(O) Daly, Daley, Daily, Dailey

O'Dalaigh

The Daly sept must surely be regarded as representing the greatest name in Gaelic literature. From the eleventh to the seventeenth centuries there were no less than thirty outstanding O Daly poets. "There is certainly no family to which the bardic literature of Ireland is more deeply indebted than that of O Daly", wrote the historian John O Donovan (1805-61). Their family history goes back to earliest recorded times. They claim descent from one of Ireland's epic heroes, Niall of the Nine Hostages, the High King who ruled from his palace at Tara from AD 380 to 405. He was ancestor of the O Neills of Tyrone and the O Donnells of Tirconnell, whose lengthy pedigrees are in Dublin's Genealogical Office. Their tradition and original territory was in the barony of Magheradernon, Co. Westmeath and thence they spread to other parts of the country, always continuing the literary tradition and forming sub-septs in each of the places they settled in pursuit of their calling.

From the Dalys came several kings of Meath, who in time branched out to Thomond and to Connacht. According to some authorities, the surname derives from the Irish word d�il, a place where councils are held. (Thus D�il �ireann, the Irish Parliament, got its name.) Other sources claim, probably with more veracity, that it is derived from the personal name Dalach (meaning 'blind one'). The first person on record as having borne the surname was Cuconnacht na Scoile O'Dalaigh, (Cuconnacht of the school), who died at Clonard in 1139. His was a school for bards-poets and minstrels. Given that, according to the pedigree information, his father and great-great-great-grandfather were named Dalach, it seems that the latter origin of the name is more likely. Over the centuries O'Dalaigh has become Daly, Daley, Daily, Dailey, Dalie, Dailie, Dawley, Dawly, Dayley, Dayly, Dealey and Dealy to name just the commonest variants.

From Westmeath they fanned out, becoming official poets to the leading families of the land. In Cavan they were resident bards with the powerful O Reillys. Numerous O Dalys scattered north to follow their poetic vocation with the foremost Leinster family, the O Neills. In West Cork they served Munster's ruling family, the MacCarthys. In Connacht the kingly O Connors could boast an O Daly bard and there they were also hereditary poets to the O Loughlins, Lords of Corcomroe.

Also in Connacht, Donogh Mor O Daly (d. 1244) of Kinvarra wrote such fine poetry that he has been fulsomely described as "the Irish Ovid". He is buried in the Cistercian Abbey in Boyle, County Roscommon, now an ivy clad ruin near the main road by the River Boyle.

Diarmuid Oge O'Daly was made the official poet of the MacCarthys of West Cork, thus acquiring for his family lands and privileges in the barony of Carbery.

Poets can be excessively temperamental beings. In 1213, Muiredagh O Daly from Lough Derravaragh (the Lake of the Oaks) in County Westmeath, where the legendary children of Lir were turned into swans, went to pay a visit to the O Donnells of Drumcliff, near Sligo. One of their stewards provoked him so severely that the poet retaliated by killing him! For this appalling behaviour, Muiredagh was pursued all over Ireland by the enraged O Donnells. He fled to Scotland where, in time, he repented and wrote a poem so disarming that he was forgiven by the O Donnells and was able to return home. Aengus O Daly of Cork was a renegade. He allowed himself to be employed by the English to write The Tribes of Ireland, a bitter satire on his own people. Foolishly, he returned to Ireland where, in 1617, he was stabbed to death by a Meagher of Roscrea, who had been vilified in the book.

Daniel O Daly (1595-1662) of Kerry was an outstanding European scholar. To escape religious persecution he went to Europe to study for the priesthood. He founded a Dominican college in Louvain, and, in Lisbon, a college and a convent for Irish religious exiles. His considerable diplomatic skill was recognized by diverse monarchs. The then Prince of Wales, later Charles I of England, even tried to use him, though unsuccessfully, when he was seeking the hand of Philip IV of Spain's daughter. In Portugal, in 1640, he was prominent in the revolution which freed it from Spain. An international traveller, he was summoned to Paris in 1650 by Charles II and his mother, Queen Henrietta Maria, where they urged him to use his influence to effect a coalition of Irish Royalists against the Parliamentarians. As a result, Dominic de Rosario (O Daly's religious name) wrote to Ormond, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, assuring him of his readiness to serve the royal cause both in Ireland and Spain. But he insisted he must have the assurance of Charles II that Ireland would be established as a free nation. Portugal was lucky, but not Ireland, although he had done his utmost. Earlier, he had been an envoy from Portugal to Louis XIV in Paris, advising on military matters concerning the Irish who were seeking allies for a revolt. This versatile and learned Irish Dominican, who died at Lisbon in 1662, left many ecclesiastical writings.

With the submergence of Irish culture and aristocracy in the seventeenth century, there was little outlet for the O Daly poetic vein. They found other methods for creative self-expression - the stage, for instance. Richard Daly (1750-1813) was an actor manager. A second son of Connacht landed gentry who had survived by conforming to the Anglican faith, he was sent to Trinity College, Dublin, where his addiction to duelling and gambling frittered away his inheritance. A young blood of "striking stature and elegance", he turned very successfully to the stage. In the 1780s, when Dublin was the second city of the Empire, Richard Daly found his matter in management and brought over Kemble and Mrs Siddons to his famous Smock Alley Theatre. He owned several theatres and may have inspired Dalys Club in College Street (now an office), much favoured by the gambling bloods. Richard's career was a stormy one, especially with the critics, against one of whom he won an important libel case.

By the eighteenth century, the Dalys who descended from the poet Donogh More O Daly, "the Irish Ovid", had become politicians, men of the law, and Barons of Dunsandle and Clan Conal in County Galway. In the thirty years up to 1720, there were at least six mayors of Galway who were Dalys, including Denis Bowes Daly, who was six times mayor of Galway.

Denis Daly (1747-91), a Member of Parliament for Galway, won government office and �1,200 a year for opposing a measure for independence. He was also against Flood's Bill for Parliamentary Reform. Despite these rigid views, his friendship with Henry Grattan, leader of the Irish Opposition, remained unbroken. Although often inclined to indolence, when he spoke he could be dynamic. Grattan described his death, at the age of 44, as an irretrievable loss to Ireland: "Had Daly lived there would probably have been no insurrection. He would have spoken to the people with authority and would have restrained them".

