Tuireamh na hÉireann

Tuireamh na hÉireann is a long (almost 500 lines) poem in Irish that tells the story of Irish history from the time of the flood to the Cromwellian conquest of the 1650s. It was almost certainly written by Seán Ó Conaill, a native of Iveragh, County Kerry and a relative of the MacCarthy Mór, the area’s ruling sept in the Gaelic era. As Diarmuid Breathnach and Máire Ní Mhurchú have demonstrated, the belief that Ó Conaill was a bishop is incorrect, given that there was no bishop in Kerry in the 1650s, when the poem must have been written, prior to the Restoration of 1660, which would almost certainly have been mentioned if it had already occurred.

The poem was hugely popular among the Irish during the eighteenth and into the nineteenth century, when Irish-language literature was still primarily a manuscript culture. There are more than a hundred copies preserved in the manuscript collections of the Royal Irish Academy, Trinity College, Maynooth University and in libraries in Britain. It played an important role in shaping and delineating an Irish historical narrative separate from that imposed from outside by the Anglophone culture which ruled Ireland. As Vincent Morley has written ‘this poem, more than any other, moulded the Irish understanding of their own history and supplied a Catholic interpretation of the national narrative to a population lacking books, literacy, or English’. (Ó Chéitinn go Raiftearaí p.68)

As noted above, there were many texts in circulation over several hundred years, not all of which are the same. The following translation is based on the text given in Cecile O’Rahilly’s Five seventeenth-century political poems, which is based on thirteen manuscripts which O’Rahilly had access to. I offer this translation partly for fun, as part of my studies in the Irish of the early-modern period. As the work of a learner, it is no doubt far from perfect and I welcome corrections or suggestions for improvement. The main reason I am sharing it online is because I had difficulty in finding reasonably modern translations of this historically-important work online. Those which are available, the ‘Dirge of Ireland’ by Martin O’Brennan in O’Brennan’s antiquities (1858), and an earlier attempt (1827) to versify the poem in English by Michael Clarke seem to me flawed in a number of respects. The version presented here, no frills and imperfect as it is, I think represents an improvement or at least an alternative to these somewhat-dated and convoluted interpretations.

Gerard Farrell, May 2023

Tuireamh na hÉireann	Ireland’s Lament
An uair smaoinim ar shaoithibh na hÉireann, sgrios na dtíortha is díth na cléire, díothú na ndaoine is luíod a ngréithe, bí mo chroí-si am chlí dá réaba. Tar éis na díleann, fé mar léitear, níor mhair puinn don chine dhaonna nár bháig neart na tuile tréine acht Naoi ‘s a chlann, Sem, Cam is Japhétus. Acht amháin go raibh i n-Éirinn Fionntain fáig gan bhá sa déirlinn. Ní hé a shnámh ná a rith thug ré dho acht toil an Áirdrí, sé sin ‘éifeacht.	When I think of the learned of Ireland, the destruction of the land and the destitution of its clergy, the ravaging of its people and its riches, it rends the heart in my breast. After the mighty Flood, as we read, the only survivors of the human race were Noah and his family, Shem, Ham and Japheth. And in Ireland, the only man left who had not drowned in the Flood, was Fintan, and it was not his strength as a swimmer or as a runner that saved him, but the will of God, such is his power.
An uair do chaith Naoi gan bhaois gan bhréaga mórán aoise is críoch a shaogail, do-chuaig go Liombó d’fhéachain Éabha, is d’fhág agá chloinn an domhan braonach. An Ásia thoir fuair Sem mar chéadchuid, ‘s an Aifric theas fuair Cam nár naomhadh, do thuit an Eóraip chum Japhétus. Do ghlacfainn mar roinn an chuid déanach. Ó Cháin do mharbh Abel gan aonchoir is ó Cham do geineadh na haithig gan bhéasa: Atlas ar a mbíodh leath na spéire, is aontsúil i gceann Polyphémus.	Noah, at the end of a long life free of folly or lies, followed Eve to Limbo, and he left his family to this vale of tears. The first share of the world, Asia to the east, was given to Shem, Africa to the south was left to ill-favoured Ham, while Europe fell to Japheth. I would take as my share the latter part. Because Cain killed Abel without sin, it is from Ham that the barbarian brutes descended: Atlas who held up the heavens, and one-eyed Polyphemus.
Briareus ar a raibh céad lámh méirsgeach, Argus ‘na gceann, fear céad léath-rosg, Títan d’alpadh deich dtairbh ar bhéile, Gogmagog is corp gan léine, Cyslops, Centaurus, Cerberus, Éryx, Gorgon do-níodh clocha do chéadaibh, Minotaurus d’itheadh na Gréagaig, Nimrod, ceann is rí na féine. d’eagla arís go dtiocfadh an déirlinn, do mheas Nimrod tor do dhéanamh ba aoirde ceann ná na réalta – ní nár chríochnaig d’éis a shaothair.	Briareus, who had a hundred scarred arms, Argus at their head, a man with a hundred eyes, Titan, who would eat ten bulls at a sitting, naked Gogmagog, Cyclops, Centaurus, Cerberus, Eryx, Gorgon who turned hundreds to stone. Minotaurus who ate Greeks, and Nimrod, leader and king of warriors. Afraid lest another Deluge would come, Nimrod had the idea of building a tower higher than the stars – not that it was ever finished after all his efforts.
Cruinníd musturún do na saoraibh ar chnoc Olympus, Ossa is Pélion. Ní hiad do bhíodh go huíche ar aonchuid ag cur fataoi i ngarrdha fhéarmhar. Do bhí Dia forusta soithimh le daonnacht ar an dtalamh ó fhlaitheas ag féachain. Do rinne gáire faoi na péistibh; níor bheag leis ‘fhaid do bhí ag éisteacht. Do leag sé síos le n-a sméide iad fein ‘s a gcnuic ar mhuin a chéile. Táid siad fós ag luasga a ngéaga, ag casa le héirghe, ag cneadaig ‘s ag béicig.	A muster of the freemen was held on on Mount Olympus, Pelion and Ossa. They were not… ??? planting potatoes in grassy fields. God looked benignly down on humanity from Heaven, laughing at the little creatures. He listened for a considerable time. Then he overthrew them and their tower on the hill with a single blow. They shook their fists, shaking with anger, smiting themselves and shouting.
