Brian Ború and Kellys and The Battle of Clontarf 1014
The Battle of Clontarf took place in April 1014 on the banks of the river Tolka in Dublin between forces assembled by Brian Boru, who was the nominal High King of Ireland, and Mael Morda, King of Leinster, the Dublin Viking king Sitric and their allies. Deenihan points out that the actual battlefield site is “closer to Glasnevin than to modern-day Clontarf”.
1. Teige Mór O’Kelly, led the Connacht men in the Battle of Clontarf. The kings of H.M. were the hereditary Marshals of the Connacht army. There were four divisions in the army of Brian Ború. Tadhg Mór was in charge of the 2nd Division (The Connacians). This division was composed of the O’Conors, O’Kellys, O’Heynes, McDermots, O’Flahertys, O’Reillys, O’Farrells, O’Rourkes, O’Dowds and O’Malleys. Tadhg Mór and his eldest son Murchadh were killed in the battle. A strange green animal is said to have come out of the sea and protected Teige’s body until it was retrieved by his kinsmen. This green Enfield has since then being on the O’Kelly of Hy-Many coat of arms. In this battle fighting on the side of the Danes forming the 3rd Division (the Lagenians -the Irish of north Leinster, under the command of Maormorda O Faley, their King, were O’Connors of Faley, O’Byrnes, O’Tooles, O’Kellys of Cuallain (Wicklow Kellys), O’Gormans, O’Ryans, O’Moras, O’Dempseys, and O’Dunnes. Eugene O’Curry tells us it was not a Dane who killed Tadhg O’Kelly. He was involved in close combat with Broderban O’Conor, king of Offaly. They fell by each other.
The “Book of the Danish Wars,” tell us.
The confederate of the Danes having been routed, some of the fugitives were driven into the sea; whilst others of the Danes of Dublin who were in the engagement only nine escaped from it , and “the household of Teige O’Kelly followed these and slew them at the head of the bridge of Áth Cliath (Dublin), that is Dubhghall’s bridge”.
Mac Liag’s account of the Battle of Clontarf:
Reluctantly unreluctantly we came to Dublin
To the Dun of Amluff of the golden shields
From Dublin of the swords and graves
Fast and slow is my going out
You citizens of Dublin of the Bells
Including Abbot and Bishop
Close not the earth on Teige here
Until we have done looking at him
You sons of Harrold who redden lances
You remnant of the champion of Loughlin
It was not a Dane who killed O’Maine
Nor was it a base or ignoble land
If he were alive after the slaughter
The ardent youth of Dim Imdain
No Gael would dare to wound him
To look at him would be dangerous to you
Alas that one man was found to desire
The death of Teige after his victory
When he was destroying the Danes and the Gaels
But we are tired of our compromising
Sad to have gone with Leith Mogha
Into the battles wounding heat
Against the persuasion of Eastern Malachy
Sad to have gone to gain trophies
Malachy of the spears had offered
To the good son of his own sister
Advantages such as he had from Brian
Without a return of feasting fighting and valour
The richest gifts of Erin from shore to shore
Were offered by the blue eyed Malachy
To the great active honourable chief
And to be king of hosts of Oriel
Teige from round topped Croghan said
Unto the beloved Malachy
Not even for thy noble and beautiful self
Shall I ever abandon my chief?
Brian is not better than me my son
To distribute both gold and silver
Nor is the son of the brave Rock
Better Morogh of the great prowess
More dear to me is the household of Tal
Than all the Gaels together besides
I shall not infringe the battle demands
I shall not be guilty of an unkindly act.
Yet though proudly you thus declare
O brave and valiant Teige O’Kelly
I will Oman, survive thee in safety.
Regardless of thy friendship, thou Gael
On that account did worthy Teige receive
The Blessing of Brian Ború
Happy he who received his blessing
A gift which provides richest fruits
I shall not be alive after them
About Erin now great is my carelessness.
Adieu from me to Leith Cuinn my beloved
And to Cashel and Kincora
Adieu from me to the streamy Suck
And to the noble Shannon of many waters
Adieu from me to the plain of Moenmoy
And to Rath Croghan of Connacht
Adieu to Hisis’ slope over Moy Main
And to Dun na Ree of great wealth
Adieu to Clan Kelly of brave hosts
To the ever ready defenders of Erin
Adieu to the science I myself loved
Since Teige no longer lives in his glory
Adieu from me to all precious gifts
Adieu to flocks adieu to herds
Teige gave into me the day of Loch Riagh
An 100 cows, an 100 swords, an 100 shields
An 100 oxen for the time of ploughing
And an hundred led horses.
He gave me the night of Glen Gerg
An hundred cloaks an 100 Red Coats
Thirty spears with blood red points
Ten rings and ten chesses.
He gave me the night of Buaile Guill
Three hundred drinking horns
Three hundred cups full of ale
His hound his steed and his gold Cornet
He gave me at Kincora
It was magnifying the youthful poet
A hog out of every herd and the visitation of my retinue
From Kincora to beautiful Grein
There were at sweet Dun Cathraighe
The nobles of Erin in one house assembled
Under Brian under brave Hugh O’Neill
And under Malachy of Galbrams field
The charioteer of the renowned Brian met
The charioteer of Teige O’Kelly
While burnishing the smooth shields
Of their respective chiefs and Lords
To Brian is due the candle first
Said the Charioteer of Brian Ború
He has taken the hostages of Conn’s race
To him is due the first horn of drink
To Teige is due said Teige’s charioteer
The lead in the battle of clashing swords.
It was he that clove the shields of Bregia’s men
It was he that gained the victory at Tailtean
It was Brian that permitted him that
Said the other charioteer
To him he is hereditary bound
And to the goodly seed of Kennedy’s son
Teige’s charioteer raised the arm
When the contention grew warm
And struck him on the jaw which he cleft
Till his breast became red of his own blood
The servants all did raise a shout.
[MacLiag was the foremost Irish Poet of the time]
2. Malachy resumes the High Kingship after the death of Brian Ború.
3. Gadhra Mór, succeeded Teige Mór O’Kelly, as C.H.M., after the battle of Clontarf. He was father of Madudan, ancestor of the O’Maddens, who was slain in 1008. This was one of the few times when one of the ancestors of the O’Kellys was not chosen as C.H.M
Joe Kelly Oranmore