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Ulster's Early Struggles
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| Culzie | Date: Friday, 2012-04-06, 2:20 PM | Message # 1 |
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| Seems Ulster's people had always to fight for their survival. The present position is only one of many against which the people of Ulster have had to strive. 1641,1688,1798,1969 were only later chapters in Ulster's history
Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Ages From the B.B.C. Timelines Northern Ireland
First migrations c.7000 - 6000 BC
The persistence of the last Ice Age prevented the first people arriving in Ireland until, at the earliest, 7500 BC. Rising seas had almost certainly swept away the last land bridges with the British mainland, but it was possible to travel as far west as the Isle of Man and beyond Islay before having to continue by water.
Mesolithic hunter-gatherers first arrived when tundra conditions prevailed, so that although the ice cap had disappeared the subsoil beneath was permanently frozen and the area was treeless. But, as the new arrivals spread over the island, great forests of oak, elm and ash began to replace scrub, pine woods and arctic moorland.
The Mount Sandel archaeological dig The oldest habitation site in Ireland was discovered in 1972 at Mount Sandel, a bluff overlooking the River Bann at Coleraine. The carbon-dating of charred hazelnut shells has revealed that people had lived here from before 7000 BC - a thousand years earlier than had previously been thought possible. Careful analyses have shown that huts had been erected, made of saplings covered with bark or hide; that flints were carried here from the Antrim sea shores and frequently resharpened; and that the inhabitants speared salmon and eels, gathered nuts in the autumn, and hunted wild boar in the forest.
Iron Age
Destruction of the Temple of Emain Macha c.95 BC
An aerial shot showing the circular temple known as Navan Fort No one knows why a circular temple, 43 metres in diameter, was put up inside Navan Fort in County Armagh. It seems to have been built quickly, perhaps by a whole community working together. The roof was held up by concentric rows of posts steadied by horizontal planks and covered with a cairn of stones enveloped with sods. Then the whole structure was set on fire. Had this been a ritual to invoke the aid of the gods while Ulster was under attack? Paleoecologists, by matching oak tree growth rings on timbers found here, dated the event at 95 BC; it is very likely that this was a time when Iron age Celts were attacking late Bronze age tribes in Ulster.
'Navan' is the Anglicisation of Emain Macha, meaning the 'twins of Macha' - this ancient capital of Ulster had a foundation myth similar to that of Romulus and Remus and the foundation of Rome.
Iron Age
The Cattle Raid of Cooley - up to AD 200
The oldest vernacular epic in western European literature is the Táin Bó Cuailnge, 'The Cattle Raid of Cooley'. The earliest versions were written down in the monasteries of Bangor in County Down and Dromsnat in County Monaghan in the eighth century, but it clearly had a long oral existence before being committed to vellum.Historians are increasingly of the view that behind the story are real events,in particular the advance of the Gaelic conquerors from Connacht against the pre-Gaelic rulers of Ulster during the first two centuries of the Christian era.
Iron Age
The making of the Black Pig's Dyke AD c.250
Aerial view of Dane's Cast After Agricola abandoned his scheme to invade Ireland in 82 AD, the Emperor Domitian ordered his governor north and, later, after Agricola's recall, the Romans retired behind Hadrian's Wall. It may well have been around this time that work began on the construction of a wall to defend Ulster.
Described on maps as the Dane's Cast, the wall begins in the east near Scarva on the Down-Armagh border; the next section, known as the Dorsey, stands at Drummill Bridge in south Armagh; it continues into Monaghan near Muckno Lake, where it is known either as the Worm Ditch or as the Black Pig's Dyke; and further short stretches extend through Cavan and Fermanagh to Donegal Bay.
A tradition survives that it was ploughed up by the tusks of an enchanted black boar; archaeologists,however,have proved this great linear earthwork to have been a series of massive defences,not continuous,but guarding the routeways into Ulster between the bogs,loughs and drumlins.
Iron Age
The formation of kingdoms - up to AD c.400
The annalists were to make lists of High Kings, ruling all of Ireland, from very early times. But it is clear that - even assuming they all existed - none of these High Kings ever held sway over the entire island.
It is likely that a High King exercised a pagan religious function. There were dozens of kingdoms; many of them were no larger than a barony, and as the fifth century approached over-kingdoms were able to dominate and exact tribute from lesser ones. The most important kingdoms were Muma, Connacht, Laigin, Midhe and Uladh, with others emerging including Osraige and Brega. Uladh [roughly equivalent to Ulster] was in a rapid state of flux as the Connachta dynasties were making inroads.
