The Battle of Roscrea

The Battle of Roscrea

St Peter and Pauls or the 29th of June was when a great fair was held in Roscrea. In 942 folklore records that a huge hoard of Vikings attacked the fair in the hopes of making off with the wealth there. However they hadn't bet on just how hardy Tipp and particularly Roscrea people are!

"The Danes, under their commander, Olfinn, attracted by the great wealth, which was gathered together at the Aenach, marched on the town, and were annihilated. A description of this battle is found in O'Halloran's "History of Ireland," which is so vivid, it is here quoted in full :---
A great annual fair was held at Roscrea on the festival of Saints Peter and Paul - June 29th - but which continued during fourteen days. As this was nearly in the centre of the kingdom merchants resorted to it, not only from different parts of Ireland, but from foreign countries, to dispose of their wares ; for the country was even then called by the mercantile world .... An island rich in resources, precious stones, garments and gold.
The Danes of Limerick and Connaught had formed a bold scheme to surprise the merchants at the Fair .... Olfinn, chief of the Connacian Danes, conducted the enterprise, and marched his men in detached parties to the borders of the Shannon, where they were to meet ... forces from about Limerick. As they took different routes, and no considerable bodies appeared anywhere together, their intentions were more secret and less alarming. But no sooner did they appear on the Tipperary side of the Shannon, but notice was given by lighting fires at the different stations in Lower Ormond, by which the country became alarmed. They plunged into their barks as soon as possible. Their landing in Ormond was effected in two hours, and of this notice was also given.
From the place of their landing the object of their destination became suspected and soon known. As everything depended on expedition they formed and marched off as soon as landed. The soldiers who guarded the approaches to the Fair assembled, and were joined by the merchants, their clerks, and numbers of gentlemen and others assembled from all quarters on such occasions. On consultation it was decided not to remove the shops, the stages, the ware-houses or merchandise, but let them remain where erected, by which means those persons immediately interested would acquit themselves better. It was also agreed on to march out, and meet the enemy, and not wait to be attacked by them.

Those resolves inspired the people with confidence ; for troops advancing to the charge must collect more resolution, than those who wait to be attacked. As soon as the Danes appeared they gave them no time to form, but assaulted them on every side with such firmness and resolution, neither of which was expected, that the Danes were very soon broken ; and in this battle, and in the pursuit which followed, about 4,000 Danes were slain, with most of their principal officers, amongst whom was Olfinn himself. The place where this battle occurred was near Carrick Hill, which made this hill so remarkable, that it gave a title afterwards to the house of Butler.

The flight of the Danes after the battle was towards Moneygall, which means the shrubbery or bog of the foreigners and the route followed by the Danes has given names to the intervening places to the present day ; Owris, an Irish word means a delay or hindrance, the Owris is a stream ; Clonegana from Cluan, a retired place or meadow, and geanan a sword ; Clashagad, from Glas, lamentation, and giodad, a wounding ; Fin glas, from fion, troops, and glas, a lamentation ; Loughawn, from locc, a pool, and un, evil. Along the track of the Danes, numerous bones were found at the beginning of the nineteenth century in pits between Clonegana and the high-road, and in the bog between Cullenwaine and Moneygall."

From the History of Ely O'Carroll Territory by Rev John Gleeson pg 378-380

I love how a story from over a 1000 years ago can still be remembered in the placenames today. I have included the locations mentioned above and their supposed meanings. I think some of the translations are a bit fanciful. For example Clashagad is given as "The stream of the thief" on logainm. https://www.logainm.ie/en/41822

Some wonderful sculptures have been erected in the town of Roscrea by Jerry Cahir to commemorate this event.
https://www.nenaghguardian.ie/2023/07/09/62365/