anglicize and Protestantize--blinded many to the lawless
means by which they were worked out. The massacre of 400
persons of the chief families of Leix and Offally, which
took place at Mullaghmast in 1577, is an evidence of how
the royal troops were used to promote the ends of the
Undertakers. To Mullaghmast, one of the ancient raths of
Leinster, situated about five miles from Athy in Kildare,
the O'Moores, O'Kellys, Lalors, and other Irish tribes
were invited by the local commander of the Queen's troops,
Francis Cosby. The Bowens, Hartpoles, Pigotts, Hovendons,
and other adventurers who had grants or designs upon the
neighbouring territory were invited to meet them. One
of the Lalors, perceiving that none of those who entered
the rath before him emerged again, caused his friends to
fall back while he himself advanced alone. At the very
entrance he beheld the dead bodies of some of his
slaughtered kinsmen; drawing his sword, he fought his
way back to his friends, who barely escaped with their
lives to Dysart. Four hundred victims, including 180 of
the name of O'Moore, are said to have fallen in this
deliberate butchery. Rory O'Moore, the chief of his name,
avenged this massacre by many a daring deed. In rapid
succession he surprised Naas, Athy, and Leighlin. From
the rapidity with which his blows were struck in Kildare,
Carlow, and Kilkenny, he appeared to be ubiquitous. He
was the true type of a guerilla leader, yet merciful as
brave. While Naas was burning, he sat coolly at the
market cross enjoying the spectacle, but he suffered no
lives to be taken. Having captured Cosby, he did not,
as might be expected, put him to death. His confidence