An máistir do bhí ar na saoraibh an tuir Neamhruaidh ‘s a lucht saothair, an uair d’iarradh crann, do-beirthí cré dho, ‘s an uair d’iarradh cloch, do-bheirthí aol dho. Sguirid go tapaig is sgaraid le chéile. Do bhí cainnt fá leith i mbéal gach éinfhir. Ní raibh roimhe sin aca acht aonghuth: an teanga Eabhra do mhúin Éibhear.	The master in charge of building Nimrod’s tower and his workers then found that, when they asked for timber, they were given mortar, and when they asked for bricks, they were given lime. Every man spoke in his own way, and they scattered in confusion. Up until that time there had been no language except the Hebrew that Eber preserved for future generations.
Do bhí fán am soin prionnsa tréitheach annsa Scythia, Niúl mac Féinius. Do chuir sé dias is fiche is caogad ag togbháil teangtha an tuir i n-aonacht. Do rinne coinne riú ar mhachaire Shénair. Ann sin cruinníos sgoil go saothrach ba lia ealadha, teangtha is tréithe, Gréigis, Eabhra, Laidean is Gaelge.	At that time there was a distinguished prince of Scythia, Nél son of Fénius. He spent seventy-one days recording the confused languages at the tower on the plain of Shinar. There, a school was convened to diligently study the characteristics of these languages: Greek, Hebrew, Latin and Irish.
Do-chuala Pháro tásg mhic Féinius. d’iarr air dul leis féin don Égypt. Tug sé a iníon do mar chéile, ainnir an órfhuilt, Scóta dhéidgheal. Is uaithe tugadh Scóti ar Gaeulaibh, Scotia i Laidin mar ainm ar Éirinn. Do rug sí mac ró-mhaith Gadélus, se sin Gaeul Glas, sinnsear Éireann.	Pharaoh heard about the work of this son of Fénius, and asked him to come to him in Egypt, giving him his daughter to be his wife, a golden-haired maiden, ivory-white Scotia. It is from her that the Gaels were called Scots, and Scotia the name of Ireland in Latin. She gave birth to a very fine son, Goídel Glas, ancestor of the Gaels.
Ag so an t-am do bhí Maois san Égypt is pobal Isra-él fá dhaorbhruid, Pháro fíochmhar fallsa daor leis, is Scóta cheannsa lán do dhaonnacht. Do rug Maoise a mhuinntear féin leis tríd an Mhuir Ruadh slán gan éislinn. Do mheas an rí a bhfille ‘s a dtraocha gur bádh é féin ‘s a bhuíon i n-aonacht.	At that time Moses was in Egypt, and the Israelites in bondage. Pharaoh was fierce and false towards them, but Scotia was full of kindness. Moses led his people through the Red Sea safe and sound. The king, fearing their return and his overthrow, drowned himself and his followers.
Do ghlac sgrupal mór Gadélus comhnaí do dhéanamh ar an dtaobh san. Do ghluais i gcobhlach mhór go gléasda ‘s níor stad gur shoich sé críoch na Gréige. Do bhí sé sealad i gcathair na Tébe, ba leis Athens i gceart Féinius.	Goídel Glas decided to settle abroad, taking a large swift fleet and not stopping until he reached Greece. He spent some time in the city of Thebes, Athens rightfully belonging to Fénius.
Do-chuaig as soin go lacedémon; do ghluais leis as soin mórán Gréagach. Bile mac Breoghain is a ghaolta ‘s a sheisear mac do bhí ‘na laochaibh do rinne íobairt do na déithibh ‘s do ghlac fairsinge mhachaire Thétis. d’éirig stoirm is d’árduig gaoth air idir Ortygia is oileán Créta, idir Melos is Ephésus is Pyramides mhic Alcuména.	He went from there to Lacedaemon, many Greeks accompanying him, among whom were Bile, son of Breogan, and his people—his six sons, heroes who made sacrifices to the gods and captured the wide plain of Thetis¹. A storm blew up and strong winds blew between Ortygia and Crete, between Milos and Ephesus and the pyramids of the son of Alcmene².
Idir Scylla na dtonn dtaosgach Is Charybdis bhagarach bhaolach do bhí an mhurrúch go binn taobh leis, a gruag sgaoilte is í dá réiteach. Do ghlac caladh i dtalamh Hespéria, is annsa mBiosgáin do gairmeadh réx de. Fuair le gaisge mar ainm Milétius, Míle Easpáin annsa nGaelge. Gaoth is anfa is mearbhall spéire do chuir go Banba tamall roimh Ghaeulaibh Ó hEidirsgeóil cróga is Ó Laoghaire is Ó Cobhthaigh binn do shinneadh ar théadaibh.	Between Scylla’s fickle waves and treacherous Charybdis, the Siren lay in wait with her charms, her flowing hair his undoing. He found harbor in Iberia and assumed the kingship when they reached Biscay, along with the name Miletius, known as Míl Espáine in Irish.³ Winds and storms and confusion brought them to Banbha some time before the Gaels, the ancestors of the brave families of Ó hEidirsgeóil, Ó Laoghaire and Ó Cobhthaigh, who played music on strings.
Bráthair Mhíle, Íthe aorach ó Bhaighóna tig dá bhféachain Tuatha Dé Danann gan taise gan daonnacht é do mharbh ‘na leabaig an’ aonar. Do ráinig tásg a bháis a ghaolta. Is fuathmhar feargach ghlacaid na sgéalta. Tugadar míle mionn nár bhréagach go bhfaighdís ríocht is fuil an’ éiric.	A brother⁴ of Míl, good-natured Íth, came from Bayonne to see the land and the heartless Tuatha Dé Danann murdered him as he lay alone in his bed.⁵ News of his death reached his people, who received it with anger and derision. They swore a thousand solemn oaths that they would seize the kingdom and shed blood in revenge.
Glacaid a n-airm ‘s a loingeas go gléasda, seisear mac Bhile nár bh’urasa thraocha ochtar mac meacanta meara Mhilétius is clann mhaith Ír do cailleadh don chéad dul. A sinnsear uile gan imreas Éibhear, Éireamhóin fuair rath is Éanna, Colpa an Chluímh is Aimhirghin tréitheach, is Donn do cailleadh i n-iarthar Bhéarra.	They armed themselves and their ships were made ready, six indominatable sons of Bile⁶, eight strong and furious sons of Míl and the good son of Ír, who fell shortly after arriving. All their ancestors were—let there be no doubt—Éber, Érimón who found glory and Éanna⁷, Colpa the swordsman, cunning Amergin and Donn, who was lost in the west of Beara.
