Above: Picture of the ruins in Athenry

Felim O’Connor had left De Burgh on the Bann in order to oppose the attempt of Rory O’Connor of the ” Clann Murtough ” {page 138) to supersede him. Rory had distinguished himself by capturing many Norman castles, and had been inaugurated King with the support of most of the chiefs of Connacht. Even Mulroney Mac Dermott, chief of Magh Luirg, who had placed Felim on the throne (page 138) went over to Rory for a time. He soon returned to Felim, however, and the two defeated and slew Rory. Felim and his lieutenant immediately declared against De Burgh and the Normans, and drove them out of Luighne (page 138). Declaring his intention of driving the Normans out of Connacht, Felim was joined by all the chiefs of Connacht, by O’Brien of Thomond, and by O Maolachlan and other chiefs of Meath. The defeated Red Earl was now old and without vigour. But his brother, William De Burgh, and Richard De Bermingham, gathered the Norman forces at Athenry.

There they were attacked by the Irish. In the fiercest and most disastrous battle fought in Connacht since the coming of the Normans, the Irish were uttrly defeated. Felim was slain, and with him fell most of the chiefs of Connacht, and many of those of Meath and Thomond (10th August, 1316) Mac Dermott survived the battle, and became the most influential of the Irish of Connacht.

Above: Coat of the McDermott