Front matter
A COMPENDIUM
OF THE by Way of
QUESTION AND ANSWER,
Preface
At no previous period, perhaps, was the study of Irish History of more importance than at the present; a compendium, therefore, of the history of Ireland for the use of schools, cannot prove otherwise than acceptable to those charged with the instruction of youth.
The history of each nation has its useful and instructive lessons. This is true especially of that of Ireland, on account of her ancient renown, her unshaken faith, and the part she has taken in the affairs of the world. Yet, perhaps, there is no other country of equal importance, about which men know so little. Even her own children are actuateu mostly by sentiment in regard to her, and are almost wholly destitute of that accurate knowledge which inspires, true patriotism and transmits the glorious qualities of her children, who were giants in intellect, virtue, and valor for 1500 years before Alfred the Saxon sent the youth of his country to her Schools in search of knowledge, with which to civilize his people.
The English and Scotch are well read in the histories of their country. The Irish are, unfortunately, not so ; and yet, what is English or Scottish history to compare with Irish 7 Ireland was a land of saints and scholars when Britons were painted savages. Wise and noble laws, based upon the spirit of Christianity, were administered in Erin, and valuable books were written ere the Britons were as far advancedin civilization as the Blackfeet Indians. In in\orals and intellect, in Christianity and civilization, in arms, art, andscience, Ireland shone like a star among the nations. And she nobly sustained civilization and religion by her missionaries and scholars, who went forth from her bosom to distant legions to raise the standard of the cross over
IV
PREFACE .
the ruinous structures of error and superstition. Irifch steel glittered in the front rank of the most desperate conflicts on the war-fields of Europe, and more than once the ranks of England went down before the brave u Exiles of Erin." in just punishment for the terrible penal code which excluded the Irish soldier from his countryrs service.
The object of this little volumn is to give the outlines of Ireland's history — to tell of her traditions and her heroes, her glories and her sorrows, and thus, if possible, to lead the Irish youth who are scattered over this vast and enlightened Continent, to admire this long afflicted land of their forefathers — the land of saints and warriors, of poets, statesmen, and orators.
The plan of the work is simple and partly new ; it is given to the pupil in the form in which, as I hope, it will be most easily understood and remembered. The catechetical form of intruction is now admitted by experienced teachers, to be the best adapted to the nature a nd capacity of children — a system by which they will acquire aknowledge of a science in less time than by any other.
As an introductory work, the following compendium will be found to possess many advantages, particularly for that class of learners for which it is designed. It presents to the minds of the young a clear and concise view of the most interesting and importan i events of the history of Ireland, and will I trust, supply a want much felt in our Irish Catholic schools and academies.
In concl usion I may add, that my best wishes for the success of this little volumn, are that its pages may spread as far and wide as the Irish race itself, and that they may be read with the same care and in the same spirit as thoseiu which they were compiled.
Quebec Jan. 17th I860.
Introduction
Q. What is History ?
A. History is a written narrative of past pvents. Q. How is History divider! 1
A. Hi story .is divided into two parts viz : Ancient and Modern ; these are also subdivided, into Sacred Profane, Ecclesiastical, and Civil History.
Q. What do you understand by Ancient History ?
A. Ancient History, is an account of the principal events, that have taken place, from the Creation to the birth of Christ.
Q. What is Modern History ?
A. Modern History embraces an account of all events, from the birth of Christ to the present time.
Q. What is Sacred History ?
A. Sacred History is that contained in the Sacred Scriptures.
Q. What is Profane History ?
A. Profane History is the history of the ancient heathen nations.
Q. What is Ecclesiastical History *?
A. Ecclesiastical History is the history of the Christian Church.
Q. What is Civil History?
A. Civil History is an account of the rise, continuance, and fall of empires, kingdoms, and states.
INTRODUCTION.
Q. Wherein are contained the most ancient events J?
A. The most ancient events are contained in the Old Testament; this admirable book gives an account of the Creation of the world, the fall of our first Parents, &c.
Q. How many years from the Creation of the world to the birth of Christ i
A. It is commonly said to be four thousand and four years.
Q. How is Ancieut History distinguished f
A. It is distinguished by the rise and fall of the
Home.
