Above : Picture Of Richard “Red Earl” De Burgh

The O Maolachlans in Meath.—In Meath many generations of the O Maolachlans atoned by brave fighting for the fatal dissensions of their family. During all this period one chief after another—still bearing the title of ” King of Tar a “—carried on a continued fight against the De Lacys and their followers, breaking down their castles again and again. Most prominent amongst those chiefs was ” Art na g-Caislean,” or ” Art of the Castles,” ” the greatest warrior of his time against the English,” who died in 1283 after a reign of over 40 years. These efforts prevented the full extension westwards of Norman power, and confined the ” causeway ” to Athlone to dangerously narrow limits. But all their eastern territories were lost to them, and even the western portion of their ancient Kingdom was split in two.* Henceforward, the families of the Southern Ui Neill—O Maolachlan, Mac Geoghegan, Molloy, etc.—appear mostly in association with the neighbouring clans of Laighin.

Separation of the Leinster Clans.—The former Kingdom of Laighin was also divided, the Norman ” wedge ” in the plains separating the clans in the mountains from those in the district around the Bog of Allen and Slieve Blooms. From this open country the Mac Murroughs, O’Byrnes and O’Tooles were driven on one side into the mountainous district on the east, while the O’Connors of Ui Failghe and the O’Moores of Laoighis had to retreat to the difficult country on the west. Domknal Caomhanach, son of Diarmuid Mac Murrough, had been acknowledged as King of Laighin, and the title was continued in his family, who took the name of Mac Murrough Kavanagh. They still maintained their independence in part of their patrimony of Ui Cinnsealaigh, but, cut off from their principal supporting clans, they were shorn of their power.

Massacre of O’Connors of Ui Failghe.—In Ui Failghe the O’Connors opposed the Normans of Meath on one frontier, and those of Kildare on another. Their greatest disaster was due to an act of treachery on the part of a Norman named Pierse Bermingham. The chief of Uf Failghe, his brother, Calvagh O’Connor, who was named the ” Great Rebel,” and thirty chiefs of the clan, were invited by Bermingham to a feast at his castle of Carbury. When the banquet was over the Norman caused every one of his guests to be murdered (1305).

* The detached northern part of Teabtha came under the power of O’Farrttt, hitherto sub-chief in Breifne, who gave it the name of Anghaile (Annally =>County Longford).

Migrations in Desmond.—In South Munster the dislocation of the clans was even greater than elsewhere. While in other parts of the country the clans were forced to retire to restricted parts of their own territories, the pressure in Desmond resulted frequently in wholesale migrations to new and strange lands. In their later situations, also, the new comers, on their part, caused a serious disturbance of the earlier inhabitants. The advance of the Normans along the valley of the Suir drove the Mac Carthys and the O’Sullivans from their traditional territories on the plains of Cashel, and forced them to transfer themselves to the mountainous districts of West Munster. On the Blackwater the O’Callaghans and the O’Lehanes were driven westwards. Other clans were similarly forced to migrate, by aggression from Cork on one side and Limerick on the other.

The Mae Carthys : Battle of Callan.—In their new and limited territories in the extreme south-west the Mac Carthys were still acknowledged as supreme chiefs of Desmond, and they led the clans in their immediate neighbourhood in maintaining their independence. They soon, however, became divided into two branches—Mac Carthy M6r and Mac Carthy Riabhach (Reagh), and dissensions which followed permitted the Geraldines to encroach further upon them. Fionan (or Florence) Mac Carthy Riabhach in a fierce battle at Callan, near Kenmare, eventually inflicted a complete defeat upon the Geraldines and their allies, and put a stop to their aggressions (1261). West of Cork and south of Tralee the clans remained thenceforward independent. But this compact mountainous territory was almost completely encircled by Norman settlements, and Mac Carthy was cut off from the isolated clans which still remained scattered over many parts of Desmond.

