Deoradh son sliocht Cataoir
A late sixteenth-century poem, by ollamh Maoilín Óg Mac Bruaideadha, in praise
of the Mac Gormans, of the Ui Bairrche, on their historical migration of from
Leinster to Co Clare, where they settled in Ibrickan [west Clare] as warlords
of the Uí Bhriain (the family of Brian Boru). It includes their genealogy
including our ancestor Trassach, who is described as being like Cú Chulainn,
the warrior hero and demigod in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology, notably
the famous Táin Bó Cúailnge ("Cattle Raid of Cooley").
mac [sic]
Treasa(ch) meic Duachdhuibh duinn
mar luathChoin chleasa Cu(a)lann.
son of
Treas son of noble Duachdhubh
(who was like the quick and ingenious Cú Chulainn).
King’s Inns4 Sean O Briain 1740-1
|
Deoraidh sonna
sliocht Chathaoir $ Length: very long
69 qq Period: 63. 16th ult
Areas: 5. Munster
Classes: 10. eulogy mp
Manuscripts: 9213.
Stoneyhurst
A/II/20ii C. O Corbain 1701 9349.
TCD1411
(H.6.7) D. O Conaill 1737 1. King’s Inns4
Sean O Briain 1740-1 9493.
TCD1294iii
(H.2.3) M. O Gorman 9504.
RIA88(23/F/14)
?M. O Gorman c. 1770 Motifs: 31. patron’s
personal appearance eulogised 157.
patrons’
hospitality to poets 330.
king’s officer
(fear gradha) 650.
almsgiving
761.
historical
comparisons (Bruidhean da Choca) 810.
house
831.
women’s
occupation(embroidery) Poet Christian
Names: 437.
Maoilin Og
(Stoneyhurst A/II/20ii) Poet Surnames: 93. MacBruaideadha
Patron Christian
Names: 206.
Domhnall mac
Maoileachlainn Patron Surnames: 222.
MacGormain
Meter Vars: 2. deibhidhe
Deoraidh sonna sliocht Chathaoir [TCD 1411
(H.6.7), 506 (2nd copy)] Maoilín Óg Mac
Bruaideadha cecinit [Deibhidhe,
Dán Díreach] [mac
frequently for meic here] 1 Deóraidh sonna sliocht Chathaoir lucht na síodhbhrog
sochlachaoin fóir liag na leómha[i]n cheannsa deóraidh iad san oirear-sa. 2 Deoraidh son[n]a an chaor
churadh fá shíol cCais chláir fhionnMhúmhan fá mbiodh tnúith bailbhinnsi
Breadh na Laighnigh-si ó mhúr Maisdean. 3 Aithne dhamh go ttárla ar ttús sliocht Cathaoir cuid dá
n-iomthús fóir deaghfhear gan díoth tuirsi críoch Laighean fán laochraidh-si. 4 Ar tteacht don tromhdáimh-si
a-nall roighne laoch chríche Cualann fonn snasbhog ór dheacra dul do ghabhsad r(i)ompa rugadh. 5 Mar sin dáibh ag díol a bhfonn go ttáinigh laochradh Lochlonn loingeas greadh slaitleabha(i)r seang tar lear d’aith[t]reabhadh Éireann. 6 Críoch an imirce ón tír shoir [leg. thoir?] do gabh drong díobh a nUltaibh is drong eile a n-uaithnibh Cliach fán ndoire shuaithnigh sheinliath. 7 Do líonsad uaithne an fhóid ghil clann Ghormáin iad an
uair-sin ógbhaidh Chearma ag soighidh siar dealbha is do ghroidhibh Gailian. 8 As an ttír-sin le cloinn Chais teagaid so ar seachna a ndúthchais críoch ó mBóirche is ó mBuíghe ní fríth coibhche a ccosmhuile. 9 Do thoghsad ar tteacht a-nall uí Bhreacáin fraochdha an fearann fonn dorcha is deighshéan
’na dhiaig fá ceinél bhfromhtha bhfinnBhriain. 10 A-tá an dream-so is bithbheó bladh le ré cheithre chéad bliaghan ag riar dámh ag tógbháil truagh ós an cclár bhfódbhán bhfionnfhuar. 11 Ní chuala ón ló sin a-lé clann Ghormáin na ngreadh síthe gan ursa theann deighfhir
díobh dream lér dheiligh gach doighníom. 12 Mairidh deigfher díop (?) a-niogh ’gár fágbhadh fonn a s[h]innsear longport congmhála cliar
