles, and their territory comprised about the southern half of the county of Kildare. See Leabhar na gCeart, p. 210, note i, and Annals of Four Masters, A.D. 1180, p. 51, note e.

437. Almhain, now Allen, a celebrated hill in the county of Kildare, situate about five miles northwards of the town of Kildare. See Leabhar na gCeart, p. 14, note l.

438. Mac Giolla Mocholmog. - This family has been extinct for many centuries. They were chiefs of the territory of Ui-Dunchadha, comprising that portion of the present county of Dublin through which the River Dodder flows. See Annals of Four Masters, at the years 956, 995, 1032, 1044, 1155; and Leabhar na gCeart, p. 12, note f. For their pedigree, see Gilbert's History of Dublin, vol. i.; Appendix, No. 1, pp. 403-408.

439. Feara-Cualann, anglicised Fercuolen, an ancient territory, nearly coextensive with the half barony of Rathdown, in the north of the county of Wicklow. See Leabhar na gCeart, p. 13, note b, and Ussher's Primordia, p. 846.

440. The plain of the Life, otherwise called Magh-Life. This was the name of a level plain in the county of Kildare, through which the River Liffey winds its course. The churhces of Cill-Ausaille and Cill-Cuillinn (Killossy and Kilcullen) are mentioned as in tis plain. See Colgan's Trias Thaum., p. 152, and Lanigan's Ecclesiastical History of Ireland, vol. i., pp. 273, 276.

441. West beyond Teamhair. - This must be a mistake.

442. O'Gealbrain. - This name does not occur in the Anals of the Four Masters, and seems to be obsolete at present.

443. O'Taidhg. - This name would be anglicised O'Teige; but it seems to be obsolete, unless it be one of the several old Irish names now anglicised Tighe.

444. Ui-Mail, now Imail, a well-known territory in the barony of Upper Talbotstown, in the county of Wicklow. The O'Tooles were driven into this territory shortly after the English Invasion.

445. Ui-Teigh. - This was the tribe name of the Ui-Ceallaigh Cualann in the north of the present county of Wicklow. See Annals of Four Masters, A.D. 713, note h; 765, note x; 915 note i.

446. Cairbre of Leinster, now the barony of Carbury, in the county of Kildare. See note 413, supra, and Tribes and Customs of Ui-Fiachrach, pp. 276, 277.

447. O'Ciardha, now anglicised Keary and Carey, a rather numerous name in the counties of Meath and Kildare.

448. Almhain, now the Hill of Allen, in the county of Kildare. From this it would appear that Cairbre Ua-Ciardha must have been originally extended to this hill.

449. Cruachan, now the conspicuous Hill of Croghan, in the barony of Lower Philipstown, in the north of the King's County. See note 409, supra.

450. Fortuatha of Leinster. - This territory comprised the Glen of Imail and Glendalough, in the present county of Wicklow. See Annals of Four Masters, A.D. 707, 774, 1039, and Leabhar na gCeart, p. 207, note d. O'Fearghaile was the chief of this territory.

451. From the Boinn. - This seems to indicate that the Fortuatha of Leinster were from the neighbourhood of the River Boyne, and were of the race of Colla, and Conn of the Hundred Battles.

452. Ui-Inechrais. - This is a mistake for Ui-Einechghlais, a tribe descended from Breasal Einechglais [Breasal of the Green Face], son of Cathaoir Mor, monarch of Ireland in the second century. This tribe was seated in the present barony of Arklow, in the south-east of the county of Wicklow. See Leabhar na gCeart, p. 195, note g; p. 207, note e.

453. O'Fiachra. - This name is now unknown in the county of Wicklow. See Annals of Four Masters, A.D. 1154, 1170.

454. Almhuin. - This is some place, now unknown, in the barony of Arklow, as it cannot be the Hill of Almhain or Allen, in the county of Kildare.

455. O'h-Aodha, now anglicised Hay and Hughes.

456. Ui-Deaghaidh. - This name is still preserved, and is that of a rural deanery in the diocese of Ferns, which is nearly coextensive with the barony of Gorey, in the county of Wexford.

457. Ui-Muirte. - This name is now forgotten in Leinster. The situations of the territories of Cinel-Flaitheamhain and Ui-Mealla are now unknown.

458. O'Finntighearn, now anglicised Finneran.

459. O'Murchadha, anciently anglicised O'Murchoe, but now generally Murphy, without the prefix O'. See observations on this name at note 100, supra, and in the introduction to the present volume.

460. Ui-Felme, i.e., descendants of Felim, son of Enna Censellagh, king of Leinster in the fifth century. This was the tribe name of the O'Murchoes, and it was also applied, as usual among the old Irish, to their territory, which comprised the barony of Ballaghkeen, in the east of the county of Wexford, still called the Murroes territory. Connell O'Murchoe, the head of this family, lived at Toberlumnich, in the Murroes, in 1634. There was another respectable branch of the family at Oulartleigh, who possessed a considerable estate down to our own times. O'Murchadha, which is now anglicised Murphy, is the most prevalent name in the province of Leinster. See Annals of Four Masters, A.D. 1381, p. 684, note m; also the Annuary of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society for the year 1858, vol. i., p. 1, p. 24, et seq.