Domhnall Mor O’Brien.—-Domhnall M6r O’Brien, the victor of Thurles, continued his defence ot Thomond, and succeeded in keeping the Normans out of his territories. When Prince John built castles in the valley of the Suir, Domhnall swept down and destroyed them all as far as Ardfinnan (1185). When De Courcey invaded Connacht, O’Brien assisted Connor Moinmoy O’Connor in repelling him (1188). Again, when a large force of Normans crossed the Shannon at Killaloe, O’Brien fell upon them and drove them back (1192). Upon his death (1194), all Thomond, both north and south of the Shannon, was still free of the invaders. In Limerick, alone, had they a footing and even there they were not secure.

Dissensions of O’Briens.—Domhnall’s son followed his father’s example by destroying Norman castles in File and as far as Laoighis, but dissensions arose in the O’Brien family, and a Norman castle was built at Killaloe (1215) which secured another passage across the Shannon. Their own disputes, however, did not prevent the O’Briens from interfering in the quarrels of others, and we find them aiding O’Connor claimants in Connacht, and assisting Marshall against De Lacy. They showed, however, one notable sign of broad patriotism when, as will be seen, Tadhg O’Brien waived his traditional claims, and acknowledged Brian O’Neill as Ard Rf at the Conference of Caol Uisge (1258).

Murder of Brian Ruadh O’Brien.—An act of cruelty and gross treachery marks the last effort of the Normans to occupy Thomond. Thomas De Clare, Earl of Gloucester, secured a ” grant ” of Thomond from Edward I of England in 1275, and two years later proceeded to realise it. A dispute was raging between two members of the O’Brien family—Brian Ruadh and Turlough. De Clare espoused the cause of Brian Ruadh and pledged his friendship in the most solemn manner. The allies defeated Turlough, but De Clare suddenly changed sides, treacherously captured Brian Ruadh, and caused him to be put to death by being dragged between two horses (1277). All Thomond arose : the sons of Brian defeated De Clare and captured him and his relative, Fitz- Gerald—and released them upon conditions ! The attempt was again renewed, but De Clare was defeated and slain (1286), and Thomond remained almost completely free from the invader.

Family Strife in Connacht.—In Connacht the quarrels between the descendants of Turlough M6r O’Connor* surpassed any of the disputes of either Gael or Norman elsewhere. They were more intense, more lasting, and more confusing. Practically every branch of the O’Connor family participated in the struggle, which was continued throughout this period and long afterwards. A few brief intervals relieved the series of bitter contests, and a few prominent names stand out for a time amidst the chaos. To those few exceptions must be ascribed the fact that Connacht was not completely subdued by the Normans.

Connor “Moinmoy.”—The parricidal strife began when in 1177 Muirkertagh, a son of Rory O’Connor, rebelled against his father and brought in the aid of De Cogan. The attempt, however, ended in disaster. After a brief struggle with another son, Connor ” Moinmoy,” Rory retired into the Abbey of Cong (1186), where, twelve years later, the last Ard Ri died. Connor Moinmoy, now King, was forced to meet the attack of De Courcey in 1188. Aided by Domhnall M6r O’Brien he drove De Courcey west towards the frontiers of Tir Chonaill, where he was met by its then chief, O’Maldory. Flight alone saved De Courcey, and he escaped across the Shannon after severe loss. Other Irish chiefs joined the new alliance, but next year Connor Moinmoy was assassinated (1189), and the brief unity and the peace of Connacht alike ended.

Cathal ” Crobh Dearg.”—A fierce struggle ensued between Cathal ” Carrach,” son of Connor Moinmoy, and Cathal ” Crobh Dearg” (the Red Hand”), the youngest son of Turlough M6r. For twelve years the contest was continued, Cathal Carrach being aided by De Burgh and Cathal Crobh Dearg by De Lacy, De Courcey, and O’Neill of Tir Eoghain. During all this time the attempts of Crobh Dearg were frustrated. At length by lavish promises he won over De Burgh to his side, and Cathal Carrach was defeated and slain (1201). The followers of De Burgh were quartered in Connacht, but suddenly the inhabitants fell upon them and massacred 700 of them. De Burgh next year raided Connacht in revenge, but he died in 1204. Cathal Crobh Dearg was now supreme, and until his death, in 1224, he kept the invaders at bay and Connacht at peace. In 1210 he made a formal acknowledgment to King John, and he afterwards supported the Marshalls against the De Lacys. The most able and vigorous of the sons of Turlough M<3r, he was a worthy successor to the fame of Domhnall Mor O’Brien.