Q. For what is Modern History distinguished ?
A. Modern History is distinguished for the invention of gunpowder, the art of printing, am"! the discovery of America.
Q. What are the Middle Ages f
A. The Middle Ages embrace a period, extending from the decline of the Western Empire of the Romans, to the fall of the Eastern Empire,
Q. How are the Middle Ages distinguished ?
A. They are distinguished by the rise of Mahometanism, the Feudal System, Crusades, and Chivalry.
A COMPENDIUM
OP THE
CHAPTER I. Of the Original Inhabitants of Ireland
Q. What is said of the early history of Ireland? A. It is greatly involved in obscurity. Q. What has it afforded $
A. A subject of research for antiquaries for nearly two centuries.
Q. From whom did the first inhabitants of Ireland descend ?
A. According to the best authorities, they descended from the Celts, who were th» first to people the western part of Europe.
Q, How does this fact appear probable*?
A. From the striking similarity between their modes of worship.
Q. What else?
A. From their objects of adoration, and their language.
Q. By consulting the ancient authors, what appears reasonable?
A. That while England was peopled from the
HISTORY OF IRELAND.
coast of Gaul, Ireland received her population directly from the shores of Celtic Spain. Q. What is certain1?
A. It is certain that relations of affinity had been established at an early period between Ireland and the western coast of Spain.
Q. What is admitted ?
A. That Ireland was inhabited at a very remote period of antiquity.
Q. What do some historians say •?
A. That Ireland appears to have been inhabited as far back as 3940, before our era.
Q. At what time did Miletius with a colony arrive in Ireland ?
A. About the year 1300 before the Christian era.
Q. Who was Miletius ?
A. He was a celebrated hero of the Scythic race.
Q. By what name were they known, who accompanied him *?
A. They were called Phoenicians.
Q. Who were the Phoenicians ?
A. They were also a branch of the great Scythian nation.
Q. From whence did they sail for Ireland *? A. Directly from the coast of Spain. Q. What was the religion of the early inhabitants ?
A. It was similar to that of nearly all the Eastern nations.
Q. What was their chief object of adoration ?
ORIGINAL INHABITANTS.
A. The sun under the name of Baal or Bel. Q. What else did they adore ?
A. They adored the moon under the title of Re. Q. Did they adore any other object ? A. Yes, they adored fire.
Q. What feast did they annually celebrate? A. The great festival of Baal-fire. Q. What was prohibited during the festival ? A. It was forbidden to light a fire under pain of death.
Q. What was commanded?
A. To extinguish all the fires in every district of Ireland.
Q. When were they permitted to rekindle them? A. After the pile of the sacrifice on the hill of Tara was kindled.
Q. What was associated with fire worship ? A. The worship of water was usually associated ith fire.
Q. Hence what do we find?
A. We find that certain wells, fountains, and groves, were held sacred by the Irish.
Q. What is said of their priests ?
A. Their priests were held in the greatest veneration, and on account of their learning were called Magi or Druids.
HISTORY OF IRELAND.
CHAPTER II. Early Division of Ireland.— Her Constitution and Laws
Q. How was Ireland divided?
A. Ireland was divided into a number of small principalities.
Q. By whom were they governed ?
A. Each was governed by a king, and the whole subordinate to a supreme monarch.
Q. What is said of each subordinate prince ?
A. He assumed the title of king, and exercised within his own dominions all the powers of Sovereignty.
Q. What is said of the riuht of primogeniture?
A. To the right of primogeniture, so generally acknowledged in those ages, no regard was paid to it by the Irish.
Q. What is said of the chief monarch ?
A. The chief monarch, was not only chosen by election, but previous to his death a successor was appointed.
Q What may we infer from this state of affairs ? A. We may easily infer that discord often pre vailed.
Q. Why did discoid olten arise ? A. Because the maimer of election was badly arranged, or designed for the preservation of order. Q. By what law were those elections regulated? A. By the law of Tanistry.
Q. What did the law ol Tanistry restrict?
CONSTITUTION AND LAWS.