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| Culzie | Date: Friday, 2012-04-06, 7:20 PM | Message # 2 |
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| Congal Claen King of Ulster
Although supernatural beings were held to have
mingled in the strife, and some of the characters in
the Epic are mythical, yet, in the main, the incident'
it records are historically true. In the topography of
the district names and places even now preserve the
local tradition ; and the forts which were the residences
of some of the heroes who fought at Moyra, are still
standing, and are likely to stand, it may be for another
thousand years or more, on their ancient sites.
Not far from the town of Antrim are the remains of
the earthen fort of Congal Claen, from which he
marched to the final conflict. Sir Samuel Ferguson,
who knew well that district of Antrim and Down, some
24 years before he published his Epic of " Congal,"
thus describes Rathmore — Moy-Linny.
" Enough remains of the ramparts of Rathmore to
show the former extent of this old resilience of the
kings of Dalaradia. It must have been a great and
strong fort, and has witnessed events that in any other
country would have long since been made the subject
of heroic story. Here dwelt the proud, unhappy
Congal Claen, and here we may picture to ourselves the
happenings of long ago''
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Rathmore 680
It is mentioned in the "Four Masters"—a wonderful old book,—that there was a king's residence about ten miles from Belfast and a great fort called Rathmore about the year 680. http://www.libraryireland.com/Belfast....ast.php
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| Culzie | Date: Sunday, 2012-04-08, 2:02 PM | Message # 3 |
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| 637 and the Battle of Moira
The Battle of Moira, known archaically as the Battle of Mag Rath, was fought in the summer of 637
King Congal of Ulster,was supported by his ally Domnall the Freckled (Domnall Brecc) of Dalriada
The battle was fought near the Woods of Killultagh, just outside the village of Moira in what would become County Down. It was allegedly the largest battle ever fought on the island of Ireland, and resulted in the death of Congal and the retreat of Domnall Brecc.
The island in the period was a patchwork of petty statelets, fused together and driven apart by tribal loyalties, often given to a state of war. Other realms from across the water in Great Britain and in particular Scotland frequently became involved in the affairs of Ireland, notably Dalriada, which had come over from Scotland to occupy a substantial swathe of territory to the north of Lough Neagh.
Indeed the tribal loyalties often spilled across the Irish Sea, where the same clans could be found on either side, especially in Scotland. Rivalries and alliances between the petty kingdoms changed frequently. For example Dalriada, which fought with Congal in this battle, had seen one of their kings killed by his brother at the Battle of Fid Eoin (either 629 or 630).
Congal himself had first established his power base in Dalaradia, where he became King, before being recognised as King of Ulster in 627. His ambitions soon came into conflict with Domnall II, who became High King of Ireland in 628. Ironically Domnall II only rose to such a position because Congal had defeated and killed the previous High King,Suibne Menn, (who was Domnall's distant cousin in the Ui Neill clan) in a previous battle.
Throughout the 30's Domnall continued to wage war on his rivals. In 637, however, Congal once again rose to challenge Domnall, and enlisted the help of Dalriada to do so. The two forces met just east of Lough Neagh.
In 637 the settlement of Moira was substantially smaller than it is in present times. However, there was at the very least a motte (the mound of which can still be seen in the village). The area was also much more forrested in the first millennium AD, with the existence of expansive woodland near the hamlet.
Little is known about the actual battle itself. The armies of both Domnall II and Congal were primarily made up of warriors native to Ireland. However Domnall I of Dalriada brought a more varied force to the fight. His army included Scots,Picts,Anglo-Saxons and Britons (Welshmen). At least one side had a substantial cavalry force.
According to Sir Samuel Ferguson "there appears reason to believe that the fight lasted a week", at the end of which the defeated force fled towards the woods of Killultagh. The forces of Ulster and Dalriada were defeated, with Domnall of Dalriada forced to flee north to his kingdom's holdings. Congall was killed in the course of the battle.
The scale of the battle was, however, confirmed in the 19th century when the railway line in Moira was being constructed. Thousands of bodies of men and horses were excavated. When one considers that the survivors probably numbered quite considerably more, then the reputation of the scale of the battle becomes obvious.
