Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill facts for kids
Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill (also known as Eileen O'Connell, c. 1743 – c. 1800) was an important Irish poet and a member of a well-known family. She is most famous for writing Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire, which means "The Lament for Art Ó Laoghaire." This is a very powerful and famous traditional poem in the Irish language. Many people consider it one of the greatest poems written in Ireland or Britain during the 1700s.
Eibhlín Dubh was part of the O'Connell family from County Kerry. She was one of ten children of Dómhnaill Mór Ó Conaill and Máire Ní Dhonnchadha Dhuibh. She was also the aunt of a very famous Irish leader, Daniel O'Connell.
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Eibhlín Dubh's Life Story
Eibhlín Dubh had an interesting life, full of both joy and sadness.
Her First Marriage
When Eibhlín was just fifteen years old, her parents arranged for her to get married. This was common at the time. Her husband was much older than her. Sadly, he passed away after only six months, and they did not have any children.
Finding Love with Art Ó Laoghaire
In 1767, when Eibhlín was 23, she met and fell in love with Captain Art Ó Laoghaire. He was from Rathleigh in County Cork and had just returned from serving as a soldier in Hungary. Eibhlín's family did not approve of their relationship. Despite her family's wishes, Art and Eibhlín ran away together and got married on December 19, 1767. They settled down at Art's family home in Rathleigh. They had five children together, but sadly, three of them died when they were very young. Eibhlín was expecting another child when Art died.
Art Ó Laoghaire and the Penal Laws
Art Ó Laoghaire was a Roman Catholic. At that time in Ireland, there were strict rules called the Penal Laws. These laws made life very difficult for Catholics. They limited their education, jobs, and even what property they could own. Many Irish people went to other countries, often to join armies, because of these laws. Art had studied in Europe and became a captain in the Hungarian army.
A Dangerous Dispute
Art had a long-standing disagreement with a man named Abraham Morris, who was the Sheriff of Cork. Morris used his power to try and cause trouble for Art, especially because Art was Catholic. The Penal Laws said that Catholics could not own a horse worth more than five pounds. Morris offered Art five pounds for his horse, knowing Art's horse was worth much more. Art refused to sell it.
Because Art refused, Morris used his position to declare Art an "outlaw." This meant that anyone could legally shoot him on sight. A reward was even offered for his capture. Art tried to ambush Morris, but he failed. Soon after, Art was shot and killed at a place called Carraig an Ime.
Eibhlín's Sad Discovery
Art's horse, covered in blood, galloped back to Rathleigh without him. Eibhlín Dubh quickly got on the horse and rode back to Carraig an Ime. There, she found Art's body. This tragic event led her to compose her famous lament.
The Power of the Irish Language
Eibhlín Dubh and her family lived in an area where people spoke both Irish and English. However, Irish was the language they used for their deepest feelings, especially during times of sorrow. This is why Eibhlín Dubh chose to compose her lament in Irish.
The Famous Lament
The Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire was created by Eibhlín Dubh right after Art's death, almost like a song she made up on the spot. Other family members, like Art's father and sister, also added parts. This poem was passed down by word of mouth for many years before it was finally written down.
The lament uses an old style of poetry and includes traditional themes. It praises Art, remembers his brave actions, and even threatens revenge on his enemies. It also calls for him to come back to life. Here is a small part of the poem:
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- Mo chara thu is mo chuid!
- A mharcaigh an chlaímh ghil,
- Éirigh suas anois,
- Cuir ort do chulaith
- Éadaigh uasail ghlain,
- Cuir ort do bhéabhar dubh,
- Tarraing do lámhainní umat.
- Siúd í in airde d'fhuip,
- Sin í do láir amuigh.
- Buailse an bóthar caol úd soir
- Mar a maolóidh romhat na toir,
- Mar a gcaolóidh romhat an sruth,
- Mar a n-umhlóidh romhat mná is fir,
- Má tá a mbéasa féin acu -
- 'S is baolach liomsa ná fuil anois.
This means: My friend and my darling! Horseman of the bright sword, rise up now, put on your spotless, noble clothes, put on your black hat, draw on your gloves. Up there hangs your whip, there outside is your mare. Travel that narrow road east where the bushes shall bend before you, where the stream will narrow before you, where women and men will bow to you, if they have their manners - though I fear they have lost them now.
Many Irish writers have translated this powerful lament into English, including Frank O'Connor and Thomas Kinsella.
Art's Burial
Art Ó Laoghaire was first buried by Eibhlín in an old cemetery. His family wanted him to be buried in Kilcrea Friary, which was a sacred place. However, the Penal Laws made it illegal to bury Catholics in monastic grounds at that time. So, his body was temporarily moved to a field next to the Friary. Later, when the laws changed and it became possible, Art was finally laid to rest in the sacred grounds of Kilcrea Friary.
His tomb has an inscription that reads:
Lo Arthur Leary
Generous Handsome Brave
slain in His Bloom
Lies in this Humble Grave
Died May 4th 1773 Aged 26 years.
