511 
strugele with Christianity. So true, also, is the remark of Dr. Dasent, 
that ‘‘ the pure doctrines of Christianity were then merely the possession 
of a few, while the creed of the common herd was little more than a 
garbled blending of the most jarring tenets and wildest superstitions of 
both faiths.’’* 
It is remarkable that Sitric, the Danish king, is represented as hay- 
ing taken no part in the battle, remaining during the day within the 
walls of Dublin, probably with a strong reserve; and no attempt ap- 
pears to have been made to assail the fortress, or to dislodge Sitric and 
his garrison. So far as the field of Clontarf was concerned, therefore, 
Dr. Dasent is correct in saying that the forces of Paganism were pow- 
erless to win the day, and could only avail to make the battle drawn. 
But the subsequent action, under Malachy, on the banks of the Tolka, 
rendered the victory complete on the Christian side, by the overthrow 
and slaughter of the Leinster chieftains, with the remnant ofthe Danish 
forces, who had attempted to rally after the battle. Sitric, however, 
appears to have still maintained possession of the Castle of Dublin; the 
Danish power in Ireland, weakened as much by want of union as by the 
prowess of the native chieftains, still continued formidable, until, by fre- 
quent intermarriages and the mutual interests of both parties, the Danes 
became absorbed amongst the native population ; and when the Norman 
invaders established themselves in Ireland, nearly a century and a half 
after the battle of Clontarf, they found the Irish and the posterity of the 
Norsemen in close alliance, and ready to unite in resisting the establish- 
ment in the country of the new colony. The Cotters or Mac Ottirs, 
the Mac Ivars, the Mac Dubhgalls, the Mac Lochlinns, the Harolds, the 
Macauleys, and other descendants of Danish families, had become as 
Trish as the Irish themselves. 
Dr. Petrie made some observations on the foregoing paper ; and stated 
that the late celebrated Daniel O’Connell had always taken the same 
view of the character of Brian Borumha which Dr. Todd had now adyo- 
cated. 
The Ruy. Samvet Haveutoy, F. R. 8., Fellow of Trinity College, 
Dublin, read the following paper :— 
ON THE TRUE HEIGHT OF THE TIDE AT IRELAND'S EYE ON THE EVENING OF 
THE 6TH SEPTEMBER, 1852, THE DAY OF THE MURDER OF MBS. KIRWAN. 
Tux following facts relative to the tide at Ireland’s Eye were ascertained 
by me in December, 1852, in consequence of the reports of Mr. Kirwan’s 
trial, published in the Dublin newspapers, containing statements as to 
the time and height of the tide on the evening of the 6th September, 
which carried with them internal evidence of their inaccuracy. For 
example, it was given in evidence that the hour of high water on the 
evening of that day was half-past three o’clock, and that the range of 
Ss Ne com) Re eS 
* Story of Burnt Njal,” voli., p. exeviii. 
