COKNISH DEDICATIONS. 19 



Core, of Minister, was succeecled by his grandson Aengus 

 Mac Nadfraich, who was converted to the faith by S. Patrick, in 

 or about 470. 



Before this date a struggle had been undertaken by the Hy 

 Connla to free their country from subjection to Munster, but with 

 the most disastrous results. Aengus invaded Magh Feimhin, at 

 the same time that a kinsman Cucraidh poured into the two 

 upper plains and overran them. Aengus constituted of these 

 upper plains an Ossorian kingdom which he gave up to Cucraidh, 

 to be held under the overlordship of Munster, and he swept all 

 the Ossorians out of the southernmost plain and delivered it over 

 to the Deisi of Waterford, to repeople and hold as their own.* 



Most of the royal race of Ossory were slaughtered, but 

 Lughaidh, grandson of Euman Duach, was spared and sent into 

 banishment among the Corca Laoighe, his wife's family, in the 

 south, the sea-board of the present county Cork from Cork 

 harbour to Bantry Bay. 



Lughaidh was married to Liadhain, daughter of Maine 

 Cerr, related to Aengus and Cucraidh, and it was due to this that 

 his life was spared. Whilst his parents were in exile, S. Kieran 

 was born on Inis Cliar, now Clear Island, the southernmost 

 point of Ireland. 



The family of Kieran was pagan, but the child was given 

 to an exile, Cuach of the Clan Cliu, to be nursed, and she was a 

 Christian ; she formed his young mind, and instilled into his 

 heart the love and fear of Grod. We are hardly wrong in 

 attributing to her the giving of direction to Kieran's whole after 

 life (see Kewe or Kywe). 



Cuach whom we may identify with S. Kew, returned with 

 her tribe from exile in 458. Kieran's birth cannot be fixed with 

 any certainty. It may have taken place as early as 438 when 

 the Cliu Clan were exiled, or it may have taken place somewhat 

 later. We are told in his Life that he was aged thirty when he 

 left Ireland and was baptised, and that he remained twenty years 

 abroad. He was certainly back in Ireland in 474, and then in 

 communication with Aengus, King of Munster. It is conse- 



*See " The :Expulsion of the Dessi," by Dr. Kuno Meyer, in Y Cynimrodor, vol. 

 xiv, igoi. 



