Ímar Ua Donnubáin facts for kids
Ímar Ua Donnubáin, also known as Ivor O'Donovan, was a famous and legendary figure from 13th-century Ireland. He was a powerful local ruler, a skilled sailor, and a trader. Some stories even say he was a magician who could talk to the dead! Ivor belonged to the O'Donovan family.
Ivor is known as the ancestor of a special branch of the O'Donovan family called the Sliocht Íomhair, which means "Seed of Ivor". This group was once very important. Ivor's name, Ímar, comes from the Norse word for Ivar. This shows his strong connection to the sea and the Norse-Gaels, who were people with both Norse (Viking) and Irish roots.
The O'Donovan family had close ties with the Norse people of Limerick and Waterford. Later, in the late 1100s and early 1200s, most of the family moved to Carbery in southern Munster. There, they became the masters of the beautiful bay and harbour of Glandore, taking it from the Normans. Ivor's legends are mostly connected to this harbour and the areas around it.
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The Enchanted Ship of Ivor
The most famous stories about Ivor tell of his magical ship. The poet John Collins of Myross wrote about it:
Ivor was a celebrated trader, and is now regarded as a magician in the wild traditions of the peasantry of the district, who believe he is enchanted in a lake called Lough Cluhir, situated near Castle Ivor, in the townland of Listarkin, and that his magical ship is seen every seventh year, with all her courses set and colours flying, majestically floating on the surface of that lake. I have seen one person, in particular, testify by oath that he had seen this extraordinary phenomenon in the year 1778.
This lake, Lough Cluhir, means Sheltered Lake. People believed Ivor was enchanted, or under a magic spell, in this lake. They said his ship would appear on the lake every seven years, sailing proudly with its flags flying.
A longer story was saved by Edith Anna Somerville, who lived in the area. She visited a local storyteller, a seanchaí, who lived by the lake. He told her:
There was an O'Donovan that was a Chieftain, of the Thirteenth Century. He was a great man for ships and for the sea, and for profit from the sea. He built a fleet o' ships, and he had a grand yacht for himself. He lived in the fort, north, Liss Blaw, the Fort of the Flowers, and it was him that built Castle Ire on the hill above. Well, when he died, himself and the yacht went under the lake – though there is some that say he is above always in Liss Blaw. But if any one of the family of O'Donovan was going to die, the Ship would be seen going around the lake.
This story says that when Ivor died, he and his grand yacht went under the lake. But if an O'Donovan family member was about to die, the ship would be seen sailing around the lake as a warning.
Ivor's Hunting Hounds
Ivor was also known for his love of hunting. He kept large Irish wolfhounds. The storyteller said:
And this O'Donovan... was greatly for hunting. He kept them big dogs – what's this they're called? Wood-hounds is it? No, Wolf-hounds, to be hunting wolves, and deer, and all sorts, and they are below under the lake with him! Me own great-grandfather, that was one o' the Burkes, would see the O'Donovan hunting round the lake with the wolf-hounds. More than once he saw him.
People believed that Ivor's wolfhounds were also under the lake with him. Some even claimed to have seen Ivor hunting around the lake with his dogs.
There is also a story about a mysterious Black Hound in the lake. The storyteller warned:
As well as the ship, the lake keeps in its depths a Black Hound – possibly a half-bred wolf-hound of the O'Donovan's pack – and those who have the misfortune to meet him prowling on the road that encircles the lake, and on whom he lays a paw, will surely die.
This Black Hound was said to bring bad luck. If it touched someone walking near the lake, that person would surely die.
The Serpent of Lough Cluhir
The storyteller also shared a tale about a giant serpent that lived in Lough Cluhir when Ivor was alive. This serpent was very dangerous. It would jump out and grab anything or anyone who came too close to the water.
One day, two young men from the Burke family were on the run and ended up at Ivor's castle, Castle Ire. Ivor made them his prisoners. The older Burke brother then made a deal with Ivor: he would kill the serpent if Ivor gave them their freedom.
