Cín Lae Uí Mhealláin
Encyclopedia
Cín Lae Uí Mhealláin is an account of the Irish Confederate Wars
written by Tarlach Ó Mealláin
, OFM
.
Described as "an account of the progress of the Confederate war from the outbreck of rebellion in 1641 until February 1647" its text "reflected the Ulster
Catholic point of view."
It is presently housed at the Boole Library at University College, Cork, as MS 3.
Charles Dillon concurs, stating that
On one occasion Ó Mealláin describes O'Neill rouseing the troops:
Elsewhere, he describes the terrible effect of the war on the general population (daoine san tír):
Other occasions described include a number of combats and battles, such as Benburb
.
Irish Confederate Wars
This article is concerned with the military history of Ireland from 1641-53. For the political context of this conflict, see Confederate Ireland....
written by Tarlach Ó Mealláin
Tarlach Ó Mealláin
Tarlach Ó Mealláin was an Irish Franciscan, author of Cín Lae Uí Mhealláin.-Origins and background:Ó Mealláin was of a Tír Eoghain ecclesiastical family who were the hereditary keepers of the Bell of Saint Patrick . They ruled an area known as An Mheallánacht, located between Slieve Gallon and...
, OFM
OFM
OFM can refer to:* Office of Foreign Missions, part of the US Department of State* OFM , UK alternative indie/rock band* OFM, Inc, a furniture manufacturer and distributor in North Carolina...
.
Described as "an account of the progress of the Confederate war from the outbreck of rebellion in 1641 until February 1647" its text "reflected the Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
Catholic point of view."
Description
The text was first described as Cín Lae Uí Mhealláin by Professor Tadhg Ó Donnchadha in 1931, Cín Lae been the Irish term for 'diary.' It is written on both sides of twenty-two small sheets of paper (18.5 cms by 14 cms approximately). The narrritive comes to an abrupt end on the 28th line of page forty-four; "Tanic trí mile saigdeor ón Pharlemeint i nÁth C. i n-aghaidh Laighneach agus each ..."It is presently housed at the Boole Library at University College, Cork, as MS 3.
Facets of the Cín Lae
In his introduction to the text, Charles Dillon points out that:
"Tarlach had a detailed knowledge of the Ulster leaders. As he was familiar too with many of the places in which they fought, he is an invaluable source for the general historian, toponomyst and genealogist and, because of his language, he is an invaluable source for the linguist and the historian of Irish as well."
Reasons for composition
Ó Doibhlin opines that
"[It] might have been more accurately named a Commonplace Book kept by Ó Mealláin, possibly at the instigation of the leader of the rebellion, Sir Pheilim O'Neill of Caledon. It looks very much like a notebook the writer had with him in the field and he may have hoped that the notes taken down would at some stage in the future act as an aide memoire for a fuller, more extensive account."
Charles Dillon concurs, stating that
"The Cín Lae was written in abbreviated form, apparently as a memory aid to the author who may have intended to produce a fuller history of the period at a later date. Sadly, no such history appears to have been written ... [although] ... he ... had the opportunity of revising at least part of the script."
Extracts
The text begins thus:
"One the eve of the Feast of Saint John Capistranus the lords of Ulster planned to seize in one night, unknown to the English and the Scots, all their walled towns, castles and bawns. The date chosen was 22nd October, Friday to be precise, and the last day of the moon." (Saturday 23rd October 1641, Old Style)
On one occasion Ó Mealláin describes O'Neill rouseing the troops:
"Do bhí an General ag teagasc imeasc an tsloigh. Iseadh adubhairt 'Ag sud chuagaibh escairde Dé agus naimhde bhur n-anma; agus denaidh calmacht 'na n-aghadh aniu; oir is iad do ben dibh ar (leg. bhur) dtigheranaidh, bhur gclann agus bhur mbeatha spiordalta agus temporalta, do bhen bhur nduthaigh dibh, is do chuir ar deoruigheach sibh etc."/"The General was in the midst of his men exorting them. 'Here before you are the enemies of God, and your souls enemies; and be courageous against them today for it is they who took away your lordships, your families, your spiritual and temporal lives, and sent you into exile."
Elsewhere, he describes the terrible effect of the war on the general population (daoine san tír):
"Atá, daoine san tír, Cathanaigh, Duibhlinigh, muinter Ara, Ibh Eathach agus clann Aodh Bui uile an Ruta ag ithe capall, each: deireadh earraigh; a ghoid; fuadach cat, madraidh; ag ithe daoine, leathar carbaidhi, agus leathar fo na aol."'"There are people in the country, O'Kanes, O'Devlins, the people of Ara and Iveagh, inhabitants of Clandeboy and the Route eating horsemeat; the end of spring; thieving and the stealing of dogs and cats; cannibalismCannibalismCannibalism is the act or practice of humans eating the flesh of other human beings. It is also called anthropophagy...
, eathing the leather of carriages and leather treated with lime."
Other occasions described include a number of combats and battles, such as Benburb
Benburb
Benburb is a small village and townland in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It lies seven miles from Armagh and nine miles from Dungannon.Recently Benburb has seen a revival in businesses basing themselves there, Arts and Crafts being the main businesses, there is also a café and a restaurant at...
.
See also
- Irish Rebellion of 1641Irish Rebellion of 1641The Irish Rebellion of 1641 began as an attempted coup d'état by Irish Catholic gentry, who tried to seize control of the English administration in Ireland to force concessions for the Catholics living under English rule...
- Irish Confederate WarsIrish Confederate WarsThis article is concerned with the military history of Ireland from 1641-53. For the political context of this conflict, see Confederate Ireland....
- Henry Ó MealláinHenry Ó MealláinHenry Ó Mealláin, O.F.M. was an Irish Franciscan friar, and sometime Guardian of the Franciscan Friars of Armagh....
- Feardorcha Ó MealláinFeardorcha Ó MealláinFeardorcha Ó Mealláin was an Irish poet the reputed author of An Díbirt go Connachta. He is said to have been a Franciscan, possibly from County Down, but both of these claims are in doubt...