WitH THE STORY TELLERS

 

notwithstanding the vast amount of money expended
on it. His failure in consequence, aroused so much
indignation in England that it cost King Richard
both his crown and his life.

McMurrough’s proudest achievement was the bat-
tle of Kilmainham (1410) where he defeated an army
of sixteen thousand men, composed largely of Eng-
lish veterans, of whom four thousand were slain;
only a thousand making good their retreat to their
barracks in Dublin. The rest fled panic stricken
from the battelfield; the darkness aiding them to
escape further slaughter.

 

FOURTEENTH NIGHT

Art McMurrough

Of Dermot MeMurrough all have heard,
Basest of Leinster’s kings;

Who to support his rotten cause,
A foreign army brings.

From Britain’s hostile shores it came
To save his crown and smirch his name

And still ’tis right that all should know

That ’twas not Dermot, nor Strongbow,
That caused our endless woes;

But the dissensions of the clans,

That kept them from adopting plans,
To oust our ruthless foes.

Thus their divisions paved the way,

For servile chains and tyrants sway.

 

 

 

 

But we have with us here tonight,
A harper who will you delight;
Of Art MceMurrough he will tell,
Of Leinster’s greatest prince;
I heard the story long ago
But have not heard it since.

 

 

 

 

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