MAOLSEACHLUIN II. defeated the Danes, in many battles, but being advanced in years resigned his crown to the renowned Brian Boroimhe, King of Munster, who had ever vigorously opposed the Danes, and by his vigilance and courage preserved his dominions.

BRIAN BOROIHME.-In this monarch's reign, the Danes effected a landing in Ulster, and after committing great ravages along the coast, set fire to Cork, but were defeated, and their commander. killed. Thsy soon after visited the Kingdom, at the instigation of Maolmordha, King of Leinster, but sustained a decisive defeat, by Brian, at Clontarf, where 10,000 of them were left dead on the field of battle, and a great number of them killed in the pursuit; but this valiant hero did not live to reap the fruits of his victory, for he died of his wounds, the same day in his tent.

MAOLSEACHLUIN II. again resumed the reins of Government, and set fire to Dublin, where the Danes had retreated after the battle of Clontarf.

DONOUGH II. son of Brian Boroihme, succeeded to the crown. In the 19th year of this King's reign, William, Duke of Normandy, conquered England.

TURLOUGH I.-William II. King of England, requested of Turlough as much Irish Oak as would build Westminster Hall, which was readily granted. MORTOUGH III.-The reign of this Prince is remarkable for a council held at Ceanannus, in the county of Meath, A. D. 1152. Cardinal John Paparo and Christian O'Connor, bishop of Lismore, presided as the Pope's legates. The bishopricks in this council, were reduced in number, and the four archbishopricks established as they now stand, i. e. Armagh, Dublin, Cashel, and Tuam; before this time there were only Armagh and Cashel.

RODERICK O'CONNOR.-This reign is pregnant with one of the greatest events that ever happened in the Irish history, viz. its subjugation by Henry II. King of England. Henry had long meditated a descent on Ireland, and now a proper opportunity offered. Some Englishmen having been taken prisoners by the Irish, and sold to slavery, first occasioned him to turn his thoughts to that purpose, though he for some time deferred it on account of his being engaged in a war with France. Diarmuidh Mac Morrough, King of Leinster, had contrived to debauch the wife of Teighernan O'Rourk, King of Breifne, who prevailed on Roderick O'Connor to assist him in taking vengeance on the aggressor. Diarmuidh, pressed on alt sides, and finding none of his subjects inclined to espouse his quarrel in such an unjust cause, paid a visit to Henry, and offered to do him homage, if he would assist him in regaining his dominions; this pleased Henry well, and two of his barons, Robert Fitz-Stephen, and Richard de Clare, accompanied Diarmuidh, with 400 men, and landed near Waterford, 1171. They were reinforced with 2000 of the natives, and soon made themselves masters of Wexford, Ossory, and Dublin. Shortly after, more forces arrived, at the head of which were the Earl of Pembroke, Raymond le Gross, and William Fitzgerald, who laid siege to Waterford, took it, and put the inhabitants to the sword. The Earl married Diarmuidh's daughter, and on the death of his father-in-law, laid claim to Leinster. Soon after this event, King Henry paid Ireland a visit, and entered into an agreement with those adventurers, that the sea-ports should be tributary to him, but the rest should be held by them, of him, and his successors. Soon after the whole

Island voluntarily submitted, and all the Kings and bishops attended Henry at his court at Waterford, and swore allegiance to him, A. D. 1172.

Notwithstanding what had taken place, the Irish soon repented of their submission; withdrew from the obedience of the English Laws, and prevailed upon several of the English adventurers to conform to their manners and customs: so that only a small part of Ireland was in possession of the English, till the reign of King Henry VIII. viz. the counties of Dublin, Louth, Kildare, and Meath: but the Irish were seldom in union among themselves, and their attempts to dispossess the English, were in general defeated; every victory gained by the latter, increased their territory, until the whole Island was brought into subjection.

King James II. of England, was pronounced unfit to govern, and his son-in-law, William, Prince of Orange, and his daughter, Mary, were declared King and Queen of England, and all other dominions subject to the English crown. James' went over to France, and by the assistance of the French King, made an attempt on Ireland, where he was joined by the natives, and many English of the Roman Catholic persuasion. He fought several battles, but with with very little success, deserted his party, and retired again to France; and thus involved the Irish Nobility in rain, as their estates, by this act of disobedience, were confiscated.

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