ndoirbh fán bhfial gormanda ghreadhshoir[bh]. 13 Fear nách téid troig lé fánaidh [507] ceannuighe an fhoinn Bhreacánaigh oighre Mhaoil armghloin Eachluinn ó Charmoin chaoil chaisealchuirr. 14 Fear nách iomdha a aithghin d’fior an síol tTáil-si léar tréigeadh fonn síodhfhoirfe sean
saingeal fear síodhaighthe saobhchaing(h)ean. 15 Domhnall an deighfhear grádha fear fraochdha feadh teagmhála ag sin fear caomhna a chinidh fear as aobhdha a n-óiltigh(th)ibh. 16 Fear [’g]a bhfuil ceannas
chloinn Táil is dúil oinig fhear Gabhrán fear nár chuir comhardha ar chradh ’sá bfuil solabhra
seanchadh. 17 Fear is ionnamhail d’athaoil chuirfeas mé go mórChathaoir iongnadh a mhéad do mheabhair tré fhíoghradh ghéag geinealaigh. 18 Dómhnall fírbheach na bhfer ghráidh mac Maoileachluinn meic Gormáin mheic Maoil Eachluinn daithghil
duibh chaithmhig shaoir neamhchruinn náirigh. 19 Meic Duinn meic Maoil mhaith Eachluinn mac [leg. meic] Co(i)n Eabha an earraghthroim ceann sleachta Dhiarmada is Duinn ealta is grianbhoga gormfhuinn. 20 Dob é ceap na bhfear bhfearrdha Cú Eabha an airm loinneardha fód seangshlat is ceannr críochs meic Seághainr deaghmhac
Dáibhíodh. 21 Meic Con Eabha an earraigh
throim mac [sic] Co(i)n Mheadha mac [sic] Dómhnaill mac [sic] Conchubhair seagh gach slóigh fear go ttromchulaidh ttionóil. 22 Meic Co(i)n Mheadha meic Murchaidh meic Eithigheirn fhionnthulchaigh meic Sgannláin an chómhrádh chaoimh meic Gormáin agnár ionntaoibh. 23 Mac [sic] Muircheartaig meic
Donnchaidh meic Aodha an chuilg
chómharthaidh mac [sic] Treasa(ch) meic Duachdhuibh duinn mar luathChoin chleasa Cu(a)lann. 24 Meic Gosáin nár chongaibh
cradh meic Dúnagáin duinn Almhan mac [leg. meic] Gormáin ór chin(n)
an chlann fir do chreit Collbhán Cualann. 25 Meic Eachach dárab sliocht
so meic Caibhdean meic Maoil Úmha meic Suibhne na sleagh mbarr
ghlana f(h)ear glanr suirghe na seangbhan. 26 Meic Dómhnaill chaoimhmac
Cormaic [508] mac Diarmada duasoirdheirc mac Eochaidh Ghuinigh
greadhnaigh an mhuirir dá mhínleanmhuin. 27 Eochaidh Guineach um ghníomh
ga mac Aongusa meic Earca mac Bracháin bhuadhaig meic
Féig do ba lánoirdheircr laoichmhéid. 28 Meic Dáire barraigh bláith bhinn mac Cathaoir mhóir meic
Feidhlim iul glan a-támaoid do thriall triúr do ráinig(h) magh
Mhaicniadh. 29 Ríoghra Laighean na learg mbreac Cathaoir mór dob é a n-aoincheap fear ngruadh ngil is nglac ttana uaidh do chin(n) mac Muirchadha. 30 Géag shaor ór síoladh Branaigh ’s na laoich tromdha Thuathailigh ’s Uí Fháilge na bhfonn ttoraidh fonn fá daingne ar
Dhanaraibh. 31 Do chloinn Chathaoir nár
char luach Ó Fearghuil fla[i]th na bhforttuath dursan claondáil Gall ’na ngar Í Fhaoláin is clann Cholgan. 32 Uí Dhíomasaidh is Uí Dhuinn uaidh is Uí Bairce an bhogfhuinn ór chin(n) an chlann-sin Ghormáin fir nár thaibhsigh tromchongháir. 33 Fillfe[idh] mé ní meanma
shlím ar Chathaoir fionnmac
Fheidhlim mac do Chormac gealta gaoth ealta ndonnbhrat fá
deaghlaoch. 34 Meic Nia Chorb is í Chon
Chorb leanfa[idh] mé suas an seanlorg mac Conchubhair bhúidh boggluair confadhaig n-úir n-abhrashuaidh
[leg. -radr-]. 35 Meic Finn deaghmhac Rosa Ruaidh meic Feargusa fairrge fleadhfhuair meic Nuadha Neacht seaghdha sean mac Séadna do chleacht cóigeadh. 36 Meic Luídheach laoichfhinn laoch Náis mac Breasail Bhric go mbiothghnáis mac Fiacha foibhric gaoith grinn mac [an] laoich oirdheirc Oilill. 37 Meic Fearadhaig nár bhris
