Posted on 03/08/2014 10:37:25 AM PST by SunkenCiv
The death of Ireland’s High King during the famous bloody battle of Clontarf almost exactly 1,000 years ago will be remembered with a special service in his burial county of Armagh next month.
Brian Boru (Bóraime) may have been born in County Clare but, as the well-known theme song ‘The Boys from the County Armagh’ notes, his ashes lie in the city, at the Church of Ireland Cathedral.
The legendary leader had requested to be buried in Armagh, possibly due to its religious links to St Patrick, and it is said he was brought to the city by the clergy following his death at Clontarf on Good Friday 1014, after a battle in which his side actually claimed victory.
He was waked 12 nights in Armagh alongside his son before burial in a new tomb, “on the north side of the great church”.
Next month an ecumenical service at the Cathedral, which has a memorial stone on its north wall, will mark the millennium since the well-remembered historical figure’s death and, according to organisers, have a prayer for the Ireland of today.
Brian Boru’s life, reign and death deserve to be commemorated in such a way, said the Dean of Armagh, the Very Revd Gregory Dunstan.
“The Battle of Clontarf was of European importance,” he said. “The commemorative programme runs from Killaloe through Cashel and Dublin to Armagh. “In this service, the Cathedral aims both to reflect on an historic tragedy and to highlight its significance for the Island of today.”
Mark Patrick Hederman, OSB, Abbot of Glenstal, will preach at the service, which will be based on the Anglican liturgy of Choral Evensong.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsletter.co.uk ...
'To King Brian. May your glass be ever full.'
For anyone who enjoys historical fiction or would be interested in learning more about Brian Boru I would suggest reading two books by Morgan Llyweyln that are both excellent -
Lion of Ireland is a historical fiction novel and it’s a good read and she wrote 1014: Brian Boru and the Battle of Ireland decades later based on extensive research.
Thanks.
Oh wow, I think I remember that movie. Not sure the drunk guy does. ;’)
Fortunately, I recovered pretty quickly and was able to go to work the next day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIlG8Sjlv-w
Anyone with O'Brien ancestry is a descendant of Brian Boru, at least in theory.
A good year for anniversaries of Celtic peoples giving their invaders a hard time. June 24th is the 700th anniversary of the battle of Bannockburn.
A 12-night wake. Wow!
Thanks all for the replies. Also, I should have made this the Digest ping, so I will now. :’)
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