I gconntae Chiarraí i n-iarthar Éireann do ghlacadar caladh ag Inbhear Sgéine. Atá ag bun Choirreáin fós gan traocha an charraig lér cailleadh go seachmallach Éanna. Do bhí triúr bainríon ar an dtaobh soin. D’iarr gach bean díobh ar a céile a hainm fein ar feag a réime do thúirt mar ainm ar Inis Éilge. Fódla, Banba a n-ainm is Éire. A dtriúr fear do thuit i n-aonacht Mac Cuill, Mac Céacht is Mac Gréine i gcath Taillteann, mór an slaoda.	In county Kerry in the west of Ireland, they landed at the Sheen River, and the artful Éanna was lost at the foot of the enduring Corrane. There were three queens there who each asked their husband to name Inis Éalga after themselves. Their names were Fódla, Banba and Ériu. Their three husbands—Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht and Mac Gréine—were killed at the great battle of Tailtiu.
Ó chruthú an domhain go maidhm an lae sin trí mhíle blian fara cúig céada. Ní dheachaig ón ngleó do chluinn Mhilétius acht Éireamhóin, clann Ír is Éibhear. Na Muimhnig uile do gineadh ó Éibhear, ó Éireamhóin clann Néill le chéile, ó shliocht Ír ba mhór géille clanna Rúraí do riaradh éigse.	Three thousand five hundred years passed from the creation of the world to the slaughter that occurred that day. None of the progeny of Míl survived except Érimón, a son of Ír and Éber. The people of Munster descended from Éber, the Uí Néill from Érimón, from Ír (holder of many hostages) the judicious and learned clan of Rúraí came.
Is iomdha rí ró-rathmhar réimeach, tiarna tíre is duine naofa, fáig is flaith is file faorach tháinig ar gach taobh don mhéid sin. Is uatha shíolraig Fianna Éireann: Fionn mac Cumhaill mic Airt mic Tréinmhir, Diarmuid do níodh lúth is léimneach, sinnsear mhic Ailín ó Dhún Éadain, Goll mac Mórna do níodh éirleach, Caoilte is Osgar is Oisín éachtach, Glas Donn mac Aoincheárda Béarra is Conán Maol, fear mhillte na Féine.	There have been many kings who reigned supreme, lords of the land and holy men, prophets and nobles and eager poets, who came from all over. From them descended the Fianna of Ireland: Fionn mac Cumhaill mic Airt mic Tréinmhir, lithe and leaping Diarmuid, the progeny of Ailín from Edinburgh, Goll mac Mórna who wrought havoc, Caoilte and Osgar and Oisín the slayer, Glas Donn mac Aoincheárda Béarra and Conán Maol, the warrior of Féinne.
d’éis na ríochta do chur ar éanchois is Tuatha Dé Danann do leaga ‘s do thraocha, ní, fáríor, do lean do Ghaeulaibh, d’éirig imreas eatorra is céidil. Idir Eoghan Mhór is Conn tug céad cath an uair do rinneadar dá leath d’Éirinn, d’éirig gleó nár bh’urasa réiteach; is ann do cailleadh gan aiseag na céata.	After the kingdom was put on a firm footing and the Tuatha Dé Danann were subdued and defeated, the Gaels unfortunately were dogged by internecine war, first between Eoghan Mór and Conn Cétchathach, a dispute that was not easy to resolve. Ireland was divided in half, and hundreds were lost in battle.
Bíodh go rabhadar lán do dhaonnacht, cosantach, cabharthach, tabharthach, tréitheach, ní raibh soillse an chreidimh i n-Éirinn acht draíocht is deamhain is fallsacht déithe. Do gheibheadh Jupiter iomad géille mar dhia flaithis is tailimh i n-aonacht; Neptúne ‘na dhia ar an muir mbraonaig, Plúto i n-ifreann is ní an’ aonar.	Although the people at this time were humane, protective, co-operative, giving and kind, the light of true religion was absent in Ireland, where only magic, demons and false gods reigned. Submission was offered to Jupiter as the god of both heaven and earth; Neptune was regarded as the god of the sea, while Pluto reigned in hell.
d’adhradh cuid díobh dia na gréine, cuid eile aca ré agus réalta, Mars, Bacchus, Cupid is Phoebus, Apollo glic mar dhia na céille. Dia na ngaibhne Vulcán béaldubh, Pan dia bhuachaillí na gcaorach, Juno, Pallas, Venus, Thétis is Aoibhill beanfháig Chraige Léithe.	Some of them worshiped the sun as a god, others the moon and stars, Mars, Bacchus, Cupid and Phoebus, clever Apollo as the god of wisdom. Black-mouthed Vulcan was worshipped as the god of smiths, Pan the god of shepherds, Juno, Pallas, Venus, Thetis and Aoibill, the queen at Craige Léithe.
d’éis Chríosd do theacht i gcoluinn daonna trí dheich, dá bhliain is ceithre céada, muicí Mhiolco, rí Dháil Réada, do ghluais ón Róimh tar ais dár saora. Celestinus an Pápa naofa do chuir Pádraig chugainn ‘s a chléirig; is é do theagaisg diadhacht is daonnacht Íosa Críosd i gcríochaibh Éireann. Do dhíbir draíocht is deamhain is déithe, do bhaist a leinbh ‘s a ndaoine aosda, do chlaoig an rí cé’r dheacair a dhéanamh – mac leasg Néill Naoighiallaig Laoghaire.	Four hundred and thirty-two years after Christ came to Earth in human form, the swineherd Miolco, king of Dál Riata, came back from Rome bringing freedom. His Holiness Pope Celestinus sent Patrick and his clergy, who brought the teachings of Christ’s divinity and humanity to the land of Ireland. Magic, demons and false gods were banished, children and old people were baptised, the king adhered to the faith, although this was brought about with difficulty, on account of the lazy son of Niall of the Nine Hostages.⁸
Is cruaig an cúntar ar ar réidheadar, duine ón duine do chur i n-éintig, dá cheann an tí do lasa ortha i n-aonacht ‘s an té ná dóifí, dá dhia géille. d’eagla go mbiadh geasa ‘na n-éadach, sóinseálaid bruit le n-a chéile. Do dóigheadh an draoi ‘s níor deargadh ar Bhéininn. Is uime sin tugadh Beirtheart Naofa air. Do bhí san Mumhain roimhe go saothrach ceathrar d’easbogaibh beannaithe naofa: Ailbhe Imlig is Diaglán Déise, Íobhar umhail is Ciarán Cléire.	The test they applied was harsh: two people were put into a house together—one at each end—and each end set alight, and he who was not burned, his god would be worshipped. Lest their clothes be enchanted, they exchanged cloaks with each other. The druid burned, but Benignus⁹ was left unscathed. A righteous judgement was thus passed upon him. Before that, there were in Munster four blessed and holy bishops: Ailbe of Emly¹⁰, Declán of the Déisi¹¹, the learned Ciarán¹² and humble Ibar¹³.