Renewed Strife.—On the death of Cathal Crobh Dearg the disputes of the O’Connors again broke out between the sons of Cathal on one part, and the sons of Rory on the other. For twenty-five years— 1224-1249—the bitter struggle was continued, each side being supported by both Irish and Norman allies from Connacht and elsewhere. But while the Irish clans returned from battle to their own territories, the Normans remained and built castles. De Burgh and the Geraldines frequently changed sides, and on repeated occasions ravaged Connacht from end to end and established their castles in many districts. In 1249, however, Felim, son of Cathal Crobh Dearg, became King and the dissensions of the O’Connors ceased for a time.

Peace and Further Strife.—During the reigns of Felim (1249-1265) and of his son Aodh (1265-1274), the O’Connor family remained unusually free from domestic strife, and Norman influence was, consequently, kept in check. Aodh had distinguished himself in youth by his resistance to the invaders, and he represented his father at the conference of Caol Uisge in 1258 and led the forces of Connacht at the subsequent Battle of Downpatrick. While King, he took several castles from the Geraldines, and successfully foiled their attempt upon Tir Chonaill. Upon his death, however, the fatal jealousies of the posterity of Turlough Mor were revived and resulted in warfare which surpassed in confusion all that had gone before. In one year after his death, three members of the family succeeded one another as King; every branch of the descendants of Cathal Crobh Dearg took part in the contests, and, to add to the turmoil, the posterity of Muirkertach ” Muimhneach “• * The ” Munsterman (another son of Turlough’s), known as the ” Clann Murtough,” entered the lists. The strength of the Siol Murray was dissipated, and the Red Earl of Ulster (page 131) became the most powerful noble in Connacht. At length peace seemed to be restored when Felim, a descendant of Aodh, the son of Cathal Crobh Dearg, was inaugurated as King of Connacht through the influence of MacDermott, the powerful chief of the most important of the minor branches of the Siol Murray (1309).

Norman Lord and Irish King in Connacht.—The power of the Red Earl in Connacht was, however, that of mere feudal supremacy, and it did not represent any fresh acquisition of territory. The tide of Norman colonisation had exhausted itself by this time and no new settle­ments were being made. De Burgh was Norman Lord of Connacht, while one or other member of the O’Connor family claimed to be Irish King of Connacht, and a natural rivalry existed between the two. De Burgh was opposed by Norman antagonists ; the O’Connors fought between themselves over the claims of different competitors of the same family. In the long series of bitter contests occasioned by the latter, practically all the clans of Connacht took part on behalf of the different claimants—the clans of the Siol Murray and of the other branches of the Ul Briuin, the clans of Ui Fiachra, and the old subordinate clans. But in no instance did any but an O’Connor claim to be leader. Whoever was the rightful O’Connor was recognised head of the clans of Connacht.

Below : O’Briens Tower

Effects of the Pressure in Connaeht.—The displacement of the clans in Connacht was not so marked as it was in the case of those already dealt with. The O’Connors and the other clans of Siol Murray still retained nearly all their own patrimonies. So also did their kindred Ui Briuin of Breifne—now divided into two sections under O’Rourke and O’Reilly respectively. The Ui Briuin of the west, however, were driven from their lands on the east of Lough Corrib, and settled under their chiefs, the O’Flaherties, to the west of that lake. Both branches of the Ui Fiachra lost territory by the Norman occupation around Galway and on the lower Moy respectively, and they became too weak to question the sole supremacy in Connacht of O’Connor. In Luighne the occupation of the Upper Moy drove the clans to settle (but only for a time) in other territories. Many castles were built in Ui Maine, but a fierce resistance there on the part of the O’Kellys—combined with occasional time-serving —succeeded in preventing any occupation that would have linked up the passes on the middle and lower Shannon, and checked any expansion of the settlement in the districts around the bridge of Athlone.

