vices. The
Four Masters declare that "God and the saints took vengeance on him; for
he died of a shameful disease." It could scarcely be expected that one
who had treated the Irish with such unvarying cruelty, could obtain a
better character, or a more pleasing obituary. Of his miserable end,
without "shrive or unction," there appears to be no doubt.

[Illustration: STALACTITE CAVE, TIPPERARY.]

[Illustration: KING JOHN'S CASTLE, LIMERICK.]

FOOTNOTES:

[304] _Warrior.--Hib. Expug._ lib. ii. cap. 17.

[305] _Defeated_.--Giraldus gives a detailed account of these
affairs.--_Hib. Expug._ lib. ii. cap. 17. He says the Irish forces under
Dunlevy amounted to ten thousand warriors; but this statement cannot at
all be credited. De Courcy took advantage of some old Irish prophecies
to further his cause. They were attributed to St. Columbkille, and to
the effect that a foreigner who would ride upon a white horse, and have
little birds painted on his shield, should conquer the country. De
Courcy did ride upon a white horse, and the birds were a part of his
armorial bearings.

[306] _Newry_.--See an interesting note to the Annals (Four Masters),
vol. iii. p. 40, which identifies the valley of Glenree with the vale of
Newry. In an ancient map, the Newry river is called _Owen Glenree
fluvius_.

[307] _General_.--This is mentioned also by O'Flaherty, who quotes from
some other annals. See his account of Iar-Connaught, printed for the
Archaeological Society.

[308] _Says_.--_Sylloge_, ep. 48.

[309] _Lives_.--We give authority for this statement, as it manifests
how completely the Holy See was deceived in supposing that any reform
was likely to be effected in Ireland by English interference: "Ita ut
quodam tempore (quod dictu mirum est) centum et quadraginta presby.
incontinentiae convictos Romani miserit absolvendos."--Surius, t. vi. St.
Laurence had faculties for absolving these persons, but for some
reason--probably as a greater punishment--he sent them to Rome. English
writers at this period also complain of the relaxed state of
ecclesiastical discipline in that country. How completely all such evils
were eradicated by the faithful sons of the Church, and the exertions of
ecclesiastical superiors, is manifest from the fact, that no such
charges could be brought against even a single priest at the time of the
so-called Reformation.

[310] _Midnight_.--"Itaque cum sextae feriae terminus advenisset, in
confinio sabbat