Do labhair Íosa béal ar bhéal leis. Tug dó leabhar is bachall mar ghréithe. Tug do bheith ‘na bhreitheamh ar Ghaeulaibh farrais ar Síón, Luan an tsléibhe. Tug do ceithre hanmana do Ghaeulaibh do bhreith go flaitheas gach Satharn saor leis. Do dhearbhaig Éimhin do bhí naofa gur trí ceathrair tug Mac Dé dho.	Jesus spoke to him face to face and gave him a book and crozier as gifts. He appointed him judge over the Gaels, as well as Zion, on the day of judgment. He decreed that he would carry four Irish souls with him to heaven each Saturday. Holy Evin confirmed that the Son of God did thus.
d’eagla cleas is beart is baogail Antichrist do luí ar Ghaeulaibh, do gheall an díle do chur tar Éirinn seacht mbliana roimh lasa na spéire. Do gheall, an dán do rinneadh dá naofacht, i bponnc an bháis gach duine adéaradh, nó dá mbeith i gcás, na trí rainn déanach, an t-anam do bhreith ó ifreann saor leis.	For fear that the Antichrist would practice his tricks on the Gaels and endanger them, he promised a deluge would engulf Ireland seven years before the burning of the heavens. He promised that whoever recited the poem that was created for his benediction in the moment of their death, their souls would be freed from Hell.
Iomuin Phádraig is ainm dhi i nGaelge do rinne Seachnall mac Darérca. Atá sí agamsa do mheabhair le chéile, is d’ordóchainn a beith ag fearaibh Éireann. Dá fhichid trí dheich duine d’éis éaga d’aithbheóig ó bhás chum beatha daonna. Do thóg sé naoi bhfir déag i n-aonacht, ó bhliain go bliain duine is caogad.	The name of this poem is Patrick’s Hymn, and was written by Seachnall mac Darérca. I have committed it to memory, and I would exhort all Irishmen to do likewise. By its means, fifty-three people who died have been resurrected to life. [?He took nineteen men alone? From year to year fifty-one.]
Trí chéad trí fichid easbog gan chéile, cúig mhíle sagart diaga déarcach, seacht gcéad eaglais do rinne an naomh so, trí fichid bliain do mhair sé i n-Éirinn. Iomdha maighdean bhraighidgheal bhéasach do ghlac stoil is do rinne tréanas, deagánach, canánach, cléireach do bhaisd an fear do rugadh le naofacht.	This saint established three hundred and sixty celibate bishops, five thousand devout mendicant priests, seven hundred churches, and dwelt in Ireland for sixty years. Many pure and chaste virgins took the veil and committed to abstinence. Deacons, canons and clerics baptised with holiness those sons who were born.
An ríocht uile do tuileadh do naomhaibh, do bhí grá is eagla Dé ortha. An feadh do mhair teas an chreidimh gan traocha, Oileán na Naomh dob ainm ar Éirinn. Sin mar do chaitheadar sealad go séanmhar nó gur chasadar Danair dá n-éileamh, a loingeas láidir lán do laochaibh do bhuaig tamall ceannas na hÉireann.	The whole kingdom was inundated with saints, loving and fearing God. As long as this inexhaustible faith burned strongly, Ireland was known as the Island of Saints. Thus happily they spent a period of time, until the Danes turned up in powerful ships full of warriors, making demands. For a time they held sway over Ireland.
Do shaor Brian Bóraimhe Banba ó dhaorbhruid i gcath Chluana Tairbh, Aoine an Chéasta. Is ann do mharbh, gé cailleadh é féin leis, laochra Lochlann is clann Turgésius, d’éis na ríochta arís do shaora is buannacht Lochlann do stopa le haonchath, tug clann na gcarad aire dá chéile ag dó ‘s ag creacha na mbailte ‘s dá réaba.	Then Brian Boru freed Banbha from oppression at Clontaf on Good Friday. He slew the Vikings and their leader Turgesius, although he was also killed himself. The kingdom having been freed and the Viking warriors’ advance halted by battle, the sons of the Irish allies became suspicious of each other and fell to burning and plundering towns.
Nós is measa ‘s is mallaithe b’fhéidir do bheith ar talamh do bhí sealad ag Gaeulaibh: mná dá malartú thar a chéile ‘s a mná pósta féin dá dttréigean. Mac Murchadha Laighean is mar sin d’éignig bean Thighearnáin uí Ruairc rí na Bréifne. Do chuir sin fearg ar áirdrí Éireann ‘s do bhain de a thalamh ‘s a bheatha mar éiric.	The worst and most accursed habit that was current among the Gaels for a time was to exchange wives with one another and abandon their own spouses. Dermot MacMurrough of Leinster thus raped the wife of Tiernan O’Rourke of Breifne, incurring the wrath of the High King of Ireland who confiscated his lands and his livelihood as punishment.
