THE

Drawn by Samuel Lover, Esq. R. H. A. for the Irish Penny Magazine, from a Sketch by Mrs. H. B. ILLUSTRATIONS OF IRISH TOPOGRAPHY.-No. VIII.

1358, The King directed a very singular writ to the sheriff of Limerick, reciting, that Thomas, the son of John Fitz Maurice, had been taken as accessary to the loss of the castle of Bunratty, and that he was detained, in his own person, a prisoner in the castle of Limerick, but, as it was proved before the council that he could not be indicted for said alleged offence, that, therefore, the sheriff should cause him to be liberated, on the security of sufficient bail.

Your readers will excuse my here over-leaping a couple of centuries, it is but a narrow span in "the dark backward and abysm of time;" and as on my inspection of the interval in the annals of this county, I find it filled with events more referable to the family achievements of the O'Briens and Macnamaras, and their successful struggles to regain their ancient possessions from the English, than reducible to the history of any distinct locality, I do not think I would be justified in their detail on this occasion. I am aware I could offer a most palatable article on the heroism and chivalry of our Milesian ancestors, (if a Norman adventurer, a buccaneer of the first water, may be privileged to quarter them in his armorials,) I feel what a happy opportunity presents itself to display my heraldic lore, and ancestral materials.

But this eternal blazon must not be

To ears of flesh and blood.

I accordingly resume with the notice of a remarkable deed of sale, concerning the lands of Ailbeg, situated in the north-western part of this parish. The original is in the possession of that patriotic and talented Irishman, Mr. Hardiman, and has been published by him in his valuable "Essay on ancient Irish Deeds."

of my subject, or confine the fame of our National confiscations to the breathings of a penny trumpet.

1642, The Earl of Thomond was closely besieged in the castle of Bunratty. "My Lord Thomond," writes the Earl of Clanricard to Lord Falkland, "hath seldom been permitted to stir out of his castle of Bunratty since the beginning of those troubles. Some castles there, possessed by the English, still hold out, though I fear they will be lost this winter, and most of the inland forts in the King's County, if forces and supplies be not nearer than one can yet discover."

1652, In this year the celebrated Ludlow resided some days in the castle of Bunratty, being ordered thither by Ireton, for the benefit of his health.

1685, An interesting record, of about this period, now before me, details the principal gentry, as they were then resident within this barony. Amongst them I find the names of the Ear of Thomond, as of Bunratty; John Macnamara of Dangin, Turlough O'Brien of Croppoke, John Mac Namara of Danganbreak, Donogh Mac Mahon of Dromolyn, Donogh O'Brien of Ballycharan, John O Mulconery of Ballynegyne, Fineen Mac Laghlin of Legivaro, John Mac Mahon of Corbally, Donald Macnamara of Crashalakell, Murtough O'Brien of Drumloyne, Donough Mac Lanchy of Clanyloghan, Donogh O'Brien of Carhawelline, Donogh O'Grady of Cloyne, Donogh Mac Lanchy of Bodevohir, &c. &c.

1790, The vicarage of Bunratty was united, by the authority of the diocesan, with ten other vicarages. The vicarage of Clonlea was then included in this union, but subsequently set apart from it, and at a yet later period the union of this vicarage was still more limited to but three others.

1573. The document in question bears this date, and after reciting that said land was in pledge, for a noble mulct, with the Rodan (not Roden) family, the seller requested the purchaser to redeem it, and to give him the crop, in consideration whereof the said seller agreed to make over all his right and ti-house here. tle to the purchaser and his descendants. It details the boundaries and contents of the property, is attested by ten witnesses, and concludes with the following words, as translated from the original Irish

The bailiffs, who gave possession of said land, are the Vicar of Bunratty, and Teige Mac Mahon. This is the handwriting of Con Mac Shane, on his giving the fee simple of said lands, unto said William Mac Shane, and I, said Con, do declare this to be my will, consent, and intention; and do affirm same with my seal. -I, Conry Mac Maurice Mac Torney, wrote this by consent of both parties, on the green of Bunratty."

