Chapter 35.

Fingal

Almost all the localities enumerated in the three foregoing Excursions were included in the ancient district of Fingal, and, when it is remembered that, as stated in the “General History” of this county, its northern section was styled Almain, and that the Finian Tales call the residence of Fion mac Comhal (Fingal) Almhuin, the Albin of Macpherson, the coincidence is so strong as to justify some enthusiasm in believing their identity, although more received opinions, it must be admitted, refer Almhuin to the hill of Allen in the present county of Kildare. Certes there is something in the sound that knocks at the heart associated as it is with all the beautiful impositions of Macpherson.

It is of more certain history, that in 836 the Ostmen entered the Liffey with a fleet of 60 sail, possessed themselves of Dublin for the first time, and soon extended their conquests over Fingal. They were, however, soon afterwards driven out of Dublin, and Turgesius, their principal commander, being slain in 845, the greatest part of their forces was expelled from the country. In 851, however, they again landed on the eastern coast, and possessed themselves of Dublin and much of the district at present under consideration, while at the close of this century an important revolution in Norway led to a new settlement here, which, according to the more approved opinion, gave it the name of Fingal. About the year 880 the celebrated Harold Harfager established himself as the first King of all Norway, after bringing into subjection a number of the petty kings of that country. Many of the most violent of Harold’s opponents sought to escape his vengeance by leaving their native land, and establishing themselves in the Scottish isles. The emigration, however, did not terminate there, but proceeding to the Irish coast a shoal of the colony settled without opposition from their predecessors in the rich expanse of the district, thenceforth known as the territory of the Fion-Gael, or white foreigners as they were called, to distinguish them from the Dubh-Gael, or black foreigners, as the Danes were termed, from a corresponding diversity of colour, it is supposed, in the clothing of both people, or in the sails of their vessels.

[515] In 972 this tract was devastated by the most illustrious of the O’Melaghlin race, who, at the same time, restored to liberty all his countrymen who had been kept in slavery amongst (he settlers. In 1013 it was again subjected to the visitation of the same warlike chieftain, until Sitric, King of Dublin, and his “royal Danes,” sorely avenged the invasion.

In 1083 O’Loghlen laid waste Fingal even to the gates of Dublin. In 1131 it was similarly despoiled by Donald O’Melaghlin, and in two years afterwards Donogh O’Carroll, having led his forces against the Danes that still occupied Dublin, obtained a signal victory over them in Fingal. In 1162 Murtogh O’Loghlen led an army to Dublin with the same expectation, but the Danes declined giving battle, and, after devastating this district, he returned to his own country.

In 1172 Dermot Mac Murrough burned and wasted this district, when “the citizens of Dublin,” says Holinshed, “seeing and considering the same began to quail, and their hearts fainted, and they did seek and intreat for peace, and having obtained the same, did swear fealty, and gave in hostages for the true and firm keeping of the same.”

In 1184 Prince John gave half the tithes of Fingal to the see of Dublin, which grant was confirmed in 1337 by King Edward, and in 1395 by King Richard when in Dublin. Henry the Second conferred this territory upon Hugh de Lacy, and in 1209 King John confirmed to said Hugh, his estates and fees “in Fingal and the Vale of Dublin,” to hold to him and his heirs for ever at the service of seven knights. [Roll. in Tower Lond. 9 John.]

In 1217 the Bissets were seised of two carucates of land in Fingal, and in a short time afterwards Raymond le Banks granted the tithes of his lands in Fingal to the canons of Christ Church. [Liber Niger.]

During the reign of Richard the Second it was the scene of action of a noted marauder of the Robin Hood order, named Mac Geddy, who afterwards suffered the extreme penalty of the law at Trim. [Rot. Claus. 51 Edw. III. in canc. Hib.]

In the immediately subsequent reigns, the inhabitants of Fingal [516] were, like those* *of the other vicinities of Dublin, obliged to purchase security for their persons and properties, by paying black maile to some leader of the Irishry, who harassed the Pale, and, descending from the mountains at night, used to carry of whole flocks and herds, while the creeks and rivers of this rich district, then the granary of the metropolis, offered no less facility then temptation to the pirates of the sea.

In 1534 Lord Thomas Fitz-Gerald laid waste the whole territory of Fingal; and in 1641 it was covered with the northern insurgents to the number of 20,000 men. The lords and gentry of the Pale, unable to resist so vast a body that were entire masters of the field, kept themselves quiet in their own houses, not thinking it prudent, by a weak and fruitless opposition, to provoke an enemy that could destroy them in a moment. [Carte’s Ormond, vol. i. f. 243.]

It but remains to say, that this denomination gives title of Earl to the noble family of Plunkett, and that its inhabitants are still classed as of features, voice and manners distinct from other peasants of Leinster. Those residing on the sea side are expert and industrious fishers, those more inland laborious farmers. It may be also added, that a society has been established in this district, called the Fingal Farming Society, who offer yearly premiums for the best breed of cattle, the finest samples of grain, the most skilled ploughmen, the most productive spinners, and the owners of the cleanest cottages. It would he well for Ireland if such institutions were increased, judiciously directed, scientifically conducted, and cemented with those feelings of mutual benevolence which their object could not fail to inspire.

Ch. 36. Oxmantown.