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A poem on the mutilation of Brian Óg Ó Néill (d. 1449)

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posted on 2017-06-22, 15:32 authored by Gordon Ó Riain
The subject of the poem edited here, Brian Óg Ó Néill, was a son of Brian (d. 1401 /2) and grandson of Éinrí Aimhréidh (d. 1392).' The branch of the Í Néill to which he belonged was antagonistic to the reigning Ó Neill, Eóghan, and presented a threat to his rule (2) In 1435 Brian Óg allied with Neachtain Ó Domhnaill against Ó Néill on two occasions, the second of which provides the background to our poem (3) Neachtain precipitated the second alliance of that year by endowing Brian Óg with Ballyshannon Castle. Brian Óg broke faith with Neachtain, however, and parleyed with Ó Neill under the protection of the latter's newly appointed ollamh Conchobhar Ruadh Mac Con Midhe (4) Upon his arrival at Ó Neill's stronghold Brian Óg was seized, his hand and foot severed, and two of his sons mutilated, one of whom died immediately (5) On the basis of the present poem we know Brian Óg's limbs to have been interred in Derry, although Brian Óg himself was to survive until 14496 All tbis took place in violation of Mac Con Midhe's protection provoking him to satirize Eóghan Ó Néill's sons

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Publication

Eigse- A Journal of Irish Studies, MacMathúna, Liam (editor);37, pp. 92-111

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National University of Ireland

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peer-reviewed

Language

English

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    University of Limerick

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