Page:Irish essays; literary and historical.pdf/23

 Lisgoole, near Enniskillen, under the patronage of Brian Roe M'Guire, and with the help also of his chief chronicler, O’Luinin, they completed the well-known Book of Conquests. O’Clery had previously gone to Lower Ormond to submit his work to Flann M'Egan, one of the greatest scholars of From the day, who gave it his most cordial commendation. Lower Ormond, Brother Michael set out for Coolavin to secure the patronage of Ferrall O’Gara for his projected work, the Annals of Erin. Fortified with his promise of pecuniary assistance for the chroniclers, he went off with the good news to Ballymulconry, near Elphin, to engage from Elphin he went to the service of the two Mulconrys Kilronan to make his final arrangements with O’Duigenan and thence, laden with his books and manuscripts, and his heart full of hope and courage at the near prospect of successfully accomplishing his great work “ for the glory of God and the honour of Erin." Brother Michael trudged home to his own dear old convent down beside the sea.

Is it not true, as the poet says, that

Of the other Masters, the colleagues of Brother Michael, in nearly all his great works, little need now be said. The Mulconrys were generally recognised as at the head of their profession both in learning and authority. We can trace the family for nearly five hundred years as official ollaves to the O’Connors, the chief kings of Connaught. They resided chiefly at Ballymulconry, which is now known as Cloonahee, near Elphin and the remains of the ancient rath where they dwelt may still be seen to attest their opulence and power. Many offshoots of the family settled in various parts of the country, and all of them were greatly distinguished for their learning. Of these, perhaps. John Mulconry, of the Co. Clare, was the most famous for