His eldest son, James Daly (1782-1847), who was created Baron Dunsandle and Clan Conal in 1845, was Member of Parliament for County Galway.

Denis St George Daly (1810-93), James's eldest son, was a captain in the 7th Hussars. He had two natural sons whose heirs moved about between the various Daly properties in Ireland, eventually settling in England, where they pursued successful military careers.

The fourth and last Baron of Dunsandle and Clan Conal, James Daly (1848-1911), was Private Secretary to a succession of British Prime Ministers.

Major Denis Bowes Daly (b. 1900), once of Dunsandle (demolished in 1954), was father of Lieutenant-Colonel Denis James Daly of the Blues and Royals. His son, Lieutenant Anthony Daly, died, aged 23, in July 1982 in the IR-A massacre of the Household Cavalry in Hyde Park, London.

There are over 30,000 Dalys in Ireland today. Some have reverted to their ancient O prefix. Prominent among them was the Irish language devotee Cearbhaill � Dalaigh. Born in modest circumstances in Bray, County Wicklow, he became a judge in the Court of justice of the European Communities and, for a short time, was President of Ireland. He resigned in dramatic circumstances and died shortly afterwards in 1978.

Like many Irish men and women who sought wider horizons, the Dalys went far afield. There is a Dalys Cove in Jamaica, named after one of their Irish homes, and a Dunsandle in the former Tanganyka.

The Dalys found plenty of scope in Australia. Sir Dominick Daly (1798-1868) of County Galway, after a successful career in Canada where, in 1841, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly following the Union of the Canadas, subsequently became Governor of South Australia. A century later, Sir Thomas Daly was Australia's Chief of General Staff.

In the mid-nineteenth century, America was rapidly developing her vast potential. The Dalys were there to help with this process.

Charles Patrick Daly (1816-99) was born in New York to poor, immigrant parents. He spent three years before the mast and saw fighting when the French took Algiers in 1830. On returning to New York, he worked by day as an apprentice carpenter, while at night he studied law. Assisted by various benefactors, he entered a law office from where his brilliance saw him through to the Bar in less than the usual time. He practised in New York, joined the Democratic party and, at the age of only 28, was made a judge. He was Chief justice for almost 42 years. His early experience of travel remained with him, and for years he was president of the American Geographical Society.

John Augustus Daly (1838-99) was born in Plymouth, North Carolina, the son of Captain Denis Daly, a shipowner whose family had come from Ireland. John Augustus was the founder of one of New York's best-known theatres, Daly's Fifth Avenue Theatre, where Ada Rehan (1860-1916), the Limerick-born actress, was leading lady for many years. It was this Daly who introduced melodrama to the theatre, anticipating the cinema. He held his audience entranced, waiting for the rescue of seemingly helpless victims bound to railroad tracks in the path of the onrushing train. He was also an eminent Shakespearean producer.

It seems fitting that an Irish-American should first promote the plays of George Bernard Shaw in America. This was Arnold Daly (1875-1927), Brooklyn-born of Irish parents. In 1903 he staged a single matinee performance of Candida at the Prince's Theatre, New York, with Dorothy Donnelly as leading lady and himself as Marchbanks. It was such a success that he rented the Berkeley Lyceum, where Candida ran for 150 performances. This began the Shaw vogue in America. He produced many Shaw plays, including Mrs Warren's Profession, which caused him to be arrested for violating the law! He was acquitted and continued to stage Shaw revivals, although his main interest was in the theatre of ideas. He never used newspaper advertising or gave free seats to critics. Eventually he ran into financial troubles, a victim, it was said, of his own irascibility.

Marcus Daly (1841-1900) emigrated to America with his impoverished parents. At 15 he was working as a pick-and-shovel man, but his innate ability was recognized by mining experts who sent him to Butte, Montana. Here he progressed so rapidly that he entered a partnership to buy the Alice Silver Mine and the Anaconda Silver Mine. When the silver gave out, he caught the great copper boom and amassed a fortune. A man of wide interests, he developed fruit-growing in Montana and owned and trained some of the finest racehorses. Success did not go to his head. He never lost touch with his former pick-and-shovel friends to whom he gave considerable help.

Chicago has been regarded as one of the best-run cities in the United States and some of the credit must be given to Mayor Richard Daley, who dominated its civic institutions for several decades. Richard Daley (1902-76) was the son of Lillian Dunne of Limerick and Michael Daley, a sheet metal worker from Waterford, who followed so many of their fellow countrymen to America.

In ecclesiastical terms the island of Ireland is treated as one - the boundaries go far back in history. Cathal Daly was born in Loughuile, County Armagh, in 1917. He was created Cardinal and Primate of all Ireland in 1991. A graduate of Queen's University Belfast, he had a distinguished academic career at home and abroad. As the leading Catholic prelate he is outspoken against the violence in what is probably the most continuously troubled see in Christendom. Despite the sectarian divide he is strongly opposed to the integration of schools.

Heraldry

Arms: Per fess Argent and Or, a lion rampant per fess Gules and of the first in chief two dexter hands couped at the wrist of the third. Crest: In front of an oak tree Proper a greyhound courant Sable. Motto: Deo fidelis et regi

Pedigree of the Daly sept according to O'Hart

36. Milesius of Spain (supposedly 36th in descend from Adam) and progenitor of all the Celts in Ireland. He married Scota, daughter of Pharaoh Nectonibus of Egypt and sister in law of King Solomon. She was killed in Ireland fighting with her sons against the Tuatha de Danann. From his name we get the term "Milesians" which was often used to describe the Celts in Ireland. However, his real name was, Milesius being more of a nickname, meaning warrior. From Scota we get the terms Scotus and Scotia, early Latin terms for "Irishmen" and "Ireland" (which later became Hibernia). When the Romans looked north across the border from Britain, they observed a land mainly inhabited by the Irish and so it got its modern name - Scotland. It is said that seven sons of Milesius set out to conquer Ireland, but only two survived the conflict.

