1014: Brian Boru & the Battle for Ireland (18 page)
Read 1014: Brian Boru & the Battle for Ireland Online
Authors: Morgan Llywelyn
Thanks to Brian’s efforts, Murrough was well prepared to continue the work his father had begun. Based on what Brian already had achieved it is not unreasonable to assume that this would include the establishment of a centralised form of governance, as well as a strong
standing
army to protect the country from future invaders. The freedom and sovereignty of Ireland might have been secured for centuries to come.
Sadly, the next wave of invaders encountered neither a standing army nor a unified people. Tribal warfare was
once more endemic. The Normans, led by Strongbow, opened the gate to Ireland in 1170. Within a few years the English marched in.
Oh, where, Kincora! is Brian the Great?
And where is the beauty that once was thine?
Oh, where are the princes and nobles that sate
At the feast in thy halls, and drank the red wine?
Where, oh, Kincora?
Oh, where, Kincora! are thy valorous lords?
Oh, whither, thou Hospitable, are they gone?
Oh, where are the Dalcassians of the Golden Swords?
And where are the warriors Brian led on?
Where, oh, Kincora?
And where is Murrough, the descendant of kings –
The defeater of a hundred – the daringly brave –
Who set but slight store by jewels and rings –
Who swam down the torrent and laughed at its wave?
Where, oh, Kincora?
And where is Donough, King Brian’s worthy son?
And where is Conaing, the Beautiful Chief?
And Kian, and Corc, alas! They are gone –
They have left me this night alone with my grief.
Left me, Kincora!
And where are the chiefs with whom Brian went forth,
The ne’er vanquished sons of Erin the Brave,
The great king of Onacht, renowned for his worth,
And the hosts of Baskinn, from the western wave?
Where, oh, Kincora?
Oh, where is Duvlann of the swift-footed Steeds?
And where is Cian, who was son of Molloy?
And where is King Lonergan, the fame of whose deeds
In the red battlefield no time can destroy?
Where, oh, Kincora?
And where is that youth of majestic height,
The faith keeping Prince of the Scots? – Even he,
As wide as his fame was, as great as his might,
Was tributary, oh, Kincora, to thee!
Thee, oh, Kincora!
They are gone, those heroes of royal birth,
Who plundered no churches, and broke no trust,
’Tis weary for me to be living on earth
While they, oh, Kincora, lie low in the dust!
Low, oh, Kincora!
Oh, never again will princes appear
To rival the Dalcassians of Cleaving Swords!
I can never dream of meeting, afar or anear,
In the east or the west, such heroes and lords!
Never, Kincora!
Dear are the images my memory calls up
Of Brian Boru! – how he would never miss
To give me at the banquet the first bright cup!
Oh, why did he heap on me honour like this?
Why, oh, Kincora?
I am Mac Liag, and my home is on the lake;
Thither often, to that place whose beauty has fled,
Came Brian to ask me, and I went for his sake,
Oh, my grief! that I should live, and Brian be dead!
Dead, oh, Kincora?
Attributed to Mac Liag (c. 1015)
Translated from the Irish by James Clarence Mangan (1803-1849)
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Morgan Llywelyn
Since 1978 Morgan Llywelyn, who lives north of Dublin, has published nineteen historical novels about Ireland and the Celtic peoples, including such international
bestsellers
as
Lion of Ireland, Red Branch
,
Druids
, and the five volumes of her critically acclaimed
Irish Century
series. Her published work also includes a non-fiction biography of Xerxes of Persia, a number of short stories and eight books for younger readers. She received the Best Novel of the Year Award from Penwoman International, the Poetry and Prose Award from the Galician Society, the Book of the Year from the American Libraries Association, the Saint Brendan Medal from the Brendan Society, two Bisto Awards and the biannual Readers’ Association of Ireland Award. She was named Exceptional Celtic Woman of the Year by Celtic Women International; nominated by the Irish
Writers
’ Union for the Nobel Prize for Literature 1996; was a judge for the Fish Short Story Prize 2001, and a judge for the Dublin IMPAC International Literary Award 2003; nominated for the
IMPAC
Award 2007; named to 100 Top Irish Americans,
Irish American Magazine 2008
; and received the Irish Books and Media Award for Outstanding Contribution to Literature in 2012. An early member of the Irish Writers’ Centre, Llywelyn has served as chairman of the Irish Writers’ Union and as a trustee of the Irish Children’s Book Trust. She also undertook long-distance walks to raise money for various charities, and in 1998 walked from Clare to Clontarf, the journey of Brian Boru.