461. Ui-Felme the northern. - The territory of this sept was situated in the present county of Carlow (and comprised the present parish of Tulloghphelim, in the barony of Rathvilly, county of Carlow), which retains the name. Annals of Four Masters, A.D. 1381, note m, and Leabhar-na-gCeart, p. 208, note f.

462. O'Gairbhidh, now anglicised Garvey, without the prefix O'.

463. Tulach, now the town of Tullow (in the parish of Tulloghphelim), which was the residence of the chieftain of this territory.

464. Siol-Brain, now the barony of Shelburne, in the south-west of the county of Wexford.

465. Dubhthoire. - This name would be anglicised Duffry, which is now the name of a district near Mount Leinster, in the county of Wexford; but the place here referred to must be placed farther to the south-west.

466. From the Bearbha to the Slaine, i.e., from the River Barrow to the River Slaney.

467. Beanntraighe, now the barony of Bantry, in the county of Wexford, lying between these rivers. The Clann-Coscraigh are now unknown.

468. Fearann-deiscertach, i.e., the southern land. This is probably the present barony of Bargy. The fmaily name O'Duibhginn is still very common in Leinster, and is anglicised Deegin and Duggan. It is to be distinuished from O'Dubhagain.

469. Fothart of the Carn, so called from Carnsore point, its eastern extremity, now the barony of Forth, in the south-east of the county of Wexford. The people called Fotharta were, according to the Irish genealogists, the descendants of Eochaidh Finn Fothairt, brother of Conn of the Hundred Battles.

470. O'Lorcain, now always anglicised Larkin, without the prefix O'. This name is very common in Leinster, but the pedigree has not been preserved, as the family had sunk into obscurity at an early period.

471. Crioch-na-gCenel, also called Fearann na gCenel. - Fernegenall was granted by the Earl Richard Strongbow to Maurice de Prendergast. See Harris's Hibernica, p. 41. This territory would appear to have comprised the district around Artramont, and to be included in the barony of Shelmaliere East. It was divided from the town of Wexford by the River Slaney. The exact situation of this territory is pointed out as follows by Giraldus, Topographia Hib., Dist. ii., c. 32, where it is corruptly called Fernigenan: - "De ratis per sanctum Ivorum a Fernigenan expulsis. Est in Lagnenia provincia quaedam quae Fernigenan [Fernigenal] dicitur, quam a Gwesefordia solum Slanensis aqua disterminat. Unde mures maiores qui vulgariter Rati vocantur per imprecationem Sancti Yuori Episcopi (cujus forte libros corroserant) prorsus expulsi, nec ibi postea nasci nec vivere possunt inuecti."

472. O'h-Artghoile, now Hartley or Hartilly, without the prefix O'. This name is still extant in south Leinster, where the Irish-speaking people pronounce it O'h-Airtialla.

473. O'Riaghain, now made Ryan, a name still extant in the county of Carlow. It is to be distinuished from O'Mulryan, of the county of Tipperary, which is now usually shortened to Ryan, with the O' or the Mul.

474. Ui-Drona. - This tribe, descended from Drona, the fourth in descent from Cathaoir Mor, monarch of Ireland in the second century, gave its name to the barony of Idrone, in the county of Carlow. See Leabhar-na-gCeart, p. 212, note k.

475. O'Nuallain, now anglicised Nolan, without the prefix O'.

476. Fotharta, generally called Fotharta-Fea, now the barony of Forth, in the county of Carlow. O'Flaherty states, in his Ogygia, part iii. c. 64, that the posterity of Eochaidh Finn Fothart remained chiefs of tis territory till the death of O'Nuallan, the last proprietor, who died a short time before he was writing. See Leabhar na gCeart, p. 211.

477. Magh-da-chon, plain of the two hounds. This name is now anglicised Moyacomb, a parish in the barony of Rathvilly, in the county of Carlow, and extending into the barony of Shillelagh, in the county of Wicklow. It is sometimes called Farron O'Neale. O'Neill of this territory is now unknown. See Annals of Four Masters, A.D. 1088, p. 930, note l.

478. Siol-Elaigh, i.e., the race of Elach, now the barony of Shillelagh, in the S.W. of the county of Wicklow. The Commissioners appointed for forming the county of Wicklow, on the 10th of January, 1605, described the territorial situation of this barony as follows:-

"And haveing viewed and surveyed the Irish territorie, called Shilellagh, [they say and present] that it is bounded on the south side by the territorie of Kilteile, alias MacMorishe's countrie in the co. Wexford, on the west by the countrie of Farren O'Neale and the lordshipp of Tully [Offelimy] in the county Catherlagh, on the north and east by the lordshipp of Clonemore, and the territorie of Cosha." See Erck's Repertory of the Chancery Inrolments.

479. O'Gaoithin, now anglicised Geehan, Gihon, and Gahan, without the prefix O'. This name is still common in the barony of Shillelagh, and throughout Leinster, but obscure and reduced, with very few exceptions.

480. O'Dunlaing, now anglicised Dowling, without the prefix O'. This family would appear from out text to have been situated on the east side of the Barrow; but the old map of Leax and Ophaly, already referred to, places O'Dowling's countrie on the west side of the Barrow, and in the present Queen's County.