bóid mac Nuadha Fhinn mac Allóid mac Airt náir mac Modha Airt cáin [leg. cairt?] chláir Logha ’na laochchairt. 38 Meic Criomhthain chosgraig
gan cheilg meic Fearadhaig Fhinn airmdheirg eochair ghéib(l)inn Teamhra
an triú[i]r meic Fei(dh)lim fherrda Fhoirtriú[i]n. 39 Feidhlim Foirtriuin go bhfoghuil [509] mac Feargusa foirteamhuil meic Breasail chaomhbrais
churadh fá mac Aonguis ollamhu(i)n. 40 Mac Oilioll bhracháin shaoir sheing mac Labhr[aidh] Loinnsigh
luaidheim Oilioll Áine a athair sin do chuirr báire ar Bhreaghaibh.s 41 Meic Laoghaire Luirc fá mac d’Iúghoine Mhór na míonghlac meic Eochaidh bhuadhaig bhladhmhóir gan uamhan re n-ollamhnaibh. 42 A-nois buailid fá chloinn cCuinn clann Ghormáin is clann Tuairim ag Iúghoine is ceann dá
ccraoibh gearr go crúsnoidher a ccómhghaoil. 43 Don tsíol cCuinn chéadna is
congaibh is sliocht Dái Thí
tréanbh[l]ádhaigh sliocht na cColla is clann[a] Néill dronga nár chrannda caithréim. 44 Don tsíol cCuinn-si clann nDálaigh fine Ruairc is Raghallaidh gabhla fulaing ó bhfuil frais go rinnr umhalr is
Iorrais. 45 Don tsíol cCuinn-si is
cómhghaol dáibh ríoghra Mídhe clann Cholmáin is sliocht Aodha saoir
Sláine dá chraoibh ghaoldha ghlanáille. 46 Don tsíol cCuinn-si nár
chlaon smacht síol cConchubhair cláir Connacht luath choinnmhe Chruachan
Meadhbha fóirne u[a]llcha innfheadhma. 47 Ar shliocht Ughaine is iul
glan a-tá an rí(gh) is ríoghroidh Alban brath a-nonn uaim-si orthadh
[leg. orthaibh?] drong as uaisle d’Albanchaibh. 48 Ar áirimh mé Mórdha a ndáil ’s na fir chródha clann Ghormáin dream do threibh na saorbhrogh séimh dá threibh a haonbhun iad-séin. 49 Ughaine mac Eachaigh áird mac Duach laghdhraigh luinn lonnghairg mac Fiacha tolgraigh nár
shlím do ordaigh f[h]iacha ar Éirinn. 50 Meic Muireadhaig bholgraigh bhuain meic Síomóin bhric fear
feadhmchruaidh mac Aodháin ghlais fá glas snuadh bras gach aondáil ’gá iomluadh. 51 Meic Nuadhad Finn fáil fearrdha mac Giallchad guirt goirmTheamhra mar doineanna do dháil maoin meic Oilealla áin
fholtchaoin. 52 Mac Síorna mac Déin meic
Maoin [510] mac Roitheachta áird fholtchaoin mac Aonguis ollmhuchaidh mhir gan clódh bfocal re bhfillidh. [corrupt?] 53 Mac Fiachaidh labhrainne ón loch mac Smiorghuill mac Seanbhoths mac Tighearmhais do thuill toirm le loing imealghlais aghghairbh. 54 Mac Follaigh mac Eithrial óig mac Irial fáidh go bhfialmhóid níor ghné dearóil gleic na bhfer meic Éireamhóin meic Míleadh. 55 C(h)úig glúine is tríocha túillmheach ó Eireamhón fhionnbhruí[gh]neach dul tar gábhadh is gearr uaim go hÁdhamh ceann na
ccaomhshluadh. 56 Mar sin téid meic Maoil Eachloinn go ceap cháich cuaird neamhmhearbhthuill Adhamh aosda an chuain chlannaigh uaigh as taosdha thángamuir. 57 Fillfead don dul-so ar Dhómhnall gnúis chaoin aghaidh abhra[dh]mhall troig chobhsaidh go ccladh bhfeadhma lámh chosnaimh na caithbheárna. 58 Mac Maoil Eachluinn an airm naoi taobh solus ón sia neamhghnaoi rosg sochair glan mur ghoirmshreibh dóchus [leg.dochair?] cár re caomhordaib [leg. -airrdhibh?]. 59 Déad rionnghlan mur fhrais neamhonn gruadh sholusda shaoirghnédho[nn] nár chréachtnuigh ainmhí
[leg. ainimh?] ná aoir ós realtuin d’aighidh fhochaoil. 60 Tárla iosdag caolshlat ccorr sa[n] bhfonn dúthchais ag
Dómhnall ó nách filltear dámh doiligh finntreabh go bhfá(i)l
