The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-11-18
AN OLD IRISH KING.
a Real Parsonage WINS Brian Boru.
His Harp still Preserved.

From the Brooklyn Eagle.
Brian Boroihme, or Boru. was a real
parsonage and perhaps the greatest of the
old Irish kings. He belonged to a cele-
brated clan known as the Dalcassians.
He had brothermamed Mahon and for a
time the two worked together to drive our
the Danes and extend their own power
over other parts of Ireland than that to
which their clan belonged. They were
very successful. Mahon became king of a
section Of the country, but was soon after
taken captive by some of his rivals ana
murdered. Then Brian rose in his might
Gathering this clansmen together, ne
marched with great rapidity from point
TO point sought out the men who had
slain his brother defeated them and took
possessions Of their lands, and, by means
of the deeds he performed with his strong
right arm, became King of Munster. Then
he marched into Leinster and eXactec
tribute and homage from the kings there.
1t was a time when Ireland was divided
up into separate Kingdoms. But over all
was the ard-ree or chief king, and at the
period when Brian Boru began his great
work the leading monarch was Malachy,
also great warrior. Brian and Malachy
became jealous of each other, and though
for time they agreed to an arrangement
whereby Malachy was TO be regarded as
sole ruler over the north Of Ireland, Brian
had the notion that all ireland should Dc
controlled by one man and that he himself
was the man for the work. So he picked
a quarrel with Malachy, and marching
against that king at Tara, challenged
him either to surrender or settle the ques-
ton Of supremacy in battle. Malachy
said he would not submit He would
rather fight than do this, but he needed
help and he told Brian that he would
meet him fairly in the field in a month 8
time. Brian actually agreed to wait I'M
til Malachy got ready for fighting.
Malachy however, could not get the help
he wanted, and he therefore surrendered
to Brian, who was so pleased at this act
that he bestowed such honors as he could
on his captive and gave him his liberty.
Brian was now master Ct Ireland and for
many years the country was peaceful and
prosperous Roads were made through the
land, bridges were built over the rivers
and houses and castles that had suffered
during the time of conflict were repaired
or rebuilt. Colleges and seats of learning
We're erected also and crime was scarcely
known in the country.
But as Brian grew old the Danes became
troublesome and were not content with de-
scenGing on the coasts. but stirred up
strife so as to get some Of the minor kings
to join them in upsetting Brian's rule. And
what was done in this way at last led to
a tremendous conflict known in Irish his
tie the great Brian BOru was slain. but his
troops were victorious, and never again
did the Danes seek to conquer Ireland.
What is said to he the harp of Brian
Boru is shown in Trinity college museum
Dublin. 1t is nearly three feet high and
neatly made. The story of this harp is that
after the death of Brian IL was given to
his son DOnah, who carried Il 70 Rome,
whore 1t remained until the time OF Henry
VII. 1t is said that Henry got the harp
as a present from the pope; that Henry
bestowed it on an Irish family, and that
after it had passed through many hands
it was about a century ago given over for
safe keeping to the authorities of Trinity
college.