Do-chuaig rí Laighean go huaibhreach léanmhar i gceann rí Saxan is d’athchuir é féin air. d’iarr air cabhair i n-aghaig a ghaolta ‘s do gheall dó Banba mar luach saothair. An dara Hénrí dob’ ainm don réx sin. Fuair ón bPápa bulla le héifeacht ceart is creideamh do sheasamh i n-Éirinn is áirdchíos Pheadair do dhíol gach féile. Mac Mhaoil na mBó tar ais faoi shéirse, tug fir Shaxan leis i n-armaibh gléasta, Iarla Strongbo leó mar léadar – sé críoch an sgéil, do ghabhadar Éire.	The King of Leinster went with his tale of woe to the Saxon king seeking to win back his lands. He asked for help against is own kin and promised Banbha to the king as a reward for helping him. Henry II was the name of that king. He had been granted a Papal Bull to establish the true faith in Ireland and to collect Peter’s pence. This ancestor of Mac Mhaoil na mBó thus came charging back, bringing with him the Saxons¹⁴, armed to the teeth and led by Strongbow. To cut a long story short, they seized Ireland by force.
Ocht bhfichid bliain, míle is aondeich dob’ aois do Chríosd annsin gan bhréaga. Do bhíodar caoin sibhialta tréitheach, ba mhaith a ndlithe, a gcreideamh ‘s a mbéasa. Gach duine d’úmhlaig, do bhí a chuid féin leis. Do bhíodar ceannsa mar cheann cléire. Do shíolraig a bhfuil trí na chéile, do bhí an Gaeul Gallda ‘s an Gall Gaeulach. A gcreideamh ‘s a ndlithe fá dheire gur chlaochlaig Cailbhin coitcheann is Lúter craosach, dias do thréig a gcreideamh ar mhéirdrig ‘s i n-aghaig na heaguilse sgríobhaid go héigneach.	1170 in the age of Christ, in all honesty, the Normans were kind and civilised; their laws, their faith and customs were good. Each who knew his place was allowed to enjoy his own property. They were as meek as clergymen. They intermarried and intermixed, and the Gael became Gall and the Gall became Gael. Eventually their faith and laws were destroyed by Calvin the churl and Luther the lout, a pair who abandoned their fate for the sake of a whore, and scribbled wantonly against the church.
Prionnsaí Saxan – olc dearbh an sgéil sin – an t-ochtú Hénrí is Élizabétha, Rí na Breataine ‘s Alban Séamus, Lúter leanaid ‘s an eaglais séanaid. Do rinneadh don rí ceann na cléire; do tógadh a dtalamh ‘s a mbeatha i n-aonacht; do hiompuíodh an Bíobla ó Laidin go Béarla; do níd acht gan Aifreann d’éisteacht.	An evil state of affairs it was: Saxon monarchs following Luther and abandoning the church, from Henry VIII and Elizabeth to Scotland’s James, King of Britain. The king was made the head of the clergy, their land and livings were taken away, the Bible was translated from Latin to English; they passed an act to avoid hearing Mass.
Pobal na Saxan is gasra ‘Ghaeulaibh an creideamh so glacaid ‘s an t-Aifreann tréigid. ‘S iad so comharthaí dheire an tsaogail d’osgail an geata chum peaca do dhéanamh. Stad ó Aifreann Domhnach gréine; bean asteach ‘s amach ag éinfhear; iomad mionn is mórán éithig, goid is broid is breith ar eigin;	The Saxons and their Irish stooges accepted this faith and abandoned the church. These are the signs of the end days, opening the gates to let sin enter. They stay away from mass on Sundays, ?woman …with one man??? oaths and lies everywhere, theft and pride and violence.
Aoine pháise feóil is féasda, Vigil na n-apstal gan seasamh ar aonchuid, is duine as an gcéad do ghlacfadh mar bhéile arán eórna, biolar is caol-deoch; craos is meisge orra i n-ionad a dtréanais: so chugad! súd ort! Dia dot réiteach! rinnce mar a mbeir! deisig do bhéabhar! is airgead ceann dá ghlaca ar an gcléire; fuil gan chúis dá dorta ‘s dá séide; boicht dá gcreacha is cealla dá réaba; an bhaintreach bhocht ag caoine a céile ‘s an díleachtaí san díg ag béicig.	Feasting on flesh on Good Friday, vigils of the apostles left unobserved, and only one in a hundred prepared to take barley-bread, cress and thin gruel as penance; the rest fallen to gluttony and drunkenness in place of abstinence. ‘Come here to me!’ they shout, and ‘Get away with you! God help us!’ Dancing in an embrace, dressing pompously, taking bounties for the heads of priests; blood heedlessly spilled; the poor out robbing and ransacking churches; the wretched widow crying for her husband and the orphan screaming in a ditch.
Is docht na dlithe do rinneadh dár ngéarghoin: Siosóin cúirte is téarmaí daora, wardship livery is Cúirt Exchéquer, cíos coláisde in nomine poenae; greenwax, capias, writ, replévin, bannaí, fíneáil, díotáil éigcirt, provost, soffré, portré, méara, sirriaim, sionascáil, marascáil chlaona. Dlí beag eile do rinneadh do Ghaeulaibh, surrender ar a gceart do dhéanamh. Do chuir sin Leath Cuinn trí na chéile, glacaid a n-airm gé cailleadh iad féin leis.	Harsh laws have been framed to afflict us: Courts of Session and oppressive terms, wardship, livery and a Court of Exchequer, rent due to Trinity College in nomine poenae; green wax¹⁵, capias¹⁶, writ, replevin¹⁷, bonds, fines, unfair indictments, provost, sovereign, portreeve, mayor, sheriffs, seneschals, iniquitous marshals. Another little law that was cooked up for the Gaels was ‘surrender and regrant’. This created chaos in Leath Cuinn¹⁸, where they resisted with arms, even though it proved their undoing.
An t-iarla Ó Néill fuair bárr féile ‘s an tighearna Ó Domhnaill ba mhór géille, Ó Catháin na n-each mbán is na n-éide is Ó Ruairc uasal, tiarna Bréifne, Mág Uidhir Gallda is Mág Uidhir Gaeulach, Ó Ceallaig, Ó Buídhill is Ó Raghallaigh, Glas mac Mathghamhna is mac Aonguis, Niall Garbh san Túr ‘s a mhac Maonas. Mac Donnchadha ó Chorainn na Céise ‘s a raibh as soin ar fad go hÉirne, Ó Dúbhda na gcaisleán aolbhaig, Mac Samhairle Bhuidhe gé gur saoradh.	O’Neill, earl of Tyrone, of generous renown, and the lord O’Donnell to whom many submitted; O’Cahan with his white horses and fancy clothes and noble O’Rourke, lord of Breifne. The English Maguire and the Irish Maguire; O’Kelly, O’Boyle and O’Reilly, young McMahon and Magennis, Niall Garbh in the Tower and his son Manus. McDonagh of Kesh Corann¹⁹ and everything as far as Lough Erne; O’Dowda with his whitewashed castle and McSorley Boy, although he was naturalised²⁰.
