Richard I., who succeeded to the throne, was too much occupied about foreign affairs to attend to his own kingdom.  He was a brave soldier, and as such merits our respect; but he can scarcely be credited as a wise king.  Irish affairs were committed to the care of John, who does not appear to have profited by his former experience.  He appointed Hugh de Lacy Lord Justice, to the no small disgust of John de Courcy; but it was little matter to whom the government of that unfortunate country was confided.  There were nice distinctions made about titles; for John, even when King of England, did not attempt to write himself King of Ireland.[315] But there were no nice distinctions about property; for the rule seemed to be, that whoever could get it should have it, and whoever could keep it should possess it.

In 1189 Roderic’s son, Connor Moinmoy, fell a victim to a conspiracy of his own chieftains,—­a just retribution for his rebellion against his father.  He had, however, the reputation of being brave and generous.  At his death Connaught was once more plunged in civil war, and after some delay and difficulty Roderic resumed the government.

In 1192 the brave King of Thomond again attacked the English invaders.  But after his death, in 1194, the Anglo-Normans had little to apprehend from native valour.  His obituary is thus recorded:  “Donnell, son of Turlough O’Brien, King of Munster, a burning lamp in peace and war, and the brilliant star of the hospitality and valour of the Momonians, and of all Leth-Mogha, died.”  Several other “lamps” went out about the same time; one of these was Crunce O’Flynn, who had defeated De Courcy in 1178, and O’Carroll, Prince of Oriel, who had been hanged by the English the year before, after the very unnecessary cruelty of putting out his eyes.

The affairs of the English colony were not more prosperous.  New Lords Justices followed each other in quick succession.  One of these governors, Hamon de Valois, attempted to replenish his coffers from church property,—­a proceeding which provoked the English Archbishop Comyn.  As this ecclesiastic failed to obtain redress in Ireland, he proceeded to England with his complaints; but he soon learned that justice could not be expected for Ireland.  The difference between the conduct of ecclesiastics, who have no family but the Church, and no interests but the interests of religion, is very observable in all history.  While English and Norman soldiers were recklessly destroying church property and domestic habitations in the country they had invaded, we find, with few exceptions, that the ecclesiastic, of whatever nation, is the friend and father of the people, wherever his lot may be cast.  The English Archbishop resented the wrongs of the Irish Church as personal injuries, and devoted himself to its advancement as a personal interest.  We are indebted to Archbishop Comyn for building St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, as well as for his steady efforts