Thomas William Rolleston.

1857-1920

866   The Dead at Clonmacnois

FROM THE IRISH OF ANGUS O’GILLAN

IN a quiet water’d land, a land of roses,
     Stands Saint Kieran’s city fair;
And the warriors of Erin in their famous generations
     Slumber there.

There beneath the dewy hillside sleep the noblest
     Of the clan of Conn,
Each below his stone with name in branching Ogham
     And the sacred knot thereon.

There they laid to rest the seven Kings of Tara,
     There the sons of Cairbrà sleep—
Battle-banners of the Gael that in Kieran’s plain of crosses
     Now their final hosting keep.

And in Clonmacnois they laid the men of Teffia,
     And right many a lord of Breagh;
Deep the sod above Clan Creidà and Clan Conaill,
     Kind in hall and fierce in fray.

Many and many a son of Conn the Hundred-Fighter
     In the red earth lies at rest;
Many a blue eye of Clan Colman the turf covers,
     Many a swan-white breast.