Secretary, and he did much to raise its status: he presented the Cross of Cong and other antiquities to the museum. He was the author of valuable papers on light and refraction. In 1838 he gained the Academy's medal for an essay on "Laws of Crystalline Reflection and Refraction," in which "he linked together, by a single and simple mathematical hypothesis, the peculiar unique laws which govern the motion of light in its propagation through quartz." 39 In 1846 the Royal Society awarded him the Copley medal for like researches. His lectures as Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University of Dublin are said to have given an impetus to the study of the more abstruse sciences." It was in the delivery of them that Professor McCullagh used to display the extensive information, the elaborate research, and the vast acquired treasures of his highly cultivated mind. . . Nothing could exceed the depth, or surpass the exquisite taste and elegance of all his original conceptions, both in analysis and in the ancient geometry in which he delighted. . . In his investigations on the dynamical theory of light—the unaided creation of his own surpassing genius—he has reared the noblest fabric which has ever adorned the domains of physical science, Newton's System of the Universe alone excepted." 39 This is doubtless an over estimate of the value of his researches. In private life he was retiring, modest, and unselfish. To his public spirit was in a measure due the break-up of the practice of choosing the parliamentary representatives of the University from men educated outside its precincts. Towards the end of 1847 the confinement and intense application consequent on researches connected with a paper on A Theory of the Total Reflection of Light, brought on dyspepsia'and melancholia; his mind was overturned, and he died by his own hand in his college chambers, 24th October, aged about 38. His remains were interred near Strabane. 16 39 146
MacCurtin, Hugh and Andrew, natives of Clare, distinguished as poets in the 18th century. Hugh wrote an Irish Grammar, an English-Irish Dictionary, and an essay in vindication of the antiquity of Ireland. MSS. in the Library of Trinity College, copied by Andrew between 1716 and 1720, are referred to by Eugene O'Curry, who styles him "one of the best Gaedhlic scholars then living." 260 289
MacDermot, Brian, Chief of Magh Luirg, between 1585 and 1592, had his principal residence on an island in Loch Ce, near Boyle, and died in November 1592. He is worthy of remembrance as the owner, restorer, and continuer of the Annals of Lough Cé, the only copy of which known to exist is in the Library of Trinity College. They originally commenced with the year 1014 and ended with 1590, but are now imperfect. They have been edited in the historic series of the Master of the Rolls, with translation, notes, and a valuable introduction by William M. Hennessy. 260
MacDonnell, Sorley Boy, was descended from Fergus, son of Donnell, an Ulster chieftain, who, with his brothers Loarn and Angus, about the year 506, permanently laid the foundation of the Dalriadic kingdom in Scotland. He was born in Ulster about 1505, probably at Dunanney Castle, near Ballycastle, and was early trained as a soldier. We find little mention made of him until 1552, when he assisted in driving the English from Carrickfergus, declaring "playnly that Inglische men had no ryght to Yrland." Six years later his release from Dublin Castle, after a year's imprisonment, is noticed in the state papers. He had been appointed by his elder brother, James, to the lordship of the Route, a portion of the territory conquered from the Macquillans. A determined effort was made in 1559 by the latter to repossess themselves of their ancient inheritance. Sorley was sustained by a number of MacDonnells he brought from Scotland, and one of the principal battles that ensued was at Bonamargy. The English favoured the MacDonnells, deeming it wise to secure as many alliances as possible in the north. On war breaking out between Shane O'Neill and the Anglo-Irish in 1560, Sorley and his brother James kept aloof from the conflict. After Shane had made his submission to the Queen, and was received into favour, he turned his arms against the MacDonnells. On 2nd of May 1565, he inflicted a crushing defeat upon Sorley and his brother James at Ballycastle. O'Neill's account of the transaction, in a Latin letter to the Lords-Justices, is still preserved amongst the state papers, James and Sorley were taken prisoners; the former soon succumbed to the cruel treatment he received; the latter endured a galling incarceration of upwards of two years, and after his release was somewhat instrumental in securing Shane's assassination. The Government now prepared to possess themselves, not only of the territory of O'Neill, but also of that of the MacDonnells. Sorley collected large bands of adherents in Scotland, opposed the encroachments of the Government, and by the commencement of 1568 had repossessed himself of all the castles and strong places
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