A. The right of succession to the family of the prince or chief.
Q. What did this law admit ?
A. The r ight of succession to any member of the family, as well as, the eldest son.
Q. What was the title of the elected successor, during the life of the reigning chief?
A. He bore the name of Tanist.
Q. What qualities should a Tanist possess ?
A. He should be a knight twenty-five years old.
Q. What other qualities were required ?
A. His figure should be tall and free from blemish.
Q. From whom should he prove his pedigree ? A. He had to prove his pedigree from the Milesians.
Q. Was Tanistry a good custom ?
A. No, for the struggles of the different candidates seeking to be elected, sometimes caused war and bloodshed.
Q. Where did the king-paramount of all Ireland reside ?
A. At the palace of Tara in Meath.
Q. What was the ancient law of Ireland called ?
A. It was called the Brehon Law.
Q. What was remarkable in the Brehon Law?
A. The total absence of capital punishment.
Q. How was the crime of murder punished?
A. By a money flue called an eric.
HISTORY OF IRELAND.
Q. How were men appointed to the office of Brehon !
A. The office of Brehon was hereditary in certain families.
Q. What does the word Brehon mean ?
A. Brehon is the modern Irish forjudge.
Q. Can you state any ancient custom of those early tiroes, which still exists in Ireland
A. Yes, the custom of fostering.
Q. What is meant by the custom of fostering f
A. That the children of the chiefs and nobles were nursed by the wives of their tenants.
Q. Was the tie of friendship thus formed, considered strong ?
A. Y<js? as strong as the tie of actual relationship.
Q. What is said of foster brothers and sisters'?
A. They often loved each other better than if they had been children of the same father and mother.
Q. Can yor< mention any other ancient custom ?
A. Yes ; that of gossipred, that is the chiefs and nobles frequently became godfathers to the children of their vassals and dependants.
Q. Had these old customs any good effects ?
A. Yes ; they had. —
Q. How so ?
A. Because they lielp« d in some degree, to connect different classes in the bonds of affection and friendship.
FIRST AGES.
Q. Arc there any remains of ancient Irish buildings t
A. Yes ) there are fifty-two round towers of very great antiquity.
Q. What were the origin and purpose of those buildings ?
A. Both their origin and purpose are unknown.
Q. What is the general opinion of antiquaries'?
A. That they wer^ intended for the fire-worship of the pagans, before Christianity was introduced into Ireland.
Q. What do some assert ?
A. That they belong to Christian ages.
Q. On what do they ground their belief?
A. That these towers are generally connected with the ruins of Christian churches and monasteries.
Q. What else?
A. That their style of architecture belongs to Christian times.
\ Q. For what do they say, they were used"? A. As belfries.
CHAPTER III. First Ages
Q. What are we informed by the Irish annalists ?
A. The Irish annalists inform us? that King Kim-
HISTORY OF IRELAND.
boath who occupied the throne two centuries before the Christian era, was the seventy-fifth king of Ireland.
Q. What name is most distinguished ?
A. Among the long list of kings who have passed like a shadow through this dim period of Ireland's history, the name of 011am Fodhla is the most distinguished.
Q. For what is he distinguished ?
A. He is distinguished as an eminent legislator.
Q. What rendered his reign so remarkable ?
A. The establishment of a Triennial Parliament at Tara.
Q. In these assemblies, what do we observe 1
A. We observe a near approach to a representative form of government.
Q. Who were the leading members "?
A. They were the king, druids, and plebeians.
Q. For what did they assemble ?
A. To pass such laws and regulations, as the public good required.
Q. What offices were transferred hereditary J?
A. They were those of heralds, bards, and musicians.
Q. What did King 011am assign to those professors ?
A. He assigned lands for their use.
Q. What did he establish at Tara?
A. A school of general instruction which afterwards became celebrated, under the name of Mur-Ollam-ham, or college of the learned.
FIRST AGES.
Q. At the beginning of the Christian era, who occupied the throne ?
A. King Conary the Great, occupied the throne.
Q. Who was one of the most illustrious monarch s of Ireland ?
A. Cormac Ulfadah.
Q. For what is Ireland indebted to him *? A. For the foundation of three academies at Tara.
Q. What was taught in the first*? A. The science of war was taught in the first, Q. What was taught in the second academy "? A. Historical literature was taught in the second.
