the existence of which he had heard of." Not long after his return to Ireland, he founded the monastery of Clonfert, where he presided over a large community of monks, who maintained themselves by the labour of their hands. At a late period of his life, he visited Columcille at Iona; and some years prior to his death retired from Clonfert to Inchiquin in Lough Corrib. He died at his sister's monastery of Annadown in 577, aged 93, and was interred at Clonfert. His festival is the 16th of May. 119 171
Brennan, John, M.D., born at Ballahide, County of Carlow, about 1768. He was educated to the medical profession, and obtained a wide reputation for his successful practice in puerperal disorders. An excellent classical scholar, a man of talent and humour, his sallies were long remembered. As editor of the Milesian Magazine he unhappily prostituted his talents, by ridiculing for pay the Catholic leaders of his day, and abusing the members of his own profession. He died in Dublin, 29th July 1830, aged 61. In Notes and Queries, 3rd Series, will be found reference to a copy of the Milesian Magazine in the British Museum, containing a MS. key to Brennan's pseudonyms. 39 254
Brian Borumha, King of Ireland, a descendant of Oilill Olum, was born about 941. His brother Mahon succeeded to the throne of Munster in 951. The Northmen then occupied much of the dominions of his ancestors, their discipline and ferocity bearing down all before them. Mahon succumbed, and entered into a treaty with them; but Brian, although a lad, headed a small band of warriors in opposing their advances. Eventually there was a general gathering of the Irish clans, headed by Brian and Mahon. The Danes were defeated at Sulcoit, near the town of Tipperary, in 968, and Mahon and Brian entered Limerick, where they took much spoil and a large number of prisoners. Nevertheless it was not long before the invaders were again permitted to occupy the town as traders. About the year 976, Ivar, lord of Limerick, and Molloy, son of Bran, who had been expelled from Desmond, compassed Mahon's assassination. Brian immediately ascended the throne of Thomond; he attacked and slew Mahon's murderers—Ivar and his two sons, and Donovan their Irish ally. Two years afterwards he fought the battle of Bealachlechta, in which fell Molloy, King of Desmond, and Brian found himself master of all Munster. In 982, while he was upon an expedition ravaging Ossory, his dominions were invaded by Malachy Mor, King of Ireland, who cut down the sacred tree at Adair, under which Brian and his ancestors of the Dalcassian line had been crowned. In 984 Brian revenged this outrage by plundering Westmeath; whereupon Malachy again turned his arms against Thomond, and defeated the Dalcassians with a loss of 600 men, including Brian's uncle. In 993 Brian prepared a fleet of boats, sailed up the Shannon, and invaded Leitrim and Cavan. Before long, however, the renewed successes of the Danes obliged Brian and Malachy to lay aside their feuds and unite against the common enemy. After preliminary operations, in the year 1000 they fought the Danes at Glenmama, near Dunlavin, in the County of Wicklow; great slaughter ensued on both sides. The foreigners were defeated; 4,000 of the Danes of Dublin were slain, with their chiefs Harold, and Cuilean son of Echtighern. "The victorious army seems to have met no opposition on their way to Dublin, where they immediately made themselves masters of the fortress. Here spoils of great value were found; great quantities of gold, silver, bronze, and precious stones, carbuncle gems, buffalo horns, and beautiful goblets, as well as vestures of all colours. Brian and his army, we are told, made slaves and captives of many women, boys, and girls; and this is defended as being a just retaliation upon the foreigners, who were the first aggressors, having come from their home to contest with the Irish the possession of their own country and lawful inheritance." 144 For the next two months Brian made Dublin his head-quarters. After a time he received Sitric, the Danish king, into favour, and re-established him as King of Dublin. The time now appeared suitable to Brian for the accomplishment of designs he long contemplated. Clear-sighted and resolute, he had, by the glory of his achievements and the policy of his alliances, undermined the authority of Malachy. He thereupon marched to Tara, and demanded Malachy's submission. Malachy craved a month's time for consideration. At the end of this period, unsuccessful in his efforts to obtain assistance (even his kinsmen—princes of Ulster and Connaught—coldly holding aloof or demanding an exorbitant price for their assistance), Malachy formally submitted, and then acknowledged Brian as King of Ireland (1002). Brian proved himself worthy of his position, and but for his death at Clontarf, might have permanently consolidated the Irish power. We are told that roads, bridges, schools, sprung up under his rule, and that education and the arts of peace
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