Cu-Corb

uring his reign Mononius and the Munstermen made war on Leinster, in the year 90 AD, and conquered the province as far as the Hill of Maistean, now Mullaghmast, in the Co.Kildare; but Cucorb, having appointed Lugaid Laighis, a famous warrior, commander-in-chief of his army, defeated the Munstermen in two pitched battles, one at Athrodanbow Athy, and the other at Cainthine, on Mack Riada, now the Heath of Maryborough, in which the Leinstermen were victorious. Having routed the Mononians from the Hill of Maistean, across the River Barrow, they pursued the remnant of them as far as Slieve Dala Mountains, or Ballach Mor, in Ossory, now Borris-in-Ossory, in the Queen's Co.

Being thus reinstated in his kingdom of Leinster, Cucorb, in gratitude to his general, Lugaid Laighis, through whose valor and good generalship the Munstermen were defeated, conferred on him a territory, which he named Loighise, or the seven districts of Laighis, now called Leise or Leix, and hence Abbeyleix, the descendants of whom, in after years, took the name of O'Moore. He fought many battles, and was slain in the battle of Cliach, in Idrone, or Forth, by Fedlimidh Reachtmhar, son of Tuathal Teachtmar, king of Ireland (from the year 113 to 119 AD) and was buried on Mount Leinster. He was lamented by his wife, the celebrated Meadhbh Leith-dherg, or "Meave the half-bred", daughter of Conan of Cualan, in a beautiful poem preserved in the Book of Leinster. The poem was recited by Meave over her husband's grave as a funeral oration.

            Mocorb's son conceals renown.
            Well sheds his blood by his spears.
            A stone over his grave--'tis a pity--
            Who carried battle over Clu Mail.
            My noble king, he spoke not falsehood.
            His success was certain in every danger.
            As black as a raven was his brow.
            As white was his skin as the lime.
            Together we used to go on refections.
            As high was his shield as a champion;
            The fork against the kings of Erinn, sons of chiefs,
            He maintained his shield in every cause.
            Countless wolves he fed with his spear
            At the heels of our men in every battle.
            Seven battles fought he for his land.
            He swept over them like any razor.
            What battle of them--admirable the deed--
            At which he warded not off a hundred in every danger?
            The three battles of the Finn Fail;
            The battle of Ath-an-Scall, of the bloody field.
            The battle of Fossud--'twas the puissance of a hero--
            Was fought by the chief of Mogh Maein
            The battle of Glaise Chriche he broke (gained)
            The man who had the deciding of battles.
            The battle of Bernas the Hound fought;
            His valor brought blood upon his spears
            He defended by his arms his lands
            When he killed kings who were not weak.
            To conquer Gailian (Leinster) he raised a contest.
            Alas! that destruction has come upon the son!

[Home] [Genealogy] [History] [Library] [Kinsellas] [Travel] [Links] [Extra] [Email]