Q. To what was the third devoted ? A. The third was devoted to the culture of jurisprudence.
Q. Under Cormac's auspices, what took placet A. A general revision of the annals of the kingdom.
A. The national records preserved in the Psalter of Tara since the time of the illustrious 011am, were corrected and improved.
Q. What ancient custom is mentioned in the Psalter ?
A. That no one who was affected with any personal blemish could retain the crown.
Q. What happened to Cormac1?
A. In defending his palace against a rebellious attack he incurted the loss of an eye.
HISTORY OF IRELAND.
Q. Was King Corinac thereby disqualified for retaining the crcrwn ?
A. Yes ; he was disqualified.
Q. What was Cormac obliged to do ?
A. He was obliged to abdicate the throne.
Q. In what year did he abdicate ?
A. In the year A. D. 266.
Q. How loog did Cormac reign ?
A. He reigned forty years.
Q. How did Cormac govern the nation.?
A. With wisdom and justice.
Q. Where did he retire after abdicating the throne?
A. He retired to an humble cottage.
Q. To what did Cormac devote himself?
A. He devoted himself.to literary pursuits.
Q. By whom was he succeeded ?
A. He was succeeded by his son.
Q. Does history record any remarkable event after Cormac's abdication ?
A. History is almost silent, as to the events which took place during the two following centuries.
Q. What King of Ireland distinguished himself towards the end of the fourth century ?
A. King Niall, called " Niall of the Nine Hostages. "
Q. How did he distinguish himself? A. By his daring incursions into England and Gaul.
ST. PATRICK APOSTLE.
Q. What was the custom of the victors?
A. Their custom was to carry their captives into slavery.
Q. On on^ occasion who was among Niail's captives ¥
A. The youthful Patrick.
Q. How did King Niall end his life » A. He was slain in liis third incursion into Gaul. Q. In what year did his death occur *? A. In the year A. D. 405.
Q. Who was his successor V A. His Nephew, Dathy.
Q. What is said of Dathy 1 A. It is said that he was the last pagan king of Ireland.
Q. What happened to Dathy in one of his incursions into Gaul ?
A. He was killed by lightning at the foot of the Alps.
Q. Did Dathy possess the warlike qualities of his uncle ?
A. Yes; in an eminent degree.
CHAPTER IV. Saint Patrick Apostle of Ireland
Q. Who was the great Apostle of Ireland t A. The illustrious Saint Patrick. Q. Where was he born ?
HISTORY OP IRELAND.
A. At Boulogne, in Armoric Graul, in the year 390.
Q. What happened to him in his youth ?
A. He was taken captive to Ireland.
Q. What is said of him while in Irelaud $
A. He was sold to a man named Milcho.
Q. How did this man employ hiui t
A. He employed him in tending his flocks.
Q. At the end of six years of captivity, what did Patrick obtain $
A. He obtained his release.
Q. In what manner did he obtain it?
A. A voice announced to him in sleep that he would soon go to his own country.
Q. What did the voic • a second time say to him f
A. That there was a ship ready for him.
Q. What does Saint Patrick tell us*?
A. He tells us that the ship was about two hundred miles off.
Q. What does he further relate ?
A. That he was moved by a divine inspiration, to direct his course towards the ship. * Q. Of what was he informed on his arrival?
A. That the ship would sail that day.
Q. For what did he apply to the master of the vessel ?
A. He applied to him for a passage.
Q. Was he favorably received by the captain1?
A. No 5 he was not.
Q. What did the captain say to him "?
BT. PATRICK APOSTLE.
ID
A. He said : " Do not attempt to come on board." Q. On hearing this, where was Patrick about to retire ?
A. To the house where he kad been received as a guest.
Q. On his way thither, what did he do ? A. He began to pray to Glod for aid. Q. Before he had finished his prayer, what did he hear ?
