Decline of Eamhain
Above : View Of Eamhain (These Days)
The division of Ireland into twenty-five parts, ascribed to Ugaine having lasted for three centuries, is said to have been ended by eocAro £eroleAc (Eochy Feylagh), who was King of the people of Leinster shortly before the Christian Era. He is said to have restored the legendary ” Five Provinces ” of the Firbolgs, and to have placed sub-Kings over each. This division, however, seems to have been as lightly regarded as were any of the previous ones, and it is not until the time of St. Patrick that we get definite political sub-divisions of Ireland. For the present, we can only witness the gradual development of the supremacy of certain families in different parts of the island. The conquering clans, who, in course of time, established the Irish states, gradually extended their power over the clans around them, leaving them undisturbed in their own territories under their own chiefs, but subordinate to and paying tribute to the chiefs of the superior clans. Whether or not these latter clans were more recent comers is still a matter of speculation.
Shortly before the Christian Era the most powerful Kings in Ireland were those who ruled in Emania founded three hundred years before. This family (said to be descended from Ir) was called the CUmhia TtufjpArrje (Clanna Rury) from one of its early kings. Its sway extended over VHavo (Ulaidh—the people of Ulla, or ” Ultonians “), and in early times spread over nearly all the North, and, at least, as far South as Taillte (in Co. Meath). Its king at this time was Connor Mac Nessa. Ultonian ” literature gives us vivid accounts of his power, his palace and court, and of his military knights called the ” Red Branch ” (Cr*Ao6 Rua-o Creeve Rua). In his reign, however, internal dissensions broke out, and a number of the chiefs of the Red Branch seceded under the leadership of Fergus. Soon afterwards a war, which lasted for seven years, broke out between Connor and Maeve of Connacht, who was aided by Fergus and other seceding Red Branch heroes. The power of the Clanna Rury was checked ; and, from that time forward, steadily declined. The war between Connor and Maeve is celebrated in the ” Cdm bo1 CuAilgjne.”
It is thought that the Ulaidh belonged to an early race of settlers, who in the rest of Ireland had been overcome by later arrivals, and in Ulaidh alone had maintained their independence. Important clans claiming descent from the Clanna Rury are found in the centre, west and south of Ireland, occupying a subordinate but perfectly distinct position.* Queen Maeve.—The war which broke the power of the Clanna Rury was shared in by contingents from every part of Ireland. It was led by the celebrated princess Maeve (tTle^’ob). She is said to have been a daughter of Eochy Feylagh, and to have married a Firbolg chief of Connacht, who was made sub-King of part of Connacht by Eochy. By her was founded, according to legend, the palace of CfWACAn (Croghan in County Roscommon), which afterwards became the seat of the founders of the Kingdom of Connacht .
The next event of importance is that which is revealed in the stories of the rising of the ” unfree clans,” which occurred soon after the Christian Era. The subject tribes or Attacotti (Attend XZu&tA), oppressed by the exactions of their conquerors, rose in revolt, and were aided by the King of Ulaidh. They slew or expelled most of their masters, but were at length subdued by Tuathal ” Teachtmhar ” or ” The Legitimate,” who defeated them in the battle of Aicill or Skreen (in Co. Meath).
The accounts of this revolution are clear enough to indicate some great political upheaval, out of which arose a great central dynasty to rival those of Eamhain on the north and Laighin on the south.