bhf[í]oroinigh. 61 Brogh mar bhruíghin Dá Choga ag ua Dhuinn is Dhiarmoda le haghaidh aoidheadh do riar saoirfher do ghabháil
Gailian. 62 Brugh mur bhruíghin Mac Dá
Reo a ccrích Laighean na laoimcheó an ccéin rug ar athghnaoi sin ní lámhthaoi dru(i)d dá dhóirsibh. 63 Brogh so mur bhruíghin Dá
Bhreagh [leg. Bhearg?] ’nár thuit gá doilge díbhfearg fághlach re foraire sgeoil Conaire d’armaibh aincheoil. 64 Brugh so a ccendchar cheárd
na suadh brugh lán dá lingid marcshluagh greadha srianbhoga crua(dh)
ccorr um ua Dhiarmoda uim Dhómhnoll. 65 Do-gheabhtha sa ghlanbhrog fhionn
[511] bró churadh ós cionn fithchioll ’s bró mhallbhan ag cur chorthar brog léar snadhmadh sobharthan. 66 Tig ’na cceann ar cionn oidhche lucht cúmtha sgéal
sgiamhfhoirfe don treibh thaobháird nách treabh shlím fer do gach aonáird d’Éirinn. 67 Tig an fhla[i]th ’s an fear fághla don tigh-si is tigh ríoghdhámhna tig an file ’sa[n] fear grá[i]dh san tig [leg. teagh] oirdheircra re tromdháimh. 68 Port oinig iarthar ó tTáil iosdadh chaithmheach an chlocháin port na n-ógbhan ’s na n-eachlach ródbhrog bocht is
baintreabhach. 69 Mac Mheic Gormáin glac bháirrgheal ar ndias abaigh ionfháidheadh ar cceann síodha ar
ngealladh gar earradh díola gach deoradh. Deora[idh]... |
Cathaoir’s Descendants Are Strangers Here (Translation by John Minahane) 1 Cathaoir’s descendants are strangers here (well-famed folk with peaceful houses, these kindly lions are a help for troubles) – they are strangers in this territory. 2 Strangers here are the fiery heroes (under Cas’s race on the pleasant plain of Munster) who once had pasture-land in Brega’s murmuring isle, Leinstermen from the fortress of Maistiu. 3 A period of the history of Cathaoir’s race, in earlier times, is known to me; Leinster’s territory was under these heroes’ rule (a body of fine men without sad misfortune!) 4 When this exacting company came over here, the most select of the Cuala region’s heroes, the smooth and shining land (so hard to leave) that they had possessed was seized from them. 5 They had been thus, enjoying their lands, till the champions from Lochlann came, warriors in a fleet of smooth-ribbed slender ships, over the sea to settle in Ireland. 6 Finally, when they moved from the eastern land, one body of Leinstermen went into Ulster and another body into Owneybeg, round the famed wood of Derryleigh. 7 They peopled bright Owney, they were called Clann Ghormáin then: the young men of Cearma, advancing westwards, likenesses of Gailian warriors. 8 Leaving that land, to the race of Cas they came, renouncing their patrimony (the territories of Uí Bhóirche and Uí Bhuíghe – but no settlement was found as good as those). 9 On arriving here, they chose Ibrickan, heath-covered, gloomy land, but prospering under the well-proved race of the noble Uí Bhriain. 10 This group, of imperishable fame, has been for four hundred years supporting artists and sustaining the poor over the bright and pleasantly cool plain. 11 I have not heard from that day onwards that Clann Ghormáin of the disciplined fighters were without a good strong man (a group that no evil deed was ever linked with!). 12 They have a good man living now who has inherited his forebears’ land, a fortress that supports the ‘sullen artists’, under the (Mac)Gormáins’ generous, cheerful leader! 