A. " I heard, " said he, " one of the men calling after me."
Q. What did this man exclaim *?
A. Come, come quickly, for they want you.
Q, What did Patrick do »
A. He returned to tlie ship.
Q. What did the captain say to him ?
A. He said : " Come in, I will receive thee."
Q. What does the Saint tell us ?
A. He tells us that they then set sail, and after three days reached land.
Q. On what coast did they land 1
A. They landed on the coast of Brittany, some distance from Patricks native town.
Q. How does he describe the coast on which they landed f
A. He tells us that it was wild and desolate. • Q. To what were they exposed after having escaped the perils of the sea ?
A. They were in danger of perishing from him* geiv
HISTORY OF IRELAND.
Q. How many days had they to travel through a desert place.
A. Twenty- eight days.
Q. Their provisions having failed, what prevailed?
A. Hunger prevailed among them.
Q. What did the master of the ship say to Patrick *
A. He said, Christian, pray to your All-powerful God for us, for we are in danger of perishing by hunger.
Q. What did St. Patrick recommend them to do V A. He recommended them to put their trust in God, and He would send them provisions. Q. What took place ?
A. A large herd of swine appeared at a distance.
Q. What did they do f
A. They killed as many as they needed.
Q. Having stopped two days to refresh themselves, what did they do 1
A. They returned thanks to God, and set out on their journey.
Q. How did they regard Saint Patrick •?
A. With great reverence and respect.
Q. How was Patrick received on his return home ?
A. He was joyfully received by his family and friends.
Q. How did they regard him ?
A. They looked on him as one risen from the dead.
ST. PATRICK IS CALLED BY THE IRISH. 21
Q. Why so !
A. Because they thought he was dead.
Q. What did his aged parents request of him ?
A. That he would not leave them any more.
Q. After spending some time with his parents, where did he retire ?
A. To the celebrated monastery of St. Martin, near Tours.
Q. What was his object in retiring to this monastery ?
A. His object was to study for the priesthood. Q. How long did he remain in this monastery f A. He remained four years.
Q. What did he receive there?
A. He received the clerical tonsure, and minor orders.
CHAPTER V. Saint Patrick is called by the Irish
Q. What did Saint Patrick behold one night in a vision "?
A. He tells us that he saw a man whose name was Victricious, coming from Hibernia.
Q. What did he see with Victricious?
A. He saw him with n great number of letters.
Q. What are his own words about the letters S
A. He says : u Victricious handed one of the letters to me."
HISTORY OF IRELAND.
Q. What did he read on opening it1?
A. " I read," says he, " these peculiar words : The voice of the Irish, "
Q. On reading the letter, what did he seem to hear !
A. St. Patrick says, u I thought I heard the voice of persons from the western coast of Ireland.
Q. What did the voice say ?
A. The voice said, " We entreat thee holyyouth, to come and henceforth dwell with us. V
Q. What effect had this vision on the holy youth?
A. He says : " I was greatly affected in my heart, and could read no longer and immediately I awoke."
Q. After leaving the monastery of St. Martin, under whose guidance did he go ?
A. Under the guidance of St. G-ermanus.
Q. After spending some years with St. Grermanus, where did he visit ?
A. By his master's advice, he visited the Island of Lerins.
Q. What is said of the saint, while at Lerins ?
A. That he visited many monasteries, and holy hermits on the neighboring islands.
Q. What renowned person lived on one of those islands ?
A. A holy hermit named Justus.
Q. What does the annalist state about the holy hermit Justus ?
ST. PATRICK IS CALLED BY THE IRISH. 23
A. The annalist states that, he was just in name and works.
Q. How did Justus receive our saint ?
A. He received him with profound respect.
Q. What did he place in the hands of St. Patrick *?
A. He placed in his hands a staff.
Q. Whom did Justus say gave him that staff?
A. He said that Jesus gave him that staff to give to St. Patrick.
Q. What did St, Patrick do f
A. He returned thanks to God, and remained some time with the holy hermit.
Q. On his departure,. what did he take with him t
A. He carried with him the staff of Jesus ?
Q. Who states these facts regarding the staff ?
A. Many Irish historians mention this celebrated staff?
Q. What does St. Bernard say of this staff?
A. He says, that it was one of the insignia of the See of Armagh.
Q. What else does he say about it ?
A. He says though at first but a simple staff, in his time it was adorned with gold and precious stones.
Q. What do most writers call St. Patrick's staff? A. They call it a crozier.
Q. How was it preserved ?
A. It was preserved with religious veneration among the relics of St. Patrick, at Armagh.
HISTORY OF IRELAND.
