The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1905-09-02
BRIAN BORU's SON.
Proposed Monument to Be Erected at
San Stefano, Rome.

Writing from Rome, Aug. 3, to the
Irish Catholic of Dublin, its CORE
spondent says:
Il am pleased to be able TO reproduce
the appeal made for the erection of
monument to Donough O'Brien, son OF
Brian Boroimhe, at Santo Stefano Ro-
tCndo, where, coming to Rome in 1864.
as penetential pilgrim, he ended his
days as a monk Cardinal Moran, Es
says, etc, on the Early Irish church,
14O. 1t was made on behalf of the
Hon. Miss O'Brien. convert lady OF
the house of Inchiquin, which, as is
we'll known, claims the honor of de-
scent from the hero of Clontarf Pub
lished first as a letter to the New York
Herald, Paris edition of January %.
1903, the statement is now issued as
a circular
'At the top of this is a beautiful bas-
relief of the pope. Alexander H., re-
ceiving from him the crown and scep-
tire. This bas-relief is on his monu-
ment at Poggio, Castletomond, the seat
o. another claimer of descent from the
illustrious family near Bolsena. This
bas-relief, it is proposed to reproduce
on a tomb in the church of Santo Ste
fano. where at present Donoughs re-
mains lie without any token. Under
the pleasing bas-relief is an inscrip-
ton as follows:
'Donough O'Brien, Rex Cashel ct
Thomond. AID Meridiem ct occidentem
Hiberniae Regions. Jam Senex Urbem
Assecutus, Sumna Pietate Motus &C
Religione Coronam ct Sceptrum Regale
Alexandra II. P NJ. Dono Debit. Sep
ultus est Romae in Ecclesia S. Ste
phani, A D. MLXIV.
The text of the circular is thus:
Contemplated memorial or Donough
O'Brien, king of Cashel and Thomond.
Buried at Rome in 1854 etc, etc.
To the Editor of the Herald: Sir
Many Irish readers of the New York
Herald will regret to learn that, with
the renovation of the pavement in the
church of San Stefano Rotondo in
Rome, the few fragments of stone
which were supposed to mark the rest
iEg place of Donough O'Brien, king of
Cashel and Thomond now Munster and
Clare), have entirely disappeared. This
valiant warrior deserves a better fate
than to be forgotten by his country
men, and few words in the ubiquitous
IN. Y. H" would undoubtedly rally
some of Donough's compatriots to con-
tribute towards the erection of some
fitting memorial in the church of San
Stefano, where the old king was buried
in 1864.
1t will be recalled by those who take
an interest in Irish history that, in the
numerous battles fought against the
Danes, the signal triumphs of Irish
arms were in great part due to the mill
tary prowess of Donough, although the
chief glory of those victories must for
ever, and justly, remain with his
father. the celebrated monarch, Brian
Boroihme, Ireland's national hero. All
historians are agreed as to Donough's
strategic ability as a leader Of troops,
and the few caiumniators who accused
him of playing the role of Aeneas to
Dido of a royal siren by the waters OF
Bolsena-while his consort, Driella isis
ter of Harold H., king of England,
was still alive-have been routed by
the venerable Heating, who points out
the kings advanced age when he re-
tired to Italy, and the religious object
of his last journey there. AS matter
of fact, Donoughs sojourn at Bolsena
was during a much earlier period of
his lifetime.
AS to the fierce controversy which
has ragged around the subject of Don
oughs gift of the crown of Cashel to
Pope Alexander IL, it matters little
now; all we can be sure of at this dis
lance of time is that he was brave
Irish soldier an interesting historical
parsonage, and well worthy of some
memorial in the church where he was
laid to rest For this purpose a COM
mittee has been formed, which has
chosen for it's president the Hon. Louise
O'Brien, who will acknowledge receipt
oc all subscriptions sent to her for
King Donough's memorial, and it is
hoped that all Irish men and women
who take an interest in their country's
history, as we'll as the descendants OF
the ancient royal house of O'Brien and
also those of the name of O'Brien. will
forward some contribution in order to
enhance the artistic merit of the monu-
ment. Contributions, whether by check
of postoffice order (Which should be
enclosed in a registered envelope for
greater safety, should be addressed to
the Hon. A M. Louise O'Brien, Banco
Rooster Franz, 20 via Condotti, Rome.
Thanking you for your courtesy.
ROBERT RIPARI,
Professor of Languages in the Royal
Technical Institute, Rome.
Rome, Jan. 90 1905.