13 A man who never puts a foot astray, the merchant of the land of Ibrickan, the heir of bright-bladed Mael Seachlainn from the compact round cashel of Cearma. 14 A man who does not have many equals in this land of Tál (for which a calm and perfect land of old churches was abandoned), a man who pacifies foolish disputes. 15 Domhnall, the good caretaker, a furious man in time of conflict: he is the man who protects his kindred, a pleasant man in the alehouses. 16 A man who has headship from Clann Táil and the craving for honour of Gowran men; a man who has set no value on wealth and converses pleasantly with historians. 17 A man who is as like as a new coat of lime: I will take him back to the great Cathaoir; wonderful how much can be remembered through the branching figures of genealogy! 18 Dómhnall, a true bee among men of rank, son of Maoleachluinn son of Gormán son of dark-haired bright-famed Maol Eachluinn the warlike, noble, not stingy, of good repute. 19 Son of Donn son of good Maol Eachluinn son of Cú Eabha the heavily armed, chief of the race of Diarmaid and Donn, a flock that had the sunniest, mild, fine land. 20 Cú Eabha of the shining blade was the forebear of those virile men (whom slender branches grew from, a chief of territories [?]), son of Seaghán son of Dáibhíodh. 21 Son of Cú Eabha the heavy-weaponed, son of Cú Meadha son of Dómhnall son of Conchubhar, strength of every army, a man with a heavily equipped muster. 22 Son of Cú Mheadha son of Murchadh son of Eithighern of the bright hill son of Sgannlán, who conversed so pleasantly, son of Gormán, proud warrior, the trusted. 23 Son of Muircheartach son of Donnchadh son of Aodh of the well-noted sword son of Treas son of noble Duachdhubh (who was like the quick and ingenious Cú Chulainn). 24 Son of Gosán who did not hoard wealth, son of brown-haired Dúnagán of Allen son of Gormán, from whom the clan begins, men of the stock of white-hazelled Cuala. 25 Son of Eachaidh, from whom this kindred comes, son of Caibhdean son of Maol Úmha son of Suibhne of the clean-topped spears, a man who honourably wooed graceful women. 26 Son of Dómhnall mild-mannered son of Cormac son of Diarmaid renowned for his gifts son of hard-striking Eochaidh Guineach – thus we follow the family smoothly. 27 Eochaidh Guineach, wielder of the spear, son of Aongus son of Earc son of Brachán the victorious son of Féag, a truly illustrious man with a hero’s stature. 28 Son of Dáire Barrach, the elegant, sweet, son of Cathaoir Mór son of Feidhlim: we are on the path of pure knowledge; those were three who arrived in Macniadh’s plain. 29 The royalty of Leinster’s varied slopes, Cathaoir Mór was supreme in it; a man of bright cheeks and slender hands, Mac Murchadha is derived from him. 30 Noble stock from which the Branaigh sprang and those weighty champions the Uí Thuathail, and Uí Fháilge of the fertile fields, a land that held firm against Foreigners. 31 Of the family of Cathaoir who did not love money is Ó Fearghuil, prince of over-kingdoms; pity the evil host of English who came near to Ó Faoláin and Clann Cholgan, 32 Uí Dhíomasaidh and Uí Dhuinn; from him is Uí Bhairrche, with their pleasant land, whom that family of Gormán sprang from, men who had not mere dreams of the din of battle. 