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Life
[Mrs M. C Hine;] author of Brian Boru and the Battle of Clontarf: A Ballad (1889); probably a staff-member or the wife of a staff member at Foyle College, Londonderry [Derry], the Presbyterian teacher-training college [now a campus of Univ. of Ulster].
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Works
Brian Boru / and / The Battle of Clontarf: A Ballad (London: Simpkin, Marshall [Stationers’ Hall Court]; Dublin: Sullivan, Bros. [27 Marlborough St. 1889), 47pp., ill. [pl. of ‘Brian Boru’s harp in National Museum, Dublin’].
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Quotations
Brian Boru and the Battle of Clontarf (1889) - Preface: ‘It is twelve years since I read in the leading article of a well-known newspaper words to this effect: “Ireland has no real hero to boast of since her mythical heroes were laid to rest: her records are indeed, unenlivened as they are by a single name that can bring honest pride to an Irishman’s heart.” Stung by the words, thogh I knew them to be false, I then and there determined to write a ballad to commemorate the deeds of the great Brian, such as boys and girls would care to read. I ask no other public, and address myself to them alone. / To carry out my purpose, I explored all the records of the period that were accessible to me, and was [7] rewarded by the discovery that my hero was far greater even than I had supposed, and that the invasion of Ireland by the northern nations and the battle of Clontarg were regarded by historians of the time (whether Norse, Icelandic, or Irish) as the most momentous events of the period in which they wrote. / I have done my best to piece the information together so as to make a coherent narrative [...]’ (pp.7-8.) Further: ‘Years have passed since I wrote these verses, but I have never faltered in my allegiance to my hero, the great Brian Boru.’ [End.] Signed, ‘R. H., Foyle College, November 1, 1888’.
Brian Boru and the Battle of Clontarf (1889) - Ballad: ‘[...] Whilst the wrathful dying Viking / Shrieks: “Let man his fellow tell / How the mighty monarch Brian / By the hand of Brodar fell!” // So the heathen power was broken; / Thor and Woden winged their flight, / With the races that upheld them, / Back into the northern night.’ [End; p.46.]
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See copy of Brian Boru [.... &c.] (1889) in Google Books and Internet Archive [online; accessed 02.10.2010].
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