1600, In the life of the celebrated Daniel Caum (i. e. crooked,) O'Sullivan, as detailed in an ancient history which has never seen the face of the printer, there is an event of this date which connects itself with Bunratty, and may be worthy of record in your invaluable repository of Irish lore.

1802, By the authority of the diocesan, the rectory of Bunratty was united with that of Kilrush, and eight other rectories. Kilrush has, however, been since added to another union. 1812, The board of first fruits granted an aid of £450 towards purchasing a glebe, and £105 towards building a glebeThe castle, of which the above sketch gives such a creditable representation, has been inhabited to a very late period, and possibly may be so still. Marks of shot are very visible in different parts of its walls, and several cannon balls have been found about it, one of which weighed thirty-nine pounds. J. D.

ANCIENT IRISH BIOGRAPHY.-No. VII.

TUATIAL, THE ACCEPTABLE.* IN describing the character of Moran, the just judge, I have alluded to the rebellion which placed his father, Carbry, on the throne. On the death of his friend, Feredach, to whom he resigned his own claims, a prince named Fiatach was elected as monarch; but only reigned three years until he was slain by Fiacha, the son of Feredach, who thus usurped the regal au"As the Earl of Thomond, uncle to said Daniel Caum, and thority. The people submitted peaceably, for a time, to his general to the Queen, could not bring his said nephew to sub-government, through respect for his father's memory, and in the mission, he ordered an invasion by sea, on which occasion he demolished Dumbaoi, one of said Daniel Caum's mansionhouses, which the said Daniel resented so much as to march with his small army, by night, to the County of Clare, where he was amply revenged on Bunratty, one of said Earl's seats. Daniel's retreat after this exploit was especially remarkable.— Being pursued by a much superior army till he came to the river Shannon, he there found all the boats secured, and taken up from him, upon which he encamped in the woods and copses on the banks of said river, where he found himself at the approach of night surrounded by the enemy. He, thereupon, inmediately ordered several lamps and lights to be hung out on the boughs of the trees, as meaning that he intended maintaining said camp, and giving battle next day; in the interim he employed all his men in making hobbles, or kishes, in the shape of small boats, and got all the horses in his small camp killed, and said hobbles covered with their skins, which machines were then, and at other times, called corraghs. By this stratagem he conveyed his men (a very few excepted) safe over the river to the great surprise of his enemy, but after this and all his other brave actions he was obliged to fly to Spain, where he had the title of Count of Beerhaven conferred upon him and his heirs. He lived to a great age in Madrid, where he was at last mur

hope that the son of such an excellent prince would himself deserve their love. Whether their expectations were too inordinate, or that the dissatisfaction of the nation was too deep-seated for his skill or power to remove, or that his disposition was disinclined to remedy the evils complained of, is now uncertain; but the people sought a change, and effected a rebellion much more formidable than the first. The "plebeians," as our old historians style the classes of people not ennobled by rank, were Fiacha having been slain in the seventh year of his reign, by led, on this occasion, by many of the provincial princes; and Ulster, their principal leader, to assume the monarchical power. the insurgents, the triumphant party permitted Elim, King of Thus it was in those remote times, when the true principles of civil liberty were still unknown, and the .neans of securing even effective, that they failed to accomplish the great objects for the few privileges the people possessed, were uncertain and inwhich they so zealously but blindly struggled. A change of kings was to them, too often, but a change of tyrants; and though the Irish people, from the popular form of their government, and the complete power of selecting the best of their princes for their rulers, were more protected against the evils of incapacity or vice in them, than those of any other country, yet, as in the instance of Elim, they were not happy enough to escape the common fate of other nations. Elim proved to be a still worse sovereign than him he had succeeded; his government But, ne * Also surnamed Teachtmar, from the great state of plenty in sutor ultra crepidum, I must not hurry beyond the boundaries | the country during his reign.

