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124 Stephen Dunford: The Journey of The IrIsh
ed with Sitric Silkbeard, the then ruler of the Dublin Norsemen and revolted against Brian. On Thursday, 30th of December, 999 AD, during the battle since known as Cath Ghleann Máma, ‘Glenmama,’ ‘The Battle of the Glen of the Gap’, near Dunlavin in county Wicklow, Maelmora’s Dano-Irish force was utterly crushed by the combined armies of Brian and Malachy. So great was the defeat, it is told, that at the close of battle, 6,000 lay dead about the field, more than 4,000 of whom came from the ranks of the vanquished.
According to the eleventh century chronicle Cogadh Gaedhil le Gallaibh-Wars of the Gael and Gaill, Brian now was:- “not a stone in place of an egg, nor a wisp of hay in place of a club; but he was a hero in place of a hero.”
Notwithstanding that Brian had the assistance and support of King Malachy at Glen- mara, the ambitious and powerful King of Munster now boldly determined to dethrone his faithful ally. For this purpose, in 1001AD, Brian, at the head of a large army, marched into Meath and challenged Malachy, either to give battle, or alternatively, to hand over hostages in acknowledgement of his submission and resignation of the high-kingship. With a strange, almost quaint chivalry, previously referenced, Brian then gave Malachy, who it is told, at the time did not have adequate forces at his command, a period of respite, to allow him muster support, especially from the rulers of Donegal. But all of Malachie’s appeals for assistance were in vain.
So it came to pass, in 1002 at Tara, in a speech crammed with dignity, Malachy mag- nanimously relinquished the high-kingship and formally surrendered the crown and regalia of Ireland to Brian, after which Brian’s supporters gave what is called ‘the Royal War-Shout of Applause’-Láimh Laidir Abu-‘Hurrah for the Strong Hand.’ In the aftermath, Malachy retained the monarchy of Meath, but the O’Neill right of succession to the high-kingship, a right which had lasted for six centuries, had been usurped by a Munsterman, though Mal- achy returned to the high-kingship for a short period after Brian’s death.
Despite all the military and political wrangling, it is claimed by several chroniclers that the friendship between Brian and Malachy remained unbroken until Brian’s death.
Brian proved himself a capable and energetic ruler, who ruled as well as reigned. Despite being sixty-five when he assumed the title High-King, Brian’s first task was to make the tra- ditional “Circuit of Ireland,” something he achieved in a manner never before or equalled for pomp and grandeur. We are told that during the gruelling circuit, a triumphant Brian placed a gift of twenty ounces of gold on the altar of the great church at Armagh, after