33 I will return – it is no lapse of mind – to Cathaoir, noble son of Feidhlim son of Cormac the bright-minded and wise, a family of fine fighters in noble mantles. 34 Along the old track I will follow Meic Nia Chorb and Uí Chon Chorb son of Conchubhar the gracious and soft-voiced, warlike, generous, with a druid’s brows. 35 Son of Finn the good son of Ros Ruadh son of cold-feasting Feargus of the sea, son of Nuadha Neacht, accomplished old man, son of Séadna who controlled a province. 36 Son of Luídhe the champion, of the heroes of Naas, son of Breasal Breac with lifelong discipline; son of Fiacha the subtle and keen, son of the renowned champion Oileall. 37 Son of Fearadhach who broke no vow, son of Nuadha Finn son of Allód son of noble Art son of Modh Airt – Lugh’s plain is by charter reserved for heroes! [?] 38 Son of bellicose Criomhthan who had no guile, son of Fearadhach Finn whose weapons were red, key to the fortress of Tara of the Three, son of manly Feidhlim of Foirtriún. 39 Feidhlim of Foirtriún with his plunder, son of brave Feargus son of Breasal, mild and mighty, sprung of champions, who was son of Aonghus Ollamhain. 40 Son of Oilieall Bracháin noble and graceful, son of Labhradh Loinnsigh I mention now; Oilioll Áine was his father, who was a hero [?] of contests in Brega. 41 Son of Laoghaire Lurc who was son of sleek-handed Iúghoine Mór son of Eochaidh the victorious and famous, who had no fear of master-poets. 42 And now Clann Ghormáin and Clann Tuairim meet at Clann Chuinn: Iúghoine is head of the two branches, I will soon establish [?] their affinity. 43 Holding fast to that same descent from Conn is the kindred of mighty-famed Dá Thí, the Collas’ kin, and Clanna Néill, groups whose battle-fame has not run dry. 44 Of Conn’s progeny is Clann Dálaigh, the kindred of Ruarc and Raghallach, supporting branches with abundant fruit, to Rinn Umhaill and Iorras. 45 By Conn’s progeny they are related to the royal stock of Meath, the Clann Cholmáin and the lineage of noble Aodh Sláine, two related branches of great beauty. 46 Of the progeny of Conn who did not rule falsely are the Uí Chonchubhair of the plain of Connacht, who have prompt billeting in Medhbh’s Cruacha, proud and effective battle-teams. 47 Of Ughaine’s progeny (this is genuine knowledge) are the king and royalty of Scotland; my vision reaches as far as them, the most noble body of Scots. 48 Together I count the assembled Uí Mhórdha and the brave men of Clann Ghormáin, a group that dwelt in noble mansions; those are two lineages with one foundation. 49 Ughaine son of high Eachaidh son of Dáibhí the gift-giving, brave and fierce in fight, son of forceful Fiach who was not evasive, who ordered levies imposed on Ireland. 50 Son of Muireadhach the sturdy and persevering, son of Síomón Breac, a man effective in hard fights, son of Aodhán Glas whose countenance was bright: every assembly was prompt to praise him. 51 Son of Nuadha Finn, manly against opponents, son of Giallcha of splendid Tara’s field; like a cloudburst was the wealth he scattered round, son of Oileall the bright and gentle-haired. 52 Son of Síorna son of Dian son of Maon son of Roitheacht, tall with handsome hair, son of fierce Aongus Ollmhucadh who had no [false?] words for a poet. 53 Son of Fiacha Labhrainne from the lake, son of Smiorghull son of Seanbhoth son of Tighearmhas, who won fame with a grey-bordered ship for a hard campaign. 