Comment by The Four Masters

Imeacht na n-Iarlai

Colour painting "Imeacht na n-Iarlai" (Flight of the Earls) by Donegal artist Seoirse O Dochartaigh. Pictured is a departing ship on stormy seas; in the foreground, interwoven into the waves, are the surnames of the people who accompanied the Ulster earls on their voyage to the continent.

Seoirse O Dochartaigh

Imeacht na n-Iarlai
Seoirse O Dochartaigh

Imeacht na n-Iarlai

Colour painting "Imeacht na n-Iarlai" (Flight of the Earls) by Donegal artist Seoirse O Dochartaigh. Pictured is a departing ship on stormy seas; in the foreground, interwoven into the waves, are the surnames of the people who accompanied the Ulster earls on their voyage to the continent.

Seoirse O Dochartaigh

Enlarge image

"This was a distinguished crew for one ship: for it is indeed certain that the sea had not supported, and the winds had not wafted from Ireland, in modern times, a party of one ship who would have been more illustrious or noble, in point of genealogy, or more renowned for deeds, valour, prowess, or high achievements, than they, if God should have permitted them to remain in their patrimonies until their children should have reached the age of manhood. Woe to the heart that meditated, woe to the mind that conceived, woe to the council that decided on, the project of their setting out on this voyage, without knowing whether they would ever return to their native principalities or patrimonies to the end of the world."