dered, as it is alleged, by a hireling of political agency. His estates had been long previously declared forfeited; they were, however, by the influence of court intrigue

"

was oppressive and rapacious, and the conflicting designs, and the quarrels of the minor princes, sustained altogether such a state of disturbance and warfare, as harassed the people beyond endurance. A few of the nobility, who had escaped the first burst of popular rage, and still retained some power, now urged the reinstatement of the Heremonian line in the monarchy, upon the people, and secured the assent of a sufficient force to justify the recall, from exile in Scotland, of TUATHAL, the grandson of Feredach, who thus obtained possession of the throne of his ancestors, in the year 130.

valry were practised, and the period seems to have one continued revel. It is interesting to trace to such a source the customs of our own times. Who is ignorant, that even in the present day, our humbler countrymen are in the habit of arranging the most important domestic affairs of their families at festivals, or "fairs," such as this was? Every one knows that our modern fairs are famous for love-making, and matchmaking; and such was, in fact, the great business of the fair of Tailteen. The youth of both sexes were brought to it by their parents, or guardians, who conferred on the conditions of It is related that the mother of Tuathal, the daughter of a marriage between such as evinced affection for each other; and Pictish king of Scotland, took refuge in her father's court on the if matters were mutually agreed to by the senior friends, the parfirst" plebeian" rebellion, and was there delivered of this son. ties were openly contracted before the assembled people. The On his proceeding to Ireland she accompanied him, and he was king of Ulster derived a revenue of one ounce of silver from the supported by a body of troops from the Pictish king. He enmarriage of each couple. The business of the assembly at Tara tered Ulster suddenly, proceeded rapidly to Tara, where he was has been already described in the biography of Ollamh Fodhla; met by his friends and their forces, and elected king. Elimit was there the great triennial Parliaments were held for prepared to resist the invasion, but was soon killed in battle, and his party were defeated in many successive engagements, throughout the country, until at length they were entirely dued. It is from the period of these triumphs that the character and career of Tuathal most deserve our attention.

the purpose of revising the records of the kingdom, and regulating all public affairs of importance. The palace itself was sub-greatly extended and beautified by this prince.

He had no sooner completed the conquest of his enemies than he convened a general assembly of the states at Tara. The parliament fully confirmed his legitimate title to the throne, and proceeded so far as to make the succession hereditary in his family, as was done for Hugony the Great, also of the Heremonian line, about five hundred years before. This was an unwise and unnecessary infraction of the rights of the people if done with perfect freedom of will, but it is probable it was more the result of deference for the power of the conqueror than of respect for his character as a monarch, which was still unknown. Fortunately for the nation he proved himself deserving of their utmost regard, though not of such a sacrifice. cellence could justify a concession that should lead to such indefinite uncertain results. Virtues are not hereditary in monarchs more than in other men; and powers so awful as a monarch's should never, if possible, be placed in any other but virtuous hands.

No ex

One of the first acts of Tuathal's government was, the separation of a portion of territory from each of the four provinces, for the purpose of forming Crown or Demesne lands, to be applied to the maintenance of the chief monarchy. The present county of Meath was the common centre of these four districts, and each of them was immediately adjoining to it. It has been already noticed that Meath was separated from Leinster, and the royal palace of Tara erected on it, by Ollamh Fodhla. A similar palace was now erected by Tuathal, in each of the other three divisions. In the tract separated from Munster, and called Eastmeath, the palace of Tachtga was built, and the singular tumulus of New Grange, near Drogheda, is now supposed to have been its site. In this place, which seems to have been as much a religious temple as a royal residence, the chief Druids were accustomed to assemble for worship and sacrifice, annually, on the eve of All Saints. It was on this occasion that the sacred fire of Baal, from which all the fires throughout the kingdom were lighted, was kindled with much solemnity. Previous to the ceremony, all other fires were extinguished, and the people were each compelled to pay a scraball, a coin worth about three pence, for the privilege of obtaining the use of this holy fire. This tax was paid to the King of Munster; I suppose in consideration of his sacrifice of teritory to the monarch; but it must have operated as a heavy, and was, assuredly, an unnecessary burthen upon the people. In the tract separated from Connaught, a palace was built at the hill of Usneach, in the present county of Westmeath, and a general convocation of the entire people was held here, annually, on the first of May, also, for the worship of Baal. At this season two fires were kindled in each territory of the kingdom, and the victims, which consisted of cattle, were sacrificed at them; the superstitious custom was then first introduced of driving cattle between the sacred fires, as a protection from murrain and other diseases. Every chief, or lord of a manor, who attended this convocation, paid to the King of Connaught a tribute of a horse and arms,-another tax. The third new palace was that of Tailteen, erected in the district separated from Ulster. Previous to this period, Tailteen had been noted for an annual fair, established in honour of one of the queens of the country, named Tailté. It was held at Lammas, and the festival sometimes continued from fifteen days before the first of August till fifteen days after. It was, perhaps, the most joyous of all our ancient festivals; games resembling the subsequent tournaments of chi