54 Son of Follach son of Eithrial Óg son of Irial the prophetic, vowed to generosity (no wretched sight were those men when in conflict), son of Éireamhón son of Mílesius. 55 Thirty-five fruitful generations from Éireamhón of the fine mansions, if need be, I could briefly relate down to Adam, head of the noble peoples. 56 And so the sons of Maol Eachloinn go to the progenitor of all (no illusory journey), old Adam of the prolific breed; it was he that we came from first. 57 I will return from this departure to Domhnall, his pleasant countenance, his face with stately brows; firm-footed at the barrier with his troop, a defender’s hand in the breach in battle. 58 Son of Maol Eachluinn with his bright new weapon, shining figure from which all ugliness is far, steady eye as clear as a blue stream (it is difficult to make comparisons!) 59 Clean sharp teeth like plentiful pearls; a bright cheek with the marks of nobility, never wounded by blemish or satire; a slender face finer than a star. 60 There is a round dwelling of slender rods in Domhnall’s native region that poets never return from in depression (the bright tribe that receive true bounty). 61 To cater for his guests, the grandson of Donn and Diarmuid (nobleman of a branch of the Gailian) has a mansion like Dá Choca’s hostel. 62 A mansion like Mac Dá Reo’s hostel in Leinster of the fiery mists; while it was achieving that beauty once again, one could not dare approach its door. 63 A mansion like Dá Derga’s hostel, where died (what harsher punishment? — a plunderer against an exemplary guardian) Conaire, by the weapons of Aingcél. 64 A mansion especially loved [?] by sages, a full mansion from which a troop of horsemen leap, hard fighters with reins relaxed, grouped in a circle round the grandson of Diarmaid, round Domhnall. 65 One might find in that gracious mansion a crowd of warriors over ficheall-games and a crowd of graceful women embroidering – a mansion that joined wellbeing in a whole. 66 Arriving there at nightfall are the makers of stories of perfect beauty; men of the tribe from the heights (no meagre tribe) come there from every single part of Ireland. 67 The prince comes and the plunderer to that house, the house of one fit to be king; the poet comes and the patron; the ‘heavy troops’ are a burden on the house! 68 Fortress of generosity in the west [of the land] of Táil, free-spending hospitality in the Clochán, house for young women and for horsemen, mansion on their route for the poor and widows. 69 Grandson of Gormán, bright open hand, our ripe corn-ear, fit for a prophecy; our peacemaker, our promise near at hand, our riches that has payment for every stranger. (McInerney, Luke and
O’Halloran, Robert) |
1839-1841 Co. Clare - Ordnance Survey Letters by John O'Donovan and
Eugene Curry
https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/history/osl/ibrickan.htm
Part III pages 21-5.
Letters and Extracts relative to Ancient Territories of Thomond
III. Ibrickan, in Irish Ui
Bracáin
This Territory was a part
of the country of the Corca Vaskin until towards the end of the 12th Century, when
the Leinster family of Mac Gorman settled in it under the auspices of O’Brien.