Síol gConchubhair fuair clú le daonnacht ‘s na trí mic Suibhne nar ob spéirling, na trí Murchadh ba leabhair géaga, Murchadh na dTuagh, na Maor, na méithMhart, Uaithne do chuir an sop ar séide ó íochtar Laighean ar fad do hÉirne, Branaig bheóga is Caomhánaig chaomha, Ridire an Ghleanna ‘s an Ridire gléigeal, Iarla Seanaide, Callainne is Méine is Iarla Dúna Baoi na gcaolbharc, Ó Dotharta in’ Oisín d’éis na Féine do thóg coga nár chosain ar aonchor.	The O’Connors were famed for their kindness and the three McSweeneys who never shied from battle, the three Murphys—na dTuagh, na Maor and na Mart. Uaithne, who lit a fire that spread from Lower Leinster all the way to Lough Erne, lively Walshs and careful Kavanaghs, the Knight of Glin and the bright knight²¹, the earls of Desmond²² the earl of Dunboy²³ with his narrow barque, O’Doherty who, like Oisín, initiated a war he could follow through to the end.
Sin mar d’imig an donas ar Éirinn bíodh nár imig an tubaist le chéile nó gur thionnsguin an coga so Fhéilim is gur chaill a cheann ‘s a theann Séarlas. Ag son an coga do chríochnaig Éire ‘s do chuir na mílte ag iarra déarca. An uair do díbreadh an Nuntius naofa do rith pláig is gorta ortha i n-aonacht. Tógaim fínné Risdird Béiling nach díth daoine, bíg ná éadaig ná neart námhad do bhain díobh Éire acht iad féin do chaill ar a chéile.	In this way, misfortune crept upon Ireland, although complete catastrophe was deferred until Phelim O’Neill initiated this war, in which King Charles lost his throne, and his head. It was this war that finished off Ireland and condemned thousands to begging on the roads. When the Nuntio was expelled, plague and famine followed as a result. I refer to the testimony of Richard Bellings that Ireland lacked neither manpower, food or clothing—nor was it the strength of their enemy—that led to their downfall, but their own falling out with one another.
Ginearál Gallda ar armáil Ghaeulaig, armáil Ghallda ag ginearál Gaeulach, cess is tax is fís Recéiver do níd robáil chaoch gan aonta. Do bhí cáil amhrais – níl acht bréag ann – go raibh Donnchadh, Murchadh is Séamus is Uiliog a Búrc mar chúl daortha ar mhá an stanncáird ag imirt na hÉireann. Do sginn eatorra cíoná spéireat do rug an bun ‘s a’ ghoin i n-aonacht, ‘s a mhac Hénrí go cróga taobh leis.	An English general of an Irish army, an Irish general of an English army, cess and tax and receiver fees, they robbed all without possessing an ace. There was a rumour—nothing but a lie—that Donough MacCarty, Murrough O’Brien and Ormond (while Ulick Burke was the last line of defense) played their cards recklessly with Ireland pledged as stakes. The five of spades somehow eluded them, and Oliver Cromwell won the hand and the game, with his martial son Henry by his side.
Fleetwood, Ludlow, Waller is Éarton, slua teann na n-each ngarbh ‘s na n-éide, a cluíomh ‘s a phiostol ag gach éinneach, carbín stopaithe is firelock gléasda. ‘S iad so do chríochnaig conquest Éireann, do ghabh a ndaingin ‘s a mbailte le chéile ó Inis Bó Finne go Binn Éadair ‘s ó Chloich an Stacáin go Baoi Béarra.	Fleetwood, Ludlow, Waller and Ireton, well-armed cavalry, bristling with pistols and swords, loaded carbines and primed firelock. It is they who completed the conquest of Ireland, and seized every fortress and town from Inisbofin to Howth, from Chloich an Stacáin²⁴ to the Beara Peninsula.
Ní ná measfuí dhóibh do dhéanamh, ‘s iad do dhíbir seanGhaill tséimhe: Búrcaig, Builtéaraig is Déisig is Tiarnaí na Midhe ba mhór éileamh, Barraig óga is Barraig aosda ‘s an Róisdeach flathúil ná tug éitheach, Gearaltaig Laighdean is Gearaltaig Méine, Iustásaig, Pluinncéadaig, Paoraig. An Bagóideach mórórnach déiseach, Cuntlúnaig, Stundúnaig, Raelaig, Rísig, Treanntaig, Múraig, Méachaig, Gaillíg, Gúlaig, Cúrsaig, Créachaig.	Although you wouldn’t think them capable of it, it was they who expelled the civil Old English: the Burkes and Butlers, Deasys and the much-loved lords of Meath; the young Barrys and the old Barrys, the princely, honest Roches; the Fitzgeralds of Leinster and the Fitzgeralds of Munster, Eustaces, Plunketts, and Powers; Baggots with large fine barley fields, Cantillons, Stauntons, Raleighs, Trants, Moores, Rices, Trants, Moores, Meades, Galways, Goulds, Courseys and Creaghs.
Brúnach Tuirc is Brúnach Éile is Cúndúnach na Cloiche Léithe, Puirséalaig, Suipéalaig, Léisig, Curlógaig, Cíosógaig, Céitinn. ‘S iad do mhínig príomhfhuil Éibhir, síol mBriain seannda na n-each léimneach, Mac na Mara na gCreatalach nglégeal, Tiarnaí Chorca Bhaisginn is Chlaonach. ‘S iad do dhíbhir – ní do chéas me deire don díograis, sinnsear Éireann, prionnsa na nGaeul, mo thriath saolta, Mac Cárrtha Mór is a shliocht i n-aonacht.	The Browns of Killarney and of Hospital²⁵, Condon of Cloghlea²⁶, Purcells, Supples and Laceys; Sherlocks, Cusacks and Keatings. All of these it was who tamed the nobility of Eber²⁷: the progeny of Brian of Leamaneh, the McNamaras of Cratloe, the lords of Corca Bhaiscinn and Clenagh.²⁸ It was these who expelled, *[some play on the proverb: Is dual deireadh don dioghrais* : The last place is meet for the best beloved?]** the senior branch of the Gaelic princes, McCarthy Mór and his progeny.