37. Heremon: his son. He and his eldest brother Heber were, jointly, the first Milesian Monarchs of Ireland; they began to reign, A.M. 3,500, or, Before Christ, 1699. After Heber was slain, B.C. 1698, Heremon reigned singly for fourteen years; during which time a certain colony called by the Irish Cruithneaigh, in English "Cruthneans" or Picts, arrived in Ireland and requested Heremon to assign them a part of the country to settle in, which he refused; but, giving them as wives the widows of the Tuatha-de-Danans, slain in battle, he sent them with a strong party of his own forces to conquer the country then called "Alba," but now Scotland; conditionally, that they and their posterity should be tributary to the Monarchs of Ireland. Heremon died, B.C. 1683, and was succeeded by three of his four sons, named Muimne, Luigne, and Laighean, who reigned jointly for three years, and were slain by their Heberian successors.

38. Irial Faidh ("faidh": Irish, a prophet): his son; was the 10th Monarch of Ireland; d. B.C. 1670. This was a very learned King; could foretell things to come; and caused much of the country to be cleared of the ancient forests. He likewise built seven royal palaces, viz., Rath Ciombaoith, Rath Coincheada, Rath Mothuig, Rath Buirioch, Rath Luachat, Rath Croicne, and Rath Boachoill. He won four remarkable battles over his enemies: - Ard Inmath, at Teabtha, where Stirne, the son of Dubh, son of Fomhar, was slain; the second battle was at Teanmhuighe, against the Fomhoraice, where Eichtghe, their leader, was slain; the third was the battle of Loch Muighe, where Lugrot, the son of Moghfeibhis, was slain; and the fourth was the battle of Cuill Martho, where the four sons of Heber were defeated. Irial died in the second year after this battle, having reigned 10 years, and was buried at Magh Muagh.

39. Eithrial: his son; was the 11th Monarch; reigned 20 years; and was slain by Conmaol, the son of Heber Fionn, at the battle of Soirrean, in Leinster, B.C. 1650.

This also was a learned King, he wrote with his own hand the History of the Gaels (or Gadelians); in his reign seven large woods were cleared and much advance made in the practice of agriculture.

40. Foll-Aich: his son; was kept out of the Monarchy by Conmaol, the slayer of his father, who usurped his place.

41. Tigernmas: his son; was the 13th Monarch, and reigned 77 years; according to Keating, he reigned but 50 years; he fought twenty-seven battles with the followers of the family of Heber Fionn, all which he gained. In his reign gold was mined near the Liffey, and skilfully worked by Inchadhan. This King also made a law that each grade of society should be known by the number of colours in its wearing apparel: - the clothes of a slave should be of one colour; those of a soldier of two; the dress of a commanding officer to be of three colours; a gentleman's dress, who kept a table for the free entertainment of strangers, to be of four colours; five colours to be allowed to the nobility (the chiefs); and the King, Queen, and Royal Family, as well as the Druids, historians, and other learned men to wear six colours.

This King died, B.C. 1543, on the Eve of 1st of November, with two-thirds of the people of Ireland, at Magh Sleaght (or Field of Adoration), in the county of Leitrim, as he was adoring the Sun-God, Crom Cruach (a quo Macroom).

Historians say this Monarch was the first who introduced image worship in Ireland.

42. Enboath: his son. It was in this prince's lifetime that the Kingdom was divided in two parts by a line drawn from Drogheda to Limerick.

43. Smiomghall: his son; in his lifetime the Picts in Scotland were forced to abide by their oath, and pay homage to the Irish Monarch; seven large woods were also cut down.

44. Fiacha Labhrainn: his son; was the 18th Monarch; reigned 24 years; slew Eochaidh Faobharglas, of the line of Heber, at the battle of Carman. During his reign all the inhabitants of Scotland were brought in subjection to the Irish Monarchy, and the conquest was secured by his son the 20th Monarch. Fiacha at length (B.C. 1448) fell in the battle of Bealgadain, by the hands of Eochaidh Mumho, the son of Moefeibhis, of the race of Heber Fionn.

45. Aongus Olmucach: his son; was the 20th Monarch; in his reign the Picts again refused to pay the tribute imposed on them 250 years before, by Heremon, but this Monarch went with a strong army into Alba and in thirty pitched battles overcame them and forced them to pay the required tribute.

Aongus was at length slain by Eana, in the battle of Carman, B.C. 1409.

46. Main: his son; was kept out of the Monarchy by Eadna, of the line of Heber Fionn. In his time silver shields were given as rewards for bravery to the Irish militia.

47. Rotheachtach: his son; was the 22nd Monarch; slain, B.C. 1357, by Sedne (or Seadhna), of the Line of Ir.

48. Dein: his son; was kept out of the Monarchy by his father's slayer, and his son. In his time gentlemen and noblemen first wore gold chains round their necks, as a sign of their birth; and golden helmets were given to brave soldiers,

49. Siorna "Saoghalach" (long-oevus): his son; was the 34th Monarch; he obtained the name "Saoghalach" on account of his extraordinary long life; slain, B.C 1030, at Aillin, by Rotheachta, of the line of Heber Fionn, who usurped the Monarchy, thereby excluding from the throne -

50. Olioll Aolcheoin: son of Siorna Saoghalach.

51. Gialchadh: his son; was the 37th Monarch; killed by Art Imleach, of the Line of Heber Fionn, at Moighe Muadh, B.C. 1013.

52. Nuadhas Fionnfail: his son; was the 39th Monarch; slain by Breasrioghacta, his successor, B.C. 961.

53. Aedan Glas: his son. In his time the coast was infested with pirates; and there occurred a dreadful plague (Apthach) which swept away most of the inhabitants.

54. Simeon Breac: his son; was the 44th Monarch; he inhumanly caused his predecessor to be torn asunder; but, after a reign of six years, he met with a like death, by order of Duach Fionn, son to the murdered King, B.C. 903.

55. Muredach Bolgach: his son; was the 46th Monarch; killed by Eadhna Dearg, B.C. 892; he had two sons - Duach Teamhrach, and Fiacha.