This family flourished a long time in Leinster under the tribe name of
Hy-Bairrche, as being descended Daire Barrach, son of Cathaoir Mor, Monarch of
Ireland in the Second Century. Their country comprised the Barony of Slieve
Margy in the Queen’s County and a part of the level plain around the Town of
Carlow.
The last notice which
occurs of them as Chiefs of this Territory in Leinster is at the year 1142,
where it is stated that “Donogh, the son of Hugh Mac Gorman, Lord of
Hy-Bairrche, was slain by Gilpatrick, son of Donogh Fitzpatrick (Mac
Giolla-Padruig) Lord of Ossory.” It is highly probable that they were driven
out by the Lord Walter De Riddlesford, who became master of all this tract
about Carlow towards the end of the 12th Century. The first of this family who
settled in Munster was Mortogh the son of Donogh Mac Gorman, whose descendants
bore the tribe name of Hy-Breacain from their great Lagenian ancestor Breacan or
Bracan, the grandson of Daire Barrach. The expulsion of the Mac Gormans from
their original Territory and their dispersion into various parts of Ireland are
recorded in the following lines by Maoilin Oge Mac Brody:-
|
Crioc
a niomairce on ttir toir. Do
ghab drong diobh a nolltoibh. Is
drong oile a nuaithnib cliach. Fan
ndoire snaithing seinliath. Do
lionsad uaithne an bhuird ghil. Clann
Gormain iad an uair sin. Ogbadh
cearmna ag siotche siar. Deabhadh
is groidhibh Gaillian. As an
tirsin le si cloinn cais. Tagaid
seo ar seachna a ndutchais. Crioch
ó mbairce is O mbuidhe. Mor
frit coibche a co os muile. Do
thoghsad iar tteacht anall. Ui
breacain fraochda an fearann. Fonn
dorchadh is deighsean na ndiag. Fa
chineal bhfromtha bfinn briain. Ata an
dream so is bithbeo bladh. Re ráe
ceithre cead bliadhain. Ag
rias dámh ag togbail truagh. Os an
cc lar bfodban bfionnuar. Genealach
Aile Meag Gormain, as Seanleabar i seilbh Cathal Ui Conchobair. Domnail
Mac
Diarmada M.
Domnaill M.
Coineabha M.
Seaain M.
Daibi M.
Coineaba M.
Coinmeada M.
Domnaill M.
Concobair M.
Coinmeada M.
Murchadh M.
Eigtighearna M.
Sganlain M.
Gormain M.
Muirceartac i.e., an cead duine tainicc do Mumhain do laighnibh do sliocht
daire barraigh do reir droinge re Seanchus.[presume error – not the first to
go to Munster - died 1103 or 1124 probably in Leinster] [gap
in genealogy] M.
Donuchadh Donnchadh Mac Aeda Tigearna Ua mBairrce do tuitim lagiolla P. Mac
Donnchadh tigearna Osraide etc., A.Q.M. 1142. [error 1032] M.
Treasaigh M.
Duaich Duibh M.
Gosain M.
Dunagain M.
Gormain, a quo an Fine. Mac
Eachach Mac
Maoilumha Mac
Suibhne Mac
Domnaill Mac
Cormaic Mac
Diarmada Mac
Eacach Guinigh Mac
Aonguss Mac
Earca Mac
Breacain na Brocain, i.e., nabarthar Ui Breacain Mac
Daire Barraig Mac
Cathaoir Moir |
From the Country of Hy-Bairrche in the eastern province, they proceed to shun their patrimony |
References:
McInerney, Luke and O’Halloran, Robert: A survey of
the Clann Ghormáin (McGormans) of Ibrickan, county Clare: land, lineage and
resettlement in late medieval Ireland. Studia Hibernica 50 (2024) [link]
O'Donovan, John &
Curry, Eugene (1839-1841) Ordnance Survey Letters Clare.
Last update: 26
January 2025