The Northern Ui Neill.—When practically all the rest of the Irish chiefs formally accepted Henry II of England as their titular over-lord, the chiefs of the Northern Uf Neill held sternly aloof. The Cineal Eoghain and the Cineal Chonaill alike refused to acknowledge any superior in the land of Eire. Their independence won for them respect, and no attempt was made to ” grant ” their territories to any of the adventurers. This alone would not have saved Tir Eoghain or Tir Chonaill from the rapacity of the Norman barons had they been more accessible. Their remote position, however, supported the spirit of their chiefs. Tir Chonaill could be attacked only on the narrow pass across the Lower Erne after the Normans had penetrated Connacht; Tir Eoghain could be reached only through the mountain passes north-west of Dundalk, and these were still surrounded by independent clans of Oirghialla, or else by an attack across the Lower Bann from De Courcey’s settlement in ” Ulster.” At these points attempts were, indeed, made during this period, but without any real success.

In both sections of the Northern Ui Neill this period witnesses the accession to sole and permanent leadership of two families which hence­forward figure prominently in Irish affairs—in Tir Eoghain the O’Neills, in Tir Chonaill the O’Donnells.

Tir Chonaill.—It has already been noticed that of the two divisions of the ancient Kingdom of Aileach, the Cineal Eoghain had become predominant and had monopolised the sovereign title. But the Cineal Chonaill still remained independent and the recent partition of the old Kingdom had strengthened their position. For some generations their leaders had been of the family of O’Maldory, and it was under a prince of that name that they drove back De Courcey when, on his raid through Connacht in 1188 , he approached their western frontiers. Again, in 1197, when the Normans from De Courcey’s earldom crossed the lower Bann, and marched along the northern coast, Flaherty O’Maldory met them on the shores of Lough Foyle and defeated them at Faughanvale. In this battle, the last exploit of his family, O’Maldory appears as the leader of both the Cineal Chonaill and the Cineal Eoghain.

Domhnall Mbr O’Donnell.—After a short contest between rival claimants, the supremacy of Tir Chonaill became finally vested in a chief in whose family it remained ever afterwards until the fatal day of Kinsale . This was Domhnall M6r O’Donnell, who became prince of Tir Chonaill in 1208, and reigned over it until 1241. At the time of his accession the Geraldines in Connacht had advanced to the Erne, and they attempted to build a castle at Caol Uisge (near Belleek) to guard the passage of that river. But O’Donnell, aided by O’Neill of Tir Eoghain, fell upon the Normans and destroyed the castle (1210), and during the rest of his long reign his territory remained free from foreign intrusion. Nor did he act solely on the defensive. Married to a daughter of Cathal Crobh Dearg, he participated in the disputes of the O’Connors, while he also interfered in the affairs of Tir Eoghain, and upon one occasion at least took its hostages, while the last incident of his career was the battle of Caimeirghe (1241), which, as will be seen, placed the O’Neills in permanent power in Tir Eoghain.

Claims of O’Donnell in Connaeht.—In his efforts against the Norman menace from Sligo, Domhnall M6r revived ancient claims over the territory called Cairbre (Carbury), the district lying between Sligo and Lough Melvin. According to the ” Book of Rights ” (page 26), this district was part of the Kingdom of Aileach. But the claims of the Ui Neill had always been contested by the neighbouring families of the Western Siol Chuinn. O’Donnell now renewed them and declared himself Lord of ” Lower Connacht.” His object may have been to protect himself against the Geraldines, but in future years, when that danger had vanished, there remained a constant cause of conflict between the O’Donnells and the family of O’Connor Sligo.

Battle of Credran.—During the declining years of Domhnall M6r the Geraldines had increased their power in the adjoining territories of Connacht, and in 1245 they succeeded in building the Castle of Sligo. Two years later Lord Maurice Fitz-Gerald defeated and slew Melaghlin O’Donnell on the River Erne and placed O’Cannanain (Cannon), the representative of a rival family, over Tir Chonaill. Godfrey O’Donnell, however, quickly re-established the supremacy of his family and ten years later defeated Fitz-Gerald in a battle at Credran in Cairbre, destroyed the castle that had now been erected at Caol Uisge, and burnt Sligo (1257). Domhnall Og the son of Domhnall M6r (1258-1281), continued the struggle with success, but after his death rival members of the O’Donnell family fought for the chieftianship. Tir Chonaill, weakened by the dissensions, was forced to give hostages to the Red Earl, who, penetrating the country, erected a castle beyond its eastern frontier at Greencastle in Inishowen (1305).

