by Maire Peters
There was once a famous Irish Greyhound called Master McGrath.
The most famous person from the McGrath side of the King Brian Boru
family was Bishop Myler McGrath. The only good thing about him might
be the fact that his tomb on the Rock of Cashel gives the guides
something to talk about at this tourist attraction.
He was 'some tulip' having been both Catholic and Protestant Bishop of
Cashed for nine years, because the post was so slow in those days,
it took forever before 'one crowd found about the other.'
By all kinds of duplicity and deception, he managed to keep on good
terms with both sides of the political divide in Ireland at that time.
He seemed to have done one good thing, he did not display hostilities
toward the next bishop of Cashel, David Kearney (1606 - 1625).
Members of Kearney Clan, like the Reagans. had gone to the United
States, where one of their descendants became the mother of the
present President, Barak Obama.
In fact another Kearney, Nicholas (1460) is also buried on the
Rock of Cashel.
The mother of vice-president Biden is a Finnegan.
The Irish Tenors often sing Finnegan's Wake. It has been said
that character McRath in the book Finnegan's Wake is said to
resemble Bishop Myler McGrath.
King Brian Boru's days ended when he was killed in his tent
at the battle of Clontarf in 1014. Clontarf is more than one hundred
and twenty miles from Cashel, so one wonders if he marched
there or went on horseback?
Irish Tenor fans who come to visit Ireland can drive from Shannon,
visit Dromoland the original home of Brian Boru and drive to the Rock
of Cashel. Not only do they warm the hearts of Irish Americans everywhere,
they are also great ambassadors for Irish Tourism.
The McGrath Family
and more items of interest
King Brian Boru's Castle at Rock Cashel, Tipperary, Ireland
