Who was the Earl of Thomond, and what was his connection to controversy over poetry?

gdec1

The Earl of Thomond was a Gaelic nobleman of the ancient O'Brien clan - unusually for the time, the earl was a Protestant and loyal to the new dispensation. The spark came in 1616, after the final annexation of the modern County Clare (containing part of the ancient kingdom of Thomond) to the Eberian province of Munster (whereupon the Earl of Thomond was appointed president of the province) and the death in exile of the last great Eremonian, Hugh O'Neill. Teige MacDaire, son of Daire MacBrody, was born about the year 1570. He was principal poet to Donough O'Brien, fourth Earl of Thomond, and as his appanage possessed the castle of Dunogan , with adjoining lands, in the west of Clare. MacDaire was an elegant and elaborate poet, as may be seen by his longest effort, Advice to a Prince. This poem was written in accordance with the ancient custom, which not only allowed but almost compelled the presentation of an ode of advice to the chieftain on his appointment, and was to be read before him when he was being enthroned. MacDaire, in order to "elevate the house of O'Brien above the tribes descended from Niall of the Nine Hostages, such as the O'Neils, O'Donnells, &c." attacked the works of Torna Eigeas, the last of the heathen bards. This brought forth an answer from O'Clery, who defended Torna, to which MacDaire replied, and reply and answer following reply and answer almost all the bards of north and south got mixed up in the poetic strife. The poems written on the subject, which were called the Contention of the Bards. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contention_of_the_bards Jul 28 06, 12:04 PM

smartie806

Exactly what I wanted - Good Job! Jul 28 06, 1:06 PM