CHAPTER II

FROM FIRST CENTURY B.C. TO THE COMING OF ST. PATRICK (A.D. 432)

SECTION I. DECLINE OF EAMHAIN AND RISE OF TARA

The "Five Provinces" (Eochy Feylagh).-The division of Ireland into twenty-five parts, ascribed to Ugaine (page 7) having lasted for three centuries, is said to have been ended by Eocaid féidlead (Eochy Feylagh), who was King of the people of Leinster shortly before the Christian Era. He is said to have restored the legendary "Five Provinces" of the Firbolgs, and to have placed sub-Kings over each. This division, however, seems to have been as lightly regarded as were any of the previous ones, and it is not until the time of St. Patrick that we get definite political sub-divisions of Ireland (page 25). For the present, we can only witness the gradual development of the supremacy of certain families in different parts of the island. The conquering clans, who, in course of time, established the Irish states, gradually extended their power over the clans around them, leaving them undisturbed in their own territories under their own chiefs, but subordinate to and paying tribute to the chiefs of the superior clans. Whether or not these latter clans were more recent comers is still a matter of speculation.

The Decline of Eamhain (Connor MacNessa.)-Shortly before the Christian Era the most powerful Kings in Ireland were those who ruled in Emania founded three hundred years before. This family (said to be descended from Ir) was called the Clanna Rudraide (Clanna Rury) from one of its early kings. Its sway extended over Ulard (Ulaidh-the people of Ulla, or "Ultonians "), and in early times spread over nearly all the North, and, at least, as far South as Taillte (in Co. Meath). Its king at this time was Connor Mac Nessa. "Ultonian " literature gives us vivid accounts of his power, his palace and court, and of his military knights called the "Red Branch" (Craob Ruad-Creeve Rua). In his reign, however, internal dissensions broke out, and a number of the chiefs of the Red Branch seceded under the leadership of Fergus. Soon afterwards a war, which lasted for seven

years, broke out between Connor and Maeve of Connacht, who was aided by Fergus and other seceding Red Branch heroes. The power of the Clanna Rury was checked; and, from that time forward, steadily declined. The war between Connor and Maeve is celebrated in the "Táin do Čuailgne."

It is thought that the Ulaidh belonged to an early race of settlers, who in the rest of Ireland had been overcome by later arrivals, and in Ulaidh alone had maintained their independence. Important clans claiming descent from the Clanna Rury are found in the centre, west and south of Ireland, occupying a subordinate but perfectly distinct position.*

Queen Maeve.-The war which broke the power of the Clanna Rury was shared in by contingents from every part of Ireland. It was led by the celebrated princess Maeve (meado). She is said to have been a daughter of Eochy Feylagh, and to have married a Firbolg chief of Connacht, who was made sub-King of part of Connacht by Eochy. By her was founded, according to legend, the palace of Cruacan (Croghan in County Roscommon), which afterwards became the seat of the founders of the Kingdom of Connacht (page 19).

The "Attacotti" Revolution.-The next event of importance is that which is revealed in the stories of the rising of the "unfree clans," which occurred soon after the Christian Era. The subject tribes or Attacotti (Aiteac Tuata), oppressed by the exactions of their conquerors, rose in revolt, and were aided by the King of Ulaidh. They slew or expelled most of their masters, but were at length subdued by Tuathal "Teachtmhar" or "The Legitimate," who defeated them in the battle of Aicill or Skreen (in Co. Meath).

The accounts of this revolution are clear enough to indicate some great political upheaval, out of which arose a great central dynasty to rival those of Eamhain on the north and Laighin on the south.

Dynasty of Tara Founded.-When Tuathal had subdued the revolting clans, he is said to have founded a new province called Midhe or " Meath," by cutting off portions of the other provinces. The centre of this new Kingdom was the palace of Tara (Teamair), while other royal palaces were those of Uisneach, Tlachtgha (the Hill of Ward), and Taillte (Teltown). To Tuathal may therefore be ascribed the foundation of the Kingdom of Meath, and the establishment of the great dynasty of Tara, which ruled the clans of the great open plain from the sea to the Shannon, and afterwards sent out branches to rule over the clans of more than half of Ireland.

The "Borumha " Tribute.-Tuathal is also said to have originated the famous Borumha (Boruma) tribute, which for 500 years was the cause

*The "Ultonians" are also said to have been of "Pictish" origin.

of fierce fighting between the Kings of Tara and the people of Leinster. The traditional cause of the Borumha was an act of treachery on the part of the King of Laighin towards Tuathal, in revenge for which the latter imposed a heavy tribute upon the people of Leinster. It would appear that the Kings of Tara, endeavouring to extend their power southwards over the plains between the Leinster Mountains and the Bog of Allen, and to bring the tribes settled there under tribute, were resisted by the descendants of Lowry Loingseach. Whatever may have been the origin of the Borumha, the rivalry between the two families of Ugaine lasted for many centuries; the Kings of Meath asserting a right to tribute from all Leinster, and their opponents claiming as strongly to be the independent rulers of all its tribes. It is to be noted that the Borumha was supposed to be divided amongst the "Heremonian" families onlythat is Meath and its off-shoots* (page 18), the rulers of which were all descended from Tuathal, and his grandson Conn.

SECTION II. THE "ROYAL FAMILIES" OF IRELAND

Genealogies. Nothing was of greater importance to the clans of Ireland than the records of their ancestry. Until the time of the final destruction of the clan system itself, every tribe jealously preserved the tradition of its descent from some famous ancestor. In early times these records were of vital importance: they were the title deeds of the clan to the territory it occupied; they formed the bond which united various clans into one great tribe; they justified the tributes which the different Kings imposed upon their subordinate clans. The genealogies of the clans were, therefore, carefully recorded, especially in the cases of those "ruling clans" who imposed tribute upon their neighbours, and who afterwards supplied the Kings who ruled over the great divisions of the island.