56. Fiacha Tolgrach: son of Muredach; was the 55th Monarch. His brother Duach had two sons, Eochaidh Framhuine and Conang Beag-eaglach, who were the 51st and 53rd Monarchs of Ireland.

Fiacha's life was ended by the sword of Oilioll Fionn, of the Line of Heber Fionn, B.C. 795.

57. Duach Ladhrach: his son; was the 59th Monarch; killed by Lughaidh Laighe, son of Oilioll Fionn, B.C. 737.

58. Eochaidh Buadhach: his son; was kept out of the Monarchy by his father's slayer. In his time the kingdom was twice visited with a plague.

59. Ugaine M�r: his son. This Ugaine (or Hugony) the Great was the 66th Monarch of Ireland. Was called M�r on account of his extensive dominions, - being sovereign of all the Islands of Western Europe. Was married to C�sair, dau. to the King of France, and by her had issue - twenty-two sons and three daughters. In order to prevent these children encroaching on each other he divided the Kingdom into twenty-five portions, allotting to each his (or her) distinct inheritance. By means of this division the taxes of the country were collected during the succeeding 300 years. All the sons died without issue except two, viz: - Laeghaire Lorc, ancestor of all the Leinster Heremonians; and Cobthach Caolbhreagh, from whom the Heremonians of Leath Cuinn, viz., Meath, Ulster, and Conacht derive their pedigree.

Ugaine was at length, B.C. 593, slain by Badhbhchadh, who failed to secure the fruits of his murder - the Irish Throne, as he was executed by order of Laeghaire Lorc, the murdered Monarch's son, who became the 68th Monarch.

60. Colethach Caol-bhreagh: son of Ugaine M�r; was the 69th Monarch; it is said, that, to secure the Throne, he assassinated his brother Laeghaire; after a long reign he was at length slain by Maion, his nephew, B.C. 541.

61. Melg Molbhthach: his son; was the 71st Monarch; was slain by Modhchorb, son of Cobhthach Caomh, of the Line of Heber Fionn, B.C. 541.

62. Iaran Gleofathach: his son; was the 74th Monarch; was a King of great justice and wisdom very well learned and possessed of many accomplishments; slain by Fear-Chorb, son of Modh-Chorb, B.C. 473.

63. Conla Caomh: his son; was the 74th Monarch of Ireland; died a natural death, B.C. 442.

64. Olioll Cas-fiachlach: his son; was the 77th Monarch; slain by his successor, Adhamhar Foltchaion, B.C. 417.

65. Eochaidh Alt-Leathan: his son; was the 79th Monarch; slain by Feargus Fortamhail, his successor, B.C. 395.

66. Aongus (or �neas) Tuirmeach-Teamrach: his son; was the 81st Monarch; his son, Fiacha Firmara (so called from being exposed in a small boat on the sea) was ancestor of the Kings of Dalriada and Argyle in Scotland. This Aongus was slain at Tara (Teamhrach), B.C. 324.

67. Enna Aigneach: the legitimate son of Aongus; was the 84th Monarch; was of a very bountiful disposition, and exceedingly munificent in his donations. This King lost his life by the hands of Criomthan Cosgrach, B.C. 292.

68. Assaman Eamhna: his son; was excluded from the Throne by his father's murderer.

69. Roighen Ruadh: his son; in his time most of the cattle in Ireland died of murrain.

70. Fionnlogh: his son.

71. Fionn: his son; m. Benia, dau. of Criomthan; had two sons.

72. Eochaidh Feidlioch: his son; was the 93rd Monarch; m Clothfionn, dau. of Eochaidh Uchtleathan, who was a very virtuous lady. By him she had three children at a birth - Breas, Nar, and Lothar (the Fineamhas), who were slain at the battle of Dromchriadh; after their death, a melancholy settled on the Monarch, hence his name "Feidhlioch."

This Monarch caused the division of the Kingdom by Ugaine M�r into twenty-five parts, to cease; and ordered that the ancient Firvolgian division into Provinces should be resumed, viz., Two Munsters, Leinster, Conacht, and Ulster.

He also divided the government of these Provinces amongst his favourite courtiers: - Conacht he divided into three parts between Fiodhach, Eochaidh Allat, and Tinne, son of Conragh, son of Ruadhri M�r, No 62 on the "Line of Ir;" Ulster (Uladh) he gave to Feargus, the son of Leighe; Leinster he gave to Ros, the son of Feargus Fairge; and the two Munsters he gave to Tighernach Teadhbheamach and Deagbadah.

After this division of the Kingdom, Eochaidh proceeded to erect a Royal Palace in Conacht; this he built on Tinne's government in a place called Druin-na-n Druagh, now Craughan (from Craughan Crodhearg, Maedhbh's mother, to whom she gave the palace), but previously, Rath Eochaidh. About the same time he bestowed his daughter the Princess Maedhbh on Tinne, whom he constituted King of Conacht; Maedhbh being hereditary Queen of that Province.

After many years reign Tinne was slain by Maceacht (or Monaire) at Tara. After ten years' undivided reign, Queen Maedhbh married Oilioll M�r, son of Ros Ruadh, of Leinster, to whom she bore the seven Maine; Oilioll M�r was at length slain by Conall Cearnach, who was soon after killed by the people of Conacht. Maedhbh was at length slain by Ferbhuidhe, the son of Conor MacNeasa (Neasa was his mother); but in reality this Conor was the son of Fachtna Fathach, son of Cas, son of Ruadhri M�r, of the Line of Ir.

This Monarch, Eochaidh, died at Tara, B.C. 130.

73. Bress-Nar-Lothar: his son. In his time the Irish first dug graves beneath the surface to bury their dead; previously they laid the body on the surface and heaped stones over it. He had also been named Fineamhnas.

74. Lughaidh Sriabh-n Dearg: his son; was the 98th Monarch; he entered into an alliance with the King of Denmark, whose daughter, Dearborguill, he obtained as his wife; he killed himself by falling on his sword in the eighth year Before CHRIST.

75. Crimthann-Niadh-Nar: his son; who was the 100th Monarch of Ireland, and styled "The Heroic." It was in this Monarch's reign that our Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRIST was born.

