The Battle of Moylena

In this the ninth article in the series and the seventh letter of O'Donovan's is continued his account of the O'Molloy's district of Fear Ceall. He did not locate exactly the site of the Battle of Moylena.

5. The situation of Moy-Leana is most distinctly pointed but in the old Irish account of this Battle of Moylena, which took place between our ancestor, Eogan and Conn in the year 192. I translate from it that part which bears directly on the subject:-

   "Then did the chiefs and all the heroes of Munster and the two thousand Spaniards assemble at the Longphort of Eogan, and then were there nine large battalions together at Dun Coffey, which is at this day called Bruree (in Co. Limerick?). Then did they march forward to cross the boundary ridge between them and Conn and to contend with him for the sovereignty of all Ireland, until they reached Moy-Meen; thence they passed to smooth Brith Kile and on to Druim Forasgair in the east of Coill-na-gCrann, and they beheld a very level, heathy, mountainous plain stretching before them. What is the name of this plain, said Eogan? It is the Plain of Leana, replied they. On what side of it is the boundary ridge with Conn, said he? On that side next, replied all. We will make a road cross (thro') it, said Eogan, and we will erect a camp in Conn's half, as he has not left our own half to us. Then did Eogan, the Splendid, advance to the wide Plain of Moy-Leana" etc., etc.

Eogan then crosses the Esker Riada, which extended across Moy-Leana, and erects an extensive camp in the north side of it, to wit, on the very verge of Conn's portion of Ireland (Ar Tair seachaibh Chuinn).

Now the Esker Riada passes through the district which is at this day called Moleany, between Tullamore and Durrow, about one and a half miles to the north of the former and through the following Townlands:- Bracklin, Tinnycross, Ardan, Ballyduff, Ballykilmurry, Moneygatteen (where the road from Ballycown to Clara crosses it) Ballynasrah, Tullagh, Tullaghbeg, and so passes through the Barony of Garrycastle in a very distinct line and strikes the Shannon somewhere about Clonmacnoise.

Moleany is now the name of a Roman Catholic Parish which is coextensive with the Protestant Parish of Kilbride, a fact fully borne out by an Inquisition taken in the reign of Charles I, which calls the Parish of Kilbride by the alias name of Moylena, which is as near the Irish name as could be expected.

I have traversed a great portion of Moylena today but could not identify the site of the camp of Eogan. There are various field works to the north of the Esker, but as tradition remembers no names it is impossible to be certain. However, I will not give it up yet, as the account of the Battle of Moylena is remarkably definite as to its situation "immediately on north side of the Esker." If I had a correct Map of the Parish of Moylena or (als.) Killbride, I could make the search with greater facility. I had not time today; as the land is so flooded I found it very difficult to make my way to some remarkable features which attracted my notice.

Mr. Curry [Eugene O'Curry] has not copied enough of the Irish account of the battle. It is stated that Eogan, the antagonist of Conn, and his ally, Fraech the Spaniard, were killed in the battle and buried in two hills near the scene of the contest. Are not the names of these hills given?

The hand of cultivation has almost entirely removed the heath from this Plain of Moylena and it exhibits no more of that shrub at present than the Great Heath of Dunamase.

I want that part of O'Dugan's poem which relates to Dealbhna Eathra (Bathra) and Feara Ceall and that part of O'Heerin's or O'Dugan's relating to Eile and Ui Cairin and the adjoining territories.

Does the Book of Survey and Distribution mention the lands.

I have the descriptions of the Parishes in this County, as given in the Down Survey but no names of those of the Irishry who forfeited, which would guide me in finding out the extent and situation of the ancient territories. It is, however, now too late to get them copied, but I shall be able to fix the remaining territories in this County without them.

O'Conor has not joined me yet, but I expect him tomorrow.

Your obedient servant,
John O'Donovan.