The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1895-11-08

. - WeoI bfrsouA8e " ~ btrIn0 UO1OlnUD0
and HIS Harp u StiIl Preserved.
Q Brian Boroihme. or Borua, OF
; Bo.f:. WAS real parsonage and per
q haps the greatest Of the old Irish
Q kings. He belonged 10 celebrated
G clan known rs the Dalcassians. He
I had u brother named Mahon, and
for time the two worked together
to drive out the Danes and extend
their own power over the other
parts of Ireland than that to which
their clan belonged. They wero
very successful. Mahon became
king over a section of the country,
but was soon after taken captive by
some of his rivals and murdered.
Then Brian rose In his might. Gath
ering his clansmen together. he
marched with great rapidity from
point to point. sought out the men
who had slain his brother, defeated
them and took possession of their
lands, and by means of the great
deeds he performed with his strong
right arm became king of Munster.
Then he marched into Leinster and
exacted tribute and homage from
the kings there.
1t was time when Ireland was
divided up into separate kingdoms.
But over all was the ard rec, or chief
king. and ut the period when Brian
Boroihmc began his great work the
leading monarch was Malachy, also
a great warrior. Brian and Malachy
became jealous Of each other, and,
though for "a time they agreed to an
arrangement whereby Malachy was
TO be regarded rs sole ruler over the
north of Ireland. Brian had the no.
ton that all Ireland should be con.
trolled by one man, and that he
himself Was the man for the work.
So he picked quarrel with Ma
lachy. and marching against that
king ut Tara challenged him either
to surrender or settle the question
IF supremacy in battle. Malachy
'aid he would not submit. He would
'ather fight than do this, but he
needed help, and he told Brian that
10 would meet him fairly in the
ield IN Il month 5 time Brian actual. !
y agreed 70 wait until Malachy got !
eady for fighting. Malachy, how
Yer. could not get the help he want. Y
d. and he therefore surrendered TO
brian. who was so pleased ut this
CT that he bestowed such honors "a
g could on his captive and gave Z
I'm his liberty. Brian was now I
iaster of Ireland, and for MANY
ears the country was peaceful and
rosrrous. Roads were made
lrongh the land. bridges were built
yer the rivers, and houses and cas-
IS that had suffered during the
me of conflict We're repaired or re-
alt Colleges and seats of learning
ere erected also, and crime was
arcely known in the country. But
Brian grew old the Danes became
and were not content
it'll descending on the coasts, but
lrred up strife SO as to get some Of
Q minor kings to join them in up s.
tting Brian 8 rule. And what was =
ne in this way led at last to a tre-
endous conflict known in Irish his
~ as the battle of Clontarf. InI6,
at battle the great Brian Borua
~ slain, but his troops were vic 70
rious, and never again did the '''e
ancs seek to conquer Ireland. a
What is said TO be the harp Of ca
ian Borua is shown in Trinity Col Dr
&c museum, Dublin. 1t is nearly \
rec feet high and neatly made.
he story of this harp is that after
9 death of Brian it was given to his
n Donah, who carried it to Rome,
acre it remained until the time of
snry VIII. 1t is said that Henry
{ the harp rs a present from the
pc; that Henry bestowed it on an
sh family, and that after it had -
ssed through many hands it was J
out q century ago given over for
fe keeping to the authorities Of
unity college. Brooklyn Eagle.