Ivor warned him that it was too dangerous, but Burke insisted. He asked for three days to prepare. Burke carved a spear from a mountain ash tree and made a special grapple to attach to it. He chose a spot for the battle and picked the best of Ivor's swords.
Many people, including Ivor and the local Gentry, gathered to watch. Burke's younger brother held the spear.
The Serpent came jumping mad across the lake when she seen the Burke men on the place that was selected for the Battle. The youngest one o' them had the Spar held out to meet her. The Grapple cot her and was fast in her! The eldest one o' them then – "Burke Far-Shoung" (that means a man that would be cunning, a fighting man) – he jumped on her back, and it was hard for him, for it was all slimy and slippery. He gave her three strokes of the sword, and he on her back...
The brave Burke brother jumped onto the serpent's back and cut off its head and neck with three powerful sword strokes. The serpent thrashed wildly in the now bloody lake before sinking to the bottom, dead. The next morning, the spear was found sticking out of the water from its body.
After this amazing feat, Ivor held a huge three-day feast for the Burke brothers at Liss Blaw. He even gave them land or a special position in the area.
Clíodhna, the Goddess
Interestingly, the ancient goddess of South Munster, Clíodhna (Cleena), is said to have one of her magical palaces beneath Lough Cluhir. While the story told by the seanchaí about Clíodhna doesn't directly involve Ivor, the O'Donovan family has long been connected to this goddess.
Clíodhna is especially linked to Glandore and its surrounding areas. Since Ivor and his descendants controlled the western part of this region for nearly 300 years, it's likely there was some connection between them and the goddess. Later, one of Ivor's relatives, Donal III O'Donovan, was even called the Dragon of Clíodhna in a special poem written in 1639.
The Seed of Ivor's Story
Ivor's descendants, the Sliocht Íomhair, were once a very important part of the O'Donovan family. They held a significant position, even though the family's power was spread out after the Norman invasion of Ireland.
In 1290, a group of Jewish people were forced to leave Dublin. They traveled through Anglo-Norman lands and settled in the O'Donovan territory, specifically in Glandore (Cuan Dor). A Cistercian Abbey called "The Valley of Salvation" recorded that Ímar Ua Donnubáin, the lord of the Sliocht Íomhair, arrived in March 1291 to collect these newcomers. He brought many silver offerings, and the Jewish community in Glandore helped make the "Valley of Salvation" one of the richest abbeys in Ireland.
Later, in the 1560s, the Sliocht Íomhair faced a difficult time. The O'Donovans of Clann Cathail, who were seen as the main branch of the family, had a long and violent dispute over who should lead. The Sliocht Íomhair supported one side, led by Diarmaid an Bhairc. However, the other side, led by Donal of the Skins, surprised them.
During a ceremony to choose the new leader, Donal and his supporters attacked. The leader of the Sliocht Íomhair was killed, and many of his followers were also slain. Diarmaid an Bhairc was killed, and Donal of the Skins became the new O'Donovan leader. Ivor's castle was partly destroyed, and his descendants lost their lands. Those who survived were forced to leave the area. This event greatly weakened the Sliocht Íomhair.
Some people believe that the "O'Donovans Daill" (meaning "blind") of the Kilmeen parish were descendants of Ivor. It's not clear if this family still exists today.
Castle Ivor
The remains of Ivor's castle, now known as Castle Ivor, Castle Ire, or Castle Eyre, can be found near the small village of Union Hall, County Cork. According to John Collins, it was built in 1251.
Today, only a part of the north and west walls remains. However, it is still a noticeable ruin when seen from Lough Cluhir. The castle was likely a watchtower, built in a very important location. Dr. Daniel Donovan described its position:
This castle occupied a very commanding position, overhanging a narrow gorge, overlooking the entire peninsula between itself and the coast, and embracing within the range of vision an extensive sweep of horizon out to sea.
This means the castle was built on a high spot overlooking a narrow valley. From there, people could see the entire area between the castle and the coast, as well as a wide view of the sea. This made it perfect for watching for approaching ships or enemies.
See also
- Ship burial
- Psychopomp
- Uí Ímair
