Invitation to Edward Bruce

Domhnall O’Neill, the signatory to this ” Remonstrance,” was the son of Brian of Down, who had been acknowledged as Ard Ri at the conference of Caol Uisge. Despite the gloomy tone in which he writes, the Irish had, for some time past, been fairly successful in checking the progress of the invaders. Domhnall had himself contributed to this result. But he saw that the rivalries and jealousies of the Irish chiefs were so strong that unity under a native leader seemed to be hopeless. Himself the heir of the greatest traditions in Ireland, and occupying the strongest position in the island, he patriotically determined to waive his own claims, and to endeavour to secure under a stranger king that national unity which a native chief could not secure. The ” Remonstrance “f therefore proceeded to say that the Irish had invited Edward Bruce, ” descendant from our most noble ancestors,” to reign over them.