Mac Donnchadha posda na cléire ‘s na trí mic rí do bhí fé sin, Tiarna móraí Músgraidhe méithe is Mac Cárrtha Riabhach ó Chúl Méine, Ó Suilleabháin Bhealaig Béime is Domhnall Ó Súilleabháin Béarra, Mac Finghín ó Ucht an Éinghil, Finghín seabhac na Ruachtaighe is Féilim, Tiarna Choise Mainge na méithbhreac is Domhnall Mac Cárrtha ó Chill Éige, Domhnall Dhúna Ghoill ‘s an Aonaig is Domhnall Donn deas ó Shruith Gréine, Ó Donnchú Mór an Rois do tréigeadh Ó Donnchadha an ghrinn an Ghlinn ‘s an Ghaortha, Mac Giolla Choda calma ón Maol-lios ‘s na gCruach árd ar a bhfásaid caora, Sliocht Aodha Bheanráin ba mhór éileamh ó bhruach Leamhna go Cnoc Bréanainn, Clann Domhnaill Fhinn ón Lios gcraobhach muinntir Chonaill, clann Chriomhthainn ‘s a ghaolta.	McDonogh—pillar of the clergy—and the three sons of the king who alongside him. The great lord of Muskerry, and McCarthy Reagh from Coolmain²⁹. Donal O’Sullivan of Ballaghbeama³⁰ and Donal O’Sullivan Beare, Mac Fínín from the bosom of Cnoc an Éin³¹, Fínín seabhac na Ruachtaighe and Phelim, lord of Cois Mainge—a river abounding in big fat trout—and Donal McCarthy of Killegy. Donal of Dungeel and dark handsome Donal of Srugreana, The Great O’Donoghue of Ross castle who was dispossessed, O’Donoghue of Glenflesk, the brave McGillycuddy of Meallis, where berries grow on the steep slopes. The people of noble Aodha Bheannáin from the Laune to Brandon Mountain, the descendants of Donal Finn from Lisnagrave, the O’Connels of Iveragh and O’Crohans of Cahersiveen.
Créad ná caoinfinn saoi na féile Piaras Feiritéar ba mhór tréithe, Conchubhar, Tadhg ‘s an t-easbog Baothlach do crochadh i gcroich Chnocáin na gCaorach. Ceann uí Chonchubhair ar an spéice. Transplant, transport go Jamaica. Dún Gidh, Dún Dágh is Dún Aoinfhir gan fhíon, gan cheól, gan dán dá éisdeacht. d’éis ar cuireadh tar Sionainn fá dhaorbhruid ‘s an mhéid fuair Pilib gan fille le sgéala, chugainn na mionna do cumadh chum léirsgrios atá gan miotal acht iomarca is éitheach.	Who can fail to mourn that poet and sage of reknown, Piaras Ferriter, along with Connor, Tadhg and Bishop Boetius³², who were hanged at Fair Hill in Killarney. The head of O’Connor was placed on a spike, others were transplaned or transported to Jamaica. Dunboy, Dún Deaghaidh and Dooneaner³³, all bereft of wine, music, with not a poem to be heard. Having been sent across the Shannon into slavery, and others gone to King Philip never to return, oaths were framed to bring about their ruin, who had no money, but were richly rewarded with lies.
Cá ngeabham anois nó créad do dhéanfam? Ní díon dúinn cnoc ná coill ná caolta. Níl ár leigheas ag liaig i n-Éirinn acht Dia do ghuí ‘s na naoimh i n-aonacht. A Dhia do dhealbhaig ré is réalta, do chúm flaitheas is talamh is spéire, do bhí agus tá is bhias gan traocha, aoinDia amháin tu is ní trí déithe. An bhfuil tú bodhar nó cá bhfuile ag féachain? Nach tú do leag na hathaig led sméide? Cá beag duit ‘fhaid ataoi ag éisdeacht? d’imig ar gcreideamh, ní mhaireann acht spré dhe.	Where can I go now, and what can I do? There is no shelter for us in the hills, the woods or along the rivers. There is no succor for us in Ireland, except to pray to God and his saints. O God, who created the moon and stars, who made the heavens, the earth and the sky, who was, is, and forever will be without end, the indivisible and true God, and not a trinity. Are you headless, or where are you looking? Was it not you who destroyed the giants³⁴ with a mere wave of the hand? When will you harken to our prayers? Our faith has abandoned us, only a small ember remains.
An é so do gheallais do Phádraig Naofa ar chnuc Hermon chionn teacht go hÉirinn nó ar an gCruaich tar éis a thréanais, an t-aingeal Victor an tan do réig leis? Ó ní hamhla, níl tú bréagach. Ní móide h’aois ar chaithis dot shaoghal. Níl poll ad stór gé mór do dhaonnacht. Sinn féin do thuill gach ní tá déanta. Cá bhfuil Muire bhraighidgheal bhéasach, maighdean ghlan is máthair Éinmhic, Eóin do bhaisd is Eóin ba ghaol di, Aindriú, Peadar, Pól is Séamus, Mícheál archaingeal na hÉireann, Pádraig ar n-árdapstal naofa, Dáibhí an Breathnach ó Mhinéabha ós í a mháthair bhí do Ghaeulaibh.	Is this what was promised to St. Patrick on Mount Hermon on his coming to Ireland, or by the angel Victor on the Reek after his fast? Oh it is not so, you are not false! You have not lived out the better part of your life. Although great thy bounty, you are not lacking. We ourselves deserve everything that has befallen us. Where is white-necked, gentle Mary, a pure virgin and the mother of the Son, John the baptist her relative, Andrew, Peter, Paul and James, the archangel Michael, Patrick, Ireland’s arch apostle, St.David of Wales whose mother was a Gael.
