Facts and traditions collected for a family record

S0MMEELE1) AND CAIEBEE. 39
Arduamurchan, Olay's ship sprung a leak, casting the tallow and butter out of
the holes by the ship tossing on the waves, and beginning to sink, Olay and his
men cried for help to Sommerled. Maurice replied, that Somrnerled would not
save him unless he bestowed his daughter upon him. At last, Olay, being in
danger of his life, confirmed by an oath that he would give his daughter to
Sommerled, who received him immediately into his galley. Maurice went into
Clay's galley, and fixed the pins in the holes which he had formerly prepared for
them ; and by these means they landed in safety.
From that time the posterity of Maurice are called Maclntyres (or Wright's
sons) to this day.
Sommerled, marrying Olay's daughter, became great after Olay's death, and
was envied by the rest of the nobility of Scotland for his fortune and valour.
King Malcolm thought his kingdom would suffer if Sommerled's increasing power
could not be crushed. Therefore they convened and sent an army to Argyle,
under the command of Gilchrist, Thane of Angus. Sommerled, raising his
vassals and followers, went after them ; they fought fiercely on both sides with
great slaughter, till night parted them. Being wearied, they parted and marched
off at the dawn of day, turning their backs to one another. After this, Sommer-
led's nephew (his sister's son) was bribed to destroy him. Being suspected by
none, he stabbed him, and made his escape.
Sommerled was a well-tempered man ; in body shapely ; of a fair, piercing eye ;
of middle stature, and quick discernment."
The following remarks are obtained from a " History of the Mac-
donalds," published 1819, and intended for private circulation : —
" Con-Ceud-Chattach (or, Con of the Hundred Battles) is said to have reigned in
Ireland a.d. 125 ; he was succeeded by his son Airt or Art ; Art by his son Cor-
niack, and Cormack by Cairbre. During the lifetime of Cairbre, there were two
powerful tribes, — the Ulladh of Ulster, and the Cruithne of the north-western
parts of Ireland, — who for a long time were hostile to each other. Cairbre, or
Cairbre-ruadh (red-haired), took advantage of these dissensions, and concpiered a
considerable territory from the tribe Cruithne ; this territory was, from him,
named Dall-ruadh* It appears from Ossian's Poems, that the Fingalians fought
on the side of the Cruithne, and that Oscar, whose death is deplored in such
elegant and pathetic language, fell by the hands of Cairbre.
* In the Annals of the Four Masters, Dalriada is distinctly shewn in Antrim and
Down.