“Brian Boru’s March
Brian Boru, in the year 1001 or 1002, is responsible for the most notable instance of “battle chivalry” in Irish history. According to historians, Brian Boru, engaged, in a classic crusade, demanded from the then high king, Malachi, submission, and hostages. Malachi responded by saying that if Brian would grant him a respite of one month in order that he might have time to summon around him the army of Leth-Luin, he would at the end of the period, either give battle or send hostages to the king of Leth-Mogha. Brian granted the request. But when Aod O’Neill, the neighboring king, refused to support him, Malachi journeyed back to Brian, and told him frankly that he was not able to get the backing he wished, and consequently, regretted he would have to give hostages and submit. Brian, however, instead of at once accepting, entreated Malachi to take a respite of one year to see if in that time he might not do better. Malachi refused, declaring that he would not fight against him after such display of chivalry.
As the work begins, we hear the army of Brian Boru marching to battle, prepared to give their very lives for their beliefs. Following the light-hearted march, with no battle scars to show for their journey, we hear them march off into the distance secure in the preservation of their moral convictions.
Grace O’Malley (Listen for a slow isolated flute melody with “humming” underneath)
The setting is Carrickhowley Castle, a waterside fortification standing on a broad flat rock in a wildly rocky sea inlet. Grace O’Malley, a woman of legendary strength and dominant qualities, had selected the Castle as a strategic location for her rather successful trade and piracy operation. Richard Burke had inherited the castle from his family who had built and owned Carrickhowley Tower. Grace, it seems, went on a romantic crusade with Mr. Burke and his castle as the ultimate goal. The unfortunate fellow, it is believed, actually married her for love, and Grace accepted him on condition that the marriage could be terminated by either party after one year.
During that year, she garrisoned this and all Burke’s other fortresses with her own loyal soldiers, refused to let the man near her, and at the end of the year installed herself at Carrickhowley and declared the marriage over by shouting “I dismiss you” at him from its upper window. Of course, she had no intention of giving back his fortifications and it was impossible to take them from her.
The Battle of Cahir Castle (Listen for big percussion, tin whistles, and chaos).
Cahir Castle stands on a rocky islet in the midst of the Suir. Cahir Castle was built probably by Connor O’Brien, in about 1142 and was enlarged in 1500. The ground plan follows the shape of the island on which it stands, and the defenses are cleverly designed, being divided into separately fortified sections. The castle withstood frequent attacks until the advent of cannon, for which it was not quite so well equipped. In the 16th-17th Century, as English rivals competed for control over the region, Cahir Castle ground itself more vulnerable. Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, confronted and conquered it within three days in 1599. In 1641, the notorious Lord Inchiquin (who destroyed many towns and fortifications in Ireland), achieved the same task within just a matter of hours. In 1650, Cromwell arrived at Cahir Castle in Person.
He, being unwilling to engage in what he thought might prove a long struggle to subdue the stronghold, and it’s occupants, believing that he would ultimately be successful in such a battle proposed and agreed upon terms which allowed the castle garrison to leave unharmed with all their flags and weapons.
As the work draws to a close, we hear two opposing armies call to each other through the percussion. As with Cromwell at Cahir Castle, they choose to draw down their weapons and walk away with their heads held high, resolving to meet again under better circumstances.
Brian Boru, in the year 1001 or 1002, is responsible for the most notable instance of “battle chivalry” in Irish history. According to historians, Brian Boru, engaged, in a classic crusade, demanded from the then high king, Malachi, submission, and hostages. Malachi responded by saying that if Brian would grant him a respite of one month in order that he might have time to summon around him the army of Leth-Luin, he would at the end of the period, either give battle or send hostages to the king of Leth-Mogha. Brian granted the request. But when Aod O’Neill, the neighboring king, refused to support him, Malachi journeyed back to Brian, and told him frankly that he was not able to get the backing he wished, and consequently, regretted he would have to give hostages and submit. Brian, however, instead of at once accepting, entreated Malachi to take a respite of one year to see if in that time he might not do better. Malachi refused, declaring that he would not fight against him after such display of chivalry.
As the work begins, we hear the army of Brian Boru marching to battle, prepared to give their very lives for their beliefs. Following the light-hearted march, with no battle scars to show for their journey, we hear them march off into the distance secure in the preservation of their moral convictions.
Grace O’Malley (Listen for a slow isolated flute melody with “humming” underneath)
The setting is Carrickhowley Castle, a waterside fortification standing on a broad flat rock in a wildly rocky sea inlet. Grace O’Malley, a woman of legendary strength and dominant qualities, had selected the Castle as a strategic location for her rather successful trade and piracy operation. Richard Burke had inherited the castle from his family who had built and owned Carrickhowley Tower. Grace, it seems, went on a romantic crusade with Mr. Burke and his castle as the ultimate goal. The unfortunate fellow, it is believed, actually married her for love, and Grace accepted him on condition that the marriage could be terminated by either party after one year.
During that year, she garrisoned this and all Burke’s other fortresses with her own loyal soldiers, refused to let the man near her, and at the end of the year installed herself at Carrickhowley and declared the marriage over by shouting “I dismiss you” at him from its upper window. Of course, she had no intention of giving back his fortifications and it was impossible to take them from her.
The Battle of Cahir Castle (Listen for big percussion, tin whistles, and chaos).
Cahir Castle stands on a rocky islet in the midst of the Suir. Cahir Castle was built probably by Connor O’Brien, in about 1142 and was enlarged in 1500. The ground plan follows the shape of the island on which it stands, and the defenses are cleverly designed, being divided into separately fortified sections. The castle withstood frequent attacks until the advent of cannon, for which it was not quite so well equipped. In the 16th-17th Century, as English rivals competed for control over the region, Cahir Castle ground itself more vulnerable. Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, confronted and conquered it within three days in 1599. In 1641, the notorious Lord Inchiquin (who destroyed many towns and fortifications in Ireland), achieved the same task within just a matter of hours. In 1650, Cromwell arrived at Cahir Castle in Person.
He, being unwilling to engage in what he thought might prove a long struggle to subdue the stronghold, and it’s occupants, believing that he would ultimately be successful in such a battle proposed and agreed upon terms which allowed the castle garrison to leave unharmed with all their flags and weapons.
As the work draws to a close, we hear two opposing armies call to each other through the percussion. As with Cromwell at Cahir Castle, they choose to draw down their weapons and walk away with their heads held high, resolving to meet again under better circumstances.