Although, as has been seen, the chiefs of Munster had not supported Bruce, yet they had availed themselves of the opportunity his invasion gave them. A few months before the battle of Faughart the O’Briens, aided by Mac Carthy, had defeated another attempt of De Clare to secure a footing in Thomond. Led by Muirkertach—who in the previous year had opposed Bruce— they won a decisive victory at Dysert O’Dea (1318), and the English were completely cleared out of all Thomond west of the Shannon. Next they won back most of their former possessions to the east of that river. Muirkertach had a rival in Brian Ban O’Brien, who had even fought against him at Dysert O’Dea. The contest went on for some years, but eventually peace was made. Then the O’Briens crossed the Shannon, and drove the English out of Thomond, south of Lough Derg, and here Brian Ban settled, and established a new family known as the ” O’Briens of Ara.” He succeeded Muirkertach as King of Thomond, made a treaty with the De Burghs (who also had possessions here), and until his death, in 1350, kept Thomond free.
In the south-west, Desmond clans maintained their independence, but their ancient territories on the Suir and the Shannon were dominated by the Geraldines.
The disastrous battle of Athenry had left William De Burgh and Mulroney Mac Dermott the most important chiefs in Connacht. Bitter experience had not taught the O’Connors, and their feuds were again renewed, both De Burgh and Mac Dermott acting as rival King-makers. Eventually the latter succeeded in making Turlough O’Connor, the brother of Felim, King of Connacht (1324). Turlough was able and vigorous, and the quarrels of the De Burghs equalled any that had ever distracted the O’Connors. We find, therefore, that Turlough drives the last of the Norman settlers out of Luighne, and in Sligo establishes his former rival, who becomes ” O’Connor Sligo.”* The fall of the ” causeway ” to the Shannon was followed up by the capture of Athlone and the neighbouring castles, and Connacht was completely cut off from what was left of the English possessions (1342). The Normans who remained threw off, as will be seen, all connection with England, whose power beyond the Shannon was thus wiped out.