Crimthann's death was occasioned by a fall from his horse, B.C. 9. Was married to Nar-Tath-Chaoch, dau. of Laoch, son of Daire, who lived in the land of the Picts (Scotland).

76. Feredach Fionn-Feachtnach: his son; was the 102nd Monarch. The epithet "feachtnach" was applied to this Monarch because of his truth and sincerity. In his reign lived Moran, the son of Maom, a celebrated Brehon, or Chief Justice of the Kingdom; it is said that he was the first who wore the wonderful collar called Iodhain Morain; this collar possessed a wonderful property: - if the judge who wore it attempted to pass a false judgment it would immediately contract, so as nearly to stop his breathing; but if he reversed such false sentence the collar would at once enlarge itself, and hang loose around his neck. This collar was also caused to be worn by those who acted as witnesses, so as to test the accuracy of their evidence. This Monarch, Feredach, died a natural death at the regal city at Tara, A.D. 36.

77. Fiacha Fionn Ola: his son; was the 104th Monarch; reigned 17 years, and was (A.D. 56) slain by Eiliomh MacConrach, of the Race of Ir, who succeeded him on the throne. This Fiacha was married to Eithne, daughter of the King of Alba; whither, being near her confinement at the death of her husband, she went, and was there delivered of a son, who was named Tuathal.

78. Tuathal Teachtmar: that son; was the 106th Monarch of Ireland. When Tuathal came of age, he got together his friends, and, with what aid his grandfather the king of Alba gave him, came into Ireland and fought and overcame his enemies in twenty-five battles in Ulster, twenty-five in Leinster, as many in Connaught, and thirty-five in Munster. And having thus restored the true royal blood and heirs to their respective provincial kingdoms, he thought fit to take, as he accordingly did with their consent, fron each of the four divisions or provinces Munster, Leinster, Connaught, and Ulster, a considerable tract of ground which was the next adjoining to Uisneach (where Tuathal had a palace): one east, another west, a third south, and a fourth on the north of it; and appointed all four (tracts of ground so taken from the four provinces) under the name of Midhe or "Meath" to belong for ever after to the Monarch's own peculiar demesne for the maintenance of his table; on each of which several portions he built a royal palace for himself and his heirs and successors; for every of which portions the Monarch ordained a certain chiefry or tribute to be yearly paid to the provincial Kings from whose provinces the said portions were taken, which may be seen at large in the Chronicles. It was this Monarch that imposed the great and insupportable fine (or "Eric") of 6,000 cows or beeves, as many fat muttons, (as many) hogs, 6,000 mantles, 6,000 ounces (or "Uinge") of silver, and 12,000 (others have it 6,000) cauldrons or pots of brass, to be paid every second year by the province of Leinster to the Monarchs of Ireland for ever, for the death of his only two daughters Fithir and Darina. (See Paper "Ancient Leinster Tributes," in the Appendix). This tribute was punctually taken and exacted, sometimes by fire and sword, during the reigns of forty Monarchs of Ireland upwards of six hundred years, until at last remitted by Finachta Fleadhach, the 153rd Monarch of Ireland, and the 26th Christian Monarch, at the request and earnest solicitation of St. Moling. At the end of thirty years' reign, the Monarch Tuathal was slain by his successor Mal, A.D. 106.

This Monarch erected Royal Palace at Tailtean; around the grave of Queen Tailte he caused the Fairs to be resumed on La Lughnasa (Lewy's Day), to which were brought all of the youth of both sexes of a suitable age to be married, at which Fair the marriage articles were agreed upon, and the ceremony performed.

Tuathal married Baine, the dau. of Sgaile Balbh, King of England.

79. Fedhlimidh (Felim) Rachtmar: his son; was so called as being a maker of excellent wholesome laws, among which he established with all firmness that of "Retaliation;" kept to it inviolably; and by that means preserved the people in peace, quiet, plenty, and security during his time. This Felim was the 108th Monarch; reigned nine years; and, after all his pomp and greatness, died of thirst, A.D. 119. He married Ughna, dau. of the King of Denmark.

80. Conn Ceadcathach (or Conn of the Hundred Battles); his son; This Conn was so called from hundreds of battles by him fought and won: viz., sixty battles against Cahir M�r, King of Leinster and the 109th Monarch of Ireland, whom he slew and succeeded in the Monarchy; one hundred battles against the Ulsterians; and one hundred more in Munster against Owen M�r (or Mogha Nua-Dhad), their King, who, notwithstanding, forced the said Conn to an equal division of the Kingdom with him. He had two brothers - 1. Eochaidh Fionn-Fohart, 2. Fiacha Suidhe, who, to make way for themselves, murdered two of their brother's sons named Conla Ruadh and Crionna; but they were by the third son Art Eanfhear banished, first into Leinster, and then into Munster, where they lived near Cashel. They were seated at Deici Teamhrach (now the barony of Desee in Meath), whence they were expelled by the Monarch Cormac Ulfhada, son of Art; and, after various wanderings, they went to Munster where Oilioll Olum, who was married to Sadhbh, daughter of Conn of the Hundred Battles, gave them a large district of the present county of Waterford, a part of which is still called Na-Deiseacha, or the baronies of Desies. They were also given the country comprised in the present baronies of Clonmel, Upper-Third, and Middle-Third, in the co. Tipperary, which they held till the Anglo-Norman Invasion. From Eochaidh Fionn-Fohart decended O'Nowlan or Nolan of Fowerty (or Foharta), in Lease (or Leix), and Saint Bridget; and from Fiacha Suidhe are O'Dolan, O'Brick of Dunbrick, and O'Faelan of Dun Faelan, near Cashel. Conn of the Hundred Battles had also three daughters: 1. Sadhbh, who m. first, MacNiadh, after whose death she m. Oilioll Olum, King of Munster. (See No. 84 on the "Line of Heber"); 2. Maoin; and 3. Sarah (or Sarad), m. to Conan MacMogha Laine. - (See No. 81. infra).