O’Donnells and O’Neills : Battle of Desertcreaght.—Although it was by the assistance of O’Donnell that the O’Neills had been made supreme in Tir Eoghain, the ancient rivalry did not, on that account, cease. On the contrary, new ambitions on the part of both families in respect of adjoining territories had introduced, as will be seen, new seeds of strife. The great rival chiefs of the North were frequently at war. It is said that immediately after the battle of Credran O’Neill demanded tribute from Godfrey O’Donnell,* and that the latter, carried on his dying bier, defeated his opponent at Corneal near Letterkenny. The story is not corroborated by the Irish annals, but the Cineal Chonaill did not take part in the Conference of Caol Uisge in the following year, nor in the battle of Downpatrick. Eventually a fierce conflict took place between the rivals at Desertcreaght in Tir Eoghain not far from Lough Neagh, to which O’Donnell had penetrated aided by auxiliaries from Connacht. Aodh Buidhe O’Neill, with the assistance of Norman forces, defeated the Cineal Chonaill; Domhnall Og was slain, and the power of Tir Chonaill shattered (1281). In the accounts of this battle O’Donnell is described as ” King of Tir Chonaill, Fermanagh and Oirghialla.”

* The laconic messages are thus given 1 O’Neill to O’Donnell—” Pay me my tribute, or ” O’Donnell to O’Neill—” J owe you no tribute, and if .”

Mae Laughlins in Tir Eoghain.—Rory O’Connor had broken up the Kingdom of Aileach, and had endeavoured to partition Tir Eoghain between the kindred but rival families of Mac Laughlin and O’Neill. In the first he was successful, for, although the tradition remained long afterwards it was merely the excuse for an empty title. In the second he was not successful, for although the two families of the Cineal Eoghain remained hostile, their contest was for the leadership of the entire territory. At first the supremacy lay with the Mac Laughlins. It was Domhndi Mac Laughlin, ” King of Aileach ” who fought against De Courcey, and died in the moment of victory near Newry in 1188, and his brother, Muirkertach, who succeeded him, also fought against the invaders. But at the battle of Faughanvale a Mac Laughlin fought on the side of the Normans against O’Maldory.

Supremacy of the O’Neills.—In 1198 Aodh O’Neill became ” King of Aileach ” despite the opposition of the Mac Laughlins. During a reign of over thirty years he not only kept the invaders out of Tir Eoghain but attacked them at different points—with O’Donnell at Caol Uisge in 1211, and with Mac Mahon of Oirghialla and O’Hegney of Fermanagh at Clones in 1212. When King John came to Ireland in 1210 he was met by O’Neill, who departed ” without hostages or security.” He aided the De Lacys in their war with Marshall and also participated in the feuds of the O’Connors. Upon his death in 1230 the struggle of the two families was renewed. At length in the battle of Caimeirghe, Brian O’Neill won a decisive victory with the aid of Domhnall M6r O’Donnell. The Mac Laughlins never again challenged the superiority of their rivals, and the O’Neills ever afterwards were sole leaders of the Cineal Eoghain (1241).

Conference of Caol Uisge : Battle of Downpatrick.—During the reign of Brian O’Neill in Tir Eoghain another attempt at cohesion, similar to that made in the time of Connor Moinmoy, was made by some of the Irish princes. At a conference held at Caol Uisge on the River Erne, Tadhg O’Brien, King of Thomond, and Aodh O’Connor, son of felim King Of Connactch, met Brian O’neill to arrange or common action by the Irish. THe three great houses which had struggle for the suppremacy of Ireland before the coming of Normans were thus represented. Patriotically laying aside their own claims, O’Brien and O’Connor accepted O’Neill as supreme King. But in two years the brief alliance ended dissastrously. In fierce battle, fought near Downpatrick, the Irish led by Brian O’Neill and Aodh O’Connor were defeated with great slaughter by the Normans under the Lord Deputy. O’Neill was slain and become known in history as “Brian of the Battle of Down”.

Below : Map Of Today Downpatrick