32, to the "Introduction" to the _Wars
of the Gaedhil with the Gall_.

[198] _Mistake.--Ethel. Chron. Pro._ book iii.

[199] _Irish_.--The history of the two hundred years during which these
northern pirates desolated the island, has been preserved in a MS. of
venerable age and undoubted authenticity. It is entitled _Cogadh Gaedhil
re Gallaibh_ (the Wars of the Gaedhil with the Gall). It was quoted by
Keating, known to Colgan, and used by the Four Masters; but for many
years it was supposed to have been completely lost, until it was
discovered, in 1840, by Mr. O'Curry, among the Seabright MSS. The work
is now edited, with a translation and most valuable notes, by Dr. Todd.
Several other copies have been discovered since, notably one by the
Franciscan Brother, Michael O'Clery, which is at present in the
Burgundian Library at Brussels. From internal evidence, it is presumed
that the author was a contemporary of King Brian Boroimhe. Dr. O'Connor
refers the authorship to Mac Liag, who was chief poet to that monarch,
and died in 1016, two years after his master. Dr. Todd evidently
inclines to this opinion, though he distinctly states that there is no
authority for it.

[200] _Death_.--It appears doubtful whether he really died at this time.
It is said that he repented of his sins of sacrilege, and ended his days
in penance and religious retirement. See Four Masters, p. 472.

[201] _Conquered_.--Duald Mac Firbis gives a curious account of these
contests in his _fragments of Annals_. The White Galls, or Norwegians,
had long been masters of the situation. The Black Galls fought with them
for three days and nights, and were finally victorious. They take the
ships they have captured to Dublin, and deprive the Lochlanns (Black
Galls) of all the spoil they had so cruelly and unjustly acquired from
the "shrines and sanctuaries of the saints of Erinn;" which the annalist
naturally considers a judgment on them for their sins. They make another
struggle, and gain the victory. But the Banish general, Horm, advises
his men to put themselves under the protection of St. Patrick, and to
promise the saint "honorable alms for gaining victory and triumph" over
enemies who had plundered his churches. They comply with this advice;
and though greatly inferior in numbers, they gain the victory, "on
account of the tutelage of St. Patrick."

[202] _Carlow_.--The site of the battle is still shown there, and even
the stone on which the soldier de