The re-establishment of the Fes Teambrack, in its full legislative powers, which had been suspended by the disturbances preceding his reign, and his regular recurrence to its authority, are strong proofs of Tuathal's wisdom and desire to govern his kingdom well. The ruler who substitutes his own judgment for the will of the people he governs, or those who represent them, should always be regarded as a dangerous enemy to liberty; it is, therefore, a great merit in a powerful prince, like Tuathal, to submit his opinions and measures to the decision of those most interested in their results. But this is not all the merit of Tuathal.—He caused two general convocations of the people to be held during his reign,-one at Cruachan, in Connaught, and the other at Eamania, in Ulster. These were assembled for the purpose of regulating the affairs of those classes engaged in trade, and of arranging a system by which the different professions and trades should be protected from the intrusion of inproper or unqualified persons, and governed for the public good. This admirable object was accomplished in the following manner :-The members of the different learned and ingenious professions, and the artificers, or members of all mechanical occupations, were specially summoned to attend the Parliaments; a select committee was appointed to examine them on their skill and proficiency in their respective pursuits; sixty of the most eminent were selected from each, and commissioned with authority, properly restricted, to superintend the affairs of their profession or trade, and protect its interests. No person could practise any profession without being strictly examined and approved of by these commissioners; all abuses were reformed by them, and such individuals as from improper character, or want of skill, were likely to bring the body to which they belonged into disrepute, were suspended in the exercise of their business by them. Such a jurisdiction soon enabled these men to introduce many judicious improvements into the management of the bodies entrusted to their care, and, finally, elevated the character of their various avocations so much, that many, who previously regarded them with the utmost contempt, now eagerly sought to be enrolled amongst their members. It had been too much the custom of the privileged classes, and their followers, to despise the pursuits of their humbler countrymen, and to lead idle and dependant lives zooner than resort to such employments for support; but now better feelings were created and sustained by the new system, and men saw no degradation in honest industry. The mode in which this change was effected deserves consideration. It was by no hasty and abitrary interference of power in those who could know little of the subject on which they adjudicated, and had no sympathy with those whose interests they governed; it was not by an institution capable of perversion to invidious and unjust exclusion, or corrupt peculation; but by the simple, efficient, and satisfactory plan of leaving those skilled in the matter, and interested in the result, to govern themselves. Were there nothing else to recommend Tuathal to our attention, the sagacity and liberal policy evinced by him, in this measure, should ensure him our respect and admiration. Would that modern legislators were wise enough to adopt the just principles that guided his conduct in this instance!

