He reduced all Ireland except Ulster but when he marched north, the Ulstermen routed him at Ardee,

so that he had to make a hasty retreat back to Munster. Turlogh's son, Murkertagh O'Brien, succeeded as king of Munster (1086); and in pushing his claim to the

throne of Ireland, he was opposed by an equally powerful claimant, Donall O'Loghlin, king of Ulster, of the princely family of O'Neill. For more than a quarter of a century these two distinguished princes contended for supremacy, and the contest remained undecided to the last, so that both are counted kings of Ireland. Both finally retired to monasteries, where they ended their lives, Murkertagh at Lismore in 1119, and Donall at Derry in 1121. With Murkertagh passed away for ever the predominance of the O'Brien family.

Down to Murkertagh's time Cashel was the chief seat of the kings of Munster, who had their residence in a great military dun on the rock. But this king

Rock of Cashel (top of Round Tower appears to the right). From Brewer's
"Beauties of Ireland." Drawn by Petrie.

granted "Cashel of the kings," as it is called in the old records, to the church, and changed his residence to Limerick, which from that time forth continued to be the seat of the Thomond kings. As soon as Cashel had

come into the possession of the church, those buildings began to be erected, the remains of which now form one of the most interesting groups of ecclesiastical ruins in the kingdom.

The O'Conors, kings of Connaught, had been all this time gaining power and influence: and after the death

of the two

last mentioned kings, Turlogh O'Conor claimed to be king of Ireland. He first reduced all Munster, though only after a severe struggle with one of the O'Briens, during which the country was torn by feuds, and more especially the two provinces in dispute. His next opponent was Murkertagh O'Loghlin king of Ulster :

and these two, who are both reckoned as kings of Ireland, contended till the death of Turlogh which occurred in 1156. It was by Turlogh's order (while king of Connaught) that the Cross of Cong was made. (See this cross described at page 15.)

Murkertagh's son Rory, or as he is more commonly called, Roderick O'Conor, took up the quarrel against O'Loghlin, who however defeated and reduced him to submission. But after O'Loghlin's death, Roderick, having now no rival of any consequence, was made Ard-ri. He was the last native king of A.D. 1166 Ireland; and in his reign occurred the most important events in the long history of the country, which will be related in the following chapters.

During this century and a half we hear little of the Danes. After the battle of Clontarf no attempt was made to expel them, so that they remained in the country; but from that time forward they gave little trouble. Long before the period we have now arrived at they had become Christians, had settled down like the rest of the people, and devoted themselves to industry and commerce. At the time of the Invasion they formed a large part of the inhabitants of the seaport towns-Dublin, Carlingford, Larne, Wexford, Waterford, Limerick, Cork, &c., some of which were governed by Danish chiefs, in a great measure or altogether independent of the Irish princes. Their towns were walled and fortified, while those of the natives continued, after the Irish fashion, open and unprotected. Although living very much apart, they intermarried a good deal with the natives, stood on the whole on good terms with them, and at first, as we shall see, generally took sides with them against the new invaders.

Though most of the great educational establishments had been broken up during the Danish ravages, many rose from their ruins or held their ground. There was a revival of learning and art in the time of Brian Boru, which continued after the Danes had been crushed

at Clontarf. Even to the beginning of the twelfth century Ireland still retained some portion of her ancient fame for learning; and we find the schools of Armagh, Lismore, Clonmacnoise, Monasterboice, and others, still attracting great numbers of students, many of them foreigners. Moreover, some of the greatest scholars and writers the country ever produced flourished at this time, whose works we still have in our old books; and Irishmen still continued to distinguish themselves on the Continent. Art too was successfully cultivated in spite of all discouragements: and we have seen that the exquisitely executed Cross of Cong was made in 1123.

The Anglo-Normans, who are henceforward to play a leading part in our history, were a great race, valiant,

Dominican Abbey, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick. Founded in 1291 by Gilbert Fitzgerald. From "Kilkenny Archæological Journal," 1879-82, p. 710.

high-spirited, full of talents and full of energy. They were great builders, and filled England and Ireland with splendid castles, monasteries, and cathedrals, many