Colum mac Criomhthainn is Colum mac Féilim, Ailbhe Imlig is Diaglán Déise, Ciarán Chluana is Ciarán Cléire ‘s an té do bheannaig i n-Árainn naofa; Éimhin Áine is Fiacha Sléibhte, Sionán Innse Catha na péiste, Conall is Caomhán, Faolán Léithghlinn is Maoineach Acha Deó na gréine; Fuirse mac Fionntain mic Gilghéise, Bréanainn Bhiorra is Colmán Éile, Bréanainn Árd Fhearta ba mhór naofacht do bhí seacht mbliana ag iara déarca.	Colum mac Criomhthainn and Colmcille, Ailbe of Emly³⁵, Declán of the Déisi³⁶, Ciarán of Clonmacnoise, the learned Ciarán³⁷ and Enda of Aran; Abbán of Áine, Fiacc of Sléibhte, Senán of Inis Cathaigh; Conall, Caomhán and Faolán and Maoineach of Aghadoe. Furse Mac Fionntain mic Gilghéise, Bréanainn of Birr and Colmán of Éala and Bréanainn of Ardfert who spent seven mendicant years.
Colmán mac Duach fuair bua féile, bráthair Ghuaire do bhí in’ aonar, Mochuda, Molaige, Laichtín, Béininn, Bríde, Míde is Gobonéta; Fionnán Chluana Ioraird ‘s a cléirigh Fíonán Faithleann ar an Léin-loch, Fíonán Locha Luíoch, mo naomh-sa do rug ó phláigh Uíbh Ráthach saor leis. Guígse is guím Dia na ndéithe, an t-Athair ‘s an Mac ‘s an Spiorad Naofa, ár bpeacaí uile do mhaitheamh i n-aonacht ‘s a gcreideamh ‘s a gceart d’aiseag ar Ghaeulaibh.	Colman Mac Duach, who surpassed all in generosity, Friar Guaire, who was a hermit, Carthach of Lismore, Molaige, Laichtín, Benignus of Armagh, St.Bridget, St.Ita and St.Gobnat; Finnian of Clonard and his priests, Finnian Faithleann of Lough Leane and Finnian of Lough Currane, my patron saint, who brough Iveragh safe through the plague. Let us pray to the God of gods, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, to forgive all of our sins, and to restore faith and their rights to the Gaels.
Pater noster qui es in coelis, sic nomen tuum santificetur, debita nostra feasta ná héilimh sed libera nos ó thuille péine. Ave Maria, grantia plena, benedicta tu, Dominus tecum, ora pro nobis, a chara na héigne, nunc et semper is do-gheabhair éisteacht.	Our father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. May our debts be henceforth forgiven, and we be delivered from further evils. Hail Mary, full of grace, blessed be you and the Lord by your side. Pray for us sinners, friend of the afflicted, may you hear us now and forever.

Notes

The sea. Morley, Ó Chéitinn go Raiftearaí: (hereafter ÓCR), n.92 p.84.
Hercules, i.e. the pillars of Hercules, i.e. Gibraltar.
Some confusion here. According to Morley’s note (ÓCR n.102 p.85) the text seems to say Bile, but according to other sources it was his son Golamh, who took the name Míl.
Morley, ÓCR n.109 p.85 notes he would actually be Míl’s uncle.
Brennan’s version is different: É do mharbhadar le h-abuidh, an aon-fhear, which he translates as ‘Him did murder with despatch, him only (the only man)’. In his footnote he writes ‘We may remark that some copies have ann a leabadh, (in his bed). This is nonsense as we are told that Ith (Ee) departed from Carmody’s sons, (A.M. 2736), brought up the rere of his 100 select men.’
More confusion; Morley ÓCR n.118 says sons of Breogan are meant.
Morley ÓCR n.120-4 says Éanna is not referenced anywhere else.
Lóegaire mac Néill
Benignus of Armagh
Ailbe of Emly
Declán of Ardmore
Ciarán of Saigir
Ibar of Beggerin
Ironically, it is the Normans he means!
An estreat from the Exchequer, delivered to a sheriff, sealed upon green wax.
An arrest warrant; a writ commanding officers to take a specified person or persons into custody.
An action to recover personal property unlawfully taken, especially that seized by way of distraint; the writ or procedure of such action.
Conn’s (northern) half of the island of Ireland.
https://www.logainm.ie/en/1418922
‘Denization’ in the parlance of the time, not exactly the same thing but a modern equivalent.
Morley ÓCR n.344.
Morley ÓCR n.345.
Donal Cam O’Sullivan Beare, according to Morley ÓCR n.346.
This seems to be a location in Donegal: either Carraig an Stocáin (Stookane Rock) or Cloch an Stocáin (Cloghastuckan) https://www.logainm.ie/en/s?txt=stoc%C3%A1in&str=on, although Morley ÓCR n.380 locates it in Antrim. Uncertainty is noted in O’Rahilly, Five Seventeenth-Century Political Poems p.150.
O’Rahilly, p.151-2.
A castle in Cork. O’Rahilly, p.152.
Morley ÓCR n.397 suggests the nobility of Munster is meant here.
ÓCR p. 95.
https://www.logainm.ie/en/10950
https://www.logainm.ie/en/101009
O’Rahilly p.154 says there is a mountain of this name near Kilgarvan in the Glanarought, Co.Kerry, area from which this family hailed.
O’Rahilly, pp.156-7 explains who these individuals are and also identifies O’Brennan’s ‘Teige O’Connor’ as mistaken.
These placenames vary in different versions of the poem. I am here translating Dún Baoi, Dún Deaghaidh is Dún Aonair based on Morley’s edition. Location of Dún Deaghaidh is unclear but according to Ó Buachalla, Aogán Ó Rathaille, p.61 it was probably somewhere in Sliabh Luachra.
Morley ÓCR n.446 says these are the giants mentioned in Genesis 6:4.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ailbe_of_Emly
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declán_of_Ardmore
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciarán_of_Saigir

Works referenced

Brennan, Martin, O’Brennan’s antiquities (Dublin, 1858)
Clarke, Michael, Ireland’s dirge : an historical poem written in Irish (Dublin, 1827)
Morley, Vincent, Ó Chéitinn go Raiftearaí: mar a cumadh stair na hÉireann (Dublin: Coiscéim, 2011)
Ó Buachalla, Breandán, Aogán Ó Rathaille, (Dublin: Field Day Publications, 2007)
O’Rahilly, Cecile, Five seventeenth-century political poems (Dublin: Institiúid Árd-Leinn, 1952)