Much of this book concerns the life and legends of King Guaire mac Colmain, who lived in the ancient palace of Raith Durlais until his death in the year 663. The poets of old as knew his ancient ringfort on the shore of Kinvara Bay as: The white sheeted fort of soft stones Habitation of poets and bishops The rest of the book is about the descendants of Guaire: particularly the O'Hynes and the O'Shaughnessys and to a lesser extent the other lineal descendants of that seventh century king - the O'Clearys, the O'Cahans, the O'Cahills and the Killikellys. Their ancient friends and foes are mentioned too: among them - the Berminghams, Burkes, De Lacys, Fitzgeralds, Gregorys, Martins, MacDermots, MacFirbis's, MacNamaras, O'Briens, O'Connors, O'Donnells, O'Dowds, O' Flahertys, O'Kellys, O'Loughlins, O'Moghans and the O'Neills and others whose names and deeds have been mentioned in the history of the territory of the Ui Fiahrach Aidhne over the past 2000 years or so.