The Three Dynasties.-We have seen that those "ruling clans" claimed to be descended from the early leaders of the "Milesians " (page 6). This is pure fable, due to a boastful tribal spirit which, not content with a really historical origin, traced back an ancestry through a line of unknown Kings to Heremon, Heber, Ir, or Ith-and even beyond them to Noah! These spurious ancestors may be rejected. But, having discarded them, we still find remaining as cardinal facts in Irish History the great groups of families. We also find that of three of these groups each has a common ancestor in three famous rival Kings. It is certain that the Kings and "ruling clans " of all the independent Kingdoms of Ireland (except Ulaidh) during historical times descended from one of three real personages-Cahir *Tara, Oirghialla, Aileach and Connacht.

Mór, Conn, and Mogh Nuath-who flourished about the middle of the 2nd century. In them we find the origin of the chief dynasties of Ireland, and of the families who in later years professed to trace their ancestry back to mythical times.

Leinster Dynasty; Cahir Mór.-Soon after the reign of Tuathal, the rival Leinster family of Ugaine found themselves in conflict with new enemies on their west. These were some southern tribes who crossed the Barrow and overran the plains on the east of that river. The Leinstermen, with the aid of " Irian "and other auxiliaries, succeeded in defeating the invaders. A large territory on the west of the Barrow was granted to their Northern allies, who occupied it as a sort of military outpost, and became known as the "Seven Tribes of Laoighis (Leix).” Thus secured on the south they renewed the contest with the Kings of Tara on their north. Their King, Cahir Mór, was finally defeated and slain by Conn, the grandson of Tuathal, but he had firmly established the dynasty of Laighin, and his posterity reigned as independent Kings of that territory.

From Cahir Mór are descended all the "ruling clans" of Leinster, from whom the Kings were chosen, and who were free of tribute. Through him, also, all the other families of the Leinster branch of "Heremonians trace their descent.

Tara Dynasty: Conn "of the Hundred Battles."-No sooner had Conn defeated his Leinster rival than the King of Tara found himself forced to defend Meath against the same power which had previously attacked Leinster. Having been foiled in one direction the Southern tribes now moved in another, and advanced along the south bank of the Shannon between that river and the Slieve Bloom Mountains. Here under their King Mogh Nuath (Nuadhat) they came into conflict with the grandson and successor of Tuathal. The two antagonists at first agreed to divide the whole island between them, "Leath Chuinn " the northern half, going to Conn, and "Leath Mhogha," the southern half, to his rival. But within twelve months Conn vanquished and slew his enemy in the battle of Magh Leana (near Tullamore). The two-fold division quickly ended as a political factor, but the names remain in ordinary use in Irish speech to the present day. His many victories won for Conn the title of Céad Cataċ or "of the Hundred Battles,"* but he fell at length fighting against Ulaidh.

From Conn were derived the Kings and "free clans " not only of Meath, but also of the Kingdoms to the north, north-west, and west, which were afterwards founded by his successors (page 18). In other words the second and more important branch of " Heremonians " are all

* More correctly "the Hundred Fighter."

descended from this opponent of Cahir Mór and of Mogh Nuath. The posterity of Conn-the famous "Siol Chuinn "-form a group of kingly families which figure prominently through all Irish history.

Munster Dynasty: Mogh Nuadhat. The third great dynasty, destined in future years to contest the supremacy with the preceding two, was that founded in Munster during the same period. Mogh Nuath (also called Eoghan Mór), the rival of Conn, first laid the foundations of this Kingdom. With the help of some forces from Leinster he succeeded, not without difficulty, in bringing the tribes of the South under his control. It was his son Oilioll Olim, however, who completed the conquest, and became first undisputed King of Munster. At first from the stronghold which he established at Bruree, and afterwards from the more famous Rock of Cashel, the descendants of Oilioll Olim ruled over the tribes of the South. From his two sons-Cormac Cas and Eoghan (Owen), sprang the two great families from which alone were chosen the Kings of Munster-the Dal Chais or Dalcassians of Thomond or North Munster, and the Eoghanachta or Eugenians of South Munster or Desmond.

Ulster Dynasty: Clanna Rury.-The ancestry of the "Irian" or "Red Branch" Kings-the Clanna Rury-who, from their ancient seat in Eamhain Macha, ruled over the tribes of Ulaidh, is more remote and less authentic than that of the preceding three dynasties. They claimed descent from Connal Cearnach, one of the great heroes of the war with Maeve. To Fergus, the Red Branch chief who seceded from Connor Mac Nessa and allied himself with Queen Maeve (page 12), many other" Irian" tribes which are found scattered as subordinate clans throughout the other kingdoms trace their origin. This northern dynasty, whose legends in many other ways suggest an origin different from that of the other independent tribes, is the only one whose ancestry goes back to a period earlier than the second century.

"Ithians.”—A small group of families, most of whom were settled in a limited district in the south-west, called Corkalee, represent the alleged descendants of the unlucky Ith. They, too, all unite in a single personage called Lughaidh (Lewy) Mac Con, who is said to have led an unsuccessful revolt of the non-Heberian tribes of Munster against Oilioll Olim, and also to have defeated Art, the son of Conn of Meath, in the battle of Magh Macruimhe near Athenry. The " Ithian " families, however, were of slight historical importance, as they were completely dominated by the posterity of Oilioll Olim.

Historical Clues.-Hence we find in the second century the origin of the three great dynasties, which supplied the independent rulers of all parts of Ireland (except Ulaidh) for hundreds of years, and which contested with each other the supremacy of the country. Here, too, we have