Conn reigned 35 years; but was at length barbarously slain by Tiobraidhe Tireach, son of Mal, son of Rochruidhe, King of Ulster. This murder was committed in Tara, A.D. 157, when Conn chanced to be alone and unattended by his guards; the assassins were fifty ruffians, disguised as women, whom the King of Ulster employed for the purpose.

81. Art* Eanfhear ("art:" Irish, a bear, a stone; noble, great, generous; hardness, cruelty. "Ean:" Irish, one; "fhear," "ar," the man; Gr. "Ar," The Man, or God of War): son of Conn of the Hundred Fights; a quo O'h-Airt, anglicised O'Hart. This Art, who was the 112th Monarch of Ireland, had three sisters - one of whom Sarad was the wife of Conaire Mac Mogha Laine, the 111th Monarch, by whom she had three sons called the "Three Cairbres," viz. - 1. Cairbre (alias Eochaidh) Riada - a quo "Dalriada," in Ireland, and in Scotland; 2. Cairbre Bascaon; 3. Cairbre Musc, who was the ancestor of O'Falvey, lords of Corcaguiney, etc. Sabina (or Sadhbh), another sister, was the wife of MacNiadh [nia], half King of Munster (of the Sept of Lughaidh, son of Ithe), by whom she had a son named Maccon; and by her second husband Olioll Olum she had nine sons, seven whereof were slain by their half brother Maccon, in the famous battle of Magh Mucroimhe [muccrove], in the county of Galway, where also the Monarch Art himself fell, siding with his brother-in-law Olioll Olum against the said Maccon, after a reign of thirty years, A.D. 195. This Art was married to Maedhbh, Leathdearg, the dau. of Conann Cualann; from this Queen, Rath Maedhbhe, near Tara, obtained its name.

82. Cormac Ulfhada: son of Art Eanfhear; m. Eithne, dau. of Dunlang, King of Leinster; had three elder brothers - 1. Artghen, 2. Boindia, 3. Bonnrigh. He had also six sons - 1. Cairbre Lifeachar, 2. Muireadach, 3. Moghruith, 4. Ceallach, 5. Daire, 6. Aongus Fionn: Nos. 4 and 5 left no issue. King Cormac Mac Art was the 115th Monarch of Ireland; and was called "Ulfhada," because of his long beard. He was the wisest, most learned, and best of any of the Milesian race before him, that ruled the Kingdom. He ordained several good laws; wrote several learned treatises, among which his treatise on "Kingly Government," directed to his son Carbry Liffechar, is extant and extraordinary. He was very magnificent in his housekeeping and attendants, having always one thousand one hundred and fifty persons in his daily retinue constantly attending at his Great Hall at Tara; which was three hundred feet long, thirty cubits high, and fifty cubits broad, with fourteen doors to it. His daily service of plate, flagons, drinking cups of gold, silver., and precious stone, at his table, ordinarily consisted of one hundred and fifty pieces, besides dishes, etc., which were all pure silver or gold. He ordained that ten choice persons should constantly attend him and his successors - Monarchs of Ireland, and never to be absent from him, viz. - 1. A nobleman to be his companion; 2. A judge to deliver and explain the laws of the country in the King's presence upon all occasions; 3. An antiquary or historiographer to declare and preserve the genealogies, acts, and occurrences of the nobility and gentry from time to time as occasion required; 4. A Druid or Magician to offer sacrifice, and presage good or bad omens, as his learning, skill, or knowledge would enable him; 5. A poet to praise or dispraise every one according to his good or bad actions; 6. A physician to administer physic to the king and queen, and to the rest of the (royal) family; 7. A musician to compose music, and sing pleasant sonnets in the King's presence when there-unto disposed; and 8, 9, and 10, three Stewards to govern the King's House in all things appertaining thereunto. This custom was observed by all the succeeding Monarchs down to Brian Boromha [Boru], the 175th Monarch of Ireland, and the 60th down from Cormac, without any alteration only that since they received the Christian Faith they changed the Druid or Magician for a Prelate of the Church.

What is besides delivered from antiquity of this great Monarch is, that (which among the truly wise is more valuable than any worldly magnificence or secular glory whatsoever) he was to all mankind very just, and so upright in his actions, judgments, and laws, that God revealed unto him the light of His Faith seven years before his death; and from thenceforward he refused his Druids to worship their idol-gods, and openly professed he would no more worship any but the true God of the Universe, the Immortal and Invisible King of Ages. Whereupon the Druids sought his destruction, which they soon after effected (God permitting it) by their adjurations and ministry of damned spirits choking him as he sat at dinner eating of salmon, some say by a bone of the fish sticking in his throat, A.D. 266, after he had reigned forty years. Of the six sons of Cormac Mac Art, no issue is recorded from any [of them], but from Cairbre-Lifeachar; he had also ten daughters, but there is no account of any of them only two - namely, Grace (or Grania), and Ailbh [alve], who were both successively the wives of the great champion and general of the Irish Militia, Fionn, the son of Cubhall [Coole]. The mother of Cormac MacArt was Eachtach, the dau. of Ulcheatagh.

Cormac was married to Eithne Ollamhdha, dau. of Dunlang, son of Eana Niadh; she was fostered by Buiciodh Brughach, in Leinster.

83. Cairbre-Lifeachar, the 117th Monarch of Ireland: son of King Cormac Mac Art; was so called from his having been nursed by the side of the Liffey, the river on which Dublin is built. His mother was Eithne, daughter of Dunlong, King of Leinster. He had three sons - 1. Eochaidh Dubhlen; 2. Eocho; and 3. Fiacha Srabhteine, who was the 120th Monarch of Ireland, and the ancestor of O'Neill, Princes of Tyrone. Fiacha Srabhteine was so called, from his having been fostered at Dunsrabhteine, in Connaught; of which province he was King, before his elevation to the Monarchy. After seventeen years' reign, the Monarch Cairbre Lifeachar was slain at the battle of Gabhra [Gaura], A.D. 284, by Simeon, the son of Ceirb, who came from the south of Leinster to this battle, fought by the Militia of Ireland, who were called the Fiana Erionn (or Fenians), and arising from a quarrel which happened between the; in which the Monarch, taking part with one side against the other, lost his life.