With the death of Congal in the battle the chance for Dalaradia and its local allies to undo the advances of Domnall had been scuppered, and the Ulaid had to endure the advances that the Domnall had made. They were not to be completely subjugated however.
By contrast the consequences were much more keenly felt for Dalriada. The land defeat at Moira was coupled with a naval defeat on exactly the same day; at the Battle of the Mull of Kintyre the Ard Rí's fleet had succeeded in defeating Dalriada's. As a result of both battles the High King's forces were able to occupy the Dalriadan lands in north Antrim, unprotected as they now were.
As a direct result of the battle the Uí Néill clan became dominant in the north of Ireland. Their descendants would claim overlordship of at least some of the land until the Flight of the Earls almost a thousand years later in 1607.
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| Culzie | Date: Sunday, 2012-04-08, 2:45 PM | Message # 4 |
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| A link to Dr Ian Adamson's blog and the Battle of Moira
http://www.impalapublications.com/blog....on.html
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| RSAUB | Date: Sunday, 2012-04-08, 8:00 PM | Message # 5 |
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| Some good content so far, plenty of good reading material.
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| Culzie | Date: Sunday, 2012-04-08, 10:26 PM | Message # 6 |
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| Yip.Maybe not something many loyalists would take an interest in but I think it gives us the background of history and how even then Ulster was fighting against the ''hosts of Ireland''. The Battle of Moira is probably the first time that a British Army fought in Ulster.
I'll have to see if I can find out more about Rathmore and maybe pay it a visit sometime. I have been to Moira and saw some of the battle points and also to Crewe Hill and the area in which the Kings of Ulster were 'crowned'. It does give you that sense of history. Well me anyway. 
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| Culzie | Date: Saturday, 2012-05-12, 5:20 PM | Message # 7 |
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| Battle of Moira 637
The Warrior
Artagan was far from his home in the Hebrides in Argyle. His stomach still ached from the seasickness he suffered on the voyage to Dunseverick. Now his limbs ached as he marched
with thousands of others through the Ulster Scottish Kingdom of Dalriada in the North East corner of Ulster. He was following Congal Cláen, their one-eyed leader, on the royal road that led from Dunseverick to Tara and there was a long way still to go. It was 637 AD.
Ten years earlier Congal Cláen of the Cruthin had become over-King of all Ulster. But after killing the Uí Néill high King Suibne Menn of the Clan Owen and then being defeated by Domnall, the new high king, Congal had fled to Scotland, vowing to return. Artagan was one of Congal’s recruits, along with a host of other Scots, Anglo-Saxons and Britons, returning to get revenge.
It was now Monday 23rd June 637. Domnall advanced from Tara and was camped at a ford on the Lagan just outside Moira. It is said that there were fifty thousand men on either side. The night before battle, Artagan sat on the hillside and stared across at the hordes on the other side. Would he ever see his beloved Hebrides again?
What happened over the next six days has been described as one of the most blood-thirsty battles in early Irish History. Congal and most of his army were killed. Those that could still run fled over the Ford Ath-ornagh (Thornbrook), up the ascent of Trummery, and in the direction of the Killultagh Woods, near Ballinderry.
An eighteenth century report states, "just below the kilns, exactly where it was possible to ford the Lagan River there stood a mound which a few years ago was discovered to consist almost entirely
of human remains, bearing marks of calcination, evidently of those who had been slain in some great battle.” When the Ulster Railway was being constructed in 1841, great quantities of bones were discovered, particularly in the cutting just below Trummery old graveyard. All these bones may well have been the remains of men and horses killed in the battle.
The battle has left marks on Moira to this day in the names of the townlands. Aughnafosker means the ‘field of slaughter’ and Carnalbanagh means the ‘Scotsman’s grave.’ A pillar stone with a crude cross and some circles on it once stood on the rath in Claremont, signifying the graves of Scottish Princes killed at Moira but vandals destroyed it two hundred years ago.
Sir Samuel Ferguson wrote an epic poem in 1872 called “Congal: A Poem in Five Books.” In one verse he depicts Congal staring at defeat and death –
‘My sins, said Congal, and my deeds of strike and bloodshed seem
No longer mine, but as the shapes and shadows of a dream
And I myself, as one oppressed with life’s deceptive shows,
Awaking only now to life, when life is at its close.’’
Life was at its close for Congal and for many of his followers but did any one of them know that this life is not the end for all of us?
