surprised, therefore, to find his reign a favourite epoch
with subsequent Bards and Storytellers.

The long and prosperous reign of Donald III. succeeded
(A.D. 739 to 759). He is almost the only one of this
series of Kings of whom it can be said that he commanded
in no notable battle. The annals of his reign are chiefly
filled with ordinary accidents, and the obits of the
learned. But its literary and religious record abounds
with bright names and great achievements, as we shall
find when we come to consider the educational and missionary
fruits of Christianity in the eighth century. While on
a pilgrimage to Durrow, a famous Columbian foundation in
Meath, and present King's County, Donald III. departed
this life, and in Durrow, by his own desire, his body
was interred.

Nial II. (surnamed of the Showers), son to FEARGAL and
brother of the warrior-Bard, Hugh V., was next invested
with the white wand of sovereignty. He was a prince less
warlike and more pious than his elder brother. The
_soubriquet_ attached to his name is accounted for by a
Bardic tale, which represents him as another Moses, at
whose prayer food fell from heaven in time of famine.
Whatever "showers" fell or wonders were wrought in his
reign, it is certain that after enjoying the kingly office
for seven years, Nial resigned, and retired to Iona,
there to pass the remainder of his days in penance and
meditation. Eight years he led the life of a monk in
that sacred Isle, where his grave is one of those of "the