84. Fiacha Srabhteine, King of Conacht, and the 120th Monarch of Ireland: son of Cairbre-Liffechar; married Aoife, dau. of the King of Gall Gaodhal. This Fiacha, after 37 years' reign, was, in the battleof Dubhcomar, A.D. 322, slain by his nephews, the Three Collas, to make room for Colla Uais, who seized on, and kept, the Monarchy for four years. From those three Collas the "Clan Colla" were so called.

85. Muireadach Tireach: son of Fiacha Srabhteine; m. Muirion, dau. of Fiachadh, King of Ulster; and having, in A.D. 326, fought and defeated Colla Uais, and banished him and his two brothers into Scotland, regained his father's Throne, which he kept as the 122nd Monarch for 30 years.

86. Eochaidh Muigh-Meadhoin [Moyvone]: his son; was the 124th Monarch; and in the 8th year of his reign died a natural death at Tara, A.D. 365; leaving issue four sons, viz., by his first wife Mong Fionn: - I. Brian; II. Fiachra; III. Olioll; IV. Fergus. And, by his second wife, Carthan Cais Dubh (or Carinna), daughter of the Celtic King of Britain, - V. Niall M�r, commonly called "Niall of the Nine Hostages." Mong Fionn was dau. of Fiodhach, and sister of Crimthann, King of Munster, of the Heberian Sept, and successor of Eochaidh in the Monarchy. This Crimthann was poisoned by his sister Mong-Fionn, in hopes that Brian, her eldest son by Eochaidh, would succeed in the Monarchy. To avoid suspicion she herself drank of the same poisoned cup which she presented to her brother; but, notwithstanding that she lost her life by so doing, yet her expectations were not realised, for the said Brian and her other three sons by the said Eochaidh were laid aside (whether out of horror of the mother's inhumanity in poisoning her brother, or otherwise, is not known), and the youngest son of Eochaidh, by Carthan Cais Dubh, was preferred to the Monarchy. I. Brian, from him were descended the Kings, nobility and gentry of Conacht - Tirloch M�r O'Connor, the 121st, and Roderic O'Connor, the 183rd Monarch of Ireland. II. Fiachra's descendants gave their name to Tir-Fiachra ("Tireragh"), co. Sligo, and possessed also parts of co. Mayo. III. Olioll's descendants settled in Sligo - in Tir Oliolla (or Tirerill). This Fiachra had five sons: - 1. Earc Cuilbhuide; 2. Breasal; 3. Conaire; 4. Feredach (or Dathi); and 5. Amhalgaidh.

87. Niall M�r: his son; a quo the "Hy-Niall" of Ulster, Meath, and Conacht. He was twice married: - his first Queen was Inne, the dau. of Luighdheach, who was the relict of Fiachadh; his second Queen was Roigneach, by whom he had Nos. I., II., III., IV., V., VI., and VII., as given below. This Niall M�r succeeded his Uncle Crimthann; and was the 126th Monarch of Ireland. He was a stout, wise, and warlike prince, and fortunate in all his conquests and achievements, and therefore called "Great." He was also called Niall Naoi-Ghiallach or "Niall of the Nine Hostages," from the royal hostages taken from nine several countries by him subdued and made tributary: viz., - 1. Munster, 2. Leinster, 3. Conacht, 4. Ulster, 5. Britain, 6. the Picts, 7. the Dalriads, 8. the Saxons, and 9. the Morini - a people of France, towards Calais and Piccardy; whence he marched with his victorious army of Irish, Scots, Picts, and Britons, further into France, in order to aid the Celtic natives in expelling the Roman Eagles, and thus to conquer that portion of the Roman Empire; and, encamping on the river Leor (now called Lianne), was, as he sat by the river side, treacherously assassinated by Eocha, son of Enna Cinsalach, king of Leinster, in revenge of a former "wrong" by him received from the said Niall. The spot on the Leor (not "Loire") where this Monarch was murdered is still called the "Ford of Niall," near Boulogne-sur-mer. It was in the ninth year of his reign that St. Patrick was first brought into Ireland, at the age of 16 years, among two hundred children brought by the Irish Army out of Little Brittany (called also Armorica), in France. Niall M�r was the first that gave the name of Scotia Minor to "Scotland," and ordained it to be ever after so called; until then it went by the name of "Alba."

Niall had twelve sons: - I. Eoghan; II. Laeghaire (or Leary), the 128th Monarch, in the 4th year of whose reign St. Patrick, the second time, came into Ireland to plant the Christian Faith, A.D. 432; III. Conall Crimthann, ancestor of O'Melaghlin, Kings of Meath; IV. Conall Gulban, ancestor of O'Donnell (princes, lords, and earls of the territory of Tirconnell), and of O'Boyle, O'Dogherty, O'Gallagher, etc.; V. Fiacha, from whom the territory from Birr to the Hill of Uisneach in Media Hibernioe (or Meath) is called "Cineal Fiacha," and from him MacGeoghegan, lords of that territory, O'Molloy, O'Donechar, Donaher (or Dooner), etc., derive their pedigree; VI. Main, whose patrimony was all the tract of land from Lochree to Loch Annin, near Mullingar, and from whom are descended Fox (lords of the Muintir Tagan territory), MacGawley, O'Dugan, O'Mulchonry (the princes antiquaries of Ireland), O'Henergy, etc.; VII. Cairbre, ancestor of OFlanagan, of Tua Ratha, "Muintir Cathalan" (or Cahill) etc.; VIII. Fergus (a quo "Cineal Fergusa" or Ferguson), ancestor of O'Hagan, etc.; IX. Enna; X. Aongus or �neas; XI. Ualdhearg; and XII. Fergus Altleathan. Of these last four sons we find no issue.

88. Eoghan (Eugene, or Owen): son of Niall M�r; from whom the territory of "Tir-Eoghan" (now Tirowen or Tyrone), in Ulster is so called. From this Owen came (among others) the following families: O'Cahan, or O'Cane, O'Daly of "Leath Cuinn" (or the kingdoms of Meath, Ulster, and Conacht), O'Crean, Grogan, O'Carolan, etc.