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16.
Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57.
http://www.lisburn.com/books/moira-footsteps/footsteps-moira-1.html
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| Culzie | Date: Wednesday, 2012-05-16, 7:24 PM | Message # 8 |
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| I was in Moira and tried to follow the places mentioned above. What I didn't realise was that it covers a very wide area and with different places now built up made it more difficult. But the main thing was the area it covered. I got to Trummery which was on the other side of the motorway and that was it. Couldn't find Killutagh Woods, CarALBAnagh (the grave of the Scotsmen) and the others mentioned. I spent a bit of time in the local library so that cut down my searching time. Maybe I'll get back again sometime. But first I'll try and get a map of where these places actually are.
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| Culzie | Date: Wednesday, 2012-05-16, 10:28 PM | Message # 9 |
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| A piece from Wikipedia about Carnalbanach. An Orange Hall and a flute band with the name.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnalbanagh
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| Slappataig | Date: Sunday, 2012-08-26, 3:46 PM | Message # 10 |
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| love reading this sort of stuff, the early history, the cruthin, red branch knights etc. other than that angelfire website theres not much out there that hasnt a pro celtic tinge to it, as well as the irish claiming all this into their culture, IE recent craze amongst celtic and GAA fans to get Cú Chulainn tattoos 
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| Culzie | Date: Tuesday, 2012-08-28, 7:52 PM | Message # 11 |
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| They'll claim anything that lot. What the statue of Setanta is doing in Dublin I don't know. I did read a book once called 'In Bloody Protest' by a guy Xavier McCarthy (think it was). The book was mainly about Pearse and how Pearse wished to be still remembered as Setanta was.
Better to live for a short while and be remembered by many for a long time, than live a long life and be remembered by only a few for a short time.
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| Culzie | Date: Sunday, 2013-03-24, 4:54 PM | Message # 12 |
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| Taken from 'The Hound of Ulster'
1 Slieve Cuillen and Slieve Faud stand like warrior brothers to hold the Gap of the North,that was the chief way from Ireland into Ulster.
2 I am Fedelma - 'As to what I do' - I weave the four provincies of Ireland together for the attack on Ulster
3 This is from Fergus MacRoy; to give me warning the hosts of Ireland will be in the Gap of the North within two days.
4 it was for him [Cuchulainn]to hold the pass against the whole war hosts of Ireland
5 The foreguard of the Irish hosts had not moved a bowshot from their last nights camp before their champion went down with Cuchulainn's spear through his heart.
6 Maeve's army had all Ireland behind to feed them but Cuchulainn and Laeg had to hunt for themselves.
7 Laeg tended his wounds and looked out towards the hosts of Ireland that by now had all but reached the ford.
8 With Follaman the King's son for their captain they marched out to meet the war hosts of Ireland, for the honour of Ulster and the aiding of the Hound.
9 A great hoarse shout broke from Cuchulainn's strained and tortured heart and it came like a cry for aid to the men of Ulster.
10 Up! Up! Cuchulainn! The hosts of Ireland will be upon us now that their last champion is dead.
12 The Men of Ulster are being slain and the women carried away. The cattle are being driven off, Cuchulainn alone holds the Gap of the North against the four provinces of Ireland.
13 Do you understand that the war hosts of all Ireland are at the gates of Ulster and none but the Hound of Ulster to stand in the gate.
14 For I tell you my Queen [Maeve]that in all Ireland,in all the world, there are none who can lightly face the Men of Ulster in their wrath.
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Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| Culzie | Date: Wednesday, 2013-05-15, 4:56 PM | Message # 13 |
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http://www.borderlandsireland.com/500bc.htm
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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| Slappataig | Date: Thursday, 2013-05-16, 4:44 PM | Message # 14 |
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| Quote 14 For I tell you my Queen [Maeve]that in all Ireland,in all the world,
there are none who can lightly face the Men of Ulster in their wrath.
best line ive ever heard regarding our people - recharges the patriotic batteries!
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| Culzie | Date: Thursday, 2013-05-16, 10:39 PM | Message # 15 |
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| And I believe there is still some sense with it even to this day. The Men of Ulster in their wrath. That's how Prods to this day act or react when they have been pushed too far.
Of course this is a different age we live in and the PC people are in control. Mores the pity. But the blood gets up the same as it did in ancient days of yore.
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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