J. F. Campbell Collection > Transactions of the Ossianic Society > Volume 4

ogha, near the Boyne, by the treacherous hands of Athlach
Mac Diiibhdrein, had frequent contentions with the Clauna
Baoiscne for the caplain-generalship of the Fians.
The defection of the Clanna Morna from the rest of their
corps at the battle of Gabbra, may be attributed not only to
their rivalry for the general command, but also, and more
particularly to the murder of Conan, their late captain,
by the Clanna Baoiscne or Fianna Finn. In many epic
poems written by the bards on the achievements of the
Fianna Eireann, this Conan is indiscriminately described by
the appellations of Conan Maol Mallachtach Mac Morna,
and Conan Mac Garraidhe, and might have been brother to
Aedh the son of Garadh, the son of Neamen, the son of
Morna, from whom the Clanna Morna were named. He
was then king of Connaught, and the last of the Firbolg
race who governed that province.
The militia, or knights of Desmond, or South Munster,
were called Curaidhe Clanna Deaghaidh, or Ua Deaghaigh,
a tribe of the Ernaidhs, of the Heremonian race, who, on
being expelled from Ulster by the Clanna Rughraidhe,
obtained a principality in South Munster.' These, some
time before the birth of Christ, obtained great power in
Munster under their leader Deaghadh, who afterwaras
became king of that province. His posterit}' succeeded
him in power, in West Munster particularly, and were
the champions of Desmond. The territory of Luachair Dea-
ghaidh, in the county of Kerry, was their patrimony. There
still remain on the western extremity of Sliabh Mis, the
foundations of an enormous cyclopean structure, supposed
to be the palace begun by Conrigh Mac Daire, whose history
we have briefly glanced at. This part of the mountain com-
mands, perhaps, one of the finest prospects in the world, and
still retains the name of Cathair Chonrigh. Fionghlaiae, as
' Vide O'Flaherty's Ogygia, vol. II., pp. 142, 143.