267 



the Chronicon Saxon,* and Caradoc Lhancarvan (p. 65,) states the 

 same fatality as having existed in Wales. In 988 the Danes plun- 

 dered and burned Downpatrickj-f" and again in 994. :{: In 989 they 

 wasted Derry, as also in 991 and 996. § In 990 another Olave laid 

 waste the coasts. II In 992 they plundered Kildare and its religious 

 houses,** and again in 998. 



' In or about the year 994 a remarkable mention is to be found in 

 the Antiq. Celt. Scand,-f-f regarding the sagacity of an Irish dog, 

 that among an immense quantity of cattle which the above Olave 

 was carrying off, distinguished and selected from the rest his master's 

 herd, all of which were noted with the same mark. The Chronicle 

 adds, that Olave was so pleased at the circumstance, that he restored 

 this part of his spoil, and purchased the dog for a golden ring, and the 



pion as of the noblest families of Meath. In 1646 Maurice O'Melaghlin was one of the chiefs of 

 Leinster, who seceded from the peace closed by Ormond, and leagued with the Nuncio. Soon 

 after which event the name is lost, or at least no longer distinguishable. . , 



• " Hoc anno primum sasviit magna animalium lues in Anglica natione." 

 i f Trias Thaumaturga, p. 633. X Annal. Ulton. M'A 



.. § Trias Thaum. p. 630. r»oJ8 sdi ftssilmnJijn /oH 



II A. D. 990, " Olafus ♦ > • • • gjjga Hibemiam quoque late populatus, &c." — 

 Ant. Celt. Scand. p. 69. 

 *■ ** Archd. Mon. Hib. 



^■•t- "In Hibemia dum cummoratur Olafus, in expeditione quadam constitutus quae navibus 

 fiebat, cum opus esset pecora ad littus abigere atque mactare, suarum quosdam ad vicina rura 

 ablegat, qui ingentem pecorum turbam ad littus abegerunt. Hos secutus rusticus quidam 

 Olafum supplex oravit, ut quaj suae fuerant sibi daret vaccas. Annuens Olafus jussit rusticum 

 suas sibi habere vaccas, si agnoscere possit, sed iter festinantes non morari. Habebat ibi secum 

 rusticus canem ingentem pecoris custodem, quern bourn armentum jussit intrare, plura vero 

 boum ibi agebantur centena. Per totum bourn armentum discurrens canis tot inde segregavit 

 boves, quot rusticus dixerat se desiderare, omnes eodem signo notatos. Visus est igitur eis canis 

 suos recte dignovisse insignisque esse sagacitatis. Rogatus ab Olafo rusticus an sibi canem 

 vellet vendere, se lubenti animo donaturum illi respondit. Pro cane Olafus annulum dedit 

 aureum, suam praeterea rustico pollicitus amicitiam. Dictus ille Vigius omnium canuni 

 praestantissimus, quern Olafus postea longo possedit tempore." — Ant. Celt. Scand. p. 75. 



M M 2 



