[306] Newry.—­See an interesting note to the Annals (Four Masters), vol. iii. p. 40, which identifies the valley of Glenree with the vale of Newry.  In an ancient map, the Newry river is called Owen Glenree fluvius.

[307] General.—­This is mentioned also by O’Flaherty, who quotes from some other annals.  See his account of Iar-Connaught, printed for the Archaeological Society.

[308] Says.—­Sylloge, ep. 48.

[309] Lives.—­We give authority for this statement, as it manifests how completely the Holy See was deceived in supposing that any reform was likely to be effected in Ireland by English interference:  “Ita ut quodam tempore (quod dictu mirum est) centum et quadraginta presby. incontinentiae convictos Romani miserit absolvendos.”—­Surius, t. vi.  St. Laurence had faculties for absolving these persons, but for some reason—­probably as a greater punishment—­he sent them to Rome.  English writers at this period also complain of the relaxed state of ecclesiastical discipline in that country.  How completely all such evils were eradicated by the faithful sons of the Church, and the exertions of ecclesiastical superiors, is manifest from the fact, that no such charges could be brought against even a single priest at the time of the so-called Reformation.

[310] Midnight.—­“Itaque cum sextae feriae terminus advenisset, in confinio sabbati subsequentis Spiritum Sancti viri requies aeterna suscepit.”—­Vita S. Laurentii, cap. xxxiii.  The saint’s memory is still honoured at Eu.  The church has been lately restored, and there is a little oratory on the hill near it to mark the spot where he exclaimed, Hoec est requies mea, as he approached the town where he knew he should die.  Dr. Kelly (Cambrensis Eversus, vol. ii. p. 648) mentions in a note that the names of several Irishmen were inscribed there.

[311] Fatal.—­Dr. O’Donovan gives a long and most interesting note on the genealogy of St. Laurence O’Toole, in which he shows that his father was a chieftain of an important territory in the county Kildare, and that he was not a Wicklow prince, as has been incorrectly asserted.  The family removed there after the death of St. Laurence, when they were driven from their property by an English adventurer.

[312] Conduct.—­This is mentioned even by Cox, who, Dr. O’Donovan observes, was always anxious to hide the faults of the English, and vilify the Irish.  He calls Hugh Tyrrell “a man of ill report,” and says he returned to Dublin “loaden both with curses and extortions.”—­Hib.  Angl. p. 38, ad an. 1184.

[313] Accusation.—­There can be no doubt that De Lacy had ambitious designs.  See Cambrensis, Hib.  Expug. lib. ii. cap. 20.  Henry II. heard of his death with considerable satisfaction.

[314] Colum-cille.—­Dr. O’Donovan remarks that a similar disaster befell Lord Norbury.  He was also assassinated by a hand still unknown, after having erected a castle on the same site as that of De Lacy, and preventing the burial of the dead in the ancient cemetery of Durrow.