Q. What do we read of the staff, in the Annals of the Four Masters ?
A. We read that it was often used as a sacred bond in treaties of peace.
Q. How did the early Anglo-Irish respect thestaff of Jesus ?
A. They looked on it as a sacred relic, on which they used to swear to contracts, treaties &c.
Q. How was the violatiou of such an oath looked upon'?
A. A violation of the oath was looked on as fatal to the perjurer.
Q. What is to be seen in the Chapter-House^ Westminster Abbey ?
A. A paper containing an examination of Sir Gerald Macshayne sworn, March 19, J 529, upon the Holy Mass Book and the great relic of Ireland, called the staff of Jesus, in the presence of the King's Deputy, Chancellor, Treasurer and Justice,
Q. From these testimonies, what do we infer ?
A. That the staff of Jesus was held and venerated as a sacred relic.
Q. In what year was the staff taken from St. Patrick's Church, Armagh 1
A. It was carried away in the year 1178.
Q. By whom was it taken ?
A. It was taken by the English.
Q. Where did they place it *
A. They placed it in Trinity Church, Dublin,
Q. What happened to this sacred staff?
ST. PA.TRTCK IS CALLED BY THE IRT-TT.
A. The reformers burned it with other sacred reli'-s in the reign of Henry VIII.
Q. To whom did St. Patrick return after leaving the Isle of Levins ? * A. He returned to St. Germanus.
Q. In what did St. Patrick perfect himself, under this saintly guide ?
A. He perfected himself in the art of governing souls.
Q. Whom did he accompany into Britain $ A. He ncc mpanied SS. Grermanus and Lupus. Q. What was their intention in going into Britain ?
A. Their intention was, to combat the Pelagian heresy.
Q, While there, what did St. Patrick enquire into?
A. He enquired into the state of Ireland.
Q. Who was the first Christian bishop sent to Ireland.
A. Saint Palladius.
Q. By whom was he sent?
A. By Pope Celestine, in the year 430.
Q. Who is the earliest chronicler of this fact ?
A. Saint Prosper who wrote in the year 434.
Q. What are the words of Saint Prosper *?
A. "By Pope Celestine is Palladius ordained, and sent the first bishop, to the Irish."
Q. Did Saint Palladius succeed in his mission ?
A. No 3 he was unsuccessful.
HISTORY OP IRELAND.
Q. Whence did Ireland receive her Christianity t A. Directly from Rome.
Q. How far back can we trace a connection between the Irish and Roman Christians *?
A. We can trace it back as early as the year A. D. 360.
Q. There were Christians in Ireland, then, before St. Palladius?
A. Yes \ a small number.
Q. By whom had that small number been first taught the faith %
A. By a Roman priest who visited Ireland in 360.
Chapter VI
St. Patrick sent as Bishop to Ireland.
Q. On the death of Palladius, who was selected as his successor %
A. St. Patrick was appointed by Pope Celestine I.
Q. In what year did St. Patrick arrive in Ireland as bishop %
A. In the year 432, the first year of the Pontificate of Sixtus III. successor of Celestine.
Q. What did St. Patrick behold, on Hearing the Irish coast ?
A. He beheld legends of demons ready to oppose his landing.
ST. PATRICK SENT AS BISHOP.
Q. Who states this fact ?
A. This remarkable fact is related by Jocylin,. the historian.
Q. What did St. Patrick do ?
A. He made the sign of the cross, invoked the assistance of God and the demons fled,
Q. In what part of Ireland did St. Patrick land1?
A. He landed with his companions near the present Lough Str.mgford, on the coast of Down.
Q. Having penetrated some distance into the country whom did he meet '?
A. He met a chief named Dicho.
Q. After a brief conversation, what did Dicho do?
A. He invited the saint and his companions into his house.
Q What took place during this visit?
A. Dicho and his household received the grace of baptism.
Q. Who was the first to erect a Christian Church Tinder the direction of St. Patrick ?
A. It was Dicho, who was also his first convert,
Q. What was founded there later ?
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