Perhaps, the only important circumstance that should impair our reverence for him is, his imposition of the Boiroimhe Laighean, or Leinster tribute; but there are few whose hearts are cold enough to the influence of the outraged feelings of a father and a monarch, not to visit this error with mild condemnation, though they may regret its consequences. The facts of it are briefly these:--Tuathal granted his eldest daughter, Dairine, in

marriage to Achy Ainchean, King of Leinster. In about a year after, this prince returned to Tuathal, announced the death of his wife, and obtained the second daughter, Fithir, also in marriage. Fithir accompanied him to his court, and there found her sister still alive, which shocked her so much that she died immediately, and was soon followed to the grave by her injured sister. The truth soon reached Tuathal, and he summoned his forces to avenge the insult. He overrun Leinster with his troops, destroying all with fire and sword, until, at length, Achy besought mercy, and promised submission on any terms. Tuathal consented, and it was agreed that Achy, and his successors on the throne of Leinster, should pay a tribute to the Monarch of Ireland, every second year, of 6,000 cows, 6,000 hogs, 6,000 wethers, 6,000 copper cauldrons, 6,000 ounces of silver, and

6,000 mantles. This immense tribute was actually paid, during five centuries, to forty successive monarchs. The appropriation of this revenue displayed all the characteristic sagacity of Tuathal; he divided it equally among the other three provinces, and thus gave them all an interest to join in enforcing it at all times. It was, however, the cause of many and grievous dissentions, and, assuredly, worked more evil than was deserved by the people of Leinster. The justification for heavy punishment was great, as regarded Tuathal himself; but it should not have extended beyond his own life. Thus it is, however, that the people are too often made the victims of the passions of princes. Tuathal reigned, with great splendour, for thirty years; and was, at length, slain by Mal, of the line of Ir, who succeeded him.

C.

ILLUSTRATIONS OF NATIONAL PROVERBS.--No. IV. filthy lane, she said in her sauciest tone-"I wish you'd look [BY SAMUEL LOVER, ESQ. R. H. A.]

"Good man," said the offender, "oh, good woman to you,

BIDDY was obliged to quit Mrs. Bond's house immediately-ma'am, and maybe neither of us tells thruth." half an hour sufficed to make all the necessary arrangements for so doing, and with her scanty bundle of clothes, and the few shillings of wages paid to her, she was again turned forth upon the world from the comfortable home she, a second time, forfeited by her own unworthiness.

As she proceeded towards James's-street, where in a miserable garret, Peter and his mother were living, and whom she had not seen ever since she had recovered her former place, and secured to herself her own immediate comforts, she ruminated, in no very pleasing train of thought, on the unlucky turn that her affairs had taken. Biddy, good-for-nothing as she was, and I am afraid, as Peter's former master said, "no better than she should be," even she felt, for the moment, the justice of her fate; and the remorse, that even the most hardened, on certain occasions, must feel, visited her indolent conscience with bit

terness.

- For a while she was so much under its influence, that she had determined to tell Peter the whole truth the moment she should see him, and felt so keenly the evil consequence of telling falsehood, that she was almost coming to the resolve of never being guilty of untruth again, when passing through Highstreet being jostled by a man who had just emerged from a

"Spake to yourself, sir," said Biddy indignantly, "I owe you no discoorse," and she was brushing hastily by him, but she was arrested by the forcible grasp of a hand laid on her cloak, and a voice with which she was not unacquainted said-

"Be the hokey, if Biddy Purcell is an the flure o' God's creation, that's her-I know the sharp side of her tongue." "Then, it's not Biddy Purcell," said she, hiding her face. "Arrah, let us look at you," said her detainer, catching her under the chin, and turning up her face to the lamp-light"sure I knew 'twas you an' nobody else by the powdhers o' war I'd know your shadow an a bush-musha more power to you, and how are you-how is every five fut o' you?"

"Indeed an it's bad enough wid me, and more betoken it's all along o' you, bad cess to you, its the bad day I ivir knew you, Tom, for I never was the same woman since." "Arrah be aisy, Biddy Purcell."

"It's Mrs. Molloy your spakin' to, sir, if you plaze." "Oh, murther!" said Tom, "so you're marrid to that poor lantherumswag of a gandher that was afther you like a suckin' calf."

"Oh! indeed he's no witch sure enough," said Biddy, "but he made me an honest woman any how."