Diarmuid Macmurrough

Wednesday, May 14th, 2008

Diarmuid Mac Murrough

Above : Picture Of Diarmuid Macmurrough

It was, apparently, towards the close of the year 1166 that Diarmuid furtively left his dun of Ferns and sailed across the Irish Sea for the coast of Wales. He first made his way to Bristol, then the chief city of the West of England, with close associations with the people of Leinster. Thence lie journeyed to seek Henry of Anjou. That King was then in Aquitaine, a great province lying south of France, of which he was Duke under the nominal suzerainty of the King of France. Henry was busily engaged at the time in fighting his own subjects of Aquitaine and also his liege lord, the King of France. He was so much occupied by his ambitions for Continental power that he was unable to give personal assistance to Diarmuid. But he welcomed the exile, and sympathised with his story of revolted subjects and an unjust suzerain. Besides, he had for some time fostered designs upon the western island. Accordingly, he gave liberty to Diarmuid to recruit such of the Norman adventurers on the Welsh marches as might be enticed into an enterprise in Ireland.

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The Return Of The Clans

Thursday, May 1st, 2008

O’Neill Logo

Above : O’Neills Family Logo

Effects of the Invasion.—The failure of the Bruce invasion did not check the recovery of the Irish, which had already begun. On the contrary, the recovery became more pronounced and the clans stronger. The devastation of war, famine, and pestilence had brought the whole island to ruin, and in this were involved the two races and all classes. But the settlers, being less deeply rooted in the soil, were more affected, and they gave way. The Crown of England had proved itself powerless, and unable to give that external aid which alone could have supported them in the country. Their leaders were at deadly feud. So, indeed, were the Irish families, also, but the native clans retained their natural strength, and the foreign element yielded before them. Many of the settlers returned to England ; many others became absorbed in, or were subdued by, the Irish clans. The century after the invasion witnessed the steady advance of the Irish in all parts of the country.

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