This Eoghan, Prince of Ulster, was baptized by St. Patrick at the Royal Palace of Aileach; and our Ulster Annalists state that it was his foot which was pierced by the Bacchal Iosa during the ceremony. (See the "Line of Heber Stem," No. 91.)

89. Muireadach (III.): son of Eoghan; was married to Earca, dau. of Loarn, King of Dalriada in Scotland, and by her had many sons and daus., two of them are especially mentioned: - Muirceartach M�r, and Fergus M�r, both called "Mac Earca." From this Fergus M�r descended the Kings of Scotland, and thence, through Queen Matilda, the Kings of England, including the Royal Houses of Plantagenet, Stuart, and D'Este.

This Muireadach who had a brother named Eachagh Binneach, had twelve sons: - I. and II. above mentioned; III. Fearach (or Fearadach), ancestor of Mac Cathmhaoil (or Cowell, Campbell, etc.); IV. Tigernach, ancestor of O'Cunigan, and O'h-Easa (anglicised Hosey, Hussey, and O'Swell); V. Mongan, ancestor of O'Croidhen (Creedon or Croydon), O'Donnelly, etc.; VI. Dalach: VII. Maon, ancestor of O'Gormley, OMaolmichil, O'Doraigen, ("dor:" Ir. a confine; "aigein," the ocean), anglicised Dorrine, Dorien, and modernized Dorrian; VIII. Fergus; IX. and X. named Loarn; XI. and XII. called Aongus.

In the 20th year of the reign of the Monarch Lughaidh, the son of Laeghaire, with a complete army, Fergus M�r Mac Earca, (with his five brothers, VIII., IX., X., XI., and XII., above mentioned went into Scotland to assist his grandfather King Loarn, who was much oppressed by his enemies the Picts; who were vanquished by Fergus and his party, who prosecuted the war so vigorously, followed the enemy to their own homes, and reduced them to such extremity, that they were glad to accept peace upon the conqueror's own conditions; whereupon, on the King's death, which happened about the same time, the said Fergus M�r Mac Earca was unanimously elected and chosen king as being of the blood royal by his mother. And the said Fergus, for a good and lucky omen, sent to his brother, who was then Monarch of Ireland, for the Marble Seat called "Saxum Fatale" (in Irish, Liath Fail, and Cloch-na-Cinneamhna, implying in English the Stone of Destiny or Fortune), to be crowned thereon; which happened accordingly; for, as he was the first absolute King of all Scotland of the Milesian Race, so the succession continued in his blood and lineage ever since to this day.

90. Muirceartach (or Muriartach) M�r Mac Earca: his son. This Muriartach, the eldest son of Muireadach (3), was the 131st Monarch of Ireland; reigned 24 years; and died naturally in his bed, which was rare among the Irish Monarchs in those days; but others say he was burned in a house after being "drowned in wine" (meaning that he was under the influence of drink) on All-Halontide (or All-Hallow) Eve, A.D. 527. Married Duinseach, dau. of Duach Teangabha, King of Conacht. He had issue - I. Donal Ilchealgach; II. Fergus, who became the 135th Monarch; III. Baodan (or Boetanus), who was the 137th Monarch of Ireland, and was the father of Lochan Dilmhain, a quo Dillon, according to some genealogists; IV. Colman Rimidh, the 142nd Monarch; V. N�iline; and VI. Scanlan.

91. Donal Ilchealgach (Ilchealgach: Irish, deceitful): eldest son of Muirceartach; was the 134th Monarch; reigned jointly with his brother Fergus for three years: these princes were obliged to make war on the people of Leinster; fought the memorable battle of Gabhrah-Liff�, where four hundred of the nobility and gentry of that province were slain, together with the greater part of the army.

In this reign Dioman Mac Muireadhach, who governed Ulster ten years, was killed by Bachlachuibh. Donal and Fergus both died of "the plague," in one day, A.D. 561.

92. Aodh (or Hugh): Donal's son; Prince of Ulster. This Aodh Uariodhnach was the 143rd Monarch; he had frequent wars, but at length defeated his enemies in the battle of Odhbha, in which Conall Laoghbreag, son of Aodh Slaine, was killed. Soon after this battle, the Monarch Aodh was killed in the battle of Da Fearta, A.D. 607.

93. Maolfreach: his son; Prince of Ulster; had at least two sons: - 1. Maoldoon; and II. Maoltuile, a quo Multully, Tully, and Flood of Ulster.

94. Maoldoon: his son; Prince of Ulster; had two sons: I. Fargal; and II. Adam, who was ancestor to O'Daly of "Leath Cuin." His wife was Cacht, daughter of Maolchabha, King of Cineall Connill.

95. Adhamh: son of Maoldun, Prince of Ulster.

96. Corc: his son.

97. Faghnach: his son.

98. Dalach ("dall" Irish, blind): his son; a quo O'Dalaighe (Daly)

99. Gillcoimdhe: his son.

100. Teige: his son.

101. Muredach: his son.

102. Dalach (2): his son.

103. Cuconnachta-na-Scoil O'Daly (or "Cuconnachta of the Schools):" his son; the first of this family that assumed this surname.

104. Teige (2): his son; was "Primate of Ireland."

105. Aongus: his son.

106. Donoch M�r: his son; had two younger brothers - 1. Caroll, who was the ancestor of O'Daly, of Brefney, Westmeath, and Connaught; and 2. Giollaiosa.

107. Aongus (2): son of Donoch M�r.

108. Donoch Ruadh: his son.

109. Aongus Ruadh: his son.

110. Donn: his son.

111. Daire: his son.

112. Donn (2): his son.

113. Melachlin: his son.

114. John: his son.

115. Teige (3): his son; had a brother named John.

116. Dermod: son of Teige.

117. Teige (4): his son; had four brothers - 1. Dermod, 2. Donoch, 3. Ferdinando, and 4. Godfry.

118. Donoch (or Denis): son of Teige; had two brothers - 1. Dermod, and 2. John.

119. Dermod: son of Donoch; had two brothers - 1. John, and 2. Hugh.

120. Teige (5) O'Daly: son of Dermod.